7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Charlotte hummed to herself as she ran first her eyes and then her fingers over the collection of fabric. It was difficult to choose what she wanted. There was a beautiful deep green plaid, but there was a lovely maroon. A deep blue also spoke to her. It was a difficult decision.

The fabric for her mother had been an easy choice, as a few weeks back she'd seen her mother looking longingly at a beige color with faint gold stripes. It was much harder to decide for herself, as this would likely be the most important dress that she ever wore.

It might be the dress that won her August.

Charlotte turned to the thread. She'd made up her mind to get the green, and was looking for thread that blended in best, when she felt someone standing close to her. She glanced up, expecting to see the shop owner or his wife ready to measure her fabric. To her surprise, it was neither. It was August.

"Oh," she gasped. "You-you startled me."

"Making a new dress?" he asked, looking at the fabrics.

"Yes, for the festival," she answered, feeling shy. She'd hardly talked to August since they'd been in school, and that was years before. Until now, other than a hello here and there, she'd simply imagined him talking to her.

"I like the blue," he said, nodding to it. "Suits you."

"That's just the one I was getting," Charlotte said, smiling up at him.

August nodded. "A good choice. I'll be at the festival as well."

A heavy silence came between them. Charlotte swallowed. "Is that so? Planning to enjoy the afternoon? Or are you also planning to spend it in someone's company?"

She'd asked him. Charlotte could hardly believe she'd let the words come from her mouth.

His eyes filled with amusement. "I've got my eye on someone. If she'll be there and come up to me, I couldn't say."

Charlotte nodded, momentarily at a loss for words. She suddenly felt very hot, and it was difficult to breathe. Was he insinuating that he'd be interested in her? Had her friend Betty been truthful ?

"Where have you been keeping yourself?" August asked. "I've not seen you around for a while."

"Oh." Charlotte's mind spun. Did that mean he'd been looking for her? "I got a job," she explained. "It keeps me quite busy."

"Where at?" he asked, picking up a nearby book, turning it over in his hands, and putting it back. Charlotte recalled he'd never been one for books.

"For the new doctor," she said. "I take care of his notes and patient charts, and assist a little if he needs me in some other way."

A sneer passed over his face. "That so? I met him. Don't care for the man."

"You don't?" Charlotte felt surprise, and it escaped in her voice. "Justin—Dr. Davis is very kind. He treats everyone nicely and fairly. I can't imagine what he did that upset you."

"You don't need to," he said. "That's men's business." He gave her a long, studying look. "Do I need to worry that you are planning to go for him at the festival?"

"N-no," Charlotte stammered. "Not at all. The doctor and I are merely friends. We work together. That's all."

"Huh. I see. Maybe I should form my own opinion on that," August said. Then, he gave her a wink. "After all, I have to figure out if I've got competition or not."

Her cheeks felt as though they were on fire. It was true! August did like her! She must be the one he hoped would go to him at the festival and ask for a sleigh ride. Her pulse was so rapid, Charlotte hoped she didn't faint. She could hardly believe what was happening.

"Well, I've got to go. See you around," August said, tipping his hat to her.

Charlotte watched as he strode out of the store, and let her eyes follow him for a moment. She felt almost giddy. She couldn't wait to tell her mother and start making her dress.

"Have you chosen?" the shop owner asked, coming up to her.

"Yes, the blue fabric," Charlotte said, "with some thread for it, please."

She waited almost impatiently for the length to be cut, folded, and wrapped. Finally, she took her bundle and hurried away.

Usually, the two miles home didn't feel that far, but today they did. Charlotte was anxious to start on her dress. She had to make it perfect.

When her house was just before her, since no one was around, Charlotte nearly ran to the front door and burst in.

"My goodness," her mother gasped from the kitchen. "Is everything all right?"

"It's more than all right," Charlotte said happily. "I was choosing my fabric for a dress, and you'll never guess who else was in the store. "

"Hmm," her mother said teasingly. "Let me see…" She sliced another carrot and asked, "August Middleton?"

"Yes." Charlotte giggled. "I was going to get a different fabric, but he said he liked the blue, so I chose that." She unwrapped the bundle and pulled out the length of cloth.

"Oh, that is a lovely color, and I'm glad you chose it. However, it's important to choose what you like as well, not just what you hope someone will like you in." Her mother scooped the carrots into a simmering pot.

"Now, Mama, I know for a fact you wore lavender because Papa liked you in it, even though you got a bit tired of the color."

Her mother laughed. "Perhaps," she admitted. "As long as you are happy."

"I am," Charlotte said. "This was one of the three choices I was torn between."

She handed another wrapped bundle to her mother. "I bought you something as well."

"You shouldn't have," her mother said, worry on her face. "My dear, your pay is for you."

"And I chose to get this for you," Charlotte said, jutting out her chin stubbornly. "Go on, open it."

Her mother wiped her hands on her apron, then slowly unwrapped the brown paper. She gasped when she saw the fabric, and tears formed in her eyes. "My dear girl, you shouldn't have," she said as she stroked the fabric, sliding one finger down the faint stripe .

"I should have," Charlotte said, hugging her mother. "We shall each have a new dress, Mama. We deserve it. It has been too long since either of us has had that luxury."

Her mother didn't answer, but turned back to the stove, wiping at her eyes. Charlotte decided to change the subject.

"August did say something strange," she admitted.

It hadn't occurred to her at the time, but now it sank in. She frowned slightly as she recalled his words.

"What was that?" her mother asked curiously.

"He said he didn't care for Dr. Davis. Then, he asked me if I was going to choose him at the festival. The doctor, I mean." Charlotte shook her head. "Why do you think he asked that? And why do you think he doesn't care for the doctor?"

"Perhaps he is jealous." Her mother shrugged. "The doctor is a good man. He's very important to the community, and has taken the time to help a good number of people, just in his short time here."

"The Middletons are also important," Charlotte said. "Why, they own quite a bit of land, including in the town, and a large number of cattle. They provide a lot of jobs."

"They do," her mother agreed. "So there's no reason for August to feel unimportant. Perhaps it's just some sort of a pride thing. He could be thinking that he doesn't want the woman he's chosen to be looking at someone else. "

"He doesn't need to worry about that," Charlotte laughed. "I've had my eye on August since we were in school together. I know almost every girl did. It's almost like a dream that he might be interested in me. He was hinting about hoping for a particular person to ask him for a sleigh ride."

Her mother smiled. "Well, if he is the one that you want, I hope you get to have him. You deserve nothing but happiness."

Her mother picked up the blue fabric and began to mumble to herself as Charlotte let her thoughts wander. Yes. Yes, she did want August, and more than anything, she hoped that on the day of the festival, when she walked up to him and took his arm, he'd smile down at her and go on that sleigh ride.

There was a knock at the door, and Charlotte stood. "I'll get it, Mama."

She was surprised when she'd opened the door to see the young boy who did general store deliveries. "For you," he said, thrusting a package at her. "Already got my tip."

As the boy ran off, Charlotte stared in surprise. Had she left something behind at the store? She walked back to the kitchen.

"Who was that?" her mother asked.

"A delivery boy. He brought a package."

"What's in it?" Her mother glanced over at the small bundle .

Charlotte shrugged and untied the twine around the package. A long, deep blue ribbon was revealed.

"Oh that's lovely," her mother said. "Did you forget to bring that home?"

"I didn't buy this," Charlotte said, wrinkling her nose. Then, she gasped. "It must have been August! This must be a gift from him!"

She spun around the kitchen. Tomorrow, she'd wear it in her hair, in case she saw him. Once the dress was finished, she'd add it here and there to it, unless she kept it for her hair. Charlotte couldn't remember ever being so happy.