A Love For Keeps (Truly Yours Digital Editions) (8 page)

Maybe that’s how it had started out, but Nate knew that wasn’t the reason he was taking Natalie to Meagan’s shop now. There was much more to it, but it wasn’t something Abigail would want to hear, and it wasn’t anything Nate wanted to tell her … not yet, anyway. “I’d appreciate it if you would spread the word about the shop and the quality of Miss Snow’s work. A word from you would help a lot.”

“I suppose I could do that,” Abigail said. But she didn’t sound too happy about it.

Nate decided it was time to change the subject. “I received my invitation to the grand opening gala at the Crescent on May 20
^th
.”

“Oh, good. I received mine, too. Everyone is talking about how it’s going to be the event of the season!”

Nate was sure it would be. He wanted to bring up Meagan and her shop again and how he was sure there would be women wanting new ball gowns. But Abigail’s mood had lifted with talk of the Crescent, and for everyone’s sake at dinner, he felt it best not to change subjects. Somehow, he managed to keep up with the conversation while his thoughts were on Meagan.

Abigail’s assumption that he was taking Natalie to Meagan’s shop to insure the success of her business had him facing the truth. He’d come to care for the Snow family, and he wanted the business to be a success for their sake. Yet that wasn’t the reason he kept ordering items for his daughter’s wardrobe. He was beginning to care for Meagan more each time he was around her. That was why he would keep taking Natalie to Meagan for all of her wardrobe needs. It was that simple.

The next week, Meagan and her mother went to order more fabric and trims. Several of the ladies who’d come in the day she’d opened had ordered afternoon dresses, and one had ordered a dinner gown. Nate had also decided to order several more items for Natalie. Meagan was thrilled, and it did look as if her mother had quit working at the Crescent just in time. There was no doubt she was needed.

Celebrating this change, Meagan and her mother decided to have lunch at the Southern Hotel. Many of the hotels were located near the springs so that their guests wouldn’t have to go far to take advantage of what many thought to be healing waters. Being located adjacent to the Basin Spring, the Southern was no exception.

As they entered the hotel, Meagan felt wonderful to be able to treat her mother to a luxury they hadn’t been able to afford since Papa’s death. The girls were in school, but hopefully, she’d be able to treat them one day soon, too.

After the two ladies were shown to a table in the elegant dining room, a waiter handed them each a menu. Meagan looked it over and ordered a cup of bouillon, an egg sandwich, and tea.

“I’ll have the same, please,” her mother requested. When the waiter left, she chuckled. “We could just as well have had this meal at home.”

“I know, Mama. But we still have more shopping to do, and you deserve a treat.”

“Thank you, dear. You’ve been working so hard so that I could quit working at the Crescent; I think it is you who deserves a treat.”

“I know there is nothing wrong with you working outside the home. The Crescent Hotel is beautiful, and I’m sure it is a nice place to work. But Becca is still young, and, well, we all just want you at home,” Meagan said. “The house doesn’t feel the same if you aren’t there.”

Her mother reached over and patted her hand. “You are a wonderful daughter, Meagan. I am proud of all my girls, and your papa would be so proud of all of you, too.”

“Thank you. We’ve been very blessed to have parents such as you and Papa. I hope that he would approve of what we—”

“Why, good day, ladies,” a voice from over Meagan’s shoulder interrupted.

Her mother smiled in recognition, but Meagan knew who it was even before she turned around to see. She’d know that voice anywhere—even if her pounding heart hadn’t recognized it. She smiled and said, “Good day, Mr. Brooks.”

“We’re treating ourselves to celebrate that I can stay at home and help my Meagan,” her mother added. “Thank you for making that possible, Mr. Brooks. Would you like to join us?”

Thank you, Mama
. Meagan held her breath, waiting for his answer.

“Actually, I would like that, if you are sure?”

“Please do,” Meagan’s mother said. “We would like the company.”

He looked at Meagan for confirmation.

“Please do.” She sounded a little breathless to her own ears.

Nate smiled and took a seat. The waiter seemed to come out of nowhere with a menu. Nate brushed it away with a smile and said, “I’ll have the gentleman’s plate, please. And please add the ladies’ ticket to mine.”

“Oh, no!” Meagan said. “We can’t let you do that.”

“After the wonderful meals I’ve enjoyed at your home? I can’t join you if you won’t let me pay for your lunch.” He half stood before Meagan’s mother shook her head and chuckled.

“Please sit, Mr. Brooks. We’ll be honored to have lunch with you.”

“Good.” He sat back down and grinned at Meagan. “It’s not often I have the opportunity to have lunch with such lovely ladies.”

His glance captured Meagan’s, and she could feel the warm rush of color steal up her cheeks. The man had a way of making the blood race through her veins.

He smiled and took a sip from his water glass. “What brought you out and about besides your celebration?”

“We ordered some fabric, and we’re going to buy some trim and notions this afternoon. I need trim for the coat you’ve ordered for Natalie.”

“Natalie’s grandmother loved the new Sunday dress. I gave her your name and the address of your shop. I’m hoping she and Natalie’s aunt Abigail will spread the word about the shop. The women in their circle seem to have a new outfit every time I see them. I’ve also heard that one of the dressmakers in town is getting married, and everyone is worried that there just aren’t enough seamstresses in town. I’m getting word out as fast as I can.”

“Oh, thank you for telling me. I’ll give your friends a discount if they come in.”

Nate shook his head. “There is no need to do that.”

“But—”

“Most of these women can well afford your prices. Don’t worry about that.”

“All right, I’ll charge them what I charge you.”

Nate raised an eyebrow and grinned at her. “No. I have a feeling you are giving me a very good discount. You charge them the going rate.”

Meagan sighed. She did give him a discount from what she normally charged. How could she not? He was the reason she’d been able to start her shop in the first place. “All right, I will.”

“Good.”

The waiter brought their meals out and served them. Once he was gone, Nate asked, “May I ask a blessing?”

“Of course you may,” Meagan’s mother said, and they bowed their heads while he did.

Meagan couldn’t remember when she’d had a better time. Nate was attentive to her and her mother, and the conversation flowed smoothly. Of course, she gave the credit for that to her mother. They talked about the Crescent Hotel, which looked down over the town, and about what a beautiful addition it was to the landscape.

“It really is quite lovely on the inside. And the management is very dedicated to seeing that the guests are treated like royalty,” Meagan’s mother said.

“The opening gala is coming up soon. I’m sure it will be very lavish,” Nate said.

“Oh, it will be. They were planning it before I left.”

Meagan could only imagine what a gala at the hotel would be like. She’d heard it was by invitation only and was sure that only the richest and most influential people in town were invited—which certainly didn’t include her.

That Nate knew many people in town became obvious as they enjoyed their meal, because several diners came up to their table and spoke to him. He was diligent in introducing them—never failing to mention her dressmaking shop.

A nice-looking couple stopped at the table, and Nate introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Richardson.

“I’ve heard wonderful things about the quality of your work,” Mrs. Richardson said. “I do need a few things for this spring and summer. Would it be possible for me to make an appointment to see you later today?”

“Of course. I should be back at the shop by three o’clock,” Meagan said. “Could you come then?”

“I will be there. It was very nice to meet you and your mother,” Mrs. Richardson said. “I’ll call on you this afternoon, then.”

The couple took their leave, and Meagan smiled at Nate. “Thank you. Again.”

“You are very welcome. She’s a very nice woman, and I’m sure she will be very pleased with the work you do for her. She’ll also help spread the word.”

Meagan hated to see the meal end. It was the first time she’d spent any time in Nate’s company outside of the shop, besides at his bank and that one day at church. But that couldn’t even be counted because he’d only been introducing them. This was different somehow.

They said their farewells outside the hotel, and Meagan spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about Nate and what a very nice man he was.

Over the first couple of weeks in April, Meagan ran into Nate at several other places, and she liked him more each time. First, they saw each other at the post office, where they spoke for several minutes. He asked about her mother and sisters and told her how much Natalie was looking forward to her next fitting. The next time she ran into him was at Martin’s Dry Goods where she was picking up some thread and buttons and he was trying to select a doll for Natalie’s birthday.

“Is her birthday coming up soon?” Meagan asked.

“It is two weeks from this Saturday. She is so excited. I hope she likes this doll. Do you think she will?” He held it up for her inspection. The lovely doll had hair the color of Natalie’s and eyes the same shade as hers, too. She was dressed in the little girl’s favorite color and the latest style.

“Oh, I think she will love it. It is beautiful.”

“Good.” He smiled and nodded. “I trust your judgment. I’ll have it wrapped and sent to the house. My housekeeper, Mrs. Baker, will put it in my study.”

He was through with his transaction before she was, but he waited for her to finish and walked out of the store with her. “Would you have time for a soda? There is a soda shop just across the street by the Perry House Hotel.”

Meagan hesitated for only a moment. Her mother would be the first to encourage her to go. “I—I’d like that.”

He put a hand on her elbow while they crossed the street and went into the shop. It was fairly quiet this time of day, and most of the seats at the counter were free, as were the small round tables. Nate led her to one of those and pulled out a chair for her. She’d been in the shop several times, but it had been awhile, and she’d never been in there with a gentleman.

That’s exactly what Nate Brooks was—a very nice, gentle man. Yes, he was a banker, and she would always be thankful for all the ways he’d helped her and her family. But lately, she was seeing him as more than just a businessman. He was a wonderful father to Natalie, and he was easy to be around.
Much too easy to be around
, Meagan thought as he ordered their sodas and began telling her a funny story about Natalie.

She was laughing when their sodas were brought to the table.

Meagan felt more at ease around Nate each time she saw him, but this was the first time she’d actually had any real time with him alone. Conversation flowed easily between them until a clock in the shop chimed the hour.

Meagan realized they’d been there for over an hour. “Oh, I must be getting home. Mama will be getting worried about me.”

Nate stood and pulled out her chair immediately. “I’ll accompany you home and explain.”

“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. She will understand. But I’m sure she’s beginning to wonder what has kept me so long.”

“Well, I’d better let you go, then. Thank you for joining me this afternoon. I quite enjoyed it.”

“You are welcome—so did I. Enjoy it, I mean. Thank you for treating me. Sodas are one of my very favorite things.”

“I’ll have to take you to the Crescent one of these days. I’ve been told that they have a wonderful soda shop there.”

Meagan’s heart felt all fluttery at the thought of him actually taking her to the Crescent. As they left the shop and she started home, however, she told herself it was time to quit daydreaming. Nate Brooks was a wonderful man, but they weren’t in the same social circles, and nice as he was to her, it didn’t mean that he was interested in her in any way other than seeing that her business was a success.
I need to remember that. Just because I find myself dreaming about him day and night doesn’t mean he’s dreaming about me…
.