Dania chuckled. “I don’t think he’s that old. Maybe thirty-five.”
“Forty, if he’s a day.” He opened the door then stepped back to allow her to walk through.
She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Matt really was quite fun to work into a lather. Dania took his offered arm once they were on the sidewalk. “Mr. Young is quite attractive.”
The muscles in his arm tensed beneath her fingertips, and she struggled to breathe. “I didn’t notice.”
“Really?” Dania stole a glance at him. Poor man might break his jaw if he gritted his teeth together any harder. “I thought a newspaperman like you would notice every little detail.”
“I remember the important stuff, not whether the man can button his shirt correctly.”
As much fun as this was, it was time to stop this little game. “Well, he can flirt all he likes, just not with me.”
If she thought that would set Matt at ease, she was mistaken. “You don’t like him in a romantic sort of way?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. I do not see myself with someone like Mr. Young.”
“Then what kind of man do you see yourself with, Dania?”
She’d hoped to avoid so intimate a question from Matt, but what could she expect? He was a reporter, for heaven’s sake, and more inquisitive than any man had the right to be. Best to be truthful. “I’ve been so busy learning the ropes of the mill, I’ve not had much time to think about it. I’m not looking to get married, at least, not in the near future.”
She felt his eyes on her. “Isn’t marriage the goal of every woman?”
“Another one of your assumptions?” She met his gaze. “Or have you researched it for a future article?”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “Touché.”
They started down the street once again. The sun warmed her face, and she scolded herself for forgetting her parasol. Her freckles would pop out across her nose, not the creamy complexion her mother assured her attracted a man. But really, what was the point? “Besides, most men wouldn’t want a wife who runs a textile mill.”
“Why do you say that?”
She must have spoken her thoughts out loud. Unfortunately, Matt had heard her. “It’s true, isn’t it?”
Matt seemed to give it some thought. “Some men might appreciate a wife with a head for business.”
“Oh, really?” Shoppers and visitors to the exposition crowded the sidewalk, so she pressed closer to him. “And where might I find one of these heroes among men?”
Matt didn’t answer, only studied the store windows as if his very life depended on it. Well, she didn’t need his answer to know the truth. Papa had always been honest with her. That Dania’s responsibilities, that her decision to run the mill, would scare off any marriage prospects. She’d come to terms with it, or at least she’d thought she had until she met Matt. Now, she wondered if she’d accepted her father’s prognosis too soon.
They reached the street corner before Matt spoke again. “I’d be proud to have a wife who had the knowledge and wherewithal to run a business.”
Dania turned around to face him and suddenly found it hard to breathe. From her perch, she was at the perfect height to stare into his earnest blue-green eyes, to take in the tiny scar at the tip of his chin, to note the firmness of his lips.
She leaned back slightly to give herself some room. “You really believe that?”
“If a woman wants to pursue a career, she should have the right to do so.”
“Even if she’s your wife?”
The crooked smile Matt gave her tugged at her heart. “If that’s what she wants, yes.”
“That’s a very modern attitude.”
He shook his head. “Not really. I figure if it was good enough for King Solomon to write about, it’s good enough for me.”
“Proverbs 31.” Dania’s smile grew. It wasn’t every day an attractive man shared scripture with her. She stepped into the carriage and got settled, pleased when Matt sat beside her. “How do you know about that passage of scripture?”
“My ma thought it was just as important for me to memorize as it was my sister.” He leaned closer, brushing his shoulder against hers. “It is advice to the prince on what to look for in a good wife.”
Dania hadn’t known the history behind the verses. “Your mother sounds like a very wise woman.”
He nodded. “She read the Bible to us at the breakfast table every morning before Pa and I went to work.”
“Mama was the same way, only she’d read to us once Papa and I got home from the mill.” The memory of those times filled Dania with longing. “I’d be so dirty with little pieces of thread clinging to me like dandelion seeds. Mama always put a pitcher of hot water and a cake of soap out on the porch so I could wash off the oil and dirt from the machines before I came inside. Then we’d sit down to supper, and Mama would read. She liked the book of Proverbs and all of the New Testament.” She smiled. “Those were such good times.”
The world around them went quiet for a long moment. Finally, Dania turned toward Matt, only to find him staring at her, confusion darkening his eyes. “Your father forced you to work in the mill?”
Dear goodness, Matt made it sound as though her father had held a gun to her head. “It wasn’t like that. As the oldest, I always knew I would need to learn the workings of the mill. That meant every piece of machinery, all the different materials we use. Everything.” She paused for a moment, still remembering the day she’d gone to Papa and told him her plans. “I’m the one who made the decision to work at the mill, Matt, not Papa.”
“Most girls of your social status would be more interested in dresses and dances than going to work.”
Dania pressed her lips together. “You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Making assumptions about me.” She drew in a deep breath to calm herself. “Don’t paint me with the same brush just because you had a bad experience with a so-called ‘lady.’”
Matt captured her hand in his then gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. It’s just that …” He hesitated. “You’re a very unusual woman, Dania Eison. Kind and generous, and so beautiful.”
She tried to speak but could only manage a whisper. “You think I’m beautiful?”
Her pulse kicked up a notch at the interest in his eyes. “Surely this isn’t the first time you’ve heard that?”
“No.” But the other times had felt wrong—as if it were expected rather than a compliment. Matt wouldn’t say something like that unless he truly believed it. A blush warmed her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He gave her hand another squeeze then let it go, much to her dismay. “So what would you like to do now? We could grab a sandwich and head over to Piedmont Park. I might be able to rustle up some day-old bread so we could feed the ducks.”
Oh, how she’d love to spend the afternoon strolling around the lake with Matt, learning more about him. A day without the burdens of home weighing her down. But she had taken up a great deal of his time. “You don’t have any obligations at the paper?”
He shook his head. “My assignment was turned in last night, so I’m all yours.”
I’m all yours. Three short words, yet spoken by this man, they had the ability to tilt her world slightly off-center. How could that be? She’d known him for scarcely two days, yet it felt as if she’d known him a lifetime. Was this what falling in love felt like? Dania didn’t know; she’d never been in love before. With Matt, it made perfect sense.
How could such a relationship work? Everything Matt held dear—his mother and sister, his career—was here in Atlanta. Moving to Tifton was out of the question. If she moved, her family as well as the community that depended on her would suffer. Papa had told her she’d have to make hard decisions, but did she have to give up her chance at happiness, too?
Dania’s chest squeezed into a painful knot. They only had this afternoon. A few wonderful hou
rs to remember when the responsibilities of her life bore down on her in the years to come. Dania met his gaze and nodded. “A picnic in the park sounds lovely.”
Chapter 7
The sun hung low on the horizon by the time Dania and Matt packed up their things for the trip back to her hotel. Matt flagged down a carriage, and once Dania was safely settled, he instructed the driver to take the longest route to her hotel, and if the horse wanted to walk slow, all the better. The man gave Matt a knowing wink, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was for the afternoon to last a little longer.
Which wasn’t really the truth, Matt told himself as he climbed in and took the seat beside Dania. A few hours would never be enough with this woman. No, he’d need years to discover the depths of Dania’s character—the kindness she showed to everyone she met, the grace that glowed within her, her loyalty to her family and workers. It might even take a lifetime, but it would be more than worth it if he could spend every moment with her.
“I had a lovely day, Matt.” Dania brushed some stray blades of grass from her skirt. “I even liked that new game those men were playing at the park. What was it called?”
“I believe they called it football.” He laughed, remembering her vivid expressions during the course of the game. “I wasn’t sure you enjoyed it or not.”
“Only when that gentleman got hurt.” She turned worried eyes on him. “Do you think he’s okay?”
Matt took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring pat. “I heard it was only a minor sprain.”
Dania breathed out a relieved sigh. “Well, other than that, I found the whole experience quite exciting.”
“Very exciting.” He liked hearing her talk, watching the animation in her expression about the new sport or her devotion to her family and friends back home. She made him laugh at times, made him think of others. He felt like Adam to her Eve, a perfect complement to each other as God had designed.
“Oh, I meant to ask you.” She turned to face him. “Did you know Uncle George was running for governor?”
Her question hurled him back into reality. “Where did you hear that from?”
“Two gentlemen in front of us were talking about it while you went to get us some lemonade. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“He didn’t want the news getting out until he was ready to announce his intentions,” Matt replied. That much was true, but why hadn’t the senator kept him in the loop? Had he learned Matt was snooping around, trying to discover the senator’s reasons for targeting the Eisons? Was it simply sour grapes over Mr. Eison’s refusal to sell the senator the mill? Or the fact that Dania had rejected his marriage proposal? What had he expected when she clearly thought of him as her uncle?
Matt only hoped the runners he’d sent in search of information last night had found something on the senator, anything that could explain his vendetta against Dania and her family.
“What are you thinking about so hard?”
“What?” He smiled down at her, taking in her clear blue eyes, the slight upturn of her nose, her pink lips. What would it be like to kiss her? Had Evers tried to when he’d proposed to her? The thought made him want to sink his fist in the man’s face.
“Now, you’re scowling.”
Matt shook his head. “No, I’m not.”
“All right.” She shifted to face forward. “You just look like you will let out a growl at any minute.”
She wasn’t too far off the mark. He couldn’t tell her the truth. George Evers’s betrayal would wound both her and her family very deeply. He riffled through some possibilities and chose a safe subject. “I was thinking about an article I’m working on.”
“It must be something you’re very concerned about, judging by your expression.” Her voice held a spark of excitement. “If you’d like to discuss it, I’d be happy to. That is, if you can talk about it.”
“It’s not that I can’t discuss it.” In fact, there was nothing he wanted more than to tell her what her good old ‘uncle’ George was up to, but Matt couldn’t, not until he had proof of the senator’s betrayal. “It’s just …”
“You have to keep your information confidential until you have all your facts,” she finished for him. “I understand.” She gave him a playful grin. “It’s probably something that would put me in danger if I knew.”
“I would protect you with my life, Dania.” And he would. He’d do anything to keep her safe and happy.
“I believe you,” she whispered, her soft gaze meeting his, the tenderness in her expression causing his heart to almost burst out of his chest.
Matt leaned toward her, watching her, waiting for her to push him away, to remind him they’d only known each other for a short time. Instead, she leaned toward him, her lips parted, her eyes fluttering shut. He gently brushed his lips against hers before claiming her mouth in a sweet kiss. He’d kissed a woman or two in his time, but never had he felt this sense of belonging, this feeling of home as he did in Dania’s arms.
Too soon, he broke off the kiss and leaned back, close but not holding her. “I know I should probably apologize …”
“Please don’t.” Her words sounded a little breathless as if she was as affected by the kiss as he was. She lifted her gaze to meet his, and he found himself falling into depths of the deepest blue. “I’ve been waiting all afternoon for you to kiss me.”
His breath caught in his chest. “You have?”
Her hat drooped slightly as she nodded. “Not very ladylike, I know, but the truth nevertheless.”
The high color in her cheeks spoke of her honesty. Matt clasped her hand—why had he never noticed the small calluses on the tender flesh of her fingertips before?—then met her gaze. “I could never be sorry for kissing you, not in a million years.”
The corners of her mouth tilted up in a shy smile. “Me neither.”
Goodness gracious! Did the woman have any idea that when she looked at him like that, he had to fight to keep from kissing her again! He needed some distance, at least until he figured out what was happening to him. He shifted to the bench seat across from her, still holding her hand. “What would you like to do tomorrow? We could visit the art venue in the morning then make our way over to the industry pavilion in time for Mr. Young’s speech. Maybe get some lunch at one of the cafés nearby?”
“I’d love to, Matt, but I promised my lead foreman I would telephone him in the morning, just to see how things are going.” The note of disappointment in her voice was a balm to his own. “Maybe we could meet for lunch?”
The carriage slowed to a stop. Matt gave her hand one last squeeze then let go. “That gives me the morning to do some research.”
“For that secretive article you were thinking about so hard,” she teased, her eyes flashing with humor.
“Maybe.” He chuckled as he leaned forward, brushed a soft kiss against her lips, then opened the door. He was barely down the steps before he turned and offered her his hand. She slid her fingers over his, the peaks and valleys of their palms a perfect fit, as if God had made Dania especially for him, and he for her.
Matt was still processing that thought when she let go of his hand, rather reluctantly he thought, and put some distance between them. “Thank you for the day, Matt. I can’t remember when I’ve had such a good time.”
“I agree.” He held out his arm to her. “May I walk you to the front door?”
She shook her head. “I’ve got work to do, and so do you.”
He snorted. “On my elusive article.”
“I’m hoping you’ll finish it before I go home day after tomorrow.” She gave him a soft smile. “I’d like to read it while I’m here.”
If his runners dug up the information Matt was looking for, it would be front-page news in the morning. “I’ll bring you a copy of the paper so we can read it together.”
“I’d enjoy that very much.”
No, she wouldn’t. When George Evers’s intentions were revealed, when Dania realized her uncle’s betrayal,
she’d be hurt. Matt would do everything in his power to keep her name out of the papers, protect her and her family from public ridicule. Whatever it took, even if it meant the end of his aspirations of writing on the national stage. The crushing disappointment he expected never came, only the peace of knowing he was protecting the woman he loved.
Matt took Dania’s hand in his, brought it to his lips, and placed a soft kiss against her knuckles. “Tomorrow then.”
The shy smile she gave him melted any lingering doubts he might have. “I’ll be waiting.”
Long moments went by before she reluctantly let go of his hand and turned toward the hotel entrance. He watched her as she bought a newspaper from the stand nearby, then waited as the doorman opened the door. She turned then, her expression so full of joy, the same bubbled up inside him. Only when she disappeared from view did the bubble burst, leaving him feeling vaguely morose. If he felt like this now, how would it be when Dania went home in a couple of days? He didn’t want to think about their parting just yet.
For now, he needed to find out what Senator Evers was hiding and protect Dania as best he could. The short walk to the newspaper gave Matt time to brainstorm possibilities. Money, perhaps? But Evers’s war chest was rumored to be double that of any other candidate, though how that was possible with the man’s reputation of alienating his colleagues and potential backers, Matt didn’t know. One question kept gnawing at Matt. Why would the senator want possession of the Eisons’ mill if he planned to abolish child labor? The financial fallout would take years to recover, Dania had said so herself.
Matt slowed as he turned down Constitution Avenue. Something else Dania had said—about Evers thinking her ideas of helping her young employees being too progressive—needled Matt. What was more progressive than labor reform? Unless the man never intended to introduce his reform bill.
But why? Matt shoved open the door of the newspaper office. Maybe his runners had uncovered some answers.
He’d barely made it to his desk when John Randall, the city beat reporter, hurried over. “Great article, Langley. You really gave it to the owners of that textile mill. They would have been run out of town if they lived here.”
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