Arya
I could hear Lucy and Olivia in the living room laughing about something. I wanted to go and join them, but I was still too upset with Chet for what he’d done. I couldn’t believe that he had ruined my opportunity, thinking he knew better just because he was a man. It was so frustrating, and yet a part of me that I greatly disliked was actually happy that Chet had cared enough to butt in—not that I would ever tell him that.
As far as he was concerned, I was done with him.
“Hey there, Arya.” Amelia walked out of one of the rooms, and I could see from her expression that she was concerned.
“Hi, Amelia. How’s it going? Thanks for dinner, by the way. It was absolutely delicious.”
“Well, you should be thanking Eloise.” She smiled at me warmly. “She’s been such a dear and such a help in the kitchen.”
“She has a good teacher.” I smiled. “She would not be making half the things with me that she does with you, so thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to teach her to cook and for spending the day with her and taking her to the store with you, and just everything you’ve done for her. And for me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pay you back for everything you’ve done, but I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
“Oh, Arya, darling.” She put a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You don’t know how much joy she’s brought to my life. I’ve always wanted a little girl.” She smiled wistfully. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my sons, every single one of them, but it’s just different with a little girl, you know? Not one of my boys wanted to help me in the kitchen. All they wanted to do was eat the food. And even Ranger, as much as I love him, has never provided me with the sort of companionship that women can. Sadie’s been here, of course, but she was a little bit of a tomboy and always with Wyatt, and I loved to watch their relationship. And now, I just feel so blessed with Olivia in the house and Lucy and Sadie always over, and now you and Eloise. I feel like all my dreams have come true.”
“You’re very sweet to say that, and I’m grateful that you’ve included us, but I do know that this isn’t really my place or Eloise’s place.”
“I know. And I heard what happened with Chet.” She shook her head. “My boys, every single one of them is stubborn and obstinate, and they all think they know best.” She gave me a sly grin. “I don’t know why, because I run this family. But they all like to think that they’re taking care of someone. And I suppose Chet thought he was taking care of you. Now, now,” she said as I was about to speak. “Trust me, I understand that you didn’t need taking care of and I understand that he has greatly affected your income, and I know that you are a proud woman and you will not accept any money from us, but please do not feel you have to leave. In fact, I’d rather like to pay you to stay.” She gave me a rueful smile. “Now, I know that obviously you most probably wouldn’t accept that offer, but I do want you to know how much it has meant to me you being here. And I do have an idea.”
I looked at her, torn. I did believe that she was happy to have Eloise and me here. She was a sweet lady, and I had no reason to believe that she would lie. However, I didn’t want her to come up with an excuse just to give me money or have us stay.
There was just something so sad about being pitied, and I didn’t want to be pitied. I didn’t want to have to accept handouts. I didn’t want to be that person. I didn’t want to be another statistic. Oh, her parents are drug addicts and no good, so she’s no good too. I knew that the Hamilton family wouldn’t think that of me, but I didn’t want to think that of me, and I didn’t want even the thought to cross anyone else’s mind.
Amelia continued. “Now, I can tell from your expression, Arya, that you are doubtful of what I have to say. But you haven’t even heard what I have to say.”
“I just don’t want to take any handouts, you know? I don’t want to be a charity case, and I don’t want Eloise to think she’s a charity case, either.”
“Oh, my. I do hope that neither one of you thinks that.” Amelia looked sad. “Please let me know if I’ve led you to believe that anyone in the family feels that way.”
“No, no,” I said quickly. “No one has made me feel that way. I just… It’s complicated.” I sighed. “But I just have to be the provider, you know?”
“I understand.” She nodded. “Come. Let’s go to my little study.”
“Your study?”
“Yes. The boys don’t come here.” We walked further down the corridor and into a small room I’d never been in. It looked like an old English living room in a Victorian house.
Amelia smiled. “I know it doesn’t fit the rest of the decor in the house, but this is my spot where I come and I read Agatha Christie books or watch Midsomer Murders on TV. I am a bit of an Anglophile, you know.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”
“I don’t have much time for it, but when I do, I come here. Come, have a seat.” She patted the cushion next to her on the small settee and I sat down. “So, you’ve probably noticed I love cooking.”
“Yes, I have.”
“And I have a mini cannery.”
“A what?”
“I can jams, marmalade, strawberry jam, blueberry jam. I also bake brownies and cookies. There is a little farmer’s market on the weekends, and I’ve been thinking for a long that I’d like to sell them.
“I’m sure they would sell really well there.”
“Well, I just don’t really have much time, especially on the weekends when all the boys are home, and Ranger, and now the three girls. And I’m helping them plan their weddings. I don’t have time to be sitting at a farmer’s market selling my goods five hours a day. So I was wondering perhaps I could hire you?”
“Me?” I said, surprised. “Are you sure you want me to sell your goods at the farmer’s market?”
“Yes, if you’re interested. Now, the pay’s not a lot. I figure ten dollars an hour until we see how everything sells, but I’ve already spoken to Maggie, and she said I can get a spot this weekend. And actually, it’s Saturday and Sunday through the rest of the year.”
“Are you sure? I’m mean, you don’t even have to pay me. I can go and just do it.”
“No, no, no!” she cut me off. “Just like you don’t want to accept charity, there’s no way I can have you working for me for free.”
“But I live here for free,” I pointed out. “I would just be sort of paying you back.”
“You listen to me, my dear. I understand times are hard and I understand you want to take care of yourself and Eloise without accepting help, but sometimes you got to accept a little help and not feel bad about it. Are you a Christian, Arya?”
“I think so. I mean, I am. I’m just not good about going to church.”
“Well, then you should know that it’s okay to accept a little help. Just pay it forward. You’ve heard the story of the good Samaritan, haven’t you?”
“I have. And you are very much my good Samaritan.”
“Well, I’m glad to be that person in your life and in your story. And maybe one day, you’ll be the good Samaritan for someone else.”
“I’d love to be a good Samaritan for someone else.”
“Honey, I’m almost positive that you already are.” She smiled. “You are a beautiful, kind, loving woman, and I just want you to know that. And I also want you to know that you shouldn’t feel bad about anything that you said to my son.”
“Oh?” I smiled a little sheepishly. “Did you hear that I went off on him? Chet deserved every single word, but he has a good heart, and he doesn’t know how to show it in quite the right way sometimes. I mean, I definitely think he’s nice. He just shouldn’t have gone over my head and stepped in, you know? He crossed the line.”
“I understand, dear. But maybe you could give him another chance to be your friend. You never know.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know I’m not interested in him like that, right? I’m not going to end up with Chet.”
“Whatever do you mean, Arya?”
“I’m just saying I know you want to get all your sons hooked up. But even if I was interested—which I’m not,” I said quickly, “I just don’t have the time or the energy to even think about being in a relationship. I have to find a job. I have to find somewhere to live. I got to figure out Eloise’s schooling. I’ve got to figure out money and—”
“Oh, my dear, you do have quite a lot to figure out, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“So I just want you to know that if it’s to be, it will be. And if it’s not, it won’t,” she said simply. “You can’t stop an old lady from hoping, right?”
“No,” I said, “but…”
“But what, my dear?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “You’re really sweet. You know that, right, Amelia?” I leaned in and gave her a quick hug. “I wish I would’ve had a mom like you.”
“And I too wish I would’ve had a daughter like you.” She smiled and pat my hair. “But you never know. Maybe one day.”
“Amelia!” I said, finally understanding why her sons used to run when they heard her talking about matchmaking. She really didn’t like to give up.