She sighed. So much for that idea. She couldn’t even make him anything. She couldn’t sew, could barely bake, and anything more complicated than stew required help and even then she burned most of it. She doubted he expected anything from her but it still felt odd not doing something.
Maybe you can stop lying to him and tell him who you really are.
She pushed the thought away and carried their purchases to the counter then waited as they added everything to Caleb’s account. On the way out, a poster by the door reminding everyone of the annual Christmas Eve party drew her attention. “Is this the party you were talking about a few days ago?”
Amanda bobbed her head up and down. “Yes! It's so much fun. Everyone from all over comes to it.”
The invitation the two ladies she’d met at the restaurant came back to mind. “The night your father and I came to town to eat, a woman invited him to a Christmas party.”
“Who was it?”
“Um…” What did she say her name was? “Julie? Does that sound right? She was with a lady who mentioned the land office.”
Amanda’s face scrunched up as if she were thinking, before she smiled. “Oh! You mean Julia? She and Caroline Larsen are best friends. Caroline lives in the rooms above the land office.”
“Yes, Julia. That was it. She said she was having a party and invited your father.”
“Did he say he’d go?”
“He said he’d think about it.”
The answer wasn't what Amanda wanted to hear. She frowned but said nothing. Rebecca could tell by the look on the girl's face that she'd bring it up the first chance she got and had a feeling that if Caleb hadn't planned on going, Amanda would make sure to change his mind.
Caleb knew something was up the moment he walked in the door. Amanda rushed to his side, the smile on her face as big as he’d ever seen it.
She took his hat and hung it as he took off his coat. “Pa, Diana said Julia Bailey invited us to a party.”
He glanced into the kitchen where Diana was setting the table. “You’re not even going to let me eat before badgering me about something?”
“Leave your father be,” his mother yelled from the kitchen. “Get in here and wash up, girl.”
He followed Amanda to the table and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Everything go alright today?”
“Yes. Those Hatchet boys came round and shoveled the stoop. I figured they’d knock and ask for a nickel or two but they just ran off across the road and started clearing off Mrs. Taylor’s steps. Guess they've found some trouble to get into again and their pa is making them work as punishment.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.” He glanced over at Diana. Their eyes met and for once, she didn’t look away. She held his gaze for long moments before giving him a shy smile and turning toward the stove.
“I’m going to go clean up. I’ll be back in a few.” He headed to his room, once again noticing the sweet floral scent that lingered there. He made quick work of changing out of his work clothes and washing up.
Everyone was seated when he walked back into the kitchen. A small ham sat on the table with green beans and potatoes. For once, nothing looked burned, and it smelled so good his stomach growled the moment he sat down.
Amanda started talking before he even had his plate filled, her question about Julia Bailey’s party dragging his attention to Diana. “Did you run into Julia in town?”
Diana shook her head before folding her hands into her lap. “No, I saw a poster for the town Christmas party and mentioned Mrs. Bailey’s invitation.” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “Was I not supposed to?”
He shook his head. “No, it's fine. You did nothing wrong.” Touching his mother’s hand, he said, “Julia asked me to bring you as well, if you’re up to the trip out there.”
“Oh, count me out,” his mother said, waving her hand in the air. “It’s too cold for these old bones to be out and about, besides, I’ll be more burden than anything.”
“You’re never a burden, mother.”
“I know, but you’ll have a much better time if you’re not having to tend to me.” She motioned to Diana and Amanda with her head. “Take those two and go have fun. Lord knows you need some. You work too much.”
Caroline Larsen had said the same thing, and they were both right. “Would you like to go?”
Diana glanced at Amanda before shrugging. “I’ve never been to a holiday party.”
Amanda was already bouncing in her seat at the possibility of going. Her hands were clasped as if she were praying and those big pleading eyes were locked on him. “Please, Pa? Diana’s never been to a Christmas party. We have to go.”
He laughed before slicing into the ham on his plate. “Fine, we’ll go.” Amanda squealed. “But only if it's not snowing.”
Some of her excitement waned.
“We can’t risk getting stuck that far from town if your grandmother is staying here.” He glanced over at her. “I’ll see if Mrs. Simmons will come sit with you.”
His mother scoffed. “I’m not a child that needs tending, Caleb, and I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know you are but it would make me feel better knowing someone was here in case you needed them.”
She rolled her eyes at him but he saw her smile as she tucked back into her food.
“Well, it's decided then.”
Amanda squealed again, and they all laughed at her excitement. He could understand her joy. Truth be known, he was looking forward to it, too. He’d get another evening with Diana where they could relax and just be themselves with no expectations and spending more time with her was the only thing he seemed to think about as of late.
His future bride was occupying his every thought and he couldn’t stop thinking about asking her to marry him now instead of waiting until the new year. It was a constant echo inside his head every day now and he couldn’t think of a better Christmas gift to give Diana than a wedding ring. An exchange of vows would be the perfect Christmas gift for them both. Now all he had to do was ask her.
Chapter 9
“There. That should do it.”
Rebecca turned to the mirror when Agatha smoothed a hand over the back of her dress. Her soon-to-be mother-in-law had taken one look at her in the fanciest dress Diana had packed and clucked her tongue, 'tis-king at the ill fit. She’d tucked and sewn darts here and there until the dress fit as if it had been made for her and seeing her reflection in the mirror, Rebecca could hardly believe it was her she was seeing.
The dark green material was adorned with black lace and now, thanks to Agatha, was cinched at the waist. It was still too long. All of Diana’s dresses were too long. She pinned the hem up on the everyday dresses. This one had too much fabric to even try. She’d just have to hold it up to keep from falling over it.
Agatha had fixed her hair into some up-do she would have never been able to accomplish on her own and she looked nothing like the homeless waif she had been a few short months ago. She looked like those ladies who strolled down by the battery and gathered in the tea shops near the harbor.