Free A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman Page B

again. "Really, Charity, it's the ideal business venture for both of us. Will you at least consider it?"
    "No, I ... I can't, Mr. Hargrove, as much as I would love to, I really can't. You see, I'll be returning home to Boston at Christmas-for good."

    One of his shaggy, white brows launched a full half inch. "Boston? You're leaving?"
    Charity attempted a smile. "Regrettably, I am. But Emma will still be here."
    Mr. Hargrove released a weighty sigh and put his arm around Charity's shoulder, continuing toward the register. "Ah, yes, Emma. I do like that young woman, as well. But I'm afraid I've gotten rather attached to you, my dear."
    "Good afternoon, Mr. Hargrove. Have you found everything you need?" Mrs. Shaw lighted on her best customer like a heavy mist on an early-morning bog.
    Charity slipped from beneath his arm and scurried around the register to box up his purchases. Mr. Hargrove planted one hand on the counter and tapped his derby with the other. "More than I need, Mrs. Shaw, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Miss O'Connor."
    Mrs. Shaw beamed, revealing oversized teeth the shade of pale butterscotch. "Yes, Charity has been our top sales clerk for a while now. We're quite proud of her."
    Mr. Hargrove displayed some teeth of his own. "I hope that pride is attached to a hefty raise, Mrs. Shaw, because this young woman certainly deserves it."
    Pink splotches in her cheeks and a raspy titter quickly replaced the butterscotch smile. "Why, yes, yes, she certainly does, Mr. Hargrove." She shot a nervous look at Charity. "I need to run in back for a moment. Will you finish with Mr. Hargrove, please?"
    "Yes, ma'am."
    "Good, good." She spun around, her carrot-red topknot all afrizz as she bolted for the back room. One stubby arm flailed in the air. "Have a good day, Mr. Hargrove. Always a pleasure."
    Charity giggled. "Goodness, I haven't seen her move that quickly since Emma let a street urchin use the privy. Would you like me to add a pound of your favorite pipe tobacco to the bill?"

    He chuckled. "Yes, please. You always seem to know when I'm running low." He paused. "Speaking of Emma, how are things?"
    Charity looked up. Her smile faded into a frown. "Not good, but she refuses to leave."
    The soft gray of Mr. Hargrove's eyes darkened to pewter. "How can a woman stay with a monster who would scar her like that?"
    Charity forced herself to concentrate on folding the charcoalcolored morning coat. She blinked several times to dispel a sting of wetness in her eyes, remembering the day she'd learned Emma's drunken husband had thrown hot grease in her face. "I don't know, sir. She claims she loves him. Swears he didn't mean it. That it was the bottle and not her Rory' who was to blame." She shivered.
    Mr. Hargrove placed a gnarled hand on top of hers. "Emma told me what you did, my dear. How you saved her j ob, threatening to quit if she lost hers."
    Charity whirled around to scoop tobacco into a bag, heat flooding her cheeks. The sweet, rich scent of maple rum drifted in the air. "Goodness, Emma and I are a team. I can't keep this shop running by myself, you know."
    "You're a good friend, Charity O'Connor. Putting your job on the line to save hers." He released a quiet sigh. "What a tragedy. One so young and lovely ... now so disfigured. I pray God watches over her."
    Charity tugged a string tightly around the bag of tobacco and plopped it on the counter, a stiff smile on her lips. "Well, I don't know about God, Mr. Hargrove, but I certainly know an angel who can watch over her."
    He pursed his lips and arched his brows. "And who, pray tell, might that be?"
    Charity glanced toward the back room before leaning over the counter with a conspiratorial smile. "Why, a silver tongued angel who holds our own Mrs. Shaw in the palm of his prosperous hand."

    Mr. Hargrove grinned and pressed in. "And how may I be of assistance, young lady?"
    Charity tallied his bill and presented it to him with a flourish. "I fear Mrs. Shaw finds Emma's