Chapter Sixteen
Phoebe stared at Braxton across the table. The restaurant was the nicest she’d ever been to. She realized she was underdressed and wished she could put her coat back on, but they’d checked them at the front.
She studied her surroundings. A large Christmas tree stood in the center of the spacious room. Tables were covered with white linen tablecloths, each one adorned with a red poinsettia. Would they ask her to leave based on the state of her day dress?
“Ya look worried,” Braxton said gently. “What’s wrong, darlin’?”
She shook her head, unsure how to explain. Braxton looked perfectly at ease in their surroundings, but then, he always did. Nothing seemed to rattle him or crease his brow with worry. Unlike her. She lived in a constant state of it. Could she find work? Pay the rent? Put food on the table?
But that was behind her now. She had a job. Still, she’d never spend her hard-earned money eating in a place like this. No, she needed to save it and stash it away in case she needed it.
Her father flashed through her mind. If he showed up, she wouldn’t dare tell him about any savings. He’d guilt her out of it, and she wasn’t about to let that happen.
The waitress took their orders and hurried off. Phoebe winced at the prices, but Braxton didn’t blink. Was he splurging while out of town? Maybe he was spending some of the money from the sale of his cattle.
“Phoebe,” he said quietly. “Have you ever been to a play?”
She gaped at him. “Er… no.”
“The ballet?”
She shook her head.
“Hmmm,” was all he said.
“You?” she asked.
He nodded. “In Amarillo. Occasionally we take the train and stay a few days.” He smiled. “It’s not like I’ve never been to a big city.”
She smiled back. “You seem comfortable no matter where you are.”
He shrugged. “No sense worrying unless you’ve got something to worry about.”
Phoebe nodded. It was good advice. She just had a hard time following it.
Their conversation stayed light until their meals arrived. Phoebe was glad for the distraction. Spending time with Braxton was heavenly but it would end soon. He would return to Texas, and that would be that. He might even find a bride before he left.
The thought made her chest ache. “When are you going home?” she asked between bites.
“Soon, I reckon. I want to be there for Christmas.”
Her heart sank clear to her toes. “Yes, of course. Do… do you think you’ll find yourself a wife between now and then?”
He smiled. “I hope so.”
“You’re running out of time,” she said, swallowing hard. What was she doing? Of course he wanted a wife. That was why he’d been hovering around the sisters’ office, just like she had.
“I might have to stay an extra day for the marrying,” he went on. “Or I could take my bride home and get married on Christmas. Wouldn’t that be something?”
Her chest tightened. “Yes… wouldn’t it?” Something hot and unwelcome flared in her heart. Oh dear. Was that jealousy?
Phoebe shoved the feeling down and focused on her meal. She slowed her eating, hoping the moment would pass. Maybe Braxton would talk about something else. Being around him was getting harder by the minute.
He was comfortable. Easy. And had a way of calming her when she hadn’t known she needed it.
Phoebe stared at her nearly empty plate.Why did this have to happen?She’d been so careful. At least she’d thought she had.
She lifted her gaze and met Braxton’s steady one.
