by Dawn Kinzer
“Why do you like him so much?”
Annie leaned against the counter. “At first, Mother and I got along fine after Father died. But after the first year, there were small repairs needed on the house and other places on the property. Jake and Ben had just moved here, and they were taking jobs wherever they could to help ends meet. Mother hired them to fix several things around here, but instead of taking money, they offered to do the work for some of her home cooking. It got to be a regular thing—us helping each other out that way. My heart fell for Jake, but Ben...he’s like a big brother to me. And he looks at me like a little sister. I think he misses his own, and I may be the next best thing to having her here.”
The way Ben teased, complimented, and protected Annie made more sense now. Hope was beginning to understand why her cousin admired the man.
Hope followed Annie into the parlor and handed Ben a glass of lemonade.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and sat next to Annie on the settee. “I’m sorry if I got a little out of sorts when you were talking about your mother.” Hope chewed on her lower lip. How much could Hope tell them? Would these two men take her seriously? Or would they think her silly?
Ben opened his mouth, but Hope raised her hand to shush him. Annie trusted them...Hope would too. “I...” She took a deep breath. “I struggle with people telling me to give up my ambitions. So, when I hear that another woman has chosen to do just that, it’s a bit discouraging.”
Ben didn’t laugh. He didn’t snicker. He didn’t even look amused. “Of course. Anyone in a similar situation would feel the same way.”
“Really?” He understood? If it were possible for a human to float in the air, her body would have risen like a feather carried by the wind.
“I believe that God has a plan for each of us, Hope, and I also think he cares about what we want. But too often we’re tempted to follow what someone else thinks we should do. Or we don’t try because we’re afraid of failure. Other times, what we imagine may be a little different than what God has in mind. It’s not easy—it’s actually impossible some days—but maybe we need to trust that God will work it all out.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” The conversation had gone in an unexpected direction, but a positive one. Hope missed having similar conversations with her parents. “It’s just difficult sometimes to hand over my heart’s desires to God. I want to know what the future holds, but I also realize that his design for my life will be so much better than what I could create on my own. I also have to believe that God doesn’t give us a talent, or at least a passion for something, unless he wants us to use it.”
“Touché!” Jake raised his glass as though to toast. “Ben, do you hear this wise and brilliant woman? We are to use our God-given gifts. Not hide them under a bushel.”
“I hear.” Ben eyes shot flames at his brother, as though trying to stop Jake from saying anything further.
Hope didn’t mean to raise any conflict. Better to move the conversation along. “Sometimes we start down one path, only to realize that direction was meant to be temporary.” She sipped her lemonade. “For instance, Sarah Caswell prepared to be a missionary in Africa, but God’s plan was for her to remain here and marry Reverend Caswell.”
“Sarah and Peter grew up together and were very close, but he left for college and married someone else,” Annie chimed in. “After his wife died, he moved back with his daughter, but Sarah had made plans by then to leave Riverton for the mission field.”
“What stopped her?” Jake asked.
“Her feelings for Reverend Caswell and the fact that the missionary board changed their mind and decided to send a couple with medical experience instead.”
Jake whistled and shook his head.
“But in the end, regardless of whether she went to Africa or not, Sarah is still serving God in ministry. It’s what she was meant to do.” Hope rubbed the moisture on her glass with her thumb. “I want to design clothes that make women feel beautiful when they wear them.” She inched up to the edge of the settee and faced Jake. “If you could do anything at all, what would you choose?”
“That’s easy.” His face brightened like the sun rising over the horizon on a clear morning. “I’m already doing it. All I’ve wanted to do since I could remember is farm. Watch things grow. Tend to living creatures. Know that I could survive by my own two hands.”
“You’re one of the lucky ones, Jake. To have already found your way.” Hope turned to her cousin. “Annie, what about you?”
Annie shrugged, then some twitches played at her mouth before her lips moved into a tentative smile. “I haven’t told anyone this before, but I’d like to open a town library. Nothing big, of course. Just a small, quaint place.”
Hope almost bolted from her seat. “Annie, that’s a wonderful idea!”
“You really think so?” Annie’s eyes shone.
Jake’s forehead creased. “Why haven’t you said anything before?”
“I was afraid people would think it ridiculous—or impossible for someone like me.” Annie clasped her glass between her hands. “I’m just a store clerk.”
“Annie, you’re good with people,” Ben said. “You’re also smart and great at organizing, and you read more books than anyone I know—even Jake—and he reads a lot.”
“Oh, my...” Annie’s eyes grew as large as the cover to her hat box. “You really think I could do it?”
Hope leaned over and gave Annie a hug around the shoulders. “We’ll help in any way we can.” She looked at the two men, and they nodded in agreement. “That just leaves you, Ben. It’s your turn to answer the question.” Hope held her breath. She was about to learn something that would tell her more about Ben than she’d learned since arriving in Riverton.
Maybe he wasn’t anything like Henry, and maybe she and Ben could be friends. Since he and Jake were so important to Annie, getting along with Ben would certainly make living in Riverton easier. Then there was that earlier moment. No denying the attraction—even if she didn’t want to admit feeling drawn to him.
“Like Jake. I’m doing it.” Ben stared down at his glass of lemonade. “All I want is to make a good living at farming.” He spoke the words, but they lacked Jake’s conviction.
Air escaped from Hope’s lungs through a quiet sigh. There was some truth to what he said, but Hope wanted to find out what Ben wasn’t telling.
chapter six
Miss? Miss?”
“One moment, please.” Hope turned toward the wall and returned a small lamp to a shelf as an excuse to close her eyes and take a deep breath, then she faced the woman bouncing a toddler on her hip. “How may I help you?”
A gruff-sounding man with bushy eyebrows and a thick mustache stepped in front of the lady, almost shoving her aside. “Excuse me! I was here first, and I’ve already waited ten minutes for you to pull down a lantern for me. If it takes any longer, I’ll get it myself.”
Hope met his glare. “Yes, sir,” she said as calmly as possible. “You’re right. You’ve been very patient, and I’ll take care of you right away. I just wanted to acknowledge that she also requires some assistance.” She peered around the man’s wide shoulders and nodded at the mother. “I’ll be with you as soon as possible.”
The lantern he requested sat on a shelf too high for Hope to reach, so she pulled a ladder on wheels to that section. She retrieved the lantern and placed it on the counter in front of the impatient customer.
He grabbed the lantern, turned it left and right, then set it back down. “I don’t want it.” Without saying another word, he stalked toward the back of the store.
“Miss? Where can I find men’s work gloves?” Bouncing no longer effective, the woman’s son started to fuss.
“I’m—” Hope scanned the store and searched as far as she could see. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure.”
“Can you please help me find them? My son is hungry and tired, but I can’t go home without those gloves. Our
puppy chewed my husband’s last pair.” Although the woman’s tone remained civil, her moist eyes betrayed desperation. “My husband didn’t want to take time away from the farm. He has so much to do. I thought my coming into town would help, but our boy is missing his nap.”
Hope understood her eagerness to find what she needed and leave. The child was wailing, and people were starting to stare and whisper.
“Yes, of course.” Hope wouldn’t mind escaping herself right now. “Please wait right here.” No sense in leading a customer with a crying baby up and down aisles. She scurried around the store until she found men’s work gloves.
After grabbing an assortment, she returned to where she’d left the customer and laid the gloves on the counter. “Choose whatever pair suits you, and for the inconvenience you’ve experienced this morning, I’ll give you 50 percent off.”
The woman’s face brightened. “Thank you!” She chose a leather pair and handed them to the little boy. Now that he had something new to occupy his attention, he calmed down. “These will fit perfectly.”
“The cost is thirty-three cents, so I’ll charge you sixteen.” Hope would make up the difference with her own money. It was worth it to help the lady return home satisfied and as soon as possible.
“Would you please hold Jeremy?” She thrust her son into Hope’s arms before she had a chance to object. It didn’t matter—Hope would never refuse to hold a child. The young mother opened a small bag and counted sixteen pennies, which she laid one by one on the counter.
The little boy reached for his mother, and Hope returned him to her arms, but not soon enough to avoid the trail of snot from his dripping nose as he wiped it on her shoulder. Hope swallowed. “I’ll write a receipt.”
With gloves and baby in hand, the woman left with a smile on her face, and Hope remained with a wet yellow streak across her white shirtwaist. She grabbed an old rag and rubbed the marks until they were faint.
Courage isn’t always about dealing with life-threatening situations, Hope. Sometimes bravery involves facing the unknown, taking on new roles, or embracing new adventures. Her father’s last words as they parted ways in New York still played in her thoughts. She’d need to rehearse them often, especially after the morning she’d just experienced.
Hope blew a wisp of loose hair away from her face and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She yearned to remove her boots and massage her aching feet. There was more to being a store clerk—or at least a good one—than most people realized. The weeks she’d spent as a clerk at Macy’s in New York last Christmas season had somewhat prepared her, but she’d only had one department to cover, not an entire store’s inventory.
Annie had explained that Mondays were one of their busiest days, but Hope hadn’t anticipated feeling so overwhelmed. Several people expected her to know where obscure items were located in the store, even though she’d only been employed there less than a day. Dealing with impatient customers made her stomach queasy.
“How are you fairing, Miss Andrews?” Mr. Carter, the owner of the Home Store, placed two small boxes on the counter in front of her.
“There’s a lot to learn, but I’m trying my best, Mr. Carter.” Hope relaxed at seeing the warm smile beneath his mustache. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to work here.” Her employer was known for his honesty and kindness. Along with that, nothing compared to this store for many miles.
“I apologize for not giving you more time to get acclimated, but one of the clerks was unable to come in today, so I’m afraid we’re a little short-handed.” He opened one box and pulled out a white cotton handkerchief with scalloped edges and a printed floral border. “An assortment of men’s and women’s handkerchiefs arrived this morning. I’d like you to arrange them in the glass case below this counter. Please make a note that cotton items will be sold for four cents each, and the linen, twenty-three cents.”
“I’ll be glad to, Mr. Carter.” She enjoyed creating displays intended to capture a buyer’s interest—one of her favorite responsibilities at Macy’s. She’d taken the part-time job to earn money for Christmas gifts, but to also live in the midst of fashion—pieces sold by the store as well as shoppers wearing their finest.
“If you need any help—and I don’t mean just with this task I’ve given you—please don’t hesitate to ask. Any of the employees, including myself, will be happy to assist you.”
“Thank you.” Hope smiled and set to work.
Annie had insisted Hope would enjoy working for the store’s owner, and she was right. From his interactions with customers, it was obvious he enjoyed serving them. Just now, he marched over with a chair for a frail-looking elderly woman who waited in line to pay for a soup kettle.
The Home Store, designed like a Spanish mission, was built in the center of town. With beautiful wood floors, large arched windows, and mirror-covered pillars, it could have fit in well with other city stores. The second story even included a separate room for women filled with couches, rocking chairs, and tables, as well as swings and cribs for their little ones. But along with serving Riverton, it accommodated the needs of farmers for many miles. A stable out back allowed them to shelter their horses while taking care of business at the store.
Hope fingered the cotton handkerchief. Although pretty and practical, silk would be nice for special occasions. Would Mr. Carter consider it? The store provided everything a person might need concerning household items or farm equipment, but the selection of clothes seemed mundane, and they were either hanging on racks or folded and stacked on shelves.
She already missed the department stores in New York and the many times she’d tingled with excitement while walking into a room lined with dresses made from beautiful fabrics. It would probably be the same for Annie if she’d ever have the opportunity to step inside a library with wall-to-wall books. Knowing where she’d moved from, Mr. Carter had expressed interest in Hope’s opinion on what should be purchased for the store. Although folks here might admire the expensive clothing, she doubted Mr. Carter would sell very much. She guessed occasions for such attire didn’t often rise in farming communities.
However, she could suggest making adjustments to the displays. Several dressed mannequins, with various accessories added, might stir a customer’s imagination. A spark of excitement ignited. Yes, she’d mention it to Mr. Carter soon.
“Hello?” Someone rapped sharply on the counter.
Her daydreaming disrupted, Hope jerked to attention. “How may I help you?” Her face burned, and she tried to swallow.
The middle-aged woman with piercing eyes surveyed Hope. “You’re new here.”
“Yes, this is my first day.”
“I’m Katherine Hoyt, and this is my daughter, Rebecca.”
Hope’s stomach clenched. She’d recognized Rebecca from seeing her at church the previous day. The mother with the pinched lips Hope knew by reputation. It would serve well to play to her vanity. Hope didn’t need a customer complaining that she’d been lost in thought and inattentive. “Mrs. Hoyt, it’s nice to meet someone so well respected in the community. Your husband is the local veterinarian, right?”
“He is...” Katherine Hoyt smiled, then narrowed her eyes. “And you are?”
“You’re Hope Andrews, Annie’s cousin.” Rebecca offered Hope a smile. “We met three years ago when I played the piano at her father’s funeral. But we only spoke for a minute then. I saw you at church on Sunday and recognized you right away.”
“I see,” Mrs. Hoyt said. “I didn’t attend because I wasn’t feeling well that day. If I’d been there, I would have made a point of introducing myself.”
Hope tried not to squirm under the older woman’s scrutiny and turned her attention to Rebecca. “Your playing was lovely, just as it was for my uncle’s service.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said, sounding genuinely pleased. “You came all the way from New York to stay with Annie for a while, correct?” She laid her purse on the counter that served as a barrier
between them.
“Yes, I arrived last Saturday.” Thank goodness Rebecca seemed less formidable than her mother—and how Annie had described her. If she couldn’t answer Mrs. Hoyt’s questions or find a needed item, she’d do what Mr. Carter had encouraged her to do—set pride aside and ask for help.
“New York!” Mrs. Hoyt sounded impressed. “Why would someone come from such a metropolitan area to a small town like this? What could possibly be here for you?”
“It’s none of our business, Mother.” Rebecca gave a short, forced laugh. “Whatever her reasons, they’re hers.”
“It seemed like a good time and opportunity for me to have an extended visit with my cousin.” Hope didn’t feel the need or desire to share anything more than that with either of them.
From what little she knew, Mrs. Hoyt was a snob who was mean to anyone she believed inferior. But Rebecca had shown unexpected kindness today. Maybe she’d changed from the meddling, arrogant person Annie had described in past letters.
Annie strolled over with an armload of dish towels, and caught Hope’s eye. “Is there anything I can help with here?”
“Thank you, but no, we have no need for assistance. We’re on our way out.” Mrs. Hoyt gave a stiff, polite smile. “We merely stopped for a moment to introduce ourselves to the new member of the Home Store staff.”
“I appreciate your welcome.” Hope meant her statement to include both women, but she kept her eyes on Rebecca.
“Yes, well, we’ll be on our way.” Mrs. Hoyt moved toward the front door. “Come along, Rebecca.”
“It was nice to see you, Hope.” Rebecca smiled at her, but only gave Annie a brief nod before following her mother down the store aisle.
Annie laid the towels on the counter and gave a low whistle. “I’m sorry. Only your first day on the floor and you had to deal with those two.”
“Mrs. Hoyt makes me feel like I’m six years old and being reprimanded by my crotchety first-grade teacher.” Hope leaned across the counter and looked up at Annie. “But Rebecca seemed—nice.”
