Horrified, Auggie looked around making sure no one heard what Mary had said.
“Let’s continue this conversation in my office, Mary.” Auggie said, taking her arm and escorting her through the lobby and into his office. Privacy was needed for this conversation.
“Please do sit down.” Auggie motioned as he sat across his desk from her.
“What do you plan to do about it?” Mary demanded, arms crossed over her chest.
Auggie sat back taking a deep breath. “What can I do, Mary? Elizabeth hasn’t been widowed a year yet. She is still mourning the loss of her husband.”
“Are you sure about that?” Mary asked, her brows raised in speculation.
“As sure as any man can be.” Auggie said wishing everything Mary said were true. He did have feelings for Elizabeth, that much was certain. “Even if what you wish for were true, there’s the issue of my disfiguring accident. Once she sees my face she’ll turn and run the other way.”
“For pity sake! Give her more credit than that,” Mary spat shaking her head. “And when will you stop using that silly accident as an excuse?”
“I do give her more credit than you think, Mary.” Auggie smiled remembering how she came into the office demanding him to explain her added workload. “She’s strong and determined. And her smile is stunning when something makes her happy. And her eyes—”
Auggie glanced over at Mary finally seeing the knowing smile on her face. “What?”
“I knew it!” Mary rejoiced. “You’d better do something and soon, Auggie. Before it’s too late.”
“I have a plan, Mary,” Auggie admitted praying she’d keep his secret.
“I bet it has nothing to do with the garden and everything to do with the ‘smoking room.’” Mary grinned.
“How did you know?” Auggie felt sweat bead upon his brow.
“I saw that plan right there out in the open when we walked in,” she said, pointing to the draft blueprint of the dress shop on his desk laying open for all the world to see.
CHAPTER 18
“What did you find out?” Willa asked as she returned the tray to the kitchen.
“Most likely the same thing you did,” Mary answered a smile upon her face. “He loves her.”
“And she him, I’m certain.” Willa smiled back. “Now, what do we do about it?”
“I think I’ve put a few thoughts into his head. He’s building that ‘smoking room’ for the gentlemen, so he says,” Mary began.
“But you think it’s for Elizabeth?” Willa asked. “I thought the garden was for her, not the expansion.”
“I think you are wrong.” Mary moved in closer to Willa, then took a peek down the hallway before closing the door. “I saw the blueprints on his desk,” she said, lowering her voice.
“And?” Willa raised her eyebrows hoping her friend didn’t take forever in coming forth with her information.
“I didn’t know a smoking room had both a dressing room and a sewing room!” Mary said, poking Willa in the arm.
“Then he has plans for her!” Willa clapped down her excitement.
“From what I saw, I would say he does,” Mary agreed, pulling a sack of flour from a shelf.
“Then our work here is about done.” Willa smiled, placing the soiled dishes from the tray into the sink.
“Blast!” Auggie swore not caring who did or did not hear him.
He’d never anticipated anyone see the blueprints for the expansion. He’d been careless when he left his office to check on the materials by leaving them out in the open on top of the desk.
What was done was done. He could trust Mary not to say anything.
Sitting back in the chair, he ran his fingers through his beard. Even though he kept it neatly trimmed, he could barely feel the outline of his jaw anymore.
Was Mary correct in that he needed to step from the wall he’d been hiding behind?
“I’m only hiding the scar, not myself,” he mused shaking his head trying to convince himself his words were true. He hadn’t seen his face in such a long time. At least not what lay underneath the wiry hair he used as a crutch.
Pushing away from his desk, Auggie tucked the blueprints under his arm and walked out into the lobby.
“Stewart, I’ll be in my apartment if you need me.” Auggie nodded to his desk clerk then sprinted up the staircase taking the steps two at a time.
Bursting into his apartment, he tossed the blueprints on to the table and draped his jacket over a chair before walking into his bedroom.
Auggie found himself in front of the mirror above the washbasin, a lathered shaving brush in his hand and droplets of water plopping into the water. To some men, shaving was a daily occurrence. But to him his beard was a wall that he hid behind. Was he really ready to expose himself again?
He stared down at the brush in his hand. His heart pounded against his chest in anticipation.
If he was to expect Elizabeth to give all of herself to him, it was only fair that he gave all of himself. Scars heal a lot quicker on the surface than the pain that caused it on your soul. Especially when a person hides behind that pain like he had been for years.
Like Mary said, it was time for him to stop hiding. It was time for him to own up to the man that he’d become, scars and all.
“Here goes.” Auggie swirled the lathered brush around his face until his beard was completely covered with the shaving soap.
Picking up the blade, he watched as each short, crisp stroke peeled away the barrier on his face. He shut out the scraping sound of the blade against his skin. He shut out the scar as it slowly became uncovered.
Closing his eyes, Auggie splashed water on his face removing any soap and hair residue, before he towel-dried his moist skin. Avoiding the mirror, he emptied the bowl and cleaned off his razor before putting his shaving kit away.
Slipping back into his dress shirt and jacket, Auggie adjusted the clothing. It was a stall tactic, pure and simple.
“Get on with it, Raines!” he admonished himself. “Best you see first what everyone else is going to see. Then at least you’ll know how to deal with the looks of disgust.”
Gaze down, he walked slowly over to the mirror. He looked up slowly and smiled.
The ugly, swollen, red scar he remembered had faded. The thing he’d feared all these years was nothing more than a memory.
He’d forgotten how much he looked like his father. He had his mother’s eyes, but the line of his face was all his father. And to his surprise, he found he liked the way he looked. Liked it very much.
Would Elizabeth?
Elizabeth stood at the window watching as more timber was being delivered for the smoking room. Soon she’d lose her view of the street, not to mention the light that came in while she worked, once the window was closed off for good. Maybe she would make a suggestion to Auggie about enlarging the north window.
Maybe once the garden was done, she’d be able to take some of the mending out there. She could sit either under the gazebo or on the porch. There’d be plenty of light to work by and the scent of the flowering plants to enjoy.
But how could she manage on those rainy days when storm clouds filled the sky? Or during the winter months when the northern winds carried the cold on them? The lamp no doubt as it has already given light before when she worked into the dusk of the coming night.
For now, her worktable could be moved to the northern corner of the room and she could sit in front of the window there. The view wouldn’t be of main street, but at least she’d have some natural light to work by.
All these changes would certainly depend on Auggie’s finances once the renovations were completed. She hoped he wasn’t overextending the hotel’s accounts. For his sake as well as her own.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
Auggie! Elizabeth’s heart leapt. She turned, halting halfway.
“You shaved!” she exclaimed studying his face.
He looked younger than she thought him to be. The
strong angle of his jawline curved toward a square, dimpled chin. He was more handsome then she could have ever imagined.
“You approve then?” Auggie’s fingers travelled along his chin and she couldn’t help but follow their path.
She walked over to him to get a closer look. “Oh yes!” she said, feeling her smile fill her face.
“And the scar, it doesn’t offend you?” He took several steps closer to her, so close that she could smell his faint manly scent.
“The scar?” she asked looking again as he turned his face to the left. “I hadn’t noticed until you told me it was there.”
“It’s not hideous to you?” He asked sounding a bit nervous.
“No! Why should it?” she asked, not quite understanding his concern about an old injury.
“I always thought it was horrible.” He confessed turning back to face her.
“We all have scars, Auggie. Some of them you just can’t see.” Elizabeth knew where her scar lay—deep in her heart. “How did you get it?”
“A bet made by a very stupid young man,” Auggie looked at her embarrassment in his eyes.
“I can’t imagine that young man being anything close to stupid,” Elizabeth said, touching his arm. “Especially if that young man was the man standing before me now. One who is strong and confident. Who knows who he is. What he wants. Yet also kind and compassionate toward others.”
“Well, I was. Thought I had something to prove to my friends on my new mount.” Auggie ironically laughed. “Instead of winning the race, I ended up against one of the old oak trees on our property. My face was sliced open and blood everywhere. Once I could, I grew the beard to hide the deformity, as well as my shame.”
“Don’t be silly. I think it adds character to your face.” Elizabeth stood on her toes and on impulse lightly kissed the scar.
CHAPTER 19
“Elizabeth,” he whispered. Hugging her, he pulled her close. She’d kissed him, or rather his scar. And even though it was a sweet, innocent kiss it was a kiss nonetheless “Thank you for that.”
Elizabeth looked up at him a small smile on her face. “I meant every word, Auggie.”
“Yes, well…” Auggie started fighting back the doubt threatening to surface. “That’s not the entire story though, Elizabeth. You may change your opinion of me after you hear the truth.”
Releasing her, his heart immediately felt her absence. The feeling, while not new to him since she’d come into his life, intensified the longer his arms were absent of her. The only time he’d held her that close had been the one time when they’d danced, and even then they’d been under the watchful eye of Mary and Willa.
“I’m a coward, Elizabeth,” Auggie confessed. Hands stuffed deep into his pant pockets, he strolled over to the window and watched the construction for the ‘gentlemen’s smoking lounge’ take place just outside. Another lie he’d have to come clean about soon.
Mustering courage, he turned around to find Elizabeth watching and waiting. There was no pity in her eyes, only compassion; it was all the courage he needed. “I grew the beard to hide behind. Then I came here to keep from having to suffer rejection from any women I met or already knew. I felt I couldn’t stay home any longer because everyone there knew of the racing bet and the accident resulting from it. I didn’t want their pity. I didn’t want to know they only tolerated my being at their side because of who my family is.”
Elizabeth stepped over to him and lightly traced the scar with the tip of her finger. He didn’t feel her recoil from it. He didn’t feel anything but the soft, gentle caress of her soft skin against his smooth face.
“To know you, really know you, is to know all of you,” Elizabeth said, her touch lingering a moment longer.
“Is that what you’d like, Elizabeth? To get to know all of me?” Auggie asked, hope rising to new levels in his heart.
“I think so, Auggie.” Elizabeth smiled at him.
“Good, because that’s all I’ve wanted for months now.” Taking her in his arms once again, he kissed her gently on the lips.
When she returned the kiss, he felt her melt in his arms. Her heart beat as fast as his as their kiss deepened. He felt…he wasn’t sure what else he felt except happiness. Anything beyond that was premature and the thoughts that came with it disrespectful towards Elizabeth, who deserved nothing but to be highly respected.
“Mr. Raines?” Stewart’s voice followed the knock upon the sewing room door.
Auggie froze for a moment before unwrapping himself from around Elizabeth. Waiting for a discreet moment while she righted herself, he pulled open the door.
“Yes, Stewart, what is it?”
“The train has arrived with a rather large shipment for the hotel on it,” Stewart informed, a knowing grin on his face, handing Auggie the shipping notice.
“Thank you. Have a wagon brought around and we’ll go see what has arrived,” Auggie instructed.
Stewart nodded then dashed through the dining room to do as Auggie had asked.
“Do you think it’s the lawn furniture?” Elizabeth asked looking as if nothing had happened between them.
“I certainly hope so.” Auggie stepped next to her, sliding his hands gently over her arms. “Do you wish to come along with me?”
“No, I think I’ll stay here and work on some mending.” Elizabeth returned to her table and picked up a jacket she’d been working on.
“Elizabeth—” Auggie felt that he should be apologizing for kissing her without permission to do so.
“Go, Auggie!” Elizabeth said, her smile bright. “I can take care of myself well enough.”
“Only if you promise that we will talk about the, what happened a moment ago later,” Auggie compromised. “I’ll escort you home tonight, if you’ll allow me.”
“I’d like that, Auggie.” Elizabeth grinned, her eyes sparkling like blue sapphires.
Auggie nodded then walked briskly through the dining room whistling.
“What have I done?” Tears welling in her eyes, Elizabeth plopped down in the chair. The jacket crumpled in her lap, her fingers trembling. “For a second, no, a third time, I let another man kiss me. Worse, I kissed him back! I’ve betrayed my Steven’s memory.”
Elizabeth, don’t be silly. You didn’t betray anyone. Auggie is a nice man, an honest man.
“But I made a promise to always love you, only you, Steven.” She said, wiping tears from her eyes. Guilt riddling her mind.
And I always will be somewhere in your heart. Find room for another, Elizabeth.
“There isn’t enough room anymore for anyone else. My heart was always yours and always will be.”
You must open it to another. You can’t live your life alone, you’ve too much to live for. You know you like Auggie, don’t you?
“Yes, but—”
I won’t hear of it. Promise that you’ll open your heart to more than a friendship. That you’ll find someone to love again. Someone like Auggie Raines.
“I promise.”
I will always be in your heart, if you need me, Elizabeth. Auggie may be the one to be here to hold you. To cherish you. To love you for the rest of your days. It doesn’t mean you loved me any less.
“I know.”
Elizabeth heard the wagon pull up outside her window. Jumping up from the chair, she looked out in time to see Auggie climb aboard. Turning she ran out the door, through the dining room and out the front door.
“Auggie!” she called out as the wagon began to pull away. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or sadden when the wagon kept moving toward the station. Or disappointed that Auggie hadn’t heard her.
“Elizabeth, is everything all right? I saw you running through the lobby,” Mary asked concern on her face.
“Yes. No,” Elizabeth said, doing her best to hold back to the tears.
“Looks to me like you could use a cup of tea.” Mary suggested squeezing Elizabeth’s elbow. “Come on to the kitchen. I just took some German coffee bread out of t
he oven.”
“Oh, I couldn’t Mary,” Elizabeth said, turning to go back into the hotel. “I have several pieces that need mending, and—”
“Of course, you can! And the mending can wait for a few minutes,” Mary insisted guiding Elizabeth back to the kitchen.
Mary put the tea kettle on, then sliced a few pieces of the warm bread. “Tell me what has you so upset. Did Auggie do something?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered, her mind searching for a way to say what happened without sounding like a gold-digging widow.
“I will skin that boy alive!” Mary said placing the plate on the table with a clank. “Sorry. He was raised better than that. What has he done?”
Elizabeth looked up at Mary worrying her bottom lip. How could she tell her that she kissed Auggie? Not once but twice!
“Did you know that Auggie shaved this morning?” Elizabeth began, hoping to avoid anything having to do with their kissing.
Mary stopped pouring the hot water. “He did what?” she exclaimed, sitting down at the table with wonderment on her face. “Did you say he …”
“He shaved off his beard.” Elizabeth sighed smiling despite herself. “He has a rather handsome face. And he looks years younger.”
“And the scar?” Mary asked.
“The scar?” Elizabeth was confused. What would his scar have to do with the way he looks?
“You don’t find it hideous?” Mary asked, concern etched across her face.
“Quite the opposite.” Elizabeth felt heat rise in her cheeks. “I find it quite appealing. It adds character to his features.”
“Did you tell him that?” Mary asked.
“Well, not in so many words. I kissed it,” Elizabeth gushed. “The scar, I kissed the scar.” She looked at Mary waiting for a sign that she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.
“You kissed Auggie?” Mary asked, grinning.
Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1) Page 16