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been that way since Fred was killed. And why was she so determined to do things on her own? Maybe she should accept Dan’s help—just this once.
    “Thanks,” she murmured. “I appreciate your kindness.”
    His ears turned pink. “Just helping a friend.”

Chapter 7

    B ev closed the door behind a customer and glanced around the toy store. She couldn’t believe she’d been working here three weeks already. So much had happened in that time—moving, getting Amy situated in her new school, and learning more about her job. She felt she was doing fairly well, for she’d sold twice as many toys in the last few days as she had the previous week. Working at Twice Loved was proving to be fun, with not nearly as much stress as her last job. No overbearing boss making unwanted advances either.
    Bev had felt such relief when Dan agreed to let Amy come to the store after school. He even said having the child there might make some customers stay longer, since those who’d brought children along could shop at their leisure while Amy kept their little ones occupied.
    There were times, like the Saturday Bev and Amy had moved, when Dan seemed so friendly and approachable. Other times he shut himself off, hiding behind the doors of his studio and barely saying more than a few words whenever he was around. Bev figured he was busy with pre-Christmasportraits, but it almost seemed as if he’d been avoiding her.
    Have I done something wrong?
she wondered.
Is he displeased with the way I do the books or how I run the store?
    She studied the room more closely. Everything looked neat and orderly. Cleaning and organizing was one of the first things she had done. She’d also placed some of the more interesting toys in strategic spots in order to catch the customers’ attention when they entered the store. The Christmas decorations she’d put in the store window looked enticing, even though the train wasn’t part of the display yet. Ellis had phoned yesterday, saying the train should be ready later this week and that he would bring it by.
    Bev picked up the ledger from her desk and thumbed through the last few pages. Twice Loved was making more money than it had in several months—the profit column was proof of that.
    So why did Dan seem so aloof? Was he dreading the holidays? If so, Bev couldn’t blame him. This was the first year since Fred’s death that she hadn’t experienced anxiety about Christmas coming.
    “It’s probably because I’m working here among all these toys,” she said aloud. “I feel like a kid again.”
    Bev closed the ledger and moved across the room to the sewing area.
Maybe I should invite Dan to join Amy and me for Thanksgiving dinner. It would be nice to have someone else to cook for. I could bake a small turkey, fix mashed potatoes, gravy, and stuffing. Maybe make a pumpkin and an apple pie
.
    Bev took a seat at the sewing table and threaded her needle, prepared to mend the dress of the bisque doll she had chosen to give Amy for Christmas. Once the dress was repaired and the doll’s wig combed and set in ringlets, she planned to put the doll in the storage closet at the back of the store until closer to Christmas. Then she would wrap it, take it home, and, when Amy wasn’t looking, slip it under the tree she hoped to get for their new apartment.
    Thinking of a tree caused Bev to reflect on the day they had moved. Her daughter’s enthusiasm over the large living room with a tall ceiling was catching.
    “We can have a giant Christmas tree, Mommy!” Amy had exclaimed. “Uncle Dan can help us decorate and climb the ladder to put the angel on top.”
    Bev didn’t know what had prompted Amy to call Dan “Uncle,” but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, the man had been patient and kind to Amy all during the move, even rocking her to sleep when she’d become tired and fussy that evening.
    The bell above the door jingled, forcing Bev’s thoughts aside. When Amy skipped into the room, Bev hurriedly