Free [Canadian West 05] - Beyond the Gathering Storm by Janette Oke

Unloved. Miss Stout on occasion withdrew even more deeply into her gloom and wrapped it about her thin body. Christine did hope this wouldn’t be one of those days.
    She did not have time to hang up her coat before Miss Stout said, “Mr. Kingsley wishes to speak with you.” Her words were terse, and Christine could imagine that cloud ’being tucked in tightly.
    “Thank you, Miss Stout,” she answered brightly, hoping to share a bit of her spring happiness. She did not bother to go for her steno pad. If she needed it, she’d come back. None of the other girls had arrived yet, so there would be no observers of the early-morning visit to the boss’s office.
    She rapped on the door and opened it. “You wished to see me?”
    The shaggy head swung her way. “You here already?”
    Christine felt the query did not need a reply.
    “Sit,” the man said. She sat.
    He pushed his chair back, then changed his mind and leaned forward. “I know your answer was no, and I’m not out to change that.” At the same time he raised a hand to forestall any words she might be inclined to say. “However ...” He hesitated. “I was wondering if you’d object to making another supper. Just one.” He lifted the hand again, this time palm up.
    Christine gave the matter thought, then nodded silently. “Good.”
    He exhaled loudly and pushed back again, looking very pleased. Christine’s immediate thoughts went to Miss Stout. The woman would be overjoyed.
    “When?” she asked simply.
    “Friday. This Friday. I’ll do all the shopping—just give me a list.”
    “Friday.” She nodded. “Fine. Is there anything in particular you’d like me to serve? I have little experience with any fancy dishes.”
    “Fancy dishes we don’t need. Just some of that chicken and dumplings you served before. That was wonderful.”
    “But ... but don’t you think your guest might enjoy something ... well, different this time?”
    “Nope. Nope. He’ll love that, I know he will.”
    He? Who was her boss referring to?
    “It’s to be a surprise. I haven’t told him a thing about it.”
    Whatever the plan and whoever the guest, Mr. Kingsley seemed tremendously excited.
    “How many? For supper?” asked Christine.
    “Just us. Two. And you, of course. I want you to sit with us this time.”
    “Me?”
    “I want it like ... like a family meal. Instead of you serving like a maid.”
    Christine swallowed and nodded again. “If you wish.”
    He beamed. “That’s all set, then. You just get me that list.”
    “What if I go ahead and get what I need and you simply reimburse me?”
    “That’s good. That’s great. I never did like shopping.” He sounded relieved.
    Christine rose. “Friday,” she said as she turned to the door.
    “Friday,” her boss agreed, obviously very pleased with himself. “Oh,” he called after her. “You can plan on the meal being ready about seven. Boyd won’t be back home until then.”
    Christine nearly stopped in midstride. Boyd? So now she was to be cooking a meal for the boss’s son. For some reason she could not have explained, her heart suddenly began to beat much faster.

    Christine was in the large kitchen nervously fussing over the final preparations for the meal when Boyd arrived. She could hear Mr. Kingsley’s booming voice welcoming his son home from college. It made her even more anxious. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep her hands from trembling as she served.
    “Boy, that’s the longest trip ...” Christine could not pick up the rest of Boyd’s words. She heard both men laugh uproariously and wondered what the joke was. With a final flutter of nerves she picked up two filled serving bowls and proceeded to the dining room. Quickly her eyes scanned the table. She had tried hard to make the table setting attractive without being too feminine. She wondered now if it seemed overdone, a bit showy for two bachelors. Quickly she removed the two candles in their tall crystal holders. Still she