store, too. He needed to replenish his grandmother’s cupboards, and if Emily Jane was going and had any suggestions on what he’d need, he’d welcome them.
“Well, if it’s not too much trouble. We could use more coffee.” Violet patted Rose on the head.
“No trouble at all.” Emily Jane smiled at her boss.
William jumped into the conversation. “Well, speaking of trouble, I’m not sure what to pick up to replenish Grams’s cupboards. Would you mind if the girls and I tagged along with you?” He sipped his coffee and watched her over the rim of his cup.
For a brief moment, Emily Jane looked as if she were going to refuse his request. Her gaze moved from him to the girls. He suspected it was the way the girls were gobbling their bread, as if they’d not eaten all morning, that persuaded her to agree. “I’ll be happy to help you find what you need.” She turned toward the kitchen, untying her apron strings as she left the table. “Let me finish up in the kitchen. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Take your time.” William smiled into his cup. So far the day was turning out quite nicely. The girls had slept in; he’d managed to have a cup of coffee, and now Miss Emily Jane was going with them to the general store. She’d know what he’d need for the house and the girls. His mood turned a bit somber as the familiar feelings of insecurity attacked him. There was so much he didn’t know about the care and future of little girls. Which, if he were truthful, was why he’d ended up at The Bakery today anyway. He’d forgotten to replenish the cupboards. Anyone else would have remembered that babies needed to be fed as soon as they arose in the mornings, but, no, he hadn’t even thought of it.
And their clothes. He continued the self-incriminating examination. Who would change a baby’s diaper without getting the needed items first? He’d changed Ruby this morning and forgotten the clean diaper. He shifted nervously in his seat, assailed by a terrible sense of helplessness. He ate a slice of the bread and finished his coffee.
“I’m sorry. That took a little longer than I’d anticipated.” Emily Jane breezed back in as swiftly as she had left. Her gaze moved to the girls. “Are we ready to go?” she asked, smiling at the girls.
“We’re ready.” William stood. The soft scent of cinnamon teased his nose as Emily Jane bent over and lifted Rose from the chair. “I thought you had escaped out the back door so you wouldn’t have to be troubled by us today,” he teased.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice soft and clear. “I couldn’t leave till I cleaned up the mess I made. Violet works the crowd alone when I’m gone, and the added work would not have been fair.”
Her face was full of strength, shining with a steadfast and serene peace. He realized that he felt hope when he was around her. Things didn’t look so bleak. She laughed softly at Rose’s gaze of happiness when she kissed her on the neck, eliciting soft giggles from the child. Suddenly the morning seemed to be going splendidly.
William turned toward the door without waiting for her to follow. He felt totally bewildered by his behavior. First he was sad at the loss of his family, then happy at having Emily Jane enter his life, then uncertain how to deal with the girls and his slight attraction to Emily Jane. What on earth had caused this tumble of confused thoughts and feelings?
Not since he was a kid had a woman caused so many conflicting emotions. And he’d just met this one. Maybe he was turning into a ninny. A setting hen. It had to be because he’d been taking care of babies. That had to be it. Everyone turned to mush around them. He clenched his jaw and imposed an iron control over his thoughts. Enough. He needed a little time away from Emily Jane to remind himself that she had no power to change him. She did not hold the key to his happiness, nor his thought process. And contrary to what the little old ladies in this town thought, he was not going to marry her only to have his heart broken when she decided that taking care of Rose and Ruby was too much work.
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