The Courtship Charade
As a draftswoman in a manâs world, Jessica Sinclair causes a stir as her new male colleagues vie for her attention. And the company manager has an ultimatum: fake a courtship with her boss, Flynt Kavanaughâ¦or lose her job. But pretending to be smitten with the handsome engineer unleashes a real, complicated attractionâand could reveal the past she hoped to keep hidden.
Jessica is certainly the best person for the job. But as their make-believe romance escalates, Flynt knows thatâs not the only reason he wants her on his team. However, with his past shrouded by a shameful secret, Flynt has always focused his ambitions on building a career, not a family. Now he has designs on Jessicaâs heart, but can they trust each other with the truth?
âYouâre not going to kiss me, are you?â
The idea appealed to him more than he cared to admit. âNot unless itâs necessary, but if I look like Iâm thinking about it, Mrs. Monroe is sure to draw the conclusions we want her to.â
âThat makes sense.â She moistened those enticing lips, a gesture that made keeping his mind on the conversation increasingly difficult. âI should be going.â
And yet she stood gazing at him. The lantern in the parlor didnât cast enough light for him to make out her expression, but she gripped his hands firmly, as though she didnât want to let go. Or was he the one holding her tightly?
He released her, stepped back to a gentlemanly distance and doffed his hat.
âIâll see you tomorrow.â
âYes. Tomorrow.â
He bounded down the steps, expecting to hear the door open and close behind him. Heâd reached the street, and yet Jessie hadnât moved. She stood staring into the darkness with her fingertips pressed to her lips, unmoving.
Award-winning author KELI GWYN, a native Californian, transports readers to the early days of the Golden State. She and her husband live in the heart of Californiaâs Gold Country. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, historical museums and other Gold Rushâera towns. Keli loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyberhome at keligwyn.com, where youâll find her contact information.
Remember not the sins of
my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodnessâ sake, O Lord.
âPsalms 25:7
Acknowledgments
Writing is said to be a solitary endeavor, but that is not the case for me. The following people have made valuable contributions to this story, and I greatly appreciate each of them.
My savvy editor, Emily Rodmell, helps me smooth the rough edges of my stories and polish them until they shine.
My agent, Rachelle Gardner, brings her vast publishing experience to play, but she also encourages and supports me along the way.
My writing partners, Anne and Adri, offer valuable input at the earliest stages of a story and enable me to send the cleanest drafts possible to my editor.
My husband, Carl, brainstorms my stories with me and gives me the male perspective.
My mother, Patricia Lannon, a former draftswoman, educated me on her chosen profession and enlightened me on the challenges of being a woman working in a male-dominated field.
My friend Bob Courtemanche, a retired physics teacher who has explored the El Dorado Canal up close and personal, gave me a clearer picture of our water supply system and bolstered my knowledge of fluid dynamics.
My friend Rachael Duke, an accomplished equestrian, answered numerous technical questions regarding horses and horsemanship.
Chapter One
Placerville, California
June 1874
âI understand your reservations about hiring a draftswoman, but Iâve seen Miss Sinclairâs work, and itâs exemplary.â
Flynt Kavanaugh leaned back in his chair and studied Carter Corbin, seated opposite him behind the expansive desk. His bossâs scowl was so pronounced that his bushy gray eyebrows appeared as one.
âSo youâve said.â Corby, as everyone called the shrewd manager, folded his arms over his ample midsection. His features relaxed. An encouraging sign. âWhile I donât cotton to having a woman join the team, when an engineer of your caliber says the lady in question is worth considering, the least I can do is interview her.â
Corby rummaged in his jacketâs breast pocket and produced a silver cigar case. âDonât get your hopes up, though, son. An impressive portfolio is one thing. Producing quality drawings with the speed we require is another.â
Flynt shrugged off the cautious manâs concerns. Corby might not be quick to embrace change, but he was fair.