“Sounds simple enough. Train me tomorrow, and I’ll take John’s place in the store starting on Monday. He can be free for deliveries.” Toria couldn’t believe they hadn’t mentioned it earlier. Helping out would make her feel valued.
“What about your lunch idea?” Mortimer asked.
“Oh, true.” She frowned for a moment. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll spend Monday morning doing the lunches, and Monday afternoon in the store. Then you still only need to deliver on Monday. Most days, I’ll probably want to be in the store early in the day, but there’s no need on the days I’m fixing lunch.”
Mortimer and John exchanged a look. “You won’t feel like we’re trying to take advantage of you?” Mortimer asked.
“How is that taking advantage of me? I came here fully expecting to help out in the store as much as possible. I love the idea of meeting everyone in town, and what better way is there to do that than working in the store.” Toria was practically bouncing up and down in her seat, she was so excited to be able to help. It would be the perfect introduction to town.
John nodded. “If Dad’s all right with it, then I think it’s a brilliant idea. I would love to be able to do my real job and not constantly have to help out.”
“You’re still going to have to help out in the store some,” Mortimer told him, “but it sounds like most of your time can be spent on your deliveries. I’m sure we’ll have some very happy customers.”
“I’m sure we will. So many of the ranchers in the area would rather I delivered to them.”
After they’d finished supper, John and Mortimer again played checkers while Toria did the dishes. She would have been happy to play, but she didn’t begrudge them the time she spent cleaning. She enjoyed cleaning. Anything that kept her hands busy and her mind occupied was enjoyable to her. She’d never been one of those women who could sit around gossiping, because she felt like she was wasting time.
Once John had left for the night, Mortimer and Toria spent some time together, cozied up on the sofa. She kept her hands busy with knitting another pair of socks. “Who is this pair for?”
She shrugged. “Does John need socks? Do you need some ready-made socks to sell in the mercantile? I’m not worried about what will happen to them when I’m done, as long as my hands are busy now.”
He shook his head. “If John doesn’t need them, I’ll sell them. I’ve worn mine, and they’re very well made. Did I thank you for spending your time on the train making me socks?”
She grinned. “I didn’t spend all my train time on socks. I also made myself the apron I’ve been wearing, and I helped a couple of women with their young babies.” She bit her lip, needing to broach a subject that she wasn’t sure he’d like. “How would you feel about more children? I’m not sure I can have them, but there’s no reason to think that I can’t.”
He tilted his head to one side, thinking about it. “I truly hadn’t considered I would have more children of my own. I’m not sure why. I thought I could possibly be asked to parent the children my wife brought with her, but…more of my own wasn’t a thought.” He was sure that it would help her to have children, so she could be busier…and while that wouldn’t bother him, he didn’t like the idea of losing her at the mercantile, either. “Why don’t we see what happens when the time comes?”
“All right.” She had always enjoyed being around children, but she’d never had a driving need for some of her own. Not like some women had. Her sister-in-law had fourteen children, and she’d wept copiously when the doctor had told her that she was past her child-bearing years. She’d wanted so many more.
“I will say I like the way you are with John. I know he’s not yours, and not technically a child anymore, but you handle him very well. I was worried that whoever came here to marry me would have trouble with him, but he seems to like you a great deal more than I thought he would like anyone.”
“I like him too. I’m sure that helps.”
“I’m sure it does. Thanks for welcoming him into your life so readily. He mentioned today that he’s enjoying being with us more than he likes the saloon. How would you react if he moved back in with us?”
“That wouldn’t bother me at all. He’s only nineteen. I’m sure he has a lot more growing up to do before he’s ready to be on his own.”
Mortimer laughed. “When I was nineteen, I was married and digging for silver while my wife waited for me back east.” She was right, though. John was younger at nineteen than he’d been.
“That was a different time! I don’t think people need to marry so young anymore. Either way, though, I’m happy if he comes back or if he goes. If he’s here, I’ll have more to do, and I think you’ve already gathered my biggest fault.”
“Your biggest fault?” So far, he hadn’t noticed any faults, except that she didn’t look like his ex-wife, and truly, he couldn’t call that a fault in good conscience.
“I can’t stand not being busy. I take on triple the work I should, because idle time is almost frightening for me. I’ve always believed that idle hands were the devil’s playground—the only time I’ve sat idle in my life was when I was too sick to work. I still went back to work a couple of days before I should have.”
“I’m not sure if I consider that a fault or a positive trait of yours.”
“It could go either way, I think.”
“How old were you when you moved out of your parents’ home and into the boarding house?”
She sighed. “Sixteen. My parents were killed in a boating accident when I was sixteen, and though my brother invited me to live with him, I knew I would be better off if I just found a job and supported myself. There were times when they barely had enough food for their children, and taking in an extra mouth to feed would have paupered them.”
“I can understand that. Sixteen seems so young for a lady to be on her own, though.”
She turned to him, her fingers stopping. “And it would be different for a man?”
He shrugged, not realizing she was at all offended by his words. “In some ways. By sixteen, most boys are big enough to take care of themselves. They’re ready for hard physical labor. Ladies aren’t.”
“I suppose that’s true. My niece moved out on her own at eighteen and took over a matchmaking agency. She now has a reputation as the best matchmaker in all of Massachusetts.”
“What made her decide to be a matchmaker?” he asked. “That doesn’t seem like a job for an unmarried young lady.”
“She sort of fell into the job, but she realized she had a knack for it right off. There was a matchmaker who was marrying, and she was going to let the agency close. Elizabeth hated the idea of no one in town filling the position, so she took over. She and Harriett—the former matchmaker—still keep in touch.”
“That’s wonderful. I think women should be able to do anything they want to do.”
A smile touched Toria’s lips as she got back to work. He’d redeemed himself with that last statement. “I think it’s time for me to turn in for the night.” She was disappointed that he hadn’t kissed her again, but she couldn’t stay awake much longer with everything she had planned for the following day.
“May I kiss you goodnight?” Mortimer asked.
She smiled, because it was as if he’d read her mind. “I’d like that a great deal.”
“I’m glad.” He cupped her face in his hands, and his lips touched hers. “Goodnight, sweet wife.”
“Goodnight.”
She wandered off to her bed, still smiling. He was a good man, and she was so fortunate that she’d been the one to answer his letter.
Chapter Six
The next day proved to be a busy one, but it was such a good busy that Toria had no complaints. She was thrilled to work the cash register while her two men worked on displays. She disappeared an hour before lunch time to get food ready, and then they took turns eating.
She met several of the women of town while she worked, and she even had the pleasure of meeting Ju
lianne Fontaine from the nearby town of Bachelor. She came in with Millie, and Millie was thrilled to be able to introduce them.
“Would you believe the store in Bachelor is out of pencils? How am I supposed to run a school with no pencils?”
Toria grinned. “I would suggest stabbing the children’s fingers and making them write with their own blood, but I’ve always had a rather morbid sense of humor…”
Julianne giggled softly. “I’m not sure their parents would approve, and right now, I’m just so thrilled that some of them are allowed to go to school that I won’t say a word.” She leaned forward. “Millie told me you were here. I was hoping you would let Willie do a little of the work around here. He’s only a boy, but he works hard, and he’s taken it upon himself to feed his family since his father died.”
Toria frowned. “He could ride with John on deliveries starting Monday if he’s willing to help load and unload the wagon. I’d make sure he got a fair wage.” She’d make sure of it even if she had to work all night knitting scarves to sell in the store so she could pay his salary herself.
Julianne nodded. “I think that sounds perfect for Willie. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Mortimer, but I’m sure I can convince him. Can he make it here by nine every morning?”
“I think I can arrange a schedule, so different men drive him every day. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Julianne clasped Toria’s hand in hers. “Thank you. I can see you’re going to be an asset to our community.”
“I certainly plan to be.” Toria smiled at Millie, who was looking at threads. She rang up the pencils Julianne had in her hand. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Not at the moment. Thanks again.” Julianne paid for her pencils and wandered off toward Millie, who was chatting with John.
Mortimer came over, and Toria briefly described what she’d just agreed to, and to her surprise, Mortimer nodded immediately. “That sounds perfect. The boy will learn to do some new things, but he’ll also earn a little money to feed his family. Maybe you could bake a few extra loaves of bread every week and send them home with him.”
Without thinking, Toria threw her arms around Mortimer, hugging him tightly. “Oh, thank you!”
“Why are you thanking me?” he asked. “I’m just doing what any decent God-fearing person would do to help his neighbor.”
“I’m thanking you for being a decent God-fearing person. There simply aren’t enough in this world.” Her glance landed on John and Millie again, and she noticed that John’s face was red as he talked to the pastor’s sister. “Does John have feelings for Millie?”
Mortimer followed her gaze. “Oh, he might, but she’s not interested in him.”
Toria nodded, wishing she had answers for everyone. She wanted John to be happy. Now that he seemed to be drinking less, maybe he was ready for a bride. Of course, he’d need to show himself a good man for a whole lot longer than just a couple of days.
As the day wore on, every person Toria met, she wondered about. Sometimes she was able to ask John or Mortimer, but more often than not, she was left with questions about her new acquaintances. Mortimer had told her that the store was busiest on Saturdays, and she could believe it. They hadn’t had a lull in people the entire time she’d been there.
She noticed that the cookies were still disappearing by the time the store had been opened for an hour, even with her making enough to double what Beatrice had made. She hoped she’d be able to spend all day Sunday baking cookies. Maybe they could have enough to last until noon for a day or two. As a businesswoman, she was always sad when she couldn’t keep up with the demand. They were free to raise their prices, but she didn’t want to do that either. Fair prices were important, especially in a town like Creede. They didn’t want to get the reputation of not pricing things in a manner that was affordable.
An hour before close, she disappeared upstairs to start supper, pleased with the good day she’d had.
“You’re doing a good thing, helping Willie,” a voice said from behind her.
Toria didn’t even bother to turn around. “I’m glad you think so.” The woman had appeared so many times now, she refused to be startled again. Instead she would act as if mysterious people popped into her world all the time. “What should I call you?”
There was silence for a moment, and then the woman said, “My name is Grace.”
“Grace? That was Mortimer’s wife’s name.”
“So it was.” Grace seemed to be examining her fingernails.
Toria really didn’t want to make any kind of connection between the woman in front of her and Mortimer. She decided not to think about it for a bit. “Why are you here today?”
“Because you were wondering if you’d done the right thing by helping Willie and volunteering to help out so John could make his deliveries. I need you to know that you’ve done many good things since you’ve arrived in Creede. You are a good woman, and everyone is happy to have you here.”
“Everyone? Because I still worry about John a bit.” Toria grabbed a glass of water and sat down across from Grace.
“Well, don’t. He just hates the idea of anyone taking his mother’s place.”
“I keep telling him I don’t want to take her place. I just want to be a good wife to his father.”
“John will come around. Keep working with him. You’re his only hope.”
“His only hope? What does that mean?”
The woman seemed to consider whether or not she should answer but finally said, “If he doesn’t stop visiting the saloon, he won’t make it much longer. Having you here, he seems to want to stop. For some reason, you’re a very calming influence on him. If you can keep that up, it will be the best thing for him.” She looked around. “Mortimer and John are going to be here for supper in just a moment. Please remember, John needs you as much as Mortimer does.”
Even as Toria was frowning at Grace, she gradually faded from before her eyes. “I’m losing my mind, and I’m not even sure why.” She turned back to the stove to finish cooking, thinking about everything Grace had said to her. Surely there was a way to help her new stepson.
John showed up for breakfast the following morning, telling Toria and Mortimer that he wanted to go to church with them. Mortimer smiled, happy to hear that his son was finally interested in spiritual matters again. When he’d been younger, he’d been very enthusiastic about worship, but losing his mother had changed everything for him.
The three of them walked to the small church together, crunching through the light dusting of snow on the ground. “I love this time of year,” Toria said, spreading her arms wide.
Mortimer smiled at her, loving her zest for life. “Why do you love it?”
“Because while the earth is sleeping under the snow, we’re getting ready for the most important holiday of the year: the celebration of Christ’s birth. The snow makes the entire world beautiful. With the mountains here, it’s even prettier than the Massachusetts Christmases I’ve always known.”
Mortimer exchanged a look with John. “I think she likes it here,” Mortimer told his son.
Toria turned around, walking backwards for a moment and looking at both men, who had fallen behind her in her exuberance. “I love it here. It’s the most beautiful place on God’s green earth. Maybe this town has seen its share of hardships, but I’m determined that all of that is in the past. From now on, it’s going to be sunshine, rainbows, and spice cake.”
“Spice cake?” John asked, looking confused.
“Spice cake is my favorite. I like it even better than chocolate. Oh, and cinnamon rolls. I wonder if cinnamon rolls would sell in the store. I love to bake cinnamon rolls.”
Mortimer laughed out loud. “Slow down, Toria. You’re going to work yourself to death in your enthusiasm to do everything and make the world a better place.”
She nodded. “That’s a fact.” She turned around and walked forward again, stopping at the church. “L
et’s worship the Lord together!”
When they opened the hymnals to sing, Mortimer recognized the first thing he’d seen that his wife wasn’t good at. She sang loudly and happily, but she couldn’t carry a tune at all. Listening to her voice made him want to plug his ears. It was a good thing she wasn’t one to sing while she worked. She would run every customer they had out of the store!
After the service, the old woman in front of them turned to Toria. “You’re an awfully pretty girl. Pretty girls should be seen and not heard.”
John covered his mouth to keep from laughing, and Mortimer shook his head. “She’s good at everything as far as I can see. Except singing. Everyone has to have a flaw though, right?” Mortimer asked.
“Hers is pretty fatal. She might want to sing quieter.” The old woman wandered away, and Mortimer studied Toria’s face to see if she was offended.
“I know I can’t sing,” she told him. “I don’t even care. I make a joyful noise to the Lord!”
“You do that very well, my dear.”
Toria grinned. She wasn’t sure if he realized it, but that was the first endearment he’d used with her. Maybe he was starting to care for her after all. She knew she was becoming more important to him every day, but she was maybe being more than just another set of hands to work, or someone to fix his meals.
“I think so.”
John watched the two of them and simply shook his head. He spotted a young lady with her parents across the church, and he watched her. “I wonder if she’d go for a walk with me later.”
“Maybe you should invite her to supper at our house. I’d be happy to cook for four instead of three. It would be easier than being alone for the first time, and we could play a card game after supper.”
John smiled. “You really wouldn’t mind?”
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