He leaned closer and tapped the counter. “It’s Martin. After all, we’re family.” The smile he sent her made her feel at home. “I’ll bring it out as soon as I get it gathered up.”
“Thank you, Martin.” She slapped her gloves against her palm and lifted her hood back up over her hair. With a tug, she put her gloves back on. Her mouth watered as she passed the barrel of pickles, and the tangy scent overtook her senses.
The bell on the door jangled as she exited, and the chill in the air threatened to take her breath away.
“Miss Powell.” Judas walked up to her. “Whitney.” His voice turned soft and intimate. “How good to see you made it back.”
She gave him a smile and studied his eyes. Peter’s words rang in her mind, but she couldn’t find any guile or deceit in Judas’s face. He truly seemed to care for her. “Amka was in need of supplies, so I came back.”
“How very kind of you. I’m glad that those people have you to help them.” He held out his arm for her.
Even though her sled was mere steps away, she took it.
“When do you head back?” His tone was kind. Interested. His focus completely on her.
“Tomorrow morning. It will be best for the dogs since they’ve been on the trail so much today already and we still need to get home.”
“Good.” He stopped beside her sled and turned toward her. The space between them a mere foot. “Perhaps, then, I can persuade you to dine with me this evening?”
A little shiver went up her spine. Her firstrealinvitation to be called upon by a man. There was no need to think it through. She’d already agreed he could court her. “That would be lovely.”
“Wonderful. I think the Golden Palace Restaurant would be nice. I will bring out the sleigh to pick you up at, shall we say, five o’clock? That way, I can return you home in plenty of time to ensure you have adequate rest for tomorrow.”
How considerate. “That sounds perfect.” All the doubts she’d had earlier dissipated. Tonight, she would pay close attention, and if she needed to, she could speak to Peter and even Amka about it when she returned to the village. But at this point, she couldn’t see any reason why Judas Reynolds wouldn’t be an adequate partner for her.
“I’ll see you later this evening.” He tipped his hat to her and smiled. Then with a squeeze to her elbow, he turned and headed back to his office.
Whitney watched him walk for several moments. Even though it flattered her that such a distinguished man would show attention for her, she realized she didn’t actually feel anything toward him other than their regular familial friendship. She turned to her dogs. “Well, it appears I have a dinner engagement this evening.” She looked down at her sealskin pants and long parka. “I should probably trade in my mukluks and attire for a dress and boots, don’t you think?”
Dressed in her favorite green dress, Whitney watched out the window for Judas’s sleigh.
“You’ll have to tell us all about dining at the Golden Palace. I hear it’s really fancy.” Havyn stepped around her, tucking curls of her hair here and there. “Your hair looks magnificent!”
“Thanks. Maddy did a beautiful job.” Whitney had been nervous about telling her sisters that she’d agreed to court Judas Reynolds. And even though there had been a moment of shock for each of them, they had gathered around her with encouragement and praise and offered to help her get ready for the evening out. It had been a balm to her heart.
Even though her last words to her sisters hadn’t been kind, they didn’t say a word about it and no tension filled the air around them.
Forgiveness was a beautiful thing. So was family.
For the first time in months, things didn’t feel like they were spinning out of control. Unease didn’t press in on her chest. No awkward moments with her sisters. The ache of loneliness—missing Mama and Granddad—didn’t haunt her at every turn.
Maybe this was exactly what she needed to move forward. Now if she could keep the headache at the back of her head from becoming a full-blown, throbbing monster chasing her down, she would be fine.
“I found some green velvet ribbon.” Maddy waved the strands as she glided into the parlor. “Let me weave them into your hair, and it will be perfect.”
Whitney sat in a chair so her sister could work her magic. “Thank you both.” Emotion clogged her throat, and she swallowed it back. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”
Havyn stepped in front of her and grinned. “What are sisters for?” She put a hand on her belly. “Oh, the little one agrees.”
It all felt so ... normal.
Something they hadn’t had in quite some time.
“You know, when you get back from bringing the suppliesout to Amka, we really should decode Granddad’s letter. I know we’re not in dire straits financially, but it would probably be a good idea for us to know what we have so at the next family meeting we can plan accordingly.” Madysen tapped her chin as she spoke.
“Look at you, thinking ahead and talking about plans.” It made Whitney release a light laugh. She turned to her other sister. “Havyn, I believe our little sister is all grown up.”
Maddy shook her head and made a silly face. “Just remember that next time I forget it’s my turn to cook dinner or I can’t remember where I left my shawl.”
