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

  But no matter how much he might wish otherwise, dreaming of a future with the woman was a waste of time.

  She dabbed at her lips again. “No dessert for me, Tom, but you go ahead if you like.”

  He inhaled another whiff of her entrancing fragrance. “Why do you smell like lilacs?” The question burst out of him before he could reel it back.

  Lila grinned and tipped her head to the side, holding a teacup with both hands. “It’s my favorite perfume. I always wear it. It reminds me of springtime, and happy days, and my mother. She wore it, too.”

  “Well, it’s a lovely scent,” Tom said, his voice quiet as he held her gaze. “It suits you, Miss Lila Lilac.”

  She laughed and raised an eyebrow. “Really? You’re going to call me Lila Lilac?”

  Tom nodded, charming her with his smile. “Why not? In a few months, you’ll be Lila Lylan. Might as well add a lilac in there, too. Mrs. Lila Lilac Lylan. It’s got quite a ring to it.”

  Astounded, she stared at him.

  The name did not have a ring to it. It was ridiculous. Furthermore, hearing Tom call her Lila Lylan made her realize how horrible it sounded. Did she really want to spend her life as Lila Lylan? It would twist anyone’s tongue in a knot.

  How had she not given any thought to her last name changing to Lylan? Oh, it was dreadful. Lila Lylan. Tom was right. Lilac could only make it sound better.

  A traitorous part of her head suggested Lila Grove had a much nicer sound to it than Lila Lylan.

  Disgusted with herself for even thinking such a thing, she wondered what Emerson would think if she followed the lead of some of her suffragist friends and kept her own last name. There wasn’t any law that said she had to change her name to her husband’s. The notion of Emerson allowing her to continue to go by Granger seemed quite unlikely. The man was a traditionalist from the top of his head right down to his costly-covered toes.

  She’d worry about the problem with her name later. For now, she intended to continue enjoying her dinner with Tom.

  He was full of fun stories and took great delight in teasing her. At school, he seemed focused on providing a good example to the children and remaining serious and studious for the most part. However, when he read to the students or performed a magic trick, he seemed more like an overgrown child.

  As she gazed across the table at him, though, there was no confusing the good-looking man with a boy.

  Tom was wonderful and kind, and one of the most interesting people Lila had ever met.

  She’d be sad when the holidays were over and he returned to Portland. Not long after that, she would return to New York.

  Thoughts of never seeing Tom again left her heart heavy. How could she want to be in two places at the same time so badly? Actually, she wanted to be in three. She loved living in Hardman with her family. And she wished she could go to Portland with Tom and see all the sights there he’d described. But her heart was in New York, or at least it would be when Emerson returned.

  For now, she would focus on enjoying the friendship Tom so easily offered, and relishing the holiday season in Hardman.

  “Does your family have any special Christmas traditions?” Lila asked, abruptly changing the subject. A distraction from her thoughts was sorely needed.

  Tom studied her for a moment before responding. “They do. We always attend the Christmas Eve service at church, of course. Mama and Dad used to wait until after we got home from the service to decorate our Christmas tree, but when I was old enough to help, we usually did that a few days before Christmas so we could enjoy it longer.”

  He appeared thoughtful as he recalled the traditions his parents followed every year. “They always allowed me to open one special gift on Christmas Eve while we drank hot chocolate and ate slices of this wonderful cake Mama only makes during the holidays. The gift was always something small, like a piece of candy, or a handful of nuts, but it was fun to look forward to receiving it. Christmas morning, we’d open presents, eat a leisurely breakfast, then I’d go out to chore with Dad while Mama started preparing Christmas dinner.”

  Lila smiled. “Was it always just the three of you?”

  He nodded. “Grandpa Grove lived with us until he passed away when I was seven. He was a farmer, too, but he encouraged me to tell stories. Grandpa used to sit on the porch with me and whittle, listening to the silly tales I’d make up.”

  “That’s wonderful, Tom,” Lila said. She reached across the table and settled her hand over his. “We all need someone like that who encourages our dreams.”

  “We do,” he agreed, holding her gaze.

  She loved looking into Tom’s eyes. Nearly bottomless in their depths, they appeared so full of sincere warmth and genuine care. His eyes might not have been the most striking shade of blue, but she found them appealing just the same.

  Mindful her hand lingered on his, she pulled it back and placed it on her lap.

  Tom pretended not to notice as he lifted a cup of coffee and took a drink. “What about you, Lila? Did your family have many traditions?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said, her eyes glowing with the precious memories of her childhood. “Our tree always went up the week before Christmas. It was a grand thing, majestically presiding over the entry foyer. One year, Father allowed me to choose the tree and when the deliveryman brought it, they had to cut four feet off the bottom just to keep from brushing the upstairs ceiling. It must have been more than twenty-feet tall.”

  Tom’s eyes widened as he imagined the sight. “I bet it was beautiful.”

  “It was,” Lila agreed. “We also had a smaller tree in the drawing room where we’d gather on Christmas Eve. Sometimes my parents would throw a party that afternoon that stretched into the evening. Then we’d all go to church for the services before returning home. Mother would play the piano and we’d sing carols until midnight. There were always oodles of gifts, but those were just things. It was the time spent with my parents that meant the most to me.”

  “And you didn’t have any siblings, either?”

  Lila shook her head. “No. I was an only child, spoiled rotten and treated like a pampered little princess.”

  He smirked. “That explains so much.”

  She glowered at him before breaking into another smile. “I’m sure I was positively awful in my younger years. Ask Luke if you want the truth. One day, I guess I just grew up and realized that everyone is special in God’s eyes, and wealth or station makes no difference to Him.”

  Pleased by her words, Tom reached out and clasped the hand she’d placed back on the table. “That’s a wonderful way to view life, Lila.”

  They remained silent for a few minutes, although Tom continued to hold Lila’s hand in his. Finally, she pulled away and glanced at the clock on the wall.

  “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so late,” she started to stand, but before she could push back her chair, Tom was beside her, pulling it out for her. Impressed by his manners, she smiled at him over her shoulder. He did his best to hold her coat with one hand while she slipped it on then pulled on his own. After leaving money on the table for their meals, he guided her outside.

  The temperature had dropped considerably while they ate. Big, fluffy snowflakes floated from the sky, looking like bits of cotton on a dark velvet background.

  “Gorgeous, isn’t it?” she asked, tipping back her head and looking upward.

  “Gorgeous,” Tom repeated, although his gaze lingered on her instead of the softly falling snow.

  Unsettled, yet oddly thrilled by the look on his face, she ambled down the street.

  “Are you in a rush to return home?” Tom asked, keeping step beside her.

  “Well, it is late, and you most likely have papers to grade and lessons to plan,” she said, unwilling to confess she wanted to spend more time with him.

  Tom shrugged. “I can get to the papers later, but I thought you might like to see something. If you’d rather go straight home…” The hint of an exciting opportunity hung
between them as they approached Main Street.

  Lila stopped and tipped her head to one side. “What do you want to show me?” she asked. She attempted to gauge whether there was really something or if Tom just wanted to put off telling her good night.

  “I can’t explain it. You have to see it.” He bent his knees until he looked her square in the face. “Home or adventure?”

  A smile wreathed her face and mischief twinkled in her eyes. “Adventure, of course!”

  Tom chuckled and took her hand in his. “Come on, then, Lila Lilac.”

  She allowed him to lead her to the school, but instead of heading to it or his house there, Tom took her down a trail she hadn’t noticed before. It led them into the trees. Suddenly, he stopped and looked down at her feet.

  “Are your shoes suitable for walking up a hill?”

  She lifted her skirts just enough he could see she wore warm winter boots.

  Tom nodded approvingly. “Sensible and practical. You might just be the most perfect girl I’ve ever encountered.”

  “Please remember that when I do something silly or stupid, which will eventually happen.” She tossed him a cheeky grin.

  He smiled and pulled her a little closer. “I’ll remember, Lila Lilac.”

  She rolled her eyes at the teasing nickname as she followed him along a path through the trees. Although it was hard to see, she could tell by the incline they climbed upward. The exertion combined with the arctic air blowing around them made it hard for her to breathe, but she didn’t complain. Instead, she held tightly to Tom’s hand and wondered where in the world he took her.

  When she’d nearly given up on ever seeing anything beyond the shadowy shapes of trees liberally frosted with snow, they topped the hill. Tom turned around and pointed to the town of Hardman below. Lights glowed as though someone had painted them in pale smudges of yellow against a dark background.

  “Oh, Tom,” Lila whispered. Hesitant to speak in a normal tone, she didn’t want to disturb the peaceful silence surrounding them. Up high, with nothing but darkness around them, the snowflakes falling around them appeared even bigger. If she didn’t know better, she would have said they almost sparkled with something magical.

  “What do you think?” Tom asked, continuing to hold her hand.

  “I think it’s one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever seen,” Lila gushed. “I wish Ginny was up here with her paints to capture the splendor of it all.”

  Tom snorted. “Now that would be something to get Ginny up here in her condition. You might have to wait until next year to try that.”

  Lila grinned. “If she decided she wanted to come, I have no doubt Blake and Luke would figure out some way to get her up here.”

  “Most likely,” Tom agreed. “I don’t know how many other people have visited this spot, but I’ve always liked to come here when I needed a quiet place to think.”

  “Wasn’t it quiet at home?” she asked, turning to look into his face.

  “It was, but my parents didn’t give me a lot of time to sit quietly and ponder life. As their only child, I sometimes got more attention than I wanted or needed.”

  Lila nodded her head. “I know exactly what you mean.”

  Without thinking about her actions, Lila moved in front of Tom. She leaned back against him, against his strength. His hand settled on her waist and she didn’t protest or move when he stepped closer behind her. The heat of his body enveloped her, leaving her languid and content, even with snow swirling around them.

  Several long moments passed with neither of them moving or speaking before Tom expelled a heavy sigh. “I better get you home before your toes freeze or Luke thinks you’ve been kidnapped.”

  “My toes are quite warm, it’s my nose that’s being nipped without mercy.” Lila hid her shock when Tom unwound the scarf he wore and draped it around her neck, wrapping the length around a few times until her nose and mouth were covered in the soft wool.

  “Better?” he asked, taking her hand in his again.

  She nodded, inhaling the woodsy scent that clung to the scarf, an aroma that smelled masculine and inviting — and so like Tom Grove.

  Silent as he led her down the hill and back into town, she tried to make sense of her tumultuous feelings.

  It didn’t take long to stroll along Main Street and reach Granger House. Tom walked her up the front porch steps to the door.

  “I see Filly has started her annual decking of the halls,” he said, pointing to garlands and ribbons draped across the porch rails.

  “Luke hauled several trunks of decorations down from the attic this morning. He would adamantly refuse to admit it, but he loves Christmas every bit as much as Filly.”

  Tom laughed and backed up a step. “I better let you get inside. Thank you for having dinner with me, Lila Lilac, and for all your help at the school. It’s greatly appreciated.”

  She smiled at him, consumed by the wildest wish that he’d kiss her. Distraught by her thoughts, she opened the front door. “Thank you for dinner, and for sharing your special spot with me, Tom.”

  “Good night.”

  Lila hurried inside the house and closed the door then breathed in Tom’s scent once again. If she weren’t careful, Emerson would return home to find her thoroughly smitten with another man.

  Chapter Nine

  Tom grinned at Lila over the heads of the children clamoring around her, eager to receive their assigned parts for the Christmas program at the church. Chauncy stopped by long enough to give them the information from previous programs and show Lila where to find the costumes Abby had made over the years. An assortment of props Blake made and Ginny painted were also available.

  Without time to sort through it all before the children arrived for the first practice, Lila suggested they return on a day when they had more time to figure out costumes and backdrops.

  “Did you save Joseph and Mary for me and Anna?” Percy Bruner asked, impatiently looking at Lila. Tom hid a grin as the boy reached back and tugged Anna beside him.

  “Joseph and Mary? Are they in the play?” Lila teased, drawing a worried glance from the boy. “I thought I heard you two wanted to be shepherds.”

  Percy appeared stricken and Anna’s face paled.

  “Quit teasing him so,” Tom said, nudging Lila with his arm. He grinned at the freckle-faced boy. “Of course you and Anna will play the roles of Joseph and Mary. By now, you two have the lines completely memorized.”

  “Will Filly and Luke let Cullen play baby Jesus?” Anna asked in a quiet, hesitant voice.

  “Filly implied a willingness to do it, if we promise to keep all the animals away from the manger.” Lila glanced at Tom. “She mentioned something about a half-crazed sheep destroying the manger one year.”

  Tom nodded. “A few years back, one of the sheep got away from the shepherds and smashed the manger. Fortunately, they were using a doll that year.”

  “It wasn’t very fortunate for Anna’s doll,” Percy said, frowning at the two adults. “It clean busted the head in half.”

  The girl placed a gentle hand on his arm. “I’d much rather have a broken doll than an injured baby.”

  “Agreed,” Lila said, turning back to Percy. “Perhaps you boys can figure out a better place for the animals to gather, far away from the manger. Or, maybe we could have some of the younger students pretend to be the animals and forego live animals in the play.”

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Tom said. The live animals had been challenging to keep in control in the past, not to mention the messes they made in the church. “What if we add a donkey, cow, sheep, and camel to the play? That would give four more children the opportunity to participate.”

  Lila smiled. “All we’d need are costumes. I’m sure we can come up with something suitable.”

  “Perhaps Alex would help. Since she’s at home, she might like something to keep her hands busy even if she isn’t feeling well enough to teach,” Tom suggested. He motioned for students lingerin
g by the door to join the rest of them at the front of the church.

  Lila beamed and clasped her hands together. “That’s a splendid idea. I’ll stop on my way home and speak with her.”

  “Mith Gwangah, can I be a theep?” asked an adorable little sprout missing his two front teeth.

  “You certainly may, Andy.” Lila bent down as she spoke and tapped the end of his nose with her finger, making him smile.

  “I can baaa good.” The boy demonstrated his skill in pretending to be a sheep.

  Lila laughed. “You certainly can.”

  After assigning parts and discussing expectations for the children participating in the play, Lila gave the children cookies she and Filly baked that morning. She helped the younger children on with their coats and mittens before they all raced outside and headed home.

  Tom straightened the papers Chauncy had given them and tucked them inside a leather satchel. He held Lila’s coat for her, grateful to have more mobility in his broken arm. The doctor had told him just that morning he could leave off the sling and begin using his hand. He wasn’t supposed to lift anything or do any activities that caused discomfort, but he had held a pencil with it and graded assignments while the students worked on their math lessons. His arm ached after about ten minutes, but he knew each day he’d gain more use.

  Lila held out the cookie tin to him once he’d slipped on his coat. He helped himself and took a bite of the soft sugar cookie.

  “Did you make these?”

  She nodded. “I did. Filly made the cinnamon cookies.”

  “These are about the best sugar cookies I’ve ever had,” Tom said, finishing the cookie in another bite. He opened the church door and held it for Lila as she stepped outside. “Feel free to bring them to any of our practices.”

  Her head tilted to the left as she grinned. “Maybe next time I’ll bring carrot sticks. What do you think of that?”

  “I think you’ll have a church full of disappointed little children and one very disappointed big boy.” Tom held out his arm to her as they stepped onto the boardwalk.