Gilbert knew he had hurt his cousin, but for the first time in his life, he didn’t know how to fix his relationship with Ashleigh. As he thought about the upcoming trip to California, a dark sense of foreboding fell over him, putting him in a somber mood. He didn’t want to go to California without Ashleigh, but William was determined to travel west as soon as possible.
Gilbert searched for answers, thinking of ways he could convince Ashleigh to forgive him. She was the only family the cousins had left outside of each other. They needed to make amends. But how?
Chapter Nine
Ashleigh dressed for work, wincing at the dark circles under her eyes. She had tossed and turned all night, unable to get a good night’s rest.
Ashleigh had woken up feeling a heavy sense of panic. She had never had such dark, horrifying dreams before. She knew that they had been caused by her fight with her cousins, their deceptions, and Ernie’s warnings about the tragedies that would befall them if they journeyed to California.
Ashleigh wondered how much time she had left to convince her cousins not to go west. She hoped that after William’s accident and their argument, the cousins might delay their plans by a few more weeks. She needed time to show them that they could be happy staying in Creede, that they didn’t need to travel anywhere else.
She also didn’t know how she would even be able to face her cousins. She was still furious about what they’d done to her. It was Philip’s turn to walk her to work, but she didn’t want to see him or talk to him. She still felt too angry to be able to have a normal conversation with him.
As Ashleigh stared at her bedraggled reflection in the mirror, she heard a noise outside her door and started. When she slowed her breathing, she saw a note had been slipped under her door.
She picked it up. Scrawled in William’s thick, confident lettering was a message: “We leave for California in seven days’ time.”
Ashleigh’s heart sank. How could they be charging forward with their plan? It was as if they didn’t even care about her feelings or understand how they had betrayed her. Ashleigh felt a wave of anger well up inside of her.
It was nearly time for breakfast, but Ashleigh didn’t want to go downstairs and act as if everything was normal. She walked down the hallway and knocked on the door she knew belonged to Ned Ekstrom.
Ned opened the door, dressed for breakfast, looking surprised to see Ashleigh on the other side. “Ashleigh! Good morning. Is something wrong?”
Ashleigh felt like bursting into tears all over again and telling Ned everything. He had a kind, understanding face, and she knew he was a patient and generous men. But he also wasn’t family. If her father or uncle had been there, she would have confided in them. She knew she could trust Ned, but she didn’t feel comfortable telling him all about her fights with her cousins or their actions that had hurt her. So she simply shook her head and thought of an excuse. “I need to get to work early today, but I didn’t want to disturb my cousins. They work such long hours in the mines. I want to let them get as much rest as they can. But they don’t allow me to walk to work without them escorting me. Would you be able to walk me today?”
Ned’s expression softened. “Of course, Ashleigh.”
They went downstairs, where the smell of bacon wafted through the house. Ashleigh headed for the door.
“Don’t you want to eat something first?” Ned asked.
“I’m not hungry,” Ashleigh explained. “But if you want to eat something, please, by all means, do so.”
Ned shook his head, looking confused. “No, I’ll eat when I return.”
“Okay.” Ashleigh pushed the door open and stepped out into the cool, sunlit morning. She had grown to love mornings like these, when there was a charge to the frosty mountain air, but you could see the sun beaming down.
She didn’t know a thing about California, but she knew that no matter what charm it would offer, it wouldn’t be the same as Creede. Although she had been scared at first of a new place, now Creede felt like home. And in seven days’ time, her cousins would force her to leave it.
“Are you sure you’re all right, Ashleigh? You seem like something’s bothering you,” Ned said gently as they began the walk to Graham’s Grub.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Ashleigh replied. She didn’t want to worry Ned. She knew that he cared for her and wouldn’t want to see her upset.
“You know you can tell me if something’s on your mind, Ashleigh. I know we only met recently, but I like you and your cousins. You’re good people, and we need more of those here in Creede,” Ned told her.
“Thank you, Ned. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” Ashleigh told him.
“I only wish you would stick around a while longer. Seems your cousins have a bug in their pants to go to California,” Ned commented.
“Yes, they do,” Ashleigh agreed. “I’d prefer to stay here.”
“What about your California suitor?” Ned asked.
Ashleigh’s expression darkened.
“That’s none of my business,” Ned continued quickly. “I’m sorry for bringing it up.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ashleigh told him. She didn’t know how to explain everything that had unfolded the night before to Ned. She was glad he wasn’t going to press the issue.
They walked on in silence, and soon, they approached Graham’s Grub.
“Please be safe, Ned,” Ashleigh said as she opened the door to the restaurant. She thought back to his attack a few weeks before. “I think those men are still out there.” They hadn’t been caught, so she was sure of it, but she didn’t want to frighten the kind man.
Ned nodded. “You take care of yourself, too, Ashleigh. I’ll tell your cousins that you made it to work safely so they don’t worry.”
“Thank you. Please tell them that I already have someone who will walk me back to the boardinghouse, too,” Ashleigh said. She didn’t know who exactly that was, but she had an entire day to figure it out.
“Yes, I’ll do that. Have a good day now!” Ned tipped his hat, and Ashleigh waved goodbye as she shut the door.
Inside the restaurant, she breathed a sigh of relief. No one there knew anything about her California suitor. She could relax for a while and throw herself into her work, and that was exactly what she needed.
Lydia Graham frowned as she flew around the corner. “Ashleigh! Today is our big banquet luncheon for the merchants! What are you doing just standing there by the door?”
Ashleigh straightened up. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Graham. What should I start with?”
Lydia laid down silverware at each place setting, moving quickly and expertly between tables. “Anything! Everything! Oh, my!”
Lydia turned around and rushed into the kitchen.
Ashleigh shook her head and followed after her. Normally Lydia was calm and collected. This business luncheon had clearly ruffled her feathers.
The kitchen was a blur of constant motion. Workers carried in crates of food while others chopped vegetables, assembled sandwiches, and arranged other food on trays.
Ashleigh saw Alexander give orders to a few young boys who scampered off to find whatever he had asked for.
Ashleigh walked over to her usual station and saw that there were two large bowls of potatoes sitting on the countertop. An older woman whom Ashleigh had worked with before slowly peeled one. “Would you like some help?” Ashleigh asked.
The woman nodded solemnly, and Ashleigh joined her. They worked steadily as the morning wore on. After the potatoes were peeled, Lydia asked for help in setting out glassware for the luncheon. Ashleigh normally stayed in the kitchen, so it was exciting for her to go out into the dining area.
Most of the restaurant had been blocked off for the big banquet luncheon.
“Everyone who sells anything in this town will be here,” Lydia Graham explained as she fussed with the hem of a tablecloth. “Does that look all right?”
Ashleigh started to respond, but Lydia had already flitted to t
he next table.
Once all the glassware was appropriately placed, Ashleigh returned to the kitchen. One of Alexander’s assistants asked her to get a crate of rice from the storeroom, so Ashleigh walked down the long hallway toward the dark room.
When she got there, she opened the door to see Ernie sitting on one of the shelves.
“You have to stop startling me like that!” Ashleigh admonished.
Ernie waved his hands. “We do not have time for petty arguments! What are you doing to win over Alexander?”
“What am I doing to win over Alexander?” Ashleigh laughed. “Absolutely nothing. He’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with me.”
Ernie frowned. “That can’t be! You need to try.”
“How can I think about Alexander at a time like this? I need to convince my cousins to stay here and not go to California,” Ashleigh complained.
“You have to think about him. He’s your destiny,” Ernie said in exasperation. “Why do you never listen to me?”
“I need to get this bag of rice,” Ashleigh exclaimed, “and you’re in my way!” At that moment, she never wanted to see the cantankerous angel again. He was making her crazy.
Ernie crossed his arms. “Rice is the least of your concerns, my dear.”
Ashleigh put her hands on her hips. “I thought I told you I didn’t want to see you anymore.”
“I’m going to overlook that comment because you clearly don’t understand how these things work,” Ernie interjected.
“How do they work?” Ashleigh walked around Ernie and grabbed the bag of rice. It was heavy, but she was strong from weeks of completing odd jobs around Graham’s Grub.
“That’s not the point,” Ernie scolded.
“Then what is the point? What do you want from me?” Ashleigh felt frustrated. The bag of rice was heavy in her arms, and she just wanted to get back to work.
“Just talk to Alexander, for goodness’ sake!” Ernie flung his arms up in the air. “Do I have to do everything around here?” With that, Ernie disappeared, but by now, Ashleigh was used to it. She huffed out of the storeroom and back to the kitchen.
As luck would have it, Alexander stood directly in her path, his back turned.
“Excuse me,” Ashleigh said quietly, but Alexander didn’t budge. “Excuse me,” she repeated in a louder tone. Still, Alexander didn’t move. “Alexander! You’re in my way!”
Startled, Alexander spun around. His face brightened when he saw Ashleigh, but then he turned stern and disapproving. “You don’t need to shout.” He stepped aside to let her through.
Ashleigh grumbled and walked past him. She couldn’t believe she’d actually imagined a future with him in it. He was too proper and rigid for her taste. She’d thought she could have fun with him, but she had been mistaken. Maybe her cousins were right. Maybe there really was someone in California who would be her perfect match.
The rest of the morning passed quickly as the staff prepared for the merchant luncheon. As Ashleigh sliced freshly baked loaves of bread for sandwiches, she saw a familiar face slip into the kitchen.
“Hello, Ashleigh! How are you doing? Have you seen Patience?” John Jackson asked, a bundle of energy.
“What are you doing here?” Ashleigh was surprised to see John in the kitchen. Though he made deliveries often, he usually steered clear of the actual kitchen.
“My parents—well, my father and my stepmother, Toria—are here early to prepare for the merchant luncheon. Each year, they treat many of their biggest clients to lunch to prepare to do business throughout the year. I’m here to help out, but mostly I just eat the delicious food!” John explained.
Ashleigh nodded. She had known that John’s father ran the town mercantile, so it made sense that he was responsible for organizing this event. She looked around. “I haven’t seen Patience in a while. You might want to check the storeroom if she’s not out in the dining room.”
“Thanks, Ashleigh!” John turned to go but then stopped, looking at her face. “Say, Ashleigh, it’s none of my business, but is something wrong? You seem a little down, not your usual self.”
Ashleigh looked down at the floor. John was kind, but she didn’t feel like she should burden him with the weight of all of her problems, especially before a big event for his family. “Thanks, John, but I’ll be fine. Go find Patience, I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you.”
John smiled warmly at Ashleigh. “Thanks, Ashleigh. I’ll see you later!” He hurried off to find his wife.
The kitchen staff worked together to prepare all of the meals. Ashleigh peeked through the dining room and saw that nearly every seat in the entire restaurant was occupied.
Although Lydia seemed rushed and nervous, all of the meals were served in the dining area without a hitch. Soon, servers came back into the kitchen because the merchants were begging for more of the food.
“They like the food?” Lydia asked.
“They love the food!” One of the servers, a young redheaded man, assured her.
Lydia smiled.
Ashleigh was glad the event was going smoothly, but the sense of satisfaction she got from working at Graham’s Grub didn’t change the way she felt about her cousin’s lies to her or the impending move to California. She felt the now-familiar sense of panic building up in her chest. She knew she had to do something, but what?
When Ashleigh finished slicing bread, she walked up to the oven to see if there were any more loaves that were ready to be cut.
Lydia put a hand up to stop her. “Ashleigh, I’ve seen you working hard all day. You should take a break before your feet begin aching. Trust me, I know!”
Ashleigh smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Mrs. Graham. I’ll do that.” Ashleigh was relieved that Lydia was back to her normal, caring self after spending the morning berating many of her staff members. Ashleigh knew that Lydia had most likely been nervous. Now that the event was a success, she was letting things adjust back to normal.
Ashleigh went outside, where she normally took her lunch. Although she often packed food or ate leftovers from the kitchen, she simply wasn’t hungry. She wandered over to the stone steps near the front of the restaurant and took a seat.
Ashleigh looked around, settling in to her surroundings. She saw an older couple walk by. The husband held his wife’s hand and gently guided her across the street. When she saw her future, Alexander was the man she wanted beside her.
Ashleigh once again burst into tears. She hated how often she had cried over the past day, but she truly couldn’t help it. She wanted the love that this couple so clearly demonstrated, but it seemed out of reach.
Instead, she’d move to California with her cousins, where terrible accidents and death would claim their lives and livelihood. Ashleigh would end up alone, just as Ernie predicted. There would be no happy family, no strong husband, no holding hands while walking across the street in their elderly years.
Ashleigh crossed her arms over her knees and lowered her head. She tried to make no sound, not wanting to disturb any of the merchants if they left the building after the luncheon. After a little while, she wondered if she should go back into the kitchen but couldn’t bring herself to go back inside. She decided to stay on the steps a little longer. A few people passed by, entering or exiting the restaurant, but Ashleigh didn’t look up, and none of them acknowledged her.
Ashleigh didn’t know what to do. How was she going to make her cousins understand why they couldn’t go to California? She wished they could see and hear Ernie. That would have made things so much easier. Then again, she also thought that William’s and Ernie’s strong tempers would probably clash.
“Let’s go for a walk.” A deep voice interrupted Ashleigh’s thoughts.
Ashleigh looked up, confused.
Alexander stood above her, offering his hand to her.
Ashleigh was so shocked that she took his hand in hers and allowed him to pull her upright. Her hand felt so right in his, she wanted to cling to him foreve
r.
Once she was standing, Alexander began walking briskly, and Ashleigh hurried to catch up. “Where are we going?”
“We have an errand to run,” Alexander said.
“Couldn’t someone else run an errand? You’re the head chef,” Ashleigh pointed out.
Alexander stared at her. “Fine. If you want the truth, it’s that people have complained that a young woman was sobbing outside of Graham’s Grub. That’s not good for business!”
Ashleigh wanted to tell him that he sounded like Ernie with his crankiness, but then she remembered that he couldn’t see or hear Ernie. The tears threatened to burst forth once again.
“Ashleigh, what is wrong with you?” Alexander asked roughly.
Ashleigh frowned. Why were all the men in town so hard on her? “That’s rather rude.”
Alexander sighed. “I’m sorry. I suppose my feelings are hurt.”
Ashleigh didn’t understand. “What do you mean? Why would your feelings be hurt?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Alexander asked, the tips of his ears turning red.
“No, it’s not obvious,” Ashleigh told him.
“The letters. You never wrote back to me!” Alexander cried.
Ashleigh struggled to match his lengthy stride. “You’re one to talk about letters. I don’t know what you’re talking about, except for the fact that you never wrote back to my letter to you!”
Alexander stopped walking and turned to face her. “What are you talking about? I wrote you back as soon as I received your letter. You never got back to me.”
“I’ve never received a letter from you, Alexander,” Ashleigh told him. “Trust me, I’d remember.”
Alexander frowned. “I thought you weren’t responding because of your engagement to the man from California.”
“Because of my engagement? How would you even know about that?” Ashleigh’s mind raced, trying to figure out how Alexander knew about the fake lawyer from California.
Alexander’s mouth was set in a firm line. “Your cousins told me about him.”
Capturing the Cook Page 10
