Vera (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 2)

by Maxine Douglas

  “I have taken the liberty of speaking with Elizabeth Hamilton,” Mollie began, pulling up a stool next to Vera. “Elizabeth agrees with me. From now on, you’ll be taking home any small mending jobs that she doesn’t have time for. This will not only help her, but it will also help you. Elizabeth said she would pay you whatever she charges the customer.”

  “As wonderful as that is, I don’t have enough sewing notions,” Vera said, trying to keep down her level of joy. This idea of Mollie’s would certainly help if it worked. “I will tell Elizabeth myself that as much as I appreciate her help, I must decline.”

  “No, you won’t! She thought you might not have everything you need. She is ready to have Auggie set up a sewing area in your home for you.” Mollie smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Until then, she will provide you with what supplies you may need. And when you run out, she will replenish them as well.”

  Vera blinked back tears. Reaching over, she wrapped her arms around Mollie. “Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?”

  “By having a healthy baby and to stop worrying,” Mollie said, breaking from Vera’s embrace. “Now, tell me what you did with your time off—other than sleeping, that is.”

  Vera felt her cheeks blush, thinking about the handsome Jack Daniels. His sandy blond hair and blue eyes could sweep any woman off her feet if he truly tried. And thankfully, he hadn’t with her. He wasn’t in Blessings Valley to catch the eye of every available woman, least of all a newly widowed pregnant one. He was here to do a job. A very important job for one of the miner’s families.

  “There was one unexpected incident,” Vera began, picking up a freshly laundered shirt to be ironed. “On the way home yesterday, I met that investigator—”

  “Jack Daniels?” Mollie interrupted, keeping her head down and hands in the wet laundry to be hung out to dry.

  “Yes, Jack Daniels,” Vera rushed, wanting to get through the story now that she’d started it. “We met along the path, and he asked me where the cemetery was. I told him, and then he walked along with me until we reached it. I went the rest of the way home, and I believe he went into the cemetery.”

  “Interesting. Do you know what he was looking for? Did he ask you any questions?”

  “No, not really.” Vera thought quickly, realizing they hadn’t really said much to each other. “Other than the cemetery and my name, nothing.”

  Mollie looked up from the laundry basket, suspicion in her eyes. “Did you tell him?”

  “Only my first name. He is a stranger in town and doesn’t need to know more than that.” Vera draped the shirt across the ironing board then tested the iron before pressing it across the fabric. “I am a widow living alone, I didn’t think it was appropriate for him to know my last name. It’s bad enough he knows the general location of my house.”

  Notebook tucked under his arm, Wally walked over to Millie’s Café. He’d have lunch and most likely a pot of coffee while he thoroughly examined his sparse notes.

  Temptation began to eat at him as he approached the laundry where Vera worked. He’d like nothing more than to see her but didn’t want to come across as being pushy. Although he did have his laundry there, so he could use it as an excuse to go inside.

  A lame excuse if ever there was one. Leave it alone, Baldwin or she’ll think you are pursuing her. As true as his thoughts were, he wasn’t fool enough to lead the recently widowed young lady on. He had no intention of staying in Blessings Valley any longer than it took to find out more about his brother.

  Continuing down the street, the smell of freshly baked bread mingled with the tinny sounds of a piano. In the couple of days he’d been here, he didn’t remember hearing a piano in this part of town. He’d heard one up near the Heartbreak Saloon last night when Max Hayden had stopped him coming back from the cemetery, but not in the middle of the day.

  “I wonder where that is coming from,” he muttered under his breath, curiosity getting the best of him. “Might as well find out, could be someone I’ve missed talking to.”

  He followed the sound of the chords until arriving at the back of a vacant building. He stood at the opened back door and peered inside. Sitting on the bench of a piano that had seen better days was a woman Wally guessed to be in her twenties. Beside her sat a young boy of about ten, his small fingers not always reaching the proper keys. The woman spoke so softly to the boy that Wally couldn’t hear her.

  Not wanting to disturb the lesson, he continued on his way to Millie’s Café. He would find out who the woman was and add her name to his list of people to speak with about Thomas.

  The scent of meat roasting, as well as the fresh bread, enveloped him as he walked through the door of the café. Scouting the area for an empty table, Wally found one about midway along the wall.

  “Perfect,” he said, claiming it by taking a seat facing the door. Before he could get a good glance around the room, a waitress approached him with a menu in hand. She had sad, round blue eyes that looked nearly empty of joy. Maybe the girl had a long night and was only tired, but for some reason, he sensed a longing for something lost. Was she one of the widows?

  “Welcome to Millie’s Café,” the waitress greeted, handing him the menu. “While you look that over, can I get you something to drink?”

  “Coffee would be fine,” he answered, placing the menu on top of his notebook.

  “Right away,” the woman with sad eyes said with a forced smile.

  Wally looked over the menu and made a quick decision for something on the lighter side of things. Placing it on the table, he opened his notebook and began reviewing his notes again. He could have missed something. Some small trinket of information that didn’t seem important at the time.

  “Have you had a chance to decide what you would like?” the waitress asked, setting a cup of steaming coffee down next to the sugar bowl and creamer.

  Wally looked up, smiling. “Yes, I have, Miss…?”

  “Vivian, my name is Vivian Hickcock,” she answered, pencil poised on the order pad, her faraway gaze fixed on him.

  “Vivian, I’ll have the Nut and Cheese Sandwich and a bowl of the Julienne Soup,” Wally ordered, adding, “and a pot of coffee. I may be here for a while if that’s all right.”

  “Yes, sir.” Vivian nodded then took his order to the kitchen.

  Wally flipped open the notebook and began reading—again. He’d only spoken to one of the widows, Elizabeth Hamilton, with no luck. He’d also talked with Clint Wagner over at the newspaper office, but all he could offer was what Wally already knew with the added information to be careful of his questions.

  Oh, yes, there was Fannie Rochester, another widow, who had approached him last night in the cemetery. But like Mrs. Hamilton, no information was forthcoming. He scribbled Mrs. Rochester’s name on the page with “holding back information” as he had with most everyone else he’d spoken with who might have knowledge of his brother. Others in his notes always said the same as the newspaper, not giving any information about Thomas. Other than he was well liked, but that was all.

  There had to be something, or more to the point, someone he was missing. But who?

  Maybe he was rushing things. Expecting too much too fast from the citizens of the close-knit Blessings Valley. He needed to win them over, but there wasn’t time for that. It would take too long, and he didn’t have enough time. He needed to get back to life as he knew it. Back to Ohio, where he could ease the pain in his parents’ hearts. Then to his life in Chicago.

  Short of asking for official proceedings, which he didn’t want to do right now unless some information broke soon, he’d have to leave. As he would with any investigation, he’d take what he had and turn it over to the clients.

  In this case, his own family.

  Nearing the end of a long and hot day, Vera folded the freshly pressed shirt that belonged to Jack Daniels. She found she couldn’t stop seeing his face throughout the day. There was something vaguely familiar about him.

  His clear b
lue eyes. The way his hair fell across his forehead. The teasing smile that was warm and friendly. Even the light burnt-orange in his otherwise blond hair struck a chord of familiarity.

  A kick in her belly drew her thoughts from the investigator to the life growing there. She smiled at the second wave that felt like her baby was moving.

  Shhhhh. Go back to sleep. Soon my little one, I’ll show you to the world. Smiling, Vera closed her eyes, picturing a tiny baby in her arms. Round little eyes held a reflection of Thomas in them. Smile sweet and innocent as the baby gazed up at her. Her heart flowed with love for God’s gift.

  Once the movement and euphoric feeling subsided, Vera continued folding the last of Mr. Daniels’ clothing and placed the items neatly into the basket that bore his name.

  “I’ll be heading home now, Millie,” Vera called out, placing a ticket on top of the clothes in a basket labeled J Daniels.

  Mollie walked out from the back, wiping soapsuds from her red hands. “Will you drop off the basket for Mr. Daniels at Willa’s on your way?”

  “Yes, and I’ll pick up Willa’s linens in the morning if that is all right,” Vera said, placing a hand on her lower back and stretching the stiffness out. “As well as Mr. Daniels’ payment.”

  “Remember, we talked about your need to slow down and take better care of yourself, Vera,” Mollie said, concern etched on her face. “I worry about you this early in—”

  “Mollie, there is nothing to worry about with me. I am fine and believe to be past the time of concern,” Vera protested, knowing Mollie’s worries about her pregnancy. “Now that we’ve made new arrangements until the baby comes, it will take pressure off of me.”

  So many times over the past few months, Vera had wanted to tell the kindly woman she had no need to be concerned. She was a grown woman and could take care of herself. Even if deep inside Vera wondered if she’d be able to care for her baby, Thomas’s baby, alone. Now she knew she could with the generosity of her friends.

  Vera had no family to turn to now, other than the good people of Blessings Valley. Thomas never spoke of having any family, so she presumed he had none. Because of Mollie and Elizabeth, she no longer had to worry how she would manage to work at Nana’s and care for her child at the same time.

  Before the winds of winter blew in from the north, Vera would have to stop working. Then she would have the baby and whatever mending came in until she returned to the laundry.

  As for her own family, they were all gone. Now she could stay here. She would survive and make a home for herself and her little one.

  “Go on home then. I’ll see you in the morning.” Mollie shook her head, giving up on the lecture Vera thought was coming. Mollie was a sweet, motherly type of woman, and Vera liked her very much. “Stop at Willa’s on the way here in the morning then.”

  “Thank you, Mollie, and I will.” Vera scooped the basket in her arms, relieved that she’d be going home and getting off her feet for the rest of the day.

  Basket cradled in her arms, Vera strolled across the street to Willa’s. With any luck, there’d be a glass of tea waiting for her and a plate of Willa’s scrumptious Fairy Gingerbread.

  But what about Jack Daniels? Would he be at the boardinghouse, waiting for his freshly laundered and pressed clothes? Or was he one of those men who lived up to his name, and was at the Heartbreak Saloon, drinking whiskey after his investigations? If he was, then it would be easy to purge him from her mind once and for all.

  Knocking on the kitchen door, Vera waited for Willa to let her in.

  “Vera!” Willa exclaimed, reaching for the basket in her arms. “Come in and sit for a while.”

  “Thank you, Willa,” Vera said, gladly giving up the heavy basket as she stepped through the doorway. Her tummy growled at the smell of spice from the gingerbread on the counter.

  “When was the last time you ate?” Willa asked as she took an agate iron water pitcher from the icebox.

  “Not since this morning when you stopped by,” Vera confessed. Mentally licking her lips, her gaze fixed on the bread. “We’ve been so busy that I barely had time for half a sandwich today.”

  “Not good enough.” Willa set a glass of tea on the table in front of her. “You need to eat properly, Vera.”

  “Please don’t lecture me, I’m too tired,” Vera begged, sipping from the glass of golden sweetness. She reveled in the coolness as it slid down her throat, quenching her thirst. “It has been a rather…unusual day.”

  “Humph,” Willa snorted, placing the gingerbread between them. “Do tell. I’m all ears.”

  “It has to do with that basket of clothes,” Vera said, looking pointedly at the basket as she gently ripped the bread into small pieces.

  “A man’s clothes caused your day to be unusual?” Willa asked, her eyebrows raised in speculation. “A strange reason.”

  “Not exactly.” Vera sat back, popping a morsel of bread into her mouth. “I was praying you’d have some of this today.”

  “Thank you, now explain what you mean,” Willa said, sitting across the table from her.

  “More like the person who owns them. One of your boarders,” Vera said. His face flashing through her mind made her smile. “Jack Daniels.”

  “And what about Mr. Daniels?” Willa asked, looking a bit amused. “Have you remembered something else you didn’t tell me this morning?”

  “I’m glad you seem to be amused, Willa.” Vera gazed at Willa, finding nothing remotely comical. “Do you find him to look familiar?”

  “No, why do you ask?” Willa answered, sipping from her glass, a small grin on her face.

  “His face has floated through my mind all day. I feel as if I may have met him before, but that’s impossible.” Vera looked away, unable to meet Willa’s eyes. “Once Thomas and I were married and came here, it was the first time I’d been off the family ranch.”

  “How can that be then?” Willa looked confused. “I mean, if you’ve only been off the ranch to come here, I don’t know how or why a man like Jack Daniels should look familiar.”

  “I don’t know,” Vera whispered, fighting the tears in her eyes. “Maybe I’m being emotional because…” Vera looked at Willa and quickly swallowed her words.

  “Because you’re pregnant and your emotions are not your own anymore?”

  Vera’s heart skipped a beat. She still hadn’t accepted that everyone knew she was having a baby. The flutter in her tummy played inside her again.

  Her special secret could be a secret no longer.

  7

  Wally stood at the kitchen entrance, listening to the two women. Recognizing the voices of both Willa and Vera, the young lady from the laundry he’d walked home last night, he hadn’t wanted to disturb them. He would have turned away except he found himself intrigued by the young widowed laundress. There was something about her he couldn’t shake from his mind.

  Was it her not falling for his shameful joke about his alias? Or was it her smile masked by the sadness in her eyes? Heck, he didn’t even know her last name! Whatever it was, he wanted to get to know her more.

  “Once Thomas and I were married…”

  Thomas married? Surely, she couldn’t mean his brother. No, Thomas was a very common name. Far too common to even entertain Vera referred to his brother.

  Yet, could it be possible this young lady he found attractive was his late brother’s wife? Certainly not! She wasn’t his brother’s type. She seemed sweet and innocent. His brother had been gruff and rowdy, just like the women he brought home on occasion just to rub his father the wrong way.

  “Because you’re pregnant and your emotions are not your own anymore?”

  Wally’s heart raced with the confusion in his mind. Thomas would have sent word he’d married. He couldn’t be so cruel as to not tell their mother she had a grandchild on the way.

  He was grasping at straws. Reaching out for any information about his brother to light the darkness. Anything that might bring peace to their family. To
their mother, who still cried when she talked about Thomas. Even to their father who, in his attempts to shape his boys, could sometimes be hard on them.

  So far, no one he’d talked with had mentioned a Baldwin widow left behind. Especially one that was with child. Could Vera be the one everyone he’d spoken with eluded to? Suddenly, it occurred to him that she was someone he hadn’t asked about Thomas.

  Heart racing and wanting to hear more without getting caught eavesdropping, Wally took several steps backward. After several feet, he paused for a moment and gathered himself together. Satisfied he was back in investigative mode, he plodded heavily down the hall back toward the kitchen.

  “Mrs. Alexander?” he called out just before reaching the spot he’d vacated a moment ago.

  “In here, Mr. Daniels,” Willa answered, the scrape of a chair leg echoing on the floor. “Please come in and join us for coffee.”

  Wally stepped into the small but functional kitchen. Smiling, he tipped his head at Vera.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, unable to keep his fingers from working the brim of his hat. How could he want a woman who could be his sister-in-law? Surely, his common sense and investigative skills would have warned him of the possibility. Yet they’d hadn’t.

  “You haven’t. Pull up a chair while I get you that coffee,” Willa said, grabbing a cup from the cupboard. “I understand you’ve already met Vera?”

  “Yes, at the laundry, and then last night when she showed me to the cemetery,” Wally answered, nervous as a boy as he pulled out a chair from the table.

  “Well, let me formally introduced you then.” Willa turned, a huge grin on her face. “Mr. Jack Daniels, this is Vera Baldwin.”

  “Did you say Baldwin?” Wally asked his heart racing through the hole in his stomach.

  “Yes, she did, and I have your clothes ready for you. They are right there,” Vera said, pointing to the basket near the back door. She spoke with a quiet authority that was the opposite of how he’d overheard her moments before. Then she’d been tired and afraid. A woman who didn’t like to show she was vulnerable.