The Bride of Willow Creek(78)
Angie stood in the front doorway while the Govenors’ driver escorted Lucy and Daisy from the house to a polished black vis-à-vis. The Govenors faced forward. Neither gave her a glance.
But when the carriage returned, the only occupants were Winnie and the girls. The girls jumped to the ground and ran to the bed of columbines, their eyes bright with excitement.
“We could order anything we wanted to eat,” Lucy said. “I had clam chowder and I liked it, and baked chicken that I didn’t like as much as fried like we do it here at home.”
“We had ice cream for dessert!” Daisy’s eyes widened in thrilled amazement. “And the ice cream had strawberries in it, and strawberry jam on top!”
“I want to hear every detail,” Angie said, standing and pulling off her gardening gloves. “But first, run inside and put on your everyday dresses and shoes.” Her gaze flicked to the vis-à-vis. “Is your grandmother waiting for something?”
“Oh, she wants to talk to you,” Lucy called over her shoulder before she and Daisy banged into the house.
Angie’s heart sank. She couldn’t imagine what she and Winnie Govenor might have to say to each other. Resisting an urge to remove her apron and smooth back her hair, she reluctantly approached the carriage.
“Step inside, if you please,” Winnie said, skimming an eye over Angie’s everyday work dress and utilitarian hairstyle.
“Yes?” Angie asked warily once she was seated across from Winnie Govenor. Winnie wore a dark summer-weight traveling suit trimmed with blue and cream.
“I’ll come straight to the point. Mr. Govenor and I would like Lucy and Daisy to spend the summer with us in Colorado Springs. This request should more properly be put to Mr. Holland or his attorney, but Mr. Holland has shown no inclination to listen to reason. It is my hope that by making the approach through you, Mr. Holland will consider our wishes.”
Angie stared in disbelief. “Mrs. Govenor, Sam will never give up his girls. He’ll never agree to this proposal.”
“Mr. Holland will lose the girls in any case. It’s obvious to all that he won’t be able to arrange for Daisy’s surgery before October. When he defaults on his commitment, custody will revert to Mr. Govenor and me. All parties have agreed to this resolution.”
“We still have three months.”
“There is no reason to prolong this. Since we will receive custody anyway, we would like to have the summer with our granddaughters. We’d like to spend time with them before they leave for school.”
“Leave for school?” Angie frowned. “In the unlikely event that you receive custody, wouldn’t Lucy and Daisy attend school in Colorado Springs?”
“We have enrolled both girls in Miss Washington’s School for Young Women. Miss Washington prefers that her young ladies board on premises. As the school is indeed in Colorado Springs, Lucy and Daisy would come home for holidays and selected weekends.”
Angie threw up her hands. “Why do you want custody at all if you’re only going to send them off to live somewhere else?”
“I assure you that Miss Washington’s School for Young Women is the best of its kind in the West. Miss Washington is extremely selective and accepts only young ladies from families of quality and standing. Attending Miss Washington’s is a fine opportunity for Lucy and Daisy.”
Angie fell backward against the seat cushion. She wasn’t sure where to begin, but she had to try. “Mrs. Govenor, Lucy and Daisy are seven and five years old. Miss Washington’s school might be a wonderful opportunity when they’re older, but not now. Right now they need the stability and security of a home and family.”
Winnie’s face tightened. “Clearly you have no appreciation for how difficult it will be for Mr. Govenor and myself to raise children at this time in our lives. But we’re willing, even eager to assume our duty. However, the situation will be easier on all concerned with the girls at Miss Washington’s during the school year.”
“The girls don’t need more upheaval and change. They need to be with their father, not sent away.” Anger flashed in her eyes and she clenched her hands in the lap of her apron.
“It grates to hear you continually refer to Mr. Holland as my granddaughters’ father. If the court wasn’t so blind, we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place.” Winnie raised a trembling hand to her forehead. “If Mr. Holland wants children, then he should have his own instead of stealing Laura’s! This is not right.”
Angie’s gaze narrowed. “What are you talking about?”