by Danni Roan
Bruno walked around the side of the table and kissed his wife on the top of her head. “I like that idea,” he said. “We’ll see you later.”
Matrice watched Francis stride from the room, his long black tresses lifting and falling with each step. Had God ever made such a handsome creature? If so she’d never laid eyes on it before.
“Good hunting,” she whispered under her breath and turned back to Janine.
***
Supper that night was feast of vegetables and fresh roast venison as the woman visited and the men bragged about their hunting prowess.
Bruno told how Francis had stalked the buck on foot finally taking it down with one clean shot.
Matrice smiled brightly at the young hunter her heart warm in her breast.
Chapter 14
Sara Dixon dismounted in front of the general store smoothing her split riding skirt as she stepped up to the door. She hadn’t been to town since Mrs. Farrow’s engagement party.
Rafe was meeting her in town for lunch in a little while, but in the mean time, she thought she’d look around for a few gifts and trinkets before Valentine’s Day. Ever since the year she’d discovered she loved Rafe Dixon she had started to pick up little gifts for even the silliest holiday to share with her family.
“Good morning Sara,” Mrs. Bentley called as Sara stepped through the door.
The older woman was looking chipper, and Sara was pretty sure it had to do with all of the frippery that Mr. Williams had been ordering. Between his upcoming nuptials and the impending arrival of his first grandchild, he was spending a good deal of money in the store.
“Good morning,” Sara replied, “any word from your family yet?”
“Only that they know Francis is here and that they’ll be leaving Arizona in the spring.”
“I’m just passing time before Rafe meets me for lunch,” Sara said looking at a shelf with little red boxes lined up against the wall. “Do you still have that box of rubber stamps you had a few years ago?” she finally asked.
“Those old things? I think you’re the only person in town who even looks at them,” Mrs. Bentley replied pulling a tattered cardboard box from under the counter.
Sara smiled digging through the little treasure trove. It wasn’t so many Christmases ago that she’d found a stamp bearing a quill on it for her oldest sister and even now she was sure there must be something in the box that Prissy or Quil might like.
Sara always enjoyed thinking back to that dismal yet special Christmas when a Cowboy Claus rode in to save the day.
“I think I’ll take these,” she finally said pulling four flower stamps from the box. They were each different if simplistic forms.
“Mrs. Bentley.”
Sara and the store keeper turned to see Mr. Williams usher Mrs. Farrow through the door.
“Good morning Mr. Williams, Mrs. Farrow,” the proprietress of the mercantile greeted warmly. “What brings you in today?”
Sara smiled. Biders Clump was changing, but it still held that friendly feel. She had mixed feelings about the changes, and yet she was happy.
“My Ruthie and I,” Mrs. Williams said patting the woman’s hand, “have decided to see about rings,” he finished importantly.
Ruth Farrow smiled at the man and he puffed out his chest with delight.
“I’m so happy for both of you,” Sara offered as Mrs. Bentley pulled out a catalogue and pushed it toward the older couple. It was obvious to Sara that Mr. Williams, as straight laced and pompous as he could be at times, simply wanted someone to love.
He’d spoiled his daughter terribly over the years, chasing away any young man he didn’t deem worthy of her. It wasn’t until her kidnapping that he saw the light of day.
“Let me finish with Sara here,” Mrs. Bentley was saying, “then we’ll see what we can find for you. I must warn you though at this time of year it isn’t unheard of for shipments to be delayed.”
The door bell tinkled again and a tall cowboy with a shock of sandy blonde hair stepped through stripping off his hat.
“Looks like a regular party here,” Rafe Dixon said striding through the store and winking at Sara.
“Just picking up a few trinkets,” Sara said smiling at the man who’d caught her on her long fall. Rafe had been everything he promised to her and more. She had to be about the luckiest girl in Biders Clump.
Rafe smiled back at Sara and then slipped a note to Mrs. Bentley. “A few things Pa and I need,” he said placing Sara’s hand on his arm. “Just send word when you have everything.”
“Oh my,” Sara said as they stepped back out into the blustery day. “I didn’t know your father needed anything. I could have picked it up myself.”
“No, no,” Rafe assured, “It was just a last minute thing.”
Sara reached down and tugged at the warm mittens sewn with a button and string to his coat sleeves. He had always been losing gloves until she’d borrowed the idea from George Olson.
“You ready for lunch?” Rafe asked. “I’m hungry enough to chew the hind leg of a mule while it’s still walking.”
Sara swatted him playfully. “How can you be hungry when you ate every single pumpkin cookie I had in the tin this morning?” she chided.
“But they were so good,” Rafe protested.
Sara cocked and eyebrow. “You’re a rake Rafe Dixon,” she finished with a grin.
Rafe opened the door to the Grist Mill and the warm aromatic air hit him like a wave making his stomach grumble.
As they stepped into the restaurant they were surprised to see several unexpected friends at various tables.
“Rafe,” Tywyn Nelson called from a spot by the window where he was sitting with his wife Jillian and their son Aaron.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Rafe said. “I made it up the board walk with all my pockets still in place.”
Ty chuckled. “We left Chip at home today and brought the buggy since we’re all spending some time in town.”
“I’m afraid your horse has won more notoriety than any of the men on the wanted posters outside the jail,” Sara quipped.
“Chip is the sweetest horse in the world,” Jillian spoke up. “I can leave Aaron in the yard with him any day of the week and never have a worry.”
Sara and Rafe exchanged a look. It was true the cantankerous Cayuse was as gentle as a lamb with Jill and Aaron.
“Chip a good horsey,” Aaron spoke up, his blue eyes shining with delight.
“Did he really tear a piece off of Jaspers horseless carriage?” Rafe asked. “The story’s been all over town.”
“He did,” Jillian said, “and good for him. That man is a menace with that smelly device. He could have run right over Aaron.”
“Sheriff Pikes put some pretty heavy restrictions on Mr. Williams driving now,” Ty said. The dark haired man seemed to hold no regret in his gray eyes about leaving his job as a Marshal when he married Jill.
“Well enjoy your lunch,” Sara said smiling at the couple and tickling Aaron under the chin. The boy was two now and sure was growing fast.
“Sara, Rafe, won’t you join us?” Ferd Wooster asked as they moved toward an empty table.
Sara looked a Rafe then nodded. “Thank you,” she said moving to an empty chair next to Ferd’s dark haired wife. “It’s nice to see you Constance,” she offered sitting and greeting her friend.
Constance smiled “Don’t tell but Grandma Wooster kicked me out of the house,” she said in a whisper.
“Why ever for?” Sara gasped.
“Abello isn’t feeling well and Grandma says I’m hovering whatever that means.” The dark eyed beauty said.
“I’m sorry your grandfather isn’t feeling well,” Rafe offered taking the seat next to Ferd. “How are you keeping deputy?” he asked the other man.
“Fair enough,” Ferd replied. “I’m pleased as punch that Grandma kicked Constance out and sent her my way,” he confessed. “It was nice to get the chance to sit and have lunch toge
ther like.”
“Oh, I hope we’re not intruding then,” Sara said half rising.
“No, not at all,” Constance said laying a hand on her arm. “That’s what Ferd means it’s nice to have a break in the daily routine.”
Sara smiled. She didn’t know Constance well, but she and her sisters had taken the other woman under their wing after Ferd had brought her and her grandfather back to Biders Clump.
“Sit and we’ll visit,” Constance said a bright smile gracing her face as she forgot to worry about her Abello.
A cozy cheerfulness settled over the Grist Mill as friends old and New caught up and chatted about upcoming events. It seemed like this winter would be packed with things to do.
Chapter 15
“Mama, we’re almost out of flour,” Matrice called as she backed out of the small cupboard in the kitchen. “We don’t have any salt left either after curing so much of that beef.”
Agnes looked at her daughter. They’d been holed up in the little house on Janine and Bruno’s place for a week and she had to admit it was comfortable to be in a real house. The nicest house she’d ever had to call her own in fact.
Back in Louisiana she and Noah had only a tiny shanty on a patch of land. It wasn’t much but it was theirs and Noah worked the land nearby as a share cropper for everything else.
“We don’t have much cash money left,” Agnes said.
“Janine paid me for the mending I’ve been doing and for teaching her to sew,” Matrice offered back with a smile. “She’s starting to get the hang of it too, if only she’d be patient with herself.”
Agnes smiled at her daughter. She’d been hesitant to agree to let Mrs. Sparak pay for Matrice’s help but the woman had insisted and she’d finally given it. It didn’t hurt that Matrice was enjoying the time she spent with Janine and that together it added up to keeping them warm and snug in this little house.
“I guess I can ride to town today,” Agnes said. “We’d better tally up our money and see what else we might need.”
“Mama, can we all go?” Matrice asked.
“Yes, all of us. Please Mama,” Beatrix piped up from where she’d been washing dishes in the copper sink.
“You got your chores done?” Agnes asked looking sternly at her youngest.
“I’m almost finished. I only have to finish the dishes,” the little girl grinned.
“What are ya talkin’ about now?” Atrum walked through the front door. He had straw on his hat and Agnes was sure he’d been out checking on the sheep with Bruno.
“Matrice seems to think we should all take a ride into town to do the shopping,” Agnes said. “What do you think?”
Atrum’s face glowed when he smiled. “I think that’s a fine idea.”
Agnes chuckled, a sound that bubbled from deep in her belly and shook her bulky frame.
“Alright, you get your chores finished up right quick while me and Matrice take stock then we’ll go. Atrum you might as well go on back to the barn and fetch the mules,” she added with a nod.
It was an easy half hour’s ride into town and Agnes smiled listening to her children chatter. Beatrix sat behind her on the bare back of one mule while Matrice and Atrum rode the other.
“Mind your ankles don’t show,” she reminded Matrice as they made the first turn into the quiet town.
“Doesn’t look like much of a town,” Atrum said as he gazed at the buildings nearby.
“Looks like a few folks is busy,” Beatrix said pointing toward a handful of buggies parked next to the Grist Mill.
“That’s one of them fancy eatin’ places isn’t it Ma?” Atrum asked.
As they rode abreast of the restaurant Janine stepped out onto the walk way waving and gesturing them to come closer.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she called in a loud whisper. “Lucinda is having tea for her mother to celebrate her engagement, but many of the women in town haven’t been able to attend. Won’t you please step down and have a cup of tea and something to eat. I’m afraid Mrs. Farrow is feeling forgotten.”
Agnes looked at Janine seriously. “I don’t think she’d like our type to come to her tea party,” she stated lifting her chin.
“No one cares if you’re rich or poor,” Janine hissed. “We just need more people so she doesn’t start fussing at Lucinda.” Janine gestured with her hand.
Agnes opened her mouth to refuse once more but Matrice looked her in the eye. “We can at least see what it’s like inside.”
“We won’t be welcome,” Agnes protested stubbornly.
“How do you know until you come in?” Janine insisted. “Now come on.”
Agnes hesitated for another few seconds then nodded. “But don’t you children take offense if we get chased out.”
Inside the small restaurant women were milling about filling plates with delicate pastries or tiny sandwiches while Mrs. Farrow gushed about her upcoming wedding.
“Atrum you come with me and get a plate,” Janine said. “My Daddy is paying for the whole thing and there’s too much of everything.”
Atrum looked at his mother who nodded slightly as he was led away.
“My, my, my,” a woman’s scratchy voice said as a crone stepped from a door in the far wall. “I never thought I’d see the day one of your kind walked into the Grist Mill.”
Agnes turned hard eyes on the thin old woman ready to usher her children out the door before unkind words could batter their hearts.
“Bout time though isn’t it,” the woman grinned offering her hand. “I’m Ida and I lived down south too long to not appreciate Biders Clump welcoming ways.”
Agnes, gaped as the old woman took her hand in both of hers shaking it with more strength and vigor that she would have expected.
“You must be the Ratners staying out there with Janine and Bruno. I do declare, I’m pleased as a pig in mud to have you there. That girl’s learnin’ but she needs someone with a bit of sense around if you know what I mean.”
Matrice smiled at the eccentric old woman. Her dark eyes sparkling at her turn of phrase.
“Come along now,” Ida continued still holding Agnes by the hand as she dragged her toward a table piled high with delicate treats. “You help yourself, and I’ll help this little bit,” she added with a smile drawing Beatrix, whose eyes were big as saucers, to the table.
Agnes finally released the breath she’d been holding from the moment she’d stepped through the door. People in this town were a bit odd to her thinking but in the best possible way.
“Mrs. Ratner,” Maud Dixon sidled up to her as she fixed a plate of things she couldn’t even name. “I’m so glad to see you here today, did Janine bring you?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Matrice offered before her mother could get a word out. “She invited us right along,” the girl added with a grin.
“And how are you settling out at Bruno and Janine’s place?” Maud continued.
“It’s mighty nice to be in doors I do confess,” Agnes said.
“Well you come along and sit with me and my girls, and I’ll introduce you around,” Maud finished, taking a neatly cut sandwich wedge from a tray. “We’re right over there,” she finished nodding toward where Quil, Prissy, and Sara were all sitting and chatting with Lucinda.
Atrum made the final turn of the table and looped back to his mother’s side. “Mama, for a little town they have a heap of women folk,” he commented with a grin, lifting a puffy looking pastry covered in chocolate to his lips and popping it into his mouth.
“Mind your manners now,” Agnes chided aiming the boy toward a table with a shake of her head.
Maud patted the seat next to her encouraging Agnes to sit. “I don’t know if you’ve met my girls yet but this is Sara.” A young woman with bright coppery curls turned and smiled at Agnes.
“Pleased to meet you,” she said turning back to listen to Mrs. Farrow enthuse over a small gift she’d been given.
“And this is Aquila,” Maud continued. “She’s my
oldest and the only one who could be bothered to give me a grandchild so far,” she added with a wicked twinkle in her eyes.
“Hello,” the more serious looking young woman said. “Please call me Quil.”
A plump blonde woman giggled and Agnes turned to look at her. “I’m Prissy before mother says anymore,” she offered, “and it’s funny to call Quil that because she’s also our local ‘quill’. She writes serials for the paper and also novels for a publishing house out of Chicago.”
“It’s very nice to meet all of you,” Agnes said. Her head was spinning slightly with the number of people she’d met in only a few minutes. She still didn’t feel completely at ease with these folks, but she didn’t want to insult Janine either.
“Hello,” a little girl with a long blonde plait down her back greeted walking up to Beatrix. “I’m Sasha and that’s my Gramma.”
“Hi,” Beatrix offered. “You can call me Bea.”
“Like a honey bee?” Sash said with a bright smile. “You wanna be friends?”
Beatrix looked at her mother who hesitated for a long second. “We won’t be in town too long,” she said, “but you two can play today if you’d like.”
Sasha grabbed the other girls hand and pulled her along to a short table where a tiny tea set had been arranged. “I’m having my own tea party,” she said.
Beatrix moved off toward the little table, her mother’s eye watching her closely.
“They grow up so fast,” Maud commented.
Agnes nodded picking up a sandwich and tasting it. For something so fancy it was good.
“Mama,” Matrice tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Can I speak to you for a minute?”
Agnes looked up at Matrice who seemed worried then glanced around the room to see that the other children were all right.
“You go on,” Maud offered kindly.
Agnes rose and followed her daughter back out the door, an icy blast of cold air whipping their skirts around their ankles.
“What’s wrong,” Agnes asked taking her daughter’s elbow and stepping close.
“I noticed that folks were giving Mrs. Farrow presents,” Matrice said.
