"Business? We're family."
"Not anymore."
He spun on his heel and left her standing on the street, staring at his stiff back as he walked away.
His disdain stung more than she’d expected.
"Posey!" Tassie waved as the two met up outside the church. "I'm glad to see you!" She grinned and leaned in close. "How's married life?" She waggled her brows.
Posey flushed and giggled but then she returned Tassie's grin. "I like it very much."
"I'm so glad to have a friend who is married now," Tassie confided. "Sometimes there's just things that only a married woman understands."
"Oh, yes," Posey exclaimed. "I’m glad to have a married friend too. I might have some questions for you."
Voices behind them caused Posey to halt before saying more. This was not the type of thing to chat about in public. She glanced over her shoulder and turned back with a scowl. Myrtle and Aggie. She definitely didn't want them to hear any of her conversations. What a morning. First her uncle and now these two battle axes.
"Good morning," Tassie said to Myrtle and Aggie as they passed.
"Good morning, Tassie," they chorused.
Posey opened her mouth to say hello, determined to take the high road, but they just kept walking. Once they were inside the church she and Tassie exchanged a look. "What was that all about?"
Posey, for once concerned about people overhearing her conversations rather than the other way around, looked from side to side before she leaned in to confide in Tassie. "I overheard them at Windy River the day of my wedding. They think I trapped Jake."
"No!" Tassie gasped, then her brows lowered and she shot a menacing look toward the church where they'd entered. "Those two witches. I'm glad you're not living out on the ranch with them. They are nothing but trouble." She pulled a face.
"I didn't even want to invite them to the wedding," Posey said. "But Mr. Conners was so generous to host it, I could never have asked him to leave them off the guest list. Not to mention that they work at the ranch.”
“And their aunt is his housekeeper,” Tassie added. “She’s got a real blind spot when it comes to her nieces.”
“Yes, they seem to fool a lot of people. But not me.”
"Well, I hope you know that you did no such thing as trap Jake and anyone who says otherwise is a big fat liar."
Posey smiled. It was nice to have a friend who defended her. "Thank you. I'll admit they had me sort of muddled when I heard them. I guess I was kind of overwrought with my uncle not coming to the wedding and knowing that there was a lot of gossip around town about the whole thing."
"Don't you let them get to you. You're ten times the person they are."
"Well now, what are you two doing out here? Isn't the quilting inside?" They turned to see Mrs. Campbell approaching.
"Hello, Mrs. Campbell," they both said.
"Is that a cobbler?" Tassie asked.
Mrs. Campbell smiled. "Yes, I managed to bake this and get it out of the house without any of the boarders sneaking a taste."
Mrs. Campbell, the proprietor of Campbell's Boarding House and Tassie's former employer, was not one to put up with a lot of sass from anyone, so the idea of what might have happened to the bold boarder who snuck a taste made Posey giggle.
"Has anyone ever snuck a taste of your cobbler and lived to tell about it, Mrs. Campbell?" she teased.
"Pshaw," Mrs. Campbell said with a laugh. "We'd better get inside ladies," she said and ushered the two younger women into the church.
When they entered, Myrtle and Aggie were talking in hushed tones with a couple of other girls. As Posey, Tassie and Mrs. Campbell made their way to hang up their shawls and get settled in, Posey could feel the eyes of Aggie, Myrtle and their friends on her, but she refused to give them the satisfaction of noticing. Keeping her head up, she walked past, ignoring their snickers. Once they got past them and were seated, Tassie leaned close. "Those girls are just hateful. I could feel their eyes burning into me and I don't even think they were looking my way. I can imagine what it was like for you, but you handled it perfectly. Let’s not let them spoil our day.”
Fortunately, Josie and Millie from the general store arrived and sat next to them so that anyone else who joined the quilting frame where they worked would be too far away for polite conversation. Myrtle and Aggie weren't known for their diligence. They were more likely to make themselves look busy by walking around and picking up scraps or tending the refreshments, but mostly they were focused on eavesdropping. Seeing the two of them engaged in what used to be one of her favorite pastimes made Posey even more determined to mend her reputation. It was an ugly trait and she renewed her vow to reform.
As she stitched, Posey wondered how one went about repairing their reputation. What were the things that people respected? She glanced around at the other ladies in the room, working and chatting.
Josie and Millie were well regarded in the community. They were cousins who lived and worked with Mr. and Mrs. Blake, Millie's parents, who owned the general store. They knew everyone in town since the general store was the center of news and activity in Juniper Junction. In addition, Josie was the best seamstress for miles around. Sometimes ladies from Black Clover made the trip to have a dress designed and fitted by Josie.
Maybe she could become a better seamstress and people would respect her then. Determined to improve, Posey stitched with extra determination and vigor. So much so that she pricked her finger and dripped blood on the corner of the quilt. "Oh dear," she exclaimed, jumping up to get some water and tipping her chair over backward in the process, drawing even more attention to herself and her gaff. She found a rag, wet it and returned to dab away the stain. She could hear Myrtle and Aggie snicker.
"Here, let me help with that," Josie said, taking the rag from Posey. "I've got a lot of experience with this sort of thing. I jab myself all the time."
"You do?" Posey looked at her with surprise. Knowing Josie, she was just saying that to make Posey feel better. Compassion. That was another trait that Posey could work on to raise people's opinion of her. Self-improvement might be quite a task.
"There, it's all gone. Like it never happened." Josie gave her a kind smile, then glancing to the side she looked back and whispered. "Those girls are just plain mean. Don't let them know they've got you riled or they'll never stop."
Her eyes met Josie's and she smiled, grateful for the words of encouragement.
After they sat back down, Posey leaned toward Millie and Josie. "Are you in need of any help at the general store?" A job would surely give her respectability, just like it had with Millie and Josie.
The cousins exchanged a look and then Millie replied, "I'm sorry, Posey, but I don't think so. Though you could always stop in and talk to my father. He's the one who makes those decisions. Since Josie is getting married in a few months, maybe we'll need to replace her."
"Millie!" Josie gasped. "What makes you think I'll quit working after I get married? It's 1885, for goodness' sake. Women can have jobs."
Millie turned back to Posey. "Well," she said, with a laugh, "it doesn't sound like Josie's job will be available any time soon."
"I didn't know you were looking for a job," Tassie said.
"Well, to be honest, it just occurred to me, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's a good idea. With Jake at Windy River all day and eating his noon meal out there," she grimaced, thinking about Myrtle and Aggie serving a meal to her man, "I've got time to fill during the day." She leaned closer so no one else could hear except the three girls closest to her. "I-I tend to do things I shouldn't if I have too much free time."
Millie burst out laughing and Josie jabbed her in the ribs with her elbow.
Tassie struggled to keep a straight face and maybe Posey should have been offended but she knew enough about herself to realize the truth of what she'd said. "I think that's a fine idea," Tassie stated. "As a matter of fact, I heard the other day that Mrs. Everett at the post of
fice is looking for someone to help her out a few hours each week, that might be just the thing."
"Really?" Posey gasped and then craned her neck to search the room. Most of the older ladies were working on the other quilt frame, but she didn't see Juniper Junction's esteemed postmistress there.
"If she had time to come to our Juniper Junction Quilting Society meetings, she might not need a helper," Tassie said and Posey couldn't argue with her logic.
Oh, the post office. That was a job that commanded respect. It was a government job, making sure people got their mail and packages. Selling stamps. People yearned for news and products that came in the mail. What could be more important than that? And only the most respectable and responsible people would work at a job like that.
Much as she hated to leave the meeting early, once the idea was in her head there was no getting it out. She excused herself, grabbed her shawl and hurried out the door leaving a curious Myrtle and Aggie in her wake.
The post office was just a few doors down from the church. Posey paused to smooth her hair and shake the wrinkles out of her skirt. Taking some deep breaths to calm herself and build up her courage, she entered the small, official building. A sense of power and awe seemed to ooze from the walls. Yes, this was the place for her.
When the bell on the door jingled, Mrs. Everett glanced her way. "Well, good morning, Po—er—Mrs. Lincoln," she said with a smile. "How can I help you?"
Posey opened her mouth to say something and nothing came out. She licked her lips and tried again. "I-I was at the quilting meeting and I heard that you might be in need of a helper here at the post office and I ... well... I wondered if... you might... if maybe I could... well, I'd really like to have the job, if you'd be kind enough to consider me, ma'am." All the words came out in a rush and Mrs. Everett, a kindly woman with soft brown eyes, paused for a moment as though she was trying to sort out what Posey had just said. Posey had grown accustomed to that sort of look. Another thing she needed to work on; speaking more clearly and without all the half sentences.
"Oh," Mrs. Everett said, adjusting her glasses. "Isn't that an interesting idea."
Posey wasn't sure how she ought to respond to that.
Mrs. Everett came out from behind the counter and stood before Posey. She was a willowy woman with a round face. Posey could tell Mrs. Everett was evaluating her at that moment.
She worried her fingers into a knot then when the silence was just too much for her to bear, she spoke again. "I-I know the things that people say about me. And a lot of them are true. I am nosey, but I don't want to be. I want to be respected and now that I'm a married woman, it's time for me to grow up and I know that I need to keep busy in order to not be tempted to be ... well, a nosey Posey." She gazed up at Mrs. Everett, her heart pounding in her chest. "P-please, ma'am. I'll work really hard and I promise not to ever give you a reason to regret hiring me."
Mrs. Everett drew in a long breath and then let it out. Posey drew in a long breath, too, but she continued to hold hers. She worked to keep her face neutral, like a grown up respectable person, but inside she was praying. Oh please. Please. Please.
After what felt like forever, but was probably only a few seconds, Mrs. Everett gave her a small smile and nodded. "All right, Posey, I'll give you a trial run for a month and we'll see how it goes. How does that sound?"
Posey finally let out the breath she'd been holding and grabbed Mrs. Everett's hand, shaking it vigorously. "Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Everett. I promise to be the best employee ever." Once she released Mrs. Everett's hand, it was all Posey could do to keep from jumping up and down but she managed to just wiggle a bit with excitement.
Mrs. Everett studied her for a moment. "Posey, I am a firm believer in giving people a chance to improve themselves and I think you're sincere in your wish to change the way people around here think of you."
"Oh, I am," Posey gushed.
Mrs. Everett took another deep breath. "Fine, dear. Can you be here tomorrow at nine? We'll start your training then. Hours are nine to one. You'll get paid every week. If things work out during your trial period, then I'd be willing to consider a pay increase. But, the most important thing, Posey, is that you conduct yourself as a proper employee of the Territory of Wyoming."
"Oh, yes ma'am. You can count on me."
Chapter 8
"Conduct yourself as a proper employee of the Territory of Wyoming."
The words echoed in Posey's mind as she struggled to maintain her composure on the walk back to the quilting society meeting. As excited as she was, she couldn't imagine that she'd be much use at sewing, but the giddy feeling that overwhelmed her needed an outlet so she scurried as fast as a proper employee of the Territory of Wyoming should all the way back to the church.
Though she tried to slip in as inconspicuously as possible, Myrtle and Aggie, ever vigilant, perked their heads up like a couple of turkeys in the field as soon as she stepped into the room. Ignoring them, she took her seat next to Tassie. Oh, how she was bursting with the need to tell someone her good news but with the busybody Myrth sisters looming, she had to bite her tongue. Oh, it was so hard to keep quiet.
Tassie's gaze met hers and Posey gave an infinitesimal nod, then cut her glance to the Myrth girls and Tassie nodded with understanding. Posey could feel Aggie's beady eyes boring into her as though she could ascertain what Posey had been up to simply by staring at her. Well, Posey wasn't about to give her the satisfaction.
"Have you gotten any new material in at the store, Josie?" she asked, determined to distract herself from her exciting news while not giving the hired girls from Windy River anything to sink their gossipy teeth into.
Josie paused in her stitching and looked up. "Yes, as a matter of fact we have. A parcel of the newest fabrics from San Francisco arrived in the mail just this morning along with several fashion magazines."
"Oh, how exciting!" Tassie said. "Tell us about the latest fashions."
Posey glanced at Tassie gratefully and then forced herself to concentrate on Josie's news about fashion. Apparently, flounces were in. And all that information arrived through the post office, where Posey would soon be an assistant to the postmistress. Talk about respectability.
Finally, the meeting was over and the group from Windy River left. Posey breathed a sigh of relief and then lowered her head to tell Tassie, Millie and Josie about her new job—on a trial basis—at the post office.
"I'm so happy for you," Tassie said, gripping Posey's arm excitedly.
"We go to the post office all the time," Millie said. "It will be fun to see you there."
Posey practically floated home, she was so deliriously happy. Mrs. Everett's confidence in her was just the thing she needed to turn over a new leaf and go from being Nosey Posey to Mrs. Posey Lincoln, assistant postmistress.
She liked the sound of that.
As she passed Mrs. Weatherly's house, she gave her neighbor a jaunty wave but didn't stop to chat, despite Mrs. Weatherly's determined gestures to get her to come over. "Sorry, Mrs. Weatherly. No time. I didn't see you at the quilting meeting."
"Well, my gout is bothering me again. If only I had someone to help me with a few things."
Posey paused a moment. She hated to ignore the elderly widow if she had a need for help. Fortunately, Mrs. Summers came striding up the walk at that moment and Mrs. Weatherly's attention was diverted.
Posey rushed inside and closed the door before letting out a whoop of happiness and allowing herself a couple of excited jumps in the air. She couldn’t wait to tell Jake!
She hurried through her chores that afternoon and even managed to make a small cake for their dessert that night.
Her own thoughts had occupied her mind so thoroughly she didn't hear Jake come home so when he called out, "Something smells delicious," she jumped and gasped.
"Jake!"
"Were you expecting someone else?" His slow smile melted her heart and she ran to fling herself into his arms.
"N
o. Never. I just lost track of time. But, I'm excited to see you, Mr. Foreman.”
“I’m excited to see you too, Mrs. Foreman.”
She giggled at their nicknames for each other. Would he be Mr. Assistant Postmistress? She giggled some more.
“I know how to stop those giggles.”
He covered her mouth with his and kissed her until she'd forgotten all about Mrs. Everett, the post office and nearly everything else that had ever entered her mind. After he lifted his head, she blinked up at him, dazed, but happy.
"How was your day?" she asked.
"Fine." He set her on the floor and gave her bottom a smack. "I'm hungry, woman. Where's my dinner?" He growled the words and she giggled some more and fixed their plates while he washed up.
Before they ate, he took her hand in his and said grace, thanking the Lord for their many blessings. Yes, Posey thought, we are truly blessed.
"So, what happened at the cackle fest today?"
"Jake!"
"I'm just teasing you, Posey honey." He squeezed her hand. "Good dinner, by the way."
She flushed with happiness. More than anything, she wanted to be a good wife and take care of her husband.
"Thank you."
"So, what happened today? You seem to be almost bouncing with the need to tell me something."
"Really? How can you tell? I thought I was being so good and controlling myself."
"You might be able to fool others, Posey, but remember, I see everything. Now, what's the big news you have to share?" He tore off a hunk of bread and dipped it in his stew.
She cocked her head to the side, suspicious. "Did someone tell you?"
He paused, dripping bread mid-way to his mouth. "No, darlin'. Nobody told me anything."
She smiled. "Well, today at the quilting meeting I was talking to Millie and Josie from the general store and it occurred to me that if I had a job I wouldn't have as much time to get in trouble and be...well, nosey. But they said they didn't have any jobs at the general store, but then Millie said that Mrs. Everett at the post office was looking for someone to help her so I went over there and talked to her."
Cowboy's Orders (Brides of Juniper Junction Book 2) Page 6
