His grin was wide when she came back a few minutes later wearing a coat. Perhaps she was doing the wrong thing, but she’d never know if she didn’t take the risk.
He looked disappointed. “You put your hair up.” He reached out and removed the pins holding her long brown locks in place. She liked the sensation of his fingers running through her hair. It was nice, and she was mesmerized by his touch.
“That’s much better,” he said, then led her to the wagon. He held her gently by the waist, lifting her deftly up onto the board.
His touch was warm, comforting, and Molly knew she was gone. She’d never felt such an attachment to any man before. But Daniel was special, and she knew if she wasn’t careful, her heart would be shattered into a million pieces when he eventually left Fool’s Chance.
And that was likely to be sooner rather than later.
* * *
Daniel stared across at Molly sitting next to him on the wagon.
For a minute there, he was certain he’d be leaving alone. She was a plucky young lady – it was evident not only in the fact she ran a business alone, but most women would not have spoken to him in that manner.
The fact he’d enjoyed it was concerning.
From the moment he’d walked in the door of A Stitch in Time, he’d felt a connection with Molly Mason.
He’d come to Fool’s Chance to acquire a gown for his sister, not to fall in love.
The sad fact of the matter was he was unable to stay here for an indefinite period of time. His business could not run without him on a long-term basis. Unless…
His head was beginning to hurt thinking about what he would do. The last thing he wanted was to leave Molly behind, for he was certain she wouldn’t want to leave this tiny paradise.
“You’re frowning. Do you have a headache?”
Her voice startled him out of his thoughts, but it was a welcome interruption.
“A small one, but I am certain the fresh air will help.” She nodded but didn’t seem convinced.
After a few more minutes she reached over and touched his arm. “Turn right here. This road will take us to Hunter Mountain. You can see Fool’s Chance and many of the surrounding towns from the very top.” She grinned at him and his heart did a flip. Never before had a woman touched his heart, his very soul, the way Molly Mason did.
Back in Ellisdale, women came from everywhere to secure a date with him. He was fed up with the many gold-diggers back home – those hollow women who wanted nothing of him, but all of his money.
Molly was different. She didn’t know his background. Of his wealth. It was a happy situation – she like him for being himself.
They seemed to drive forever when Molly finally touched his arm again. “Turn left here. We’re almost there.”
After driving through acres of pine trees, they came to a clearing. She was right, you could see for miles from up here.
He stopped the horses and put on the brake, then helped Molly down. Their eyes met as he lifted her off the wagon, and he considered kissing those luscious lips, but he knew Molly wouldn’t approve.
He chuckled. That had never stopped him before.
She stared at him. “What’s so funny.”
He immediately composed himself. “For a moment there, I considered kissing you,” he said honestly. “But I didn’t think you would approve.” He kept his grip on her even after settling her on the ground.
Her eyes opened wide. “You wouldn’t dare!” She looked totally offended, and he chuckled again.
“I wanted to, I have to admit.” He reached out and ran his thumb across her lips. “You’re not that sort of woman, Molly, and I would never put you in a compromising situation.”
She stared at him for long moments before answering. “I appreciate that, I really do.” She hooked her arm through his and led him closer to the edge of the cliff. “That’s Fool’s Chance down there in front of us.” She pointed to the right. “There are several outlying towns over that way – Canson, Elkswood, and Hunter Valley. Of course that last name comes from Hunter Mountain, where we’re standing right now.” She grinned at him and it just made him want her more.
But he knew with Molly, rushing was not the way to go. Softly, softly would be his motto in this case. He wanted this woman with all his heart, and wanted to marry her, but knew she would never leave Fool’s Chance.
Daniel needed to find a way to win Molly over, while allowing her to stay in her much loved town.
His brain was ticking over… he might just have the solution.
* * *
Molly spread the picnic blanket over the damp ground. Daniel had thought of everything. He also had a basket stacked full of a variety of foods. “This looks amazing. I have no idea how you managed it.”
“I have friends in high places,” he said, then laughed. “Seriously, I went to the bakery yesterday and ordered a picnic basket for three. But of course, then my sister backed out.” He grinned. He didn’t seem too upset about that. He pulled out two glasses and a bottle of water, then poured them both a drink.
Molly reached in and pulled out the packaged sandwiches. She pulled off the grease proof wrapping and laid the sandwiches between them. “I didn’t think I was hungry, but they look delicious.”
She reached over and took a triangle of egg and lettuce sandwich. Daniel took one with meat. She nibbled gently, and he watched her as he chomped into his, then took another.
“You are such a lady,” he said, laughing.
She pouted. “And you are such a man.” She began to giggle and he joined her. It was so nice to laugh again, to have fun. To spend time with someone you were very fond of.
She finished off three corners of the sandwich then sat quietly.
“What are you thinking?” His voice was soft, but commanding.
“I was thinking about how much I enjoy your company.”
He grinned. “And I yours.” He swallowed down the last mouthful, then reached for her hand. “What are we going to do about it, Molly?”
Instead of answering she jumped up and spun around, taking in the view. He grabbed her hand. “Molly?”
She stared at him. What could she say? That she was falling in love with him? That she felt hollow, empty, when he wasn’t around? That she finally felt like she belonged, and soon he would leave?
She couldn’t say any of that, because no matter what, her heart would be broken.
Her eyes began to well with tears, but she fought hard to keep them back. He stared into her face and pulled her close.
His arms crept up her back, and it felt wonderful. Daniel tightened his grip, and she didn’t want him to ever let go.
A warm tear slid down her face and she wiped it away. She didn’t want Daniel to see how weak she was, or to know how attached she’d become to him.
She felt him staring. “Molly? What’s wrong?” He loosened his grip, then held her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”
Another tear escaped and he wiped it away with his thumb. “Tell me, Molly. Please?”
“I’m going to miss you when you leave,” she said quietly, the wind rushing through her hair. Daniel smoothed it down with his fingers.
He pulled her close to him again. “I feel the same. What are we going to do?”
She stepped out of his embrace, straightened her back and flexed her shoulders. “What we’re going to do is get on with our separate lives. We survived before, and I’m sure we will again.”
She sounded incredibly brave and sure of herself, but Molly was far from brave, and she felt less confident than she’d ever been.
They didn’t stay long after that. Her words had dampened their enthusiasm. She hadn’t meant to do it, but her heart was breaking and he deserved the truth.
They stood quietly entwined after her heartbreaking words, until the wind picked up. Then they packed up and drove back the way they’d come.
“Would you like a tree?” Daniel asked suddenly, bringi
ng her out of her thoughts.
“What?” His words were out of the blue. She hadn’t thought of getting a tree. Had no way of doing so. Aunt Rose always paid one of the teenage boys in town to cut one down for them, but she hadn’t bothered since Aunt Rose had passed on.
“A tree. A Christmas tree.” He indicated the hundreds of pine trees surrounding the road they traveled on. “I have an axe, borrowed it from the livery. When I said I was coming up here, it was almost foisted upon me.” He grinned.
She loved it when he grinned. He had a dimple either side of his mouth, and they were very endearing.
Still, she shook her head. It wasn’t worth the effort. Besides, what did she have to celebrate? The man she was falling in love with was leaving her.
He ignored her and locked the brake then climbed down off the wagon. He came around her side and reached to help her down. “You need cheering up, and I think this will do it.”
She screwed her face up at him. “Why did you even bother to ask?” Now she was in more of a huff than she was before.
“I don’t think I’ll ever work you out. You and every other woman I’ve ever met.” Despite his words, he grinned at her. “Come on, let’s go find you a nice little tree.”
Molly pulled her coat around herself. It was quite chilly amongst the trees.
Daniel wandered around, keeping her close beside him. “What about this one? It looks good and is a nice size for a cottage like yours.”
“It’s too big,” she said, and moved further ahead. “Ooooh, this one!” she said, shouting over her shoulder at him.
Daniel joined her and agreed, then began to chop it down. He suddenly stopped, tilting his head this way and that. “Do you hear it?”
Molly listened too. “It sounds like water. Oh! There are meant to be streams in the mountains somewhere. Fool’s Chance came about because gold was found here.”
He looked incredulous. “You didn’t know about the streams?”
“I don’t come up here often. It’s not so easy to do on foot.” She grinned at him and he nodded, then headed back to the wagon with the tree.
“Let’s go check out the stream. Might as well make the most of the day.”
He was right. She needed to get out of her somber mood and make the best of their day together. By her reckoning they probably only had a week or so left. Their time together was far too short.
Daniel grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the stream. The closer they got, the louder the sound of water rushing over the rocks.
When they arrived where the forest met the stream, they both stopped and stared. The scene before them was breathtaking.
He squeezed her hand, then lifted it to his lips. “What an amazing sight.”
She felt warm all over, and was momentarily speechless. Not only from the scene before them, but his automatic gesture of kissing her hand.
Why did their time together have to end?
“Come on, let’s have a closer look.” He was like a child in a candy store.
Then she remembered he was from the city. She’d been like that when she’d first arrived in Fool’s Chance, only worse. Not only was a small town new to her, she’d hated it.
Hated the fact she couldn’t go to the main street and buy whatever she wanted. Hated she’d had to leave all her friends behind and change schools. But worst of all, her mother had died, and Aunt Rose had tried to take over her mother’s role.
At least that’s how Molly had seen it, until finally, one day, realization hit her. Aunt Rose was trying to help her adjust to her new life, and that included helping her to grieve the loss of her precious mother.
They reached the edge of the shallow stream and Daniel scooped up a handful of water, then put it to his mouth. “Mmmm, this is good. Try some.”
She followed suit. “It is good. Do you think there’s any gold in there,” she asked, giggling.
His eyes opened wide. “Gold, eh? I doubt it. If there was gold up here, surely someone would have found it by now.”
“You’re probably right.”
They sat close together beside the stream. The large boulder was perfectly situated and Daniel pulled her close. “What are we going to do Molly? I can’t imagine my life without you.”
She turned to look at him, and his eyes pleaded with her.
“You can’t leave your business here in Fool’s Chance, and I can’t abandon mine in Ellisdale.” His arm crept up around her back. “It’s a horrible situation, no matter how we look at it.”
She leaned in and rested against his side. Her heart thudded. They were damned no matter what they did.
Was this really what love was all about? She sure hoped not, because if it was, she didn’t want to have anything to do with it.
Chapter Five
When Molly awoke, dread filled her.
Today was the day she handed over Eloise’s ball gown, and the day Daniel and his sister left Fool’s Chance.
Inside she was sobbing. Outside she had to keep up appearances.
She stared at the writing on the window, cursing the place she loved for introducing her to her soulmate, then wrenching him away just as quickly.
She glanced around at the flurries tumbling down from the sky, and knew it wouldn’t be long before the snow was full-blown.
In the weeks since Daniel’s arrival, she’d spent time with him every day. They’d been the best days of her life. And now he was leaving.
Her heart was shattered and she’d never be able to repair it.
She unlocked the door and went inside. Eloise would have one last fitting this morning, to ensure it was perfect, and then the pair would leave Fool’s Chance forever.
It was all she could do to damp down her emotions.
Molly walked through the store to the backroom, part-filling the kettle and replacing it on the wood stove. She pulled a mug down from the cupboard and went into the fitting room.
She swept as she waited for the water to boil, and cleaned up all the stray pieces of thread. She was about to make a mug of coffee when the bell over the door tinkled.
Molly’s heart sank.
This would be the end. Her last moments with Daniel Emerson, the man she’d grown far too fond of.
She pulled herself together and forced a smile onto her face. “Good morning,” she said cheerfully. Far more cheerfully than she felt.
Eloise was grinning. Daniel looked grim. “Good morning,” he said quietly, sounding as pained as she felt.
“If you pop into the fitting room, we’ll do a last minute check, and if all is well, you’ll be ready to go.” She swallowed down the last words, as they filled her with absolute and utter dread.
“Molly…” Daniel called after her, but she didn’t want to get involved in a conversation that would surely end in tears. Her tears.
“Can it wait?” She didn’t wait for an answer, and joined Eloise in the fitting room. She went all over the garment, double checking everything was as it should be. She tugged on the ribbon to ensure it was properly secured, and made certain the removable brooch she’d added just below the left shoulder would not fall off.
“It’s perfect,” she told Eloise, and the younger woman smiled gingerly.
“I can’t thank you enough,” she said. “I know you’re upset about Daniel leaving – he’s been incredibly cranky, so I’m certain he doesn’t want to leave you either.”
She couldn’t meet the other woman’s eyes. What was she to say? She couldn’t think of anything positive, so simply didn’t answer.
Eloise frowned at her.
“If you take the gown off, I will place it in a box for you.”
Eloise nodded. “I’m sorry if I spoke out of turn, but my brother has been miserable since he knew we’d be leaving.”
“I will miss you both,” Molly said, swallowing back her growing emotions.
She took the finished gown out to the main shop and pulled a large dress box off one of the shelves. She couldn’t bring herself t
o look at Daniel for fear she might burst into tears.
Out of her peripheral vision she could see he stood stiff and tall, watching her every move. She folded the gown carefully, and handed the box over to Eloise. “Enjoy the Christmas Gala,” she said quietly, then began to walk toward the back of the shop.
Every step felt like another step closer to doom.
“Molly, can we talk?” His voice seemed far away, and she continued walking, not daring to acknowledge he’d spoken. When she reached the fitting room she slammed the door, and with her back against it, sobbed her heart out.
* * *
That night was one of the hardest Molly had to endure.
Everywhere she looked reminded her of Daniel. He’d collected her from the store each and every night since he arrived, and took her to supper.
They’d spent hours just sitting either in the town square near the wishing well, or in the hotel foyer. They talked a lot of the time, but mostly they just sat snuggled into each other. Occasionally Eloise joined them, but mostly she made herself scarce.
Daniel was going to take her to the dance next week, but now that he’d left town, it wouldn’t happen. She certainly wasn’t going alone, it would be like all her Saturday nights before he arrived. Instead she would have supper, spend time knitting or doing needlework, then take herself off to bed.
As she left the store, the moonlight played across the glass window. It was a full moon. Legend had it if you made a wish at the Fool’s Chance wishing well on a full moon, your wish would come true.
She knew it wasn’t true, despite the rumors that abounded around town. But who was she to dismiss local legend?
Molly made her way to the well, and sat on the edge. Remembering what almost happened last time, she was careful not to get too close.
She looked up to the big bright moon, staring down at her from above.
“I love Daniel so much, I wish he could live in Fool’s Chance. I wish we could get married and have a beautiful family.”
As she quietly said the words, she felt hot tears slide down her face. Molly knew her wish could never come true, and this time her heart truly shattered. She knew this time it could never be put back together.
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