Adams, Eve - Patience is Their Virtue [Brides of Bachelor Bay 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Online Free Page B

smile but gave up, knowing she’d have until daybreak to pack what little she had and be on the next ship out of Port Steele.

Chapter 3

    Patience’s Journal, Sunday, April 2, 1865
    Port Steele, Washington Territory

    I’m packing while I write this. I don’t have much, but what I do have I plan to take with me. Logan Gallagher is already suspicious of me, and for that alone, I must go. I plan to slip away while the rest of the town is at church so no one will notice my departure. My dearest friend, Amelia, has snuck away from the dance to help me pack and, I fear, try and talk me out of leaving Port Steele. If I had reason to stay, I would. However, with no money, no place to live, and no way to repay the debt I surely owe the Gallaghers, I have no choice but to leave—before Amelia finds a way for me to stay.

* * * *

      “I’m sure if you talk to Logan, explain your situation, he’ll understand,” Amelia Prescott pleaded with Patience. “He’s a very reasonable man. My sister wouldn’t have married him otherwise.”
    Patience placed the ribbons she used to tie up her hair into her bag for the third time. As soon as she did, Amelia pulled them back out, as she’d done with everything else. What should have taken her minutes to pack had taken her close to an hour.
    “I appreciate your concern. I really do. However, even if Mr. Gallagher is as understanding as you say, I can’t possibly pay him back. It would take me until I’m old and frail to work off my debt.”
    Amelia grabbed the hairbrush out of the bag. “What makes you think he’ll ask you to pay off any debt?”
    “Because he’s a businessman.”
    “He’s a gentleman first.”
    Patience looked at her but said nothing. When it came to business, men were one of two things—gentlemen or businessmen. They weren’t one in the same, and a gentleman rarely stayed in business for too long. She placed the ribbons back in the bag.
    “It’s best this way.”
    “For whom?” Amelia pouted as she pulled the ribbons out of the bag once again.
    “Am, please. I must pack.”
    Amelia stood and released a jaw-popping yawn. “I suppose there isn’t a thing I can do to convince you to stay.” She batted those brilliant blue eyes of hers at Patience. “Is there?”
    “The only thing that could possibly save me at this point is—”
    “A husband!” Amelia exclaimed and clapped her hands together.
    Patience shook her head. “No, that isn’t what I was going to say.”
    Amelia’s eyes shined with determination. “Of course. It’s positively perfect.”
    “No, it’s not.”
    “Oh, and I have the perfect man for my perfect plan.”
    “Am, this is insanity.”
    But she’d already made up her mind. Patience saw the resolution in her excited expression. “His name is John.”
    Wonderful. There really was a John. Wouldn’t Adam Steele love that. “You aren’t listening.”
    “Imagine the look on Constance Kendall’s face when another bride marries before her. She’ll be beside herself with jealousy. Oh, Patti. This is simply perfect.”
    Patience’s first attempt at marriage resulted in disaster. Before her husband deserted her for a woman from the South, he’d paraded his indiscretions right there for her and the entire town of Boston to see. She’d been a fool to stay with him for as long as she had. “I don’t want a husband, Am.”
    “Oh, pishposh. Of course you do.”
    Patience shook her head and gave up. Once Amelia Prescott started on something, it would take the power of God to stop her. She’d just have to make sure she slipped out before Amelia brought John to call.
    “Am, I’m tired. Could we continue this argument tomorrow?” When I won’t be around to protest.
    With a nod and smile, Amelia kissed Patience on the cheek and went to the door. “I’m traveling to Seattle in the morning with my sister Olivia and her husband.”
    “Which one?”
    They both shared knowing smiles.
    “Both, I believe. Liv and I will be