A Love For Keeps (Truly Yours Digital Editions)

by Janet Lee Barton

  Something died in him that day, but he’d struggled through, questioning God, reading and praying—and doing his best to raise the daughter he adored. He knew now that the Lord had never left his side, and while he still wondered why his Rose had to die, he knew she was in a better place. He strived to raise Natalie the way he thought Rose would want him to … trusting in the Lord to help him.

  Since he’d met Meagan Snow and her family, he’d felt more alive than he had since the day of the fire. And it felt really good to be looking forward rather than backward.

  “Papa, do you like the Snow family as much as I do?” Natalie asked when they were on their way to the shop for a fitting of her new Sunday dress.

  He looked down and smiled at his daughter. She was always in a good mood when they were on their way to the Snows’ home. “Well, I’m not sure how much that is, but I do like them very much.”

  “They are so nice, and they like to talk to me, and I like talking to them. I just enjoy being there. It’s very … homey, isn’t it?”

  That is it, exactly, Nate thought. “Yes, it is.”

  “I like being there almost as much as at home … and much better than any other place.”

  As she skipped and chattered alongside him, Nate realized that Natalie was always very happy and talkative when they left the Snow home, but she didn’t have much to say when she left her aunt Abigail’s. He began to wonder why that was. Natalie had always been close to Abigail, but not quite as open or happy around her aunt as she was around Meagan. Maybe it was a difference in personalities. Or perhaps it could be the different way each woman treated her. Abigail sometimes treated Natalie as if she were younger than she really was, and Meagan treated her … like a person in her own right. Nate shook his head. Mulling it over wasn’t telling him anything. Perhaps his daughter just liked Meagan better than she did Abigail. That he could certainly understand.

  Meagan began looking forward to Natalie’s fittings more each time she came in. Her heart went out to the child and her papa. It had been so hard for Meagan’s family when her own father had passed away, but how very hard it must be for Nate to raise a child on his own, or for Natalie to barely remember her mother. Yet Natalie was a delightful child and a joy to have around.

  Nate, however, made her pulse race and her heart beat faster these days. Something about the man’s slow smile never failed to make her smile back—and her heart seemed to do little flip-flops at the sight of him. He was such a gentleman, and he treated her mother and sisters with a gentle grace that touched her heart. He was extra nice to her mother, and that meant so much to Meagan. More than likely, his own loss made him relate to them and be so considerate. Whatever it was, she found her respect growing for him each day—as well as her attraction to him. She tried not to show how she felt and lived in fear that she wouldn’t be able to hide those feelings much longer.

  At this fitting, she concentrated on Natalie and how well the new suit dress fit. It was in the child’s favorite colors, blue with green trim. Its bodice was fitted, and the skirt was tucked in the front and pulled to the rear to form a modified bustle, nothing the size of what women were wearing these days, but enough of one to make Natalie feel she was wearing the latest style. The collar and cuffs on the dress matched the green inserts of the jacket. To Meagan, Natalie looked adorable.

  Apparently, Nate thought so, too.

  “You do wonderful work, Meagan. Nothing we’ve had made for Natalie in the last few years can compare to the quality of your work.”

  “Thank you. I love doing this. I am so happy you made it possible. I talked Mama into giving her notice at the Crescent. Today is her last day.”

  “Oh, I’m happy to hear that news!”

  “Somehow, I thought you might be.”

  Nate nodded. “Your mother reminds me of my own at times. I’m glad she will be able to stay at home again.”

  “I convinced her that I’d be needing her help here. I do think the business will grow enough that I will need some extra hands. I hope so, anyway.”

  “Once word gets out from the ladies you are sewing for now, you’ll need her.”

  Natalie had been turning this way and that in front of the mirror. “I love this dress, Miss Meagan! I can’t wait to wear it. When do you think it will be ready?”

  “You may take it home with you.”

  Natalie clapped. “I can wear it on Sunday. Oh, I can hardly wait!”

  “I look forward to seeing you in it,” Meagan said.

  “I can’t wait to see what Grandmother and Aunt Abby say! I haven’t told them about it because I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  Nate chuckled. “They certainly will be surprised, mostly because you and I did this without their help.”

  He sounded proud that he’d been the one to help his daughter, but Meagan wondered if his in-laws would feel the same way. She’d watched them in church more than she should have, she supposed. It was obvious that Nate’s sister-in-law wanted everyone to think she had some kind of claim on him. Perhaps she did. If so, Meagan needed to quit weaving daydreams about the man. Perhaps she needed to assume that he was taken, for even if he wasn’t, she’d be silly to think that a man like him would be interested in her.

  six

  When he and Natalie went to dinner at Abigail’s the first Saturday evening in April, Nate was still wondering about Natalie’s differing moods when with Abigail or the Snows. It wasn’t that Natalie didn’t want to be with her aunt—she was excited to be spending the night there.

  Abigail had also invited her parents, which was a big change from her usual dinner parties, so the evening was more enjoyable than usual for Nate … until his parents-in-law went home and Natalie went up to get ready for bed. Then he was left alone with Abigail.

  “That was a wonderful meal, Abigail. And it was nice that it was just family tonight.”

  “I thought so, too,” she said, leading him into the front parlor. She took a seat in the ladies’ chair flanking the fireplace, and Nate sat down in the gentleman’s seat across from her. It was a nice room, elegantly furnished, but he’d never really felt comfortable in it. Now he knew why. It didn’t have that homey feel that the Snows’ home had. Maybe it was because Abigail lived by herself or because she was too concerned about nothing getting messed.

  “Nate, dear,” Abigail began, “don’t you think it’s time you thought of marrying again?”

  It had been awhile since she’d brought up the subject, but he’d been expecting it for some time. He answered the way he always did. “No. Natalie and I are getting along quite well. I have a wonderful housekeeper who takes good care of us.”

  “But don’t you get lonesome?”

  He had been lonesome for a long time, but only for Rose. Now he realized that thoughts of her had somehow been replaced by Meagan Snow, and he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.

  “Don’t you?” Abigail prodded.

  “Everyone gets lonesome from time to time, Abigail. Of course I do. That certainly isn’t a reason to get married, though. There needs to be more—”

  “What about for Natalie’s sake? She needs a woman’s influence in her life.”

  Nate chuckled. “She has that. She has you and your mother, and even my housekeeper, who is wonderful with her.” She also had the Snow women, but Nate felt it best not to mention them.

  “Nate.” Abigail had that exasperated tone in her voice. He seemed to bring it out in her. “You know that Rose would have wanted you to remarry, and you know that I love Natalie as my own. I care for you—”

  “Abigail, we have this discussion on a regular basis, and I haven’t changed my mind. I—”

  “Papa, I’m ready for bed,” Natalie interrupted, and Nate had never been happier to have a conversation cut short. “Are you going to hear my prayers?”

  “I certainly am,” Nate said, getting up to follow her upstairs.

  Abigail did love Natalie, there was no denying that and never had been. She’d
furnished a room specifically for her niece and had chosen everything with the little girl in mind. Nate did appreciate her love for his daughter. But that was all.

  Natalie knelt beside the bed as she always did, and Nate knelt next to her as she prayed.

  “Dear God, thank You for Papa and for Grandmother and Grandfather and for Aunt Abby. And thank You for all the Snow ladies, especially Miss Meg. Please watch over them all and keep them safe. Please forgive me for my sins and help me to do Your will. And please let Papa get home safely. Thank You for everything, dear God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen.” Nate echoed. He realized that Natalie must like Meagan a great deal when she called her Miss Meg. She always shortened the first names of the people she cared a lot about.

  Natalie jumped into bed, and he helped her pull the quilt up to her neck. He bent down and kissed her brow. “Good night, Natalie.”

  “Good night, Papa. I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “Yes, you will. Sleep tight, and sweet dreams.”

  “Thank you.” Natalie yawned.

  Nate met Abigail in the hall. “I’ll go in and tell her good night and be right back. Would you like a cup of chocolate before you go?”

  Nate didn’t want to continue the conversation they’d begun earlier. He shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m quite full from that excellent dinner you served. Thank you again, Abigail. There’s no need to see me to the door; I can let myself out.”

  “Yes, well, all right,” Abigail said a bit coolly.

  He knew she was unhappy with him, but if he stayed and continued the conversation, her mood would only get worse. “I’ll see you and Natalie at church tomorrow.” Nate didn’t wait for an answer. He hurried down the stairs, gathered his overcoat, and took his leave, shutting the door behind him.

  As soon as he arrived at church the next morning, Nate could tell Abigail still wasn’t happy. The tightness around her lips had proven over time to be a signal that she was in a bad mood. He decided to ignore her moodiness and hoped she would get over it.

  “Good morning!” he said to no one in particular, but with a smile and a wink for his daughter.

  “Good morning, Papa,” Natalie said, scooting over on the pew to make room for him. “Aunt Abby and Grandmother and Grandfather think my new outfit is beautiful!”

  He was almost certain he heard a huff coming from Abigail as he replied to his daughter, “You do look quite lovely this morning.”

  “Thank you. I feel pretty in the dress Miss Meg made me!”

  Georgette Connors leaned forward, looking past her daughter and granddaughter to address Nate. “I want to know where to find this new dressmaker you’ve found. The quality of her work is superb!”

  “Her name is Meagan Snow, but you’ve already met her, Georgette,” Nate said. “She and her family attend church here. I introduced you to them.”

  Georgette look confused and cocked her head to the side. Nate could tell she was trying to remember.

  “They sat behind us over a month ago. The bank is financing her new business endeavor.”

  “Oh, yes. I remember now. Well, I’ll talk to you about it later.”

  Nate nodded. Thankfully, he was on the outside of the row by his daughter and not beside Abigail. She’d barely acknowledged his greeting, and she looked stiff as a board. He had a feeling it was all this talk about Natalie’s new dress. She was probably angry that he hadn’t consulted her about the addition to his daughter’s wardrobe. Well, she would have to get over it.

  When the service was over, Nate looked around for the Snow women so that he could point them out to Georgette again, but they were out the door before he could get her attention.

  Natalie rode with her grandparents back to their house, and Nate offered Abigail a ride, as she and Natalie had been picked up by her parents that morning.

  “Yes, thank you,” she accepted a bit coolly.

  Nate sighed inwardly. Sometimes he wished they didn’t have a standing date to eat with his in-laws every Sunday. He helped Abigail into his surrey and wondered if she was going to tell him why she was angry. He took the reins in hand and flicked his wrist. Once they were moving, Abigail lost no time in letting him know what her problem was.

  “Who is this Meg that I’ve been hearing about from Natalie?”

  “Why she’s the dressmaker who made her new dress,” Nate answered.

  “I know that, Nate. But where did she come from, and how do you know about her?”

  Nate tried to tamp down his growing irritation that neither Abigail nor her mother remembered meeting the Snows. “You’ve met her at church, Abigail. I introduced you all back in February.”

  Her brow furrowed, trying to remember.

  Nate sighed. “They were sitting in the pew behind us.”

  “Oh, yes. Now I remember. But I don’t recall you saying she was a seamstress.”

  “Well, I did. She is a talented dressmaker who’s opened her own shop. The bank loaned her the money to get it started—”

  “Oh, I see.” Abigail sounded a little less cool. “So you are just helping her get started and making sure that our bank gets a return on the investment.”

  Maybe that’s how it had started out, but Nate knew that wasn’t the reason he was taking Natalie to Meagan’s shop now. There was much more to it, but it wasn’t something Abigail would want to hear, and it wasn’t anything Nate wanted to tell her … not yet, anyway. “I’d appreciate it if you would spread the word about the shop and the quality of Miss Snow’s work. A word from you would help a lot.”

  “I suppose I could do that,” Abigail said. But she didn’t sound too happy about it.

  Nate decided it was time to change the subject. “I received my invitation to the grand opening gala at the Crescent on May 20th.”

  “Oh, good. I received mine, too. Everyone is talking about how it’s going to be the event of the season!”

  Nate was sure it would be. He wanted to bring up Meagan and her shop again and how he was sure there would be women wanting new ball gowns. But Abigail’s mood had lifted with talk of the Crescent, and for everyone’s sake at dinner, he felt it best not to change subjects. Somehow, he managed to keep up with the conversation while his thoughts were on Meagan.

  Abigail’s assumption that he was taking Natalie to Meagan’s shop to insure the success of her business had him facing the truth. He’d come to care for the Snow family, and he wanted the business to be a success for their sake. Yet that wasn’t the reason he kept ordering items for his daughter’s wardrobe. He was beginning to care for Meagan more each time he was around her. That was why he would keep taking Natalie to Meagan for all of her wardrobe needs. It was that simple.

  seven

  The next week, Meagan and her mother went to order more fabric and trims. Several of the ladies who’d come in the day she’d opened had ordered afternoon dresses, and one had ordered a dinner gown. Nate had also decided to order several more items for Natalie. Meagan was thrilled, and it did look as if her mother had quit working at the Crescent just in time. There was no doubt she was needed.

  Celebrating this change, Meagan and her mother decided to have lunch at the Southern Hotel. Many of the hotels were located near the springs so that their guests wouldn’t have to go far to take advantage of what many thought to be healing waters. Being located adjacent to the Basin Spring, the Southern was no exception.

  As they entered the hotel, Meagan felt wonderful to be able to treat her mother to a luxury they hadn’t been able to afford since Papa’s death. The girls were in school, but hopefully, she’d be able to treat them one day soon, too.

  After the two ladies were shown to a table in the elegant dining room, a waiter handed them each a menu. Meagan looked it over and ordered a cup of bouillon, an egg sandwich, and tea.

  “I’ll have the same, please,” her mother requested. When the waiter left, she chuckled. “We could just as well have had this meal at home.”

 
; “I know, Mama. But we still have more shopping to do, and you deserve a treat.”

  “Thank you, dear. You’ve been working so hard so that I could quit working at the Crescent; I think it is you who deserves a treat.”

  “I know there is nothing wrong with you working outside the home. The Crescent Hotel is beautiful, and I’m sure it is a nice place to work. But Becca is still young, and, well, we all just want you at home,” Meagan said. “The house doesn’t feel the same if you aren’t there.”

  Her mother reached over and patted her hand. “You are a wonderful daughter, Meagan. I am proud of all my girls, and your papa would be so proud of all of you, too.”