Free Short Straw Bride by Dallas Schulze Page B

he didn’t comment, but something in his eyes suggested that he had his doubts about the outburst having been caused by a mouse.
    She folded her hands neatly in her lap in a ladylike pose that served to conceal her trembling fingers. She gave Luke McLain a look of polite inquiry and hoped he couldn’t see the way her heart pounded beneath her bodice.
    “I, ah, wished to speak with you, Miss Williams.” Now that the moment was here, Luke wished himself anywhere but where he was. It had all seemed so straightforward and simple when he’dthought about it. He’d propose. She’d accept because there was no good reason for her not to. They’d set a date, he’d be on his way and it would be settled.
    “Yes, Mr. McLain?” She tilted her head, those big brown eyes looking at him inquiringly, and Luke suddenly realized that his collar was too tight. He resisted the urge to run his finger underneath the starched linen. He cleared his throat.
    “My mother has been dead these past three years,” he began, groping for words.
    “I know. You must miss her a great deal.”
    “Yes.” He found his eyes drawn to Eleanor’s mouth. He hadn’t realized what a soft, kissable mouth she had. Her lower lip was fuller than the upper, giving her mouth a sensual pout that seemed to invite a man to taste it. Had that stick Webb kissed her? The thought was more irritating than it had any business being.
    He realized that she was still looking at him, waiting for him to get to the point of his visit. He wanted nothing more than to oblige, but dammit all, he hadn’t expected the point to be so hard to get to!
    “The fact is, with my brother and I living alone and all the work that’s required to run a ranch, we don’t have much time to put into taking care of ahouse. Cooking and cleaning and suchlike.” He gestured vaguely to indicate the myriad tasks that went into running a house.
    “I can understand that. You must have a great many responsibilities.” Is he going to offer me a job?
    “Yes. And more than just the responsibilities on the ranch. There’s the future to think of.” Now where did I come up with a pompous piece like that? But Eleanor was looking at him with those big brown eyes, seeming to hang on his every word, and Luke found himself continuing. “When a man works to build something up, he has to think toward the future, provide for its care.”
    “That’s very true, Mr. McLain.” Good heavens, he is going to offer me a job! Eleanor was torn between excitement and uncertainty. She couldn’t possibly go to work for him and his brother. The whole town would be scandalized.
    “When I saw you at church, you seemed like just what I had in mind,” Luke said, starting to feel a little more at ease. “I realize this is kind of sudden and that we don’t know each other all that well but there’d be plenty of time for getting to know each other afterward.”
    After what? Eleanor felt as if she’d lost some vital thread of the conversation. After he hired her?And what difference did it make if they knew each other? Hiring a housekeeper didn’t require an intimate acquaintance.
    “I didn’t mean to rush things so much but, what with spring being a busy time of year and not wanting to put things off till summer or even fall, and you seeming a sensible girl, I thought you might not be offended by me taking a few shortcuts.”
    “Shortcuts?” Eleanor blinked in confusion. What on earth is he talking about?
    “Your uncle said he’d give his permission, so there’d be no problem there.”
    Uncle Zeb had given his permission for her to live on an isolated ranch with two bachelors?
    “He said it was up to you.” Luke looked at her expectantly and Eleanor found herself wanting to agree to anything he asked. But if she went to live with the McLain brothers, her reputation would be in shreds before the buggy made it to the edge of town. Was Uncle Zeb so anxious to get rid of her that he’d throw his precious propriety