Benjamin held out his hand, and Katie reached to shake it. When she touched his hand, she felt a small shudder run through her body. Katie attributed it to nerves, but she felt the same feeling when she looked into his eyes—his hazel eyes. She was close enough to tell the color now.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Deidmann,” Benjamin stammered apparently as enthralled by Katie as she was with him.
Katie smiled and whispered, “Please call me Katie.”
Benjamin smiled back and said, “I’m Benjamin.”
“I know,” Katie answered and realized they were still holding hands. She pulled hers away and blushed furiously.
Michael’s eyebrows shot up at the scene playing out in front of him, and Ella Grace giggled. She whispered, “This is better than I hoped.”
Ella Grace stepped forward, “Katie, Benjamin, please have a seat, and I’ll see about supper. Michael will keep you entertained I’m sure.”
Michael shot her a ‘what do I do now’ look, and she smiled again leaving him to deal with their two awestruck guests. His face showed his relief when Ella Grace returned a few minutes later and announced that supper was ready. Michael had done his best to start conversations, but all he received from Benjamin or Katie were one-word answers. He hoped they would be more talkative at dinner.
Ella Grace did her best to get Katie to talk, and she occasionally did when the subject of the orphanage and her sisters came up. Benjamin was just as quiet unless Michael drew him into a conversation about life back in Gentle Falls and a few antics they shared as boys. Katie and Benjamin spent more time staring at each other and eating small bites. Clara, who Ella Grace insisted join them, also tried her best by asking Benjamin questions about his plans in Silverpines. When he answered, “I want to open a carpentry shop” and didn’t expound on the subject, Clara shrugged and smiled a knowing smile at Ella Grace. Both women knew, and Michael suspected that both Katie and Benjamin were already smitten.
Clara stood and announced she had made apple pie for dessert and would bring it in shortly. She began to clear the table, and Ella Grace helped her. Michael excused himself saying he had to find an important document in his office giving the young couple a few moments alone.
Benjamin finally spoke, “I have enjoyed supper and your company. Would you have supper with me at the Inn tomorrow evening? I’m staying there. Michael asked me to stay here, but I thought it best not to intrude.”
“I would enjoy that, but my guardians, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel would like to meet you before I accept any invitations. They are terribly protective. Perhaps you could come to supper on Wednesday evening.”
Benjamin sighed, “Wednesday is two days away, but I think I would enjoy that. Michael warned me about your guardians. Don’t they guard you with a rifle? They won’t shoot me, will they?”
Katie shook her head, “I doubt it unless you deserve it and then only Miss Ethel would. Miss Edie doesn’t like guns, but she has a baseball bat that she uses for protection and defense of her girls.”
Benjamin sat back in his chair. “I would never do that. Please tell Miss Ethel she wouldn’t need her rifle.”
The look on his face made Katie laugh, and that seemed to break the tension in the room, and they both laughed as Ella Grace brought the pie, and Clara carried the plates. The two women glanced at each other and smiled again both certain that Katie wouldn’t need any answers to her ad in the Grooms’ Gazette.
Michael strolled back into the dining room. “Apple pie, my favorite. Thank you, Clara. This looks delicious.”
“Thank you, sir. I enjoy baking.”
“Please, we talked about this last night. You no longer work at the Inn, and you don’t have to call me mister or sir,” Michael insisted.
“Yes, sir, I mean Michael. Who wants pie?” Clara responded and began to slice the pie Ella Grace placed on the table.
After pie, coffee, and some enjoyable conversation, Katie announced she needed to leave and arrive home before dark. Benjamin offered to walk her home, and Katie accepted.
Thanking Ella Grace and Michael for supper, Benjamin offered Katie his arm, and she slipped hers through his. The short walk home just four houses away ended all too soon, and Benjamin found the courage to tell Katie she looked lovely.
He also noticed Michael stood on his porch watching them. “We have a chaperone, I think. Michael is watching.”
“We have two,” Katie answered. “I see Miss Edie sitting on our front porch.”
Benjamin swallowed and hoped the guardian wouldn’t think he was too forward offering Katie his arm, but it was what a gentleman would do, and he was a gentleman. His mother made sure of that.
He opened the gate and followed Katie to the porch where he was introduced to Miss Edie.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am,” Benjamin stammered hoping he didn't make a fool of himself.
Miss Edie just smiled.
Katie spoke up. “I invited Benjamin to supper on Wednesday.”
Miss Edie stood. “Supper is at six. Don’t be late. Katie don’t dawdle.” Miss Edie walked into the house leaving the front door open.
“I have to go,” Katie whispered.
“I’ll see you on Wednesday.”
“Don’t be late. Miss Ethel might not let you in if you’re late,” Katie suggested before she hurried up the steps and into the house.
Benjamin began his walk back to the Inn whistling. He waved at Michael as he walked past the house and knew he would thank him in the morning for introducing him to the delightful Miss Deidmann.
Chapter Seven
Two days passed quickly, and Benjamin checked his pocket watch before opening the gate to the brick walkway that led to Howard House.
