Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1)

by Maxine Douglas

“In a way. I kissed his scar.” Elizabeth sighed, lowering her eyes. She wouldn’t be able to stand to see the shame that was sure to be in Mary’s eyes. “Then he kissed me.”

  “And?” Mary asked.

  “I kissed him back.” Elizabeth wiped tears from her eyes. “I don’t know what came over me, Mary. After he left to go to the station I thought I’d done something horrible. Betrayed Steven’s memory. Then I realized that Auggie is a nice man and that I, well I find that I like him very much.”

  “So why were you running through the lobby?” Mary asked her hands folded calmly in front of her a grin on her face.

  “To go with him to the station. He’d asked and I’d said no because I was embarrassed.” Elizabeth confessed.

  “And you aren’t embarrassed any longer?” Mary grinned, sipping from her teacup.

  “Not at all.” Elizabeth smiled feeling the weight of bricks lifting from her.

  “That should be everything, Stewart.” Auggie said glancing at the load in the wagon before climbing back aboard. “Please bring the crates marked Singer Manufacturing Company directly to my office. Everything else can be unloaded and uncrated in the garden after that.”

  He hadn’t expected the sewing machine to arrive with the rest of the cargo. Hopefully, Stewart could get it secured in Auggie’s office before Elizabeth found out they were back.

  “Does this mean the garden will be ready soon?” Stewart asked.

  “I’m sure if Mrs. Hamilton has anything to say about it, it will be ready by the morning light.” Auggie chuckled knowing full well once they pulled in behind the hotel, Elizabeth would be anxious to get the crates unpacked and ordering them where to place everything.

  “Then I will make sure there is plenty of help,” Stewart offered. Snapping the reins, he called out, “Walk on.”

  “Just make sure both of those crates get into my office without Mrs. Hamilton seeing them,” Auggie reiterated again.

  During the short ride back to the hotel Auggie’s mind floated back to the kiss he’d shared with Elizabeth. But that wasn’t what weighed heavily on his mind. Had it been a mistake to shave his beard? If not for Stewart’s interruption he may have found out if it was or wasn’t. Even if it hadn’t seemed like it was, he couldn’t help but doubt. Elizabeth was to kind to say anything awful about his disfigurement, at least not to his face.

  Lord please see it in your mercy that Elizabeth has not been offended by my looks. That she is still there waiting for my return. She needs us, as much as we all need her.

  “I take it Mrs. Hamilton doesn’t know about the addition to the sewing room?” Stewart asked interrupting before Auggie could think amen.

  “Amen,” he said under his breath instead.

  “Then it will be interesting when she finds out. Do you think she’ll be pleased?” Stewart asked unaware of the real reason for the Singer.

  “I certainly do hope so,” Auggie nodded. “Be sure to go around to the back. It’ll be easier to unload, then uncrate, everything.”

  Steward nodded as he drove between the empty sheriff’s office and the Grand. “When does the new sheriff arrive in town?”

  “I haven’t heard. I almost thought he’d be on the train since he’s coming from New York City,” Auggie answered, not having given the arrival of Owen Rawlins much thought. It had been less than a month since Blessings Valley had been without law and order, and they’d fared rather well without it. But everyone knew that was something that wouldn’t last without a sheriff in town.

  “This is good, Stewart,” Auggie said as they came to the back entrance to the garden. “I’ll go and delay Mrs. Hamilton as much as possible while you and the boys get those special crates in my office.” Auggie jumped down from the wagon and sprinted up the porch steps then through the dining room.

  Catching his breath, he knocked at the sewing room door and waited until the door opened.

  “Auggie!” Elizabeth said, a smile on her face. “Was that the shipment for the garden?”

  “Yes, it was. Let’s give the men a chance to uncrate everything before you instruct them were to put the furniture,” Auggie said, relieved that she didn’t appear to be upset with him.

  “And it will give us a chance to talk about…” she began, her gaze sweeping back down to the floor.

  “The scar,” he finished for her.

  “The scar?” she asked, confusion in her eyes.

  “Yes, this disfigurement,” he said, pointing to the place where the skin along his jaw was only a slightly different color from the rest of his face. “Now that you’ve had time to consider your initial comments, I’m sure you realize how hideous it makes me look.”

  “Is that what you think of yourself? Of me? That I would take back words I meant with every ounce of my being?” Elizabeth gaped at him, her eyes filling with sadness. “I thought you had come to know me better than that, Auggie.”

  She turned from him, and his heart cracked. Reaching for her, she slipped out of his fingers.

  “You really aren’t offended?” Auggie asked, taking a careful step toward her.

  “No, Auggie, I am not offended. How could I be when I am very fond of you, with or without a scar on your face. That scar doesn’t change who you are by any means.” She turned, her gazed fixed on his.

  “And the kisses? What about the kisses?” Auggie asked, feeling like a silly schoolboy once again.

  “I have to admit, at first I felt guilty. Thought I was betraying my late husband,” Elizabeth admitted, her gaze somewhere Auggie didn’t belong. But then she looked at him and he felt he was exactly where he belonged…with her. “Then I realized that Steven will always have a place in my heart. And that there is room for someone who has already found his way into it.”

  Auggie placed his hands on her arms and searched her eyes for any trace of pity or lies. Again, he found none.

  “And you have found a way into mine as well, Elizabeth,” Auggie whispered, pulling her into his arms. When she looked up at him, he captured her mouth with his before tearing himself away from her.

  “Let’s go see if things are uncrated.” He smiled, then captured her hand in his.

  CHAPTER 20

  Late Summer

  “You’ve done wonderfully with the garden, Elizabeth.” Willa praised, strolling through the grounds. “I can see why you long to spend time out here.”

  “Thank you. It was all Auggie though.” Elizabeth blushed, her heart swelling with pride and growing love. “He came up with the idea for a place where a lady could sit in quiet to read, have a cup of tea, think, or even spend time with someone special.”

  “Is that what Auggie has been doing out here?” Willa asked smiling at her. “Spending time with someone special?”

  “I’m not sure what you are getting at, Willa.” Elizabeth sighed wishing she could confirm Auggie’s intentions. But she wasn’t sure what they were. They were friends and had become closer. Anything more than that on his part was a mystery to her. She on the other hand found she’d grown fond of him, very fond.

  “Auggie has been extremely busy with the gentlemen’s smoking lounge. I’ve been spending as much time as possible out here working on the mending once the window had been blocked off several days ago. Today is the first day I’ve been able to enjoy the beauty of the garden without a needle and thread in my hand.”

  “So you don’t spend any time together out here at all?” Willa asked surprise in her voice.

  “We have had lunch on the porch once or twice since the construction has slowed down.” Elizabeth didn’t want to talk about her relationship with Auggie. At least not until there was something of importance to discuss. Looking toward the garden porch, she found the distraction she’d hoped for. “Oh look, there’s Mary!”

  Elizabeth hurried over to take the tray from Mary, thankful for her timely appearance. She wasn’t ready to talk about Auggie and her relationship, or lack of it with Willa, or anyone for that matter.

  “Mary, let me
take that from you.” Elizabeth reached for the tray, relieving it from Mary’s grasp.

  “Thank you, Elizabeth. I wasn’t sure I’d make it all the way to the gazebo or not.” Mary nervously laughed. “I didn’t think it would be that heavy in so short of a walk. Guess I’m not that spring chicken I used to be.”

  “You aren’t getting old Mary, just wise. But you should have had Stewart or one of the others help you.” Elizabeth said concerned that Mary sometimes did more than she should. “If you had taken a tumble down those steps, Auggie would never have forgiven me.”

  “You all worry too much. I love you for it, but you need not be concerned about me.” Mary protested. “I see Willa is already here. Has she been grilling you about Auggie?”

  “Oh, you know Willa.” Elizabeth giggled. “Of course she has!”

  “Hello Mary,” Willa called waving from the gazebo.

  Reaching the gazebo, Elizabeth set the tray down as Mary greeted Willa with a hug. “Smells like corned beef sandwiches, Mary.”

  “It is along with southern corn and some fruit. I thought to keep it light but filling.” Mary beamed as she took a seat close to Willa. “And some tea. Wish I could have made some lemonade but the hotel pantry is out of fresh lemons.”

  As the dishes were passed around and the tea poured, one-by-one they filled their plates with meat, bread, corn and fruit.

  “How are things at the boardinghouse, Willa?” Mary asked sipping from the tea. “It has been quiet here at the hotel, I imagine the same is for you.”

  “I’ve been holding my own, but yes the boardinghouse is not full.” Willa answered spreading butter over her bread. “I recently received a telegram from an attorney requesting a room for a Mr. Wallace Baldwin, arrival date unknown. Do you think it could be any relation to Vera’s late husband, Elizabeth?”

  “I’m not sure. Neither Vera nor Thomas ever talked much about their families.” Elizabeth popped a slice of pear in her mouth, savoring the sweetness. “Oh my, these are wonderful. I never knew grilled pears could be so delicious.”

  “I wonder what business this Mr. Baldwin has in Blessings Valley then. The telegram was rather vague.” Willa continued, ignoring Elizabeth’s attempt to take the conversation on a different path. “I don’t like vague and I don’t like surprises. I like trouble even less.”

  “Willa, I’m surprised at you!” Mary exclaimed, putting her fork down with a clang. “Since when did you subject yourself to idle gossip before you know what the truth is?”

  “I am only curious, Mary.” Willa defended herself and her question. “If I’m to hold a room for someone with no arrival date, well, it could be costly.”

  “That’s simple, just charge extra for the room if you have to turn someone away.” Elizabeth said simply. “Until this Mr. Wallace Baldwin arrives, you have no way of knowing whether or not you’ll even be in need of that room.”

  “And if you are, just send them over here to the Grand.” Mary suggested.

  “All right then,” Willa huffed, “have it your way.”

  “Good now that that is settled, can we go back to having a nice friendly lunch?” Elizabeth asked as they continued to chat quietly about the garden and the flowers about to come into late bloom.

  “Good work, men.” Auggie stood in the newest addition to the Grand Hotel—a dress shop. At least he hoped it would be a dress shop once Elizabeth found out about his secret building. All that was left was to enlarge the north window in the former sewing room, make the window he’d closed off into a door leading into the dress shop and it would be finished.

  His part would be finished. The rest would be up the Elizabeth.

  “Do you think you can have it finished yet today?” Auggie asked the foreman he’d hired to oversee the construction.

  “Yes sir, Mr. Raines,” the foreman said walking across the room to him. “We’ll have the window in and the door up by dinnertime.”

  “Excellent!” Auggie said nodding head. “I appreciate you and your men for getting this done so quickly.”

  “We welcomed the work, Mr. Raines.” The foreman nodded then returned to oversee his crew.

  So far everything had been going according to plan. Once he walked Elizabeth home, he’d come back and make any final touches.

  Ha, like I know what is needed in a dress shop! Or where things like dress forms and bolts of fabric would go. Hopefully the shelves will be of help.

  Auggie chuckled then walked back into the hotel.

  “Stewart, everything going well?” Auggie asked as he stopped for a moment to check-in with the desk clerk.

  “Yes, sir. Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Hamilton are in the garden having lunch with Mrs. Alexander,” Stewart said smiling, “if you’re looking for them.”

  “Thank you,” Auggie felt his face warm before he darted through the dining room and onto the porch overlooking the garden.

  The joyous sound of laughter reached his ears, stopping him in his tracks.

  Elizabeth sat at the table under the gazebo laughing with Mary and Willa. Her face looking younger with the stress of the day forgotten. He loved seeing her this happy. It made him realize how much he needed her in his life, and he’d do anything to keep her in it.

  To keep her with him as he ran the hotel.

  To keep her with him as they watched their children and then their grandchildren run and play in the garden.

  To keep her with him as they grew old together.

  To keep her—

  “Auggie!” Elizabeth called out waving at him. “Come have lunch with us.”

  “I’ll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with you for as long as I am alive,” he whispered under his breath as he waved back and made his way down the steps.

  “There is plenty left over if you haven’t had lunch yet, Auggie,” Mary said, sliding closer to Willa so he could pull up the fourth chair.

  “Corned beef?” he asked, setting the chair between Elizabeth and Mary.

  “Yes, and southern corn with grilled pears.” Mary beamed.

  “My favorites.” He winked, buttering a slice of bread then piling meat on it. “Is the tea still cold?”

  “I believe so.” Elizabeth poured him a tall glass, then topped off the rest of the glasses as well. “How’s the smoking lounge coming?”

  Auggie coughed on the bite he’d taken, swallowing hard he nodded his head. “It’s coming along nicely. Elizabeth, you will be happy to know that the north window is being replaced today. Next time you report for work it should be in. I warn you, there may be some cleanup needed.”

  “Thank you so much!” Elizabeth clapped her hands together. “I’ll be happy to sweep up the floor tomorrow as long as I have more light in the room. I do wish the north window had the street view though.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you do. We’ll have to see about tomorrow though,” he said, scooping a good helping of corn onto his plate. “I did say the next time you reported to work.”

  “Isn’t that tomorrow?” Elizabeth asked, confusion on her face. “It’s not the end of the week yet, and I have plenty of mending that people are waiting for.”

  “You let me handle that, okay?” Auggie continued eating his lunch as if nothing was amiss. The longer he sat at the table with the three fine ladies, the harder it was going to be for him to keep the charade up.

  “Willa, would you mind helping me carry everything into the kitchen?” Mary asked, gathering up the bowls and soiled dishes. “Elizabeth believes I am incapable of doing it myself; afraid I’m going to get hurt or something.”

  “Are you serious?” Willa looked at Mary then jumped in her chair. “Ouch!”

  “Come now,” Mary said, taking the tray as she stood.

  “For the love of …” Willa mumbled, stacking the bowls one by one then gathering them in her arms.

  “Those two!” Elizabeth exclaimed, laughing lightly. “It’s a good thing they are friends with all the bickering they do back and forth with each other.”

  Augg
ie stood then chuckled. “Come on, let me walk you home.”

  “Only if you tell me how you plan to handle the customers who are waiting for their garments.” Standing, Elizabeth smiled and took Auggie’s elbow.

  “It’s quite simple really, I told them the sewing room was closed until the construction was complete,” Auggie said, patting her hand lightly. “I know how much you want to make them happy, but they all agreed to wait a day or two.”

  “All right then,” Elizabeth said, placing her hand over his.

  Auggie had never felt more sure of himself and his plan than he was as they walked arm-in-arm through the street of Blessings Valley.

  “Are you sure the customers don’t mind waiting an extra couple of days?” Elizabeth hated to disappoint anyone waiting for their mending. She prayed no one had anything important to wear their item to.

  “Yes,” Auggie answered quietly. “I told anyone expecting something tomorrow that they would have it Monday. So really, it’s only an extra day since you don’t come in during the weekend.”

  “I hope it won’t hurt business for you,” she said, feeling guilt creep into her mind. Guilt over not finishing something on time. Her promise was everything to her.

  “I’m positive it won’t.” Auggie chuckled. “You amaze me, Elizabeth.”

  “How is that?” She looked up at him, his gaze kind and tender, and something that could be mistaken for affection. Not the kind of affection a friend has for a friend. No, she thought it looked like the kind a man has for a woman he wanted to spend his life with.

  “Never mind, you don’t have to answer that.” She stammered.

  “But I want to.” Auggie paused for a moment in front of the church. “I am very fond of you, Elizabeth.”

  His finger tipped her chin upward and she gazed directly into his face and his eyes.

  “I, I’m very fond of you as well Auggie.” She whispered her heart racing. How fond am I? Fond enough to think of him as more than a friend? Maybe? Possible? Yes!

  “That’s good to know, Elizabeth.” He bent down closer.