Winnie Griggs - A Family for Christmas

Eve didn’t bother to hide her grin. She was getting her first taste of what it felt like to be among folks who didn’t know her history and she liked it. Very much.

Then Daisy waved them to the only unoccupied table. “I shouldn’t be chattering on like this when y’all came in here to eat. Just have a seat. The menu is posted on the board above the counter. Study it and then give me a wave when you’re ready to order.”

They moved to the table she’d indicated and Eve was startled when Chance held her chair for her. She wasn’t used to such deference. As they took their seats, she studied the room with interest. The walls were painted the color of daffodils and the windows were flanked by cheery floral curtains hemmed with ruffles, tied back to let in the sunlight. Grandmother would disapprove of such frivolity, but Eve decided she liked it.

There were seven other tables in the place, and the occupants seemed to be enjoying their meals, lending weight to Mr. Dawson’s earlier claims. She noticed the patrons were also trying to study her and Leo without being too obvious. But their curiosity seemed friendly enough and she found herself on the receiving end of more than one neighborly smile.

What really snagged and held Eve’s attention, however, was the far wall, where three tall, sturdy bookcases stood behind a small table that obviously served as someone’s desk. Both bookcases were crammed full of volumes of various sizes and colors. Such a wealth of reading material—it was all Eve could do not to cross over to read the titles.

Forcing herself to look away from the books, Eve turned back to read the menu, but not before she caught Mr. Dawson staring at her. He actually had the audacity to smile and lean back in his chair, continuing to study her.

She decided to ignore him and instead focus on the chalkboard. Unfortunately she remained uncomfortably aware of his gaze. As she read the menu, she studied the prices more than the food choices. She had to be careful with her funds—the pittance she had wouldn’t last long.

“If you’re having trouble deciding,” Mr. Dawson said a moment later, “I’d recommend the rabbit stew. It’s Daisy’s Tuesday special and always delicious.” His tone held no hint that he’d recognized her earlier discomfort.

Leo nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds good.”

Mr. Dawson turned to her. “Shall I make that three orders?”

Eve studied the price and hesitated. Then she nodded. “Very well.” A nice filling stew would hold her for the remainder of the day. And she did need to keep her strength up for the uncertainty ahead.

Mr. Dawson raised a hand to let Daisy know they were ready, and placed their order. Then he returned his attention to Eve. “I saw you studying Abigail’s library a moment ago. I take it you enjoy reading.”

Eve nodded, allowing a small smile to escape. “Very much.” It was one of her guilty pleasures—one she hadn’t had much opportunity to indulge in since she’d graduated from school.

“Perhaps you can get a closer look at the books once we’ve completed our meal and pick out something to read while you’re in town.”

“You mean they just let folks take them?” Did they value books so little here?

He shrugged. “It’s a circulating library, which means the books are available to all subscribers. But Abigail always lets you have the first one free.”

It was tempting, but she wouldn’t really be here in town very long. And she didn’t need to be beholden to yet another stranger. Rather than going into that with him, though, she settled for making a noncommittal sound.

Apparently taking that as agreement, he changed the subject. “I believe you said you were headed to Tyler to find employment as a milliner’s apprentice?”

“That’s correct.” Had Mrs. O’Connell received her telegram yet? What was she thinking about her truant would-be apprentice?

“Is becoming a milliner something you have a burning desire to do, if you don’t mind my asking?”

What would he do if she said she did mind his asking? “A friend of my grandmother’s runs a millinery shop in Tyler. Apparently she gets an increase in orders in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas so she agreed to hire me on a trial basis for now. Once the New Year gets here, we are to both evaluate whether to continue the arrangement.”

It wasn’t really an answer to his specific question, and the look he gave her said he knew it. But he didn’t press further. Instead, he turned to Leo. “And what about you?”

Leo shrugged. “The same.” He traced a circle on the table. “I mean, I was looking for a big city, somewhere where I could find work and not stand out.”

Mr. Dawson stroked his chin thoughtfully. “You know, if it’s work you’re looking for, Leo, you don’t have to go all the way to Tyler. There’s work to be had right here in Turnabout.”

That caught Eve’s interest. If she could find some temporary work here, it would give her an opportunity to replenish some of the funds she’d have to spend on meals and such before moving on. “What sort of work?”

He spread his hands. “I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular, just that folks are always needing work done.”

She swallowed her disappointment. Before she could make any sort of response, however, he turned to Leo. “In fact, things get pretty messy in my shop when I’ve got work piled up. I’ve been looking for someone to clean up around the place and help me keep things in order—you know sweep up, fetch things for me, run errands. That sort of thing.”

Leo sat up straighter. “I could do that.”

Mr. Dawson wrinkled his brow, as if the idea was something he hadn’t yet considered, but Eve could tell it was what he’d been leading up to all along.

“Do you really think so?” the man asked. “I mean, it’s hard work and I couldn’t afford to pay much.”

But Leo was leaning forward eagerly. “That’s okay. I don’t mind the work, and I’ll need some money to get by on once the sheriff finds out I’m not lying.”

Eve lightly touched his arm but kept her gaze on Chance. “Of course, since you are so generously opening your home to us, Leo and I will be happy to pitch in and help with the chores as much as we are able. And we wouldn’t dream of taking payment.” She withdrew her hand but gave Leo a pointed look. “Isn’t that right?”

Leo’s expression lost its eager edge, but he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

She was pleased to have her faith in him proved true. But his comment about needing money to get by concerned her. Did the boy truly believe he would be allowed to go off on his own once matters were settled? He would need a guardian of some sort, whether he wanted one or not. But perhaps now was not the time to open that avenue of conversation.

However, it did bring up the question of just what would happen to him. And right now she didn’t have an answer.

Their food arrived then, delivered by a younger girl with reddish-gold hair and a saucy smile.

“Hello, Abigail,” Mr. Dawson greeted her. “Don’t tell me Daisy let you into her kitchen.”

“And just why would that come as a surprise to you?” The girl gave him an indignant look. “You don’t think Daisy is the only member of this family who can cook, do you?”

Mr. Dawson leaned back and raised his hands as if she’d attacked him. “Far be it from me to question your talents, in any arena.”

The girl responded to his obvious teasing with a smile. “Actually, I’m in training. I’ll be taking over for a few weeks after the baby comes.”

Then she turned to Eve as she set a dish in front of her. “And since Chance here seems to have forgotten his manners, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Abigail Fulton. Daisy’s husband is my brother.”