19

Grace stood before the cheval mirror with the girls looking on, admiring the dress she’d donned for her dinner date with Warren. She’d decided on one of the dresses that she normally wore to church, a frock of simple linen-colored broadcloth trimmed with black buttons on the matching bolero jacket. Although it wasn’t new, it had a certain fetching look for spring.

“You are very beautiful,” Becky cooed, and Sarah bobbed her head happily and said, “Yes. Almost as pretty as mama.”

Grace twirled around to gaze at their sweet faces. “I take that as a very high compliment coming from you two.”

“What’s com-pli-ment mean?” Sarah asked.

“It means you’ve given me your personal very high approval if you’ve compared me to your mother.” Grace smiled down at Sarah’s serious face. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Oh, I hope that Mr. Warren knows how pretty and sweet you are,” Sarah commented seriously.

“We’ll have to see about that. I think I’d better go downstairs. He’ll be here any moment. Thank you for helping me to decide on something to wear tonight, girls,” Grace said as she walked to the door. “Good night, dears,” she called over her shoulder.

She heard Becky say quietly to her sister, “I wish she were going with Papa instead.”

Whatever gave Becky the notion Robert would want that? Well, they’d better not get their hopes up. It was quite clear that Robert was keeping his distance when it came to her.

When Grace got to the bottom of the stairs, Robert was just coming through the front door, but when he saw her, he paused with one hand on the doorknob and the other one on his hip. “My, but you look nice.” His jaw twitched and he said, “I’m here to play chess with your father.”

She walked over to him. “Thank you, Robert.” His eyes briefly swept over her, then he moved to close the door.

“I think Warren is driving up now.”

“Well, at least he’s on time,” she said, reaching for her wrap that hung by the door. “I’m glad you are willing to sit a while with my pop while I’m out. The girls are upstairs. I’m not sure where Tom is.”

“He’s around somewhere.” Robert shifted from one boot heel to the other. “I appreciate the early supper you made for us. Your kindness is proving to lift the kids’ mood somehow, and I’m grateful.” He chuckled, and his eyes shone with pleasure.

“Do you think so?” Grace looked directly into his eyes, excited that he was smiling after mentioning the kids. It was one of the few times he’d smiled at her, and if she was responsible for the comment, then she was more than thrilled. She wanted to help the children in any way she could.

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.” His deep-gray eyes focused on hers briefly. Then he reached out, and she thought he was going to touch her arm, but instead he took the wrap from her to gently cover her shoulders while her insides quivered. She drew herself up with reproof. How foolish she was thinking he would intentionally touch her, and she was glad that he couldn’t know her thoughts.

Warren parked the carriage and walked up the steps, looking spiffy and smelling of cologne. Robert excused himself to the parlor.

“Are you ready, Grace?” he asked as he stepped inside. “You seem eager—you are waiting by the door.” He was smiling, but his eyes weren’t reflecting joy.

Grace bristled at the way he greeted her. She’d taken the time to look her best, and that’s all he could say? She thought back to Robert’s admiring look. Was the handsome Warren used to receiving plenty of attention from the ladies? If so, he was courting the wrong person.

“I’m sorry if you thought that, but I was chatting with Robert, my hired man. He’s come to play chess with my father.”

Warren waved his hand. “Oh, that’s good.” Then he quickly added, “We must be going. I’ve made a reservation for us.”

“I’m sure my father would like to meet you.”

“Oh? I suppose we have a few minutes to spare.” Though he’d acquiesced, Grace could tell he didn’t like interruptions in his plans.

She closed the front door and walked him to the parlor where her father and Robert sat hunched over a chessboard. They looked up as she walked in.

“Pop, and Robert, I’d like both of you to meet Warren Sullivan.”

Owen said, “Hello there. Mighty fine to meet you, Warren. Forgive me if I don’t stand.”

“Hello.” Robert stood, offering his handshake.

Warren took the extended hand. “Glad to meet you.”

“Grace says you are working with Frank as his partner.” Owen leaned back in his chair and scrutinized him.

“Yes, sir, I’m working with him, but we aren’t formally in partnership as of now. It’s best to see how things go first between us.”

Owen scratched his beard. “I see. Frank’s a good, solid man. You can’t go wrong partnering with him.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Warren replied, glancing over to Robert. “I’m glad to hear you’re working for Grace because I intend to get her out more. A pretty woman like her needn’t be locked away all the time.”

Robert agreed, and Grace noticed his intense stare at Warren. “True, but I believe Grace can do as she pleases and I see no rope around her neck.”

Warren laughed heartily. “Touché. Nevertheless, I’m sure she feels an obligation to keep the farm from going under.” He turned toward her and extended his hand. “Shall we go have that dinner, now?”

Why did he mention the farm going under? Had Frank spoken to him about it? It really wasn’t any of his concern. Grace looked at Robert before taking Warren’s arm. “I don’t need defending, but thank you all the same.”

He gave her a genuine smile and said, “Enjoy your night out.”

Warren and Grace were on their way out when Tom clambered up the front steps and murmured hello. He paused a moment to look again at Warren, but said nothing else and went on inside.

“Checkmate,” Owen said just as Tom burst into the room. “Hi, Tom. I just beat your papa at chess.”

Robert grinned. “Pure luck.”

“I’ve seen that man before,” Tom remarked.

“Who are you talking about?” Owen asked.

“The man leaving outside with Miss Grace.”

Now Robert was interested. “Now where would that be, Tom?”

“Uh . . . on the road to town after work . . . I mean after school one day.” Tom chewed his bottom lip.

“Work? You mean the work at school?”

“Never mind. Just thought I’d seen him before.” Tom suddenly grew calmer and Robert suspected he might be hiding something.

Becky and Sarah waltzed in. “You didn’t see him after school because you haven’t been going to school,” Becky blurted out.

Robert stood, hands on his hips. “What are you saying, Becky?”

Becky’s lip trembled and Tom glared at her. “Shut up, smarty-pants!”

“What are you not telling me?” Robert looked from Becky to Tom.

“Just what Becky said,” Sarah added. She went to lean against Owen’s shoulder, and he slipped his arm about her, not commenting.

Tom shrugged his shoulder and gave Robert a defiant stare. “I don’t need schoolin’, and we need the money, so I got a job working for Eli at the general store.”

Robert took a deep breath to control his anger. He didn’t want to say something he might regret. “Becky and Sarah, I think it’s time you got ready for bed,” he ordered firmly.

Becky cast a glance at Tom, and when he nodded his agreement, the two girls scurried out of the room and up the stairs.

“Tom, why have you been lying to me and skipping school?” Robert demanded. “As long as you’re in my custody, then you have to abide by my rules.”

“I figured that I’d be thirteen soon and can earn my own way. I wasn’t planning on staying with you.”

“Do you want me to leave so you two can talk privately?” Owen asked.

“No, Owen. You’re fine right where you are.”

“Tom, where do you think you’d go?” Robert watched Tom’s face for clues. Was he still angry? Would he really leave his sisters behind?

“I haven’t thought about it.”

“I thought we had an understanding. I’m doing the best that I can to provide for you and the girls.”

“I reckon you are, but you’ll never be my father,” Tom retorted.

“And I don’t want to take his place, but maybe sometime you can tell me more about him.”

“I never met him—” Tom’s expression was sullen and he looked away, avoiding Robert’s eyes.

Robert’s heart began softening. No father? Shame on me for never asking. “Tom, I’m asking you agreeably to go back to school because you’re my charge until you’re old enough to make decisions on your own. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” he mumbled.

“Who else knows besides your sisters?”

“Only Eli and the teacher. Can I go now?” Tom fidgeted with a piece of carving wood that he still held in his hand.

“As long as we understand each other and come Monday morning you’re back in school where you belong. Is that understood?”

Tom nodded. “All right,” he said, finally giving in. “I understand.”

“Trust me a little while longer and everything is going to work out,” Robert assured him.

But would it?