Free A Convenient Wife by Carolyn Davidson Page B

rehung them.
    Kate had ventured over once to see what was going on and declared that Ellie made her tired, just watching the momentum she’d developed. Admonishing the girl to slacken her pace, Kate had waddled back next door, and then set off for school for the afternoon classes.
    Ellie smiled as she scrubbed, pleased at Kate’s interest, touched by her concern. But pleasing Win was her first consideration, and though he cautioned her against climbing to hang the curtains, he’d obviously been pleased at the end results of her whirlwind of activity.
    â€œI never thought this old place could look so good,” he told Ellie, leaning against the doorjamb one evening as she dished up supper. “I just don’t want you working too hard. Folks will think I’m taking advantage of you.” And with those final words, his mouth tightened and he walked toward her.
    â€œHas anyone been by, Ellie? Have you spoken to any of the ladies in town?”
    She shook her head, intent on pouring gravy into a deepbowl. “I’ve been too busy to go to the mercantile. Tess brought me a chicken and a slab of bacon this morning, and we talked, but she was in a hurry. She just wanted to know if I was doing all right.”
    â€œAnd are you?” he asked, lifting the plate of fried chicken from the warming oven and transferring it to the table.
    She cast him a questioning glance. “You know I am, Doc.” Ellie halted midway across the kitchen and turned to him. “She sounded kinda funny, though. She asked me if we’d talked about a change in my status. And I said, did she mean from poor to well-to-do?”
    â€œYour status?” Win snatched at the word, well aware of Tess’s meaning.
    â€œI suppose she was thinking how different my life is now, since I’ve been here. But I don’t know exactly what she meant.”
    Win pulled her chair out and waited as she picked up bowls of vegetables from the stove. Watching him closely, she placed them on the table, then slid onto her seat. She’d eyed him curiously the first time he held her chair for her, but had come to accept the small courtesy without comment. He walked to his place and sat down, weighing his words carefully.
    â€œI think she was referring to your status as a single woman,” he said. “I have a notion folks are wondering about us, Ellie.”
    â€œWhat for?” she asked. “What is there to wonder about? I’m your housekeeper and you’re the town doctor.”
    â€œSome folks saw me kiss your forehead on the way home from church Sunday morning, honey. There’s been talk.”
    â€œPeople think I’m after you?” she asked, fingers lifting to cover her mouth as her eyes widened in horror. “I’ve never meant to—”
    He reached across the table and clasped her wrist. “Don’t, Ellie. Don’t even think that. It’s not you they’re speaking of. It’s me. They think I’m taking advantage of you.” It wasn’tthe sum total of the gossip that was circulating, but not for a moment would Win allow Ellie to be privy to the words that criticized her presence in his home.
    â€œYou haven’t,” she gasped. “Not for a minute. You wouldn’t.” Her head shook from side to side as she spoke, and tears formed in her dark eyes, spilling onto her bodice.
    â€œI didn’t mean to make you cry,” Win said, reproach gnawing at him. “But the truth is, I did kiss you, Ellie. And in so doing, I’ve compromised your…” Somehow, virtue wasn’t the correct word to use here, he decided.
    â€œReputation,” he finished with a nod.
    â€œI didn’t have much of a reputation when I got here,” she said softly. “I’m sure that little peck on my forehead didn’t do a whole lot of damage.”
    â€œWell, it made folks talk. And I won’t allow them to besmirch your name in any