LITMIR.BIZ

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last night except for the film of smoke on the windows. She bolted back to wrap her arms around his middle. “I know you can fix it like new, Uncle Edward. You’re the best uncle a girl could have.”

      “I’m going to do my best, Ellen.” He kissed the top of her head. “You know you’re my favorite niece.”

      She leaned back and scrunched her face at him. “I’m your only niece.”

      Edward peeled her arms from around him. “Just like I’m your only uncle.” He chuckled and turned her toward the school again. “Now get to school, or I’ll be the only uncle at school today being scolded by the teacher for letting you be late.”

      The school bell rang, announcing the time, and she kicked up the dust around the hem of her skirt as she ran. “Bye, Uncle Edward,” she hollered over her shoulder.

      He laughed as she stumbled and caught herself. The child was fun and loving. He wished he could make her as happy as she deserved to be.

      When he’d come back home after the fire, just as he expected, she was curled up in the middle of her bed. The quilt had slid to the floor, so he’d pulled it back over her. He’d marveled that the commotion in the street hadn’t awakened her. Oh, to be so carefree.

      Only she wasn’t carefree. She waited every day with him for news from her mother. When his sister had insisted on leaving town with her husband to start a new business in Santa Fe, he’d begged her to reconsider. Ellen needed her mother. Jane and Wesley had wanted to get their business started and come back for Ellen in a few weeks. Edward wished they’d been contented with running the local hotel, but Wesley had lost interest in Pine Haven when he’d heard of the growing economy in Santa Fe. Edward had purchased the building he now leased to Lily in hopes that Jane could convince Wesley to stay and let her open a bakery to add to their business interests in Pine Haven.

      In the end, nothing Edward said had changed their minds. And now the weeks had turned to months. No word from them for the past several weeks was causing him to worry. He tried to dampen the fear that pulled at his heart and caused him to wonder if something dreadful had happened. Ellen’s future was his responsibility. He’d have to give her a proper home if his sister didn’t return soon. He said another prayer for Jane and Wesley and went into his blacksmith shop to gather some tools.

      He needed to start the cleanup and repairs on his building. Having Lily’s father lease the shop from him had eased the strain to make the mortgage payments. But he couldn’t in all good conscience take money from her while the building was damaged.

      He’d stop in at the post office first and see if there was a letter from Jane.

      “Quite a night we had, Stone,” Jerry Winters, the postmaster, greeted him. “Glad you saw the flames. Hate to think what could have happened to my family, it being right next door and all.”

      Winston Ledford walked into the post office as Jerry was speaking. “It’s a good thing for all of us that you had your eye on Miss Warren. I’ll admit she’s worthy of a second look.” A smirk Edward didn’t like crept across the saloon owner’s face.

      Edward’s gut roiled. This was exactly the kind of gossip he worried about after Liza Croft made such a scene in front of most of the town. He refused to rise to Ledford’s goading.

      Instead, he nodded at Jerry Winters. “I think we were all blessed by God’s mercy.”

      Mrs. Winters came from the private quarters behind the post office and joined her husband. “We all owe you a debt of gratitude, Mr. Stone.”

      “I doubt he’ll be missing much of what goes on at the new hat shop, Mrs. Winters.” Winston Ledford came to stand beside Edward at the counter. “Do you have any mail for me?”

      The disapproval on Mrs. Winter’s face almost made Edward chuckle. If it wasn’t such a serious subject, he’d laugh at how soundly Ledford’s comments were dismissed. She turned to search the cubbyholes behind her and handed several letters to the man.

      Winston shuffled through the small stack, tipped his hat and said, “Good morning to you all.” He opened the door to leave. “I think I’ll stop by and see how our newest resident is this morning. Must have been quite a shock to her.”

      Edward’s back tightened, and he drew a deep breath. “That won’t be necessary, Ledford. I’m on my way there now to begin the repairs.”

      A cantankerous laugh burst from Winston. “As I suspected. You’ve already staked a claim on our new merchant.” He stepped onto the sidewalk and turned to close the door. “Don’t be surprised if you find yourself engaged in some friendly competition over the likes of Miss Warren.” The door closed, and his grinning face filled the pane of glass before he turned in the direction of the building next door.

      Edward followed him at a brisk pace.

      “Stone, don’t you want to know if you have any mail?” Mr. Winters called.

      “I’ll check back later.” He was through the front door. “It’s not fitting for Miss Warren to be subjected to the likes of Mr. Ledford without warning.”

      It was one thing for Mrs. Croft to make unfounded accusations, but for Winston Ledford to think that a fine, upstanding lady like Miss Lily Warren was open to his attentions was another matter. Edward wouldn’t leave her unprotected from the saloon owner’s lack of good manners.

      Serving as an unsolicited chaperone was the only right thing to do. It was more about protecting Lily’s reputation in the community, and thus his income from her rental, than anything else.

      Edward opened the door to Lily’s shop and found Winston Ledford leaning on the glass display case Lily had brought with her when she’d arrived only two days earlier. She caught sight of him over Ledford’s shoulder. Was that relief in her gaze?

      “Thank you for checking on me, Mr. Ledford, but I assure you it isn’t necessary. I’m quite all right.” She stepped from behind the case and walked toward Edward.

      Once again he was struck by her beauty. When she’d first come to Pine Haven and stepped from the train, he couldn’t help but notice her. Everyone noticed her. But within moments, her independence had become clear to him. She was lovely, but she wasn’t the kind of woman who wanted to settle down and care for a home and family. Not the kind of woman he’d begun to think he might need for Ellen. After a childhood of being neglected and mistreated by his stepmother, he’d replaced any yearning for love with a mistrust of women years ago. If he did marry for Ellen’s sake, he’d choose carefully.

      “Good morning, Miss Warren.” Edward set the wooden box he’d filled with tools on a crate near the front door and removed his hat. “I’ve come to get started on the repairs.”

      She lifted a handkerchief to her face and coughed. “That’s very good of you.”

      Winston Ledford turned to face them. “If you’re certain there’s nothing I can do for you, Miss Warren, I’ll leave you in the care of Mr. Stone.” He sauntered toward the door. “He seems determined to watch over you.” He tipped his hat at Lily and walked through the door Edward held open for him.

      Edward closed the door with a snap. “I hope you aren’t taken in by the likes of Mr. Ledford.” He picked up his toolbox.

      “I’m a big girl, Mr. Stone. You don’t have to worry about me.” Lily went back toward the workroom behind the shop. Perhaps the relief he’d seen in her face earlier was imagined. Nothing she’d done since he’d met her upon her arrival in town Monday had suggested she was anything other than a woman determined to make her own way in the world. Her single-minded focus might be the very thing that protected her from people like the saloon owner.

      “That’s good to know. Some women are swayed by fancy talk and refined appearances.”

      “I assure you, I appreciate fine things. I also look for quality. In people and things.”

      She directed him toward the workroom. “Thank you

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