RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(26)

Elijah shook his head. “Not that I’ve seen, but he’s new here. I don’t think he’s been in British Columbia for more than a month or two. He told me that any day it doesn’t rain, he’s going to work with no clothes on, because he needs the extra sunshine in a world where the angels are always weeping on him.”

“What did you say?” Kendall asked. The young man obviously had never run into that type of situation before.

“I asked him to be mindful that ladies were in the area, by which I meant a few miles away, and they didn’t need to be blinded by his startlingly white derriere. He promised to wear clothes for the rest of the day.” Elijah shook his head, obviously enjoying the telling of the story.

Theodore couldn’t help but laugh. “But what about tomorrow?”

“He said tomorrow’s problems would solve themselves.” Elijah took another bite of his pot pie. “When I left, he was headed inside to get some pants on. I told him no one’s going to mind if he works with no shirt on. But he had to cover himself otherwise.”

Joel shook his head. “You’d think common decency would tell the man that it’s not right to work outdoors with no clothes on!”

“Oh, he was wearing his socks and shoes. He didn’t want to hurt his feet.” Elijah shook his head.

“Oh, I can understand that. He could have stepped on a rock or something.” Jess bit her lip, trying to control her mirth.

Miss Hazel rolled her eyes. “He’s not going to be happy if he gets a sunburn where the sun isn’t supposed to shine now, is he?”

Jess sipped her water, determined not to discuss or even think about the naked farmer again. “You all must have a lot of fun adventures while you’re working. What’s the craziest thing you’ve encountered so far, Kendall?”

Jess didn’t have to worry about talking again as all of the Mounties took turns talking about amusing things they’d seen and done in their positions.

After supper, she helped Miss Hazel clear the table. “You should go spend some time with your son,” Jess said when the older woman moved to help her with the dishes. “Tomorrow’s our last day here, and I’m certain you’ll miss him.” She was just as certain she didn’t want to spend time talking to him. If she was doing the dishes, she could easily avoid the man.

Miss Hazel seemed torn for a moment, but then she nodded. “I’ll go talk to him.”

An hour later, Miss Hazel was back in the cabin, looking tired. “Teddy went off to bed. I haven’t seen him look that sad since his father died.”

Jess frowned. She was at the table sewing one last button on a shirt for Theodore and mentally planning out what she’d cook the next day. “What meals do you think I should cook tomorrow, Miss Hazel? We want them to have good food for as long as possible.”

“I don’t think he wants you to go, Jess.” Miss Hazel got right to the heart of the conversation she needed to have with Jess. She’d never been one to pussyfoot around a subject.

“Whether he wants me to or not, he’s allowing me to go. He’s practically pushing me out the door.” Jess jabbed the cloth with her needle much harder than necessary.

Miss Hazel sat down at the table with Jess. “I think you should tell him you want to stay. He thinks he’s being noble by not asking you to give up your life and live out here with him.”

Jess shrugged. “I’ve bared my soul to him. He knows how I feel, and he’s letting me go. What else can I say to him?” It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to him. She really did feel everything that could possibly sway him had already been said.

“Have you tried, ‘Teddy, I love you, and I want to stay here. It doesn’t matter there’s no electricity or other women. All I need is you.’ I think that would work!”

“There’s no point. It’s not the lady’s job to say those things anyway. It’s the man’s.” Jess finished sewing on the button and got to her feet. “Goodnight, Miss Hazel.” She walked back to the room she was sharing with the older lady and changed into her nightgown, putting her thick brown hair into a braid that cascaded down her back.

Before Miss Hazel was in the room, Jess had her eyes closed and was feigning sleep.



Theodore was the first of the Mounties at breakfast the following morning. He felt uncomfortable being alone with Jess, because he was hurt that she didn’t want to stay, and he could see she was angry with him about it, which made no sense at all. What did she have to be angry with him about? She was the one who was rejecting him this time!

He took advantage of the moment, walking over to her as she slid pancakes onto a plate. “Why are you so angry with me?”

Jess turned to him for a moment, absolutely dumbfounded. “Are you really asking me that?” As much as she loved him, sometimes the man seemed incredibly simple.

He nodded. “I am. I don’t understand. You’re leaving and that’s not breaking just one heart but two. My heart is hurting just as much as yours is.”

She blinked at him in disbelief. “I don’t even know what to say to you any longer, Teddy Hughes! You’re making my head hurt.” She thrust the plate with pancakes and bacon at him. “Better hurry and eat it before Nolan gets here.”

“Did I hear my name?” asked a voice from across the room. Nolan stopped and sniffed the air. “Pancakes. My favorite.” He walked over to Jess. “You know, if Theodore doesn’t want you, you could marry me. I’m not in love with you or anything, but if you kept cooking for me, it sure wouldn’t take long.”