The one occasion Torin had seen Cora after she’d brought her friend’s acceptance was when she drove up with Hank and Brian, who’d rented a wagon from the livery. They’d brought up a bed and bedding, a mirror, chest of drawers, and enough food to feed an army.
She’d had him clean out the odds and ends stored in the spare room, while she ironed the wrinkled bedding, made the bed, hung the curtains, and lamented not having flowers to make a bouquet.
Torin had cleaned out or packed away the items from the former storage room, taking some things to the stable and moving the rest to the attic. He’d cleaned the house yesterday and baked oatmeal cookies. Nothing remained to be done. Everything was in readiness.
Except for me.
Finally, Torin saw the surrey heading in his direction. He wanted to press his nose to the cold glass and peer at the interloper, as if he could analyze her intentions from a distance. But lest he be caught staring, he moved away from the window, out of the parlor, and into the entryway.
After giving them enough time to exit the surrey, and judging they were close, Torin opened the door to see Cora carrying a battered leather satchel and Brian sauntering beside her with a wooden crate. They were followed by the stranger, both hands possessively holding the handle of a covered basket.
Seemingly to mark the solemnity of the occasion, Cora and Brian entered without a word, moving to each side of the doorway to allow Miss Jackson to enter.
She stepped inside, vivid in a way that her black-and-white photograph hadn’t shown. Tall and slender, her brows and lashes were dark. Her eyes, a startling hazel, more brown than green, held intelligence and directness that gave a great deal of character to her pretty face.
Gobsmacked.He’d heard the British slang expression before but had never expected to feel anything of the sort. Frozen, he couldn’t move toward her. Couldn’t make his tight throat stutter out words of welcome.
With a slight smile curving the edges of her generous mouth, she took quick stock of Torin, her eyes widening. She leaned back slightly before she composed her expression. With a sweet smile, she went to her knees in front of his daughter and held up the basket, opening the top. “Hello, Jewel. I’m Miss Ivy, and I’ve brought a kitty. Her name is Brave.” She flicked Torin a quick, guilty glance. “I hope your papa doesn’t mind.”
Even if he did mind, which Torin didn’t know if he did, the damage was done. His daughter looked enthralled.Why did I never think to get her a kitten?
“You can pick her up,” the woman urged. “Just be gentle. Can you do that?”
“Bave. Kit-ty.”
With her free hand, Miss Jackson guided Jewel in scooping the cat out of the basket and clutching it to her chest.
The cat mewed but hung limp and complacent.
Torin studied the cat. Appallingly thin. Fuzzy black fur. Dark blue eyes.Appealing little critter.The tightness inside him relaxed a tad.
Cora moved to kneel at Miss Jackson’s side. “We gave her a bath last night, so you don’t have to worry about fleas.”
Up until that moment, Torin hadn’t thought about fleas. He shot the cat a worried glance.
Cora reached behind Miss Jackson’s back and playfully smacked Torin’s leg. “Isaidnot to worry.”
Brian hefted the crate. “And I’ve brought a box that’s lined with sawdust to use as a privy. Where do you want me to put it?”
“Uh…” Torin could barely make his mind work and had to struggle to think through possible places. “Next to the back door.”
So many impressions tangled inside him. Pleasure at seeing Jewel happy, confounded by a cat, amazed by Brian’s eyes twinkling,twinklingin suppressed mirth, and worst of all,stunnedby his attraction to his daughter’s governess.
When Brian returned, he grasped Torin’s arm and gave a slight pull. “Let’s leave the ladies to watch over Jewel and Brave while we unload the trunks from the buggy. We also brought a hefty basket of food. I think Cora secretly fears you’ll starve your new governess,” he quipped, “which you won’t.” He elbowed Torin’s side. “Making Ivy unhappy will make my beloved unhappy, which will make me unhappy, and then I’ll have to make you unhappy, which would make Jewel unhappy, and I’d never want my sugar princess upset.”
Torin just shook his head at his friend’s convoluted teasing.
Brian towed Torin out the door, not even allowing him to grab his coat.
When they got a few feet outside, Brian stopped and did a mock playfulwhewmotion of his hand across his forehead. “Ah, man time! I’ve been exposed to more giggles and tears andexcited talk, talk, talk. Happy female energy. I needed to escape for a few minutes and catch my breath.”
Loving Cora has changed you.
His formerly cantankerous friend had metamorphosized into a contented man. Torin hardly recognized his neighbor anymore, because a smile so often transformed his previously crabby countenance.
“I think you’re doing the right thing. Having this governess will be good, brother.” Brian laid a hand on Torin’s shoulder and squeezed. “I think Ivy’s going to be good for you and our precious darlin’.”
Torin took a deep breath. The cold air stuck in his throat, so he could only nod.
