"I understand son, it's OK. Go and meet your teacher and you'll even make a few friends I think. The Wests and the Paine's are highly respected here and I expect you'll find that the other children will want you to be their friend. You know right from wrong and you must start out as you mean to continue."
"Thanks mama, Mr. Richard said the same thing. I'll be fine. Now should I stop by the mercantile when school's out for the day? We could walk home together."
"I'd like that very much Luke. Off you go now and I'll see you this afternoon." Rita watched as he disappeared into the schoolyard and silently prayed he would find his way with the other children and that school would bring the rewards he sought.
~#~#~#~
The mercantile was already open and she entered silently, looking out for Robin, the man with the sad eyes, as she thought of him in her mind. She had no idea that she made a pretty picture in her old faded skirt and blouse and well combed hair. The serenity on her face made Robin, who was just coming from the back, almost smile.
"Good morning Mr. Robin," she moved towards the counter where he was. "I wondered if perhaps you needed some help in the store."
Now Robin did smile, but before he could answer her, the store door opened and a middle aged woman came in.
"Good morning Mr. Robin," the plump lady smiled at both of them. "I hope it is not too early but I am in dire need of yard goods. My youngest is being baptized on Sunday and I almost forgot to get her a dress. I've been so busy I clean forgot. What kind of cloth do you have? I want soft white cotton, and also some blue if you have it."
"Good morning Mrs. Duncan," Robin finally got a word in. "This is Mrs. Rita and she will assist you, if that is alright with you."
"I am sure she will be very helpful," Mrs. Smith beamed at Rita who gave her a shy smile back. Robin reached under the counter and handed the pair of scissors and measuring stick to Rita and she knew right away that her offer to help had been accepted.
"How many yards do you require?" Rita asked.
"You can give me six yards of each, whatever is left can be used for something else."
"How old is your daughter Mrs. Duncan? Little girls love lace and other trimmings, and for a baptism and christening dress some lace will make the dresses very pretty without too much effort. Besides, this lace that Mr. Robin has does not shrink when put in water and it is strong enough to last as long as the dresses will."
"Thank you," Mrs. Duncan smiled. "I hadn't thought about lace, all I was thinking about was the dress and you are right, my Samantha is twelve and she loves pretty things. What about buttons, what kind would go with the lacy dresses?"
Seeing that his customer was in good hands Robin went to the back to continue rearranging the empty crates which would soon be filled with new items since he was going to refill the empty shelves. When Rita called him to receive the payment and give Mrs. Duncan her change, he was pleased to note that his customer had purchased so much more than just the cloth she'd come in for and he knew it was because of Rita.
She was just like Sarah had been. Someone would come in to purchase one item but almost always left with more items after having a nice talk with her. He would be a fool not to offer her a job and he needed the help in any case. He bid Mrs. Duncan goodbye and turned to Rita.
"Mrs. O'Malley, would you like to stay on for a while and work in the store while I order more stock?" He laughed self consciously. "I am afraid to say I have let things slide for a while but now I think I am ready to put the store back to rights."
"Thank you, I would like that very much."
"We will talk about your wages when I return. I am going out briefly so I can collect some things but it will not take long."
"Oh sir, I could never accept any money for doing something that I know I will enjoy. I have never worked in a mercantile before but being here will enable me to get to know my new neighbors."
"We shall see about that then," and he proceeded to take her on a tour around the store, showing her where everything was and the prices of each item. Rita noticed that Robin had made an effort to clean up and she was pleased.
She would do much more once he stepped out and in between waiting on the customers. He also showed her where the kitchen and parlor were located at the back of the store, the small dooryard, outbuildings and the outhouse.
This store was the ideal place for her to meet people since she was very shy and back in Boston she had always felt that people judged her for her poverty, so she'd made very few friends. In any case, her husband's reputation was enough to put most people off. Out here it was as though everyone was an equal and she would be happy to share knowledge and also learn from them. It was the perfect job for her.
~#~#~#~
The time seemed to pass quickly, what with serving customers and continuing on with cleaning and tidying in between. She even put the kitchen to rights and cleaned so that Robin would have a pleasant environment to relax of an evening.
She asked him to show her how the range worked and was pleased to see it was similar to the one in her new house. Once she knew how it worked and how to adjust it, she set about making some bread and the aroma not only made the kitchen an enticing place to be, but the store as well as the smell of fresh cooked bread filtered out into the store.
Robin could see things were going to be alright so went out the back to the woodpile and started in with the axe, quickly amassing plenty of wood to keep the stove going. The physical activity made him feel good. What's more, customers were asking for the bread they could smell and after keeping back one loaf for himself, sold all the others.
"Maybe I could make the bread first thing when I arrive tomorrow and if you are able to bring me some meat, I could also make some pies and perhaps some fruit pies as well. Then of course I could also put on a pot of stew for you to have for your lunch and a bite for supper."
"You are too kind Mrs. Rita and I don't want you to work so hard, but your cooking is indeed popular with the customers, who I must say are returning in droves."
"It's no trouble at all Mr. Robin but I must tell you I have never had such a fine kitchen to cook in with a stove that makes baking easy. I find I really enjoy doing it and if it is helpful to you, well that's a bonus is it not?"
"I want to thank you Mrs. Rita. You will never know how much I appreciate what you have done for me."
Rita smiled her thanks and returned to her work, noting that school would soon be out and Luke would be ready to walk home with her. The shop bell rang shortly afterward as Rita was setting the table for Robin to have a little supper later. When she went out into the shop to let him know she would be leaving shortly, she found him deep in conversation with Luke.
"I hope you're not bothering Mr. Robin, Luke. He's a busy man."
Robin spoke up, surprised at the amount of talking he'd done today, good talking that he felt OK with. "The boy is fine Rita and he's not disturbing me. You have a smart lad here and I can see he takes after his mother. I was just calculating how many five pound packets of flour I could make out of a full sack and Luke had the answer before I did."
"I was just thinking mama, that Mr. Robin could make more money by selling the flour in packets rather than by the bag, if he charged a bit more for the convenience of being able to buy the smaller quantity. I thought town folk wouldn't want a whole sack at a time like farm folk do."
"Is that right?" Rita smiled in praise of Luke who it seemed had got Mr. Robin thinking about other possible differences in the buying habits of town and country housewives.
"I think mama wants to go home now Mr. Robin and I promised to walk her home every day."
"Well I look forward to seeing you both again tomorrow and maybe you could help me weigh out some packets of flour – and maybe we could try it with the sugar as well."
"I'll look forward to it Mr. Robin."
"Rita, thank you so much for your help today. I can't tell you how much you have helped me and for the firs
t time in many months I feel an interest in the store again." Robin looked animated as mother and son walked away up the street on their way back home to the farm.
As they walked, Rita listened to Luke chatting about his day at school but part of her mind was fixed on Robin, who was a handsome man when all was said and done. Sure he'd let himself go but it was out of grief for the loss of the love of his life.
She could see he was a kind man and if she was able to help him through what was clearly a difficult time, then she was glad to help. In truth, she admired the man for knowing how to treat a woman with kindness and respect and couldn't help thinking that Sarah had indeed been a fortunate woman.
~#~#~#~
Chapter Six
A few months had passed and the O'Malleys settled into the ways of the West, finding life to be a happy experience compared to their old life in Boston. Sure they had to work hard but that was how life went on a farm. They liked it because they were free and had caring people nearby. They were accepted in the community and all were developing a new and hard won sense of self.
Rita occasionally wondered what her older boys were doing. She loved them because they were her sons but she had learned that love was never enough and she could never be responsible for them choosing to follow in the footsteps of their father. The most she could do was pray for them, especially George. Understanding they had chosen and taken their own path in life was often easier said than done but never would she begrudge them her prayers.
She was happy in herself and loved the companionship that had grown between the Wests and the Paines, although she doubted she would ever understand Myra Paine, Cora's mother in law. One day though, perhaps they would become friends.
Rita was also happy working in the mercantile because it made her feel useful and she had been correct in assuming it would be a good way to meet people in Tipton. Her unobtrusive, yet helpful manner was exactly what was required in the store and on a personal level, felt she had been able to help Robin through possibly one of the most difficult times of his life.
She discovered she loved cooking too. It was totally different from the scrimping and saving and making things last kind of cooking she'd done back in Boston. Here, there was always plenty of everything and she was able, with the aid of the stove, to allow her skills free reign.
In fact, she found skills she never knew she had. She adored baking and made a variety of breads, pies and cakes every day as soon as she arrived at the store.
Then too, there was Robin. She had to admit to herself that his attentive ways, many kindnesses and general company agreed with her. It sure beat the life she had endured at the hands of her husband Tom. Well, except the first couple of years of their marriage before he began finding solace in a whiskey bottle.
But even then, she realized, he was focused on himself rather than her welfare. Sure he'd been an attractive Irish lad and she'd fallen in love with him, but to her mind, love meant always being concerned for the other person, looking out for them. It had never been like that with Tom who always came first, second and third with the needs of his wife and children coming in last every time. She refused to even think about the violence and fear any more. That part of her life was over.
Then there was Robin, who found himself whistling a merry tune as he worked around the store and it suddenly occurred to him that he had not grieved deeply for a long while now. His store was once more full of items and the customers flowed in, loving the gentle and kind woman who was always ready to give advice when sought, offer comfort where it was needed and generally share tidbits about raising children, rearing animals and even exchanging recipes. Rita was in her element, and so was Robin. His till was always full and once a week he brought in new supplies.
The windows sparkled, the store was clean and the shelves were full, just like Sarah would have liked them to be. He had lost the gaunt look and trimmed his beard so that he once more looked young and handsome, back to the way he had been when Sarah was still alive. He knew it all had to do with the quiet and gentle woman who worked alongside him. She had completely refused to accept any payment from him but he had found a way around it.
He sought out Cora because he knew she was a business woman and would understand where he was coming from. He shared his concerns with her about needing to find a way to reimburse Rita for the work she did in the store.
"Mama has always been so charitable even when we were back in Boston. Many times we went to clean and wash for people and some took advantage of her. They would tell her that they had no money to pay her at the moment, but would pay later. She'd smile and say that it was alright, and they never paid her." Cora explained. "What do you want to do about it?"
"At first I thought of putting the money in her reticule but then realized that she would probably just give it back."
"I know what you mean. What if you gave me the money and then I can buy whatever she and the children need and in that way she'll think I am the one buying the things for her. I'll also save some so that whenever she needs some money, it will always be available."
Robin was happy with the idea and every week he gave Cora an amount equivalent to what he would have paid Rita. Each week the amount went up and when Cora asked him why, he explained to her that it was because they were making increasing profits and he wanted Rita to also share in the success of the store, seeing it was largely due to her he still had a store at all.
~#~#~#~
Something troubled him however, and he wondered how he was going to broach the subject to Rita. Madge and Melody Shepherd were up to no good as usual. They had spread rumors that he was bankrupt and set to close the store and leave Tipton, telling everyone that he was an old man who should give up on his business. That had been when he was in mourning for his beloved Sarah. Now that he was back on his feet again and the store was once more flourishing, they had started another rumor and spread it to anyone who cared to listen.
His face twisted with distaste as he thought about what they were saying. Of course, they often came to the store to purchase items but also to check up on him and Rita, no doubt looking for fodder for their gossip.
He especially felt bad at the way they were misjudging Rita. She had brought life back into his world and into the store but Madge and Melody made it sound as though she had deliberately wormed her way into his life with premeditated intentions.
"The Irish are well known for their plotting and planning," Madge had said patronizingly a few days ago when Rita was in the kitchen at the back of the store, preparing their lunch. "I would not put it past that woman to have come here intending to take Sarah's place. Poor woman and God rest her soul."
"She must be turning in her grave, knowing that someone is already trying to fill her shoes," Melody pitched in. "You have to be careful Robin and don't allow that woman too many liberties. Folk are talking you know."
By 'folk' Robin knew it was the two sisters but he kept his mouth shut. "Irish women know how to worm their way into a man's good graces when he is down and it is very suspicious the way the woman landed in town one day and the very next she was taking over in the store as if it was her place to do so," Madge wagged a finger.
"Mark my words Robin, this woman is up to no good. Kissing the blarney stone is bred into them from when they leave their mothers' wombs and they can spin tales that will have you parting with your hard earned cash. Very persuasive these Irish are, and treacherous to boot."
Robin wanted to protest that it was not true, that Rita had even refused to accept any wages but he knew if he said so, it would also be misconstrued so he wisely held his peace.
Melody nodded at her sister's words. "If I were you Robin, I would check the till every few minutes. A dollar here, a few cents there and you will soon find yourself short of money and making hardly any profits at all."
Robin sighed, shaking his head. He would have to tell Rita what the gossips were saying before she heard it from elsewhere and got offended. It wa
s the last thing he wanted for sure. Heaven forbid what would happen if Rita stopped coming to the store.
In the few months that they had worked together, he had found his way back from the brink of despair and though he would always grieve for Sarah, it was not the crippling grief that had almost paralyzed him after she had died.
With each passing day the pain seemed less and he sometimes felt guilty when he found himself thinking about Rita more than he remembered Sarah. He silently admitted that he liked the quiet woman, liked her so much that whenever he handed over her wages secretly to Cora and saw her in a new dress or new shoes, he felt a deep satisfaction.
She was also losing the haunted look that had been evident in her eyes when she'd arrived in Tipton and he knew that she had lived a tough life back in Boston. He had no idea of what she had gone through or the extent of her sufferings.
What he did know however, was that he wanted to protect her from the gossips and also be able to provide for her and her children, which is why he never hesitated to add a few dollars to the wages he gave Cora.
~#~#~#~
Rita hoped Robin would not mind too much that she was a little late today. She had gone over to Annie's place to help with the milking and a few other chores since the young woman was feeling under the weather. It was a good thing that Marie and Joanna had things under control with Alex and they would see to it that the little boy did not distress his mother as she was resting.
She had left Annie resting quietly and the house was clean. Marie was a fast learner and she would ensure that lunch for Richard, the boys and the other farm hands was ready in good time. Rita smiled when she thought about how mature her daughters were turning out to be.
In a few years Marie would be ready for her own household but as Cora frequently said, there was no hurry to marry off the girls since there were more than enough eligible young men in Tipton for them to choose from. They could afford to take their time and choose wisely.
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