by Kit Morgan
“Are you a schoolteacher?”
“I assisted.”
“I see. How long would it take you to make a dress if there were no distractions?”
“Just a few days.”
“Good, very good.” Mrs. Simpson walked a circle around Daisy to examine her handiwork. “I’m afraid I do not need anyone just yet, at least not all the time; but I do need someone to help out when I get behind. Would you be willing to do that?”
Would she? She’d take anything right now! “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Do you have anything else you can show me?”
“I’m afraid this is all I brought with me.”
“You mean you moved to our town and brought only one dress?”
“Er … well…”
“Miss Evers came to town as a mail-order bride,” Winnie told her in a low voice, as if she were worried about spies.
Mrs. Simpson looked around as if she were checking as well. “You are unmarried as yet?”
“We decided not to marry right away. Both of us think that we should court to see how we get along.”
Mrs. Simpson stared at her a moment, her mouth twisted up in thought. “What man does such a thing with a mail-order bride?”
Daisy shrugged. “A cautious one – one who wants to see if we’ll suit. When can I start?”
Mrs. Simpson stared at her a moment. “Where are you staying?”
“With Winnie and Pastor Luke.”
“Good – I’ll know where to find you then.”
“I’ll also be working at the mercantile to help them out.”
“Ah, Mrs. Tindle has hired someone. She has talked about it. They are a nice family. I enjoy them very much.”
The woman’s words brought a smile to Daisy’s face. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“It is too bad you are not betrothed to Morgan Tindle. He is a handsome man, and would make any woman a fine husband.”
“Really?” Daisy asked, her voice cracking.
“Oh yes. If I had a daughter, I would love to marry her off to Morgan. But tell me, who is your betrothed?”
Daisy gave her a lopsided smile. “Morgan Tindle.”
Mrs. Simpson gasped, then laughed. “How did I not see this? But of course he is. You are a very lucky girl – and very pretty too. I don’t understand why Morgan and you are not racing for the altar!”
Daisy smiled weakly. That makes two of us, she thought.
* * *
Winnie and Daisy left the dressmaker’s and went straight to the mercantile. Daisy stopped them at the door. “What’s the matter?” Winnie asked.
“I keep wondering if this is such a good idea.”
“What do you mean? This is the perfect job for you. You and Morgan will get to work side-by-side, and you’ll get to see each other most every day. The two of you will get to understand how the other looks at things and handles different situations. What’s not to like about it?”
Daisy opened her mouth to speak, but didn’t. She liked Winnie, a lot, but wasn’t ready to tell her about her long war with words. “Yes,” she finally said. “You’re right, of course. Let’s go.”
They entered the mercantile and were surprised to find Morgan’s Aunt Eunice and Bernice Caulder behind the counter. “Oh dear,” Daisy mumbled.
“Oh dear, is right,” added Winnie. She took Daisy by the hand and walked across the room. “Good day. Where is Mr. Tindle?”
“To which Mr. Tindle are you referring?” Morgan’s sour-faced aunt asked.
“Either, actually, but preferably Morgan.”
“I’m afraid he’s been sent to help the Smythes today.”
“And what about Mr. and Mrs. Tindle?” Daisy asked.
“I’m sorry to inform you that they are both … indisposed.”
Winnie and Daisy exchanged a quick look. “Indisposed?” Winnie asked. “With what?”
“I believe they ate something at breakfast that did not agree with them, and now find themselves … incapacitated. They couldn’t possibly work today, therefore I’m in charge. What do you want?”
“I came because Morgan hired me,” stated Daisy.
“Really?” declared Miss Brubauk. “I wasn’t made aware of this.”
Daisy thought a moment. Perhaps Morgan hadn’t said anything about hiring her in front of his aunt, and she really didn’t know. “Mr. Tindle and I discussed it at length yesterday morning, and agreed that I would help out, starting today. He said he was going to talk about it with his parents.”
“My dear child, they are in no condition to discuss anything at the moment. In fact, I had to ask this dear young woman to help out today.”
Daisy and Winnie glanced at Bernice, who stood behind the counter with a blank look on her face. “I see,” Daisy said, in a tone of voice indicating she really didn’t.
“I’m just curious,” Winnie interjected. “Then why did Morgan come by the house early this morning and tell me to bring Daisy here?”
“I am not in the habit of keeping track of my nephew. In fact, I think it’s rather rude of him to instruct you to have this girl here and then run off himself. Apparently, you’re not important enough for him to stay.” She smirked at Daisy. “Now, if the two of you don’t mind, Miss Caulder and I have much work to do.” She turned her back to them, in obvious dismissal.
Daisy’s mouth dropped open, and her nostrils – and anger flared. “I beg your pardon. Mr. Tindle instructed me to come here so that I can work today …”
Miss Brubauk suddenly turned. “You will leave this establishment unless you wish to purchase something. Miss Caulder and I can handle any business that comes in. We do not need your help.”
Daisy quickly collected herself before she said – or did – something she shouldn’t. “Where did you say Mr. Tindle was?”
“Indisposed.”
“Not that Mr. Tindle. Morgan.”
“Oh, him. He’s digging graves.”
“Digging graves?” Daisy asked, confused.
“He’s must be helping Julian,” Winnie explained. “Mr. Smythe is the town undertaker, remember?”
“Oh yes, of course,” Daisy turned her attention back to Miss Brubauk. “This is a matter that needs to be cleared up. I shall speak to Mr. Tindle and fix it straightaway.” She made to turn away.
But before she could, she caught the flash of anger in Miss Brubauk’s eyes. “Mr. Tindle does not need his time wasted by the likes of you, young lady. If you wish to speak to him, I suggest you wait until tomorrow.”
“And I suggest you not presume to speak for your nephew, as he has made his intentions clear on this matter – and they do not square with yours. I will be passing your words on to him. Immediately.” Daisy smiled at her defiantly. “Good day to you.” She spun on her heel and headed for the door, Winnie having to hurry to catch up.
Once outside, Winnie took her hand and gripped it tightly. Daisy let out a tiny squeak at the contact, and knew Winnie was as giddy as she was over her recent triumph. Together they went down to the street, looked at each other and burst into giggles.
Daisy relaxed as Winnie led her toward the Smythes’. She might have trouble with reading and writing, but no one could say she couldn’t stand up for herself.
Ten
Morgan ran a hand through his hair, and let out the breath he’d been holding. He and Garrett had helped Julian dig a couple of graves, then gone to the barn to put the shovels away. “I just realized I don’t know the first thing about courting a girl.”
“Why do you have to court her?” Garrett asked. “She’s a mail-order bride.”
“Lots of men court their mail-order brides,” pointed out Julian, “Others marry them straight off. What’s the difference of a couple of weeks?”
“Because after a couple of weeks you have a better idea of what you’re getting into,” Morgan said. “Of course, that also means she has a couple of weeks to know what she’s getting into. What if she doesn’t like me?”
He hadn’t thought of that before. And after all that had happened so far, why would she like him? This was going to be harder than he thought. She was still under the impression that they were pulling a ruse that would keep his aunt off his back until she went home to Portland. But whether his aunt went home or not, the most important thing was to do right as far as Daisy was concerned. Courting her properly and honestly would remedy that.
Besides, for some reason the thought of his two best friends going after her galled him. Call it jealousy, call it possessiveness … heck, at this point he didn’t know what to call it! All he knew was that something inside him told him that Daisy Evers was his and his alone, and he planned on keeping her that way whether his friends liked it or not. Maybe even whether Daisy liked it or not …
“Why wouldn’t she want to marry you?” Julian asked. “You’re a handsome enough fellow, you’re smart, you’ve got a thriving family business, and you still have all your teeth.”
“You don’t smell bad either, once you’ve bathed,” added Garrett with a laugh.
“Shut up, you two,” Morgan ordered. “I’m serious. I’ve never given courting any thought. I figured I’d worry about it when the time came.”
“Well, old bean,” Garrett said as he slapped him on the back. “It looks like it’s come. But you do have the upper hand, you know.”
“How’s that?”
“She’s going to be working at the mercantile with you. You’ll get to see her every day.”
“Yeah, then you’ll really have a chance to see if you get along,” added Julian.
“You’re right, I will. But what if it’s too much time together?”
“Why are you so worried about it?” Garrett asked, one eyebrow raised in curiosity. “Don’t tell me you really are afraid she won’t like you?”
Morgan said nothing. Was he? Or was it the fact that he’d been a cad, and facing Daisy every day would only remind him of that?
“I bet we have a wedding by Thanksgiving,” Julian said.
“Yes, if she wants to marry me.”
“Well, if she doesn’t want to, she can marry me,” Garrett said as he jabbed his chest with his thumb.
“Not on your life,” Morgan said. Garrett stiffened at the remark, and Morgan regretted the hint of threat in his voice. But he just couldn’t help it.
“What do you know about her so far?” Garrett asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Morgan ignored his stance. “I really don’t know anything yet.”
“Then you’ll have plenty to talk about,” Julian said as he tossed some tools into a box.
“I talked with her yesterday, briefly, and the day you two showed up didn’t go very well,” admitted Morgan as he scratched his head and gave them a sheepish look.
“It wasn’t because of us, was it?” Garrett asked. “We did kind of interrupt …”
“No, it was me. I was trying to straighten out this whole mess. I still can’t get over the fact that my mother got me a mail-order bride without telling me.”
“Yeah, I guess I’d be pretty shocked too if it happened to me,” Garrett said. “I’m glad I’ll never have to go through that. I doubt Dad would allow Mother to do such a thing.”
Julian’s eyes widened. “My father would probably help my mother do it!”
Morgan and Garrett both looked at him and smiled. “Well, then you might be next!” Garrett joked.
Julian shook his head adamantly. “Oh no! Not me!”
“Let’s face it, boys,” Morgan said, “if any of us wants to get married right away, then our only option is a mail-order bride.”
“That or … Bernice Caulder,” Garrett said with a grimace.
“Poor Bernice,” Morgan said. “One day she’ll grow up and find herself a nice husband.”
“One day,” Julian agreed. “But who knows when that will be? If she were to marry now, well … poor fellow.”
“Enough about Bernice,” Morgan said. “I need suggestions.”
“Find out what she likes,” Garrett told him. “See what you have in common. How else are you going to find out if you suit?”
“I know all that,” Morgan told them as he began to pace in front of the funeral wagon. “It’s just that, if she decides she doesn’t want me, it’s not going to make me feel any better, especially after what I’ve done.”
“Bad case of the guilts, eh?” Garrett asked. “One kiss should clear that up.”
“A kiss?” Morgan asked as he stopped his pacing. “What do you mean, a kiss?”
“Trust me,” Garrett said. “Once you kiss her, you’ll forget all this nonsense and start concentrating on her and her alone.”
“Yeah, and maybe she’ll start concentrating on you,” added Julian with a chuckle.
Morgan stared at them and shook his head. “I don’t know …”
Garrett burst into laughter. “I never thought I’d see it! You already like her!”
“I do not already …” Morgan stopped. Wait a minute. Come to think of it, maybe he did ! “So what if I do?”
Julian suddenly straightened. “Oh, good morning, Miss Evers.”
Morgan froze. How much had she heard? He slowly turned to see her standing next to Mrs. Adams, wearing a tiny smile. “Miss Evers, Mrs. Adams, good morning.”
“Good morning, gentlemen,” Winnie said. “Are you through with your work already?”
Morgan looked at Garrett and Julian. “For the most part …”
“That means yes,” Julian said. “He’s all yours if you want him.”
Daisy cocked her head to one side. “Your aunt said you’d be busy all day.”
“We, um, seem to have finished early,” Morgan told her with a nervous smile.
“How lovely,” Winnie said. “Perhaps then you’d like to spend a little time with Miss Evers? I know she’d like to speak to you.”
Morgan stared at Daisy a moment, then glanced at his companions. Julian seemed indifferent; Garrett looked ready to go to battle. “I’d love to,” he quickly replied. “Give me a moment to clean up.”
“Certainly,” Winnie said with a smile.
Morgan ignored Garrett’s defeated expression, and went outside to the water pump to wash his hands. Now was his chance to set things straight. He rapidly cleaned up and returned to the barn. “Ladies,” he said as he entered, “would you like to get a cup of coffee? Then I can show you around the mercantile.”
“Yes, about that. We were just there, and your aunt had no idea I was to start work today.”
“What?” Morgan said then shook his head. “She has nothing to do with how we run the place!”
“Did you tell her I was hired?”
“No, but only because there was no need to – again, she doesn’t run our business. I’m sorry if she got testy with you – I assure you I’ll set her straight. Now, what about that coffee?”
“Daisy?” Winnie asked. “How does coffee sound to you?”
Daisy looked between the two of them. “Yes … yes, that would be lovely.”
Morgan smiled as he noticed the way Garrett was chewing his bottom lip. He held out his arm to Miss Evers. “Shall we?” he asked.
She swallowed before hooking her arm through his. “Lead the way.”
Morgan looked at his friends. “I’ll see you later, gentlemen,” he said with a wide grin.
Garrett gave him a curt nod. Julian simply waved. At least they both knew he was serious regarding his intentions with Miss Evers. “There’s a bookshop not far from the café. Would you like to see it after we have our coffee?”
Daisy looked at Winnie first, then at him. “Of course,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to see much of Independence, so I wouldn’t mind looking around.”
“Perhaps I can accommodate you,” he told her. “I have a little time, so I could show you around. Would that be all right with you, Mrs. Adams?”
“Of course,” she said. “I don’t mind playing chaperone.”
“Good. We
’ll have coffee, then peruse a few tomes.”
They strolled down the street, getting a few looks from the townspeople. Morgan enjoyed the feel of Daisy’s arm hooked through his. There was a sense of fulfillment knowing she was next to him, and he hadn’t the slightest idea why. One would think he was toting about a sack of gold. But Miss Evers was just a penniless orphan from the postwar South. So why did having her at his side evoke such a sense of … wealth, like he could have anything he ever wanted? No, that wasn’t quite right …
Before he had time to ponder the sensation further, they’d reached the café. He led the women inside and sat them at the same corner table Daisy had chosen a couple of days ago, silently praying their conversation would be better this time. “Clara?” he called as the waitress came out of the kitchen. “Three coffees, please.”
Clara didn’t say a word, just did an about-face and went to get their order.
“Well, here we are again,” stated Daisy, one eyebrow raised.
“So we are,” he said. “I’m glad our circumstances are different now.”
She gave him a wry smile. “That makes two of us. I shall take comfort in that.”
Morgan’s brow puckered. Was she being sarcastic? Could he blame her if she was? “Er … yes, of course.” He turned to Winnie. “Does Pastor Luke have a special message planned for Thanksgiving?”
“Not so much for Thanksgiving, though the service will be a little different because it’ll be on Thursday evening. Christmas is the big one.”
“What sorts of things do you do for Christmas?” Daisy asked.
“Remember the other day when my husband asked if you could sing? He wants to have a musical presentation. That’s all I know so far.”
“I see,” Daisy said with a wry smile. “Of course, you do remember that I don’t sing well?”
Winnie laughed. “What about you, Morgan? Can you sing?”
“Not if my life depended on it, I’m afraid. Put me up there and I’d be a dead man for sure.”
Now it was Daisy’s turn to laugh. “Are you that bad?”
“Worse.”
“I’d love to hear you sometime, just to see if it’s true,” she commented with a smile.
