Chapter 42
Finn Wylder’s gentle brown eyes bulged, his cheeks showed red, and he had to raise his voice to be heard but he finally gained control of the scene. Two women fighting over the last red chemise did not bring a festive air to his mercantile. Both intended to give their menfolk a bit of a holiday surprise, but they got the surprise when the lacy fabric tore in two. The proprietor insisted each pay a share for the ruined merchandise.
The crowd from the mercantile emptied into the street after the ruckus had been quelled.
“That scared me when I couldn’t see you. I worried that something happened to you, Lin.” Violet put her good arm through her companion’s as they made their way through the crowds. She steered them toward the opposite side of the street where it wasn’t quite so busy.
“I am…fine. Yes, fine. I wait by door, like we agree.” The wise Chinese woman glanced over her shoulder and nodded to the man behind them. “Mister Tate watch me all time we are in store. No worry.”
Thank goodness for Tate’s vigilant eye. She wasn’t nearly as jumpy as she would have been had he not been observing them.
“I’d like to go in there for a minute.” She pointed to Liu Wei’s gemstone shop. A wisp of smoke rose from the small building’s chimney.
Liu Wei opened the door with a charming smile and welcoming nod. Today the slender man wore loose black pants, black shirt, and an intricately embroidered brown vest. The vest’s deep brown color matched his eyes perfectly. A pattern woven into the fabric made it look like the scales of a dragon.
“So glad to see you looking so well, Miss Bloom. A healthy pink glow has returned to your cheeks and you seem much improved.”
She introduced Sun Lin to Mister Liu. They each placed their palms together and inclined their heads. It looked very regal and proper—and although they had decided not to share Lin’s identity, the man seemed to recognize royalty.
The pair chatted in Chinese for a few short minutes. Animated and lyrical, the conversation brought smiles to both faces. It saddened Violet to hear it end.
When she had taught Lin enough English to get by, she intended to request Chinese lessons. She wanted to learn some words and phrases. There might be Chinese pupils in the schoolroom one day, so she ought to know how to converse with them.
Time enough for that chat at a later moment. It was Christmas Eve, and time moved swiftly.
Violet held her breath, hoping for a positive reply when she asked, “Do you have my package ready, Mister Liu?”
He tipped his chin as he reached behind the counter. Handing her a small black velvet box, he said, “I do have it. And I hope it brings the wearer much good luck.”
She had paid for the item when she asked him to make it, so she tucked it into her bag. “Thank you very much. I trust we will see you later today, at the schoolhouse. You know the holiday festivities will be something special this year, don’t you?”
He glanced at Lin, who had been watching him from beneath her long, black eyelashes.
“I would not miss it for anything.” He smiled so brightly at Lin that he made the sun seem dull by comparison. “It will be, I am sure, the event of the year.”