WOMEN OF SURPRISE 02: Lydia's Passion Read online

  "Did you take a look at the old Grange Hall like I asked?"

  "Yes, I went over yesterday."

  "Well, what do you think about the space? Will it be suitable for my next project?"

  Shrugging, Maggie looked to remain as non committal as possible. "There's a good chance it would work."

  "That's it? A good chance is all you're going to give the building. Well I suppose it's better than nothing." Aunt Margaret settled back in her chair contemplating the answer. "I'll check back with you in a couple of weeks, and Margaret, by that time I expect to know one way or the other if you are going to take on the project."

  Lydia knew that Margaret Monroe Sinclair could not be stopped once she got an idea going. Poor Maggie; it was looking as if she were going to be heading up the renovation and opening of the new dance hall. She was thinking that handling the school children seemed a much easier task.

  "Now, Lydia back to the subject of the school."

  Blanching under her aunt's piercing gaze, she said, "I thought we had finished discussing that?" Then quickly changing the subject, added, "I really need to see to my wardrobe. I'd love to find some time for a fitting. Now that I'm out everyday I feel the need for some new dresses."

  Abigail responded with, "I heard that Mr. Jules received a shipment of new fabrics."

  A delightful shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. Fabric shopping was a favorite pastime, one that she hadn't been able to fit in as of late. "I wonder if he's gotten in the latest catalog from Burden's. You know I haven't seen a fashion circular in weeks!"

  "Let's go see, right after we finish our tea." Maggie's suggestion, while not going over well with Aunt Margaret, suited the cousins just fine. Within an hour they were riding off to town in the buggy.

  It was a glorious day, the sunlight reflecting off the glacier-carved crevices of the Catskill Mountains in the distance. The sight of the peaks brought to mind the story of Rip Van Winkle. It was said that he wandered from town to town spreading good cheer. Lydia thought she'd have to find a way to work the folklore into a lesson.

  "Maggie, looks to me like Aunt Margaret is going to make you her next project." It was Abigail who broached the topic of the new dance hall.

  "Lord, I hope not. I left enough interfering family members to come here and be with you and Lydia. I was hoping those days were behind me."

  Lydia could sympathize with her cousin's sentiments; she'd come here hoping to change some things in her life, too.

  "You have to admit, Maggie that a dance hall would spice things up in Surprise. Let's face it, there really isn't much to do after dark here," Lydia chimed in.

  "I suppose. I would, however, like to build the business at my pace, not on Aunt Margaret's whim."

  Lydia smiled. Dear Maggie was the sensible one. Where Maggie was concerned things had to be just so. As for herself, Lydia preferred to let the wind carry her. And that was the way she hoped to run her classroom-cheerful and worryfree.

  Lately she'd had the constant feeling that she was being watched. The sensation had struck her twice in the past week, both times as she'd just been finishing up the day's lessons with the children. She supposed it could be her imagination, but if it happened again she was going to speak to Abigail about it.

  Abigail pulled the buggy to a stop in front of The Mercantile. "Here we are, ladies. Let's go see what Mr. Jules has for us to look at today!"

  The three women filed into the store with one mission in mind-shopping. Lydia felt her heart race in anticipation. She was hoping to find some yellow fabric for a new dress.

  "Afternoon, ladies. Might I say you are all looking mighty pretty this afternoon," Cole Stanton drawled, dropping his hammer to take his wife in his arms.

  "We do so thank you for the compliment, Cole. It's nice to see you," Maggie said. First Maggie and then Lydia greeted him with a kiss on his cheek.

  Stepping out of his embrace, Abigail looked at his handiwork. "The shelves look nice."

  "With all you ladies in town, Mr. Jules saw the need to do a little expanding to accommodate your tastes." Cole winked.

  "I hardly think he did it just for us." Abigail shot back at him.

  Wiggling his eyebrows at his wife, Cole said, "Oh, yes he did."

  Playfully she slapped him on the arm. "You can stop teasing us now."

  "I have to get back to work, ladies. Alexander wants this project finished today."

  Lydia got the idea that Cole's boss was quite the taskmaster. Pushing thoughts of the man aside, she set her sights on some silks that she hadn't noticed the last time she was in the store. Removing her gloves, Lydia ran her hands over the smooth material. This would make a beautiful day gown, one she'd be able to wear to teach and would be suitable for dinner at home.

  Calculating how much fabric would be needed, she began to search for ribbons and buttons to adorn the gown.

  Behind her, the door to the shop opened and creaked shut. "Maggie, what do you think of this color?" Turning around with a swatch of yellow fabric held against her, Lydia was expecting Maggie to answer.

  "Shouldn't you be at the schoolhouse working on next week's lessons, Miss Monroe?"

  Flustered, she stared up at Mr. Judson. "I do get time off. I didn't think you'd expect me to be working twenty-four hours a day like you do Cole." She could have bitten her tongue off. It wasn't her business how many hours Cole worked. She knew from Abigail, though, that he was hardly ever home.

  Leaning against the doorjamb, grinning, Alexander studied her in that unnerving way he had. "You could learn a thing or two about work ethics from the man."

  "I don't know what you are talking about."

  "I'm speaking of the way the children are allowed to run hither and yon when they are supposed to be inside learning."

  So he was the one who'd been watching her. "Children can absorb more when they are allowed some freedom, Mr. Judson."

  "And just where did you hear that one?"

  "I...well, I..." she hated to be cornered in this way. It wasn't so much that she'd heard this, it was more in the way she instinctively knew how to get the best from her students. And keeping them cooped up in a stuffy room all day long was not the way to get results.

  "You've been watching me."

  He laughed. The man had the audacity to throw his head back and laugh at her! Recovering his wits, Alexander grinned at her. "I don't have to watch you, Miss Lydia, there are plenty of parents who come into town on made-up errands, just to check up on you."

  "How dare they? How dare you! I'll have you know that I'm doing a fine job and no one, no one will tell you differently." Throwing the fabric back on the table, Lydia stormed outside.

  Inhaling deeply, she fought to calm her temper. That man continually brought out the worst in her. He should be more concerned about raising his children than about her. The door open and closed behind her. Turning, she expected to find one of her cousins standing there, instead there stood Mr. Judson.

  Lydia moved closer to the porch railing, allowing him room to pass by. When he didn't, she faced him, better to settle their differences right here and now.

  "Why have you made it your business to hound me?"

  "Need I remind you that I'm the one who will be in trouble if you don't succeed at your job?"

  "I don't need any reminding, Mr. Judson. You are constantly around throwing your authority in my face." Hating confrontation, Lydia willed her self to remain calm, while at the same time wondering why the two of them just couldn't try and get along, for the sake of the children if nothing else.

  "It's too bad you don't give this much attention to your own family," Lydia mumbled.

  Taking a step closer to her, Alexander said, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that remark."

  "I said, don't you have work that needs tending to," she lied.

  Frowning he looked towards his lumber company. The buzzing of the saws echoed in the air. "I suppose I do, but you and I have issues that need to be resolved."

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sp; Anger simmering once more. Lydia folded her arms in front of her and turned her back to him. She wasn't going to waste anymore of her time bantering with this man. Perhaps after ignoring him for a few minutes he'd get the hint and return to his business.

  "Look, I think we should at least try to get along, don't you?" She decided to try to put an end to their childish rivalry.

  Lydia slowly turned to look at him, and was surprised by the change in his manner. There was actually a bit of a smile playing about his mouth. Puckering her mouth, she continued to study him. His dark eyes showed none of the animosity that had been there a few moments before.

  Thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea to do as he suggested, while at the same time wondering about this sudden change of heart, Lydia held out her hand. "Truce?"

  Taking her hand in his, he squeezed it gently. "Truce."

  Suddenly unsure of himself, Alex released his hold on her. He noticed Lydia was studying him. With her head cocked to one side, he imagined she was trying to read his thoughts. Smiling, he knew she'd be mighty surprised if she knew what was going on inside of his head while the sweet scent of her perfume swirled around them, holding his senses hostage.

  He hadn't realized until this very moment how much he'd missed being around a woman. But Lydia Louise Monroe certainly wasn't his type. She was too much like a bumble bee flitting from one flower to the next in search of just the right nectar.

  Clearing her throat nervously, Lydia interrupted his thoughts. "I should be going back inside to finish with my purchases."

  Tipping his hat to her, Alexander stepped aside, allowing her to pass by. "I'll be seeing you around, Miss Monroe."

  She was just about to enter the store, when she stopped and looking over her shoulder at him, smiled. "Yes, I'm sure we'll be running into each other soon."

  In the next instant she was inside and Alex was left feeling like a schoolboy fawning after his first crush. Shuddering at the thought, he began walking in the direction of the lumberyard.

  When he'd first entered the store and saw her standing there holding the fabric against her, he'd been intent on goading her for he still saw her as nothing more than another one of Miss Margaret's overindulged nieces. After he'd spoken, though, the distress shown so clearly on her face made him feel like a complete heel.

  Even worse, Miss Monroe was the one who'd extended the proverbial olive branch, calling a truce. He'd no choice except to take her up on the offer of at least trying to get along. It surprised him to realize what little effort had been required to do so.

  Whistling a simple tune, he walked into the dim interior of his building. If nothing else was right in his life, at least he'd managed to build a very successful business here in Surprise. Judson Lumber Company was something he was proud of and was a legacy that he would be able to leave his son and daughter.

  Closing the door to his office, Alex sat down behind his desk and concentrated on prioritizing the orders that had been streaming in for the past month. He'd been working for two hours when Cole returned.

  Entering the office, Cole sat in the chair opposite the desk. Tossing his hat on the desk, he looked at Alex.

  Alex's first thought was that something had gone wrong with one of their projects. Bracing himself for the report, he asked, cautiously, "What's wrong?"

  "We've know each other for how long now, Alex?"

  With a quick shrug, he replied, wondering the reason for the question, "I don't know, the better part of a year, I suppose."

  "That's about right. And in all that time you never once judged me." Grinning, he added, "regardless of what the feelings of the townsfolk were."

  He knew Cole was referring to the time he'd spent mistakenly locked up in the local jail. "Yes. I'm not sure where you're heading with this, Cole."

  Leaning forward, Cole rested his elbows on his knees. "Well now, let me tell you where I'm going. You see, Miss Lydia was right upset with how you treated her earlier, and seeing how I'm married to her cousin and a part of the family, I think it's my responsibility to tell you when you're crossing the line to rudeness."

  Alex felt his temper rise. "I think that's between me and Miss Monroe."

  "Not when you conduct yourself so poorly in a public place."

  "Cole, you know I value your friendship, but ..."

  "Then you will understand what I'm about to say is for your own good." Cole cut him off. "I know that you've suffered a great loss in your life. And from what I hear, before that you weren't such a hardened man. You have two beautiful children and a lifetime still ahead of you."

  "My personal life is none of your business!" His clenched fist landed on the desk with a loud thud.

  The silence hung in the air like so many dust motes. He would never admit that Cole's comments struck him to the very core of his soul.

  Cole didn't back down. "I'm sorry, Alex, but you made it my business when you started treating Lydia so poorly. It's one thing to comment on her abilities as a teacher when she's in the classroom, but to insult her the way you just did at The Mercantile is unacceptable."

  Had he truly been so busy hardening his heart over the past two years that he'd forgotten how to act and feel? How could he have completely lost all sense of manners when it came to dealing with women, especially with one Miss Lydia Monroe? Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. He was acting like a complete buffoon.

  "Maybe if she was a little more stable I wouldn't have such trouble dealing with her."

  "She's not like that all the time. From what I've seen Lydia really loves teaching the children. She's taken quite a liking to your two."

  "Well, Robert and Laura are easy to love."

  "I know. It's their father who worries me." Standing, Cole retrieved his hat from the desk. "Don't let life pass you by. Don't let this opportunity with Lydia pass you by."

  "I hardly know the woman."

  Walking to the door, Cole tossed over his shoulder, "Well, my friend, maybe it's time you got to know her."

  Alex spent the rest of the day pondering Cole's last comment. He wasn't even sure he wanted to start a relationship with a woman, though there were times when he longed to feel the softness of a woman in his arms. Just a simple hug or someone waiting with a warm meal and a smile at the end of a long day would suffice.

  He knew that eventually he'd want more than that. Right now his children needed more than he was able to give. While Mrs. Sutherland was a help, they all needed more in their lives than what the kindly older widow was providing.

  In theory those thoughts were good, but what he didn't know was how to proceed-how to move on with his life.

  With their purchases tucked away underneath the seat of the buggy, the Monroe cousins made their way back to Aunt Margaret's house.

  "What on earth were you and Mr. Judson discussing?" Maggie questioned Lydia.

  "Nothing."

  "Well, I dare say, it looked like it was more than just 'nothing' that kept the two of you on the porch for so long," Abigail commented.

  At the moment, Lydia didn't feel like defending herself to her cousins. She wanted to mull over what had just happened between her and one mighty handsome mill owner.

  It seemed to her that there wasn't a thing she could do that Mr. Judson approved of. But then while they were on the walkway he almost looked like he might be coming around. She'd caught the fleeting look in those big brown eyes of his. It was a look she'd seen a hundred times in other men.

  Except in Alexander's eyes she'd seen something more than just a fun flirtation. A part of her wanted to shout in triumph, but it was the other part of her, the part that knew he'd already had his heart broken, that made her take stock. She wondered what he'd been like before his wife's death. Had he always taken life so seriously? Now that the thought had entered her head, Lydia couldn't seem to move beyond it.

  Somehow she knew that Alexander Judson was not a man who toyed with anyone's feelings, therefore she shouldn't be coy with his. She'd do well to remember
this. For as far back as Lydia could remember, she'd been in the habit of taking relationships with the opposite sex lightly, never falling in love with any man.

  Her life was too short to commit to only one person. That was how she felt before she'd met Alexander Judson. And now ... now her feelings were turned upside down and she didn't know what to do.

  The following week Mrs. Sutherland came down with a bad cold and Alexander ordered her to stay home until she felt better. With the children and his business to look after, he found himself stretched to the limit. The first day hadn't been a problem for him. Managing to get them off to school and be there at the end of the day to pick them up was less of a hassle than he'd expected.

  The second day he found himself in a quandary. Cole had taken the wagon into Catskill for some supplies so Alexander was left without anyone to take over for him when Laura and Robert were finished with school.

  At noon he went over to the schoolyard. It didn't take him long to spot Miss Lydia. With her red hair tied back in a ponytail she sat underneath a big oak tree with a group of children surrounding her. His daughter Laura was sitting on her right side while her 'very best friend in the whole world', or so she'd informed him just this morning, Daisy Drumm, sat to the left.

  Smiling when he heard their giggling, Alex slowed his step, taking in the scene. He felt his heart softening a little more towards the teacher. In a short time she'd managed to brighten his children's lives, as well as those of the rest of the town. For that he would be forever grateful.

  She looked up when she heard his approach. Rising quickly she brushed her green skirt into order.

  "Mr. Judson. Good afternoon."

  Doffing his hat, he nodded. "Afternoon."

  Spotting him, Laura launched herself into his arms. "Papa! Miss Lydia was telling us a story about Rip Van Winkle."

  Hugging his daughter close, he inhaled the sweet, innocent scent of her. "Mmmm. Rip Van Winkle, huh."