“That’s wonderful. I think women should be able to do anything they want to do.”
A smile touched Toria’s lips as she got back to work. He’d redeemed himself with that last statement. “I think it’s time for me to turn in for the night.” She was disappointed that he hadn’t kissed her again, but she couldn’t stay awake much longer with everything she had planned for the following day.
“May I kiss you goodnight?” Mortimer asked.
She smiled, because it was as if he’d read her mind. “I’d like that a great deal.”
“I’m glad.” He cupped her face in his hands, and his lips touched hers. “Goodnight, sweet wife.”
“Goodnight.”
She wandered off to her bed, still smiling. He was a good man, and she was so fortunate that she’d been the one to answer his letter.
Chapter Six
The next day proved to be a busy one, but it was such a good busy that Toria had no complaints. She was thrilled to work the cash register while her two men worked on displays. She disappeared an hour before lunch time to get food ready, and then they took turns eating.
She met several of the women of town while she worked, and she even had the pleasure of meeting Julianne Fontaine from the nearby town of Bachelor. She came in with Millie, and Millie was thrilled to be able to introduce them.
“Would you believe the store in Bachelor is out of pencils? How am I supposed to run a school with no pencils?”
Toria grinned. “I would suggest stabbing the children’s fingers and making them write with their own blood, but I’ve always had a rather morbid sense of humor…”
Julianne giggled softly. “I’m not sure their parents would approve, and right now, I’m just so thrilled that some of them are allowed to go to school that I won’t say a word.” She leaned forward. “Millie told me you were here. I was hoping you would let Willie do a little of the work around here. He’s only a boy, but he works hard, and he’s taken it upon himself to feed his family since his father died.”
Toria frowned. “He could ride with John on deliveries starting Monday if he’s willing to help load and unload the wagon. I’d make sure he got a fair wage.” She’d make sure of it even if she had to work all night knitting scarves to sell in the store so she could pay his salary herself.
Julianne nodded. “I think that sounds perfect for Willie. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Mortimer, but I’m sure I can convince him. Can he make it here by nine every morning?”
“I think I can arrange a schedule, so different men drive him every day. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Julianne clasped Toria’s hand in hers. “Thank you. I can see you’re going to be an asset to our community.”
“I certainly plan to be.” Toria smiled at Millie, who was looking at threads. She rang up the pencils Julianne had in her hand. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Not at the moment. Thanks again.” Julianne paid for her pencils and wandered off toward Millie, who was chatting with John.
Mortimer came over, and Toria briefly described what she’d just agreed to, and to her surprise, Mortimer nodded immediately. “That sounds perfect. The boy will learn to do some new things, but he’ll also earn a little money to feed his family. Maybe you could bake a few extra loaves of bread every week and send them home with him.”
Without thinking, Toria threw her arms around Mortimer, hugging him tightly. “Oh, thank you!”
“Why are you thanking me?” he asked. “I’m just doing what any decent God-fearing person would do to help his neighbor.”
“I’m thanking you for being a decent God-fearing person. There simply aren’t enough in this world.” Her glance landed on John and Millie again, and she noticed that John’s face was red as he talked to the pastor’s sister. “Does John have feelings for Millie?”
Mortimer followed her gaze. “Oh, he might, but she’s not interested in him.”
Toria nodded, wishing she had answers for everyone. She wanted John to be happy. Now that he seemed to be drinking less, maybe he was ready for a bride. Of course, he’d need to show himself a good man for a whole lot longer than just a couple of days.
As the day wore on, every person Toria met, she wondered about. Sometimes she was able to ask John or Mortimer, but more often than not, she was left with questions about her new acquaintances. Mortimer had told her that the store was busiest on Saturdays, and she could believe it. They hadn’t had a lull in people the entire time she’d been there.
She noticed that the cookies were still disappearing by the time the store had been opened for an hour, even with her making enough to double what Beatrice had made. She hoped she’d be able to spend all day Sunday baking cookies. Maybe they could have enough to last until noon for a day or two. As a businesswoman, she was always sad when she couldn’t keep up with the demand. They were free to raise their prices, but she didn’t want to do that either. Fair prices were important, especially in a town like Creede. They didn’t want to get the reputation of not pricing things in a manner that was affordable.
An hour before close, she disappeared upstairs to start supper, pleased with the good day she’d had.
“You’re doing a good thing, helping Willie,” a voice said from behind her.
Toria didn’t even bother to turn around. “I’m glad you think so.” The woman had appeared so many times now, she refused to be startled again. Instead she would act as if mysterious people popped into her world all the time. “What should I call you?”
There was silence for a moment, and then the woman said, “My name is Grace.”
“Grace? That was Mortimer’s wife’s name.”
“So it was.” Grace seemed to be examining her fingernails.
Toria really didn’t want to make any kind of connection between the woman in front of her and Mortimer. She decided not to think about it for a bit. “Why are you here today?”
“Because you were wondering if you’d done the right thing by helping Willie and volunteering to help out so John could make his deliveries. I need you to know that you’ve done many good things since you’ve arrived in Creede. You are a good woman, and everyone is happy to have you here.”
“Everyone? Because I still worry about John a bit.” Toria grabbed a glass of water and sat down across from Grace.
“Well, don’t. He just hates the idea of anyone taking his mother’s place.”
“I keep telling him I don’t want to take her place. I just want to be a good wife to his father.”
“John will come around. Keep working with him. You’re his only hope.”
“His only hope? What does that mean?”