A Christmas Spark (Hudson House Holiday #2)

Chapter Eight

“I want to keep this one!” Kase held up a photo of Mayes attired in a frilly dress with a wig full of ringlets on his head while he held a baby doll in his hands. Beside him, Clara was dressed like a newsboy, cap cocked to one side, with a rolled-up newspaper in her hand, looking like she was about to swat her brother with it. “I could bribe Mayes for the rest of eternity with this photograph.”

Dori laughed and took the image from his hands. “You aren’t bribing Mayes. I sense Uncle Dean’s humor in this particular photo. Perhaps Aunt Eloise wasn’t home that day.”

“Likely.”

Kase dug through the box of photographs of Dean and Eloise’s family while Dori rushed to pack more boxes for Gareth to mail. When they were ready to send, she picked up one of the empty boxes and carefully organized the document folders full of photos with unidentified people. She hoped to someday track down every single person.

For now, though, she was satisfied that the unknowns were down to one box and the others had been, or soon would be, mailed to families. When it was all said and done, they’d found three boxes of photos of the Hudson family, from Dori’s family trips to Silver Bluff and when the Hudson family had visited San Francisco. Dori had hesitated to let Kase see the photos her father had taken when he was at Camp Lewis, but he’d caught Sarah studying them this morning when he came to help pack up the photos. He’d taken a seat beside her and talked about the people in each image or described things about the camp.

In some ways, looking at the photos had almost seemed therapeutic for him. After Sarah took the family photos to the sitting room so they could be placed into albums once the holidays were over, Dori showed Kase the Mitchum family photographs. He’d nearly laughed himself silly at a photo of Mayes when he couldn’t have been more than six with his eyes crossed, tongue stuck out, and fingers in his ears.

It was wonderful to hear Kase laugh. Something about the rich tone of his laughter struck a chord in her heart. She wished she could think of more things that would bring Kase joy, but she knew he was the only one who could welcome happiness into his life and heart.

“Did you find your note this morning?” she asked as she straightened a stack of loose papers and set them in a box she intended to take to her room along with a few slips of paper with random names and dates her father had written. She hoped if she studied them long enough, they might actually make sense.

“I did find my note, and I appreciate the thought. ‘Grace is a gift. Never be afraid to open it.’ Seems rather timely with Christmas drawing so near, and in light of last night’s theatrics.”

It made Dori’s heart ache hearing him refer to the trauma he still endured as “theatrics.” She walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up at her and she battled the urge to lean down and kiss him. Instead she offered what she hoped was an encouraging look. “You survived something terrible and tragic, Kase. War was horrible enough, but what happened to Drake …” She swallowed and drew in a deep breath before she could continue. “It would bother anyone. Give yourself time to grieve and find your footing again. There is no right or wrong way about any of it. Just accept the gift of grace from others, and give it to yourself. There is no shame, or theatrics, or whatever you want to call having nightmares. I, for one, am so incredibly thankful you survived and made it back home. That’s a blessing, Kase. You are a blessing to your family and many, many others. Please don’t disparage or discount that.”

He didn’t seem to know what to say, but he turned in the chair, took her hand in his, and kissed the back of it.

Mindful of the need to lighten the mood, Dori playfully swatted him on the shoulder. “You can find photographic ammunition to lob at Mayes another day. Let’s get this table cleared off, then go wrap your gifts.”

Kase looked around as he rose to his feet, as though he’d just noticed Sarah was no longer in the room. “What happened to Miss Tattletale?”

“Sarah and your mother are meeting Savannah this morning to go over the final list of details for the luncheon tomorrow.”

“That’s great.” Kase grinned and set document folders into a box. “Without Sarah running amok, I might be able to steal another kiss.”

Dori feigned offense. “You didn’t steal it. I gave permission. As far as that goes, you have a standing invitation to repeat the experience from the conservatory whenever the time seems appropriate.”

“Hot dog and hallelujah!” Kase tossed a handful of empty document folders in the air, wrapped his arms around her, and made such a fiendish, lecherous expression, Dori dissolved into a fit of giggles.

Kase pressed his face against her neck and growled, causing her to simultaneously squirm and laugh even harder.

“What is going on in here?” a voice boomed, shocking them both into silence as Dori jumped away from Kase.

They both turned to face Brant as he loomed in the doorway, arms crossed over his broad chest, one eyebrow cocked disapprovingly, and his mouth turned down at the corners.

“We were just …” Kase paused.

“Um, cleaning up?” Dori said, aware it sounded more like a question than a fact.

Brant’s lips twitched. “Then I suppose you should carry on. Make sure that table is clean before dinner.”

“Yes, sir!” Kase snapped a salute.

Brant laughed, then continued on down the hall.

Kase turned, hunched his shoulders, and started toward Dori with his hands held out like claws. “You heard him. We should carry on right where we were before he interrupted.”

Dori shook her head and darted around the end of the table to the other side. “You behave yourself, Kase Hudson, or I won’t leave any more notes beneath your door.”

“You could whisper the words in my ear.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he rounded the table, still pretending to be a monster of some sort with his hunched back and claw-like hands.

Dori laughed as she backed away from him, so enthralled with this playful, teasing side of Kase, she could hardly keep her wits about her. “The words would find it impossible to trickle in your ears past the overgrowth of hair and wax balls hanging out of them.”

“Hey! There is no need to be insulting,” Kase said, continuing to advance while she retreated.

She noticed he was barely limping at all, and silently cheered. Unfortunately, she was so focused on Kase, she backed into one of the Christmas trees, stopping when she felt the prickle of pine needles against her legs.

“Oh!” She turned to make sure she hadn’t damaged any of the ornaments. Thankfully, the tree was so huge and solidly anchored, the limbs barely moved from being disturbed.

However, Kase seized the opportunity to wrap his arms around her from behind, pinning her arms at her sides. He bent down so the warmth of his breath caressed her neck and his decadent, masculine scent tantalized her nose.

“How dare you insinuate I’m more cavedweller than gentleman, Miss Stanford. What a cruel thing you are.”

“Am I?” she asked breathlessly, hardly able to see straight with Kase’s warmth enveloping her. His arms held her so close, she could feel his heart’s staccato beat against her back. Although he’d shaved that morning, the slight stubble on his cheeks as he nuzzled her neck created a cascade of sensations that washed through her.

“No, Dorthea. Not at all.” Kase loosened his hold only to turn her around and draw her near again. “You are the sweetest, kindest, most wonderful girl I’ve ever met. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I am too, Kase. I hope you know—”

“I’ll take those boxes for you, Miss Stanford,” Gareth said as he walked into the room.

Kase made a noise that sounded like a groan of misery before he released Dori and took several steps back. “Let me help you,” he said to Gareth, and picked up a stack of boxes Dori wanted to mail.

Dori carried a box up to her room and used the opportunity to regain her composure. After splashing her cheeks with cool water, she went to the room where Holland kept tables set up with wrapping paper, ribbons, and trim for gifts as well as little decorative cards on which to write the recipient’s name.

Admiring the colorful choices of paper Holland had ordered from a company called Hallmark, Dori selected paper, two spools of ribbon, and a handful of cards. She snagged her coat from her room, then hurried out to the stable.

Kase was in his workshop, setting boxes of various sizes on a space he’d cleared on his worktable. “I thought we could wrap the gifts here.”

“This will work quite nicely. I forgot to bring a pair of scissors. Do you have any?”

Kase opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of sharp scissors. “What else do you need?”

“A pen for the recipient cards.”

Kase grinned and retrieved two of his father’s favorite fountain pens. “Dad is obsessed with these. He buys them by the case. It’s something of a joke around here. If you want to make Dad happy, buy him a pen, or make coconut cookies for him.”

“Oh? He likes coconut?”

“Yes, and chocolate. The two together are a guaranteed key to success.”

Dori grinned and spread out the wrapping paper. “I’ll keep that in mind. Which gift is first, and do I get to peek?”

“A peek?” Kase shook his head. “Shame on you, Miss Stanford. Absolutely no peeking allowed. I’m not that kind of boy.”

She huffed with feigned indignation.

Kase grinned, set a box on the wrapping paper, and reached for one of the blank cards. “I’ll write the names on the tags while you wrap.”

“That hardly seems fair. Perhaps a little look in each box would make me feel better.”

Kase laughed. “No peeking!”

“Fine! You know you are a spoilsport, though, don’t you?”

“A great sport. So kind of you to say.” Kase continued teasing her while he handed her boxes and she wrapped them. She could hardly believe this was the same man who had looked so angry and upset last night when his nightmares had awakened most of the occupants in the house.

She’d felt so bad for him, since he’d clearly been humiliated to have his family—her included—watching him as he awakened. Like Brant, Holland, and Sarah, Dori just wanted to do something to assist him, but felt so helpless to know what to do. When he’d stormed out of the room and down the stairs, Holland, Sarah, and Dori had been weeping, and Brant had all he could do to comfort them.

Gareth had nodded to Brant and gone downstairs.

Dori willed her tears to cease as she’d recalled something her father had done whenever she had bad dreams, and made her way to the kitchen. Vera had come upstairs from her bedroom in the basement to see what was happening. Dori had assured her there wasn’t anything any of the staff could do, and told her to return to bed.

Quietly, Dori had made a pot of hot chocolate. Gareth had stepped into the kitchen and accepted the mug she’d poured for him.

“He doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s like this,” the butler had said as he took a seat at the table and sipped the chocolate.

“All I can do is try.” Dori had smiled at him and gone to find Kase, locating him in the sitting room where he sat in front of the fire looking dazed and furious. However, the hot chocolate seemed to pull him back from whatever dark place he’d lingered.

This morning, he’d met Dori in the hallway just outside the breakfast room and apologized for the previous night.

When she’d told him, again, he had nothing to apologize for and kissed his cheek, it seemed as though something inside Kase shifted. He’d been in a happy, spirited mood ever since.

“Make this one extra pretty,” he said, handing her a small box.

Dori so badly wanted to open it and see what marvelous thing Kase had created, but she wrapped it in white tissue paper printed with holly berries and greens, tied it with a red ribbon, and added a little sprig of holly to the package.

Kase attached a recipient card with a piece of gold embroidery thread.

Dori leaned over his shoulder and saw the gift was for her. She swatted his shoulder, and he laughed. “I thought that one might be for your mother or Sarah. That’s not nice to make me wrap my own present, Kase.”

“But it’s the prettiest one you’ve wrapped,” he said in his defense.

“You are incorrigible.”

He shrugged. “Probably, but you like it.”

Dori wrapped the next gift instead of admitting how very much she did like him, especially this lighthearted, fun-loving side of him.

When they finished with the gifts, she helped Kase carry them into the house. They hid them in the music room in a cupboard where instruments and sheet music were stored.

“I’m famished. Let’s see what delicious creations Aunt Dulcie is serving for lunch,” Kase said, leading the way to the breakfast room where Brant was just seating Holland. Sarah had stayed with Savannah to continue working on last-minute details for the Christmas Eve festivities.

The meal passed with dynamic conversation and laughter. For a moment, Dori could imagine sitting through hundreds of meals at that very table as part of the family instead of standing on the edges as a welcomed visitor.

Dori knew she was only dreaming, but it was a beautiful dream. Perhaps, just for the holidays, she’d allow herself to indulge in the far-fetched possibilities of what could be. After all, Christmas was a season of miracles, and she felt as though she was witnessing one every time she looked at Kase.

As he leaned forward, laughing at something his father had said, she could feel the love shared between him and his parents. It was a heartwarming thing to see.

Caught in a sudden and unexpected wave of nostalgia mingled with grief, Dori wished she could sit at a table with her parents, listen to her father’s daft jokes as her mother pretended they were droll, while they enjoyed one of her mother’s filling meals. Edith had learned to cook out of necessity and had taught Dori out of wisdom. They’d spent so many happy hours together in the kitchen.

Honestly, their home had been a haven of joy and love. The moment her parents had died, it had all disappeared.

Dori took a drink of water, hoping to swallow the emotion threatening to cut off her ability to breathe. The last thing she wanted to do was disturb the Hudson family, but she couldn’t bear to sit at the table a moment longer. If she remained, she feared she’d break down in uncontrollable sobs and ruin this special time Kase shared with his parents—his still very much alive parents.

Unable to take a deep breath, Dori hopped to her feet, dropped her napkin on her chair, and said, “Please excuse me,” then dashed into the hallway. She made it around the first corner she came to before she covered her face with her hands, assaulted by a torrent of tears.

Legs trembling, she sank toward the marble floor, but before she fell, strong arms encircled her waist and pulled her close as she sobbed. A gentle hand rubbed up and down her back, while a deep voice murmured assurances in her ear that it was perfectly okay for her to cry.

Only when the flood of tears ended did she dare look up into Kase’s concerned face. He didn’t ask questions, just took a pristine handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her tears, then pressed it into her hands. She dabbed at her nose, drew in a ragged breath, and had no idea what to say to him, nor how to explain what had just happened when she wasn’t entirely certain herself.

“Is there anything I can do to help you?” Kase asked, pulling her closer and kissing her temple.

Dori shook her head. “I don’t know what came over me, Kase. I’m so sorry. I hate that I disturbed the lovely time you were having with your parents. I apologize.”

He pulled back and tipped her chin up so she was forced to look him in the face. “No apologies needed. What made you so sad, though, Dori girl? One moment you were laughing with us, and the next you looked lost in misery.”

She turned her head so it rested beneath his chin, her ear against the steady beat of his heart. “I was thinking about my parents, about sitting with them at our table and laughing at my father’s jokes that weren’t ever really that funny. Of being in the kitchen with my mother and sharing special times with her as she taught me to cook. Of our house being filled with joy and love. I miss it. I miss them.”

Kase kissed the top of her head and rocked her back and forth in his arms a few moments until she calmed. “It’s hard, during the holidays especially, to miss our loved ones. I know, Dori. I understand. It’s perfectly fine for you to feel what you do. Don’t apologize for it. If you need to cry or yell, or hit something—preferably not me—do it.”

Dori released a sound that fell somewhere between a laugh and a sob, then hugged Kase tightly before she stepped back and wiped at the remnants of her tears. “Thank you, Kase. Thank you for understanding. If I feel besieged with the urge to pummel something, isn’t there a gymnasium full of equipment out by the stables?”

He grinned and nodded. “There is. Bobby uses it most often, but I’ve been known to spend time there as well.” He held his arm out to her. “Ready to finish your lunch? Dulcie made chocolate pudding and coconut cookies for dessert. Dad has probably already drooled his way through one serving.”

Dori laughed and took the arm Kase held out to her. “By all means, lead the way.”

Brant and Holland didn’t ask any questions when they returned to the breakfast room. As they ate dessert, the couple shared memories from some of the first Christmas events held at their home.

“Is there anything I may do to provide assistance this afternoon?” Dori asked when their dishes had been cleared away.

“I think everything is set for Christmas,” Holland said, glancing at Brant. “I do have some things I planned to take over to Boston and Serena. Perhaps you two would save me the trip?”

Kase gave his mother a warning look, then glanced at Dori. When she nodded in agreement, he said, “We can do that, Mama.”

An hour later, Kase drove a light cutter sleigh along the snow-covered road through the orchard. Dori noticed a solid fence with the gate tied open. “Why is the gate tied like that?” she asked as they drove through the opening in the fence.

“Because this fence marks the boundary between the estate and Drake land. Before Dad met Mama and fell head over heels for her, he tore down a rotting fence that was originally here from the previous landowner and had this sturdy replacement installed. When Mama and Aunt Savannah got jobs working at Hudson House, this was the shortest route between there and the farmhouse. Now that we’re all family, the gate stays open. I can only think of one time I’ve seen it closed, and that was when a cougar spooked the beef cows and they stampeded through their fence. Drake and I rode over here to close the gate and keep them from trampling Uncle Boston’s farm. By the time the cougar was hunted down and shot, fences repaired, and the cattle driven back into their pasture, it was a long, long day. Drake and I felt like we were real cowboys that day.”

Dori smiled. “I can just picture you two popping your reins and wearing big cowboy hats with furry chaps.”

“No furry chaps, but we did have on our western gear. Drake tried to pop the ends of his reins once and ended up slicing his chin. After watching him, I didn’t even try.”

When Kase stopped in front of the Drake farmhouse, Dori wished they hadn’t arrived so soon. It was wonderful to hear Kase talk about his brother, sharing fond memories instead of reliving the horror of his last day on Earth.

“Wait, and I’ll come around,” Kase said as Dori started to step out of the sleigh.

He hurried around the back of it, offered her his hand, and helped her down, then picked up the two baskets his mother had insisted needed to be delivered this afternoon.

“Do you know what we’re bringing them?” Dori asked as they made their way up the porch steps.

“No idea, just that Mama said to deliver them.”

Dori lifted a hand and knocked on the door. It took only a moment for Grandpa Jack to open it and greet them with a welcoming smile. “Come in, you two. Come in out of the cold. What brings you out this way today?”

“Mama sent over these baskets, but I have no idea what’s inside. She said to give them to Aunt Serena.”

“Your aunt is in the kitchen, baking up a storm for Christmas. Let me help with your coat, Miss Dori.” The older man helped her remove her coat and hung it on the hall tree by the door. Dori removed her hat and gloves, leaving them there as well. Kase set the baskets down just long enough to remove his outerwear, then they followed Grandpa Jack down the hallway to the kitchen where the scents of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg lingered in the air.

“Well, hello, you two,” Serena said with a smile as she removed a pan of gingerbread from the oven and set it on a quilted cloth pad to cool.

“Mama sent over baskets.” Kase set the baskets on the end of the worktable.

“Let’s see what she sent,” Serena said, wiping her hands on her flour-smudged apron before removing the red gingham cloths covering the baskets. One held an assortment of tropical fruit, including oranges, lemons, a pineapple, and bananas. The other was filled with an assortment of candies and treats. “That was sweet of Holland. Your grandfather was just asking at lunch if anyone was going to make penuche for Christmas. Now I won’t have to.”

Grandpa Jack dug out a box that held squares of the candy made from brown sugar, butter, and cream, selected a piece, then offered it to Serena. Holland made hers with candied pecan halves nestled on the top.

Dori would have assumed Dulcie made all the candy, but one evening Holland and Sarah had invited her to join them in the kitchen after the dinner dishes had been put away. They’d made snow fudge, toffee, and caramels. It had surprised her to discover Holland was a good cook. Sarah had told her Holland did most of the candy making, although Dulcie took care of baking the holiday cookies.

Kase and Dori refused any of the goodies, knowing plenty waited for them back at Hudson House.

“May I help you?” Dori asked as Serena took another pan of gingerbread from the oven and set it to cool.

“If you’d like to, I’d appreciate another hand.” Serena handed her an apron with a grateful smile.

“Come on, Kase.” Grandpa Jack turned toward the doorway. “The ladies don’t need us underfoot. You can tell me about the projects you’re working on in that workshop of yours. Did Denver get that …?” Their voices trailed off as Kase and his grandfather left the room and returned to the parlor where a fire blazed in the fireplace and the older man could watch the world go by outside the big front windows.

Dori had wondered why Grandpa Jack lived with Boston and Serena instead of at Hudson House with Holland. When she’d voiced her question to Sarah, her friend had explained that her grandfather refused to live anywhere but in the house he’d shared with his beloved wife for so many years.

What would it be like to be loved with such enduring devotion?

Dori pondered it as she helped Serena bake cookies and sweet rolls. Serena made a pot of tea and set it on a tray along with four cups, then added a plate of the fresh, still-warm gingerbread.

“We earned a rest,” Serena said, leading the way to the parlor.

Dori retrieved her smaller newer camera that she’d tucked into a coat pocket and took photos of Kase laughing with his grandfather and of Jack smiling with kindness at Serena as she handed him a cup of tea. She took a few more photos, then stowed the camera back in her coat pocket. She still had a few gifts to finish and wrap before tomorrow, and hoped to see to that before she climbed into her bed tonight.

Thoughts of sleep drew her mind back around to Kase’s nightmare that had startled them all from their slumber.

As hard as it had been for her to lose her parents, she couldn’t begin to imagine how much worse it would have been if they’d been standing next to her when they’d perished. There one second, and gone the next.

It wasn’t any wonder Kase continued to struggle to deal with it all. If there was anything she could do to help him, beyond continuing to pray for him, she had no idea what it was.

Be his friend , the voice in her mind suggested. That was one thing she was more than happy to do.

Dori admired the Christmas tree in the parlor, asked about decorations that were clearly homemade and sentimental, then saw Grandpa Jack begin to look tired.

“We should probably head back, shouldn’t we, Kase?” she asked and rose to her feet.

He glanced at his grandfather, then nodded. “Yes. The afternoon got away from me.”

Dori helped gather the dishes and carried the tray to the kitchen while Kase brought in more wood for the fire. They both hugged Serena, and then Grandpa Jack.

The man was no longer as frail as he’d been a few weeks ago, and his color was better too. She hoped the medication the doctor had prescribed would do the trick and he’d be around for many more years.

“Thank you for bringing the baskets and spending time with us,” Serena said as she stood at the door with Grandpa Jack. “Tell Holland we appreciate the treats.”

“We will. Bye!” Kase offered Dori his hand as she stepped into the sleigh, then he walked around and climbed in on the other side.

Dori waved as he turned the sleigh around and started back in the direction they’d come. “Would it take long to go into town?” she asked before they’d made it past the pasture fence across from the Drake house.

“No. Not at all. Would you like to go to Silver Bluff?”

“If it isn’t any trouble. I need to purchase a few Christmas gifts.”

Kase grinned and snapped the lines. The horse picked up speed as they turned and headed toward the road that would take them into town.

The air was crisp, but the sky was blue, and the sun felt delightful as it shone down on them.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Dori said, observing the splendid landscape and the man beside her. Kase was handsome, but so different looking than his father. She could see he took after Holland’s side of the family. In fact, he greatly resembled his uncle Austin, except for Kase’s marvelous blue eyes which looked like sapphires.

“Beautiful,” Kase repeated, but she wasn’t certain if he was talking about the land or something else.

The trip into town didn’t take long.

“What sort of items do you need?” Kase asked as he guided the horse along Main Street.

“Picture frames. Is there a place in town that sells them?”

He nodded and turned the horse onto a side street, then parked outside a store that had Gibson’s Mercantile painted on the sign above the awning out front. “Gibson’s carries a little bit of everything. If they don’t have it, we’ll try the stationery shop down the street.”

“Thank you, Kase. I brought some frames with me, but not enough.” In fact, she intended to purchase different frames for the photos she planned to give to Brant and Holland, as well as Sarah.

Kase held out his hand, and she took it as she stepped out of the sleigh. Before she could withdraw it, he settled her gloved fingers in the crook of his arm and grinned at her as he walked her to the door of the store. A bell tinkled when they stepped inside.

A colorful display of children’s toys caught her eye. She thought of Mavis who sang creative lyrics to holiday songs and wondered if the child would receive any Christmas presents. She knew Brant and Holland gave every child on the estate a personally selected gift. Holland kept detailed lists of what was purchased for whom. But perhaps a little something for the child who had provided so much entertainment for everyone would be fitting.

Before she became sidetracked with the toys, she followed Kase down an aisle to where there were several frames for photographs on display.

“Mind holding the ones I want?” she asked as she looked over the selections.

“I’m your pack mule, and here to serve,” Kase said stoically, making her laugh.

“Good. Hold this.” Dori set a dark-blue baroque frame in his upturned hands that was perfect for Brant and Holland’s gift. The one she chose for Sarah was pewter with black accents in an art deco pattern. The others she selected were simpler frames in gold and silver.

“Anything else?” Kase asked when she chose two smaller silver frames and started toward the cash register.

Dori looked at him and stopped by the display of toys. “Would it be appropriate to give Mavis a gift? She’s such a delightful little thing.”

“I don’t see why not.” Kase looked at the toys in the display. “What do you have in mind?”

Dori thought about Mavis and her love of singing. “Something musical. Not a harmonica, though. That would drive poor Vera nutty.”

Kase chuckled. “I agree. Hmm. Something musical. I think there are some instruments on the next aisle.” He set the frames on the counter by the cash register. The man behind the counter was helping an older woman but gave them a smile and nod of acknowledgement. Kase led the way to where a few musical instruments were on display.

They looked over the options that included several harmonicas, as well as trumpets, xylophones, and zithers.

“This one, I think.” Dori picked up a box that held a small soprano ukelele. It was the perfect size for Mavis.

“She will love that, and the racket it produces shouldn’t be enough Vera will run it through the laundry mangle.”

Dori pictured Vera smashing the ukelele between the heavy roller that pressed sheets and linens. “We wouldn’t want that to happen.”

On the way to the counter, Dori chose a few small gifts for the staff she’d come to know since arriving at Hudson House.

Although it had only been three weeks, it seemed like a lifetime ago when Kase had given her and Sarah a ride home from the train depot. A lot had happened in that time, but the most notable was Dori falling in love with Kase Hudson.

She watched as he smiled and greeted the man behind the cash register by name.

“Have you met Miss Dori Stanford?” Kase asked, placing a hand to her shoulder as she set her selections on the counter.

“We haven’t yet met, but Mother mentioned an introduction last week when your sister and Miss Stanford dropped by. Welcome to Silver Bluff, Miss Stanford. I’m Gary Gibson.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Gibson. We did have a nice visit with your mother. She’s lovely, and so kind.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Gibson said as he quickly rang up the purchases.

Dori paid for them, trying not to worry about the expense and the hole she’d made in her limited funds. She’d just have to work doubly hard when she returned to college taking photographs. She might even inquire at the newspaper office about taking on assignments instead of selling them an occasional photo. One of the editors had hinted they might be willing to give her a job.

Dori had considered dropping out of college since she wasn’t learning anything from the photography instructor. However, she knew it was good for her to take other classes, and Dean and Eloise encouraged her to study anything she found interesting. She was looking forward to an art class she’d signed up for in the upcoming semester. She thought learning about art might help her develop a more artistic eye when it came to her photography business.

Mr. Gibson quickly wrapped her frames in white paper tied with red string, then set everything in a wooden apple box that had the Hudson Estate emblem—a flourished H—stamped on the side.

“Thank you, Mr. Gibson. It was nice to meet you. Have a Merry Christmas.” Dori reached for the box, but Kase lifted it before she had a chance.

“Merry Christmas to you all,” Mr. Gibson said, and waved as she and Kase left the store.

Kase pointed out houses and businesses as they left town, then talked about the landscape architect who’d designed Hudson Road. “He planned it so around every curve and bend, there is an element of surprise, or wonder, or awe, with the exciting finale being the last curve around the rock hill before the house comes into view. It really was a genius idea.”

Dori agreed. No matter how many times she traveled the road, she always found something new that captured her attention. “I wish I could see it again in the spring, when the flowers are in bloom.”

“Then come for spring break with Sarah. Or for the summer. We’d love to have you here.” Kase glanced at her as the horse trotted around a bend in the road.

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

Kase smiled softly. “You could never be an imposition, Dori. You just …” He paused as though he weighed his words. “Make everything better. Having you here has been perfect. I, for one, am thrilled you came with my sister. Not only do you keep Sarah from relentlessly hounding me, you’re not bad company.”

Mindful of his joking, Dori widened her eyes, formed a pout, and offered Kase a wounded look. “All this time I thought we were becoming friends, and all I am to you is a distraction for your sister. My heart is broken. Shattered. Utterly devastated.”

“Dori, I’m sorry. I didn’t …” He noticed her efforts to hide a grin. “Broken heart, is it? Utterly devastated? I ought to make you walk home for that, missy.”

“But you won’t, because you’re a nice man, Kase Hudson.” She shut her mouth before she admitted how much she cared about him. How much he’d come to mean to her. How much she loved him and didn’t want to ever be apart from him.

“I don’t know about that, but I like being with you, Dori.”

She had no idea what to say, short of confessing her feelings. Thankfully, they rounded the bend past the rock hill, and there was Hudson House shining like a glorious beacon in the fading light. The sunset, filled with soft golds and orange, made the house appear to glow. With the roof covered in snow, and garlands and wreaths hanging outside, it made the house seem so welcoming and inviting.

“How fortunate you are to live in such a magical place, Kase.”

He looked at the house as though he saw it through her eyes. “It is rather magical, isn’t it?”

“It is.” Dori wouldn’t explain a large part of what made it special to her was being there with him.