Read Online Morning Glory by Carolyn Brown - Free Book Online Page B

up the Anderson lane.

    Tucker had not been exaggerating when he said his
cleaning skills left something to be desired. Although
the dining room could have been as lovely as Clara's, it
lacked a woman's touch. Curtains had been removed
from the windows and harsh summer light streamed
through wide windows. The cushions in the chairs
needed airing and fluffing. Though clean, the napkins
needed pressing. Wallpaper crinkled in the corners and
around the wide mop boards. At one time, the oak hardwood floors had probably been as shiny as Clara's, but
now they were dull and scratched. Newspapers were
stacked at least a foot high in three corners and Briar
could have drawn up plans for a new rig site in the dust
on the buffet.
    However, the food spread out on the table made him
forget all about Tucker's lack of handiness with a dust
rag and mop. A huge pork roast, surrounded by potatoes,
carrots and onions, rested in the middle of an enormous
meat platter. Steam rose from a bowl of freshly snapped
green beans seasoned with bacon. Another bowl held
lettuce wilted with a hot vinegar and sugar sauce, and a
basket offered hot bread, still piping hot from the oven.
    Tucker assigned chairs, keeping Olivia as far from
him as possible.
    Cecil was the last one to sit. "Good lord, man, you'd
make any woman a good wife. If you want to cook
every day, I can guarantee you a healthy profit"

    "No, thank you. I've got too much to do to cook
every day" Tucker grinned at the compliment. "The
extra plate there is for Tilly, who seems to be running
late. She'll probably be here about dessert time."
    Clara picked up the napkin and carefully placed it in
her lap. "You didn't say Tilly was joining us."
    "She's plowing this morning, so I told her to stop by
if she had time." Tucker began passing the food around
the table.
    "So you're working with Briar?" Olivia asked Cecil.
    "I guess you could say that," Cecil said. "Tucker, this
is wonderful. I'm glad I came over to discuss the new
recruits with Briar."
    "Thank you," Tucker said.
    Olivia stole glances at Cecil while she ate. He really
was handsome and that deep voice sent shivers down
her spine. "And is your job as dangerous as Briar's?"
    "Yes, ma'am, I guess it is. I'm the derrickman and
the general manager in this area for Rose Oil. How long
have you known Tucker?" he asked. Good grief, the
woman was out and out flirting with him. Her leg had
actually touched his for a moment. There was no way
he'd come between Tucker and his lady friend-and
besides, Judith, the love of his life, would scalp him.
    Olivia turned to him with a sugary-sweet smile. "Oh,
Tucker and I've known each other ever since I moved
into Clara's boarding house in Healdton. I grew up in
Ardmore and got a job last year at the bank here in
town. Tucker comes by sometimes for supper with us. After lunch, do you suppose you might give me a working man's tour of an oil rig? I've never been up close to
one when it was going into the ground. I was always
afraid Clara would evict me if I did."

    "I would not!" Clara exclaimed.
    "Well, the way you hate Briar, everything and everyone involved with oil, I didn't want to chance it," Olivia
said.
    Cecil sputtered. "It might not be appropriate for me
to take you to the rig. Rumors could start and since you
and Tucker are-"
    Clara giggled.
    Briar chuckled.
    Tucker steamed.
    Olivia's eyes widened. Even though Tucker
Anderson was the absolute catch of the county, she
couldn't have another prospect thinking she was spoken for already. No, sir, that would scare Tucker off
and, besides, Cecil was so good looking. A girl could
give up a little bit of prestige and money for something
that handsome. "Tucker and I are friends. Clara is the
one who invited me to lunch today. Besides, Clara can
go, too. She and I will be chaperones for each other."
    Tucker breathed a sigh of relief.
    Clara gasped. "I will not go around a dirty old oil
rig."
    Tilly walked into