Read Online Rainy Day Dreams: 2 by Virginia Smith, Lori Copeland - Free Book Online

David Denny and William Townsend. Jason is the new manager down at the mill.”
    “Welcome.” David’s grip was firm, his smile slow but open. “I know Henry’s been looking forward to having you here.”
    The other man was older by a couple of decades, his clean, dark hair liberally sprinkled with silver. He clasped Jason’s hand and searched his face with keen eyes. “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other. I’m the daytime foreman.”
    Jason kept rigid control of his expression, though his eyebrows nearly rose when the man identified himself. In his correspondence Yesler mentioned daytime and nighttime foremen, and Jason had wondered about them. Yesler had managed the mill himself since he built it four years before, and now that the operation was running smoothly, he wanted to devote himself to other pursuits. Why, then, hadn’t he made one of his foremen the new mill manager? More importantly, had either of them expected to step into the role? If so, he’d have a conflict on his hands before he even started work.
    “Good to meet you, Townsend. I look forward to working with you.”
    The eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing the sincerity of his words, and then he dipped his head.
    “Oh, and another manager arrived today as well, or at least an assistant manager.” Noah’s tone became lighter as he turned and looked toward the ladies. “This is Miss Kathryn Bergert, who’s come to help with the management of the Faulkner House.”
    Had Jason possessed fewer manners he would have snorted a laugh. The girl had plenty of nerve, he’d give her that.
    Actually, if he were honest with himself, he had to admit a grudging respect. She’d managed to turn an unpleasant situation into one that sounded enviable. Unpleasant to her, at least. As far as he was concerned there was absolutely nothing wrong with plain hard work in any capacity. He fully intended to roll up his shirtsleeves and put in some long hours alongside the men he managed. But not everyone shared his opinion. If calling herself an assistant manager made her job more palatable, what was it to him?
    A surprising change had come over Townsend’s features. What began as a pleasant enough glance across the room became a wide-eyed stare. He jerked upright, his lips parted, and his mouth gaped open. Jason followed his glance toward Kathryn. Did the two know each other? Judging by the polite inquiry in her expression, she didn’t seem aware of any prior acquaintance with the man.
    “I—” Townsend took a backward step. “I must go. I have to—” He tore his gaze away, his mouth snapping shut and his throat constricting in a convulsive swallow. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gates.”
    “Yes, in the morning.” Jason’s reply was directed toward the man’s back as he beat a hasty retreat through the door.
    What curious behavior. An awkward silence settled over the room, with many glances cast toward Kathryn. She stared after him, eyebrows drawn together, looking as perplexed as everyone else.

     
    Kathryn watched the man leave. What astoundingly bad manners, to leave that way in the middle of an introduction.
    Noah shook his head. “I wonder what made him rush off like that?”
    “No idea.” David shrugged, and then dismissed the matter by turning his back on the door. “We’ve got a decision to make. What are we going to do about this latest attack?”
    Nods all around and mumbles of “That’s right,” and “We can’t ignore this one.”
    This one? They’d suffered previous Indian attacks, then? Startled, Kathryn glanced up at Evie, who still stood at her side, hand resting on her shoulder. She gave a comforting squeeze.
    “Why don’t you all sit down?” Evie crossed the room, her long skirts swishing smoothly around her ankles, and placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “Supper’s getting cold, and there’s nothing worse than cold dumplings. You can talk while you eat.”
    The men returned to their plates. Noah and David made their