A Love For Keeps (Truly Yours Digital Editions) by Janet Lee Barton Read Free Book Online Page B

He was extra nice to her mother, and that meant so much to Meagan. More than likely, his own loss made him relate to them and be so considerate. Whatever it was, she found her respect growing for him each day—as well as her attraction to him. She tried not to show how she felt and lived in fear that she wouldn’t be able to hide those feelings much longer.
     
    At this fitting, she concentrated on Natalie and how well the new suit dress fit. It was in the child’s favorite colors, blue with green trim. Its bodice was fitted, and the skirt was tucked in the front and pulled to the rear to form a modified bustle, nothing the size of what women were wearing these days, but enough of one to make Natalie feel she was wearing the latest style. The collar and cuffs on the dress matched the green inserts of the jacket. To Meagan, Natalie looked adorable.
     
    Apparently, Nate thought so, too.
     
    “You do wonderful work, Meagan. Nothing we’ve had made for Natalie in the last few years can compare to the quality of your work.”
     
    “Thank you. I love doing this. I am so happy you made it possible. I talked Mama into giving her notice at the Crescent. Today is her last day.”
     
    “Oh, I’m happy to hear that news!”
     
    “Somehow, I thought you might be.”
     
    Nate nodded. “Your mother reminds me of my own at times. I’m glad she will be able to stay at home again.”
     
    “I convinced her that I’d be needing her help here. I do think the business will grow enough that I will need some extra hands. I hope so, anyway.”
     
    “Once word gets out from the ladies you are sewing for now, you’ll need her.”
     
    Natalie had been turning this way and that in front of the mirror. “I love this dress, Miss Meagan! I can’t wait to wear it. When do you think it will be ready?”
     
    “You may take it home with you.”
     
    Natalie clapped. “I can wear it on Sunday. Oh, I can hardly wait!”
     
    “I look forward to seeing you in it,” Meagan said.
     
    “I can’t wait to see what Grandmother and Aunt Abby say! I haven’t told them about it because I wanted it to be a surprise.”
     
    Nate chuckled. “They certainly will be surprised, mostly because you and I did this without their help.”
     
    He sounded proud that he’d been the one to help his daughter, but Meagan wondered if his in-laws would feel the same way. She’d watched them in church more than she should have, she supposed. It was obvious that Nate’s sister-in-law wanted everyone to think she had some kind of claim on him. Perhaps she did. If so, Meagan needed to quit weaving daydreams about the man. Perhaps she needed to assume that he was taken, for even if he wasn’t, she’d be silly to think that a man like him would be interested in her.
     

six
     
    When he and Natalie went to dinner at Abigail’s the first Saturday evening in April, Nate was still wondering about Natalie’s differing moods when with Abigail or the Snows. It wasn’t that Natalie didn’t want to be with her aunt—she was excited to be spending the night there.
     
    Abigail had also invited her parents, which was a big change from her usual dinner parties, so the evening was more enjoyable than usual for Nate … until his parents-in-law went home and Natalie went up to get ready for bed. Then he was left alone with Abigail.
     
    “That was a wonderful meal, Abigail. And it was nice that it was just family tonight.”
     
    “I thought so, too,” she said, leading him into the front parlor. She took a seat in the ladies’ chair flanking the fireplace, and Nate sat down in the gentleman’s seat across from her. It was a nice room, elegantly furnished, but he’d never really felt comfortable in it. Now he knew why. It didn’t have that homey feel that the Snows’ home had. Maybe it was because Abigail lived by herself or because she was too concerned about nothing getting messed.
     
    “Nate, dear,” Abigail began, “don’t you think it’s time