LITMIR.BIZ

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by him, and he went to see how much bread was left.

      He had planned on making pancakes for Ellen and himself. It hardly seemed a fitting wedding supper. Even if they weren’t in the throes of young love, they were married today. His bride deserved a fine meal.

      Something banged on the floor in his bedroom.

      Lily called out. “Sorry. I tripped on the broom.”

      He walked over and stood in the doorway of the room. “I shouldn’t have left it there. It’s usually on the back porch.” He’d never hesitated about going into his own room before. But it wasn’t just his anymore.

      “Thank you for doing such a nice job of preparing for me.” She stood in the center of his room with her hands clasped in front of her. “It’s very nice.”

      “I’m sure it’s not what you’re accustomed to.” He backed away from the door.

      “Really, it’s fine.” She stepped into the front room again. “Let’s go get my things. I’d like to close up the shop. There’s a lot to do this evening.” She had walked to the front door while she talked. “Did you find anything to eat?”

      Edward grabbed his hat from its peg. “Nothing fit for a wedding supper.” He opened the door. “I think we’ve earned a treat. Let’s get your things and go to the hotel for supper.”

      * * *

      Lily laid her hairbrush between the comb and mirror in the satin-lined box her father had given her for her last birthday and closed the lid. She ran her hand across the wooden box and marveled at its uniqueness. The beauty of the ornate dresser set made her smile every time she used it. It reminded her of her father’s love.

      Every woman deserved to feel special. She’d come to Pine Haven to bring beautiful things to the ladies in town. It was one thing she could do well. She knew what ladies liked and how the smallest treasure could brighten even the most menial life.

      Now, three days into her new adventure and she was preparing for bed in a home she shared with a husband she just met.

      Dinner had been delicious. The thick slices of ham served with the fluffiest potatoes were as fine as any she’d eaten. They’d dined at the hotel her father was buying and would run with her sister Jasmine, when he arrived in a few weeks’ time. If it hadn’t been her wedding supper, she knew she’d have been able to enjoy it more. Never had she dreamed her wedding would be a hasty affair orchestrated to prevent the demise of her good name in a town of strangers.

      Lord, I don’t know why all this happened. Help me to handle it in a way that pleases You. Please bless and protect Edward and Ellen.

      She lowered the wick, and the lamp went out. Lying in bed and staring at the moonlight that shone around the shutters brought no calm to her rattled soul.

      A rap at the door startled her. “Lily? Are you awake?”

      Lily sat up in bed and pulled her mother’s quilt under her chin. “Yes.” Her voice was so low she wasn’t sure Edward could hear her.

      “I hate to disturb you, but I left my Bible by the bed.”

      “Just a minute.” She climbed out of the bed and slid into her dressing gown. This time she cinched it securely. A loose robe would never happen to her again. Of course, the only time it mattered had already passed.

      She barely opened the door. “Do you have a lamp? I put mine out and don’t know where the matches are.”

      “Yes.” Edward retrieved a lamp from the table by his chair near the fireplace and handed it to her. “I’m sorry to bother you. I’m having a bit of trouble getting to sleep. I usually read the Bible at night.”

      “I understand.” She turned into the room and found the well-worn book. “I was just saying my prayers.”

      A smile lit his eyes. “I hope you said one for me.”

      Glad for the relative darkness, she passed the lamp back to him as her cheeks flamed warm. “I did. And for Ellen, too.” She handed him the Bible and backed away from the door.

      “Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome.” She looked over her shoulder into the room. “I guess I’ll turn in now.”

      He nodded. “Well, good night, then. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

      “Yes. I’ll be ready.” She closed the door and leaned against it. How would she ever get to sleep tonight? An exciting adventure into independence had turned into the journey that would last her lifetime. She prayed God would give her the strength to make it.

      When she awoke the next morning, the cabin was quiet. She dressed without delay, grateful she’d thought to bring her pitcher and bowl with her. The privacy of Edward’s bedroom shielded her from having to face her new life before she was alert. She opened the shutters over the window to be greeted by a sun much higher in the sky than she’d expected. How had she slept so late?

      Opening the door into the front room, she braced for her first encounter with her husband. Her husband.

      God, give me strength.

      This was quickly becoming her constant prayer. God must be showing His sense of humor today, because Edward was nowhere to be seen. She took a peek into Ellen’s room. Everything was just as it had been the night before.

      Sunlight streamed through the windows in the front room. No time for breakfast now. She went back to her room and snatched up her hat and coat. This was no way to begin her new life. What would Edward think of her shirking her responsibilities on their first day of working to repair the shop?

      Lily walked across the street without seeing anyone. She found the shop empty, too. Where was Edward? She hung her hat and coat on the hall tree and got to work. A full hour later the front door opened. Edward came in carrying a package wrapped in brown paper. He propped it in the windowsill and shrugged out of his coat.

      “Oh, good. You’re here.” He hung his coat next to hers. “Did you sleep well?”

      “Where were you?” Lily’s stomach growled in hunger.

      “Excuse me?” Edward went to the front door and started to remove the wooden trim from around the window he’d broken so he could get into the shop on the night of the fire.

      “I’ve been here for over an hour. I thought we were going to work together this morning.” Why didn’t he look at her? Was he as uncomfortable as she was?

      “I’ve been working for several hours, Lily.” He dropped the trim pieces into a pile at his feet and scrubbed the end of the hammer along the edge of the frame to remove the remaining bits of broken glass.

      “I wish you’d awakened me.” Lily had established a comfortable working relationship with Edward as her landlord. But today he was also her husband. She didn’t know how to behave toward him.

      “I knocked on the door.”

      “I didn’t hear you. You could have made certain I was awake.”

      He dropped the hammer into the small box of tools near his feet and turned to her. “Really?”

      “Of course.” She backed up a step from him. “I wanted to be here early. I don’t know when I’ve slept so late.”

      “How was I supposed to respect your privacy and wake you without coming into the room?”

      Lily looked at her feet. “Oh. I see.” She walked to the glass display case and picked up the rag she’d been using to wipe the soot from the furniture. Edward must be as off balance by their situation as she was.

      She heard him tearing the paper from the package he’d brought with him.

      “Will you hold this glass steady while I nail the trim work back into place?”

      She

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