Once Upon a Texas Christmas Page 21

  Then she pressed further. “You said eventually. So, there’s more to this than just purchasing the property.”

  “I’ll still need to come up with the funds to do the renovation. And I’ll need to put in the work necessary to actually carry out that conversion, which means I also need to keep working for the judge to earn the money involved.” He held up a hand to forestall the protest he could see forming on her lips. “But I figure by next summer at the latest, Jamie will be able to move in with me.” And that thought was no longer quite as scary as it had been before.

  Abigail, however, still wore a censorious expression. “That’s a long time to make him wait. Especially now that he’s had a taste of the kind of life the two of you could have together.”

  In Seth’s opinion, Jamie was responding to Abigail’s presence as much as his, if not more so. A home with both a surrogate father and a surrogate mother was what he really needed.

  Not that he would say such a thing to Abigail—she might read too much into a statement like that.

  Then another aspect of their conversation tugged at him. He studied her a moment, wondering again at her passionate dislike of boarding school.

  Perhaps it was time to do a bit of prying of his own. “You know, I get the feeling there was more to your stay at boarding school than you let on.”

  She immediately stiffened. “What do you mean?”

  Her reaction confirmed his suspicion that there was something there. “I’m only saying that your dislike of boarding schools seems based on more than just memories of homesickness and wanting more time with your brother. What happened to you there?”

  She waved a hand. “Just foolish childhood melodrama, and that’s all in the past. Nothing worth bringing back up now.”

  He wasn’t going to let her off that easy. “Humor me.”

  Her lips pinched together and he thought for a moment she would refuse him. Then she sighed and the starch seemed to go out of her. “Like I said, I was five years old when I first went to boarding school. At first I was terribly lonely and confused. But in time I settled in, made friends, got accustomed to the rhythm and routine of life there. I actually began to think of it as home.”

  She paused and after a moment he prompted her. “Then?”

  “Then, shortly before my tenth birthday everything changed.”

  He resisted the urge to prompt her again. He sensed she needed to unfold the rest of her story in her own time.

  Finally, she sat up straighter but she didn’t quite meet his gaze. “One of the girls found out something about me.” He saw the way her knuckles whitened as she clasped her hands together. “My parents were never married.”

  She shifted in her seat. “I suppose I knew, at least on some level, but it wasn’t something Everett and I ever talked about, and since I was five years old when our mother died I didn’t really understand all the implications. My father was out of the picture before I was even born so I never knew him. Everett and I considered ourselves orphaned after Mother died, and that was that.

  “Once word got out, I was called names, words I’d never heard before but sensed were ugly and shameful. The girls who I’d thought were close friends of mine suddenly shunned me. I no longer received invitations to visit schoolmates’ homes during holidays. Even some of the teachers began treating me differently.” Her hands unclasped and now she was hugging herself. Was she even aware of her actions?

  Seth’s hands fisted with the urge to make someone pay for the hurt she’d suffered. He knew something of how that must have felt but her situation had been very different from his.

  However, she didn’t need his anger or his comparisons right now. Instead, he came around, kneeled by her chair and took her in his arms. “I’m sorry that happened to you,” he said softly. “It’s a testament to what a strong woman you are that you came through it with your beautiful spirit intact.”

  She relaxed into him for a moment, then she pulled back and met his gaze. “Did you hear me say that my parents were never married, that I’m a product of a sinful union?”

  He brushed the hair from her lovely face. “That reflects on your parents, not on you. And doesn’t the Good Book teach that we are to judge not?”

  She gave him a watery smile. “You are a good man, Seth Reynolds.”

  Would that that were true. He stood and leaned back against the desk. “I’m surprised your brother didn’t withdraw you from the school after that happened.”

  “I never told him.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I think, in my mind, I was afraid if Everett heard that he’d turn his back on me, too. I know it seems foolish now—Everett would have been appalled had he known and would have yanked me right out of there—but to my nine-year-old mind it was a valid concern.”

  He took her hands. “I suppose I understand now why you’re so opposed to boarding-school life, but you have to know Jamie isn’t experiencing anything like that.”

  She stared up at him with a concerned, earnest expression. “Do you know that for sure? Have you talked to him about it? I mean really talked, not just a superficial how-are-you-doing? kind of question. Because as far as Everett was concerned I was just feeling homesick for him.”

  Was she right? Had he really taken the time to find out how Jamie was doing? Would he know if things had gotten difficult for the boy?

  He squeezed her hands. “I give you my word, Jamie and I will have that talk very soon.”

  She stared into his eyes for a long moment as if trying to see past them to his very soul, and then she nodded, apparently satisfied.

  * * *

  That evening, before Seth opened the book he was reading to Jamie, he remembered his promise. “Jamie, tell me what it is you like best about Bridgerton.”

  The boy tensed. “Are you planning to send me back soon? You promised I could stay for Christmas.”

  “Of course you can stay through Christmas. I gave you my word.” Then he grinned. “And Miss Abigail would be very cross with me if you weren’t here to help her decorate.” He smoothed the covers. “I just wondered what it was you considered the best part of being at Bridgerton.”

  “Oh.” Little furrows appeared on Jamie’s forehead, as if he was concentrating very hard. “I suppose it would be Billy Peters. He’s my roommate and is a right sort of fellow.”

  “So you’ve made friends there?”

  His nephew nodded, and Seth could detect no hesitation. It was reassuring.

  Then Jamie added, “But I like my new friends, like Noah and Jack, better.”

  Not as reassuring, but not an indication that anything was seriously wrong. Besides, whether or not Jamie went back to Bridgerton, they would be leaving Turnabout by the end of the year.

  So he shook off that feeling and went back to his need to learn more. “Now tell me what it is you like the least about Bridgerton?”

  This time there was no hesitation. “It’s the feeling of the place.”

  That took Seth completely by surprise. “What do you mean?”

  “It feels, I don’t know, like someplace you visit, I guess, not at all like a home.”

  That was a surprisingly mature assessment, even if it was voiced with a child’s vocabulary. “And this place?”

  “Oh, yes, this feels like a home. Don’t you think so, too?”

  “You do know this isn’t our home, don’t you? That when this job is over we’ll be leaving?”

  “Do we have to?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “But I like it here. The people are nice and there are lots of mommies and daddies around.”

  Seth knew just what the boy meant—it was the sense of community, the feeling that people cared about you.

  “And what about Miss Abigail?” Jamie asked. “Won’t we ever s
ee her again?”

  “I’m sure Miss Abigail will want to write to you.”

  “It won’t be the same.”

  “No, it won’t.” That reality seemed to affect Jamie as deeply as it did him. Then he gave his nephew a bracing smile. “But we have Christmas in Turnabout to look forward to, so let’s not spoil it with worries about what comes after.”

  He’d set out to discover how Jamie felt about Bridgerton and he’d accomplished that much, at least. The boy longed for a real home and loving parents in a community of people who cared about him. Seth wasn’t in a position to provide him with either. But perhaps he could give him the next best thing...

  * * *

  The reception on Saturday was an overwhelming success. Nearly everyone in town showed up, thankfully not all at once.

  Darby had the role of elevator operator and he kept busy the entire day. But the guest parlor and food garnered nearly as much interest.

  “With food like this you’ll be putting me out of business,” Daisy said, tart in hand. “I’m going to have to see if Della will share her recipe.”

  Abigail laughed. “I think your restaurant is safe. And that tart recipe is one Cora shared with us, not Della.”

  Daisy winked. “Good to know. I’m heading over to your kitchen now.” And with that she was gone.

  “It appears your event is a success.”

  Abigail turned to see Constance approaching. She gave her friend a hug. “Oh, I’m so glad you made it.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world—it’s a chance to ride in an elevator, after all.”

  “But you’ve ridden in them before.”

  Constance gave her a sly smile. “But Calvin hasn’t.”

  With a grin, Abigail nudged her friend with a hip. “I assume the two of you are officially walking out together now.”

  Constance nodded, her expression blissfully happy.

  Abigail gave her another hug. “I’m so happy for you. Calvin is a good man.”

  Before she could say more, Hannah Greer came up and asked about making a star for the window display. Excusing herself from Constance, Abigail led Hannah to the table where the blank stars and several pencils waited for just that purpose. As she crossed the room, her gaze sought Seth, as it had so many times today. He stood across the room, cornered by a group of men who were no doubt discussing the workings of the elevator. It had been that way all day, but he had handled it with patience and polish.

  As if he felt her watching him, his gaze slid in her direction and he gave a small smile of acknowledgment and approval before turning back to his conversation. It had been done so quickly and smoothly that she doubted the men he was speaking to had even noticed.

  But she had. And that one glance lent a wonderful buoyancy to her spirit that no doubt translated to her steps.

  Surely, surely, he wouldn’t look at her that way if he was planning to leave in a few weeks.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  As they headed down the sidewalk toward Daisy’s after service on Sunday, it occurred to Seth that he was going to miss this when his time here ended. Walking together this way, one could almost imagine the three of them were a family.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Abigail said suddenly. “After lunch today a group of us are going out to select our Christmas trees. I thought it might also be a good idea to get one for the hotel, too, if you and Jamie would like to come along.”

  Jamie’s eyes widened in excitement. “Can we, Uncle Seth?”

  Concerned about his ability to swing an axe given his issues with balance, Seth turned to Abigail. “You’re going to go chopping trees on the Sabbath?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say we were cutting them, I said we were selecting them.” She waved a hand. “A tradition around here is that sometime in December families go to the woods and scout out the best trees for their homes. When you’ve found the one you want, you tie a bright colored ribbon on it and tag it with your name. Then, when you’re ready to decorate, you or someone you hire goes out and cuts it down and brings it to your home or business.”

  Seth turned to Jamie. “In that case, I think we can definitely go find us a tree.”

  * * *

  After the meal, when the cleanup was just about done, Mitch Parker claimed everyone’s attention. “I’ve made arrangements with Ned Littleton to borrow his hay wagon for the afternoon,” he announced. “There should be room enough for all of us if most of you don’t mind climbing up in back.”

  Abigail caught Seth’s eye with a won’t-this-be-fun look.

  “I think I’ll have to pass this year,” Daisy said, rubbing her swollen stomach. “But the good news is you can leave all the little ones with me.”

  “Ira and I certainly don’t plan to go traipsing about the woods looking at trees,” Mrs. Peavy added. “So we’ll help Daisy with the children. The rest of you go on and enjoy yourselves.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the cleanup was complete and Mitch was back with the transportation. He set a crate behind the wagon to use as a stepstool before moving around to help Ivy climb up front so she could ride next to him. As everyone else scrambled in the back and settled themselves in for the ride, Abigail signaled Seth with a touch on his arm to hold back. “I like to sit on the end with my legs dangling out,” she said with a sheepish grin. “I always ride there for the Christmas-tree-selection trip—it’s a tradition for me.”

  “Then by all means, we will sit on the end.”

  Once everyone was settled in, Mitch set the wagon in motion.

  Eve Dawson started singing “Deck the Halls” almost as soon as they got underway, and it didn’t take long for everyone to join in. When they finished that carol, someone suggested “I Saw Three Ships” and they were off again.

  Abigail swung her legs in time to the singing. She loved the sound of Seth’s voice, so strong and sure. It was the first time she’d heard it up close, since her position in the choir kept her separated from him during the church services.

  A sudden bump in the road brought her up against him and he put an arm around her shoulder to steady her. If the jostling hadn’t already stolen her voice, the feel of his arm around her would have done the trick.

  His gaze met hers with a concerned smile that brought butterflies to her stomach. He didn’t release her right away, which was fine by her. Instead he resumed singing, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Just past Mercer’s Pond Meadow, Mitch turned the wagon onto a narrow track that wound its way through the woods. After about twenty minutes he pulled the wagon to a stop and then turned around to face them. “This seems like a good place to start from.”

  While Mitch secured the wagon, everyone else disembarked in a more or less organized manner. She noticed Seth winced as he landed, but other than that gave no sign that anything was amiss. Was the pain so much a part of him that he could ignore it so easily?

  “Does everyone have their tree markers?” Eve asked.

  Abigail pulled a roll of wide yellow ribbon from her pocket. On the end she’d embroidered the word Hotel. Others pulled out various ribbons and cords.

  “Then it looks like we’re ready.”

  Mitch, who’d apparently decided he was in charge of the outing, took Ivy’s hand. “Meet back here when you’ve made your selection, but make sure you don’t take more than two hours. We want to make it back to town before dark.”

  Jamie waved to the others as the individual families set out amidst friendly boasts and challenges concerning who would find the best tree. “Which way should we go?”

  Abigail smiled down at him. “You pick a direction.”

  With chest puffed out at the importance of his task, Jamie looked around, and then pointed to his left. “How about that way?”

 
“Excellent choice.”

  Though obviously excited, Jamie was also incredibly picky. He found some flaw in every tree they stopped to study—some were too skinny, others too sparse, still others too uneven.

  “It’s got to be perfect,” he kept saying.

  Finally, he paused in front of a smallish cedar that caught his eye. It was nicely formed and filled out, with large clusters of the berry-like cones common to that species. The whole tree, from ground to tip, was barely four feet tall.

  He glanced up at Seth, his eyes bright. “I like this one.”

  “It is a fine-looking tree,” Seth said cautiously. “But it’s a bit small for the hotel lobby. Perhaps in another few years...”

  “But we won’t be here to see it then.”

  Abigail spoke up quickly, not wanting to dwell on that aspect. “Yes, it’s a bit small for the lobby. But it’s not too small for your suite.”

  Jamie’s eyes widened and he turned to Seth. “Can we?”

  * * *

  Seth had picked up on Abigail’s reaction to Jamie’s statement. It was one he shared as well. Was it possible he could really change the inevitable?

  But Jamie was still waiting for an answer, so he smiled down at the boy. “I suppose two trees are better than one.”

  As Jamie gave out a triumphant whoop, Abigail pulled out her roll of ribbon. Offering his pocketknife, Seth helped her cut off a nice length. And when his hands not quite accidentally brushed against hers, he smiled to see the pink coloring her cheeks.

  Quickly turning, Abigail tied the ribbon to the top of the tree with a flourish. “That’s how whoever we send to cut it will know it’s ours.”

  “What about the lobby tree?” Jamie asked anxiously. “There won’t be any embroidery on it.”

  Abigail put her finger to her chin. “We’ll just need to find some other way to mark it.” She looked from one to the other of them. “Do either of you have anything in your pockets we might be able to attach to it?”

  He and Jamie both shook their heads and she gave a long-suffering tsk.

  Then she smiled. “That’s okay, I have a plan.”