Kizzie basked in the newfound security as she continued to sweep. Gayle's pastime of listening to the radio at the end of the day filled the room with a collection of music different from what Kizzie had heard back in the mountains. And she liked it. Her mama would have liked it too. Sweet and fun, most telling stories like the ballads back home. As Kizzie finished up the sweeping, the familiar melody of “Till We Meet Again” filled the room. Charlie cooed to the tune, so Kizzie put the broom aside and swept her little boy up into her arms, dancing with him around the barrels of flour and beside the shelves of Campbell's soups.
“ ‘When the clouds roll by I'll come to you.’ ” She sang to the music as Charlie offered a wide double-dimpled grin. The tiniest tooth peeked through his bottom gum. “ ‘Then the skies will seem more blue. Down in lovers’ lane, my dearie, wedding bells will ring so merrily.’ ”
The doorbell jingled, and she turned toward the sound as the male voice sang the next line.
Ev'ry tear will be a memory.
Noah stepped over the threshold, his smile spreading from one dimpled corner to the other.
So wait and pray each night for me.
Till we meet again.
Noah moved into Kizzie's little dance with Charlie, encompassing them in his arms. She sighed out all her worries about whether he'd still want her when he returned, and her entire body relaxed into him. His warm scent traveled through her, and she pressed closer, burying her face into the soft skin of his neck. She belonged right there in his arms, grounded by his strength and love.
His.
“Hello, my darling,” he whispered against her hair.
Heated tears stole her words. The moment, the love, too wonderful to describe.
It took the rest of the song for her to gather enough composure to find her voice. She looked up at him, and he tilted his head, examining her face before he gently brushed a tear from her cheek. “How are you this evening?”
“Better now that you're here.”
“I do like the sound of that.” His palm paused on her cheek, and he raised a brow. “I'm feeling better now that I'm here too.”
She pressed her cheek into his palm and sighed. “Did you find George?”
“No.” His smile fell. “Last anyone saw him, he was boarding a westbound train.”
“I'm sorry, Noah.”
He gave his head a shake and shrugged. “There's nothing else to be done at this point but to let him go and pray he finds his way back someday.”
Charlie reached out for Noah, and without hesitation Noah took the little boy into his arms. They made a pretty pair, all four dimples on full display.
She'd never seen a sweeter sight. That was what home looked like right in front of her. “What happens next?”
His gaze caressed her face. “Well, first off.” He leaned down and kissed her soundly on the mouth right in the middle of the shop.
She grinned against his lips as he pulled back.
“And secondly, Mother and I have worked out a plan to make things right. It will mean selling the mill and some of the land, but in the end, we'll have enough to keep a piece of the property and my inheritance. While we were in Mount Airy, we made connections with a much wealthier company who is interested in purchasing the mill, so that means the workers can keep their jobs and get a raise in the process.”
She slipped a palm up his arm. “Bittersweet, then?”
“But right.” He nodded as Charlie reached for his chin. “And much better than what Mother and I thought might happen.” He grinned down at her, his hazel eyes alight. “What do you say I take you and Charlie to the house for dinner and explain everything?”
“I'd love that.” She stepped out of his arms, preparing herself to share her own news. “I have a few things to tell you too, one of which is Gayle's desire to sell the store to me.”
“What?” He laughed out the word.
“Her daughter's asked her to move closer to be near them when her next baby comes, and because of all I've done with the shop and how well the girls are doing, Gayle asked if I'd be interested in purchasing it.”
“Kizzie, that's marvelous.” Noah slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her into a hug.
“Well, I didn't give her an answer, because I wanted to talk to you first. See if it fit …” She hesitated and caught his gaze. “Our plans?”
