“I ain't considered myself a treasure before, ’cept in God's sight. And that's still a new notion.”
Victoria's smile gentled. “Don't place your value on your past, Kizzie dear. And don't underestimate God's grand love for His children. The Bible says He lavishes His love on us. Do you know what lavish means?”
“A bubble bath in nice warm water.” Kizzie grinned. “I never had one until I came to work for Mrs. Carter, and I'd say that's about as lavish as anything I've ever felt in my whole life.”
Victoria laughed. “Well then, think of a bubble bath and even more when you imagine God's lavish love. He means to give us more than we can imagine, and usually in the most unexpected of ways.” She touched Kizzie's cheek. “He brought you to me out of a snowstorm, and I didn't even know how much my heart needed you in my life.”
Heat burst into Kizzie's eyes, blurring her vision. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around Victoria. It had been too long since she'd been hugged by someone like a mother. She buried close, breathing in Victoria's rose scent. The soft texture of the lace of Victoria's gown rubbed her cheek.
“I needed you too.”
Victoria's palm slid down Kizzie's hair, the way Mama used to do, and Kizzie rested in the moment, holding it close. It had been so long since she'd felt …this.
Victoria pulled back first and sniffled before she stood. “Now, I would imagine Mrs. Candler will not be too pleased if we are late to supper, for she has cooked up one of her most famous specialties, chicken pudding.”
Kizzie laughed as she wiped at her eyes. “A cook like Mrs. Candler deserves our ready respect.”
“And praise.” Victoria grinned and offered Kizzie her hand. “Come, my girl.”
Kizzie took her hand and then, after she checked on a happily sleeping Charlie, joined Victoria at the dining table. Victoria shared stories of George and Noah as children and a few about her daughter, Clarice. The sadness in her eyes as she spoke of her youngest child pierced Kizzie's heart. Did her own mama feel the same about her “lost daughter”?
Surely, Mama prayed for her. Sometimes Kizzie wondered if she gained strength on special days when the longing for home grew stronger because her mama was praying extra hard that day. If God's Spirit lived in all His children at the same time, then maybe the Spirit took Mama's prayers and gave them a message as quick as one of those amazing telephones could do, except instead of communicating from ear to ear, it was from heart to heart.
Kizzie told some tales about her siblings and growing up in the mountains.
They both shared stories of being mamas of little boys, though Kizzie didn't have near the experience of Victoria yet. Though she missed Noah's interjections and company, the time spent with Victoria Lewis warmed her heart.
Charlie's fussing drew Kizzie from the table.
But after tending to him, upon her return to the dining room, she found George Lewis seated at the table.
He stood at her entrance, though somewhat reluctantly.
She still wasn't used to men standing when she entered a room. Back home, the boys would have laughed their heads off at such a notion.
“Kizzie, dear.” Victoria's smile grew tight. “George stopped in on his way from town, so I thought he could join us for the end of our meal before he returned home.”
“Of course.” Kizzie resumed her seat, settling Charlie on her lap. “It's nice to see you again, Mr. Lewis.”
He tipped his head toward her, holding her gaze. “A pleasure, Miss McAdams.”
Her entire body stood on edge. From the vulturelike look in his eyes to the superior tilt of his head, George Lewis brewed with danger and arrogance. And the way he'd pronounced “Miss”? He must have heard her story. Maybe her daddy burned with trouble when he was on a drunk, but Mr. Lewis carried a very different type of threat.
“George was just sharing how he should be finished with his new house by the end of March with plenty of time for his new bride to furnish it to her liking before the wedding, isn't that right, George?”
“Indeed.” He took a sip from his glass. “One of the finest houses in The Hollows, I'd venture to guess.”
What to say? “When is your wedding, Mr. Lewis?”
“May.” He placed his glass back on the table, eyeing her as he did so. “Beatrice longed for a spring wedding or we would have already been wed. I'm not sure if you know Miss Malone?”
“I can't say that I do, but I may have seen her if she came into the store.”
His smile took a humored turn. “I don't believe she would frequent Carters. Her tastes run in a more refined direction for purchases and clothing.”
Kizzie may not be refined, but she knew exactly what he was saying. “Well, I wouldn't discount your fabric, Mr. Lewis. We sell it in Carters, and it's some of the finest I've ever seen. No wonder it costs so much.”
Though the price still ran too high. She hadn't yet approached Gayle regarding some of those purchases over the last few months. Not with Lewis Mills having so much trouble with keeping their workers.
