A Family for Christmas. Winnie Griggs

letting someone else take her bag, especially since it contained the sum total of all her earthly possessions.

      But before she could form a response, he extended an arm toward the exit. “Very well then. If you’re ready, I’ll show you to Daisy’s Restaurant. Best food in town.”

      Eve nodded and placed a hand on Leo’s back as she headed for the exit. They had just reached the door when the stationmaster hailed Mr. Dawson.

      “Looks like you have a letter,” he said, holding up an envelope.

      Mr. Dawson retrieved the letter and Eve thought she saw his expression change from mild curiosity to something stronger as he studied the envelope. But he tucked it into his pocket without bothering to open it and by the time he rejoined them at the door his expression had resumed its casual neighborliness. A curious look passed between him and Dotty, but then it was gone and he was holding the door open for them.

      She wondered at his restraint. She’d never received a letter herself, but she imagined if she had that she would tear it open immediately and read the contents.

      But perhaps this was an everyday occurrence for him.

      As they stepped out onto the platform, Mr. Dawson turned to her. “So where have you traveled from?”

      “A small town in Arkansas called Iron Bluff.” Would she ever see that place again?

      “And are you traveling in order to spend Thanksgiving with friends?” Mrs. Epps asked with a smile.

      That was so far from the truth as to be laughable.

      Mrs. Epps must have noticed something in her expression because she grimaced. “Please forgive me for prying. You don’t have to answer. It’s just the idle curiosity of an old woman.”

      “No need to apologize,” she reassured the woman. “It’s just that the truth is so mundane. I’m going to Tyler to secure employment. The fact that Thanksgiving is in two days is merely coincidence.”

      “Employment?” Mr. Dawson eyed her speculatively.

      This was beginning to feel like an interrogation, but she didn’t want to be rude to these strangers who were being kind. “Yes. I’m going to apprentice with a milliner there.” She tried to infuse some positive emotion in her tone. “I’ve never actually met Mrs. O’Connell, but I understand she is very well respected for her craft.”

      Mrs. Epps’s expression turned to dismay. “You can’t mean to say you don’t know anyone there. Oh, no, that won’t do. My dear, Thanksgiving is meant to be spent with family and friends.”

      Eve wasn’t quite certain how to respond. The thought that her new acquaintances might be feeling pity for her was mortifying.

      Then Mrs. Epps surprised her by patting her arm. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you have compelling reasons. But if you decide to stay here for another few days, which I hope you will, you can participate in our Thanksgiving Festival. The whole town gets together for it and I assure you, you and Leo will be made quite welcome.” She glanced over to Mr. Dawson. “Don’t you agree, Chance?”

      “I would never disagree with anything you said,” Mr. Dawson replied gallantly. Then he grinned at Eve. “The Thanksgiving Festival is quite an event. Why, an opportunity to sample Dotty’s orange spice carrots alone would make it worth extending your stay.”

      For a moment Eve was sorely tempted. After all, once she arrived in Tyler her chance to do as she pleased would be severely curtailed. But then reason reasserted itself. “I thank you both for the kind invitation, but my plans are a bit uncertain at the moment.”

      “Of course.” Mrs. Epps smiled in understanding. “If your plans change, though, just keep in mind that we would be happy to include you in our gathering.”

      As they reached a street leading away from the tracks, Mrs. Epps paused. “I’m afraid this is where I must leave you. It was very nice making your acquaintance, Eve, and you, too, Leo. I hope to see you again before you leave town.”

      That brought Eve up short. “Aren’t you going to join us for lunch?” Going to lunch with the two of them was one thing. Going to lunch alone with a strange man was something else altogether.

      “I’m afraid not.” She smiled. “Miss Daniels is away visiting her son and I promised to take her place in the weekly bridge game over at the boardinghouse.”

      Mr. Dawson’s expression drooped melodramatically. “I suppose their good fortune in having your company is our loss.”

      The woman flapped her hand at him with a chiding expression. “Chance Dawson, get on with you now. You need to turn that sweet talk of yours where it’ll do you more good—in other words on someone your own age instead of a matron like me.”

      “Dotty, how can you say such a thing? You know you’re the light of my life.”

      Rolling her eyes, she turned to Eve. “Don’t pay any mind to his foolishness, he’s quite harmless really.” Then she eyed Mr. Dawson. “And you, make sure you behave yourself.”

      Now, what did that mean?

      But Mr. Dawson was holding his hands up, palms forward, a wounded expression on his face. “Dotty, my dear, you said it yourself, I’m harmless.”

      Mrs. Epps shook her head but there was a smile in her eyes. Then she gave them a wave. “Enjoy your lunch. And tell Daisy hello for me.” With a friendly nod, she stepped off the sidewalk to cross the street.

      Eve watched her go, feeling as if she’d lost a much-needed buffer. But she certainly couldn’t back out now—that would be not only rude but extremely awkward. So she gave Mr. Dawson a smile and indicated she was ready to proceed.

      They turned at the next corner and Mr. Dawson pointed out businesses and landmarks along the way. Eve made appropriate responses, but her thoughts were on her current situation. She needed to continue her discussion with Leo as soon as possible so she could decide what to do next. Why had he run away? And what could someone as inept as she was do to help him?

      A number of other folks on the sidewalk were going about their own business and quite a few of them greeted Mr. Dawson as they passed. Was it her imagination or were the smiles he received from the ladies, young and old alike, especially warm?

      They’d gone about two blocks when a man hailed Chance and the three of them paused.

      “Hi, Sheriff,” Chance said, “what can I do for you?”

      Eve sensed Leo stiffen beside her. Was he worried that the sheriff would find out he’d stowed away? She instinctively placed a protective hand on his shoulder.

      “Are you by any chance coming from the train station?” the lawman asked Chance.

      Though the man’s smile was friendly enough and there was nothing threatening in his demeanor, something about the way he eyed her and Leo made Eve uncomfortable.

      “Sure did.” Mr. Dawson, apparently sharing none of her something’s-wrong-here feeling, maintained an easy smile.

      “I hear there was a bit of trouble over there. Something about a stowaway?”

      Eve tried to draw Leo closer.

      “That’s right,” Mr. Dawson answered, his face still relaxed. “But it’s all over now and nothing to get you involved in.”

      Rather than commenting on that, the sheriff turned to her and Leo. “Care to introduce me to your friends, here?”

      “Of course.” Mr. Dawson’s smile faded as he finally seemed to sense something was wrong. “Sheriff Gleason, this is Miss Eve Pickering and Leo. They just arrived on the morning train.”

      Eve nodded a greeting, not trusting herself to speak. Did the lawman already know Leo was the stowaway? Surely he wouldn’t arrest a little boy.

      The sheriff tipped his hat Eve’s direction.