“Thank you, sir.” Elsa stepped outside and walked with the sheriff back to the bakery. She unlocked the front door and they went inside to the kitchen. She opened the back door and the sheriff stepped outside, shutting the door behind him.
While he stood out in the alley doing Elsa knew not what, she yanked off her coat and gloves then returned to lunch preparations.
She was just sliding a pan of savory muffins out of the oven when the sheriff opened the back door and walked inside. “Boy, Miss Lindstrom, it sure smells good in here.” He glanced at the stove then jabbed a finger behind him in the direction of the alley. “There’s a man’s boot prints in the snow back and forth in the alley. About all I can tell you is that he has big feet and likes to chew from the amount of tobacco he spit in the snow by your door.” The sheriff locked the door and moved further into the room. “I’ll see if I can find out who he is and what he thinks he’s doing, but in the meantime, I suggest keeping that door locked at all times.”
“What about the front door? I can’t exactly lock it during business hours.” Elsa might as well throw up her hands in defeat and move back to Boston if she had to keep her front door locked. If only Ethan would get his head on straight and come back to the bakery, she wouldn’t need to worry about being caught there alone.
“I didn’t reckon you could, Miss Lindstrom, but it might be wise to lock it between your busy hours. Most folks who come for breakfast are gone by nine in the morning. You might want to lock up and then reopen for the lunch crowd.”
“Thank you, sheriff. That’s good advice that I’ll heed. I’m sure the man didn’t mean any harm, but it frightened me.”
“That’s understandable, especially when you’re here on your own. Your brother still busy honeymooning with his bride?”
Elsa stiffened. “Yes, sir, I assume that’s the reason he’s avoiding his responsibilities.”
The sheriff chuckled. “Oh, don’t be too hard on the boy, Miss Lindstrom. I remember being young and in love at his age. That wife of his is a pretty little thing, too. Give him a week or two and I’m sure he’ll be ready to get back to work.”
“I certainly hope so,” Elsa muttered as she ladled rich soup into a bowl and set it on a plate with two corn muffins. “Would you like to eat lunch here, sir?”
“Don’t mind if I do, Miss Lindstrom. If you don’t care, I think I’ll stay right here in the kitchen, though. My wife is serving left over liver for lunch today.” The sheriff grimaced. “I hate liver, but she likes it, so all these years I’ve never told her different. But I won’t turn down lunch here. I’ll just let her think I was busy working, which I am.” The man winked at her and took a seat at the kitchen table. He shrugged out of his coat, removed his hat, and dove into his lunch with gusto.
Elsa poured him a cup of coffee then hurried to serve the lunch crowd. In between waiting on customers, she brought the sheriff a warm slice of pear cake topped with freshly whipped cream.
The man smacked his lips as he ate the last bite then thanked her for the delicious meal before he let himself out the back door. Elsa locked it after him, amused at how much he seemed to relish the meal. She shuddered as she thought about eating liver for lunch. That was one thing she didn’t care for either.
Once the lunch crowd cleared out, Elsa locked the front door and did her afternoon baking. She’d just removed a pan of cookies from the oven when she heard pounding on the front door.
Hurriedly setting down the cookies, she rushed out front to see Fred trying to peer through the big window with a look of concern on his face as he stood next to Anna Jenkins.
The second she unlocked the door, Fred rushed inside and placed his hands on her arms. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
Elsa shook her head. “Everything’s fine. What are you doing here and why did you leave Anna out in the cold?” She reached out and tugged Anna inside the warmth of the bakery.
Fred nodded toward the girl. “Anna is interested in working for you. I’ll let you two discuss the particulars.” He glanced around the bakery and looked toward the back before his gaze settled on Elsa again. “Are you certain everything is okay?”
“Yes, Fred. Why aren’t you with your aunts?”
“About an hour ago, they got a bee in their bonnets about sending telegrams and Murtag going to Heppner on an errand, so I brought them back to town. Murtag didn’t seem to know what the rush was about either, but I left them all at the boardinghouse.”
Elsa smiled, picturing the three women as a force with which to be reckoned. Her curiosity buzzed as she tried to imagine what Fred’s aunts were planning. She had no doubt it would be something fun. “I’m glad you could spend time with them today. Have they decided how long they are staying?”
Fred nodded. “Aunt Ari said they will leave here on the sixteenth to ensure they are home in time for Christmas.”
“Well, that still gives you plenty of time to enjoy their company.”
“It sure does. By then, they’ll probably be more than ready to return to their lives in Philadelphia.” Fred smiled at Elsa then at Anna. “Don’t let her give you too much work, Anna.”
He winked at the young girl, gave Elsa a rascally grin, and walked out the door.
Elsa forced herself not to watch Fred’s retreating form and instead turned to the Jenkins girl. “So, Anna, do you have experience baking?”
“Yes, Miss Lindstrom. I’ve been helping my mama in the kitchen since I was big enough to hold a spoon,” Anna said, quietly, staring at the floor.
“Well, how would you like to help me make some almond tarts?” Elsa slipped an arm around the girl’s thin shoulders.
“I’d like that,” Anna said, smiling at Elsa and following her to the kitchen.
Two hours later, Percy Bruner arrived to take Anna home. Elsa was glad the girl wouldn’t have to walk out to her family’s farm in the dark all alone.
“Are you sure your parents won’t mind you helping me for a few weeks, Anna?” Elsa asked for a third time.
“No, Miss Lindstrom. I ran home at lunch and asked my mama. She said it was fine, as long as it was just until Christmas.” Anna wrapped a scarf around her neck then tugged on a pair of thick mittens.
“Come on, Anna, let’s go before it gets any colder outside.” Percy took her hand and led her out the door. He looked back at Elsa and grinned. “And thanks for giving Anna a job. She’s been trying to find some way to make a little Christmas money, and she’s a good cook.”
“It’s my pleasure, Percy. Be careful out there. It looks as if it might snow again.”
“Yes, Miss Lindstrom.” Percy closed the door and Elsa locked it behind him before returning to the kitchen. She ate a bowl of leftover soup and a muffin then looked around the clean kitchen. With Anna’s help, she’d accomplished more than she’d been able to do even when Ethan was there helping.
She wondered how much money it would take to buy out her brother’s share of the bakery. They’d put equal shares into it when they purchased it, but they’d made many improvements to the building and turned it into a profitable business. Ethan would most likely want top dollar for his half. What had happened to her brother and former playmate? In the last week, he’d turned into a stranger, one she couldn’t even begin to like.
Dismayed by the realization she no longer viewed Ethan as her best friend, but assigned that distinction to Fred Decker, Elsa contemplated when that shift had taken place. It hadn’t happened overnight. It wasn’t something sudden. Yet, Fred was the one who made her laugh, brought her joy, listened to her dreams, and did his best to soothe her fears.
Lost in her thoughts as she washed her supper dishes and dried them, the rattling of the door knob drew her back to the present. Elsa set down the bowl in her hand and glanced around for a weapon. The first thing her hand connected with was her rolling pin. With it held above her head like a club, she moved cautiously toward the door.
The lock clicked and the door swung open. In spite of her
self, a startled scream burst out of her as Ethan and Lottie strode inside.
Lottie shrieked at the sight of Elsa holding the rolling pin and turned to bury her face against Ethan’s chest. Caught by surprise, Ethan gaped open-mouthed at Elsa as though she’d gone mad before he slammed the door behind him.
“For Pete’s sake, Elsa, put that thing down before you hurt someone with it!” Ethan demanded as he gently pushed Lottie away and turned her around. He kept a hand on his wife’s waist as he glowered at his sister. “What are you doing besides scaring us half to death?”
Elsa’s breath came in short bursts while her heart continued to race in fear. She set the rolling pin on the counter and leaned against it for support while she worked to calm down. When she could speak, she gave her brother a cool glare. “For your information, a man tried to break in here today, and I’m just a little jumpy, that’s all.”
Ethan’s annoyed expression changed to one of concern as he dropped his hand from Lottie’s waist and stepped toward Elsa, taking her arms in his hands. “Were you hurt? Are you okay? What happened?”
“I’m fine. The sheriff came and said it would be best to keep both doors locked except during our busy times until there is someone else here to help keep an eye on things.” Elsa gave her brother a pointed look then moved away from him, scooting the tea kettle to a warmer part of the stove to heat water for tea. “Have you had supper? I can warm soup for you both.”
“No, we ate,” Ethan said, dogging her steps as she moved around the kitchen ignoring him. Finally, he placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her to a stop. “Elsa, please, will you sit down at the table so we can talk?”
She looked up at him, at the sincerity and pleading in his eyes, and noticed the contrite appearance of her sister-in-law. “Of course,” she said, as her anger ebbed.
Once they were all seated, she pushed a plate of cookies toward Lottie then looked to Ethan. “What do you want to talk about?”
“About this, us, everything,” Ethan said, raking a hand through his hair, sending it into a state of dishevelment Elsa found amusing. Rather than laugh, she swallowed her humor and waited for Ethan to continue.
When he remained silent, she raised an eyebrow in question. “And?”
“I… um… it’s been brought to our attention that… well, we haven’t...” Ethan clearly struggled to find the right words to say. He glanced to his wife for help.
“What your brother is trying to express is how sorry we are for practically chasing you out of your home, for leaving you all the work here at the bakery, and making life difficult for you the past week. In addition, Ethan owes you an apology,” Lottie said, then bit into a sour cream cookie. She tipped her head toward Elsa and shot him a warning look.
Ethan cleared his throat and drummed his fingers on the table. “I do owe you an apology, Elsa. What I said yesterday was rude, uncalled for, and unpardonable, although I do hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“It was deplorable, Ethan. Not only that, but Fred has been a good friend to me, to us both. For you to insinuate that he… that we…” Elsa’s fury began to build as she thought of everything Ethan had done, or not done, in the last week. He’d been horrid. “What you said was disgusting and you know it doesn’t hold a grain of truth. Furthermore, if you have no interest in continuing to work with me here in the bakery, then allow me to buy your share. You can do what you please, and it would free me to hire the help I need to take your place.”
“Now, Elsa,” Ethan held up a placating hand. “There’s no need to jump into any decisions. We haven’t quite recovered from the shock of you moving out so unexpectedly.”
Elsa pierced him with her gaze. “If it bothered you that much, why didn’t you come over last night, or this morning, or anytime today?”
“Well, I um… I was just...”
Lottie swatted him on the arm and Ethan cleared his throat. “The sheriff dropped by right after lunch and we ran into Pastor Dodd at the post office. They both shared their opinions on you working here alone.”
“So you knew I’d had an unwelcome visitor here today when you came,” Elsa leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, fuming. “You care so little about me that you waited all afternoon to see if he’d come back and do what? Kill me? Defile me? What is wrong with you, Ethan! You used to be the person I trusted and valued most in the world, but now you’re… you’ve turned into…” Elsa’s voice cracked and she rose to her feet, turning away from the two people at the table. “I think you better go.”
“No, Elsa.” Ethan rose and placed a hand on her arm.
It took every bit of self-control she possessed not to spin around and slap her brother across the face. Slowly, she turned to face him. “Are you willing to sell me your half of the bakery?”
“No. Not right now.” Ethan glanced back at Lottie and she gave him an encouraging nod. “Lottie and I promise to come to work starting tomorrow. You won’t have to keep doing everything on your own.”
“Fine. But if you don’t carry your share of the work, I’ll not only buy you out, but I’ll also tell our parents why you are no longer working here.” Elsa held out a hand to her brother. “Is that a deal?”
“It’s a deal.” Ethan shook her hand then glanced back at his wife. “Lottie and I would like it if you’d move back home with us. We didn’t mean to make you feel unwelcome. It’s just we’re so newly in love and all, that we kind of didn’t pay attention to anything else.”
“I noticed,” Elsa said, stubbornly lifting her chin. “I won’t move back in with you two. It’s better this way. I like the apartment and you two have all the privacy you want with me here.”
Lottie blushed, but rose and gave Elsa a warm hug. “Thank you,” the woman said, offering a sweet smile. “We truly are sorry, Elsa. I’ve never had to work and I didn’t realize the responsibilities that shifted onto your shoulders. Things will be different now. I promise.”
Elsa nodded, dubious of believing Ethan and Lottie’s promises until she saw some proof that they were willing to make positive changes.
“Be here in the morning, then, ready to work.”
“We will, Elsa,” Ethan said, helping Lottie on with her coat before he slipped on his. “I really am sorry about… everything.”
“As our grandmother used to say, Ethan, your actions will speak far louder than your words.”
Subdued, he opened the door and held it as Lottie preceded him outside. Before he could close it, Elsa recalled her newly hired assistant. “Oh, I hired Anna Jenkins to work here a few hours a day. She’ll come in the morning before school. Good night!”
Elsa shut the door and locked it, unable to hold back her giggles at the shocked look on Ethan’s face.
“This should be interesting,” she muttered as she made her way upstairs to bed.
Chapter Thirteen
Fred rode into town in the pre-dawn quiet, eager to begin his day. With his aunts in town, Elsa at the bakery, and Christmas magic in the air, his heart felt lighter than it had for a long, long time.
He whistled a lively holiday tune as he rode Festus to the livery to leave him there while he ran a few errands in town and waited for his aunts to rise for the day. They’d had such fun at his place the previous morning, he thought they might like to go back out to the farm again today. All three of the women had been fascinated with his milk cow and the pig. Claire had packed around Maude until the feline thought she’d been permanently adopted by the beautiful girl.
Thankfully, Tom and James Grove, Luke and Greg Granger, Arlan Guthry and Blake Stratton had helped him finish the bathroom before Thanksgiving. He’d just installed the last of the fixtures the previous week. He was glad he could at least offer that luxury to his aunts who lived in homes with multiple bathrooms and dozens of rooms.
Regardless of the run-down condition of his house, he was slowly turning it into a home. At least now, with the new windows he’d installed, it was snug and
warm. The outside and inside all needed a good coat of paint, but he’d have time in the spring to get to that. He’d even thought about adding wallpaper to some of the upstairs bedrooms, but had no idea what to choose. Perhaps his aunts would offer some ideas. The one he really wanted to ask was Elsa, but he couldn’t explain why.
He’d just fed and watered Festus when Douglas McIntosh stepped into the livery. “Mornin’, Fred. You’re out and about early today.”
“No earlier than usual,” Fred said, giving the man a smile. “Would you like me to help you feed the stock before I head over to the bakery?”
Douglas smiled. “Boy, Miss Lindstrom sure knows how to bake. My wife brought home a pie the other day and I think it was the best I’ve ever eaten.”
“She is good at what she does,” Fred said, backing toward the door. “Do you need any help?”
“Actually, I do, Fred. Would you be able to come back around eight? I’m working on fixing a set of wheels for Mr. Potts and could sure use your help.”
Fred hated to miss spending time with his aunts, but he couldn’t say no to Douglas. The man had been the first in town to offer him work and had taught him so many valuable skills along with invaluable lessons. No matter what else he’d rather be doing, he’d help Douglas. “I’ll be here.”
“Wonderful, Fred. I’ll see you in a bit.” Douglas wandered toward the back of the livery while Fred made his way outside into the cold morning air. The snow on the ground crunched beneath his feet while frost coated every surface in a layer of white, putting him in mind of the frosting Elsa swirled over her layer cakes.
Exasperated by the way his thoughts continually circled around to her, Fred almost ran into Chauncy Dodd in front of the church.
“Oh, Fred. You’re just the man I was looking for,” Chauncy grinned at him, making Fred wonder what sort of trouble he was in now. “Would you be able to stop by later this morning and help me move some pews up from the basement? With Christmas nearly upon us, we always get more people attending the services and need extra seating. It wouldn’t take very long.”
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