Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (13 page)

“No, I’m serious. Think about it. Leo’s right, folks really like your candies. You’ve already gotten an order without trying. And this is a great time of year to try out a venture like this.”

Why was he doing this? They’d agreed to present a united front when they had this talk with Leo. “That may be so. But there are practical matters to consider, like acquiring a storefront with a proper kitchen, buying supplies, getting the word out. And all of those things require money, which I don’t have.”

“There are other solutions. In fact, you could use my kitchen and some of the floor space in my shop. As you’ve seen for yourself, there’s more than enough of it going unused.”

Was he serious? “Even if I
could
accept such generosity, it takes more than floor space to open a business.”

He spread his hands. “Of course it does. But all of that can be worked out.
If
you’re interested in making the attempt.” He folded his arms across his chest. “So the question is are you?”

She looked from him to Leo and back again. This was ridiculous. Impossible. Oh, so enticing. “But Mrs. O’Connell and my grandmother expect—”

Chance cut off her words with a chopping motion. “This is your life, not theirs. I asked you what
you
wanted to do.”

Eve felt a tiny stirring of excitement. To make a clean break from her past, to be able to work at a job that she would actually enjoy and look forward to, to stay among her newfound friends—how could she not be tempted? But she had responsibilities, an obligation to meet. Besides which, agreeing to his scheme would put her in deep debt to Chance—something she wasn’t certain she was ready for. “A decision like this has consequences. If I were to do this and the shop failed, I’d have nothing to fall back on.”

“You won’t fail.” Leo’s tone held absolute conviction.

Eve would have been flattered under other circumstances.

Chance held her gaze. “I agree with Leo. But this is a decision you have to make. We can’t make it for you.”

That gave her pause. All her life her grandmother had made the major decisions without ever asking how Eve felt about them. Sure, she’d made a few impulsive, reactive decisions—and those often landed her in trouble. Not a good indicator of how she would do on the big things.

“Will you at least agree to give it careful consideration?” Chance asked. “After all, you have until Monday to decide.”

She supposed these two deserved that much from her. “I can agree to that. And even more, I will pray about it.”

She smiled down at Leo. “But for now, you are still in my care and we are both staying put at Mr. Dawson’s place. Regardless of what happens come Monday, I plan to enjoy the next few days while we’re still together. What do you say—no droopy expressions or moping?”

Leo kicked at a rock on the ground but nodded. “I guess so.”

“Excellent.” She turned to Chance. “And you?”

Chance grinned. “You know me. I’m not one to worry about tomorrow.”

He said that as if he were to be commended on it. But maybe he was just doing his part to lighten the mood. “Good. Then what do you two gentlemen say we head back and see what Dotty has been up to?”

* * *

On the drive back to town, Chance mulled over the idea of Eve sticking around and opening a candy store in The Blue Bottle. And the more he thought about it, the more he liked it. Over the past few days he’d gotten used to having people around, in fact had even come to enjoy it. And this would give him the best of both worlds—a family of sorts without any of the weighty responsibilities.

Then he frowned. If she and Leo stayed on, that meant they’d still be here when his father arrived in town. He had no illusions that his father would look on the arrangement as anything but a bad decision on Chance’s part— especially since he received no gain from it.

Not that his father’s opinion would keep Chance from following through with his offer. His main concern would be to make certain his father didn’t do anything to make Eve feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.

Perhaps he should warn her before his father actually showed up on his doorstep.

Then he gave himself a mental shake. He was getting ahead of himself. She hadn’t even agreed to stay yet. He was getting as impatient—and as eager for a yes answer—as Leo. Which couldn’t be a good thing.

* * *

When they had parked Tizzie back in the shed, Chance handed Leo the picnic hamper and he hefted the sacks of pecans. As he handed Eve down he noted how mussed her hair was and how flushed her cheeks were from the ride. She was smiling at something Leo had just said and for a moment she was that carefree, vibrant young woman he’d held in his arms at the dance. The urge to take her and twirl her around to the strains of an imaginary fiddler was strong. Then she met his gaze and her eyes widened in question.

He gave her one of those light, flirtatious smiles that were so good at masking his true emotions, then released her hand and nodded for her to precede him.

Why in the world did this one girl keep tripping him up on his own feelings?

When they stepped inside, they found Abigail there, chatting with Dotty. As soon as Everett’s sister saw Eve, she held up a small basket. “Here are the pumpkinseeds for the brittle, along with the other ingredients Daisy figured you’d need.”

“See,” Leo said, “everyone wants more of your candies.”

Eve winced. “We’ll discuss that later, Leo.” Then she turned to Abigail. “I’ll get on it right after breakfast tomorrow, if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Whatever timing works best for you. I’m just so grateful you’re willing to do this for me. Miss Teel, my friend back in Boston, is going to love these.”

“Miss Pickering is thinking about opening a candy store here,” Leo blurted out.

Though he knew Eve would feel differently, Chance wanted to applaud the boy’s impulsive announcement. The more folks who knew about the idea, the more likely Eve was to see it in a positive light. And just as he expected, Abigail and Dotty both reacted positively.

Abigail clasped her hands in delight. “Oh, how wonderful.”

“An excellent idea,” Dotty agreed.

Eve lifted a hand, palm out. “Leo is being a bit premature. I haven’t agreed to the plan yet—I merely agreed to think about it.”

Abigail gave her a persuasive smile. “Oh, but I think having a candy store here in Turnabout is a
marvelous
idea. There was one near the school I attended in Boston and I visited it often. I miss it. And their treats were not as good as yours.”

Eve held her ground. “That’s very kind of you to say, but there are other matters I need to take into consideration.”

Abigail sighed. “You must do what you feel you must. But, if you decide to go through with it, which I sincerely hope you will, know that I’ll be a regular customer.” She stood. “Now, I need to get back and help Daisy with the supper preparations.” She’d barely taken two steps toward the door when she swung around again. “Oh, Chance, I almost forgot. Daisy wanted me to make sure you invited your guests to join us for our Sunday gathering.”

“Of course.” It seemed everyone was expecting Eve to stay at least through the weekend.

Once Abigail had made her exit, Eve turned to him. “Sunday gathering?”

“It’s a tradition of sorts—after the church service a group of us take our noonday meal together.”

“A specific group?”

“Very specific. I told you there were four of us who traveled here together from Philadelphia about a year and a half ago. You’ve met all of them—Adam, Everett and Mitch. We all had ties to Reggie through her grandfather, who also lives in Philadelphia, so she was one of the first people we connected with when we arrived.”

He refrained from getting into the
real
purpose of that journey here—it wasn’t entirely his story to tell. “Anyway, Reggie insisted we all take our meals together. It was her way of making us feel welcome.” Among other things. “Even after she married Adam we continued the practice, though it evolved into a Sunday-only gathering. When Everett’s sister came to live with him and Daisy came to town the circle expanded to include them, and eventually Daisy’s father.”

“What a lovely tradition. But you must be quite a large group now.”

“We are. That’s why we’ve moved from Reggie’s house to Daisy’s. We use her restaurant as our dining room. But there’s always room for a few more.”

“Enough of that,” Dotty said. “Tell me more about this plan to open a candy store.”

Chapter Fifteen

“S
o what’s holding you back?”

Eve kept her gaze focused on the potatoes she was peeling. She’d left Chance and Leo to explain the situation to Dotty, stating that she needed to get started on supper, but she should have known the older woman would follow her.

“As I’ve explained to Leo and Chance, I have obligations to fulfill and a job waiting for me in Tyler.”

Dotty tsked. “I’ve heard you talk of obligations and responsibilities, of what your grandmother expects and has planned for you. But I haven’t once heard you say this is what
you
want to do. So I’ll ask you outright. If none of that were in the mix, is being a milliner something you really long to do?”

Why did people keep asking her that? “It doesn’t matter. Don’t you understand? What I want or don’t want doesn’t relieve me of my duty. I can’t show disrespect to my grandmother by going against her wishes.”

Dotty frowned. “But surely, she wouldn’t see it that way. I mean, given the choice, wouldn’t she want you to pursue something you enjoy doing as opposed to something you don’t?”

Would she?
“My grandmother has always done her best to provide for my well-being, both physical and spiritual.” That was true, even if it wasn’t a direct answer.

“I see,” Dotty said slowly.

Eve did her best not to squirm under her knowing look. “Besides,” she said, wanting to fill the silence, “I’m sure you’re eager to get back to your own life. I know when you agreed to come here to serve as chaperone you didn’t expect it to last more than a few days.”

Dotty waved that argument aside. “If that’s your only reason, then you’re in luck. I’m actually enjoying myself here and am in no hurry to return to the boardinghouse. It feels good to be in the midst of all these young people with so much going on in their lives.”

Eve’s first thought was that she could use a little less going on in her life. Then she realized that wasn’t true. As difficult as some of these decisions were to make, she didn’t want to go back to having someone else make them for her.

“But even if I decided to do this, there’s no guarantee I could make a candy store work. What if I try and the shop fails? Then where would I be? Mrs. O’Connell won’t hold that job for me past Monday so that would leave me with nowhere to go. Chance has been very kind to let me and Leo stay here, but I can’t live off of his charity indefinitely.”

“Oh, my dear, there are no guarantees in any of the paths we choose in life. The ones that seem the most secure can have hidden pitfalls. And often the ones that frighten us the most lead to undreamed of opportunities. All we can do is pray about our decisions and then step out in faith, knowing that the Good Lord will catch us should we fall.”

Eve wondered if she truly had that kind of faith.

But Dotty wasn’t finished. “And it’s not true that you’d have nowhere to go. You have friends here who would help you.”

Eve wondered if they would do so if they knew the truth about her.

Dotty smiled. “You mentioned earlier you were worried Leo had formed too strong an attachment to you. I think that goes both ways in this case. Are you really ready to walk away from him?”

Eve sighed. “I am very fond of Leo, and I won’t deny that I’d truly enjoy watching him grow and thrive in a loving household. But if you’re hinting that I should adopt him myself, I don’t think that would be wise.”

“Why ever not?”

“First, because Leo should grow up in a home that has both a mother and a father. And second, I don’t think I would be a suitable mother.”

Dotty laughed. “No woman alive ever feels she is truly prepared to become a proper mother. But we all manage as best we can.”

“You mentioned that you have a daughter I believe.”

“Yes. Judith, my daughter, is married with two children of her own. She lives over in Jefferson.” Her expression took on a bittersweet cast. “I had a son, as well. Freddie caught a fever just before his fifth birthday and never recovered.”

“Oh, Dotty, I’m so sorry.”

“It happened over twenty years ago and I’ve made my peace with it.” She straightened. “But the point I wanted to make is that, from my observations the past few days, I would say you are doing quite well with Leo, and would make an excellent mother to him.”

“Thank you for saying that. But there are things about me...” She took a deep breath. She wanted to tell Dotty the truth, but perhaps now was not the time. “I’m just not cut out to be a mother is all.”

Dotty patted her arm. “I don’t believe that for a moment. But I won’t press you any further.” She reached for her apron. “Now, how can I help to get supper ready?”

As they worked together, Eve found herself admiring this woman beside her and feeling truly blessed to have her to lean on for advice and counsel. Dotty had suffered so much loss in her life—her son, her husband, her home—yet she remained full of cheer and generosity and faith. It was an example worth emulating.

* * *

Later that evening, as they were enjoying supper, Dotty turned to Leo. “And how did you enjoy your ride in Tizzie?”

“It was great!”

Eve was glad the conversation hadn’t turned to the candy shop idea again. “I enjoyed it, as well.”

“And Mr. Dawson showed me how to drive it,” Leo added with relish.

“That doesn’t mean you’re ready to do it yourself,” Chance said quickly.

Eve was relieved to see him nip that idea in the bud.

“I know that,” Leo said matter-of-factly. But then he added more hopefully. “But maybe someday?”

Chance flashed that little-boy grin of his again. “Maybe.”

“And did y’all have a nice picnic?” Dotty asked, reclaiming the boy’s attention.

“Yes, ma’am.” Then Leo’s eyes brightened. “And I found the perfect tree to decorate for Christmas. It would look great out there by the front window.”

Dotty’s face lit up in delight. “A Christmas tree—what a perfectly lovely idea.”

“Leo, we discussed this,” Eve said quickly. “We probably won’t be living here when Christmas comes.”

He jutted his chin up stubbornly. “You promised you’d think about it.”

That was a fair rebuke. “You’re right. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“On the contrary, Christmas is an excellent time to get one’s hopes up,” Chance said. “Hope is what Christmas is all about.”

“I remember the Christmas trees we used to put up when my mother was still alive,” Leo said. “She made them look so beautiful.”

“I had a collection of ornaments before my house burned down,” Dotty said. “They were mostly homemade, but I cherished them. The ones Judith and I made together when she was a little girl were my favorite.” She sighed. “I’ll have to start a new collection this year I suppose.”

Then Dotty turned to Eve. “You’re being mighty quiet. Do you have memories of a Christmas ornament or decoration you particularly like?”

Eve traced her fork through the peas on her plate. “We didn’t put up Christmas trees at our house. Or any other holiday decoration for that matter. Grandmother always thought they were too frivolous.”

“So how
did
you celebrate Christmas?” Chance asked, studying her as if trying to read her secrets.

Eve shrugged, not really wanting to share that part of her life, but unable to get out of it. “We got up on Christmas morning and read the Christmas Story from the Bible. In honor of the occasion we would have something special for our noonday meal—usually a nice ham. Then, near supper time, my two aunts and their families would join us for the evening meal.”

“Didn’t you exchange gifts?” Leo asked.

Eve hesitated. “My grandmother always said the best gifts we could give each other were honesty and respect.”

“Oh.” Leo thought about that a moment, then looked up and met her gaze. “Is it okay if I give you a present that you can unwrap this year?”

Eve’s heart squeezed a bit at the concern she saw in the boy’s eyes. “Of course you may, Leo.” She decided not to warn him again that they might not be together for Christmas.

“As important as it is to remember the spiritual aspect of the day,” Dotty said gently, “one should never be afraid to celebrate joyfully and generously. After all it
is
a day to remember our Savior’s birth.”

Eve did her best to ignore the speculative way Chance was watching her. What was he thinking? She imagined he celebrated Christmas the way he did everything else—with great abandon. Did her story sound sad and restrictive to him?

She certainly hoped he wasn’t feeling pity, as that was the last thing she wanted from him. What she did want from him, however, was something she refused to think about.

* * *

That night, as Eve bent down to tuck Leo in, he looked up at her with wide, hopeful eyes. “Have you made up your mind yet?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. I’m sorry if this is difficult for you to understand, but I have to make certain, whatever I decide, it’s best for everyone.” Most especially for him. “And I want so much for you to have a real family, one who’ll give you all the love and security you deserve.”

She brushed the hair from his brow. “You want that too, don’t you?”

He didn’t give her a direct answer. Instead, he slid his arm under his head and stared up at her. “The past few days, it was almost like being part of a family again, you know? I thought maybe you felt that way, too.”

“Oh, Leo, sweetheart, this is not just about how we feel. The world doesn’t work that way. Sometimes we must do things we’d rather not, simply because they are the right things to do.”

“Is it okay if I say a prayer that you’ll stay and that we can have a real family Christmas together?”

A real family Christmas.
Those words tugged at her, set up a yearning inside her that echoed Leo’s. “Of course it is.” She hoped Leo hadn’t heard that little catch in her voice.

Listening to him pour his heart out to God, asking Him for just one Christmas like those he’d had with his parents was almost her undoing. Could she really walk away from something that clearly meant so much to him?

Then there was the town itself. These people were all so open and friendly—what would it be like to be truly a part of their circle rather than just a guest? She might never know. Unless she did as Leo wanted and stayed here.

But could she really step out in faith, knowing she would be burning her bridges and if she failed, there would be no net to catch her when she fell?

A little voice from deep inside her whispered,
That’s why they call it faith.

Eve stepped out into the hall, then glanced down from the landing at the room below. Dotty had already retired to her own room but there was a soft yellow pool of light shining from a lamp near one of the worktables. So Chance was still up.

Taking a deep breath, she started down the stairs.

* * *

Chance had been just about to put his things away when he heard Eve on the stairs. She headed directly toward him, purpose in her steps. What was up? Was something wrong with Leo?

“May I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course.” He cleaned off a chair next to his bench. “Have a seat.”

She sat absently, almost without glancing at the chair. “I’ve been giving this matter of staying in Turnabout a lot of thought and prayer.”

He came on full alert. Had she made her decision? “And?”

“And I think I want to stay.”

Now, why did his pulse leap at her words? “Good. I’ve already told you that’s what I hoped you’d decide. So what convinced you?”

“Mostly it was Leo’s desire to have us all together for Christmas. I couldn’t bear to have him feel abandoned again, especially this time of year.”

“Mostly? Was there something else?” Had he not played even a small part in her decision?

“I’ve also been thinking about what you and Dotty said about my needing to stop blindly following my grandmother’s dictates and start thinking about what
I
want to do with my life. And for now, this is it.”

That was definitely a start. “So what happens after you’ve given Leo the Christmas he’s dreaming of?”

“After
we’ve
given that to him, you mean. I haven’t entirely figured that out yet. I’m hoping the candy store will do at least enough business to support me. But if not, I suppose I’ll try to find some other position here.”

“So you’re planning to stay in Turnabout.” Yet
another
step in the right direction.

“I like the town and especially the people here. Whatever comes of this change in plans, I’ll have no regrets about not going to Tyler to become a milliner’s apprentice.” She smiled softly. “And perhaps, if I can establish myself, I could manage a more permanent relationship with Leo.”

“Adopt him, you mean.”

“I’d like to at least leave that option open for now.”