The Gift by Donna Dalton

Author:Donna Dalton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, historical, Christmas
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2012-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Three

Eva glanced at the doorway for seemingly the hundredth time. Where were they? She’d sent a note to the mercantile almost an hour ago. Horseflies buzzed in her belly.

If Mr. Simpson didn’t arrive soon with Sheriff Baker, the Bairds would leave and her plan would fold like a bad hand of cards.

“They’ll get here in time, Eva. Don’t worry.”

She shifted her gaze to the man seated across from her. Lyle gave her a reassuring smile. He was such a wonderful man. Kind. Caring. She still couldn’t believe her good fortune in finding him. Most of her luck had been of the ill-natured sort.

“Have some more tea,” he urged. “It’ll help settle your nerves.”

“I just can’t imagine what’s holding them up.” Across the room at a corner table, dishes were being scraped clean and glasses drained. One plate had already been draped with a folded napkin. “The Bairds will soon be finished with their breakfast. We have to do this. Now.”

“Shhh. There’s plenty of time. Stop worrying.”

“I can’t help but worry. For the first time in years, my daughter is within my grasp. I want to hold her so bad it hurts.”

Her voice cracked despite her resolve to remain strong.

“I know it does, sweetheart.” He reached across the table and patted her hand. “Just be patient. Everything will work out. You’ll soon have Lizzie in your arms.”

The sharp smell of pine mingled with the breakfast aromas filling the Silver Spoon. Delilah had placed swags of pine wrapped in red ribbon on the tables and atop the window sashes. Festive. But not enough to lift Eva’s gloom.

Across the distance, a tiny blue-eyed gaze met hers. Lizzie dropped her hand to the side of her chair and waggled her fingers. Probably breaking Mary’s admonishment to ignore her aunt. Eva smiled. Hello, my brave little girl. You’ll know the truth soon enough.

John Baird rose and assisted Mary out of her chair.

Eva’s heart skipped a beat. No. No. No. They couldn’t leave. Not before Lizzie was where she belonged.

She gathered herself to stand, but Lyle’s hand tightening on hers stopped her. “No, Eva. Let me handle this.”

“But—”

“You trust me, don’t you?”

How could she not trust him? He’d lain next to her throughout the night, his presence warm and comforting, but never intrusive. He was a gentleman from the tips of his well-polished boots to the top of his slicked-down mane. She gave him a nod and settled back in her chair.

He rose and faced the oncoming tempest. “Excuse me, Mr. Baird.” He held out his hand. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’m Lyle Haggard. Eva’s husband-to-be.”

Bushy eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Husband-to-be?”

“Yes, sir. She’s made me the happiest man in Kentucky by agreeing to be my wife. Guess that’ll make us kin, so to speak.”

Lizzie stepped around Mary, her eyes wide with excitement. “You’re getting married, Aunt Eva?”

“Yes, dear. I am.” She focused on Lyle, using the strength in his gaze to remain rooted in her chair. No matter how much she wanted to haul her daughter into her arms, she’d bide her time.

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