But he was definitely considering her now.
In fact, over the past few minutes she’d jumped to the very top of his list.
* * *
Once Mr. Chandler left, Janell turned back to the children and found them wide-eyed. The place was tailor-made to be a child’s delight. The warmth inside was a welcome counterpoint to the windy outdoors, and the smells were mouthwateringly tantalizing.
Not only did Eve Dawson make delectable sweets, but her husband, Chance, carved wooden toys and fanciful decorations that he displayed around the shop. His woodworking area was visible across the room, separated only by a low rail.
He was there now and looked up when they entered and welcomed them with a smile. Then he bent over his work again.
Eve, her rounded stomach betraying the fact that she was expecting a child, stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Hello, Janell. Who are these two fine-looking young’uns you have with you?”
“This is Chloe and Alex, Mr. Chandler’s niece and nephew. They just arrived in town and I thought I’d treat them to some of your candies.”
She saw understanding and sympathy flash in Eve’s expression. Everyone in town knew why Mr. Chandler had headed for Colorado a few weeks ago.
“Well, as first-time customers, you’re allowed to sample anything in the shop for free. Just let me know what you want.”
Alex and Chloe were already eyeing the treats on display with hungry eagerness. Much better than the scared and woeful expressions they’d worn earlier.
Janell turned back to Eve. “While they’re trying to decide, would you mind whipping us up some hot cocoa?”
Eve smiled. “Not at all. Three hot cocoas, coming right up.”
Her husband, who’d sauntered over from his workbench, gave them another smile, then dropped a quick kiss on Eve’s cheek. “Why don’t you let me handle the cocoa while you take care of your customers?” Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the kitchen.
Eve turned back to her young customers. “Made up your minds yet?”
Alex’s eyes were wide with appreciation for the treats spread before him. “It just all looks so good.”
“And what about you, Chloe?”
When the little girl didn’t answer, Eve’s smile turned uncertain.
Janell caught her gaze and touched her ear with a shake of her head.
With an understanding nod, Eve turned back to the children. “I tell you what—why don’t I make up a platter with a little bit of everything and bring it to your table?”
Alex’s eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.
“That would be lovely, thank you.” Janell lightly touched Chloe’s arm to get her attention before sweeping a hand toward the tables. “Let’s have a seat, shall we?” She led them to one of the round tables that were set out for customers.
As they took their seats, Janell turned to Alex. “How old are you?”
“Eight.”
Then she turned to his sister. Touching the girl’s arm to get her attention once more, she carefully enunciated her question. “And how old are you?”
Alex immediately jumped in to answer for her. “She’s—”
Janell immediately stopped the boy with a raised hand. “Thank you, Alex, but I asked Chloe.”
“But—”
“She can still talk, can’t she?”
He shifted uncomfortably, shooting a furtive look his sister’s way before answering. “Yes, ma’am.”
Janell turned back to Chloe with a firm smile. “So, Chloe, how old are you?”
Chloe shook her head, a clear indication that she hadn’t understood. Janell knew from experience that even if the girl had read her lips properly, she wouldn’t have the confidence to answer. So she took a pencil and a scrap of paper from her handbag and wrote down the question.
Chloe looked at the note, then pursed her lips, as if she would refuse to answer. But Janell determinedly held her gaze and eventually the girl mumbled a reply. “Ten.”
Satisfied that she’d got the girl to respond verbally, Janell included Alex in her next question. “Then both of you will be in my class when you’re ready to join us at the school.”
Eve approached just then with a tray containing a generous mix of treats. “Here you go.” She set the tray between the children, then straightened and placed a hand lightly over her stomach. “I hope you enjoy.”
Both children leaned forward to examine the goodies. “Yes, ma’am,” Alex responded enthusiastically. “And thank you.”
Janell waited for Chloe to add her thanks, but the girl remained silent. She knew Chloe was having trouble interacting with folks around her, but it was time she began learning to do so again.
She leaned over and touched Chloe’s arm. The ten-year-old glanced up, a guarded expression on her face.
“Isn’t there something you’d like to say?” Janell spoke very deliberately, and when she was done she waved a hand Eve’s way.
Chloe blushed and pursed her lips stubbornly. Then she turned to their hostess. “Thank you.”
Eve smiled at the girl as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. “You’re quite welcome. Now, I’ll leave you to enjoy your treats while I check on how the cocoa are coming.”
As Eve walked away, Janell gave the children an encouraging nod. “Help yourselves.”
Without further prompting, they each grabbed something from the tray. Janell reached for a piece of pumpkin-seed brittle, her personal favorite.
As she nibbled on it, she wondered how Mr. Chandler planned to deal with his new circumstances. Had he already realized how much his life was going to change, that this was not a temporary situation that he could resolve and then go back to the life he’d had before? As far as she knew, he didn’t have any family here in Turnabout. Was there someone he could turn to, or even hire if need be, to help him care for the children?
Before any of them had time to reach for more, the cocoa arrived and Janell let the children drink without further attempts at conversation. The pair gradually relaxed. Alex, whose feet didn’t quite touch the floor, swung his legs absently. Chloe fidgeted with her cup.
Perhaps once they’d finished their cocoa she could try again to get them to open up to her. But she found her thoughts drifting to their uncle, wondering when he would return and feeling a small flicker of anticipation at seeing him again.
Mr. Dawson came over and handed Alex and Chloe each their own very small wooden top. Alex’s had a green stripe around the middle and Chloe’s had a red stripe.
He taught them how to spin the tiny toys and then, with a smile, left them to try it on their own.
Their first few attempts drew smiles and even a giggle or two as they tried to get them to spin correctly. Then they challenged each other to see whose could spin the longest.
While they were still playing, the door opened and Mr. Chandler finally walked in. Janell immediately felt her spirits jump, responding to what, she wasn’t quite sure. But the children’s reaction seemed the exact opposite.
Was it because his presence reminded them of their loss? Or was there some other reason?
Mr. Chandler had the look of someone ready to do his duty by his niece and nephew, come what may. Perhaps that was what they sensed—that they were a duty, not a welcome presence.
Janell