Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (11 page)

“It’s early yet,” he continued in that same formal tone, “and there’s no point in cutting
his
fun short. I’ll see that he gets back well before bedtime.”

Eve hesitated. Her gut reaction was to hold tight to Leo, to keep him close. But she knew he needed some fun in his life right now, a chance to be carefree as a child should, as he hadn’t been able to be since his parents passed away.

She finally nodded, then turned and walked away.

Chapter Eleven

C
hance watched Eve leave the schoolyard, her back stiff, her steps determined. What had just happened? He was absolutely certain she’d been enjoying herself out on the dance floor. And that enjoyment had transformed her into graceful young woman.

And to be perfectly honest, he’d been enjoying himself. She was so small, so fragile seeming—it had made him feel protective. Holding her petite form had felt very right. And knowing he was her first dance partner added an extra fillip of pleasure. Watching her discover the delight of moving in time to the music, so completely losing herself to the rhythm of the piece, had been quite satisfying.

But then the music had ended and it was as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her. As if she’d suddenly realized she was having fun and her prim nature had been shocked, had rebelled.

Well, she’d had a taste of it now, and he strongly suspected she’d savored that taste, in spite of herself. If that made her uncomfortable, wounded her sensibilities, then so be it. Her biggest problem was that she needed more practice at having fun—perhaps then it wouldn’t frighten her.

At least she’d had the sense to not let her own crisis of conscience spoil Leo’s fun.

Chance was momentarily distracted by the sight of Walter Hendricks, the carpenter, talking to his son Calvin. A moment later Walter gave Calvin a clap on the shoulder and a broad smile of approval.

The sharp stab of jealousy he felt took him completely by surprise. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d had such a moment with his own father. He thought he’d long ago gotten past letting that affect him but apparently it could still catch him at unguarded moments.

He’d need to work on his control before his father arrived.

* * *

Eve walked through the nearly deserted streets of town, her mind a tangle of emotions. Her grandmother had always warned her against participating in the town dances or any such activity that included single young men. It was just such an event, after all, that had set the wheels in motion that led to her mother’s downfall.

But surely an activity that the whole town, including the preacher, participated in couldn’t be as sinful and fraught with temptation as her grandmother believed. And it had felt so wonderful, so joyous, so
fun.

But maybe that was the problem. Maybe it wasn’t the activity itself, but her response to it that was so dangerous. Maybe she was more like her mother than she had believed.

Because, if she were being totally honest with herself, it hadn’t been just the music that she had enjoyed, but the experience of being held by Chance. Something in her had responded to his attention and the sensation of being safe and somehow valued while he held her. Is that how her mother had felt when she’d first danced with her father?

Oh, why had she given in? She should have stayed in the schoolhouse with the babies and their caretakers. Things had been going so well—she’d made new friends and felt she was making a difference with Leo. And now, like so many times before, she’d failed to think things through.

Her grandmother had been right—when faced with the temptation, she had succumbed. It was a slippery slope and she needed to make very certain she didn’t slide down it.

If only she’d held to her convictions she wouldn’t have felt this need to retreat like a coward. Was she turning into her mother?
Please, God, don’t let that happen. I want to be a good girl.

She didn’t foresee much chance of her facing that particular temptation again. Once she left Turnabout to start her new life, she’d probably not have another opportunity to dance, at least not with Chance.

Now, why didn’t that thought bring her comfort?

Chapter Twelve

W
hen Chance plopped down at his workbench the next morning it was barely light outside. Truth to tell he hadn’t slept well the night before. He wasn’t sure if it was the memory of that dance with Eve—of holding her, of the sweet smell of her hair, of the sight of her joyful smile—that had kept sleep at bay. Or if it was her abrupt transformation back into the stiff, guarded woman he’d thought had disappeared for good.

In either case, he found himself wanting to find ways to bring that smile back, just to see if it was as bewitching as he remembered.

He hadn’t had much opportunity to speak to Eve when he, Leo and Dotty had returned from the festival yesterday. Predictably they’d found her in the kitchen, cleaning the stove. She’d immediately sent Leo to get cleaned up and ready for bed. Then, after some chitchat with Dotty, during which she’d never once looked his way, she’d excused herself, as well.

Oh, there’d been nothing he could fault her for. She’d been polite to him, in fact overly so. But there was a distance between them that hadn’t been there since he’d first encountered her. Had that been only two days ago? Why did it feel as if he’d known her so much longer?

His current line of thought brought him up short again. What was happening? Eve was only going to be here for a few more days, and she certainly wasn’t the kind of girl to enter into a casual flirtation with. Which was all he really wanted.

Wasn’t it?

He looked up at the sound of someone on the stairs and found the subject of his thoughts descending. Which face would she show today?

“Good morning,” he said. “Feeling better today?”

She smiled but didn’t quite meet his gaze. “Yes, thank you. I’ll have breakfast prepared in just a bit.”

He saw the tentativeness in her, as if she wasn’t certain of her reception. “No rush,” he said casually. “I haven’t seen Leo or Dotty come down yet.”

Some of the tension in her demeanor eased and she seemed poised to say more. But a heartbeat later she nodded and turned toward the kitchen.

Disappointed that she hadn’t engaged in more conversation, he watched her cross the room. She paused at the counter and it was his turn to stiffen as he realized what had caught her attention.

“Is this today’s newspaper?” Her tone was much more animated than it had been earlier.

“Yes.” He subscribed to the paper, but normally Dotty read it to him. He wasn’t certain how he was going to handle that while Eve was here. “Feel free to borrow it if you like.”

“Thank you.” She seemed genuinely delighted. “Perhaps after breakfast then.” And with another smile she disappeared into the kitchen.

Would she smile at him that way if she knew his secret?

* * *

Eve went through the motions of cooking breakfast, but her mind was elsewhere. The encounter with Chance this morning had gone better than she’d dared hope. There was none of the censure she’d expected. That was a relief, yes, but curiously it was also a bit of a letdown. It was as if her dancing with such abandon and then withdrawal from him hadn’t affected him at all. And why should it? To him it had just been a dance, something he’d done hundreds of times before. She doubted she’d served as a very remarkable partner. Apparently she had, in fact, been quite forgettable.

Breakfast passed pleasantly enough, though she let the others carry most of the conversation. An easy thing since Leo wanted to excitedly recap everything he’d done at the festival.

Later, after she’d meticulously cleaned the kitchen, Eve stepped back out into the main room, feeling at a bit of a loss as to what she should do next. She found Dotty there, reading the paper to Leo. Chance had returned to his workbench and had his head down over whatever he was working on. He glanced up to smile a greeting her way, then went right back to work.

What now? She supposed she could start on lunch. Or perhaps get that old suit Chance had given her and begin to refashion it. But before she had taken two steps toward the stairs, her interest was snagged by the article Dotty was reading. Almost without thinking, she gave in to the temptation to join her and Leo.

Dotty looked up. “Ah, there you are. Would you mind taking over for me? I’d like to get back to work on this shawl I’m knitting—it’s a Christmas gift for my daughter.”

“Of course.” Eve eagerly took the paper and scanned the front-page article on yesterday’s festival until she found the spot where Dotty had left off.

Chapter Thirteen

C
hance continued tinkering with the old clock Mrs. Northram had asked him to take a look at as he listened to Eve read the paper. And read it she did, all the way through, even the advertisements. She had a wonderful voice, feminine yet strong, alive with nuance and emotion. Her love for reading, which he’d merely suspected earlier, came shining through in her face. And in the way she paused occasionally to make astute or humorous comments on what she had just read.

And trust Dotty to handle the matter of reading to him with great tact and absolutely no prompting from him. As soon as they’d excused themselves from breakfast she’d insisted on reading it to Leo.

“Chance.”

He glanced up at the sound of Eve’s hail. It was the first time she’d used his first name and he decided he rather liked the sound of it on her lips. “Yes?”

“How often did you say the paper is printed?”

“Twice a week, Fridays and Tuesdays.”

She nodded and he detected a note of disappointment in the gesture. But she dropped the subject and turned to Leo. “Tell me, do you know how to read or write?”

Leo shifted in his seat. “I used to be able to read a little. But I couldn’t read nothing like that newspaper.”

“
Anything
like that newspaper,” she corrected. “The first thing we need to do, then, once we get your name cleared, is get you enrolled in school. Reading is a
very
important skill to have.”

Chance mentally winced at that reminder of what he lacked.

“I’ve known other folks, grown-up folks, who can’t read. Like the man who helped Pa plow his fields in the spring.”

“The poor man probably never had the opportunity to learn. But we will see that you do.” She leaned forward. “A man who can read is not only more respected and knowledgeable, but he is much harder to take advantage of. You don’t want to be someone who must lean on others to do his reading for him, do you?”

Chance cast a quick glance Dotty’s way to see how she was reacting to this. She met his gaze with a sympathetic one of her own. But Eve wasn’t through. Was it because she felt so strongly about this, or was she just trying to convince Leo that he needed to go back to school?

“Not only is reading important,” Eve was saying, “but it’s fun, too. There are so many wonderful adventures you can go on, just by losing yourself in the pages of a book.”

Leo glanced across the room. “That’s what Mr. Dawson said when you were looking at the books in the restaurant.”

“He did?” Eve glanced his way with approval shining from her eyes. “I’m glad to hear Mr. Dawson shares my love of books.”

Chance made a noncommittal sound then focused back on his work. Or at least tried to.

But she wasn’t going to let him off so easily. “Do you have some favorite stories to recommend to a boy Leo’s age?”

Chance remembered his mother reading to him as a young boy and dredged up the titles of his favorites. “
Robinson Crusoe
and anything by Jules Verne.”

Eve gave him a smile of approval and turned back to Leo. Why did he feel as if he’d just lied to her? He’d never actually said a word about liking to read, just about liking books. Surely he wasn’t responsible for any conclusions she might be jumping to.

* * *

Later that morning, when Eve and Dotty were in the kitchen, Chance looked up from his workbench to see he had visitors. Adam had pushed through the swinging doors and had Jack and Ira Peavy with him.

Chance stood and headed across the room. He noticed Jack and Leo made a beeline for each other.

Before they could do more than exchange greetings, the kitchen door opened and Eve and Dotty stepped out, curiosity on their faces.

As soon as Adam spotted them his face lit in a broad smile. “Good morning, ladies. Your presence sure does brighten up this old workroom of Chance’s.” He glanced around. “In fact, I see you’ve added quite a few softer touches since the last time I was in here. A definite improvement.”

“Hey! Are you implying I didn’t keep this place neat and comfortable before now?” Chance gave him a mock frown to go with his accusation.

Adam spread his hands. “Let’s just say it’s looking much better—especially the caliber of the residents.”

Chance grinned in response. “Is there something we can do for you?” He studied his friend closely. Adam’s manner seemed relaxed and unhurried, but something about him led Chance to believe this was more than a casual visit.

Adam nodded toward his son, who was exploring the workshop with Leo as his guide. “Mrs. Peavy is in the mood to make some persimmon jelly and Jack and Ira here are heading out to pick some of the fruit for her. We thought Leo might want to go along and maybe collect some for you, as well.”

“How kind of you to think of him,” Eve said. “Persimmons would make a welcome addition to our table.”

“Does that mean I can go?” Leo asked hopefully.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Of course.”

With an enthusiastic whoop, Leo and Jack crossed the room to join Mr. Peavy.

Once the boys and Ira were gone, Chance folded his arms across his chest and stared levelly at Adam. “I assume you have some news for us.”

“News?” Eve echoed.

“Yes.” Adam glanced from Chance to Eve. “There was a letter for Sheriff Gleason on this morning’s train.”

“A response to his inquiry about Leo you mean,” Chance said matter-of-factly. He hoped there weren’t any unpleasant surprises in the letter.

“Yes.” Adam’s expression and tone didn’t give anything away. “But Ward should be the one to explain all this. He’ll be here in just a moment.”

Chance nodded, keeping his expression unconcerned for Eve’s sake. But his mind was churning over the possibilities. Explain all what? It didn’t sound as if it was going to be good news—why else would the sheriff send Adam on ahead to clear Leo out of here?

“Surely it’s confirmation of Leo’s story,” Eve said, her voice attempting to strike a confident note.

Adam rubbed the back of his neck. “For the most part.”

Now what did that mean?

But before he could say anything, Sheriff Gleason walked in.

“Right on cue,” Adam said, a hint of relief in his tone.

Chance swept an arm toward the nearest table. “Let’s all have a seat.” Once they’d settled into their chairs he faced the sheriff. “Now, what’s the news?”

“I guess Adam already told you I got a letter on this morning’s train,” the sheriff said. At their nod, he continued. “It was from the preacher in Leo’s hometown. He’s verified most of Leo’s story for us.”

“I knew it,” Eve said, the relief on her face evident. “Leo is not bad, just desperate for a better life.”

“According to the preacher,” the lawman continued, “Leo’s folks died of a fever about two years ago, just as he said. Melvin Belcher took him in.”

“And nobody thought to check in on him when Leo didn’t show up for school?”

“Apparently it happened right around the end of the school year. And since Belcher has a farm some distance from town, nobody saw Leo or missed him for the rest of the summer. The reverend admits that, by the time school started back up in the fall, the folks in town had pretty much forgotten about Leo.”

“How awful.” Eve’s face held a touch of that defiant protector Chance had seen on the train platform.

He could understand her outrage, though. He shared it.

“I assure you the preacher seemed very contrite about the matter.”

“As well he should be,” Eve said firmly.

“So what about this Belcher character?” Chance didn’t bother to hide the anger in his voice.

“Of course he’s denying any charges of having mistreated the boy.” The sheriff sounded as if he didn’t believe this any more than Chance did. “And from what I gather, he’s well respected in Bent Oak. Seems the story he’s putting out is that Leo was such a handful after his parents’ death—going into rages, mistreating the livestock, breaking things—that he kept him close to home for his own good and the good of others in the community.”

Predictably Eve stiffened and her expression turned to one of determination. “I don’t believe it!”

“Having met Leo, I can’t say as I give it much credit, either.”

“We can’t let that man near Leo.” Eve tilted her chin up defiantly. “I’ll slip out of town with him in tow before I let that man get his hands on Leo again.”

Chance smiled. For all her prim exterior, she could certainly be a bit of a tigress when something got her good and riled.

“Don’t worry, that won’t be necessary.” Chance hadn’t lent his protection to these two just to abandon them when things turned sticky. Anyone who wanted to send Leo back to that bully of a man would have to come through him.

The sheriff nodded reassuringly. “Don’t worry, either of you. Belcher has no legal claim to the boy and Leo doesn’t have to go back there, especially given our suspicions. But neither can he be left on his own.”

“Of course not.” Eve’s schoolmarm demeanor was firmly back in place. “He needs a proper home.”

Adam raised a brow. “You have any ideas on that front?”

“Why, no.” She looked surprised. “You all know the people around here much better than I do. Surely you can find a family who would be willing to take him in.”

Sheriff Gleason rubbed his chin. “We can ask around, of course. The trouble is, stories about his past, even if they’re false, might give folks pause.” He eyed them evenly. “Of course there’s always the orphanage up Parsonville way.”

“No!” Eve’s exclamation was sharp and immediate. “I mean, I know orphanages are necessary institutions and that they do fine work, but Leo has been through so much already. He deserves to be part of a loving family.” She looked at each of the men in turn. “Surely we won’t let him be forgotten by an entire community yet again.”

“
Every
child deserves a loving family,” Chance said. He hadn’t had the happiest of childhoods himself; he certainly didn’t want others to share that misery.

“Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.” Sheriff Gleason spread his hands. “The challenge is going to be finding someone willing to take him in with his background.”

Chance’s fists curled in frustration. He knew exactly how it felt to be judged on something you had no control over. Leo deserved better.

“Does everyone have to know?” Eve’s voice was tentative. “I’m not advocating we lie,” she added quickly, “just that we don’t offer up information if we don’t have to.”

The sheriff shrugged. “We don’t have to advertise it, no. But most folks already know he’s a runaway and that he stowed away on that train. They’re going to want to know the full story before they take him in.”

Eve’s expression fell but she rallied enough to try another argument. “Since the full story includes our certainty of Leo’s innocence, surely that won’t be a problem.”

“As I said, I’ll do my best to find him a home.” Then the sheriff gave Eve a pointed look. “I assume I can count on you to continue looking after him for now.”

“Of course. In fact, I insist.”

“We both will,” Chance said firmly. “At least until Monday.” Had she already forgotten her deadline?

The sheriff and Adam turned to Eve with a question in their expressions.

Eve shifted her weight, a soft flush climbing in her cheeks. It seemed she
had
momentarily forgotten.

“The job waiting for me in Tyler will only be held until then,” she said apologetically. “If I tarry any longer it will go to someone else.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll begin making inquiries on Leo’s behalf right away.” Then the sheriff reached into his pocket. “I almost forgot. There’s one other thing we need to take care of.” He held the pocket watch out in his palm. “Belcher claims Leo’s father gave this to him in payment of a debt.”

Chance stiffened. “And you believe him?”

“Whether I believe him or not doesn’t matter. It’ll ultimately be for a judge to decide if they both want to press their claims.” He grimaced. “However, Belcher states he’ll let the boy keep it—for a price.”

Eve looked as if she was ready to chew nails. “And that price is?”

“Fifteen dollars.”

“Fifteen dollars!” Her voice actually rose a few notches.

“We can fight him on it in court,” Adam said quickly. “And I’m certainly willing to help with that. But it’s going to be Leo’s word against Belcher’s. And the fact that Leo ran away, and then slipped onto that train without paying his fare is not going to add to his credibility any.”

“I’ll pay it.” The words were out of Chance’s mouth before he’d even realized it. But he didn’t regret them. He’d find the money.

Eve spun around and stared at him as if he’d spoken in a foreign language. “What?”

“I said I’ll pay it. It’ll be worth it just to make sure the blackguard is completely out of Leo’s life. And a boy should have some keepsake of his home and family.”

The warm admiration that crept into her eyes held him spellbound for a heartbeat.