Free A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman Page A

tilted her head, squinting to study the elderly gentleman before her.
    He repositioned a black bowler on his head and turned. His kind, gray eyes lit with a twinkle. "Well?"
    She pursed her lips and stepped forward, then reached to tug the derby a bit lower. Leaning back to assess, she finally grinned. "Why, Mr. Hargrove, I do believe you bring new meaning to the word 'dapper.'"
    Her playful tone elicited a chuckle from his weathered lips. "It's not too young for a man my age?" His eyes darted back to the looking glass, a crease hovering above snow-white brows.
    Charity joined him at the mirror, impressed with the striking image he cut for someone in his eighties. She smiled and patted his arm. "Maybe for a man your age," she teased, "but not for a man who looks twenty years younger."

    He laughed, a ruddy color lighting his cheeks. He lifted the derby from his head and held it to his striped silk vest, bowing slightly. Silver hair gleamed in the afternoon sun that shafted through the front window of Shaw's Emporium. "My dear Miss O'Connor, I'm not sure if it's the derby or the young woman selling it that puts a spring in my step. But either way, you've made yourself a sale."
    Charity plucked the hat from his hand and giggled. "Shall I wrap it up along with the double-breasted suit, the incredibly elegant morning coat, and the tweed Norfolk jacket?" She cocked her head and dangled the derby in the air. "Or do you want to wear it home to watch the ladies swoon?"
    The sound of his rich, throaty laughter turned several heads their way. He snatched the bowler from her fingers and slapped it on his head with two firm taps. He extended his arm to escort her to the front desk. "Charity, my girl, you alone are worth the obscene amount of money I spend in this place."
    Charity slipped her arm into his and released a contented sigh. "Why, thank you, Mr. Hargrove. And customers like you are worth the long, long hours I put in."
    He stopped abruptly, his brows bunched in a frown. "Does Mrs. Shaw realize what she has in you, young lady?"
    Charity laughed. "I believe she realizes she has a loyal employee with a fondness for some of her favorite customers." She took a step toward the register. He tugged her back.
    "No, my dear, I mean does she realize what a gold mine you are? That you're the reason that many a customer, myself included, comes into her humble mercantile?"
    Charity swallowed. "Why, Mr. Hargrove, that's so very kind-"
    "Poppycock, young woman, there's nothing kind about it. It's the raw, unadulterated truth. Why, you're a natural-born merchant, Charity, and I, for one, would like to see you reap the rewards." He leaned close to her ear. "I hear tell Mrs. Shaw is looking to sell. You would make an excellent proprietor, you know."

    Charity peeked at the register where Mrs. Shaw was attending to a customer. She touched Mr. Hargrove's arm, shocked at the mistiness that suddenly sprang to her eyes. "Goodness, Mr. Hargrove, you'll have me tearing up any moment if I let you go on. What a wonderful compliment. Thank you so much. I would love to have my own store, of course, but that's a dream for someone other than a poor shop girl."
    "Why?"
    She blinked. "Why, because I can't afford to buy this shop or any other."
    The abundance of wrinkles on Horatio Hargrove's face parted into a mischievous grin. "No, but I can."
    Charity felt the blood in her cheeks course all the way to her toes. What was he saying?
    He laughed and chucked a withered finger to her chin. "Think about it, Charity. I'm an old man with more money than years left to spend it. I could lend you the money to buy Mrs. Shaw out, and you could pay me back a little each month until the shop is yours. With your knack for business, you'll own it in no time. Until then, I'll reap a percentage of the profits from your extraordinary talent for making old men feel young again."
    Her mouth hung open like a simpleton, but she was too stunned to close it.
    Mr. Hargrove laughed