“Most certainly! I’ve been eagerly anticipating this day,” Nancy said. Tomorrow, the sleigh would be festively decorated for her grandchildren’s Sleigh of Hope run. Today, however, the sleigh was serving a more utilitarian purpose—to carry Nancy and Rebecca to the orphanage in Dunkirk. Dawson had headed there earlier with Adam to begin making repairs. Nancy and Rebecca would be meeting the men there and providing a nice lunch for them and the children.
As Nancy approached the sleigh, Rebecca stepped down from the seat. “Let me help you, Grandma.”
“Thank you, dear, but I’m quite capable of hoisting myself aboard.”
“Of course you are,” Rebecca said with a laugh. “I’m just helping you with the baskets. Plus, I haven’t had a chance to give you a hug yet this morning. I’ve missed you so much, and I want to stock up on hugs while I can.”
“Oh, sweetheart…” Nancy embraced her granddaughter and felt her heart breaking. “I miss you more than I can express.”
Rebecca leaned back with a playful pout on her face. “Then you should come to Crane Landing and spend a few weeks with us after the holiday. I’m feeling a little jealous of the rest of the family because they get to have you all year.”
Laughing so she wouldn’t cry, Nancy popped a kiss on Rebecca’s cheek and said she would consider it.
“All right, but I intend to convince you to say yes before I leave.” Rebecca offered a bit of support to Nancy as she climbed into the sleigh. Then she circled the sleigh and used the side step to climb in.
Nancy tucked two thick wool blankets over their laps and around their legs. “That should keep us nice and warm,” she said, sitting comfortably beside her granddaughter. “What’s in those other baskets?”
“Canned goods that Mama is sending over to the orphanage.” Rebecca unwrapped the reins from the brake handle. With expert skill, she backed the team down the drive and into the road. “Here we go.” With a quick flick of the reins and a click of her tongue to the horses, Rebecca set the sleigh in motion.
“I wonder how the men are coming along this morning?” Nancy said a few minutes later. “They’ve got quite a project in front of them. I hope they can finish it before the Christmas Eve pageant.”
“They will,” Rebecca said confidently, maneuvering the sleigh down the snow-covered street and through the village. They turned right and headed out Central Avenue towards Dunkirk. “Uncle Boyd and Uncle Duke will be there, along with Leo, to help Adam and Dawson make repairs and build a stage. Colter, Cora and Lily will be there as well to give us a hand.
Nancy raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know the kids would be there.”
“They wanted to help, so they’re coming along with Uncle Duke and Uncle Boyd. Daddy and Uncle Kyle are managing the mills today and making sure the wagons are filled with firewood for our Sleigh of Hope run tomorrow.”
Being able to spend time with three of her granddaughters, Rebecca, Cora and Lily, lifted Nancy’s spirit and turned her thoughts to her sweet babies. At fifteen, Cora was more a young woman than a girl, and she was smart as a whip and funny as her Uncle Boyd. Kyle’s daughter, Lily, was just ten. She was a darling little red head with a freckles and an infectious giggle that always made Nancy laugh.
“I can hardly wait until tomorrow, Grandma. This is going to be such a fabulous Christmas for the orphans and the other folks who need a little love from their neighbors! But it will be especially wonderful for us.”
Rebecca’s certainty and enthusiasm made Nancy nod in agreement. “You’re practically giddy, Rebecca. I’m so happy to see that. I’m rather excited about Christmas this year as well.”
“I would think so, with such a handsome man visiting you.” Rebecca wiggled one eyebrow at Nancy.
Not knowing how to respond, Nancy let the words linger in the air. She wondered if the rest of her family had drawn the same conclusions regarding Dawson’s visit. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. In some ways she longed to confess her feelings for Dawson, to get them out in the open and be able to enjoy their wonderful companionship. But the instant she thought of doing so, a hard fist of guilt slammed her in the gut.
And then the heartache began.
And then every thought reminded her of Hal, of their love for each other, of her promise to never betray that love.
She knew it was reasonable for her, a long time widow, to seek another husband. She could have done that at any time in the past twenty odd years. No one would have questioned her right to do so. But she had made a promise to Hal, and to break that promise would be a betrayal of everything they’d ever shared. She couldn’t do that to him. She couldn’t break that special love and promise they shared. She couldn’t carry that burden on her conscience or in her heart.
But her feelings for Dawson were real. Every thought of him made her ache to spend her days at his side. Every thought of him walking away carved a chasm through her heart.
She was hopelessly torn!
There was no acceptable answer! A burst of frosty air left her mouth on a hard sigh. She shook her head and gazed at the tips of the horses perked ears.
“Are you all right, Grandma?” Rebecca asked, a look of concern in her dark eyes.
Heat surged to Nancy’s face. “Y-yes, I was just…thinking how dreadfully cold it is today.”
“Are you chilled? Shall I stop and get the other blanket from the boot?”
“No, dear, I’m plenty warm,” Nancy said, patting Rebecca’s leg. “I was just commenting on the weather and missing our beautiful summer days.”
“Me, too. I prefer spring, though, when the magnolias and crabapples are blooming.”
“That is a sight for the eyes, isn’t it?” Nancy said.
As the pace of the horses picked up to a steady trot, Nancy waved at friends as their carriage passed in the other direction. Their own sleigh glided into Dunkirk, leaving fresh a tracks in the packed snow as they made their way to the orphanage.
The old majestic home that now served as the orphanage was teeming with activity this morning. Energetic children darted through the yard, throwing more snow at each other than what they were packing on the sad-looking snowman they were building. Two of the older orphan boys were carrying lumber in the front door of the house, dodging puddles of water left where icicles dripped from the eaves.
The air was filled with excitement and Nancy felt her heartbeat accelerate. It warmed her heart to help make a warmer home for the children at the orphanage and fill their bellies with a tasty meal. If she could, she would take all of these children home and give them a warm and loving place to live. But her days of raising children was long gone. Her function now was to spoil her grandchildren and help her neighbors.
Lily and Cora dashed to the sleigh, cheeks pink, eyes bright beneath their knit hats. “Hello Grandma and Rebecca.”
Nancy and Rebecca returned their enthusiastic waves and stepped out of the sleigh.
“Here girls, please take these to the kitchen for us.” Rebecca passed a basket to Lily and Cora. “Where’s Colter?”
“Off playing, of course,” Cora said, rolling her eyes.
Before they could rush to the house, Nancy scooped them into her arms for a quick hug, pecking each of them on the cheek. “Thank you, girls. Now, nothing had better be missing from these baskets when they arrive in the kitchen, you hear?”
Cora pretended to peek beneath the lid of the basket she held, making Lily giggle.
Laughing at Cora’s antics, Nancy and Rebecca each picked up a basket and followed the girls up the walk and into the orphanage.
Hints of past opulence were evident in the foyer of the home. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a bright glow over the entrance. Elaborately-carved crown molding circled the ceiling, giving an elegant feel to the home. The dark stained color of the crown molding provided a stark contrast to the white-washed walls. The mansion had been adequately maintained, and oft repaired since being repurposed for the orphanage, but it served it
s purpose well, as it currently housed nine children waiting for a family to take them in as one of their own. Frank and Margaret Donovan, a lovely couple Nancy’s age, were the caretakers of the home and the director and headmistress of the orphanage.
The whack-whack of hammers and the hearty voices of the men carried into the foyer. Nancy smiled as she tugged off her gloves. She tucked them into the pockets of her coat before shrugging it off her shoulders and hanging it on a hook near the door. Leo’s laugh, followed by the boisterous laughter of Dawson and Adam, boomed from the parlor. Nancy and Rebecca exchanged a grin, both of them wondering what the men were up to.
After Rebecca hung her coat, they stepped into a vast room with a twenty-foot ceiling and a curved staircase along one wall. This room was now the main living space for the orphans, but Nancy thought it must at one time have been a ballroom. Her imagination quickly conjured images of tall, handsome men in their finest suits and white gloves bowing to their ladies. Images of sophisticated women in elegant ball gowns, their hoop skirts twirling gaily as they spun to a jig or a reel, filled Nancy’s mind. She could almost hear the strains of music played by a string quartet positioned in the corner. She and Hal had attended elegant balls at her parent’s estate in Buffalo. They had danced beneath glittering chandeliers, laughing and flirting until Hal would sweep her out an open doorway and steal a kiss. Even now, she could practically smell the bay rum cologne on Hal’s neck and the savory scents wafting from a long buffet table. For a moment, she let herself drift in her memories, feeling Hal twirl her across the dance floor, but when she looked up into his face, it was Dawson looking back at her.
Shocked, Nancy gasped and pressed a hand to her aching heart.
“Grandma?” Rebecca clasped Nancy’s elbow. “Are you all right?”
“Oh… y-yes, dear, I was just surprised to see the progress the men have made with the stage.”
“It’s going to be fabulous, isn’t it?” Rebecca asked, her eyes lit with admiration as she eyed the stage and then shifted her gaze to Adam, who was working on a window a few feet away.
Nancy shook off the images of days past and surveyed the room before her. Where once an elegant ballroom had likely stood, second hand furniture and a few stray toys now occupied the space. This room served as the parlor and greeting room for prospective families to meet the children at the orphanage. And today, it was being turned into a theatre. Dawson stood on the stage talking with Leo who crouched in a corner, the two of them working on constructing a low stage. Their banter and laughter filled the room, and pulled Nancy’s mind back to the present. Her days with Hal were past… simply beautiful memories that she could treasure. This was her life now… a mother, a grandmother, and a widow who longed for a companion.
It pleased Nancy that Dawson was enjoying his time in Fredonia and getting to know her family better. He was a good man. A smart, strong man. A handsome and desirable man. A man who deserved her honesty and her best self.
“You two are having too much fun to call this working,” she said, gazing down at the wooden frame they were working on. As Leo looked up, Dawson stepped down, the two of them grinning with pleasure. “The stage is looking magnificent,” Nancy said.
Leo nodded toward a large sheet of paper. “You should see the plans Dawson drew up. We could host a local theater performance on this stage. But the best part is that the stage pulls apart in sections that convert to usable furniture. If the Donovans add some cushions they’ll have two large sofas.”
Nancy’s eyes widened as she took in the sections and realized how they could be used as furniture. “That’s brilliant, Dawson!” She smiled and shook her head. “You are an amazing man.”
He laughed. “Creating a few wooden boxes that latch together is hardly amazing, but I like that it impresses you.”
She laughed because she didn’t know if he was flirting or just being Dawson. Either way, it made her happy to see him engaged and enjoying himself in such a worthy pursuit. “The girls and I will make some cushions for your furniture.”
“No need,” Dawson said. “I set up a couple of accounts with local merchants and told Mrs. Donovan to order whatever she needs. You ladies have done more than enough, Nancy. It’s time for you all to relax and enjoy the holiday. Mrs. Donovan can order all the cushions she needs as well as some additional bedding for the children.”
Stunned, Nancy stood with her mouth open, her gaze shifting between Dawson and Leo, both of whom seemed pleased by her surprise.
Dawson stood and stretched his back. “This stage should last for years and provide the children the opportunity to put on many wonderful performances.”
Nancy glanced down at the plans Dawson had sketched on a large sheet of paper, both confused and impressed by all the lines that created the design for the stage, and ultimately the two sofas. If these plans were any indication of his talent, he must have designed some magnificent ships. But she didn’t say that because Dawson no longer designed ships and she didn’t want to remind him of something he’d lost.
“Well, this is simply wonderful, Dawson. The children are so excited about performing on a real stage, and the Donovans will appreciate this gift for years to come.”
A smile tilted his lips, and he winked.
She liked that she could bring a smile to his handsome face. “Faith has made curtains for the stage. If you can create a rod of some sort, the curtains will add a bit of dramatic flair for the children’s pageant tomorrow night. They’re still in the sleigh, along with a couple of baskets that need to be brought in yet.”
Leo stood and dusted his hands on his pants legs. “We’ll go get them.”
“Where’s Duke and Boyd?” she asked, glancing around the room.
“They went into town to fetch some items for repairing a door and a wall upstairs.” As Leo headed towards the door, Dawson remained behind, his eyes seeming to drink her in.
The warmth in his eyes made Nancy’s cheeks burn. He slipped his hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’ve missed you today,” he said.
She laughed and shook her head. “You’re something, Mr. Crane.”
“So are you,” he said, his eyes filled with admiration. “I enjoyed our talk in the kitchen last night.”
“What’s the hold up?” Leo yelled from the door. “You coming, Dawson?”
Dawson feigned an agitated sigh and released her hand. “Straight away, young man. Hold your britches.” With a grin and a slight bow, he excused himself from her company.
Nancy laughed at Dawson’s obvious attempt to make light of his flirting. After taking a quick moment to collect herself, she left Rebecca and Adam to their private chat near the window where he was repairing the frame to keep out the cold draft. Nancy headed out of the grand parlor and found her way to the kitchen at the back of the house. Margaret Donovan, the headmistress of the orphanage, and also its cook, was setting out the lunch that Nancy had brought for the children.
With Nancy’s help, lunch was soon ready for the children, who were streaming in the back door. Seeing all those darling faces, their cheeks chapped pink from the cold, their noses wet and in need of wiping, their mismatched mittens and threadbare coats made her heart ache to think they would be spending their Christmas without a family of their own.
Margaret scooted the children out of the kitchen with instructions to wash up and return to the dining room for lunch.
The memory of Leo and Benny being cold and hungry and homeless when Adam found them shivering in the greenhouse all those years ago still made Nancy’s eyes tear up. Leo and Benny were family now, and Nancy would be forever thankful that they had found their way to the greenhouse and into her heart. She wished she could take in all of these beautiful children.
A loud stomping on the kitchen steps startled her, quickly followed by Dawson and Leo’s laughter as they stepped inside with the remaining baskets. “Where would you like these?” Leo asked.
Nancy glanced at Margaret. “We brought some i
tems for your pantry.”
“How kind of you!” Mrs. Donovan said. “Will you please put the packages in the pantry?”
Leo and Dawson left the packages in the enormous, and sadly empty pantry. Nancy recalled the many times her own pantry was empty in the early years of her marriage with Hal, and then again when he grew too ill to work. They had discussed it, argued about it, and even laughed about their sad state of affairs, but they’d always made it through those difficult times.
Nancy looked at Margaret and felt love and admiration for the woman. She knew the daily struggle Margaret must face while trying to feed the children. She was a good woman, and she and her husband had cared for the children at the Dunkirk Orphanage for many years. They had raised many into adulthood, and found loving homes for many others. The Donovans had even taken Leo and Benny in and had cared for them until Leo had found his way to the greenhouse. Margaret’s love for the children was real. She hadn’t given birth to a child of her own, but every child that crossed the threshold of this orphanage was her baby and she loved them as her own.
Nancy vowed to do more to help Margaret tend the children. Her first job would be to form a group of women who could help provide daily meals and ease Margaret’s burden and constant worry.
“You’re awfully deep in thought,” Dawson said, from behind her.
Nancy turned and found herself engulfed in his blue-eyed gaze.
“Something the matter?” he asked.
“Margaret’s pantry is nearly bare,” she said quietly. “How does she feed these children?”
“I don’t know, but they’re all healthy so she’s managed somehow. And it will be much easier for her to do so now that she has an open account at the grocer and mercantile.”
Chances Are Page 9