The Toymaker by Kay Springsteen

Author:Kay Springsteen [Springsteen, Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press, LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

What on earth had possessed him to tell Ivy about Jennifer's doll? As Phillip led his guest away from the table where the toys were displayed while they waited for the eager arms of the children to whom they'd be given, he cursed his sentimentality. He should have stored Jennifer's doll in a safe place, not left her out, exposed… exposing a large measure of him.

Ivy picked up one of the miniature wooden carts he'd fashioned, complete with axel and wheels that turned. "Oh, this is fabulous!" She spun one of the wheels. Her delighted laugh soothed some of his discomfort. She set the cart down and placed the carved horse he'd given her in front of it. "Look! It's the right size. You should find a way to hitch him."

Phillip jerked backward. He'd not considered actually hitching the horse to the cart. But it was a capital idea. It was something he and James could work on in the next several days.

"Would you like to look around outside, my lady?"

She graced him with another of the smiles that made his heart gallop. "I should like that very much, Mr. Green."

His mouth tugged into a smile despite himself. "I thought we'd established already that you would call me Phillip."

She tilted her head, her blue eyes capturing some of the light streaming through the stained glass. "Why, so we did. But I fear I am unable to comply as long as you continue to refer to me as 'my lady'."

"Lady I—"

She touched him on the wrist. "Just Ivy," she murmured, lowering her gaze as though suddenly shy. "At least while we're not in public."

"Ivy." Phillip tested the name and decided that he liked the way it sounded. He picked up the horse and set it into her palm and then offered his arm. "Shall we take in some afternoon air?"

When they returned to the great room, James sat on his work stool, his slim form hunched over the bench. He'd likely remain hard at work on the gifts for his young cousins for the rest of the afternoon. Elise and Eduard were no longer in the cottage. Ivy's deep reddish pelisse had been laid out across the red and brown needlepoint settee along with her hat.

"How odd." She looked around as though she expected to conjure them with a glance. "Where might they be?"

Phillip shook his head. "They must be taking a walk as we plan to. Perhaps we'll meet them outside." He hoped not. Mulling over the likely path Eduard might have taken — and the best route to avoid a meeting — Phillip held Ivy's pelisse open for her.

Her distinctive floral scent tantalized. Phillip stopped breathing but the fragrance of roses lingered in his nostrils. As she slipped her arms into the sleeves, his knuckles grazed her upper arms. She gave a little start and then sent him a sweet smile over her shoulder. Ideas and sensations tumbled over one another in his mind until he no longer felt capable of thought.

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