It wasn’t exactly a surprise when Owen took to looking grumpy. “You don’t think he’s taking her wisdom to heart and might be even now contemplating the idea of trying to steal some kisses from you?”
Beulah’s eyes began twinkling. “Who’s to say he’d need to steal them?”
Owen shuddered ever so slightly. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that, but now, if the two of you will excuse me, I’m off to have a little chat with Leopold.”
“He’s out on the front porch, reading stories to the children,” Beulah said before she stepped closer and gave Owen’s cheek a pat. “Try not to embarrass yourself, dear, because while it’s rather sweet that you’re taking issue with all the inescapable romance floating around these days, take some wisdom from your dear old meemaw—sometimes things are simply meant to be, and there’s nothing anyone can do to stop them.”
“That’s the worst piece of wisdom you’ve ever given me,” Owen muttered before he kissed his grandmother’s hand, told Camillahe’d be back momentarily, then strode off toward Beulah’s cabin, clearly intent on getting to that little chat with Leopold as soon as possible.
“The poor dear,” Beulah said, turning to Camilla. “You do realize that he’s only concerning himself with everyone else’s romantic interests because he’s clearly overwhelmed by his own romantic issues, don’t you?”
Camilla stilled. “I didn’t realize Owen had romantic issues.”
Beulah gave Camilla’s arm a pat. “You know, I can’t help but wonder, because you’ve spent so much of your time as a professional matchmaker, if, when it pertains to Owen’s romantic issues, you’re too close to the situation and can’t notice what’s right in front of you. Unable to see the forest for the trees, so to speak.”
“I’m not really seeing anything in what you just said,” Camilla admitted.
“Then allow me to explain more precisely—Owen’s issues revolve around the idea that you still seem to be intending to return to New York in the not-so-distant future. I’m sure he doesn’t want you to go, but he hasn’t broached the matter with you because you’ve been so adamant about avoiding taking possession of the apple pie recipe.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with Owen’s issues since he, being a man, obviously believes your determination to prevent me and Elma from slipping you that recipe by whatever means necessary equates to you wanting to make certain there’s no possibility you’ll find yourself married to him.”
“But I don’t actually believe in the power of the recipe. I’ve just been determined to thwart you and Elma because I consider avoiding taking possession of the recipe as just another one of the challenges you’ve sent my way, quite like whitewashing your fence.”
Beulah’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, child. The recipe isn’t a challenge. It’s a gift, and one that’s only given to people we Chesterfields feel are worthy of becoming a part of our family.”
Camilla took hold of Beulah’s hand. “Then allow me to beg your pardon, Beulah. I certainly didn’t mean to offend you by not truly realizing the importance of the recipe.”
“Does that mean you’ll accept it the next time I try to get it into your hands?”
Camilla considered the question for a long moment before she shook her head. “I’m afraid, since I’m not convinced Owen holds me in the kind of affection you’re suggesting he does, that it wouldn’t be fair for me to accept the recipe, not when it could lead to disappointing so many people I’ve come to care about if or when I return to New York.”
“You saidif,” Beulah said, a small smile curving her lips. “That speaks volumes and suggests that you hold my grandson in just as much affection as I know he holds for you.”
“I’m not going to argue and say I don’t care for Owen, but I’m still not going to accept the recipe from you.”
Beulah patted Camilla’s arm again. “Which is fine for now, dear. But I am going to expect you to contemplate this matter thoroughly when you’re at your leisure. I assure you, if you do that, you’ll undoubtedly come to the same conclusion I have.”
“Which would be...?”
“That what you’ve happened upon here in West Virginia is not something you’ll ever find back in New York. And, if you’re unsure what I’m talking about, know that, to put it simply, what you’ve found isOwen, and he’syourperfect match in every way.”
Twenty-Six
“Now, son,” Leopold began a moment after Owen finished telling the gentleman that he’d appreciate it if there was no more thinking about kissing and Meemaw from that point forward, even if Aunt Elma kept broaching the topic, “while it’s understandable why you feel the need to havethe talkwith me, although I’m a little elderly for that type of talk, what I think is this—you’re devoting far too much time worrying about everyone else and their kissing when what you really should be devoting your time to is getting around to doing some kissing of your own—and with Camilla, if that’s in question.”
Owen pressed a finger once again to a temple that was definitely beginning to throb. “That has nothing to do with our current conversation.”
“I beg to differ because, in my humble opinion, you’re getting yourself all worked up about me and your meemaw, as well as Luella and Charles, and kissing in general, because you don’t know how to go about securing a few kisses from Camilla.”
“If I’m getting worked up it’s because I’ve been left in charge of the family, and we’re talking about my grandmother and sister being the objects of gentlemen wanting to kiss them.”
“Kissing is what couples do after they realize they’re fond of each other, which brings me back to Camilla—are you not fond of her?”
“I’m not comfortable with the direction this conversation is taking.”
Leopold sent him a wink. “Then I won’t say another word about you kissing Camilla, but I imagine after you get around to kissing her, you’ll be keener to discuss matters of kissing with me. Know that I’m more than willing to lend you advice since your father isn’t around and I’m a gentleman of a certain ... vintage and experience.”