Phoebe swallowed hard. “I… I’m not sure about him.”
“But he’s everything you want. Dependable, responsible, safe.”
“Yes, I know, but…” She closed her eyes. “I feel nothing.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “I know he said he’d grow to love me, and I would do the same. It’s all I expected with this sort of arrangement. But…”
Augusta gave her a sympathetic smile. “You want to feel more. You want to be in love.”
“Yes.”
“Oh my,” Augusta drawled. “I don’t know what to tell you. But you do realize that if you’re in our employ, you have plenty of time to find a beau, court, and fall in love.”
Phoebe folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. “I know.”
Augusta studied her a moment. “Then what’s the problem, dear?”
Phoebe’s eyes flicked to hers once.
“Oh.” Augusta backed up a step. “Oh dear…”
Phoebe swallowed back the lump in her throat. Then, unable to help it, she buried her face in her hands and a small sob escaped.
“Oh, you poor thing.” Augusta patted her shoulder. “Oh dear, dear, dear.”
“What’s the matter?” Josie asked, coming into the office.
“Our Phoebe’s in love,” Augusta said.
“In love? Already? Mr. Clark swept you off your feet?”
“Not Mr. Clark, sister,” Augusta said.
Augusta knew. That knowledge only made Phoebe sob harder.
“Don’t worry, dearest,” Augusta said gently. “I’m sure he’s still in town. Just because he hasn’t been by for a time doesn’t mean he’s left.”
“Who?” Josie asked.
“Braxton Jones, of course.” Augusta rolled her eyes. “Really, sister. You’ve got eyes don’t you?”
“Yes, but Mr. Clark…” Josie glanced at Phoebe.
She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and was dabbing her eyes. “I don’t know when it happened, but it did,” she said between sniffles. “But he’s leaving, and…”
“Now, now, dear,” Augusta said, patting her back. “You just have to talk to the man.”
“What for?” Phoebe shot back. “I’m not what he wants. He’s made that quite clear.”
Josie studied her a moment. “True, but he’s also spent a lot of time with you. The two of you work together so well, and he’s done things for you and bought you presents.” She smiled.
“He was just being kind,” Phoebe said, wiping her eyes again. “I’m going to have to forget about him. But it’s hard, and I’m not sure I can…” She sniffed and blew her nose.
“What about Mr. Clark?” Josie asked.
Phoebe shook her head. “I can’t. Not when I feel like this. It wouldn’t be fair to the man.”
“No, I suppose not,” Josie said, casting a worried glance at her sister. “What are we going to do?”
“We are not going to do anything,” Augusta said firmly. “Phoebe, on the other hand, is going to get a hold of herself and speak with Mr. Jones.”
