By the time Wednesday evening arrived, he knew he would have to tell Claire about his invitation to Tim smith for dinner the next evening.

Claire was reading another book in the

chair by the fireplace. Fortunately, she didn‟t notice the way the bachelors looked at her. She spent so much time as a spinster that

it was as if she forgot she was a woman. He had to admit that the house seemed less empty with her in it. He put aside his

remaining paperwork for the new bank on his desk and turned his attention to Tim smith. Now how was he going to talk her

into making dinner?

He stood up and walked over to the other chair in front of the fireplace and sat down.

Startled, she looked up.

He hadn‟t joined her before. “What are you reading tonight?” he asked.

“The Scarlet heart. I couldn‟t put it out of my mind after the comment I made to Miss petty at the wedding reception.”

“Did she really think it was a stationary shop?”

“Yes. Mrs. Peterson and I got a good laugh out of it.”

“I‟ve noticed that you have a good rapport with Mrs. Peterson and some other women in town.”She shrugged. “I suppose I do.

They‟re nice people.

Now that I am not husband hunting, I can enjoy talking to them at the dance on Friday nights.”

“Just remember to save a couple dances for me.”

“I will. I do enjoy dancing with you, even if I learned to dance under dubious circumstances. I think my family will greatly

benefit from your discussion with them.

They may not have seemed interested but they remember what people tell them.”

“I certainly don‟t want to see them get back into a situation where their daughter has to marry someone to bail them out.”

“It‟s not turning out to be that bad of an arrangement. At least for me.” She stared at her book as she said it.

He found her comment secretly pleasing. What man wouldn‟t like spending time with her? He cleared his throat. “Do you

remember Mr. smith?”

She seemed surprised by the change of topic. “Yes. He‟s the one who likes children and traveling.”

“That‟s an interesting way to remember him.”

“It is what he said.”

He wasn‟t going to ask her what she thought of the man.

If she said she liked him, then he‟d have to feel guilty for chasing him away. Instead, he said, “He wants to come over here Tomorrow evening so he can talk me into a business deal I don‟t wish to engage in.”

She frowned. “I thought you didn‟t entertain guests.”

“I wouldn‟t call him a guest. He‟s more of an annoyance.

I would like to get rid of him for good, and I need your help.”

“What can I do?”

“I need you to cook one of your poorer recipes.” If meatloaf was the best she could do, he wanted to see her worst

cooking.

She cringed. “My food isn‟t exactly edible.”“Which is why it‟s perfect for getting rid of unwanted company.”

“I don‟t know. It seems so devious. I mean, is it right to subject anyone to my cooking?”

“You subjected me to it.”

“Yes, but I honestly thought I could do a good job on meatloaf. I didn‟t intend to displease you.”

He smiled at her. “Where did you get the idea that you displeased me?”

“I saw your face when you tasted it. You couldn‟t spit it out fast enough.”

“But your effort did please me.”

Her face lit up. “Really?”

He nodded. Any man who so much as pays her a compliment that she notices is going to win her over. He didn‟t have time to waste.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked.

“I don‟t want to kill anyone.”

“Oh, there‟s no way your food could kill him.”

Could it?

“You would be doing me a big favor.”

“Alright, though it seems inhumane.”

“Thank you. You‟re wonderful!” He kissed her on the cheek and went back to his desk. Grinning, he took out his list and crossed Tim smith‟s name off of it. Tim was good as gone once he tasted her cooking.

************************************

Much love

V.A 💙