Winning the Spinster's Heart (Clear Creek Brides #1) - Kit Morgan Page 0,33

right. Maybe she should have been out and about waiting for lightning to strike … though that sounded idiotic when she put it that way. But it had worked for her parents.

Adele returned to her desk and sat. “What have I been waiting for?” She picked up her list and went over it again. Had she been too busy hoping for perfection? Was she assuming some handsome stranger would pass through town, whisk her onto his horse, haul her off into the sunset together – and match her list to a T?

She bit her lip as a tear fell. The truth was, she was jealous – jealous of what Jefferson found with Lorelei, a beautiful stranger thrust into their midst by her parents’ friends the MacDonalds years ago. There was mystery around the woman, romance, and Lorelei was perfect for Jefferson. Why wasn’t anyone around perfect for her? Or was there someone, and she’d walked on by because her list didn’t match perfection?

A knock at the door. She wiped her eyes. “Yes?”

Sam stuck his head in. “Mother wants to see you.”

She nodded. “I’ll be right down.”

Sam stepped into the room. “You okay?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m fine. Now shoo.”

“Okay, I’m going.” He turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Adele sniffed back more tears. All this time she’d been longing for what her brother had found. She wanted the same thing. Not wrong in itself, but maybe she’d wasted years looking for it, or looking for it the wrong way.

She stood, squared her shoulders and headed for the door. There was no use crying over it now, especially if it was her own fault. What were the chances of someone else in Clear Creek meeting all the criteria on her list? No one here would sweep her off her feet, put her on his majestic steed and ride off into the unknown with her. Well, she’d begun to resign herself to the life of a spinster anyway. She could deal with it. She might have to, since the closest man to perfection she’d found was engineering – literally – his departure.

Then she had a thought as she reached the stairs. If no one around here was right for her, what about in England? She could leave Clear Creek, go see Uncle Duncan, Aunt Cozette, Jefferson, Lorelei and the other relatives, and have a whole new country full of men to choose from. Who knew what sort ran in their circles? And hadn’t her aunt and uncle played matchmaker over the years? She recalled a letter from Uncle Duncan a few years back, mentioning a woman named Victoria who they’d introduced to their friend Sir Aldrich Something-or-Other …

“What are you smiling at?” Mother asked when she entered the kitchen. “Are you getting excited for the dance?”

Adele sat. “Mother, can I ask you something?”

“Certainly, dear, what is it?”

“I’d like to go to England and see Uncle Duncan and Aunt Cozette.”

Mother’s eyes widened. “What? Adele, what brought this on?”

“I’ve been thinking about it awhile, actually. I think it would be good for me to go. And who knows, maybe … they could find me a husband?”

Mother sat back in her chair. “I see. But what makes you think you’ll have better luck in England?”

Adele swallowed hard. “I couldn’t have worse luck than I’ve had here.”

Her mother left her chair to pace. “But dear, if you’d only take the time to get to know some of the young gentlemen here …”

Adele looked away as her cheeks grew hot. “I’ve known them all my life – how could I take more time?” Besides, she’d been forced to take the time, had gotten to know someone better – and he was leaving. “I want to go. Please.”

Mother sat again. “Does it mean that much to you, dear?”

Adele nodded. “More than you can imagine.”

Mother put a hand over hers. “Adele, did something happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know … did you and Liam have a fight?”

“Liam? What has he got to do with any of this?” Quite a bit, but never mind.

Mother sighed. “Very well. I’ll speak to your father.”

Adele sighed in relief. “Thank you, thank you so much. Now what did you need?”

Mother pulled a list from her apron pocket. “I want you and Liam to take care of this for me.”

Adele took the list from her, and her heart sank. Make up flyers to advertise the musicale, check on the different committees to make sure they’d have everything done on time for the dance,