A Christmas Dream (Hudson House Holiday #1)

Chapter Eleven

“I can’t go through with this, Savannah. It’s crazy. Isn’t it?” Holland asked as she and Savannah dressed in their room at Hudson House. Due to the extra staff that had been hired for Christmas and all that had happened since Eloise’s arrival, the sisters had continued sharing a room in the basement.

Holland cherished these quiet moments in the early hours of the morning with Savannah for however long they lasted. She had the most unsettling feeling that life for them all was about to change.

One step in starting that snowball rolling downhill would be Holland accompanying Brant to the ball.

It wasn’t like the invitations to the ball had only gone out to the snobbish and wealthy in the area. Brant had invited the pastor of their church, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson who owned the mercantile, and the couple who managed the hotel. People Holland had known all her life.

But if she stepped into the ballroom on Brant’s arm, it would be stepping into a future she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept, and she certainly wasn’t convinced it was what was best for Brant.

She couldn’t envision her future without Brant in it, but she also couldn’t picture herself ever being as elegant and refined as Eloise. If Brant took her to New York, she’d be labeled a country bumpkin before they ever set foot off the train.

“What’s crazy?” Savannah asked on a yawn as she poked hairpins into the bun she’d fashioned at the nape of her neck.

“Going to the ball with Brant!” Holland said, exasperated with her sister, with Brant, with life in general. Why did everything have to seem so hard? She felt as though no matter what choice she made it would be the wrong one and end up hurting someone she cared about.

“Oh, that. No, you are not crazy to accept his invitation, Holland, but you would be if you lose your courage and don’t go. Brant cares for you. Anyone with eyeballs in their head can see it. Why not give yourself the opportunity to enjoy a special evening with the man who adores you?”

“Because he shouldn’t adore me. He should fall in love with one of Eloise’s friends and marry someone with a pedigree as impressive as his own.” Holland sighed as she tied the apron on over her uniform. “Brant is brilliant and has a bright future ahead of him. I don’t want to be the thing that derails his success or holds him back.”

Savannah rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard Brant tell Monroe he needs his daily dose of sunshine, then he immediately goes to the kitchen to see you. You are his sunshine, Holland. As sweet and ridiculously sentimental as that is, it’s true. Brant wants to be with you. Besides, it’s one party, not a lifetime declaration of intentions. You should go. Enjoy. Celebrate all the hard work we’ve done the past three weeks to pull off what the Silver Bluff newspaper has referred to as the ‘event of the year.’”

Holland scoffed. “That auspicious title doesn’t carry a lot of weight considering the Fourth of July picnic has been the most celebrated event to date.”

A laugh escaped from Savannah as they made their beds, then hurried upstairs to get to work.

“Stop worrying and enjoy your day. If I can steal a few moments away, I’ll help you get ready. Did Mama bring over your dress?”

Holland nodded, thinking of the teal made-over dress she’d worn several times the past few months. It was the nicest thing she owned, even if it wasn’t worthy of a ball.

She refused to waste money on a dress she’d likely never wear again, even if she did talk herself into going. Holland had ten hours before the ball to either embrace her courage and her dreams, or let go of her hopes for a future with Brant.