A Family for Christmas Page 15

  He reached forward and touched one of her hands. “I’m so sorry. That must have been very difficult for you growing up. But, Eve, none of this is your fault.”

  “That’s not the way it feels. My very existence brought shame not only to my mother, but to my entire family. My grandmother says I was named Eve after the world’s first sinner.”

  Everything in Chance recoiled at the thought that anyone, let alone a close relation, would say something so cruel to a child.

  “My grandmother is a good, God-fearing woman and she has done everything she can to raise me properly, to make certain I don’t follow in my mother’s footsteps. Yet I have been a constant disappointment to her. No matter how I try, my thoughtless, careless unseemly nature keeps coming through.”

  “Unseemly nature? Eve, you are the most proper person I know.” What Eve’s grandmother had actually accomplished, either through design or ignorance, was stifling all the joy and confidence in her granddaughter’s life. His whole being was thrumming with outrage over what had been done to the innocent child Eve had been.

  But Eve was shaking her head. “No. I try to be correct and seemly, but that’s not the real me. And sooner or later my true nature comes out.”

  “If by ‘true nature,’ you mean the lady who knows how to smile, who jumps in to help without hesitation when folks are in trouble, who finds delight in music, then I say, let her free.”

  And he was now more determined than ever to help that happen.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chance’s words made her smile for a moment. But then reality set in once more. “Don’t you see, even my own mother didn’t want me?”

  “Perhaps it wasn’t so much that she didn’t want you as that she didn’t want her tarnished reputation to affect you. And regardless of all that, it sounds to me that leaving Iron Bluff was the best thing you ever did. It took a lot of courage to strike out on your own that way, and you should be proud of yourself for doing so.”

  She gave him a crooked smile. “But I didn’t decide to leave on my own. I was sent away. So you see, I can’t even claim to have that bit of bravery.” Then she grimaced. “And it wasn’t really striking out on my own. My grandmother made sure Mrs. O’Connell knew all about my past so she could keep an eye on me.”

  Her grandmother sounded like an extremely bitter woman. “But it was you, and only you, who decided to step off that train and help a lone boy who had no one on his side. That kind of fearlessness, the kind that risks all for others, is admirable.”

  She stared at him uncertainly. “Do you really think so? I mean it was reckless and impulsive and I gave no thought for the proprieties when I acted. It was just that sort of thing that shamed me in front of the whole congregation and forced my grandmother to send me away.”

  “I would not have said it if I didn’t mean it. Now tell me about this so-called shameful act so I can disabuse you of that, as well.”

  That cocky comment earned him a small grin. But she quickly sobered and gave a small nod. “I suppose you deserve to know the full truth. There was a baptism service down at the lake a few Sundays ago and afterward the congregation had a picnic. The Dabney boy saw some of the older kids playing with an old homemade raft and tried it out himself when no one was looking. First thing I knew he fell off in water over his head. I was there on the edge of the pond when I heard him screaming. I went in after him without even thinking.”

  That was it? “Surely you couldn’t be faulted for that.”

  She squirmed a bit, looking miserable. “There were a couple of men nearby, as well. They got to him almost as quickly as I did. I could have left it to them.”

  “Still—”

  Her face was flaming now and she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “When I came out of the pond, my clothing was soaked through and...” She swallowed loudly. “It was clinging to me in a most unseemly manner. The bodice was worn in places and rather thin. I shamed myself, and I shamed my family, before the entire congregation.”

  How could her actions be viewed that way? And by a church congregation no less. “There is no shame in what you did. In fact, as when you went to Leo’s rescue, you should be commended for your courage.”

  “That is kind of you to say, but acting without thinking is one of my biggest faults.”

  The urge to draw her to him and hug away her pain was suddenly so strong he had to fight to control it. The way she was feeling right now, it would be taking almost criminal advantage. Instead he settled for brushing some hair from her forehead and gently stroking her cheek before leaning back.

  “Never, ever be ashamed of the impulse to help another human being. It is what the Bible commands us to do.”

  She met his gaze and held it. The gratitude shining there seemed to be afire, seemed to be sucking the oxygen from the air around them. And he was trying very hard not to picture the images her words had conjured up. If they didn’t break this off soon he was going to do more than hug her, he was going to give her a taste of what almost assuredly would be her first kiss.

  No! Not this way. By sheer force of will he broke the connection. But it left him feeling shaken inside.

  She blinked as if coming out of a trance and looked slightly confused. Then she gave him a shy smile. “Thank you for saying that. You’ve definitely shown me a new perspective and given me something to think about.”

  He took a deep breath, focusing again on the reassurances she needed right now. “Eve, believe me when I say your leaving that place is their loss. And good riddance to them. You are now with people who appreciate you for the good person you are and many of whom would be truly sorry to see you go.”

  She smiled with a little more confidence. “I would be sorry to leave, as well. I feel very much at home here.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you’re staying.” He raised a brow. “Does Leo know yet?”

  “No, I wanted to tell you first, to make certain, once you heard my story, you would still want us here.”

  “I hope I’ve made it clear that I do.” He liked the idea that she’d come to him first. And that she’d trusted him enough to share such a personal bit of her life with him.

  She smiled again. “You have.” The she turned more businesslike. “So we are agreed that we will give Leo the special family Christmas he wants so desperately?”

  “Of course.” He raised a brow. “You know, you’ll have to do some actual merrymaking.”

  “Naturally. The poor boy has had few enough opportunities to celebrate the past few years. We want to make this one extra happy for him.”

  “That’s the spirit. So you are agreed that we will make it gay and festive.”

  “As long as we also give time to focus on the spiritual aspects.”

  Chance nodded in satisfaction. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  * * *

  As Eve climbed into bed a few minutes later, she was still pondering that earlier conversation. Could Chance possibly be right? It was so tempting to believe him, to absolve herself of fault. But it was also true that he viewed her industriousness and sense of purpose as too strict, a view with which she did not agree. So could she accept one portion of his perspective and not another? It was difficult to judge.

  Of course, the one part of the evening she was trying to avoid thinking about was that moment when their gazes had locked. She had thought for just a heartbeat that he might actually lean in and kiss her. And she didn’t know whether to feel relief or disappointment when she’d been proved wrong.

  No, that wasn’t true. It was very definitely disappointment.

  * * *

  Over breakfast the next morning, Eve informed Leo and Dotty of her decision.

  Leo jumped up from the table and gave her neck a tight squeeze, something that surprised her.

  “This is going
to be a really great Christmas,” he said excitedly. “And I’ve already gotten my first present.”

  Dotty, while less physical, seemed equally pleased. “I’m so glad you’re staying. We’re going to have such a good time working together and getting to know each other better.”

  Eve returned her smile. “How do you feel about helping me design my candy shop?”

  “I think that sounds like a lot of fun.”

  So once the kitchen was cleaned up after breakfast, the two ladies went to work. First Eve cooked up a batch of the pumpkinseed brittle, so it would be ready for Abigail whenever she came by to pick it up. Then they took an inventory to figure out what additional supplies would be needed.

  Then they discussed work schedules and how much time Eve could allot to her candy-making efforts each day and how much she estimated she could make during that time.

  Then Dotty suggested they tackle the storefront itself.

  Eve looked around, then realized she and Chance hadn’t discussed the actual space allocations yet. She glanced his direction and spotted him watching her.

  “You ladies need help with something?” he asked.

  “I was wondering what part of this space you had in mind for me to use as the candy shop.”

  Chance stood and joined them. “You’re welcome to any part of it you need, as long as it doesn’t include any of my work area.”

  “But surely you want to reserve some space for relaxing—a parlor of sorts.”

  Chance grinned. “In the four and a half days you’ve been here, have you ever seen me use any part of this as a parlor? Except perhaps to play checkers with Leo and that’s after business hours.”

  “What about Sundays?”

  Chance rubbed his jaw. “I hadn’t thought about that. Tomorrow will be the first Sunday I’m not here alone.” Then he shrugged. “But the candy store will be closed on Sunday so I still don’t see a problem. Use whatever you need.”

  Eve looked around. “Well, it isn’t as if this will be a restaurant, so I really don’t expect anyone to eat here.” Assuming she had any customers at all. “So I guess I just need a place to display my candies and interact with the customers.”

  “Then I’d say the bar counter is your best bet. I think there are a few stools over in the storeroom—I can pull them out and pick out the best of the lot. Maybe set one behind the counter for you and a couple in front, just in case they’re needed.”

  He seemed to have a good head for thinking these things through. “That would be lovely.”

  “You’ll want a menu board of some sort and some display trays—I can take care of that for you, as well. They won’t be fancy but they’ll do the job.”

  “Oh, but I don’t want to take you from your own work.”

  He waved a hand dismissively. “It won’t take me long. I have most of the materials I’ll need on hand already.”

  “What about the tables?” Dotty asked.

  Eve gave a little start. She’d all but forgotten Dotty was there. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I know you’re not expecting your customers to eat there, but I thought it might be nice to pretty them up a bit so the place looks more inviting when they walk in.”

  Chance grinned. “Dotty, my love, what are you trying to say?”

  “I’m trying to say that you are as messy as a magpie, Chance Dawson. You collect shiny objects and build your nest of a workshop with them. We need something a bit more decorous for Eve’s candy store.”

  “Did you have something particular in mind?” Eve asked.

  “Some pretty cloths to cover the tops with for starters. And maybe some sort of small centerpieces for the tables.”

  Chance raised his hands. “All of that is outside the scope of my talents. You’re on your own.”

  Dotty, however, disagreed. “Those chairs, while sturdy enough, are eyesores. I think a new coat of paint would do wonders for them.”

  “Now, that I can do. You ladies just tell me what color you want.”

  Dotty turned to Eve. “What do you think?”

  “I’ve always been partial to blue.”

  “Blue it is. I’ll do half of them today and the other half on Monday—we don’t want to find ourselves sitting on the floor tonight.”

  Dotty straightened. “Well then, while you two finish all this business talk, I’m off to find some table coverings.” And with that, she went upstairs for her wrap and purse, the headed out the door.

  Chance turned back to Eve. “How much thought have you put into what you plan to offer and what you’ll charge for it? And you probably ought to come up with both a per-piece price and a by-the-dozen price.”

  Eve shook her head. Why hadn’t she already thought of these things? “As far as what I’ll offer,” she said slowly, “to start with I think I’ll keep the selection small—the same things I made for the Thanksgiving celebration, which were pumpkinseed brittle, sugared pecans and fudge. And then add chocolate drops, caramels and nougats.” The more she thought about it the more she wanted to add. But she forced herself to rein in her enthusiasm.

  “As for what to charge, I’m afraid I have no idea where to start on figuring that out.” It still seemed a bit fantastical to think folks would actually pay for her candies.

  “Well, it’s definitely time to think about it.” Chance rubbed the back of his neck thoughtfully. “You’ll want to get back the cost of your supplies, of course, and make a profit, as well. After all, you have expenses to pay. And you’re familiar with the candy counter at the mercantile, so that will give you a gauge to measure with.”

  She nodded, trying to appear confident. But apparently she wasn’t quite successful.

  He gave her a slightly amused look. “How good are you at mathematics?”

  “It wasn’t my favorite subject in school but I managed.”

  “Well then, let’s keep it simple. Sit down and figure out what it costs you in supplies to make a batch of each kind of candy. Then figure out how many pieces are in a batch and divide it out to get the production cost per piece. Then you want to add in your profit. Once you have that figured out, you can figure out how to price it.”

  It seemed so simple the way he explained it. Which reminded her...

  “I have something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about on another topic.”

  He leaned against the bar. “I’m listening.”

  “Now that we’ve decided Leo and I are staying right here, at least through the end of the year, I think we need to get Leo enrolled in school.”

  “Of course. I should have thought of that myself. Let’s see, he’s ten, so he’d be in Miss Whitman’s class. We’ll see her in church tomorrow.”

  “Good. But there’s something else.”

  He raised a brow. “And that is?”

  “Leo hasn’t been in school for nearly two years. He’s going to be behind the other kids his age.”

  “He’s a smart kid—it won’t take him long to catch up.”

  “I hope so. But it would be better for him if he received some extra help at home.”

  “You want to teach him yourself?”

  “Actually, I’ve noticed how good you are at giving instruction and I thought perhaps you’d agree to do it. I just want to make certain he has the best help possible.”

  Chance’s face went blank for a moment. What was wrong—didn’t he want to help Leo? Had she crossed some sort of boundary without realizing it?

  Then he seemed to recover. “I have an even better idea. Did you know that Dotty used to be the town’s schoolteacher?”

  “She was?”

  Chance nodded. “She’s only been retired about six years now. If you want to give Leo the best help possible, Dotty’s the person you need.”

  “I’ll
ask her as soon as she returns.”

  Before Eve could say more, Abigail arrived to pick up her pumpkinseed brittle. “Hi there,” she said by way of greeting. “If I’m too early just send me on my way and I’ll come back later.”

  “Not at all. Give me just a moment to fetch it for you.”

  * * *

  As Eve disappeared into the kitchen, Chance did his best to pay attention to Abigail’s bubbly chatter. But his mind was on the earlier interchange with Eve. Should he have told her the truth, that he could never teach Leo to read because he didn’t know how himself? But the memory of how she told Leo that people who can read are more respected and knowledgeable had held him back. Did that make him a coward? He was afraid he knew the answer to that question, and it didn’t paint him in a very flattering light.

  He was almost relieved when Eve returned so he could gracefully take his leave of Abigail and head out to his work shed behind the building.

  He definitely needed some time alone to think.

  Chapter Seventeen

  An hour later Eve went out behind The Blue Bottle, looking for Chance. She found him in the work shed, laboring over a piece of equipment that looked very much like a washing machine with something attached to it by a series of belts.

  “Hello,” she said, holding out a cup of coffee.

  He glanced up, surprised by the gesture. “Thanks.”

  She smiled. “I hope you don’t mind the interruption, but I thought you might be ready for a break.”

  “I don’t mind at all. And you’re right. A short break with a hot cup of coffee sounds very good right now.”

  She studied the equipment up close. “Pardon my curiosity, but do you mind if I ask what it is you’re working on?”

  He smiled. “Not at all. I’m attempting to motorize a washing machine.”

  “Motorize? You mean like your motor carriage?”

  He laughed. “It’s the same principle, yes. I’m hoping that, by connecting this steam engine to this washing machine in just the right fashion, I can take a lot of the hard work out of this chore.”