Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel by Maggie Brendan Read Free Book Online Page B

do we start, Greta?” Cora shook her head. “I’ve never seen a store stocked this way, but they seem to do a very brisk business, don’t they?”
    Greta took a deep breath. “They do, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make things a little easier to find when a customer inquires.” She moved toward the stack of crates. “First we need to move these, but let’s not open them until we can make sense of this table and then see where the new supplies can go,” she said. With Cora’s help she was able to shove some of the crates to the side in order to get to the table of fabric. “Let’s put the big bolts all to one side and the remnants at the other end.”
    Cora did as Greta suggested. “Wonder why they keep the scraps of material in the first place? Seems to me that they just take up valuable space.”
    Greta paused and propped her elbows on the bolts of fabric, staring at Cora. “Don’t you know that remnants are used especially for making quilts, among other things?”
    Cora flushed. “I guess I did know that, but I’m afraid I’m not very acquainted with the art of sewing.”
    “Oh?” Greta waited for her to continue while she smoothed the wrinkled fabric and wrapped it around a bolt of blue calico.
    “My mother never sewed or cooked that I can remember. We had servants to do that. About the only thing I learned was how to quilt, thanks to my church social.”
    “I don’t mean to pry, but why would you want to be a mail-order bride? I mean,” Greta hurried to explain, “domestic skills are one of the requirements.” Greta watched Cora’s face to see if her expression would be enlightening. Was Cora from a wealthy family? Greta had the distinct feeling there was more to Cora than met the eye. Perhaps after they knew each other better, she would open up a little.
    Cora smoothed the fabric, then placed it on the pile with the others. “It’s simple. I was ready to be on my own.” Her tightly pursed lips and serious face made it evident that she had nothing more to add, and she kept her eyes averted from Greta.
    Well, if she didn’t want to talk further, Greta wouldn’t press her. Instead she said, “You know, Jess might be able to let us have a few remnants that we could use in the cabin, as long as we’re staying there temporarily. I’ll have to ask.” Looking around the store, she started thinking ahead. “After we get this place in better order, no telling what we’ll uncover.” She pushed a lock of hair from her brow and wiped her hands on her apron.
    Cora put her hands on her hips and nodded. “You’re right about that. I know it’s a general store, but it could use a woman’s touch.”
    Greta snapped her fingers. “That’s it! A little sprucing up and there’d be even more customers, especially if products are displayed in a more appealing way.”
    Cora agreed. “Especially with the ladies.” She smiled broadly.
    “You could influence Jess to purchase fashionable items that would interest the females.”
    Cora flashed Greta a questioning look. “Me? I hardly think he would take my advice.”
    “I’m not so sure . . .” Greta looked at Cora’s pretty face with her dark, sultry eyes, then at her day dress, which was definitely high quality. “Your dress is the height of fashion. You know more about that sort of thing than I do.”
    A look of pleasure swept over Cora’s face. “Well . . . maybe.”
    “You’re being modest.” Greta grabbed Cora by the hand. “Come on, my friend! Let’s open up those crates. We have much to do before Jess returns.”
    An hour later, Zach tossed them a funny look as he stood behind the receiving counter, but they sailed right on past him, each laden with a stack of clothing they carried to tackle the clothing area. Soon they returned, and Greta approached Zach, who was unpacking a box of harnesses. He looked up. “You need something?”
    “You could put it that way, I suppose.” Greta glanced at Cora, who gave her a slight