The Sweetest Mail Order Bride (Sweet Creek Brides Book 1) by Jill Summers Page A

night, you two.” He kissed each twin on the forehead before turning down the lamp. “Sweet dreams.”
    The image of Clementine washing dishes with his girls stayed with him. The light laughter and warmth, the tranquil happiness, her beauty that was more than skin deep and straight from the heart made it hard to forget her.
    He closed the door and ambled down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time. His footsteps echoed in the stillness, and he found himself wondering what it would be like to come home to Clementine’s smile. He didn’t know what to do with the chorus of feelings within his heart.
    * * *
    “Caleb just doesn’t know what’s good for him,” Katherine pronounced as she reined her little mare down the town’s dark main street. “Typical man. Sometimes you have to wake them up and make them see what’s standing right in front of them.”
    “I came here because I thought he wanted me. Really wanted me.” Clementine tried to keep the hurt out of her voice. “Now that I know he doesn’t, I won’t try to manipulate him. That isn’t right.”
    “Neither is bringing you out here on false pretenses.”
    “I can’t say that doesn’t hurt, but I understand the motives. Jeb is dying, isn’t he?”
    Katherine gasped and dropped the reins. Her mare stopped in the middle of the street as the wind gusted. “There’s a big possibility.”
    “And you care about Jeb.”
    “Of course I do. He’s been my employer for more years than I can count.” Katherine sniffed, blinking hard. “I was best friends with his wife. Velma and I—”
    Katherine paused, wrestling to get her emotions under control. “Well, let’s just say, I can’t bear to see this happening. Those boys need their father.”
    Clementine’s eyes blurred. Although the boys were grown men, love for one’s parents was a powerful force. “You need to hire someone to help you care for him.”
    “We were hoping you would want the job.”
    “You know I do, but that wouldn’t be right for any one of us.” She gentled her tone. “I would always be pining for these people I care about, who would never really be family. Gracie and Hope want a mother so badly, it would only hurt them to keep hoping. And that’s what they would do if I stayed around.”
    “Then you’re leaving?”
    “I intend to write to the next man on my list.” She didn’t add that Mr. Reynolds was her last resort. But perhaps they would make a good match. She didn’t know until she corresponded with him more. One thing she could not do was stay here.
    “I wish things had turned out differently,” she confessed. “While I’m here, I’ll help you as a friend, not an employee. Although it may not be for long if things work out with Mr. Reynolds.”
    “Well, I might not need much time to change your mind.” Katherine picked up the reins. The mare surged forward, bringing them to the boardinghouse’s steps. “Good night, and thank you.”
    “It was my pleasure.” She hopped down from the buggy. She waved as Katherine drove off, leaving her alone in the night.
    O’Hurley’s was quiet, the dinner hour long past. A faint scent of roasted pork lingered in the air as she made her way across the foyer.
    “How did it go?” Effie poked her head out of her office. “Is Caleb in love with you yet?”
    “No, and no engagement ring either,” she joked, untying her bonnet strings. “How about you? Any proposals from the men coming to dine with you?”
    “Dine at my establishment, you mean.” Effie laughed. “I can’t imagine a one of them being interested in an old battle ax like me.”
    “You aren’t so old. Or a battle ax.”
    “Shh. Don’t let that get around.” Effie grinned. “Can I bring you up a pot of tea?”
    “No, thanks. I’ll just knit for a while.”
    “That’s how I wind down too. Sleep tight, Clementine.”
    “Good night, Effie.” She climbed the stairs, wound her way down the hall and opened the last door on the left. Her room