The Secret Bliss of Calliope Ipswich Read Online Free

you both,” Tate said as his smile broadened. “I’ve heard a lot about you young ladies.”
    “Tate here is gonna start workin’ at the mill with us tomorrow,” Fox interjected. “It took some doin’, but Dex and me talked ol’ Rowdy here into givin’ Tate a chance. We’ve been shorthanded since losin’ Brake and Sam last fall.”
    “Well , that’s wonderful, Mr. Chesterfield,” Calliope congratulated. “The mill is settled in such a perfect venue. The trees and shrubs and wildflowers that grow around it are magnificent, especially when they’re greening up as they are now. A body couldn’t ask for a more lovely scene to work amidst.”
    “Yes …a lovely scene,” Fox playfully teased. “And I’m sure that’s what Tate was thinkin’ when he asked about hirin’ on at the mill.”
    Calli ope good-humoredly sneered at Fox. She smiled just after, however, and said, “Well, you gentlemen have a nice evening. Evangeline and I are off to help Kizzy with supper.” She looked to the handsome Tate Chesterfield and said, “It was very nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Chesterfield.”
    “Oh , do call me Tate, Miss Calliope,” Tate said. “And you too, Miss Evangeline.”
    “Of course,” Evangeline said. “Good evening then, gentlemen.”
    “Good evenin’,” the men chimed in unison.
    Calliope and Evangeline nodded to each man in turn as they walked on toward their home. And once they were out of earshot of the men, Calliope exhaled the nervous breath she’d been holding.
    “Oh, Evie! I thought I might faint dead away when he looked at me!” Calliope confided before she thought better of it.
    “He’s not that handsome, Calliope,” Evangeline giggled.
    “Who?” Calliope asked.
    “Tate Chesterfield,” Evangeline answered, her beautiful dark brows puckering with curiosity. “That’s who you’re referring to, aren’t you?”
    “Oh , I…I…” Calliope stammered.
    “Oh , you mean Fox took your breath away?” Evangeline asked, somewhat perplexed. “Hmmm. That’s funny…being that I didn’t think you were as sweet on him as he is you.”
    “Oh , it’s no matter. They all looked quite handsome returning from their day’s labors,” Calliope tried to redirect. “Father’s right. Men who work hard and are willing to work hard…I do find them more attractive than most of those tight-collared sorts we knew in the city.”
    “I do too,” Evangeline admitted , “though I do fear that you’ve got every eligible bachelor in this town so tightly wrapped around your finger that I’m bound to be an old spinster.”
    “Oh , nonsense!” Calliope argued. “You’re just the kind of beauty that intimidates men, Evie. When the right man comes for you, you’ll know it, because he won’t be afraid to pursue you.”
    Evangeline laughed for a moment. “Oh, poppycock, Calliope! You are so full of flattery it’s ridiculous sometimes.” She laughed a moment more and then looked to Calliope as her smile faded. “And what about Fox, Calliope? What will you do if he comes to Daddy, asking for permission to formally court you? Do you want him to? Do you like him enough?”
    Calliope’s smile faded. She inhaled a long breath and exhaled a heavy sigh. “I don’t like him the way Amoretta likes Brake or the way Kizzy likes Daddy, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    Evangeline sighed then as well. “In truth, I don’t know if any woman likes any man the way Amoretta likes Brake and Kizzy likes Daddy. Maybe you and I will never find that kind of love. Maybe you and I will just have to settle for…for rather lackluster love.”
    “Well , that’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever heard you say, Evangeline Ipswich!” Calliope scolded. “No. No. You and I are meant to have great lovers, to love and be loved just like Amoretta and Kizzy love and are loved. I won’t believe we are meant for anything less. After all, we are Ipswiches, are we not?”
    Evangeline’s countenance