by Bess McBride
“I think you are wrong, dear. Luke seems taken with you.”
“Taken with me? Are you kidding, Martha? The man can barely tolerate me. Today was the first time he managed to get through a few minutes in my company.”
“When was that?”
“Well, I met him on Lakefront Lane this evening, and he walked back to the house with me.”
“Emily, that does not sound like a man who ‘can barely tolerate’ you.”
Emily shrugged. “Well, he wanted to apologize—though he didn’t need to, in my opinion—for what he called his ‘boorish treatment’ of me. I guess whatever Jefferson said made him feel bad, though it’s likely he didn’t admit as much to Jefferson. We met your brother at the door. They ignored each other.”
“It is really too bad that Luke ‘can barely tolerate’ you given his apology, Emily. Do you not agree?” Martha smiled.
Chapter Fourteen
Luke washed up and combed his hair with care before dinner. He eyed his clean shirt in the bathroom mirror and tugged on his fresh tie to straighten it. His heart seemed to leap about uncomfortably, and he pressed a hand against his chest, as if he could still the motion. He suspected that what he felt was anticipation at seeing Emily soon.
“What do you think you are doing?” he asked the mirror.
Upon arrival to his room that evening, he had found several envelopes on the floor that had been delivered under his door. The return addresses were from two of the school boards to which he had applied.
He had opened the envelopes with apprehension, though he could not say whether in fear of rejection or hope of acceptance, or some other emotion. He had not changed his mind, would not change his mind regarding leaving the madness that was Kaskade.
Both letters had offered Luke employment at his earliest possible convenience, the proposed salaries substantially higher than that which he earned in Kaskade. He had no need of extra money though. His wants and needs were few. Had been few, he corrected. Through the mirror, he scanned the small bathroom behind him. Surely he did not intend to live in a boardinghouse for the rest of his life, did he? Did he not wish for more? A home within his means such as John Ludlow owned? Children of his own versus those whom he taught? A wife?
Jeremiah seemed very content with his situation, very content indeed. A vague sense of yearning, of dissatisfaction with his current life, had begun to nag at Luke over the past week, and although he had dismissed the longing as nonsense and proof yet again of the lunacy that Kaskade’s peculiarities promoted, he could not dispel the feelings completely.
He smoothed his hair one last time and left the bathroom to make his way down to the dining room. Upon entering, he was disappointed to see Jefferson already there, his seat facing the doorway. The usual diners were already in place. Luke had not realized he’d dallied so long in the bathroom that only one chair was left, across from Jefferson. It was not that to which Luke silently objected, but that his back was to the doorway. Given his unfortunate positioning, he would either have to look over his right shoulder on a routine basis to see Emily enter the room, or he would have to watch Jefferson look up with a smile—as he did at that moment.
Luke looked over his shoulder. Emily entered the room carrying a coffee service on a tray. She smiled at the faces in the room, encompassing all diners with the one beautiful expression. If Luke hoped for a special smile from her, a lingering look, he did not get it. Neither did Jefferson, for that matter.
Emily adroitly set the coffee urn down in the center of the table, along with cream and sugar. She set the tray down and picked up the coffee to encircle the table.
“Who wants coffee?” she asked.
Several hands went up, including his. Naturally, Jefferson must have coffee, and she poured his out first given that she was standing near him. Luke watched their interaction, wondering how far their fondness for each other had advanced, for it was certain that they liked each other very much, as evidenced by the broad smiles on each of their faces. Certainly they could not have fallen in love in the space of the week since Emily’s arrival. That would have been preposterous and likely a very superficial state of affairs.
He eyed the couple darkly until Emily moved on around the table. She came to Luke last, but he did not take it personally, seeing it as the natural progression of her movements around the table.
“Dinner will be out in a minute,” she said quietly as she bent over him.
Luke did not know he had missed the scent of the fragrant rose that emanated from her person, but he smelled it now. Lovely, quite lovely.
“Thank you,” he said, wishing he could say something more profound, or at the very least offer her a compliment. He forced himself to do so.
“You smell quite nice,” he whispered as she straightened.
Emily’s cheeks reddened, and she blinked. “Thank you!” she said, turning away and leaving the room.
Luke, feeling a bit foolish, picked up his coffee and sipped it. He ignored Jefferson and chatted with a fellow teacher on his left, an elderly spinster, Miss Margaret Noble. Petite and wizened like a sprite, she had moved to Washington from Wisconsin years before when her parents passed away. Her sister lived in Tacoma, and she invited her to visit on holidays and during the summer school break.
“How was school today, Miss Noble?”
“Very good, Mr. Damon. How do you like our new kitchen maid?”
Luke blinked but kept an even smile on his face. “Miss Alexander seems very capable.”
“Yes, of course, as capable as one needs to be in such a position. Do you know where she came from? Does she have family here?”
Luke looked at the small gray-haired woman. Spartan in dress and appearance, she wore a plain white shirtwaist and gray skirt. Her hair was secured in a severe bun at the nape of her neck. He had never seen her wear earrings, brooches, necklaces or rings. Luke had also never been aware that Miss Noble was a snob.
“No, I know nothing about her at all,” he lied, and felt quite comfortable in doing so. Miss Noble was a fine teacher, though not particularly innovative. They had always gotten along well together as colleagues, but he supposed he had not paid much attention to her likes and dislikes.
“I noticed that she is very attentive to the men,” Miss Noble said, leaning toward him to speak quietly. “Most are swooning at her smiles. She has a very sociable way about her for a servant, not at all shy or retiring. I suppose she hopes to capture a husband while in service. So many young women do.”
Luke turned to look at Miss Noble through a haze of red. Only by biting his lip could he hold back a sharp rebuke. He reminded himself quickly that he must work with the woman.
“I would not know,” he muttered. Luke saw Jefferson smile toward the doorway again, and he looked over his shoulder. Emily entered with another tray, and Martha followed with more food.
“Good evening, everyone,” Martha said as usual. She smiled widely, and a round of voices responded in greeting. She laid out plates of food in the middle of the table and directed Emily to do the same. Since Martha seated so many people, she usually set out a separate platter of the same food on each end of the table.
Luke kept his eyes on Emily, though he supposed she did not care to be stared at. Still, he could not help himself. For all that she had been born in another century, she looked remarkably similar to other women he had known...in the most basic sense. Yet there were subtle differences. Her skin was unblemished and fair, unlike many of the women who gardened, farmed or worked outside in other capacities. Her hands showed no signs of hard labor. Her spine seemed to move with ease, unlike some of Kaskade’s women, who generally labored hard.
“Thank you, Emily,” he heard Jefferson say.
So intensely had Luke stared at Emily that he did not see she had leaned over Jefferson to place platters and bowls of food at their end of the table.
“You’re welcome,” Emily said, directing a warm smile at him.
Luke swung his head to
assess Miss Noble’s reaction. That lady turned and met his eyes with a nod and a raised eyebrow. Across the table, Emily straightened and carried the tray from the room, followed by Martha.
Miss Noble helped herself to some food and leaned in again to speak in a hushed voice. “I wonder if something is in the air between those two. What say you, Mr. Damon?”
Luke closed his eyes momentarily in an effort to control his anger. “Miss Noble, I do not think that is any of my concern, of our concern.” He applied himself to his meal, though his appetite had vanished. Of course, he had asked himself the same question, but he did not wish to engage in gossip with Miss Noble.
“No, certainly not,” she said tongue-in-cheek. “Still, one must speculate. No sooner does our new kitchen maid arrive for work than she and one of the house owners seem very chummy. It all seems very quick! Unless she knew Mr. Lundrum previously.”
“I would have no idea,” Luke ground out. He turned partially away in his chair to signal that he no longer wished to speak to her. Perhaps she would take the hint.
The scent of rose wafted near, and Emily appeared at his side. She leaned over the table and deposited a platter of sliced bread.
“I forgot the bread,” she said with a smile. So close was she that Luke could feel the warmth of her skin.
“Did you?” he asked in a bemused tone, staring up at her face, her neck, the curve of her chin.
“Yes?” she said in a questioning tone as she straightened.
Luke drew in her scent. She smelled absolutely delightful. He thought he wanted to breathe deeply around her forever.
“Yes?” he repeated, still unsure of what was happening to him. He simply could not think straight.
“Are you okay, Luke?” she asked.
“I think so,” he murmured.
“Okay, eat up!” she said and turned to leave the room.
Luke absentmindedly reached for a slice of the delectable-looking bread. He glanced up to see Jefferson watching him with narrowed eyes. Luke shook his head to no purpose and focused his attention on tasting the bread.
“Do be careful, Mr. Damon,” Miss Noble said at his side. “Mr. Lundrum stares at you with eyes like daggers, I suspect because the servant was flirting with you.”
Luke dropped his bread onto his plate and turned to Miss Noble. “Miss Noble,” he said between clenched teeth. “What has gotten into you? I never knew you to be so mean spirited! Did I never know you at all?”
Miss Noble gasped, and her face reddened. Her faded blue eyes watered, and Luke could have kicked himself.
“Forgive me, Miss Noble. That was unkind of me. It is not how I wish to conduct myself. Good night.”
He tossed his napkin down, turned from the table and left the room. As much as he wanted to visit the kitchen, he chose not to, instead returning to his room. Upon nearing his door, he thought of something and hurried back down the stairs.
Chapter Fifteen
“An excellent meal as usual, Martha.”
At the sound of Luke’s voice, Emily looked over her shoulder from her position at the kitchen sink. Busily scrubbing pots and pans, she stilled as Luke spoke.
“Thank you, Luke,” Martha said. “Has everyone finished dining already? That was certainly fast.”
“No, I left early. Emily, I do not know if you have an escort home, but it will be dark, and I would be happy to provide that escort.”
“What a thoughtful idea, Luke!” Martha exclaimed. “Would you like an escort, Emily?”
Emily wiped her hands on her apron and turned. “Do I need one? Isn’t Kaskade safe?”
“I do not think you should walk home alone,” Luke said.
“Kaskade is a town like any other,” Martha said. “Generally, crime is low, but we do have quite a few itinerant loggers, and some of them like to drink. We have the occasional dustup in town, and you have to pass by the pool hall on your way back to Jeremiah’s house.”
“Do you mind?” Emily asked Luke.
“Not at all. That is why I offered!” he said.
“That is very kind of you, Luke,” Martha said. “I know Jefferson mentioned that earlier, but I take it he did not raise the subject with Emily yet.”
“Oh!” Emily exclaimed. “Was he planning on walking me back? You guys! I can probably handle this myself.”
“Nonsense!” Luke said. “You cannot walk at night alone. If it is any consolation on your decision making, I was the first to ask to walk you home.” His broad teasing smile caught Emily off guard.
“Okay, thank you!” she said shyly. “It will be a while,” she said, looking over her shoulder at the sink brimming with pots and pans.
“Of course. I understand. I will wait.”
“I think we will finish in another hour, Luke,” Martha said.
“I will come back then,” he said.
Emily turned back to the pots and pans, puzzled by Luke’s behavior. Had he taken Jefferson’s lecture to heart? If so, she was grateful. He hadn’t really been that friendly to her since they’d met, and she hadn’t appreciated it then because of her stress and confusion.
Martha came up next to her to dry the pots and pans, and Emily voiced her thoughts.
“He’s certainly being friendly all of a sudden,” Emily said. “Do you think that’s because of Jefferson’s lecture?”
Martha smiled. “No. Luke has always been a kind, friendly gentleman, as long as I have known him. That is how he has always been with the exception of the past week.”
“Since my arrival, you mean.”
“I do not think it is a coincidence.”
“I wonder if I’ve changed then. Was I doing something that he disliked?”
“I doubt it. For some reason, Luke has had a change of heart. It may have been gradual, though it seems sudden. I am glad to see a return of his kindheartedness.”
“He was very polite when I first met him, and I was just awful. Of course, I was very stressed out, so I forgive myself. After he found out about me, about the time traveling, he changed. You’re right. Maybe he’s just getting used to the idea.”
“I think it is rather more than that, Emily. I have never seen Luke look at any other women as he does you. He doesn’t look at me like that.”
Emily’s heart jumped to her throat and dropped down to her chest again.
“Martha! Et tu? Between Leigh, Katherine and yourself, you all will have me married off in no time.”
“That is a lovely idea!” Martha said with a laugh. “Let’s begin planning the wedding now!”
“What is making you ladies laugh?” Jefferson said, entering the kitchen with his plate.
“Nothing!” Emily called out before Martha could tell him. She took his plate and dropped it into the hot water.
“Girl talk,” Martha said with a smile. “Out of the kitchen now! Unless you plan to help with the dishes, go!”
“I wish that I could, but I brought some work home with me tonight.” Jefferson obediently turned to leave, but he paused at the door. “Shall I return to walk you home, Emily? It will be dark when you leave.”
Emily’s cheeks burned, and she looked to Martha for help.
“Luke asked to walk Emily home already, Jefferson.”
Jefferson lifted an eyebrow. “Is that so? It seems I must be quicker on my feet in future.” His face softened into a twinkling smile. “Then I will see you in the morning, Emily.”
“And me as well, Jefferson?” Martha teased.
“And you too, sister,” Jefferson said. He turned and left the room, and Emily breathed a sigh of relief that he handled the awkwardness with such grace.
“That was embarrassing,” Emily said.
“Jefferson is very skilled with people,” Martha said. “I am sure he did not wish to put you in a difficult position.”
“He’s very kind,” Emily said.
“I think the boarders have probably finished eating by now,” Martha said. “Would you clear the table?”
Em
ily picked up a tray and headed to the dining room. As Martha predicted, almost all the diners had finished save for one—an elderly lady in a white blouse and gray skirt. She toyed with her food, looking up when Emily entered the room.
“Hello,” Emily said with a smile.
“Hello,” the lady responded.
“I’m sorry,” Emily began. “I know we were probably already introduced, but I’ve heard so many new names that I almost forgot my own.” She set the tray on the edge of the table and thrust out her hand. “I’m Emily Alexander.”
The little woman extended her thin hand.
“Miss Margaret Noble. I am one of the schoolteachers.”
“Miss Noble,” Emily repeated. “It’s nice to meet you.” She let go of the woman’s hand. “Will it bother you if I begin to clear the dishes?”
“Not at all,” Miss Noble said. “I am finished. I waited here because I wanted to speak to you.”
Emily stilled. “Me?”
“Yes.”
The older woman appeared to hesitate, and Emily waited. She assumed Miss Noble wanted to know where she was from, why she had come to Kaskade. Emily hadn’t quite memorized her story and had gotten by with mumbling something about liking small towns after living in the big city of Seattle. When Miss Noble started speaking, Emily thought she had guessed right, but the topic soon took a change for the worse.
“I wanted to give you some friendly advice from one single woman to another, especially a young woman with little experience of life. You are new to Kaskade, and you might be unused to life in a small town. It is all too easy for a naïve young woman to gain an unsavory reputation as a flirt when she becomes too friendly with all the available bachelors. You do not want that reputation.
“Here in Kaskade, there are many single men, most of them loggers. I would hazard a guess that most of them are lonely for female companionship. We appear to have a shortage of single women here, though I do not know why. You want to be careful with your smiles and not spread them about indiscriminately. You could get some poor gentleman’s hopes up only to dash them when you move on.”
