reserve my opinion in that regard, and itâs Miss Dunn.Pleased to make your acquaintance.â With the spunk her father insisted she possessed, Amanda extended her hand.
Mr. Cooper shook hands as though her fingers might crumble into dozens of pieces. âNathaniel Cooper, but my friends call me Nate.â He immediately flushed to a bright shade of scarlet.
Amanda smiled. âI will remember that in case we become friends someday.â
Nate couldnât control the dull words issuing from his mouth or his schoolboy blush. âOf course, Miss Dunn. How can I be of service today?â He wiped suddenly damp palms down his apron.
âIâm visiting America for the first time. Today Iâm finding my way around town.â She tugged on the hem of her odd jacket, the likes of which heâd never seen before. Yet despite the fact she was attired in somber gray from neck to ankle, the woman was breathtakingly, heartbreakingly beautiful.
The longer Nate stared, the larger the boulder in his throat grew. âDo you find our country alien to your tastes?â he asked.
âAs I only arrived yesterday, itâs too soon to tell. I wouldnât use the term âalienâ but instead merely âdifferent.ââ She smiled as she withdrew a small purse from inside her valise.
âHow so?â Nate asked, wiping down his spotlessly clean counter with a rag.
âEverything is newer and grander, at least in my sisterâs neighborhood. You serve a delicious cup of tea here, but most take it without cream. And your names for thingsâone would think we spoke two different languages: taxes instead of duties, pickles instead of gherkins, cookies instead of biscuits, privy or water closet instead of loo.â Miss Dunnâs gloved hand flew to her mouth. âForgive me. That was indiscreet. I donât know why Iâm babbling so much.â
âThis lovely spring day has set both our tongues free.â Nate grinned at her embarrassment. âThink no more about it.â
She stepped back to peruse the contents of several shelves. âYou display a fine selection of goods, sir. I will remember your shop for future necessities. Do you work here for your father?â Her warm brown eyes sought his.
âNo. My father has passed on.â
âFor your mother, then?â She pursed her rosy lips.
âMy mother is at rest, awaiting the Second Coming as well.â Nate draped the rag over his shoulder. âThey are buried side by side under a fir tree. My ma took sick one winter and died before Christmas.â
âForgive my impertinence, Mr. Cooper, but you appear too young to own a market by yourself.â
âI was twenty-five on my last birthday, in robust health and usually sound of mind. Donât forget this is Americaâthe land of opportunity for those with ambition. Even a nobody from the Blue Ridge Mountains can move to the seaboard for a fresh start if theyâre willing to work long hours. I have few requirements other than keeping my customers happy.â
Miss Dunn stared at the floor. âNow Iâm the one being boorish. I hope you wonât judge all English people by my rudeness.â
âI havenât met many Brits. Your countrymen usually send their servants to town to shop. And I donât find your curiosity inappropriate. If we donât ask questions, how can we learn? Now let me ask you one. What brought you into my store today? A bolt of fabric, a bottle of tonic, perhaps candy for your sweet tooth?â
For several moments she appeared perplexed. Then her lips pulled into a smile. âI almost forgot why Iâm here. I have been walking all morning and Iâm famished. Could I purchase a tin of soup or a potted pie for lunch? Chicken, beef, muttonâthe type doesnât matterâbut I donât wish to return to my sisterâs until Ifinish exploring. Who knows when Iâll have another