Chris excused himself from the music making. Any guilt he might have felt for doing so was assuaged when Quinn and Rhett immediately challenged each other to a musical duel. Meanwhile, Chris had set his sights on his little brothers and was making a beeline toward them when Adelaide stepped right into his path.
Catching his arms, she turned him around and propelled him out of the parlor. She seemed to be searching for a secluded place, but all the rooms downstairs were filled with partygoers. They finally found a quiet spot in the back garden. He shook his head. “Adelaide, I’m sorry, but I can’t steal kisses with you right now. I’ve got go back inside.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, honestly! Don’t you think about anything besides kissing?”
“Yes, I do. As a matter of fact, right now I’m thinking about—” he wanted to say knocking some heads together but settled for “—something I’ve got to do.”
He tried to pass her, but she stepped in front of him again. “You can’t talk sense into your brothers while you’re in this state. It won’t work. They won’t listen.”
His gaze found hers. He realized that somehow she had figured out exactly what was going on and how much it was bothering him without so much as a word or look from him. He wasn’t in this alone. Relief filled him and made him sink to a nearby stone bench. “They’re my baby brothers.”
She leaned over to squeeze his shoulders. “I know you think of them that way, Chris. Maybe you always will. But you can’t treat them like they’re still little boys. It will do more harm than good.”
“You don’t think I should talk to them, then?”
“Oh, you should definitely talk to them. Just make sure they know it’s coming from a place of love and experience. Express your concern, but don’t make it into a lecture.”
He frowned. “What about Sophia and Gabe? Did you see them dancing?”
“Yes, and I already asked her about it.” She grinned. “Her response was actually really funny. She said, ‘He’s a strange one. It was like he was peering into my soul without actually seeing me as a person at all. Eventually I stared back to see if I could make him as uncomfortable as he was making me. I’m pretty sure I failed.’”
Chris laughed. “All right, I guess she’s still safe.”
“Safe from what?” Her head tilted as she narrowed her eyes. “Chris, have you been scaring suitors away from your sister?”
“Only since she was knee-high to a grasshopper. Of course, I’ve had some help from my brothers and my pa. Don’t look at me like that. She’s too pretty and friendly and precious and sweet. She’s our princess. Look, let’s not get sidetracked. I’m airing my grievances and...” He considered holding his tongue, but she lifted a prodding brow so he let loose as nicely as possible. “Wes is friendly.”
She stared at him in confusion. “All right. It’s nice to know you think so.”
“To you, I mean. He’s friendly to you.”
“Wes was the first new friend I made in Peppin. Actually, he’s the first new friend I’ve made in years. That’s all there is to it. He has no designs on me. I know because he keeps giving me pointers on how to win my fight against Britta for you. He suggests a nice right uppercut.” She ever-so-gently pushed her fist up under his chin.
He caught her hand and captured her gaze to make sure she was listening. “Hey, you are not fighting Britta for me. You’ve already won my...” His words ran dry as he realized he was heading into dangerous territory. He wasn’t entirely sure what he’d been about to say. Whatever it was, he had no business saying it. He wasn’t ready to make any declarations to her until he was more certain of her feelings for him. “What I mean is I should probably grab one of my brothers to begin straightening things out. Why don’t you stay here? I’ll go get him. We can talk to him together, and you can confirm the fact that she’s flirting with both of them. I’ll be right back.”
He ducked inside the house before she could respond. He returned momentarily with August. Chris cautiously related when he’d seen happening with Britta while August listened with a furrowed brow. When Chris was done, August offered a genuine grin. He stepped forward to pound Chris on the back. “You are such a good brother for telling me all of this, but none of that was new information to me.”
Chris frowned. “What? You mean you already knew she was flirting with both of y’all?”
“Sure, I did. Viktor knows it, too.”
“Then why...?”
August turned his hands palm up as though that should be obvious. “To keep her away from you.”
“Aw.” Adelaide’s hand covered her heart. “Isn’t that the nicest, sweetest thing?”
Chris clasped his brother on the shoulder. “The nicest and sweetest, but maybe not the smartest. Playing with fire isn’t a good idea, little brother.”
“There’s no danger for us here. Viktor and I have a pact to knock some sense into each other if we start going moon-eyed. Besides that, I hate to break this to you, but she only flirts with us when you’re around. Best we can figure, she’s trying to make you jealous.”
“And that,” Adelaide said, “is not so nice.”
“The only thing she’s doing is making me angry so her plan isn’t working out that well.” Chris frowned. “I think I should talk to our parents about this.”
August shrugged. “It’s up to you. Don’t worry about Viktor and me, though. We’re fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to relieve Viktor.”
“Hey,” Chris said, “avoid being alone with her. Include Violet in your group and as many other people as you can manage. That ought to slow her down. Got it?”
“Sure thing.” August gave them a quick wave and slipped back inside.
Chris took the seat beside Adelaide. “This has been the most stressful party I’ve ever been to.” He shook his head. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of all this for one day. Come on. I’ll walk you home.”
* * *
Adelaide couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed at Chris’s suggestion that they leave. She’d been having a wonderful time making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. However, he seemed so frazzled that she didn’t have the heart to suggest they stay any longer. They said a quick round of goodbyes before heading out. They were both quiet as they strolled down the sidewalk. Adelaide was content with the silence for it gave her time to savor the memories she’d just created—the least favorite of them being the winking game. The actual game itself had been fun. Discovering that Chris was the “murderer” had been disconcerting, to say the least. She’d stood right beside him for nearly half the game without being even vaguely aware of his actions.
She hadn’t enjoyed the reminder of how easily he could deceive her. She’d forced herself to put it behind her at the party and she was determined to do the same now. After all, it had only been a game. It didn’t have to have a deeper meaning unless she assigned one to it. With so many lovely things to focus on, there was no reason to give it a second thought.
“How do you like your new house so far?” Chris asked as it came into view.
“I think out of all the places I’ve lived, this is probably my second favorite.”
He glanced down at her with interest. “What’s your most favorite, then?”
“Your apartment,” she said without hesitation before feeling a blush rise in her cheeks. “That sounds far more scandalous than I intended it to, now that I’ve said it out loud.”
Chris laughed, but sent her a searching look. “You mean it, though? My apartment was your favorite?”
“Absolutely. It was like a dream of...” What might have been and of what perhaps still could be. But those words couldn’t find their way past her lips. In fact, they probably shouldn’t. She settled for. “It was like a dream home.”
“That’s good. That’s how I had hoped you’d feel.”
She knew what he truly meant was that was how he’d felt five years ago when he was decorating the apartment for her. Then she saw the way his jaw had tightened. She noticed the faraway look in his eye. That’s when she realized he wasn’t thinking about dreams. He was thinking about the reality of receiving her rejection back then. She couldn’t help thinking about it, too.
She’d worked so hard on that letter. She’d wanted to give him the final say in the matter. Truth be told, she’d hoped he’d show up at her door with her crumpled letter in hand, demanding answers. Refusing to let her go. She would have had a few questions of her own. There was no mistaking that. Even so, at least it would have shown her that he still cared enough to fight. Well, she cared enough to fight now, and that meant bringing both of them back to the present. She nudged his arm with her shoulder. “I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed by your fiddle playing. You were always good but you’ve improved a lot since I left five years ago.”
He shrugged. “Thanks. We were just kind of messing around today, though. I wish you could have heard us at the benefit concert for the fire engine.”
“I’m sure y’all were wonderful, but I wasn’t complimenting your group. I was complimenting you.” She grinned as she watched that realization flush his neck and cheeks with a hint of red. She slid her hand into his and squeezed his arm with the other. “Will you play for me sometime, just you? It’s only fair, you know, since you’ve read my books.”
“If you like.” A moment later he nodded toward the far end of the porch as they climbed the steps. Lowering his voice, he said, “Speaking of reading your books...”
Adelaide followed his gaze to find her mother seated in one of the rocking chairs. Her shawl was falling from her shoulders but she seemed far too absorbed in what she was reading to notice that or note their approach. Adelaide tilted her head for a better look and found that the book was, indeed, one of her works. Rose startled when Chris greeted her, then turned the book over to hide the cover before offering a bright smile. “Y’all are back earlier than I expected. How was the party?”
“Lovely.” Adelaide smiled as she sent a pointed glance to the book. “What have you got there?”
Rose bit her lip. “I have a feeling you already know. You don’t mind me reading it, do you?”
“Of course not.”
“Good, because I read all the others and it would be a shame not to finish this one.”
“You...what? When?”
“Chris lent them to me. Well, lent is a generous term. You know how I had Chris’s room when we stayed at his apartment? He had all of them on his bookshelf, so I started reading them then. He was kind enough to let me continue borrowing them. I bought this one myself at the mercantile. I thought it was about time I did something to support your writing. I see Chris has been doing it all along.”
Chris shrugged. “Not intentionally.”
Confusion filled Rose’s eyes. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t know Adelaide was Joe Flanders until she told me a couple of weeks ago. I guess I just have good taste in books.” His dark blue gaze captured Adelaide’s. “Women, too, apparently.”
Adelaide pulled in a sharp breath as her heart somehow managed to simultaneous flutter and melt. For a moment, she was absolutely certain that she was going to swoon. No. She wouldn’t even think it. She was not the swooning type. However, between Chris’s obvious determination to continue being wonderful and her mother’s sudden show of support, Adelaide didn’t know what to do with herself.
Chris placed a hand on the back of Adelaide’s waist and kissed her cheek before stepping back. “I’ll leave y’all to discuss good ole Joe. Is Everett around?”
Rose shook her head. “He’s at his newly acquired newspaper office setting up the printing press. He tried to explain what that would entail but it sounded pretty technical so I thought it best not to get in the way. Adelaide and I are going to help him arrange his office tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s exciting. I’ll drop by tomorrow and help out if that’s all right.” Chris sent a warning look to Adelaide and preempted her words with his. “I know I don’t have to, but I want to. Tell Everett I said hello. I think I’ll head over to the mercantile to see if my parents will let me take over for them and close out. Y’all enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Adelaide returned his parting wave, then took the chair beside her mother. Nervousness seeped into her stomach along with a hefty amount of trepidation. Even so, she couldn’t help but nod toward the book. “I’m afraid I’ll regret asking this, but now that you’ve read my books, what do you think of them?”
Rose’s smile was soft and genuine. “They’re riveting and well written. I’ve had a hard time putting them down. Don’t look so skeptical. I truly mean it. You are very talented.”
“Thank you.” As much as she’d longed for her mother’s approval concerning her writing, she’d never truly believed she’d receive it. She was glad for it. Yet, now that she had it, she found it actually didn’t change much. Writing was still something she enjoyed doing. It was something that she’d started doing for Chris and had continued doing for herself. It had become a part of who she was—a part that she’d never been ashamed of despite her mother’s request that she keep it quiet. If only Adelaide had the temerity to apply that commitment to other areas of her life—such as her relationship with Chris. Actually, that was exactly what she had been doing. She was under no illusions that her mother approved of their courtship, but that hadn’t stopped her from continuing to spend time with him. Perhaps Adelaide was slowly making progress, after all.
“I know it may not seem like it to you, but I’ve given a lot of thought to what you said back in Houston, about how I tried to make you over into a socialite. I suppose that is what I did. But I thought I was giving you the best chance at a secure future. I realize now that the future I was trying to arrange for you might have kept you secure but it wouldn’t have made you happy. You’re happy here in this town, writing these books and spending time with your friends. That is enough for me.”
Adelaide searched her mother’s eyes, certain this conversation couldn’t be headed where she suspected it was going. “Ma, what are you saying?”
Rose reached over to stroke Adelaide’s cheek, something she hadn’t done since Adelaide was a little girl. “My darling, you will always have a home with me and your pa if that is what you wish. I’m sure he will leave you a sizable inheritance to see to your needs after we’re gone. Your future comfort is secure. You needn’t marry unless you are certain it would make you more content than you are right now.”
“You...you wouldn’t mind having a spinster daughter?”
“I wouldn’t have a spinster daughter. I’d have a daughter whom I love dearly staying with me. There is nothing wrong with that.”
“Does that mean no more matchmaking?”
“No more matchmaking.”
“And you approve of my writing?”
Rose nodded. Adelaide couldn’t believe it. Her plan had worked. She’d convinced her mother to let her live in peace as a spinster and as an author. She’d dreamed of that life for so long. She couldn’t deny it still held a certain appeal for her. It promised her heart a chance at safety, control and seclusion. Yet to choose that life would mean abandoning her chance at an even older, dearer dream.
“This is about Chris, isn’t it? You want me to stop seeing him.”
Rose smiled. “In a town this small, it would be utterly impossible for you not to run into him, so not seeing him isn’t a practical option.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do.” Rose was quiet for a moment. She continued slowly. “I’ll not ask you to end your courtship—mostly because I’ve seen what little impact that request has had on you in the past. Whatever happens between the two of you is your decision.”
Adelaide shook her head. There had to be a catch. There was no way her mother could be leaving this decision up to Adelaide. Then again, it always had been Adelaide’s decision, hadn’t it? Well, it had been ever since Adelaide had reached the legal age to marry without her mother’s consent. Yet, this was the first time Rose had ever acknowledged that. Now that she had, Adelaide found herself leaning forward, seeking her mother’s opinion. “But, you still think marrying Chris would be the wrong decision.”
“I do, and you know why.” Rose tilted her head. “What about you? Do you still think you’ve made the right decision?”
She had until a few minutes ago. Actually, that wasn’t true. She’d been having doubts all along. Adelaide bit her lip as she stared in the direction Chris had gone. “Britta was at the housewarming party today. She spent the whole time flirting with Chris’s brothers in an effort to make him jealous.”
“Did it work?”
“He said it only made him angry.”
Rose lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Well, anger and jealousy often go hand in hand.”
Adelaide sighed. “I know.”
“There are other telltale signs. Did he seem distracted by her or was his focus mostly on you?”
Without a doubt, Chris had seemed distracted. Though, surely, that was simply because he’d been concerned about protecting his brothers. Adelaide frowned and decided to focus on the other side of the equation. “You know her better than I do. What is her problem? Why can’t she respect the fact that he is courting me?”
“From her perspective, you’re the one who isn’t respecting the fact that he was promised to her.”
“He may have been promised to her by his parents, but he made his choice and chose me.”
Rose shrugged. “She thinks she can change his mind. I have to admit that I’ve encouraged her to try.”
Adelaide stared at her mother in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
“If Chris is the kind of man who’s easily swayed in that way, wouldn’t you rather know it once and for all? Wouldn’t it be better to find that out now before you allow your feelings to deepen any more than they already have?”
“I suppose.” Adelaide shook her head. “I only wish I had more of a fighting chance. Britta is so pretty. She has a way about her that makes men take notice. I’ve never been that way. I don’t even know how to flirt.”
Rose reached over to take Adelaide’s hand. “I want you to listen to me, Adelaide, because this is a lesson I had to learn long ago. Love shouldn’t be a competition. People’s affections can’t be stolen. A man has to want to stray for you to lose him. It has nothing to do with you lacking something that she has or vice versa. It all comes down to his lack of commitment to you and your relationship.”
“So, you’re saying there’s nothing I can do?”
“I’m saying that you don’t have to change who you are to try to attract him. He knows that you’re interested in him. That should be enough.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“Then maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”
Adelaide slid her fingers into her hair and let out a sigh. Now she was really confused. She cared for Chris. As Sophia had once said, she probably always would on some level. Yet, she’d be risking so much if she gave him her heart. Her mother was offering her approval of the life Adelaide had thought she wanted—never marrying and finding contentment without the perils of romance.
She couldn’t deny the common sense of her mother’s words even though her instincts said that she should do everything within her power to fight for Chris. He’d told her she didn’t have to. At least, that’s what she’d thought he was trying to tell her before he’d suddenly rushed off to find his brother at the party. She wasn’t so certain now.
What if the fears and doubts she’d been having were more than simply a culmination of her own insecurities? What if they were a warning?
She shook her head. She didn’t want to believe that. Maybe she was being foolish, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet. She was already on her guard so there was really nothing more to do besides see how things played out. Eventually she was going to have to make a decision about exactly what kind of future she wanted for herself. She could only hope that when the time came she’d be strong enough to do what was best.