July 1843
Bradford, GA
Uriah Murphy wiped his hands on his trousers as his gaze tracked Eleanor Pryor through the store. Her dark hair was covered by a pink bonnet that brought out the pink in her cheeks from the cold outside. It didn’t match the blue dress she wore, but her dresses rarely did. It was the same with most of the women in town, though the longing in her eyes as she fingered a blue bonnet made him wonder if she wanted it to.
“You need to stop staring.”
He jumped and pivoted on his heel, almost knocking into Jackson Willoughby. Jackson’s brow shot up, and he smirked.
Uriah cleared his throat. “Can I help you with anything?” The rote response was the only one he could come up with even though he’d known Jackson from childhood.
“Yes. Stop staring and go talk to her.”
Uriah shook his head. “I can’t. Every time I try, I start stuttering like a fool.”
“Treat her like you would any other customer.”
But Eleanor wasn’t just any customer. She’d caught his attention the first time she’d walked into the store two years ago. Her smile had lit up her face as she circled the store while her father talked to Pa. But Uriah had never been able to manage more than a polite “hello” or “have a good day.”
“Women can’t get to know a mute man.” Jackson’s smirk grew.
Uriah fought the urge to roll his eyes. The man had a sweetheart all of a month, and he became an expert on the fairer sex.
But…Jackson did make a good point. Uriah would never get to know Eleanor if they didn’t speak beyond pleasantries.
Just another customer. Just. Another. Customer.
Uriah wiped his hands on his trousers again and stepped away from the crate of seeds he’d been unpacking. With slow but steady steps, he closed the distance between him and Eleanor until she was only an arm’s length away. He cleared his throat, and when she looked up at him, her brown gaze meeting his, he had to force his mouth to open.
“Can I help you with anything?”
She ducked her head, the pink of her cheeks deepening as she released a rueful laugh. “I suppose I have been staring at this too long, haven’t I?” Withdrawing her hand, she tucked it against her stomach. “It’s unseemly to stare.”
Heat crawled up his neck. “Sometimes we almost can’t help ourselves, even when we know it’s rude.”
She looked up at him then, her smile gentle. “Thank you for being so understanding, Uriah.” Straightening her shoulders, she pulled a list from her reticule. “Mama sent me for a few things. The way I’m dawdling, she probably thinks I got lost.”
He held out a hand. “I can take your list and gather everything on it, if you’d like.”
“I don’t want to take up any of your time. You have better things to do.” She turned, and his chest constricted.
Was his chance gone that quickly?
Desperate for her to stay, to prolong the moment between them, he blurted out the first thought that came to mind. “I like time with you.”
She paused, her eyes wide as she looked back at him.
He swallowed. He’d gone too far to turn around now, and he had no idea how to smooth this over. Better just be honest and upfront.
So much for treating her like any other customer.
“What I mean is…I don’t consider this a waste. I’d like more time with you. To get to know you better. If you’re amenable.”
A smile he could only describe as shy lifted her lips. “I’d like that too.”
He smiled back then offered his arm. “May I escort you through the store, milady?”
She giggled as she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “You may, sir.”
As they headed to the fabric, Uriah glanced over his shoulder where Jackson chuckled as he leaned against the counter.
Maybe his friend knew a little something after all.
