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

  If Emerson kissed a girl in England as passionately as she had kissed Tom, she would be furious with him. The betrayal would be unforgiveable.

  Wouldn’t it?

  Although she attempted to work up some semblance of annoyance at the very idea of him kissing another, she couldn’t quite manage it. Not when she longed, with every breath she took, to kiss Tom again.

  Determined to put him from her mind, at least for five minutes, she yanked on her gloves and picked up her reticule, abruptly changing the subject. “Do you need anything from the mercantile?”

  “I don’t, Lila, but thank you for asking.” Filly snatched a basket from a high shelf and quickly wrapped a loaf of bread. She placed it inside then added a tin full of cookies she’d baked that morning. “Would you mind taking this to Tom when you retrieve Maura? I’m surprised she wanted to stay all day, since she was dragging around this morning.”

  Lila nodded. “I appreciated Luke checking on her so I could spend the morning helping Abby. If she doesn’t deliver that baby before Christmas, I’ll eat Dora’s new hat.”

  Filly burst into giggles. “You better hope Abby has the baby early, then. That hat is a monstrosity. I can’t image it would taste any better than it looks.”

  Lila opened the door and sailed outside with a cheeky grin.

  Bart barked and waggled his back end as she stopped to scratch his ears. “Would you like to come along, Bart? Huh? Would you like to go with me to get Maura?”

  The dog barked twice and raced down the walk, as though he understood what she said. He looked back at her and barked again, encouraging her to walk faster.

  Lila laughed. “I’m coming you crazy canine.” She whistled to the dog and he ran back to her, planting himself at her side as they made their way into town and to the school.

  No children ran around outside, so she assumed classes had not yet been dismissed for the day.

  “Stay, Bart. You stay right here,” she commanded, pointing to a spot nearby. She walked on silent feet up the steps and quietly went inside.

  Tom sat at the front of the class reading while the children intently listened. No one paid her any mind as she settled onto a chair at the back of the room and removed her coat.

  Engaged in the interesting tale, Lila grinned when Tom looked up and noticed her. He glanced at the clock, placed a slip of paper in the book to mark his place and snapped it closed.

  “I’m sorry, class, but I’ve already kept you ten minutes later than I should have.” He stood and smiled. “The story will still be here tomorrow, but it’s time for you all to go home.”

  “But Tom… er, I mean Mr. Grove, can’t you at least finish the chapter. It was getting really good,” Percy Bruner pleaded.

  Tom shook his head. “No. I promise to allow extra time for reading tomorrow, though. Your parents will wonder what’s happened if I don’t send you all home right away.”

  “Aw, shoot. They won’t care,” Percy said, but he stood and gathered his things then hurried to get his coat and Anna’s from the back of the room. Lila waved at the children and spoke to several as they filed by on their way outside.

  Erin and Maura both ran over to her, eager to tell her all about their day. Interested, she listened to their excited chatter as she helped them on with their coats and mittens. She sent them outside to play for a few minutes.

  In no hurry to leave, Lila wandered up the outside aisle and studied the variety of projects hanging on the walls. She stopped in front of a framed image of stars twinkling above a landscape of snow with a sweet poem that touched her heart.

  “T. Grove” and the date was printed in the bottom corner.

  “Reading my early, childish works?” Tom asked from behind her.

  Lila spun around, clutching the basket in front of her as she stared at him. She’d been so absorbed in the words, she hadn’t heard his approach.

  “It’s a lovely poem, Tom. Even in its simplicity, there is beauty and depth. It’s clear it was written from the heart and that’s what makes it special.”

  Pleased by her words, he smiled. “Other than escorting Maura and Erin home, what brings you by today?”

  Since Sunday afternoon’s kisses, Lila had carefully avoided Tom. She left Maura outside the past two mornings and managed to escape checking on her at noon by hiding at Abby’s shop. She helped the woman by sewing and pressing the straight seams while Abby worked on the more intricate stitching. When it came time to fetch Maura and Erin from school, she’d waited outside for them rather than go into the school.

  She’d been there so often, the children didn’t even blink when she arrived.

  However, with Tom’s arm healing, he no longer needed her to write assignments on the blackboard or help him with little things around the classroom. She had no excuse to see him, other than she desperately wanted to.

  She held out the basket of bread and cookies. “Filly sent these for you.”

  “That was kind of her,” Tom said, taking the basket and setting it on a nearby desk before moving closer to Lila. “Are you going to Ginny and Blake’s skating party this Saturday?”

  “Of course. Everyone is going, aren’t they? I thought I heard Aleta say something about closing the store for a few hours so even she and George could attend.” Lila wondered what Tom would do if she rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him. Those thoughts would get her into serious trouble… so she gave them even more consideration.

  Tom gave her a long look. “Most everyone in town closes their business for a few hours. It’s an enjoyable day, with plenty of hot beverages and delicious things to eat. Arlan said the band is planning to play if the temperature isn’t too cold.”

  “Oh, that will be fun,” Lila said, backing toward the chair where she left her coat. Tom kept pace with her until they both stood in the corner. He lifted her coat and held it as she slid her arms into the sleeves. His hands lingered on her shoulders a moment longer than necessary. Distracted, she glanced at the cast on his arm. “Will you be able to skate?”

  “I plan on it, whether I should or not.”

  His boyish grin did the strangest things to her heart, making it feel like melted butter.

  Resolved to ignoring the attraction pulsing between them, Lila heard Bart bark. She’d forgotten all about bringing the dog with her.

  “I forgot about Bart. I had better go. He’s been patient long enough.” She tugged on her gloves and nodded at Tom as he held open the door for her. Bart struggled to walk with Maura attempting to ride him while Erin pranced alongside the dog, calling out encouragement.

  “Maura, get off the dog! He’s not a pony!” Lila rushed down the steps and lifted the girl in her arms, tickling the little imp.

  “Bart doesn’t mind,” Erin said, hugging the faithful dog around his neck and earning a slobbery lick to her face. The child wrinkled her nose as she giggled.

  “Regardless, you don’t want to hurt him doing something like that. Bart isn’t as young and spry as he used to be, so you must be careful,” Lila warned, setting Maura down and taking her hand then motioning for Erin to take her other. She glanced back at Tom and smiled. “Enjoy your evening, Mr. Grove.”

  “I will, Miss Granger. And I believe it’s my turn to bring treats to the children’s practice tomorrow.”

  Somehow, practice for the children’s program had also completely slipped her mind. “Thank you,” she called, and hurried away with the two little girls and the dog trotting beside them.

  If she didn’t stop obsessing over Tom, she’d soon forget her own name.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The cookies Tom brought for practice from the bakery were a big hit with the children, if the box of crumbs was any indication.

  “The little gluttons didn’t leave any,” he groused as he picked up the empty container and shook it.

  Lila laughed as she gathered up the script and assorted papers from the play, stuffing them into a bag. “What do you expect? I’ve already learned if you want to ge
t in on the treats, you best hide one before the children arrive.” She hurried to put on her coat before Tom could help her, determined to keep him at arm’s length.

  He stepped in front of her and gave her an imploring look. “Did you hide anything today?”

  Efforts at remaining expressionless failed her and she giggled as she took two cookies from her coat pocket. She handed one to him then bit into the other.

  “You’re nearly as sneaky and devious as those hooligans I’ve been teaching.”

  Playfully, Lila smacked his left arm. “I’d be thoroughly insulted, sir, if that wasn’t true.”

  Tom chuckled and ate his cookie as he gathered his things. He’d just pulled on his coat when the church door opened and his mother breezed inside followed by his father.

  “What are you two doing in town?” Tom asked, kissing his mother’s cheek.

  “I worked on the sheep costume today and I thought it turned out well, so I wanted to see what you two think,” Junie said. She looked at Tom then winked at Lila. “Mostly, I wanted to see what you thought because Tom’s opinion about costumes doesn’t particularly matter.”

  Lila laughed while Tom feigned insult. James thumped him on the back as Junie pulled a costume out of the cloth bag she carried.

  “Will this do?” Junie asked, holding it up for Lila’s inspection.

  “Oh, my gracious!” Lila’s eyes twinkled as she took the sheep costume and did an excited little jig where she stood. “It’s perfect, Junie! It’s absolutely adorable! How on earth did you make it?”

  “One of our neighbors brought us some wool he’d used in a display. Since it was so clean and fluffy, I thought it would work well for the costume.” Junie looked to Tom. “You remember Mr. Galloway, don’t you son?”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  “He took several of his sheep to the World’s Fair in Paris. It closed last month, so he’s only been back a short while. Anyway, he had some wool left from demonstrating how to trim wool and whatnot, so he asked if I’d like it. Of course, I said I would.”

  Tom studied the costume that did, in fact, look like a sheep with wool carefully stitched onto a fabric outfit. His mother had even created a hood with ears. “You did a good job, Mama. Thank you.”

  “Good job?” Lila scowled at Tom. “It’s amazing, that’s what this is.” She grabbed Junie’s hand. “Will you come with me to show Alex? She’s working on the other two costumes.”

  “I’d be happy to,” Junie said, following her toward the door. She looked back at James and Tom. “Let’s eat at the restaurant. I’ll meet you there in forty-five minutes.”

  “That’ll be fine, June-bug,” James said. He turned to Tom and thumped his back again. “Galloway was telling me they had more than fifty-million visitors at the fair. Can you imagine that many people?”

  “It’s hard to fathom, isn’t it?” Tom asked, lifting his leather bag and walking with his father toward the door. “Did Mr. Galloway talk about other exhibits at the fair?”

  “He mentioned Art Nouveau something or other being popular. There was a big refracting telescope, and a palace of electricity. The first Olympic games held outside of Greece took place there.” James waited while Tom shut the church door. They strolled down the steps before he continued. “While your mother was fixing tea in the kitchen, he told me all about one of the exhibits having a bunch of women, a harem he called them, doing strange dances wearing hardly any clothes at all.”

  Tom’s eyebrows shot upward in shocked surprise.

  James chuckled. “I got the idea that was Galloway’s favorite part of the whole thing.”

  Tom smirked. “Most likely, Dad.”

  The two men ambled toward the school so Tom could leave his satchel at his house before they met Junie at the restaurant. He hoped Lila would join them since Luke had stopped to get Maura after the program practice, leaving Lila free to do as she pleased the remainder of the evening.

  “How are things going with the students?” James asked as they walked past the school to Tom’s temporary home.

  “Great. They’re all such good students, and so bright. They’ve been working hard on projects for the Christmas carnival. Somehow, they talked me into reading to them the last thirty minutes each day. Yesterday, they didn’t even notice when I read past time to release them.”

  “You always did have a good reading voice, son.” James waited while Tom unlocked the door and pushed it open. He set his bag on the floor by the table and motioned to the stove. “Would you like me to make some coffee?”

  “No need for that. We’ll be at the restaurant soon enough.” The two of them removed their coats and draped them over one of the chairs. James took a seat at the table while Tom stoked the stove then washed his hands.

  “How do you like helping with the Christmas program at church?” James asked.

  Tom took a seat across from his father. “I’ve been enjoying it. As much as it pains me to admit it, I’m almost glad I broke my arm because it forced me to come home. I think I needed to spend some time away from the city.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, son. Pretty Lila Granger couldn’t have anything to do with how much you’re enjoying your time at home, now, could she?”

  Heat burned up Tom’s neck and reddened his ears. “Why would you ask that?” He fidgeted with the saltcellar he’d left on the table.

  “Because you look at her like I look at your mama. You might fool her and you may even fool yourself, but it’s obvious you care about her, son. Have you given any more thought to what your mother and I told you about our courtship lasting less than a day?”

  “I have, Dad,” Tom said. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “As much as I’d like to court Lila, she’s quite taken with Emerson. Besides, it doesn’t seem right to horn in when I know she’s spoken for. I wouldn’t like it if someone did that to me.”

  James snorted and gave his son a pointed look. “If you’d asked Lila to wed, you sure wouldn’t have ventured off to some fancy university overseas. Even if you had gone, you’d have made sure she went along as your wife.” The older man shook his head. “It seems to me if Emerson was that interested in making sure Lila didn’t get away, he wouldn’t have left that door of opportunity open.”

  Tom studied his father for a long moment then broke into a wide grin. “I’m glad you’re on my side, Dad. I’d sure hate to have you conspiring against me.”

  James chuckled. “I’m not conspiring against anyone. But if Mr. Lylan wanted to make certain Lila would be sitting at home, awaiting his return, he should have exchanged nuptials with her before he left New York City. As far as I’m concerned, she’s fair game.”

  Tom smirked. “You talk about her like she’s some wild animal I’m out to hunt down.”

  “You’ve got her in your sites, so just pull the trigger, son.” James grinned at him. “What’s the worst that could happen? She might tell you she isn’t interested. On the other hand,” the man leaned back in his chair with a smug look, “she might just tell you yes. You’ll never know if you don’t put a little effort into winning her affections.”

  “I know, Dad, it’s just…” Tom stared at the floor rather than meet his father’s probing gaze.

  “Just what, Tom?” James continued looking at him until Tom finally glanced up. “What’s holding you back? And don’t give me any twaddle about her being engaged. If you really wanted to marry that girl, the two of you would have already stood at the church with Pastor Dodd officiating.”

  Tom traced an invisible pattern on top of the table with the index finger of his left hand. “Lila isn’t like other girls I’ve known, Dad. She’s a Granger and comes from old money, and lots of it. She grew up in a mansion with servants to cater to her every need. Do you really think she’d give all that up to marry someone like me? A farm boy trying to make his way in the newspaper business?”

  James smiled. “I think if she loved you, really loved you, Miss Lila Granger wouldn’t give a flying fig if
you had two dollars or a million to your name. She doesn’t strike me as the type of girl to think money was a measure of a man’s worth.”

  “No, she’s not like that,” Tom said. He sighed and glimpsed the time, rising to his feet. “We better go or Mama will beat us to the restaurant.”

  “And that would never do.” James shrugged into his coat while Tom pulled on his. Together, they walked through the crisp evening air to the restaurant. They turned the corner from Main Street and smiled as Junie and Lila approached from the opposite direction.

  Junie kissed James’ cheek and looped her arm around his as they met in front of the restaurant.

  “I’m starving,” she said, smiling as Tom opened the door and held it for them to enter.

  “Me, too,” Lila said, winking at Tom as she sailed inside. As she moved past him, he inhaled the scent of lilacs. The delightful fragrance, so out of place in the frosty December air, made him smile as he stepped inside and followed her to the table where the waitress seated his parents.

  Quickly pulling out her chair, he helped her remove her coat. Once she was seated, he removed his own and sat beside her.

  “Did Alex like the costume?” Tom asked, looking at his mother.

  Junie nodded. “Oh, she did. You should see the camel costume she’s creating. It is wonderful.”

  Lila wiggled excitedly beside him. “I wish I was one of the children so I could wear one of the costumes. They are just amazing.”

  Tom pictured Lila as a child, with big gray eyes full of mischief and excitement, a head full of dark, unruly curls, and an enchanting smile.

  He picked up his menu to hide the amusement created by a vision of her as a willful child. The way he pictured her as a little girl wasn’t much different than she appeared as an adult. He’d never seen a grown woman who looked so unabashedly ready for a fun adventure. Her positive outlook and venturesome spirit were among the many things he admired about her.

  The conversation he’d shared with his father played through his thoughts as they ordered their meals. His dad was right in that he’d never know what Lila’s response to his interest in courting her might be if he didn’t try to woo her.