“I think she would be an asset paired with the right partner. She needs a person that can temper her. She reminds me a bit of a storm, all bluster and ferociousness- but nurturing too. Gillian’s got a good heart and has been through a lot losing her husband. This might be really good for her.”
“And if it’s the wrong decision for her?”
“She will tell you in a heartbeat. I have no fear of that!”
“When will your husband be arriving?”
“He said that he was picking up something and would be here shortly.”
The front door to the office opened up and Jericho stepped inside. Her heart surged happily seeing his smile and faded just as fast. Archibald Gordon entered the room as well and took a seat not far from where Marianne sat perched.
Jericho stood there looking so very alone that it nearly broke her heart. Clementine patted the sofa beside her, indicating he should join her. He quickly walked over and took his seat, putting distance between them. Clementine couldn’t help the sad sigh that escaped her. No matter what she did or said, Jericho had yet to make her his wife in anything but name only. They’d been married over three months now and she wondered if they would ever be happy together.
“Is something the matter, Clementine?” Archie said smoothly. “You should be happy that the government is stepping in to help the situation. It was worse than we’d feared and several railways are in jeopardy due to lack of funding by Kilgore Bank. You two should be proud things did not continue on in this fashion.”
“We are.”
“Then why so glum? You both look like you’ve eaten something disagreeable. Is your partnership so terrible that you cannot stand working together? The case is over,” Archie reminded them both.
Clementine clenched her hands and stared down at the tips of her boots. She didn’t need a reminder, nor did she want another partner. She wanted her husband.
“My wife can have the annulment if she wants it,” Jericho said softly beside her. His every word was a dagger to her heart. Her vision blurred as hot tears welled up and her chest burned with regret.
“I should have never put you in danger and I can’t risk your safety again. I should have told Archie not to bring you on as an agent, my petunia… eh, I mean, Clementine.”
“Isn’t that sweet, Mr. Gordon?” Marianne murmured softly, handing a handkerchief to Clementine. She dabbed her eyes quickly.
“You had it right the first time,” Clementine told Jericho, finally looking at him. Her heart was breaking that he was simply going to let her go. Well, she wasn’t going to fade away without a fight.
“I like the silly pet names you call me – all of them. Petunia, dumpling, sweetheart, angel… all of them. Are you so hard-headed that you don’t realize that I love you? You push me away and keep me at arm’s length all the time. I know you don’t want me as your partner…”
“Stop right there,” Jericho bit out firmly and grabbed Clementine’s hand.
Marianne elbowed Archie gently.
“Help me prepare a tray, Archie,” Marianne asked Archie, getting to her feet quickly and leaving Jericho and Clementine alone in the room. Her husband’s blue eyes met her tearful ones.
“I have never said that I didn’t want you as my partner or wife. I said that I worried for your safety because I love you too. It scared me to death to see the look in your eyes when I thought you were being pulled into the water. I couldn’t bear the idea of you being swept out of my life when I’d finally fallen in love with you.”
“If you love me- then why don’t you say something or show me?”
“I thought I was!”
“No! You make me feel things that make my heart soar or call me silly names…”
“I’ll stop.”
“I like the silly names, Jericho, but you keep pushing me away. I want to be your wife. I want us to be a true couple. I want children and a home with you,” she gushed emphatically, pouring every bit of her soul in those words.
“I want to be your everything – even the silly names you call me.”
“All of them?” he whispered; a slight smile touched his lips. Jericho’s eyes were filled with love so pure it made her long to touch his face, but she was tempted to pinch her arm to see if this was a dream. Her hand trembled as she smoothed his brow. He took hold of her hand and pressed it to his cheek, closing his eyes in happiness.
“I love calling you sweet things.”
“I do too,” she murmured tenderly, feeling him kiss the palm of her hand.
“Which one do you like the most- maybe I should stick with just one of them for the time being. I wouldn’t want you to get sick of it or me.”
“Just one? Then how about the word that means the most to me: wife.”
“That one is my favorite one of all.”
Epilogue
“So, Clementine Buchannan called Mrs. Jameson ‘a sentimental bull-in-a-china-shop, eh?’” Archie muttered, amused as he peeked out the door. He saw the couple embrace and then shut the kitchen door once again to give them privacy.
“Yes.”
“And she’s widowed?”
Marianne nodded silently. He watched her move gracefully about the kitchen as she filled the teakettle with water. Archie was a soft-hearted matchmaker at heart. If anyone knew how to pair someone, it was him… but then again, his secretary had made several excellent matches herself between the agents. Maybe he should let her have a go at this newest recruit?
“Who are you thinking of for Gillian when she arrives? She should be on the next train coming into town, so we haven’t much time.”
“No. I know. The longer I wait, the worse things are getting,” he answered honestly, surprised that Marianne had read his mind.
“Yes, Archie.”
“Who do you suggest for Gillian? Someone obviously that can handle her.”
“I think you should pair her with Cade Malone.” Archie started with surprise. Cade was a man on the edge. There was a wildness to him that both concerned him and made him an exceptional agent. He was as reckless as he was morose.
“Really?”
“Yes. Still waters run deep with that one and I think they will be able to create a bond between them. All it takes is a chance to find something in common between them and I think she can reach him where no one else has been able to.”
“Gillian lost her husband and Cade’s wife died in childbirth. That will make them a good match? He’s turned away every partner so far, what makes this girl different? You see more than you are letting on, don’t you, Marianne.”
“Precisely, Archie.”
Also by Ginny Sterling
Discover more in An Agent for Gillian
coming October 2019
Two wrongs don’t make a right – or do they?
Gillian Jameson had lost her world when her husband died. Alone, scared, and desperate for something to fill the emptiness in her soul- she turns to the Pinkerton Agency for help. What she never expected was to be married again, especially to a man like Cade Malone.
Cade had a recklessness to him that was born of sheer desperation. His wife and child were gone. He was running from memories that haunted him with every breath and nightmares that plagued him each night. What he needed was a reason to go on- and it certainly wasn’t in the form of a new partner.
Can two broken souls form a bond between them? Will seeing another person who is struggling to deal with the trauma in their lives be just the thing to help old wounds heal – or would falling for each other simply create another emotional scar that is just too great to bear?
Click here to get a copy!
The theater is coming to Silverpines!
When Chicago actress, Posey Jones travels across country to help an ailing relative- she is immediately thrown into town at the very brink of destruction. Losing her uncle, gaining a home, and her independence- she sets out to establish her theater… only to realize she needs something special to ensnare an audience! When seve
ral women send off for husbands, she joins in with a strange request…
Garrison is tired of struggling to find a place where he fits in after a tour in the military. After several months at home, he is mistakenly arrested and sentenced to hang when the ultimate answer to his prayers is thrust into his jail cell: a letter. Now, bound for Oregon – he finds himself married to an outlandish woman that is constantly putting on an act, but when the real Posey shines through… he is fascinated with his new bride and the possible new life that lies ahead of him.
Posey and Garrison also face the herculean task in overhauling the empty building into a theater. He is mortified that his wife expects him to perform a stunt in the show that makes his blood run cold. Can the strong personalities of Garrison and Posey find a way to work together to make the budding theater and their relationship a blossoming success?
Discover the Silverpines Series today!
Dear John…
For teacher Lily Hogan, those words would come to mean so much. She knew that giving back to the community brought joy into people’s lives. When her fourth-grade class writes letters to the military overseas in Afghanistan, she takes up her own pen and leads her students by example – writing a letter to an unknown soldier.
CPO John Griffin and his K-9 dog, Radar, have been through so much together over the last several years. Sniffing out bombs, searching the hills and mentoring his team, he feels so alone and unsure of his future- until a letter reminds him that there’s more to life in this world he’s protecting. Simple words, a kind gesture and feeling that he isn’t forgotten out there in the desert, compels him to write back. Before long, he finds himself looking forward to the care packages and letters from his pen-pal halfway across the world.
With every letter and every word, they begin to develop a friendship and wonder what the other person is truly like? Major life changes are scary enough as it is - but is it possible to fall in love with someone before you’ve even laid eyes upon them? Can the magic of the season bring the sweetest gift of all?
Lawfully Gifted - Part of the Lawkeeper Romance Series
Afterword
Thank you for taking the time to read An Agent for Clementine. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Doesn’t have to be much, just a simple rating and a few kind words work wonders. Your thoughts, opinions and feedback are much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Ginny
About the Author
Ginny Sterling is a Texas transplant living in Kentucky. She spends her free time (Ha!) writing, quilting, and spending time with her husband and two children. Ginny can be reached on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or via email at [email protected]
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An Agent for Clementine, Copyright © 2019 by Ginny Sterling
These books are works of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of these books may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without express written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Thank you for supporting the author’s rights.
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