Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning, Ivy was determined to be sensible about her situation.
That determination lasted until she and Teddy stepped into the office. Ivy saw Caleb near the front windows, his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. He was deep in conversation with Margaret.
“What’s the matter with you?” Teddy asked with a smile as she removed her coat and hung it up.
Ivy forced herself to look away from Caleb and did the same. “Not a thing. Why do you ask?”
“Maybe because your eyes got all bright the moment you saw Caleb,” Teddy drawled. With that, she headed for the other side of the room and the table where she spent most of her day.
Ivy wanted to pretend she’d forgotten something at home. Darn that Teddy! If she could see that Ivy’s affections for Caleb were growing, did that mean Augusta, Margaret, and Josie could see it too?
Ivy straightened her shoulders and reminded herself she was a grown woman with responsibilities. She had a job, and she was going to do it. “Good morning,” she said briskly.
Caleb turned with a big smile. “Good morning.” His voice was warm and attentive, and it was all she could do not to melt on the spot.
Margaret smiled at her. “Good morning, Ivy, dear.”
Ivy went to the nearest desk, Augusta’s, and straightened papers that didn’t need straightening.
“Good morning, Margaret.” She set the papers down and moved to the back table where Teddy sat.
She took the chair opposite her and opened a ledger.
Ivy had no idea what was in it. She just needed something to do.
If she kept herself busy, she wouldn’t notice Caleb moving around the office or the way he glanced her way when he thought she wasn’t paying attention.
She focused on the ledger, the inkwell, then Teddy’s fingernails… anything, so long as it kept her from looking at Caleb. It worked. For about a minute.
“Did you sleep well?” Caleb asked as he approached.
“Yes,” Ivy said, voice cracking. “Why do you ask?”
He paused, studying her. “You look a little tired.”
Ivy thought of her restless night, how she’d tossed and turned, careful not to wake Grandma Evie. “I’m perfectly fine.”
Caleb nodded. “All right. I’m glad to hear it.”
Ivy stared at the table as he stood there. She sensed his uncertainty, and the awareness of it made her chest ache in a way she didn’t like.
After a moment, he moved back to Margaret’s desk.
Ivy closed her eyes as the ache deepened. This is for the best, she told herself. Distance yourself from him. Think of your job. Think of having to marry that awful Mr. Grimsby! That alone should have been enough to make her traitorous heart behave.
By midmorning, a restless George began to bark at the front windows. He paced back and forth and yapped at anyone who passed by outside.
“Oh dear,” Margaret said. “I’m afraid he missed his walk this morning.”
“He’s restless, all right,” Caleb agreed. “I’d better take him out.”
“Could you?” Margaret asked. “It’s not good for him to be cooped up all day.” Her eyes flicked to Teddy. “Would you like to take him for a walk, dear? It’s not good for you to be cooped up either.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Teddy said. “I aim to catch up on my numbers and letters.” She glanced at Ivy, then Caleb.
“But poor George does need a walk. He got away from me last time, so Caleb has to come, and Ivy too. On account if’n George gets loose, it’ll take three of us to catch him. He’s a slippery pooch, ya know.”
Margaret hesitated. Augusta and Josie had gone upstairs to the apartment. “I don’t know…”
Teddy stood and circled the table. “Ya know it’s true. Remember last time? It took all three of us to wrangle that dog back inside. I don’t know how young George does it.”
“The dog does love that boy,” Margaret admitted. “Very well. But hurry back.”
Teddy grinned and hurried to the kitchen for George’s leash.
Caleb glanced at Ivy. “I think I can handle him.”
“You heard what Teddy said,” Margaret replied. “All three of you had better take him for a quick walk and let him do his business. And while you’re out, buy some of those lovely roasted chestnuts.” She rose. “I’ll fetch you some money.”
Ivy was acutely aware she was now alone with Caleb. She shuffled her feet beneath the table and hoped he wouldn’t speak.
He didn’t. Which was worse.
Her heart beat so loudly she was certain it echoed around the office. This was ridiculous. And exactly why she should avoid him. She bent over another ledger as Teddy returned with the leash and clipped it onto George’s collar.
Margaret followed, and pressed some coins into Ivy’s palm. “Now bundle up, all three of you. It’s cold. Get three bags of chestnuts. One for yourselves, and the others for my sisters and me.”
“Thank you, Margaret.” Ivy swallowed hard as she watched Caleb slip into his coat and hat. She dragged her feet toward the coat rack. Teddy joined her, fully bundled, and took the leash.
“Let me help you,” Caleb offered.
Ivy stiffened as he lifted her coat from the rack and settled it over her shoulders. “You two go ahead,” she said quickly. “I’ll be right there.”
Teddy smiled knowingly, opened the door, and left.
Caleb lingered.
“Why are you still here?” Ivy asked softly.
“Because I’m waiting for you,” he said. “Teddy will wait.”
Ivy swallowed, pulled on her gloves and scarf, and followed him outside.
They joined Teddy and crossed the street to the park. Conversation dissolved into shouts of “George, come back!” and “That confounded dog!” mixed with laughter and breathless giggles.
Teddy’s laughter was infectious. George was having the time of his life, making them chase him.
And Ivy, despite herself, felt good being near Caleb. Too good.
She pictured doing this every day, and the image lodged stubbornly in her mind.
Ivy had no idea how to dislodge it. And if she gave in to these feelings, what good would it do her?
She had no proof Caleb felt the same. Oh, he was attracted to her, that much was clear.
But so was Mr. Grimsby. And he was the only one to offer a proposal.
Ivy shivered at the thought and turned her attention toward the chestnut vendor ahead.
“Well,” Teddy announced upon their return. “That was fun.”
Caleb smiled at her, then turned to Ivy. Her cheeks were flushed, and she struggled to unwrap her scarf from around her head and neck. “Allow me.” He took her hands to still them, then slowly untangled the scarf and removed it.
“Thank you,” she said, cheeks pink.
Caleb wasn’t sure whether the color came from the cold or from the fact that he’d taken his time unwrapping the scarf.
An action that didn’t go unnoticed by Margaret and Josie, who stood near the filing cabinet.
He ignored them and returned his attention to Ivy.
“Your coat?” He helped her out of it and hung it up.
She didn’t move.
Caleb stood behind her, and something shifted between them. He didn’t need to see her eyes to know what it was. Attraction. Plain and simple.
He smiled, stepped back and took George’s leash from Teddy. “C’mon, boy. Let’s see what’s going on in the back.” He led the dog into the rear rooms. There was no sign of Augusta; she must still be upstairs in the apartment.
Caleb removed the leash. “Behave yourself.” He glanced around to make sure Cleopatra was nowhere in sight. The sisters were doing their best to keep the two animals separated.
He turned back toward the office door and sighed. They had appointments this morning, one of which was due any moment. A Miss Winnifred Fairchild as he recalled.
He took one last look around the parlor as George settled in front of the fireplace, then returned to the office.
Caleb kept himself occupied as best he could and tried not to steal glances at Ivy. Thankfully, Miss Fairchild arrived precisely at ten o’clock. She was the sort of woman who looked as though the room ought to improve simply by her presence.
“Oh no,” Caleb murmured under his breath. “Please don’t be another Miss Hogspeth.” He quickly plastered on a polite smile as Margaret rose to greet her. “Good morning. You must be Miss Fairchild.”
Caleb studied the woman. Dark hair. A fashionable green hat and coat. She stood straight and smiled with practiced ease.
“I am,” Miss Fairchild said. “I’ve come to inquire about a husband.”
Caleb rose, as was polite, and gestured to the chair across from Augusta’s desk. The sisters started to allow him to conduct the preliminary interviews so he could offer a man’s perspective. Thus far, it seemed to be working. “Please, sit down. I’m Mr. Hartwell.”
Miss Fairchild looked him up and down. “A man.” She turned to Margaret. “You expect me to speak to a man?”
Margaret offered her warmest smile. “Oh, he’s quite capable, I assure you.”
Miss Fairchild hesitated, then sat with a small huff.
Caleb reached for an intake form, noting several things at once. Her accent was refined but not exaggerated. Her gloves were of good quality. There was a calm assurance about her, and a notable lack of desperation. Something that accompanied a lot of brides who came through the office.
He began. “May I have your age, Miss Fairchild?”
“Twenty-four.”
“Do you hold a position?”
“I do. I assist my father with correspondence and social arrangements.”
Margaret turned slightly in her chair, listening. Caleb heard the rustle of papers behind him and wondered if Ivy had done the same. He made a note. “And what brings you to the Sisters’ Mail-Order Bride Company?”
Miss Fairchild folded her hands on the desk. “I know it must seem strange. Me being employed by my father, and I’m clearly not some pauper desperate for a husband.”
He regarded her honestly. “No, you don’t appear to be.”
She smiled and patted the back of her hair. “I’m here because I’m prepared to begin a new chapter of my life. I’ve observed, quite extensively mind you, what doesn’t work for women of my refined taste.”
Teddy cleared her throat behind him. Caleb suspected she was trying not to laugh.
“Prepared for what?” Teddy asked.
Miss Fairchild shot her an offended look. “Excuse me, but are you the one asking the questions?”
“Well, no,” Teddy said easily. “But ya ought to know what it means to be prepared for a man. That’s what they do here.”
Miss Fairchild looked intrigued. “Well. That would be quite the feat, wouldn’t it?”
Caleb turned in his chair. “Teddy…”
“Then you explain it to her,” Teddy said and pointed at him. “You tell Miss Fairchild what a man feels when he’s falling in love.”
Caleb nearly choked. “What?”
“Why, sure. A girl’s gotta know the signs. How else is she supposed to know her husband’s falling in love with her?”
Miss Fairchild leaned back, thoughtful. “She makes a compelling point. Is that why you’re employed here, Mr. Hartwell? To teach brides what signs to look for?”
“Um… well… er…”
“Yes,” Margaret said. She rose and came around her desk. “Mr. Hartwell has been a godsend. I can’t tell you how much more prepared the brides are since he joined the Sisters’ Mail-Order Bride Company.”
“Is that so?” Miss Fairchild said and turned expectantly to Caleb.
Heat crept up his neck and into his ears. “I… well… that isn’t on the intake form.” He shot Teddy a look that clearly said thanks a lot.
She smiled sweetly back. “But it matters. How else is she supposed to know if she’s ready?”
Caleb’s gaze flicked to Ivy.
She could only shrug. But she was watching him.
He should have refused, deflected the question anyway he could. It was the professional thing to do. Instead, his mouth opened.
And so did his heart. “Very well.” He cleared his throat. “When a man falls in love… it isn’t sudden. Not usually. It doesn’t strike like lightning, no matter what romance novels might suggest.”
“Oh, they do,” Margaret said emphatically.
Josie took one look at Margaret and rolled her eyes. “She reads a lot of them.”
Caleb gave her a polite smile, then, unable to help it, looked at Ivy. “When a man begins to fall in love, he starts thinking ahead. Not about grand gestures, but rather, about small considerations.”
“Like what?” Teddy prompted.
Caleb realized he still stared at Ivy and couldn’t seem to stop. “Well, he wonders if she’s warm enough. If she’s eaten lately. If she’s safe.”
Teddy beamed.
Caleb and Ivy’s eyes locked. His heart began to pound in his chest. “When a man loves a woman… he wants to be worthy of her. Not richer or grander. Just… better.”
Miss Fairchild pressed a hand to her chest. “My goodness. That sounds rather terrifying. I want grand gestures I can see. Flowers, gifts. His giving up his time at his men’s club. What you’re talking about is so… quiet.”
Margaret smiled warmly. “I think it sounds wonderful.”
Caleb tore his gaze from Ivy and looked at Miss Fairchild. “For some, to not know what goes through a man’s head might be frightening. But I am a man, and that is what I know.”
He glanced at the intake form. “And that, Miss Fairchild, is what a man feels when he’s falling in love. At least… some of it.”
“See?” Teddy said smugly. “Bein’ prepared matters.”
Caleb forced himself not to look at Ivy again. He hadn’t been speaking in generalities. And he most certainly hadn’t been speaking for Miss Fairchild. But did anyone else notice? If so, he may have just lost his job.