Florence

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Florence kept busy cleaning the children, the house, and even Curt and Fred’s clothes. She hadn’t complained that there were no stairs to the second story. No walls on the outside of most of the house. And she was most thankful that the roof over the bedroom seemed to be sound and kept the rain off them.

  They’d had more rain the next day. Jay rode to the mill and saw that the road and yard to the mill was a mess.

  Curt came over to him. “We’re going to have to hire some men to help dig trenches to divert the water.”

  “I know. The problem is, I don’t have more money.” He stared at Curt, “I’m counting on the lumber from the logs to pay you. If they can’t get in, there won’t be any money.”

  Curt nodded. “I figured that. We’re all right if you just pay us in room and board right now.” He shrugged. “Me and Fred, well, the way you’ve treated us has made us different men. Before, we were ready to join that mob and take what we needed, but now, we got some pride in the mill and ourselves. No, sir. Don’t you worry about owing us.”

  Jay appreciated how the men felt, but it bothered him. All along, he remembered his father and the farm. Every month, his father had dug a pit deeper so that finally he couldn’t get out. His father collapsed into the deep hole with a bottle of liquor and never climbed out, saying his hope had died.

  Hope. Jay was holding onto it. He could see relief just up the road, but when he felt that way, he would be tormented with memories of his father. Money that was just out of reach couldn’t help him.

  Now, with his leg, he couldn’t do the work he needed to. The weeks were moving past him, and he was standing still. Winter would come, and the house wasn’t ready. The barn wasn’t built.

  Why did Florence have to spend her money on that wagon? Not that it would have solved his problems, and the truth was they needed that wagon.

  Jay limped to the office and went in. Fred and Curt were working on drawings of where to dig the trenches.

  Curt turned to him and smiled. “We got it figured out. It’s been good to have rain because now we know where the trenches are needed. Fred and I figure we can dig the most needed one in a few days.

  “The logs are coming today.” Jay regretted his harsh tone.

  “We know that.” He clapped Fred on the back. “Let’s get to it. Boss, you can take it easy. We don’t want you to hurt that leg.”

  Jay frowned. “I’m tired of taking it easy. Especially with so much to do.”

  Fred and Curt looked at one another with concern. “It’s going to happen. We’ll take the logs in when they get here. Soon, we’ll have a stack of lumber.”

  “It’ll be green.”

  Curt nodded. “People will buy it. You said so yourself.”

  Jay ran a hand over his sore leg. “I know. I just have so much on my mind.”

  Fred laughed. “You need to take that list out of your pocket and throw it away. Look at all we’ve accomplished. It’s going to work out.”

  Jay had to admit, the two of them sounded as if they’d been taken over by Florence. She’d said the same thing to him this morning. “Well, let’s see what we can get done.”

  At least it wasn’t raining. The day was hot, but the sun helped dry the road. Curt and Fred were up to their waist in mud, digging the trenches when Jay saw the first log wagon coming.

  He limped to greet them. “Pull the wagon up to the loading ramp.”

  Soon, the bed was full of logs waiting to be prepared to go into the saw. The head lumberjack took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. “We’ll have another load later today. Think you’ll have room?”

  “We’ll make room.”

  “I know we settled on sixty days to pay. Is there any way you could pay earlier?”

  Jay shook his head. “Sorry, startup costs have eaten all the extra money I had. I hope to sell what we cut this week. People are waiting for lumber.”

  The man nodded. “All right. But I’m not sure how long I can hold my boys off. We’ve run into trouble. One man broke an arm. A bear got one of our mules.” He shook his head. “Nothing in this world is easy.”

  Jay nodded. “I agree with you there, but it’s going to work out.” Jay nearly laughed when he heard himself saying the same thing the others had told him. Yet, he meant it. Because when it came down to it, you either had hope, or you quit. “One of my men shot a deer this morning. You’re welcome to it if that will help.”

  The foreman nodded. “Thanks. We’ll take it back to camp. I see your men are trenching the road. Good idea. When the rains come, this dirt can turn to clay. The wagons would never make it in here.”

  Jay nodded. “We’ll keep it dry as we can.”

  The foreman waved. “Looks like they unloaded it all.”

  Jay pointed. “The deer is hanging by the shed.”

  “Better watch out for bears. The mamas are out with their babies and hungry. Food like that draws them in.”

  Jay nodded. “I’ll pass that along.” He watched the wagon make its way up the road and back toward the forest. The man was right. The road would never hold the load if it was slick with mud. He owed Curt and Fred. In fact, there weren’t many he didn’t owe.

  They’d cut half the logs when it was time to quit. The sun was already winking just above the hills, and soon it would be dark. He hoped Florence had a good meal. But then again, he’d given away their deer.

  Fred rode up to him. “I know you gave the deer to the foreman. Want me to go and shoot another now?”

  “No, it’s too late. Besides, the foreman there are too many bears around, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” Jay smiled at him. “I’m sure Florence has cooked us up something.”

  Curt passed by them. “I don’t care what it is. I could eat one of those bears if I saw one.”

  Jay climbed on Big Red with a lot more trouble than he’d had in the morning. His leg was throbbing. Just what he didn’t need.

  The men were quiet on the ride home. They were all bone-tired, and Jay couldn’t ask any more out of Curt and Fred. He needed help but had no money to pay for it.

  He turned in the yard and slid off Red. He should be the one to take off the saddle, but there was no way he could carry it. So, he undid the cinch and slid the saddle to the ground and then let Red go.

  Curt stopped him. “You didn’t hobble him.” He looked at Jay. “I’ll do it. Don’t want him running off.

  “Thanks.”

  Fred walked by and picked up the saddle.

  Jay limped up the steps and saw Lorraine and Mary Margaret crying. With an alarmed look, he searched for Florence. Stopping by the little girls, he picked up Mary Margaret. “What’s wrong? Where’s Florence?”

  With a tearful look and sniffles, Lorraine tugged on his arm. “Peck and Cluck are missing.”

  Mary Margaret nodded. “Gone.”

  “Mrs. Florence is looking for them.” Lorraine looked sadly toward the east side of the house.

  “Oh.” It was all Jay could say as another sizable burden fell on his shoulders. The chickens. They needed a pen. There were so many things that could get them. He hoped it wasn’t the dogs.

  Florence came from around the side of the house. Her face was streaked with dirt, and her skirt soiled with small, muddy fingerprints.

  Jay set the little girl down and went to his wife, who looked like she was feeling those burdens, too. He hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I should have built them a pen.”

  “No, we have to do what we can. I shouldn’t have asked for chickens when we weren’t ready. I hope hawks didn’t get them.” As they were standing by the house, the two chickens came strutting from under the steps to the front door.

  Florence scooped them up. “You hens! You gave us such a fright.” She called the little girls and after they all petted the hens, and then Florence put them in their box.

  Jay could read her mind. She was looking about them and wondering how many other things they should have done without
before they had the time and money to take care of them. Then he looked at the children. He was responsible for them and couldn’t even give them a decent house or clothes.

  “It’s going to be all right.” Jay hugged Florence to him. She needed to hear that he had hope. He needed to believe that he still had hope.

  She pulled back and smiled at him. “I’ll have you know that because of that wonderful rain, I have some vegetables growing.”

  Mary Margaret grabbed his arm. “We saw ’em.”

  “Good. Soon we’ll have plenty of vegetables.” Jay forced a smile and kept telling himself to keep it would all work out.

  ***

  Sunday morning came bright and sunny. Florence couldn’t wait to get up. She knew something good was going to happen. She could feel it in her heart and hear it singing in her soul.

  She hurried up and made biscuits and gravy with bacon. They’d need to stop in town and get some more supplies along with clothes and shoes for the children.

  Jay groaned and complained that he didn’t want to get up. He’d told her last night that he didn’t want to go to church. She ignored him and got herself ready and then woke the children and kissed him. “Bacon and biscuits and gravy are waiting for you. But I wouldn’t wait too long because there is an army outside already digging in.”

  She laughed as his eyes opened, and he stretched. Biscuits were his downfall. She could get him every time.

  Soon they were all fed and dressed, and Florence ordered the children to the wagon.

  Curt and Fred had already hitched the horses.

  Florence smiled at them. “Come with us, please.”

  Curt looked at Fred, and they nodded.

  “You can ride in the wagon with the children.” They complied and tumbled in and were soon covered with the kids. The children adored them.

  She looked at the house and saw Jay hobbling toward her. His limp was getting worse. He wasn’t resting his leg like he needed to which meant they’d have to make a trip to the doctor’s tomorrow.

  After she helped Jay into the wagon, she handed him the reins. “To church.”

  He tipped his hat. “Yes, ma’am.” He smiled, but his eyes held only worry.

  Florence looked forward and kept her hope that things would change. They had to. There was lumber to sell now, but so far, they either owed more than it would bring in.

  As they neared the church, Florence was delighted to see so many wagons and horses outside. Today would be a grand day. She would announce her plan for two abundance days each year where the congregation could bring what they had extra and exchange it for what they needed.

  Her church in Minnesota had such days, and they were a blessing to many, especially those in need but also to those who gave. In Minnesota, Florence had mainly brought extra and rarely took anything in return. She hoped she wasn't selfish because right now, they were one of the needy.

  Jay tensed.

  She worried about him. Then suppressed a laugh as she realized she was worried about him worrying. He didn’t tell her everything, but she knew he carried such a heavy burden.

  Jay stopped the wagon. “Everybody out.”

  Curt took the reins and tied the horses. Then he helped Jay down.

  Florence saw the concern on Curt’s face, too. He was worried about Jay. Well, today, church was just what everyone needed.

  They entered the building, and it was full. Jay sat in the back and directed the children down the pew while Curt and Fred sat at the other end.

  Florence settled in beside her husband.

  Del and Jericho stopped and greeted them. Then Bridgette and Sterling and their family. Soon Ronan and his wife, Pearl, came by, followed by Levi and his wife, Eve. Florence couldn’t even remember who all said hello to them, but by the time the woman began playing the piano signaling church was starting, Florence felt welcome and at home.

  Preacher Bret stood before the congregation and preached on the two great commandments that Jesus had given the church. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.

  “It’s the second commandment we’re going to focus on today. How do we love our neighbors? Jesus showed us by giving. First, by forgiving. Then by giving what others need. That’s what we’re going to do in this church.” Preacher Bret looked at them.

  “If Mrs. Florence Selmer would come forward and explain abundance Sunday to you. Because we’re going to have one next Sunday and then again in the fall.”

  Florence stood and explained what her church in Minnesota did. The congregation seemed willing enough, and she was hopeful it would be as much a success as it was back home.

  Then Judge Taggart stood. “I wasn’t going to say anything until I had a chance to talk to Jay and Florence, but they’ve taken in four children. I’m sure they can use some help. He took his hat off and laid it on the table. After church, come by and put what the Lord lays on your heart to help these children and this family.”

  Next, Del stood. “He’s my brother, and I feel I’ve neglected them. I meant to bring out a table and chairs. Looks like I better make a bigger table and more chairs.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Mr. Bailey stood. “I’ve got a saddle for the little lady, and I need to talk to you, Jay.”

  Jay tensed.

  Several more people stood and listed things they had. One family had clothes their children had outgrown.

  Matt Stearns stood up. “Out here, it’s customary to help raise a barn. If you need one, Jay, I’ll gather the men, and we’ll help you put it up.”

  Jay was overwhelmed. He finally got to his feet. “I can’t imagine all the help. All my life, I’ve known that hope is what will pull you through the tough times, and mine was about gone. If Florence hadn’t made me get in that wagon to come today, I’m not sure what I’d have done. Thank you all. I see now that I need help, and it’s not a bad thing to accept it. Because it won’t be long, and I’ll be the one with the extras. Thank you all.”

  Soon, church was over, and people were leaving, but not before they stopped by to settle what they could bring to help.

  Judge Taggart told them that the adoption files were started, and he didn’t see any problems. He took Jay by the shoulders and admonished him to ask when he needed help. And promised to send some men to work at the sawmill.

  Soon, they were driving home. Jay was whistling tunes to the delight of the children. And Florence was happier than she thought possible. Things were working out. She looked at her family and realized her bucket of hope was full.

  Epilogue

  Jay gazed into the sky and saw the clouds from the north gathering dark and blue. He carried the last of the lumber into the house. “This should do it. We’ll have shutters, and the windows should be in next week.”

  Thanks to friends and family, Florence now had a house with four walls and a sawmill that was making them more money than they’d counted on.

  Her husband picked her up and twirled her around the room. “Do you think you’ll miss finding the moose in the kitchen?”

  She laughed. “Not at all. And I will be most pleased not to be freezing in the winter. Looks like we have an early storm.”

  He nodded. “Yep, but we’ll be warm. We got the bunkhouse at the mill finished, too. But I invited Curt and Fred to stay for dinner.”

  “Oh, that reminds me, I better check the biscuits.”

  While she ran to the kitchen, Jay went outside to put the animals in the barn and lock the chickens in the coop. Scout came around the house and playfully tugged on his coat. Jay scratched him behind the ears. “You can sleep in the barn with the horses and Gretchen.”

  Jay had made the big dog a swinging door he could open and go in and out. The two pups still slept in the house upstairs with the children. It required regular baths for the dogs, but they had gotten used to it.

  Florence had insisted on a mudroom where the dirty clothes were put, and the pups were washed. It worked wel
l and kept the rest of the house from getting dirty.

  Back inside the house, Jay rubbed his hand over the polished table that seated twelve and the chairs to go with it. A present from Del and Jericho.

  A hard gust of wind batted against the house. Jay smiled. They’d finished just in time, and he’d nailed the last of the shutters to the house. Inside and outside, the shutters kept the house warm and would provide cover for the windows when they arrived.

  He heard the children upstairs. The judge said the adoption would be final in a couple of months. Florence was busy in the kitchen rattling pans and singing. Jay shook his head and put a hand to his heart. Never did he believe he could be so blessed.

  He knelt, feeling overwhelmed with gratefulness. “Thank you, Lord. That doesn’t even come close. You’ve made my heart full. Help me see others that I can help. That I can give words of hope. Watch over us. Amen”

  ***

  Florence came out of the kitchen and saw Jay kneeling and praying. Her heart swelled with love and pride for him. He’d done so much to make her happy, and she couldn’t be happier. She grinned to herself. Well, in about six months, she’d be even happier. She was going to tell him tonight.

  He’d ordered her a sewing machine. And she needed it. Their children were growing now that they were eating properly. She said a prayer for them as they still missed their parents. The doc had said the disease that took so many was cholera.

  Such unnecessary deaths. But they’d cleaned up the creek, and the miners were over the disease and even admitted the Chinese had nothing to do with it. Peace reined in the valley, at least for now.

  Florence had managed to harvest her vegetables and can what she could and store the potatoes and jars in the cellar. Jay had made her a door from the pantry that went into the cellar, so she didn’t have to go outside.

  Most of all, Florence had joy in her heart. She’d never dreamed she could have a house so full of love and laughter.

  Walking quietly, she knelt beside Jay, took his hand, and added her thanksgiving to his. Finished, she looked at him and kissed him. “I was going to tell you tonight, but I can’t wait.”