Read Online Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book Online Page A

appeared in the doorway of the office, grinning broadly. “You’ve done it, Luvena!” He waved a slip of paper in the air.
    Luvena . Her name thrummed in her ears as she rose and moved to the side of the desk. “Done what?”
    â€œMrs. Innsbruck has agreed to come to Grand Coeur.”
    â€œI’m delighted for you, Mr. Birch.” She couldn’t help but return his smile.
    â€œWe might even draw folks up from Boise.” He closed the distance between them. “It wouldn’t have happened without your help.”
    â€œYou would have found someone, I’m sure.”
    â€œPerhaps. But not someone as well known. Besides, she’s coming because of you.” He spoke the words softly, his gaze holding hers.
    Luvena’s heart leapt, and it took great resolve not to reach up and caress his cheek. Something she had no right to do. She was not his fiancée. She would never be his bride.
    The smile faded from her lips as she took a step backward and reached for the envelope on the desk. “Please excuse me. I have a letter I must post, and I’m hoping it will make today’s stage. Then I must see to the children’s lunch.”
    â€œOf course.” He also took a step backward. He also lost his smile.
    Good. He’d understood her subtle reminder of why he should not stand so close and why he should not call her by her Christian name. At most he was her landlord and employer. By his choice. A choice they both must live with.
    â€œI suggest you send it by Wells, Fargo,” he added. “They’re generally more reliable than the postal service.”
    With a nod of acknowledgement in Clay’s direction, Luvena left the theater and hurried along Main Street toward the express company’s office. Feeling close to tears—and hating herself for it—she kept her gaze fastened on the boardwalk a few steps in front of her.
    Mr. Birch isn’t anything to me. He isn’t. I shall find another man to marry .
    Luvena was so deep in thought she almost walked into another woman outside the Wells, Fargo office. The woman gasped, and it was that sound that brought Luvena to a sudden halt.
    The heat of embarrassment rose in her cheeks. “I beg your pardon. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    â€œIt’s all right.” The woman—striking looking, with fiery-red hair and cat-green eyes—laughed softly. “Neither of us was harmed.” She looked as if she would turn and continue on her way, but then she stilled again. “You must be Miss Abbott.”
    â€œYes, I am.”
    â€œI’m Shannon Dubois. My husband and I were traveling with our children when you arrived in Grand Coeur. I would so have liked to have been here to welcome you, but here we are now. So, welcome!”
    â€œThat’s very kind, Mrs. Dubois.”
    â€œPlease, won’t you call me Shannon?”
    â€œIf you wish.”
    Shannon reached out and squeezed Luvena’s upper arm, the gesture warm and genuine. “I have a feeling we shall become great friends.”
    Luvena felt a catch in her chest, as if she’d lost something dear to her. If she could stay in Grand Coeur, they might have been friends. But now—
    â€œMatthew and I would like you to come to dinner after church tomorrow. And your nieces and nephew, of course. Do I have that right? Two girls and a boy? Or is it the other way around?”
    There was something about Shannon Dubois’s smile that refused to let Luvena feel sorry for herself. She returned it. “You have it right.”
    â€œGood. I thought so. Just the opposite of us. We have two boys and a girl in our home. But I mustn’t detain you from your errand any longer. You will meet the children tomorrow.” She started away, then tossed back over her shoulder, “Oh, tell Clay he is invited to dinner too.”
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    Well after Luvena left the office, the soft