“You are quite right, this is the exact color I was looking for. It will be my new special occasions dress. Thank you. Katie has told me that the fancier stitches are your work. What do you think you can do with this for me?”
With that, they launched into a surprisingly enjoyable discussion of the merits of various stitches and tucks and what the woman expected. For someone who claimed to have no skill, she was certainly very knowledgeable about sewing. Melanie was shocked to see that an hour had already passed by the time they had ironed out all the details of what Mrs. Spencer was looking for in her new gown.
Coming to her feet, Melanie said, “I don’t wish to occupy too much of your day, Mrs. Spencer. I apologize if I have overstayed.”
“Not at all, Miss Jones, I assure you. It has been my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I don’t wish to see an end to Mrs. Carter’s visits, but I do hope you’ll stop in from time to time as well, even if we don’t have swatches to coo over.”
Melanie chuckled over the woman’s word choice. She didn’t make any promises, but she thought she might be able to manage becoming friends with the outgoing woman. It certainly wouldn’t require too much effort on her part, Melanie thought with satisfaction, as long as she could get off her own front porch.
Her feet felt lighter and her steps jauntier as she made her way briskly home. She had enjoyed a glorious day. Melanie realized she owed a great deal of it to Cole. She really ought to be still referring to him as Mr. Miller, even in her own mind. It wouldn’t do to become overly familiar. But, oh, it had felt so comforting to have his large, warm hand clasping hers that morning as she poured out her woes. And he had been remarkably understanding.
No man she had ever come across had ever been so accepting of a woman’s thoughts and feelings. Not even dear Mr. Brace at the orphanage she had volunteered at in New York City. While he was the dearest, kindest man she had ever met, Melanie had never felt inclined to tell Mr. Brace all her concerns. She had always felt he was already carrying the weight of too many with all the poor children to care for, she had felt no inclination to add her own burdens to his broad shoulders.
But with Cole that morning, it had been so different. Even though she was well aware that he had cares of his own with his poor motherless daughter and his sister with the precarious mental health, he had seemed so very receptive to her cares and concerns, not making her feel belittled even when he didn’t understand what she was trying to say. It had been glorious really. Even better than talking with Katie, which Melanie found surprising and would have thought impossible if she hadn’t experienced it for herself. But his perspective was welcome and she had appreciated his matter of fact help. She just hoped she hadn’t made him sick of her when he thought on it later. Melanie refused to dwell on that possibility. She hurried home, determined to get a start on the various commissions from her two visits before she went to collect the little girls from school.
Chapter Twelve
T he days flew by in a blur. The four females fell into a comfortable morning routine as they grew accustomed to Mary’s presence in the small house. She was a cooperative little girl and seemed thrilled with her adjusted temporary circumstances. It didn’t even seem to bother her that her father hadn’t returned to collect her. There had only been one awkward conversation wherein she had expressed concerns for her aunt.
“She never really liked me much, but I feel bad that she’s sick,” Mary had said to Melanie on the first day as they walked home from school.
“Oh, my dear, I think her sickness is why she might have seemed not to like you at times. I’m certain your aunt loved you very much. That’s why she stayed here with you and your father even though she was pining for Boston.”
Mary’s forehead and nose crinkled. “Why would she want to live in a stinky old city? Isn’t it so much better here?”
Melanie laughed. “I agree with you, wholeheartedly, Mary, but not everyone sees it quite the same way as we do. There are certain conveniences that people enjoy in the city that we can’t get here in Missouri.”
“Like what?”
Melanie thought of Mrs. Spencer’s silks but didn’t think that would be the right explanation. “Well, in the city you can buy anything you might imagine. Here in Missouri, you will most likely have to make it for yourself or go without.”
The little girl pondered that for a moment but didn’t seem satisfied with it. “I think we have absolutely everything we could possibly need right here in Bucklin.”
“Well, I must admit that I agree with you completely, Mary, but there are some people that might find it more work living here than in the city. I remember in New York, you could buy just about anything. You didn’t have to have a cow if you wanted milk, and you didn’t have to even have an oven if you wanted bread. All you needed was money.”
“But how could you get money if you didn’t have milk to sell?” The little girl’s puzzled frown made Melanie want to smile, but she managed to contain her amusement.
“Back East there are large buildings were many people work all day making things. They get paid by the owner of the building.”
Mary still didn’t look convinced. “That sounds terr’ble.”
Now Melanie did laugh. “I have to say that I feel the same way. But it works for some people. Some don’t want to work with animals and are afraid of being outside the city, I think. I’m not really sure what your aunt’s thoughts were on the subject, but she truly is pining for the city. That’s why she has gotten so sick. So maybe she’ll get better now that she’s going back.”
“Won’t she miss us, though?” Mary asked in a small voice.
“Once she gets settled, I’m sure she will. She might even regret her choice to return. But for now, she truly believes it will make her happy, and we need to be glad for her that she’s getting her wish. And we also should be grateful that she stayed as long as she did.”
“How come?”
“Can you imagine what your papa would have done with a tiny baby by himself and with all the chores to do? Would you have wanted to be in the barn with him in your baby pajamas?”
The droll tone she used as she asked the questions helped the little girl find her humor, and she giggled along with Annie, who had joined the conversation.
“Well, I do love being in the barn with my papa now, but maybe it’s not the right place for a baby.”
“See, exactly, that’s why we need to be thankful that Aunt Leandra came and looked after you and the house when your father needed the help. Now you’re a big girl and in school for a good part of the day, so she can return to her own affairs.”
They walked along in silence for a few minutes. Melanie noticed that the little girl still looked troubled.
“Are you thinking that you’re going to miss your aunt?”
“I’m not sure,” the child admitted. “Sometimes I wish she would go away, but now that it’s here I feel sad.”
“That’s natural. Now that you’re in school, you’ll learn to write so you can stay in touch with her through letters. Maybe when your aunt is well and you’re a little older, the two of you will be able to visit each other in person.”
This seemed to lighten the girl’s burdened heart, and she was able to play and giggle along with Annie as they skipped the rest of the way home.
Melanie, watching them play, couldn’t help but be relieved that she had crossed the emotional hurdle with the youngster. She knew the child’s father was relying on her to help in such a way, and she had worried she would be inadequate to the task. Thankfully, Mary was a sweet, biddable child with a kind heart. She wouldn’t be a burden to spend time with.
A week had passed by the time Cole called round to collect his daughter. Melanie had half expected him on the weekend so was surprised when he didn’t turn up until Tuesday to collect Mary’s things while the girls were in school.
Melanie was glad that Katie was home, so it wasn’t inappropriate to invite him in for a cup of tea while Mar
y’s things were gathered.
“We were getting quite used to having her with us. It will take some adjusting to having her gone,” Melanie remarked as she set the kettle to boil and then quickly folded Mary’s spare clothes and placed them in a bag.
“And Annie will be disappointed not to have her playmate at home with her,” Katie added from her place by the window where she was hemming a client’s gown.
“Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Carter and Miss Jones. I never meant to prevail upon your hospitality for quite this long.”
“Did things proceed in a more complicated manner than you had expected?” Melanie asked softly.
“Leandra didn’t take too well to being collected by strangers. She felt it made her seem like a disobedient child, she said. She refused to go at first. She missed the train they had planned to take. Leandra wore herself out with her protests but then in a lucid moment, she realized it was ridiculous to object to the manner of departure. She really had no desire to remain here, so why was she putting up such a fuss? She got on the train this morning, and I pretty much came straight here.”
“I’m so sorry that it was such an ordeal for both of you.” Melanie’s heart ached.
“Well, I’m beyond grateful that you two had the sense to realize it might be difficult and keeping Mary well away from it.”
“She was a pleasure to have. We’ll be sad to see her go.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but I’ll be glad to have her back.”
Melanie laughed. “We weren’t thinking to steal her from you, have no fear.”
They shared a chuckle and a cup of tea before the rancher set off for his own place after assuring them he’d be early to the school after classes so Mary would realize she was to go home with him.
Melanie was watching him drive away through the front window that overlooked the porch when she heard a girlish giggle from behind her. She whirled around, knowing a frown was pulling on her forehead.
“What’s so funny?” Melanie was confused.
“You are, silly.” Katie’s answer was impossible to misunderstand.
“Why would you say that?”
“For all your protestations that you have no interest in the handsome Mr. Miller, you sure couldn’t tear your eyes away from his back as he drove away.”
Melanie knew her face was bright red with her embarrassment. What was there to say? She had stood there fawning over the man like a teenager rather than the sensible woman she thought she was. Katie must’ve realized she had no answer, and she broke the silence.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of, Mel, surely you realize that. You are a single woman with no obligations to hold you back from pursuing a relationship. Mr. Miller is a fine man from what I can tell. He, too, is single and only has responsibility for a sweet child that you seem to already care about. What seems to be the trouble?”
Melanie huffed and sat limply at the table. She felt helpless and didn’t know how to answer her friend.
“I gave all I had to give to my little sister and brother. I did my very best for them and my father. But I ended up lonely and shunned for my efforts. My father couldn’t even be bothered to name me in his will, leaving everything he possessed to Henry. And Henry has no use for me now that he feels he’s a grown man at the ripe age of sixteen.” Melanie paused as she wiped a tear from her cheek. “I don’t know if I have anything left in my heart to give anyone, Kate.”
Soft-hearted Katie gripped Melanie’s hand tight and allowed her own tears to flow in sympathy. “You are a dear, and I know you have a heart full of love to share. Just look how you’ve taken to Annie even though you said you didn’t want any responsibility.”
“Well, I don’t have any responsibility, she’s your daughter.”
“But with how side-tracked I am by the doctor, you’re the one carrying the load most of the time.” Katie’s grin showed she had no resentment for her friend’s care of her daughter.
Melanie shrugged. “It’s different to help when it’s not my own responsibility. I don’t know if I can take on being a mother for real.”
Katie nodded, clearly in thought. “There’s one thing I think you should give thought to, before you dismiss the idea entirely. You were too young for the responsibilities you had to take on when your mother died. You did the very best you could, and it seems to me if your sister is married and your brother on his own, you must have done a fine job with them, even if you aren’t too happy with your brother’s personality. You did the best you could while dealing with the bad influence of a mean-spirited father. As a grown woman, if you have a loving partner to share the responsibility, I do think you would find the experience to be far different and much more rewarding than raising your brother and sister in a cramped apartment in the city.”
Melanie didn’t feel convinced, but she knew there was wisdom in her friend’s words. “I think I’ll go for a walk. I will mull over your words.”
Katie nodded and returned to her hemming. “Don’t feel you need to hurry back. I’ll be able to collect Annie today. I’m sure she’ll be disappointed that Mary won’t be coming home with us, so I’ll need to spend some time with her.”
Melanie absently nodded her agreement and slipped through the front door, already lost in thought.
Chapter Thirteen
A few weeks slowly slipped past. Melanie made every effort to convince herself that she was satisfied with the routine that had settled over her life. Her first venture toward visiting clients had not been her last, even though Katie looked after most of that side of the business. Melanie was happy that she was slowly regaining confidence in her ability to speak with people, even strangers. She still got nervous, but it was not debilitating.
Katie was so often wandering away for walks with Doctor Jeffries that Melanie spent a great deal of time with Annie. Melanie had to make herself keep a rein on her love for the little girl. With the way Katie’s relationship was progressing with the doctor, Melanie was sure it wouldn’t be too very much longer before Katie and Annie were no longer her housemates. Melanie’s heart ached at the thought of being alone. She had always thought it would be her greatest joy to be on her own, but she now saw that it would be sad and lonely.
Perhaps I ought to send to Mr. Brace for an orphan of my own, she thought one day as she watched Annie and Mary carefully cutting out cookies as she had instructed them. Mary had come home with Annie to spend the weekend with them once more. It had become another routine for them. Mary came every second weekend, coming home from school with Annie and staying until they went back to school on Monday. As she supervised, her thoughts wandered to the last time she had seen Mary’s father, a few days prior.
Melanie was so surprised by the knock on her door that she almost put the needle through her finger. Shaking her head at herself, she hurried toward the door. She was surprised again to see that it was Mr. Miller on the porch when she opened the door.
“Hello,” she said, cringing when she heard how breathy she sounded.
“Good day,” he answered, touching the brim of his hat politely before lifting his other hand and showing her the sacks he held. “I’ve come to help you move the flowers you were talking about.”
Melanie blinked at him. “I can’t believe you remembered my saying that.”
To her surprise, the man actually blushed.
“You’ve been doing so much for my Mary, I was trying to think of something I could do for you, and then I remembered that conversation we had.” He ducked his head, clearly embarrassed. “If you’ll just point me in the right direction of which ones you wanted moved, I could have it done in a flash.”
Melanie was skeptical. “I don’t see how it could be a quick task, Mr. Miller. The plants I like have thorns on them. Surely that will complicate matters considerably.”
He just shrugged. “I have gloves.”
Now she was getting excited and allowed a grin to spread over her face. “If you’re very sure, I would love to have t
wo of those prickly bushes with the bright red flowers brought here on either side of the stairs.”
“Only two? That will be easy as pie.”
“Maybe meringue pie,” Melanie replied with a laugh. “Making meringue is hard.”
“You needn’t do anything but point me in the direction of the plants you want. I promise, I don’t think it’ll be difficult.”
Melanie offered no further protests, delighted at the thought of having the bright splash of color in front of her small house. Her heart beat raced far out of proportion to the slow pace they set as they walked toward the wild flower patch behind her house. She was grateful he adjusted his long stride so she didn’t have to run to keep up with him.
She tried not to stare at his handsome physique. His generous act of kindness toward her was not helping her keep her feelings in check toward him, Melanie realized and tried to distract her thoughts with light chatter as she watched him work. The play of his muscles easily viewed, even under his shirt as he dexterously dug, made her heart flutter and her palms sweat. Melanie again tried to keep herself from looking.
True to his word, before too long both small bushes were nicely positioned at the bottom of the stairs. She didn’t think she had laughed so much before in her life. She was feeling absolutely giddy in the handsome man’s presence. Melanie tried to keep a rein on her bubbling emotions, but her lessened anxieties in connection with people seemed to be spilling over into increased attraction. She would absolutely die of mortification if he thought she was throwing herself at him, so she tried to keep the volume of her giggles as low as possible.
As she was shaking his hand in thanks once more while he was taking his leave, she noticed he had sustained a couple scratches despite his thick gloves.
“Oh, no, Mr. Miller, I just knew it was going to be a detrimental exercise.”
“Don’t you pay those marks any mind. I’ve had far worse from the barn cats, I can assure you. I’m just glad you’re pleased with my little contribution.”
Orphan Train Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 4 Page 40
