A Mail Order Bride for the Fur Trader: Joy & Henry (Love by Mail #3)(9)

“We’re having a guest for dinner,” Claire said.

“Oh,” Reverend broke into a smile and he shook Henry’s hand. “Come on in then. The more the merrier.”

“Thank you, Reverend.”

They marched to the dining room and took their seats at the table. Claire quickly set an extra place for Henry. “All right, let’s say grace. Why don’t you lead us, Joy? Maybe your favorite verse?”

She nodded. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not boast; it is not proud.” She recited till the seventh line.

“Beautiful prayer,” Reverend Shepard said, spooning out vegetables from his bowl.

“Yeah, it’s my favorite too.” Henry said with a smile. “My mother used to say it a lot.”

Joy bowed her head and smiled into her spoon.

“I heard that Elias was the one who convinced you to settle down in Angel Creek,” the pastor said.

Henry nodded. “I figured it was time to find my own place and raise a family.”

“Joy’s pretty excited about that prospect, too,” Claire said. “She can’t wait to get hitched.”

Joy blushed. If only you knew, Claire.

“Anyway, I think it’s a great idea to have our own fur trader here in Angel Creek,” Claire continued. “But won’t you miss all the adventures and excitement?”

Joy glanced at Henry, but he didn’t meet her eyes.

“No.”

“I met a fur trapper once in Idaho,” the pastor said, turning brown eyes towards Henry. “Said he’d sometimes spend an entire week hunting beavers.”

Henry shrugged. “It really depends. Sometimes you get clients lined up looking for specific hides or furs. Other times it’s a fox stealing hens, or some other menace to the livestock that the town wants rid of.”

The pastor nodded. “Well, speaking of menace, I saw the sheriff talking to a couple of hunters this morning. Something about bandits.”

“I’m glad we have a sheriff to deal with that here. My hunting days are over.”

Claire must have sensed the tension rising, as she turned to Joy and asked, “Anyway, how was your life like back in Redemption, Joy?”

“Oh.” she wiped her lips with a handkerchief and smiled.

“Well...” Gotta impress Henry. “I helped around the house. I also know how to make my own dresses.” With help from Ma. “And I... had a very nice life back in Redemption.”

“So what made you think about moving West?” Claire asked.

What is this, the Inquisition? Joy put on her well trained smile. “I just thought it would be nice to - to find my future in the West - to strike out on my own!”

“That’s mighty brave of you,” Henry muttered. He looked down at his empty plate. “Well, this was a great meal, Claire. Sure beats the can of beans waiting for me at home.”

In a few minutes Claire began clearing the table and the men stood up.

Joy turned to Henry. “So...” She batted her eyelashes at him.

“Thanks for inviting me.” Henry pocketed his hands and glanced at Claire and the pastor. “Thanks again for the meal. Claire, Reverend.”

He turned to Joy, but it was as if he wasn’t looking right at her. Was he even interested in her? Joy swallowed the cold doubt. “So, uh, see you tomorrow, Joy.”

Henry turned around and headed outside. Joy lingered by the doorway, feeling a cold cavity in her stomach. What, no goodbye kiss? In the novels she had read the heroine always got a goodbye kiss. She hugged herself. Was he warming up to her or not? Maybe she was too aggressive, after all...

But then Henry turned back and cleared his throat.

“Yes?” she asked.

“I, uh...” His eyes darted from right to left, then he took Joy’s hand and kissed it.

Joy’s mouth opened.

“Sorry!” Henry rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t know if it’s - I’m sorry if I -”

“No!” Joy grinned. “It was fine. It was very gentlemanly of you.”

Henry blushed and smiled before disappearing into the night.

“Love is patient,” Joy muttered. “Just a few more days to go...”





Chapter 4


“Here, we’ve got some really thick fox furs. Let me show you.” Henry led a group of men and women over to several hangers of silky reddish brown fur.

The men nodded, but what they were really after were tales of his fur trapping days. They had been pestering Henry about that for the past hour. The women had sneered at the hides and fawned over the furs, but they also had complained loudly about how “stuffy” the shop smelled. This annoyed him, this was a fur trading post not a perfumery!

After half an hour of regaling the men with stories, the group finally left with some hides and furs. Just as they walked out he spotted Joy walking in. He didn’t know she was coming today, but he certainly didn’t mind seeing her. Although at first he was shocked by her demanding attitude, he was warming up to her charms.

“Hi,” she greeted, carrying a basket. “How was your morning?”

“Fine,” he said, though what he really thought was, I’m not sure I can handle this trading business. At least when hunting you don’t have to talk to people all day. But now, you just made my day bearable. No, don’t say that!