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Orphan Train Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4

Page 37

by Wendy May Andrews


  “Come on, it’s time for you to get out of the house.”

  “I was just out of the house yesterday. Remember the uncomfortable conversation I had with your daughter on the way to that very house?”

  “Bringing up my guilt over Annie isn’t going to help you get out of coming with me,” Katie answered tartly, but her laugh gave away that she held no hard feelings. “Come along, you can make your offer to Mr. Miller while the children aren’t there to overhear and pressure him into it if he doesn’t think it’s the right choice.”

  With a sigh, Melanie capitulated. “Very well, just let me wash my face and tidy my hair. It wouldn’t do for any potential clients seeing me a mess,” she explained when she caught sight of Katie’s arched brows.

  “M’hmm,” Katie hummed. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain handsome rancher, I don’t suppose.”

  Melanie willed her pale cheeks not to reveal her discomfort at Katie’s teasing, but she could feel the heat rising despite her best efforts. Katie’s giggles followed her into her bedroom. As she changed her gown, she told herself it was just in case they were to run into a client. It would not do to be dressed in a dowdy fashion if they wish to promote their abilities. And no, it did not have anything to do with a certain handsome rancher, she insisted to herself with a wry twist to her lips.

  Within moments they were on their way, discussing various upcoming commissions, deciding when Katie would visit the customers to discuss the unknown details.

  “Now that we have the new fabric swatches that Mr. Spencer arranged for us, you need to visit Mrs. Spencer once more. It seemed as though she would have commissioned many more frocks if we had a more varied selection. Now that we do, she’s sure to place another order.”

  “You’re right. And you’ve been so speedy on completing the latest orders, even without my help, that we have plenty of room in our schedule.” Katie smiled at her kindly. “You do realize how much I appreciate you doing so much for me while my head is in the clouds, don’t you?”

  “Katie, please, there is no need for your flummery. I cannot even begin to express to you how much your companionship and partnership in this business means to me. I don’t know where I would be if not for you. Can you imagine? I don’t know what I was thinking when I planned to run this business on my own. I know you had planned to take the teaching position, but it was such a stroke of luck for me that you needed to find other employment.”

  Katie grimaced. “Well it has certainly worked out for the best for me in the long run as well. While I love children in general and most of the specific children whom I’ve met from the school, I cannot imagine needing to be with them all day every day. And they are so varying! I’m not sure how the teacher managed to keep all their lessons straight. But he must be doing so since Annie is obviously learning and enjoying her schooling.”

  “Well there you have it, we are mutually benefited and therefore no thanks are necessary from either of us. We are friends and partners, and we each pick up the other’s slack. You might have your head in the clouds, but you are still managing to keep up with the clients quite beautifully. And I’m glad you brought Annie into our home. I didn’t think I would be happy about it and had every intention of steering clear of her, but she is a dear, and I’m enjoying having her to myself at times.”

  Katie’s gaze turned teasing once more. “See, that is why you need to snare yourself a suitor. You ought to have some children of your own. They would most definitely grow on you.”

  Melanie laughed. “Your tune sure has changed since we arrived in Missouri. I was the one telling you that you’d find a mate straight off, and you swore you’d never remarry. Now you think everyone should be paired up.”

  Katie shrugged and grinned. “I want to share my joy.”

  “On the other hand, misery does love company,” Melanie answered dourly, causing Katie to laugh and stick out her tongue.

  They were in high spirits when they arrived at their destination. Once again, by some mysterious manner, their approach had been noticed, and Mr. Miller was striding toward them as they drew near to his front porch. Melanie shaded her eyes and stopped in her tracks.

  “I absolutely must know before I perish from curiosity. How do you always know when someone is approaching? Every time I come here, you always seem to be on your way to the house.”

  Mr. Miller grinned. “I have my ways,” he answered vaguely. The rolling of her eyes must have prompted because he elaborated. “Remember, I told you how sensitive the horses’ hearing is? When I’m mounted, my horse’s reaction tells me something is different. Too, there are often dogs around to alert me to arrivals.”

  “I had no idea a horse could be used as a watch dog.”

  “All the more reason to love them.” With a pleasant smile, he turned to Katie. “You must be Mrs. Carter. I’m Cole Miller, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Miller. I apologize that it has taken me this long to come by and thank you for helping us out with Annie.”

  “No thanks necessary, as I’ve already told Miss Jones. We have agreed that we can help each other out with the children.”

  Katie’s eyes were dancing with mischief as she nodded in agreement. “It’s wonderful that you should say so, Mr. Miller. Melanie and I were just discussing that very thing. She told me a little bit about your situation, and we thought it might be a good idea for Mary to come and stay with us for a few days.”

  Mr. Miller’s bright blue eyes focused on Melanie for a moment, and her mouth dried as she tried to interpret his thoughts. It seemed to her as though his gaze had cooled significantly. Consumed with guilt, she lowered her gaze from his. Perhaps he truly had confided in her and had expected to keep it as a confidence. Her face flooded with heat.

  Katie must have realized her blunder, and she suavely made a recovery. “Do excuse us if we are speaking out of turn, Mr. Miller. I can assure you that Melanie has not been gossiping around town about your personal affairs, but she did, of course, have to discuss it with me in order to be able to make you such an offer, since we share a home.”

  “Of course,” Mr. Miller replied, his face brightening slightly but still not his usual warm geniality. “Won’t you come in and have a cup of tea with my sister? I believe you’ve met her before, haven’t you, Mrs. Carter?”

  “Yes, in the schoolyard. Thank you, a cup of tea would be welcomed.” Katie’s answer was polite, and both women followed him into the house while exchanging confused glances.

  Chapter Ten

  C ole was quite well aware that his anger was misplaced and disproportionate, but he couldn’t seem to simmer it down much. He had poured out his heart to Miss Jones, and it seemed as though she had shared it at her first opportunity. What Mrs. Carter said made complete sense — if she had a solution, she needed to ask her housemate if it was all right with her — but he would have preferred if she had asked him first. He had to ask himself why he was taking it quite so personally. He had assured himself that he didn’t have warmer feelings for the woman, but he was starting to think he was lying to himself. Maybe he ought to leave town for a time. He could escort Leandra back to Boston himself and see what sort of women his sister-in-law had picked out for him. If he met them for himself, it might not be such a stretch to consider one as a potential wife.

  But then he felt a warm hand on his arm, and he looked down into the brown depths of Miss Jones’ concerned gaze. “I’m so sorry if we’ve offended you. I swear I’m not a gossip. But Katie’s a mother. I’m not. I thought she would have some insights.”

  His heart clenched along with his stomach. He wanted to reassure her that he wasn’t angry with her, but he wasn’t sure if it was true. He gave her a tight smile instead. No further conversation was possible as Leandra entered the scene.

  “Mrs. Carter and Miss Jones. What a pleasure to see you.”

  Leandra was having a reasonably good day, but she was brittle around the edges, and C
ole needed to keep an eye on her. He was glad for Mrs. Carter’s outgoing cheerfulness despite her apparent ability to get into other people’s business.

  “Miss Miller, a pleasure to see you, as well. I must tell you the droll mistake that Miss Jones and I both made. We thought you were your brother’s wife when you originally extended the invitation for Annie to come and stay over with Mary.”

  Leandra’s harsh laughter followed. “His wife is dead.”

  “So we’ve since found out,” Mrs. Carter replied gently.

  “But Melanie and I have decided to be friends, so I guess you must be, too. We are Leandra and Melanie.”

  “How lovely. Then you must call me Katie as all my friends do.”

  “Very well. I s’pose you ought to call my brother Cole, too.”

  Cole froze in the act of setting the kettle on the stove. He was grateful for Mrs. Carter’s quick, warm chuckle.

  “That might be a little too forward for us just yet, Leandra. We’ve just met him. And since it turns out that he’s an eligible bachelor around town, we wouldn’t want to set the tongues to wagging.”

  Cole noticed that Miss Jones had still not uttered a word. He cast a glance from the side of his eye at her. She was pale and taut. He wondered what she was thinking. Leandra quickly filled any silence.

  “I’ve heard the tongues are already wagging about you, Katie. Word is you’re courting with the doctor.”

  “Word does spread quickly in a small town, doesn’t it?”

  “So, it’s true then? I thought he was a confirmed bachelor, wallowing in his grief for his dead wife. He didn’t have much more than the time of day for me.”

  Cole could hear the bitterness in his sister’s voice. It was rather a shame and quite unusual that she had remained unmarried out here where single women were so scarce. Perhaps many had made the same mistake that Mrs. Carter had spoken of. And then, once the mistake was cleared up, Leandra’s negativity wasn’t terribly endearing.

  “It does take time to get over one’s grief and prepare for a new relationship,” Mrs. Carter answered in a soothing tone. “I, myself, had been determined that I would never remarry. But Dr. Jeffries and I found ourselves in the right place at the right time, and the sparks flew. There doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to it, does there?”

  Cole was glad that his back was still turned towards the women because he couldn’t help grinning when he heard his sister’s disdainful sniff. She obviously wasn’t convinced by Mrs. Carter’s cheerful chatter. But she also wasn’t overtly rude, despite her precarious sanity.

  “I must compliment you on your daughter. We quite enjoyed her when she was here visiting. A very polite little girl.” Leandra’s tone implied she was surprised by the facts she was stating. Cole again had to choke back his amusement. He didn’t want to interrupt or draw attention to himself. He waited to see how their visitors would react.

  “Why thank you so much, Leandra, although, as you are no doubt aware, Annie hasn’t been with me for very long, so I cannot take credit for what a dear she is. I am so blessed to have her.” There was a slight pause before she continued. “I probably shouldn’t say that, actually, should I? Since the poor child lost her entire family, I ought not say it’s my blessing.”

  Cole wasn’t surprised to hear soft-hearted Miss Jones jump into the conversation finally. “Oh no, Katie, don’t say that. You and Annie are a blessing for each other after all the tragedies you both have endured. You are not benefitting from her tragedy just as she is not benefitting from yours. But in your current circumstances, you are making the best of it together.”

  Cole braced himself as he heard sniffling. Women and their waterworks, he thought with a shudder.

  “That was beautifully said, Melanie,” Leandra complimented.

  Cole finally turned to face the women. Mrs. Carter was clasping Miss Jones’ hand while dabbing at her eyes. Miss Jones looked decidedly uncomfortable, and Cole’s amusement mounted. He had to clear his throat. This brought three sets of eyes to his. Two sets looked surprised to be reminded of his presence, but Miss Jones looked relieved at the interruption.

  “How do you take your tea, Mrs. Carter?” he asked, his tone mundane as though he had no idea what had just transpired. He was pleased to see a spark of amusement brighten Miss Jones’ gaze.

  “Oh, just strong and black, thank you, Mr. Miller. I think I could use the fortification this afternoon.”

  “Very well,” he turned back to the counter and finished his task. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything quite so delicious as the cookies Miss Jones has brought us in the past.” He could’ve bitten off his tongue when he noticed the chagrin filling that lady’s face. He quickly continued. “But this raisin bread we baked yesterday isn’t too bad.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Miller, this will be quite lovely.” Mrs. Carter seemed to be quite the diplomat. She then began to gently probe his sister. “Melanie told me that you have been caring for Mary since she lost her mama. That was generous of you, Leandra. You must be deeply attached to her.”

  Leandra shrugged. “She’s a very energetic child. She would much rather be with her father than cooped up in the house with me.”

  “Of course, I think that might come with the age,” Mrs. Carter agreed with a smile. “Annie is so full of energy. I don’t know how their teacher manages to get any learning into them.”

  Leandra sniffed again. “I don’t really see much getting into Mary.”

  Cole, used to his sister’s cutting remarks, barely registered her words, but both of their visitors looked troubled. It seemed too much for even the gregarious Mrs. Carter, who grew quiet. Cole rather thought it was too much for Miss Jones, which is why it prompted her into speech.

  “Mary actually struck me as a very bright girl. I think she will take to her classes very well. I’m just so happy for both Annie and Mary that girls are encouraged to attend the school here in Bucklin and that the teacher seems well inclined to teach his entire class.”

  “I don’t see how much good can come from teaching the boys with the girls. Seems to me that none of them will be able to learn anything that way.”

  Mrs. Carter had finally recovered her wits. “Since both Annie and Mary are only children, I think it will be good for them to have the experience, don’t you?”

  “Not really. But it’s none of my business anymore, anyway. I suppose my brother has told you I’m finally getting out of here?”

  “What do you mean?” Mrs. Carter neither agreed nor denied her knowledge.

  “I’m going back to Boston.” Finally, his sister seemed happy about something.

  The two visitors exchanged a glance that made Cole think they had hoped the subject would come up, but he didn’t think they were getting straight to their point when they probed with more questions. “Are you happy to be returning to Boston?” Mrs. Carter’s question sounded cautious.

  “Delighted,” Leandra almost grunted, making it difficult for Cole to maintain a straight face.

  “We shall miss you, Leandra,” Miss Jones stated in a soft but firm voice. “You must have very mixed feelings on your departure.”

  “Why would my feelings be mixed? I’m finally getting out of this godforsaken place.”

  Miss Jones blinked but carried on. “No doubt, you’ll miss your brother and Mary. Having been here for a few years, it has surely become home, at least to an extent. Are you not a bit nervous that things have changed in your absence and it won’t feel like home anymore?”

  “I don’t think that’s likely.”

  “I’m glad, then.” Her answer was kind and gentle. For all her apparent awkwardness, Miss Jones obviously had a sweet heart. Cole closed his eyes in resistance to the thought.

  “Is there anything we can do to help you with your preparations, Leandra? I know you and I have just met, but Melanie and I are both of the mind that women must stick together. We would like to do whatever we can to make it easier for you.” Mrs. Carter was brisk and matt
er of fact.

  Leandra’s forehead wrinkled as though she didn’t understand the question. Mrs. Carter elaborated. “Do you have much to pack? Or would it be beneficial for us to have Mary stay with us for a few days? Would you rather she be here or not when you take your leave?”

  Leandra’s confusion cleared, and so did Cole’s. He deeply appreciated the consideration the women were showing. He agreed with their assessment; it would likely be better if Mary wasn’t there when his brother’s agents came for Leandra. But it would be best if Leandra didn’t realize he was for the idea.

  “That’s mighty kind of you, Katie. I don’t have much to pack, that’s for certain. I will need to get all my washing done before I pack, and I would like to leave all the housework done up here for Cole so he won’t even notice I’m gone for a while. It might actually be best if the girl isn’t underfoot. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you, of course,” she added as an afterthought.

  “It would be a pleasure for us to have her. And Annie will love it.” Mrs. Carter’s answer was immediate and sounded sincere. Again, the two women exchanged brief but significant glances. “How soon do you think you’ll be leaving? Should we take Mary home with us now or come back for her in a few days?”

  Leandra suddenly must have realized how close her return to Boston really was. For a moment, Cole saw his sister’s true self displayed on her face, and his heart lurched. She looked for a moment as though she regretted her departure. But then she blinked and the moment passed. While it had seemed to him that she was at a momentary loss, she now gained in determination.

  “Of course, the girl isn’t ready to just up and leave. But maybe you could come for her things tomorrow and then collect her after school. That might be the easiest thing. Much like how we took Annie when you were unavailable.”

  Mrs. Carter blinked in surprise over Leandra’s return to vicious manner of speech, but she took it in her stride. “Very well, that seems to be a sound plan. One of us will stop by mid-day to collect Mary’s things for an expected stay of a few days.” Standing up, Mrs. Carter began to bring their visit to a close; obviously, their purpose in coming had been concluded. “Mr. Miller, if you would like to come and collect her when you’re ready, that would be appropriate.”

 

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