by Annie Lane
“I’m heading back in to town soon, Earl. I’d be more than happy to accompany Junior to the barber’s if you like. I’ll wait with him awhile and then he can show me to the store. I was planning on making a list of things Thomas might need to re-stock the pantry. I’ve already got some meals planned out for the next few days, so maybe I could pick up some supplies for you while I’m there?”
Earl smiled so wide that it just about filled his entire face. “Well, if you’re going that way all on your own, then I’d really appreciate it. Thanks Charlotte.”
Thomas threw the pan into the sink. “I never said I wouldn’t take you.”
Earl leant back in his seat, watching Thomas suspiciously. “I thought you said we had a stack of work to get through this morning?”
Chapter 15
Junior sure seemed pleased with himself as he sat right up front beside Charlotte in the wagon. After convincing Thomas that there really was no need to forgo his plans for the day, not to mention a number of failed attempts at learning how to steer in a straight line, Charlotte now felt confident enough to make it into town without causing harm to herself, the motherless boy, or the unfortunate horse.
“My best friend’s name is Solomon Lawson,” said Junior. “That’s one of the Doc’s boys I was tellin’ you about before. He likes pigs just about as much as I do. I don’t think he cares for carrots quite as much though; he’s more a potato man if the truth be told. I used to be best friends with Sarah Lawson, but Pa says with me gettin’ bigger and all, spending too much time with the ladies will just cause me heartache … or somethin’ like that. You got a best friend, Miss Charlotte?”
“Why yes, Junior, I certainly do. Her name is Elizabeth Edwards – but everyone I know calls her Beth. I miss her terribly already. We lived together for many years, and used to stay up late talking. We even shared a bedroom for most of that time, so we are very close. I really do miss her.”
“What’s she like?”
“Well, let me see … she’s funny and silly and just an absolute joy to be around.”
“I like that name, Beth. It kinda sounds like Seth, but with a different letter up front. He’s another of the Lawson boys – Seth that is, he’s the middle one. What’s Beth look like Miss Charlotte, is she as pretty as you?”
“Oh, she’s much prettier than me, Junior. She’s got the most beautiful red hair that tumbles down her back when she brushes it out, all long and flowing.”
“You mean red like a tomata?”
“No, not that sort of red, it’s more like the color of an orange.”
“Orange like a carrot? Like a carrot head? I love carrots!”
Charlotte laughed, and as if on cue Junior pulled another carrot from his back pocket and started chomping on the blessed thing. “Why yes, she does have somewhat of a carrot head, come to think of it. You’ve certainly got a lot to say for a young fella.”
Junior bounced around a few times, giggling. “Fella … that kinda sounds like Stella, but with a different letter up front again, just like before. Stella’s another one of Mr. Lawson’s kids. Anyway, that’s their house right over there.”
The Lawsons’ home was situated beside the school on the outskirts of town. There were three large barns behind the house that looked to be in full use and Charlotte guessed that must be where Gabe runs his business from. There was a chicken coup in the front yard, a white picket fence surrounding the property and a rose garden so full of blooms that they spilled out like wildflowers through the cracks.
Junior lowered his voice. “Pa says Mrs. Lawson’s no longer with us. She went off to sleep when she brought Sophie into Mr. Lawson’s arms, and she never waked up again. Pa says the angels came and took her, just like they came and took my Ma, and the poor dear never even seen it comin’.”
Charlotte wasn’t usually so at ease around small children, especially ones that talked so much, but there was something about Junior that she couldn’t overlook. He was a sweet child under it all – the jumping about and the jumbled sentences – and it tugged at a place inside her that he’d lost his mother at such a young age. No child should be raised without a mother, of that she knew only too well. “I’m so sorry for their loss. I can’t imagine raising six children all on my own.”
“They not all on their own, Miss Charlotte … the Doc’s sister lives with them too. Aunty Dawn everyone calls her, even the kids who aren’t really hers. Miss Mabel calls her Aunty Yawn, on account of her being as boring as sin, but don’t you let my Pa know I told ya that or he’ll wallop my backside so hard I won’t be able to sit down for a week.” He suddenly straightened himself and an enormous smile spread across his face. “Solomon!” he shouted, frantically flailing his arms in the air. “Over here, over here! Look Miss Charlotte, there’s Seth and Stella, too. Can I go play for a while?”
“No, sit back immediately. I can’t have you falling out and injuring yourself.”
“Please, Miss Charlotte? Please? ”
Charlotte ignored the boy’s begging and rubbed her fingers across her forehead, trying her hardest to keep up. “Let me get this straight … Solomon, Sarah, Stella and Seth. There are six of them altogether though? Who are we missing?”
“Samuel and Sophie,” Junior said, twisting in the seat as the wagon passed right by the Lawsons’ front yard. “Sophie’s only five; she’s the littlest of ’em all. She never got to meet her mother and Pa reckons that’s the sorriest thing he ever heard. She don’t talk none, Sophie that is. She just clings to her daddy’s leg so much I reckon he’s forgotten how to walk straight. He drags her around the yard, it kinda looks like fun. I asked Pa once if we could give it a try, but he said I needed to pay more attention in school.”
“I can only imagine,” Charlotte said, squinting in the sunshine as the wagon pulled closer to town.
A small steeple church suddenly ascended right up from the dust on one side of the road in front of them. Somehow she’d missed it on her earlier travels. It was rundown some but still in good working condition and the quaint charm of its exterior had Charlotte wondering if the inside was just as appealing.
The longer she gazed at it, slowing the horses to an easy trot just the way Thomas had taught her, the more it looked like the church she’d dreamed about back at the orphanage. The one with the aisle she’d walk down, clutching her mother’s handkerchief.
It was painted blue, with a matching timber fence. An archway framed the doors and a silver crucifix hung from a nail right there in the middle of the wood. There was a tall tree off to one side that shaded the grass so it was greener than the rest, and a copper bell swayed high up in the air above the shingled roof.
“Is that the only church in town, Junior?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“So that’s where Thomas and I will be wed? Oh, I do hope so. It’s the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen and nothing would make me happier than saying my vows right there in front of God. The most beautiful church I’ve ever seen!”
Junior simply shrugged.
Further along the street, set amidst the odd cluster of small-frame buildings, was the doctor’s office – where Mabel was clearly seen peeking out through the intricate lace curtains. Beyond that were the mercantile, a small butchery and the local barber shop.
On the other side of the dusty road stood the saloon. It was grander than any other building in town. There were a few stragglers moseying around the front, more than likely waiting on its opening, and Charlotte couldn’t help but notice how every set of eyes, blood-shot and unfocused as they were, was glued to the passing wagon. It seemed they were just as curious to find out about the mysterious young lady from Seattle as everyone else was.
It was only moments later when she pulled to a halt right in front of The Coffee Grande and she and Junior climbed out of the wagon. Through the window Charlotte could see Louise rushing about from table to table, serving morning tea. When the two women locked eyes through the glass, Louise instantly smiled and gest
ured for Charlotte to join her.
“I’ll be back in just a moment,” mouthed Charlotte, taking Junior by the hand as they turned and headed toward the red and white striped awning that overhung the footpath.
Louise, having spent far too much time with Henry and his detective mind, instantly cottoned on to what was happening and rushed to the door, poking her head out. “Good luck with that, Zeke’s a right bundle of nerves. If the boy comes out without a scratch on his face I’d be counting my lucky stars, but never you mind any of that, I’ll set two places while you’re gone.”
Chapter 16
Junior’s hand slotted perfectly inside Charlotte’s as they crossed the street and he skipped beside her all the way to the barber’s. The doorbell chimed. Two layback chairs took up most of the space right down the middle of the store, along with a wooden counter, a cash box and a pot of black ink that was so covered in hair clippings that it looked like a receipt hadn’t been issued in months – or perhaps maybe Zeke just hadn’t cleaned in that long?
“Wh … wh, why this must be the lovely lady taking Mr. Ackerman’s hand in marriage. I’m … I’m Zeke Harrison. It’s ni … nice to finally meet you.”
Zeke noticed his wrinkled fingers when he stretched them out in front of him and he pondered some at how age had crept up on him so suddenly. He hadn’t even noticed its arrival. The young lady who’d been causing such a stir for the last twenty-four hours stood in front of him with a doe-eyed look on her face. She swallowed a couple of times and Zeke didn’t miss the apprehension in her expression as she accepted his proffered hand.
If his nerves weren’t so shot he’d have been making a fortune from his small business, being that the portion of men in the town outnumbered the women by two to one, not to mention his proximity to the saloon. Give a man a whiskey or three and suddenly he’s full of bravado and out to impress. But as it was, he knew his jittery fingers had scared most folk off. “Come in and grab a seat, I’ll be just a moment sharpnin’ me scissors and then we’ll make a start. The usual, Junior?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Where you from, Miss Charlotte, if … if … you don’t mind me asking?”
“Oklahoma, originally. After my daddy passed away I was sent to live in an orphanage in Seattle for ten years.”
Zeke placed the sharpening stone back on the counter and blew the filings to the floor. He wrapped a cape over the boy’s shoulders. “And now you’re looking to marry ’round these parts? Had enough of city living?”
“No Sir, I liked it well enough in Seattle, but unforeseen circumstances drove me out of town once I turned eighteen. It was time for a change. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing until you go looking for it.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more. What do you think of Conrad?”
“Well, I think … I think it might just be the prettiest part of the whole country. I can see myself fitting in just fine. Everyone’s been so kind and hospitable, I sure do feel welcome.”
“And how did … did … uh, you and Mr. Ackerman become acquainted? Forgive me for prying, but, but, but I don’t see a ring on your finger there, yet the word on the street is you’ll be married by the end of the week.”
Charlotte glanced down at her bare hand and a twinge of sadness touched her heart. Zeke was right. Thomas hadn’t officially proposed to her. Not that she’d been expecting a fancy ring or anything of the sort, but it might have been nice for him to make it official at least, ask for her hand in the rightful manner, so as she might refer to him as her fiancé when his name was brought up in conversation.
Through the smudgy window behind her, Charlotte noticed Mabel watching her like a hawk. The sheer, lace curtains were no disguise and Mabel should have been ashamed of herself for thinking otherwise. It must have been driving her crazy not knowing what conversation was taking place, and what Zeke was finding out about the puzzling bride from back west. “The word on the street … being Mabel?”
Zeke chuckled. “You’ve worked her out already? Well, g … g … good for you.”
Charlotte smiled right back at him, not having a problem in the slightest with Zeke asking her questions. She didn’t mind being the center of attention inside his little store. She felt like she could trust him with anything. Something told her Zeke was used to being talked about too, but she wasn’t about to get to the bottom of that story anytime soon.
So she put it out of her mind and went on to explain things. “I responded to a letter Thomas sent to the matrimonial newspaper. Mrs. Fredrick back home started up a mail order bride business and I was her very first client. My dear friend Beth from Saint Anne’s helped me write out a reply and before I knew it I was on a train heading to Montana. That’s about the sum of it.”
“Why doesn’t Beth come here too,” asked Junior, turning his head so suddenly Charlotte feared he might lose an ear or something equally as important when Zeke’s hands jerked and twitched with surprise. “That way you won’t be so lonely and there’ll be another pretty face wandering around town.”
“Can’t have too many of them now, can we?” said Zeke, swiveling Junior straight again in the chair. “Now sit still or your Pa will have me hung and quartered.”
Charlotte thought for a moment, giving the idea some genuine consideration. “Well, while that sounds like a mighty fine plan, Junior, unless you can think of another eligible man in town who might wish to propose marriage to her, then she would have no good reason to come here. You see, the truth of the matter is…” Charlotte took a deep breath then and closed her eyes for a moment when a brief flash of pain stabbed at her stomach. “Beth doesn’t have the need to escape Saint Anne’s, not like I did at least.”
Zeke’s unsteady hands shook even worse when a dark, menacing haze settled over the store. To his way of thinking, it was the words that were left unspoken that often said so much more about a person than if they were screaming right there in your face. Charlotte didn’t need to explain herself. He’d seen that look in a girl’s eyes once before and he’d never forget it. It was fear, unbridled and rampant. “You’re safe here, Miss Charlotte. Ain’t … ain’t nothin’ gonna hurt you no more. Please don’t be scared.”
Charlotte sighed, relaxed her shoulders and smiled over at the sweet man. The sentiment meant more to her than he’d ever know. She wasn’t sure what was making her melt into the seat more – the blistering sun beating through the glass behind her, or Zeke’s warm words. Whichever it was, she had never felt as utterly content as she did right there in that moment.
Over the course of the next half hour, Zeke and Charlotte continued to discuss all manner of things – from poetry and the Gospel, to baking and travel. But Junior wasn’t listening to anything anymore. Their words were just a jumbled mess playing somewhere in the background to his thoughts.
The most brilliant of all his ideas – and there’d been some doozeys in his short time – had just popped into his head and he grinned, first over at Charlotte, who was none the wiser to his elaborate plan, and then over at Zeke, who simply thought the boy was being as wistful as always and promptly spun his head back toward the wall, so as he could finish tidying up the back.
Junior figured it would take every ounce of his concentration not to forget the three details he needed to remember. He repeated them over and over in his head until they were set there like stone.
Saint Anne’s Orphanage … Elizabeth Edwards … Mrs. Fredrick.
Although Junior loved his Ma more than anything else – more than the stars and the moon and the trees and the leaves – and no one would ever replace her in his heart, he knew his Pa deserved to be happy again.
The real sort of happy.
Not the pretend sort.
Not the sort that made you walk off down the paddock and wipe your eyes when you thought no one was watching.
And so, with it still fresh in his mind, Junior hatched a plan right there in the barber shop to send a letter off to Seattle forthwith. If he had his way, a
nd he knew he would, then Miss Elizabeth Edwards would soon be traveling to Conrad, Montana to marry his Pa.
Now, just one problem, he thought to himself … if only I could write.
Chapter 17
Charlotte and Junior finished up their tea and cake and thanked Louise for her generosity. Junior was up to something, it was as plain as day, the way he was whispering to Louise and sneaking off in the diner – but Charlotte couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Right next door to the diner was the mercantile and Junior skipped on ahead so he could hold the door open for Charlotte, just like his Pa had always taught him. His Pa had manners like no other man he knew.
Oh, yes. Miss Carrot Head was gonna love him; there was no doubt about that. And now he had Louise on board there was no stopping him.
“Why, thank you, how very gentlemanly,” Charlotte gushed, entering the store and taking a basket from the pile that were stacked up against the wall. There were a few rows of dried goods at the very back of the store so she headed in that direction first and took her time picking out the ingredients while she wandered the shelves. Approaching the counter with her arms laden with enough goods to see them through until the middle of next week, she noticed Junior standing over by the candy, his nose pressed to the glass.
“Can I get one, Miss Charlotte, please, please?”
Rattling around in the bottom of her purse were the few coins left from the money Thomas had sent her for the train trip. Charlotte knew it wouldn’t stretch far, but Junior’s desperate pleas and his trench-like dimples were impossible to ignore. “You decide which one you want and I’ll meet you by the register in a few minutes.”
“Oh, I don’t need a few minutes. I want one of those swan necks.”
