A Family for Christmas Read online

  “It appears Eve and I got a bit carried away while we were out yesterday,” Chance said innocently. “There’s quite a bit of greenery left over.”

  She felt a childish urge to stick her tongue out at him. He knew good and well he was the one who had insisted they collect so much. Then she saw the gleam in his eyes as he watched her and knew he’d deliberately been teasing her.

  “We could hang some over on your side of the room,” Dotty said, apparently missing that bit of by-play.

  Chance shook his head. “There’s almost too much in here as it is.”

  “I know,” Eve said, “why don’t we put some out front around the doorway and windows?”

  “I like that,” Leo said enthusiastically.

  * * *

  Fifteen minutes later, Chance found himself outside on a ladder waiting for Leo to hand him a wreath Eve and Dotty had just fashioned. Today had been a good day. Not only had the decorating been surprisingly fun, but he’d seen Leo happier than he’d been since he arrived in Turnabout. And some of the warmth and teasing seemed to be finding their way back into his relationship with Eve.

  It seemed there might be hope for them yet.

  The subject of his thoughts appeared and he frowned down at her from the ladder. “Where’s your crutch?”

  She waved a hand dismissively. “Just inside the doorway. Honestly, my knee is much better and I don’t aim to do much walking, just directing.”

  He shook his head. The woman was too stubborn for her own good. “Pride goeth before a fall,” he warned.

  Eve grimaced. “Please don’t talk about falls while you’re up there on that ladder.”

  The thought that she worried about him made him feel more magnanimous. “Don’t think I’m not aware that you just changed the subject,” he said sternly. Then he smiled. “But I will give in with my usual good grace.”

  He saw her choke back a laugh at that, and with a satisfied smile, turned to Leo. “Now, hand me up that wreath so Eve can tell me where to place it.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  By Sunday afternoon Chance was ready to admit Eve’s walking had improved and she could safely handle the stairs again. All of her things were returned to her room and life went back to normal—or what had become normal for the four of them.

  The weather turned much colder on Monday and Dotty decided they should add hot cocoa to the tea shop offerings, which proved to be quite popular, especially when Eve put in some drops of peppermint flavoring.

  On Tuesday Leo slid into his seat at the supper table and announced, “I must be the luckiest boy in town. Not only do I have a great new family, but I get to live in a candy store.” Chance caught Eve’s reaction—a bittersweet mix of pride, tenderness and fear. It seemed she still hadn’t made up her mind to adopt the boy. It was obvious she wanted to. What was she so afraid of?

  Wednesday morning, Chance stepped past the dividers, headed for the kitchen. It was cold out back in his work shed and he was ready for a cup of Eve’s coffee. And maybe he’d snag a piece of candy while he was at it.

  Or two.

  He hadn’t quite reached the kitchen door when he heard someone come in from the street. Turning to greet Eve’s latest customer, he stiffened as he recognized the impeccably dressed gentleman standing ramrod straight in the doorway.

  “So this is your place,” his father said by way of greeting. From his tone it was obvious he wasn’t impressed.

  Chance decided to ignore both the comment and the tone. “Hello, Father. You arrived a few days earlier than expected.” Typical of him—a way to stay in control.

  “I don’t believe I specified a particular date in my letter to you.”

  Eve stepped out of the kitchen just then carrying a tray of candies. She paused a moment when she saw they had a visitor. “Hello. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  Before Chance could say anything, his father stepped forward.

  “How do you do?” he said. “I’m Woodrow Dawson, Chauncey’s father.”

  “Chauncey?” Then she glanced Chance’s way as understanding dawned. “Of course. So nice to meet you, Mr. Dawson. I’m Eve Pickering.”

  “And do you work for my son? His cook perhaps?”

  Eve’s face reddened and Chance jumped in to correct his father’s assumption. “Eve does not work for me. She runs a candy shop here in this building and is also a houseguest.”

  His father frowned. “Candy store? Houseguest?”

  Dotty stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “I thought I heard voices out here.” Then she paused when she spotted the new arrival. “Hello there, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Dotty Epps.”

  Chance spoke up before his father this time. “Dotty, this is my father, Woodrow Dawson. Father, Dotty is also a houseguest of mine, and she also helps around the candy shop.” He relished the confused expression on his father’s face. Now if he could just get the man out of here before he said something truly insulting.

  His father gave him an exasperated look. “And are there other houseguests I should know about?”

  “Actually there is one more. A ten-year-old boy you’ll meet once school lets out for the day.”

  “I see.” He tugged on his lapels. “So have you expanded your business endeavors to include a candy store and a boardinghouse?”

  Did the man realize how cutting his words and tone were to Eve and Dotty? “The candy store belongs to Eve, not me. And I said they were houseguests, not boarders.”

  Eve stepped forward, as if to intervene. “Can I offer you some refreshment, Mr. Dawson? I’m afraid lunch isn’t ready yet, but perhaps you’d enjoy a glass of lemonade. Or if you prefer something warm, I can fix you a cup of coffee or tea.” She waved a hand to the trays set out on the counter. “And please help yourself to any of these that might tempt you.”

  “I’m sure Father wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble,” Chance said quickly. “I’ll escort him to—”

  “Nonsense,” Eve said. “It’s no trouble at all. And he must be tired after such a long trip.”

  “A cup of coffee would be welcome,” his father said with a condescending nod.

  “That settles it. One cup of coffee coming up.” She smiled at the visitor, though Chance could have told her it was a wasted effort.

  As soon as Eve and Dotty disappeared into the kitchen, his father pinned him with one of his formidable looks. “So what’s really going on here?”

  “Quite frankly, sir, I don’t see where that is any of your concern.”

  “Anything that affects one of my sons is my concern. We’re family.” Then he followed up that touching sentiment with, “Just what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time? Do these people have some hold over you? Or are they just taking advantage of your easygoing nature?”

  Why did his father immediately focus on the negative possibilities? “It’s nothing like that. In fact, it was my idea for them to move in here and I’m enjoying both their company and the visitors their shop is bringing into my place. Their business is thriving. In fact,” he said defiantly, “I’ve told them they’re welcome to stay for as long as they like.”

  His father shook his head. “You were always too softhearted.”

  In his father’s world, being compassionate was a weakness, not a virtue. “This is my home and I will invite whomever I choose to share it with me. The subject is closed.”

  But his father was not one to let a subject drop until he’d had his say. “A manipulative woman can make you think the things she wants were your ideas all along. And you always have been susceptible to the charms of a pretty woman.”

  Chance’s temper rose several notches, despite his intention not to let his father rile him. “Father, you know nothing about these people. They’re good, de
cent folk. Dotty is a dear friend who has helped me almost since my arrival. Eve interrupted her own travel plans to take responsibility for a young orphan boy in need, even though she in effect stranded herself here.”

  Did his father understand what a sacrifice that had been? “No one took advantage of me or forced me into anything. This whole plan was my idea. And I expect you to be civil to my guests while you are in my home. If you can’t do that, then I will ask that you not come here.”

  His father stared at him a moment, his expression unreadable. But Chance returned his look without blinking, and eventually his father nodded. Had he really just won this exchange?

  “Of course. Civility is always in order, no matter the circumstances.” Then his father looked around. “But a candy store of all things.” He turned back to Chance. “Tell me they are at least paying you rent for the space this business is taking up.”

  “They’re not.”

  “I knew it. They are taking advantage of you. Chance, how in the world do you expect to ever make a profit at anything if you aren’t a good steward of your own resources?”

  Could Eve and Dotty hear this discussion? If so, what were they thinking? “I make enough to get by on comfortably. If that’s enough for me, who are you to say otherwise?”

  “Enough to get by on. Thunderation, son, is that the extent of your ambition?”

  They were down to the same old arguments. But this time Chance would not be cowed. He straightened and gave his father a measured look. “I’ll thank you to remember that you are in my home. And that the woman you describe as taking advantage of me is trying very hard to convince me to let you stay here. But I will not allow you to talk to me or my friends this way while you are a guest here. If you can’t show me, and them, some respect, then it might be best if you take a room at the hotel.”

  His father drew himself up stiffly. “If you feel so strongly about it, then perhaps I shall.”

  Why didn’t that feel like a victory? “And another thing. I’ve told you before that I prefer to be called Chance. That’s how the people around here know me and I would appreciate it if you would honor my wishes.”

  “Chauncey is a perfectly fine name. It was your mother’s father’s name.”

  “Yes, yes, I know all that. And Grandfather was a fine man. But as I said, I prefer to go by Chance.”

  Eve stepped out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee, along with a creamer and sugar bowl, balanced on a tray. “Here you go, gentlemen. Chance, I thought you might like to have a cup as well while you and your father catch up.” She smiled a thank you as Chance took the tray from her and set it on one of the tables.

  The idea of him and his father having a cozy chat over coffee was almost laughable. But he didn’t feel like laughing.

  She beamed at them as if they were prize students. “I’ll just be back in the kitchen working on another batch of candy if you should need anything else.”

  “Thank you. But I’ll be escorting my father to the hotel as soon as we’ve had our coffee.”

  Her expression immediately changed to one of dismay. “Please don’t do that.”

  Chance knew her distress was genuine, but she had no idea what she would be letting herself in for if he complied.

  Before he could set his foot down on the matter, though, she continued, “I wouldn’t be able to sleep well at night if I thought my staying here caused you to relegate your father to a hotel rather than have him stay in your home. You haven’t sent that cot back to the hotel yet, so we have an extra room.”

  Was she about to suggest his father move into the storeroom? He couldn’t wait to see the dignified man’s reaction to that suggestion.

  But he had underestimated Eve once again. “I can have my things moved down there again in no time.”

  “That’s really not necessary,” Chance said quickly. “I’m sure Father wouldn’t want to put you out of your room. And besides, he really will be more comfortable at the Rose Palace.”

  “The Rose Palace?”

  Chance nodded. “That’s the name of our hotel.”

  “I see.” The older gentleman turned to Eve. “That’s a very generous offer, Miss Pickering, but as my son mentioned, I wouldn’t want to put you out of your room.”

  Thank goodness his father’s good manners had kicked in. “Quite right,” Chance agreed. “The Rose Palace it is.”

  “I won’t hear of it,” Eve insisted. “Chance, your father didn’t travel all this way to stay at some hotel, he came to spend the holiday with you. And I truly don’t mind moving downstairs—I got used to the place when I stayed there last week. The room is really very cozy and it’s closer to the kitchen.” She gave Chance a smile that was almost pleading. “Besides, being down here will allow me to get started in the kitchen early without disturbing anyone.”

  His father spoke up before he could. “Well, if you’re certain this won’t discomfit you unduly, then I will accept your most generous offer.”

  “Wonderful!” Eve appeared quite pleased with herself.

  Chance managed to swallow his groan. This was not going at all as he’d planned. But he hadn’t counted on Eve’s interference.

  If his father did even one thing to make Eve, or his other houseguests for that matter, feel uncomfortable, he would kick the man out, even if he had to do it over Eve’s protests.

  Eve turned to Chance. “If you don’t mind helping me move my things, we can have the room ready for your father in no time at all.”

  Chance raised a brow, feeling out of sorts with her. “Surely we don’t need to do that now.”

  “The sooner tackled the sooner done. Besides, I’m sure your father would like to settle in and perhaps get freshened up after his long trip.”

  She turned to his father. “Dotty will be out in just a minute with something to tide you over until lunch, and to keep you company.” Then, with a smile Chance’s way, she headed for the stairs.

  As they climbed to the second floor, Chance tried one more time to dissuade her. “This really isn’t necessary. To be honest, my father is used to more sophisticated accommodations than I can offer him here. He’d undoubtedly be much more comfortable at the Rose Palace.”

  “I don’t think his visit is about physical comfort or silk bed coverings. I think it is about spending time with you.”

  Chance grimaced. She wasn’t going to believe him until she saw the truth for herself. And if things ran true to course, it wouldn’t take long.

  Twenty minutes later, the storage room had once again been turned into Eve’s bedchamber and his father had been ensconced in the upstairs room.

  “I know you mean well,” Chance told Eve as he moved toward his worktable, “but I hope you don’t live to regret this kindness.”

  “I won’t.”

  He shook his head at her confidence. She was always seeing the best in others—too bad she couldn’t do that for herself.

  * * *

  When Eve stepped out of the kitchen to announce lunch was ready, she found Chance’s father downstairs talking to Dotty. Or rather Dotty was talking to him, in her usual animated, cheery fashion.

  Chance was at one of his worktables, head down, pointedly ignoring them. But something in his demeanor made her believe he was aware of everything going on.

  As the three rose, Mr. Dawson glanced Chance’s way with a frown. “You take your meals in the kitchen?”

  Chance spread his hands to indicate their surroundings. “As you can see, there’s no formal dining room here. Besides, it’s the warmest room in the place, so it’s quite comfortable.”

  Dotty touched Mr. Dawson’s arm lightly for a second. “I always find food tastes much brighter when you eat it in the place it was prepared. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.”

  Chance’s father gave her a
considering glance and then nodded. “Of course.”

  Eve smiled at the deft way Dotty was able to deflect Mr. Dawson’s focus. Bright taste indeed—what did that even mean? But perhaps the man wasn’t as intractable as Chance had tried to suggest.

  When they sat down to the meal, Chance deferred to his father to say the blessing, which Eve saw as another positive sign, despite Chance’s stiff demeanor.

  As the plates were being passed, however, she noticed that Chance was focusing on his food and not his father. Determined to keep the silence from getting awkward, she smiled at the older gentleman. “How was your trip, Mr. Dawson? That’s quite a distance you had to travel.”

  “It went as well as any trip of that length can. I had the use of a private train car for most of the trip, so that made it bearable.”

  “Father likes to travel in style,” Chance said dryly.

  Mr. Dawson gave him an irritated look. “There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of the things money can buy, if you have the funds.” Then he turned to Eve. “And speaking of travel, I understand you came in on the train recently yourself. If I may be so forward as to ask, where do you hail from?”

  “A little town up in Arkansas called Iron Bluff. I doubt you would have heard of it.” Why was Chance keeping so quiet? It wasn’t like him.

  “You’re right, I haven’t. And you were traveling alone?”

  “Why, yes.” She tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. “I’d accepted employment offered by a friend of my grandmother’s who lives in Tyler, Texas. I was traveling there to begin work.”

  “And yet you are here.”

  To Eve’s relief, Chance spoke up before she could. “Eve’s plans changed when she found out Leo needed her help. It was quite a selfless act on her part.”

  This time Eve wanted to squirm for an entirely different reason.

  Thank goodness Dotty stepped in to change the subject. “And what exactly is it that you do, Mr. Dawson?”