A Chance to Love (Life's a Chance Book 3)

by Morgan Dawson

  Adelia looked into his brown eyes which were glistening with tears, as she stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. “I am so glad I found you again. I want to be happy here, and I’m going to try very hard.”

  She felt his arms wrap around her, as he sniffed. “I’m here for you. I always will be.”

  There is someone here. I’m not alone. Adelia repeated the words to herself as she held her brother close. She realized that it was important to be independent, and not be reliant on other people. But she also knew that sometimes you had to let people in, even if it was scary.

  As she hugged her brother, for the first time since arriving here, she felt safe and loved. Adelia couldn’t remember the last time she’d hugged someone, and it felt strange to her. She wished she could freeze this moment and stay in its safety forever.

  Chapter 14

  Nathaniel took a sip of his morning coffee, glancing out the window in the direction of the barn. He had so many things to do today, but he always made time for a coffee before beginning the day. The children had just left to pick berries they’d take to an elderly woman named Mrs. Bartson who was going to show Isabella and Kate how to make jam.

  As he set his coffee down, a knock sounded on the door. He furrowed his eyebrows, and made his way over, wondering who would be here at this time.

  Pulling the door open, he felt his eyebrows rise as he realized Miss Mason was standing by the door. She held a basket in one hand, and while her hair was still pinned at the top, she also wore long, loose waves over her shoulders.

  “Good morning, Mr. Anderson.”

  Nathaniel didn’t know who he’d been expecting on the other side of the door, but it certainly wasn’t this version of Miss Mason. From the time she’d been here, it had been made clear she wasn’t one for social calls, or friendly conversations. “Good morning to you too, Miss Mason. What brings you here?”

  “I just wanted to bring you and your family some molasses bread I made.”

  He blinked quickly a few times, meeting her pale blue eyes. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you. The children will be thrilled to see some baking around when they get home.”

  She smiled lightly, her eyes sparkling. “I’m glad. I hope they’ll enjoy it. It’s nice with butter or fresh preserves.”

  “They eat the mostly inedible food I manage to prepare, so I’m sure this will be a welcome treat. And they’re learning to make jam today, so that’s perfect.”

  Miss Mason let out a small laugh, and Nathaniel couldn’t help but stare at her. He couldn’t recall ever seeing Miss Mason smile before, never mind laugh. She’d always maintained a cold, and almost wary demeanor.

  “And…I also wanted to—” She paused, raising her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. “I wanted to apologize, Mr. Anderson.”

  “Apologize, for what?”

  “For not being very kind to you, even after you gave me a ride back to my brother’s house when it was raining. I was rude and I’m sorry.”

  Nathaniel shook his head, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Miss Mason, I didn’t find you to be rude at all.”

  “I wasn’t as polite as I should’ve been then. Please just accept my apology.”

  “Well, of course I do, but I don’t believe you need to apologize. I only assumed you were a bit reserved, which there is nothing wrong with.”

  She smiled and shrugged. “Well, I’m definitely not the most outgoing of people because I’ve had minimal experience with others, but I’m working on it.

  Nathaniel nodded. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’ll have to take you up on that some other time, Mr. Anderson, but thank you. I have a few more people to take baskets to, and I’ve only taken the morning off work.” She held the basket toward him, and he took it.

  “Well, thank you for the bread. I might tell the children it was me who made it.” He chuckled, glancing down at the basket.

  “And I’m sure they’ll believe you,” she said, almost mockingly as she turned around and began walking away.

  Nathaniel leaned against the open door frame, watching after her as she climbed up into the wagon next to Mr. Mason, who gave a quick wave. Nathaniel raised his arm to wave back, and when their wagon had pulled away, he looked down at the basket he now held in his hand.

  He didn’t understand Miss Mason very well, and he didn’t know much about her, but he hoped Burchcreek would be somewhere she could find comfort, from whatever burdened her.

  This little town had helped many people in their struggles, and Nathaniel had a feeling she would be a part of the community for a long time.

  Turning around, he set the basket on the table, took an appreciative sniff of the still warm, gingerbread scent of the bread, downed the last of his now warm coffee, and headed outside to begin the long day of work ahead.

  Chapter 15

  Adelia stood at the door of a beautiful two-story, white house with a large front porch and a little wooden bench along the large window. She had one more basket left, and she was exhausted from making conversation with so many people.

  Now she was just going to a few houses that were close to her brother’s, since they were their neighbors to introduce herself. Once she was done, she planned to walk home and not leave for a week. Except she had to work this afternoon. She sighed inwardly and knocked a few times, stepping back slightly to fully admire the house. She wasn’t sure whose house it was, but she’d been on her way home, looking for one more place to deliver her basket to.

  When the front door opened, it revealed a woman who looked to be around her own age, with long, black hair.

  “Good morning, my name is Miss Adelia Mason. I moved in with my brother a while ago, but never got the chance to introduce myself to the neighbors, so I made some molasses bread for you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you! I’m Miss Anna White. I’m the schoolteacher in Burchcreek.”

  “How long have you been a teacher there?”

  She let out a long breath, shaking her head. “I think it’s nearing five years now.”

  “Well, you must enjoy it then?”

  “Oh yes, I adore children and I’ve had the opportunity to meet such wonderful people because of it.”

  “That sounds nice.” Adelia nodded, handing her the basket. “I hope you enjoy the bread.”

  She smiled, holding the door open wider. “I’m sure we will. Would you like to come in and have some coffee or tea?”

  Adelia glanced to the path that would lead her home, and then back to the house in front of her. She wanted to decline and go home for a little while before work. But she knew this was a good opportunity to make a friend and try to get better at talking to people. “Well, all right. I can’t stay too long, though, because I need to be at the café by noon.”

  “Do you work there?”

  Adelia nodded, stepping inside a large entrance with a white staircase leading grandly upstairs through the middle.

  “Well, I’m glad Mrs. Tiller has finally got some help in there again. She works herself much too hard I say.”

  “Yes, she seems to be a hard worker.” Adelia followed where she was being led into a comfortable sitting room with an unlit fire, surrounded by a few chairs. “Your house is beautiful.”

  “Thank you. It’s my brother’s house, but I live here with him. I’m the one who cleans it and has decorated it.”

  “Well, you’ve done a wonderful job.” Adelia smiled, sitting down on one of the cushioned rocking chairs.

  “Thank you, would you like tea or coffee?”

  Adelia looked up at Anna who stood in the doorway of where she assumed would lead into the kitchen. “Tea would be great, thank you.”

  As Adelia sat quietly, she looked around at the paintings hung on the wall, and the beautiful, mahogany desk in the far corner with a matching chair.

  She was glad she had decided to stay and visit with Anna, even if it had initially scared her to do so.r />
  Anna seemed like a very kind and bubbly person, which Adelia reckoned would be good for her to be around. As she waited for Anna to return, she thought about some of the brief friendships she’d had in the orphanage, and the people she’d lost touch with after they’d been adopted.

  She wondered where they were now, and how their lives had turned out. She never would’ve imagined a few years ago, that she would be in this small town in the middle of Wyoming. It seemed like life had unforeseen twists and turns, and that you could only hang on and try to keep up.

  Chapter 16

  “Is this right, Pa?”

  Nathaniel looked up at Isabella as she slid her slate across the table where she’d been working out an arithmetic problem. He compared her answer to the one he’d already gotten and smiled. “Good job, dear. You’re getting better with these questions. I knew you could do it.”

  He noticed her gazing out the window briefly and frowning before beginning the next question. Nathaniel looked outside, realizing George and Kate were laughing and running around. Doing what exactly, Nathaniel rarely knew.

  “You can take a break and go play outside if you’d like?”

  She shook her head, her two long, blonde braids shifting as she did. “No, I better keep studying.”

  “Isabella dear, I know you’re nervous for the test tomorrow, but we’ve been working on this together all week.” Nathaniel reached across the table and rested his hand over hers. “I’m confident that you know what you’re doing now.”

  Isabella looked up at him under her long eyelashes. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “What if I don’t do well?”

  “As long as you do your best, that’s all that I ask.”

  She smiled, setting the slate down on the table. “I love you, Pa.”

  Nathaniel chuckled, and nodded toward the door. “Go have some fun for a bit. You’ve earned it.”

  He watched as she stood quickly and made her way to the door, leaving him alone in the house. He glanced to where her open book still remained and shook his head. He wasn’t sure how he had ended up with three children who worked very hard in school, because he certainly hadn’t been the academic type when he’d been a child.

  Letting out a long breath, he reached for The Burchcreek Times and began to skim the front page, grateful to have finally convinced Isabella to let him have a break from homework.

  “Uncle!”

  Nathaniel instantly set the paper down and stood upon hearing Kate’s excited shriek. Heading outside, he found Matthew crouched down with Kate’s arms wrapped around him, and Isabella and George standing close by.

  “What brings you here?” Nathaniel crossed his arms, as Matthew stood, and Kate hurried to take his hand.

  “I wanted a coffee, and a break from the screaming.” Matthew chuckled, and rubbed at his eyes.

  Nathaniel nodded, motioning for him to come inside. “I know that feeling well. How is Harriet doing?”

  “She’s exhausted, so I can’t stay long. After all, she’s the one who stays home with Owen all day and looks after him. But all evening he’s been crying and fussing, and my head feels like it’s going to explode.”

  “You children go back outside and play. Your uncle needs some quiet for a while.” Nathaniel smiled, getting two cups from the cupboard.

  The scrape of the chair against the wooden floor and the deflated sigh of his brother sitting down, made Nathaniel laugh as he turned to look at Matthew.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “I’m finding it funny. Now you know what it was like for me.”

  Matthew looked up at him, his blue eyes wide. “I can’t remember when we last slept an entire night. I don’t think it will ever stop. This child will cry and scream forever.”

  “Oh, Matthew,” Nathaniel began, shaking his head as he put some water on to boil, “I remember thinking the exact same thing. Now, all of a sudden, they’re practically grown, and I would give anything to have them small enough to hold again.”

  “You say that, but as soon as they started crying again, you’d instantly want to go back to them being old enough to walk and tell you what they want.” Matthew leaned on to the table, covering his face with his hands. “I just want to be a good father and husband. I don’t know how to help Harriet. She says she’s fine, and this is what being a parent is, but I’m worried for her.”

  Nathaniel nodded. “I know what that feels like, but I’m telling you, every parent in the world has felt what you’re feeling at some point in their lives.”

  “I know.” Matthew sighed, removing his hands from his face. “It’s just hard.”

  “And that, my brother, is what coffee, and a pillow over your head is for.” Nathaniel smiled, glancing down at him.

  “A pillow? I’m definitely going to try that sometime.”

  “Drowns out the sound.” Nathaniel nodded, looking out the window at the three children running around shouting and laughing with one another. “And, Matthew?”

  “Yes?”

  “They’re never quiet. Even when they grow up, they still scream and cry, and even worse, they learn to talk back.” Nathaniel shook his head and looked at Matthew who didn’t seem excited at the thought.

  Chapter 17

  It had been a few days since Adelia had taken the bread to some of the townsfolk, and since then she’d been working hard to get to know the people of Burchcreek. She hadn’t been nervous before leaving the house to go to church. But now she was standing by the schoolhouse entrance with Timothy right beside her. She felt nauseous and ready to turn around and forget about it.

  For one, Adelia couldn’t remember the last time she’d attended church, and for most of her life she’d had no interest in religion. She could only remember feeling angry with God for abandoning her.

  She did know that church was an important part of the community, so she pushed her fear down as much as possible and followed her brother inside where it was already full. Around her, several conversations were being held and a little toddler ran up the aisle in between the pews shrieking with joy as his father chased after him.

  Adelia focused on the ground as she followed Timothy to a seat where a couple of other people were already seated. Sitting down, she smoothed out the wrinkles of her long skirt, and looked up to see if she recognized anyone.

  The people sitting next to her brother were an older couple who she couldn’t recall meeting before, but Timothy instantly went in to an easy conversation with them.

  Adelia envied her brother for his ability to talk to people so easily. He made it look effortless, when for her, it took thousands of confused thoughts and worry.

  She turned her head to look at the people in the row in front of her, and realized it was Mr. Anderson, his three children, and two other people. He turned to look at her, and when he smiled, she forced herself to smile also.

  The amount of conversation and sounds going on around her were overwhelming.

  As Mr. Anderson moved his arm to rest on the back of the pew, he asked her, “How are you this morning, Miss Mason?”

  “I’m good, thank you. How about yourself?” Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she willed it to stop because she didn’t need an extra thing to focus on right now.

  “Good. Have you had the chance to meet my younger brother and sister-in-law?” As he said this, the two people sitting beside him turned around.

  Adelia shook her head, looking to them. “I don’t believe so.”

  “I’m Matthew Anderson, and this is my wife, Harriet.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Miss Adelia Mason.”

  Mrs. Anderson smiled, her green eyes meeting hers. “How are you liking Burchcreek so far?”

  “It’s much different than I’m used to, but it seems like a nice community.”

  “Where were you from?”

  “Richmond, Virginia.”

  “Yes, it’s much different here. I know how it feels to go from a big
city to somewhere like this—I’m from New York.”

  Adelia nodded, looking at Mr. Anderson, not knowing what else to say. Just in time, the reverend cleared his throat as he stood at the front of the room, arms raised to quiet everyone down.

  “Well, it was nice making your acquaintance,” Mrs. Anderson whispered, before turning back around.

  Letting out a long breath, Adelia looked down at her hands folded in her lap as the reverend began to speak. She felt Timothy lean toward her, as he whispered, “That’s Reverend Smith.”

  She nodded, looking up at the man at the front of the room with white hair and bushy eyebrows.

  Throughout the service, Adelia tried to listen to what Reverend Smith was saying, but she found herself worried about not knowing the songs, or the sections of the Bible he was talking about. She often looked around to see if anyone was staring at her, because she knew she didn’t belong here.

  “And that concludes today’s service. Feel free to stay for the annual spring church picnic which will be held at the creek, and let’s all remember to thank the people who volunteered to bring the food this year.”

  Adelia looked to Timothy as she stood. “Are we staying?”

  “I’d like to, but if you’d rather go home?”

  She shook her head. “No, we can stay. I haven’t seen the famous creek yet anyway.”

  When they made it outside, she walked beside Timothy closely, in the direction she assumed the creek was since most people were also heading this way.

  “How far of a walk is it?”

  “Not far. We’ll be there pretty soon. If you want to go at any point, just let—”

  Adelia frowned. “I’m not afraid of being around people, Timothy.”

  “I know. It just can be overwhelming when you don’t really know everyone.”

  Adelia hated that she’d snapped at him, and she forced herself to wear a content smile the rest of the walk.

  They arrived at a cleared path among a forest of trees with bright green leaves, and once inside, Adelia could view the slow-moving creek which a few children were already splashing in.