A Family for Christmas

Eve laughed and it totally transformed her face. She really was quite pretty when she allowed herself to relax. “That it would,” she said.

“Why a confectionery?” Her answer had surprised him, but he was delighted by the unexpectedness of it.

She took on a faraway look. “When I was a schoolgirl, my Sunday school teacher would invite some of her students into her home at Christmastime. We would make all sorts of wondrous treats. She taught us to make fudge and caramels and pralines and all manner of sweet things—just bowls and platters full of them.”

“What did you do with all that candy?” Leo asked. “Did you get to eat it?”

She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Some. Because, of course, we’d have to taste it along the way, just to make certain it had turned out okay, you understand.”

“Sounds perfectly reasonable to me,” Chance said. He found himself entranced by the softness in her now.

She cut a quick look his way, as if to make certain he wasn’t making fun of her, then nodded and turned back to Leo.

“But we packed up the majority of those treats very carefully and sent the packages off to several orphanages as Christmas treats.”

Chance was enjoying this sweet, playful side of her. But before he could comment, she seemed to realize that she’d revealed more of herself than she’d intended.

She straightened and dipped her spoon purposefully into her bowl. “Anyway, it turned out that I was very good at candy making. Miss Trosclair said I had a real knack for it.”

Chance shook his head apologetically. “I’m afraid Turnabout doesn’t have a confectionary shop so we can’t offer you a job like that.”

She nodded politely but that earlier softness was gone. “Having such a job would be nice, but as I said, I’ll take whatever I can find.” Then she gave him a pointed look. “I think it’s my turn to ask a few questions.”

Turning the tables on him was she? Good for her. “Ask away.”

“Something Daisy said when we walked in makes me think you’re not from here originally. So where are you from and how long have you lived in Turnabout?”

Easy enough questions to answer. “I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And I’ve been here about a year and a half.”

Her brows went up. “You traveled a far piece to get here—much farther than either me or Leo.”

If only she knew. “True. But I consider Turnabout home now.”

“And you came all this way on your own?”

“Not exactly.” How much should he share with her? Better stick with just the bare minimum. “There were four of us who traveled together,” he continued. There was no point in mentioning that the catalyst had been an unorthodox marriage lottery they’d all participated in.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “Four city folk from Philadelphia decided to come to Turnabout, Texas?”

He grinned. “That we did.”

“Why?”

Now her questions were getting a little more personal. “Business reasons.” Technically true. “Not to say we planned to go into business together—just travel together. Daisy’s husband, Everett, was one of my travel companions. Adam Barr, the town’s banker and lawyer, and Mitch Parker, the schoolteacher, were the other two. We’ve all found our own reasons to stay.” Though the four men had become friends after their arrival here, he’d never pried into what reasons they’d had for agreeing to the constraints that had been laid on them at the outset of their trip. Just as he’d never shared his own.

“So you’ve all stayed and become part of the town. That says a lot for the place. It must be special.”

He nodded. “I’ve seen evidence that Turnabout lives up to its name. It’s a good place for starting over and turning your life around.” At least it had been for him and the others who’d traveled here with him.

But Chance had had enough of talking about himself. Figuring Eve probably needed time to think over the events of the day, he turned to Leo and kept up a steady stream of light, easy chatter with the boy through the rest of the meal. Leo seemed like a good kid. He also appeared to be more mature and guarded than most boys his age, but that was no doubt due to what he’d been through these past couple of years. If his story were true, this Belcher fellow deserved a flogging or worse.

Leo was the first to finish his bowl and Chance immediately ordered seconds for him with just a quick hand signal, barely missing a beat in the conversation.

When Eve finished her bowl he started to do the same, but she quickly let him know she’d had enough.

At one point, Abigail came around to check on them. “How was everything?”

“Delicious,” Eve answered.

“I’ll let Daisy know you enjoyed it.”

“And just where is Daisy?” Chance asked. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”

Abigail began collecting their dishes. “Everett came by to check on her and insisted she get off her feet for a few minutes. Of course, Daisy rolled her eyes at him, but since the lunch rush is about over she agreed to let me see to things for a while.” She grinned. “Everett convinced her I needed the practice.”

Remembering Eve’s earlier interest in the library, and guessing she wouldn’t broach the subject on her own, Chance decided to make it easier for her.

“How’s the library business these days?” he asked casually.

Abigail immediately became more animated. “Very good. I signed another subscriber yesterday and I’m planning to purchase several new titles right after Christmas.” She sighed dramatically. “I miss having Constance partnering with me, but she absolutely loves her new job assisting Mr. Flaherty at the apothecary shop.”

Chance nodded. “Mr. Flaherty seems pleased with the job she’s doing.” He glanced Eve’s way, waiting for her to speak up. But when she didn’t jump into the conversational opening, he decided to be more direct. “Speaking of your library, Miss Pickering here is interested in taking a look at your selection of books.”

He sensed her stiffening without even looking her way. Didn’t she know he was trying to help?

But Abigail apparently noticed nothing amiss. “Of course.” The girl gave Eve a big smile. “I’d be glad to loan you a book, free of charge. Sort of a welcome-to-town gift, for you to read while you’re here.”

His companion shook her head, though this time there was nothing firm about the gesture. “That’s very kind, but I don’t want to take advantage—”

“Not at all.” Abigail lowered her voice, as if sharing a secret. “Besides, it’s good advertisement if folks see people borrowing my books.” She waved toward the bookshelves. “Feel free to look over what’s available while I clear these dishes.”

Chance could see Eve’s resolve wavering as she stared longingly at the bookshelves. Deciding she needed another nudge, he stood and pulled her chair out for her. Pitching his voice so only she could hear, he whispered, “It would be an insult for you to refuse Abigail’s offer.”

She gave him a doubtful look. “I certainly wouldn’t want to offer her any insult.” She glanced again toward the shelves. “Perhaps I’ll go over and just take a look.”

He watched her cross the room and then slowly, almost reverently, run her fingers along the rows of books, taking her time studying the various titles. What kind of book would she select? Would her prim and proper side win out and have her select a volume of dry essays or sermons? Or would her more daring side win out and point her to some more entertaining work of fiction?

She pulled out a book and smiled as she silently read a passage. Suddenly, that familiar kick of jealousy tinged with shame twisted his gut and he turned away.

“Why is she so excited about a bunch of books?” Leo asked, wrinkling his nose.

Chance pushed his ugly emotions aside and smiled down at the boy. “You’d be surprised how many people enjoy reading,” he answered. “There are a lot of adventures to be found between the pages of a good book.” Some of his favorite memories were of his mother reading to him as a boy.

“Adventures?” That had obviously grabbed his attention.

Did the boy know how to read? If his story was true, he likely hadn’t seen the inside of a schoolroom since he was eight years old, if at all. Maybe he should have a talk with Mitch about how to get Leo prepared for returning to the classroom eventually.

Then Chance pulled himself up short. He wasn’t the kid’s father and he certainly wasn’t planning to make this little diversion a long-term commitment. He had too many problems of his own right now. Once the boy’s guilt or innocence was determined, there would be decisions to be made about him, decisions that, one way or the other, would relieve Chance of any future responsibility.