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When she finished, he was impressed with the novel idea. “I agree that it’s a fine plan, and if you need any help, MissCarmichael, I’m at your service.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
They were interrupted by the ring of the door pull. Susannah, who’d been standing with Lin and watching him work on the crate, hurried to the door. She returned with Doc Randolph.
“Oh, good, Sylvie You’re here,” the doctor said, sounding relieved. “Jed Pentwater said Amelia’s baby’s on the way and they need you.”
“Okay.”
“Do you have your bag?”
“No, Oliver. Midwives always leave their bags at home.”
His jaw tensed and his eyes flashed.
“I don’t care if you’re offended. I’m offended that you asked such a silly question after knowing me all these years.” She turned to Rhine. “Will you make sure Eddy gets back?”
“Of course.” Seeing Eddy open her mouth to undoubtedly protest the arrangements, he smiled inwardly, but Sylvie was already on her way to the door with the grumbling Doc Randolph. Eddy shot him one of her now familiar exasperated glares. He dearly wanted to tell her just how much he enjoyed being on the receiving end of those glares of hers, but he was supposed to be behaving himself so he said nothing.
The crate held lots and lots of mismatched dishes and even more pots and pans—all packed in a mound of sawdust that spilled everywhere when Mary and Eddy began the unloading. In addition to the pots and pans and tableware, there was a lovely cut-glass punch bowl along with matching cups and dessert plates.
“This is beautiful,” Mary said in an awed whisper. The twins were skating on the dust as if it were ice. Mary viewed them with an amused shake of her head, then checked the small timepiece pinned to her blouse. “The children and I are due at Vera’s shortly. The rest of this unpacking will have to wait until later.”
“I can finish the unpacking if you don’t mind me staying,” Eddy said to her. “I just need to know where everything goes. I’ll wash the things first before putting them away of course.”
“I’m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so thank you for the kind offer. Rhine, are you free to stay and help her?”
“I am. If we finish before you return, I’ll lock up as well.”
The look Eddy shot him almost made him burst out laughing but he kept his features even.
“Thank you, Rhine,” Mary said. “Eddy, it’s been a pleasure meeting you and I’m looking forward to working with you on our auction. The kitchen cabinets are fairly bare so you should have no trouble finding places to put the dishes.”
“Okay. It’s been a pleasure meeting you as well. I’ll see you soon.”
Once Mary and the children were gone, silence settled over the interior. Eddy looked at Rhine. He looked at her and said, “The last time we were together I put you in an uncomfortable position by asking you to have dinner with me. I’d like to apologize and hope you’ll forgive me.”
Eddy had to admit she hadn’t been happy with the inappropriate invitation, even if a part of her wished she’d been the type of woman who would’ve said yes. “Thank you for that.” There was a sincerity in him that spoke to her. “Let’s agree to forget about it and go forward.”
“Thank you. I felt like an ass afterwards.”
“Good.”
He laughed, and then a seriousness came over him that seemed so intense she wondered what he would say next. “And if I had no fiancée? Or is that too inappropriate as well?”
“No. I’ve asked myself the same question.”
“You have?”
“Yes. Rhine we both know something’s in the air between us, so we may as well be adults about it, but there are other barriers as well. Barriers some have lost their lives trying to get around.”
“I know.”
She chose her words carefully. “I value myself too highly to be any man’s mistress, so marriage would have to be a given, and we would have to love each other so deeply that the barriers wouldn’t matter, but your engagement makes this conversation moot so let’s get to work on this crate, okay?”
He studied her for a few long moments and then nodded in agreement.
By noon they were done with the washing and the putting away of the donated items. The sawdust had been swept up and the now-empty crate taken outside. As promised, he drove her back to the boardinghouse, and when they reached it, she said, “Thanks for your help.”
