He turned his attention to the food while the others chatted about the big party the mayor’s wife was putting on that afternoon. He’d heard mention of the affair several times, and his curiosity was aroused as to who would be attending. He remembered benches in front of a few businesses on Main Street. One of those would be the perfect place to sit and observe the good citizens of Stoney Creek as they arrived at the party. More often than not, body language told more about folks than they might suspect.
Clara slid into her chair. “Sorry I’m late.”
Her father scowled, and Tom ducked his head to hide his grin. Clara’s flushed face and fluttering fingers betrayed her excitement over the Gladstone party later that day.
Ma reached over and patted Clara’s arm. “That’s all right, dear. You have a busy day ahead of you.”
“Thank you, Ma. Theodore has a surprise for me, and thinking about it makes me both nervous and excited.” Clara bowed her head to say a private grace before grabbing for the platter of bacon.
Ma and Pa exchanged knowing looks but said nothing. That meant they must be in on the surprise Theodore Gladstone had planned for Clara. Whatever it was, his parents must approve. He prayed it would bode well for his sister.
“Pass the biscuits, please.” Clara turned to Tom and asked, “Do you have any idea what Mrs. Delmont and Faith have planned for refreshments?”
Tom shook his head and handed her the basket of biscuits. “She hasn’t shared except that she and her mother had a lot of baking to do. Whatever it is will be delicious, I’m sure.”
Alice bounced in her chair, her head bobbing with enthusiasm. “Are you taking Faith to the party? Mrs. Gladstone said it’d be all right if I come. I get to wear the new dress Mrs. Gordon made for me, and I don’t have to wear my hair in pigtails. Oh, it’s going to be so much fun.”
She paused to take a breath and Tom jumped in. “No, I’m not taking Faith to the party because she’ll be busy helping her mother, and I’ll be busy taking notes for a write-up in the newspaper. Rumor has it that Mayor Gladstone is going to make a big announcement.”
Pa buttered a biscuit and peered over his glasses at Tom. “I heard the same thing, and I’m thinking it may have something to do with the train schedule. He’s been working on extending the routes since they’ve built more rails to the west of us.”
The twinkle in Pa’s eyes told Tom something else might be afoot, but he shrugged it off and helped himself to the scrambled eggs. “I hope so. It’ll be nice to be able to go straight on to San Antonio without going to Austin first when I have stories to track down. Sure would save a lot of time for me and money for the newspaper.”
Chatter continued around the table and centered mostly on the events for the day. Tom tuned them out and turned his thinking to Joe. Perhaps he would stop by the boardinghouse and check on his new friend. Mrs. Hutchins had warmly welcomed Joe last night, but Tom’s curiosity about the man warranted spending more time with him. Perhaps the two of them could meet for a while this afternoon before Tom fulfilled his duties at the Gladstone affair.
His mother spoke to him. He blinked and glanced her way. “Excuse me, what did you say?”
Her laughter rang out. “I asked if you planned to see Joe today.”
How did she do that? She always seemed to know what was on his mind. “Um, yes. Thought I’d check on him on my way to the Gladstones’ party.”
Ma nodded her head and smiled. “That’s good. You tell him he’s welcome here anytime he has a hankering to stop by.”
“I’ll do that.” He laid his napkin beside his plate. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a busy day ahead even though it’s a Saturday.”
First on his list was finding out more about Joe Fitzgerald.
Later that afternoon, when Tom stopped at the boardinghouse to see Joe, he found that Mrs. Hutchins had Joe busy with carpentry work in her kitchen.
Tom leaned against a counter and crossed his arms. “Looks like you’re getting right on to earning your board, Joe.”
A broad grin spread across Joe’s face. “And it’s easy work to repair these cabinets. They’re well made, but I’m glad I can be of use around here.” He picked up a hammer and a few nails.
The old man had certainly wasted no time in making himself useful, and it also meant Mrs. Hutchins accepted Joe and liked him. That was understandable even though he had no money and his clothes were shabby. Maybe it was the man’s smile and his willingness to help that had impressed Mrs. Hutchins.
“I was hoping you’d have some time to visit, but since you’re busy, I’ll just plan on seeing you tomorrow at church. Services are at nine thirty. Would you like to meet us there?”
Joe nodded. “Sounds good.”
“See you then.” Tom left the boardinghouse and headed to the town hall, where the party had already started.
Music blared from the building as Tom joined other partygoers and strolled toward the town hall and the Gladstone party. He’d like to chat with Faith, but she’d be so busy helping her ma that there’d be no time for idle talk. When he reached the front steps, tantalizing aromas filled the air and sent Tom’s stomach to rumbling. Once inside he headed for the refreshment table first thing.
Faith looked up from placing a platter of pastries on the table and smiled. “Oh, Tom, I’m so glad to see you. People all over have been talking about your friend Joe.” She laughed and handed him a peach kolacky. “You wouldn’t believe the stories they’ve concocted about where he comes from and what he’s doing here. Some good, and some not so good.”
Tom bit into the roll and closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness of the peach filling and the flakiness of the roll. “Hmm. So delicious, as usual.” He swallowed the morsel and turned to eye the crowd. “As a newsman I’m not surprised to hear they’ve been speculating about Joe. Think I’ll mingle and see what I can hear. I also need to be jotting down notes for my story for the paper.”
“I’m almost through with the things here. Mrs. Gladstone’s staff is taking over the serving, but Ma and I wanted the table to look perfect to start out.”
“I’ll catch up with you later then. Come on over and join us when you do finish here.”
“I will. You won’t be hard to find.” She grinned and headed back to the serving area set up in a side room.
Tom wiped his hands on his handkerchief before heading across the way to greet his family, who stood with the mayor and his wife. He glanced around until he spotted Clara and Theodore over in a corner in an intense discussion by the looks of Clara’s face. Then she burst into a huge smile and hugged Theodore’s neck.
Tom blinked his eyes and shook his head. Such a display of affection in public didn’t reflect Clara’s usual polite behavior, but it did match her exuberant personality. He joined his parents as Teddy and Clara rushed over, her face glowing with joy.
She extended her left hand to display a pearl ring in a gold setting. “Mama, Papa, look what Teddy just gave me.” Clara beamed up her beau. “This makes our betrothal official.”
Tom swallowed a chuckle. So that’s why his father and mother had been all smiles this morning. Teddy must have approached them about asking to marry Clara. He reached for Teddy’s hand. “Welcome to our family. You’ve made a great choice in this sister of mine.”
“Thank you, Tom. Indeed, I have the most beautiful young lady in the room.”
His firm handshake and eye contact assured Tom the young man would take care of Clara.
Pa joined in the congratulations and shook Teddy’s hand. “Proud to have you in our family, Son.” He turned to the mayor. “I believe it’s time for the official announcement.”
The two men proceeded to the platform where the band performed. Mayor Gladstone raised his hands to silence the crowd and beckoned his son and Clara to join them. The mayor and Papa grinned like they’d made the most important discovery in all the world. “My fellow citizens and friends in Stoney Creek, it is with great pleasure that Dr. Whiteman and I, a
long with our wives, announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of our children, Theodore Franklin and Clara Elizabeth.” He waved his hand toward the couple as cheers and clapping burst forth in the room.
Tom had to admit they made a striking couple with Clara’s fair countenance and Theodore’s dark hair and eyes. Tom nudged his mother’s arm. “You don’t appear surprised. How long have you known about this?”
Heat rose in her face and turned it a bright shade of pink. “After Theodore asked your father’s permission to marry Clara, the Gladstones and we decided to have a party to announce it to everyone. When we told Theodore our plan, he decided to ask Clara to marry him right at the party! It’s a complete surprise for Clara.”
Grinning, Tom shook his head. This put a whole new perspective on the celebration today. He’d been headed the wrong way with his story. Seeing the happy smile and shining eyes of his sister made the change a happy one. Maybe the railroad story would come later. Since social events were not his reporting responsibility, he now had more time for Faith.
He turned and caught her gazing at him. He smiled back and lifted his hand in a brief wave before heading her way. With romance in the air maybe the time had come for him to seriously think about the girl with whom he’d spend the rest of his life. Both Faith and Angela were excellent candidates, but which one would capture his heart?
CHAPTER 4
ON SUNDAY MORNING Tom awakened with conflicting feelings about the day ahead. When Ma had told him to invite Faith to have Sunday dinner out at the ranch with the family, his immediate reaction had been to say he planned to invite Angela instead. He’d really like to get to know her better, but he remembered her aunt had arrived in town on Friday. Angela would most likely prefer to be with her own family today.
As he dressed, remorse for preferring Angela over Faith today ate at his soul. As an old friend of the family, Faith would have a great time at the ranch. He’d enjoy the day with her too, and most likely they would take a ride together on Uncle Micah’s horses.
He crossed over to his window and stared out at the cloudless sky assuring a beautiful day for whatever activities were planned. He lifted his eyes toward the blue expanse. “Lord, why did You put two beautiful young ladies in my path? Have I known Faith so long that I’ve come to take her for granted?”
A sunbeam flashed through the window, and Tom jerked back. If that was a sign from God, maybe he needed to pay more attention to Faith. Still, Angela was a beautiful young woman, and he’d like to get to know her better. “Okay, God, I’ll leave it up to You. You’ll show me in time which girl is the right one.”
He reached for the shaving mug on the bureau near the window. If he didn’t hurry, he’d be late for breakfast, and he might end up walking to church. A quick pass over his cheeks and chin with the sharp razor did its job. A few minutes later the enticing scent of cinnamon and sugar floated up from the kitchen. Cinnamon rolls! Now he really had to hurry. He finished buckling his belt as he raced down the stairs.
Pa waited for Tom to slide to a stop on the wood floor leading to the dining room. “Son, is that any way to come down the stairs? You’re not eight years old anymore.” Although his voice held a stern tone, Pa’s eyes twinkled.
“No, sir. I was afraid I’d be late.” Tom straightened his tie and strolled to the table where his sisters and Daniel were seated.
Ma entered with a broad grin lighting her face with joy. “About time you men joined us. I figured the aroma of coffee and my cinnamon buns would hurry you along.”
After they settled and joined hands, Pa said grace and thanked the good Lord for the beautiful day and the bountiful table.
Ma picked up the basket of fresh cinnamon buns and passed them to Tom. “If Joe is at church, I’m going to invite him to come out to the ranch with us. I’m sure Hannah and Molly will have plenty of food prepared, and he might enjoy being around our family.”
“I will ask him, but he may not like crowds.” He chose his bun before passing the basket to Juliet. His sisters chatted with Ma and Pa, but Tom’s attention centered on Joe. Would he actually come to church this morning? He’d said he would, but he wasn’t bound by his words. However, if the ladies at the boardinghouse had their say, he would be there. Although his clothes were worn out, Joe had the shirt and pants Pa had given him. They should suffice as most people didn’t pay much attention to men and what they wore.
He downed the last of his breakfast and folded his napkin on the table. “I’ll ask Faith if she’d like to ride out to Molly and Stefan’s with us after church.”
Ma’s smile broadened. “Wonderful. Theodore will bring Clara out, so you may use the smaller buggy for you and Faith. Pa and I will take the girls and Daniel in the surrey.”
“Aw, Ma, I wanted to ride Dusty out to the ranch today,” Daniel pouted.
Pa’s laughter rang out in the room. “Ever since Micah gave you that horse for your last birthday you’ve done nothing but ride him. I suppose it’d be all right today. What do you say, Sallie?”
She rose to remove plates from the table. “Fine with me, but you’ll have to stay close to us and not gallop off on your own.” She nodded toward Clara and Alice. “Come, girls, let’s take care of these dishes so we’ll be ready to leave on time.”
Daniel, with more energy than he showed for most tasks, hopped up right away to go saddle up his horse. Tom chuckled at his younger brother’s enthusiasm and pushed his chair back from the table. Having the buggy for Faith would make their ride much more pleasant. And he wouldn’t have to worry about the girls taking up all of Faith’s attention with their chatter.
Later when he pulled the buggy into the church yard, he spotted Joe with his fellow boarders, Herb Spooner and Zach Morton. He secured his horse and sauntered over to join them. Several other men had joined the group.
Zach Morton slapped Tom on the back. “Good morning there. We were introducing Joe to some of the other men.”
“That’s good of you, Zach. How are you this morning, Joe?”
Joe wore the same shirt and pants from last evening but a string tie had been added. Most likely a loan from Herb. He appeared more relaxed this morning too.
“Doing well. That Mrs. Hutchins sure knows how to cook, and the beds ain’t so bad either.” Joe shook Tom’s hand with a firm grip.
Joe’s speech patterns this morning sounded nothing like the man who had stepped off the train Friday afternoon. Everything about Joe shouted mystery to Tom. If only he knew where Joe had come from, he could make inquiries about him. Right now he’d have to settle for his own instincts and nose for getting down to the truth of matters. Maybe he should start with Chicago, but Joe hadn’t actually said that’s where he was from. Another mystery to solve.
“Joe, Ma asked me to invite you to come out to my aunt and sister’s ranch for Sunday dinner. She’d like you to meet the rest of the family.”
“That’s right kind of her, but I promised to finish up a few things ’round the boardin’ house and then play a game of horseshoe pitchin’ with Zach.”
Disappointed, Tom smiled and placed his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Well now, it sounds like you have the afternoon all planned. We can go out to the ranch some other time.”
“Thanks, Tom. I got a fascination for horses, and I hear he’s got some of the best.” He turned back to his conversation with Herb and Zach.
A flurry of color caught Tom’s eye. Faith Delmont hurried across the lawn to the church porch. Tom patted Joe’s back. “See you tomorrow, Joe. Have to run and catch up to Miss Delmont.”
Tom called Faith’s name, and she stopped on the bottom step to turn and wait for him. “Glad I caught you before services began. I want to invite you to come out to the ranch with us for Sunday dinner.”
Her eyes lit up, and her mouth curved to a smile. “I’d like that. I don’t get to see Molly nearly as much as when she lived in town.”
“I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you as well.” He offered his arm to guide he
r up the remaining steps. “I have Pa’s buggy, so we can leave right after the service unless you need to go by your place for something.”
Faith stared at Tom’s back two rows in front of her. He sat with his family as he did every Sunday. One day she hoped to be sitting with him in a pew with their own family. Now that was getting ahead of herself, since he’d been paying a lot of attention to Angela Booker lately. Thank goodness Angela didn’t attend the same church. Then a smile filled her heart. He’d asked her, not Angela, to go with him to the ranch. Or could she be his second choice? After all, Angela had a visitor today in her aunt. The smile inside her faded.
The preacher spoke of God having a future for all His children, and the good Lord would steer each one person in the right direction if they sought His guidance. Some future for her if it didn’t include Tom. She’d be doomed to being the pastry maker for weddings, christenings, and anniversaries . . . not the bride, mother, or wife. That may be fine for her dear widowed Aunt Ruby, who was happiest with her arms up to her elbows in pastry dough, but it was not what Faith dreamed for her future.
How could she ever compete with someone as beautiful as Angela? Her pale gold curls and intense blue eyes made her the envy of most girls her age, Faith included. Why did Angela have to be as sweet and kind as she was beautiful? Too bad the town didn’t teem with young men their age. Of course there were the cowboys and the farmers, but most them were older with only a few young enough for Faith to have even the remotest interest in knowing.
Still, if she was to have a future with Tom, it had to be the Lord’s doing and not her scheming and dreaming. Best if she followed the preacher’s message.
Christmas at Stoney Creek Page 3