Meg

by Clemmons, Caroline

  Curtis gestured to the stairs. “The house has five bedrooms, one down here and the others upstairs. Only the one I’ve been using has furniture.”

  The four of them climbed the stairs. She was pleased there was a landing halfway and a sturdy banister. The stairs were not as steep or narrow as those in the home where she’d lived all her life until her escape to come here. She blinked away her woolgathering to concentrate on what her new husband was saying.

  “Frank Sutton across town makes fine quality furniture and his wife, Angela, makes mattresses and pillows. I suppose we’d better visit him this afternoon if you have funds to spend.”

  She peeked into one of the empty bedrooms and noted it had a fireplace. “More furniture would be helpful and I have cash with me.”

  He exhaled with what she thought was exasperation. “As my listing mentioned, I don’t have any extra yet.”

  “I understand that, Curtis, and hope you’ll understand about my inheritance.” She especially hoped he wasn’t going to be touchy about her having money and him having none. She planned to share. Guiltily, she amended her thoughts to include most of it.

  “My old bank in Charlotte should have transferred funds to the bank here. I don’t understand exactly how that works or the time required, especially at such long distances. However, I brought cash with me. I didn’t know how long the transfer would take or what I’d face on the way here.”

  Curtis stood with his arms crossed over his chest. “You’ll need to check on your money. But we need to discuss how household funds will be handled. That can wait until the children are asleep tonight.”

  She stood inside another one of the rooms, noting that each of the bedrooms had a fireplace. “Tom, will you be afraid if you sleep in here alone?” she asked, wondering if the children would have to sleep on pallets. Was there even enough bedding for them?

  He shook his head and looked at his sister. “I don’t think so, but Penny will be scared in a room by herself until she’s older. We always shared until those men made us leave our house.”

  Curtis received Tom’s comment about being made to leave their home with a perplexed expression. At least he was forced into thinking about the children’s plight. And hers.

  At the last doorway, he stood aside while she went into the room. The pieces matched perfectly and included the four-poster bed, two bedside tables, a chest, a washstand, a chair, and an armoire. Although she didn’t know what kind of wood had been used, the result was a dark golden color with decorative carving of flowers and vines.

  The room was oversized and didn’t seem crowded in spite of the large number of furniture pieces. The blankets covering the bed were thin and worn. Ida’s quilt would look lovely in this room. The small fireplace was laid with wood but wasn’t lit.

  She traced a line of the carving on the chest of drawers. “This is beautiful. Was this made by Mr. Sutton?”

  “Yes, he does fine work.” He reddened. “I wanted one room furnished.”

  So, he’d planned to have a romantic wedding night. At least that knowledge eased the vise clamped around her chest. If only he were more welcoming to the children.

  He checked his pocket watch. “We’d better get to Sutton’s if you plan to have beds and mattresses delivered today. He has finished pieces in stock. Have to arrange for your trunks, too. Then we can go to the Eatery for an early supper.”

  Relieved to know the children would have beds, she took each child’s hand and led them down the stairs after Curtis. He spoke with an unfamiliar accent and she wondered where he’d lived before moving to Angel Creek. They knew nothing about one another and she had dozens of questions for him.

  “Thank you, Curtis. I wouldn’t mind cooking, but I admit to being exhausted from our trip.”

  When he met her gaze, his bright blue eyes were mesmerizing. “I remember that stage ride and how tiring it was.”

  Tom asked, “Did you get to have a buffalo robe?”

  Curtis shook his head but at least he gave a slight smile. “Weather was warm when I came. I arrived covered in dust and feeling like the stage had driven over me several times.”

  At the Sutton home, they were introduced to Frank and Angela then taken to Frank’s workshop. The large space had completed furniture around two walls with a work area in the center. She walked to inspect a beautiful armoire.

  Frank followed her and gestured to the matching headboard. “I don’t know what you had in mind. I just finished this adult bed with a trundle. It’d be good in case you have visitors.”

  Meg looked at Curtis. “Do you think your family might visit?”

  He sent her an inscrutable look. “Some might.”

  She’d hoped for more information. “All right, Mr. Sutton. We’d like this trundle bed and the matching pieces. Do you have any children’s beds?”

  He walked along the line of furniture and stopped. “Just these two. If you want another pair, I’ll have to make them.”

  She whispered to Curtis. “Is it all right with you if I get these and order another pair?”

  He appeared surprised. “Hmph, it’s your money. Get what you want.”

  “Curtis?”

  His surprise changed to a stubborn expression, he held up his hand and stepped away.

  She wanted to say something sharp but didn’t want to embarrass the Suttons or herself.

  “Mama, Mama, look.” Penny sat at a child’s table.

  Her chagrin flying away, Meg couldn’t keep from smiling at her daughter’s excitement. “Would you like a table and chairs?”

  “Oh, yes, please! It’s just my size, mine and Tom’s.”

  Meg turned to Frank. “If that’s available, we’ll take it. We’ll also take the two children’s beds and order another pair. Since this pair has flowers for decoration, could you create something for a little boy on the second set?”

  Frank chuckled. “I usually carve animals or western themes on a boy’s furniture.” He laid his hand on Tom’s shoulder. “What do you want, young man?”

  Tom grinned from ear to ear and he placed a hand on his chest. “Y-You mean I can say?”

  When Meg nodded, he looked thoughtful for a few seconds. “I can’t think of anything about a newspaper that you could carve, so I’d like what you said, the western things.”

  Frank nodded. “That’s what you’ll get.” To Meg, he said, “Anything else here strike your fancy?”

  Meg looked around the large workshop. Everything she saw was beautiful. “I’ll take that rocking chair for the parlor.” She lowered her voice, “I’d like two of the chamber pot chairs. Then I think you’d better tell me how much we owe you so far.”

  Frank named a startling total, but he did such fine work she couldn’t argue.

  “Eventually we’ll need dining room furniture, but I’d better wait before I order that or anything else. Your work is so exquisite that getting carried away would be too easy.”

  Frank grinned. “I love when folks get carried away.”

  The look Curtis sent her let her know he thought she had been carried away this afternoon.

  Frank gestured to the exit. “Angela has the better mattresses she makes inside the house in the hope of keeping mice away from them. Oh, I don’t want you to think I’m being pushy, but I expect you’ll want the mattresses and pillows for the beds you ordered now.”

  “We do.” Meg whispered to Angela, “My money is inside my corset. May I step into a room where I can get to it?”

  Angela giggled. “Don’t worry for now. You can pay when we deliver these or wait until tomorrow or later this week.”

  When they’d selected the mattresses and pillows, Curtis arranged to have them delivered later that day. “I’ll see Maurice Beavers about getting the trunks from the stage depot.”

  Frank gave a dismissive wave. “Leave it to me. Since he helps me with deliveries, stopping for the trunks won’t be much extra trouble. We’ll give you time to have your dinner then see you at your place. Take us a wh
ile to load everything onto the wagon anyway.”

  Meg dug the claim tickets from her purse. “That’s really nice of you, Frank. I don’t know if you’ll need these but here they are in case you do.”

  Frank tucked them into his pocket. “Doubt I’ll be asked for them, but can’t hurt to be prepared.”

  As they were leaving, Penny tugged on Curtis’ pants leg. “When do I get my table and chairs? They’re my size. Will they go in my room or the kitchen?”

  Curtis sent Meg a startled looked before he answered Penny, “We’ll talk about where the table goes, but Mr. Sutton will bring it today.”

  Penny clapped her hands. “Hurray! Did you hear, Tom?”

  “I’m right beside you, Penny, so of course I heard.”

  Meg wanted to laugh at Tom’s comment. She was certain he’d rolled his eyes when he spoke to his sister.

  “Eatery is this way. Tom, can you make sure your sister stays with us?”

  “Yes, sir. You don’t have to worry, we won’t be any trouble to you.”

  Curtis spoke low. “Does he worry all the time?”

  “Continually. He’s a good boy. They’re both good. Of course they miss their mother and Penny sometimes still cries for her.”

  He gestured to the left. “There’s the newspaper office. I’d planned to show it to you this afternoon, but looks as if we’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

  “I’m eager to see it and learn how I can help you.”

  “Hmph, I imagine you’ll be busy with the house and children.”

  “No, I’ll be able to help you some as well. Is there a back room at your office?”

  He rubbed a hand on his jaw. “Matter of fact, that’s where I lived until I bought the house. Still have a cot and small table and chairs there.”

  “Good, then the children can take naps there and read and draw. Is there a school here?

  “Gabrielle Schulz is the teacher. School year’s a little different here due to the weather.”

  “I hope Tom can attend and make friends. He’s very bright, but has never had anyone but his sister for companionship.”

  “Mrs. Schulz would probably let Penny attend with Tom, but I imagine you’d rather she wait a year or two so he’s free to make friends.”

  “You’re correct.” His statement sank in. “A woman teacher who’s married is unusual.”

  “Montana Territory has its own rules. Much more relaxed than back east.”

  He stopped in front of a rustic building and opened the door. “Here we are.”

  A smiling woman hurried toward them. “You have to be Meg. I’m Abbie Oliver and we’re so happy you and the children have come. My husband Elijah is in the kitchen. Come right over here where it’s warm. I expect it will take you a few weeks to get used to the cold.”

  A man seated nearby looked up from his meal. “Or a few years. Here we’ve been five years and used to it I’m not.” His voice carried what she thought was a Scandinavian accent.

  Abbie swatted at him with her apron. “Get on with you, Hans. I don’t wonder since you work outdoors so much of the time.”

  A pleasant-looking woman seated at the same table nodded. “And the house he keeps cold like a miser to save wood.” Her loving smile softened her words.

  Abbie laughed.

  Curtis held the chair for Meg. “As you’ve no doubt guessed, Meg, these are local ranchers Freida and Hans Jorgensen. My wife Meg, and these two are Tom and Penny.”

  Meg greeted the other couple. Curtis hadn’t introduced the children as his or hers or theirs, just by their names.

  The worried expression was back on Tom’s face as he watched Curtis.

  Curtis leaned toward Hans. “Surprised to see you here during the week.”

  The rancher looked fondly at his wife. “Today is the anniversary of the day we wed. Freida says we must eat here to celebrate.” He gave an exaggerated shrug. “Always a man is a slave to his wife’s whims.”

  Abbie chuckled. “Which is only as it should be.”

  Oblivious, Penny looked at Abbie. “We get our own special table just our size.” She tugged on Meg’s sleeve. “Who’s the man bringing it?”

  “Mr. Sutton and Mr. Beavers will help him.”

  Abbie gave Penny’s head a pat. “You’re lucky children. Now what do you want to eat?” She gave them a choice between pork chops and chicken.

  When their orders had been placed, she brought milk for the children and coffee for the adults. She moved around the room refilling cups. The Bergman’s concentrated on their own meal and discussion.

  Meg didn’t know what to say. She waited for Curtis to lead the conversation, but he sipped his coffee in silence. The hour was quite early for supper so there weren’t many diners.

  Finally, she asked, “Is The Herald a weekly paper?”

  He set his cup on the table. “So far. Eventually I hope I can increase to Tuesday and Friday. That’s a good many years in the future, though.”

  Abbie delivered their food and they concentrated on their meal. Penny and Tom each had two chicken legs plus mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and biscuits. Meg was glad there was nothing for her to cut for the children. She and Curtis had each chosen the pork chops, but their meal also came with mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, and biscuits.

  “Abbie and Elijah serve great desserts and this is the day for peach cobbler.”

  She looked up from her food. “Sounds wonderful, but will we have time?”

  “Sure. I’ll see when Frank drives his wagon to the station. We’ll have plenty of time to get to the house while he loads your trunks.”

  Penny had consumed her chicken, but her eating was slowing and her eyes drooped. Tom still shoveled food as if he were starving. He also glanced frequently at Curtis. How long before the boy felt safe and welcome?

  Chapter Seven

  Meg hurriedly made up the children’s beds. She didn’t have the right size sheets or enough blankets for this climate. Thank goodness she’d purchased warm night wear for both of them and for her.

  She blushed, wondering if Curtis expected her to wear something filmy and romantic. She had such a gown in her hope chest trunk, but hadn’t received any overtures from him. All she had to go on was the fact he’d wanted the master bedroom perfect for tonight. Surely that was a good sign.

  Once the children were tucked in for the night, she joined Curtis in the parlor. He sat in what looked to be a lumpy chair near the fireplace.

  “They’re both sound asleep.” She sat in the rocking chair, grateful to have its comfort. “You appear upset with me. I expect you want the story of how I came to be in charge of the children.”

  “Admit I’m curious but a few details came through.” His expression was solemn and he hadn’t denied being upset.

  She explained about meeting Ida and the children. “Tom is terrified you’ll reject him and Penny and they’ll be sent to an orphanage. If you could give him some sort of reassurance, I’d take it as a great favor.”

  His mouth was a thin line as he stared at the fire for a few seconds before he met her gaze. “We need to set some guidelines here.”

  He held up a hand. “I don’t hold it against you for bringing the children. Given those circumstances, don’t know as I’d have been able to do differently. But this throws a heck of a kink into my plans.”

  Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I made that perfectly clear in my Groom’s Gazette notice that I need help with the newspaper. Now you’ve shown up with two children who’ll need a lot of attention. I don’t see how you can fit in both.”

  The muscles of her stomach clenched and she swallowed back the bile that threatened. She pressed a hand to her abdomen, hoping the gentle pressure would help. “Women everywhere work with their husbands and still take care of a family.”

  “I’m not certain you’ll even want to. You understand that once we’ve… slept as husband and wife, there won’t be a chance of an annulment. I suggest you sleep
in the main bedroom and I’ll take the new bed.”

  “No.” Her heart cracked and she battled against shedding the tears that threatened to spill. Had she traveled all this way to be discarded?

  She stood and turned her back to him. “You’re rejecting me outright?”

  He rose and she sensed him take a step toward her. “Not at all. I’m saying I believe you’ll reject me. You have money and children, so you hardly need a cash-poor husband who requires large amounts of your time.”

  She pivoted to face him. “You aren’t short of cash now. If my bank funds haven’t been transferred yet, they will be. Or, even if the cash is stolen while in route, I have money left that will last us for a while.” She told him the approximate sum remaining of what she’d brought.

  His voice carried an edge. “That must have been some legacy. When Paul—that’s my attorney friend—said you’d be able to pay your own fare here, I admit I was relieved. I wouldn’t have been able to pay the ticket for anyone so far away. But I imagined you’d have fifty or a hundred left at most after your travel. I had no idea you’d be wealthy.”

  She’d been prepared for his criticism of her bringing children, but not for having money. “Compared to others who lost so much in the war, I suppose that amount does seem vast. My father’s parents came from money even though my parents lived modestly. Granny Todd went to great lengths to insure her money was protected during the war—or as safe as possible in that terrible time.”

  “Well, your grandmother was fortunate. She still could have lost everything. A lot of people did.”

  “But she didn’t. And Granny wanted to be certain I was taken care of when she was gone. She knew my sister wouldn’t share our parents’ estate fairly. I don’t know how much you know about that, but the situation was far worse than Granny Todd could have imagined possible.”

  “Paul mentioned you were being threatened with commitment. With the amount of money you must have had coming, I can see why a weak man might be tempted.” He held up both hands. “I don’t mean that as justification. He should be the one shut away for even trying such a terrible thing.”