Their Mistletoe Matchmakers. Keli Gwyn

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      An awkward silence descended on the room.

      “Do you want—”

      “I’ll go fetch—” she said at the same time.

      He nodded at her. “Ladies first.”

      “I was going to say that I’ll get my cloak and head out back. And you?”

      “You answered my question. I was going to see if you wanted to join the children.”

      He waited in the dining room while she retrieved her cloak. They passed Gladys on their way out.

      The late November day was clear but chilly. A breeze sent crispy brown leaves from the massive oak tree somersaulting over the ground. The large limb that had trapped her was nowhere to be seen.

      “When did you find time to move the branch?”

      “I saw to that while you and Dot went to the grocer’s to pick up the spices I needed yesterday. It’s behind the shed, waiting to be cut into firewood. I’ll get the lumber and shingles tomorrow and repair the shed on Saturday, provided the weather holds.”

      The children were involved in a rousing game of tag, zigzagging across the backyard. Marcie chased after Alex with Dot not far behind. How they could run after all they’d eaten was a mystery.

      Lavinia took a seat on the porch swing, sitting to one side so there would be room for Henry. He inclined his head toward the open spot as if asking permission. She nodded. He sat and promptly pushed his feet against the floor, setting them rocking.

      She leaned back and closed her eyes, relishing the soothing motion of the swing. The children’s laughter helped drown out the distant rumble of the stamp mill at Leland Stanford’s Lincoln Mine north of town, which operated around the clock, even on holidays.

      The quest for gold drove the town and many of its inhabitants. Although Mr. Stanford’s formerly fledgling mine was now doing well, most of the men who’d come west in the hope of striking it rich had little to show for their efforts. She’d been happy that Jack had come to California prepared to ply his trade, knowing a blacksmith’s services would be in high demand. He’d done all right for himself and built a nice home for his family, a larger one than she would have expected.

      Lavinia stood and ran a hand along the wrought iron railing with its decorative pattern. The front porch had a matching railing, but the one on the staircase inside the house was even more beautiful. “This reminds me of Jack and Pauline. I can see my sister’s creative flair in the twists and curlicues, along with your brother’s fine workmanship.”

      Henry smiled. “Pauline did have an eye for design. She wanted something even more elaborate, but I had to remind her that there was a limit to my, er, a blacksmith’s abilities.” He looked away, but not before she saw his lips pressed firmly together, obviously regretting his slip.

      “I see. He was the salesman, but you did much of the work. Your talent is evident here as well as at the Crowne Jewel. Father might not have been happy about hiring Jack and having him win my sister’s heart, but he’s pleased with the job you did. Whenever he gives a tour of that hotel, he points out your artistry.”

      The swing’s chains attached to the balcony overhead creaked rhythmically as Henry kept the swing in motion. “I appreciate the compliment, but I haven’t practiced that trade in years. Long enough for these to come clean.” He held up his hands and turned them so she could see the palms and then the backs. “I can offer to shake a lady’s hand these days without offending her sensibilities.”

      She hadn’t thought about his coal-stained hands since the wedding, but his comment caused a memory to rush in. He’d held out a hand to her when she’d arrived at the Hawthorns’ home for the wedding, but she hadn’t been sure whether she should shake it or not. “My hesitation that day had nothing to do with your appearance. My mother had taught me that it was a woman’s place to make the offer, so yours gave me pause.”

      He frowned. “I see. It wasn’t the stains then but my lack of manners. It must have been hard for you to be among so many common folks who don’t put as much stock in minding their p’s and q’s as those in your social circles.”

      She straightened to her full height and lifted her chin. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do, Henry. I wanted to be at Pauline’s wedding so much that I went up against my father. He pushed back—hard—but I stood my ground. Even though I knew I’d be walking into a situation where people would pass judgment and whisper about me and my family, I didn’t let that stop me. I was prepared to stand by my sister no matter what. And I did.”

      She drew in a calming breath and released the fists she hadn’t realized she’d formed. She’d spoken without thinking, but she didn’t regret her outburst as much as she ought to. The record needed to be set straight. She might have a wealthy father, but she wasn’t unfeeling.

      “I’m glad you came. Pauline put on a brave front, but your father’s decision not to attend the wedding crushed her. I was ready to give him a piece of my mind, but she made me promise not to. She knew if I did, he wouldn’t let you come, and she wanted you there very much.”

      Her vision blurred, and she blinked to clear it. “She wasn’t just my sister. She was my best friend. I can’t believe I’ll never see her again.”

      “Why didn’t you come for a visit in all these years?”

      “I wanted to.”

      “But your father wouldn’t agree to it? That’s what Pauline told me when I asked her.”

      She turned away, gripped the railing and fought to keep the rush of memories at bay. Many times, she’d stood at the door to her father’s study with the intention of going inside and making another request, but any mention of Pauline resulted in a heated rehashing of all the ways his eldest child had failed him and a reminder that as far as he was concerned, he only had one daughter. Lavinia spun around. “If I’d had the means, I would have come.”

      Henry nodded. “Even if it meant defying him?”

      “I’d have found a way.”

      He stared at her for the longest time, his gaze passing from her head to her feet and back again. “I’m not an expert on etiquette, as you well know, but I’ve wondered about something. Your dress is pretty and reminds me of the cranberry sauce we just had. Most women who’ve lost a close family member wear black, but I’ve yet to see you in it. Why is that? I know you loved Pauline deeply, so I figure there must be an explanation.”

      She returned to the swing, sat and faced him. Although she wasn’t about to tell him how her father had insisted the entire family go into mourning after Pauline left, she could tell him how she’d chosen to honor her sister now. “She loved Christmas more than anyone I know. The tree wouldn’t even have been removed after one party, and yet she’d start talking about her plans for the next—which friends she would invite to Father’s party, what she’d wear, who she’d have make her gown. I could count on one thing, though. Her dress would be red, green or a combination of the two. She loved those colors so much that she wore them all year long. I’m wearing them in remembrance of her.”

      “I understand your reasons and admire your decision, but how will you deal with those who might question you?”

      “I’ll СКАЧАТЬ