“That’s not what I meant.” Was she being deliberately obtuse? “For one thing, my work is not the sort where I have regular hours or that allows me to have a child tagging along. For another, I’m hardly the kind of caretaker a four-year-old needs.”
Hazel’s expression regained some of that familiar softness as she met his gaze again. “She could certainly do a lot worse.”
Her answer surprised him given what had happened to Bethany. But Hazel had always been a look-on-the-bright-side kind of person.
“You seemed to have managed all right last night,” she added, as if that settled matters.
“I wasn’t on my own. Reverend Mills, the preacher over at Kittering, offered us a room at his place for the night and Mrs. Mills took care of Meg.”
Hazel nodded slowly, nibbling on her lower lip as if trying to puzzle something out. What was going on in that rather unorthodox mind of hers?
Then she seemed to come to a decision. “If it’ll help you, I’ll be glad to watch Meg for a few weeks, but first there’s something you need to know.”
Relieved that he’d gotten a commitment of sorts from her, Ward smiled. A few weeks should be sufficient time for him to figure things out with Meg. But why had she put a time limit on it? Had she started some new project while he was away—it seemed Hazel always had a project or cause to champion.
He spread his hands, inviting her to continue, confident it was something he could deal with.
She lifted her chin, giving him an almost defiant look. Why was she being so melodramatic? Surely, whatever it was wasn’t so—
“I’m leaving Turnabout in a few weeks and moving to New York,” she finally blurted.
Chapter Four
Ward felt everything inside himself suddenly go still. Surely Hazel hadn’t meant that the way it sounded? “You mean you’re taking your annual trip early?” Her mother had come from New York and Hazel still had family there that she visited regularly.
“No.” She tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. “I mean I’m moving to New York permanently.”
Turnabout without Hazel’s vibrant presence? It was unthinkable. Trying to keep his demeanor matter-of-fact while he absorbed the impact of what she was saying, he raised a brow. “This seems a bit sudden.”
She studied her hands on the table. “Not really. Aunt Opal has asked me a number of times over the years to work in her fashion design business. I’ve finally decided to accept her offer, is all.”
“I see.” Except he didn’t. Why would she do such a thing? And why now? She’d always said on her return from her trips back east that it felt really good to be home again. “Exactly how soon do you plan to make this move?”
“I haven’t set an exact date, but soon. I talked it over with Verity before she and her family headed out on their vacation and I promised her I wouldn’t leave until she returns.” Hazel shrugged. “They’re due back in about three weeks.”
So soon! The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach deepened. And if she’d been planning this since before the Coopers left, why was he just now hearing of it? “I see,” he said again, not that he did.
Why had her decision unsettled him so much? “And you’ve made up your mind?”
She nodded, looking down as she brushed at her skirt. “So you see, I can only help you with Meg for that long.”
This was so much bigger than not helping with Meg. How could she just leave like this? How long had she been contemplating this move? Was she so unhappy with her life here, or was there something in New York drawing her there? Could she have met someone on her last trip? Was—
Hazel reached across the table and touched his wrist, bringing his thoughts back to the here and now.
“But for the next three weeks,” she said, “I’ll do whatever I can to help with Meg.”
He forced a smile. It was the second time today she’d touched him that way. He found he liked it. Perhaps a bit too much. He had to remind himself to keep things on a just-friends basis. But it didn’t sound like he’d have to bother with that for much longer.
“I appreciate that,” he said, responding to her offer. “And we’ll just have to hope I have some answers about Half-pint by then.”
He glanced toward the library area, forcibly shoving aside his feelings about Hazel’s defection to deal with later. Right now he’d have to figure out how to best let Half-pint know she wouldn’t be staying with him after all.
As if understanding what he was feeling, Hazel followed his gaze. “She probably won’t understand why you need to hand her off to me.”
“I’m not exactly handing her off,” he protested.
She gave him a stern look. “That’s not how she’ll see it.” Then she glanced Meg’s way. “The news would be best coming from you, I believe.”
Ward nodded and caught Abigail’s eye, signaling that she should bring Meg back to the table.
Meg skipped back to them, a large book clutched in her hands. “Miss Abigail said I can borrow this one,” she told Ward proudly. “We can read it together.”
The trusting way she looked at him made Ward feel even more guilty for what he was about to do. But it was for the best. He lifted her up on his lap. “That sounds nice. But I have some good news for you. Miss Hazel has said you can stay with her at her place for now.”
The little girl frowned. “But you said I could stay with you.”
He kept his smile firmly in place. “I know, but being sheriff means I sometimes have to work long hours. Besides, Miss Hazel’s place is bigger and much nicer. And I promise I’ll visit with you every day.”
Meg’s lips trembled slightly. “Don’t you want me to stay with you?” She tightened her hold on her doll. “I promise I’ll be good,” she said desperately. “Freddie says I’m a lot of trouble but I promise I won’t be if you give me a chance.”
The child’s pleas touched Ward’s heart and he again wanted to strangle Freddie. He brushed the hair from Meg’s forehead. “I don’t think you’re any trouble at all, Half-pint. In fact, I think you’re a bright little ray of sunshine. But I don’t have a lot of room at my place and you’ll be much more comfortable at Miss Hazel’s.”
She gave him a wobbly smile. “I don’t take up much room.”
He had to work to keep his encouraging smile in place. “True, but it’s not just the space. I also have to work, and I’m afraid I can’t take you with me when I do.”
“I can stay at your house while you work. I’m big enough to stay by myself—Freddie said so. And I can clean things for you while you’re gone. Freddie taught me how to sweep and dust, at least the things I can reach. Please.” Her lower lip trembled as if tears were imminent.
Ward’s chest tightened. He wouldn’t be able to bear it if she started crying. Her words, as well as her desperation not to be handed off again, spoke of what her life must have been like under her brother’s care.
How could he tell her no? Yet how could he not?
Almost without conscious thought, he turned to Hazel for help.
* * *
Hazel wasn’t certain how she’d expected Ward to react to the news that she was leaving Turnabout, but she definitely felt let down. Not that she’d expected him to beg her to stay, not exactly anyway. But she’d certainly expected more from him than the mild curiosity he’d displayed.
She supposed his reaction, and her disappointment over it, was just one more indication that it was indeed time for her to move on.
But there would be time to mull that over later. Right now there were more important matters to attend to. Responding to Ward’s what-do-I-do-now look, Hazel refrained from saying I told you so. Instead, she reached over and lightly touched Meg’s wrist. “I have a very nice guest room at my place and would love to have you stay there with me. My very best friend, the lady who
usually works at the dress shop with me, is out of town for the next several weeks and it would be nice to have you to keep me company.”
But Meg wasn’t swayed. “You have Buttons to keep you company,” she said earnestly. “Sheriff Gleason doesn’t have anybody.” Meg’s voice had a desperate tone to it and her lower lip trembled again. She swiped at her eyes with the back of her wrist. “He lost his sister so he needs me to be his new family.”
Hazel heard Ward’s sharp intake of breath but for the moment she didn’t dare meet his gaze. The emotions swirling around in the aftermath of that statement were both too strong and too fragile for that.
She finally took a deep breath and glanced at Ward, studying his now closed-off expression, silently gauging his needs against Meg’s. Normally she’d do just about anything to put a smile on his face. But this was bigger than what he needed, or rather what he thought he needed.
Making a decision, Hazel met Meg’s gaze again and took both of her hands. “You’re absolutely right,” she said firmly, “and families should stay together.”
She ignored Ward’s involuntary movement, keeping her focus on Meg, warmed by the child’s blossoming smile. “So how about we do this? You can stay with me during the day while the sheriff is at work and keep me company at the dress shop. And then in the evenings, Sheriff Gleason can fetch you and take you home with him.”
She sensed Ward’s displeasure but ignored him for the moment.
Meg seemed to think about her words for a minute. “You mean, sort of like I was going to school?”
Hazel squeezed her hands. “Exactly! Only you’d be coming to the dress shop instead of school.”
“All right.” Meg hugged her doll tightly. “I guess that would be okay.”
“Good girl. We’re going to have fun together, I promise.”
Hazel straightened and turned to Ward, noting his look of betrayal. She hoped, once he thought things over, he would see that this was the best solution. And not just for Meg.
To do him credit, he refrained from argument and smiled down at the little girl. “All right, Half-pint, we’ll give it a try. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Instead of a nice bed at Miss Hazel’s, you’re going to have to sleep on the couch in my parlor.”
Meg didn’t seem the least bit concerned. “I’m going to be a good little sister, I promise.”
Hazel saw something flash in his eyes—something that seemed part pain and part tenderness. Which only strengthened her belief that underneath his closed-off exterior was a man with a very big heart. A man who needed someone to lavish his affection on. And if it couldn’t be her, she was glad he had Meg.
But he squeezed the little girl’s shoulder and helped seat her in her own chair. “I’m sure you will.”
Did Ward know how much Meg had already changed him, breached his defenses?
* * *
As they ate their meal, Ward was relieved to see Meg return to her sunny, chatty self. He felt much less satisfied with the way they’d settled matters.
His mind was reeling from the double blow Hazel had landed him. First saying she was moving away—his mind still shied away from that one—then giving in to Meg’s pleas to let her stay at his place. Both seemed like betrayals, though he refused to think about which stabbed deeper.
How could Hazel have done this to him? Especially after he’d given her all the reasons why Meg staying at his place couldn’t work. And it wasn’t just the demands of his job, though that should have been enough to make his point. Didn’t Hazel know about the added demands that dealing with this town hooligan had placed on him?
But he wasn’t fit to be caretaker of a little girl under any circumstances, especially one who was so young. He’d thought Hazel understood.
Was her sudden defection due to the fact that she was moving away? Was it so easy for her to leave everything she’d grown up with behind? Leave every one behind?
Things seemed to be changing so fast. He still hadn’t gotten used to the loss of Bethany. And then being thrust into the role of caretaker for Meg. Now Hazel up and announced she’s leaving. It was just too much to take in.
After the meal, he escorted them back to Hazel’s place, feeling acutely conscious of the curious looks they were receiving from the folks they passed. He supposed it was difficult for his neighbors to see him in the role of a child’s guardian as well.
As soon as they stepped inside the dress shop, Meg went in search of Pugs and Buttons.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to speak freely, Ward turned to Hazel. He wanted to ask her not to leave. But he had no right. And nothing to offer her if she stayed. So he focused on Meg instead. “You realize I know nothing about being a parent to a little girl.”
She moved to the shop counter. “You did okay with Bethany.”
“Bethany was twelve, not four, when our father passed. And we both know how badly I failed in taking care of her.”
She spun around, her expression dismayed. “Don’t say that. It wasn’t your—”
He interrupted her before she could finish that statement. “Spare me your platitudes.” He waved a hand, silencing whatever protest she seemed poised to make. “But that’s beside the point. As sheriff, I’m likely to get called out in the middle of the night. How can I do my job if I’m playing nanny?”
Her lips pursed in exasperation. “You won’t be playing anything. And you’ll be a father to her, not a nanny.”
He jerked his hand, dismissing her explanation. “Those are just words. I’m not qualified to be either.”
But she didn’t relent. “You’ll figure something out. And as you’ve said yourself, this is just a temporary situation. Once you get the answers you’re looking for, you’ll be able to turn Meg over to the proper parties. Until then, yes, perhaps as sheriff you’ll be slightly less responsive in the evenings than normal.” She straightened. “And, if the worst happens and you really need to be out, you can bring her here to me, any time of night or day.”
He could tell she meant that. But he wasn’t certain how practical that solution would be given the kinds of situations he might be called on to respond to. For now, though, he’d have to accept her terms. “I warn you, I start making my rounds very early in the mornings.”
“That won’t be a problem—I’m an early riser as well.”
It seemed she had an answer for everything.
They just weren’t the answers he was hoping for.
Hazel gave him a breezy smile. “You undoubtedly have some things you need to attend to. Why don’t you just go about your business. I’ll bring Meg to your place at, say, half past five?”
Was she actually dismissing him? He wasn’t at all a fan of this new Hazel, the one who was looking ahead to leaving Turnabout rather than trying to claim his attention. This was going to take some getting used to.
Of course, since she was leaving soon, there wouldn’t be a “new Hazel” to get used to much longer.
But she was right, he did have some things to attend to. He nodded, then turned to Meg. “I’ll see you later, Half-pint. Be good and mind Miss Hazel.”
As Ward marched out of Hazel’s shop, he jammed his hands in his pockets. Why was Hazel pretending she didn’t hold him accountable for what happened to Bethany? She’d been there that day, after all, had seen what had happened when that rotten board in the loft gave way.
Of course she didn’t know the full extent of his guilt. Bethany had fallen out of the barn loft because he had neglected to make the needed repairs, even though he’d known it needed tending to.
And why had he put it off? Because he’d been busy mooning over a girl. He’d spent so much time that week trying to figure out how to ask Lucy Brick if he could walk her to church the following Sunday that he hadn’t gotten around to doing all the maintenance work he’d set for himself.<
br />
And because of his lack of discipline, Bethany had fallen and never been quite the same again.
It had been his first and most tragic lesson in how costly such distractions could be. He’d almost forgotten that last year, had let his guard down again because of a desire to get closer to someone. He’d begun to think just maybe he could relax his guard a bit around Hazel, could perhaps look at her as more than a friend.
Then that Walker girl had been kidnapped right under his nose. That incident had ended on a happier note than the one with Bethany, but her rescue had been no thanks to him.
It just proved, once and for all, that he couldn’t do his job, a job where others depended on him, if his loyalties were divided.
It was as simple, and as hard to swallow, as that.
* * *
Hazel stared at the door Ward had just exited through. Somehow, telling him of her plans to move had made the whole thing seem much more real, more inevitable. Almost as if she’d reached the point of no return. His lukewarm reaction to the news, however, had bothered her more than she’d like to admit. There’d been a couple of times today when she’d thought he’d looked at her with a warmth that was based on more than mere friendship. But apparently that had been wishful thinking.
One thing Ward had made obvious was that he was not happy with the way she’d handled the matter of Meg’s living arrangements. Well, that was just too bad. She’d done what she thought best.
And speaking of Meg...
Pasting on a smile, Hazel turned to the little girl. How was she going to entertain her for the next several hours? In spite of Ward’s obvious assumption that she would be a better caretaker for Meg, she had very little experience with children. True, Verity’s little girl, Joy, spent a lot of time with them in the emporium, but she’d never been left alone with the six-year-old for more than a short time.
Then she realized Meg’s chattering had slowed down and her eyes were getting droopy. Poor lamb, she’d had a trying couple of days, and she was probably used to napping after lunch.
A Tailor-Made Husband Page 4