Read Online A Good Man for Katie by Marie Patrick - Free Book Online Page B

chemises, and nightgowns. “She never introduced him.” She folded one of the nightgowns and placed it on the growing pile.
    “And we never saw him.” Emeline moved into the room and shrugged her slim shoulders. “In fact, she never mentioned his name. For the longest time, no one suspected she was seeing anyone, but then, I suppose she kept her romance a secret because of the rules she agreed to when she was hired.”
    “The last rule especially.” Laurel grinned and stopped emptying the bureau. She pushed an errant lock of pale blond hair out of her face with her forearm. “The one that says ‘No keeping company with the opposite sex.’ I think it should be struck from the contract.” She tilted her head to the side. “Maybe her mystery man was married.”
    Again, Emeline shrugged. “We’ll never know, but I hope she’s happy, wherever she is.”
    Kathryne took the last gown out of the armoire and laid it over the other clothes already on the bed. “What should we do with all her things?”
    “Donate them to the church. I’m certain Pastor Richards knows someone who could use them.” Emeline disappeared from the doorway. When she came back, her arms were empty. She rolled up the sleeves of her gown then pulled a silken scarf from her pocket and tied the multi-colored fabric around her head to keep her hair out of her face. “You two might as well finish in here. I’ll start on the kitchen.”
    The three of them worked in companionable silence, punctuated by staccato bursts of conversation, laughter, and Walter running into the house to show them his new found treasures. They moved all the furniture outside then rolled up the rugs and hung them over ropes tied to the trees in the front yard to air out.
    Before long, the hardwood floors were swept and rubbed with lemon oil to preserve the shine, windows were washed, clean linens were placed on the bed and the whole cottage smelled of lemon wax and vinegar. Dishes were washed, dried and put away in the hutch. To Kathryne’s relief, the tins marked coffee and such were empty as was the icebox.
    The fireplace had been cleaned and several new logs graced the grate behind the screen. Long drapes of royal blue trimmed with white fringe, donated by Mrs. Cabot, hung around the windows and swayed with the gentle wind blowing through the house. Kathryne stood back and inspected the results of their efforts. A sigh of deep pleasure escaped her. She may not know how to cook, but being raised in a military family, she certainly knew how to clean.
    “I think we deserve a break.” Laurel came up beside her, picnic basket slung over her arm. She wiped at the perspiration dotting her forehead with the back of her wrist. “Let’s sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.” She went through the front door and called her son.
    “Whew! We’re almost done.” Emeline patted her face with a handkerchief then stuffed it in the pocket of her apron. “By this time tomorrow, you’ll be all moved in and next week, you’ll teach your first class.”
    Overwhelmed with gratitude for Emeline’s generosity, Kathryne’s eyes misted over and her vision blurred despite the glasses on her face. “I can’t thank you enough, Emy, for everything you’ve done. Helping me get the job, helping me clean, helping me…get my life in order.”
    Emeline wrapped her arms around Kathryne and squeezed tight. “What are sisters for? Truthfully, I had an ulterior motive. Although I only taught for a short time after Miss Stillwell left—and I loved it—I don’t want to teach anymore. Terry and I—”
    “Has anyone seen Walter?” Laurel rushed into the cottage, face flushed, her voice shrill with panic.
    “Not since he brought in that frog about twenty minutes ago,” Kathryne told her.
    “He’s not outside.” Unshed tears gleamed in her eyes and her chin trembled. “At least, he hasn’t answered me.”
    “Don’t panic. He couldn’t have gone far.” Emeline rested her hand on