The Trouble with Patience Read Free Page B

“Don’t bet on it. A lady like her ain’t givin’ up, I wager. Could make ya a good partner. Sorta smooth the edges off.”
    Jedediah shook his head and growled, “And just how would you know the first thing about me and what I need?” He turned away before Shorty could reply and stalked out the front door.

    By midweek, Patience was delighted to have two boarders. A man and his wife from back east were planning on moving to Montana. They were stopping here in Nevada City while they determined just where they would settle, Mrs. Burton explained.
    Patience was so excited to have paying customers that she took extra care to make the room as appealing as possible. She even found some pretty grasses to display in a jar on the dresser. When the two came down for supper, they raved over her fried chicken and blueberry cobbler.
    â€œHow did you learn to make such a wonderful meal, Miss Cavanaugh?” Mr. Burton asked. He touched his moustache with his napkin and leaned back in his chair with a satisfied expression.
    â€œYes, I’d like to be able to cook like this,” Mrs. Burton nodded, her diamond earrings catching the light from candles.
    Patience felt her face flush, and she murmured, “Thank you. I had a lot of practice growing up. My mother had a weak heart but was very particular about everything, so I had to learn to do it right at an early age.”
    Mrs. Burton set her fork down. “That must’ve been very hard on you as a young girl. Do you have any siblings?”
    â€œNo, though I would have liked one. The doctor told my mother she should never have had me in the first place. After I was born, she never fully recovered.”
    â€œVery sorry to hear that, but we are the recipients of your culinary talents, thanks to your mother.” Mr. Burton smiled his approval.
    Patience took a deep breath to get her nerve up. “I hope youdon’t mind if I tell you I’d appreciate it if you could spread the word about my establishment when you can.”
    â€œWe’d be happy to. Our room is nice and clean, and the whole place looks homey. That’s more than I can say for some of the places we’ve stayed along the way.”
    â€œI still have painting that needs to be done and some repairs, but it will take time for me to get this place back to the way it was before my grandmother died.”
    â€œI’m sure with your natural instinct for perfection, Miss Cavanaugh, you’ll get it done.” Mr. Burton beamed and nodded at her. “Thank you for a delicious meal. Now, Liza, how about we take a nice evening stroll and check out the sights?”

    Jedediah took his time with his dinner at the café, a surreptitious eye on the cheerful Emily. He was fully aware he had a prisoner to feed sooner or later, but the scoundrel could wait. Emily’s flashing brown eyes seemed friendly enough, but he soon realized she wasn’t flirting. It was just who she was—nice and friendly to all the Longhorn customers. He wasn’t savvy on the ways to court a woman. In truth, it had never mattered that much to him before. But now that he was getting, as Monty would say, “a little long in the tooth,” he needed to keep his eyes open for possibilities. He was in a new town with new options, so just maybe . . . Oh, forget it.
    He watched as she lifted a tray of used dishes, then paused by his table.
    â€œIs there anything else I can get for you, Mr. Jones?” she asked, balancing the tray against her hip.
    â€œOh, I’ve had plenty, but maybe you could wrap up a couple pieces of chicken for my prisoner?”
    â€œI can do that.” One eyebrow cocked upward. “It’ll be a few minutes, though.”
    â€œTake your time. There’s no rush. That’s what he gets for trying to steal a saddle in broad daylight.”
    â€œYes, then I’ll refill your coffee cup while you wait.” She moved to the