On Monday morning the men were at work and Hope at school. Still in her dressing gown, Vicki was tidying the kitchen.
Woof. Woof, woof.
Brodie ran toward the front door. Following their dog, she looked out the parlour window. Izabella stepped down from her buggy. Vicki opened the door and waited for Izabella to enter.
“You must give me a minute to change into something more presentable and then join me for coffee.” Vicki raced up the steps to change.
Only slightly out of breath, Vicki joined her guest in the kitchen. She poured mugs of coffee and took her seat across from her friend. Izabella set a key on the table.
“Stewart must have dropped this Saturday night while saying goodnight. I want to ensure he receives it.”
“I must ask, when did you decide to ask my brother to dinner? During all our conversations, you never mentioned your intent.”
“I didn’t ask Stewart,” Izabella blurted in defence.” She set her coffee cup on the table with a sight thud. “I would never jeopardize our friendship in such a way. Stewart is your brother.”
“So it was his idea?” Vicki questioned.
“I believe I’ve been insulted. I’m not as handsome as others, but I’m able to hold my own in conversation with him.”
Vicki lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry if I offended you. It was not my intent. Allow me the opportunity to share something with you. To my knowledge, Stewart has not had a serious relationship since his wife passed eleven years ago. I have begged him many times to open his heart, but you are the first woman he has taken the initiative with and asked to dine with the intent to perhaps pursue something serious.”
Izabella’s eyes widened. Her jaw dropped. The revelation rendered her speechless for a moment. “Stewart is a handsome man. I naturally assumed he courted regularly.”
“Nay, but it’s obvious my brother is developing feelings for you. Stewart is fighting an internal battle. Hope has been, and will always be, of the utmost importance in his life. A piece of his heart belongs to Natasha, and Hope is the result of that love. He won’t allow anything on this earth to interfere with their relationship.”
“We’re bonded by our past,” Izabella admitted. “I have a business which bears my husband’s name. I’m determined to keep his memory and legacy alive.”
Their conversation continued. Once Vicki convinced Izabella that Stewart would not be upset if she arrived at his work site, they prepared a picnic lunch for five. After pulling her hair back with a ribbon, Vicki opened the door and watched Brodie run to the buggy.
“The dog loves being at the work site,” Vicki admitted. “Brodie believes she’s the boss. The foreman dog.”
* * *
An unexpected rush of happiness filled Stewart’s heart the moment the women came into view. Holding his clipboard in his left hand, he walked toward the buggy. Brodie jumped down. He assisted the ladies from the buggy.
“I will give you two time to visit,” Vicki informed Stewart and Izabella. She walked off in search of Greg.
“I would like to thank you again for the wonderful evening, and ensure you received this,” Izabella said.
She extended her hand with a key resting on her palm. The key to her home? The smile disappeared from his face. How am I expected to respond? I do not wish to hurt her. Although he had thoroughly enjoyed their evening together, the notion of a commitment terrified him. Her relationship with Charles had progressed quickly. Is it possible she is expecting an engagement ring? Did I inadvertently say something to suggest I hoped to wed within a short time? Without hurting her, it was imperative Izabella be clear about his intentions. At this point, he wanted friendship, a companion. His heart still yearned for Natasha.
“I find myself speechless,” he finally responded. “I had a wonderful evening…,” he stopped, praying for the words, not wishing to be blunt, “and wish to see you again…,” he continued to struggle. To his dismay, Izabella began to smile, but never attempted to interrupt.
Stewart took a deep breath. Subtlety wasn’t an attribute he possessed. “I never wish to hurt or disappoint you,” he paused and watched her warily, “but I cannot accept your key.”
“It’s pleasing to hear you also make assumptions. I believe this key fell from your pocket last night. It belongs to you.”
His cheeks burned with heat. His chest got heavy. How humiliating. I’m blushing in her presence. He turned his head.
“I don’t believe you were intending for me to have this,” she continued.
He shifted his eyes to look at her.
“My relationship with Charles progressed quickly, but we were inseparable, well acquainted before he….” Stewart’s face contorted. The heat level rose. She laughed at him. “I believe you are equally as embarrassed as I was upon our introduction.”
“That was cruel.” He smiled, appreciating her sense of humour. Izabella’s laughter intensified.
“The expression on your face was priceless. I’d pay money to see that again,” she teased.
“I had considered introducing you to my father, but now, I’m not certain,” he joked. “Be thankful you’re a chum of Vicki’s.”
With his crew settling for their noon meal, Stewart reached for Izabella’s hand and led her toward his father, Vicki, and Greg. “Poppa is a foreman for this company, without whom my business would not have achieved success. Greg’s talent negotiating contracts is invaluable. I’m fortunate he’s also willing to do some of the physical labour with the crew.”
“Charles spoke highly of your father and Greg. I recall him praise Greg’s professionalism during the negotiations. If the opportunity had presented itself, Charles would have hired Greg.”
After the formal introduction to his father, the family had a lengthy conversation while eating their meal.
“It’s pleasing to see that twinkle,” Poppa whispered to Stewart as Greg spoke to Vicki and Izabella.
“I’m unable to hide my feelings,” Stewart admitted to his poppa. “I see no reason to do so.”
Seemingly pleased to hear the admission, his father turned to Izabella. “If you don’t have any previous engagements, Stewart’s momma and I would be honoured if you would accept an invitation to dine with our family on Sunday.” He turned his attention back to Stewart. “You may attend if you please, or simply send Hope and Brodie along with Vicki and Greg.”
Izabella laughed.
“My apologies, Poppa. You shall be graced with my presence as well.” He rolled his eyes and leaned toward Izabella. “Momma is kind and compassionate, yet finds it in her heart to love him.”
“Not only do you share your poppa’s appearance, but the same wit.”
With the meal break over, his father called the men back to work.
Stewart turned to Izabella. “If you’re not required at the boutique, remain by my side. Keep me company.”
“My presence won’t be missed.”
They were still conversing when Vicki left to pick up Hope from school. It seemed his sister had just left.
Woof.
Brodie raced toward the buggy. Hope jumped down and raced toward them.
“Miss Izabella. Did you enjoy spending time with Poppa? His eyes twinkle when he speaks of you. I’ve been told it is a sign of affection.”
Heat penetrated his face, neck and chest. If it were possible to crawl into a hole, Stewart would have vanished from sight. He clenched his eyes for the second time that day.
“Hope Elizabeth Victoria Donovan,” he growled softly.
“My apologies, Poppa,” she whispered in a tone so soft and low it was barely audible. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“My eyes sparkle when your poppa looks my way. I can feel my heart pound,” Izabella admitted, easing Hope’s guilty conscience.
“You must sup with us this evening.”
“Hope. I cannot. I’ve overstayed my welcome already.”
“Nonsense,” Stewart replied. “Allow Hope the privilege of informing Vicki you will stay.”
When Izabella nodded, Hope reached up, kissed his cheek, and ran to tell her aunt.
That evening, once Izabella departed for home, Vicki spoke in detail of her conversation with Izabella.
* * *
With Izabella on his mind, disappointment filled Stewart’s heart when his sister arrived at the site the following day alone. He didn’t mention his displeasure, but Stewart enjoyed the previous afternoon, and wished to see Izabella’s smiling face again.
Later that day, he sat at his office desk looking at the correspondence that required his attention. An envelope from the theatre brought a smile to his face. It contained a brochure announcing their next production. In his mind, he envisioned walking into the building with Izabella by his side, guiding her to their seats. The idea stayed with him all day.
Once his work day was over, he rode to Izabella’s and invited her to his home for dinner. As they ate their meal, Stewart spoke of the theatre. Vicki was enthusiastic, as always.
“Would you do me the honour of accompanying me?” he asked Izabella.
“You don’t plan to trust our luck?” she questioned. “I received my notice late this afternoon. It was my plan to purchase a ticket tomorrow.”
“Nay,” he responded, his tone serious. “I’d be honoured to walk into the theatre with you on my arm. Something I was never able to do with my wife.”
He noticed Vicki smile. He had always encouraged Jane to walk a pace ahead, never by his side.
* * *
Sunday afternoon, Stewart, Greg, Vicki and Hope rode to pick up Izabella on the way to dinner at the Donovans. Stewart stopped the horses in front of Izabella’s home, lowered himself to the ground and walked to the house. Greg, Vicki, and Hope waited in the buggy. Nearing her door, he recalled the conversation about his dropped key. He tapped on the door. Izabella appeared wearing an attractive blue dress with her hair pulled back in an informal bun. After glancing back to ensure he was out of view of his family, he reached for her hand.
“I find myself thinking of you when we are not together,” he admitted, looking into her eyes. “I miss your wit.”
“My wit?” she responded, her lips curling into a smile. “Your poppa’s wit is drier than mine.”
“Indeed, but yours is more challenging. Poppa begins to smile once the words have been spoken. You possess the ability to remain without expression.” Stewart extended his arm and escorted her to the buggy.
They enjoyed a wonderful visit and meal with his parents. The sun was setting when they left his childhood home and travelled the short distance to Izabella’s house. Stopping at the residence, Stewart walked Izabella to her door and reached for her hand.
“As expected, Momma adores you,” he admitted.
Looking into her eyes, he guided her fingers toward his face and gave them a gentle kiss.