by West, Everly
Charlotte made a face at her and turned back to the counter, wiping it down while covertly looking for Elijah out on the sidewalk. Rebecca leaned one hip against the counter and folded her arms over her chest. "So, is your pa going to make you work the entire summer party or will you be allowed to be like every other girl and enjoy your day?"
Charlotte sighed. "I don't know."
Rebecca snorted. "Yes you do. He'll keep me behind the table collecting money while serving up pieces of pie like he always does. You're going to have to stand up to him eventually, Charlotte."
Rebecca Hale was the only friend she had. Why the girl liked her was beyond her grasp, though. They were nothing alike. Rebecca was blunt and said exactly what she wanted to and no one pushed her around. She was assertive and confident and--nothing like her. "It's not that easy a thing to do, Becca."
"Sure it is. Just look him in the eye and say, I'm nearly twenty years old and I've decided to do what I want for a change. Then hand him your apron and walk away."
Charlotte laughed. "And be disowned in the process."
"If he disowns you for standing up for yourself then so be it. He doesn't own you, Charlotte."
"I know but…"
"But what?"
She looked up and shrugged again. "I'm all they have, Becca. I have to--"
Rebecca rolled her eyes and interrupted saying, "Excuses, Charlotte." She glanced out the window. "You don't want to stand by while that one finds someone else to court, do you?"
Elijah was once again passing in front of the window. His arms were full but as he usually did, he turned his head and looked inside. Her heart thumped inside her chest so hard, it nearly took her breath.
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Chapter 6
This is not a complete book. If you are seeing this message, please contact Amazon Customer Service and inform them they have released the wrong version of this book.
Chapter 1
Charlotte
The Ladies Club of Laramie was filled with back-stabbing, hoity-toity, elitists€”at least according to Charlotte Bennett’s mother they were.
"Would it kill them to include me?"
Charlotte bit her lip to keep from grinning and picked up the rose she'd made from pastry dough, laying it on top of the pie she was making as her mother continued to rant, her displeasure with Fiona Quincy becoming a thing of legend now. Those two would never be friends regardless of her mother's attempts to befriend her and her wanting to be a part of their high society crowd was bordering on obsession.
"She thinks she's better than me, that's what it is!"
Charlotte added another petal to the dough rose in her hand. "Momma, why do you try so hard?"
"Because those ladies are the most important and influential members of society in all of Laramie, that's why. Getting into their club could make us rich."
Charlotte highly doubted that but kept the thought to herself. Her mother's desire to climb the social ladder in Laramie was even more distressing now that Meredith Collins has been allowed into their inner circle. The mercantile owners wife was the newest addition and her mother was still waiting for one of those ladies to come into their little bakery and invite her to a meeting. So far, no one had done so.
"Is she any better than I am?"
Charlotte smiled. "No, mama. Mrs. Collins is no better than you are."
Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned her head to the door and froze. There were only a handful of things that reduced her into a quivering mess and made her feel like she was about to swallow her tongue and one of them was the sight of Elijah Collins. He stood on the other side of the screen door grinning at her, a bag of flour draped over one shoulder, and her hands started shaking so bad the dough rose she'd been making crumbled and fell to the table in pieces.
"Morning, Charlotte."
Her tongue felt as if it grew three sizes. Had he heard them talking about his mother? Her face heated until she knew it was blistering read. She opened her mouth to apologize--or tell him to come in, she wasn't sure which--but wasn't able to say a word.
His usual smile was in place and as he opened the door and stepped inside without being asked to do so. He laid the bag of flour down and inhaled deeply when he straightened. "I get hungry every time I walk in here." He craned his neck to where she stood, his gaze on the pie she was making. "Apple?"
She nodded and nervously turned the pie, making sure the roses and long strips of dough she'd laid down and weaved to look like a basket were all in place.
"That will be too pretty to eat." She glanced back to where he stood. He was staring at the other pies she'd spent the morning baking. "You've a real talent, Charlotte."
The compliment burned every inch of her face as she blushed and Elijah's smile widening as she did. She looked away and mumbled a quiet, "Thank you," while her heart pounded in her chest.
"Elijah," her mother said, wiping her hands on her apron. "I was prattling on so much I didn't even hear you come in."
It was little wonder she hadn't the way she'd been carrying on but Elijah didn't comment on it. He looked at her and winked before giving a slight nod of his head in her mother's direction. "Think nothing of it, Mrs. Bennett. And don't you worry about getting into that ladies club. It's just bored housewives who sit around drinking tea and trying to find suitors for their daughters." He glanced at Charlotte. "Is she trying to marry you off?"
Alma Bennett wasn't known to blush, unlike her, but her cheeks did turn pink when embarrassed and it only took a glance at her now to know her mother was. Getting caught ranting about the ladies club and their newest addition, Elijah's mother of all people, was bound to make a person feel awkward but her mother brushed it off as if it hadn't even happened. She grabbed the pie nearest to her, one Charlotte had spent an hour cutting out small daisy's to decorate the entire top with, and cut a huge hunk out of it and plated it up, ignoring his comments completely.
"Charlotte baked this one fresh not an hour ago. It's still warm." Alma handed him the plate and a fork, her cheeks finally regaining their natural color.
"Thank you, Mrs. Bennett."
Charlotte wasn't sure if he ate the pie with such gusto just to please her mother or because he thought it was that good but he finished it in record time as her mother continued to talk--trying to distract him from the fact she'd been talking about his mother, more than likely--and set the empty plate down a few minutes later.
He looked at her, that familiar smile back on his face. "I do believe that's the best pie I've ever tasted, Charlotte."
Her face heated again as she blushed.
"I just hate I didn't take the time to appreciate all the work you put into it."
Charlotte looked at the pie her mother had cut in to and felt a small amount of remorse for its destruction. Her pies were well known in Laramie and business was good because of them. Their bakery hadn't been anything special. They made bread, cakes, and pies and had enough business to keep them fed and clothed but business started to boom when out of boredom one day, she'd cut out small flowers from pastry dough and placed them all over the top of a pie. She'd added extra sugar to the center of each flower and baked it like that. When she'd pulled it from the oven, the bell in the shop rang and she'd carried it to the doorway to tell whoever had come inside that she'd be with them in a moment. Mrs. Ona Pritchard had been waiting there. She took one look at that pie and inhaled a sharp breath, her eyes widening a bit, and offered to buy it right then and there. Ever since, Bennett's Bakery specialized in pretty pies, as her mother called them, and Charlotte spent her days crafting small masterpieces with pastry dough.
Elijah straightened when her father walked into the room. Orin Bennett was a no-nonsense sort of man. He had practical ideas about things and wanted those things done exactly as he laid them out and there weren't many who def
ied him. He was stern and came across that way to most everyone and Elijah was no exception.
"Mr. Bennett." Elijah motioned to the flour he'd brought in. "We're short on the sugar but it should be in tomorrow. I'll bring in over the minute we get it."
Her father looked displeased but nodded and said, "Very well. Just have your mother add the flour and sugar to my tab and let her know I'll be in at week's end to settle with her."
"Sure thing, Mr. Bennett."
Her father said something to her mother in a voice soft enough she couldn't make out what they were talking about. They both said their goodbyes to Elijah and walked to the front of the store. Charlotte glanced back at Elijah when they were gone. He was watching her again and her pulse leaped.
"So--will you be attending the summer party the ladies club is hosting?"
Charlotte's heart thumped--hard. She swallowed to moisten her throat and nodded her head. "Yes."
He grinned again. "So, maybe I'll see you there?"
She looked up and for once, didn't look away. Elijah had the prettiest eyes she'd ever seen. They were so green they reminded her of the summer grasses that grew on the prairie. They stood out due to his dark hair and hauling goods around town had given his skin a warm brown tone that made him just--dreamy.
So why was he being so nice to her? Boys like him didn't give her a second glance but elijah did. Was he just being nice?
"I guess I should be heading back."
It took every ounce of willpower she had to keep her gaze on him. The desire to look away was strong, though. She nodded at him and even managed to give him the tiniest of smiles. Then blushed like an idiot the moment he grinned back at her.
Holding eye contact with him was like staring down a rattlesnake. Fear made her want to turn and run. She'd never been outspoken, blushed easily, and embarrassed even quicker. It was a character flaw she'd been working on but nothing she did worked when Elijah was around. Her heart wouldn't stop thundering in her chest long enough for her to think clearly, let alone form coherent sentences, and today was no exception. When she stood there like a deaf mute, he tipped his hat to her and left but paused outside the door, looked back in and winked at her.
Her heart nearly stopped. She wasn't sure how long she stood there gawking at the spot he'd been standing but her father's booming voice startled her so much, she jumped.
"Stop daydreaming, girl, and get back to work. We only have a week before the summer party and we can't afford to be short a single pie."
"Yes, papa." Charlotte looked out the back door again but Elijah was gone. She sighed, picked up the dough rose she'd crumbled when he'd come into the shop and tried to salvage it, her mind's eye conjuring his image again, and the look on his face as he smiled at her.
She'd wondered for month's now what all those smiles he gave her meant. Was he just being nice or was it more than that? And if it was, when would she get the courage to actually open her mouth and talk to him?
Elijah
If there was one thing Elijah Collins knew, it was that Charlotte Bennett was the prettiest girl in all of Laramie. He was still smiling as he headed back to the mercantile, his mood lifted by nothing more than her pretty face turning pink as she blushed. She'd yet to speak to him but something told him she wanted to.
"What's got you in such a good mood?"
Elijah stepped up on the sidewalk and grinned at Jacob as he turned and started walking with him. "And what makes you think I'm in a good mood?"
His brother snorted a laugh. "Cause you only whistle that irritating song when you're in a good mood."
The streets of Laramie were crowded with horses and buggies today, the number of people on the sidewalks nearly double what it usually was. It was probably the weather but news of a summer party had most everyone in a tizzy. The shops were filled with ladies buying up every scrap of lace they could find and even knowing the mercantile would be busy, he felt the excitement in the air.
The store was full by the time they stepped inside. His mother gave him a scathing look as he walked toward the counter. Apparently he'd been gone longer than he thought he had.
"It's about time," she said when he stepped behind the counter. "What were you doing?"
Trying to sweet talk Charlotte Bennett without much luck. He kept the thought to himself.
"Never mind. Don't tell me." She pointed to the other side of the store with a tilt of her head. "You boys go put that fabric on the shelves before Beatrice and whoever else is back there has it dragged into the floor, then go help Adam unload the wagon."
"Yes, ma'am." They headed to the back of the store, the box of fabric rolls that had come in already being riffled through as every lady in the store was apparently there to look at the new shipment.
He and Jacob both pulled the bolts free, laying them on the table as quickly as they could and backed away when they were pushed to the side.
"Well, that made our job easier."
Elijah grinned at Jacob's remark. They leaned back against the shelving as the ladies tore into the bolts of fabric.
"So…why the good mood?"
He turned his head to look at Jacob and said, "What do you think about Charlotte Bennett?"
Jacob raised an eyebrow. "I don't think of her at all. Why"
He shrugged. Jacob laughed. "You like her or something?'
"Or something."
"Why?"
"Why? What kind of fool question is that?"
His brother was quick to laugh and today was no exception. "Well, maybe because the girl never speaks. I'm not even sure she knows how."
"She can talk."
"You ever heard her say anything?"
"Yes. She said ‘thank you,' to me not twenty minutes ago."
"Two whole words? I'm impressed."
Elijah elbowed him in the side. "Shut up. Charlotte is just--quite."
"That's an understatement. As long as they've been here, I've never heard her say a single word. All she does is blush and run the other way."
"So? She's just bashful is all."
"She takes bashful to a whole new level." He shifted, then turned to face him. "Why you so interested in Charlotte Bennett anyway?"
He shrugged.
"You like her?"
He grinned but didn't reply.
"You do!" Jacob laughed. "Man, of all the girls to fall for in this town, you would pick the one who never talks."
Jacob continued to laugh as if liking Charlotte was the most hysterical thing he'd ever heard. His amusement turned to anger when he didn't stop. "It's not that funny, Jacob."
"Oh but it is!" Jacob shook his head and stopped laughing long enough to say, "You can't keep your mouth shut half the time and she can't be bothered to open hers. It's hilarious!"
Elijah walked away, ignoring Jacob's laughter, and straightened various items on the shelves. He knew people would find his attraction to Charlotte odd because everything Jacob said was true. Charlotte was quiet. And he did talk as if he'd never get the chance to do it again. They'd make a terrible pair. He'd told himself that a hundred times too, but every time he saw her, his heart started pounding and he found himself ready to run to her side just so she'd look at him. He didn't mind her blushing. Thought it was endearing, truth be told. She was the prettiest girl in all of Laramie. Had thought so the first time he saw her crossing the street and the sun shined off her blonde hair and made it shine like spun gold. Now, whenever the bakery her family owned needed a delivery, he went out of his way to make sure he was the one who took it to them and after all his trying, Charlotte had still yet to speak to him.
Commotion by the door brought his head up. A group of ladies came inside, giggling as girls often did. Jacob stepped up beside him, crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.
"Now that's the kind of girl one should be looking to make a wife out of." He said. "Penelope Charles is what every man wants for a wide."
Elijah snorted. "Not me. She's too stuck up."
&nbs
p; "Yes, she is but, she's also flirty. Just the way I like them."
He watched Jacob walk away, heading straight for Penelope and her friends. The gaggle of ladies she was with all turned smiling faces toward Jacob when he approached. All but one. Penelope was staring right at him. He reluctantly returned the gesture and turned his back to them.
Penelope Charles was the daughter of one of the most influential families in Laramie. She was pretty and knew it and would flirt with anyone who smiled her way. Problem was, he wasn't sure she would be able to stop if she committed to a relationship and he didn't want a girl with a wandering eye. Girls like that were unpredictable and he wanted a girl who was true and devoted to him and him alone. A girl like Charlotte. A girl he knew would be faithful. All he had to do was get her to talk to him and the summer party was the perfect excuse for her to do so. All he had to do was count the days and make a plan.
Chapter 2
Charlotte
The summer party was all anyone seemed to talk about and Charlotte felt felt it more than most. She'd done nothing for the past week but bake. She'd lost count of the number of pies she'd made. Not to mention the cakes and pastries, along with so many loaves of bread she didn't want to see another bowl of dough as long as she lived.
Even though the days were hectic, it wasn't all bad. Every time she was in the front of the store and looked out the window, Elijah was there. Today was no exception. He looked in as he passed, grinning as usual. He apparently couldn't see her as he didn't wave as he normally did.
"I think he likes you."
Charlotte jumped at the voice and wasn't able to stop the scream forced out why the sudden shock. She turned her head to look behind her and scowled. "Rebecca Hale, you scared the daylights out of me!"
Rebecca laughed. "Well, if you're weren't up here getting all moon-eyed over Elijah Collins you would have heard me come in."
Charlotte made a face at her and turned back to the counter, wiping it down while covertly looking for Elijah out on the sidewalk. Rebecca leaned one hip against the counter and folded her arms over her chest. "So, is your pa going to make you work the entire summer party or will you be allowed to be like every other girl and enjoy your day?"
