“Yes. An advanced type of ring spinning frame. Keith swears that it's faster and more cost effective than the mule, but he tends toward exaggeration.”
“Keith Lancaster? The mill owner in Mt. Airy?” Mother rolled her eyes. “Indeed, he does. Well, I'm sure you'll know best, but I doubt your brother will be quick to buy a new machine when the mule is still in working order.”
Noah shrugged a shoulder. “I can do my job and still research new advances. If there's a way to help our production and the mill workers, I mean to try.”
She reached up and patted his cheek, her hand cool against his skin. “You are such a good man.” Her lips tilted. “With a good heart in need of the right sort of tending, I do believe.”
His attention shot to the gleam in his mother's eyes. “Mother.”
“I'll not attempt to force you to look in any particular direction …”
“Mother—”
“But, there's already some obvious interest on your part.”
“I am not having this discussion with you.” He stepped around her and started for the dining room. “Besides, she has barely left one relationship. I sincerely doubt she is ready for another.”
The glint in his mother's eyes deepened. “I didn't even have to say her name.” Her smile stretched to dangerous proportions. “And perhaps being a part of a very wrong relationship only primed her heart for the right one.”
“You certainly know how to take a notion and forge ahead like a steam engine, don't you?”
“If I think it would make my son happy? Then yes, I do.” She caught his arm as they stood on the threshold of the dining room. “I know you invited her here primarily to cheer my heart, but perhaps God sent her and Charlie for the both of us.”
“I won't presume upon her heart, Mother.” He tugged his arm free but held her gaze. “Not after what she's been through. And if we began any relationship and George failed to approve, he could ruin me.”
“Ruin you?” She laughed. “You're too smart and too hard a worker to be ruined, my dear.”
Her faith in his abilities proved much greater than his own.
George had the influence and the power.
A creak from the stairs pulled both their attention as Kizzie approached. She'd worn her hair down, as he'd seen while giving a tour of the mill, but without her coat and hat, it flowed in long dark tresses over her shoulders in contrast to the burgundy of her dress.
Her beauty staggered him.
It bloomed from the inside out.
He couldn't tame the desire to spend more time with her, enjoy more thoughtful conversations and teasing.
Could her heart truly be ready?
He shook his head and met her at the bottom of the stairs.
Not likely.
Not yet.
But in a year? When he was free?
“Charlie fell asleep, so I laid him on the bed upstairs, if that's fine.”
“Of course.” He offered his arm. “And may I escort you and Mother into dinner?”
Her eyes shot wide as she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, the feeling as welcome as it had been that afternoon. “That's sounds mighty fancy.”
He tilted his head to study her. “But not bad, I hope.”
She raised her chin, a smile lighting her eyes. “I ain't used to such finery, but that don't mean I'm not willing to get used to it.”
