The Christmas Quandary: Sweet Historical Holiday Romance (Hardman Holidays Book 5) Read online

  “Thank you, Mrs. Grove,” Lila said, smiling at the woman.

  Junie grinned. “Please, call me Junie.” When Lila nodded in agreement, she tipped her head toward Tom. “Thank you for helping my son at the school. He said he didn’t know what he would have done without you there to write assignments on the blackboard and help with some of the duties his arm prevents him from seeing to.”

  “It’s my pleasure.” Lila glanced over at Tom. “I’ve greatly enjoyed the opportunity to expand my education, too.”

  “You have?” Junie asked, somewhat baffled by Lila’s comment. The girl was obviously well educated.

  “Certainly. I’ve learned that Tom is a terrible tease parading around as a mild-mannered school teacher who really works for a big city newspaper. He hordes his magic secrets like they were gold bars, and he has a horrid habit of feigning innocence when he’s made a particularly wicked comment.”

  Junie laughed. “I see you do know him well.”

  A servant’s appearance at the door announcing the meal was ready kept Lila from saying anything further to make red creep up Tom’s neck.

  She wrapped her arm around his as they made their way to the formal dining room. He held her chair then took a seat beside her while his parents sat across the table, next to Alex and Arlan.

  Lively conversation flowed around the table. After the meal, the men wandered down the hall to Greg’s library while the women gathered in the ladies’ parlor.

  Undeniably feminine, the parlor was Lila’s least favorite room in the house. It seemed overrun with bric-a-brac and extravagant touches. Filly and Ginny also seemed to prefer to sit in the large front room or any of the other gathering rooms to this one.

  Erin and Maura curled up on a rug by the fire with a pile of picture books to keep them occupied while Filly sat in the rocking chair, cuddling Cullen.

  Lila noticed Junie Grove’s amusement as she listened to Dora discuss New York with Alex, who had grown up there.

  Bored and wishing she could escape, Lila quietly rose to her feet and sidled out the door. She started to back down the hall and collided with a solid form.

  Spinning around, she stared at Tom as he held his fingers to his lips, indicating she should remain silent.

  With a brief nod, she led the way to the front door where they pulled on their coats and slipped outside undetected.

  “What are you doing sneaking out?” Tom asked, smiling at Lila as they wandered down the steps.

  “Dora was prattling on and on about the shops and restaurants in New York as though there isn’t any place quite as grand.” Lila sighed then glanced over at Tom. “Don’t get me wrong. I adore her, but honestly, if I could choose anywhere in the world to live, I’d pick Hardman over New York any day.”

  “Then why don’t you stay here?” Tom asked, opening the gate at the end of the walk so they could step out on the boardwalk. “Why do you have to return to New York?”

  “Because Emerson’s life is in New York. There isn’t a thing he could do here in town for work and he’d never adjust to life in such a small place. He loves big cities and noise, and all of the bustle.”

  Tom took Lila’s hand and wrapped it around his arm, leaving his fingers resting on top of hers. “What about you? Do you like the bustle and noise and crowds and crime?”

  Lila shook her head. “No. Not at all. I like the quiet and peace and friendliness of living here.” She studied Tom a moment. “I could ask you the same question. Do you like living in the city?”

  “No. Not at all. After the third or fourth murder I wrote about for the newspaper, any delusions I held about living in a big city dissipated. But, like your fiancé, I have to live in the city if I want to do the work I enjoy.”

  “What about the newspaper here? Couldn’t you work for Mr. Daily?” Lila asked as they meandered down the street.

  “Not full-time. He already has a staff of regular employees working for him and part-time work wouldn’t pay my bills or build my writing career.”

  She shrugged. “But you could work for your father part-time on the farm. With your family expecting a little one right before the busy summer season, I’m sure your father would value any time you could spend there.”

  Tom frowned. “I know he would, but I want to write for a living, not farm.”

  Lila waved at a couple across the street. “Have you ever considered writing for magazines or submitting articles to national publications? It might supplement your income to the degree you could afford to live in a smaller town. One like Hardman.”

  Tom stopped and looked down at her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to convince me to move back to Hardman. Why do you care where I live? You’ll be leaving in another month or so, anyway.”

  “Perhaps, but I know you seem very happy here, among your family and friends. I happened to have a conversation with Fred Decker at the mercantile the other day, and he told me how much your friendship means to him.”

  “Fred had a rough time for a while, but he seems to have outgrown many of his troubles.”

  “What about you?” Lila asked, continuing to amble aimlessly down the street.

  “What about me?” Tom glanced down at her again.

  “Have you outgrown your troubles or grown into them?”

  Tom grinned. “I suppose that depends on who you ask.”

  Disturbed by the direction the conversation had gone, he realized they’d merely circled the block. Erin Dodd’s little sled leaned against the inside of Greg and Dora’s fence where Chauncy had left it after pulling his daughter to their house after church.

  Tom reached over the pickets and grabbed it, setting it down on the edge of the street. “Come on, Lila Lilac. Let’s have some fun.”

  She planted her feet and crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t know what you have planned, but I’m not sure I want a part of it.”

  “Of course you do,” he said, grabbing her arm and propelling her forward. “Get on and I’ll give you a ride.”

  The sensible, decorous side of Lila ordered her to march back in the house and sit with the women. The fun-loving part of her, though, cheered for her to hop on the sled and enjoy an afternoon in the winter sunshine with a handsome man who clearly enjoyed her company.

  She glanced once toward Dora and Greg’s house then lifted her skirts and plopped down on the sled, folding her legs beneath her.

  Carefully, Tom tucked in her trailing skirts then took the leather strap of the sled in his left hand and gave it a tug.

  Lila giggled as he pulled the sled down the street. Before either of them gave a conscious thought to their destination, he took her out to a small hill at the edge of town. At the top, he stopped and moved the sled into position. With a dramatic bow, he placed the leather strap in her hand then gave the sled a mighty shove.

  Amid much excited squealing, she sailed down the hill. When the sled upended in a snowbank at the bottom, she threw herself back in the snow and stared up at the winter sky, full of contentment.

  The sound of crunching snow and Tom calling her name drew her attention to him as he raced down the hill.

  “Are you well, Lila? Did you break anything?” Worry laced his tone as he hurried toward her.

  Rather than shout that she was fine, she closed her eyes and remained unmoving, wondering what he would do.

  His warmth encircled her as he dropped to his knees next to her and bent down, gently tapping her cheek with his left hand. “Lila, honey? Can you hear me? Lila?”

  The endearment he used made sweet, oozy warmth settle in her stomach while heat flooded through her entire body. Strange feelings, ones she’d never experienced, filled her until every part of her seemed keenly attuned to Tom.

  “Lila? Please be okay? Please?” He bent close and pressed his cheek to hers, slipping his arm beneath her and lifting her head and shoulders from the snow.

  As his scent tickled her nose with a pleasing aroma, she delighted in the experience o
f being wrapped in his arms. Even with his heavy cast pressed against her back, she couldn’t think of anywhere she’d ever been that seemed more like home.

  “Lila?” His voice sounded more concerned as though he bordered on panic.

  Unable to continue her ruse, she popped open her eyes and grinned at him. “I’m fine, Tom. I was just teasing you.”

  “You shouldn’t… that’s not…” He pulled back long enough to look deep in her eyes. Whatever he searched for he must have found because he wasted no time in pressing his lips to hers, plundering her mouth with barely restrained passion.

  Lila had no idea how it happened, but her arms wrapped around his neck and she pulled him closer as their kiss deepened.

  Finally, Tom lifted his head. “I’m sorry, Lila. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  Abruptly coming to her senses, she sat up and blinked her eyes. “No, it shouldn’t have, but I’m the one at fault if anyone shoulders the blame.”

  “I didn’t mean to… that’s to say I didn’t plan on… It’s just that…”

  Lila placed her gloved finger over his lips. “It’s fine, Tom. Honest. Let’s just pretend it didn’t happen.”

  “Agreed.” He leaned back and looked around, taking in the expanse of pristine snow. “Since you’re already all covered in snow, we might as well make a few angels while we’re here.”

  “Oh, that’s a lovely idea,” Lila said, flopping back and waving her arms and legs.

  Tom took a spot beside her. When he finished, he rolled to one side and found himself positioned over her.

  A battle raged between doing what was right and what seemed impossibly wonderful. He trailed his fingers over her smooth cheek, tucking an errant strand of silky hair back behind her ear while his gaze focused on her just-kissed lips.

  Lila watched the war in his heart through the windows in his eyes. She almost reached up to pull him down to her again. He tasted like peppermint and coffee, and something decadent she had no idea how to define. His lips had been so warm against hers, and she rather liked the idea of finding them there again.

  Then she thought of Emerson, her fiancé. Ardor immediately cooled at what he would say if he found out she’d been cavorting in the snow with another man.

  Before Tom could kiss her again, she grinned and made a silly face. “Want to help me drag this sled back up the hill? I’d like to give it another go.”

  Tom released a long sigh then rolled over and stood. He reached a hand down to her with a smile. “Come on, Lila Lilac. Let’s see if you can make it down to the fork in the road.”

  Together, yet keeping a safe distance apart, they walked back up the hill.

  The moment the front door clicked shut, five women hurried to press their noses to the window glass and crane their necks to see if Tom and Lila went for a walk together.

  Uncertain what transpired, Junie Grove looked at Dora, Filly, Ginny, Alex and Abby as though they’d lost their minds.

  Filly noticed her on the settee and motioned her to the window. “Come over, Junie. We’re spying on your son.”

  Junie rose to her feet and joined them at the window. Tom and Lila walked around the corner and disappeared from sight.

  The women all turned around and returned to their seats.

  Junie looked from Filly to Ginny then Dora. “May I inquire why you are spying on my son and Lila?”

  “Of course,” Ginny said as she settled in a chair and adjusted a pillow behind her back. “We want Lila to stay here and we’ve all noticed she favors Tom.”

  Junie smiled. “He’s quite fond of her, too. However, I understand she’s engaged to someone in New York.”

  “Oh, bosh,” Dora said, waving her hand dismissively to the side. “Emerson is a fine young man, handsome and wealthy, intelligent and kind. We just don’t think he’s the right man for our Lila.”

  Ginny grinned. “I thought she’d never get bored of your purely horrid conversation with Alex, mother. Honestly, I thought I might have to volunteer to sing or something to send her running outside.”

  Junie smiled, inordinately pleased with this group of women. While she had a passing acquaintance with them, she realized now they could all become good friends, especially when they were all determined to encourage Lila to fall in love with Tom.

  Luke poked his head in the room and glanced around. “Did it work?” he asked, stepping inside when he didn’t see Lila among the women.

  Filly nodded. “Yes! We watched them stroll down the street together.”

  A sigh rolled out of Luke as he rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “Thank goodness. If Arlan, Dad and I had to talk about balancing bank books another moment, I thought I might run outside myself.”

  The women laughed. Luke peeked at his son, sleeping in Filly’s arms, kissed the top of her head and wandered back down the hall to join the other men.

  Filly noticed Junie admiring Cullen and stood, walking over to where she sat. “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Oh, may I?” Junie asked. She’d so desperately wanted to hold the baby, to practice for when she had her own to hold once again, but she didn’t feel it was proper to ask.

  “Of course.” Filly settled the baby boy in her arms and took a seat beside her. “Cullen is used to being passed around among the adults, so it doesn’t disturb him in the least to hand him off to someone.”

  “He’s such a good baby, Filly. I’ve hardly heard him raise any sort of fuss.”

  Filly studied the sweet little face of her son. “He is a good boy, although I’m sure if he’s anything like his father, he’ll keep us both on our toes when he’s older.”

  Junie laughed softly. “Boys are like that.”

  “They certainly are.” Filly leaned back and relaxed. “You must be so proud of Tom. He’s been such a blessing to all of us, stepping in to teach until Alex feels well again.”

  “Tom is special,” Junie agreed, enthralled with the baby she held. He was so tiny and perfect. “He’s going to make some lucky girl a marvelous husband.”

  “I think so, too. I rather hope that lucky girl will be our Lila. She’s one of a kind.” Filly gave Junie a long, observant glance. Her voice dropped to a whisper when she spoke. “Please don’t think me rude for asking, Junie, but I can’t help but notice you are positively glowing. I don’t think it’s just because Tom is home for Christmas.”

  Junie blushed and shook her head, leaning closer to Filly. “No. James and I are quite excited by the news we are expecting our own little bundle of joy.”

  Sheer determination was all that kept Filly from excitedly blurting something the others might hear. She beamed as she wrapped an arm around Junie’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “Oh, that’s the most wonderful news! I’m so happy for you both.”

  “We couldn’t be happier.” Junie smiled at the lovely woman. “At first, we weren’t sure how Tom would adjust to the idea. After all, he’s old enough to have his own children. I’m sure the last thing he expected was to come home and find his parents planning for a new baby, especially when we’d given up on that dream a long, long time ago.”

  “But he’s happy about the news?” Filly asked, unable to imagine Tom being anything except supportive of his parents.

  “Oh, yes. Just the other night, he was teasing that we should have twins and name them Hortense and Herkimer.”

  Filly giggled. “Those are perfectly horrid names. You should have heard some of the names that were suggested for Cullen.” She tipped her head toward Dora where she and Ginny engaged in a conversation about the women’s right to vote.

  “So the invitation to lunch today was to throw Tom and Lila together?” Junie asked, impressed the Granger family would go to such effort to play matchmakers.

  “Only partially. We really did want to spend time with you and James, too. It seems we all are so busy all the time, we forget how important it is to make new friends.” Filly gave Junie an imploring look. “I certainly hope we’ll continue being fri
ends.”

  “I’d like that very much, Filly.” Junie slowly rocked the baby in her arms back and forth. “Especially if our combined efforts can bring Tom and Lila together.”

  “Exactly! Now, here’s what we had planned for the coming week…”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Filly?” Lila called as she breezed into the kitchen, expecting to find the woman there. Cullen slept in his cradle, but Filly was nowhere in sight.

  Lila noticed a half-empty cup of tea and a book on the table. She stepped over and lifted the book, amused her cousin chose to read love poems in the few moments of free time she had during her busy day.

  “Oh, are you getting ready to go out?” Filly asked as she stepped into the kitchen with an armload of neatly folded dishtowels.

  “I am,” Lila said, waggling the book Filly’s direction. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as an admirer of such writings.”

  Filly shrugged. “Sometimes they’re fun to read. Do you like poetry?”

  Lila set the book on the table and lifted her coat from the rack by the door, slipping her arms into the sleeves. “I do. I’ll even confess that Dickinson is one of my favorites.”

  Filly stored the dishtowels in a cupboard then gave Lila a casual glance. “You might enjoy Tom’s poetry. Alex has a few of them at the school, although my favorite is one he wrote for the Christmas carnival auction the first year we held the event. Ginny painted a scene and Alex wrote it in a beautiful script, but the words were all from his heart.”

  Lila feigned indifference to hearing Tom’s name. In truth, she’d thought of little else but him since he’d kissed her Sunday afternoon.

  In her twenty-two years, Lila had been kissed several times — chaste pecks to her cheeks and a few impertinent brushes against her lips. Of course, she exchanged a few kisses with Emerson after they agreed to wed. However, his kisses didn’t make her toes tingle and insides heat.

  No. Those reactions belonged to Tom alone. Even the thought of his kisses left her limbs languid. Despite her head telling her how wrong it was to encourage him, Lila found herself wanting to kiss him again.