Chapter Eleven
“Thank you for helpingJack,” Faith said as she handed Beau a cup of coffee.
The evening had developed a slight, unseasonable chill after a burst of rain had moved through, and so Beau had started a small fire. It was cozy inside the office that also served as their parlor, the coffee was hot with just enough sugar to take the bitter edge away, and, best of all, Beau’s warm company with which to while away the evening.
“I don’t know that I was much help,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it when he told me he’d grown up in New York City.”
Faith laughed. Jack had been completely out of place when he’d arrived, but he’d thrown himself into farm work, and so far, he and Celia had brought her little farm back to life. And better yet, they were expecting twins. “Did he tell you how much I disliked him when he first arrived?”
“He did,” Beau said, but instead of the smile she’d expected to see, he frowned into the fireplace.
“Are you all right?” She set her coffee cup on the little table that sat between the chairs and settee.
He shook off whatever was bothering him and lifted a hand to gather hers. “I’m fine. I had a good laugh over his story about meeting you.”
She smiled. “I knew something wasn’t right about him, and I was correct. But he’s proven to be a good husband to my sister.”
Beau went quiet again, staring into the fire.
“Something is on your mind.” She leaned forward to catch his eye.
“It’s been a long day. That’s all.” He squeezed her hand and smiled again, but it was hesitant, and it didn’t reach his eyes.
Faith had the nagging feeling there was something more that bothered him. She could push and hope he told her, and while that was more in her nature, she opted to go against her inclination and simply enjoy the evening, letting him tell her when he felt the need.
Instead, she decided she would confess something that had been on her mind. “Beau?”
He looked at her, his eyes darker in the firelight.
Faith swallowed. When he looked at her like that, it was hard for her to think straight. “I’m glad you’re here.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you?”
He was teasing her again, and she shook her head at his utter ridiculousness. “I’m trying to give you a compliment. Having you here has been very helpful. I didn’t realize how much I missed not having to do all this work on my own.” She paused. “And the company hasn’t been so terrible either.”
“Not so terrible.” He laughed. “Your company is not so terrible either, my Faith.”
