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

  Lila, on the other hand, looked like a washed out version of herself in the light hue. Her skin took on a sickly cast and her eyes lost their vibrant spark.

  People would no doubt think she’d come down with some sort of ghastly illness once they saw her in the gown.

  Determined to wear the blasted thing to make Emerson happy, she strode out of her room and hurried to the kitchen.

  Filly offered her a concerned glance as she looked up from stirring a pan full of scrambled eggs. “Are you well, Lila?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Filly gave her another long look. “But you don’t look well. You appear rather pale.”

  Lila sighed and pulled on an apron. “It’s this horrid dress.”

  At Filly’s astonished expression, Lila offered her a wry smile. “I realize I’m probably the only girl on the planet who would hate such an expensive gift as the three gowns Emerson gave me last night, but I despise each and every one. As you can plainly see, I can’t wear the color blue. It makes me look as though I’m about to perish from some incurable sickness.”

  Filly giggled and nodded in agreement. “They are lovely gowns, but I agree, they are not your best color. They would be better suited to Ginny or Dora’s coloring. Does Emerson know you aren’t fond of that shade of blue?”

  Exasperated, Lila thumped plates down on the table. “In spite of me reminding him a dozen times I don’t care for blue, he insists it is the perfect color for me.” She glanced back at Filly with an irritated spark in her eye. “If he wasn’t such a nice person, I would think he insists on this revolting shade because it complements his coloring.”

  Laughter rolled out of Filly. “That would be quite a vain thing for a man to do. I’ve never heard of a man purchasing gowns for his wife so they matched his complexion. Emerson doesn’t strike me as the type to consciously do such a thing.”

  “I don’t really think he would, either. It’s just…” Lila glanced down at the gown. “I realize I sound like an ungrateful, spoiled wretch. He went to all the bother and expense of having Madame Beauchene make these beautiful gowns. If only they were any other color, I’d be so happy to wear them.”

  Luke strode into the room with Maura on his arm. “Good morning, Lila.” He frowned at her and backed up a step. “Are you sick? You don’t look well.”

  Lila huffed and threw her hands in the air while Filly laughed again.

  He looked from his wife to his cousin. “What did I say? I realize that was rather blunt, but you are usually is so full of life, it’s quite a shock to see you appear rather subdued today, cousin.”

  Lila lifted a little apron from a hook and tied it around Maura so she wouldn’t get her school dress dirty if she accidentally spilled something at breakfast. “I’m perfectly well, Luke, but thank you for your concern.”

  He gave her another look. “I probably shouldn’t say it, but blue is most definitely not your color, Lila.”

  The icy glower she shot his way made him chuckle.

  He rubbed a hand over his chin. “Ah, I see the problem now. That’s one of the gowns Emerson insisted you wear. Is that it?”

  Lila nodded, pouring a cup of milk for Maura and setting it at her place at the table. She tossed Luke a sassy grin. “And Chauncy said you aren’t as smart as you look. You’ve just proven otherwise.”

  Filly swallowed her amusement, turning to scoop eggs out of the skillet into a serving bowl as Luke frowned.

  Luke poured tea into three cups and set them on the table while Lila cut a piece of toast into four triangles for Maura. “Why don’t you just tell Emerson you don’t care for blue?”

  “Apparently she has, multiple times,” Filly said, placing the eggs and a platter of ham on the table. She sent Lila a sly glance. “She thinks he likes her to wear blue because it matches his eyes.”

  Luke snorted and set his cup of tea back on the saucer with a clatter. “What kind of man…” He caught the teasing grin on his wife’s face. Slowly, he leaned back in his chair. “If you dislike the dresses that much, tell Emerson he can wear them.”

  Lila smirked. “Now that would be something to see.”

  After breakfast, Lila washed the dishes while Filly finished readying Maura for school. The little girl chattered about her teacher the entire time her mother styled her hair and washed her face.

  “He’s heaps of fun, Mama,” Maura said, smiling at Filly. “He does good magics, too, like Aunt Alex.”

  Lila rather liked his “magics,” too.

  When she finished drying the dishes and putting them away, she went to her room to pin on a hat. She returned to the kitchen and slipped on her coat while Filly fastened the last button on Maura’s.

  With gloves in place and scarves wrapped around their necks, Maura kissed her mother’s cheek then took Lila’s hand.

  “Have a good day, sweetheart,” Filly said, waving to her daughter.

  “I will, Mama. Bye!” Maura ran outside and hugged Bart as he sat on the back porch, then raced down the steps.

  They’d just reached the boardwalk when Luke fell into step with them. “I can take her to school if you have other things you’d like to do this morning,” he offered.

  “I don’t mind, Luke. I enjoy my strolls in the fresh air.” Lila smiled at her cousin as he clasped his daughter’s little hand in his and stopped so she could examine a white-frosted stick leaning against a fence.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind? I’d be happy to…”

  “Good morning, Grangers!” Emerson called, striding toward them. He looked like one of the many dandies Lila had seen in New York with his narrow-legged trousers, blue brocade vest, dark blue frock coat, and a silver-tipped cane he carried in his gloved hands. With a grand sweep, he doffed his hat and tipped his head to Lila. “How does this day find you, lovely Lila?”

  “Perfectly well, Emerson. Thank you.”

  “Excellent, my darling.” He noticed the hint of blue peeping beneath the hem of her coat. “Oh, you wore one of your new gowns! You look magnificent, dear. Truly magnificent.”

  Lila didn’t bother to inform him that if she looked anything beyond a specter of death it was because of the violet-hued scarf wrapped around her neck, not the dress she did her best to hide beneath a long coat.

  “You always appear so beautiful, Lila, darling, but in that gown, you positively take my breath away.”

  Lila held several doubts about how much breath he’d lost since he continued to go on and on about the loathed gown.

  Aware of her true feelings, Luke cleared his throat and looked at Emerson. “How would you like to spend the day with me at the bank, Emerson? Dad will be there today. We thought you might like to see how we conduct business.”

  With painstaking politeness, Emerson considered the offer then nodded his head. “That is a capital idea, Luke. I’d like that very much, as long as Lila won’t mind my absence today.”

  She smiled. “Not at all, Emerson. Enjoy the bank with my blessing.”

  “Very well, darling. I shall endeavor to glean the most helpful facts of the bank business with this unique opportunity of an invitation of observance.”

  Lila wanted to roll her eyes at his formal manner of speech, but refrained. After the initial shock of seeing Emerson again passed, she found herself fighting constant annoyance with the man. It wasn’t that he’d changed. He hadn’t. Not at all. He was the same as he’d always been —polite, full of concerns about obeying every rule society imposed, and making his mark on the world.

  She was the one who had changed. No longer a silly girl, the fact a handsome young man sought her hand failed to entrance her as it once had. She was a confident woman who’d survived devastating loss and finally arrived on the other side of it. The experience gentled her, added a deeper sense of gratitude and kindness, but also left her with a clearer vision of what mattered in life.

  Love mattered greatly to Lila.

  Truthfully, what started as an infatuation with Emerson no longer seemed a
n emotion strong enough on which to base a marriage.

  In the few days Emerson had been in Hardman, he’d not once discussed their nuptials or setting a definite wedding date. He had mentioned that he wanted to return to New York right after the holidays, but didn’t mind spending Christmas there with her family.

  Much to her relief, Greg and Dora invited him to stay at their home. The fact they had meant Lila had a few waking hours without his hovering presence driving her daft.

  Emerson was kind, attentive, and dedicated to her. He lavished her with compliments, and did his best to express his admiration of her.

  Lila wondered why, then, she felt stifled by his presence. Her fiancé was everything a girl could hope for in a husband, but it suddenly didn’t seem like enough. Or perhaps it wasn’t a lack of anything specific about his personality. He just wasn’t Tom Grove.

  Startled by the thoughts popping up in her head, Lila sucked in a gulp of cold air and choked.

  Both Luke and Emerson turned to look at her with concern. Luke tapped her back and offered her his handkerchief as she coughed.

  Eyes watering, she dabbed at the moisture.

  “Are you sure you aren’t ill?” Luke asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m fine, Luke, but thank you,” she croaked, wishing she had something hot to drink to soothe her suddenly raw throat. “I’ll be on my way and take Maura to school.”

  Luke shot her another observant glance, but he hunkered down and gave Maura a hug then kissed her rosy cheek. “Have fun at school today, honey, and be a good girl.”

  “I will, Daddy! Bye!” She glanced up at Emerson. “Bye, Mr. Lylan!”

  “Enjoy your day, Maura.” Emerson waved at her then smiled at Lila. “May your morning be filled with pleasantries, dear Lila.”

  “Thank you, Emerson.” Lila offered a curt nod, then took Maura’s hand in hers and guided the child down the boardwalk.

  As they neared the church, Erin skipped outside and clasped Lila’s other hand. “Guess what?” Erin said, looking up at Lila with excitement on her face.

  “What?” Lila asked, working up a silly face that caused Erin to giggle.

  “You’re so funny, Lila,” Erin said, then continued with her exciting news. “We have today and tomorrow at school, and then it’s the Christmas carnival, and then church, and then the Christmas program, and then Saint Nicholas will come!”

  “Is that so?” Lila asked, smiling at the little girl. “What do you hope Saint Nicholas will leave for you?”

  “Oh, I want some chocolates, like the ones Aunt Filly likes, and a jump rope!” Erin jumped in the air three times before resuming her usual skipping gait.

  Lila laughed. “Why do you want a jump rope? You can already jump high.”

  “I want to jump even better. That way I could practice!”

  “Practice is important in reaching your goals,” Lila said, as they neared the school. “You two go play while I take your things inside.”

  Lila took Erin’s lunch pail and books, and Maura’s little book bag ,then walked up the steps to the school. Tom sat at the desk reading.

  Quietly, she set down the girls’ things. She would have left him undisturbed, but couldn’t help studying him for a moment.

  Intent on the book in front of him, dark lashes framed his eyes and fanned his cheeks as he turned the page. His hair was slightly tousled, as if his best efforts of subduing it weren’t quite successful. The knot of his tie wasn’t precise, but the somewhat disheveled way it rested beneath his chin only served to endear him to her.

  Lila knew she needed to move past any thoughts or feelings she had about Tom, especially with Emerson in town, but she couldn’t quite force herself to do it. Something about him, something gentle and kind and inordinately wonderful, continued to whisper to her heart in a way nothing about Emerson ever had.

  So involved in studying him, she failed to notice when he lifted his gaze and observed her.

  “Good morning, Miss Granger,” he said, rising to his feet. His left hand went to his tie and he gave it a tug.

  Lila grinned and moved down the aisle between the desks toward him. “I see you still haven’t mastered the ability to execute a properly tied tie.”

  Tom chuckled. “I dare you to say that fast ten times in a row.”

  She gave him an exasperated look and retied his tie. He hadn’t shaved that day and the scruffy stubble along his jaw brushed against her fingers. Thrilling little sensations zinged all the way to her head and down to her toes at the rough feel of it. Although she’d never admit it, she thought she preferred seeing Tom with a few days of unshaven growth on his face. It made him even more ruggedly appealing.

  The outdoorsy scent of him filled her nose as she finished his tie and stepped back. “There,” she said, resting her hand just above his heart. “Much better.”

  “Yes, I believe it is,” Tom said, leaning toward her as yearning fired bright sparks in his eyes.

  The thought of Tom kissing her again, of being back in his arms, nearly made her take a forward step that would remove every speck of space between them.

  Instead, Lila stepped back, mindful of where they were and the fact Emerson should be the one filling her thoughts, not Tom. Desperate for a distraction, her gaze dropped to the book on his desk. “What are you reading?”

  Tom slipped a scrap of paper between the pages to mark his place then handed her the book. She read the title and furrowed her brow. “A little light reading before class?” she asked with a hefty dose of sarcasm.

  A derisive smirk met her teasing smile. “Something like that.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve read much on the Boer War.” Lila handed him back the heavy tome. “Do you like Arthur Conan Doyle’s writings?”

  “I do,” Tom said, setting the book back on his desk. “This one came out just a few months ago. It gives a great deal of insight into the war, and the author injects quite a bit of commentary about the shortcomings of the forces since he was there for a few months.”

  “War seems like such a sad subject, especially this close to Christmas.” Lila looked at the empty blackboard behind Tom. “Do you need help writing down the day’s assignments?”

  He smiled. “No. With just two days left before school releases for the holidays, I want to make them memorable for the students. This morning we’ll have a spelling bee of sorts followed by a mock battle on the playground. After lunch, we’ll engage in a few scientific experiments and then read several chapters in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I want to finish it before class releases tomorrow.”

  “I have a feeling the students will remain after class to hear the end if you don’t finish reading it before release time.” Lila smiled. “It sounds like you have wonderful plans for the students. If I was in your class, I’d be thrilled.”

  “You’re welcome to stay,” Tom invited, waving his hand to the chair she often occupied at the back of the room. His face lit up as he thought of an idea. “In fact, would you mind coming this afternoon? The students always enjoy it when you sing with them.”

  “I’d love to. And that gives me an excuse to linger and hear more of the story you’re reading.”

  Lila tugged on her gloves and walked to the door with Tom right behind her. “Don’t have too much fun this morning.”

  His deep chuckles warmed her from the inside out as she opened the door. “That would be impossible without you here, Lila Lilac.”

  Lila left with a spring in her step that had been absent since Emerson’s arrival. After checking on Abby and running a few errands for her, Lila returned to Granger House and told Filly about Tom planning fun activities for the students.

  “I think you should go back to the school and help him. The children have such a hard time paying attention this time of year and there are so many young ones in the class. Tom may need the assistance of another adult just to keep them all out of trouble today,” Filly said. As she spoke, she packed a lunch for Lila and one for Maura in
to a basket she’d already filled with cookies. “If Maura wants to come home at lunch, you can always bring her, but I have a feeling she’ll want to stay today.”

  “I think she will, too.” Lila hurried back into her coat and tugged on her gloves then lifted the basket. “I’ll see you later, Filly. Thank you for this.” She motioned to the basket then hurried outside.

  Bart started to follow her, so she stopped and scratched behind his ears and along his back. “Stay here with Filly, Bart. That’s a good boy.”

  The dog woofed once then ambled around to the back door.

  Lila hastened to the school and stopped in shocked surprise to see the children had constructed what appeared to be a fort made of packed snow on one side of the playground. Tom stood in front of it, wearing a hat fashioned from a sheet of folded newspaper.

  “What do you think it would have been like to spend the winter at Valley Forge?” he asked.

  Several students raised their hands. He pointed to Percy Bruner. “Go ahead, Percy.”

  “Cold,” the boy said, drawing snickers from his classmates.”

  Tom hid a smile. “Yes, it was cold. What else would they have felt or experienced?”

  Anna Jenkins raised her hand. Tom nodded at her. “Anna?”

  “They were hungry, weren’t they?” she asked in a quiet voice.

  “They certainly were, Anna.” Tom smiled at the girl. “What else?”

  “Sick! Were they sick, Mr. Grove?” Erin Dodd asked, forgetting to wait until he called on her.

  Tom grinned at her. “They were sick. Many had diseases, others suffered from battle wounds.”

  The children appeared to think on his words, growing more serious than Lila thought they should be.

  “Don’t forget about the unexpected fights,” she said, setting the basket in her hands on the school steps then sauntering toward Tom and the children.