Refining Fire

by Tracie Peterson

  “No.” He offered nothing more, and knowing the need for privacy Militine didn’t pry.

  “Sometimes,” she said after a great pause, “I feel I have more in common with the dead than the living.”

  He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “Me too. I suppose when there’s been a lot of death and dying in your past, it’s that way. I never quite got past it. Never have talked to anyone about it except Wade, and sometimes I wish I’d kept it from him, as well. I don’t need anyone feeling sorry for me.”

  “Exactly. I don’t want that, either.” She shivered, but not from the cold. “I just want to forget.”

  “Yes.”

  She didn’t know what else to say. It seemed strange that she should find a kindred spirit here in the graveyard on the day of a good man’s funeral. How odd that they would find themselves together, each sharing such an obviously painful past. “Do you think God really cares about each of us?”

  Thane cocked his head to one side and then stroked his beard. “I know He’s supposed to. Wade talks about God like that. I can’t say that I’ve ever known that for myself. Seems if He cared so much, a whole lot of bad things wouldn’t happen.”

  “My mother taught me that God loves everyone. I tried to hold on to that all my life. I figured if God was real and loved everybody, no one should have to worry about things like hell and heaven.” She could see nothing but acceptance in his gaze. “Abrianna talks about hell and losing my soul. I can’t say for certain that I understand or believe—especially that God loves everybody.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  Militine paused but hoped he might understand. “The evil in this world.”

  “There’s a lot of it.”

  It wasn’t the reply she’d expected. It seemed funny that this normally passive young man should speak with authority on such a dark topic. She found herself looking deeper into his eyes. The pain that stared back at her was almost startling. “Yes.” The word came out in a whisper.

  The day after the funeral Abrianna once again took charge of getting her mission accomplished. If only her friends could be as passionate about these things as she was. No matter. She would carry on as planned. They just needed the right push. “I know you’ll see the potential,” she told Wade and Thane. “It’s perfect for what I want to do. Come on, boys, pick up your feet or this will take all day.”

  Wade offered a weak protest. “Grief, Abrianna, it’s not like the building is going anywhere.”

  Nevertheless he did increase his speed. “I realize it’s not going anywhere, but Mr. Layton might. He promised he’d be there at ten o’clock, and it’s nearly that now. Although why he picked ten and not noon, I cannot say. I suggested we meet there at the dinner hour so I wouldn’t have to drag you two away from work. I do apologize for that.”

  “Do your aunts know you’re down here?” Wade asked and Thane gave a muffled laugh.

  She didn’t like being so predictable, but there was nothing to do but be honest. “They don’t, but I will tell them in time. You know how it is, Wade. Aunt Miriam believes there is danger on every corner.”

  “And so there is, especially where you’re involved.” His comment caused Thane to laugh out loud.

  Abrianna fixed Wade with her fiercest glare, but that only seemed to make matters worse.

  “I think the danger is on the part of anyone who messes with our Abrianna,” Thane announced. “Just imagine it. Someone dares try to assault her, and she launches into a speech on why it’s not only unacceptable on their part, but they are delaying her from important business elsewhere.”

  “No doubt,” Wade agreed. “And then she’d offer them cookies.”

  “See if I offer you any cookies again.” She turned to Thane. “Or you.”

  “Now, Abrianna, don’t get your ribbons in a knot.” Thane came to her left and took hold of her arm. “You know I’m not trying to be mean. We just worry about you.”

  “It’s a full-time job.” Wade took hold of her right arm and sandwiched her between them. “I swear I spend more time keeping up with you than I do my woodworking. I have three orders I’m behind on, and all because of these kinds of escapades.”

  She stopped in midstep. Contrition mingled with her guilt. “I am sorry for that. I had no idea. I can be so unthinking. You know that I never meant for that to happen. Aunt Miriam always tells me that a man’s worth is tied up in his job. I hope I’ve not damaged your self-worth, Wade. You either, Thane. You are both very worthy men, and it grieves me to think I might have caused trouble for you in this manner.

  “If your self-worth is in question, I would have suggested speaking to Pastor Klingle, but since he has passed on, that would obviously do no good. I suppose you can pray about it. I certainly will.” She looked from one puzzled expression to the other. Neither man seemed to understand her words. “Am I not making sense?”

  Wade laughed and tightened his hold on her arm. “You seldom do, but that hasn’t stopped me from participating in your exploits. Just rest assured our self-worth is doing just fine.”

  “Oh good. Look, there’s Mr. Layton. Come along.” She pulled the men forward as she hurried to greet the older man. “Mr. Layton, thank you so much for agreeing to see me here.”

  “I had my misgivings,” he said as he tipped his hat. “Are these your brothers?”

  Abrianna laughed. “In a way. They both seem to pester me as a brother might a sister. Sometimes I feel they do so just to vex me into silence or inactivity, but I do not yield to such games.”

  “I’m sure you don’t.” Mr. Layton nodded his head toward Wade and Thane. “I’m James Layton. I suppose you know from Miss Cunningham that I own this building.”

  Wade and Thane nodded and followed the man’s gaze. Abrianna could tell by their expressions they didn’t think much of the dilapidated shack.

  “It needs a great deal of work. You did say I could alter it. These gentlemen will assist me in that endeavor.”

  “You may do anything you like so long as it is an improvement.”

  Wade shook his head. “I think even knocking it down would be an improvement.”

  “Nonsense.” Abrianna took a pencil and pad of paper from her coat pocket. “I’m not afraid of a little work. Now, Mr. Layton, you named a price that I felt was a bit high. I propose to reduce that amount by ten percent. Also, because I will be putting a great deal of money into the repairs, I expect my first month’s rent to be waived.”

  “I never agreed to that!” The man’s face reddened. “I knew it was trouble dealing with a woman.”

  “You have no idea,” Wade muttered under his breath.

  “You may not have agreed to it yet,” Abrianna said, reaching into her pocket once again, “however, I am prepared to improve your building above the cost of what one month’s rent will total, and I will pay the second month in advance.” She held up the cash. “Now, have we a deal or not?”

  The man looked to Wade and then to Thane, as if for help. Abrianna waited patiently for him to fully weigh the proposal. The shack had been empty for months, and no one else seemed at all inclined to benefit this man with either repair or rent.

  “I feel as if I have no choice in the matter. No say whatsoever,” Mr. Layton declared.

  Wade nodded. “It’s better that way. If you don’t give in, she’ll just go into a long lecture on why she’s right and you’re wrong. It could go on for hours and hours. This way, if you agree, you’ll be on your way and we can be on ours, and maybe all of us will manage to have a hot lunch. Otherwise, I fear we might be here until well into the afternoon.”

  The man shuddered, as if the very thought were too much to take in. Abrianna didn’t care what argument Wade used, so long as the man was swayed to see things her way. It really seemed much too simple a matter to complicate for long.

  Finally, with a mutter of unintelligible words, Mr. Layton nodded. “Very well. I shall accept your offer.”

  Abrianna handed him the money
and then fished out two pieces of paper from her pocket. “Sign these. You’ll see that I already have signed my name at the bottom.”

  “Excuse me?” The man took the paper and scanned it.

  “It says that we have an agreement for the amount of rent and the repairs. It also states that I will lease this building from you for one year without any increase of rent.”

  Again the man looked to Wade, then shook his head. “I will sign it.” He did just that and handed her back one of the pages and a key to the building.

  Abrianna smiled. “I appreciate doing business with you, Mr. Layton.” She held up the key. “Come along, gentlemen, and we will assess what is to be done.”

  Mr. Layton hurriedly dismissed himself, almost seeming afraid he might be forced to participate. Meanwhile, Wade leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Why would anyone put a lock on the place? A good wind could knock it down.”

  She paid him no attention. It was better not to give in to his theatrics. Goodness, but men seemed to make much ado about nothing.

  She unlocked the door and pushed it open, very nearly pushing it off its hinges. “I shall put that first on my list.” She glanced around the room, chiding herself for having forgotten the lantern. “I know it’s dimly lit and has only one window, but we can remedy that. I propose we add an additional window.”

  “You propose that, do you?” Thane said, touching one of the exterior walls. “You want us to put a window in this paper-thin wall?”

  “We can reinforce it,” she said in complete exasperation. “Honestly, must I think of everything? I brought you two here to be helpful. Now do your jobs.” Fearing her statement had come out too harsh, Abrianna turned to face them both and smiled sweetly. “Aunt Miriam and the girls are making Danish pastries today. The dough is light and flaky, and there are a variety of fillings. Cherry and berry and apple. Oh, and peach. I know how you like peach, Thane. The sooner we get this list of supplies figured out, the sooner you two can walk me back and just happen to get in on an early lunch. I figured you’d especially like that, Wade.”

  It was always easy to talk Wade into helping when food was involved. It was a wonder the man didn’t weigh as much as old Mr. Phinster at the apothecary. It was rumored his girth made it impossible to climb the stairs to his abode, so he just set up a bed at the back of his shop.

  Wade crossed his arms and sighed. “All right, Abrianna. What exactly do you have in mind?”

  4

  You very late,” Liang announced as Abrianna crept through the back door.

  The small Chinese girl put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Mrs. Madison, she not happy when I not find you.”

  “What in the world is so important that I was being summoned? Usually everyone is busy with classes at this time of day.” Abrianna shed her coat and hung it on a peg by the door.

  “Three new girls come,” the fifteen-year-old explained. Liang had become a member of the household when the anti-Chinese riots a few years earlier had driven her family from Seattle and left her without kith or kin. “You know Mrs. Madison talk to everyone when new girls come.”

  “I know. I just didn’t know they would be here so early. Goodness, but I know Aunt Miriam’s speech so well I could give it myself.” She sighed. There was nothing to be done but go and face the music.

  “You go now before she come again.” Liang pushed Abrianna toward the door.

  Making her way to the back drawing room where such lectures were given, Abrianna slipped into place behind Militine. The other girls pretended not to notice, but Abrianna could feel their gazes. More than this, however, she could feel Aunt Miriam’s disapproving stare.

  “As I mentioned earlier, our three new students hail from Kansas City,” Aunt Miriam announced. “Elizabeth tells me that she can cook quite well and has done so for many years.” The young woman in question stood and smiled. She was just a bit plump with a fair complexion and brown hair that she had neatly plaited and pinned atop her head. “Elizabeth, tell us a little about yourself.”

  The girl nodded and turned to face the other students. “Living in a big city, I had to do what I could to help my family. There were ten of us, so I went to work serving tables at one of the restaurants. Eventually I worked my way up to cooking. I really like to cook.” She looked to the older woman.

  “Thank you, Elizabeth. You may take your seat.” Aunt Miriam motioned to the next girl. “This is Josephine. Tell us something about yourself.”

  Josephine, a tall lanky soul with a homely face and mousy brown hair seemed mortified at the thought of public speaking. She stood looking at the floor for several seconds before murmuring, “I like to garden.” She hurried to retake her seat.

  “Thank you. Josephine also mentioned in our interview that she can sew quite well. Our final new student is Clara.”

  The young lady stood. She, too, was fairly tall, but where Josephine was plain and willowy, Clara was curvy and pretty. “I’m just so happy to be here. We three read about this school in the newspaper and decided we would apply together. We knew each other from Sunday school. Just imagine our excitement at all three of us being accepted.” She paused and looked around the room.

  “I play four musical instruments and have taught lessons to others, so I’m happy to teach if the need arises. I play piano, organ, flute, and guitar. I used to play for church. Oh, and I often led the choir.”

  Abrianna liked the girl’s enthusiasm. She felt that Clara was most likely a kindred spirit who would be bold and generous with her talents. The other two seemed equally nice, although Josephine’s painful shyness was something of an annoyance. Shy people were always twice as hard to get to know and seemed easily offended. Although because they were shy, they would seldom say anything on the latter. Instead, Abrianna knew them to usually withdraw into themselves, leaving her feeling responsible to draw them back out.

  “Ladies, I want all of us to be welcoming and kind to our new students. As you know, I have a list of rules posted for all to see in the hall upstairs. You three should memorize the rules and adhere to them. There are very few second chances, as we are all adults and should be able to obey the rules given.” Aunt Miriam looked to Abrianna as if to drive home her point.

  Abrianna gave her a sweet smile. She would not allow Aunt Miriam to get the best of her. She loved her aunts but knew they would not understand the reason for her tardiness, nor would they approve of her plans. At least not until she had a chance to make them understand that Wade and Thane would be supervising the entire operation.

  “The rules consist of several important issues that we will discuss here and now,” Aunt Miriam continued. “I insist that so long as you are a student here, you will conduct yourself as honorable young ladies. You will attend church services every week unless you are ill or have an injury. You will dress and arrange your hair in a modest manner befitting your age and station. You will keep yourself properly groomed at all times. You will attend classes every day, and when and only when all three of your instructors agree that you are ready to receive callers, will you be allowed to attend the receptions and other social events as potential bridal applicants.”

  She paused for a moment as if to ensure everyone was listening. “There are strict rules about outings. You are not to leave the building unescorted. By that I mean that one of our approved gentlemen or one of the instructors will accompany you. There are no exceptions.” Again she looked to Abrianna.

  “There is an established curfew. None of you are to be out after six in the evening unless you have a prior approval from me. This is for your own safety. The city is full of smooth-talking men who seek innocent victims. Taking the responsibility for you here at the school means that I must provide for your safety. On Sunday I will introduce you to Wade Ackerman and his friend Thane Patton. Mr. Ackerman has long been a trustworthy help to this school and has escorted many of our young ladies. There are several others who come to our aid when needed, and you will be introduced to them
by and by.”

  Abrianna counted the students in the room. They were back to having a full dozen. Last summer had seen the marriage of six young ladies, so their numbers had been halved until shortly before Christmas, when two women from southern states joined them. The last had been Tabitha, who came to them just after Christmas from New York. With Abrianna, her aunts, and Liang, the total came to seventeen women under the roof of the Madison Bridal School.

  “Everyone here will help with all of the chores. We do not have servants,” Aunt Miriam said, emphasizing the last word. “We do have Liang, a young Oriental girl who helps in the kitchen and elsewhere when needed, however, she answers to me, my sister, and Mrs. Gibson. No one else.

  “Each of you will be responsible for your own laundry, mending, and personal needs. You will help each other dress and attend to your hair. Each girl will share a room, and both will be responsible to clean that room from top to bottom once a week while maintaining daily cleanliness.”

  That reminded Abrianna that she hadn’t made her bed that morning, and while she had a room to herself, Aunt Miriam was just as insistent that she follow the rules. She hoped the new students had kept her aunts too busy to inspect her room and she’d have the chance to run upstairs and see to the matter when they concluded these introductions.

  “You will also be given a schedule of chores that involve cleaning other areas of the house, as well as tending to the yard and gardens. We do have a man who cuts the grass in the summer months, but you will learn to plant the vegetable garden and keep the flowers and shrubs. It’s important to know these things as a potential wife, for you never know what level you will marry into and exactly what your responsibilities will be. We have added additional duties this year, although those will not begin until spring. In March we will receive several animals. This will allow us to raise our own chickens for eggs and meat. We will also have two milk cows to tend.”

  Abrianna was actually excited about this prospect. She could see it benefiting her food house for the poor. Of course, her aunts might have other thoughts on the matter. She shifted uncomfortably, wishing she could slip out of the room. That would never be allowed, however. Aunt Miriam would make a scene and call her forward if she even dared. No, there was nothing to do but endure.