“No, in fact, you will be underdressed. Most are wearing Christmas colors. Reds, Golds, and greens,” Tasha frowns. “I can pull something else.”
“No, I love it. I just hope it fits.”
Tasha laughs, “That’s what corsets are for.” Soon she is outfitted with a clip for her hair and a black choker with a musical note pendant.
She picks two more-day dresses, one evening dress in dark pink, as well as shoes, a sleeping gown, and wrapper. “Tasha, you’ve made this fun. I’m almost glad I was robbed,” Aiylin smiles as she draws out her cash to pay.
“Sheriff Dane will not like it one bit. I’m sure he’s already looking for the hoodlum. I will see you tonight. The dance is at eight!”
The girls part as friends and Aiylin is surprised to find Stanley waiting with the Sheriff. Tasha smiles and waves as she loads all the bags into the back of the wagon.
Sheriff Dane talks to Aiylin and writes down everything she says. “I know who it was. I’ll have a talk with him and see what we can recover, but I wouldn’t hold high hopes, Miss Miller.”
“I understand. Thank you, Sheriff.” She smiles and notices the way Tasha watches them. “Tasha has made me feel welcome with her kindness. Will we see you tonight at the party?” she asks as Tasha walks over to stand beside her.
“Hello, Miss. Layton,” he grins and pushes his black hat back. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
The snow begins to fall, and Tasha gasps. “Snow for our Christmas party! Tonight is sure to be memorable,” she exclaims.
“We should go, Miss Miller,” Stanley calls and soon they are riding out of town.
Aiylin shivers in the cool air and glances up as the snow begins to fall heavier.
“We’re almost there,” Stanley assures her. Ten miles from town and Aiylin’s hair is a mess of strawberry blonde waves. Her overcoat has grown heavy from the wet snow seeping into it. Thankfully, Stanley turns down a treelined path that is dusted in snow.
As they break through the trees, Aiylin gasps. “Oh, it’s lovely.” She claps her cold hands together and smiles at the large Victorian home with its ornate and decorative architecture. Turrets and a full wrap around porch have her longing to find a nook to play her music in.
Stanley stops and smiles at her. “It sure is. Can you walk from here, Miss Miller? I need to enter at the back of the property to unload the supplies.”
“Of course. I could use a walk.” She smiles and jumps down, ignoring the falling snow and watches him drive away.
A path leads through the snow to a lantern that is glowing warmly. Aiylin is drawn to the large, black iron, lantern. “How strange,” she murmurs as she walks over to it. When she steps into the glow of the light, its warmth surrounds her. “Oh!” she gasps in delight.
Reaching out a hand, she touches the metal, expecting to find it cold, but instead, the surface greets her with a soft radiant heat. She laughs and looks up at the light. “Amazing!” she exclaims, allowing the lantern to warm her hands and body.
Tinley watches through a window and shouts. “Oma! She’s here!”
Before Elizabeth can stop her Tinley, rips open the front door and takes off running towards her. Aiylin glances over in surprise at a little girl running towards her.
“You came!” she stops a foot away from Aiylin and stares up at her. “Are you real?” she whispers.
“I think so,” Aiylin teases and steps out of the beam of light and instantly the cold wraps around her. The light flickers and Tinley squeals in delight.
Aiylin laughs at the child’s excitement, wondering who she thinks she is.
“Are you a Christmas Angel?” Tinley asks.
“I don’t think so,” she laughs softly. “My name is Aiylin Miller.” The snow begins to rain down, heavier by the second.
Aiylin is enchanted by the snow-covered child with her dark curls. She holds out a hand, and Elizabeth watches with a smile from the porch as Tinley reaches up and takes her cold hand.
“Oh! We should hurry, you forgot your coat.” Aiylin lifts her skirt with one hand and winks at Tinley. “Shall we run?”
Sebastian steps outside to stand beside his mother and watches as Tinley takes the hand of a lovely young woman and runs towards them.
Her laughter has a musical quality, it wraps around him and shocks him to his core. Just as they reach the porch, she drops her skirt and picks up Tinley to lift her onto the porch. “Careful now, it will be slippery.”
Aiylin is smiling when she lifts her face to the adults waiting for her. Her eyes fly open wide when she sees the handsome stranger glaring at her. He doesn’t look at all pleased to find them running through the snow. Irritation is coming off him in waves, and Aiylin almost steps away from him. Instead, she turns her attention to the older woman.
“She came, Oma!” Tinley says as if that explains everything and she runs inside abandoning Aiylin.
“You must be Miss Miller,” Elizabeth says.
“I am. You must be Mrs. Becker. I hope you’ll forgive my entrance, but it seemed the thing to do.” Aiylin says and grins when the man watching her turns and hurries inside without saying a word.
“Call me, Elizabeth,” she laughs.
Chapter 9
Aiylin shivers as the cold starts to chill her dress and shoes. The heat of the entrance is a welcome relief. The high ceilings, deep archways, and carved woodwork are stunning. It is an opulent foyer.
She stops walking, not wanting to drip water all over the dark wood floors. “Forgive me, Elizabeth, but I’m making a mess.” Trembling and drenched, she is thankful
