The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield Page A

to run his hands up and own the sleek sides of Philamena’s satin gown. “I have a part-time housekeeper who comes in three times a week to dust and do laundry. Unless you disagree, I have asked her to keep her current schedule. This house is awfully big for one person to handle all the cleaning and cooking alone. So if you don’t mind doing the cooking and the bulk of the cleaning, Mrs. Kellogg will take care of the laundry and help dust.”
    “That will be fine,” Philamena said, overwhelmed with all she had seen and experienced this day - her wedding day. Grabbing onto her courage before it fled entirely, she turned to Luke and took his big warm hand in her own thin one. The contact made tingles race to her toes, but she straightened her spine and pressed on. “I want to thank you, Mr. Granger, for not only rescuing me from my father, but for marrying me, for providing for me so graciously. I will do my very best to make you a good wife and fulfill the debt owed you.”
    Feeling a jolt shoot up his arm at her touch on his hand, Luke realized being close to Philamena was causing him to think any number of completely inappropriate ideas. Instead of releasing her fingers, he rubbed his thumb across her palm in slow circles.
    “No need to call me Mr. Granger, Philamena. If you do that, I’ll have to call you Mrs. Granger and being so formal doesn’t seem like fun at all. You call me Luke.”
    “Okay,” Philamena said, whooshing out the breath she’d been holding.
    “As to the other, Chauncy is convinced I was meant to go out to your farm that day and rescue you. I am more than happy to provide for you because I’m getting something out of this deal as well.”
    Philamena, who had been studying the toes of Luke’s shiny boots, turned her gaze to his face. “You are?”
    “I certainly am. I’ve heard from Chauncy you are a top-notch cook and I have to tell you, I’m looking forward to getting three hot meals a day. After begging meals from the Dodds or eating at the restaurant, it will be a pure pleasure to be able to eat meals in my own home.”
    Philamena smiled. “I’ll make sure you’re well fed.”
    Luke laughed and walked Philamena back to her room. “I have no doubt you will. Abby sent a basket of food home with us for dinner tonight, so maybe you can start with breakfast tomorrow.”
    Philamena nodded her head, thinking of what she could make special for Luke’s breakfast. She would have to examine the contents of the kitchen to see what provisions they had. From first glance, it looked well stocked.
    As if reading her thoughts, Luke stopped at her doorway and leaned against the jamb. “I had Mrs. Kellogg stock the cupboards this week. I think you’ll find everything you need to get started cooking. Whenever you need something, just have George Bruner charge it to my account at the mercantile.
    “But I wouldn’t feel right doing that,” Philamena said, uncomfortable with the notion of spending Luke’s money.
    “I trust you,” Luke said, studying his new bride and liking what he saw more with every passing minute. “You won’t buy anything you don’t need, so please feel free to charge to the account. If there is a purchase you’d like to discuss, you can always stop by the bank and ask me.”
    Again, Philamena nodded her head. As much as she liked, admired, and respected Luke, he still made her feel nervous. He was such a big, ruggedly handsome man.
    When Philamena thought of bankers, she assumed they would be men with soft bodies and pale skin from sitting behind a desk all day. Luke was tall, solid, tan and muscular, like he was accustomed to hard physical labor done outdoors. She noticed the calluses on his fingers when their hands touched earlier. Whatever he did when we wasn’t at the bank must involve some sort of outdoor exertion.
    Studying Luke through lowered lashes, Philamena realized there was much to learn about the man who was now her husband.
    Luke smiled down at her and,