“The twins?” Meg asked.
“The two young men who work the kitchen,” Anna said as she reluctantly handed Daisy to Clark’s outstretched arms. The deep timbre in his voice immediately grew to a high pitch as he began to talk to Daisy, making her laugh, and rubbing noses with her.
Mrs. Castle approached Meg. “It is indeed a blessing to have you.” She looked over Meg’s shoulder at Jonathan, “You can put the rest of the cases in the front room, Jonathan. Are you staying for dinner?”
The doctor shook his head, “No, I have some appointments, but maybe sometime this week.” He glanced at Meg. Reluctantly? Apologetically? Meg couldn’t tell, but she looked away. “When do I start?” Meg asked, eager to prove herself a hard worker and a talented cook.
Anna laughed and took Meg’s hands. “My dear you will be serving many men—hungry men at that. I was thinking you could have a few days to rest and get your bearings before we throw you to the wolves. Besides, it will give us time to go shopping.” Her eyes lit up with the word.
“Shopping?” Meg frowned.
“For a dress, and possibly a hat,” Rose clarified, looking over at Daisy who was being tossed in the air, her blue dress flying above her head as she was smothered with playful kisses every time Clark caught her.
“Mother has many passions, and shopping is one of them.”
“Shopping is not necessarily buying,” Anna said with pride. “I am a sensible woman, but a woman nonetheless, and here I have a new beautiful girl who will be living with us. The temptation is too much.”
“Living in the house?” Meg inhaled sharply, her side hurting again.
Anna glanced at Meg’s ribs but ignored it as she did the bruises. Meg was grateful for that. She didn’t like lying about the stairs, nor did she wish to tell the truth. Her past was not something she was proud of. “Yes. Besides Rose’s room, we have a guest room, and we made the attic into a room for times when others needed a place to stay. But I think the guest room has a comfier bed.”
Meg placed a hand over her stomach refusing to allow herself to become too excited; a room, a dress, surely this would be snatched from her before she could truly enjoy it. Mr. Lars would come and force her to return, or the Castles would change their minds and send her back.
“And don’t you dare think of refusing. I will not allow such silliness. Rose once tried. I shall never understand young ladies refusing dresses.” Mrs. Castle jerked her head for them to follow. “Come inside. I know both of you are probably tired after the journey.
Rose said good-bye to Jonathan as he walked out, noticing that Meg avoided eye contact with him.
Was she shy? Why did she wish to hide her employment at the Red Bear Hotel from him?
“Good-bye, Rose,” Jonathan said with a bow. He looked at Meg, his mouth opening as if he had something to say, then he held out his hand for a polite shake. “And good afternoon to you, Miss Meg.” He put on his bowler hat and walked to his carriage.
The front room was colored in creams, soft yellows, and accents of pink. A carved round table held a large vase of fragrant roses; a fat cat rested on one of the arm chairs. She opened one eye lazily and then rolled over with a groan. Rose inhaled the familiar smell of apple cider and fir trees that always seemed to accompany the front room. It was one of the many things that she loved about her home: Each room seemed to carry its own fragrance.
Anna stood by her husband’s side, wiggling her nose at Daisy. “Go and freshen up, both of you. It is amazing what cool water can do to one’s nerves. Rose, you have your old room, and I’ll take Meg up to hers.”
Meg thanked Mrs. Castle while she showed her to her room. “I hope it is not too drab for you,” Anna looked around disapprovingly. “We didn’t have time to make it look presentable for a young lady.”
Meg looked around, her soft lips parting. How could she express her gratitude for such a lovely room? It was clean and warm, with a little vanity and a closet painted in blue; the comfortable bed was dressed with a thick quilt. Next to the bed was a little stand with a candle and a Bible.
“It is perfect, Mrs. Castle,” she whispered, refusing to cry.
“I am glad it is to your liking. Rose’s room has a bath that I am sure she will let you use.” Anna nodded at the pitcher and bowl on the vanity. “Growing up, that was all we had,” she chuckled. “Sometimes changes are good,” she added before closing the door.
“Yes they are,” Meg replied to herself. She walked over and sat on the bed. Her head was swimming with the realization that not only was she free of Mr. Lars, but Doctor McPherson, the only man to make her heart pound, was a close friend of Rose.
No doubt they would become a couple once Rose’s divorce was final. A man would be a fool to not fall for Rose. Back at the hotel Meg had nearly fallen over when Rose first opened the door. Meg didn’t think a woman could be that lovely. Then, of course, there was Jonathan with his almost black eyes and sweet countenance. Both he and Rose were abnormally beautiful and in a different class than she. Meg looked in the mirror set over the vanity. She rarely studied herself. The few times she did, she did not like what she saw: a thin face with brown eyes, brown hair, even brown freckles across her nose. Everything about her was brown and drab. She looked silly with her hair swept over her forehead, but it was better than the bruises covering half her face.
Meg looked away angrily feeling her emotions weighing on her like a rock, sinking her deep into hopelessness. This is silly. She was here now in Tall Pine—safe—with good, decent people.
She could control her thoughts and her heart. For years she had not let Mr. Lars see her cry, never showing her weakness. She could certainly squelch the tenderness she felt towards the doctor. Nodding in resolve, she kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the bed. Sleep came fast, but not before the memory of kind eyes resurfaced.
/
“Oh dear!” Rose laughed, looking around at her old room. “I think I was trying to replicate Queen Victoria’s boudoir. Why didn’t you stop me?” she teased her mom, placing the now sleeping Daisy in a crib. “Did Father make this?”
Anna nodded. “This was yours. He carved it when I was six months pregnant with you. I didn’t want him to. I was so scared I wouldn’t carry you full term. Your father built it in secret, and when you came out bonny and healthy, he brought it in.”
Rose nodded and stroked Daisy. “Oh, that all men were like Father,” she said, unable to hide the melancholy tone behind a laugh. She shrugged her shoulders, brushing away the hurt. “I definitely need a crib, although sometime during the night she ends up with me in bed.”
Anna laughed. “You were the same. Do you truly not like your room anymore? I remember the fights we had over it. You worked night and day to earn the money to afford these fancy curtains.”
Rose began taking the pins out of her hair and shook out the long curls before massaging her scalp and groaning in delight. “Trust me when I say, I have had enough fancy.”
“I know that feeling,” Anna’s smile fell and she began to tap her nails. “Rose … I know this cannot be easy for you, and I know your father and I should have done more when we knew things were not going well.”
“Mother, please I—”
Anna held up a hand. “No, I need to say this. I feel guilty not coming to your rescue when Cade’s gambling grew worse. Your father and I prayed fiercely that things would get better, but—”she closed her eyes. “Now I am wondering if we were just scared, scared of you being single and divorcing Cade, and what that might mean for you.”
Rose stood up and sat next to her mother, placing her arm around her shoulders. “You know, I have a letter from you in which you explain to me the sacred nature of marriage. How you do all you can to save it.” She laid her hand over her mother’s. “I was angry when you encouraged me to stay with Cade, but now I am glad. Your prayers did not go unheard, Mother. Things worked out in the sense that I found happiness—happiness in myself, happiness in Daisy, true joy in G
od. I am no longer dependent on Cade for my happiness. As far as being single, do you remember Esther Callen? She did it just fine, and maybe one day I will have a handsome Ranger come and sweep me off my feet.”
Anna laughed. “Oh, who could forget Esther Callen and Joseph Silver? I swear ever since that day, any stranger who comes to Tall Pine is swarmed by young women, all hoping he will be like Joseph.”
“Cade swooped in a bit like that, didn’t he?”
Anna nodded, “Yes, he most certainly did.” She squeezed Rose’s hand gently, “I admire your optimism, Rose.”
“Well,” Rose gave a playful shove, “I had a wonderful example growing up.” She stood up and finished undoing her hair.
Anna smiled reassuringly, “Strange things happen. No one ever thought Esther Callen would marry. Maybe the right man is just around the corner. Jonathan is still single and a colored child would make no difference to him.”
“That is very true,” Rose replied ruefully. She did not like discussing potential romance between her and Jonathan. Their relationship had never been anything other than platonic. She did not blame her mother for hoping that something more would come of their friendship, but she did not want her to get her hopes up either. “There is always his elder brother, Sean McPherson.” Rose teased, changing the subject. “We all know what a gentle tongue he has.”
“Oh, dear me, Sean McPherson, from what I hear, is the most successful surgeon out in Los Angeles. And according to his mother, he has the arrogance to go with it.”
“Two brothers couldn’t be more different, could they? I think Sean is the reason Jonathan became a doctor. Their father encouraged those two the most.” Rose absently stroked the coat. She knew that part of Jonathan’s shyness was because he had been so different from his strong, charismatic older brother. Her mother walked over and gave her a tight hug. “I love you, Rose, and though it hurts me that you did not get the marriage or large family you desired, I can selfishly say that I am glad you are home.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Get some rest now.”
“I will.” Rose watched her mother leave the room then sank down on her bed, her smile fading. It was real now. She was home. Tears pricked her eyes. Not for herself—she would be fine. She had already spent enough time feeling sorry for herself. Cade, on the other hand, he’d had dreams of happiness as well. He loved being a detective, loved using his mind to deduct and place evidence together. He had loved her once, but he loved gambling above all else. For a moment, however, he had also believed they could have a blissful marriage. A melancholy smile passed her lips remembering the first time she saw him.
/
“Rose Castle, the name is Cade Walker. Will you marry me?” The arrogant smile across a handsome face had caught Rose by surprise.
“Excuse me?” she asked, her friends giggling beside her. It was the annual harvest festival and the night smelled of pumpkin pies and roasted pig. She wore a soft green dress and had placed wildflowers in her hair. She had known tonight would be magical, but certainly had not expected a proposal.
“I said, will you marry me? No doubt you have heard about me, the man who saved this Valley from becoming another dirty city. I also have prevented six train robberies, rescued an old woman’s dog, and I never track mud through the kitchen.”He folded his arms. “I can go on if you wish.”
Rose tilted her head and furrowed her brows. “I do not know whether to laugh at your audacity or slap you for your impertinence, Mr. Walker.”
He chuckled. “I’ll take either.” He nodded towards the dance floor. “Dance with me.”
At her raised brows and folded arms, he laughed. “I hope you do not mind me saying this, but you are a fine woman to watch dance, and I am curious about what it is like to be your partner.”
Rose felt her skin grow hot and heard her friends nearly choking with their giggles. “Now I really think I should slap you,” Rose let out a disbelieving laugh. “What are you still doing here? I thought it was final that Tall Pine was free from being developed into a railroad town.”
“It is.” He nodded at two tall men near the refreshment table talking to the mayor.“We were invited to the festival, but I am desperate for a dance before I leave tomorrow morning.”
Rose raised an eyebrow, “I don’t like desperate men, Mr. Walker.”
He held out his hand, “Oh, I guarantee you’ll like this one.”
/
Rose groaned. She could not do this to herself. She’d made the choice to leave and would not allow a few happy memories to make her doubt herself. She was done with Cade, done with Denver, and done with marriage, at least a marriage with Cade.
Eleven
Meg shot up in bed. What time was it? Had she slept in? What time was she supposed to be up, anyway? Mrs. Castle had not specified what time she desired Meg to arise the next day. She’d simply stated that she wanted Meg to rest as much as she could.
It had felt strange sliding on her nightgown and slipping into the freshly washed sheets. Everything was warm and soft in this house, but it was hard to enjoy. She half expected the door to open and Charles Lars to walk in ready to strike. She didn’t know why she was still scared of him. Logic told her that Charles was unlikely to come after her. She was safe here. Besides, there were many who would love a chance to take her place in the Red Bear Hotel, although Charles would have to actually pay them a salary. Meg walked over to the small table and poured the pitcher of water into a bowl to wash her face. She looked up at the mirror. Still bruised, but her eyes were bright with rest and her skin seemed rosy. It was a shame Jonathan had not seen her like this.
Meg shook her head and walked away from the mirror. She pulled her hair back in a bun and brushed a piece of hair over her face. Hopefully, Jonathan would be an infrequent visitor. A man with his looks and beguiling smile was dangerous, and already he was playing tricks with her mind—tricks that made her want to admire herself in the mirror or go shopping for a fine dress, searching for a beauty she would never find. “Stop it Meg,” she ordered herself. Life had given her a second chance, and that was more than most people ever got. She would not cater to her silly affections and make herself miserable.
“Rose and Anna are making lunch. I imagine you’re hungry,” Mr. Castle remarked when Meg passed her in the hall. She instinctively did a little curtsy as was custom for the help in the Red Bear Hotel. “Lunch? I thought it was morning. I’m so sorry! I never sleep in this late.” Her heart began to race. What will they think of me?
“My dear girl,” Clark’s forehead wrinkled in concern. “You have no need to apologize. You needed the rest.”
Meg nodded, trying not to breathe too quickly. She did not want Mr. Castle seeing her wince. She took his offered arm and walked with him.
Clark brought her into the kitchen where Rose was bouncing Daisy on her hip and dropping teaspoons of sugar into a cup of tea. Mrs. Castle was setting the table with a bowl of raspberries, toast, and sausage with golden onions.
“Good afternoon, Meg,” Anna smiled with delicate lines framing her eyes. “I am making a hearty lunch since you missed breakfast. Luckily, the workers have already eaten. They are all very excited about having a cook, especially since I can’t keep up with their appetites.”
“I am sorry that I overslept. It won’t happen again.” Meg eyed the raspberries that looked so plump she imagined they would pop if she touched them. A flicker of excitement danced within her. Cities had to buy produce from the country, so it was rarely fresh.
“I slept in as well,” Rose smiled. “Daisy was as tired as I was. She finally woke up to eat; otherwise, I could have slept all day.” She stretched out her legs, and Meg suppressed a surprised laugh to see that Rose was barefoot.
When Rose saw Meg staring at her feet, she leaned forward and whispered, “I hate shoes, but it’s a secret, especially since heels are in fashion right now.”
“I won’t tell a soul,” Meg whispered back. “What time do I give the workers breakf
ast?” Meg asked, blushing shyly when Mr. Castle pulled out a chair for her to sit.
“Very early, I’m afraid,” Anna frowned. “I hate getting up early. Something I did not think of when my husband and I started this dairy,” she shrugged with a girlish ease. “You will have the twins to help you as we mentioned before. They cook very well when they wish to, but most of the time they don’t like to prepare anything other than watery porridge. They do follow directions very well and have been with us for years. Their names are Frank and Bill, and they have hearts of gold, though they rarely smile.” She placed a pitcher of thick milk on the table. “The men eat at four-thirty, then again at noon, and dinner on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Those are the days they stay late. I cook our family’s meals so there is no need to worry about that.”
When Meg looked disappointed, Anna chuckled, “Dear heavens, girl, you look like I crushed your world.”
“Oh, it is simply that I am so grateful to be working here that I would like to repay you for your kindness.”
“My dear, you will be doing the work of five women. Trust me when I say it is I who should be on my knees thanking you. However, I will not refuse your help with dinner should you ever desire it. I have a feeling, though, that by the end of the day you will be wanting to rest.”
Anna finished up her cooking and sat down beside her husband. Meg waited to be excused since servants did not eat with their bosses, but Mr. Castle began to give grace and Meg quickly bowed her head.
When the prayer was said and thanks given, Mr. Castle reached for the sausages. “I am allowed sausages every now and then,” he said as his wife began to protest. “Jonathan has me on some old man’s diet,” he sighed, sharing a chuckle with Rose.
“It is a healthy diet,” Anna gently reminded him. She glanced at Rose. “Jonathan has always looked out for us. Rose, I thought we should take Meg shopping today. Maybe get a pastry at Kyle’s bakery, visit the bookstore, the dress shop. What do you say?”
The Ways of Heaven Page 6