Free The Trouble with Patience by Maggie Brendan Page B

harrumph, and Jedediah stared hard at him, then stalked off. Good luck, cowboy . Maybe some of her manners will wear off on you .

8

    Throughout supper at the Longhorn, though Cody was both handsome and attentive, Patience’s mind kept wandering back to Jedediah. She was embarrassed to have her invitation to join them turned down, especially in front of Cody. What was she thinking? She’d clearly mistaken Jedediah’s interest in her accident for romantic notions. She shook her head briefly, and Cody looked puzzled. At least he seemed interested in their friendship, and she forced herself to pay attention to what he said.
    The Longhorn was the nicest place to eat in town, and any other time Patience would have thoroughly enjoyed it, but not tonight. The decor was homey, with blue-checked tablecloths and blue spatterware. This was the first time she’d eaten here, and she could see how it could be a cozy place to enjoy eating with friends. But even though their dinner of thick steaks and potatoes looked delicious, her inward turmoil distracted her.
    She leaned back in the comfortably upholstered chair with a sigh.
    â€œYour appetite seems to have disappeared. Are you sure you’re feeling better?”
    Patience laid her fork down. “Yes, I am. But a steak as large as this one is more than I can manage.” The truth was, her jaw hurt when she chewed. It was a wonder that she hadn’t lost her teeth from the fall.
    Patience tried to take the focus from herself. “Tell me, have you had any jobs of interest materialize yet?”
    â€œNot yet, but I’m not too concerned. When I’m finished painting, I’ll help you out with a few things that you need done around the inn. If I don’t find something soon, I’ll move on to the next town. That’s the life of a cowboy. I’m used to it.” His eyes held a certain melancholy when he looked into hers. “I have some money saved to tide me over until something turns up.”
    If he stayed in Nevada City, Patience knew he’d have the ladies swarming around him with his dark good looks and affable personality. “Tell me about your family, Cody.”
    His shoulders stiffened as he cut into his steak. “There’s not much to tell. My pa taught me how to handle cows and horses at a young age, but he fell on hard times after my mother died, so I struck out on my own, working here and there. What about you?”
    â€œI inherited the Creekside from my grandmother after she died. At first I wasn’t sure I’d want to stay, but it seems preferable to living with my mother.”
    Cody arched a dark brow. “She wants to be in charge?”
    â€œYes.” Patience didn’t feel compelled to share details with him.
    They were interrupted as Emily stopped by their table. “How’s your dinner? I asked the cook to make sure your steak was especially tender for you, Patience.”
    â€œIt’s really wonderful, but I’m afraid it’s more than I can eat. Please thank the cook for me, will you? I’m going to take the rest home with me, if that’s all right.”
    Emily’s face looked tired, but she managed to smile at them, assuring Patience that would be fine and she’d wrap it up as well as pass along her thanks to the cook. She’d been on the job for hours, and Patience knew her feet and legs must be very weary. She felt sorry for her new friend, making a promise to herself to have a nice cup of tea and biscuit ready for Emily when she returned tonight.
    Emily glanced over to Cody. “Will you be having dessert?”
    He gave her a smile. “Sure. Do you have vanilla custard? That would be easy for Patience to eat.”
    â€œComing right up. I’ll take these plates if you’re through.” At Patience’s nod, she began clearing the table.
    â€œEmily—perhaps coffee too?” Patience suggested.
    Emily nodded, and after she left,