The Christmas Bargain Read Online Free Page A

early morning air and Philamena’s mouth watered. She carefully buttered it then took a small bite. It was delicious – airy and warm with rich butter melting into every little crevice. She closed her eyes to savor the experience.
    Luke sat watching her, surprised by her obvious pleasure in something as simple as a hot biscuit. How deprived had her life been with Alford? Luke wasn’t all that sure he wanted to know.
    Despite his better judgment, Luke found himself caring about Philamena. He spent most of the night awake wondering about how her father had treated her and what he could do to make her life a little easier. Sure, he planned to have her cook and clean, but he would treat her kindly, respectfully, and honorably. Even if she would be a wife in name only, he would handle her with care.
    He had no delusion that he would fall in love with her. She was plain, malnourished and quite clearly frightened of men. That was fine with Luke. He had no intention of ever falling in love and most certainly no plans of  marrying because he was besotted with some woman who would eventually make his life miserable.
    Gazing at the Booth girl across the table, he was glad to see she left the rag off her head. Her hair was peeled back into such a tight bun, she might as well have been bald. Despite the unbecoming style, some part of Luke was grateful to see her hair was a beautiful shade of mahogany. It reminded him of the curving mahogany staircase at his home. Picturing Philamena’s hair down and gleaming in the firelight, Luke would have bet his best pair of boots it would spark with gold and red highlights.
    Suddenly his hands itched to pull out the pins from her hair and see what it looked like down. Yanking those notions to an abrupt halt, he was annoyed he let his thoughts wander so far off course. Turning his attention back to his breakfast, Luke carried on a conversation with Chauncy about the bank, the church, some of the neighbors, and the weather.
    Abby encouraged Philamena to help herself to more than the meager serving on her plate. She finally accepted a second biscuit and another helping of eggs.
    Finishing his breakfast, Chauncy and Luke walked out together, leaving Abby and Philamena alone in the cozy kitchen.
    “Once we wash the dishes and start lunch, we can head over to my shop and see about getting you a new wardrobe,” Abby said, hefting herself to her feet.
    “Please, Mrs. Dodd, sit while I do the dishes. It’s the least I can do,” Philamena said, springing into action. Before Abby could protest, Philamena had soap shaved into the dishpan and the dishes soaking.
    “If you insist, but only because I feel like I’ve got a barrel strapped to my waist and clubs for feet,” Abby said with a chuckle. “And you must call me Abby.”
    “Thank you…Abby,” Philamena said, offering the barest hint of a smile. She looked up and made eye contact with Abby, who gave her a huge grin.
    “Why, I declare,” Abby gasped in surprise. “You’ve got the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.”
    Philamena blushed and went back to washing dishes. Finally, she said, “My mother had green eyes.”
    “She must have been a very beautiful woman,” Abby said, drinking the last sip of her coffee.
    “She was,” Philamena said, scrubbing a skillet without looking up.
    “You know, I’m going to have my tongue tied in knots calling you Miss Philamena Booth. Since I feel like we’re already friends, may I call you Philamena? Would you mind?”
    “I don’t mind,” Philamena said, drying the dishes.  She kept her head down as she spoke and her cheeks turned pink. “I’d like being friends.”
    Abby lumbered up from the table and gave Philamena a hug around her thin shoulders. “Let’s put on a pot of stew for lunch. It’s going to be chilly today and that will taste good with a pan of cornbread, don’t you think? We can leave it on the back of the stove while we go over to my dress shop.”
    “You