Nodding, Emeline took a sip of the hot wine, then sighed. There were so many memories, some so distant they were sugared by time, others new enough to still be painful, and then there were the memories that had never happened, ones with laughing children that she occasionally indulged in, well aware that they were just imaginings.
"I agree with moving forward," she commented, "and I have something to move toward now, more than just surviving." There was no self-pity, but since Andrew had died, she'd just been making ends meet. Finally, though, she had found a place she wanted to stay, her business was going well and she didn't have any debt to speak of...
She munched on a cookie, then started reminiscing about baking with her mother, going out with her father and brothers to cut down a tree then decorating it on Christmas Eve...
"Oh, goodness, look at the time!" While she was enjoying herself immensely, she wanted to be up early to get things ready for Christmas. "I don't mean to chase you away, of course, but I need to be getting some sleep."
"I agree with moving forward," she commented, "and I have something to move toward now, more than just surviving." There was no self-pity, but since Andrew had died, she'd just been making ends meet. Finally, though, she had found a place she wanted to stay, her business was going well and she didn't have any debt to speak of...
“Alas figgered it ta be the best direction.” He said. “You got lots ta be thankful for, an’ whole lots ahead for ya.”
"Oh, goodness, look at the time!" While she was enjoying herself immensely, she wanted to be up early to get things ready for Christmas. "I don't mean to chase you away, of course, but I need to be getting some sleep."
“Yep, shorely is, an’ I don’t figger the snows let up none. Best head on the the boardin’ house. You wouldn’t mind if I called on you tomorrow would ya?” He asked getting to his feet. “Wine was good, cookies was most excellent.”
"Oh, of course! I'm expecting you, and for the day, if you're congenial." Emeline had been so engrossed in making plans the past few days that she had forgotten to actually extend the invitation! "I meant to ask you sooner, but I've been so busy, what with Whitefish and all."
While she couldn't imagine that he had other plans, she realized she'd be quite disappointed. Fortunately, he was coming over, and that anticipation was the best gift she could have...well, the second best!
"Whenever you'd like, please come over. I have a special breakfast in mind." Start the day right!
"Oh, of course! I'm expecting you, and for the day, if you're congenial." Emeline had been so engrossed in making plans the past few days that she had forgotten to actually extend the invitation! "I meant to ask you sooner, but I've been so busy, what with Whitefish and all."
“Figgered as much, jest makin’ sure.” He explained. Somehow he couldn’t imagine not being with her, no matter what the day was. It had just become normal to be there in the diner with her, even if it was doing dishes and some cooking.
While she couldn't imagine that he had other plans, she realized she'd be quite disappointed. Fortunately, he was coming over, and that anticipation was the best gift she could have...well, the second best!
"Whenever you'd like, please come over. I have a special breakfast in mind." Start the day right!
“Yes Ma’am, I’ll be here, count on it. Best be off then. Let you get some sleep, and me as well.” He said, fiddling with his hat.
That way he had of fiddling with his hat was endearing, and Emeline couldn't help but smile. "Be careful," she murmured, "don't get lost in a drift!"
She kissed him on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Barnabas Pike." This was so natural, she enjoyed his company, and was at ease with him, and she was really looking forward to sharing some traditions with him.
“And a Merry Christmas to you Em.” He responded. The kiss on the cheek always gave him the all-overs. “I’ll be seein’ you come daylight, I mean in the morning, ‘round about eight ‘er so.” With that he pulled away, donned his buffalo coat and gloves. “Night.”
Main street was empty as Pronto stepped out into the falling snow, not that it was heavy, just constant. The blanket of white extended as far as the eye could see, smooth, unmarked, except for the footprints he was leaving behind him on his way to the boarding house. Silently filling in as he walked in the open, but giving way to the sound of his footsteps on the boardwalk under the overhang.
Tomorrow, it could not get there fast enough for him, there were things that he wanted to say to her that he had purposely held back, things a woman should know about the man she was in partners with, well, that would be done come the morning.