How could she help him to see how wrong he was? How much more he was and could be?
By the time Ward came by the emporium to escort her and Meg to supper, word of their engagement had spread through town. As they strolled down the sidewalk, they were stopped at least a dozen times by folks who wanted to offer congratulations.
Hazel smiled and accepted the well-wishes with what grace she could, but it felt wrong.
Then, as Ward seated Meg, the child looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What does being engaged mean?”
Hazel cut Ward a quick look, then realized he was leaving it to her to answer.
She turned to Meg, touching the child’s knee to claim her attention. “When two people are engaged, it means they are thinking about getting married.”
Meg immediately started bouncing in her seat. “You’re getting married! Now we can be a real family.”
Hazel looked at Ward, not quite certain how to respond to that.
But before either of them could say anything, Meg continued. “And that means after you’re married we can all live in the same house together.” She turned to Ward. “We should live in Miss Hazel’s house ’cause it’s got more room.”
Ward finally spoke up. “We won’t be getting married right away, Half-pint, so for now things need to stay the way they are.”
“How long do we have to wait?”
“We’re not sure yet.”
Meg squirmed happily in her chair. “That’s okay. I can wait.” She lifted Chessie up until the doll was at eye level. “Did you hear that, Chessie? We’re going to be a real family someday.”
Hazel’s gaze locked with Ward’s and she saw the same concern she felt mirrored there. She closed her eyes and offered up a silent prayer that, whatever happened with her and Ward, they didn’t break that little girl’s heart. Or her trust.
And right now, she only saw one way to ensure that.
Was her and Ward’s mutual reluctance to hurt Meg a strong enough foundation to base a marriage on?
Chapter Fifteen
It had been three days since she and Ward agreed to announce they were engaged. The announcement had even been printed in The Turnabout Gazette. And Hazel still felt decidedly uncomfortable about the whole thing. It wasn’t just that she and Ward weren’t sure they would go through with the wedding—she’d come to terms with that. Or at least as much as she could ever come to terms with such a thing. It was more that everyone in town knew, or at least suspected, that Ward had only proposed to her because his hand had been forced.
Even when she received gushing congratulations, she was left wondering what the well-wisher really thought of the whole thing. The last thing she wanted was to be an object of pity.
And adding to her general lack of peace over the whole situation was that she couldn’t stop thinking about the explanation Ward had given her. Did he really view himself that way, as a man who had to remain set apart, a man whose entire belief about who he was as a person was tied to his role as sheriff? How heartbreaking. Didn’t he realize he could be so much more, that he was so much more?
Her prayers had taken on a new intensity, a new focus. Regardless of what kind of future she and Ward had—or didn’t have—together, she wanted to help him discover the man he was meant to be.
He’d believed in himself once, in how much more he could be. She remembered the boy, teasing his little sister and her friend, watching out for them, teaching them to fish and find the best skipping stones and how to tell when the wild persimmons were ripe enough to eat without puckering your mouth. That boy had been responsible and honorable, yes, but he’d had dreams too.
There had to be a way to get through to that part of him again.
* * *
Tensy showed up at the dress shop bright and early on Saturday morning but this time Hazel was ready for her. “Hello, Tensy. Your timing is impeccable. I have enough of your gown basted together to do an initial fitting.”
As the two stepped into the fitting room, Hazel eagerly awaited her client’s reaction. She’d added a few extra touches in an effort to cater to Tensy’s desire for something princess-like. After all, she’d just paid the last invoice on her stock and she wouldn’t be ordering any additional inventory. Except for the show she was putting on over her own wedding dress of course. She might as well get some use from what was already on hand. It would save her having to ship so much of it to New York.
She smiled at Tensy as she approached the dress form. “I’m really pleased with the way this turned out, I can’t wait to see it on you.”
Tensy nodded, studying the dress from several angles. “Oh, I really like the touch of beading on the bodice.”
“I thought it would add some sparkle and flair to the dress.”
Tensy nodded, then gave Hazel a sly smile. “Pa’s been under the weather the past few days and I’ve had to take care of him so I’m just now hearing your good news. It looks like you may beat me to the altar.”
Everything in Hazel froze as she tried to figure out how to respond to that. If only it were true.
But she kept a smile on her face and replied in as offhand a manner as she could. “Not necessarily. Sheriff Gleason and I don’t plan to rush into this. I have to make my own gown, which will take some time. And of course I wouldn’t dream of having a wedding without Verity here.”
Tensy nodded as Hazel helped her ease the nearly complete dress over her head.
“I must say, I was surprised when I heard.” The woman’s voice was muffled beneath the fabric. “I thought you had your heart set on going to New York and pursuing a career there as a dress designer.”
It had been more her mind than her heart that was set on it. “Plans change.”
Tensy’s head and arms finally came through the appropriate openings and she shook her head to settle her hair in place. Rather than looking at herself in the mirror, however, she studied Hazel. “Pardon me for saying so, but you don’t have the joyful glow of a woman in love. I know it’s not my place to be so personal, but as someone who knows what love is, I would hate for you to settle for something less.”
If only Tensy knew just how much she agreed with her. But there wasn’t much she could reveal about this mess she’d found herself in. “I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I know what I’m doing.” She prayed that was true.
Tensy continued to study her, a troubled expression on her face. Apparently Hazel hadn’t been very convincing.
It was time to change the subject. She gestured toward the large cheval glass. “Look at how beautiful you are. Your groom won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.”
Tensy turned to the mirror and a delighted smile blossomed on her face. “Oh, Hazel, thank you. It’s so beautiful.”
Hazel gave her a hug. “It’s you who are beautiful, the dress just helps you shine. Now, let me get some pins so we can see what adjustments need to be made.”
Had Tensy been able to see through her happy-bride pretense because she hadn’t seen a reflection of her own joy when she looked at her? Or was her own lack of belief that this wedding would ever take place seeping through for everyone to see?
She would have to be really careful how she conducted herself going forward.
* * *
“Are you making any progress in identifying who’s responsible for all these senseless crimes?”
“Not yet.” Ward faced the mayor across his desk, listening to yet another discussion of what a poor job he was doing.
“I’ve been getting complaints about the way you’re handling this situation. Or rather not handling it.”
He couldn’t say as he was surprised. He’d heard the rumblings himself. “What kind of complaints?”
“Some think you’re more concerned about that little girl and Miss Andrews
than you are about doing your job.”
Ward stiffened. “Since when is my personal life up for discussion? I’ve done a good job these past nine years. And I’ll take care of business this time too. I’m getting closer to identifying the culprit.”
“Identifying the culprit? Everyone knows it’s the Lytle boys behind this. Frankly, I’m not sure why you haven’t arrested them yet.”
Ward swallowed a sarcastic retort. “I won’t arrest them without proof. Besides, I don’t think there’s anyone in this town who believes all four of them would work together. Elmer’s boys and Orson’s boys would be more likely to go at each other than to join forces to commit these acts.”
The mayor waved his words away with an irritable gesture. “I’m telling you, you need to figure this out, and quickly too.”
“I’m working on it.” Then he met the mayor’s gaze and held it. “What are you not telling me?”
The man tugged on his vest in an officious gesture. “If you must know, there’s some as say this is your first real test in all the years you’ve worn the badge. That you appear to have done a good job up till now because you’ve never been challenged until now.” He leaned back in his chair. “For instance, when that Walker girl got kidnapped last year, you didn’t have much of a hand in getting her back.”
Ward’s jaw tightened at this reminder of his past failure. The fact that it had happened quickly and then moved to another town was no excuse. “You keep repeating what ‘some say.’ What do you think?”
Mayor Sanders cleared his throat, his gaze shifting away from Ward’s. “Look, you know I stand behind you. But I have a duty to this town to represent them to the best of my ability.”
“And I have a duty to protect them to the best of my ability. And I take that job very seriously.” Ward stood, ready to take his departure.
But the mayor wasn’t quite done with him. “Of course you do. Just see that you don’t let other—” he paused long enough to emphasize his point “—distractions keep you from tackling your job with the focus it requires.”
Ward jammed his hat back on his head and spun on his heel without saying a word.
Mainly because he didn’t trust himself to say anything.
The thing he’d feared all along about getting seriously involved with a woman was coming to pass. Truth be told, having Meg and Hazel in his life these past two weeks had felt really good, had made him feel like he was part of a real family again. But it had taken his focus away from his job. He enjoyed being in their company, perhaps a bit too much. The time he spent with them, however, was time he wasn’t spending doing his job.
He needed to get Meg’s situation resolved soon because, to be honest, he’d been dragging his feet a bit on that lately. And perhaps it would be best, for his ability to do his job, if not his personal happiness, if Hazel did go through with her plan to go to New York.
Strange how reaching those decisions brought him no joy whatsoever.
Chapter Sixteen
Monday morning started off slow in the Fashion Emporium. Most of the town had satisfied their curiosity about Meg and about Hazel and Ward’s engagement, so the only folks with any reason to come by were legitimate customers. Which meant she had lots of time to work with Meg on her sewing skills.
In fact, the bell over the door didn’t sound until about an hour before lunchtime. Hazel stepped out of the workroom and froze in place for a heartbeat. Then she squealed. “Verity!” she called out, rushing forward to embrace her friend. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much.”
Verity laughed as she returned Hazel’s embrace. “I missed you too.”
Hazel released her friend with a puzzled frown. “But what are you doing back already? You were supposed to be gone for at least another week and a half.”
Verity fiddled with a locket at her throat. “When Nate got word about the break-in, we decided to cut the trip short and come back right away.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I know you two had been planning this trip for some time.”
Verity waved a hand airily. “If you must know, I was actually glad. I was ready to come home.” Then she gave Hazel a sly smile. “But what’s this I hear about you and Ward? Did the man finally come to his senses? I knew this would happen when he heard you were thinking about leaving town.”
“How in the world did you hear about our engagement already? The train pulled into town less than an hour ago.”
Verity grinned. “You know how quickly news travels around here. It was actually Lionel over at the depot who mentioned it.” She placed her hands on her hips in mock-accusation. “I must say, I was insulted to have to hear the news from him instead of you. You could have sent me a telegram at the very least.”
Had Lionel also mentioned the circumstances that forced Ward’s hand? “About that...”
Verity’s smile changed to uncertainty. “What’s the matter? I—”
Hazel cleared her throat, cutting her friend off in mid-sentence as she realized Meg had stepped out of the workroom as well. “Meg, honey, come here a minute. I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.”
The little girl came as far as Hazel’s side and studied Verity shyly. “Hello.”
To give Verity credit, other than throwing a quick, startled look Hazel’s way, she gave no other sign that she was anything but delighted at the introduction. “Why, hello there,” she said with a smile. “That’s a very nice doll you have there.”
Meg held the cloth creation up. “Her name is Chessie. Miss Hazel made her this dress.” She held out one side of her skirt. “She made my dress too.”
“Miss Hazel is a very good seamstress.” Verity put a finger to her chin. “If I’d known there was a little girl visiting over here I would have brought Joy with me to meet you.”
“Oh, I’m not visiting,” Meg said. “I live here now. And one day Sheriff Gleason will live here, too, and we’ll be a family.”
This time Verity couldn’t quite keep the surprise from her expression but she covered it quickly. “That sounds lovely.”
“I know.” There was a very self-satisfied note to Meg’s voice.
“Well, then, perhaps I could bring Joy by later to meet you. Would you like that?”
Meg nodded, her pigtails bobbing enthusiastically.
Hazel gave Meg a bit of ribbon to entertain Buttons with, then drew Verity a short distance away.
“It seems you’ve been very busy while I was gone.” Verity’s expression was full of questions. “Who is she and are you and Ward truly adopting her?”
It seemed Lionel hadn’t given Verity all of the gossip. Hazel quickly explained how Meg had come to be part of her and Ward’s lives.
Verity seemed every bit as affected by Meg’s story as she herself had been. “That’s awful. How could her sister have done such a thing?”
“Reprehensible, I agree.”
Then Verity’s eyes narrowed in speculation. “Does Meg have something to do with your upcoming nuptials?”
Hazel moved to straighten a display of ribbons. “I’m pretty sure there won’t be any nuptials. At least not between Ward and me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“There was a...misunderstanding of sorts. The night someone broke into your place, I heard the intruder and ran to fetch Ward. Meg was staying with him at the time, and since he couldn’t leave her alone, I volunteered to stay with her while he went out to investigate.”
“Oh.”
Hazel heard the note of understanding in her friend’s voice and nodded. “Mr. Hill saw me leaving Ward’s home just before dawn and drew the wrong conclusions.”
Verity touched her arm, her expression one of soft sympathy. “Oh, Hazel, I’m so sorry.”
Hazel shrugged, hating that she couldn’t keep the heat from climbing into her cheeks.
“Ward, naturally, felt the need to do the honorable thing. Which I told him was ridiculous, especially since I plan to leave Turnabout soon anyway.”
“But, don’t you think, even if you wed for the wrong reasons, love would eventually—”
She couldn’t let Verity finish that thought. “Ward has made it very clear that it’s not what he wants.”
“But, I thought, I mean—”
“There was some talk of finding a more appropriate, less scandal-ridden home for Meg, even if that meant a children’s asylum. Ward and I couldn’t stand by and let that happen. So we got engaged but put off the wedding itself, using the creation of a proper wedding gown as an excuse.” She waved toward the back of the shop. “Thus that extravagant monstrosity of a gown I have in the workroom. I figure I can keep working on it until it’s time for me to leave for New York.” Which, she supposed, would be soon since Verity was now home.
That thought left her feeling empty and sad.
“So you do still plan to leave?”
Hazel sighed. “It’s not definite. Ward and I agreed to give a marriage, albeit a platonic one, serious consideration. But unless something changes, then yes, I will probably go ahead with my plans to move.”
Verity glanced across the room. “Is Meg aware of your plans?”
“No. In fact, Ward is still operating under the belief that he will find another home for her.”
Verity’s brows drew down. “What do you mean operating under the belief?”
“He’s holding out hope that there is some relative other than her sister who can take her in.”
“And you?”
“I think it’s very likely no such relative exists. And even if this person does exist, if Ward looks at what’s best for Meg, he’ll think twice about handing her off.”
A Tailor-Made Husband Page 14
