A Love For Keeps (Truly Yours Digital Editions) Read Free Page B

its side drape, trimmed in gold. She looked lovely in it.
     
    After making sure everything looked as good as it could, Meagan put on her favorite afternoon dress. It was brown, cream, and blue plaid gingham, with a front drape. She went down to the kitchen to heat up her curling irons and put her hair up, curling a few tendrils around her face. Finally, there was nothing more to do but wait until Mr. Brooks arrived … except to pray that he would decide to approve their loan.
     

     
    Mr. Brooks arrived promptly at three o’clock. When Meagan opened the door to him, she found him looking around the partial wraparound porch. She wasn’t worried. The cottage was in good shape, and the neighborhood always well kept. He’d find nothing to be critical about there.
     
    “Good afternoon, Mr. Brooks.” She hoped she didn’t sound too nervous.
     
    He turned back to the front door with a smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Snow. How are you this beautiful spring day?”
     
    Meagan had barely noticed how sunny and warm the day had become. She’d been too busy getting ready for his visit. But she didn’t want to appear too apprehensive. “I’m quite well, thank you. Please, come in.”
     
    “Welcome to our home, Mr. Brooks,” her mother said from behind her. “Meagan has much to show you.”
     
    “Thank you, Mrs. Snow. I’m anxious to see Miss Snow’s work.” He handed his calling card to her and then turned to Meagan. “Did you, perhaps, fashion the frock you are wearing?”
     
    “Yes, I did.” Meagan turned slowly, her arms outstretched so that he could see how the skirt was draped.
     
    He nodded. “It’s a lovely dress.”
     
    “We’re both wearing afternoon dresses that she designed herself,” Elsie said, turning gracefully so that Mr. Brooks could see how the skirt of her dress draped across the front and tied on the left side.
     
    “These are both quite nice. What else can you show me?”
     
    Meagan led him into the parlor where they’d laid out the rest of her work. She motioned for him to move around the room. “I’ve made more, but they were for other people and I didn’t have time to ask if we could borrow them.”
     
    “No need. I wasn’t expecting to see this much.” He walked over to the frocks she’d made for Becca. “You make children’s clothing, too?”
     
    “Of course,” Meagan said.
     
    “I have a six-year-old, and she’s been growing quite fast. I’m going to have to replenish her wardrobe soon. These look every bit as nice as anything we’ve had made for her. Since my wife passed away, her family has been helping me choose her clothing.”
     
    Meagan wasn’t sure what to say—or even how she felt about the fact that he wasn’t married. While she felt badly for him and his child, she couldn’t deny that knowing he was a widower made it easier to accept the fact that she found him quite attractive.
     
    He smiled. “My Natalie is very vocal about what she likes to wear. I’m sure that together, she and I could manage her wardrobe.”
     
    “I’m sure you could, too.”
     
    Mr. Brooks looked everything over carefully and listened as Meagan pointed out a certain style or a special drape or ruffle on each outfit she showed him, from school dresses to walking dresses, to Sunday dresses she’d made for her sisters.
     
    “While Meagan is showing you around, I’m going to put on a pot of water to heat. I hope you’ll join us for afternoon tea after you are through here, Mr. Brooks.”
     
    “I’d love to, Mrs. Snow.” He smiled at her mother and then turned to Meagan. “Let’s see the rest.”
     
    It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but that he could tell the quality of the fabrics and trim she’d used and commented on the quality of her work gave her hope.
     
    Meagan had just finished showing Mr. Brooks the rest of her work when the front door flew open and Becca and Sarah burst in from school. They stopped short when they saw the banker in the