RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(17)

Elijah shook his head. His curl flopped onto his forehead, and he pushed it away quickly. “It doesn’t matter if my hair is cut short or not. It always does this.”

“Well, the offer’s open if you want me to do it while I’m here.”

Theodore knew his emotions were ridiculous, but that didn’t change them at all. He wanted her to get along with his co-workers, but he didn’t want her to get along that well! He took her hand in his, knowing they’d take that as a sign she was taken. “Are you going to have lunch with me again today?”

Jess was startled by his clear announcement that they were courting, but she nodded. “If you’d like. I need to do laundry and mending today, but I’d be happy to throw together some lunch in the midst of all that.”

“If you don’t mind, that would be wonderful. I’d definitely rather spend time with you at lunch than eat at my desk.”

Jess smiled. “All right. Do you want me to bring lunch to you, or do you want to come here?”

“I’ll come to you.” He nodded toward the closed bedroom door. “Mom can join us if she wants.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll take her lunch outside or hide in there and read while you’re here. She’s determined we spend as much time alone together as possible.”

Theodore smiled. “For once, my mother and I are in complete agreement.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

The other men slowly excused themselves, seeming a little embarrassed by the conversation. After they’d left, Jess frowned at him. “What was that about? I was beginning to wonder if you were going to make a sign saying that I was yours and hang it around my neck.”

He frowned at her. “Well, we’re courting. You shouldn’t be flirting with them.”

“Flirting?” Jess stood up, angry with him. “What was I doing that was flirting?” She began clearing the table, stacking dishes loudly. How on earth could he have taken her innocent conversation as flirtation?

“You made sure that Nolan knew you made him extra breakfast. And you offered to cut Elijah’s hair!”

She dumped the dishes into the basin and crossed her arms over her chest. “Nolan is always hungry and Elijah needs a haircut!”

“Maybe so, but you don’t need to be the one to do it!”

“I’m not sure that I want to have lunch with you today, Theodore.” She turned her back on him as she poured hot water from the kettle into the sink. “I won’t put up with you being jealous when I’m just being kind.”

Theodore closed his eyes for a moment. He knew she was right, but he didn’t care at that moment. “So because I got upset, I don’t get to eat lunch? Really?”

She stood there, washing the dishes, wondering why he was still there. What was wrong with him? Finally, she said, “Aren’t you going to be late for work?”

He walked up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, turning her around. “I guess I was being ridiculous, wasn’t I?”

She nodded. “Your mother made it clear that our job while we were here was to make life better for all of you—not just you. So I’ve been endeavoring to do that.”

“I’m sorry.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. “Will you forgive me?”

Jess tilted her head to one side. “I suppose I can do that.”

He smiled, leaning down to brush his lips against hers. “Well, then maybe I can come for lunch? If you don’t mind?”

“Yeah, I’ll cook something. But be nicer about your friends being around. They don’t get good homecooked meals very often either.”

“I know. I shouldn’t have been so rude.” Theodore rushed toward the door. “I’ll see you at noon.”

Jess stared at the door after he’d closed it. First he didn’t want her, and now he wanted her and got jealous with everyone who looked at her. She worried about his mental health.

Turning back to the basin, she finished washing the dishes, then started boiling the water again for laundry. It was going to be a busy day, but she would leave her mark on his cabin after she left. Every time he slipped into his bed with the clean sheets, he’d think of her. Every time he wore a sock that didn’t have a hole in it, he’d think of her.

She hurried to start her day. He’d be home for lunch in four and a half hours.



When Theodore left the office for his lunch hour, he was reluctant to see Jess. He felt like he’d made a fool of himself with the way he’d acted at breakfast time. She’d said she’d forgiven him, but she shouldn’t have to put up with jealousy from him. She’d given him no reason to think that she was interested in any of his co-workers.

When he got to the house, she was out back, checking the laundry on the line. He stepped inside and shook his head in amazement. All of the curtains were off the windows and hanging on the line. “You worked hard this morning.”

She shrugged, hurrying into the house. “I always work hard. I can’t bear to sit around idly.” She hurried to the stove, dished up a big bowl of soup for him, and cut him a piece of fresh bread. They’d eaten every bit of the loaves she’d made the previous night, so she’d made twice as much for today. Maybe the men could take some for their lunches the following day.