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

  “What is it, Alex the Amazing?” Arlan asked, acting as though he strained to hear.

  “I think it might be sleigh bells,” Alex said, pointing toward the back of the room.

  A large man dressed as Saint Nicholas entered the room, carrying a heavy pack over one shoulder and made his way up to the stage.

  Children cheered and crowded around as he gave each one of them a small sack full of nuts and candy.

  When he finished, Luke bounded up to the stage and invited everyone to return downstairs for lunch. Tom helped Luke close the curtains so Douglas from the livery could remove the Saint Nicholas costume. Alex plopped down in the chair Arlan slid beneath her a moment before her legs gave way beneath her.

  “Alex, do you want me to take you home?” Arlan asked, concerned.

  She shook her head. “No. Just give me a few moments to rest. I don’t want to miss hearing you play in the band.” Her gaze lifted to her husband’s. “Aren’t you supposed to be down there playing right now?”

  “Yes, but I’m not leaving you until I’m certain you’re well.”

  Alex smiled and sat up. “Go on, Arlan. I’m fine and even if I wasn’t, Doc is here, so there is nothing for you to worry about. Go play that trumpet. I’ll be there in a moment to listen.”

  Arlan kissed her cheek then raced out of the room.

  Lila hurried over and fanned Alex’s top hat in front of the woman’s pale face. “Are you sure you don’t want us to take you home, Alex?”

  “No. I really do want to hear Arlan play. If I can make it to the parlor, I’ll be fine.”

  Tom gave Alex a hand and she stood. Lila preceded her down the stairs, hiding the fact that Alex was unsteady on her feet as Tom and Luke flanked the magician, helping her down the stairs and into the parlor. Ginny motioned for Alex to sit next to her on a comfortable sofa. Filly appeared and gave Alex a cup of tea, patted her on the shoulder, then disappeared back down the hall to the kitchen.

  Chauncy’s booming voice carried throughout the house as he asked a blessing on the meal then people began filing through the line in the dining room to fill their plates at the massive table loaded with food everyone contributed for the community lunch.

  In the milling crowd, Tom quickly lost track of Lila. Ducking into the dining room, he found his parents filling plates and visiting with friends. Hungry, he decided to find Lila after lunch because he had something important to say to her.

  Determined to follow his mother’s advice, he wanted Lila’s opinion on the possibility of him purchasing the newspaper from Ed Daily. Tom spent several hours devising a plan to pay Ed half the money up front and make payments on the rest. If he lived frugally, Tom could make it work. Nevertheless, the idea would hold much greater appeal if Lila would agree to stay in Hardman with him.

  Before the day was over, he planned to propose to her.

  Tom caught a glimpse of Emerson speaking to Aleta and George Bruner. His competition for Lila’s hand was a fine man, one Tom might even consider a friend under other circumstances.

  As it was, he couldn’t help but see Emerson as a rival. One he wanted to best, not for the sake of winning but because he loved Lila with his whole heart.

  Tom couldn’t imagine how dismal and horrible life would be if Lila did return to New York with Emerson. The thought brought such an onslaught of pain to his chest, Tom had to draw in several breaths to chase it away.

  Wandering into the parlor, he saw Lila sitting on the floor next to Ginny. Carefully making his way through the crowd, he took a seat beside her.

  “Did you already eat?” he asked, pointing to his plate.

  Lila shook her head. “No. I snitched a few bites in the kitchen.”

  Tom tried to hand his plate to her, but she refused. “Go on and take it, Lila. I can fill another.”

  “No, Tom, you eat. I’ll get something later,” she said, bumping his shoulder with hers. “A growing boy like you needs his strength, right?”

  The teasing smile she shot his way zipped straight to his heart and exploded with a shower of warmth.

  He forked a bite and held it out to her. She took it and licked her upper lip. Tom’s gaze fused to her mouth as he recalled how delicious her kisses had tasted. How he wanted to taste them again, to savor the sweet ripeness that was solely Lila Granger.

  But the middle of her family’s home during the town’s annual Christmas carnival wasn’t the time or place to do such a thing.

  As he shared his food with her, his mind spun, plotting a way to get her alone to declare his intentions and confess his love.

  Once most everyone had eaten, Luke and Blake began the annual charity auction. Each year, the children made items to donate to the auction and the funds went to help those in need in town.

  Tom had participated in the auction as a student. Now, as the teacher who oversaw many of the projects, he took pride in the clever abilities of his students. Everything from a wooden nativity set to a lacy apron sat on a table, waiting to be auctioned.

  Lila rose up on her knees, anxious to see all the children’s creations.

  “Oh, look at that,” she said, placing her hand on Tom’s arm when Luke held up a roughly carved shepherd boy with a lamb.

  Tom enjoyed watching the emotions flit across Lila’s face as much as he did the students as people bid on their items. Tom knew he couldn’t bid on anything because it wouldn’t seem fair, but he’d coached his parents on a particular item that had caught his interest. A shawl, made by one of the older girls, in a lovely shade of lavender, reminded him of Lila and he’d decided she needed to have it.

  Fortunately, the bidding stayed within his budget and his father claimed the item, giving Tom a pointed look, although everyone assumed the man bought it for Junie.

  Tom watched as his father turned right around and bid on a yellow scarf that would match Junie’s fair complexion. He cheered loudly when his father won that bid as well.

  “Give the rest of us a chance, James,” one of their neighbors good-naturedly teased.

  “Dig a little deeper in your pockets, Peters,” James said with a cocky smile.

  Lila almost sat on her hands to keep from bidding when a picture Maura Granger drew went up for bid. Of course, the little girl’s doting grandfather claimed he had to have it and paid an unheard of amount for it, but everyone clapped and cheered as Maura hugged Greg Granger.

  The auction was just winding down when Horace Greenblum from the telegraph office raced in as fast as is bandy legs could carry him. Instead of quietly finding the intended recipient of the telegram, he climbed on a chair and shouted “message for Emerson Lylan. It’s urgent!”

  Emerson rose from where he sat by Douglas McIntosh and hurried over to retrieve it. Quickly scanning the message, he frantically looked around the room, as though he suddenly recalled Lila’s presence. She was already on her feet, making her way to him along with the rest of the Granger family and Tom.

  “What is it, Emerson? What’s happened?” Lila placed a hand on his arm, staring at him with compassionate concern.

  “It’s my father. He slipped on the ice. It says he broke his leg and suffered a head injury. Mother wants us to journey home right away.” Emerson glanced from Lila to Luke. “If we hurry, can we make the evening train in Heppner?”

  “Just barely. I’ll hitch the team to the sleigh while you pack,” Luke said, racing outside with Blake accompanying him.

  Emerson took Lila’s elbow in his hand, propelling her out of the room toward the front entry. “Will you be ready to leave in fifteen minutes?” he asked, glancing down at Lila. “Please, Lila? I need you to go with me.”

  “Of course, Emerson. I’ll gather a few essentials and be ready to leave. Filly and Luke will ship the rest of my things later.”

  “I’ll be at Granger House as quickly as I pack. It will only take a few minutes.” He kissed her cheek then charged up the grand staircase, taking them two at a time to the guestroom where he’d stayed since arriving in
Hardman.

  Mr. Callard appeared with Lila’s coat, holding it while she slipped it on.

  As she tugged on her gloves, she looked over the faces around her. “Thank you all for your hospitality, making me feel like a true member of the community here in Hardman. It was a pleasure to meet each one of you. May the joys of the holiday season rest tenderly in your hearts throughout the coming year.” Lila spun around and sailed out the door.

  Rooted to the floor, Tom watched her go while his dreams for a happy future crashed around him. She was really going to leave. With Emerson.

  A nudge to his back made Tom turn around and look at his mother. “Don’t stand there like an idiot, Tom, go after her. If you want that girl, you need to fight for her.” Junie pointed her finger in the direction of the door.

  The butler tossed Tom his coat as he raced to the entry and down the front porch steps. He shoved his arms in the sleeves as he ran to Granger House.

  Desperate to talk to Lila, he hurried around to the back door and knocked loudly. When no one answered, he opened it and stepped inside. “Lila? Lila! It’s Tom!”

  Drawers slammed with enough force the noise carried down the hall. Tom followed the sound through the kitchen and along the back hallway. “Lila?” he called again.

  Her face appeared around the edge of a doorway at the end of the hall. “Tom? What are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t let you leave without saying goodbye.”

  She waggled her hand at him, motioning for him to come into the room. He realized it was highly improper for him to be in her bedroom, but considering the fact she frantically packed a bag to leave and he may never see her again, he didn’t give it more than a passing thought.

  Hastily, she stuffed a few articles of clothing into an expensive leather bag. “I’m so glad you came, Tom. Emerson’s request I go with him caught me unawares and I realized after I left I didn’t even take time to speak to you.” She snapped the lid closed on her bag and picked up a dark coat and hat.

  Tom lifted the bag and followed her to the front entry. After he set it by the door, he took the coat and hat from her hands, setting them aside before grasping her arms, forcing her to stand still for a moment. “Lila.”

  She lifted her silvery eyes to his. Tears brimmed beneath her dark lashes and her lip quivered, making pain throb in his heart.

  He pulled her to his chest and buried his face in her fragrant hair. “Please don’t go, Lila. I want you to stay. Mr. Daily offered to sell me the newspaper. If you stay, I’ll figure out a way to buy it and move back to town. We can build a good life here, in Hardman.”

  Lila pulled back and stared at him. “What are you saying, Tom Grove?”

  A smile started at his mouth and worked its way up to his eyes. “I’m saying I love you, Lila Angelique Granger and want to marry you. Don’t leave. Stay here, Lila Lilac. Stay with me and be my wife. I may not have a fancy education or a lot of money, but I love you with all my heart and then some. I’d give you a happy life.”

  “Oh, Tom, I…” The lump in Lila’s throat kept her from speaking what was on her heart, so she rose up on her toes and kissed Tom with all the love she’d harbored for him the past several weeks.

  The stamping of boots outside the door forced them apart. Before Tom quite knew what happened, Luke and Emerson stormed inside. Emerson draped Lila’s coat around her and grabbed her hat while Luke took her bag. They herded her outside to the waiting sleigh.

  Lila glanced back at him, so Tom raced down the steps, intent on stopping them.

  Emerson settled Lila in the sleigh and climbed in beside her. He held out a hand to Tom. “Thank you for your friendship, Mr. Grove. We both wish you well in all your future endeavors.”

  Woodenly, Tom shook Emerson’s outstretched hand and gave the man a stiff nod of acknowledgement. Shocked speechless by the fact Lila really was leaving, he started to take a step back.

  Lila grasped Tom’s hand in hers, squeezing it so tightly he thought his fingers might break. “Be happy, Tom,” she whispered.

  “That’s not possible without you,” he replied and took an envelope from his coat pocket, shoving it into her hands as Luke snapped the reins and the sleigh lurched forward.

  Lila turned in the seat and gave him one long, last, remorse-filled look before Luke guided the horse around a corner and she disappeared from sight.

  Tom stood as still as stone for so long, his fingers and toes felt numb. Finally, Bart bumped against his leg, bringing him back to the present.

  He brushed a hand over the dog’s head and released a weary sigh.

  “It looks like the battle is over, Bart, and I did not win.”

  Dejected, angry, and hurt, Tom walked off into the chilly afternoon air.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “Tom, you need to eat something,” Junie said, placing a hand on her son’s arm and offering a sympathetic squeeze. “I know you don’t feel like it, but you have to keep your strength up.”

  He picked up his fork and shoved the food around on his plate. Since Lila left with Emerson the previous afternoon, Tom had fallen into a state of such despair, he couldn’t see anything but a long, bleak future awaiting him.

  Numb from the inside out, food tasted like sawdust, everything smelled unpleasant, and he couldn’t even remember if he’d brushed his teeth or combed his hair before his parents insisted he go to church with them that morning.

  Before anyone could offer sympathetic glances or words about Lila’s abrupt departure, Junie and James hurried him back out to their wagon and returned home.

  Tom spent the afternoon moping in the barn, only coming in for the evening because his father insisted he would freeze to death if he spent more time outside.

  The nearly frostbitten state of his toes and fingers failed to register as he washed for supper and sullenly slid into his chair.

  Tom replayed every moment from the point where he confessed his love to Lila to her staring at him as Luke’s sleigh carried her away.

  Her eyes said she loved him even if she failed to speak the words. Would she really marry Emerson because she’d already promised him they’d wed? Was she that concerned about her social status that she’d forsake love for a life of wealth and luxury? Tom didn’t think that was something that would even cross Lila’s mind. Unaffected by the things most people of her class would find important, Lila appeared to be a genuine, sweet, caring person.

  Perhaps her caring heart drove her to go through with plans to wed Emerson. He’d certainly appeared thoroughly enamored with Lila, and Tom couldn’t blame him. Not when he felt the same way.

  Attempts to understand how she’d kissed him so feverishly, so passionately, when he confessed his love, and then turned around and left with another man, made his head throb. Each time he mulled over the possibilities, he grew angrier and more despondent.

  He should never have come home for the holidays. Most certainly, he should not have allowed himself to fall in love with Lila Granger. His head told him it was pure folly from the start. He should have listened to it instead of allowing his heart to lead him on a merry chase that ended so painfully.

  He’d been so sure, so absolutely convinced of Lila’s affections for him, he never thought she’d actually leave.

  But she had.

  She’d left him standing in the snow with his heart bleeding in a ruptured, broken mess that might never heal.

  “Please, Tom, just eat a few bites of something,” Junie encouraged, casting James a worried glance. He shrugged then shook his head.

  Tom took a bite of the chicken and dumplings just to make his mother happy.

  After dinner, he sat in the parlor with his parents, largely ignoring their discussion about Christmas Eve the following day. With all that had happened over the last few days, they still needed to cut down a Christmas tree and decorate it.

  Desperately, Tom wished he could fall asleep and wake up in his apartment in Portland with the past month nothing more than a
horrible dream.

  Only every moment of the last several weeks was real, including his stupidity of falling in love with another man’s intended bride.

  What was he thinking?

  Clearly, he hadn’t been.

  Agitated, he paced around the room, fingering keepsakes, but not really seeing anything.

  “Thomas James Grove, sit down before you wear a hole in my carpet,” Junie demanded.

  “Sorry, Mama,” Tom said, returning to his seat by the fire.

  James leaned forward from his spot next to Junie and thumped Tom on the leg. “Look, son, I can’t pretend to know what you’re going through. I don’t. And I’m so sorry about what happened with Lila. We encouraged you to pursue her, so we feel partially at fault. But for the sake of the children who are so excited about Christmas and the program tomorrow night, a program you are now solely in charge of, you have to pull yourself together.”

  Tom sighed and ran a hand through his short hair. “I know, Dad. It’s just hard. I was so sure she’d stay when I asked her to marry me.”

  “You proposed to her and she still left?” The knitting needles in Junie’s hands stilled. “What did she say?”

  Another sigh rolled out of Tom and he stared into the flames of the fire. “I asked her to stay, to stay and marry me. She kissed me, then the next thing I knew, Emerson herded her outside to the sleigh and she was gone.”

  “She kissed you?” James said, glancing at Junie.

  “Yes, but she didn’t say anything. Not a word.”

  “I see,” Junie said, a faint smile lingering around her mouth as she returned to knitting a soft pink blanket.

  Tom glared at her. “What do you see, Mama? Because all I see is that she didn’t care enough about me to even dignify my proposal with a reply.”

  “Maybe she was too overcome to answer and before she could, Emerson whisked her away.”

  A derisive snort escaped Tom. “Have you both met Lila Granger? If she didn’t want to go somewhere, there isn’t a force on this earth that could make her. Emerson didn’t drag her out to the sleigh like a cavedweller. She went willingly, of her own accord.”