A Family for Christmas Read online

  “I’m a retired congressman. I also have interests in several land holdings and financial institutions that keep me busy.”

  Dotty’s eyes widened, though Eve wasn’t certain the emotion in them was altogether genuine.

  “That sounds quite impressive,” the widow said.

  “Yes,” Eve agreed, trying to do her part to keep the conversation on a positive note. “It was good of you to take time out of what sounds like a busy schedule to come all the way here to spend Christmas with your son.”

  Mr. Dawson cast a disapproving glance at his son. “Yes, well, it was becoming increasingly obvious that Chance wouldn’t be returning home for a visit anytime soon. I decided to take matters into my own hands.”

  Chance finally spoke up. “This is my home now,” he said tightly. Then he turned to Eve. “The soup is delicious.”

  She knew a cue when she heard one. “Thank you. Mr. Macgregor had some fine soup bones in his butcher shop this morning and it sounded like just the thing for a cold day.” Then she smiled Dotty’s way. “But wait until you taste the pecan pie Dotty baked for us. I’ve been fighting the urge to steal a bite all morning.”

  “I’m sure it will be quite delicious.” Mr. Dawson turned back to Dotty. “And what about you? Are you from Arkansas, as well?”

  “Oh, dear me, no. I was born and raised right here in Turnabout. In fact, I’ve never traveled very far from home. Other than to visit my daughter and her family over in Jefferson, that is.” She sighed. “But I’ve always dreamed about seeing more of the country before I pass on.”

  “Perhaps some day you shall.”

  Dotty nodded. Then she gave him an arch look. “I suppose you’re wondering, if I’m from around here, how I ended up living here in your son’s place.”

  He smiled indulgently. “I do admit to a bit of curiosity.”

  “My own home burned down a couple of months ago and I ended up in the boardinghouse. Then your son very generously invited me to stay here when Leo and Eve arrived.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your home.”

  “I do miss it. But God had a plan. If that hadn’t happened I likely wouldn’t have ended up here in the midst of these young people and all their wonderful goings-on.”

  “Goings-on?”

  Dotty nodded and waved her hand expressively. “Oh, yes. The candy shop, and opening our new tea shop, and making a special Christmas for Leo—all wonderful things for an old woman with time on her hands.”

  “I find you have a unique perspective on life, Mrs. Epps.”

  Eve agreed.

  But her friend merely laughed and waved away the sentiment. “Oh, please call me Dotty. The only people allowed to call me Mrs. Epps are children and strangers.” She gave him a smile. “Neither of us is in the first group and you are no longer the second.”

  “I would be honored. But only if you call me Woodrow.”

  Well, well. Eve leaned back in her seat, a secret smile playing on her lips. Had Dotty managed to charm Chance’s father? The disapproving gentleman seemed so much less stern when he spoke to her. Friendly even.

  Was she just doing this for the sake of keeping things from getting too tense between father and son? Or was there another, more genuine something brewing here?

  She glanced Chance’s way, but he still wore that scowl that hadn’t been far from his expression since his father arrived. If she shared her current line of thought with him, would it deepen his frown or lighten it?

  * * *

  Chance sat through most of the meal keeping a tight lid on his emotions. As soon as his father had walked in the door, all those old feeling of inadequacy and resentment had come flooding back. But by the time the meal was over, he’d managed to get past that. He wasn’t the same kid he’d been back in Philadelphia—a lot had changed since he’d come to Turnabout. And as far as he was concerned, he’d changed for the better.

  He was never going to be the kind of man his father wanted him to be. And he was fine with that. The people here in Turnabout saw worth in him—he glanced across the table—even Eve. And he was beginning to realize that mattered to him.

  Mattered a great deal.

  As they rose from the table, his father turned to him. “I thought I’d walk down to this bank I now have a partnership in and look it over. Care to accompany me?”

  Chance was tempted to say no, but instead he nodded. “Of course.”

  Almost as soon as they stepped out on the sidewalk, his father started in with his questions. “So how did this Pickering woman come to be stranded here—something about helping a child?”

  “Leo, a ten-year-old boy, got in a spot of trouble and was booted from the train. When Eve saw he was alone and in need, she came to his rescue.” He met his father’s gaze without blinking. “That’s the kind of woman she is.”

  “And you’re sure they weren’t traveling together?”

  Did his father think the two of them had pulled an elaborate hoax on him? “I’m quite sure. And the sheriff has since verified Leo’s story.”

  “So now you think these strays are your responsibility?”

  Chance gritted his teeth, then forcibly relaxed his jaw. “That is the last time I want to hear you refer to Leo and Eve that way. They’re good people. And I feel privileged to have them in my life.”

  “Good grief, son, you sound as if these two are lifelong friends. You only just met them a few weeks ago.”

  “Let’s just say that for as long as they are living in my home, they are under my protection.”

  “And how long might that be?”

  “For as long as they need a place to stay. I’m in no hurry to see them go. Now, why don’t we change the subject before one of us crosses a line he shouldn’t.”

  His father gave him one of those authoritarian looks, but this time Chance maintained a controlled expression and waited him out.

  Finally his father nodded. “Very well. Tell me about this Adam Barr fellow we’re going to meet. He’s one of the men Judge Madison recruited to travel here with you a year and a half ago, isn’t he?”

  “He is. Adam is a friend. As you undoubtedly already know, he’s not actually your new partner—his adopted son, Jack, is. Adam is just managing the business until Jack comes of age.”

  “I did some research into the men who accompanied you here.”

  Of course he had.

  “Do you know Adam Barr spent time in prison for embezzlement?”

  “I do.” His father looked surprised at that. “I also know he was innocent of the charges.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because he told me.”

  “As simple as that?”

  “Yes. As simple as that. Because I know Adam. He’s an honorable, responsible man who values truth and justice. He would no more steal than he would cut his own throat.”

  “And are you familiar with all of the clauses he put into your loan agreement?”

  “Of course.”

  “So you know that your loan is due, payable in full plus interest, at the end of this year.”

  Chance stiffened as he realized what direction this discussion might be taking. He’d known about the due date of course. When he’d first approached Adam about getting the loan, they’d discussed the project and how long it might take to complete. Adam had suggested they make it a one-year loan but Chance had been certain he could finish up much sooner than that. “Adam and I discussed the availability of an extension on this loan should I need one.”

  “And did you get that in writing?” His father was wearing that I-have-you-now look.

  “There was no need. Adam’s word is enough for me.”

  “But Adam isn’t the only decision maker involved here, is he?”

  He had been when the l
oan was signed. Eileen Pierce had always been more or less a silent partner. “So, are you saying there will be no extension?”

  His father grasped his lapels. “I’m not in the habit of throwing good money after bad. One should always be a good steward of his money.”

  No matter who got hurt in the process.

  “To extend such a loan, I’d have to first be convinced there was a good chance of seeing a return in a reasonable amount of time.” His father seemed mighty pleased with himself. “Or have something else I want in exchange.”

  There it was. “And what might that be?” But he already knew.

  “For you to come back to Philadelphia, where you belong. Hang it all, Chance, this provincial backwater is not for you. You belong in Philadelphia where you would have access to the finer things in life. And where your family is.”

  “I disagree.” Chance was pleased that his voice was calm and measured. “I think I fit in much better here in Turnabout than I ever did in Philadelphia.”

  “You can’t possibly believe that.”

  “I do. I have my own business here, which I enjoy and am actually good at. And more important, I have the respect of my friends and neighbors because of who I am, not what family I come from or how much money I have access to.”

  His father drew himself up. “These so-called friends, have you shared with them your...your problem?”

  So his father was finally ready to confront him on this issue. “Say it, Father—my shame—the fact that I can’t read. For once just call it what it is.”

  His father gave him an annoyed look. “There’s no need for these melodramatics.” He glanced around. “Thank goodness there’s no one close enough to overhear.”

  Chance swallowed the retort sitting on his tongue and took a breath. “To answer your question, the only person here who knows about my problem is Dotty.”

  “Ah, yes, your friend Dotty. Interesting woman.”

  “Dotty has been a good friend to me this past year and a half. And she understands my inability to read because she had a brother who suffered the same condition.”

  That seemed to take his father aback and he was silent for a few moments.

  Finally, Chance broke the silence. “This matter of the loan—I’d prefer we keep that between you and me for the moment. There’s no need to bring Adam into this.” When his father raised a brow, he added an argument he knew would carry the most weight with him. “It is, after all, a family matter.”

  His father thought a moment, then nodded. “Very well. For now.”

  Chance fired off a question of his own. “Tell me, why are you in Turnabout? I mean, why did you really come here?”

  “You’re my son and I wanted to see you. Isn’t that reason enough?”

  “You wanted to see me, or you wanted to check up on me? It seems you’re more concerned with finding fault with my home and houseguests than with understanding my new life.”

  Predictably, his father had to explain why he was right and Chance was wrong. “I come here and find you’ve surrounded yourself with hangers-on who are living in your place rent free and have turned half of your workspace into their own business—from which you get no recompense. Of course I’m concerned that you’ve allowed yourself to be taken advantage of. What father wouldn’t want to protect his son from such a thing?”

  It was no use. His father would never be able to come to terms with the fact that Chance was happy in Texas.

  Or did that even matter to him?

  * * *

  “So what did you think of Chance’s father?” Dotty asked.

  Eve put away the last of the dishes as she tried to choose just the right word. “He seems a very self-assured man.”

  “It was generous of you to give up your room to him. Though I’m not certain Chance sees it in the same light.”

  “There’s some tension between them, that much is obvious. But that’s more reason to keep them together as much as possible, don’t you think? It will give them a better opportunity to work things out.”

  “I agree. I know Chance thinks he has valid reasons to feel as he does, but the Bible teaches that we should honor our mothers and our fathers. There are no conditions placed on that command. It will bless Chance as much as his father if he can find it in his heart to do that.”

  That brought Eve up short. The teaching applied to her as well, of course. True, her parents had never been a part of her life physically. But that didn’t excuse her from the obligation to show them honor. Truth to tell, in her heart she’d only ever felt hurt and betrayal when she thought of them.

  But how could she feel otherwise? Given the circumstances of her life, surely no one could expect her to—

  Dotty’s words, There are no conditions placed on that command, left her with no room for excuses.

  But Dotty had moved on to another topic. “And I do think Woodrow, down deep, is a good man with his son’s best interests at heart.”

  Eve gave her friend a grin. “Are you perhaps a bit taken with Mr. Dawson?”

  Dotty returned her grin. “Let’s just say I find him an interesting man. I can see where Chance gets some of his charm.”

  She thought Mr. Dawson had charm?

  Then Dotty laughed. “But don’t worry. I’m a mature woman, set in my ways. I’m just enjoying his company, nothing more.”

  The shop bell sounded just then and they both headed to the outer room. To Eve’s surprise, it was Eunice Ortolon, the boardinghouse proprietress. This was her first visit to the candy store.

  “Hello there,” she greeted them. “I’ve heard such good things about these candies that I thought it was high time I come check them out for myself.”

  “Well, we’re very happy you did,” Eve responded. “Do you already know what you’d like or would you like to sample a few things to help you decide?”

  “Sample? Oh my, yes, that would be most helpful.”

  As the woman took a piece from the first tray, she eyed Eve with a cat-at-the-cream-pitcher smile. “I hear Chance’s father is in town for a visit.”

  “Why, yes, he arrived on the morning train.”

  The woman plucked a piece from the second tray. “Does he plan to stay long?”

  “Through Christmas I believe.”

  “How nice. One should spend Christmas with family if one can, don’t you think?”

  This time Dotty answered. “Of course. And is your daughter, Susan, coming to spend the holidays with you?”

  Eunice’s face lit up in pleasure. “Naturally. Susan wouldn’t dream of spending Christmas anywhere else.” For the next several minutes, the woman chatted nonstop about her daughter and all her wonderful attributes. At one point, Dotty actually glanced Eve’s way and winked, forcing Eve to stifle a giggle.

  Then Eunice turned to Dotty. “But speaking of daughters, I suppose you are going to Jefferson to spend Christmas with Judith and her family.”

  Eve blinked. She’d just assumed that Dotty would be part of their Christmas here at The Blue Bottle. She should have realized that her friend would want to spend the holiday with her own family. Did Chance know? How would Leo take it?

  But Dotty was shaking her head. “Not this year, I’m afraid. Her husband’s grandmother is getting on in years and the entire family wants to make this Christmas special for her. All of them are traveling to Kansas City to spend time with her.”

  Eunice touched Dotty’s sleeve in a gesture of sympathy. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Dotty dear. I thought they would have invited you to come along.”

  “They did. But this is their time.” She smiled at Eve. “And I have some good friends to spend the holidays with right here.” Then Dotty changed the subject. “Now, you’ve tasted every variety of candy Eve has. Have you decided which ones you’d like to purchase?”
r />   “Oh dear, they were all so very good, it’s hard to decide. And I find I’m no longer in the mood for anything quite so sweet at the moment. Perhaps I’ll think on it and return another time.”

  “You’re always welcome,” Eve said.

  Once the woman had left, Dotty grimaced. “You should never have offered her samples. Then she would have had to buy something.”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “Eunice only came in here to see what she could find out about Woodrow. She would have made a purchase just to have an excuse to stand here and chat.”

  Eve laughed. “I don’t mind. It’s a slow day today anyway.” Then she sobered. “I’m sorry you won’t get to spend time with your family for Christmas.”

  Dotty gave her hand a squeeze. “This Christmas, you all will be my family. Besides, my birthday is in February and we are already planning a nice get together to celebrate.”

  The talk of family brought Eve’s thoughts back around to Chance and his father. Was the walk through town drawing them any closer together?

  Or driving them further apart?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “You’re Mr. Dawson’s pa?” Leo had gotten home from school a few minutes earlier and been introduced to the visitor. Chance was keeping a close eye on them, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice if his father went too far.

  “I am,” his father said with considerable satisfaction. Chance recognized it for what it was—the pride of ownership, not pride in the man he had become.

  Leo, who was as direct as any ten-year-old boy, frowned. “How come you two don’t live closer by? Don’t y’all like each other?”

  The man didn’t hesitate. “Because Chance decided to set out on his own and come here.”

  He supposed he couldn’t fault the man for that answer—it was 100 percent true. He also noticed his father completely avoided answering the second part of Leo’s question.

  But apparently Eve wasn’t ready to leave it at that.

  “Keep in mind,” she said, “if Chance hadn’t moved here, you and I would never have met him.”