Chapter 8

Sissy

The next day at work, all Sissy could think about was Vincent. He was much different than she thought he would be… kinder, maybe? Also, him being able to cook was entirely unexpected. In fact, he could probably teach her some things about cooking.

In her room, Sissy hid her money, not trusting the bank enough to put it in there… especially not after what she had gone through with her father. It was horrible to think that you could put your money in the bank, just to have it taken by outlaws.

Pain ripped through her heart, knowing Vincent had been with the gang and their actions had led to her father's death. But then again, if he hadn't been there, she would probably be dead now.

Sissy hurried to slip into her coat, wanting to catch Kenzie Baker before her shift started. She stuffed her apron into her coat pocket and rushed downstairs. It was still dark out and no one was in the dining room, but someone was already working away in the kitchen. She walked in and it was Paul.

"Good morning, sunshine!" he beamed, frying a huge batch of fried chicken in a cast iron skillet. "What are you doing up so early?"

She shrugged. "I'm on my way to Miss Baker's shop, but I have a question to ask."

"Shoot… but not literally." Paul laughed at his own joke. "So, what's on your noodle?"

She chuckled. "I was wondering if you needed any help cooking in the kitchen. Since I'm here, Millie can take off work when she needs to, and vice versa." Sissy lifted one shoulder. "I was just wondering if you were able to take off when you need to."

He sighed, his smile fading. "Since business is booming, I really should have some help." He arched an eyebrow, one corner of his lips curling into a smile. "Why? Have anyone in mind?"

"I might." A smile lit her lips. "I'll talk to him and if he's interested, I'll have him stop by to talk to you."

Paul burst out laughing. "Yes, please! And have him talk to me before he talks to Harrison. I respect Harrison, but he likes to keep a small staff."

"You mean, he's cheap." Sissy giggled.

"Shh!" Paul grinned as he placed a finger to his lips. "I never said that."

She chuckled. "You didn't have to." She started toward the door. "I'll be back in a little bit."

Paul nodded, a smile lighting his lips. "I'll let Millie know."

Sissy darted through the dining room and outside before anyone could stop her, headed toward The Lady's Dress Emporium. Her heart pounded when she saw Vincent's cabin not far away. If she knew him better, she would pop in for coffee, but it just wouldn't be proper. Sissy was sure tongues would wag if anyone saw her coming from Vincent's cabin so early in the morning.

She quickly pushed the thought aside as she approached the dress shop. The curtains were already pulled back, revealing dress forms with fine ladies' dresses. Kenzie Baker really was a fine dressmaker and designer.

A candle was burning in the back of the store, so she knocked.

"Coming!" Kenzie's lovely voice lilted from the backroom. She waltzed into the showroom wearing a lovely crimson velvet dress, perfect for the holidays. She froze when she saw Sissy, then a smile spread across her lips.

"Miss Spenser!" Kenzie chirped, approaching the door. She unlocked it and motioned her inside. "Come on in!" She locked the door behind her. "Usually I don't open the doors so early, but since it was you…." She motioned with her head toward the back. "Miss Spenser, would you care to join me for a cup of tea?"

"I'd love to, but I can't stay long." Sissy followed her into the back to Kenzie's private quarters and took off her coat. "But please, call me Sissy."

Kenzie hung up her coat and leaned in, a smile coloring her lips. "Only if you call me Kenzie."

"It's a deal." Sissy wrung her hands, looking around. "So, can I help you?"

Kenzie chuckled. "Oh, heavens no! Just sit down and keep me company while I put the kettle on."

Sissy took the seat that Kenzie had indicated and waited. "I hope you don't mind me popping in unannounced like this, but I was wondering if I might speak to you."

Kenzie sat across from her, a smile lighting her lips. "I thought you'd never ask. And the answer is yes."

Sissy giggled. "But you don't even know what I was going to ask."

"Well, I'm hoping you're here to ask me for a sewing job." Kenzie shrugged. "I need the help, and I know you do good work, so yes. You're hired."

"Well, about that…." Sissy's voice trailed off, not sure how to broach the subject. "I still work at the restaurant, but I was wanting to know if I could take the work with me and work from home."

A crease formed between Kenzie's eyes. "So, piecemeal?"

Sissy nodded. "If you don't mind, you could pay me for the work once it's finished. I'll work on it at home and on the weekends and then I'll bring it in when I'm finished."

"How long would you need?" Kenzie arched an eyebrow.

Sissy sighed. "Well, that depends upon the intricacy of the garment."

She and Kenzie continued talking, working out the finer points. By the time they were finished, they had a solid plan that they both were happy with.

"Are you sure this won't be too much for you?" Kenzie shrugged. "If you have a beau, will you have enough time?"

Sissy was surprised that she had asked her that.

"I'm sorry, but this is a small town." Kenzie leaned in conspiratorially. "I'm not saying anything, but I saw you go over to Vincent's cabin last night."

"Yes, he asked me over for dinner after my shift ended last night."

Kenzie lifted one shoulder, a smile lighting her lips. "As I said, not much goes on in this town without it becoming big news." She gently patted her hand. "Just be discreet."

Sissy nodded. "I will." She rose to her feet and slipped into her coat. "So, are you coming to the restaurant for Thanksgiving next week?"

"Will you be there?" Kenzie followed her to the front.

"Of course!" Sissy chuckled. "But Harrison is closing down early so we can all enjoy our Thanksgiving meal together."

"Well, I'll be sure to come in early, then." Kenzie unlocked the door, waiting.

"No, come dine with the staff as my guest." Sissy wanted to tell her that Vincent would be there, too, but didn't want to speak for him since she hadn't asked him yet.

"Oh, I couldn't—"

"Yes, you can." Sissy gave her air kisses over both cheeks. "When would you like me to come by for the first order?"

"As soon as you can." Kenzie waved goodbye and locked the door behind her as she left.

Eventually, Sissy would love to work with Kenzie full time, but thought this was best for now. She needed to make money fast, just in case. Sissy was tired of living poor. Even though she never wanted for anything while she was growing up, it was time for that to change. Money was necessary, not the root of all evil. It was what you did with it that could be used for evil or for good.

But Sissy quickly pushed the thought aside as she approached the restaurant, determined to work hard to earn a good living… eventually.

Over the next week, Sissy spent a lot of her free time sewing or seeing Vincent. Since their dinner, they had spent nearly every free moment together. She had told him that Paul could use his help in the kitchen, but Vincent said that he was happy where he was… for now.

Before long, it was Thanksgiving Day. True to his word, Harrison closed the restaurant at five o'clock and only a select few people were invited to celebrate the holiday with them. But of course, the people who didn't have anyone to spend the holidays with—or those who had burned their meal—were always welcome.

Harrison, Paul, and some other men pushed the tables together and Millie and Sissy served the meal.

Just then, Vincent knocked on the front door, his hat in his hand.

"Good! Vincent's here!" Sissy rushed to the door as Millie and Harrison suppressed smiles. Sissy opened the door. "Come on in! You're just in time!"

Vincent walked in timidly, concern filling his eyes. "Are you sure this is all right?"

"Of course!" Sissy took his coat. "You're here as my guest!" She hung it up on a peg by the door and Vincent hung up his cowboy hat.

"You're right on time, Vincent!" Harrison smiled, nodding toward the table. "You can sit beside Sissy."

"Are you sure this is okay? Me being here?" Concern filled his eyes.

Sissy and Vincent had been courting, but this was the first time they were actually making it public that they were together.

"Yes, of course!" Harrison nodded toward the table. "Now, sit down before I change my mind."

Everyone laughed.

Vincent approached the table, dressed in a nice shirt and vest, and matching trousers, his boots were polished and shone to perfection, and his dark brown hair was neatly combed.

Kenzie knocked on the door, too, and Sissy quickly let her in. "I'm so glad you came!"

"Thanks for inviting me!" Kenzie chirped, handing her two apple pies. "I thought I'd bring these along."

"Now, wait a minute here!" Paul teased as everyone laughed. "I'm the cook around here."

"Vincent cooks, too." Sissy chuckled as she set the pies on a nearby table for later.

"Oh! So, he's the one you were telling me about!" Paul chimed in, setting some green beans on the table.

"The one and only," Sissy replied.

"Well, if you ever need work—" Paul replied.

"Now, wait a minute here!" Alarm shone in Harrison's eyes.

"I've been the only cook here now for a while, and it's time I got help before I work myself to death." He winked at Millie. "I'm taking a page from Millie's book."

"That's what I thought." Harrison chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"I'll be right back with the turkey." Paul headed toward the back, and Harrison followed. They came back a moment later with a huge turkey, and Harrison set two pumpkin pies on the table beside Kenzie's pies.

By the time they all sat down to eat, the table was filled with food.

Harrison said the blessing over the meal, thanking God for the opportunity for everyone to be together and taking time to enjoy the holiday. Then he ended with, "Now, dig in!"

Vincent gently squeezed Sissy's hand, tenderness filling his eyes. Even though he didn't say anything, Sissy knew his heart was filled with emotion. At that moment, she wondered how long it had been since he had spent a holiday with family.

Even though they weren't technically related, everyone there had become a family. Looking around the table, Sissy realized that Millie, Harrison, Paul and the others had created this family together.

When dinner was over and the pie eaten, everyone sat back, fully sated.

"My, my! That was the best meal I've had in a very long time!" Kenzie smiled, looking around the room. "Thanks for having me."

"It was our pleasure." Harrison rose from the table. "In fact, everyone, as my gift to you, I'm going to do the dishes and clean up. You have the rest of the night off."

"Now, wait a minute here." Paul stood as everyone laughed. "No one goes into my kitchen without my say so."

Harrison chuckled, holding up his hands. "Well, if you'd rather clean it yourself…."

"On second thought, I appreciate the gesture," Paul quickly amended as everyone laughed. "But first, I'm going to have another slice of Miss Baker's delicious pie!"

"I guess I should be going, too." Vincent stood as he glanced over at Sissy, raising his eyebrows. "Sissy, would you care to join me for a stroll?"

Millie and Kenzie exchanged glances, giggling.

"I'd love to."

Vincent held her chair while Sissy stood and then turned to Harrison, extending his hand. "Mr. Curry, thank you for having me here today. I truly enjoyed it."

"I didn't have much of a choice. Now, did I?" Harrison joked as everyone laughed. "But seriously, I'm glad you came."

"Thank you, Mr. Curry," Sissy added. "I won't be long."

"Take your time." Harrison pulled her in for a one-armed hug. "Thank you… for everything."

Vincent held her coat for her as she slipped into it and then put on his own. When they were ready, Vincent held the door for her, and they headed out.

A cold, biting wind whipped around them as they headed down the walkway, snow flurries covering their path. Snow was piling up on the road and beneath the barren trees, covering everything in a blanket of white.

"I wish there was some other place for us to go, but would you like to go to my cabin?" Vincent asked over the howling wind.

Sissy nodded. "We probably would have been better off staying in the restaurant. We could have talked in the private dining area."

Vincent smiled, shaking his head. "No, I hope you don't mind, but I wanted a moment alone with you."

"Okay." Sissy wasn't sure what he was up to, but he had always been a perfect gentleman since she first started courting him.

His head snapped up, one corner of his lips curling into a smile, causing her heart to stop. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded. "With my life."

When they reached his cabin, he held the door for her, letting her go in first. He helped her out of her coat, and he hung it by the door, along with his own.

"You can sit on the sofa. I'll put another log on the fire."

She did as he asked, and he sat beside her a moment later.

"Would you like some coffee?" he asked, wringing his hands nervously.

Sissy shook her head, and then reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "What's wrong? Didn't you have a good time today?"

He nodded, a smile lighting his lips. "Yes, of course I did." He bit his lower lip and released it, taking her hand. "I didn't want to tell you this outside and in public view, but I love you, Sissy. Somehow, since the day I first met you, I've fallen in love with you."

Sissy gasped.

"You don't have to say it back," he continued, looking down at her hand. "But I wanted you to know."

She placed her hand on his cheek, her eyes meeting his. "I love you, too, Vincent."

He nodded, a worried look in his eyes. "But can you accept me, knowing I was a member of the Holloway Gang?"

"But you're not anymore." A smile lit her lips. "We all have choices to make in life, and you chose to leave the gang and to start fresh. So, yes. I can."

He crushed his lips to hers as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, sending fire and sparks throughout her body. He pulled back and gave her one last sweet kiss.

"Well, I'd better get back." She stood, wringing her hands. "Millie will start to wonder where I am."

He nodded, smiling. "Yes, of course. I'll walk you back."

Vincent helped her into her coat and then slipped on his. Then he offered her his arm and they headed back silently, each lost in their own thoughts.

When they reached the hotel, he took her hand and kissed it. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Until then." As she headed inside, she wondered what Vincent was thinking. Although he had told her he loved her, he had made no mention of marriage. But she guessed that would come soon enough.