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“No.”
He stood, and for a moment they studied each other in the silent kitchen. Finally he said softly, “I’ll see you at the auction Wednesday night. Good-bye, Eddy.”
“Good-bye, Rhine.”
As he walked out of the kitchen, she sensed he was walking out of her life. She was incredibly saddened by that, but telling the truth had been necessary not only for him but to herself.
The night of the auction arrived. Eddy, dressed in her fancy white blouse and new skirt, scanned the items on display in the orphanage’s parlor. There were cakes and pies and certificates that could be redeemed for everything from haircuts by Mr.Carter to a dozen eggs from Lady Ruby. Mr.Rossetti had brought in the wringer, and Zeke’s donation, hidden inside a wooden crate, remained a secret. He promised to arrive before the doors opened to reveal the contents and she couldn’t wait to learn what it was. Her excitement turned to something else when Rhine walked into the parlor. “Evening, Eddy.”
“Evening, Rhine.” They hadn’t seen each other since their conversation on Monday. He was splendidly dressed in a dark suit and snow white shirt.
“You look nice,” he said.
“Thank you. You do, too.”
“My tie’s not crooked is it?”
She found herself smiling at that memory. “No.”
“Good.”
Regardless of their talk, her feelings for him had not lessened. The familiar pull rose but she didn’t allow herself to surrender to it.
He said, “I figured you’d need more seating so I’ve borrowed some chairs from the saloon. The twins are going to help me bring them in.”
“Thanks.”
He stood before her for a moment, giving her the sense that he had something he wanted to say, but he must have thought better of it. “I’ll get the chairs.” And left her standing alone.
Minutes later the twins, dressed in starched white shirts and what appeared to be their best trousers, brought in the chairs. They went about their task so seriously she wondered if they’d somehow been replaced by another set of boys. Her question was answered when Mary and Willa Grace entered the parlor.
“Are the twins behaving themselves?” Mary asked.
“So far, yes.”
Willa Grace, who Eddy thought resembled a little brown sparrow, said, “I threatened them with no dessert until Christmas if they even think about being rambunctious this evening.”
Eddy smiled.
Mary glanced around at the displayed items. “Are we ready to get under way?”
“Yes. Just as soon as everyone arrives.”
“I dearly want to thank you for this, Eddy.”
“You’re welcome. Rounding up the items has been fun.” Between the auction preparations and the diner, she’d really gotten to know the people of the community and now felt a part of it.
Once people began arriving, Eddy, Mary, and Willa Grace moved around the room thanking them for attending and for their support of the orphanage. Susannah was manning the punch bowl. Eddy had baked dozens of cookies last night and they were available to be enjoyed with the beverage.
As the crowd grew and the room filled with the sound of voices, Eddy spied Sylvia and Vera, Doc Randolph and Jim, and August and his lovely fiancée Cherry, among the throng. She was particularly pleased to see Mr.Rossetti with his wife. With them was a young girl Eddy assumed was their adopted daughter Felicidad, who immediately went over to Mary and gave her a strong hug. On the far side of the room, Eddy wasn’t sure what Whitman Brown and madam Lady Ruby were discussing but they were engrossed in something that had them both smiling. Eddy decided she didn’t want to know. Rhine, trailed by the twins, moved around the room chatting, too. Every now and then his eyes brushed hers but he kept his distance.
She realized she hadn’t seen Zeke, and as if she’d conjured him up, he appeared at her side.
“Brought you some punch.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the cup from his hand.
“Quite a crowd you have here, Eddy.”
