AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then I’ve overestimated you.”
“Meaning?”
“I think the hellion inside you likes a challenge, otherwise she wouldn’t have climbed trees, played baseball, or enjoyed whipping those boys at marbles. But I don’t think you’ve let her out to play in quite some time. She showed herself a bit the last time we were here. I got the impression that she liked the verbal swordplay.”
She didn’t respond.
“Does your intended prefer the hellion or the meek miss?”
“Why does that matter?”
“Because I see a woman settling for a small piece of cake when she can have it all.”
“By being with someone who I don’t love?”
He nodded.
“We’ve had this conversation.”
“And I’m still puzzled by your choice.”
“Which is none of your business.”
“True, but—”
“There are no buts. I’ve chosen Cole. He’s chosen me. We don’t need your approval or blessings.”
He sipped and smiled.
“Something funny?”
“Just pleased that you picked up your sword,cheri.”
She rolled her eyes. “You really are insufferable.”
He toasted her with his glass. “My apologies for making you angry. That wasn’t my intent, and you’re right, your choice of a husband is none of my affair.”
The sincerity in his tone soothed her ire. “He does care for me.”
“Then may you have a happy life.”
“Do you mean that?”
“If he is your choice, yes.”
Valinda didn’t know why she’d asked if he was being truthful. As she stated, she didn’t need his approval and yet... He’d rescued her during Creighton’s attack, stood by her at the cigar shop, even offered to build her a school. There were women who’d probably sell their souls for the attention of such a man. Before coming to New Orleans, she’d never doubted marrying Cole. Becoming man and wife benefited them both. She knew nothing about love or adoration, and still clung to the idea that neither were necessary, but the tempting, bearded mountain of a man sitting across from her had put cracks in the firm rock upon which she stood. She hoped Cole would agree to settling down in New Orleans because she dearly wanted to stay in Julianna’s and Sable’s spheres and learn all they could teach her about navigating life, but doing so would result in ongoing contact with Drake. She met his eyes.
“Problem?” he asked.
She shook her head and lied, “No. Just wondering if I’d be able to convince Cole to open a newspaper here.”
“You want to stay?”
“I do. I know the political situation is less than ideal, and I’ve had numerous setbacks trying to teach, but the city is growing on me.” She loved the food, the sounds, the smell of the Mississippi, the never-ending excitement in the air.
“Will he agree?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.” And how would she handle those occasions where Drake was present? She hazarded another glance his way and saw him watching her as if he’d read her thoughts and found her attempts to deny her feelings amusing.
