Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (16 page)

“Easiest interview I ever did,” he said as he closed his notebook.

She felt some of her tension ease. She’d managed to give him what he wanted without betraying any secrets or having to tell him no.

* * *

Chance had listened to her interview with equal parts amusement and admiration. He’d never seen anyone get around Everett with such ease before. And she’d done it while still giving him the information he needed. Not only had she not betrayed any of her own secrets, but she hadn’t betrayed any of Leo’s, either. And she’d done it without giving Everett any openings to get in one of his sometimes too astute questions.

It was quite an accomplishment.

When she turned to look at him, there was a hint of guilt in her eyes.

“Well done,” he said reassuringly. “That was fast thinking on your part.”

She fiddled nervously with a button at her throat. “I hope he’s not upset with me.”

“Don’t worry, I could tell he was quite happy. You gave him more than enough material for his article.” He quickly turned the subject, giving her something else to think about. “You’ve had my mouth drooling all morning with that sweet stuff you’ve been setting out on the counter.”

She relaxed and waved toward the trays. “Feel free to help yourself. Consider it part of my rent.”

“I may take a nibble here and there, but as I said before, there’s no need for you to feel in any way obligated. You’re more than pulling your weight around here and I’m enjoying all the company you’re bringing in.”

“And you aren’t distracted by that?”

“I like having people around.” He deliberately gave her his cockiest grin. “And speaking of people, I won’t say I told you so, but based on the folks who have been through here today, it looks like your business is off to a good start.”

Eve laughed. “A lot of that can be put down to curiosity and friends coming in to show support. I’m not expecting this to be a regular occurrence.”

Chance shook his head. “It puzzles me why you always look at the negative side of things. It’s just as easy and so much more pleasant to look at the positive side.”

She gave him a wistful smile. “Your perspective is based on your previous experience.”

Chance found that statement particularly poignant. It was high time she started adding to the positive side of her experiences.

And he might just consider making that his own personal mission.

* * *

When the school bell sounded that afternoon, Eve paused in her work to wait for Leo’s return. He had several friends with him when he walked in the door. She treated each of them to one piece of candy of their choosing.

When they had all gone, she smiled down at Leo. “So how did it go today?”

Leo lifted a shoulder. “It was okay. Miss Whitman is nice and I already knew a lot of the other kids from the festival.” He grinned. “Knowing you run a candy store has actually made me popular with the other kids.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Then he gave her an uncertain look. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“No, but make sure you do your part to earn that friendship, don’t just trade on what people can get from you.”

He nodded solemnly.

“Now, Dotty will be ready to help you with your studies in a little while, but first I think Mr. Dawson has some chores for you to do.” She and Chance had discussed that it was important for Leo to carry his share of responsibilities while he was here. “You’ll find him out back.”

Almost as soon as Leo disappeared out the door, Miss Whitman stopped in. “I wanted to let you know that Leo is fitting in quite well,” the schoolteacher said. “He seems to be a bright boy.”

“Thank you for letting me know.”

“In fact, I’m certain that if he works hard, by the New Year he will be nearly back on track with the other students his age.”

“I’m so relieved to hear that.” Eve was sure catching up with his peers would give Leo’s confidence a boost.

“I also had another reason for stopping by,” the schoolteacher added. “I heard about this candy shop of yours and I’m here to place an order. I’m looking for some special treats to give my students on the last day of class before Christmas.”

“What a wonderful idea. I insist you allow me to provide them at no cost. It’s the least I can do to repay you for the special attention you’re giving Leo.”

“Oh, that’s very kind of you to offer, but this is to be a gift from me to the children.”

In the end, they agreed to split the cost between them.

After the schoolteacher left, Chance, who’d walked in in time to hear this last exchange, gave her a pointed look. “You’ll never make a profit if you keep giving away your candies.”

Eve gave him a raised brow look in return. “So says the man who has opened his home to two strangers without charge.”

“That’s different.”

“Is it?”

“Yes, it is. For one thing, you are no longer strangers. And for another, the way I see it, I’m getting home-cooked meals and a more orderly establishment out of the deal. I consider that more than adequate payment for your use of this extra space that I wasn’t using anyway.”

The man refused to admit that he was just plain generous. The word
modesty
didn’t seem to fit Chance on the outside, but it sure worked for who he was inside.

* * *

Eve happily settled into the day-to-day routine of her new life. First thing in the morning when she came downstairs she would find Chance already seated at his workbench. They’d chat for a few moments about the events of the prior day, or their plans for this one, and then she would head to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Once the morning meal was done, they would scatter—Leo would head out to school, Chance would tinker at one of his worktables or head out back to work on his washing machine, and Eve and Dotty would plan the midday meal and then get to work on the candy making.

The three of them ate lunch together and once more attended to their various chores.

After school was out for the day, Leo returned, usually with a number of friends in tow, and Eve always made sure there were some “discard pieces” of candy available to serve them.

In the evenings, after supper, Dotty would spend time helping Leo with his schoolwork while Eve cleaned the kitchen. Then she would play the piano while Dotty knitted and Chance and Leo played checkers or Leo watched Chance carve some new figure.

Eve began experimenting with new recipes, some of which became hits with her customers while others failed. But she found the defeats did not bother her as much as they once would have.

And the number of customers she had continued to surprise her. Not only did some folks walk in to buy a few pieces for themselves or to share, but she had a number of orders trickle in for parties and gifts. By Wednesday morning she had to purchase new supplies and was delighted to find she had the funds to do so.

Midmorning on Wednesday, Eve stepped out into her shop in response to the bell to find Daisy standing at the counter.

“Hi there,” she said with a big smile. “I was headed out to do a little shopping this morning. But Abigail and several of my regulars have been raving about your shop so I decided to take a little detour to see for myself.” She gave Eve a sly look. “Besides, I hardly ever see Chance anymore.”

Eve hadn’t thought about the fact that by cooking for Chance she was taking business away from Daisy. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take away one of your customers. I only—”

Daisy held up a hand. “Oh, goodness, don’t think anything of it. I certainly wasn’t fussing. In fact I’m plum tickled that Chance has such a pleasant reason to spend more time at home.”

What did she mean by that?

Daisy fanned her face with her hand. “Oh, my. I feel flushed of a sudden. Do you mind if I have a seat?”

“Of course not.” Eve immediately rushed to one of the tables and pulled out a chair. “Here, let me take your shawl and you just sit yourself right here. Can I get you anything?”

Daisy gave Eve a reassuring smile as she took her seat. “I’m okay.” She put her hand over her stomach. “But there are days when I’m not certain this little one is going to wait until the New Year to put in an appearance.” Then she grinned. “And just between us girls, I’m getting just as impatient myself.”

Eve wasn’t certain how to respond to that. “I was getting ready to boil some water for tea. Why don’t you let me fix you a cup, as well?”

“That sounds lovely.”

Eve returned to the counter and picked up one of the trays. “And while you’re waiting, I’d like to get your opinion on this new candy I prepared today.”

Daisy grinned. “You talked me into it.” She let her hand hover over the tray while she studied the pieces. “But there’s no need for you to serve me tea out here—I can join you and Dotty in the kitchen.”

“Nonsense. You just stay right there. I’m ready to get out of the kitchen for a while and I’m sure Dotty is, too.”

With a grateful nod, Daisy took a piece of candy from the tray and leaned back in her seat.

Fifteen minutes later Daisy took a sip from her cup then smiled in delight. “This tea has a wonderful flavor. Tangy but with a hint of something fruity. Is it peach?”

Eve nodded. “I like to experiment with tea flavors as well as candies. I hope you don’t mind. I added a pinch of cinnamon and then sweetened it with some syrupy peach juice left over from last night’s cobbler.”

“What a clever idea. How did you ever think to do that?”

Eve grinned. “Quite by accident—literally. Years ago I accidentally spilled a little vanilla in my tea and discovered I liked it. Since then I’ve occasionally experimented with other flavorings, like mint, herbs, juice from berries and such.” It was not something her grandmother approved of so she hadn’t had many opportunities to indulge herself in this. But since she’d arrived here, she’d let her imagination run free.

“You ought to add your flavored teas to the offerings on your board there. You might be surprised the number of folks who’ll stay long enough to drink a cup when they come in for something else.”

Dotty leaned forward eagerly. “A tea shop—what a lovely idea. And I could help take care of the customers for you, Eve.”

Expand her business already? But seeing the eager gleam in Dotty’s eyes she couldn’t say no. “I suppose we could try it out and see what happens.”

“Absolutely.” Daisy raised her cup. “If you don’t I will.”

“Oh, if you want to offer it at your restaurant—”

Daisy waved a hand dismissively. “Eve, don’t be a goose. I only meant to say that it’s too good an idea not to pursue. And it would fit so much better here than at my place. Besides,” she said, patting her stomach, “I have too many other things happening in my life right now to even think about starting a new venture.”

* * *

Chance walked in, wiping his hands on a rag, just in time to hear the end of the conversation. “What new venture?”

Daisy grinned up at him. “Hi, stranger. Eve is going to expand her candy store to include a tea shop.”

“Is she now?” Apparently Eve was really enjoying her new role of businesswoman.

“Actually, Dotty and I are,” Eve clarified. “If it’s okay with you, that is.”

“This space up front is yours to do with as you wish.” Chance couldn’t stop a wry grin from forming. Who would have dreamed that this former saloon would now be housing a candy store and tea shop as well as his workroom? And it looked like there was going to be a whole lot more of a lady’s touch in The Blue Bottle in the near future.

Dotty patted her hair as she beamed in pleasure. “Oh, this is going to be such fun. I already have some ideas how to arrange things out here to entice people to sit a spell.”

Eve smiled. “Then I shall leave that aspect to you.”

Dotty nodded her acceptance. “And I shall leave the tea selections and preparations to you.”

Daisy pushed back from the table. “Well, it looks like you ladies have some planning to do. You can count on me to help spread the word. Maybe I can even get Everett to slip a little notice in Friday’s newspaper.” She stood. “Thanks for the tea and the candy, but I need to do my shopping and get back to the restaurant.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?” Eve asked.

“Yep. As long as I don’t have to run any races I’ll be fine.” The she snapped her fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot the other reason I stopped by today. If you’d like to set a tray of your candies out on the counter at my restaurant I’ll be glad to sell them for you.”

“Only if you promise to take a portion of the profits.”

Once she and Daisy has worked out their arrangements and Daisy left, Eve broached the subject of the tea shop with Chance, who gave her his blessing.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asked.

“As long as you and your customers don’t mind my messy workshop over on the other end of the room.”

“I haven’t heard any of my customers complain so far.”

Still, as Chance stared at the half of the room dedicated to his workshop he felt a stirring of dissatisfaction. And slowly an idea began to take shape. Perhaps a trip to the lumber mill was in order.