“Maybe you care for him, too,” Holly said as she filled a plate with food. “You better feed him and hope he asks you before Joseph returns. He’ll go out and sit with Jason. You know how they enjoy talking to each other, and I can’t imagine you’ll enjoy being asked out to supper with your brother staring at you.”
Charity let out a breath and picked up the plate. “He would never let me forget it.”
Charity carried the plate to Jason’s table and said, “I’ll be right back with the biscuits and honey.”
Jason just smiled, which made Charity more nervous than if he had spoken to her. Why was he affecting her this way? Could one dream change the way she felt or allowed herself to feel?
When she returned with the biscuits, Jason said, “I’m your only customer. Why don’t you take a break and sit with me while I finish eating?”
Charity sat on the chair across from Jason and asked, “Do you like the roast beef?”
“Very much. Did you make it?”
“No, Joseph likes to cook, and he always puts the meat on to roast in the morning. He thinks he’s a better cook than Holly or me,” Charity said.
“It’s good, but I’m sure I would love whatever you cooked, too. You do cook, don’t you?” Jason asked.
Charity laughed. “Yes, I do. I have two children to feed, and we don’t eat at the café every evening.”
“That’s a good thing. I remember having meals at home when I was a boy. We talked about our day or any problems we had. I think families should do that every night if possible.”
“I do, too,” Charity agreed. “We did the same, and I have many fond memories of my folks and family meals.”
Jason nodded and abruptly said, “Do you have an answer? Will you allow me to escort you to the New Year’s Eve supper?”
Caught a bit off guard, Charity stammered. “I have an answer. Yes, I would enjoy that. Thank you.”
“That’s settled then. Should I pick you up at home, say six o’clock?” Jason stated and took a drink of his coffee.
“Yes, six would work out well.”
“Very good. Do you have apple pie today? It’s my favorite.”
Charity nodded. “Yes, we do. I’ll get you a slice.”
Charity stood and hurried back to the kitchen.
“Well,” Holly asked. “Did he ask you to supper?”
“Yes,” Charity answered. “But it felt more like we were closing a business agreement.”
Holly laughed. “He’s the mayor and nervous. I’m sure he reverted to what he does best.”
“Maybe,” Charity said as she slid a piece of pie on a plate. “I was nervous, too, and still am. I hope I’m not making a fool of myself.”
Holly responded, “I doubt that you are. Just smile and enjoy the time together.”
Chapter 4
Charity checked her hair in the mirror one more time trying to assure herself that she looked presentable. The burgundy dress she chose fit her well, and she said a silent prayer that she was making the right decision. Locking her heart away for two years had served her well, but since she opened it to the possibility of loving again, she found her mind filled with thoughts of Jason.
When she heard the knock on the front door, she drew in a deep breath, smiled at her reflection in the mirror, and hurried to start her evening.
Charity opened the door, greeted Jason, and invited him inside, “Please, step in out of the cold while I get my coat.”
“Thank you. You look lovely tonight, Charity. I think we’ll have a good time at supper. I heard there will be music and dancing. I’m not sure what type of music. It might just be ole’ Cray and his fiddle.”
Charity blushed at the compliment and said, “Cray brought his fiddle to church on Christmas and played beautifully. His son has a guitar. Perhaps, they’ll both play this evening.”
“I enjoyed the music at the Christmas service. Tonight might be as special, especially since you’ll be with me,” Jason remarked, causing Charity to blush again.
“We should leave before my neighbors start talking. The children are with Joseph and Holly. Being here alone might cause some gossip. After all, you’re the mayor and can’t take the chance of becoming part of a scandal.”
“Scandal, hmm, I never thought about that. Depending on what’s involved, a scandal might be interesting,” Jason said, winking at Charity. “But, you’re right, we should leave. Let me help you with your coat.”
When Jason and Charity stepped from the house, she saw the shiny black carriage with red-trimmed wheels sitting in front of her home.
“I thought we’d walk,” Charity said. “I didn’t expect a carriage.”
“I don’t use it often, but people do expect the mayor to act the part. It’s frustrating since I prefer a simple, quiet life, but what can I do?” Jason shrugged. “Not to mention, what kind of a man would I be if I made my girl walk in the cold on New Year’s Eve.”
“Your girl?”
“I’m sorry. I misspoke. Forgive me. It was wishful thinking and sounds better than saying you’re my woman,” Jason confessed, doing his best to try and explain.
Charity laughed and said, “Yes, I agree. I’m not sure I like the sound of being anyone’s woman. It seems a bit barbaric. We’re entering eighteen-eighty-two, not seventeen hundred.”
Jason held his hands up in surrender. “I’ll never call you ‘my woman’ again.”
Charity nodded and bit back a smile. Jason definitely tugged at her heart.
The carriage ride to the hotel was quiet and short. Charity wasn’t sure how to start a conversation without sounding ridiculous. Jason made her nervous—a good nervous, but nervous none the less.
When they pulled up in front of The Paradise Hotel, a young man
