“Because?”
“Ward isn’t ready to admit it yet, not even to himself, but he needs that little girl in his life. And she needs him.”
“And you?”
She needed them both with a longing that was almost a physical ache. But some things just weren’t meant to be. “For me, nothing has really changed since you left for your trip. Here in Turnabout, my business is still in decline and, engagement notwithstanding, Ward still has no inclination to be anything more than friends. On the other hand, I have my boisterous family in New York full of aunts, uncles and cousins too numerous to count, all of whom are more than ready to welcome me into their midst. And Aunt Opal has grand plans that will keep me fabulously busy learning new skills and doing a job I love. I’ll be fine.”
Verity jabbed one fist on her hip. “How can you say nothing has changed when everything has changed? The man you love has proposed to you and the two of you are sharing the care of that little girl.”
“He only proposed to me because he felt obligated.”
“That may be what drove him to do it, but I doubt that is the only thing Ward Gleason feels toward you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is watching.”
If only that were true. “At any rate, I don’t have to decide anything right this minute.” But soon. Much too soon.
Verity straightened. “I want to see this extraordinary wedding gown that is going to take you multiple weeks to create.” She marched into the workroom and studied the work in progress draped on the dress form. “So how much longer do you think you can legitimately draw this out?”
“At least two weeks.” She placed the fingertips of her right hand delicately over her heart. “There’s not nearly enough beading and embroidery work on it for a finicky bride such as myself. And I absolutely must have some of the exquisite ribbon embellished with metallic threads I saw last time I was in New York.”
Verity grinned. “And of course, now that I’m here, I must create a veil equal to the magnificence of the dress.”
“Absolutely.” Hazel gave her friend another hug. “It is so good to have you back home again.”
Verity gave Hazel an arch look. “You know, I was serious when I said I was ready to return home.”
Something about Verity’s tone and expression told Hazel her friend had more to say. “Were you not enjoying the trip?”
“Oh, we were having a fine time. Although I did begin to feel a bit under the weather the past few days.”
Hazel eyed her friend closely, searching for signs of poor health. “Are you okay?”
“Very much so.” She grinned and patted her stomach. “Though it’ll probably be about eight more months until I’m completely back to normal.”
It took a heartbeat for Hazel to understand her meaning and then she squealed in delight. She embraced her friend in an enthusiastic hug. “A baby. Oh, Verity, this is wonderful news.”
“Thank you. Nate and I are quite happy about it.”
“And Joy?”
“We haven’t told her yet. We want to wait a few more weeks—eight months is such a long time for a little girl to wait.”
“It’s a pretty long time for a grown-up girl to wait as well.”
Verity grimaced. “I know. And Nate is already getting overly solicitous.”
Hazel tried to ignore the little stab of envy. “There are worse problems to face.”
Verity touched her friend’s arm in a gesture of sympathy, then changed the subject. “I must say, I was surprised when we arrived to find that Nate’s shop was not nearly as chaotic and messy as I’d feared. Something tells me I have you to thank for that.”
Hazel waved a hand dismissively. “I just straightened a few things here and there. Ward wanted to know if anything was missing but I’m afraid I wasn’t familiar enough with the shop to be able to say.”
“Nate’s going through the merchandise now. It doesn’t appear that whoever it was made it upstairs to our living quarters, thank goodness.” She gave Hazel a troubled look. “And the sheriff has no idea who’s been doing this?”
“If he does, he’s not saying.” She clasped her hands together as the two of them moved back into the main shop area. “Oh, Verity, people are saying the most awful things about Ward. It’s as if they don’t think he’s good enough to be the sheriff anymore.”
“I’m sure they don’t mean any such thing. Folks are likely just upset that the culprit is still on the loose.”
“Even so, I’ll be glad when this whole thing is resolved. I don’t think I can leave Turnabout until it is.”
Verity gave her a crooked grin. “That almost makes me wish the culprit would never be caught.”
Before Hazel could do more than smile, Eunice Ortolon and Mrs. Sanders stepped into the emporium.
Hazel swallowed her groan and pasted a welcoming smile on her face. “What can we do for you ladies?”
Eunice looked to Verity as she responded. “We were passing by and saw the Coopers were back in town. We just wanted to welcome you home.”
Verity smiled, apparently ready to take the greeting at face value. “Thank you, Eunice, Eula Fay. It’s nice to be back.”
From the corner of her eyes, Hazel saw Tensy pausing on the threshold. Her eyes had widened like a startled deer’s and she looked ready to bolt. Hazel remembered she had a fitting today, something she probably wouldn’t want anyone, most especially these two women, to know about.
Before the future bride could retreat, however, Mrs. Sanders turned and caught sight of her. “Well, hello, Tensy. Are you in the market for a new dress or hat?”
“I, uh—”
Hazel quickly spoke up. “Tensy, you must be here to look at those ribbons I talked to you about. They’re in that blue bin over there on the far wall if you want to look them over and decide which ones you like best. I can be with you in just a few minutes.”
The woman gave her a grateful nod and scurried toward the other end of the room.
Eunice turned back to Verity, continuing as if they hadn’t been interrupted. “You’re home early, are you not? Is it because of the break-in? We were all so shocked when we heard about it.”
Verity’s expression gave nothing away. “It was unpleasant news to hear, of course, but I was ready to come home anyway.”
Hazel smiled at this reminder of her friend’s good news.
“Well, I know just how horribly devastated you must feel.” Eunice dramatically placed a hand over her heart. “I, too, was a victim of this criminal’s actions.”
Verity’s expression turned suitably sympathetic. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Eunice. Was the boardinghouse broken into as well?”
The woman’s face reddened. “Not exactly. The shameful hooligan had the temerity to invade my yard in broad daylight and scatter my clean laundry all about the grounds.”
Hazel noticed she refrained from mentioning the specifics of the culprit’s actions.
“I for one think this has been going on for much too long.” Mrs. Sanders declared. “There are a number of us who think it’s time to talk about whether Ward Gleason is still the right man for the job of sheriff.”
Hazel stiffened, prepared to defend Ward’s reputation. After what he’d told her, she knew how devastating it would be for him if the town lost faith in him.
But Verity placed a hand on her arm and spoke first. “Sheriff Gleason is a good man who is doing a very good job of enforcing the law in Turnabout. Neither I nor Nate hold him in any way accountable for what happened at our place.”
“No one is saying he’s not a good man. Just that perhaps he is no longer a good sheriff.” Eunice probably intended for her expression to be pleasant. She failed.
Hazel stiffened. “You can’t mean that.”
“I’m sorry, H
azel, I know this must be unpleasant to hear. As his fiancée, you would naturally want to believe the best of him.” Eunice gave her a condescending smile. “Then again, it’s not as if yours is a love match.”
Eunice’s pitying tone set Hazel’s teeth on edge.
Again Verity stepped in before Hazel could trust herself to speak. “I think it’s rather presumptuous to think we truly know another’s heart, don’t you?” Her expression remained pleasant but her tone was firm.
Eunice’s expression shifted uncertainly, as if she wasn’t quite certain if she’d been insulted or not.
Even as angry as Hazel was at the moment, she couldn’t help but admire Verity’s ability to deliver a pointed set-down with grace and a charming demeanor.
“Be that as it may, this is not a matter for us ladies to decide,” Eula Fay said primly. Then she turned a concerned look Hazel’s way, one Hazel didn’t find at all convincing. “My husband was just saying that it’s time we took a closer look at Sheriff Gleason’s handling of this situation. The council is contemplating calling a special town meeting to hear what folks have to say on the matter.”
“And if they do,” Hazel responded with a kind of angry confidence, “they will no doubt learn that most folks around here support Sheriff Gleason and would be appalled to hear anyone doubts his abilities to do his job.”
Her words earned her another round of pitying looks that set her fingernails stabbing into her palms.
“That’s very loyal of you, dear. One would expect nothing less from the sheriff’s fiancée.”
“Well, thank you for stopping by and for the welcome home,” Verity said as she ushered them toward the door with a sweet, innocent smile on her face. “As soon as I’ve had a chance to unpack and settle back in, you’ll have to let me tell you all about the trip.”
“Why, yes, of course. Good day to you.” And with slightly dazed looks on their faces, the two ladies made their exit.
Once the door closed behind them, Verity returned to Hazel’s side and touched her arm in a sympathetic gesture. “I wouldn’t pay them much mind. You know how they’re always making mountains out of molehills and trying to stir things up.”
“It just makes me so angry—” A movement across the room reminded Hazel that they weren’t alone.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and smiled at her customer. “Sorry, Tensy, I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
Verity straightened. “I need to get back to help Nate go through the inventory. We’ll talk again soon.” And with that, she too was gone.
“For what it’s worth,” Tensy said as she approached, “Pa and I agree with you. Even though these trespassers worked their mischief at our place three different times, we don’t blame Sheriff Gleason for it. He’s a good man and I know he’ll eventually arrest someone for this.”
Hazel was glad to hear those words of support for Ward after what those other two had said. “Let’s hope you are in the majority. The sheriff could use a nice strong show of support right now.”
Realizing Ward wouldn’t want her discussing him this way, she changed the subject. “Now, let’s see which ribbons you selected.”
As she discussed the pros and cons of the different selections Tensy had made, Hazel couldn’t get Eunice and Eula Fay’s comments out of her mind. How widespread was this discontent they’d mentioned? Would the town council seriously consider asking him to step down?
She couldn’t let that happen. When and if that town meeting was called, she’d make certain she was there and that her voice was heard, even if she was a woman. If the people of Turnabout needed to be reminded of all the good Ward Gleason had done for this town, then she was more than willing to do so.
* * *
Later that evening, while Meg studied the books in Abigail’s library, Ward carefully studied the menu. “I suppose you know the Coopers are back,” he said without looking up.
She nodded. “Verity stopped by the emporium to let me know.”
“Of course she did.”
He paused but she could tell he had something on his mind so she held her peace.
“How does this affect your departure date?” he finally asked. “If you’re still planning to leave, that is.”
“I have not yet decided one way or the other,” she said carefully. Which wasn’t entirely a lie. She still held onto a smidgen of hope that Ward would find a place in his heart for her. “But even if I do decide to leave, I don’t think I can go until I know that Meg will be well cared for.”
His mood seemed to lighten after that and she was almost sorry to have to darken it again. But it needed to be said. “Eunice and Mrs. Sanders came by the emporium again today.”
Ward raised a brow. “Twice in one week. Lucky you. Are they looking for some fancy new frocks?”
She rolled her eyes at his frivolous question. “They came in ostensibly to welcome Verity back to town.”
“Ostensibly?”
“They also wanted to commiserate with her about the break-in at her place. Which gave them the opportunity to say what a poor job they think you’re doing about finding the culprit.”
Except for the fact that a muscle near his mouth jumped, his expression remained impassive. “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.”
The man could be so maddening. “Will you stop pretending this doesn’t bother you? This is me you’re talking to and I’m on your side.”
He spread his hands. “And what do you suggest I do? My getting all riled up about folks’ attitudes is not going to change anyone’s mind.”
“You need to stand up for yourself. Let folks know you believe in yourself.”
He gave her a disgruntled look. “Don’t you go telling me how to act now. I’ve had enough—”
“Are you two fighting?” Meg’s eyes were big, her expression troubled as she looked from one to the other of them.
Hazel mentally kicked herself for not realizing Meg had returned. The child didn’t need any other disruptions in her life. “Oh no, sweetheart. We’re just having a disagreement. It’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Is that why you’re leaving and going way far away?”
How had she heard about that? “Of course not. And I still haven’t decided for sure if I’m going.”
“So you might stay here with us?” She took Ward’s hand as she asked her question.
The hopeful note in her voice shot straight to Hazel’s heart. But she couldn’t make a promise she wasn’t certain she could keep. “Like I said, I haven’t decided yet.” She gave Meg a hug, then helped her into her chair. “Now, let’s have a look at the new book you picked out, shall we?”
* * *
Ward was concerned about Meg. She’d only picked at her supper and when they’d walked Hazel home afterward, she’d been uncharacteristically quiet despite Hazel’s attempts to draw her out. She’d also seemed subdued when they took Pugs for his evening walk.
He found Half-pint’s continued quiet and unhappy expression disquieting. Over the past few days he’d not only gotten used to her bubbly disposition but had grown to enjoy it. This quiet, listless child was foreign to him.
Was she still worried about what she’d perceived as an argument between him and Hazel? Or was it because she feared Hazel was leaving? Should he try to discuss either or both situations with her or let her work things out for herself?
He was still pondering that question as they returned from their walk. “Would you like to play a game of checkers?” he asked. He’d been teaching her how to play the past few evenings and she seemed to enjoy the challenge of it. He was discovering she had a delightful competitive streak.
But she hugged Chessie and looked at him with tired eyes. “Can we just read a story now?”
“Sure.” He’d thought he’d figured this pa
renting duty out but he was back to feeling entirely inadequate again. “Get your book and let’s sit on the sofa.”
She fetched the book from the bench where they’d placed it when they came in, then handed it to him before climbing up on the sofa. Pugs jumped up beside her, inserting himself between Ward and the girl.
Ward wasn’t sure what to do. How could he give the little girl the reassurances she obviously wanted and still tell the truth? He cleared his throat. “You know, Half-pint, Miss Hazel and I both care for you very much.”
She nodded. “And me and Chessie care for both of you very much too.”
“And even if, for some reason, we don’t get married, that doesn’t mean either of us will love you any less.”
Her lower lip trembled slightly. “But if you don’t get married then we won’t all be a family.”
He wasn’t sure what he’d do if she started crying. “That’s not true. People don’t have to live in the same house to be a family.”
Her lip stopped trembling and she wrinkled her nose. “They don’t?”
“Of course not. Why, Miss Hazel has a lot of family that lives all the way over in New York, but they are still her family. And she still loves them and they love her.”
“Oh.”
She didn’t seem entirely convinced so he tried again. “I promise, we will both love you, no matter what.” He brushed the hair from her forehead and then frowned. The girl was burning up. His perception of her listlessness shifted and his pulse kicked up in alarm. No wonder she’d been so lethargic—she was ill, not unhappy. How could he have missed the signs?
He scooped up the girl and stood. “How are you feeling, Half-pint?” he asked as he headed for the door.
“Don’t be mad. I’m okay.”
“You’re not okay. And I’ll only be mad if you lie to me.”
She swallowed and hugged her doll tighter. “My head hurts and my tummy does too. And I’m hot.” She looked up at him with watery eyes. “But I’ll be good, I promise.”
Had someone made her feel bad about getting sick before? “I know you will. But next time you feel bad I want you to tell me, okay?” He kissed her feverish forehead as he reached for the doorknob.
A Tailor-Made Husband Page 15
