Wanda E. Brunstetter (7 page)

Bev had been scurrying around her apartment all morning, checking the turkey in the oven, dusting furniture, sweeping floors, setting the table, and preparing the rest of the meal. Amy was in the living room with her new coloring book and crayons. Last week, shortly after their romp in the snow, Bev had seen her daughter go into Dan’s studio. When Amy emerged a short time later, she had a box of crayons and a coloring book, which she said were a gift from Dan. He really was a nice man.

Bev glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was one thirty. Dan should be here soon, and she still needed to change clothes and put on some makeup.

“I’ll be in the bedroom getting ready!” Bev called to Amy. “If anyone knocks on the door, don’t answer it. Come and get me, okay?”

“All right, Mommy.”

A short time later, Bev stood in front of the small mirror hanging above her dresser. She’d chosen a dusty-pink rayon-crepe dress with inset sleeves to wear. It was homemade and last year’s style, but she felt it looked presentable.

When Bev reached into her top dresser drawer for a pair of hose, she discovered that her one and only pair had a run in one leg that went all the way from the heel up to the top.

“I can’t wear this,” she muttered. “Maybe I should draw a line down the back of my leg, like I’ve seen some women do when they have no hosiery.”

Bev rummaged around in her drawer until she found a dark brown eyebrow pencil. Craning her neck, she stretched her left leg behind her and bent backward. Beginning at the heel of her foot, she drew a line up past her knee and then did the same to the other leg. “That will have to do,” she grumbled, wishing she had a full-length mirror so she could see how it looked.

A knock at the door let Bev know Dan had arrived. She clicked off the light and left the bedroom. When Bev opened the front door, she was surprised to see a wreath hanging there.

Dan smiled at her. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

“Same to you.” She pointed to the wreath. “This is pretty, but I told you not to bring anything except your appetite.”

He shrugged and turned his hands palm up. “It was there when I got here.”

Bev squinted at the item in question. It hadn’t been there this morning when she’d gone next door to borrow a cup of flour to make gravy.

“Looks like a mystery Santa Claus paid you a visit,” Dan said with a chuckle.

Bev had no idea who it could be, but the pretty wreath with a red bow did look festive, so she decided not to worry about who the donor was. She opened the door wider. “Please come inside.”

Dan sniffed the air as he entered Bev’s apartment. “Umm…something sure smells good.”

Bev nodded toward the kitchen. “That would be the turkey. Would you mind carving it for me?”

“I’d be happy to.”

“Follow me.”

Dan stopped at the living room to say hello to Amy, and then he caught up to Bev. When she’d opened the door to let him in, he had noticed how pretty she looked in her frilly pink dress. He hadn’t seen the backs of her legs then, but now, as she led the way to the kitchen, Dan couldn’t help but notice the strange, squiggly dark lines running up both legs.

“What happened, Bev?” he queried. “Did Amy use her new crayons to draw on your legs?”

Bev whirled around, her face turning as pink as her dress. “I—I didn’t have a decent pair of hose to wear, so I improvised.”

Dan tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling in his throat.

Bev’s eyes pooled with tears, and he realized he had embarrassed her.“I’m sorry.If you’d told me you needed new hosiery, I would have given you the money.”

She lifted her chin. “I don’t need your money or your pity, and I’m sorry you think my predicament is so funny.”

“I don’t really.” He glanced at the crooked lines again and fought the temptation to gather her into his arms.

Bev craned her neck and stuck one leg out behind her. When she looked back at him, she wore a half smile. Soon the smile turned into a snicker.The snicker became a giggle, and the giggle turned into a chortle. She covered her mouth with the palm of her hand and stared up at him. “You had every right to laugh. What I did was pretty silly. But I was worried that if I didn’t wear any hose, you’d think I wasn’t properly dressed.”

Dan shook his head. “I’d never think that, and as far as your being worried…I have a little quote about worry hanging in my studio.”

“What does it say?”

“ ‘Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.’ ”

She pursed her lips. “Your point is well taken. I do have a tendency to worry.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Still want me to carve that bird?”

“Absolutely.” She turned toward the door leading to the hallway. “While you do, I think I’ll change into a comfortable pair of slacks.”

“Good idea.” Dan winked at Bev, and she scurried out of the room.

The rest of the afternoon went well, and Bev felt more relaxed wearing a pair of tan slacks and a cream-colored blouse than she had in the dress. After they’d stuffed themselves on turkey and all the trimmings, Bev, Dan, and Amy played a game of dominoes in the living room.

Soon Amy fell asleep, and Dan carried the child to her room. When he returned a few minutes later, he took a seat on the sofa beside Bev. She handed him a cup of coffee and placed two pieces of apple pie on the coffee table in front of them. It was pleasant sitting here with him. Bev hadn’t felt this comfortable with a man since Fred was alive. Dan seemed so kind and compassionate, and he was a lot of fun. If she were looking for love and romance, it would be easy to fall for a man like him.

She glanced at Dan out of the corner of her eye. Was he experiencing the same feelings toward her? Had he enjoyed the day as much as she had?

As if he could read her thoughts, Dan reached over and took Bev’s hand. “Thanks for inviting me today. I had a nice time, and the meal was delicious.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you came.”

“I’d like to reciprocate,” he said. “Would you and Amy go out to dinner with me some night next week?”

Bev moistened her lips, not sure how to respond. If she agreed to go to dinner, would that mean they were dating?

Of course not, silly. He just wants to say thank you for today
.

Bev leaned over and handed Dan his plate of apple pie. “A meal out sounds nice, but you’re not obligated to—”

“I know that, Bev.” He forked a piece of pie into his mouth. “Yum. Apple’s my favorite.”

“Thanks. My grandmother gave me the recipe.”

They sat in companionable silence as they drank their coffee and ate the pie. When Dan finished, he set the empty plate and cup on the coffee table and stood. “Guess I should be going.”

“Amy will be disappointed when she wakes up and finds you are gone.”

He reached for his coat, which he’d placed on the back of a chair when he first arrived. “Tell your daughter I’ll see her bright and early tomorrow. Since she has no school until Monday, you’ll be bringing her to work with you, right?”

Bev nodded. “The day after Thanksgiving should be a busy time at the store.”

“Which is why I plan to give you a hand, at least for part of the day.”

“I appreciate that.” Bev walked Dan to the door, and when she opened it, he hesitated. She thought he might want to say something more, but he merely smiled and strolled into the hallway. “See you tomorrow, Bev.”

B
ev plugged in the lights on the small Christmas tree she and Amy had picked out this morning for Twice Loved, after Dan had given her some money to purchase it. Amy could decorate the tree with silver tinsel and shiny red glass balls, while Bev waited on customers.

The decorations would look even better if the toy train were here
, Bev thought as she scrutinized the window display.
I wonder why Ellis hasn’t come by yet. He was supposed to have it ready last week. If he doesn’t show up soon, I may give him a call
.

“Isn’t the tree pretty?” Amy asked, pulling Bev’s thoughts aside.

“Yes, it’s very nice. Now be sure to drape the strands of tinsel neatly over the branches,” Bev said as Amy dove into the box of decorations.

“I will.”

The bell on the front door jingled, and Bev turned her head to see who had entered the store.

A young woman with platinum-blond hair piled high on her head swept through The door holding a cardboard box in her hands. She wore a black wool coat with a fur collar, and a blue, knee-length skirt peeked out from underneath. the woman stood there a few seconds, fluttering her long lashes, as she glanced around the room.

“May I help you?” Bev asked.

“I came to see Danny. Is he here?”

Bev motioned toward the back room. “He’s in his studio, but I believe he plans to work in the toy store later today. May I give him a message?”

The woman stared at Bev with a critical eye, and it made Bev feel uncomfortable. “Are you the person he hired to run Twice Loved?”

Bev nodded. “I’m Bev Winters. Are you a friend of Dan’s, or are you here looking for a used toy?”

“My name’s Leona Howard. I’m Danny’s neighbor and a good friend.” She tapped her long red fingernails along the edge of the box. “I have no need for used toys, but I would like you to tell Danny I’m here and wish to speak with him.”

Bev glanced at the back room again. “I believe he’s on the phone, and I would hate to interrupt him. So if you’d like to wait—”

“Fine. I’ll get him myself.” Leona pushed past Bev, bumping her arm with the box.

“I—I really don’t think—”

“Just go back to whatever you were doing!” Leona called over her shoulder.

Bev stood there dumbfounded as the brazen woman entered Dan’s studio without even knocking. Then with a shrug, she took a seat at the desk, knowing she needed to make price stickers for some newly donated stuffed animals and get them set out.

Some time later, the door to Dan’s studio opened. Leona and Dan stepped into the hall.

“Thanks for the pumpkin pie, Leona.”

“Now don’t forget that rain check you promised me, Danny,” Leona said sweetly. “How about one night next week?”

Bev put her head down and forced herself to focus on the project before her. It wasn’t her nature to eavesdrop, but it was hard to think about anything other than Dan and his lady friend. She glanced up once, and it was just in time to see Leona kiss Dan on the cheek. He grinned kind of selfconsciously, and his ears turned red.

That’s what you get for thinking you might have a chance with Dan
, Bev fumed. Was that what she believed? Could she and Dan have a relationship that went beyond boss to employee, or friend to friend? Probably not, if he was dating his flamboyant neighbor. Besides, after Fred died, Bev had decided that she didn’t need another man in her life. It would be easier on her emotions if she could learn to manage on her own. Of course, the absence of romantic love had left a huge void in her life.

Dan walked Leona to the front door, glancing at Bev as he passed. She averted her gaze and tried to concentrate on the price stickers in front of her.

“See you soon, Danny,” Leona said, reaching for the doorknob. The door swung open before she could turn the knob, and in walked Ellis Hampton with a large box.