Eb tied the bow,which held Rue’s white faux fur hat on her head, and she skipped to join Grace. It was the second week they’d met the Wyndham family for Christmas activities. Patterned after the Swiss Adventsfenster, local businesses sponsored the advent windows. A different one opened each evening through Christmas Eve.
The little girls stood outside the growing crowd of people waiting for the unveiling, preening at all the comments. Grace and Rue had gotten it into their heads they wanted matching winter outfits for wearing to Huckleberry Falls’ many outdoor Christmas activities. With Rue’s matching muff and new red dress coat, and Grace in green, they set the perfect holiday picture.
“Oh, look at those two,” Sandra cried, brushing past Eb and hurrying to the girls, already pulling out her phone. “You darlings!”
“Aren’t their outfits fun?” Merry asked, greeting her with a hug. “This was all Grace’s idea. I won’t be the least bit surprised if she wants to be a dress designer like my mom.”
“Stand together so I can get a picture.” Sandra waved for them to move closer.
“No,” Merry said, pointing at her husband, “give your phone to Carlisle and let him take it so you can be in it with us. It’s all Rue has talked about was getting her picture taken with you.”
Sandra turned to hand Carlisle her phone, glancing at Eb and then quickly shifting her gaze, her cheeks flushing. “Hey, Eb. Carlisle.”
For two weeks, Eb had walked on proverbial eggshells as he took his time to once again establish his position in the friend zone. He hated being there, but his gut told him if he didn’t handle it right, she’d bolt, and he’d lose her altogether. Which he didn’t want to risk. But he also wanted more than friendship from her.
What had happened in her life to shut her off? Until he’d kissed her, he’d never have guessed she was as trapped in her own way as he’d been. Yet, even when he’d confessed his most tragic decisions, Sandra had never offered to share her own. Not even to Walt, which said more than anything about her state of mind.
Eb had watched the two together and spoken with Walt about her now, frequently. He was worried about her, too. Something had given her a deep, emotional wound, one which had hurt her so badly she wouldn’t let anyone near to help.
It reminded Eb of when he’d been a boy and fallen from a tree, breaking his collarbone. Hearing his painful cries, his parents had rushed to find him holding his arm against his chest. Neither his parents nor the ER doctor could convince him to let them get close enough to see how much damage had been done. They’d finally had to sedate him.
Somehow, he’d get her to trust him enough to let him see her booboo.
“You’ve done a fantastic job with Rue,” Carlisle said. “Both Merry and Linda have told me they’re impressed with your fathering. Being a dad seems to come naturally to you. Do you want to have more children?”
“Yes, several, though I’d prefer to provide two parents,” Eb said with a chuckle. “I didn’t expect to start with a four-year-old.”
“We’re planning to tell the children later tonight aboutourfamily growing too,” Carlisle confided.
“A baby? Congratulations! I’m happy for you.” Eb clapped the man on the back. “Grace will be ecstatic. I wonder how Alex will take it.”
“If it results in a brother, he’ll be fine with it.”
“I believe it.” Grinning, Eb shifted his attention back to the women.
Sandra was staring at him, the same look on her face as after he’d kissed her. When she realized he was watching her, her eyes shuttered, her pink cheeks now pale. She looked away.
Whatever could they have said to illicit such a response?
CHAPTERNINETEEN
Over the next few outings, Sandra seemed quieter than usual, even with the children. Enough that the Wyndhams noticed.
“Do you know if Sandra’s received bad news or something?” Merry asked as Eb helped her carry cups of hot chocolate to the others. “Walt is really worried about her.”
He wished he knew what to tell her, though he was pretty sure it had something to do with him. Eb was the one with the problem of being crazy in love with a woman who only wanted to be friends. Shouldn’t he be the one stressing out about it? He’d always accepted he wasn’t any good on the dating scene, but he couldn’t remember his interest in someone ever having this effect.
Sure, Sandra remained distant with him, almost shy, if he had to put a name on it. Her entire demeanor had grown… heavy. Like she was carrying a burden which had grown so heavy it would soon crush her. If she couldn’t talk with her parents about whatever bothered her, why couldn’t she speak with Walt?
“I wish I knew, Merry,” Eb finally said.
“Well, whatever it is seems to be eating her alive. She’s pale and has lost weight. Even Grace asked me if Sandra’s sick.” She paused where they could see the others but not be heard and faced him. “Please see if you can get her to talk about it. She’s pushing all of us away, but I know you two are close.”
Theyhadbeen. Eb slowly nodded, his mind already working. If Sandra was distancing herself from everyone, then maybe it wasn’t him at all. Or not only him. He’d assumed the kiss had done it, but there was obviously more going on.
“I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Good. Her car was in the shop, and she came with us. I’ll come up with an excuse for you to drive her home. You’re both going to the same place, after all.”
