Fairest in the West- Chapter Seven:


“Purpose?” Dalton said, not sure he liked where this was going.

She nodded. “At Mrs. Hawthorne’s- that’s the finishing school Delilah sent me to when she first wanted to get rid of me- Miss Hawthorne- that’s Mrs. Hawthorne’s sister-in-law who taught deportment- said that it was our job to find someone who needed us and make them our purpose in life. I think she meant we were supposed to marry them, but I won’t make you do that. What you obviously need is someone to take care of your house and your children and I intend to do just that.” She gave a firm nod of her head to punctuate the statement.

“Listen, Miss White,” he began.

“Please, call me Snow.”

“Miss White, you need to understand, I appreciate the thought behind it, but you can’t stay here.”

“Whyever not?” she demanded. “You don’t have to worry about me putting you or the children in danger. Delilah only wants to kill me and it’s not like you have any girls so they aren’t a threat to her.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about,” he said. “I mean, I reckon your pa’s worried sick about you by now.”

She shook her head. “I told you, Delilah has surely told him some lie about where I am so he won’t worry until they discover my body. Except they aren’t going to because I’m not dead.”

He sighed. “Even if that’s the case, what will people say when they find out we’re living under the same roof?”

“‘Isn’t it nice he’s found himself a housekeeper?’” she guessed, thoroughly confused.

“No, they’ll start speculating about what’s going on around here and your reputation will be in shreds.”

“Why?” she asked, her eyes big.

He let out a frustrated breath. For someone who went to finishing school, she sure had no idea about what was right and proper. “Because when a man and a woman who are not married, live under the same roof, people assume they’re doing things they shouldn’t be.”

“Well that’s rather silly of them,” she noted. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really ought to start thinking about what’s for lunch. I doubt you had much in the way of breakfast and the boys are sure to be coming in looking for something soon. And then there’s a mountain of laundry to get started on.”

She moved past him, exiting the bedroom and heading for the kitchen. Dalton stood there, watching her go, and wondering what on earth had just happened to his nice, simple life.

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