Chapter 4
“So, how was Boise?” Diane asked as she went down the aisle, looking along the various items and trying to see the ones she needed. They always sprang out at her, but nothing was getting her attention right now.
“It was great. I managed to get things sorted, had a bite to eat, and headed back,” Maggie sounded very cheerful, “you really should have come along with me. Boise is amazing.”
“I had a lot to do, Maggie.”
“Because your daddy said so?”
Diane winced.
“Could you please not mock me? That’s not fair.”
“Well, I think of it as teasing. And if you’re not going to spread your wings and try something new, I’m going to keep on doing it,” Maggie giggled, “you never know, you might find someone you like when you’re out and about.”
“Maggie!”
“Come on, what’s the problem? There are bound to be Baptists in Boise. It’s not restricted to Cascade.”
“At least the people in Cascade Father knows about,” Diane wished they wouldn’t talk about marriage; it was making her uncomfortable, “besides, I think he’s got someone lined up for me. We were meant to talk about it last night, but Father ended up having to see old Mr. Winters.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting!”
“No, it didn’t, and it still doesn’t.”
“Who is it he’s set you up with, then?”
“Brent Maisley.”
There was a sound at the other end that could have been Maggie choking. Diane slowed to a stop.
“Maggie, are you okay?”
“I’m okay, I’m okay.” Maggie’s choking turned into a short laugh. “Are you kidding me? Brent Maisley?”
“Apparently, our parents were sorting out a match before Mrs. Maisley died. Of course, I told my dad that I didn’t want it to happen, but he’s not listening to me.”
“He’s probably the most boring person I’ve ever met. But he is a good option.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s a member of the congregation, and he earns good money. I heard he’s started working at that real estate business owned by the Benjamin family.”
Diane felt a shiver go up her spine. Benjamin? Brent worked for Gregory Benjamin? And why was it bringing her out in a cold sweat?
“That’s not the point. I want to be able to choose on my own.”
“Isn’t that a little difficult when your dad is controlling every move of your life?”
“No, he isn’t!”
“I’d say that he is. Look, I’d better get going. I’m almost off my lunch break.”
“Oh! Right!” Diane had almost forgotten what time it was. “I’d better get a move on myself. I’ve got the shopping to finish off.”
“Have fun. I know I wouldn’t be in your shoes.”
Diane groaned as she hung up, unable to stop a smile. Maggie was just one of those people who was not great with being a regular woman. She was talented and smart, and she excelled in that really well.
But she didn’t know how to clean properly, her cooking was mediocre, and she hated doing the errands that people did every day. Her parents were in despair that she wouldn’t be able to find a husband when she wasn’t even what they would consider proper housewife material.
However, she was a great friend. Diane was very fond of her. Maggie was one of those people who could bring a little life and fun into someone, and she put up with Diane being a little uptight at times. Sure, Diane was uptight.
But she knew what was her duty. She knew that her bookkeeping wouldn’t be forever and that once she married that would stop. She was prepared for it, but Diane found that she didn’t want it to happen.
She wanted to carry on doing something she was good at. Sure, she could be a housewife, and look after everything while her husband went out to work, but Diane felt something refreshing about looking after the books for people, earning her own money.
It felt good to go out and do something different.
Those feelings had been building for some time now, especially since her father started dropping hints about finding a husband. She knew that a woman’s place was in the home and to raise many children, and Diane did want that. But having it with Brent Maisley?
Not happening. She knew she would have to marry someone in the congregation, of her father’s choosing, at some point, but not Brent. That would just end up with both of them being miserable. Brent would feel the same way, surely.
She was having a massive crisis right now. That had to be it. Things were a mess in her head, and Diane didn’t know what was going on.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Diane squealed and spun around, bumping up against a very hard, broad chest. Looking up, she found herself face-to-face with Gregory Benjamin. He smiled, and that smile made her heart miss a few beats.
He smelled really good as well.
Wait, where did that come from?
“Mr. Benjamin.” Why did that have to come out so breathy? “What are you doing here?”
“I’m doing some shopping. My condo isn’t going to supply food on its own.”
“But…don’t you have someone to do the shopping for you?”
“You mean like a housekeeper or something?” Gregory shook his head. “I do it myself. I’m a grown man, so it’s perfectly natural for me to shop on my own.”
“Oh.”
Now Diane sounded like an idiot. And she was still pressed up against his chest. His hands were on her arms, and he was grinning at her. Her face getting warm, sure that she was blushing deeply, Diane stepped away from Gregory and dusted herself down.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I like it when a woman clings to me.”
He didn’t look apologetic at all. Diane didn’t know whether to admire that confidence or slap him for his arrogance. But she did know that she wanted to touch him again. She put her hands behind her back to stop herself from reaching out.
“I…I have to get back to what I was doing.”