He heard the soft rumble of Millicent’s stomach and said, “The food here is wonderful. Beth is probably the best cook around.” He placed his hand in the small of her back as she climbed the short steps to the entryway.
“Beth?” Millicent’s blue eyes searched his face as he stepped around her and opened the door to the boardinghouse.
He pointed to the sign that read Beth’s Boardinghouse and Restaurant. “Mrs. Beth Winters. She runs this fine establishment.” He didn’t mention that he owned the boardinghouse since there would be time enough for that later.
A bell sounded over their heads as they entered. Levi watched as Beth hurried toward them. She patted her dark brown hair into place and swiped at the flour upon her blue apron. A smile touched her lips and brown eyes as she realized it was him. “Levi, I wasn’t expecting you to be here so early in the day.”
“I decided to have an early lunch.” He watched Beth’s eyes dart from Millicent back to him. “Beth, I’d like you to meet Miss Millicent Hamilton. She will be staying here for a while.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Hamilton. So the bags Amos brought in earlier were yours?”
“Yes, they were,” Millicent replied. A sweet smile of relief graced her pretty heart-shaped face.
Beth smiled back and then turned to enter the restaurant portion of the boardinghouse. “Levi, your table is ready.” She glanced over her shoulder. At his nod of approval, she continued. “Miss Hamilton, we put your bags in room number four. I hope it is to your liking.”
She took the reserved sign off Levi’s favorite table, which was in the far corner of the room. From this vantage point he could see everyone who entered and exited the dining room. Levi smiled his thanks and moved to pull out the chair that would sit to the right of him.
Millicent took the seat Levi pulled out for her. “Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I’m sure the room will be fine.”
Beth handed Millie a menu once she was seated. “You can call me Beth. Everyone does.”
Millicent took the menu and smiled. “Please, call me Millie.”
Millie. The name had a sweet ring to it. So far everything about the woman screamed sweetness—her name, her fragrance and the way she tilted her head when she seemed to be thinking of something, like now as she studied the lunch menu.
Levi pushed the thoughts away. He would not become enamored with Millie. Having his heart broken by Lucille Lawson had hurt too much. Even before his mother’s contest, he’d asked Lucille to marry him, but once she’d found out he wasn’t going to take over the ranch, she’d broken off their engagement and their friendship. No, his heart couldn’t take another breaking.
“Millie it is. Are you planning to stay long in Granite?” Beth asked.
“I was considering it.”
Levi heard the doubt in her voice. He knew she’d come because of his invitation so what had changed? Had spending an hour with him changed her mind? Maybe she didn’t want to be his mail-order bride. He hoped that was the case.
“That would be nice. Granite doesn’t have a lot of young women. Another one is always welcome.” Beth assured her. “What can I get you to drink, Millie?”
“Tea, if you have it.”
Beth nodded. “Iced? Or hot?”
Levi got some satisfaction in seeing the amazement in Millie’s face at learning that they served iced tea. He loved cold beverages and had made it a point to get ice delivered every morning. It cost a pretty penny but was worth it to him.
Millie’s expression turned from surprised to pleased. “I’d love iced, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all. Levi, coffee? Or iced tea?” Beth waited.
He pulled his gaze from Millie. “I’ll have the same. Thank you, Beth.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be right back with your drink orders.” Beth turned and hurried back to the kitchen.
Millie went back to studying the menu so Levi looked about the dining room. Only one other couple was there, and he recognized them as Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. They were passing through Granite on their way to Austin and were staying at the hotel.
“You seem familiar with this restaurant. What would you recommend, Mr. Westland?” Millie asked, bringing his attention back to her.
Levi smiled. “I’d recommend the roast beef sandwich. The bread is always soft and buttery and the beef tender.”
She laid the menu down. “Sounds wonderful, I’ll order that.”
For the first time, she smiled at him, and it reached her eyes. Beautiful blue eyes with thick, light-colored lashes. Her face reminded him of a doll he’d once seen sitting in a store window while visiting Austin.
Beth arrived at that moment and set down their drinks. “Did I hear you say you’d like the roast beef sandwich?” she asked Millie, as she stood and pulled out a small pad of paper and a stub of a pencil.
“Yes, please.” Millie picked up her tea glass and took a small sip. “Mmm, this is very good.” She smiled up at Beth.
“I’m glad you like it. What about you, Levi?”
He handed the menus back to Beth. “I’ll have the same.”
Beth nodded and wrote their orders down on the small pad. “I’ll have that right out.” She smiled, then left to make the sandwiches.
Millie pulled the napkin from the table and smoothed it out over her lap. “Mr. Westland, I hope you don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way, but I really feel we need to settle this now.” She paused, but when he didn’t answer, Millie continued. “I’ve changed my mind. I no longer wish to marry.” Before he could respond, she pressed onward. “I want to return my travel fare to you.” Millie pulled the money from the handbag she carried and laid it on the table in front of him.
He admired her spunk. Levi pushed the money back to her side of the table. “I can’t accept your money.” He held up his hand to stop her from protesting. “I, too, have changed my mind about marriage and so it would be unfair for me to take the money back.”
When he lowered his hand, she asked, “You have changed your mind also? Honestly?”
Levi offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Yes, when you didn’t arrive on schedule I was relieved because I wasn’t ready to get married. I should never have placed that advertisement.”
She took a sip from her tea, then gently set the glass back down. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you wouldn’t understand and I imagined you would wonder why I answered you in the first place.”
He pushed forward in his chair. “It has crossed my mind. I mean, you are still here even after you’ve decided not to marry me. It’s only natural that I wonder.”
Millie looked him straight in the eyes. “I have a scheming mother. She controlled me to the point that I lost all signs of independence. I had to get away, but once I left, I realized I couldn’t marry someone who would be the same way.”
Levi felt his jaw drop. They’d just met. How could she have formed an opinion of him so quickly? Or was she talking about not marrying any man, not just him?
Her soft laughter surprised him. “I’m not saying you are controlling, although since our first meeting you have taken charge of my life.”
He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “How so?”
It was her turn to lean forward. “First, you sent my bags here, told Beth which room to put me in, and then proceeded to drag me off to some business meeting. Halfway there, you changed your mind and turned me around and now here I sit at your table ordering lunch. It never dawned on you to ask what I wanted to do.”
Levi felt his ears turn red. She was right. He’d taken over the situation and not once had he stopped to hear her out or see what she wanted to do. How could he have assumed he knew what she wanted or needed? Had he turned into his mother?
He shook his head. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”
She tilted her head to the side and studied him. “It’s all right. You were working on the assumption I still wanted to get married.”
Millie lowered her gaze and, with her fingertip, traced the pattern on the tablecloth.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Beth arrived at the table with two steaming plates. Levi was pleased to see she’d added fried okra to their meal.
“I hope fried okra is to your liking, Millie.” She placed the dishes on the table and smiled.
Millie wrinkled her nose slightly but answered, “It’s fine, thank you.”
He bit his tongue to keep from speaking. The desire to tell her to send the plate back if it wasn’t to her liking filled him. But, if he did say that, Millie would probably think he was being bossy again.
“Do you need anything else?” Beth asked, looking their table over and making sure their drinks were still full.
Both shook their heads. Levi was the one to answer. “I believe we are fine for now, Beth.”
“All right, I’ll bring the tea pitcher by in a little bit to refill your glasses.” And with that, Beth turned from the table and headed back to the kitchen.
Levi said grace, and then after several long moments of silence while they ate, he asked, “Since you aren’t going to marry me, what are your plans?”
Millie sat up a little straighter in her chair. “Well, if I decide to stay, I will need to find a place to live.” She held up her hand as if to ward off any protest he might have. “I have enough money to spend the night here tonight and I thank you for sending my belongings here, but tomorrow I will need to find less expensive accommodations. I’m sure this lovely boardinghouse is more than I can afford.”
He didn’t argue with Millie, but he didn’t like the idea of her staying at the hotel, and as far as he knew there wasn’t a room in town for rent or a house to buy.
The hotel was a nice place, but Levi felt protective toward Millie. Maybe it was because he’d brought her here. Maybe because she’d revealed she’d never lived alone. Whatever the reason, he planned to have a chat with Benjamin Olson, the hotel owner, and make sure that Beth’s Boardinghouse offered Millie the lowest rates in town. With that thought in mind, he asked, “And then what will you do?”
“I’ll need to seek out employment.” Her hands worked the fabric of the napkin.
Beth arrived back at the table with the promised pitcher of tea. She refilled their glasses and looked to Levi. A quick glance at Millie revealed her pushing the okra around on her plate.
If Beth hired her, she would stay on at the boardinghouse as part of her payment and he wouldn’t need to talk to Mr. Olson. Levi thrust his chin upward and hoped Beth would take the hint to play along with him.
“Can I get you anything else?” Beth asked.
“No, the food is great, but we were just discussing possible employment for Miss Hamilton.”
Millie’s head jerked up.
Before she could comment, Levi pressed on. “You wouldn’t happen to have a position open, would you, Beth?” He prayed Beth would understand what he wanted her to do.
Without missing a beat, Beth looked to Millie. “Can you cook, wash dishes and wait on tables? I could use another set of hands at the noon and evening meals.”
Millie looked down at her hands. He wondered what she found so fascinating about them. “I can.” Her voice came out strained.
Beth laid a hand on her shoulder. “Why don’t you enjoy your lunch and we can talk about it when I show you to your room? How does that sound?”
Millie nodded, and Beth returned to the kitchen. Happy that was settled, Levi reached for his sandwich. He’d raised it to his mouth and was about to sink his teeth into the fragrant meat when he saw the angry expression on Millie’s face. Now what? He lowered the sandwich.
“You didn’t need to do that, Mr. Westland. I am capable of finding my own job,” she ground between her teeth.
Levi offered her his most charming smile. “I’m sure you can, but now you don’t have to.” He expected her to argue, but instead her eyes grew wide as she stared toward the dining room door.
His gaze followed hers. His brother, Daniel, and Daniel’s new bride, Hannah, waved and headed toward their table. Levi stood to welcome them.
Daniel greeted him with a broad smile and a rough slap on the back. “Haven’t seen you since the wedding. We’ve been missing you out on the ranch.”
Levi raised an eyebrow. “That right? Me? Or the fact that you lost an extra cowhand when I moved into town?” He grinned at his brother. “With a new wife and the ranch to keep you busy, I’m surprised you’d miss me at all.”
“Oh, we miss you all right,” Hannah added her assurance to her husband’s comments.
“Miss Hamilton, I’d like you to meet my brother, Daniel Westland, and his beautiful bride, Hannah. Daniel, Hannah, this is Miss Hamilton.” He paused then added, “My mail-order bride.”
Hannah gasped, but Daniel laughed and shook his head. “Well, isn’t this something?”
Levi hadn’t seen his brother this pleased since his wedding day. When Daniel looked this happy, it usually didn’t bode well for him. Levi asked suspiciously, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He searched his brother’s dancing eyes and realized the answer wouldn’t be coming too soon. His gaze moved to Hannah. She stood staring at Millie as if she’d seen a ghost. What was wrong? Both women simply stared at each other.
Daniel’s booming voice captured his attention once more. “You aren’t going to believe this, but Ma has three more mail-order brides at the house waiting for you to come out and meet.” Daniel hooted and held his sides.
Hannah elbowed her husband in the ribs. He quickly straightened his face and turned to Millie. “I’m sorry, Miss Hamilton. It’s nice to meet you.”
“What?” Levi sank into his chair. What had his mother been up to? He noticed Millie hadn’t said a word. She simply stared up at Hannah. Her face had gone pale, and she looked as if she might be sick. Levi knew how Millie felt, even if he didn’t know why she felt that way.
Daniel placed his hands on the back of one of the empty chairs. “Remember those other three mail-order-brides that wrote to you a few months back?”
Levi nodded. His stomach pitched. He pushed his untouched sandwich away and grabbed the iced tea.
“Ma sent them all letters and invited them to come to the ranch to meet you. They all arrived at different times. I believe the first one arrived two weeks ago. Anyway, Ma sent Hannah and me to town today to invite you out to dinner so you can meet the ladies.”
Levi felt his tongue thicken and his throat close. Just when he’d thought he’d managed to escape Bonnie Westland’s plans of marriage, his mother had taken matters into her own hands again.
What must Miss Hamilton think? Three mail-order brides. All in Granite, Texas. All there to marry him. What on earth was he going to do with them all?
Chapter Two
Millie stared at Hannah Young. It had never occurred to her that she might run into someone in Granite from Cottonwood Springs. Granite was so far from Cottonwood Springs, New Mexico, she’d felt confident she was safe. What if her old schoolteacher knew that she’d burned down Mrs. Kelly’s house and business? Would she tell everyone that Millie was an arsonist? What about Seth Billings the U.S. marshal? Would Hannah let him know where to find her?
“Millie Hamilton? Is that really you?” Hannah leaned toward her and brushed the hair back off Millie’s forehead.
With that one action and two questions, Hannah made Millie feel as if she were a young student in Hannah’s classroom once more. “Yes, ma’am, it’s me.”
The squeal that issued from Hannah’s throat scared Millie so badly that she knocked over her tea. She watched in horror as it spilled into Levi’s lap. Before she could react, Hannah grabbed her in a tight hug about the shoulders, then pulled back and held her at arm’s length. “Millie, I can’t believe it is really you. I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed Cottonwood Springs horribly. Oh, this is wonderful. I can’t wait to get caught up on all the news from home. Why don’t you come out t
o the ranch for supper tonight, too?” Hannah took a breath, released Millie, and then grabbed her husband’s arm. “Daniel, Millie is from back home.”
Daniel laughed. “I got that, honey.”
“Oh, Levi, I’m so sorry.” Millie handed him her napkin and watched as he dabbed at the tea on his pants. She realized she’d used his first name but at the moment she didn’t care. All she could think about was, how much did Hannah know?
He offered her a weak smile. “It’s all right, Millie. Hannah has a way of shocking people. I blame her.” Levi turned his grin on his sister-in-law.
“I’m sorry, too, Levi.” Hannah returned her attention back to Millie. “I still can’t believe it’s you.” She clapped her hands together like a kid who’d just been offered a pony ride.
Millie swallowed the lump in her throat. “It’s me.”
“What brought you here? Oh, don’t answer that. I want to be able to sit down and catch up on everything.”
“I think you are scaring her, Hannah.” Daniel chuckled and wrapped his free arm around his wife’s waist. “Besides, didn’t you just hear Levi say Millie is his mail-order bride? Ma’s going to be disappointed that Levi didn’t need her help luring a mail-order bride here.”
Hannah’s mouth worked as if she’d just swallowed a lemon drop whole.
Beth arrived at the table with the promised tea refills. “What can I get for you, Mr. and Mrs. Westland?” She grinned at Hannah.
“Oh, nothing for us. We just stopped by to invite Levi to supper out at the ranch,” Daniel answered. “And now that we’ve done so, we’ve got shopping to do before we head back out to the ranch.”
Beth refilled Levi’s and Millie’s glasses and then left the table.
Finally, Hannah said, “You have to come out with Levi, Millie. I can’t believe we’re going to be sisters-in-law.” Excitement rose in her voice once more.
Millie didn’t have time to respond. Daniel chuckled and turned his wife toward the door. “You can talk all about it tonight. We have to get Ma’s shopping done and then I need to get back to the ranch. I have work to attend to.”
His Chosen Bride (Love Inspired Historical) Page 2
