Free Manroot by Anne J. Steinberg Page B

awe of the stars, or the joy of working in the soil planting a wild shrub?
    He had forgotten to tell her: he had a greenhouse. Foolish, he was being foolish. It was near his birthday. He was approaching fifty. It made him examine his life, and he found it wanting.
    The next morning she found his cuff-link among the flowers – in small diamonds, his initials W.R. She put it in the heart-shaped box, not knowing or caring for its value, but it, too, added to the parts of him she now possessed.
    With patience and fear, she waited, for she knew before he did, that they belonged to each other!

Chapter 7
     
    William came to Castlewood the next week as usual. After showering and shaving he rang for bourbon and spring water.
    He would give the girl the book and be done with it. He had said he would bring her a book; being a man of his word he had done so.
    But this slow slithering friendship that was beginning with her would have to stop. It made no sense.
    Shortly after ringing, there was a soft knock on the door. In answer to his, ‘Come in,’ she stepped inside.
    Holding the tray unsteadil y, she walked across and put it on the night-stand, knocking over Elizabeth’s picture.
    He came out of the bathroom to see the blonde maid standing there. Her jaw moved as she chewed her gum, waiting for her tip.
    “ I thought – ” He stopped in mid-sentence and reached for a coin which he put in her waiting palm. “Thank you,” he said curtly.
    In twenty-five minutes he tried again, ringing for more spring water. Again the strong blonde brought the water, still chewing frantically on her gum.
    Just before she shut the door he said, “Wait.” She stepped back in the room, her face slack now; surprise had stopped her chewing motion.
    Embarrassed, without looking at her, he said softly, “ The other one, Kathy –“
    “ Oh yes, sir,” she chirped, and ran noisily downstairs. Breathless, she found Katherine and gripped her hands. “Guess what?”
    “ What?”
    Sally giggled, and grabbed her close and whispered in her ear, “ The Judge is asking for you.”
    Frieda ’s sharp voice interrupted them. “What are you two giggling about? You’ll disturb the guests.”
    “ Nothing, Frieda,” Sally said. Sally was used to hiding things. “The Judge wants more spring water,” she lied.
    “ More water? What’s he need more water for?”
    Saucily Sally said, “ I don’t know, Frieda. Maybe he wants to take a bath in it,” and she snickered hysterically at her own joke.
    Frieda shoved the bottle of water toward her. “Take it up and stop that cackling.”
    Sally handed it to Katherine. “Please, you take it. My back’s hurting from running up and down the stairs so much. My aunt’s visiting, you know.”
    Katherine blushed at Sally ’s brazen mention of her period.
    Frieda disgustedly went back to the kitchen muttering to herself, “ Hare brain. That girl’s lazy and hare-brained to boot.”
    Katherine took the bottle of water up to William ’s room. He looked with surprise at the third bottle of spring water, then realized the blonde had a knack for conspiracy. He placed it next to the two unopened bottles on the nightstand and smiled at Katherine. “I brought the book.” He held out the large picture book about stars to her.
    Her brow knitted as she smoothed the glossy cover; she opened it and saw the simplistic drawings of the heavens, realizing it was a book for a child.
    Instantly he, too, perceived his mistake. He had assumed her simple. Hurriedly, he explained, “I’m afraid it’s the only one the bookstore had. It’s not bad for a beginner. Why, I often read children’s books when I want an overview of a subject. I’ll keep a lookout for something more suitable.”
    “ Thank you. This one is just fine.”
    It was the silly uniform, or something cold that stood between them now. The feeling of friendship was gone, or maybe he had imagined it in the first place. Somehow it was important for him to know her