A Christmas Dream (Hudson House Holiday #1)

Chapter Thirteen

E loise surveyed her reflection in the mirror. The dress she’d chosen was tasteful, not overdone, yet flattered her figure and coloring.

She’d brought three more elaborate gowns with her. In fact, she had offered one of them to Holland, who had quietly and humbly refused.

That’s when Eloise had been sure Holland had no intention of attending the ball, but she couldn’t dash Brant’s hopes. Not when he was so clearly and utterly in love with the woman.

Brant had always been special to Eloise. She remembered when he was born. His first steps. His first word. They’d always been close to each other and avoided their older siblings because they were awful, cruel, selfish people.

Eloise had been so incredibly thankful when Dean had suggested moving to California and invited Brant to become his partner in a new shipping business. It had been the best thing for all of them.

She had worried when Brant declared he was buying property in Oregon along the river and intended to build the dream house he’d talked about for years. Now that she’d spent a month at Hudson House, she could see how Brant had constructed a lasting marvel with the house, as well as a way of life in the community of Silver Bluff that seemed to suit him so well.

He was happier than she’d ever seen him, and a good part of that joy came from Holland Drake.

When Eloise had first realized her brother was in love with one of his employees, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. It wasn’t until she’d had the opportunity to observe Holland, and the way she looked at Brant with such deep, abiding love, that she knew their match could work.

Oh, it wouldn’t be easy. Brant and Holland were both stubborn and prideful. But they belonged together. Eloise could feel it in her bones.

Which was why, when Brant pounded on her door only twenty minutes before the ball was to begin, she knew what he was going to say.

She turned as Dean opened the door and greeted her brother. “Brant. You look quite festive.”

“So do both of you. That blue dress is a wonderful color on you, Eloise.” Brant tried to smile, but it was lost in the sorrow of his expression.

“She’s not coming. Is that the problem?” Eloise questioned.

Brant nodded. “Savannah shared Holland’s regrets. She has no idea where she’s gone. I could search for her, but I don’t know what to say to convince her to come. It’s not just about the ball, Eloise. I love her, with all my heart, and I want to spend my forever beside her. If she won’t even attend a simple ball with me, what hope do I have?”

“Hope is no meager thing. Don’t give up, Brant,” Dean said. “Any idea of where to find her?”

Brant nodded. “The library. She loves it there. Or the sunroom, but it doesn’t hold as much interest once the daylight fades.”

Eloise gave herself one last glance in the mirror, walked over to her closet, and lifted out a gown. “Dean, be a darling and have one of the maids press the wrinkles from that, please, then ask Lila to be ready to work a miracle on a moment’s notice. Brant, go stand at the front door and greet our guests. The early arrivals may want a brief tour. I’ll join you as soon as I am able.”

Without waiting to see what her husband and brother would say or do, Eloise rushed out of the room and down the hallway to the library. She stepped out of the shadows of the hidden entrance to the second floor. Listening. Observing. Other than the fire crackling in the fireplace and light glowing from the lamps on the desk and side tables, the room seemed quiet, then she thought she heard a sigh that sounded like it rolled all the way up from someone’s tortured soul.

Eloise moved until she could look down into the library. Holland curled into the chair behind Brant’s desk, appearing as though she’d lost her last friend.

“Holland Drake!” Eloise yelled. “You have more spunk and gumption in your little finger than fifty other girls. Stop that sniveling and come up here this instant.”

Holland gasped and gaped at her with wide eyes.

“What are you doing?” Eloise asked, waving a hand toward the ceiling. “The ball will start in a few minutes. There’s no time to waste!”

“I’m not going.” Holland sat up in the chair. “Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

“Oh? Are you sure about that?” Eloise felt indignant and angry on Brant’s behalf. She lifted her skirts and charged down the spiral steps.

Holland stood, looking defiant as she faced her. “I can’t go, Mrs. Mitchum. I just can’t.”

Eloise felt like shaking the woman, but refrained. Someday, when Holland was her sister-in-law, she wanted them to be friends, not enemies. Holland was a good, kind, caring, loving person. She was also smart, witty, loved children, and would be so good for Brant.

If only she could convince Holland of that.

“I won’t leave until you provide a valid reason for breaking Brant’s heart this evening. Why won’t you go to the ball with him?”

“Because he’s so wonderful, Mrs. Mitchum. He’s strong and handsome, hardworking and honest, generous and funny. He deserves so much more than I could ever give him.”

“That is balderdash.” Eloise crossed her arms over her chest and glowered at Holland, hoping she looked half as intimidating as Brant did when he struck a similar pose. “What utter rubbish.”

At Holland’s shocked expression, Eloise pressed onward. “Brant loves you with all his heart. What right do you have to throw that back in his face? To decide who is and isn’t good for him? That’s not your choice to make. It’s his. Are you saying you don’t care for my brother? That you don’t love him? That you don’t want the best for him, or wish him every happiness in life?”

“I do love him, Mrs. Mitchum. I love him so much I’ll walk away from here tonight and he’ll never see me again if it would make him happy. If it is the best for him.”

Eloise wrapped her arms around Holland, pulling her into a hug. “You silly goose. The one thing in this world that brings Brant the most joy is you. You are what’s best for him. Don’t deprive him of that happiness, or yourself. You belong together, but you need to decide right now if you’re brave enough to step into your dreams with Brant. Are you, Holland? Because the choice you make right now will determine the course of your future.”

Holland hesitated, then slowly nodded, brushing at the tears gliding down her cheeks. “I love him so much, I can’t picture any part of my future without him in it.”

“Then let’s not waste another minute. Come with me. We need to get you ready for the ball, and for heaven’s sakes, call me Eloise.” She didn’t wait for Holland to utter any protest. She grabbed her hand, tugged her up the stairs, and hastened to her room.