Free Courted by Trouble: A Courting Romance (In Hyacinth Book 3) by Bree Cariad Page A

she should be happy living in an old-folks home, dallying the rest of her life away. Gran’s bored stiff and needs a new challenge.”
    Christopher’s description of his grandmother made her grin.
    “So, we’ve found a place and it will take a good six to eight months to get it ready, but our business application has already been approved and the place we’ve found is in pretty good order, so it looks like we’re ago.”
    “Christopher, that’s fantastic.”
    He smiled. “I’m a business owner. It’s a scary thing.”
    “Still working at the restaurant?”
    “Through New Year’s. Then I have enough savings and so does Gran to last us awhile. We’ll be able to live on the property while we work there, which helps.”
    “Where is it?”
    “About ten minutes north. Right off the highway, in fact. It’s a three-story, Victorian style home.”
    Her eyes lit up. “I’ve seen that my entire life. Oh, how wonderful. It was such a shame that the owners were letting it go.”
    “And out back there are three buildings. One we’re making into an apartment for Gran and one is another house.” He paused and took a sip of coffee. “I’m going to use that for my home.” His eyes flicked to hers. “And my future wife and children.”
    She smiled and nodded, pleased in spite of her logical reasoning that told her to take it all calmly. Before she could reply, his eyes flicked up to the clock on the wall. “I had best be going. I have a full afternoon and evening shift at the restaurant.”
    “See you later,” she whispered.
    “Yes, you will.”
    He left the café and she stared at the drawing in front of her. Without consciously thinking about it, she flipped the page over and started on a new design, this one more of an old-fashioned southern belle look with a modified hoop skirt.
    “That was him,” Julienne breathed looking out the window.
    Turning her head, Stephanie followed the girl’s gaze where Christopher was getting into a car. “I hear he’s taken,” she said quietly.
    “Really? Ah, man! Looks like I’ll have to see who else is available. It’s so much harder this time of year.”
    Smiling, Stephanie went back to her drawing.
    “Wow, that’s so cute.” Julienne watched as she kept sketching. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” The bell above the door jangled as a new customer walked in and she rushed up to the counter to help them.
    On December fifteenth, Stephanie stood with Dora and watched while Darcelle was married to George Leighton in a private ceremony from their home. After all of their signatures were on the legal forms, they had a celebratory dinner, packed the last of her things in George’s trailer and waved as they drove away. Stephanie wrapped an arm around Dora who had tears running down her cheeks.
    “I’m glad she’s happy,” she whispered as they walked back inside. “I just wish…”
    “Let’s make some cocoa,” Stephanie suggested, understanding what she couldn’t say. Dora just wished she could find her own Mr. Right. They were seated in the living room, sipping their cocoa and listening to the radio when a knock came at the door. Dora leapt to her feet and went to answer it.
    “Mr. Covington, what a pleasant surprise. If you’re here to see Mom, she’s on her honeymoon.”
    “Thank you, Dora, but actually this gentleman and I are here to see Stephanie. Is she available?”
    Stephanie’s heart sped up as she knew what was coming. She hadn’t mentioned the coming courting proposal as it was considered one of the unwritten rules, plus Stephanie had been worried that if she told anyone, that it might not happen.
    Dora opened the door wide and Alex Covington and Christopher walked in. “Dora, this is Christopher Triton.”
    “I remember,” Dora said, smiling as she shook Christopher’s hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Triton.”
    “You as well, Dora. You look happy.”
    “I am.”
    Christopher turned and looked at Stephanie and