Her Minnesota Man (A Christian Romance Novel) by Brenda Coulter Page A

scones were supposed to come next. And after that, the dainty sweets.
    "We didn't have any leftover sandwiches today," Caroline explained. "But we didn't want any, and Laney told us not to make any for you because you're going out to supper."
    Jeb accepted a scone, then took a spoonful of strawberry-rhubarb preserves from the bowl Millie offered and a dollop of thick Devonshire cream from the dish Aggie pushed toward him. He broke off a bite-size piece of the scone and used his knife to dab preserves and cream on it, all nice and correct. Then he popped the crumbly morsel into his mouth and savored the blended flavors and textures.
    A few minutes later, Millie was easing a miniature lemon tart onto his plate and Caroline was pushing a selection of fancy cookies at him when he felt Laney's hand on his shoulder.
    "Don't let them stuff you full of sweets and spoil your supper, Jeb."
    Don't let them? She knew perfectly well that it was beyond a mere man's power to prevent the Graces from doing whatever they wanted. He turned in his chair and raised an eyebrow at her, but she didn't appear to notice.
    "I have to return a call about an etiquette seminar at a bridal fair in the Cities," she said, "and then I need to make another call to finalize the menu for a baby shower tea." Tangling her slender fingers together, she looked as nerved-up as she'd sounded on the phone earlier. "Do you mind waiting?"
    "No, I'm fine here." If it would contribute to Laney's peace of mind, he'd sit here all night and let the Graces unravel him like a badly made sweater.
    "We're concerned about that girl." Caroline said when Laney had gone.
    She had Jeb's full attention, but instead of explaining her remark, she bit into a cookie and chewed thoughtfully. When neither of her sisters jumped in to elaborate, Jeb threw caution to the wind and asked.
    "Why are you concerned about her?"
    "Because she's unhappy," Caroline said.
    Millie's head bobbed. "That's for sure."
    Jeb stared at the pink roses on his teacup and waited.
    "And you know why," Caroline said.
    Yes. But did the Graces know, or were they just fishing?
    "We need to get her married," Aggie said.
    Her God problem was more urgent. But the Graces didn't go to the same church as Laney—something about wanting to encourage a young pastor up in Faribault who wasn't popular because he stuttered—so they might not be aware that Laney had stopped attending.
    On second thought, someone in their vast network of friends was sure to have informed them.
    "That bothers you, doesn't it?" Caroline eyed him speculatively. "The thought of Laney getting married."
    Avoiding her penetrating gaze, Jeb fingered the handle of his teacup. "Why would it bother—"
    "Jeb." Caroline's sharp tone sliced off the end of his question. "Stop pretending you're a stupid man."
    Who was pretending? He was a stupid man. What other kind of man would sit down to afternoon tea with the Three Graces?
    "Hey, how about those Twins?" he asked brightly. The Graces loved baseball, so maybe he could distract them. "Can you believe they ended the season with—"
    "Jeb." Like a stern schoolteacher, Caroline peered at him over the metal rims of her glasses. "We need to talk about Laney's future. Now, we've given this a lot of thought, and—"
    " No. " Jeb's backbone snapped to attention and hardened like steel. "I won't help you scheme against her."
    "We're not scheming against her," Aggie said. "We're scheming for her."
    Millie patted his arm. "She wants to get married, Jeb."
    "But she doesn't want you interfering," he retorted. "And you know better than to talk to me behind her back."
    Caroline's annoyed expression gave way to one of apparent satisfaction. "Yeah, those Twins were quite the deal this year," she said as she reached for the teapot. "Ready for a refill there, Jeb?"
    He thanked her and held out his cup and saucer. As she placed the strainer over his cup and poured, her gaze flicked up for an instant and her wrinkly mouth curled into