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she was the oldest of twelve and loved to cook and bake. She’d grown up on a small farm in Kansas, enjoyed gardening and hoped to find a job in town.
Millie had expected to be questioned in the same manner, but instead, Bonnie had complimented her on the pie she’d brought and then proceeded to tell Levi that Emily’s cinnamon buns were much better. Millie’s only consolation had been that Beth had baked the pie, not her. Of course, she didn’t say that. Millie was wise enough to simply smile and let the conversation flow right over her.
When Bonnie had directed her clear green eyes straight at Levi, Millie, who had been seated the farthest away from him, had leaned forward slightly in her chair. She’d wondered what his mother would expect to happen next. It hadn’t taken Bonnie long to demand Levi tell the ladies a little about himself.
The mail-order brides had sat up straighter in their chairs. Daniel had scoffed and Hannah had grinned. Looking back on it now, she could understand why Levi’s ears had turned bright pink.
Levi had laid his fork down, cleared his throat twice, and then proceeded to tell them that he placed God above all else.
From the corner of her eye, Millie had seen the frown that Susanna had hurried to mask. Millie wondered if it was because Susanna expected to be first in her husband’s life or did she have something against God or Christians? Having been raised in church, Millie figured the other woman simply wanted to come first in her future husband’s life.
He’d then told them that he owned several businesses in town that were run by other people. Levi’s face had relaxed and a smile had touched his lips as he’d told them about the furniture business that he ran. He’d leaned forward and shared that right now he was the only builder but someday, he might take on a partner because business was so good. As if he’d realized everyone was staring at him, Levi had concluded with saying that should he choose a bride, then she’d have to be willing to live in town. Both Anna Mae and Emily seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
Hannah had saved Levi from having to answer any further questions by saying she had an announcement to make. She and Daniel had stood up and turned to face Bonnie. “Daniel and I are going to have a baby, probably around the last of September or the first of October.” Her brilliant smile warmed Millie’s heart.
Everyone had congratulated the happy couple, and Millie hadn’t missed the subtle glances the brides had given to Levi. It was no wonder that soon afterward Levi had announced it was time to return to town.
Millie had agreed and covered a yawn proving she was tired from her long day. Now, sitting in silence beside him, she wanted to offer some form of comfort, but what?
Levi stopped the wagon in front of the boardinghouse and came around to help her down. His hands felt warm and strong around her waist. “Thank you for taking me with you this evening,” she offered as her feet touched the ground.
He looked down at her, and a gentle smile covered his lips. “I noticed you didn’t say, ‘I enjoyed myself.’”
She liked the way a teasing light lit his eyes. “No, I can’t say I enjoyed most of it. Although, it was kind of fun watching you skitter around those brides like they were hot coals popping out of the fireplace.”
Levi’s dimples flashed as he laughed. “My favorite part of the evening was when you told my mother that once she gets to know you, she will like you. I’ve never seen her stumped like that before in my life.”
Millie stepped out of his hands. “Yeah, it was kind of rude of me to be that forward, and I noticed she didn’t have much to say to me after that. Maybe I should apologize.”
“Don’t you dare. I think she might have met her match in you.” He continued to stare at her and his face sobered. “If you change your mind about getting married, let me know. I’m in the market for a wife, ya know?”
Had he just proposed to her? Millie took a step away from him and clasped the gate handle. “I know, and that’s about the saddest proposal I have ever heard. Nonetheless, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass it up. I’m going to continue with my plans of opening an art gallery in Granite someday.” Millie hoped to lighten the mood and winked at him. “Ya know—” she paused for effect “—you have three prospective brides waiting for you out on the Westland ranch.”
He groaned. “Yeah, I know. But seeing as you’re already in town, it will be easier to court you.” Levi pulled himself back up onto the wagon and winked down at her before turning the wagon around and heading back along the street.
Millie realized her jaw hung open and she snapped it shut. Had he insinuated he planned to court her? The gate creaked as she opened it. A yawn escaped as she made her way into the house and up to her room. No, surely he was simply teasing her.
She used the key to open her room. It was a nice space with tan walls. The window faced out over the front porch. She pushed back lavender-colored curtains and cracked it open. Crickets and locus sang on the soft evening air.
Tiredness enveloped her like an old friend. Millie changed out of her dress and into her nightgown. She pulled the quilt back on her bed and then blew out the lamp. The cool sheets welcomed her like dew on a crisp autumn morning.
And yet, sleep eluded Millie. She turned over and punched the pillow. Levi Westland was not going to try and court her, was he? Once more, she told herself they’d only been casting about playful banter.
Still, with three beautiful women at the ranch ready to marry him, why had Levi suggested she marry him? So what if she was already in town? That was no reason to focus on her. Especially since she’d already told him that she’d changed her mind about marriage.
Millie grew irritated from both lack of sleep and her wayward thoughts. If he thought he could woo or bully her into a marriage with him, Levi Westland had another think coming.
* * *
The next morning dawned bright and early. Millie hadn’t slept well and felt as prickly as a hedgehog. She dressed in her Sunday best and fixed her hair before heading downstairs to meet the rest of the boarders and to have breakfast. Beth had shown her around the day before so she knew exactly where to go in the big house.
Millie entered the dining room with a smile plastered on her face that she prayed looked believable. Beth looked up from cutting a young boy’s sausage. Levi had mentioned the evening before that Beth had a six-year-old son named Mark.
Mark smiled up at her, and she saw that he’d lost his front tooth. The boy seemed big for his age. Her papa would say the lad was built like a lumberman. She genuinely smiled at the thought of her papa.
“Good morning, Millie. I pray you slept well last night.”
She didn’t want to lie to her hostess so simply said, “Good morning, how are you today?” Millie averted her eyes from the two curious people who sat at the table.
The scents of bacon, eggs and hot biscuits filled the room.
A buffet had been set up against the far wall. It hadn’t been there the day before, and Millie wondered if it was something that Beth did every Sunday morning. She’d check, and if so, Millie decided to get up earlier to help her next Sunday.
“Very well. Go ahead and help yourself to breakfast. We aren’t formal here.” Beth waved toward the table lined with food.
Millie did as she was asked. The food looked and smelled wonderful. Once more, she thanked the Lord for the new job and the benefits it had to offer. She chose a little of everything on the table. Last night, she’d picked at her food; this morning, she intended to enjoy it. A genuine smile touched her lips; maybe today she wouldn’t have to deal with any of the Westlands and could just take pleasure in her first Sunday in Granite.
Millie poured herself a cup of coffee before picking up her plate and turning back to face the table. The rich aroma of the hot beverage soothed some of the prickles she’d been feeling.
There were four people present: Beth, Mark, an older woman who looked to be about seventy