“But it’s too good a possibility to miss by being afraid.” Katherine retorted. “I won’t speak for Miss Harriet’s feelings, but I will say that I think you should know she has been nearly as obvious about missing you these past two weeks as you were just now. It’s a mercy Rosie wasn’t here to see it, or the whole town would be talking.”
Mr. James laughed in spite of himself. “I suppose so. But how do you explain the look of sheer terror on her face when I slipped just now and almost told her?”
Katherine shook her head. “You said it yourself. You’re afraid to spoil what you have with her, and that look of terror was likely due to her being afraid of the same thing. I can’t tell you any more than that. I just think you should try.”
Mr. James was about to speak again when the sound of running water abruptly stopped and Miss Harriet came in, carrying a tray of tea and scones.
“My, don’t you both look conspiratorial. Making plans for how to decorate for winter?”
“Not exactly.” Katherine said, hurriedly. “Let’s sit down and eat. I’m starving!”
24 A New Year
The new year dawned brightly, with a high, blue sky and a bone-chilling breeze. Katherine had stayed the night at Miss Harriet’s cottage again, and the two stayed up till midnight to see the new year in.
Katherine’s alarm woke her while the sky outside her window was still pitch black, and she hurriedly dressed and crept downstairs to the kitchen. As silently as she could, she began to make a breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits, and gravy. Miss Harriet came down just as she was taking the sausages out of the pan.
“Happy New Year, Miss Harriet!”
“Happy New Year, Dearie. What is all this?”
“Well, you’ve cooked for me so often, I wanted to surprise you with breakfast for a change.” She chuckled as she added, “Don’t worry: I’ve been practicing.”
Miss Harriet smiled and hugged her friend. “I can tell! Well, this is a good start to the new year! It all looks and smells delicious!”
“The table’s all set and everything. I wanted to give us plenty of time to eat before we have to leave for church.”
“Good idea.” Miss Harriet said, as Katherine led the way to the table.
* * **
At church that morning, everyone seemed just as jolly as they had been at Christmas, only quite a bit more tired-looking. When the service was over, Katherine and Miss Harriet made their way to the back of the church, where Captain Braddock had again slipped into the very last row.
“Happy New Year, Captain!” Miss Harriet said.
“And a Happy New Year to you too, ma’am. And to you, Katherine.”
“Thank you. It’s been a happy year so far.”
“Glad to hear it.” The captain said heartily. “Well, if you’ll both excuse me, I have my lunch to get to. I’ll see you Tuesday, Katherine.”
The captain limped off towards the parking lot, while Miss Harriet and Katherine exchanged smiles.
“I’m so glad he came again!” Katherine said, once the captain was out of earshot.
“Me too. If you achieve nothing else in life, Dearie, you’ve made that crusty old curmudgeon step foot in a church again, and that’s quite a feat.”
As they walked out into the parking lot, Katherine suddenly tugged on Miss Harriet’s sleeve and said, “Look! It’s Mr. James.”
“Why, yes, it is.” She said, smiling broadly at the reporter as he strode towards them.
“Happy New Year, both of you! Bright and chipper as ever, I see.”
“That’s a nice thing to hear after staying up late to see the New Year in! And, you know, Katherine was up before the birds this morning, making me the most delicious breakfast.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You deserve a little pampering now and then. Good thinking, Katherine.”
He winked at Katherine, and then turned back to Miss Harriet again. “I wanted to see if you would like to come for a stroll with me. There’s something I want to ask you about.”
Miss Harriet hesitated, and before she could reply, Mr. James continued, “Of course, it is quite cold this morning. If you would prefer, perhaps you could join me at my table in the morning for tea and scones? My treat. I happen to know that you have excellent staff available to take your place for a while, and I also happen to know that said staff is also willing to do so, right, Katherine?”
“Very willing.” Katherine replied, with an encouraging smile.
Miss Harriet still looked unsure. “Well, I suppose so… that is…” she stopped abruptly and let out a breath. “I’m sorry to sound so ungracious. What I mean to say is yes, thank you. Tea and scones at the shop would be lovely.” She smiled at Mr. James, whose face turned instantly from anxiety to jubilation.
“Good. Tomorrow morning, then.”
“Tomorrow morning.”
* * * *
