by Annie Boone
Perfect Timing
A Cutter’s Creek Story
By Annie Boone
Copyright 2017, Annie Boone.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written approval by the author, except for short excerpts used in a book review.
All characters, places, events, businesses, or references to historical facts are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any references to actual people, places, or events are purely incidental.
Chapter 1
Spring, 1883; Cutter’s Creek, Montana Territory
Mary Pershing sighed wearily, wondering for the hundredth time if there was any way to avoid stepping out into the cold weather again. It was officially spring, but the frosty days still nipped even though the white flakes were long gone. Sure, there’d been a few sunny days where the breeze wasn’t as icy, but the spring climate she so longed for hadn’t arrived to stay. Hurry up and get warm, sun! She glared up at the cheery blazing light.
The Montana climate left a bit to be desired, in her opinion. She’d seen pictures of warmer places, but this was home and it’s what she knew. Maybe one day she’d see what a warmer winter would be like, but in the meantime, she’d wait impatiently for springtime to arrive for good.
At least green trees stood tall in all weather. She did love the lushness of the landscape. And, of course, the mountains gave it all the perfect backdrop. Who could argue with that majesty?
Flowers would be popping up soon and she’d enjoy them for the time they were around. She had a small garden back at her house and it would provide beautiful blooms well into the summer. What a joy they brought to the house!
Wrinkling her nose, she turned away from the window she’d been staring into. What was she doing here again? Brushing a hand across her cheeks to warm them up, she pinched them and glanced around at Prater’s Haberdashery. Oh, yes! A birthday gift for her grandfather.
It was her father’s favorite shop in town and she always came here to purchase gifts for the men in her life. To her chagrin, that group did not include a husband, or even a beau, at the moment. Her father had impeccable taste and as the mayor, he always felt he needed to look his best. Her mother did a good job making sure his look was dapper and stylish. Her parents were quite a pair.
Mary always found something new and perfect when she needed a gift for him or her grandfather, and Mr. Prater had insightful suggestions when she needed help. Since the weather was getting her down, she hoped that buying something nice for her beloved grandfather would lift her spirits.
She’d come to town with her sister to shop, but now she realized she was standing in front of the haberdashery all by herself. Was June still over at the mercantile?
Part of Mary had secretly hoped her sister would take care of their errands by herself. Though buying a birthday present for their grandfather was something she looked forward to, they couldn’t go home without the gift. She was ready to get that done, but June was nowhere in sight.
Actually, Mary had completely hoped that June would handle the errands so she could wander around town and do what she wanted. There were so many trinkets and little treasures that Mary loved to touch and dream about in the shops around town, a game that no longer held June’s interest. If possible, the girl was growing quieter which was beyond silly. It’s all those dusty books she sticks her nose in, Mary told herself. Goodness knows why she would be reading when she could be keeping up with the latest fashion trends.
“Good afternoon,” she nodded to Mr. Prater who glanced at her from his desk, probably going over some numbers. The tall man lacked hair and wore large spectacles, and with his perpetual stoop, he cut a well-known figure around town. And everyone knew he was courting Mrs. Miller. Even Mary could see why that might be useful, since the man had a young daughter. What was her name again? Several years younger than June and ten times as shy, poor thing.
“Afternoon,” he offered a brief smile and glanced towards the doors. “Are you enjoying that nice spring weather?”
She shook her head. “Not yet, sir. Still a bit chilly for my taste.”
“That it is. Need any help finding something, miss?”
Mary shrugged. “Oh, not yet. I’m waiting on my sister. Then we’ll be ready to shop for a birthday present.”
He nodded and went back to his work.
Mary’s fingers trailed the shelves, waiting for something to catch her eye. If she found something before June got here, their task would be complete early. And then she would insist that June accompany her to the seamstress’s shop. She couldn’t stand the thought of leaving town without stopping in to browse her favorite store.
Over the last few years, she’d had a good stretch of luck in finding many baubles that suited her to a tee. Like that entire collection of bronze buttons she’d used for the dress she wore to her first dance. Then she’d found the most immaculate blue fabric for her riding outfit. No one in Cutter’s Creek had one of those, except for her and June. It was an eastern thing, and she loved the fashion in the magazines that made their way into their little town.
Wandering the few aisles, she considered the various collar pins and cufflinks, wondering if she had enough coins in her purse to purchase something. She could put it on her father’s account to save her own money for her own needs. He would fuss, but then he’d get over it. June would furrow her brow like a persnickety schoolmarm, but she’d get over it, too.
Her weekly allowance permitted for the occasional frivolity and she’d started saving up to find something especially nice for the upcoming spring social. But everything was either too coarse, the wrong color, or simply didn’t measure up to her expectations. She needed to make the time today to look in the seamstress shop again. That meant she needed to hurry things up in here.
“Have you found anything of your liking?” Mr. Prater asked absently, clearly still focusing on the documents behind his counter. Except now his voice only annoyed her, since she hadn’t been able to find anything, and he had asked her this same question several times.
“Yes, I believe so. These cufflinks, here. I’ll take them.”
“Good, then. Good choice. Who are they for, miss?”
“For my grandfather. His birthday is in a few days.”
“I’ll wrap them up for you. Shall I put them on your family account, Miss Pershing?”
“Yes, indeed. Please do that, Mr. Prater.” Mary smiled as she realized the man had practically taken the decision out of her hands. “And my sister will be along shortly to pick the package up. I thought she would be here by now and I find I cannot wait on her. Please do ask her to join me at the seamstress shop when you see her.”
“Of course. Have a good afternoon, Miss Pershing.”
Mary nodded with a smile and headed to the door with a bounce in her step.
When she arrived at the seamstress shop, she couldn’t contain her excitement at what she might find today. Yet as she perused the merchandise in the first aisle, her enthusiasm quickly melted.
“Are you finding what you need today?” The middle-aged clerk peered over her gold wire-rimmed spectacles.
“Not today. Goodness, I am having no luck today at all. Everything is still the same as it was before when I last stopped in here. But I’ll need some new fabric very soon, along with some fresh lace. In time for the spring dance, of course,” she stated boldly. “You’ll have something new in the next week or so, won’t you?”
The woman shrugged. “Once the pass is clear, I believe a wagonload is due to arrive.”
Clearly, the w
oman didn’t understand the importance of a new dress. It would take some strong sunlight to melt enough of the road on the pass, and if they had many more cold and cloudy days in the next couple of weeks, then there wasn’t a chance she’d have it in time. Bright sunlight was indeed her friend.
There were only six weeks until the dance, and it would take at least a week to complete a dress if she had the seamstress rush. What if she had to wear something she already owned? That would be an embarrassment she did not want to consider.
Gnawing her lip, Mary knew it wasn’t supposed to be important. Fabric was just something to keep one modest and warm, or so her father always told her. Mother said it was always important to look your best. But here in the middle of Montana, what else was she supposed to occupy her time and imagination with? Sighing, Mary managed a tight smile. “Thank you for your wonderful service and ever-so-cosmopolitan selection, ma’am.”
The woman busied her needle. “The merchandise in the back corner is on sale, if you want to check to see what you find there. At least you might find a bolt that will do for a nice dress, dearie.” Already near the door, Mary turned back thoughtfully and looked between the clerk and the corner she’d nodded towards. A sign hung on the wall, stating what she had just said. Mary had already poked through most of it before, and she could see at a glance that there was nothing but a few colors from last season and the one before. Nothing special and certainly nothing new.
“I know how you Pershing girls like your new dresses.”
The woman said it in a tone Mary didn’t appreciate, but the clerk kept her eyes on her needlework. Mary tossed her head. There was nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. If anything, looking good helped a person to be productive and prosperous. Nothing wrong with that. She looked at the clerk through her eyelashes carefully before turning back towards the door. “Good day.”
As though the day couldn’t get any worse, two figures caught her eye before she could cross the street. The damp began to seep through her boots and into her stockings as she stood there, not even noticing. Breathless, Mary struggled not to stare.
She couldn’t help it. Josh and Felicity Garrett strolled down the street, arm in arm. Whether or not they had planned it, the two matched in navy and burgundy clothes. Just as well, they exchanged broad smiles like they shared a secret. Mary wished the happy couple wouldn’t look so happy. It only served as a reminder that she didn’t have anyone herself, and that’s not something she liked to consider.
For a while, she had thought she and Josh would have a future together—or at least he might have taken it up with her sister. What had gone wrong? Even now, though it had been a while, she wasn’t quite sure. But she grudgingly accepted her lot. If her little sister were to marry before her, why, Mary would become the laughing stock in Cutter’s Creek, if not all of Montana. She shuddered at the thought.
It made her whisper a short and unexpected prayer of gratitude that Felicity had suddenly tramped into the picture. Now Mary had a better chance of finding someone first. Besides, that Josh Garrett was too much of a yokel for either of them. By the time the happy couple had passed, Mary’s wet feet made her shiver. Realizing she was still outside, she wrapped her coat more firmly around her and hurriedly crossed to the general store. Mary only looked up then, trying to lose the cold as she gave herself a good shake and absently considered the men she found meandering around.
She knew most of the faces she saw. Nick, Mr. Heston, Leroy. All a bit mud-spattered for her tastes. She wondered if she was ever going to get married. A touch of fear tickled her spine. Trying to shake it off, Mary told herself that she would find someone soon. She had to and was certain that the right handsome and debonair man was on his way to her. She just didn’t know from where.
In the meantime, Mary finally noticed her sister in the general store’s book corner. When they had been younger, the two were often thought to be twins for they shared the same blonde hair and blue eyes. But that was little else between them now, for June had slightly rounder features—perhaps some remaining baby fat on those cheeks of hers. Mary smiled out the window, suddenly unable to imagine her little sister married before her. Is the sun shining a bit brighter, finally? she wondered and glided over to the corner of books.
Chapter 2
June Pershing leaned against a bookshelf, distracted as usual from her task of finding flour and vanilla for her mother. Her eyes skimmed the words as she cradled the particularly heavy book.
It had sat on the shelf, silently crying to be touched and held and read. The golden words had caught her attention and she couldn’t resist the opportunity to glance through it. Granted, she meant to skim it for only a moment but now it had been nearly an hour. Their mother claimed it was a terrible habit and distracted her too much, but she loved books. And this heavy tome was a law book. There were so few out here in the west, one had to treasure each of them particularly.
“I could use that as a stepping stool.”
June peeked over the top pages and grinned sheepishly at her older sister who looked at the book with slight disdain.
“Honestly, June, I thought you’d be the one dragging me away from the haberdashery, not me dragging you from this drab shop. Is this all you’ve been up to?”
She was about to argue that it wasn’t but realized it would have been a lie. Closing her mouth, the younger girl shrugged and struggled to tuck back a stray lock of hair while still carrying the heavy book. “I was, well—I suppose this is it, but—”
Mary interrupted, glancing around. “Have you even looked for anything on the list yet?”
Grudgingly closing the book since it was obvious she wouldn’t have another minute alone with it, June delicately returned it to the shelf just above her head. As she pulled back, she was already longing for it again, hoping she could have finished the chapter at the very least. She’d only been through the introduction and the first section was introducing the changes to the laws that had developed after the war between the States and why those laws existed. There was just so much knowledge to gain, to learn, to use.
Her sister prodded her with a finger. “Are you listening to me?”
June sighed. “No, I wasn’t. And no, I didn’t look for the vanilla. Or the flour, since that was everything on the list. It was only two items, as usual. Besides, it’s not like we’re in a hurry to return home. Did you already shop for Grandfather?”
With a shake of her head, Mary marched the two of them towards the front of the store where the parcels they needed would be sitting and waiting for them. Mary waited while June stooped to hoist up the flour sack and take it to the counter.
“I did find him something. I thought you’d be along to help. We’ll have to stop and pick the package up on our way out of town. And we’re not going to stand around in a shop like this all day,” the elder Pershing girl muttered from the corner of her mouth. “Not when we’re soaking wet and you are so clearly distracted.”
Smiling politely at the clerk, June gave her sister a side glance. “I wasn’t distracted, I was reading. There’s a difference. It’s a brand-new law book, you see. The introduction was summarizing the need for law, even in a community of good people, to allow for morals to—”
Mary cut her off with a dramatic yawn. “That sounds so dull. Why are you filling your head with that nonsense? I don’t know why you would bother with something like—well, like… that…”
“Judicial essays and reviews?” June provided for her.
The elder girl nodded. “Yes, that. It’s like talking to Father. Boring.”
That made June sigh, afraid her sister had a point. The clerk rang up their order and she looked around, again wishing for that book. Or any of those books. After all, she was able to read little else these days but the Bible and a few other novels. They were good, but everything grew stale once you had read it seven times. Again and again, she asked her parents for new material since they could afford it, but they never appeared interested i
n indulging the whims of their youngest child. Not in the form of books, anyway.
“Let’s just go,” she mumbled and carried her sack out to the door. It was only ten pounds, but it was more than awkward enough to drag along to the horses. Once the parcels were in the cart, she paused to collect her breath. It was chilly out so it frosted right before her eyes, but she was fond of the cold and smiled at the sight.
Yet her smile slipped when she saw the cheerful couple emerging from the blacksmith’s forge. Felicity was laughing delightedly, holding a small package as Josh guided her steps forward. June’s heart thumped loudly as she paused to watch them, wondering how two people could be so happy.
“Honestly. Can you believe them?” Mary murmured under her breath. “Being so public about their relationship. As though it’s acceptable to behave like that. As if he was the most perfect gentleman around.”
June was about to ask what he had done wrong, but she saw the self-righteous expression painted on her sister’s face and realized this wasn’t really a conversation. Mary was just fussing. She was still annoyed that Josh had once courted both of them. The rumor had spread through town that possibly she would end up with him. But June shrugged now, knowing it was never meant to be. He just didn’t see her that way, not the way he saw Felicity.
Personally, part of June was relieved that the whole ordeal was over and he was with the right woman. All concerns were resolved and it was all old news. Except, of course, with Mary. June glanced at her sister and prayed the girl wasn’t thinking of anything cruel to say at church the next day. This was a problem with her sister that she didn’t know how to untangle.
“Let’s just go home, shall we?” June proposed, climbing up onto the cart. “I’m sure Mother will appreciate help in the kitchen for supper and we mustn’t dawdle.”
“Me? Dawdle?” Mary wrinkled her nose. “I’m not the one who had my nose buried in a book.” All the same, she obeyed and climbed aboard beside her sister. “Stop in front of the haberdashery and go in quickly. Mr. Prater will have Grandfather’s package ready for you to pick up. I’ll wait while you go in.”
