Love Inspired Historical November 2014 (20 page)

Eileen trudged up the stairs to her room. Yes, she'd absolutely done the right thing.

So why did she feel as if her heart was breaking?

Chapter Twenty-Five

T
o Eileen's relief, at breakfast the next morning, the kids provided most of the conversation with their rehashing of their favorite parts of yesterday's celebration. Hopefully no one noticed the lack of any interaction between her and Simon.

Just before they finished the meal, Dovie spoke up.

“I've been thinking. Being as all of you will be here for Christmas, I thought it might be a good idea for each of us to select one person from the group to give a gift to. We can pull names out of a hat to make it fair.”

This sparked a little buzz of excitement around the table and everyone generally seemed to think it was a good idea.

“To make it even more special,” Dovie said, “why don't we make something handcrafted for whoever's name we get rather than going out and buying something?”

“That sounds like a lovely idea,” Eileen agreed. It would keep anyone from feeling inadequate due to not having money.

“But what if we don't know how to make anything?” Albert asked.

“Oh, I don't think that will be a problem.” Eileen gave the boy an encouraging smile. “Use your imagination. You can draw a picture, or build something, or sew something—it'll be fun.”

“What might make it even more fun is if we keep it secret from the person whose name we draw,” Dovie suggested.

“Secrets are fun,” Molly said. “Like the secret room. ”

Fern, naturally, had misgivings. “What if the matter of the Hatcherville property gets settled faster than Uncle Simon thought and we get to leave here before Christmas?”

Eileen winced at the girl's telling use of the words
get to.
“Then we will exchange gifts a little early,” she said. “But I'm hoping you'll plan to be here for Christmas, regardless.” She cast a quick look toward Simon, but he wasn't looking her way.

“If we're here for Christmas, can we have a tree?” Rose asked.

“I think we can work something out. You'll just need to talk your uncle Simon into cutting one down for us.”

Simon did look up at that, but his gaze slid right past hers and landed on Rose with a smile. “We'll go out a couple of days before Christmas and find us a nice, full one.”

Molly clapped her hands. “We can put it in the secret room and decorate it with lots of pretty things. It'll be the most beautiful Christmas room
ever.
”

Eileen thought about the elegant decorations she'd had before her fall from grace. Molly would have been enchanted by them. “I'm afraid I don't have any decorations.”

“That's okay.” Dovie waved a hand, as if waving a baton. “We can make those, too. That'll be more fun anyway.”

Thirty minutes later Eileen looked at the name she had drawn and felt her heart sink. Fern. The girl would never welcome any gift from her.

Of course, since it was supposed to be secret, no one would know if she swapped names with someone. And she was certain Fern would prefer a gift from just about anyone else over her.

She followed Dovie into the kitchen, relieved to find they were alone for the moment. “I have a favor to ask.”

Dovie crossed her arms over her chest. “What can I do for you?

“Would you mind trading names with me?”

Dovie gave her a surprised look. “Now, why would you want to do that? You don't even know who I have.”

“It doesn't matter. I drew Fern's name. The girl doesn't care for me, and I think perhaps she would appreciate anything you would give her much more than something from me.”

“Nonsense.” Dovie patted her hand. “Perhaps this is your opportunity to make friends with Fern. She doesn't really dislike you, you know. She's just hurt and confused by the blows life's landed on her, and she needs someone to lash out at. Be patient with her.”

Eileen tried again. “I'm being patient. It's just not bearing any fruit yet.”

Dovie raised a brow. “Tell me this. If one of the children came to you with a request to swap names because they didn't get along with the person whose name they had, what would you tell them?”

Eileen winced at that, then sighed. “I would tell them that they should try to work things out.” She gave in. “Very well, I'll see what I can come up with.”

Eileen slowly exited the kitchen, trying to decide what kind of gift she could come up with that Fern would like.

Perhaps she could take one of the delicate lace handkerchiefs she still had and embroider Fern's initials on it for her.

She went to her trunk and threw open the lid.

There, right on top where she'd placed it last night, was that beautiful iridescent shawl.

She remembered the way Fern had looked at it, the almost-reverent way she'd stroked it.

Eileen stroked it much the same way now. It was still the most beautiful thing she'd ever owned.

Making up her mind, she shut the lid of the trunk and took the shawl to her bedside where her sewing box was stored.

* * *

Simon threw the board fresh from the saw onto the proper stack. It had been six days since Eileen had told him of her true feelings, and the sting still hadn't gone away.

So far they'd managed to remain civil, friendly even, but the tension was there, just below the surface, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep up the charade.

The worst part about it was he found himself still attracted to her, more fool him. He still enjoyed listening to the emotion in her voice when she recounted her nightly fairy tales to the children. Still found the little selfless things she did for the children admirable. Still found his heart touched when she did something that revealed her vulnerability.

Still ached to hold her in his arms again.

Fool! Why couldn't he just focus more on the snobbish reason she'd pushed him away?

He looked up to see Adam standing across the way watching him. When their gazes met, Adam waved him over.

Simon walked over to meet him, tugging off his work gloves as he went. What was up? Did they have some kind of decision on the case?

It was hard to tell from the expression on Adam's face if it was good news or bad.

The two men shook hands and then Adam got right to business. “Mr. Fredrick has made an offer.”

This was it. “What kind of offer?”

“He's willing to refund the amount you and your sister contributed to the purchase of the property in Hatcherville. Period. He is not willing to give you any partial ownership in or access to the property itself.”

A not entirely unexpected offer. If Eileen had taught him nothing else, she'd taught him to plan ahead for every contingency. “Do you think this is a fair offer?”

Adam spread his hands. “
Fair
is a relative term. I do think, however, it's the best you can hope for from Mr. Fredrick unless you want to take your chances in court.”

Simon rubbed his chin while he thought about it. The kids associated the place in Hatcherville with Miss Fredrick. How would they feel about settling somewhere else?

On the other hand, there was no guarantee how it would go if they took the case to court—he could end up with nothing. And it was unfair to the kids and to Mrs. Pierce if he let this business continue to draw out when he could put an end to it now.

With the money Mr. Fredrick was offering, he could find them another place. It wouldn't be as big as the Hatcherville property, but as long as he found something sound and with enough land for them to have a proper garden and some farm animals, he could take care of adding on to the house over time.

He met Adam's gaze. “I accept his offer.”

Adam nodded, not making any sort of judgment on the decision. “I'll have the papers on my desk tomorrow morning for you to sign. The money should be wired to the bank by the end of the week.”

Thanking Adam for his help, Simon went back to work feeling lighter of spirit. At last he was free to move forward again. To move out of Eileen's house.

To move out of her life.

* * *

That afternoon, when the kids got home from school, he gathered everyone together and explained the latest development.

“So there you have it,” he said when he'd finished. “I'm sorry we won't be able to move into the place in Hatcherville, but this will give us the opportunity to find a new place to call home.”

“Maybe we could just stay here,” Molly suggested. “There's plenty of room. And Mrs. Pierce could be our mommy. And Nana Dovie can be our grandma.”

Simon avoided looking Eileen's way. “But this isn't our home, sweet pea. We promised Mrs. Pierce we'd be gone right after Christmas.” Perhaps even sooner.

Not satisfied with his answer, Molly turned to Eileen. “You'd like for us to stay, wouldn't you?”

Before Eileen could answer, Dovie spoke up. “There's nothing to keep you from looking for a place right here in Turnabout, is there?”

The kids perked up at that.

“Really?” Harry said. “You mean we could keep going to school here with our new friends?”

“And keep Miss Whitman for our teacher?” Rose added.

“I suppose that's one option,” Simon said slowly, not sure he wanted to go that way. But the more he thought about it, the more it appealed to him. It would actually have a lot of benefits. He wouldn't need to uproot the children again, at least not entirely. Mrs. Leggett might be willing to become the permanent caretaker for the children if she didn't have to move away from Turnabout. Hank had indicated Simon could go to work at the mill permanently if he wanted. And since he wouldn't be living in this house, he really didn't have to see much of Eileen at all.

“But we wouldn't live in this house anymore,” Molly lamented.

“No, but you could come visit whenever you want,” Eileen said quickly. “And the secret room would always be available for you and Flossie to have tea parties in.”

That cheered Molly up considerably. Simon supposed it would be up to Mrs. Leggett as to how often Molly visited here.

Assuming he found a place in Turnabout.

And assuming Mrs. Leggett would accept the job offer.

* * *

Two days later, Eileen sat in the parlor patching a pair of Albert's pants and felt ready to scream. This stiff formality between her and Simon was driving her crazy. She longed for them to go back to the friendly relationship they'd had before she'd made the horrible mistake of flirting with him and encouraging that kiss. That sweet, tender, glorious kiss.

She pricked her finger with her needle and lifted the digit to her mouth, tasting the metallic tang of blood. Feeling distracted and restless, Eileen put away her sewing and fetched her winter cape. She let Dovie know she was going for a walk, then headed out the door.

She pushed open the front gate, then hesitated. Deciding she wasn't in the mood for people, she turned away from town and headed toward the open countryside.

After five minutes of vigorous walking in the blustery air, she felt better. Perhaps, if she was persistent, she could convince Simon to at least call a truce. They didn't have to be best friends, but perhaps they could at least be honestly cordial.

How serious was he about looking for a place in Turnabout? And how did she feel about it?

The sound of an approaching wagon caught her attention and she quickly moved to the roadside. Hopefully whoever was driving would take care not to spatter mud on her.

She was pleased when she heard the vehicle slow down, then surprised when it seemed to be stopping altogether. She looked up to see Simon in a buggy.

He sat there silently watching her, and she finally couldn't stand it so she broke the silence first. “Hello. Were you out looking for me?”

“No. I'm actually going to take a look at a place down the road that's for sale.”

“Oh.” She moved closer to the side of the buggy. A week ago she would have invited herself to go with him. A week ago, he would likely have invited her himself.

As if coming to some sort of decision, he gave a short nod. “Would you care to come with me? I'd value having your opinion.”

Pleased by the invitation, she nodded and grabbed the side of the buggy to pull herself up. He reached for one of her hands and assisted her in. Was he finally ready to forgive her?

When she was settled he clicked his tongue and flicked the reins to set the buggy in motion. They rode along in silence for a while. She couldn't sense any softening in his attitude toward her.

She finally gathered her courage and spoke up. “I'm very sorry for causing all of this awkwardness between us.”

He cut her a surprised look, but then turned back to face the road without saying anything.

She tried again. “I know this is all on my shoulders, but if there is anything I can do to fix it, I wish you'd just tell me.”

Still he remained silent, his jaw tight.

“I truly value the friendship we had.” Unbidden, a little sigh escaped her. “I don't have many friends,” she added quietly.

He maintained his stiff demeanor for a heartbeat longer, then his shoulders relaxed. “I value our friendship, too.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze. “But you have to know it can't be like it was before.”

“I know.” She told herself this was a start and that she should be happy to have this second chance.

“So how far is this place we're going to look at?” she asked, ready to change the subject.

“Not far. I want something that will put the kids close to school.” He slowed the wagon to a stop. “In fact, I think this is it.”

They were sitting in front of a ramshackle farmhouse that looked as if it would blow over with the first strong wind to come along. “Are you sure this is the right place?”

Simon gave her that familiar crooked grin that she'd missed so much these past few days. “Don't let appearances fool you. I want to check how solid the frame and foundation are. Everything else can be fixed with paint, lumber, nails and good old-fashioned sweat.”