Grooms with Honor Series, Books 7-9

by Linda K. Hubalek

  Mrs. Schmidt’s surprised face said it all. There’d be adjustments with Jamie living with them.

  “We’ll see about that later,” Mr. Schmidt smiled, probably thinking of his wife’s reaction.

  “Now, how about we go upstairs and rest after this wonderful meal?” Mrs. Schmidt’s remark surprised Linnea, but then she was older and maybe took a nap in the afternoon. Her mother and Mrs. Eklund always preferred to lay down for a short nap in the afternoon, if they didn’t fall asleep in their chairs before then.

  “Very good idea, Martha. Then later Jamie can show us around town.”

  Then you can meet Ronnie and Rover!” Jamie was already thinking of his friend and dog again. He was in for an adjustment when he moved to Topeka.

  A spark of panic hit Linnea until she thought of how Kaitlyn would handle this situation. She was taking advantage of the pastor and his wife, but she knew Kaitlyn would approve.

  “Pastor and Mrs. Reagan would like you to join us at the parsonage for supper this evening.”

  Elof turned to stare at her, knowing she hadn’t talked to the Reagan’s since finding out the Schmidts were in town. This was a small lie that Linnea was sure Kaitlyn would forgive. Kaitlyn would suggest the meal herself just to be able to meet the Schmidts.

  “Six o’clock. Jamie will show you the way.”

  “We’ll look forward to it. Martha, how about you show Jamie our room while I see to the bill?”

  “I’ll take care of it, Mr. Schmidt,” Lyle offered before anyone else could speak up.

  Mr. Schmidt held up a finger instead of answering, apparently waiting for his wife and grandson to be out of earshot.

  “I’ve already told the waitress to put it on our hotel bill. I sent them on upstairs because I wanted to offer Mrs. Meyer a position in our household.”

  “Excuse me, a position?” Linnea wasn’t sure she heard the man right.

  “Yes. Jamie is going to be a handful, and we’re not up to taking care of him ourselves. Since you know Jamie I thought we could hire you as his governess.”

  A governess? She was planning to raise their son on her own in Clear Creek, and now they wanted to pay her for taking care of him in Topeka? She was still digesting that thought when Mr. Schmidt added.

  “Actually, we’re getting on in years, and Martha is having problems getting around. Before long, she’ll need a caregiver. As Jamie gets older, your primary job would be taking care of Martha.”

  There, now he said what they really needed. They could hire a housekeeper to do daily chores and watch Jamie when needed, but he was thinking ahead to what his spouse needed and possibly him too.

  “Do you have a housekeeper now to help your wife?”

  “Oh yes, Mrs. Daily has been with us for a long time. One of these days she’s going to retire on us,” he chuckled.

  So he’s looking for her replacement too.

  Linnea was confused with her mental reaction. She should be happy for a chance to be with Jamie, a roof over her head, and a small income.

  But on the other hand, she’d taken care of her parents and Mrs. Eklund until the end of their lives. Taking Mr. Schmidt’s offer would mean the same thing. Taking care of someone else until the end, with no chance of living life herself.

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll think over your offer and let you know.”

  “We will be leaving on tomorrow’s train, with Jamie. The offer stands until then. If you don’t take it, we’ll hire help in Topeka, and he won’t need your assistance,” Mr. Schmidt quietly, but firmly stated before turning to walk up the stairs to their room.

  ***

  Elof was surprised Mr. Schmidt offered Linnea a job. The man knew the transition would be easier on Jamie if the boy had someone with him he knew. Elof held his breath wondering if Linnea would agree immediately or think about the position.

  Her eyes narrowed, and she’d pinched her lips together when Mr. Schmidt mentioned the job would be taking care of his wife and the house also. For some reason that didn’t sit well with Linnea. Maybe because she’d become Jamie’s mother and she saw the position as a step backward?

  Elof hated to admit it, but he was going to miss Jamie like crazy. The Schmidts arriving unannounced had thrown him off guard, which of course was their plan. They didn’t want Linnea to disappear with Jamie like George had.

  Even though Elof worried about Jamie, he felt the Schmidts were decent folks and would do what was best for Jamie. He would miss the boy but accept it.

  Lyle walked out the door with Linnea and Elof. “I assume you need to tell the Reagans to expect extra company for supper?” Lyle said to Linnea.

  “I know that wasn’t the right thing to do—” Linnea stopped when Lyle put up his hand.

  “Brilliant idea and Kaitlyn will even say so. It’s a wonder she hadn’t already heard about the Schmidt’s and been in the lobby to meet them.

  “I know the Schmidt’s arrival was a surprise, but I think Jamie will be fine with them. He’ll have a good home and education with them.” Lyle patted Linnea’s forearm to comfort her.

  “Oh, be sure to tell Kaitlyn they had pot roast and apple pie at the dining room. She’ll want to prepare a different meal.” Then he added, “Her apple pie can’t beat the hotel baker’s specialty.”

  Lyle walked toward his office, as if the case was closed, even though Elof kept coming up with more questions to ask.

  But actually, the mission to find Jamie’s family was done and the boy was going home with his grandparents tomorrow.

  A new thought struck him. It was time he started a new mission.

  ***

  Bless Kaitlyn Reagan. When Linnea explained about Jamie’s grandparents showing up, the woman gave her a long, heartfelt hug.

  “I’ll miss the tyke as much as you will, but I think this is best. His grandparents need Jamie to ease the aches in their hearts.

  “I can’t imagine finding out their only daughter had died, but then the light of hope hearing her son was alive. Bless you, for taking care of Jamie in the meantime.”

  In the meantime.

  Linnea had waffled back and forth about Mr. Schmidt’s offer, but Kaitlyn’s words showed Linnea she had done her duty, but she was free to pursue her own dreams now.

  “And I have a big favor to ask, Kaitlyn. I asked the Schmidts to have supper here at the parsonage this evening.” She rolled her shoulders up, tensing at what the woman would say.

  “Wonderful idea! We want to meet Jamie’s grandparents, so this is our opportunity if they are leaving tomorrow. We’ll call it a going away party for Jamie.”

  “Thank you, Kaitlyn. I think it will help Jamie leave town if he’s getting a special meal in his honor.”

  Kaitlyn crossed her arms and asked with a slight smirk on her face, “So what am I serving for supper?”

  Linnea’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Anything but roast and apple pie. We had that for lunch at the hotel.”

  “Good to know because I cannot make pie as well as their baker. Besides, Jamie likes my brown sugar cake.”

  “I’m here to help. I’m off work for the rest of the day and Jamie will bring his grandparents over at six o’clock.”

  “Good. You peel potatoes for scalloped potatoes while I mix up the cake. It can bake first, and then we’ll put in the potatoes.

  “I assume Elof is coming for supper too?”

  “Yes,” she confirmed as she turned away to pull the potato peeler out of the side table drawer.

  “Why don’t you make Swedish meatballs for tonight? I thought Elof really enjoyed them when you made them last Sunday.”

  “After I peel the potatoes I’ll run down to the meat shop to get ground meat,” Linnea was thinking about the timing of the meal, but it would work.

  “Do you want to invite Adolph over for supper while you’re at his shop?”

  Linnea thought of the last time Adolph ate Sunday dinner at the parsonage. Elof gave off a clear warning to stay away from her. Linne
a smiled thinking how good that made her feel because it proved Elof was interested in her.

  “Do you think I should?” Linnea turned to look at Kaitlyn.

  She stopped sifting flour to answer Linnea. “No, I think Elof suffered enough through the last meal. I wouldn’t doubt he starts courting you, now that you’ll have more free time with Jamie in Topeka.”

  Chapter 12

  Linnea waved until the train was to the end of town. She’d been very positive to Jamie about his moving to a new home. Elof knew her heart was breaking, but she did what was best for Jamie and the Schmidts.

  Elof was surprised at the mood at supper last night. Kaitlyn announced it was a party and everyone played the part of celebrating the happy event that Jamie and his grandparents were reunited.

  Linnea thought she’d have one more night with Jamie, but the Schmidts announced he was staying overnight at Marshal Wilerson’s home with some of his friends. They all met for breakfast at the hotel and then walked over to the train depot to wait for the train. Several of Jamie’s little friends and a few dogs ran up and down the platform until the train arrived.

  The only time Jamie hesitated leaving was saying goodbye to his pony, Curly. Elof brought the little horse up to the hitching post in front of the hotel for him to pet. Jamie’s hugs and tears caused Mr. Schmidt to suggest they’d find a pony for Jamie to ride in Topeka.

  Mrs. Schmidt promised they’d travel back to Clear Creek for the holidays so Jamie could see everyone. That soothed Jamie’s hesitation of leaving, even though he didn’t realize how many months that would be.

  With the train gone, everyone left the platform going home or back to work. Elof linked arms with Linnea to walk back to Curly.

  “Are you working today at the café?”

  “No. Nolan said he’d find other help today,” Linnea answered. “What about you?”

  “I didn’t set up any horseshoeing for today. I needed to see Jamie off and thought a friend might need me.” Elof bumped Linnea’s shoulder to indicate whom.

  “Well, I seem to be alone today and needing company.”

  “We can do whatever you want after I take Curly back to the barn.” They’d reached the horse, and Elof let go of Linnea’s arm to untie the halter rope from the rail.

  ***

  “You know, I believe I have time to be courted now, Mr. Lundahl, since you said I needed to say the word. How about you show me your house again for our first outing? I might have more opinions on the colors you should choose for your home. Linnea’s eyes shined from the tears she held back seeing Jamie board the train, but nonetheless, she was smiling.

  “I definitely need your thoughts on the kitchen,” he teased. “How about after touring the barn we can walk through the house, Mrs. Meyer? Or, may I call you Linnea?”

  “You may,” she answered, but then she took a deep breath and stopped in her tracks.

  “Did I do the right thing, Elof? Should I have gone with him?” Linnea’s eyes were starting to fill with tears again as she studied his face.

  What could he say? He already missed Jamie, but this was their chance to start a life together.

  “I think you did the right thing for Jamie and yourself. It’s time you get to choose your own path.”

  Elof moved Curly over on his right side then reached out his left hand to Linnea. Together the three of them started walking down the street. Their future was finally going to intertwine.

  Two weeks’ time changed Linnea. Not only did she look younger, but she also acted a decade younger now that she was free from the burdens of her past. Elof could tell she was melancholy at times thinking of Jamie, but she was still happy Jamie had the chance to be with his family.

  Besides working at the café, she quickly became involved in Clear Creek whether a church women’s project, the quilting club, or babysitting friends’ children.

  Elof had been able to buy the house at a discounted price when Mack accompanied him to the bank. Mack’s list of repairs—and knowing the banker—saved Elof money, which he’d put into repairs and furnishings.

  Most of their spare time revolved around the house, cleaning, repairing, or painting. They’d still found time for sunset rides on Clem and Curly, or long walks back to the parsonage when it was getting too dark to work inside the house.

  Linnea cleaned the inside of his house top to bottom while he was out working on a ranch the first of last week, so this week they were painting the rooms.

  But he had a surprise for her tonight before they started painting.

  “Honey, I’m home!” Elof called out as he entered the back door. Linnea usually arrived before he did most evenings, so he guessed she was there, plus there was the delightful aroma of molasses cookies wafting in the air.

  Linnea met him as soon as he had the door shut, wrapping her arms around his waist. “And I’m so glad you’re home,” she answered before turning her lips up for his kiss.

  He gave her a long, satisfying kiss before murmuring in her ear, “You taste sweeter than usual tonight.”

  “I had to taste the first batch of cookies I made in the oven.”

  “You baked here?” Elof drew away to look at the wood stove.

  “Yes. I spent my afternoon scraping the insides of the oven and firebox clean and blackening the stove. Then I had to try it out.”

  “So, any repairs needed on the stove?”

  “Reservoir stayed full of water, so it’s not cracked, and the stove stayed a nice even temperature. Of course, it warms up the kitchen, but I’ve been dying to try it out.”

  Elof couldn’t help pulling her into his arms and kissing her again. “Thank you, I appreciate all you’re doing here. Now I want to try those cookies.”

  Linnea smiled as she walked back to the stove. “And I bought a coffee pot, coffee grinder, and coffee beans today so we can have coffee with our treat.”

  “I hope you put that on my bill.”

  “Yes, along with the sugar, flour and the rest of the ingredients for the cookies. You need to stock your kitchen,” she answered as she walked to the table carrying two cups of coffee.

  “Umm, these are good,” Elof mumbled as he ate the first cookie. Soft, evenly baked, rolled in sugar before baking, so there was that extra sweetness to it.

  He sipped the coffee, and then tasted again. “You made egg coffee! I haven’t had that in years!”

  “Well, what else would I make in a Swede’s house?” Linnea smiled behind her cup of coffee.

  Okay, it was time, although she’d been expecting it. He ate one more cookie and drained the cup, and then Elof stood up and went down on one knee in front of her.

  “Mrs. Linnea Meyer,” he dramatically started as he took her hand in his. Linnea face beamed in anticipation.

  “Now that I know you can bake,” he paused for her giggle, “may I have the honor of becoming your husband?”

  Tears threatened to track down her face as she nodded yes.

  Now it was time to be serious. “Linnea, I love you. I promise to love, honor and respect you, and our children, until my last breath.”

  “Oh Elof, I would be so honored to be your wife. I love you too,” she whispered as she softly cupped his cheek. “I never dreamed I’d find such an honorable and loving man as you.”

  “Especially in a cemetery,” he had to joke.

  “Or a fellow Swede clear up in the Montana Territory.”

  “Okay, I need to get off my knees.” Elof moved back to his chair, still clasping her hand. “So when do you want to marry? I’m sure Pastor and Kaitlyn are looking forward to it. And not only to get their house back to themselves.”

  “Kaitlyn has been telling me stories about past weddings, so she’s been hinting about what we could, or should not do for ours.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, the most famous failed wedding was probably Ethan Paulson’s. He was left standing at the altar because his bride, now Sarah Brenner, rode off on Hilda Wilerson’s racehorse instead
of walking down the aisle.”

  “Oh, we don’t want to repeat that with you riding away on little Curly. What’s a good wedding?”

  “I think Kaitlyn’s favorite wedding was for Cora and Dagmar Hamner. Her parents arrived from Boston with a groom in tow, because Cora had to be married within four days to comply with her grandfather’s will.”

  “So she married her ranch manager instead. They are such an unusual and well-matched couple, even if she’s probably under five foot and he’s over six foot.”

  “Not to mention a refined Boston lady and a rough, but jovial Swede.”

  “Would you like Dagmar to walk you down the aisle? He’s already hinted he wants to since you’re a Swede of course.”

  “Yes, I’d like that. So, when will the house be ready to move in?”

  “We should be done with painting and repairs in two weeks, although all the furniture you might want to order may not be here by then.”

  “We have enough in this house to get by just fine for now. I’ll finish stocking the kitchen and get towels and bedding in the meantime.”

  Elof stared at Linnea. He couldn’t believe his luck in finding this woman. This marriage would be solid and loving.

  What else could he ask for? Jamie crosses his mind. He’d loved that boy. Hopefully, they’d have a child of their own someday.

  Chapter 13

  “Are you ready?” Nolan asked Elof as they stood outside the church before the afternoon’s service.

  “Got the new clothesline posts and wire up yesterday in the backyard. Linnea still has a list of things she wants, like flowers planted in front of the house,” Elof shifted from one hip to the other as he talked, nerves on “cavalry alert” this morning.

  “No, I meant are you ready to get married today?”

  “Oh yes. Can’t wait for Linnea to move into the house with me. It’s been a long two weeks.”

  Nolan laughed. “According to Holly, they could have used more time to plan the wedding.”

  “Clean clothes and a preacher is all I needed today.” Although he had bought a new set of clothes for the occasion.