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At the same time, the little bell over the door jingled the arrival of a new customer.
Eliza groaned. She leaned forward on the table and whispered, “Don’t say a word until I get back.” Her brown eyes drilled into Rebecca. “Especially you.” She shook her finger in Rebecca’s direction.
“I promise, I won’t say a word about the job until you get back.” Rebecca took a sip of her tea.
Hannah stifled a giggle but not before Eliza pinned her with her brown gaze.
“I promise,” Hannah said, still grinning.
Satisfied they wouldn’t discuss Rebecca’s new job without her, Eliza left the room in a swirl of skirts. They heard her call out a greeting to the lady who’d entered.
Rebecca leaned toward Hannah and asked in a soft voice, “Is she always like that?”
Another giggle escaped Hannah before she answered, “Always.”
They sipped their tea in comfortable silence. Rebecca’s thoughts were on the trip she planned to make to the Millers’ store. She intended on stocking the marshal’s kitchen with a big coffeepot, lanterns, crockery, pots and pans, iron skillets, a Dutch oven, cooking utensils, knives and dishes. Then there were the food staples she’d need, like coffee beans, spices, baking powder, oatmeal, flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, fruit and vegetables, honey and molasses, crackers, cheese, syrup and dried beans. Her mind swirled with what she’d buy and cook in the cozy kitchen.
“She didn’t tell you, did she?” Eliza asked as she hurried back into the room.
At Hannah’s negative shake of the head, Eliza pressed on. “That was Mrs. McClain and Isabel. Her daughter is getting married in Aztec next week and we had to do a final fitting.” Eliza laughed. “I think that’s the fastest final fitting I’ve ever done.” She refilled her teacup. “Now, Rebecca, where will you be working?”
Rebecca could only imagine the look on Mrs. McClain’s face as Eliza rushed her daughter through the fitting. She set her cup down and answered, “I’ll be keeping house, cooking meals and doing the marshal’s laundry.”
Eliza’s jaw dropped. Her brown eyes resembled those of a hoot owl. When her friend had nothing to say, Rebecca looked to Hannah.
The schoolteacher’s cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright.
“What is wrong?” Rebecca asked, looking from one of them to the other.
Hannah recovered first. “Nothing is wrong, Rebecca. It’s just that we didn’t know the marshal had decided to stay here in Cottonwoods Springs.”
That seemed like a reasonable excuse for the women’s shocked reactions to her news, but Rebecca sensed there was more. “And?”
Rebecca waited. She expected that at any moment Eliza would find her tongue.
Eliza took a big gulp of tea. Hannah followed suit.
The hatmaker shook her head. “Oh, I dread to think what the older ladies will have to say about this. They will chop you up and have you for breakfast, Rebecca. You’re going to have to tell the marshal you can’t do it.”
Rebecca looked from one woman to the other. Hannah was nodding her agreement with Eliza. “No, I accepted the position and I don’t care what a bunch of old ladies have to say about it.”
“But Rebecca, I thought you were a Christian.” Hannah reached across to pat her hand.
Anger boiled to the surface. “I am a Christian, Hannah. But I don’t see what that has to do with this.”
Eliza jumped to her friend’s rescue. “You are a single woman, he’s a single man. It wouldn’t be decent.”
Rebecca sat back in her chair. “It’s not like that,” she said in a soft voice.
“We know that, but the tongues will begin wagging as soon as the gossips hear this.” She pressed on before Rebecca could react. “You haven’t been here long. This is a small town with very little for the local gossips to do.”
Rebecca took a deep breath and said a silent prayer. Had she made the right decision? Was this something God approved of? She searched her heart and had peace about the decision. The concerned look on both her new friends’ faces had Rebecca reasoning with them. “Eliza, did those same women speak out against you when you bought this house and changed it into a hat shop?”
“Well, yes, but that was different.”
Before she could add more, Rebecca jumped in with a question for Hannah. “Have they ever spread rumors or said mean things about you, Hannah?”
The young schoolteacher looked down at her hands and nodded. “Yes.”
Rebecca nodded. “So they are going to talk, no matter what I do. Right?”
Eliza answered. “Yes, but living with a man without marriage, that’s not right, Rebecca. Surely even you can see that.” Again she gulped her tea.
It was Rebecca’s turn to become speechless. Who said she would be living with the marshal? Her cheeks began to heat up as she realized what her new friends thought of her. She gritted her teeth and prayed for patience and wisdom before speaking.
“Please don’t be angry,” Eliza said. “We don’t want you to go against…”
Rebecca held up her hand to stop Eliza’s tirade of words that was sure to follow. “First off, I’m not moving in with the marshal. I will be going to work and returning to the Millers’ place each evening, at least until I can afford my own place.”
Eliza opened her mouth to interrupt. But this time Hannah stopped her. “Wait, Eliza. Let her speak.”
Rebecca nodded to thank Hannah and then continued, “Second, I’m willing to forgive you both since you really don’t know me, and third, I need to go, I have shopping to do.” She stood to leave.
Hannah’s firm voice stopped her. “Please sit back down, Rebecca.”
So that was the way to handle students—firm voice and constant eye contact. Rebecca eased back onto her seat.
“Thank you. Eliza and I didn’t mean to upset you or hurt your feelings. You’re right, we don’t know you very well, but I know we both want to know and help you. Please forgive us for jumping to the wrong conclusion.”
It was the most words she’d ever heard Hannah speak. Were these ladies to become lifelong friends who would love her no matter what? Rebecca feared to believe it, and yet, deep down prayed it would be so.
“Yes, please forgive us. I’m not sure why we jumped to the wrong conclusion.” Eliza’s cheeks held pink coloring and her neck had turned red.
Humbled by their sincerity, Rebecca blushed. “Thank you both. Maybe I should have told you I will be going to his house in the mornings, fixing his breakfast, and while he is away during the day, I will be cleaning his house, doing his laundry and then cooking his dinner. Once he arrives back home in the evening, I will be returning to the Millers’. Yes, that’s how I should have told you.”
Silence filled the room.
Then Eliza came alive again. “Do you have to stay at the Millers’? Or can you live wherever you want? Because, I’d love it if you would move in with me. Where is his house? Is it close to here?”
Hannah shook her head and then picked up her tea. Did Hannah wonder how Eliza could rush from one thought to the next, like she did?
“Well?”
Rebecca laughed. “No, I don’t have to live with the Millers. Yes, I can live wherever I desire. And, yes, the marshal’s house is one street over and back from here.”
“Then you can live here with me! I have two bedrooms. Yours would be small, but you would have your own space. Come on, I’ll show you.” Eliza was out of her chair and through the door before either Rebecca or Hannah realized that she planned on leaving.
Hannah stood first. “You might as well humor her.” She followed Eliza from the room.
Rebecca took a deep breath before standing. Lord, will everyone judge my decision to work with the marshal like Hannah and Eliza just did? And, Lord, You better step in quick if I’m not meant to move in here with Eliza.
Chapter Five
Seth strolled out of the Millers’ store with a frown on his face. Mrs. Miller had been happy to inform him that Rebecca had moved from their residence and into Mrs. Kelly’s. She’d also given him the bill for the supplies Rebecca had had delivered to his house two hours earlier. He shook his head. Miss Ramsey had been busy, but what had he expected?
His boots kicked up dust as he walked toward his new home. That she’d be looking for the remainder of the stolen money and diamonds? He pushed the thought of stolen money and diamonds from his mind.
Would she be waiting for him when he got there? Seth’s emotions warred with his reasoning. He wanted her to be there waiting with a hot meal, and then again he didn’t want her to be there. The thought of her cooking at his stove, setting his table and smiling across it at him tugged at his heart. He reminded himself that he couldn’t get romantically involved with her. Besides, he’d killed Jesse and when she learned that she’d never forgive him.
In a quiet, firm voice, Seth spoke to himself. “I am a U.S. Marshal. I have no business thinking about her that way.” Maybe speaking the words out loud would convince his heart it was true.
He slowly climbed the steps to his house. Seth took a deep breath and opened the door. The smell of green chili stew filled his nostrils and his stomach growled its appreciation of the welcoming aroma. Expecting to find Rebecca at the stove, he squared his shoulders and entered the kitchen. Only, she wasn’t there.
Disappointment and relief washed through him. He released the air in his lungs and turned to look in the bedrooms for her. After a quick inspection, Seth realized he was alone in the small house. He followed his nose back to the kitchen.
His gaze moved around the room. She’d moved things around. A white cabinet with two drawers now sat beside the stove. A washtub sat on top of it. She’d hung a small shelf above the cabinet and several bottles containing spices set on top of that. The large cupboard now stood against the wall and held all his new dishes. The kitchen table and four chairs sat in the center of the room and in front of the cupboard. The potato bin stood beside the window on the other side of the room. Sheer curtains covered the window and the table had a crisp, clean cloth draped over the dark wood that matched the curtains. How had she done it? In just a few short hours she’d turned his kitchen into a cozy place to eat.
He picked up a bowl and walked to the stove, where a pot of stew, a skillet with a stack of homemade tortillas and a coffeepot were warming. Instinctively Seth reached to the closest drawer in the white cabinet and pulled it open. His gaze landed on a large ladle. He grabbed its handle and dipped the cupped end into the stew. The aroma of meat and green chili teased his nose.
Seth located more utensils in the cabinet and then carried his meal back to the table. He pulled out a chair and was almost seated when a knock sounded on the front door. His gaze went to the door and then back to his bowl. The desire to ignore the summons tugged at him. The knock came again. He sighed and walked to the door.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Seth, but I was wondering if I might have a few minutes of your time.”
He pulled the door open wider. “Well, sure, Reverend Griffin. Please do come in.” Seth stepped farther back into the room. It was amazing how fast the reverend had located him. “I didn’t realize you were in town.”
“Only been here a few hours.” The reverend smoothed his mustache over his top lip.
“Would you like some supper?” Seth asked, leading the way to the kitchen.
“No, thank you. I just ate over at the diner.”
Seth stopped and turned to face him. “Oh, would you rather sit in the sitting room to talk?”
“No, I don’t want to keep you from your supper. We can chat at the table.”
Seth nodded and continued on to the kitchen. He poured each of them a cup of coffee and then sat. “What brings you here?”
Reverend Griffin pulled out a chair across from him. He cleared his throat. “Why don’t you tell me about you and Miss Ramsey?” He picked up his cup and held it his hands.
“There’s nothing to tell. She needed a job and I gave her one.”
The reverend looked him straight in the eyes and demanded, “Doing what?”
He took a deep breath and folded a tortilla in half. If it were any other man, he’d tell him it was none of his business, but since James Griffin was a man of God, Seth decided it would be best just to answer. “She cooks and cleans for me.”
“That’s all?” He arched an eyebrow and studied Seth over the rim of his cup.
Savory stew and spicy flavors coated Seth’s tongue. He had to swallow before answering the minister. “No, she also agreed to do my laundry once a week. Why all the questions, Reverend?”
James set his cup down. “It’s like this, son. The ladies think it isn’t decent for a young woman to be here with you alone.”
Seth sighed. “Reverend, Miss Ramsey isn’t living here with me. She’s coming in every morning, while I’m working, to cook and clean. She wasn’t here this evening when I came home. So I don’t see what they are upset about. And, if it bothers them so much, why didn’t one of them offer to be her chaperone?”
James laughed. “You better be careful what you ask for, Marshal. I can just see Mrs. Walker and her group of friends doing just that. Now, let me get this straight. You won’t be home when she’s here?”
Seth pushed his bowl back. All his interest in food was gone. “I can’t guarantee that, Reverend. There may be times we are both here.”
James frowned. “I see.”
“But I give you my word, on those occasions Miss Ramsey will be safe with me.”
The two men studied each other. Finally the minister smiled and pushed back his chair. “Then that’s good enough for me.” He walked to the door and Seth followed.
“I’ll see you on Sunday, Reverend.” Seth stopped in the doorway.
They shook hands and then the minister left.
Seth closed the door and looked about. The sitting room had been dusted and swept. Thanks to his promises, Rebecca now worked for him and the town gossips had started to spread their poison.
* * *
Rebecca gathered her basket of applesauce-oatmeal muffins and headed out the door. She stopped on the sidewalk and enjoyed the crisp morning breeze. Mr. Watson entered the newspaper office. He waved at her before shutting the door.
The sound of skipping feet caught her attention and she turned to see Grace Miller skipping toward her. “Hi, Miss Rebecca.”
“Well, good morning, Grace. Off to school this morning?” she asked.
Grace held a lunch pail in one hand and a book in another. “Yeah, Ma makes me leave early every morning. I end up there way before the other kids. Where are you going?” She tugged at the long brown braid that had landed on her shoulder when she’d stopped skipping.
Rebecca tried to remember if Grace had left early the mornings she’d been staying at the Millers’ house. After a few moments, she gave up. “I am headed to work.” Rebecca started to walk down the sidewalk. She liked the idea that she had a job now and didn’t have to rely on someone else to take care of her.
“At the marshal’s house?”
“Yes, at the marshal’s house.”
Grace walked along beside her. “Mama says you are lucky he needed someone ’cause there isn’t no work here.”
“Because there isn’t any work here,” she automatically corrected.
Grace frowned up at her. “That is what I said.”
Rebecca laughed and continued walking. She was in too good a mood to press the matter further. Grace skipped along beside her.
“Your mother is right. I feel very blessed.” Rebecca tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. If it hadn’t been for the marshal, she’d have had to go home. The last place she wanted to go.
“Can I go with you to the marshal’s house? I don’t want to go to school yet.” Grace stopped in front of the diner and looked up the hill at the school.
The smell of bacon and eggs drifted to them as the town banker opened the diner door and walked out. “Excuse me, ladies.” He tipped his hat at them and then continued on down the sidewalk.
