Free The Wrong Brother's Bride by Allison Merritt

hawk-sharp eyes.
    August nodded. “I’m looking for help on a farm. Corn’s ripe and I figure I have two weeks’ worth of work harvesting and two for shucking.”
    The clerk eyed him. “Which farm?”
    “O’Dell’s, in Wilson township.” He waited for the recognition and the inevitable questions about who was running the farm.
    “Heard he died.” Curiosity came through in the other man’s voice.
    A dry knot formed in August’s throat. “I’m his brother, August.”
    The three other customers looked at him. He ignored the probing eyes, keeping his mind on business.
    The clerk didn’t reply. He pulled a book from beneath the counter, opened it and licked his fingers as he separated pages. “Your brother purchased some tools on credit. I can’t charge anything on the account until it’s paid off.”
    August clenched his jaw. Thinking of Loyal and how she expected him home tonight, he knew starting an argument with this man wouldn’t be wise. “I’m not asking for credit. I’m in need of laborers.”
    They exchanged a long look.
    “How much?” He reached for the ledger, annoyed when the clerk pulled it away.
    “Three dollars and seventy-two cents.”
    “I’d like to see the copy of the receipt.” He drew out the slim bit of leather he used to carry paper money. Holding the currency aloft, he waited until the clerk located the carbon paper and slid it over the counter.
    August did the sums in his head and laid the money down. Although he wanted to tap his foot against the floor as he waited for change, he held still, listening to the whisper of voices behind him.
    “You hear about anyone looking for work, I’ll be in town all morning. I’ll check in before I go.”
    The clerk looked bored and responded with a terse nod. August tapped his hat brim in acknowledgment of the other men. He heard one mutter his name and Loyal’s, although he didn’t waste time trying to hear what else they had to say.
    He had the same results at the barber’s, but at least no debt. He received plenty of looks and little interest in the work he was offering. By noon his feet ached and he felt like the whole town had him under a magnifying glass. And of all the people to run into, Maud Bowman stepped out of the dress shop as he crossed in front of it. A parcel wrapped in brown paper fell from her grasp and August retrieved it. She looked startled at first, then batted her eyelashes and smiled as she accepted it.
    “August O’Dell!”
    She called his name loud enough that everyone within twenty feet heard her trilling voice. As though they were old friends instead of passing acquaintances at best.
    “Mrs. Bowman. Fine day, isn’t it?” He’d rather have started harvesting corn by himself than run into her.
    “It is. How is Loyal?” She gave him a sly look. “Everything alright with the—”
    “Truth is, I’m searching for some help to bring the corn in,” he interrupted. “I’ve put out word today, but if you hear of anyone who needs a decent wage, Loyal and I would appreciate it. There’ll be more work after I plow again. We should get a second corn crop later this fall without any trouble.”
    “I daresay Loyal won’t be any help then. She’ll be too far gone to bend and stoop for harvesting with her belly. Since you’re newlyweds and it’s her first baby, I hope you’ll let her take it easy.”
    If there hadn’t already been dozens of eyes on them, he felt sure there were now. He wanted to wring Maud’s neck. Heat rose up his face. It wasn’t proper for anyone to mention a woman’s condition in public. The gleeful gleam told him she knew exactly what she was doing. He didn’t know why she delighted in gossip. If the shoe was on the other foot, she wouldn’t appreciate that sort of talk.
    “I’ll be sure to see she gets enough rest.”
    Maud’s smile widened. “You’re awfully good to take on your brother’s farm and his wife. Some might think you stepped in at just the right