He barely made out the slightest glow of a gas lamp as he peered in the front window of Carters and then knocked on the door. After the third knock, the door opened to reveal Gayle Carter with a very unwelcome expression.
“Noah Lewis, my front sign clearly states we do not open the shop until seven o'clock on Tuesday mornings.”
Judging from her clean and pressed clothes and tidy bun, plus the smallest smudge of jelly on one cheek, Mrs. Carter had been awake for some time.
“I'm sorry to bother you so early, Mrs. Carter.” He removed his hat and hoped his expression matched his appeal. “But I need to speak with Kizzie, if I may.”
“It's too early for a decent visit.” Her eyes widened. “Unless you've come a-calling? And if that's the case, I'd say it's about time.”
“About time?” Noah's jaw dropped. Kizzie had only been in The Hollows for six weeks. How on earth was Mrs. Carter coming to such conclusions?
“And you're a good catch for her, boy. So I'll give my approval upfront.” She nodded, opening the door wider. “I wouldn't have agreed to a lesser man, but you're worthy of her, as long as she can keep working at my store.”
He coughed out a laugh. Had Mrs. Carter and his mother been scheming? “I'm honored to have your approval, Mrs. Carter, and if the time should come that I choose to—” He ran a hand through his hair. “Right now, there's been a misunderstanding, and I need to speak to her.”
Mrs. Carter's brows rose, and she placed both hands on her hips, giving him a threatening look from his hairline to his boot tips. “What did you do to her?”
He stumbled a step back, hands in the air. “No, not me. I'd never do anything to hurt her.”
Her other brow shot high to meet the first. “No?”
“No.” He shook his head for emphasis.
She gave him another long look and gestured for him to come inside but leaned forward as he passed. “You better catch her while you can, Noah Lewis.” Then she closed the door behind them, turned toward the inside of the shop, and called out, “Kizzie McAdams. Somebody's here to see you much too early in the morning.”
Kizzie emerged from a back hallway, Charlie in her arms. She wore a simple blue dress, and her hair lay in a long braid over her shoulder. Her feet came to a stop when she saw him, breath pulsing so that her shoulders rose and fell in quick movements.
“Here, let me get this one out of the way of the conversation.” With barely a pause, Mrs. Carter plucked Charlie from Kizzie's arms and disappeared into the hallway from which Kizzie had just emerged.
“Is … is everything all right with you and your mama?” Her gaze searched his before flitting away.
“I've come to clarify something.” He stepped closer. “And to apologize for my brother.”
Her attention returned to his face. “Your brother?”
“I'm afraid he behaved very badly to you last Sunday. And I've come to let you know that whatever he said isn't true.”
Her brow puckered with her frown. “Didhetell you?”
“Case overheard something and told Mother about it this morning. I don't know all the particulars of it, but I know the gist, and he didn't do himself any favors by acting like an entitled idiot.”
Her gaze flashed to his, the smallest hint of humor lighting those beautiful eyes before she lowered it again. “I don't want to cause trouble for you or your mother. I'd never want to do that.”
“I know.” He closed the distance, almost reaching out to touch her. “And you're not. My brother is the one causing undue trouble.”
“I know what my past brings.” She looked up at him, searching his face. “I can't change that, but I can change how it impacts the people I care about, by distancing myself.”
The people she cares about?He shifted another step closer. “Kizzie.”
“You're a good man, Noah. Your mama is one of the finest ladies I know. I won't hurt you.”
“You'll hurt us more by taking away your friendship and Charlie's dimples.”
Her frown deepened, her gaze pleading with him. The struggle with her heart was evident on her face. He wanted to smooth away the pucker on her brow and almost lifted his fingers to try. “I have a question for you, Miss McAdams.”
The pucker deepened.
“If my brother attempted to manipulate me the way he tried with you, what would your advice be?”
