by Debby Mayne
Lillian pondered the situation and realized how similar it was to her own—only perhaps a bit worse. “What did your mother say when you wanted to marry Mr. Tronnier?”
“After she got over the shock, Mother was very happy for us because James insisted she come live with us. I have to admit I saw a different side of her when she wasn’t quite so desperately trying to make ends meet.”
“I can understand,” Lillian said.
Mrs. Tronnier’s expression softened a bit. “James doted on her and made sure she never went without anything she needed. She loved being a grandmother, and she did everything she could to help out.” Mrs. Tronnier paused before adding, “And now she’s in heaven with the Lord. The end of her life was much more pleasant than the early years, and fortunately, she passed away peacefully in her sleep.”
“That is a beautiful story, Mrs. Tronnier.”
Chapter Thirteen
“What do you think the women are up to?” Pop asked.
William tried not to show his nervousness. “No telling. You know how Mom can be.”
“Yeah, that woman can talk the ears off a donkey.” He chuckled. “But she’s harmless and lovable.”
“I’m sure they’re getting along just fine.”
“Are you talking about us?”
William glanced toward the sound of his mother’s voice. “Can’t deny we were.” He extended his hand toward Lillian, and she tentatively came toward him. “So what do you think about Mom’s sewing room?”
“It’s wonderful.”
“I thought you’d like it.” William pulled Lillian closer to his side as he addressed his mother. “Nelda asked if y’all were almost ready for dinner.”
Mom started for the kitchen. “I’ll go help her get everything on the table.”
“I can help too,” Lillian said as she started to pull away.
“No,” Mom said. “You’re a first-time guest in our home, so you stay right here.”
William leaned over and whispered, “Next time you can help if you really want to. I think Nelda would prefer that everyone stay out of the kitchen, but Mom can be stubborn when she sets her mind to something.”
A few minutes later, everyone sat around the large dining room table. Pop reached for the hands of those on either side of him.
“I’ll say the blessing so we can dig into this delicious feast.”
William bowed his head as Pop began the blessing, but he lifted one eyelid halfway through to take a glimpse of Lillian. He was relieved to see that she appeared much less nervous than she had when they first arrived.
The second everyone said, “Amen,” the men grabbed the bowls in front of them and started scooping food onto their plates.
“Calm down, guys,” Mom said. “Let’s not scare our guest by making her think we’re a bunch of savage animals.”
Mason howled. “She might as well find out what a bunch of hungry men look like, if she’s going to keep coming around.”
William looked at Lillian to see if she caught the last part of Mason’s comment. “That’s okay,” she said. “I have brothers. They’ve been gone awhile, but I do remember them at the dinner table.”
Mom scooped a serving of corn onto her plate. “Our daughters used to fuss at the boys for eating all the food before they got any.”
“We left plenty,” Amos said. “See? You can’t even see the bottom of the bowl.”
William loved the banter at the dinner table. Even if he didn’t, it was good for Lillian to see what it was like when the Tronnier family sat down together. And from the look on her face, she was enjoying every minute of it.
Nelda came out periodically to make sure they had plenty of rolls and corn bread. After everyone finished eating, she announced that she’d made rice pudding and pumpkin pie. All the men wanted some of both, but Mom and Lillian said they’d like a small amount of rice pudding. He’d noticed some similarities between Mom and Lillian before, but now he realized there were quite a few.
After dessert, William offered to help, but Mason and Amos practically shoved him and Lillian out the door. “We’ve got cleanup duty covered this time. When we bring a girl home, you can take over for us.”
Lillian giggled as she followed William out the door. Once they got to the front room, he asked if she’d like a tour of the farm.
“I’d love one,” she said.
“Walk, automobile, or horse?”
“Let’s walk,” she said as she rubbed her tummy. “It’ll help digest our food.”
Once they got outside, William asked what she thought of his family. “I know they can be overbearing sometimes, but everything they do is out of love.”
“They seem so…so normal.”
William roared. “Why wouldn’t they be?”
Lillian pursed her lips as they walked a few feet; then she stopped and turned toward him. “No reason. It’s just that I’ve never been around anyone like your family before.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“They are wonderful, William. Your mother is very sweet and makes me feel like I fit in.”
“Why wouldn’t you fit in?”
Lillian hung her head and shrugged.
“I think I can handle whatever it is, if you’ll explain it to me.”
“Your family obviously doesn’t have to worry about where the next meal comes from. You even have an automobile. That’s not something we’ll ever have.”
“How do you know?” William asked.
She shook her head. “How can that happen when we barely make ends meet?”
“Lillian,” he said softly, “please come here.” He reached out both hands.
At first she barely looked at him, but, finally, she sighed and took a step toward him. He pulled her into his arms.
“I care about you very much, Lillian. In fact, I think I have fallen in love with you.”
He felt her body tense. “William, I—”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just thought you should know how I feel.” He paused for a moment. “I take that back. I want to know how you feel.”
She licked her lips and shifted in his arms. He watched her and waited, holding his breath at first then slowly taking a breath.
“I think I might be falling in love with you too.”
Her words hit him so hard that a small breeze would have knocked him over. “What did you say?”
Lillian’s eyelashes fluttered as she looked at him and blinked. “You didn’t hear me?”
“I think I did, but I want to make sure.” William felt like dancing across the field, but he stayed in that spot, looking into her eyes, hoping she’d repeat the words he’d just heard.
“This is hard for me,” she whispered. “I’m not used to any of this.”
“Please tell me what you said one more time. I want to commit your words…your voice…everything about this moment to memory.”
“William, I can’t allow myself to feel this way.”
“Why not, Lillian? I love you, and if you love me, then it’s a beautiful thing.”
“No.” She stepped back and pushed him away. “It’s not a beautiful thing. I still have to take care of my family, and loving you will only make life difficult.”
“We’ll figure out something,” he argued.
“I’m not about to put that kind of burden on someone else.”
“If that someone else loves you, it’s a blessing, not a burden.”
Lillian pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “Let’s go back inside so I can say good-bye and thank your family.”
William couldn’t help but wonder what he could have said or done differently. He loved Lillian now more than he did during dinner, and he had no reason to believe he wouldn’t love her more as time went on.
Mom was waiting for them when they got back to the house. “Nelda baked some cookies, and I made some hot chocolate.”
“I’ll take the hot chocolate,” Lillian said. “But I’m still too full fro
m dinner to eat cookies.”
“William?” Mom asked. “How about you? Cookies and hot chocolate?”
“Yes, of course. Both.”
After they finished their hot chocolate, Lillian told his parents good-bye. His brothers had already left to see something Mason was putting in his house, so Lillian asked his parents to tell them she was happy to have met them.
As she got into the automobile, William tried to think of something to bring back the magic from earlier that afternoon, but nothing came to mind. He drove back to town with silence hovering between them.
He pulled up in front of her house and stopped the engine. “I had a wonderful time, Lillian. Would you like—?”
“We need to spend some time away from each other and think about things for a while,” she said.
* * * * *
Lillian was glad when Monday morning arrived. Yesterday afternoon when she got home, her parents had exchanged plenty of glances, but she didn’t say much other than the fact that William’s family was very nice and that she enjoyed the dinner their cook had prepared.
After eating a biscuit and small sliver of ham for breakfast, Lillian set out for work. She was eager to be in her regular weekly routine to keep her mind off her feelings for William.
She walked into the Five and Dime and heard the strains of Christmas music playing on Mr. Joachim’s phonograph. The record was scratched, but it still added a festive touch to the store.
Lillian had always enjoyed the festivities of the Christmas season—from the church activities and music to the busy shoppers rushing about to pick up gifts for loved ones and friends. Mama and Daddy rarely gave more than a few words and kisses to each other, but ever since she’d had a job, she’d brought a gift home for each of them. Mama generally hung a stocking for her and filled it with fruit and nuts.
“I have something for you, Lillian,” Mr. Joachim said as he came up to the front of the store. “I’d planned to save this until Christmas Eve, but I think you can use it early.” He pulled a messily wrapped parcel from his jacket pocket and handed it to her with an expectant look on his face.
“Thank you,” she said as she took it.
“Open it now.”
She tore the paper and pulled out the gift. “Gloves! I love them!” She swallowed hard to hold back her emotions. “These are exactly what I need.”
Mr. Joachim’s face turned bright red. “I thought they might help keep you warm on cold nights when you have to walk home.”
Lillian put them on and held out her hands. They were a tad too big, but they fit what she felt in her heart. “They’re perfect.”
Until this year, she hadn’t given Mr. Joachim much thought, other than when she referred to him as her boss. But something had changed, and she realized it was her, not him. She’d matured enough to see herself as an adult.
She carefully pulled off the gloves and shoved them into her coat pockets. “I’ll enjoy wearing them tonight, that’s for sure. I heard it might snow.”
“Even if it doesn’t snow, it’ll be cold.”
A customer walked in, and for the remainder of the morning, Lillian was busy. Mr. Joachim had to come out of the office a couple of times to help with the crowd. By the time Anne arrived, they were happy to have a third person in the store.
“This place is hopping,” Anne said. “What would you like me to do?”
“If you don’t mind running the cash register while I help people find what they’re looking for, that would be a big help. Mr. Joachim needs to restock some of the shelves.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Anne instantly did as she was told.
The rest of the day ran smoothly, and the customers all left happy. By the time Mr. Joachim flipped the sign on the door, Lillian was ready to be done with the day.
“Great job, ladies,” he said. “If business keeps up like this, you’ll both get bonuses.”
Anne’s eyebrows shot up. “Bonuses, as in more money?”
Mr. Joachim chuckled. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
Anne started to speak, but something outside caught her attention and she leaned forward, staring. “Is that…?” She squinted.
Lillian turned around and spotted William’s automobile parked outside, with him leaning against it. “That’s William Tronnier.”
“I bet he came to take you ladies home,” Mr. Joachim said. “Have a good evening. See you both tomorrow.”
Since Anne and William now knew each other, Lillian said she’d walk home. But they both seemed appalled by the very thought, and since she didn’t want to make an issue of it, she accepted William’s offer of a ride as long as they dropped her off first. William looked hurt, but he did as she asked.
Lillian walked through the door of her home and showed Mama and Daddy her new gloves from Mr. Joachim. Mama seemed impressed, but Daddy appeared to have something else on his mind. Lillian helped with dinner then retired to her room to read.
As she turned the pages, she heard the murmuring of her parents’ conversation. Mama sounded irritated about something. It probably had something to do with William, but since Lillian had put the skids on that relationship, it wouldn’t be an issue.
* * * * *
Business was slow at the Five and Dime the next morning, but that wasn’t unusual for a Tuesday. Lillian knew it would pick up later in the day, after the high schoolers got out of school.
When the bell on the door jingled, Lillian looked up to greet the customer. Rose came walking into the store dressed to the nines, her head held in a high, jaunty manner as though she were in charge.
“Did you need something, Rose?” Lillian didn’t bother coming out from behind the counter.
“I just wanted to tell you how amusing you are. William and I laughed about it all evening after he dropped Anne off at school.”
“What are you talking about?” Lillian asked. She gripped the edge of the counter so tightly that the wood cut into the palm of her hand.
“You obviously haven’t spoken to him since last night.” Rose covered her mouth and pretended to hide her laughter. “He just feels sorry for you because you’re so poor.”
“Is that what he said?” Anger welled inside Lillian.
“Well, not exactly in so many words. He just said…well, never mind. I only stopped in to pick up some bath salts.”
Lillian told Rose where the bath salts were located. After Rose brought them to the counter, paid, and walked out of the store, Lillian let out a low growling sound. If she hadn’t already told William they couldn’t be together, she would now.
She seethed and fumed until Anne arrived. “What happened to you?” Anne asked.
“Nothing. Tell me if you see William. I need to talk to him as soon as possible.”
Anne pointed toward the street. “He’s over at the bank right now. Why don’t you ask Mr. Joachim if you can take a break since we’re not busy?”
Lillian looked at her for a moment, narrowing her eyes. “Are you ready to be left alone on the floor?”
“Of course. I can handle things as long as it’s not too crowded.”
Lillian ran to the office and got permission from Mr. Joachim to leave for a few minutes. “Is everything all right? You’re not sick, are you?”
“No, sir. I just need to chat with Mr. Tronnier, and Anne said he’s down the street at the bank.”
“By all means, go talk to him. I’ll keep an eye on the floor, and if Anne gets busy while you’re gone, I’ll give her a hand. Take as much time as you need.”
Lillian thanked him, grabbed her coat, and pulled it on as she scurried toward the door. She’d barely made it outside when William came walking up the sidewalk toward Joachim’s.
“I was just coming to see you,” he said. “We need to talk.”
“Stop,” she ordered. “We don’t need to talk, but I do need to tell you one thing. I will not stand for you being all nice and acting like you care about me and then running to Rose McNault and making me loo
k pitiful and desperate.”
“What?” Sincere indignation covered his face.
“She told me y’all were laughing about me last night.”
“Come on, Lillian, you know she’s a liar.”
“Did you see her last night?” Lillian folded her arms and tilted her head, all the while staring him in the eye.
“Well, yes, but only because she flagged me down after I dropped off Anne.”
“Where was she?”
“Here in Cary. She asked me if I minded taking her home since she missed the train.”
“Did you take her home?”
William hung his head. “Yes, I did. I probably shouldn’t have, but I didn’t want that on my conscience.”
Lillian felt some of her anger fade as she realized that Rose had played another of her games. And she regretted confronting William.
“Look, Lillian, I meant every single word I said to you on Sunday. I care about you more than you can imagine, and I thought my heart would explode with joy when you said you loved me too.”
She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and slowly let out her breath before looking back at William. “I’m sorry, William. I should know better than to accuse you of anything Rose says.”
“In that case, would you mind if I stop by your house later tonight?”
Lillian smiled. “How about another night later in the week? I’d like to talk to my parents first.”
He hesitated then nodded. “Okay. How about Thursday?”
* * * * *
William wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think Lillian had any idea that he and his pop had been talking to her dad about the business. A few things Lillian mentioned had sparked an idea, and after discussing it with Pop, they went into town one day and dropped in to discuss the details with Mr. Pickard. At first, he shook his head and said he didn’t want handouts from the rich, but they convinced him to listen to what they had to say before making a decision.
