There was no point in prolonging the inevitable. She stepped into the hall and closed her door, unable to deny even to herself that she was attracted to the suave, handsome stranger. But what could come of such an attraction? He lived in Phoenix and she in Cactus Corner.
Holding on to the railing with one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, she made her way downstairs. At least being seen around town on Mr. Garrett’s arm would help refute Elmer’s claim on her.
Jody’s breath caught in her throat at the view of Mr. Garrett standing in front of the window with his back to her. He was a sight to behold all decked out in his fancy suit, his dark hair curling along his collar. Broad shoulders narrowed to a slim waist, and one hand in his pocket jingled his impatience.
Had her three close friends felt such a strong attraction to the men they’d married when they first met them?
Jody twisted her lips and forced that thought out of her mind. She would enjoy spending the evening with this handsome man, but that was all. She’d most likely never see him again once he concluded his business in town.
Aaron paced the foyer of the boardinghouse where he was staying. He stopped at the open front door and stared out, hoping to see Miss McMillan coming his way. She’d been hesitant to agree to dine with him, but when she learned he was staying at the boardinghouse, she’d finally relented and told him she’d meet him there.
But she was five minutes late, and he couldn’t help wondering if she’d changed her mind. Perhaps he’d come on too strong the previous evening at the box social. He should have just told her he’d bought the mercantile, but he hadn’t wanted to see the disappointment in her eyes.
A woman behind him cleared her throat. He spun around and stood face-to-face with the very female who’d occupied his mind all day. A faint rose color stained her lightly tanned cheeks as he stared at her.
“Good evening, Mr. Garrett. I trust you had a productive day.”
Aaron gave a curt bow and smiled. “Let’s say it was an interesting day. Cactus Corner may seem like a sleepy little town, but there’s a lot going on here.”
She smiled, making Aaron’s stomach quiver. He’d found a rose blooming in the desert. He offered her his arm and rejoiced silently when she looped her hand around it. “I explored the town earlier and found a quaint café that serves some delicious food.”
“Oh yes. Etta Stephens is a wonderful cook. I occasionally eat lunch there. Gives me a break from the boardinghouse fare.”
“Obviously you live here.” Ah, that explained how she managed to slip up behind him.
Her cheeks turned pink again. “Yes. I suppose I should have told you, but it didn’t seem a proper topic of conversation.”
“Think nothing of it.” Aaron escorted Miss McMillan out into the warm sunshine, ignoring the sweat trickling between his shoulder blades. One would think that this close to sunset the temperature would drop.
“That’s my place of employment.”
Aaron looked across the street to where Miss McMillan was pointing. “You work for the freight lines?” He chuckled. “Don’t tell me, you’re a driver?”
Mirth danced in her eyes as she shook her head. A faint scent of something floral drifted past on the hot breeze. “No, although there are days I wish I were. I’m the bookkeeper and process most of the paperwork.”
“Ah, I see.”
They passed the attorney’s office, and Aaron helped her cross over the railroad tracks. Children ran around yelling and playing outside the orphanage as they approached the building.
“Miss Jody!” Several youngsters squealed her name and charged toward them. Dirt flew behind their little feet. Three Mexican girls and two boys of Indian heritage, who all looked to be about seven or eight, huddled around Miss McMillan.
She released her hold on him, opening her arms to envelop the whole group in a big hug. Aaron stood back and watched, mesmerized. The children were dirty and sweaty, while Miss McMillan was spotlessly dressed. She didn’t even grimace at handling the grubby kids. Most women would have been put off, but not her.
And he admired her for it.
After she touched each child and greeted all of them, she sweetly sent them on their way, then glanced at him apologetically. “I’m sorry about the disruption. I volunteer at the orphanage, and they all know me.”
“And love you, I’d say.” Aaron tucked her hand back around his arm and proceeded toward the café.
She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. “I suppose it’s only natural for them to care for me since I love each of them. I, better than most people, can empathize with them, since I, too, grew up in the orphanage.”
As they passed in front of the mercantile, an arrow of guilt drove its way into Aaron’s conscience. He needed to tell her that he’d purchased the old store, but if he did, would she still dine with him? Perhaps he’d tell her afterward.
“Oh!” Miss McMillan suddenly stopped and let go of his arm. She glided over to the filthy mercantile window, cupped her hands beside her eyes, and peered in. “This is the property we’re going to buy.”
Stepping back, she waved her arm to the right. “This purchase will enable us to greatly expand the orphanage. It will take a while, though, because we’ll need to raise money for the building.” She turned back to face him, excitement glowing in her eyes. An enchanting smudge of dirt covered the tip of her nose.
Pushing his guilt aside, knowing he would be the source of her disappointment, he pulled out his handkerchief. When he held it out to her, she gazed at him questioningly with those beautiful aquatic eyes. He tapped his finger on his nose, and her brows lifted.
“You—uh—have dirt on your nose.”
“Oh my!” She grabbed the clean handkerchief and rubbed her whole face.
He couldn’t help smiling, as all she’d done was smear the dirt. “Please, allow me.” He retrieved his kerchief and grasped her shoulder, ignoring her trembling, then gently wiped the end of her nose. He hoped she wasn’t afraid of him, but it wasn’t fear in her gaze, more like … wonder.
Aaron swallowed and stepped back, needing to put some distance between them. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he might be shaking a bit himself. How was it this particular woman had such an effect on him?
“Is it gone?” She looked in the window and tilted her chin up as if trying to see her reflection.
He nodded and returned his handkerchief to his pocket, then started jiggling his coins. It was a bad nervous habit that he was trying to break. Closing his hand around the coins, he held it still.
“How mortifying!” She pressed her lips together and looked at two cowboys riding their horses down Main Street.
Aaron chuckled. “Think nothing of it, Miss McMillan.”
She swirled around, cupping her fingertips together. “We don’t hold much to formality here in Cactus Corner, and I realize we’ve just met, but would it be too forward of me to ask you to call me Jody?”
“Not at all. And you must call me Aaron.” He bit back a smile when her cheeks turned pink again.
“All right, then, Aaron. Shall we continue on? I had an early lunch, and the fragrant aromas coming from the café are just about to do me in.”
He bowed and held out his hand. “After you.”
They placed orders for Etta’s special pot roast and mashed potatoes, then Aaron studied his dinner partner. She waved at a couple sitting at the corner table, and he didn’t miss their curious stares as they waved back. Jody’s honey-blond hair was braided and twisted into a becoming bun. Soft wisps fluttered around her face. She had an appealing habit of tucking the rebellious strands behind her ear, even though they refused to stay.
Glancing down at the table, he forced his thoughts back to business. He’d asked around town and learned that Jody held some position of respect with the board that managed the children’s home. Winning her over to the idea of moving the facility could help his cause tremendously.
“So how long did you live at the or
phanage, if I might be so bold as to ask?”
She glanced at him with those beautiful eyes that he could easily lose himself in. He straightened and leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest.
“Oh, it was about twelve years. First I lived there as a child until I turned sixteen; then I lived and worked there until I got the job at the freight office when I was nineteen.”
Aaron pressed his lips together. “That’s quite a long time.”
She nodded and smiled at someone he hadn’t met across the café. He wished he could just enjoy this time with the lovely Miss McMillan, but he was a businessman and had decisions that needed to be made concerning the hotel.
“Miss—uh, Jody, have you thought any more about moving the orphanage?”
She glanced at him, confused. “Why, no, I haven’t. I see no reason at all to relocate. I believe I clearly stated my opinion yesterday.”
Aaron sighed. She was as stubborn as she was beautiful. His gaze landed on a plate piled high with roast beef, potatoes, and carrots the waitress was carrying to another table, and his stomach grumbled. One thing he agreed with Jody on—the fragrant odors of the café were tantalizing him.
He regrouped his thoughts and tried a different approach. This morning he’d poked around town and learned that there had been several close calls with the train and the orphans. One time, two brothers had even stowed away and weren’t found until the train reached the next town. Aaron imagined Jody and the orphanage staff must have been frantic to find the boys. Perhaps if he hinted at those incidents … “Surely there have been events with the train and the children.”
Jody grimaced and avoided his gaze. She toyed with the corner of her cloth napkin. “Well, of course there have. You know how children are fascinated with anything that is forbidden.”
“Then I rest my case. It would be in their best interest if the orphanage was moved.”
She stared at him wide-eyed. “Uh … no, that’s not what I meant. You can’t remove all temptations from young ones but rather must teach them how to handle such circumstances. Surely if you had children of your own, you would teach them to stay away from the railroad tracks, wouldn’t you?”
He nodded. “Of course—if I had any. But I also wouldn’t build my home next to the tracks where they would be tempted daily to rebel against my authority. It’s the nature of youngsters to test rules. I fear one of these days, one of them could meet disaster by tempting fate. Besides, they would have fresher air away from the train, and you wouldn’t have to worry about the noise waking the little ones from their naps. They’d have land to raise animals and grow a bigger garden. As far as I can tell, there are only positive reasons for moving.”
Jody pressed her lips together and eyed him with a narrowed gaze. “Just what’s your interest in all this? Why are you so concerned about the orphans?”
His heart lurched. He hadn’t been prepared for her pointed question. Silverware clinked and the soft hum of voices distracted him. He knew he should just tell her the truth.
“Mr. Garrett, I asked you a question.”
Aaron sighed. Just like that they were back to using surnames. He turned to face her. “My job is to scout out towns and find property to build on. I’m sure you’re aware that the only hotel in town burned down.”
Jody nodded. “Of course.”
“With the recent copper strike and the influx of people, Cactus Corner is a good investment, and the town needs a new hotel. I wouldn’t have even been able to get a room in the boardinghouse if it wasn’t for the fact that someone else was checking out the same day I arrived.”
“But I still don’t see what this has to do with the orphanage.”
Aaron leaned back in his seat as the waitress placed two steaming plates of aromatic food in front of them. His mouth watered, but he needed to finish explaining.
“I believe that the orphanage land is the best place to locate a hotel.”
Jody gasped. “You can’t be serious.”
“Yes, I am. But I wouldn’t even consider such a thing if I didn’t feel it was also in the children’s best interest to relocate.”
Jody pushed her food around on her plate, having suddenly lost her appetite. So Mr. Garrett was merely a fortune hunter. A scalawag who didn’t mind putting orphans out on the street to accomplish his goal. Disappointment coursed through her like a raging creek after a heavy rain. She had hoped something might develop between her and Aaron, but now that would never happen. She should have known better than to be swayed by a charming gentleman. He was merely a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Like a mother bear, she would defend the orphans and their home. “The current location has sentimental value since it was the only real home I can remember having. It may be in need of repairs, but that doesn’t mean it should be torn down.” She wanted to add, “just so you can build your swanky hotel,” but didn’t.
He lifted one hand in surrender. “I understand that, but surely the children’s welfare is more important than sentiment.”
Jody was too upset to reply. He made it sound as if she was thinking only of herself. She pushed her plate back, ready to get away from the infuriating Mr. Garrett.
Chapter 4
Aaron stood back, watching the three-man crew he’d hired dismantle the old mercantile. Their fervent pounding made the ache in his head worse. He needed to succeed at this job to earn his father’s respect. Phineas Garrett was as stingy with his admiration and praise as he was with his money, and if it hadn’t been for the inheritance left Aaron by his grandmother on his mother’s side, he would most likely be working as a clerk for his father instead of building the hotels that made him and his father wealthy men.
He sighed, again regretting buying the mercantile land without first looking it over himself. He wouldn’t make that mistake again. Once he got the crumbling building out of the way, he could more accurately measure the land and determine if there was room for a small hotel. He might have to build out over the gulch in the back, but that might not be a bad thing. The area underneath the hotel there would allow a place where guests could tether their horses out of the sun. It might work, if the slope wasn’t too steep.
What he really wanted to do was make Jody happy and let the orphanage have the property, even though he still felt the children would be better off in a different location. But if he failed to accomplish his goal, his father would only chastise him further and deepen the chasm between them that Aaron had prayed God would close. He only wanted his father’s love and respect, but so far he’d been unable to earn it.
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the orphanage property. He hated going behind Jody’s back, but it was time to approach the Jacobsons to see if they felt the same way about moving the orphanage as Jody did. He wouldn’t have waited this long, but he had hoped to sway Jody to his way of thinking. The woman was as stubborn as his father.
He sighed and turned his gaze next door. If only he could purchase that land, too, then he’d have the perfect hotel location and plenty of room.
But that was a big if only.
Jody stomped toward the old mercantile, her footsteps pounding on the boardwalk like Indian war drums. She was certainly angry enough to start a war.
Here she’d let herself become enamored with Aaron Garrett, even though she tried to resist his polished charm, but now she was sure she was just another victim in a long line, probably all the way from Cactus Corner to Phoenix. She clenched her fist as she caught a glimpse of him standing in the middle of the street, surveying the building that was being torn down.
She clenched her teeth together and furrowed her brow. Of all the nerve!
Jody stepped off the boardwalk onto the hard-packed dirt street and bypassed a rancher on horseback. So far, caught up in his work, Mr. Garrett had failed to see her approach.
She marched up behind him and stopped, trying hard to ignore the delicious scent of expensive cologne wafting from him. She shook her head. It didn�
�t matter if he smelled better than anything she could think of. Of course, as upset as she was, she couldn’t think clearly anyway. “How could you?”
Mr. Garrett jumped and spun around. “Miss McMillan, you gave me a start. I was rather engrossed in this project and didn’t hear your approach.”
“Well … you know I’m here now, so you might as well answer my question.” She crossed her arms over her chest, waiting.
His dark brows darted upward. “Sorry, but I didn’t hear your question. What was it again?”
He tipped his hat to her and gave a smile that made her heart quiver. She and that heart would just have to have a talk later. Aaron Garrett was too nice-looking for his own good—but she wouldn’t fall for his charm again.
“I said … how could you?” She welcomed his confused stare, which allowed her a moment to catch her breath and push aside her attraction to him.
“How could I what?”
The obvious fact that he had no idea what she was talking about irritated her even more. She flung her arm out and pointed toward the mercantile. “That! How could you not tell me that you’d bought the property after you learned how hard I’d worked to raise money to buy it?”
“Ah, that’s what’s gotten your feathers so ruffled.”
Jody looked sideways at the sounds of a harness jingling and a wagon creaking. A mule brayed as if telling her to get out of its way.
Aaron took hold of her arm. “Let’s clear the road before we get run down.”
Jody allowed him to help her up the boardwalk steps, then jerked her arm free of his. Each pound of the hammer knocking boards loose only reemphasized her failure. A plank squealed as a worker pulled it free, and then it tumbled down with a loud clatter, sending up a puff of dirt when it hit the ground. This should have been a day for rejoicing; instead, it nearly broke her heart. The town might have a nice, new hotel—and she wouldn’t argue that it was needed—but the orphans would lose out.
“Miss McMillan, I know this causes you distress, and that’s the very reason I was hesitant to tell you about my purchase.”
Love Is Patient Romance Collection Page 40
