Winnie Griggs - A Family for Christmas

Eve stiffened. How dare he? What kind of woman did he think she was? “Mr. Dawson, this is not only unacceptable but highly insulting. I—”

He stopped her by raising his palm and rudely speaking over her objections. “Please, hear me out. I assure you, I’ve taken the proprieties into account. I spoke to Dotty and she’s agreed to move in as well, so there will be no fodder for the gossip mills or hint of scandal associated with the situation.”

Eve took a deep breath and her face heated as she realized she’d jumped to the wrong conclusion. “My apologies.”

He gave a short bow. “You’re forgiven.”

His good humor only made her feel worse. After all, his offer was generous. It not only provided a solution to the sheriff’s concerns but also solved the problem of where she and Leo would sleep tonight.

On the other hand it still didn’t sound quite proper. She couldn’t help wondering what her grandmother and aunts would think if they heard. They would undoubtedly be horrified. And they’d say it was typical of her ability to embarrass them with her thoughtless ways.

Then she lifted her chin again. They had sent her into exile, so her behavior was no longer their concern.

The sheriff eyed Mr. Dawson as he rubbed his chin. “If you’re willing to keep an eye on the boy and take responsibility for him sticking around, then I guess I’m okay with releasing him to your custody.”

To his custody? “Just a minute, gentlemen. I thought everyone here understood that, while Mr. Dawson has generously agreed to assist, I am taking responsibility for Leo’s care.”

“Of course,” Mr. Dawson said quickly. “You would undeniably have the final word in the matter of Leo’s care. I’m just going to be close by if needed. Trust me. I plan to leave all the guardianship duties to you.”

His assurance mollified her concerns, but contrarily, she was also a tad disappointed at his ready capitulation. It seemed he wanted to step in and save the day but not take any real responsibility. What kind of white knight was that?

Nevertheless, thanks to him they’d have a roof over their heads and warm beds to sleep in tonight.

Eve took a deep breath and formed a quick, silent prayer. Thank You, Jesus. You have provided for our immediate needs, and used this stranger to do so. Help me to remember Your promise that we are never alone when we put our faith in You.

“Now,” Mr. Dawson said, “why don’t we go have that bite to eat we were discussing earlier?”

When they stepped back out on the sidewalk, Eve gave her temporary landlord a smile. “Let me thank you, Mr. Dawson, for your generosity toward Leo and myself. I assure you we will try to impose on you as little as possible during our stay.”

He made a dismissive gesture. “As I said, there’s lots of room and I like company, so I’m sure that won’t be a problem.” He spread his hands. “And please, I’d take it as a favor if you’d drop that fusty-sounding Mr. Dawson nonsense and just call me Chance.”

Eve stiffened and felt the warmth rising in her cheeks. “That would be highly improper. I barely know you.”

“Nothing improper about it. We’re now members of the same household, at least for the next few days. And I assure you, folks around here are pretty informal about such things.”

She mentally struggled with her notions of propriety versus her desire to be polite. She didn’t want to risk insulting him after all he’d done. “I don’t know—”

He cut off her protest, adding a cajoling note to his voice. “Oh, come now. I would consider it a favor.”

This seemed genuinely important to him. And she could avoid using his name for the most part. She nodded with a conciliatory smile. “Very well.”

“Thank you.”

The touch of triumph in the grin that accompanied his words should have irritated her, but for some reason it didn’t.

Then he swept an arm to his left. “Shall we? Daisy’s Restaurant is just a couple of blocks in this direction.”

Mr. Dawson—she still couldn’t think of him by his first name—set a sedate pace for them, giving Eve time to study the town as they strolled. Since this was to be her home for the next couple of days, she wanted to learn as much about it as she could. And it gave her something to focus on other than the distracting man walking beside her.

The rumbling from Leo’s stomach was getting more insistent.

Chance smiled down at the boy. “Don’t worry. We’ll be there in just a few minutes. I’m getting hungry myself.” Then he glanced her way. “You’re going to like the food at Daisy’s. She’s one of the finest cooks around here.”

Eve raised a brow at that. “That’s quite a claim.”

His brow arched. “You doubt me? I assure you, it’s the absolute truth. Daisy’s had the restaurant open for only a few months and already she has quite a contingent of regulars.”

This kind of teasing banter was new to her and it flustered her a bit—but in a not unpleasant way. “Well, after such glowing praise, I am definitely looking forward to trying it out for myself.”

He rewarded her with an appreciative grin. “You won’t be disappointed.” He waved to a two-story building they were approaching. “This is where our local newspaper, the Turnabout Gazette, gets printed. Daisy’s husband, Everett, runs the place.”

“How exciting to have such easy access to a newspaper.”

“I don’t know about exciting,” he said dryly, “but it is handy. Everett prints the paper twice weekly and, don’t tell him I said so, but he does a good job of mixing local and national news.”

Then he nodded to the adjoining building. “Daisy’s Restaurant is right next door.” A moment later, he gave a flourishing wave. “And here we are.”

Eve eyed the sign hanging above the door and smiled in delight. “Oh, how clever. And how welcoming.” The Daisy’s Restaurant sign was painted in colorful, cheery letters and the i had been dotted with a drawing of a daisy. This already felt like a friendly place.

Chance grinned. “Daisy painted that herself, and it really speaks to who she is.”

When they stepped inside, he waved to the woman behind the counter. “Hello, Daisy. I’ve brought a couple of newcomers in to sample your cooking.” He gave her a cheeky smile. “And I’ll give you fair warning that I’ve been bragging on you, so you need to treat them to your best.”

The woman lifted her chin and placed a hand on her hip. “Chance Dawson, you know good and well I give all my customers my best.” While the words were said in a chiding tone, her smile indicated she hadn’t really taken offense.

As she bustled out from behind the counter it became apparent that she was with child. And that she wasn’t letting it slow her down.

Daisy turned to Eve and Leo. “Hello. I’m always glad to see new faces in here. I’m Daisy Fulton and I’m right pleased to welcome you to Turnabout and to my restaurant.”

“Thank you. I’m Eve Pickering.” Eve placed and hand on Leo’s shoulder. “And this is Leo.”

Daisy smiled down at the boy. “Pleased to meet you, too, Leo.” Then she turned back to Eve. “Are you folks friends of Chance’s?” She cast Mr. Dawson a teasing look. “He’s always been a mite closemouthed about his life before he moved here.”

Eve wasn’t quite certain how to respond to that, but fortunately Mr. Dawson spoke up first.

“These two are recent acquaintances,” he said. Then he assumed a haughty expression. “And as for my past, I like being a man of mystery.”

Daisy rolled her eyes and cast a can-you-believe-him look Eve’s way. “Some mystery.” She turned back to Chance. “Chance Dawson, you are the least mysterious man I know.”