While Love Stirs (38 page)

44

“But I don’t understand why Nurse Pierce didn’t come to your aid.” Joel plowed his hand through his hair. “Mrs. Agle, are you sure you saw her when you came in?”

“Yes, sir. She was sitting in the drawing room.”

“Then she had to hear me yelling and smell the smoke,” Charlotte said.

“Why would she do such a thing?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She dramatically batted her eyelashes at him. “You’re so wonderful, Dr. Brooks. Maybe you can figure it out.”

“That’s not funny, Charlotte. She’s always flirted with me, but by not helping you, she’s gone too far.” Mouth rigid, jaw flexing, Joel gripped the back of a kitchen chair until his knuckles whitened. “Whatever her reason, I’ll release her from her work here today. I won’t have her mistreating you anymore. I’ll have Mattie come to do any further rehabilitation your aunt requires.”

“No, Joel. Don’t release her. She’s good for Aunt Sam.” Charlotte drew in a long breath. “Besides, I got myself locked in the pantry.”

“Then I’ll at least make the situation clear.”

“Well, what are we going to do about these?” Mrs. Agle carried in a stack of burnt cakes. She set them on the kitchen table, and like uneven bricks they tumbled over in a charred heap.

“I’ll never get the cakes done now.” Charlotte’s voice cracked.

“I’ll help you.” Mrs. Agle struck the first pan against the trash
bin and then pried out the remaining bits with a knife. “After I make breakfast, I’m all yours. What do you have left?”

“I need to assemble the Lady Baltimore cake, remake those lemon rounds, and then bake and ice the coconut cream.”

“Well, I can make the cakes for you if you’ll mix up the icing you want me to use.”

Joel took the empty pan from Mrs. Agle, then turned to Charlotte. “And I can help after I find Nurse Pierce and set her straight. I’ll scrub these so you can get started on making the cakes again. I’ll do whatever you need, and you can boss me around for a change.”

Everything was perfect. Charlotte surveyed the ballroom and her lips curled in a broad smile. In one corner of the room, the Saint Paul Orchestra was setting up. On the far wall, one of the hotel’s staff was filling the pedestaled cut-glass punch bowl with lemonade. She prayed that in less than an hour, the room would come alive with wealthy patrons, all giving to the orphans.

It was hard to believe it had all come together. When she’d arrived an hour and a half behind schedule this morning, she’d been shocked to find everything well in hand. The nurses were garnishing the garden arches with flowers, and Tessa was adding the whimsical paper butterflies. The lemonade table had been set up, as had the banquet room.

She recalled Molly telling her about Elisha and the widow and how he’d told the widow to collect all the empty jars she could. This ball was Charlotte’s empty jars. She was setting out the whole affair in hopes that God would turn her little effort into a grand success.

And she hadn’t made a mess of anything. A smile curled her lips again. She shouldn’t feel so proud of Joel for the way he’d reprimanded Nurse Pierce, but she was. She’d heard his roar all the way in the kitchen. His defense of Charlotte had been touching, and his anger on her behalf was heartwarming. Still, she’d felt a bit sorry for the love-struck nurse.

Charlotte walked down the hall into the banquet room, located her cakes, and set the first ones out on the footed cake stands she’d brought. Joel had proven an able assistant, whipping frosting for the coconut cream cakes for nearly twenty minutes without complaint. Then he’d helped her transport the finished cakes and later returned for the ones Mrs. Agle had prepared. She’d thanked him before he left to get ready for the ball, but he’d said nothing to indicate his generosity was meant for anything other than supporting the orphans. He hadn’t even asked her to save him a dance.

She shook her head. It was just as well. She had too much to oversee without Joel invading her thoughts at every turn. But he’d seemed so different today. Oh, he was the same strong, caring, meticulous man, but he was also abundantly supportive. She could almost convince herself he believed in her like she’d always wanted.

Almost.

It didn’t matter anyway, because after tonight, they’d agreed to go their separate ways. If only her heart didn’t ache so much at the thought.

When Joel arrived, he found Charlotte standing by Lewis in the foyer. The sight kicked him in the stomach. Why hadn’t he thought of this? Of course Lewis would escort her now. The young man probably leaped at the chance, and he couldn’t blame him one bit.

Charlotte stole his breath. Her deep sapphire dress had lots of glimmering beads that caught the light in her hazel eyes. No necklace graced her creamy neck, but her hair was done up and was decorated with a matching beaded hair ornament of some sort.

Truly a vision.

But he’d promised himself not to push her. He’d show her his love and wait for God to show him when he should make his feelings known. He’d been prepared to this morning, but God had closed that door, with Charlotte dangling from a transom. He
chuckled to himself. Maybe he should have spoken to her when she was trapped and couldn’t get away. She would have at least had to listen.

He spotted Terrence Ruckman sitting at the ticket table, and his chest constricted. He still had no answer about the missing charity funds at the hospital.

Knute Ostberg flanked him. Good. He simply couldn’t trust Terrence.

Dr. and Mrs. Ancker would be arriving soon, and Joel would need to help get the reception committee in place. He couldn’t avoid Charlotte all night. It was time. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and walked over to speak to her.

If Joel looked good with his shirtsleeves rolled up, he was toe-curling handsome in a black tailcoat. The satin-faced lapels on the jacket accented the white waistcoat and bow tie. White gloves, a top hat, and his ever-present stunning smile completed his ensemble.

“Hello, Lewis.” He nodded to the man, then turned to Charlotte. He gave her an appreciative smile. “Charlotte, you look stunning.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”

He dipped his head. “Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I see Dr. Ancker and his wife arriving.”

A few minutes later, Joel brought the hospital’s superintendent and his wife over to meet Charlotte. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gregory,” Dr. Ancker said. “Dr. Brooks has been singing your praises. Thank you for organizing this event.”

“Thank you, Doctor.” She self-consciously touched the base of her throat with her gloved hand. “I only wish we could have given the funds to the hospital. I know there are many needs.”

“Terrence found some money for Dr. Brooks’s microscope.” Dr. Ancker smiled. “God always provides.”

Soon the guests arrived. When Charlotte caught sight of Kathleen O’Grady, she flinched. What kind of trouble would she cause?

Kathleen waved to her. “Hello, Charlotte. I’d like you to meet my brother Kelly.”

“Mr. O’Grady, you brought Kathleen to one of my cooking demonstrations, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. I’m glad we could come tonight. Kathleen made it sound like all the bigwigs would be here.”

“There are a lot of people who want to support the children.” Charlotte turned to Kathleen. “How did you hear about the ball?”

“Actually, Kelly heard about it from a client.”

“I see.” She gave them a solicitous smile. “I need to go greet some other guests. Thank you for coming. I hope you have a lovely time.”

By the time the clock chimed eight, the ballroom was abuzz. Charlotte had never seen so many lovely dresses in one place.

Hannah wrapped her arm around Charlotte’s waist. “I’m so proud of you. This is truly an accomplishment. Thank you for all your hard work.”

She smiled and glanced around the roomful of guests. “Thank God for filling the jars.”

Aunt Sam nudged Charlotte’s arm. “Dear, why isn’t the music starting? Isn’t Joel the chairman of the floor?”

Charlotte sucked in her breath. Although they’d talked about it, they’d never decided who would fill that role. If someone didn’t start things off soon, this ball would be over before it began.

Joel glanced from Lewis to his watch to the orchestra. Why wasn’t Lewis taking Charlotte out on the dance floor to begin the ball?