A Bramble House Christmas (Carrigans of the Circle C Book 6) (10 page)

But Finn did.

He also noticed the way the sun picked up tints of copper in her hair, and very faint freckles on the bridge of her nose. Again he felt the urge to kiss her. An urge that was becoming harder and harder to resist.

When they reached the intersection of Main and Court, they turned left, following the curve of the road as it became Bramble Road.

Bramble. The name drew his thoughts from Willa, back to the mystery of the ring. Clearly the Brambles had been an important family in this town once.

So how had his grandmother come to own one of the family’s precious rings? Had it been pawned by one of the Brambles and subsequently purchased by his grandmother or one of her suitors? Perhaps the mysterious man who had been Finn’s grandfather?

Or was it possible that his grandmother—and therefore he, himself—was actually connected to the Brambles in some way?

The walk went by quickly as Finn pondered the possibilities. Soon they were on the sidewalk leading up to the porch. Snow sparkled on the roof of the gracious old home and the air carried the aroma of those delicious ginger cookies.

Willa paused on the first step. “It never occurred to me that this ring might be an important heirloom, or have significant value. I really do wish I’d never accepted the gift.”

If she felt guilty about the ring, how did she justify accepting his father’s fifty thousand dollars? It was a question that had become increasingly puzzling to Finn. The more he got to know Willa, the less she seemed like the sort of person who would manipulate an inheritance from a sick, vulnerable patient.

“I suppose you could offer to return your patient’s bequest to the family,” he suggested, curious to see how she’d react to the idea.

“I have thought about that,” she surprised him by saying. “I’d like to find out more about the ring, if possible. If it really is a Bramble heirloom, maybe this is where it belongs, in Marietta, with the Bramble family.”

T
he B&B was quiet when Willa and Finn entered. A fire had been set in the sitting room and there was a bowl of fresh fruit and an urn of coffee on the side table.

“No dog,” Finn commented. “Marshall and Eliza must be out on one of their snowshoe expeditions.”

“Actually they’re cross-country skiing.” A woman in her late thirties came out of the back hall with an armful of folded towels. “I’m Jo, I work afternoons. Mable is napping, our runaway bride is at the Graff, and Mr. Krinkles is in his room napping. He just baked another batch of cookies. Taste delicious, but he still thinks something is missing.”

Spotting the plate of fresh cookies on the sideboard, Willa couldn’t resist trying one. The instant the sweet buttery goodness hit her tongue, she sighed. “You’re right. These are heavenly.”

“And yet, according to Mr. Krinkles, they’re still missing something.”

With that, Jo disappeared up the stairs.

“I’m going to grab a book,” Finn said, after devouring a cookie in two bites.

“Me, too.” Reading would help pass the time until Scout returned. It would also give her some alone time with Finn. Was she being foolish to want this? Willa was afraid so, and yet, she couldn’t seem to stop herself from enjoying the time they spent together.

Ten minutes later they were both settled with hot mugs of coffee and a plate of cookies each. Willa had chosen an armchair with a clear view out to the road, so she’d see Scout as soon as he arrived. Finn was by the fire, his socked feet propped on a padded stool.

She read a few paragraphs of her story, but had trouble concentrating. Scout hadn’t gone on many play dates with friends and he’d only met Savannah a few days ago. He was only a few blocks away. But what if they didn’t get along? Or what if he started feeling homesick?

She pulled her phone from her pocket, but there were no missed messages.

Of course there weren’t. She was being silly. There was nothing to worry about. She should just enjoy the rare luxury of a few quiet hours to herself.

Again she bent her attention to the words on the page. But after reading just a few more paragraphs, her thoughts were racing again. So what if Dawson was a deputy, and Sage was Eliza’s cousin. A week ago she hadn’t known any of these people. Why was she trusting her son with virtual strangers.

She sighed, then looked out to the quiet street. How much longer would she have to wait?

A moment later she sensed someone beside her. It was Finn, holding a Scrabble game.

“I have a feeling you’re not enjoying that book. Maybe a game will help you pass the time faster.”

“It’s worth a try.” Gratefully, she helped him set up the board. “I know I’m crazy to worry. But I just can’t seem to control it.”

“He’s probably having a terrific time. But even if he isn’t, it will be okay,” Finn said.

“Are you always this calm and levelheaded?”

“Yup. Even a room full of fourth graders couldn’t crack me.”

“You’re a teacher?”

“I was for five years, until I got so busy with my publishing contracts that I had to give it up.”

“Do you ever miss it?”

“Sometimes. A night spent babysitting my niece and nephew usually cures me pretty quickly though.”

“How old are they?”

“The girl is a very bossy four-year-old and the boy is a very curious two.”

She smiled at the mental picture he’d created. “I bet you’re their favorite babysitter.” She hesitated, then decided to risk a more personal question. “You said you don’t like the idea of marriage. But don’t you want children of your own one day?”

His expression sobered. “Tough one. I do like kids. I’m not sure about the marriage part.”

“Your parents must have been very unsuited.”

“I guess they were in love at one time, but they ended up making each other miserable. I’m not sure I want to gamble on ending up just like them.”

“So. Safer to stay single?”

“Dating is fun. So far it’s been enough.”

The smile he gave her sent a delicious tingle through her core to the tips of her fingers and toes. What fun it would be to date this man...

But what would it be like when he decided things had gone too far, the day he told her he’d had enough, the way Jeff had done?

“Divorced mothers like me don’t have much time or energy for dating.”

“Doesn’t Scout spend
any
time with his father?”

“We don’t even know where Jeff is.”

“Seriously?”

“There was a postcard from Brazil three months ago. Scout has a collection of them from all over Central and South America.” But what none of the cards had was a return address where Scout could contact his father. Jeff didn’t even know Scout had been declared cancer-free.

Not that he cared, apparently.

“Sounds like your ex is a little irresponsible.”

“Turns out fun and carefree musicians don’t make the best husbands.” She averted her gaze from the display of sympathy in Finn’s eyes. The situation was more complicated than she was letting on, because until Scout got sick, Jeff had been a fine husband and father. The crisis had broken him, though.

“I know I’m being a coward. But I can’t deal. I’m going babe. And I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Those were the last words he’d spoken to her. When a year went by with nothing more, she’d hired a lawyer and he’d gone through the necessary steps to procure their divorce.

“No wonder you worry so much about Scout. Everything is always up to you. There’s no partner to lighten the load.”

Yes. And the cancer had made the load so much more overwhelming. There’d been countless nights when she’d longed to have someone to hold her, to talk over the decisions she’d been required to make that day, or to spell her when Scout needed her by his side all night long.

But that was over now. Why did she have to keep reminding herself of this? She’d thought she and Scout would easily slip into a happier, more carefree life once their medical ordeal was over.

It was turning out to be a process. They would get there. Eventually.

Willa tensed as a big truck slowed in front of the B&B then pulled into the parking area...but it was only Marshall, Eliza and Ace returning from their outing. Sounds of commotion traveled from the back of the house, the opening and closing of doors, footsteps, low conversation and laughter.

A minute later Eliza came into the room, her cheeks flushed attractively. “Hi you two. How are things?” Her gaze searched the room and a line of concern appeared on her forehead. “Where’s Scout?”

As Willa explained about the play date, Ace padded into the room, sniffed hello to her, then Finn, before settling at his place by the fire.

“How nice for Scout that he’s made a friend.” Eliza poured herself a mug of tea. Perching on a second chair close to the fire, she studied the Scrabble board, then suggested a play to Willa.

“Oh, that’s good. I didn’t even see that.”

As Willa counted up her points, Eliza said, “Sage is such a nice woman. Between you and me, she’s my favorite Carrigan cousin. And it isn’t just because of the chocolate.”

“But the chocolate doesn’t hurt,” Finn teased.

Eliza smiled in acknowledgement. “When I moved to Marietta two years ago Sage went out of her way to welcome me to the family, which wasn’t easy because I was in a real funk at the time.”

“You seem happy now,” Willa said.

“Things turned around slowly. First I realized Aunt Mabel was in danger of losing the house, so I had the idea to turn it into a B&B. Then last Christmas I met Marshall. We were actually snowbound at a remote ski lodge over the holidays. It seemed like a disaster, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me.”

Finn looked at her thoughtfully. Willa wondered if he was rethinking his negative attitude about marriage. But all he said was, “So where’s Marshall now?”

“He’s got an afternoon shift at the store.” A little of the glow faded from Eliza’s face. “He works there full time, as well as helping me here at the B&B. Occasionally he still guides wilderness trips, but not as many as he used to.”

“Does he miss it?” Finn wondered.

“Oh, yes. We’re always trying to figure out ways we can free up more time for him to get away. Ideally, I’d like to go with him on some of these trips. But it’s just not possible for me to leave the B&B for more than a day or two.”

“A job like this really ties you down,” Willa commiserated.

“It’s a labor of love for me. I’ve always been fascinated by our family history and it all comes back to this town and this house.” Her gaze roved over the room fondly. “And there’s Aunt Mable to consider. She and Bramble House are almost literally entwined. If the family had to sell, can you imagine her in some sort of assisted living? Drinking out of plastic cups and using paper napkins?”

“That simply would not do.” Willa smiled at the idea.

“It was difficult enough to get her to agree to turn her home into a bed and breakfast. She’s had to make some compromises, but in lieu of discovering a hidden family treasure, this is the way it has to be.”

Willa twirled the gemstone on her finger, wondering if they should tell Eliza about their visit to the jeweler’s. She caught Finn’s eyes and when he raised his eyebrows questioningly she realized he was thinking the same thing. She gave him a subtle nod of assent.

“We heard some tantalizing stories about the Brambles ourselves today,” Finn opened. “Willa and I stopped in at J.P. & Sons. We met Jon Paul Pendleton and asked him to look at Willa’s ring.”

“Oh, my.” Eliza glanced from Finn to Willa to the ring. “What did he say?”

Finn waited for Willa to tell the rest.

“Based on the filigree work on the ring, Mr. Pendleton believes his grandfather likely designed and made the ring. Not only that, he claims his grandfather made three other rings just like this one for the Brambles. And a necklace too.”

Eliza’s blue eyes kept growing wider as she took it all in. “All with Montana sapphires?”

“Yes. There were rumors the Brambles found a small vein of the gemstones when they were prospecting for copper. Mr. Pendleton believes they may have stripped upward of 5,000 carats from that creek bed.”

“So many of the sapphire mines in Montana have been shut-in because they’re just not economic,” Eliza said, her eyes glowing at the idea of unfound treasure. “But I’ve heard there are millions and millions of carats remaining in the ground. I suppose it’s possible some of them were in Copper Mountain.”

“One more thing.” Willa slipped off the ring and handed it to Eliza. “Mr. Pendleton found an inscription on the inside of the band. Can you read it?”

Eliza squinted, then moved to the window where there was plenty of bright light. “Oh, my gosh. This is amazing.” She went to the tree and removed the same silver frame she’d shown them earlier. “May Bell is the name of my great-grandmother.”

Willa had suspected as much. “Then the ring belongs in your family.”

“Originally I suppose. At one time it must have been sold or given away.”

“I was never a hundred percent comfortable owning such an expensive piece of jewelry. I think you, or one of your cousins, should have it.”

“I can’t just take something this valuable from you,” Eliza countered. “And I’m afraid I can’t afford to buy it from you either. Please. Continue to wear it.”