Millie sat back down. “All right. I like cherry pie.”
“You know your own mind.” He smiled and ordered two pieces. “You surprise me. I thought you were younger and naïve.”
“I’m twenty-one. I read. Papa would bring back newspapers from town. Old ones that others had thrown away. Don’t think for a moment that I wanted to stay in that shack, but I did want to take care of my father.”
Dean nodded. “You’re just full of surprises. I barely recognized you. I don’t mean that as an insult—”
“And how else am I to take it?” She needed to halt her attitude. “Actually, I am surprised too. I’m sorry to be so snippy. I’m not like that. Then again, perhaps I don’t know myself very well. I was always in Father’s shadow. Always trying to please him. After my mother died, I felt it was my duty to take care of him. Perhaps that is why I am so adamant that you don’t have to take care of me.”
Dean leaned forward. “Thanks for telling me that. I was wondering what I was supposed to do. Still, it was a dying request.”
She put her hand atop his. “I’ll be fine. Trust me. I, Millie Carson, do hereby release Dean Scott from my father’s dying wish. There. Does that settle it?”
Dean pulled his hand from hers. “I guess so. Would you mind if I check on you from time to time?”
“I guess there can be no harm in that. Thank you.” She smiled and looked as if she meant it. “Now, I better be going. I have so many things to learn and explore. Wilma is going to take me to meet Nan tomorrow to see if I can help her in her dress shop.”
Dean looked pleased. “If you need anything, please come and ask me. I want to help.”
Millie stood and gazed at him. “I will. But like I said, you’re released from any obligation you may have felt from my father. I will take care of myself.” She turned and left him sitting at the table.
Not that she didn’t like him. But she didn’t like him thinking he had to take care of her. She wanted the sparks of love in the man she’d marry. Maybe if she finished the book she was reading, she’d find out how to acquire the love of a man.
Chapter 7
Dean had felt a prodding to ask Millie to come to his store. He could use some help. But he’d resisted. He didn’t want her to come to his store as an employee. Just what he wanted, he wasn’t entirely sure.
That she didn’t want or need him, she’d made clear. He watched her leave the café and walk down the street. He admired her. The way she’d changed and her courage to move on even after losing her father.
Dean left the café, careful to avoid Carley, who was waiting by the door. Dean was able to sneak out as a couple was walking in. The air was crisp and cold but refreshing, and he began thinking about his own life.
He’d stayed on at the store to help his mother after Father had died. Then mother had died, and Dean had kept things the same. He really hadn’t taken the time to assess his own life. One day followed another, and here he was three years later living the same life except he was alone.
Millie was striking out to see what she wanted to do, who she wanted to marry, and she wasn’t going to be stuck in her old life. She was very much alive. Something he couldn’t say for himself.
The trip with the sheriff and pastor to care for the poor families had opened his eyes too. Here he was, a man of reasonable means, quietly surviving out an existence but not taking the time to live his life.
He’d asked Millie what qualities she wanted in a husband, but he’d never stopped to think what he wanted in a wife. Or what he wanted out of life. Money to pay bills was not a good answer.
A gust of wind trailed a whirlwind of leaves before him. Once, that would have fascinated him. If he hadn’t been in thought, he wouldn’t have seen it and walked right by. He watched as the leaves made their way down the street.
He stopped at the bench in front of the town center and sat and watched until the whirlwind stopped. Yes, it was cold, but even that was living. There was no need to hurry to the store, so he’d be warm.
He glanced at the church. The steeple pointed up as if as it was answering countless questions by those in the town. Dean’s mother had put great store in her Bible and church.
All the years with his mother, he had to say that she lived. She didn’t just survive the day but went out each morning with a smile and joy in her heart. She talked to each person as if they were her best friend. Always on the lookout to spot someone who needed help.
Dean folded his hands and prayed. “Father in heaven, help me be more like my mother. Let me live life with joy and a reason. I’m just existing. Help Millie find her way and find a man that will love her. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus' Name.”
He looked up. No great bells went off, and the sky didn’t look any brighter, but his heart seemed less burdened. Dean decided he’d go to church regularly. Read his mother’s Bible. And he just might watch Millie and see what she did.
The woman intrigued him. He’d thought she was nothing but a young girl, but now that he’d seen and talked to her, she’d surprised him. Twenty-one, she said. Smart. Not the naïve young thing he’d thought.
And so alive.
Dean stood and stretched his arms. Yes, sir. He intended to live each day. He walked to his store and entered the back door. Being Sunday, the store was closed. He walked in and smelled the aroma of tobacco, kerosene, and the earthy smell of potatoes. It had been a long time since he had paid attention.
The shelves were dusty. He hadn’t taken care of the store as his mother had. She went through the store with her duster like a busy bee quoting scripture and blessing those who entered.
Dean wondered if he should sell the store. But there wasn’t anything else he’d really had an interest in doing. What was wrong with him? He walked the aisles and looked at the items he sold. Saw some he needed to get rid of as they hadn’t moved in years. Saw others that he thought could sell if he moved them and told shoppers how good they were.
The place needed painting. What color, he had no idea. But it was drab and dark. Then he looked where his mother used to have the gleaning shelf. Dean smiled. That was what he’d do today.
He grabbed an apron and a dust rag and set up a shelf toward the back. Mother had always said it wasn’t to embarrass or ridicule those having a hard time. Humility with honor, she called it.
After dusting off the shelf, he put down a piece of paper to put the items on. As he worked, he carefully wiped off each item that he put on the shelf as if it were a prized possession to give to the Lord.
By the time he finished, and he had the shelf full of items that those in trouble might need, he felt the joy in his heart. For the first time in a long time, Dean felt alive and couldn’t wait for tomorrow when people would come into the shop.
Usually, he dreaded Mondays. Maybe, tomorrow, he’d ask Millie if she wanted to come and see his store.
***
Millie walked back to the boarding house. She loved the cold because it made her appreciate her new coat and the warmth that she felt from those who had given her so much. The joy in her heart was starting to return.
Yes, she missed her father, but she had been shown such kindness by so many people that she couldn’t help but feel blessed. Joan and Wilma, especially. Even Verna and Velma were kind to her in their own way.
Angel was still a mystery, but Millie got the feeling she had her own story and reasons for being apart from everyone. Millie thought the woman must be broken in some way deep in her heart.
Millie drank in the cold air and felt refreshed. The earth was being given another chance. Winter took its hold and froze everything down to the roots only to remind everyone that death was cold and lonely and the wages of sin, but then spring would come. The resurrection of life as the sap shot up from the roots to the branches and brought forth leaves and flowers and finally fruit.
What a wonderful world. Millie walked into the boarding house and saw Wilma sitting in the den.
“Well, you look refreshed and full of life
.” Wilma pointed to the other end of the divan. “Want to read?’
“Yes, sure. Thank you for showing me the book. I really am enjoying it.” After taking off her coat, she sat on the couch. “Dean seems to think my father appointed him the man to find me a husband.” Millie twirled a lock of her hair. “What do you think of that?”
Wilma grinned. “I think your father knew a good man when he saw one. Dean is good husband material.”
Millie tugged on the curl. “I told him not to bother. I’ll find my own.”
“And?”
A smile tugged at Millie’s lips. “I have to admit, my eyes do light up when I see Dean walk into the room.”
Wilma clapped her hands. “I thought so. And I see his eyes light up when he looks at you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. I think you surprised him. He wasn’t expecting a beautiful young woman.” Wilma shut her book. “I’m interested in Ty. He has a ranch on the edge of town. There’s a social next week, and I am looking forward to seeing him again.”
“I’ve never been to one. What are they like?”
“This will be our Thanksgiving social, so there will be plenty of food and pie and dancing. I bet Dean will dance with you.”
Millie shook her head. “I don’t know. I think he’s too busy worrying about who to marry me off to.”
“Don’t be so surprised.” Wilma grinned. “Tomorrow morning, I have to go to Dean’s store and buy some thread for Nan’s shop. Come with me. You’d like his store.”
Secretly, Millie had wanted to go to the store just to see it. “I’d love to. What time are you going?”
“Ten will be perfect.”
Millie opened her book to see how Mrs. Bennett was dealing with finding husbands for her daughters. The more Millie thought of a husband, the more Dean’s image flashed in her mind.
After all, he was the man her pa had ridden to on his last day.
Chapter 8
Millie walked with Wilma to Dean’s store. As they neared the two-story building, Millie looked at the pride that had gone into the sign. Scott’s General Store. It was a place of business to proud of.
She opened the door and welcomed the smells that greeted her. Coffee and tobacco were the first things to hit her. A few feet in, and she walked past a barrel of potatoes and their musty smell. While oil, kerosene, and wood accounted for the aromas in another corner.
In the back, she stopped at the shelf labeled The Gleaning Shelf. It looked as if it was brand new, and the paint was still shiny. Canned goods made up most of the items but also razors and products for around the house.
“You like it?”
Millie turned at Dean’s familiar voice. “Yes, I love the idea. Like in the Bible, when the landowners would leave the ends of the fields after harvest for the poor to fill their baskets.”
“It was my mother’s idea.” He smiled at her. “I forgot about it for some time. You helped me get back on track. Thank you.”
Millie nodded. Something was different about Dean today. Yesterday at the café he’d been aloof. Keeping her at arm’s length and not willing to talk freely. Today, he was open, and there was an air of, well, it was joy, about him.
Millie looked down and then straight at him. “I never thought of ourselves as poor. We were rich in our hearts. But I do thank you for helping me. I plan to get a job so that I can help others.”
He nodded. “That’s what I saw in you. Right off, you weren’t looking for a handout but for an opportunity. I could use some help here at the store if you’re interested.”
“I’d like that. Very much.” Millie whispered a thank you prayer to the Lord for providing a job for her. With what she made at the store and helping Joan at the boarding house, she could pay everyone back for all they’d done for her.
Dean grinned. “Great. Do you want to start today? Now?”
Millie looked at Wilma, who was grinning.
Wilma mouthed, go ahead, to her.
“Yes, I do.”
Dean handed her an apron. A frilly one decorated with yellow roses.
“Perfect. Thank you. What would you have me do first?”
He handed her a rag. “Dust the shelves and goods. Anything that looks old bring it to me, and I’ll decide if it’s trash, or good enough for the gleanings shelf.”
“Will do.” Millie hugged Wilma and then went to the other side of the store where she’d noticed quite a bit of dust.
She worked hard and found a few things for Dean to consider. Millie stared at the gleanings shelf, and her heart warmed. To help others. She hadn’t been able to do much at all other than to give away some of the mistletoe to those who couldn’t afford it.
Her thoughts drifted to her mother, and how she would have loved to fill that shelf. Millie purposed in her heart that a portion of her earnings would go to stocking it each week. She knew many were suffering. The war had drained their money and livelihood as well as their men.
The widow Jacob was more unfortunate than Millie, and the woman had four children. She’d mention them to Dean and the sheriff. He told her they were going out to find those in need and give them food.
With winter coming on, times would only get tougher for them. Already, game was hard to come by. Millie knew where a bunch of hogs lived, and she thought about rounding them up to pen and feed and give the meat to the poor.
She’d mention it to Dean.
She stopped for a moment and leaned against the shelf. He was a kind man. Handsome too. He might be someone she would be interested in. Now that she was living in the city and wore decent clothes, she might consider a man for marriage.
Her father had singled out Dean to ask him to find her a husband. Pa didn’t do anything halfway, and he must have had a reason to ask Dean. She grinned to herself and looked for him. He was at the counter, helping a customer.
Yes, she liked him, and he must like her because he hired her on the spot. Millie’s stomach rumbled and realized it must be lunchtime. She could run to the boarding house for a quick bite.
After the woman at the counter left the store, Millie walked up to Dean. “It must be lunchtime.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall. “It sure is. I could take you to the café.” His eye lit up.
Millie felt her heart speed up. “Well, I—”
“Please, Jacob is here, and he’ll watch the store. I’d like to buy you lunch.”
Millie heard herself say yes before she could even think. She really shouldn’t. He’d already been so kind to her. Her stomach rumbled, and she smiled at Dean. “I am hungry.”
“You go and order whatever you want. I’m paying. After all, I have to take care of those who work for me.”
Millie grinned and took her coat from the peg. “Thank you. I do have some ideas on how to help those who are in need.”
“Great. The sheriff and I were just talking about what we could do.” He raced ahead and held the door for her.
Just as they were ready to go, Angel walked in. “Dean, I hope you’re not leaving.”
“I was just taking Millie to lunch. Jacob is here and can help you.”
“No, I don’t think Jacob is the man I need to help me. I’ll talk to you later.” Angel turned away and entered the store.
Millie watched her walk down the aisle. What could Angel want with Dean?
Dean didn’t say and escorted her to the café. Once they were seated at a table, he folded his hands and stared at her. “Are you planning on going to the social this month?” He chuckled. “What I meant to say, was can I take you to the social?”
“Oh, I guess. I’ve never been to one.”
He smiled and stared at the menu written on a large slate sitting on the counter. “Beef stew. That sounds like a hearty meal.”
“I’d like that too. I can pay for my own.”
“Nonsense. As your employer, I have the right to take my employees out to lunch. I’ve watched you, and I’m impressed with all you have accomplished.
”
She smiled as heat warmed her cheeks. “I love your store. It has such a wonderful feeling of peace and love.”
“My mother. She showered the place in prayer. I forgot that, but I intend to bring it back. I’ve felt something missing in my life. The other day when I rode out with Doc and the sheriff, I was surprised at the overwhelming feeling of joy I felt.”
“That’s wonderful.”
He ordered for them and then turned to her. “You said you have some ideas.”
“Yes, I know some families that live in the bottoms where we lived. They need help. And I also know an area where the wild hogs live. We could trap them and feed them and then use them to feed the families.”
Dean nodded.
“When do you think you’ll go out again?”
“Doc said something about Friday. If I hadn’t hired you, I wouldn’t have been able to go out with them.” He looked at her and then past her toward the door. “Angel is coming inside.”
Millie turned and saw Angel walk inside the café. It wasn’t that she disliked the woman, but Millie didn’t count her as a friend.
Angel waved and walked to their table. “Dean, I’m glad I found you. I’d like to help with the gleaning table.” She glanced at Millie. But that was all.
Dean smiled at her, his eyes taking her in. “You can just buy a can or whatever you have in mind, and Jacob will put it over there.”
Angel was a beautiful woman. Millie had to admit that. But there was something about her that setoff women and attracted men. Right now, Millie would like nothing more than to tell the woman to go away. But Dean? He looked like he wanted to go and sit with her at another table.
Angel smiled. “Dean, I was hoping you’d take me to the social.” Her smile deepened, showing her cute dimples.
Millie sat, feeling as if she were invisible. Angel wasn’t acknowledging her, and Dean’s attention was on Angel.
After a moment of silence, Dean shook his head and gazed at Millie. “I’m sorry, Angel, I just asked Millie to go to the social with me. I do hope you’ll attend, though.”
Rescuing Mistletoe Millie Page 5
