Little Shoes and Mistletoe by Sally Laity

Author:Sally Laity
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-08-10T20:22:24+00:00

❧

As Eliza straightened up the dwindling displays on the various shelves in the gift shop, the door opened. Her heart lurched as Micah stepped inside on a blast of chilly air.

“Good afternoon, Eliza. Thought I’d check in on that aunt of yours again.”

“How nice. She always enjoys seeing a friendly face.” Eliza purposely kept her tone breezy, hoping to recapture her poise and waylay the maddening blush that seemed to appear so easily in Micah’s company despite her best intentions.

“Hope I won’t be disturbing a nap or anything.”

Eliza shook her head. “I’m quite sure she’s awake. I took in a lunch tray a little while ago, and she didn’t appear tired in the least.”

“Good.” He loosened his coat, flashing a jovial grin on his way past, and his confident footsteps took him down the hall.

She plucked the feather duster from its hook and flicked it over a porcelain doll and a pair of crystal candleholders, her movements carrying her before an oval wall mirror that was accented by a spray of dried flowers positioned above. Catching her reflection, Eliza realized the smile she had given Micah Richmond had yet to fade. With an exasperated huff, she schooled herself into line and attacked her chore with more discipline.

It wasn’t long before she heard Micah returning.

He bent to pick up a crocheted coaster that must have fallen during her dusting and handed it to her. “Thank the Lord your aunt appears to be a little more perky each time I come by. Amazing resilience, that lady.”

Eliza had to agree. “Of course, she knew she had to follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter or face me, cracking the cat-o’-nine-tails over her back,” she said facetiously, replacing the coaster on the stack of others.

A teasing light gleamed in his eyes, and for a fraction of a second, Eliza thought she saw them wander over her. “How true. The moment we met I saw right through you, to that mean streak that runs a mile wide.”

Her soft laugh couldn’t have been held in check no matter how much she might have wished it, and a similar, deeper one rumbled from his chest. Yet for some reason she sensed everything was not as it appeared. She hesitated about questioning him but gave in to her intuition. “Is there something wrong, Micah?”

His expression took a somber turn, and he shrugged. “I wasn’t going to mention it, particularly to you. Perhaps I shouldn’t even have come.”

A jolt of alarm seized Eliza. “Whatever do you mean? Is my aunt not doing well after all?”

He held up a calming hand. “Please believe me; she truly does appear to be recovering quickly. No, I’m afraid my concerns lie in other directions just now.”

Continuing to study his demeanor, Eliza drew her own conclusions as the memory of two heartbroken little girls huddled together on a miserable pallet surfaced in her mind. “Well, if you’re hesitant to say anything to me about it, I must surmise it has something to do with the children.

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