“They both sound wonderful. Perhaps one slice of each?” Willa was never the sort to deny herself something sweet, and her mouth watered at the thought. She’d enjoy the pie, but the cake could keep until tomorrow for Papa.
Mrs. McRae bustled back toward the little restaurant, and Willa set her coat and reticule on a chair. She took a step forward to better see the tree. It was some sort of short-needled pine. Willa didn’t know enough about the names of trees to identify it, but it made the perfect shape for a Christmas tree—full and wide at the bottom, and tapering to a point at the top, where the star sat proudly. The popcorn garland fully wrapped the tree, and the two ladies were now attaching short white candles in little holders to the sturdier branches.
“Hello,” one of them said when she saw Willa. “Would you like to help us?” She held out a little box filled with tin ornaments.
Willa peeked inside. Pretty little angels and stars twinkled in the lights that lit the room. “Thank you, I’d enjoy that very much.”
The girl smiled at her and tucked a blonde curl behind her ear. “My sister and I never had a Christmas tree at home. So when we saw this one standing bare, we asked if we could decorate it.”
Willa smiled and chose an angel hanging from a short length of green ribbon. “I haven’t decorated a tree since I was a child.”
“It’s great fun,” the other girl said. This one had brown hair, but it curled in the same way as her sister’s. “I’m Lillian Settles. My sister is Thomasina.”
“Willa Rousseau,” Willa said as she found the perfect place for the angel. “I’m happy to meet you. I’ve only been in town a few days, so I haven’t met many other ladies yet.”
Lillian gave her a warm smile. “Thomasina and I have been here for only just a month, but we love it. Hearth and Home is a wonderful place to live, we’ve found well-paying work, and we’ve already made so many good friends.”
Millie’s heart ached. She wanted so badly to be in the sisters’ shoes. How wonderful it would be to find a place like this to live for more than a week or two. To make friends, settle into a life, perhaps even meet a good man. Her mind instantly flickered to Dr. Gatewood, and she felt her cheeks go warm. Willa turned her head, pretending as if she were searching for the perfect place to hang a tin star.
“How long will you stay in Creede?” Thomasina asked. “Will you be here for Christmas?”
“I don’t know,” Willa said, clutching the box to her stomach. “I hope we’ll stay through Christmas.” But it was only that—a hope. Papa never kept them in one place for more than two weeks. But maybe this time, if it snowed too much. Or if she asked in just the right way, he’d reconsider.
“Oh, I hope you do. I know the McRaes are planning a nice little celebration here, and of course there is the Matchmaker’s Ball. I imagine the Tivoli will be decorated beautifully.” She sighed, her eyes twinkling dreamily in the lights.
“The . . . Matchmaker’s Ball?” Willa wasn’t certain she’d heard correctly.
Lillian giggled. “That’s the name it’s been given. Mrs. Seffi Morgan thought it would be nice to have a dance in Creede once a month, and since then, more than one couple has fallen in love at the ball. Hence the name.”
Thomasina sighed again. “We attended last month. It was lovely, but alas, there was no man there I wanted to sweep me off my feet just yet.”
Willa bit her lip and found herself wondering if Dr. Gatewood might attend this ball. He seemed the sort who would know how to navigate such a social occasion. He probably knew how to dance too. Unlike Willa . . . As much as she’d like to attend, she’d make a fool of herself if she did. Besides, they’d likely be gone before it happened. It was no use dreaming away about something that wouldn’t occur.
“I doubt we’ll be here for the ball,” Willa said, busying herself with adjusting one of the ornaments on the tree.
“Well, you’ll at least have to come to Tuesday Tea,” Lillian said as she stood back to examine the tree.
“It’s held at the tea shop each Tuesday at two o’clock, and it’ssuchfun,” Thomasina added.
Willa glanced up at the two girls. Both were smiling warmly at her. She blinked, trying to remember the last time anyone had included her in such an invitation. “I would love to attend. Thank you.” Surely Papa could excuse her for one show, or perhaps they could hold the show earlier in the day.
“I have your cake and pie,” Mrs. McRae said from behind the girls.
Willa handed her box to Thomasina. “Thank you for letting me help decorate.” She took the desserts, which Mrs. McRae had wrapped individually and placed in a cloth bag, and asked how much she owed for them.
“Not a cent,” Mrs. McRae said. “I see the Settles girls put you to work. Let’s consider that payment enough.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mind at all!” Willa protested, but Mrs. McRae waved a hand.
“Welcome to Creede,” she said kindly. “I hope to see you again soon. Now get back to the hotel, else I’ll begin to worry about you wandering alone in the dark.”
Willa thanked her profusely before leaving Hearth and Home. She fairly floated to the hotel, her mind filled with Christmas trees, tea gatherings, and the kindness of the ladies she’d just met.
