The next morning, Mitch stopped by Mrs. Pierce’s home to escort Ivy to church. The widow walked with them at Ivy’s invitation, but when Ivy and Mitch paused to speak to Adam and Reggie, she took her leave and entered the church building alone.
After the greetings were exchanged, Reggie shifted Patricia to her other hip. “Ivy, did Mitch explain about our gathering?”
“He did, and I feel honored to be included, so long as you’re certain the hostess is okay with an extra guest.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that—Eve won’t mind.” Then she glanced past Ivy. “Oh, look, there they are now.”
Reggie waved the new arrivals over and Ivy was quickly introduced to Eve and Chance and their boy, Leo.
Eve Dawson was a petite woman with an infectious smile. “So you’re the young lady who rode into town with Mitch and set everyone’s tongues to wagging.”
“Guilty. And you’re the lady who runs the sweet shop.”
Eve smiled. “Guilty. You’ll have to stop by to sample some of my candies.”
Mitch touched Ivy’s elbow, as if to lend her added support. “Miss Feagan will be joining us for lunch today.”
“Wonderful! It’ll give us a chance to get better acquainted.” Eve gave Ivy a grin. “Not only that, but it means I won’t be the newest arrival at the table any longer.”
“You lost that standing six months ago when Daisy’s Wyatt was born,” Eve’s husband said. Chance Dawson was a boyishly handsome man with a charming smile and a teasing tilt to his lips. But it was obvious he only had eyes for his wife.
Eve tapped his arm with a mock pout. “Must you be so literal?”
Ivy was enjoying the banter and easy camaraderie the group shared, but her smile faltered when she spotted Carter Mosley from the corner of her eye. The man visibly stiffened when he saw her. Averting his eyes, he walked into the church building without a backward glance.
She had grown used to such snubs at home, but somehow, here, it stung much more.
The church bells pealed and the folks still milling about moved toward the entrance.
Once inside, Ivy spotted Mrs. Pierce sitting by herself. Impulsively, she headed directly for that pew and took the seat next to the widow, and Mitch slid in next to her.
Mrs. Pierce turned, and surprise flashed in her eyes. Then her demeanor closed off again and she gave Ivy a cool nod before facing forward again.
When the service started, Ivy discovered Reverend Harper was quite different from Reverend Tomlin—he was a bit older and lacked some of Reverend Tomlin’s stern seriousness. But he seemed equally sincere and concerned for his flock, and she found herself enjoying the service a great deal.
After the service, Mitch introduced her to Reverend Harper as they exited. The man welcomed her with a warm smile and they chatted for a moment about Ivy’s plans and how she was enjoying her stay.
Before Ivy could turn back to Mitch, Mrs. Swenson swooped in on him, her three children following like a covey of quail.
“Mr. Parker, how nice to see you on this fine Sunday morning.”
Mitch touched the brim of his hat. “Mrs. Swenson.”
“Isn’t it an absolutely gorgeous day?”
“It is.” Mitch glanced back at Ivy, as if wanting her to step forward so they could leave, but Mrs. Swenson wasn’t giving way.
“I baked an apple pie this morning,” the woman continued. “I wondered if you’d like to join me and my sons for lunch.”
“Thank you, but I already have plans.” He moved back a step and firmly tucked Ivy’s hand on his arm. It was all she could do not to preen.
The imposing woman eyed Ivy frostily. “Miss Feagan, how nice to see you again.”
Ivy nodded with a smile. “Mrs. Swenson, what a lovely hat.”
The woman eyed the familiar way Mitch held Ivy’s arm as she spoke. “Why, thank you, I made it myself. How long did you say you were going to be in town?”
“About three weeks.”
Mitch sketched a short bow. “If you’ll excuse us, we should be on our way.”
Mrs. Swenson dipped her head regally. “Of course. Perhaps you can join us some other time.” She turned toward her children. “Come along, boys.” Did Mitch have any idea how special he’d made her feel when he took her arm?
More importantly, what would he think if he did know?
* * *
Mitch breathed a sigh of relief as the woman walked away. He turned to find Ivy studying him with a speculative gleam in her eye. Ignoring her unspoken question, he asked, “Ready to head to Eve and Chance’s place?”
“I need to make a quick stop at Mrs. Pierce’s.”
“Forget something?”
“I just need to fetch my contribution to the gathering.”
“Contribution? Did you cook something?”
“No. I didn’t have the proper ingredients to make anything. But I didn’t want to go empty-handed, so I gave Mrs. Pierce a few coins this morning for the privilege of plundering her flower garden. I thought flowers might at least brighten the table.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” And it was also incredibly generous. He knew she didn’t have many coins to spare.
When they reached the Pierce home, the widow was nowhere in sight. Ivy picked up garden shears, gloves and a large basket that had been left at the ready on the front porch. She held the basket out to Mitch. “Mrs. Pierce said I could borrow this to carry the flowers in. Do you mind?”
He accepted the large wicker receptacle and then watched her pull on the gloves while she studied the bounty of flowers with a judicious eye. “I promised I’d only thin the blooms and not strip any one section,” she said without taking her gaze from the garden.
With a decisive nod, Ivy stepped forward and went about harvesting select blossoms and greenery. Mitch acted as her assistant, placing the cuttings carefully into the basket. It amused him to listen to her hold a running conversation, talking both to herself and to the flowers. Did she even realize she was doing it?
When she finally stepped back, the basket was full, yet the garden looked nearly as colorful as ever.
“There, I think that will do.” She set the shears and gloves back on the porch, then smiled at him as she held out her hand. “I can take that now if you like.”
But Mitch shook his head. “I’ve got it. Are you ready?”
With a nod, she preceded him through the gate.
As they stepped onto the sidewalk, Mitch spotted the Barr household a couple of blocks ahead of them. Both Adam and Ira carried large hampers, undoubtedly food that Reggie and Mrs. Peavy had prepared for their gathering.
“I do hope Eve has something we can put these in,” Ivy said. “I didn’t feel right asking Mrs. Pierce to borrow her vases.”
Mitch detected a hint of nervousness in Ivy’s tone. Was she worried about fitting in? He had no doubt she’d be welcomed, but he planned to do his part to make her feel comfortable.
“I’m certain Eve will have something suitable,” he said.
Truth be told, he felt a little nervous himself. Hopefully his friends wouldn’t read more into his escorting Ivy into their gathering than was there. After all, it was Reggie who had issued the invitation to Ivy. He was merely providing escort.
But he had a feeling the others wouldn’t see it in quite that light.
* * *
Ivy tried to calm her nerves as they strolled down the street. She saw Reggie and the rest of the Barr household up ahead but had no desire to hail them. She was perfectly content to stroll along with just Mitch for company. She glanced at him from under her lashes and couldn’t help but smile. He should have looked ridiculous, this giant of a man carrying her basket of riotously arranged flowers. But instead he looked quite charming.
He shifted the basket to his other hand just then and took her elbow as they reached a street crossing.
She knew those little gestures were no more than what he’d afford any woman lucky enough to be in his company, but it still made her feel special in a way she never had before.
When they arrived at Eve and Chance’s place, Ivy braced herself, hoping she wouldn’t do anything to make Mitch sorry he’d introduced her to his friends.
The main doors were open wide, with the entrance barred by two swinging half doors, similar to what she’d seen on the saloon in Nettles Gap. But this was no saloon—far from it—and she liked the openness of it.
Ivy stepped inside to see the room was divided in half by a low half wall. On one side was the sweet shop. On the other side was what looked like a toy workshop. Display cases contained all manner of tasty-looking treats, and shelves were filled with wooden and tin toys.
Candy and toys—what a magical place.
Eve came bustling over as soon as she spotted them. “There you are. We were beginning to worry that you’d changed your mind.”
“Not a chance,” Mitch said, holding out the basket. “Ivy just stopped to pick these for you.”
Eve’s eyes lit up as she accepted the basket. “Oh, how beautiful!” She turned to Ivy. “And how thoughtful. Come along to the kitchen and we’ll find something to put them in.”
Ivy felt a strange sense of being set adrift as she left Mitch’s side. But he gave her an encouraging smile, almost as if he’d read her feelings.
Braced by that smile, she followed Eve as Mitch was drawn into the circle of menfolk arranging the tables for the upcoming meal.
When Ivy stepped into the kitchen, she found a roomful of women working amicably together. Daisy and Reggie were unpacking hampers of food. Mrs. Peavy was stirring something on the stove. Someone had spread a pallet in the far corner of the room and Abigail sat there with Daisy’s baby in her lap, holding up a wooden rattle to amuse Reggie’s Patricia.
“Look at the beautiful flowers Ivy brought us,” Eve announced.
The women immediately gathered around to admire the contents of the basket. There were oohs and ahhs as Ivy’s contribution was examined in detail.
“Wherever did you get such beautiful blooms?” Reggie asked.
“From Mrs. Pierce’s garden.” Then she quickly clarified. “I had her permission.”
“Eileen let you pick her flowers?” Mrs. Peavy remarked. “Well, mercy me, isn’t that something? That garden is her pride and joy.”
In short order, Eve found a large vase and several jars to place the flowers in. While the others went back to their cooking and babysitting duties, Ivy separated and arranged the flowers.
“You have quite an eye for that,” Abigail said.
Ivy shrugged self-consciously. “I like working with plants.” Then she smiled at the sixteen-year-old. “And it looks like you are very good with the children.”
Abigail grinned with pixielike impishness. “It’s not very difficult when you have two sweeties like these.”
Ivy nodded, then went back to work on the flowers. It was so nice to be here amongst these women, but rather bittersweet, as well. She wasn’t really one of them, no matter how kindly they went about including her. In a few weeks’ time, she’d be leaving, after all.
“It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”
Ivy glanced up quickly to see Eve watching her with a sympathetic smile.
“Pardon?”
“Being thrown into the midst of such a large group of near-strangers—it can be overwhelming.”
Ivy nodded, hoping she hadn’t done anything to make her new friends uncomfortable.
“It’s only been about seven months since I was the new person here,” Eve continued. “And I remember very well how, even though everyone was warm and welcoming, I still felt like an outsider for a while.”
So Eve really did understand. “You seem very much a part of the group now. What was your secret?”
Eve laughed. “I suppose marrying Chance helped.”
That was no help. Marrying her way in wasn’t going to happen for her. No matter how much she’d begun to contemplate the idea.
“But truly, these people accepted me into their midst before Chance ever thought about proposing.”
Ivy liked the sound of that.
“There’s absolutely no need for you to feel like an intruder,” Eve continued. “Those four good men respect each other and are closer than they would have you believe or even admit to themselves. If Mitch thinks you belong here, then that’s the only stamp of approval you need with the rest of them.”
Ivy suddenly found herself wondering if Mitch had brought other women to this gathering.
Taking herself to task, Ivy reminded herself again that in three weeks she would return home and never see these people again. Even if she did end up with land in Turnabout, Nana Dovie would never leave her home and that was that.
Preferring not to dwell on the thought of leaving, Ivy lifted one of the flower containers. “Where shall I put these?”
Eve put a finger to her cheek. “I think the vase should go on the candy counter. The smaller ones would look nice on the table in a row down the middle. Hopefully our menfolk have it set up by now.” She picked up one of the jars. “I’ll help. I need to see if the men have finished so I can put cloths on the tables.”
The men did indeed have everything set up, so while Eve spread the cloths, Ivy transported the remaining flowers from the kitchen. Almost without conscious thought Ivy glanced Mitch’s way and the approving smile on his face warmed her as she worked.
“Now, isn’t that a nice touch,” Eve’s husband said as Ivy placed the last jar of flowers onto the table. “It appears you like prettying up a place as much as Eve does.” He grinned and gave a gallant bow. “Which you both do quite well just by your presence.”
“Don’t mind him,” Eve said as she set out the napkins. “He can’t help himself—flirting is in his nature.”
“Alas, it’s true,” he said unrepentantly as he placed an arm around Eve’s waist. “But who can blame me for flirting with such lovely ladies as yourselves.”
Ivy smiled at his outrageous comment and realized she felt a little less like an intruder than she had earlier.
When the food was finally brought out and they were all seated, Mr. Dawson offered up the blessing, giving thanks for the food and the company gathered around the table. Then he stood and cleared his throat. “Before we dig in to this wonderful meal, Eve, Leo and I have an announcement to make.” He held out his arm, and Eve stood and stepped into his embrace, then shuffled aside to make room for Leo to stand between them.
Mr. Dawson paused to place a hand on the ten-year-old’s shoulder. “As of yesterday, the adoption process is complete. Leo is officially our son.”
A chaotic chorus of congratulations erupted as everyone stood to surround the trio. There were slaps on the back for Chance, delighted hugs for Eve and congratulations for the boy.
She was surprised to learn Leo wasn’t their natural son. Later she’d ask Mitch to tell her the story of how Leo had come to live with them, but for now she was happy to just share in their joy.
Ivy couldn’t tell which member of the newly formed family looked happier. Leo’s chest seemed about to burst with pride and the grin on his face could outshine the sun. But Eve’s and Chance’s faces shone with so much love and joy that it couldn’t help but touch the hearts of any who witnessed it.
Once everyone took their places again, Ivy found herself drawn into the conversation, as if she were a long-time friend of these people. Mitch, as usual, didn’t say much. But she noticed that when he did speak, people paid close attention.
Did he realize how much his friends respected him?
When the meal was over, everyone pitched in to clear the table. Then the men put the room back to order while the women cleaned the dishes and portioned out the leftovers.
Eve placed one of the packets in the basket Ivy had carried the flowers in. “This is for you and Mitch.”
Ivy shook her head. “Oh, no, I couldn’t. And I’m sure Mitch would agree. The leftovers should go to those who contributed to the meal.”
She suddenly realized she’d inadvertently used Mitch’s first name and nervously glanced around. Would anyone notice?
But Eve seemed more focused on the other part of Ivy’s statement. “You contributed those beautiful flowers. And Mitch always contributes to the meal, though it doesn’t surprise me that you didn’t know. That man is more closemouthed than a stone statue.”
Mitch had contributed? How?
Before she could ask, Reggie nodded. “Even though we’ve each told him it’s not necessary, Mitch has placed a standing order with the butcher. Every Saturday, regular as clockwork, either a roast or ham is delivered to whomever is hosting that week’s Sunday gathering.”
Why hadn’t he said something when she questioned him? But she already knew the answer—Mitch wasn’t one to boast over his own good deeds.
As the gathering broke up, she studied the family groupings. Only she and Mitch were solo. Would she ever feel the joy of becoming a wife and mother? It was a cherished dream that Lester had tried to steal from her. But being with these people—with Mitch—made her dare to hope she could still have it.
She glanced toward Mitch. She knew why she was still unmarried—Lester had robbed her of her reputation. But it made no sense to her that Mitch was still single. A man such as he—kind, generous, honorable—that kind of man should have no trouble finding a wife. Moreover, a wife who would treat him as he deserved.
The only explanation she could come up with was his grief over the loss of his wife.
He looked her way and gave her a questioning glance. Had he read something of her thoughts in her expression?
She flashed a quick smile, then busied herself with retying the string that was wrapped around the food in her basket. Mitch crossed the room to take the basket from her, and she relinquished it with a thank-you, then turned to say something to Abigail before he could question her.
It seemed natural for Mitch and Ivy to leave together—after all, they’d arrived that way. But Ivy was still aware of the eyes of her new friends on them as they did so.
When they stepped out onto the sidewalk, Mitch turned to her. “I suppose you’d like to check on Rufus?”
She nodded and they turned their steps toward his place.
Rufus greeted Ivy with his usual enthusiasm, but his attention quickly turned to Mitch—or more specifically, the basket in Mitch’s hand.
“Rufus! No!”
But Mitch accepted the animal’s less-than-decorous attention with good humor. “You can’t blame him—this food is worth getting excited over. I asked Eve to toss a bone or two in my packet so he’ll get his share.” He lifted the basket to her eye level. “I’ll divide the rest between us. We should each get a nice meal out of it.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t accept that.”
“Of course you can. The ladies always send me too much—you’d think they were trying to fatten me up for something. Besides, I’m certain sharing this is what Eve intended.”
Ivy took advantage of that opening. “Eve and Reggie told me you always furnish the main meat for the meal.”
He shrugged. “It seems fair since I don’t take a turn hosting.”
“But why didn’t you say something yesterday?”
“It wasn’t important.” Then he turned away. “While you and Rufus catch up, I’ll put this in the kitchen.”
Ivy absently ruffled Rufus’s fur, then picked up a stick and tossed it for him, her mind still on Mitch.
The man was such a puzzle. But a puzzle she wanted to solve.
She drifted across the lawn as she played with Rufus and almost before she realized it, she found herself in the backyard. The swing caught her eye and drew her like crumbs drew a mouse.
Mitch must have heard her because a few moments later he stepped out the back door.
He crossed the yard and stopped just out of reach of the moving swing. “Your food is in Mrs. Pierce’s basket whenever you get ready to go.”
“Mind if I ask you a question?” she asked from her perch on the swing.
His lips curved up in a wry smile. “I find trying to stop you is a waste of energy.”
She ignored that bit of teasing. “Why don’t you have any of your sketches hanging on your walls or up on your mantel, where folks could see them? They’re much too beautiful to keep hidden away.”
His expression didn’t change, but she saw a slight crease appear on his forehead. She’d come to recognize that as a sign he was about to close himself off again. “Those sketches are purely for my own enjoyment, not for display.”
This time she wouldn’t drop the subject. And there was only one response to such a stuffy answer. “How selfish.”
He blinked, obviously caught off guard by her words. “Hardly that, since I don’t ever have visitors.”
No visitors? But Mitch had friends here. Good friends, if the gathering today was any indication. Didn’t he see that?
“If both of those things you just said are true,” she replied, “then you’ve only proved that the drawings should be displayed.”
He gave her a puzzled look.
“If they’re for your pleasure only, and if no one ever comes here, then it only makes sense for you to display them so that you can enjoy them without worry that anyone else will accidentally enjoy them, too.” She hoped he caught the irony in that last bit.
“Quite a debater, aren’t you.” His tone was dry, but she didn’t detect any irritation. Still, she wasn’t sure if he’d meant the words as a compliment or not. She decided it didn’t matter, and forged ahead.
“Have you done any sketching lately? I mean, since we left the cabin.”
He nodded.
She stilled the swing and leaned forward eagerly. “May I see it?”
Something flashed in his expression—was it reluctance? Had she overstepped? But then he nodded.
“All right.”
She stood, but he held up a hand. “Keep your seat. I’ll bring it out here.”
Was he merely saving her a few steps? Or was he guarding her reputation again? Or was he forcing her to keep her distance?
When he returned, he didn’t hand over his sketchbook immediately. “It’s not finished yet. I still have some shading to do.”
She stood and smiled, holding out her hand. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He finally handed it over and she flipped open the cover. Then she gave a delighted smile. It was a sketch of Rufus. The dog stood on two legs, front paws braced against a tree and barking at something above him. She’d seen him in that very pose dozens of times. “You’ve captured him perfectly!”
Mitch rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought you might like to have this one.”
“You mean it? Oh, Mitch, I’d love to have this.” Impulsively she threw her arms around him, giving him a big hug. A moment later she realized what she’d done and stepped back, horrified.
The stunned look on his face did nothing to alleviate her embarrassment.
What must he think of her?