by Cindy Kirk
“Look through bride magazines for styles that catch your eye.” Hearing Dan’s footsteps approaching, Eliza pushed to her feet. “According to the competition rules, we can’t visit bridal salons until April second, but nothing says we can’t do preliminary work.”
“I’m sorry that took so long.” Dan strode into the room and moved immediately to Lindsay’s side.
“That’s okay,” Lindsay assured him. “Helping people is what you do.”
“Not every woman would understand.” He gave her arm a squeeze before refocusing on Eliza. “Do you have to leave so soon?”
“It’s time for me to get to the store.” Eliza gave Lindsay a wink. “Not all of us have the day off.”
Dan walked with them to the door. “Katie Ruth told me Lolo had a good time at youth group.”
“Hopefully, her first day of school goes as well.” Eliza had nearly forgotten that fact. The child had been out of the house before she’d come downstairs this morning.
Lindsay’s blue eyes filled with concern. “Middle school is tough.”
“If there’s anything I can do to make her transition easier, I hope you’ll let me know.” The kindness in the minister’s eyes told her Lindsay had a good man.
Yet, the question remained…was Dan the right man for her friend?
Chapter 10
Though Eliza planned to head into work eventually, the opportunity to meet with Beckett Cross took priority. According to his text, he’d be home until three. She could either stop over before then, or he could update her over the phone.
As Eliza climbed the steps to the large wrap-around porch, a sense of déjà vu washed over her. The stained glass that topped each window had fascinated her as a child, as had the black iron fence. Despite the spikes, she and Ethan had climbed on the fence every chance they got.
She and her brother had also shimmied their way up every one of the huge trees that dotted the lawn. In spring and summer, they’d picked berries from the patch in the back and eaten them straight off the vine.
Eliza shook her head, a wry smile lifting her lips. She’d been such a dorky child. Still, lots of good memories here. She raised a hand to knock, then noticed the sign hanging from the knob that said the baby was sleeping. Clearly meant for delivery personnel, the hand-painted sign warned not to ring the bell or knock and to leave packages on the porch.
As she pulled out her phone to text Beck, the door eased open. The attorney touched a finger to his lips, then stepped aside to let her enter.
With a quick gesture of his hand, he motioned for her to follow him down the hallway. He didn’t say a word until they reached the end. Eliza hadn’t been in the kitchen since Kate had lived here. It had been completely updated shortly before she’d sold the home. It was a twenty-first-century kitchen with a Victorian feel.
“This is about as far from the nursery as we can get.” Beck offered an apologetic smile. “Sarah Rose had a rough time last night.”
At Eliza’s questioning look, he added, “She’s teething.”
Eliza wasn’t aware a six-month-old had teeth, but then, what did she know about children that age? She nodded and took a seat in the chair Beck slid out.
“May I get you some coffee or tea?”
“I’m fine.” Eliza frowned. If the baby couldn’t hear them here, how was Beck to know if Sarah Rose needed something? “Is Ami with the baby?”
“Ami had some baking to do this morning.” Beck poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. “Marigold is upstairs. All my sisters-in-law love their one-on-one time with their niece.”
Eliza found herself envying the closeness of the Bloom sisters. Then she reminded herself that such intimacy would drive her crazy. She craved solitude, which was why she needed things to get back to normal at her house. “You indicated you spoke with my grandmother’s attorney.”
“I was finally able to reach him.” Beck took the chair across the table. “I know you prefer to get right down to business, so I’ll skip the small talk. Mr. Berry indicated he was never asked by your grandmother to put the house in your name. He reiterated that she made it clear everything was to go to her son, with the exception of the general store to you and a sum of money equal to the store’s value to your brother.”
Eliza narrowed her gaze. “Do you believe him?”
“I do.” Leaning back in his chair, Beck cupped the mug in his hands.
A cold chill passed through Eliza. She wished she’d accepted the coffee Beck had offered. A cup would give her something to do with hands that kept wanting to flutter. She clasped them tightly in her lap and kept her face carefully composed.
Beck’s brown eyes, which could be so shrewd and businesslike, darkened with compassion.
It took Eliza a moment, but she finally found her voice. “I have no legal right to the house.”
Beck blew out a breath. “I wish I had better news.”
Eliza wanted to scream. Or throw something. Or both. Instead, she pushed back her chair and slowly rose to her feet. She forced her lips into a semblance of a smile. “I appreciate your efforts. While I still have a mailing address, send me your bill.”
Her attempt at levity fell flat.
“Eliza. I—”
She had no idea what he planned to say, because her phone rang at the same time Marigold strolled into the room, baby on her hip.
Eliza lifted one finger. “Excuse me a moment.”
Her phone’s display told her it was Kyle, the legitimate owner of her home. The realization made her sick inside.
“This is Eliza.”
“Hey, E. I need to ask a big favor.”
E? Since when had her name changed to a letter of the alphabet? Cognizant of Marigold’s and Beck’s curious gazes, Eliza let it pass. “What do you need?”
“Can you be home when Lolo gets out of school this afternoon? Something came up and it will be difficult for me to get away early. I don’t want her coming home to an empty house. Especially today.”
For one brief second, the fury bubbling inside her at her father’s actions made her want to lash out, to tell Kyle that Lolo was his responsibility, not hers. She reined in her temper and reminded herself that none of this mess was his fault.
“Eliza?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.”
Clicking off, Eliza dropped the phone into her bag and kept her explanation general. “A favor involving Lolo.”
Marigold jiggled the baby and planted a kiss on the top of her niece’s head. “The girl has fabulous hair.”
“Your cut made such a difference.” Just recalling Lolo’s stunned expression when she’d looked in the mirror brought a smile to Eliza’s lips. “She was so pumped. I think she was actually excited about school this morning.”
Content on Marigold’s hip, the baby glanced around. When her gaze settled on Eliza, that tiny rosebud mouth opened in a wide smile.
Despite telling herself it was just a coincidence, Eliza felt a warmth rush through her.
The moment was broken when Beck reached over and tickled his daughter under her chin. The baby gurgled and pumped her arms.
“Thanks for your time.” Eliza slung the strap of her purse over her shoulder. “I’ll show myself out.”
“If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to call me.” Beck’s gaze met hers.
Eliza gave a curt nod and, offering Marigold a polite smile, started down the hall.
“Sarah Rose and I will walk with you to the door.” Marigold hurried after her.
“That’s not necessary.” Eliza didn’t slow her steps.
“It is because I need a favor.”
Eliza stopped. Turned. “What is it?”
The edge in her tone must have alerted Marigold she needed to get straight to business. “Cade and I are leaders of a Seedling troop. This Wednesday, the unit deals with exploring various art mediums.”
Eliza was familiar with the scouting organization unique to Door
County. As a young girl, she’d gone through all the levels, from Seedling to Sapling to Mature Cherry Tree, commonly referred to as MCT. But she’d never been particularly artistic.
“When I was cutting her hair, Lolo mentioned how much she likes drawing with charcoal. I was wondering if you and Kyle could bring her by on Wednesday and she could give the kids some pointers.”
Eliza’s heart unexpectedly swelled. What Marigold suggested sounded like something that might interest Lolo. The kindness of the offer reached inside her and touched a raw, tender place. Eliza remembered how alone and adrift she’d felt in middle school. Perhaps volunteering would have made a difference. “I’ll check and see if she’s interested.”
“Fabulous. Wednesday evening at six thirty in the town hall. Room 101.” Marigold shot her an apologetic smile when the baby reached out and clamped her fingers around Eliza’s shirt.
“No, no, Sarah Rose.” Marigold crooned as she gently pulled the baby’s hand away. “The meeting lasts about an hour. If Lolo feels comfortable staying with us, you and Kyle can sneak out and grab a cup of coffee or something during the meeting.”
“Kyle and I—” Eliza stopped herself from telling Jeremy’s almost-sister-in-law that there was no her and Kyle. “We’ll decide at the time, assuming Lolo is even interested.”
“Sell her on how much fun she’ll have helping with the Seedlings.” Marigold reached out and touched Eliza’s arm. “Once you get her there, Cade and I will make sure she enjoys herself.”
After leaving Beck’s home, Eliza returned to her house and opened her laptop. She’d learned long ago not to cry over something that couldn’t be changed. Her only hope was to buy the house back. Which meant she needed to be prepared.
Though she preferred to shop local and use businesses in Good Hope whenever possible, too much personal information was given out when prequalifying for a loan.
With that thought in mind, Eliza pulled up a bank in Milwaukee and plugged in information concerning her assets, income and liabilities. The amount Kyle had paid for her house was listed on the assessor’s website. All she had to do was qualify for that amount and the home was as good as hers.
Once she was prequalified, she’d go through the more tedious preapproval process. While she waited, she’d start getting together the necessary documentation.
Soon, she promised herself, the house would be hers again. Her unwanted “guests” would be gone, and her life would be quiet and serene.
Just the way she liked it.
Over dinner, Lolo recounted her day to a captive audience of three. She didn’t skimp on details, but told them everything. Not just what everyone wore, but little anecdotes about her teachers.
“Art is my favorite class,” Lolo asserted, forking off a bite of the quiche Katherine had whipped together for dinner.
“What do you like most about it?” Kyle determinedly kept his gaze focused on his sister. Each time his eyes wandered, they wandered in Eliza’s direction.
She looked pretty as ever in her black pants and a stretchy black shirt with red threads woven through it. Kyle wondered if Eliza ever wore anything other than black. Then again, why fool with perfection?
“Mrs. Bartels, she’s my art teacher, thinks I have talent.” The pride in his sister’s voice had Kyle refocusing on her.
“Are you still working with pencil?” The sketch she’d done of him when she was in kindergarten had been amazing. No stick figures for that five-year-old.
Lolo smiled and stabbed a piece of arugula. “I prefer charcoal to pencil now.”
“Did you make any new friends today?” Katherine asked in a cheery tone.
Lolo’s smile fell away.
Kyle assumed Katherine didn’t mean to be hurtful, but he’d carefully avoided asking that question. Lolo had been so open about everything that had gone on at school, he knew she’d have mentioned making a new friend.
“No.” Lolo gave her head a quick shake. “No friends. Not yet.”
Katherine offered the girl a bright smile. “Who did you eat lunch with, then?”
If the older woman had been a guy, Kyle would have kicked him under the table.
Another awkward silence descended over the table.
“It was her first day, Katherine.” Eliza’s tone might be pleasant, but her eyes flashed a warning.
Kyle could have kissed her.
“Nobody,” Lolo mumbled.
“When I was in middle school, I usually read while eating my lunch.” Eliza waved a hand, indicating the subject was closed. “I don’t believe I mentioned yet that Marigold asked about you and your drawings today.”
“What about my drawings?” Lolo pinned Eliza with her bold blue eyes. “How does she even know I draw?”
Eliza lifted the glass of wine to her lips. “She said you mentioned it while she was cutting your hair.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Kyle saw Katherine open her mouth. Despite knowing it was rude, he jumped in without giving her a chance to speak. “Did Marigold have anything else to say?”
“She wants Lolo to attend a Seedlings meeting Wednesday night and give the children some tips about drawing with charcoal.” Likely aware of Lolo’s concern, Eliza continued. “It sounds as if there will be other artists there. The kids will be able to try several different mediums. It sounds like fun.”
Lolo’s forehead furrowed. “What are Seedlings?”
Katherine spoke quickly before Eliza could respond. “They’re Door County’s version of scouts. Seedling troops are composed of both boys and girls about the ages you’d see in Cub Scouts or Brownies.”
Kyle cocked his head. “Scouts?”
“The first troops were formed on the peninsula back in the 1920s.” Katherine smiled smugly. “Verna and I co-led a group of Seedlings back in the seventies.”
Lolo cocked her head. “Who’s Verna?”
Eliza smiled. “My grandmother.”
“My very best friend.” Katherine sighed.
Kyle braced himself for more talk of friendships, but Eliza took control of the conversation. “Would you be interested in helping Marigold and Cade?”
Lolo wound a brown curl around her finger and considered. “Will you go with me?”
Eliza hesitated, glanced at Kyle. “I assumed your brother would take you.”
“I want both you and Kyle to come.” Lolo glanced at Katherine, as if looking for backup.
This time, the older woman didn’t disappoint.
“A marvelous idea.” Katherine beamed. “Since you’ll all be out of the house for the evening, I can host my card group here.”
“Card group?” Puzzlement blanketed Eliza’s face. “You haven’t even been back in town a week. How can you already be in a card group?”
“Oh, my dear, you know how it is in Good Hope.” Katherine chuckled and picked up her salad fork. “When you return, it’s as if you’d never left.”
Chapter 11
When Wednesday night rolled around, Eliza had to fight back discouragement as she headed downstairs.
The e-mail she’d just received from the bank had prequalified her for an amount nowhere near the money she would need to buy back her home. Since there was such a disparity, she had the feeling all other lending institutions would see it the same way.
That left one last option. She would pressure her father into doing the right thing and giving her the money he’d gotten from the sale of her house.
Though Donald Shaw gave no indication of feeling guilty, she knew her father considered himself to be an honorable man. He had to know what he’d done was contrary to his mother’s wishes. She’d push hard on that once she saw him.
Eliza had considered calling him, but over the phone was never as effective as in person. As he planned to be in the area for business the first weekend in May, she wouldn’t have to wait long.
Best of all, that was the weekend of the showcase, when the winner of the Ready, Set, Wed competition would be announced. Her father wouldn�
�t be able to help but be impressed when Good Hope—thanks to her direction—won.
Feeling more encouraged, she stepped into the foyer.
Kyle turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. He considered saying something about her and Lolo both running late when he saw the lines of tension around her eyes.
Though she covered it well, something had upset her.
“Where’s Lolo?”
“Katherine said something about her changing into a new shirt.” He didn’t bother to hide his puzzlement. “This is a scouting function. Why did she need to put on a new shirt?”
“Perhaps, and this is a wild guess, she wanted to look nice?”
“She’ll be working with charcoal, getting messy.” He couldn’t keep the exasperation from his voice. This was so simple. Why didn’t Eliza get it? “She should wear something old.”
“You’re such a man.” Eliza expelled a heavy sigh, though he caught a flicker of amusement in the gray depths of her eyes.
“Thank you for noticing, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“Lolo is a girl. She’s new to Good Hope.”
When Eliza didn’t continue, Kyle made a come-on motion.
“Clothes, hair, makeup, all those things make a woman, or in Lolo’s case, a girl, feel more confident.” Eliza spoke with such passion he knew she believed every word. “Because she’s new, it’s important she put her best foot forward.”
While on the surface the sentiment made sense, something about the words hit Kyle wrong. But there was no chance to discuss the topic further, because Lolo appeared at the top of the stairs.
“I’m ready.” The girl bounded down the steps with the enthusiasm of a child. But it was no child who stood before him.
His sister’s wild tangle of curls had been pulled into an ultrahigh pony at the crown of her head, which should help keep them out of the way while she drew. Her new cotton sweater was red in the front and back, had black arms and white down the sides. Something about the top made her look more like a young teen than a twelve-year-old.