Country Wishes

by RaeAnne Hadley

  “He did no such thing, Aunt Esther. I told you he’s a gentleman. I call him Brent because I asked him to call me Serena.”

  “Harrumph.” Her aunt returned to her knitting.

  “Well, I’m working on some secret projects of my own, so I’ll go to my room.”

  She wanted to work on the sweater she was knitting her uncle. It was almost completed and she wanted to give it to him for Christmas. She’d purchased a lovely cream silk crepe blouse for her aunt from Molly at Stitch in Time. Her aunt never indulged on such things for herself. Serena had six handkerchiefs on which she’d embroidered her aunt’s initials.

  Humming to herself, she sat and knitted. She relived the afternoon and the previous evening. What a terrible thing to have met the man of her dreams when he was only in Hopeful for a short while. She decided to enjoy as much time with him as she could. At least she’d have happy memories.

  The next morning, she hurried to prepare breakfast for her aunt and uncle.

  Her uncle came in and took his seat. “She’s moving slow this morning. I’ll not wait.”

  She poured his coffee before setting a plate of two eggs and sausage in front of him. “Here you are.” She’d already set the butter and jam and a basket of hot biscuits on the table.

  “You’re a good cook, Serena. You’ll make some lucky man a fine wife.”

  Shocked, she blinked at her uncle then smiled. “Why, thank you. I appreciate you saying that, Uncle Willard.”

  She took her seat and ate her breakfast.

  He consumed his food quickly. “Better get down and open up. Elliston bank people are coming for their deposits today. Have to make sure everything is ready.”

  “I’m sure you have it correct to the penny.”

  He smiled. “I try. Don’t like handling other people’s money. Talk is they’re going to reopen the bank here and that’s fine with me.” He closed the door behind him as he stepped onto the landing above the stairs.

  Serena imagined her aunt would hate losing the fee the Mercantile received for acting for the Elliston bank. Besides that, Aunt Esther enjoyed knowing who deposited how much. People tended to come in when her aunt was upstairs early in the day or just before closing. At those times only she or Uncle Willard took deposits.

  Her aunt’s face appeared unusually drawn and pale when she appeared.

  “Are you ill, Aunt Esther?” She poured her a cup of coffee.

  Aunt Esther sat at the table. “I have a bit of a headache. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Her aunt didn’t sound convincing.

  “Let me cook your eggs.”

  “Scrambled. I don’t think I can look at them any other way.”

  “You are ill, aren’t you? Why don’t you go back to bed and I’ll bring your breakfast on a tray?”

  Her aunt held up a hand to protest. “No, no, I’ll be fine after I’ve eaten. I… I didn’t sleep very well is all that’s wrong.”

  Serena quickly scrambled two eggs and placed them in front of her aunt. “The biscuits and sausage should still be warm.”

  “Did… did you find out that young man’s business?”

  “Not really. He said he used to be a prospector, but he’s not now. He’s ordered machinery for something but I don’t know what.” She refilled her coffee cup and sat at her place.

  Her aunt gaped at her. “Then whatever did you talk about all afternoon?”

  She couldn’t help smiling at the memory. “Everything. What we like, what we don’t like, things like that.”

  Aunt Esther jerked a biscuit from the basket. “Pie in the sky things you mean. Didn’t you discuss anything practical?”

  “I believe everything was helpful because we were getting to know one another.”

  “No point when he’s leaving town soon.” Her aunt took a swallow of coffee.

  “I enjoy talking to him and I intend to spend what time I can with him as long as he’s in town. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  Her aunt pointed a finger at her. “You’d better watch out or you’ll get your heart broken just like your mother.”

  “Once again I insist that Mother’s heart was not broken. She had consumption, which you cannot possibly blame on my father. I will not get my heart broken either. Give me a little credit, Aunt Esther.”

  Aunt Esther slapped a palm on the table. “Your father broke my sister’s heart no matter what you say.”

  Serena threw her napkin on the table and stood. Her tolerance for her aunt’s constant belittling of Papa had reached an end. This time it was she who pointed a finger at her aunt.

  “I’m warning you—do not say anything against Papa ever again. I appreciate all you and Uncle Willard have done for me, but I won’t listen to you criticize my father.”

  “You’ll see when this young man deserts you. Then you’ll know how it feels.”

  “He’s not deserting me. Deserting is when you promise to remain and don’t. He’s made it plain he will be leaving.”

  Her aunt looked away. “It feels the same when you lose someone no matter what the reason.”

  Serena removed her apron. “I’m sorry you’re having a bad day. Go back to bed. I’ll go help Uncle Willard now and be back up later to finish cleaning the kitchen.” She hurried toward the stairs.

  When she reached the bottom step, she paused and took a calming breath before facing her uncle and any potential customers. After inhaling a couple of times, she pushed through the curtains and into the store. Her uncle was busy with the bank deposits.

  She ducked back into the storeroom. On Saturday they’d received stock they hadn’t had time to put on the shelves. She loaded her arms with men’s dungarees and went back into the store.

  The clothing stacks were in a muddle after people had poked through them on Saturday. She straightened and restocked the rest of the morning. At noon, her aunt still hadn’t come to help.

  Uncle Willard scratched at his jaw. “Reckon you better go check on Esther. She wasn’t acting herself this morning.”

  “I noticed. She said she had a headache. I’ll peek in on her and make our lunch quickly.”

  Upstairs, everything was as she’d left it. Quietly, she tiptoed to look in on her aunt. When she opened the bedroom door her aunt appeared to be sleeping. Goodness, she’d never known her to stay in bed this long.”

  She washed up the breakfast dishes and prepared a quick lunch from yesterday’s leftovers. Making as little noise as possible, she took a sandwich and glass of milk to her aunt and left it on the bedside table. Back in the kitchen, she put a sausage patty between two halves of a biscuit. The taste was so satisfying she had a second one with a glass of milk.

  After making several sandwiches for her uncle she covered them with a napkin. She poured him a glass of milk and set the last slice of pie beside his plate. That done, she went back to the store.

  He looked up as she came into the Mercantile. “She all right?”

  “Appeared to be sleeping but I left her lunch by the bed. Yours is on the table.”

  “Thank you. I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time. Doesn’t seem to be many people in town this morning.” She looked at the snow drifting down outside the store’s windows.

  “There are toys in one of them boxes that come Saturday.” He gestured to the front of the store. “If you find them, you might put some in the window. Folks will be wanting to buy Christmas gifts.”

  “That will be fun. I love stocking for Christmas. I’ll make the displays festive.”

  “Might help business.” He went through the curtains and she heard his tread on the steps.

  After about half an hour, her uncle returned. “Esther said she’s feeling more herself. She was still resting but said she’ll make our supper.”

  One of the bad things about living over the store was the scents. Everyone who came in knew what you were having for dinner. About five, the aroma of pot roast drifted down the stairs. She’d been watching, but she hadn’t seen Brent all day
.

  As she turned the sign from Open to Closed, he appeared at the door.

  He stamped his feet before coming into the store. “I hope you’ll go to dinner with me.”

  Her uncle called, “Come in, young man. I’m Willard Casey, Serena’s uncle.”

  Brent stepped forward to shake hands. “Brent Adams, sir.”

  “Why don’t you come upstairs and eat with us today? My wife has a pot roast ready for supper. We’d love to get to know you since our niece has been out with you several times.”

  Serena wanted to fall through the floor. She could only imagine what her aunt would say to Brent. He’d probably run to the boardinghouse and stay there until his funds arrived.

  “I’d be pleased if you’re certain she won’t mind an extra person.”

  Uncle Willard clapped Brent on the back. “Not at all. Serena, will you make sure the door is locked? Shall we go up, Mr. Adams?”

  “Please, call me Brent.”

  Serena locked the door and hurried after the two men. Heaven help her. This might be the last time she ever saw this interesting man.

  Chapter Five

  Oddly enough, Aunt Esther smiled when the three of them appeared in the kitchen. “Supper’s ready. Serena, will you add another place for our guest?”

  Feeling as if she were in a parallel universe where everything was opposite this one, Serena set out the plate, cutlery, napkin, and cup for Brent. Her uncle chatted with Brent near the door. Bowls of vegetables were already on the table.

  Aunt Esther set a platter of beef in the center. “Everyone please be seated.”

  Brent held her aunt’s chair. “Allow me, Mrs. Casey.”

  Aunt Esther’s surprise was almost humorous. When her aunt was seated, Brent held Serena’s chair. As she looked up, he winked at her. Sure, he might think it was funny now, but wait until the interrogation began.

  They were silent as dishes were passed. When everyone had been served, her aunt looked at Brent. Oh, no, here it comes. Serena braced herself for Brent’s inquisition.

  Aunt Esther leaned toward him. “So, Brent, what do you do for a living?”

  “In the past, I’ve done several things. Right now, I’m awaiting funds to be transferred so I can buy machinery for a business I intend to open.”

  Persistent, Aunt Esther asked, “What sort of business?”

  “Well, please don’t misunderstand, Mrs. Casey, but I’d rather not say until I’m ready to fire up the machinery. Competition is pretty stiff and my partner and I are trying to keep them from learning what we’re up to. I assure you it’s all on the up and up and will be profitable.”

  Serena stared at him. “I didn’t realize you had a partner.”

  “He’s a good man but a little older than me.” He turned to her uncle. “I’d guess he’s about your age, sir.”

  Uncle Willard laughed, something she rarely heard him do. “Oh, a young man, then.”

  Brent joined in the laughter. “That’s right.”

  Aunt Esther asked, “Where is he now that he didn’t accompany you?”

  “He’s securing the site of our business. Laying the groundwork for the machinery’s delivery. We want to be able to set everything up when the machines arrive. A new venture like ours takes a lot of preparation.”

  Her uncle nodded. “I was lucky my uncle left me the Mercantile. I believe Esther and I have improved it and increased the stock. We bought out the building next door and doubled the size several years ago.”

  “You have a good selection. I imagine you get trade from quite a distance.”

  “That’s right. We’re the largest store in the area unless you go to Elliston. Even they don’t have a place with any better selection than we have.”

  “I notice you’ve changed the window displays. They look good from the boardwalk.”

  Serena smiled at him. “Thank you, kind sir. We have new stock, probably the last we’ll get until almost spring.”

  Aunt Esther sniffed. “That’s when prospectors buy their gear to go look for gold. Most never find any or only enough to eke out an existence.”

  Brent smiled at her as if she’d been pleasant. “That’s true that most barely get by. On the other hand, a few strike it rich. I told Serena that you are the smart ones because you sell the equipment.”

  Her uncle laughed. “I agree there. And we don’t have to work outside in all weather conditions. We were robbed once some time back, but in general we don’t have problems. We have a few customers with sticky fingers, but I think I’ve caught most of them.”

  Serena looked at Brent. “The Bailey family includes two boys and a girl who shoplift if we don’t watch them carefully. Uncle Willard is an expert at catching them without a nasty scene even though they try to outsmart him.”

  Her uncle appeared surprised. “Thank you, Serena. They try to get me watching two of them while the third one fills his pockets.”

  Brent shook his head. “That’s a shame. Are their parents complicit or simply don’t realize what their kids are doing?”

  “The mother died and the father doesn’t care. I have to watch him, too.” Uncle Willard pushed his plate away. “You see, if I know folks are down on their luck and trying to do better, I don’t mind giving them a few groceries or extending their credit. If they’re too lazy to help themselves and expect handouts, then I have no sympathy.”

  “I don’t blame you. In your shoes I’d feel the same way. Everyone deserves a break now and then. I don’t have patience with those who aren’t willing to take care of their family.”

  Her aunt opened her mouth but Serena glared at her. She dared her aunt to speak against her father now. Aunt Esther closed her mouth and her lips formed a thin line as she looked away.

  Her uncle pushed back from the table. “Brent, why don’t you and I go into the parlor while the ladies tidy the kitchen?”

  “If you and Mrs. Casey would like to spend time together then I’d be happy to help Serena with the dishes.”

  Aunt Esther stared at him. “You’d wash the dishes?”

  “Of course, that’s only fair after you did the cooking.”

  Her aunt placed a hand at the neck of her dress. “Well, I’ll swan. I never would have figured on that. In that case, Willard, I believe I’ll take him up on his offer.”

  Bent took off his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair. “Shall I wash and you dry since I have no idea where to put the clean things?” He rolled up his sleeves.

  Serena grinned at him as she poured hot water into the dishpan. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get dishpan hands?”

  He examined long fingers on his broad hands. Calluses showed and his nails were chipped. Whatever he did, he worked with his hands.

  “Well, they are quite delicate. I’ll put extra cream on them tonight at bedtime.”

  She gave him what she hoped was a saucy look. “I hope you bought the cream from the Mercantile.”

  He shaved soap into the water. “Oh, I always carry a jar with me. A fellow can’t be too careful when his fingers are as dainty as mine.”

  She put away the leftover roast and potatoes.

  Brent watched her. “That’s a fine looking ice box.”

  “I love having it. The one we used to have had a much smaller space for food storage. Fred Tinker delivers ice every Friday in winter and twice a week in summer.”

  Brent carried a stack of plates to the counter by the sink. “Handy to have. Days like today you could use your outside porch if it weren’t for the fact it would attract animals.”

  “I prefer the ice box, thank you. I’d rather us have roast beef sandwiches for lunch tomorrow than stray scavengers have it for a midnight snack.”

  He laid a clean dish to drain. “Hey, you’re falling behind here, slowpoke. Look at all these dishes that need to be dried.”

  She grabbed a cup towel. “All right, mister speedy. I hope you’re getting them clean.”

  “I trained at my mother’s knee and she insisted
on perfection. I assure you I do excellent work. In fact, it’s guaranteed.”

  She held a plate up to the oil lamp hanging overhead, pretending to inspect it carefully. “I don’t know, you didn’t show me references.”

  He pretended surprise. “Didn’t I? Must have left them in my saddlebags at the boardinghouse. Carrying the thick bundle of them around is so tedious. Makes a bulge in my breast pocket and distorts the fine shape of my jacket.”

  “I forgot what a snappy dresser you are.” She popped him with the towel.

  He grinned and shook his head. “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that. How would you like your hair washed in dishwater?”

  She put up her hands. “No, I plead temporary insanity.”

  “I’ll let you off this time but I’ll remember this. Don’t let it happen again.” He emptied the dishpan and turned it upside down to dry.

  They both laughed. He cleaned the range and she wiped off the table.

  Brent rolled down his sleeves and buttoned the cuffs. “We took care of those dishes pretty fast.”

  She held his jacket for him. “I don’t remember washing dishes being this much fun.”

  When he straightened and turned, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I told you we make a good pair.”

  “I remember you did. To be honest, I must admit you were correct.” She hoped he was sincere.

  He bowed then offered his arm. “Shall we join the others?”

  She curtsied and laid a hand on his arm. “Let’s do.”

  She worried about her aunt and uncle but she might as well face them now as later. They’d done fine during the meal.

  Her aunt and uncle were seated in their customary chairs. Serena sat on the sofa.

  Brent sat beside her. “Do you folks play cards, dominoes, checkers, or something else?”

  Her uncle perked up. “I used to enjoy dominoes.” He looked at Aunt Esther. “Where did we put those?”

  Serena stood. “I know, Uncle Willard. I’ll get them.” She went to the cabinet in which they were kept. After she retrieved the box she handed them to him.

  Her uncle stood. “Reckon we’ll have to use the kitchen table.”