LITMIR.BIZ

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get to know you a little better is all. He’s really a very nice man.”

      Nice, yes—he just didn’t approve of her. Which was a new experience for Sadie. She might still be treated as something of a child at home, but folks tended to like her. And as one of the Lassiter siblings and part owner of the Hawk’s Creek Ranch, Sadie was used to her name, at least, commanding a certain degree of respect.

      “You have to agree, though,” Cora Beth said, “a man who takes such good care of a younger sister the way Mr. Reynolds does must have a lot to recommend him.”

      Sadie refrained from comment. Was Cora Beth forming an interest in the newest resident of the boardinghouse? She wouldn’t blame her if she had—still, for some reason, that thought didn’t sit well.

      Best to change the subject. “Now, get yourself on out of here. If you don’t want to lie down, why don’t you find a book to read or something quiet to do with the kids?”

      “Don’t you want some company?”

      Sadie knew if Cora Beth stayed she’d try to lend a hand. The woman just didn’t know how to take it easy. “That’s not—”

      The door eased open just then, and Penny stood there, hesitating as if unsure of her welcome.

      Sadie smiled at the young girl. “Hi there, princess, come on in.” Then she arched a brow Cora Beth’s way. “Seems I have someone to keep me company, after all. And since I intend to teach her all my kitchen secrets, you’ll just have to run along.”

      Cora Beth looked from one to the other of them, then smiled. “Very well. I think I’ll see what Uncle Grover’s been up to today.”

      As soon as she’d left, Penny looked up at Sadie. “Are you really going to teach me secrets?”

      Sadie tapped the little girl on the nose. “Actually, my biggest secret is that I’m not very good in the kitchen. But if you’d like to help, maybe between the two of us we can pull off something acceptable. What do you say?”

      Penny’s buckskin-colored pigtails danced as she nodded.

      “Good. Now, let’s find you an apron.” Sadie hummed as she bustled around the kitchen, glad of the girl’s company. She’d taken a real liking to the quiet nine-year-old this past week. And it really warmed her heart to see that the feeling was returned. With Penny she never felt judged or that she had to prove herself. The little girl just seemed to enjoy being with her.

      Once she’d tied the oversized apron on Penny, Sadie put a finger to her chin. “Now, let’s see. The stew is doing fine and the bread is already done.” She’d even managed not to overcook or undercook it this time. “I guess we’re ready to work on dessert.”

      Penny smiled, luring forth the rare appearance of her dimple. “I like dessert.”

      “So do I. Cora Beth helped me with a pound cake this morning, but I thought we might try to make a sauce to pour over it. Inez, the cook over at our ranch, makes a really scrumptious honey sauce that I think I can duplicate.” At least she hoped she could. “Why don’t you get the honey from the pantry while I get the butter and the cream?”

      Penny nodded and headed off to do just that.

      Sadie placed the butter and cream on the table then paused when she spied a neatly folded copy of this week’s Gazette on the counter. At least one thing had gone right since her trip here. Mr. Chalmers had agreed to run her story and it had met with gratifying success. She might not be a good cook, but it seemed she could spin a fine yarn. The thought of accomplishing something like this entirely on her own boosted her spirits again.

      “Here’s the honey.”

      Sadie glanced at the crock in the girl’s hands and gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, princess, that’s the wrong container.” Cora Beth had taken pains to explain to her that that particular jar contained a special honey that she used exclusively for her fruitcakes. Apparently it took on a special flavor because of the flowers that grew near the hard-to-find hive. “There’s a blue crock on the same shelf where you found that one—it has the store-bought honey.”

      Penny nodded and turned back. But before she’d taken more than a step, she dropped the crock.

      Sadie gazed down in horrified fascination at the sticky shards of crockery and gooey splatters. Cora Beth was not going to be happy.

      “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

      Penny’s cracked-voice apology snapped Sadie out of her thoughts and she gave the girl a bright smile. “That’s okay, princess, it was an accident. Don’t you worry any more about it. Goodness knows I’ve had more than my fair share the past few days.”

      “Is Mrs. Collins going to be very upset?”

      Sadie flipped her hand dismissively. “Oh, not at all. I’ll just get her some fresh honey and she’ll be happy as a hog in a wallow.”

      Penny wrinkled her nose as she smiled. “You say the funniest things.”

      “That I do.” She gave the girl’s shoulder a pat. “Now, you fetch the mop while I get a pail of water to clean this up. And watch your step.”

      Worried that the little girl might cut herself on the shards, Sadie fetched the other crock of honey and placed it on the table with the butter and cream. “Do you mind working on the honey sauce while I clean the floor? It would really be a big help.”

      Penny’s shoulders drew back and her chest puffed out a bit, obviously proud of being given such a ‘big girl’ responsibility. “I can do that.”

      Hiding a smile, Sadie got her started, pouring the ingredients into a large bowl in what looked to be the correct proportions. “Now you just stir that up until it’s all mixed together and the lumps are gone.” She gave the girl a challenging look. “It may take a while to get it just right. Think you’re up to it?”

      “Oh yes. You can count on me.”

      Sadie gave her a big smile. “I know I can. You and I make a pretty good team.”

      Rolling up her sleeves, Sadie stepped over to the splatter and got down on her knees. At least this chore was one she was confident she could accomplish well.

      A few minutes later she dropped the last of the larger shards into the trash pail and wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. “How’s it coming?” she asked Penny.

      “There’s still a few lumps, but I’m getting close.”

      “Good. Guess I’d better check on the stew before I finish up here.” She certainly didn’t want to scorch supper the way she had last night. Who knew a roast could go from pink to charred so fast?

      She put her hands on her thighs, prepared to stand. But her shoe caught on the hem of her skirt and she came down hard, landing on her backside with a jarring thud.

      “Oh!” Penny’s exclamation rang with anxiety.

      But before Sadie could tell her she was okay, the door pushed open and Eli Reynolds stepped through. Sadie groaned inwardly. Of all times for her biggest critic to show up.

      “Have you seen—” Penny’s brother halted midsentence, his expression turning to a mix of surprise and something else she couldn’t quite identify from this distance.

      Then he crossed the room, bearing down on her with long, quick strides that took her aback.

      “Sadie fell,” Penny proclaimed worriedly. “I don’t know if she’s hurt.”

      “I’m fine.” Even if she hadn’t been, Sadie would never have hinted otherwise. She ignored the urge to rub her now-tender backside. If only he would just go away and leave her to recover her wounded dignity in private.

      She stared up from her less-than-dignified position as he knelt beside her, waiting for the inevitable censure. Instead, he met her gaze with

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