While Love Stirs (27 page)

The little girl giggled. “No, I’m Alice Ann.”

“I should have known. Now that you’ve told me, I can see you are indeed an Alice Ann.” She held out her hand. “Nice to meet
you, Miss Alice Ann. I’m Miss Charlotte. Would you like to help me open this package?”

Offering the girl the brown paper package tied with string, Charlotte smiled. Alice Ann tugged the ends of the string and then helped Charlotte peel away the paper.

Charlotte looked down at the Hershey’s chocolate bars in her hand, then beamed at Joel. “You remembered?”

“I believe you said it was your favorite kind of surprise.”

The children lined up to be introduced and to get their chocolate bar. Charlotte treated each of them as if they were a little prince or princess.

“And this”—he turned to Mrs. Goodwin, who was cutting up a chicken—“is the queen herself, Mrs. Goodwin. She makes this orphanage a home.”

Mrs. Goodwin gave him a sidelong glance. “I’m no queen, but I’m pleased as punch you have a lady friend. Sorry, I’m up to my elbows in chicken or I’d welcome you proper.”

“Is that an apron?” Charlotte pointed to a white frock on a peg.

“Yes, miss, it sure is.”

Charlotte snagged it and slipped it over her head. “Put me to work, Mrs. Goodwin. In fact, I’d love to treat you and the others to dinner tonight. You could go sit down and let Joel and me make dinner.”

Mrs. Goodwin cut through a chicken joint. “I couldn’t do that. A fine lady like you cooking in my humble kitchen.”

“I’m not a fine lady. I’m a farm girl from Iowa, and Joel, don’t you think she deserves a rest?” Charlotte glanced around the bare-bones kitchen. “I can assure you I’m a good cook, so I won’t ruin supper.”

Joel joined them and laid his hands on Mrs. Goodwin’s shoulders. “If anyone deserves a rest, it’s you. Let us treat the whole family to something special. Charlotte travels all over Minnesota teaching cooking classes—and she’s as stubborn as you.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll take you up on it. Tommy’s been feeling poorly, and I reckon he could use a little attention from me.”

“He’s sick?” Joel glanced at Charlotte. It would be rude to leave her to go check on Tommy, but if the boy needed medical attention, that should come first before he helped her make supper.

“Go.” She picked up a knife and smiled. “I believe I can manage without a doctor present.”

“Send Mattie up when she gets here.”

“Yes, Doctor.” She flashed him a cheeky grin.

Joel couldn’t curb the smile on his face as he followed Mrs. Goodwin up to Tommy’s room. He knew how much Charlotte could stir things up, but he was only beginning to understand how well she blended love into everything she did.

“Mrs. Goodwin needs a new stove.” Charlotte climbed into the Model T and waited for Joel to take his place. With the top down, she could keep speaking as he went to the front to crank the engine. She stood up and placed her hands on the brass edge of the windshield. “With all those children to tend to, a gas stove would save her so much time.”

He gave the crank a solid turn and the engine came to life. Coming around to the driver’s side, he mounted the running board and stepped inside the motorcar. “I’m sure you’re right, but there’s barely enough money to feed the kids at the orphanage. I’m afraid there’s no money for things like stoves.” He put the car in gear and pulled onto the street.

“I can get her one.”

He stopped at an intersection. “Charlotte, I didn’t bring you here so you can spend your income buying things for the orphanage. I wanted you to meet them. That’s all.”

“I know, but I have a stove I can’t use.” She twisted in her seat so she could look at him as he drove. “Remember when I won the cooking contest? The prize was a brand-new Jewel gas range, but since I had nowhere to put it, the gas company said they’d keep it and I could have one anytime I was ready.”

“But you won that. You should get to use it in your own home.”

“I might not have my own home for years. Mrs. Goodwin and the children need it now.” Joy bubbled inside her, and she clasped her hands together against her chest. She could picture Mrs. Goodwin’s face as the stove was delivered. “Do you think Mrs. Goodwin will let me come over and show her how to use it?”

He turned onto Summit Avenue. “Slow down a minute, Charlotte. First of all, we need to see if she wants a gas range, and second, we have to find out if the orphanage’s finances can handle a gas charge.”

“Yes, Mr. Practical. Why can’t you be happy I found a solution to her problem?”

“Her problem? What if she doesn’t think she has a problem?” He parked the car. “Mrs. Goodwin may be perfectly happy with her coal burner. She may not want your gas stove. Don’t you think she should have a say in it?”

“Of course she should, but I know this would help her out if she’ll only give it a try.”

“The orphanage is fine.” He hit the steering wheel with his palm. “Why do you have to stick your nose into things wherever you go?”

Charlotte winced as if she’d picked up a hot skillet with a bare hand, and then a heavy silence invaded the motorcar.

Joel tipped his head back, his chest heaving.

Apparently his opinion of her hadn’t changed a bit. He still saw her as a busybody, or at the very least, he thought she was intrusive. Was she? Had she let her excitement over giving Mrs. Goodwin the stove outweigh being sensible about it? Those children had so little. She’d only wanted to do something for all of them.

Tears pricked her eyes. She stepped out of the motorcar and hurried toward the house. She couldn’t stay with Joel one minute longer.

31

“Charlotte, wait!” Joel bolted out of the car and raced up the sidewalk. He had to stop her before she went inside the house.

Halting at the bottom of the wraparound porch steps, he saw her place her hand on the doorknob. “Please, don’t go in yet. Charlotte, I need to apologize.”

She sniffed and slowly faced him. Was she crying?

“You don’t need to apologize.” Her voice hitched. “You’re right. I did rush into this without thinking—again.”

“Oh, Charlotte.” He took the stairs two at a time and pulled her into his arms. Relief washed over him when she didn’t resist. “I didn’t mean what I said. You have to believe me. Your generosity tonight deeply touched me.” He pulled back enough to see her face and tipped her chin toward him. “As soon as you went into that orphanage today, the place came alive. Every person there loved you. You didn’t just serve them dinner. You served them love.”

“But I—”

He pressed his finger against her lips. “Let me finish.”

His heart raced. He swallowed, attempting to wet his chalk-dry mouth. Could he do this? Now? It didn’t make sense and he hadn’t planned it, but deep inside he knew he couldn’t stop himself.

“Charlotte, when you said you didn’t see a need for the gas range in your near future, it was like someone punched me.”

“Why?” Her eyes widened and she sucked in her breath. “Oh.”

“I was hoping the day would arrive when we might discuss where that stove could end up someday. You know, in a kitchen of
our
own. So I said those things because I was upset, and I’m sorry.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’d like to court you.”

“Truly?”

“Yes.” His lips curled. “Now, may I kiss the cook?”

She gave him the tiniest of nods, but it was enough. He cupped her cheek and lowered his lips to hers. The spicy scent of her perfume and the softness of her lips dared him to deepen the kiss, but he refrained. He was determined to hold on to this moment, so passionate and yet so innocent, and etch it into her memory forever.

Raising her trembling fingers to her lips, Charlotte leaned against the massive oak door in the foyer and closed her eyes. Had Joel really kissed her? Asked to court her? Had he truly been thinking of marriage? Or would she wake any minute from this delicious dream?

“Why do you have such a goofy grin on your face?”

Charlotte opened her eyes to see Tessa staring at her, head cocked at an angle. Hannah stood next to her with a sleeping Ellie in her arms.

A slow smile spread across Hannah’s features. “I believe our sister has had a rather enjoyable evening.”

Tessa’s eyes narrowed. “How enjoyable? Did you go someplace special? Without me?”

“Oh, I don’t think it would have been nearly as special if you’d have been there.” Hannah giggled. “Right, Charlotte?”

“No, not nearly as special.” Her words came out with a dreamy quality.

Tessa crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you two talking about? And why do I always miss out on the good stuff?”

“You’re a little young for this discussion.” Hannah draped her arm around Tessa’s shoulder. “Why don’t you let Charlotte and
me go into the parlor alone for a while before Lincoln gets here to pick me up?”

“I’m sixteen, almost seventeen. I’m not too young for any discussion. I know about the birds and the bees, after all.” She looked at Charlotte, her eyes growing round. “Oh my goodness, Dr. Brooks kissed you, didn’t he?”

Charlotte glanced up the staircase and saw Nurse Pierce peek her head around the corner. Oh no. The last thing she wanted was for the nurse to hear about her evening. She pressed her finger to her lips. “Shhh. Let’s go in the parlor and talk.”

As soon as they’d closed the parlor doors, Tessa held out her hands. “Well? Did he kiss you or what?”

“Yes!” Charlotte squealed.

Within seconds, she was enveloped in sister hugs. Tessa took her hand. “Sit down and tell me all about it. Don’t leave out a single detail. And before you say I’m too young, I can assure you that I’m not. Besides, you’ll never sleep unless you tell someone, and we’re the only ones available.”

Charlotte did her best to comply with Tessa’s request for details, but some things were private and for her alone to cherish.

All her life she’d been a little invisible. With an outspoken older sister like Hannah and a dramatic younger sister like Tessa, it was easy to be overlooked. Tonight Joel had seen her for who she truly was. He’d seen the good and the bad, and yet he’d taken her into his arms and mentioned a future together.

If she ever got to sleep tonight, her dreams would indeed be spun-sugar sweet.

What a difference one week could make. Joel tossed his white coat on a hook and hurried out of his office. A week ago, he might have stayed late even if he didn’t need to, but not now. Since he’d kissed Charlotte two days ago, things had changed both inside of him and for the two of them.

With a bounce in his step, he walked down the hall. Tonight he’d head over to see her after a round of rowing practice with Knute.

Inside the boat club, he spotted Knute speaking to some other club members—a few of whom Joel doubted had been in a boat in years. Knute saw him and said his goodbyes before Joel had to go pull his friend away. One thing was certain about Knute—he had never met a stranger.

They walked down to the boat rack and carried their boat to the water.

“Okay, buddy, what’s going on? My friend Joel reserves a grin like that for near-miraculous recoveries. Did Dr. Ancker make your position permanent?”

“I wish.” Joel picked up the oars.

“It’s her, isn’t it? The lady friend you visited at Lake Minnetonka.” He clapped Joel on the shoulder. “Well, good for you.”

Joel climbed into the boat. “I didn’t confirm your suspicions.”

“You didn’t deny them either.” Knute seated himself in the bow. “So I suppose the rumors of you planning some charity ball are true.”

“Charlotte’s aunt is sponsoring the whole affair. I’m helping Charlotte plan it.” They rowed away from the dock out into the river.

Knute chuckled. “Never thought I’d see you planning a dance.”

“The hospital needs the funds for equipment. You know that.”

Knute set an easy warm-up pace. “Yeah, I do. Need some help?”

“Do you know anything about music or building garden arches?”

“No, but I could set up tables and such.” Knute pushed them a little harder. “And I’m good with numbers. I could help with collecting the money that night.”

“Thanks. We’ll need someone we can trust with that. Someone who will keep Terrence Ruckman away from the funds.”

“He’s coming?”

“Yeah. He asked me about it yesterday.” Joel took a deep breath as sweat began to bead on his forehead. “Let’s get moving. I have places to be.”

Crystal goblets sparkled on the dining room table. The Haviland china, with its gold-scalloped edges and pink and lavender lilies, marked each place setting. Charlotte glanced at the bouquet of purple irises Tessa had arranged and then looked around the table, where her family and Joel had gathered for the celebration.

With Aunt Sam on his arm, Lincoln entered the dining room and helped her to her chair. She set her blue cut-glass-topped walking stick in the corner and smiled at her family.

Lincoln remained standing. “Before I offer grace, I want to thank Dr. Brooks for his care of my aunt. I’m glad you can be with us to celebrate her recovery. It seems like a long time since we could all dine together, and we are grateful that you used your God-given gifts to tend Aunt Sam.”

Under the table, Joel took her hand as Lincoln began the prayer. Lincoln’s words brought tears to Charlotte’s eyes, reminding her it was only by God’s grace that Aunt Sam was among them, with a little help from Aunt Sam’s stubbornness.

Guilt jabbed Charlotte hard. Nurse Pierce probably deserved credit for it all too. Besides assisting Aunt Sam with exercises, she’d provided her aunt with added incentive to recover quickly. Understandably, Aunt Sam was growing weary of the woman. Still, they should have invited Nurse Pierce to join their celebration. It was probably too late to set another place.

Seldom did Aunt Sam request a full-course dinner, but tonight was an exception. Her cook, Mrs. Agle, had asked Charlotte for a menu but had insisted she not help in the meal preparations.

Mrs. Agle did not disappoint. Conversation continued round the table as the food was served. The watercress and stilton soup was delicious, the salmon poached to perfection, and the asparagus, roasted and drenched in butter, nearly melted in her mouth.

Joel leaned close. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely. Aren’t you?”

“I am, but not nearly as much as I’m enjoying watching you.”

By the time the lamb and mint sauce was served, talk had moved on to the ball. Charlotte explained the Saint Paul Orchestra had agreed to play, and with Aunt Sam’s help, she was able to secure the Saint Paul Hotel’s ballroom, which could accommodate up to three hundred guests.

She turned to Joel and smiled. “Joel has started recruiting some volunteers.”

“And I called the Golden Rule to set up an appointment for new gowns,” Tessa announced. “Don’t look at me like that, Hannah. Aunt Sam told me to.”

Aunt Sam dabbed her lips with her napkin. “Indeed I did. You will all need to be turned out in something new.”