Read Online Counterfeit Courtship by Christina Miller - Free Book Online Page B

Washington and passed the south windows, Sugar looked out and watched them go. Her throaty warbling let Ellie know she didn’t want to be left at home.
    Before Ellie reached Pearl Street, Graham raced toward her on Dixie. “I thought we were having a picnic. That’s what the red flag means, right?”
    He remembered. And he came. She didn’t recall ever being so glad to see him.
    Thank You, God.
    She reined in Buttercup and smiled at Graham. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
    â€œI came as soon as I saw the signal.”
    â€œI had a basket packed.”
    â€œWhere is it?”
    â€œIn the kitchen.”
    â€œWhat’s in it?”
    â€œA whole chicken, biscuits and honey, and watermelon.”
    He spun Dixie around and cantered toward Ellie’s house. “I’ve waited eight years for Lilah May’s fried chicken.”
    Ellie laughed at his serious tone. She nudged Buttercup, urging her to follow. “I have an ulterior motive.”
    He groaned. “Not another plan...”
    â€œNot like that. I couldn’t find any loan agreements in this house, so I need to search Uncle Amos’s library at Magnolia Grove.” She didn’t want to ruin the day by telling him she was in big trouble if she did owe Leonard thirty thousand dollars in two weeks. “I thought we could have a picnic and then look through the library together.”
    â€œThat’s not so bad. At least it doesn’t involve dancing.”
    When they reached the stables again, Lilah May came out, their lunch in her hand and a grin on her face. “Goin’ on a picnic and forgot the basket. That’s love if I ever saw it.”
    Love. Her maid thought she and Graham were in love. Ellie’s hand shot up and covered her mouth.
    Lilah May handed the basket to Graham. As he settled it in front of him, Ellie noticed something she’d never seen before—his face and neck turning red.
    Graham—embarrassed? Over the mention of love. It wasn’t about her, that much she knew, so why had he colored so?
    Then a distressing thought hit her. Did he already have a girl? Was that why he fought against their pretend courtship?
    She should have thought of that. She’d assumed, without even thinking of it, that he was unattached. Somewhere, a woman could be waiting for him to return. Even— oh, my word —a wife!
    No wonder he didn’t want all those girls around—or want her at his house last night. It all made sense now.
    But if he was married, or even courting a girl, they had no business riding out to Magnolia Grove together. “Graham, wait...”
    He swung around in the saddle. “What for? I’m starving.”
    â€œWe need to talk.”
    â€œMagnolia Grove is a twenty-minute ride. We’ll have plenty of time to talk.”
    Ellie looked to Lilah May for help, but she merely shooed them away with a wave of her hand and headed back inside the house.
    â€œWe don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” If you’re courting. If you’re married...
    He looked at her as if she’d suddenly lost all her senses. “I said I wanted some chicken.”
    â€œBut the picnic—we don’t have to. You can take the chicken home.”
    He didn’t understand. That she could tell by the way he gazed into the sky as if asking for divine guidance.
    Finally he lowered his head. “Look, you invited me to a picnic.” His voice dropped and he spoke each word slowly, as if she were too simple to understand normal speech. “Let’s ride out to the country, and if you want to talk on the way, we will. I just want to get there and get something to eat.”
    Fine. He just wanted to eat. She tapped Buttercup’s flank and they took off toward the street.
    Within five awkward minutes, they were out of town. Graham reined in Dixie a bit, trotting next to Buttercup. “Ellie, I’m confused. First you ask