Chapter 9
Vanilla and fall leaves scented the lobby, and the Christmas tree had to be close to thirty feet high.
Even though the Grand Lake’s tree had orange leaves and white pumpkins for autumn, it still brought back memories of childhood Christmases.
My mother used to decorate our tree at home in a Nutcracker theme, with white lights, ballet figurines, and satin ribbons.
Lizzy and I took ballet lessons for a few years as children, and we danced as sugar plum fairies.
I always wanted to be Clara, but ballet lessons got too expensive for a family of five girls.
Though I wouldn’t trade my sisters for the world, I did miss dancing.
Charles watched Owen and Kyle walk back toward the conference hall. I’d never seen such a somber expression on his face. I attempted to comfort him, resting my hand on his arm. “Charles, maybe we can go for a walk for a while or something. We both need a mental break.”
He turned and focused his ocean eyes on mine, and his solemn expression softened. “You know, there’s nothing I’d rather do right now. But first I need to check with the concierge to make sure that all of Armond’s business mail is forwarded to me.”
I caught sight of Eva sitting alone with a workbook again. “Good, that will give a minute to check on my ‘student’.”
Eva didn’t notice me until I stood right in front of her. “Jane, you’re here! Guess what? My mom said if I can get good at long division, she’ll let me get my nails done at the spa.”
“Wow, that’s quite the reward. Better figure it out then. Want some help?” I sat down next to her on the sofa.
“Yes! I don’t understand. What happens if I get a really big remainder?” She glared at her workbook as if it had stolen her lunch money.
“Well, your remainder is just your leftover number, remember? So if it's too big, that means you can fit your divisor into the dividend one or two more times. Sometimes kids want to just keep moving on if the remainder is too big, but that will give you more of a headache later. It’s worth taking your time to check.” I gave her a sideways smile and shrugged.
She pushed out her lower lip. “Checking is hard.”
“I know. Have you mastered all of your multiplication and division facts?” When students struggled with longer concepts, I could usually guarantee they hadn’t mastered their math facts.
“Well, the sixes, sevens, and eights are hard… oh, and the twelves.” She frowned. Her missing canine teeth and slightly rounded cheeks reminded me how young she really was.
“Okay, I’m going to give you a website that I had my students use.
It turns math facts into a game, and you can focus on the ones that are hard to remember.
Just check with your mom or dad before getting online.
If I see you again, I want you to tell me what you think of it.
Deal?” I held out my pinky finger—the universal kid sign for making a serious promise.
Eva shook my pinky with hers. “Deal.”
Charles finished his business with the concierge, so after gathering our things, we were off. We must’ve been quite the seasonal pair stepping out of the hotel. I sported my cream-colored peacoat and a pumpkin-colored beret, scarf, and gloves. Charles donned a dark-gray coat and a white scarf.
The sound of heavy traffic filled the streets, and crowds of pedestrians packed the sidewalks.
Fallen leaves swirled underneath passing cars and at our feet, and a chill nipped at my cheeks.
There weren’t as many trees in New York as there were in Austen Heights, and they fiercely clung to their last bits of autumn foliage.
Charles pulled a pair of brown leather gloves from his pocket and slid them on. “Jane, we’ve spent so much time focusing on all of this, I haven’t even had a chance to really talk to you. How’s your family?”
This wasn’t my favorite topic, but I gave it my best. “My dad is still pretty sick, so we’re hoping for a miracle.
Other than his illness, it wouldn’t be my family without a fair amount of drama.
Maybe you remember, my mom was actually a suspect in a crime recently—of course, it turned out to be a terrible accident. But it scared me.”
“That must’ve been horrible.” Charles shook his head. “You know about my older sister, Louisa. It’s unsettling to have to question the people closest to you.”
I didn’t know how to respond. “Yes, very much.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.” Charles looked worried, but I didn’t want him to pity me.
“Don’t be sorry—it was a character-building experience and all that, I suppose.
But my sisters are doing really well. Journalism matches Lizzy’s personality perfectly, and she’s thriving.
They’ve started giving her more serious stories, which she’s always wanted.
Mary has a boyfriend. She’s normally so shy, so we’re all happy for her.
Kitty is great—she also has a boyfriend and is finishing up college.
And Lydia. I’ll have to check in on Lydia, but she’s staying out of trouble for the most part.
” I chuckled. Charles had met her a few times in Austen Heights, and she’d been a merciless flirt.
Charles laughed as well. “Let’s hope she’s not up to anything too crazy. But that’s all good news. I envy how close you are with your family and how you help each other with the bakery. My sisters would never want to do something like that together.”
“It gets pretty loud around my parents’ place.
” I smiled, thinking of my younger sisters chasing each other around with silly but harmless potions when we were little kids.
“It’s better now that we’re adults. You know, one time when Lydia was probably eight, she gave Kitty something that stopped her from speaking for an entire week.
It wouldn’t have been a problem, but Kitty still made plenty of noise.
Just everything coming out of her mouth sounded like an opera singer.
Imagine, please pass the butter or the toothpaste or whatever.
Sometimes she still talks to us in opera form for fun. ”
“So full of life. I’m sure you have some beautiful memories.” Charles stopped walking as we came upon a cart selling warm caramelized almonds. “Do you like these?”
“I do.”
He paid for a sleeve of cinnamon sweet almonds, and I accepted a few when he offered them to me. “What about you? What was it like growing up with your two sisters?”
“Well, not so loud. When we were together, it… let’s see.
It was competitive. Oddly, I really dislike competition.
Caroline and I are close.” Charles’s endearing, slightly crooked grin with dimples on both cheeks reminded me of our time in Austen Heights.
We’d spent a lot of it outdoors, walking, taking photos, and he’d always smiled the brightest when we were in nature.
“Agreed. I’ve never seen the point of competing with people, either.”
A guy jogging with a golden retriever approached us. The dog tried to stop and sniff our food, so I patted him on the head. “Sorry, buddy, these aren’t good for you.”
The man tugged at his dog’s leash, and they continued on their run.
“You like dogs?” Charles asked.
“I’d love to own one someday. The lady we rent from doesn’t allow them, and my parents never thought it would be a good idea to have one at the bakery.
But maybe in the future I’ll own my own place.
” I could usually pick up on animals' emotions.
Theirs were similar to humans, but more honest and childlike.
“I’m sure I’ll get one eventually, too. Your photography studio seemed to be going pretty well. Are you planning to stay there?” Charles asked, then popped a few almonds into his mouth.
Pain wove into my heart. Although I never imagined I’d end up leaving, there wasn’t anything there for me, aside from my family. My current situation was unsustainable, and being a single photographer in Austen Heights for the rest of my life wasn’t what I wanted.
“Photography is just an in-between job for me. Austen Heights is a little lonely sometimes, and I haven’t found a teaching position there.
” Until Charles left town, it might’ve been worth trying to stay.
But he did leave. In Austen Heights, there was no happily ever after for me, and with most of my younger sisters paired off happily, I was ready for it to finally be my turn to live my life.
“There are a lot of doors that open up in the city.” Charles’s eyes sparkled as he dashed to a shop on the sidewalk. “Oh, and speaking of opening doors. We might find the perfect gala ballgown for you here.”
“Oh.” My jaw dropped. We were standing in front of Oscar de la Renta, New York. “You realize this store is pretty pricey, right?”
“It’s just high quality. You’ll love it,” Charles said, and he ushered me inside. “Anything you want. No looking at the prices.”
I opened my eyes wide and looked to the side at him. “You sure?”
He chuckled. “I’m sure. I’ve been here a lot with my sisters.”
Within a moment, a shop assistant asked me a dozen questions, got my measurements, and showed me to a section full of gowns.
“I think cool colors may complement your skin tone best. Do you agree?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” I must’ve looked like a deer in the headlights.
“No problem. We’ll hold up a few samples. We want to find something to enhance your features but not detract from them.”
I nodded, trying to be nonchalant even though it was like being a kid in a candy shop. Charles watched as the assistant stood me in front of a mirror and held several dresses up in front of me, muttering things like, “Maybe this… but something more delicate for you. Do you like sheer fabrics?”
“I suppose,” I answered.
“You don’t have to. It’s up to you.” She smiled, then gasped as she held up a silvery-gray gown. “But I may be partial to this one.”
I stared in the mirror, stunned. “Charles? What do you think?”
Charles stepped closer and had a reaction similar to the shop assistant. “You have to try that one on.”
I nodded and took the gown with me into the dressing room. It took me a minute to figure out how to put it on and fasten a few buttons in the back.
Charles and the shop assistant were chatting when I emerged from the fitting room.
But they both stopped and stared as I stepped onto the little podium.
Silky layers of silver swayed about my ankles.
The fitted bodice boasted intricate beadwork, and a ballet neckline curved below my collarbone. Looking in the mirror, I gasped.
“Yes. Yes, we’ve found the one.” The floor-length skirt shifted weightlessly with my movements as I spun around. Somehow the fabric caught the light without looking too shiny.
“All eyes are going to be on you,” Charles said without taking his eyes off of me. The familiar affection I usually picked up on him emanated from his heart. As always, I couldn’t tell if it was romantic or simply friendly. “You’re very likely the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“This is going to be a dream to wear.” I blushed and looked at the floor.
Charles turned to the assistant. “Oh, and she’ll also need an evening bag and shoes.”
“On it.” The assistant clapped.