Through a Magnolia Filter (10 page)

“Do you want me to take on more of the Carleton House work?” Dolley asked.

She didn't know how she would get that done, work with Liam
and
finish the projects she'd bid for Jackson, but she hated Bess's sadness.

“I can do this.” Bess stood taller. “I just have to take each day a breath at a time.”

Both Dolley and Abby hurried over and wrapped their arms around Bess.

“I wish we could do more for you,” Dolley said.

“For today.” Bess's eyes closed. “Just keep Daniel away from me.”

“Absolutely,” Abby said.

Dolley squeezed her sister one more time. “We could poison his dinner.”

Bess laughed. It was weak, but she laughed. “You're bloodthirsty today.”

“I could research something diabolical.” Dolley moved back to her cutting board. “Maybe one of your orchids is poisonous.”

“No.” Bess's hazel eyes glinted with tears, but her spine was straight. “Let's make sure Samuel is comfortable. His cancer treatments are wearing him out.”

“Agreed.” Abby headed back to her own workstation. “This turkey isn't going to load itself in the oven.”

They puttered in the kitchen, creating appetizers and heating up hot apple cider and mulled wine.

Dolley grabbed her camera on the way to the library, where the family had gathered. She set up some shots, trying to remember Liam's advice. First, she took pictures of the antique ornaments on the tree. Focusing on an ornament, she let the lights and branches blur. Then she brought everything into focus.

Flipping back and forth between the pictures, she tried to figure out what each one said to her.

“What are you working on?” Liam's lyrical accent had shivers slipping down her spine.

She held up the camera, afraid her voice would crack like a young boy going through puberty. She had to stop reacting to Liam.

“I like what you're doing.” His eyebrows pinched together. “See what happens if you use the rule of thirds.”

“Even when I'm purposely blurring the background?”

He leaned in. A hint of his cologne mingled with the piney fragrance of the tree. “Try it.”

She couldn't stop inhaling his scent. Lurching away from him, she composed the shot with the angel in the far right of the frame. Surprisingly, the change made the angel more—prominent.

“You're right.” She grinned up at him.

He tapped her nose. “Of course.”

It was playful, not intimate. But her heart beat a little faster. They were tucked behind the tree where no one could see them.

The smile slipped off his face, and his eyes darkened to a cobalt blue.

“Wait.” She had to keep it light. “You can't stop smiling, or I'm not doing my job.”

“What job?”

“Helping you celebrate the holiday.” She couldn't confess she'd wanted to make this a special day for him.

He shook his head, stepping away. “It's already better than seventy-five percent of my prior Christmases.”

“That's...good,” she choked out. Only a quarter of his Christmases had been good? “No, that's horrible.”

He waved off her concern. “Look,” he whispered. “Why don't you see if you can catch your mum and Martin?”

She peeked around the tree. Mamma sat on the floor, her head resting on Martin's thigh. His hand stroked her strawberry-blond hair while she stared into his face, a loving smile played across her lips. Love. That's what she wanted to capture.

She held her breath, focused and clicked.

Her subjects were oblivious, so she kept shooting. Stepping back, she captured a branch of the tree, but focused on Mamma and Martin. The sun shone through the stained glass dome, and blue, red and green beams decorated the floor and their clothes.

With Liam peering over her shoulder, her hands shook a little, and her breaths grew shallow. Her body was too aware of how close he stood.

She took one more shot, then flipped into replay mode. His breath feathered the back of her neck. She stiffened but angled the camera so he could see the pictures.

“Nice.” Pointing to the picture with the Christmas tree branch, he added, “Lovely work.”

When he came to the pictures with the stained glass beams, he smiled again. “You've a wonderful sense of light and color.”

Her cheeks heated. “Thanks.”

“And thank you one more time for the gifts.” His blue eyes twinkled. “I can't think of a nicer Christmas.”

“I'm so glad.” His smile made her heart beat a little faster. “Remember, the day's not done. And your goal today is twelve smiles. No negotiating.”

* * *

L
IAM
LEANED
BACK
in one of the library's wingback chairs. He'd tried to head up to his room, but Mamie insisted he spend the whole day with the family. The Fitzgeralds had welcomed him into the fold. Today he just might break his smile record.

He'd had a few gifts throughout the years. If a school chum invited him home for the holiday, he'd receive a small present. But nothing like what his friends would receive. And that made sense. He wasn't part of any family. He hadn't belonged.

“Is this your first Christmas in the US?” Bess asked, taking the matching chair.

He shook his head. “My producer invited me to her home a few years ago. She lives on Long Island.” He shivered. “That was a cold I don't want to experience again.”

“I know what you mean. I don't think I would know how to grow anything up north.”

Two men headed down the hallway toward the library's open doors. The elder man pushed a walker, the younger had his hand cupped like he would catch the older gentleman if he fell.

Bess's smile slipped off her face.

“Are these the Foresters?” he asked.

“Samuel and his son, Daniel.” She nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Samuel's going through cancer treatments.”

“Merry Christmas,” the older man called, wheeling into the library.

Bess looked around the room, panic in her eyes. She leaned over. “This may be a strange request, but I need your help.”

“Of course.” He shifted close, not sure what he could do for her.

“It's Daniel.” She tipped her head to the younger Forester. “I don't want to talk to him.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

“If he corners me and my sisters aren't around, please—rescue me.”

He touched her hand. “Absolutely.”

“Thanks.” Bess took in a deep breath. “I'll help Samuel.”

Daniel's stare drilled holes into Bess as she hugged Samuel and settled him next to the fire.

Dolley rushed into the room, head swiveling until she located Bess. She wore a festive green jumper and a red-and-green plaid skirt with green tights. Her curls quivered as she moved to the older man and gave him a hug. “Merry Christmas, Samuel.” Then she hustled to Bess's side.

Dolley ignored Daniel, too. What had made the man persona non grata?

The man himself came over. “I'm Daniel Forester.”

“Liam Delaney.” He added a smile, which of course made him think about Dolley. They shook hands, Daniel making it a contest. Liam squeezed back.

Daniel commandeered Bess's abandoned chair. “What brings you to Savannah?”

“I'm filming a documentary. I'll be staying through St. Patrick's Day.” Liam picked up his mug of hot cider and sipped. “The Fitzgeralds were kind enough to invite me to dinner.”

Daniel leaned forward, his brown eyes filled with suspicion. “They don't have guests during Christmas.”

“I know.” Liam smiled. This one counted against his goal. “Lucky me.”

Daniel's face paled.

A man who looked identical to Daniel carried a tray of mugs and drinks into the room. “I'm the delivery boy. Compliments of our hostesses.”

Gray came in, too, and pulled a chair over to where Liam and Daniel sat. He bounced his fist in the palm of his hand. “You and I need to talk, Forester.”

“That's my cue.” Liam stood. He wasn't going to get in the middle of whatever was going on. “I'll introduce myself around.” And keep Daniel away from Bess.

People moved in and out of the library. Dolley whispered to Bess before leaving the room. Cheryl showed up with her son, Josh. Everyone chatted with Samuel first; the man was obviously a family favorite. When Liam introduced himself, Samuel seemed ill but genuinely nice.

Bess left the room, and Daniel started after her.

Liam stepped into his path. “What is it you do for a living?”

“Listen—” Daniel tried to skirt around him, but Liam blocked his way “—I want...no, I
need
to talk with Bess.” Panic edged the man's voice.

“No can do, lad.” Liam caught his arm. “Miss Bess doesn't want to be bothered by the likes of you.”

“But...” Daniel pinched between his eyes. “I have to talk to her. Help me.”

“This was from the lass's own lips.” Liam did feel sorry for the man. “Sorry, chum.”

Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Liam's eyes blinked wide open. A ring?

“This really can't wait,” Daniel pleaded.

Liam had no clue what to do. Would Bess want to talk to Daniel if she knew his intentions? He scratched the back of his head. His knee-jerk reaction was to help the man—but he'd promised Bess. “Sorry, she doesn't want to talk to you. Let me get you a drink.”

When they eventually moved to the dining room, Abby and Dolley flanked Bess. He wanted his camera to document the two warriors protecting their wounded sister.

Conversation buzzed as food circled the table. Liam sat between Josh, a lad of six, and the lovesick Daniel.

He swallowed another mouthful of incredible food. “This is delicious. Thank you for having me for dinner.”

His appreciation started a string of thank-yous, directed at Abby.

“This was a group effort,” Abby insisted.

Everyone toasted the cooks, then settled in to eat. Small conversations floated around the table.

Daniel, his face looking a little green, cleared his throat. “Bess?”

She grabbed her wineglass and took a sip. “What?”

“Can I talk to you?” Daniel stood. “Please?”

She didn't move. “You've said enough.”

Everyone stared. Liam set a hand on Daniel's arm.

Daniel held out his other hand. “I love you.”

Bess wilted. Dolley put her arm around her shoulders. Abby glared.

“I screwed up.” Daniel pushed Liam's hand away and moved around the table. “My family helped me realize how messed up I am.”

Gray shook his head. Daniel's mother bit her lips.

“Please, talk to me,” Daniel said.

“You broke my heart, and now you do this.” She waved at the table. “Humiliate me in front of our families. At Christmas? I don't want you to talk to me. I want you to leave.”

“Not cool, bro,” Nathan, Daniel's twin brother, whispered.

“Please, Bess.” Daniel moved closer to her.

“I hate you.” She pushed out her chair.

Dolley and Abby stood.

“You should,” Daniel agreed. “I pretty much hate myself.”

Bess wrapped her arms around her waist. “Don't hurt me anymore.”

“I don't want to.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “Damn it, I want to marry you!”

Bess's hand covered her mouth. She tore past him.

The sisters blocked Daniel's way.

“Let me by!” He grabbed Dolley and set her aside. She squeaked.

It was wrong to hurt Dolley. Liam moved after him.

Abby did a side step.

“Leave us alone,” Daniel begged, running for the door. “Give me a chance.”

“Should we go after them?” Dolley bit her thumbnail.

Abby wrapped an arm around Dolley's waist. “Maybe they need to talk.” But both sisters stared at the door.

Mamma held up her hands. “Let's finish eating. I'm sure we'll know what's going on soon.”

“Is this a normal Christmas?” Liam whispered to Daniel's brother as he moved back to his chair.

“More excitement than we usually have.” Nathan shook his head. “My twin really screwed up. Maybe the big gesture wasn't the thing.”

Liam helped clear the table, wheeling a cart of dirty dishes into the kitchen. The parents had migrated to the library while the younger adults cleaned. And the sisters glanced across the courtyard to the carriage house where Bess lived.

He should head up to his room. He could find work to do. But Dolley's pretty eyebrows were scrunched together.

“Do you want me to check on them?” he asked.

“She'll come back if she needs our help.” Dolley bit her lip as she set a big pot in the sink. “I hope.”

“I see Mr. Dan and Miss Bess,” Josh, the little boy, called from the sitting area.

Exclamations circled the kitchen.

Dolley ran to the window, pulling Liam with her. “Oh, my!”

Daniel and Bess walked arm in arm, staring at each other. Smiles wreathed their faces. Seemed like Bess wasn't angry with Daniel anymore.

Liam hung back while everyone strained to see what was going on. He really should head upstairs, but he wanted to know how their story ended.

“They're coming inside. Act normal,” Dolley whispered, backing away from the window and rushing to the pile of dishes.

The china banged together as she loaded it into the dishwasher. He winced, hoping nothing would break.

The others followed her lead, making busy and ignoring the couple as they walked inside.

Bess and Daniel stopped by the doorway. No one glanced at them. No one except Liam. Their mouths dropped open the longer they stood without anyone saying anything.

He wished he had a camera. He should grab one since it seemed like there might be some happy news coming.

Dolley looked over at him, her back still to the couple. She held up soapy hands with a
what's going on
? expression on her face.