by Annie Boone
A laugh escaped his lips before he could help it. “You should,” he offered. “I’ll teach you everything I know. Are you enjoying Colorado?”
As she started speaking, a thought occurred to Mitchell. She was talking about how Colorado was better than Virginia, and last week came to his mind. Her name had sounded familiar for a reason. It had been his first visit here to the Jessup’s since Matthew wanted to drop off that pie. He hadn’t known what to do and was quiet for most of the conversation, though they had brought up the boarding house.
Mrs. Jessup housed young ladies who came to Rocky Ridge looking to start new lives. And to find suitors. Mitchell bit his tongue again as he realized that Miss Bristol was who Mrs. Jessup had mentioned, about a young lady who had just arrived. She had mentioned the young woman was lovely, but there was no way he would have imagined she was this stunning.
They talked for a few more minutes, for she was friendly and sweet. Conversation was easy between them, and he enjoyed their conversation. Mitchell began to step closer the more they talked, until he was leaning against the post. He was just in the middle of telling his story about getting lost in the middle of Tennessee during an unexpected blizzard when he glanced down at his hands where he was playing with his hat.
The hat he used to hide his birthmark. Blood drained from his face, realizing that the mark would be out in daylight then, right in front of this beautiful woman. Trailing off, he couldn’t recall the end of his story. Straightening up, Mitchell hastily turned away. “Anyway, I ended up meeting some Apache and they helped me. But it’s not an interesting story, I’m afraid. I guess I should go.”
She stood in surprise. “Go?”
He stepped back in a hurry, bumping into the railing. Mitchell grabbed it to steady himself, and shot one last glance, wondering if Christina Bristol had seen it, if she had noticed his clumsiness or his birthmark. Ransacking his mind, he ran through their conversation. Was there a moment where she had moved, or paused? She must have noticed, she must have seen his terrible imperfection. “I need to go get that cup I left in front.” Shoving the hat on his hat, he turned and strode away with quick steps. “I have to go.”
“Farewell, then.”
He barely heard her since he’d started walking away before his last words were out of his mouth. Mitchell could feel the heat climbing up his face and that only frustrated him more. That ruined everything, that horrid mark of his. Children cried, women couldn’t look at him, and men tried to hide their curiosity. It was always the same. Everyone was the same in the end, so what had he been doing? There was no reason to suspect Miss Bristol would be any different than the others.
Bitterness swept over him as he returned to the front of the house and picked up the cup. He entered the kitchen but hung back in the shadows as Matthew and Lucas talked. His eyes swept over the back door a couple of times, certain he could see Miss Bristol there. But she never came inside, and he was grateful for it. He couldn’t face her again.
Soon their business at the Jessup’s was done and they were headed back to the ranch, a place where he was judged for his work and not his looks. He was comfortable there and was thankful for the opportunity Matthew had given him.
10
Susannah
The area in the corner where the desk was located filled with natural light from the morning sun. Clouds were on their way in so Susannah was taking advantage of the good weather before it went away. Humming, she sat at the desk and sorted through her files. But the frowning started and grew deeper imprints on her cheeks as she looked through more of them.
“I’m back.” Her husband’s smiling face appeared at her side after he’d silently crept up on her. Susannah jumped in surprise, nearly dropping everything in her arms. “Is something wrong?” He added, choosing not to laugh this time at surprising her. He did it nearly every day, but still found amusement in it.
Sighing, she pushed everything back onto the table and raised a hand flippantly. “Well, nothing is really wrong, but it’s also not right. I’ve been looking over possible matches for Christina, and nothing appears to be turning up.”
Stepping through the doorway, Lucas glanced around at the scattered files and skimmed through a few of them himself. “There are several gentlemen here I know who have spoken with you. They can’t have all disappeared, can they?”
“These three have since found wives,” she picked up a few folders and then another two. “And these ones have left for California. I have these two, but they never finished their profiles and I’m a little wary of them. They won’t talk to me in town either. And who am I missing? Let me see… no, no, and no.” Slapping them back on the table, Susannah pouted. “I haven’t had a decent client register since summer, Lucas. How am I supposed to find Christina a husband when I don’t have anyone?”
He hesitated. “Is she desperate to find someone soon?”
She bit her lip, and tried to think. “She’s settled in here very well. The girl is talented, especially in the garden and in the kitchen. She has quite the flair. Christina is lovely, Lucas, a beautiful woman who seems fairly happy here. I love having her here, you know this. But she’s supposed to be finding a husband and I can’t seem to find one for her. She deserves to find a good match.”
He tilted his head to the side and shrugged.
Before he could add his thoughts, she continued. “I always sort of assumed my problem would be finding women,” she admitted, “not the men. I haven’t tried advertising to them since I had enough clients. We’ve already helped several out, and I’m simply not certain of what to do about this. Even if I do send advertisements to gentlemen, there’s no telling how long it will take.”
Lucas stared at the table thoughtfully for a moment. Susannah could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to sort out an idea. Her heart pounded hopefully and she stood up, waiting. His eyes were bright and she could tell something was on his mind; if she was lucky then that something would help her out.
“Well?” She asked anxiously, unable to wait anymore. Hurrying around the table, she wrapped her arms around him. “Lucas?”
He raised an eyebrow looking down at her before wrapping his own arms around her waist. “If you must know,” Lucas said after a moment, “that never helps me think more clearly. I get sidetracked.” But he chuckled and kissed her forehead.
Beaming, Susannah kissed his cheek in return. “Please tell me you have an idea, Lucas.”
“I was talking to Dr. Fitzgerald today, and he mentioned he was waiting on one of Eleanor’s huckleberry pies. He said that he and his wife had ordered two weeks ago and still hadn’t received one.”
She frowned. “Is something wrong with Eleanor? She’s never that slow. Did something happen to her berry bushes? Perhaps I should go see her.”
“And take Christina,” he hinted.
Susannah squinted up at him, trying to follow wherever that his train of thought had led him. “Take Christina to meet Eleanor to help her make new friends?”
He chuckled and twirled her. “Susie darling, more than that. You want to keep her busy, don’t you? It’ll buy you some more time and keep her distracted. Eleanor receives some help, Christina makes a friend, and you have the time you need to look for a good suitor. Everybody wins.”
It made sense. The more she thought about it, the better it sounded. Gasping, Susannah looked at him with a wide smile. “You’re absolutely right! Why, that’s brilliant, Lucas! I think she’ll enjoy helping Eleanor and they’ll both have a lot of fun. Oh, and she’ll be able to meet the children. What are we waiting for?” Hurrying out of the study, she headed towards the door for her jacket and boots. “We just need Christina and she’s around here somewhere. Stitching, I think. She’ll like a break.”
Lucas had trailed after her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
She stopped, one arm in her jacket. Glancing about, she shrugged at him. “What are you talking about?”
He laughed and came over to h
er. As he took her coat away, Lucas directed her towards the window. In that short space of time, the clouds had already begun to cover up the sky and rain was beginning to fall. A short breath escaped her slouched shoulders. “Oh. Right.” The storm they were expecting was arriving. That was the reason Lucas had only stopped into town for a few supplies to hold them over in case it was very bad.
“Next week,” Lucas promised her. “Or once the road isn’t so wet, I’ll take you ladies down to the Connor’s ranch. Eleanor can wait until then. And who knows? Perhaps you can try your hand at a few pies until then.”
She suppressed an urge to roll her eyes and grinned. He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head as she continued looking outside. The sky was gray and looked like it would continue to darken. Biting her lip, she told herself not to be disappointed. It would have been a rash idea, just leaving like that to see the Connors anyway. Susannah felt herself begin to sway side to side with Lucas’s pull and smiled. “Perhaps, dear, perhaps.”
She grew distracted with the brewing storm. The animals needed to be cared for, and windows needed to be blocked. It was late by the time everything was safely tied down or put off the floor. After all these years, the Jessups had their storm preparation custom down perfectly. By the time the winds picked up, everyone was gathered around the fireplace with warm drinks and slices of apple cake.
Though the bad weather went on through the night, Lucas managed to get some rest. Susannah was restless and kept glancing through the slits near the window as though she might see something. Occasionally there was lightning, but otherwise the night was black. The wind whistled in her ears, and she hummed an old hymn from Boston.
It wasn’t the terrible soaking they had anticipated, although it took them a few days get the wagon out for a trip over the muddy road. The mud was just enough to be inconvenient. Finally on the third day, the sun came out bright and strong and dried the ground enough to make a trip to the Connors an easy journey.
“We’re going out!” She sang out early that morning, finishing the eggs as Christina arrived to have breakfast. “Hurry up, and we’ll need to be on our way. You’ll want to dress warmly, of course. It’s still chilly. We’re going to the Connor ranch today. Oh, you’re going to love them. They’re the sweetest people, and have the loveliest ranch.”
Christina offered a hesitant smile. “Will there be someone to stay here? I’d hate to leave the animals alone. Unprotected. Are you certain I should join you?”
Pausing, Susannah just stared at her, confused. “But of course, dear. You need friends here in Rocky Ridge. You’ve been here over a month and you haven’t left our property. Don’t you want to go out and meet people? Now we’ll be going to church this Sunday and I hope you’ll join us but until then, Eleanor Connor will be so happy to welcome you to our circle.”
There was a small tug at her curved lips, a downward turn. What was that for? There was a dark look on the woman’s face that was so short Susannah wondered if she was imagining things. Surely Christina was tired of being here with so little company. But the silence was more telling than her words.
Clearing her throat, Susannah thought quickly. Perhaps finding new friends wasn’t the most important thing to her at the moment. “Eleanor is an old friend of mine, you see, and she’s been swamped with orders for her pies lately. It happens around this time every year and there are more and more people who want them. Since you’re so talented in the kitchen, I thought you might like to help her out. I’m certain she could use the assistance.”
“All right,” Christina nodded slowly, clearly unsure. But she looked less reluctant then. “I’d like to be of help, if I can.” And they left it at that, though she noticed the younger woman barely touched her breakfast after it was decided that she’d help Eleanor out in the kitchen.
After the morning meal, the ladies pulled on their cloaks and set up the cart. It was a long drive but the sun was warm. Susannah sang for much of the way, and Christina even chimed in, blushing madly every time. Soon enough they were pulling up at the front of the ranch, and several of the boys ran to help them.
“It’s good to see you all,” Susannah called out. “I brought some cake. Make sure even those men in the barn get some, you hear? And where’s Eleanor, is she inside?”
“Sure is,” one of the boys chimed. “We’ll get your horse taken care of, ma’am.”
She beamed and he blushed, a tall skinny thing who was much younger than herself. Or at least, that’s how it felt. “That’s just swell of you! Thank you very much.” Looping an arm through Christina’s, they headed up to the house. The ladies only had to knock once before the door was opened for them.
“Susannah!” Eleanor enveloped her friend in a tight hug. “I wasn’t expecting you, but I’m delighted you’re here! Come in, come in. Please, pardon the mess. It’s been so busy. There’ve been pies to make, you see, and then the storm slowed down the orders. Can you believe that? Then little Susie’s had a fever, and she hasn’t been sleeping. Oh, do come in, my apologies!” She spoke quickly, pulling them inside and helping them off with their coats.
Chuckling, Susannah pulled her into a second hug, a tight one where Eleanor couldn’t do anything but was forced to slow down. “Then it’s a good thing we’re here,” she assured her friend. “I’ve brought Miss Christina Bristol with me. She’s come from Virginia and is staying at our boarding house. Christina, this is my dearest friend in all the world, Eleanor Connor.”
“You’ve brought help?” Eleanor was so happy that she sniffled, holding back tears. She offered a bleary smile. “Oh, you are too good to me!”
Susannah waved it off. “Nonsense. I’ve had Christina cooped up in my home for too long. But as luck would have it, she is a marvelous cook. It sounds like you could do with an extra pair of hands. We can spend the day with you today, and we can come again if you would like.”
“Yes!” Eleanor nodded furiously, pulling them inside. She brushed a hand across her cheeks, spreading flour over them. “If you don’t mind, yes. I’ll be happy to pay you!”
The surprise was visible across Christina’s face and Susannah grinned. “All I need is the chance to spend some time with little Susie. But I do believe Christina could do with some extra purse money. Why don’t you show her your kitchen?”
“Right, right,” the woman was scatter-brained as she led them through the house.
Susannah stayed with the women for a few minutes until Christina relaxed, and then went to see to the fussy child. Throughout the afternoon, she returned often to the kitchen to check on the women and see how they were doing. Lucas was right as usual for every time she looked in, her friends looked happier and brighter.
11
Christina
“Just like that, only a little harder. Right, put your elbow into it. Nice and firm, very firm,” Eleanor watched Christina’s hands closely, nodding. The scrutiny was similar to what she had felt back in Virginia, by everyone in town who stared her down.
But this was different, for the other woman didn’t appear to care about what she looked like at all. She only seemed to want the pie crust to be perfect. It was a refreshing sensation, and she could feel herself working harder to make sure she did her best. When the woman fell silent, Christina glanced up from the table to find Eleanor nodding with a relieved smile.
“Is this good?” Christina raised an eyebrow a she waited to hear what Eleanor had to say.
Eleanor grinned. “It’s perfect. You’re such a quick learner. I cannot thank you enough. These are the last ones we’ll do for the day. I’m tired and you must be, too,” she added after a moment, working on her own crust.
The two of them worked quietly for a few minutes until they heard humming, and Susannah arrived with a young girl in her arms. The child was nestled into the crook of her neck as she walked carefully down the hall, humming and rubbing a hand across the back soothingly. It was a natural look for a woman and child, making Christina curious
why Susannah didn’t have any children of her own.
“How is she?” Eleanor asked in a whisper, handing the berries over to Christina.
“Sleeping,” Susannah murmured, swaying as she slowed down. “Susie’s going to be just fine. And her little brother is resting as well,” she added after a moment. “I wanted to come and see how you two were getting on.”
The women glanced at each other as Eleanor nodded. “We’re just about done for the day.” Eleanor looked at Christina and smiled. “She’s everything I needed, Susannah. I’ve never known a more efficient cook, Christina, and that’s say something.”
“It is,” Susannah agreed with a nod, before she started humming again. “I’ll be back after I put her down,” she sung softly on her way out.
Christina watched her go and then sneaked a glance towards Eleanor as well. They were such lovely women, inside and out. How was that possible? They treated her with a respect that she’d never known from anyone outside her family. Was this what it was like to be a normal person?
She had to wonder then, if the rest of the town could be nice as them. But that felt like too much to hope for. Biting her lip, she shook her head to prevent dreams like that from taking root and tried to focus on putting the finishing touches on the pie. Once the top crust was there, she sprinkled sugar on top and pushed it further onto the table.
Eleanor had completed her pie as well and grabbed them both to put in the oven. “I can’t believe it,” she announced when that was completed. “We’re done! It’s done. Ten pies all in one day. Why, I’ve only ever been able to do four.” Coming over, she grabbed Christina’s arm. “Please, please tell me you’ll come again. I’m begging you.”
