“Sounds good. I’ll let her choose.”
Aleski strolled up. “Bosko and Pakulski are going with me to look at the work on the store. Want to come?”
“May as well. Place ought to be about finished by now.” Finn knew the other two men by sight as the card players with Aleski each night. Kasper Bosko and Piotr Pakulski had known Aleski at home and were distant relatives.
Bosko said, “The men throw it up fast. Don’t think it’s well built, but then what is here?”
They reached the structure. Charred wood had been carted off and new wood joined the undamaged section. The outside appeared complete and painters brushed on gray paint.
Finn crossed his arms. “Surprised they’re painting the building. Might as well start with gray since that’s the color everything eventually becomes.”
Aleski stood with hands in his pocket. “I heard Farland’s new stock has partially arrived, but the interior isn’t quite finished out yet. By the end of the week, we’ll be back spending our scrip here.”
Finn thought the store’s fresh paint at least added a bright spot where most mine buildings were left unpainted. “Shame we can’t continue to shop in Spencer. I like that town much better.”
Aleski rubbed his hands together. “Anyone for a game of cards?”
All three of the others groaned.
Finn laughed and clapped Aleski on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”
He walked to the Clayton home. Lance answered his knock.
“I’m going to Spencer. Ask your mom if she needs anything.”
Lance held open the door. “Sure. Can I come?”
“Why not?” Finn stood on the porch taking in the bright October sunshine. The bright blue sky overhead held not a cloud. He would be filled with cheer at a free day if not for the fact that someone had tried to kill him. That tended to ruin an otherwise good day.
Chapter Thirteen
Finn collected his mail. He stuffed the note from Farland into his pocket but tore open the one from Cenora.
Dear Finn,
You must have wondered if you’re an uncle yet. On October 1st your nephew Houston Brendan McClintock was born. He weighed 8 and a half pounds so I suppose he will be tall like his da. He’s a good baby. Dallas is that proud he struts like one of the roosters.
Vourneen is doing well and will have her baby about Christmas. She and Mac still live in the caravan, but Mac has a real job. Sort of. He’s working with Vourneen’s father and learning to repair watches and guns and mend metal pots and pans. Mac plans to add to his small salary from Mr. McDonald by painting buildings so he and Vourneen can rent a house soon. (Mac promises he’ll use good paint and do a fine job. I believe he will this time.)
Ma and Da are fine and appear happier than I ever remember them. Da has giant pumpkins in his garden and plans to enter them in the fair this month. He’s selling plenty of produce and milk and eggs and feeling proud of the money he’s saved.
We are so happy, and wish you were here to share with us. I hope you finish there soon. We miss you.
Love,
Your sister Cenora
He waved the letter overhead. “How about this…I’m an uncle. Hey, everyone, I’m an uncle. Me sister had a boy. Parents and babe are doing fine.”
Amid congratulations and laughter, he reread Cenora’s words. How he wished he were home with his family. The thought staggered him. For years he’d looked forward to leaving family behind and roaming on his own. Now, all he wanted was to be in McClintock Falls near his family. He’d never held a baby but he yearned to hold Houston Brendan McClintock.
He strolled through the store until he reached the children’s clothes. A woman with a cheerful countenance and who appeared vaguely familiar stood there. She had dark brown hair and wore a tan wrap.
“Ma’am, what would a newborn babe need? That is, something I could mail or ship?”
She tilted her head and appeared to consider his request. “A blanket would be nice since winter’s coming. A toy that might last. Clothing is nice, but they grow so fast I’m sure your sister already has things for the lad to wear. A cup or spoon for later would be useful.”
“Thank you. I’ve no experience with babies you see, so I need guidance.”
She held up a blue blanket and a small cup and spoon. “If you’ll be mailing your gift, consider ease of packing. These are light and any would be useful.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll take all of them.”
“I’m Marta Gretsky. You worked with my man until lately.”
“Mrs. Gretsky, ‘tis an honor. Sure and I thought I should know your name. Your man is a good one and a hard worker.”
Her smile broadened and her brown eyes sparkled. “That he is. I hope your sister enjoys your gift.”
At the counter, Finn asked the owner. “Have you something to use for mailing these to me sister.”
“I heard your announcement, O’Neill, and I’ve heard you defending me to those who thought I cheated them on the scrip exchange. You give me her address and I’ll pack and mail them and won’t charge extra for the packing. Been a pleasure doing business with you.” The store owner passed a scrap of wrapping paper to Finn with the amount owed for postage.
“Thank you kindly, Mr. George.” Finn wrote out Cenora and Dallas’s address on the paper and handed over the scrip required.
He turned to Lance. “And have you given Mr. George your mother’s list?”
“Yes. Can I look around a bit? I still have two bits of my money.”
“Take all the time you need. I’ve naught to do until your sister’s school is done for the day. I’ll get us something to gnaw on when we start back.”
Finn’s mood ran high. An uncle and soon an uncle again. Sure and he’d be home before Mac’s babe arrived.
After thirty minutes looking through the store, Lance had chosen nothing. “I can’t find what I want. Mama’s birthday is in a week.”
“Your sisters bought her a handkerchief. Mayhap she’d like a pair o’ gloves for Sunday.”
“Yeah? Let me see how much they cost.” Lanced headed to the women’s area. He sorted through the stack of lady’s gloves. “The black pair is twenty cents.”
“They look fine. You’ll still have a nickel to save for another day.”
“I might get a sweet.”
Finn held up his package. “I have us each a sarsaparilla, a sticky bun, and a pickled egg. ‘Tis a picnic we’ll have before we start back to Lignite.”
“That’s nice of you, Finn. I’ll pay for these and the things Mama ordered.”
When they were outside, they bypassed the bench where one of the miners rested.
Walking toward Lignite, Finn spotted an inviting place beneath a live oak tree. “Let’s eat over there.”
Lance looked longingly at the parcel Finn carried. “I sure am hungry and I’ve never had a pickled egg.”
He strode off the road and up to the tree. “Aye, I could eat a bite meself. ‘Tis not the tastiest o’ meals, but ‘twill keep us going ‘til supper. On days like this, eating in the open air is a treat.” Peering around, he saw nothing to prevent them eating their simple fare in peace.
They sat and he opened the parcel of buns and eggs then passed Lance his share. In companionable silence, they watched those passing on the road.
When they’d finished the simple meal, Finn drained the last of the sarsaparilla from the bottle before bundling up the rubbish. He stood and brushed leaves and twigs from his clothes. Lance rose and did the same. They were headed to the road when a familiar voice hailed them.
James called, “Hey, you two. Eating again?”
“Aye, are you going to Spencer or returning to Lignite?” Finn didn’t say home, because that’s not how he thought of the mining town.
“Back. Want to join me?”
Finn looked at Lance for confirmation before saying, “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
When they reached the road, he asked, “Did you hear
that Jose’s wife will be here tomorrow? We’re planning a party to celebrate, what he calls a fiesta, and everyone’s invited.”
James nodded. “Yeah? I heard something about that but didn’t know everyone was invited. What happens at a fiesta?”
“Far as I know, there’ll be food, dancing, and music. Some o’ the ladies are taking care o’ rounding up the food. Jose lined up other Mexican men who’ll play for the dance.”
“So you’re not supplying the music, huh?”
“Not this time.” Finn intended to ask Stella to dance several times. In fact, he hoped he could have her to himself all evening, but he knew that would be impossible.
The three of them arrived in Lignite about two. Finn and James walked toward the longhouse. Several men had rigged a game of bowls on the side of the longhouse. Finn paused to watch, but today the game didn’t hold his interest.
Nearby, men played a makeshift game of football. Others yelled and egged the players to defeat one team or the other. He stood at the sidelines until time to head to the school.
As he ambled toward the building converted to a school, children poured out of the structure. He hurried to the door. Sticking his head inside, he spotted her cleaning the blackboard.
Didn’t she look a picture? Her blue skirts swayed provocatively with her movements. Her beautiful hair was piled high on her head. He preferred the tresses hanging down her back.
Rapping on the doorjamb, he called to her, “Stella? May I come in?”
She whirled to face him, surprise evident. “Finn? What on earth are you doing off work at this time of day?”
He explained about the mine closing. “I told your father I’d meet you here and ask you to go with me to the restaurant at the hotel.”
She wiped her hands on a cloth. “Really? How exciting.”
Nettie glided into the room. “I thought I heard your voice, Mr. O’Neill. Has something happened at the mine?”
“You forgot to call me Finn.” Repeating the story, he ended with, “I’ve come to steal your sister for the evening.”
Nettie laughed. “Then I’ll take myself home. Have a nice time.”
When her sister had left, Stella gestured around her. “Here’s the school. What do you think?”
Turning slowly, he surveyed the room. “Aye, ‘tis much as I imagined. I thought there’d be tables or desks for the students.”
“There should be, but Farland won’t spend the money.” She took his arm and tugged him into the next room.
“This is where Nettie teaches. Many of her students don’t speak English, so most of her time is spent teaching a common language. The hope is the students will teach their parents.”
“Do they?”
She sighed. “A little, but for the most part the mothers don’t bother. The fathers have to learn a little English in order to work.”
He enjoyed the tour of the small school. Wouldn’t he have loved being a student here? At least, he thought he would. Mayhap he’d have been as eager to leave as the students rushing out a few minutes ago.
In the cloakroom, he pulled her to him for a kiss. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve looked forward to seeing you today. ‘Twas on me mind since last I saw you.”
Blushing, she laid her hands on his chest. “I’ve looked forward to seeing you again also.”
He tipped her chin so her beautiful blue-green eyes met his gaze. “Will you go with me to the fiesta tomorrow?”
“I’d be pleased to do so. Mama, Nettie, and I are cooking special dishes for the big day. I’m glad Jose and his wife will be apart no longer. The house they’ve been assigned is only three doors down from ours.”
Gently brushing a stray tendril from her face, he thought how lucky he was this lovely and intelligent woman let him kiss her. “Never saw a happier man. Shall we go to supper?”
She beamed up at him as she laid her hand on his arm. “I think if we’re going to the restaurant, we’re going to dinner.”
He laughed. “Aye, ‘tis probably true.”
They continued up the hill, waving to those who walked on the other side of the road and offering a good evening to others.
“I stayed at the hotel my first night in Lignite. The dining room food is good enough, but your mother’s is better.”
“I’ll tell her you said so. She’ll be pleased.”
At the restaurant, they were seated near a window. “Not a great view, but at least we can see outside.”
Gazing around the dining room, Stella appeared to take in everything. “I’ve not eaten here. When we came, the hotel hadn’t been completed.”
“Where did you stay?”
“Our house was ready and we moved in. At least Mr. Farland had furnished the place, although you may have noticed there aren’t enough places to sit comfortably.”
“Aye, he shorted you on chairs and there’s no sofa. ‘Tis my opinion the man is that stingy with his workers, I’m surprised he provided anything in the way o’ furniture.”
“He told us we could order whatever else we wanted through the store. We never have, as you can tell. With five of us, Papa’s paycheck doesn’t go far. I don’t know how those with huge families manage.”
“Not well, I imagine. But ‘tis important for families to stay together.”
“That’s what I think. Finn, can you think of something healthier Papa can do to earn a living wage?”
“Not offhand, but ‘tis sure and I’ll be thinking on the problem.” He’d write to Cenora and have her set Dallas thinking on the same.
In his planning for the future, Finn intended Stella and her family to come to McClintock Falls with him. But Council would need a job and so would Nettie. As much as Finn would like to support them as Dallas had done for the O’Neill family, Finn wouldn’t have the resources.
He’d not been inside the Lippincott home, but he knew t’was large. Would it be as empty as that of Dallas’s when they arrived? Finn didn’t care, as long as he could have that ranch.
Cenora had attended teas there on several occasions, so mayhap she could tell him about the rooms. Inwardly, he scolded himself. Unless he discovered Lignite’s troublemaker, he wouldn’t have his own ranch. He’d have only his single room at Dallas and Cenora’s home.
Stella’s soft voice interrupted his musing. “You’re deep in thought.”
“With such a beautiful woman across from me, mayhap I was dumbstuck.”
Her laughter came like silver bells tinkling. “What blarney, Finn O’Neill. What were you really thinking?”
His cheeks heated in a flush. “Today I learned o’ me sister’s babe arriving and ‘tis homesick I am. Just now I was thinking o’ Dallas’s ranch and Ma and Da and me brother and his wife. Family is important.”
“And is that where you plan to ranch someday?”
“Almost. ‘Tis the ranch next to that o’ Dallas that is me dream. Ah, ‘tis a wondrous place, Stella. The house is large and there are strong barns and fences. The river runs through so there’s water a plenty.”
Her voice was sharp when she asked, “And does the owner accept scrip?”
He reeled back as if she’d slapped him. Indeed she might as well, so harsh was her tone and filled with bitterness.
Immediately, a sorrowful expression crossed her face and she reached across the table and clasped his hand. “I’m sorry, Finn, that was mean. I-I hope you get your ranch and it’s everything you’ve dreamed.”
After taking a deep breath, he calmed the pain her stabbing comment had caused. Her statement let him know what she truly thought about his dreams. “I know ‘tis fanciful I sound.”
He tapped the table with his forefinger. “I will have me own ranch someday soon. ‘Tis all that keeps me going here. I don’t like this life even though I’ve met some fine people. I’ll not be sad to leave Lignite.”
She withdrew her hand and looked at her plate. “I’ll be sorry to lose your friendship.”
“And why would you think you’d lose it
? A friend is always a friend.” How he wished he could speak his heart to her. ‘Twas not time so he held back his longing to confess all.
When she raised her head, her gaze was solemn, but she smiled. “That’s true.” She peered around. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight. This has been a treat.”
“For me, too. Will you have more o’ anything?”
She shook her head. “The meal was lovely. The bread pudding was good, but I couldn’t tell what flavored the sauce.”
He chuckled. “Because ‘twas brandy. Not something either o’ us drinks, I’ll wager. But I asked when I stayed here.”
They stood and proceeded toward her home. He strolled slowly to extend their time together as long as he could. Ambling casually with her arm on his gave him the thought he could conquer the world. Sure and when she raised her face to gaze at him, he knew he could do anything. Even discover the troublemaker causing all the meanness.
When they arrived at her home, darkness had fallen. Finn stepped onto the porch with her and pulled her into an embrace. He kissed her sweet lips, savoring her surrender.
When she slid her arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss. Her return of his probing tongue proved she had passion. She must care for him or she’d never let him kiss her so fully.
His heart pounded so loud the town must hear. His breathing increased and heat shot through his body. Though he wanted to pull her closer, he didn’t want to frighten her with knowing his manhood had reared to life. At the same time, he longed to have her alone and make sweet love to her.
Sounds from inside the house broke them apart. She leaned her head against his chest. Her breathing came in rapid gasps.
His heart’s pounding slowed and he caressed her face. “Don’t give up on me, sweet Stella. I’ll make me dreams come true.”
“See that you do, Finn. Don’t let your dreams die.”
“Don’t forget you agreed to go to the fiesta with me tomorrow. I’ll be by at half past seven.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Reluctantly, Finn released her and she went inside her home. Running down the steps, he whistled an Irish jig. Sure and life in Lignite had advantages to offset the bad.
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