Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1)

by Maxine Douglas

  “So, this where you’ve disappeared to from time-to-time.” Elizabeth smiled. “If I’d known of this place I may have done the same thing over the past several months. It’s peaceful.”

  Auggie handed her the basket then spread the blanket under the tree.

  “Whatever is in here smells delicious!” Elizabeth placed the basket on the blanket. “Did Mary do this for you?”

  “Yes, she did.” Auggie took her hand and helped her to sit upon the blanket. “I believe there are sandwiches of some kind, salad, cheese, and tea as well.”

  Elizabeth spread her skirt around her as she found a comfortable position. Auggie found a spot near the tree trunk and settled in.

  “Tell me about yourself, Elizabeth. Where do your people come from?” Auggie asked removing the tea and two cups from the basket.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth nodded taking a cup then looked toward the stream for moment before meeting his gaze. “As far as I know my family is originally from Virginia. Mother told me when I was a baby we moved around a lot. My father was always looking for something better. He finally found it near Richmond, at least enough where he and mother put down some roots. Once I was old enough to go to school, mother put her foot down. She told him she was not going to move again. And if he thought of uprooting their family, he’d do it alone.

  “Father relented and became successful enough, more than some I would guess. There was always food on the table and money for used clothing.” She looked over at him, pride in her eyes. “We weren’t rich by any means, but we had each other. There was always love in the home.”

  “How did you meet your late husband?” Auggie wanted to know what kind of a man Steven Hamilton had been. “If it causes you pain to talk about him, I understand.”

  “The pain of losing him is fading being replaced by the memories.” Elizabeth looked at him a small smile on her face. “Steven was the son of a farmer down the road from us. We grew up with each other, going to school and church and such things as that. Many thought we would naturally marry one day. I scuffed at such things.

  “But it took some work on his part to convince me what others saw,” Elizabeth smiled again, this time with a small sparkle in her eyes. “He kept having reasons for me to mend his work clothes until one day he asked me to a barn raising for another local farmer. I only said yes hoping that he’d stop pestering me, and next thing I knew we were married and in a wagon heading here.”

  Auggie sat quietly watching passion light up her face. She truly loved her husband. How did one compete with that kind of love? He couldn’t, but he was going to find a way.

  “So, you were happy after all?” Auggie smiled, pulling out the sandwiches and cheese. “That’s good. So many couples marry for reasons other than love.”

  “Yes, we were happy and very much in love.” Elizabeth smiled, scooping up a piece of cheese. “And what about you Auggie? Has there been any one special in your life?”

  “At one time I thought there may have been, but not anymore.” Auggie answered his nerves on edge. “Things didn’t work out as my family had hoped they would.”

  “Oh, what happened?” Elizabeth asked, sipping her tea.

  “When I took the opportunity to build the Grand, the plans my parents once had for me were gone.” He was hedging. Avoiding the real reason he’d built the Grand. That he ran away from the past hoping to find a fresh start where no one knew him or his family. Coupled with the fact that she came from a humble background while he had been living high off the hog his entire life. But things were different now. He was a self-made man who lived modestly but comfortable enough.

  But was it enough for a wife and family?

  “You’re a successful man, Auggie. I’m sure your parents are proud of you.” Elizabeth meant every word. She was surprised to feel that they came from her heart. He was so much more than he thought he was.

  “Yes, well…” Auggie bit into a sandwich looking away from her.

  Whatever he was ashamed of she couldn’t imagine. Augustine Raines was the finest man she’d met since Steven. And if things were different…

  What am I thinking! Things aren’t different. I’m a widow with no intention of ever falling in love again. Never marrying a man again. One heartbreak a lifetime is enough for anyone. Besides, he’s never acted like he was interested in more than friendship. Which suits me just fine.

  “You said you grew up on a horse ranch. What kind of horses did you have?” Elizabeth asked slipping another piece of cheese in her mouth.

  “Mostly Thoroughbreds,” Auggie answered swallowing. “Father bred horses for the track. It was the only way mother would allow any kind of gambling.

  “Betting on a good breeding season was as close to the track as father ever came, that mother knows of anyway.” Auggie chuckled. “I don’t know how many times I was sworn to secrecy as a child. If one of our horses were running, father would take me to the track. He loved to watch them run—and win.”

  “And did they win often?” Elizabeth asked smiling along with him. Evidently men like to keep secrets from their wives. Did Steven ever keep any from her? She wondered frowning a bit.

  “Elizabeth, is something wrong?”

  “No, I was just thinking of the secrets men keep from their wives. And wondering if—” Elizabeth began feeling an ache in her heart at the possibility.

  “If Steven had kept any from you?”

  “Yes.” She looked up at him willing the tears away. “But then I remember how much we loved each other. How gentle and kind he was. I know he would have never kept anything from me that was important. And if he did it was only to protect me.”

  “I’m sure you are correct in that assumption.” Auggie reassured her. “And if he had you can bet Willa would have known it and done something about it!”

  Elizabeth laughed out loud. “Oh my, yes she would have. Thank you Auggie for reminding me.

  “Now we were talking about your life on the ranch. What made you leave it all behind?”

  “I lost interest in horses and couldn’t see my life as my father had wanted.”

  Auggie wouldn’t make eye contact with her and in that moment she knew something was wrong. Had something happened to one of the horses and it was his fault? She didn’t think he wasn’t telling the truth, just avoiding it as much as possible.

  Elizabeth wondered what could have been so horrible that a person would lie about it.

  “Well, I’m not sure if I would have lost interest. They are beautiful.” Elizabeth smiled looking at the carriage horses happily grazing on blades of grass.

  “And dangerous,” Auggie replied gathering up their picnic dinner. “I think we’d better get back.”

  “Okay,” Elizabeth said helping to pack the basket.

  She took Auggie’s hand, bumping into him as she stood. His arm around her waist he held her close. Close enough to feel his heart beating. Close enough to smell him. Close enough that if she looked up he could kiss her.

  “Steady now,” he said releasing her.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth stepped away feeling a loss of something that could have been. What that was she couldn’t imagine.

  They placed the basket and blanket into the back of carriage and rode back into Blessings Valley without saying more than a “good-night” when he dropped her off at her door.

  CHAPTER 17

  A few weeks later

  Auggie stood on the small plot of land where the Grand garden would go, watching the landscapers prepare for the plants that were due any day now. Between Elizabeth and himself, they’d finally agreed upon the type of lawn furniture and plants. The gazebo was already built and sat in the middle of the garden, waiting like a lady for her beau. Or a tea party between friends to chat about the latest town gossip.

  “How’s it coming along, Auggie?”

  Auggie smiled and turned toward the voice he’d come to love. Love? The single word popped up in his mind on more occasions then he cared to admit. It alwa
ys did whenever Elizabeth was near or in his thoughts.

  “Look for yourself, Elizabeth.” Reaching for her hand, he helped her down the makeshift steps and onto the grounds. “If all goes well, I believe we should be ready by the end of the week to open it to everyone in Blessings Valley.”

  “It is going to be lovely, Auggie.” Elizabeth smiled, strolling toward the gazebo.

  Auggie walked alongside her, thinking how lovely she looked. She had on a late summer dress, her hair fell softly around her shoulders, and the smile on her face was sunny. Just like her. A ray of sunshine.

  “So, you approve?” Auggie asked, wanting badly to pull her into his arms. It had been several weeks since their picnic dinner, and he missed those few hours of intimacy between them. Once the work on the garden had started there hadn’t been time to ask her to dinner again. But there will be in the future, if he played his cards right.

  “Do I approve?! What a silly question, Auggie.” Elizabeth laughed, walking around the inside perimeter of the gazebo. “This is so perfect and once the benches and tables arrive, well, let’s just say I’m looking forward to having lunch out here.”

  “I think that can be arranged,” Auggie said. “I know the owner of this establishment and have some influence over the cook as well.”

  “Hmmm, throwing your weight around, are you?” Elizabeth smiled, standing in front of him.

  Why don’t I just say the hell with what people think and take her in my arms? No one would see us back here. No one but the workers that is.

  “Not in the least,” Auggie replied, keeping his thoughts, and his hands, to himself.

  “What are you going to do with yourself once this is done, Auggie?” Elizabeth asked, stepping off the floor of the shelter toward the hotel.

  “I do have an idea on how to expand the front of the hotel.” Auggie walked slowly alongside her, his hands folded behind his back. “There is room on the other side of the steps that could be used for—something.”

  “Something? You don’t have any plans yet?” Elizabeth asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “There are so many possibilities.”

  “I have been considering something but nothing solid just yet. I’ve been consulting with some builders, that’s why you’ve seen them outside the front window.” Auggie smiled. He knew what he had planned and in time he would reveal it to her. But not until it was finished, if he was able to keep the secret from her.

  “That’s a good space and I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” Elizabeth said taking his hand as he assisted her back inside. “Do you think this doorway should be widened a bit? To accommodate entering the garden?”

  “I have given some thought of building a smoking lounge for the gentlemen,” Auggie replied as they walked through the dining room toward her sewing room. “I think there may be enough room for a small porch and wide steps down into the garden.” “What do you think? Good idea or a bad one?”

  “I think a good one. It will give those who don’t wish to walk the garden a chance to sit outside, sip some tea, and still enjoy its beauty.” Elizabeth pushed open the door to her sewing room, then turned toward him. “Was there anything else, Auggie?”

  Auggie swallowed desperately searching his mind for anything tangible. Coming up with nothing, he felt like a balloon that had just lost its air. Deflated. “No, that was all. Thank you Elizabeth.”

  “Of course, that’s what you’ve asked me to do isn’t it? Help you with the garden?” Smiling, she walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

  “Blast!” Auggie swore under his breath, staring at the barrier between them.

  Elizabeth stood behind the closed door waiting to see if he’d knock. When he didn’t all hope seem to evaporate from her. They’d been alone in the garden. He could have taken that opportunity to at least hold her hand. But he hadn’t.

  Was she wishing for too much? Was this her punishment for finding herself attracted to another man less than a year after her late husband’s death?

  “No, I won’t believe it,” Elizabeth whispered finally stepping away from the door. “He likes me. I like him. A lot.”

  Picking up her recent mending, Elizabeth gazed out the small window. Would she and Auggie be one of those couples to stroll among the flowers of the garden? Not as employer and employee, but as, well, a couple in the early stages of courting? Friends learning that their friendship had blossomed into something more?

  They’d sit under the gazebo quietly chatting about their day. How busy the hotel had been. How her mending was piling up as they gazed into each other’s eyes. They’d eat the small sandwiches Mary had made for them and sip the cold sweet tea.

  But that was a daydream. One that wouldn’t ever happen because she was a widow who still loved her late husband. He was a man who came from prime racing stock, not dirt-poor farmland like her.

  They were as different as night and day. Oil and water. Definitely not like a needle and thread that were meant to be together sewing two pieces of fabric together until there was only one.

  Still, her heart wouldn’t let the hope go. Not yet anyway.

  Knock, knock

  Elizabeth sucked in a breath. Could it be Auggie had come back after all?

  She put her mending into the basket, straightened her skirt and said, “Come in!”

  The door swung open. Elizabeth’s hopeful heart gave way to disappointment. In the doorway stood Willa a smile on her face and a tray of food in her hands.

  “I come with bribes” she said placing the tray on the table.

  “Bribes for what?” Elizabeth asked harnessing in her disappointment that it had been Willa and not Auggie to walk in.

  “Why all the building that is going on, that’s what!” Willa exclaimed taking a seat across the table from Elizabeth.

  “Willa! I didn’t think you were prone to gossip,” Elizabeth teased sipping the cool sweet tea.

  “You wound me Elizabeth.” Willa pouted for a moment then smiled. “That’s why I’ve come straight to you where I know the information is not idle chitchat gossip.”

  “If you must know, Auggie is putting in a garden in the back just off from the dining room.” Elizabeth said spreading jam on a piece of toast. “We’ve been planning it for several weeks and finally agreed on landscaping and furniture.”

  “That is wonderful, but what about the front of the hotel? There seems to be a lot of activity surrounding that space,” Willa said, her gaze firmly on Elizabeth.

  “That I can’t help you with. He hasn’t asked me to help him with it.” Elizabeth bit into the toast, the sweet jam sliding down her throat. “Mary makes the best jam. It’s smooth as silk. Sweet but not too.”

  “Come on, Elizabeth, you must know something,” Willa insisted, looking at her over the rim of the glass.

  “All I know is that it is a place for the gentlemen to go now that the garden is near completion. And I’ve been banned from the area.” Elizabeth pouted. “It’s like he thinks I don’t know what men would like in a space of their own.”

  “Well, do you?” Willa asked.

  “Of course not!” Elizabeth laughed.

  “How have the two of you been getting along? Any more picnics?” Willa winked.

  “I would like to believe that we are friends,” Elizabeth answered, playing with the fruit on her plate. “We have both been too busy to plan picnics. We are lucky to eat lunch during the day. It’s rare, like today had been. We had a few moments to walk through the garden. In fact, I thought it had been Auggie knocking.” She said with a tinge of disappointment coming through her words.

  “Would you like it to be more than friends?” Willa put her glass down.

  “I’m not sure. Steven hasn’t been gone a year yet.” Elizabeth looked up with tears welling in her eyes. “I enjoy his company and he makes me feel, well, important. Like I may have a place with him in his life.”

  “You mean besides working here?” Willa suggested.

  “Yes.
” Elizabeth nodded. “It is too soon, isn’t it? Would I be betraying Steven if I, if I had started to develop a fondness of Auggie?”

  “Depends.” Willa answered her eyebrows raised. “Have you?”

  “I think so.” Elizabeth smiled her heart leapt as the knowledge of her words hung in the air.

  Auggie stood on the front step of the hotel going over the plans for the dress shop in his head. He planned on surprising Elizabeth with.

  “Have some tea, Auggie,” Mary’s voice flowed into his thoughts.

  He looked down at Mary, taking the sweating glass from her. “Did I see Willa come in not long ago?”

  “You did.” Mary confirmed. “She came to surprise Elizabeth during lunch. It has been a while since the two of them have talked.”

  “Hmm,” Auggie mused wondering what their two benefactors were up to this time around. “And the reason for your visit, Mary?”

  “Oh, just thought you’d like some tea.” Mary said grinning like a cat eyeing a mouse.

  “Come now, you know I’ve known you too long to believe that one.” Auggie chuckled shaking his head.

  “All right then,” Mary huffed under her breath. “What do you plan to do about Elizabeth?”

  Auggie was stunned. “What do you mean? Has something happened?”

  “You know perfectly well what I mean, Augustine.” Mary said grabbing the sleeve of his coat. “I’m not blind. I’ve see the way you look at her.”

  “Don’t be absurd. We are friends, Mary. Not to mention I am her employer.” Auggie protested a bit too strongly. He wasn’t ready to admit anything to anyone, not even himself. And when he did, well, he’d cross that path when the time came.

  “Oh fiddle sticks! I think you are just a bit more than friends. You’d know it too if you were honest with yourself.” Mary scolded taking a firm hold of his arm.

  “Mary, I don’t think—”

  “That’s the problem, Auggie.” Mary’s voice was softer now and motherly love sparkled in her eyes. “I have been watching the two of you out in the garden. If you could see what I see you’d be saying the same thing. You are in love with Elizabeth, Auggie!”