by Alice White
The next day, Maxine wore her finest dress, taking great care not to spill any food on it while she cooked eggs for breakfast. The dress was baby blue with white lace around the collar and cuffs and it had been one of the final dresses her mother had made before the tremors in her hand grew too great for her to sew. It would make a wonderful first impression—she’d look like a proper lady, not like one of the women that spent their days and nights in the saloon. She spent her morning doing simple chores around the house while she waited for her noon appointment with Jacob. Lizzy walked a cranky James around the house, bouncing him and cooing, but still he cried.
“Give him here,” Maxine said eventually. “You're stressed and it's making him worse. Will you make us some tea?”
Lizzy handed James over and passed a hand over her brow. There were lines around her eyes. “I'm sorry, Maxie,” she said, “I just haven't been sleepin' well as of late.”
“It's fine,” Maxine said quickly as she held James against her shoulder, gently patting his back. James calmed down eventually, long after Maxine's cup of tea had gone cold.
“You're a gem,” Lizzy said, taking her son back. “What time is it? You don't want to be late for this rancher of yours.”
Maxine fished out her pocket watch and checked it. “I'll be right on time,” she said. “Say a prayer for me, Lizzy.”
“You'll do fine,” Lizzy replied. “We'll be right here waitin' for you if you need us.” Maxine gave her sister and nephew quick kisses before heading out to the store to await the arrival of the ranch hand.
Jacob greeted her with a wave and cleared a spot where she could sit. The saloon was busy when she got there. She sat and watched all the people going in and out, wondering if one of them was Mr. Wagner.
“Jacob,” she said , “what does Mr. Wagner look like?”
“He's tall,” Jacob said, counting out the bills in his hands. “Fair hair, blue eyes, keeps himself clean-shaved. Not a bad looking fellow, all things said. He'll be here soon, don't you worry.”
“I'm not worried,” Maxine replied, smoothing down her skirt as she spoke. “It's not like he's expecting me.”
“No,” Jacob agreed, “but he knows the ranch is in need of another housekeeper. He won't mind you taking it up with him. He'll probably bring you back to town too.”
“Do you know him very well?” Maxine asked.
“He comes in regularly,” Jacob replied. “Mr. Wilkinson trusts him with cash and cargo. I wouldn't say I know him, but he strikes me as a good sort. I reckon you'll like him very much.” He smiled sweetly at her, then turned his attention to a new customer. Maxine went back to watching the door, her eyes peeled for tall, blond Mr. Wagner.
Chapter 4
Mr. Wagner arrived close to one o'clock, and Maxine instantly picked him out of the crowd . Jacob's description had been spot on for the most part. What Jacob had failed to truly describe, however, was that he was far more than simply not bad looking, he was quite possibly one of the handsomest men Maxine had ever seen. He was as tall as Jacob had said, his skin darkened by time in the sun, his clothes well made and well fitting. He removed his hat when he walked into the shop and ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from a brow gleaming with sweat. He caught sight of Maxine and gave her a polite nod before calling out to Jacob.
“Mr. Wagner,” Jacob said, smiling, “I've got your things right here, and something else as well.”
“Oh, yeah?” Wager asked. “And what is that, exactly?”
Jacob motioned for Maxine to stand. “Maxine, I would like you to meet Sam Wagner. Sam, this is Maxine Hanson, my sister-in-law.”
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss,” Sam said, flashing a smile.
“I told Maxine Mr. Wilkinson’s looking for a new housekeeper. I thought you might take her with you and introduce them.”
“I'd be more than happy to,” Sam said, “so long as the lady don't mind sittin' in the sun. I don't have a fancy coach for you, just a cart for the supplies.”
“I don't mind at all,” Maxine replied. “And I thank you for being so willing.”
“It's not a problem,” Sam said. “Let me finish up my business and we'll head right on out.”
“Of course,” Maxine replied. She leaned against the doorpost and waited while Jacob and Sam finished business. She took one of the boxes from Sam, who gave her a startled look, though he didn’t mind the help. Maxine followed Sam out to the cart and helped him load the boxes, taking a moment to pet the horse while Sam made sure everything was packed nice and tight.
“Her name's Willow,” he said when he came to her side to offer Maxine his hand. “On account of her mane.”
“She is lovely,” Maxine said. “And a lovely name.” Sam’s smile nearly took her breath away.
He gave her a boost up onto the seat and turned Willow and the cart around before climbing up next to her and clicking his tongue. The cart jerked at first, but rode smooth and steady once they got going. Maxine folded her hands in her lap as the two sat together wordlessly. The rattling wheels provided some comfort, but Maxine still felt the need to speak up and say something, to move beyond simple greetings. She could feel his eyes on her every so often, just quick glances.
“Would you tell me some about the ranch?” she finally asked.
“It's nice land,” Sam replied. “Plenty of room for the cattle and the horses. You'll like the house most, I'd wager. Big ol' thing, three stories, white with green shutters. Now I don't go in there much, but the inside's just as fancy as you'd think. Lots of work to keep that whole place tidy, though. You sure you're up to it?”
“I've been taking care of a child,” Maxine replied, “I'm more than able to keep a house.”
“Well, good,” Sam said. He looked over and smiled again. “I think Mr. Wilkinson's gonna like you. You seem a good sort.”
Maxine blushed at the compliment. “Thank you. You do as well.” She cleared her throat softly and looked out at the desert stretching out around them. “Have you been working for Mr. Wilkinson for long?”
“About five years now,” Sam replied. “Came out from back east when I was twenty or so, been with him ever since. Don't see any reason to leave. It's hard work, but it's good and the pay is nothing to thumb your nose at neither.”
“That's good to hear,” Maxine said. She nearly winced thinking how dull she sounded. The conversation kept up for a short time. Maxine enjoyed the feel of the hot sun on her skin and was glad her dress was so light.
“You been out here long?” Sam asked eventually. “I haven't seen you around town.”
“Not so long, no,” Maxine replied. “I came out from the city to stay with my sister for a time, to help with the baby and all.”
“You, uh, you leave anyone special back home?” Maxine thought briefly about Matthew, but she shook her head.
“No. I've been on my own for a while, sorting out my mother's affairs.”
“Well, I'm sorry to hear that,” Sam said. “I lost my mama, too, just before I came out. Not on very good terms with my pa. Sometimes it's nice to just escape from it all. The ranch is good for that. So much open space, all that sky. A man can lose himself in that sky.” They both tilted their heads back, squinting up into the sky while Willow plodded obediently along the road.
“I understand,” she said. “Sometimes all one needs in life is a good escape.”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Sam said with a warm smile. “Won't be much longer now. I'm sure you'll like it. We each have little houses of our own, us workers. Nothing quite so fancy as the big house, mind, but better than what most get.”
“It sounds very lovely,” Maxine said.
“It is lovely,” Sam said again. “Trust me. You'll never want to be anywhere else.”
Maxine was startled to find that she did trust him. There was something so easy about him, something that made Maxine feel comfortable and safe. Matthew had been fine when they first met, but it wasn't anything close to
the same. He had been welcoming, certainly, but it was never far from Maxine's mind that he had paid for her to marry him. She always felt like she was one wrong move from being back on the street, doing whatever she could to come up with the money to settle her mother's accounts. Sam was an entirely different man. He didn't seem too concerned with appearances, though he kept himself well-groomed. Smiles came quickly and easily to his face, caused by the smallest things, like the path of a bird as it cut across the wide open sky before them.
"Look at that beauty go," he said, pointing to make sure that Maxine saw. "There's nothing like this back home. Not in the least. Too many big cities blockin' out the sky, roads all over everything, men all dressed up in their fancy suits carin' too much about what other people think. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to go back." He paused, considering his words. "Well, maybe a million, but not forever. This place is my real home now." He glanced at her again. "Maybe it can be yours, too."
"You seem very interested in me taking this job," Maxine said.
Sam's cheeks turned pink under his ruddy, sun-kissed skin. "Well, I did say you're a good sort," he mumbled. "Can always use more of them. And that house is too nice to let it fall to pieces for want of a housekeeper. 'Sides, place could use a feminine touch. Ain't been the same since Miss Mary passed."
"I'm sorry," Maxine said. "Was it long ago?"
"Just about a year after I arrived. Never met another woman like her. Mr. Wilkinson was inconsolable for months after, but he's all right now. Got his sons to come home, help run the ranch. I don't care too much for David, but Jesse's all right. Looks kind of like you, actually." Sam looked at her carefully, his blue eyes staring into hers. "Right around your eyes. I bet they crinkle when you smile, don't they?" His grin made her smile in return. "Ah, I was right." His grin widened. He turned his attention back to the road. "Right, it's just on the other side of this here hill. Should be able to see the barn before too long. Maxine sat up, folding and unfolding her hands in her lap. Sam smiled and bumped his shoulder into hers.
“You'll be great,” he said. “Just take a deep breath. That's what I do whenever I get nervous.” Maxine closed her eyes and relaxed her hands in her lap. She felt her heart rate slow just slightly, just enough that she felt like she could breathe properly. “There.” Sam pointed. “There's the top of the barn.” He let out a long, happy sigh. “It feels good to be home.”
Maxine smiled at him. He looked so content, even with the hot sun shining down on him, which was starting to bother her. She could feel sweat under the collar of her dress. She raised a hand to wipe it away. When they reached the top of the hill, however, she stopped thinking about how to impress Mr. Wilkinson. The ranch was beautiful. A fence stretched around the property farther than Maxine could see. A big sign stood at the end of the road with Wilkinson's name in big letters. To the right was the barn, the doors thrown wide open. Then she saw the big house, just as splendid as Sam had said it was, and cleaner than she could have imagined.
“Oh, it's just beautiful,” she gasped. “I've never seen a house like that, not even back in Austin.”
“Is that where you're from?” Sam asked.
“Well, my family came out here when my sister and I were just babies, but I might as well have been born there.”
“I've never been to the city,” Sam said. “Is it nice?”
“It's certainly different,” Maxine replied. She tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at the sprawling ranch in front of her. “Nothing like this. It's closed in and stuffy, and there's plenty of men in fancy suits carin' too much about what other people thing.”
Sam laughed, a full, boisterous sound that made Maxine's insides pleasantly curl. A shaky, shy smile spread over her face. She wanted to laugh, but her throat was too tight to let the sound escape. Sam slowed the horse's pace to a gentle walk as they passed through the ranch gates and down the road to the house. Maxine remembered to breathe like Sam said. He tugged gently on the reins to bring the horse to a stop in front of the house and leapt down from the seat, rounding the front of the cart to help Maxine down from her seat. She stumbled on the way down and fell against Sam's strong chest.
“Careful there,” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders to steady her. “There you go. You're gonna be great, I can tell.” Maxine looked up at him. His eyes were shadowed by the brim of his hat. “Knock 'em dead, Miss Hanson. I'll be around if you need a ride back to town.” He stepped back and tipped his hat, then whistled to two ranch hands nearby who hopped the fence and helped him unload the cart. Maxine smoothed down her skirts and started up the steps to the covered porch. She knocked firmly on the door.
Chapter 5
A young man in a neatly pressed suit answered the door, his black hair smoothed back from his face. He smiled politely at her. “May I help you, miss?” he asked.
“Yes,” Maxine replied, relieved that her voice didn't shake. “My name is Maxine Hanson. I'm here to speak to Mr. Wilkinson about the housekeeping job. Jacob Brooks, my brother-in-law, told me there was an open position.”
“Please, come in. My name is Richard. Mr. Wilkinson is just through here, in the parlour.” Richard gestured into the house and stepped aside to let Maxine in. “We didn't expect to receive a response so quickly.”
“Yes, well, I just arrived in town and I've found myself in need of a job.” Maxine looked at her surroundings. It was almost as fancy as Matthew's house back in the city. The windows were open to let fresh air and natural light inside. It was cooler without the sun beating down, and she could feel a light breeze.
“Do you have any qualifications?” Richard asked.
“I have been assisting my sister and her husband in running their house. Jacob works at the store, you see, and Lizzy just had a baby.”
“Pass on my congratulations,” Richard said with a smile. “I know Jacob, he's a good man.” He stopped in front of a white door. “Just in here,” he said. “Good luck.” He pushed the door open and cleared his throat. “Someone to see you, sir,” he said, “about the housekeeping position.”
Maxine stood up straight as a gruff voice called for her to enter. Richard gave her a friendly smile and stood aside to let her in, closing the door behind her. Mr. Wilkinson sat at his desk, his jacket thrown across the back of his chair, a pen in his hand. He looked up as the door shut and smiled through his bushy whiskers.
“Good afternoon, miss...”
“Hanson. Maxine Hanson. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Wilkinson said, slowly getting to his feet. “Please, sit. You're here to inquire after a job?”
“Yes,” Maxine said, settling in the chair she was offered as Mr. Wilkinson sat down again. “I find myself in need of income, and Jacob Brooks at the general store told me you were in need of a housekeeper.”
“I am,” Wilkinson said. He folded his hands on top of his desk. “Do you have any experience?”
“Helping my sister, Lizzy Brooks,” Maxine replied. “She just had a baby and simply did not have the time to keep the entire house herself.”
“I imagine my home is a good deal bigger than one of those rickety town houses,” Wilkinson said. “Do you think you're up to the task?”
“I do, sir, and I shall do my very best to keep your house as well maintained as I presume it has always been.”
“Very well,” he said. “As I'm in desperate need, I think this time I can afford to take a risk. Wages are sixty-five cents a week, paid at the end of every month. Room and board are included. Richard will deal with the details and tell you what I expect from my employees. I do sincerely hope this is the beginning of a long working relationship.” He stood and extended his hand.
Relief flooded through Maxine. “Thank you so much, Mr. Wilkinson,” she said, shaking his hand firmly. “I promise I will not disappoint you.”
“I hope not, Miss Hanson,” Wilkinson said, still smiling. “Shall we get you started officially next week?”
/> “That sounds perfect. I truly cannot thank you enough.” Wilkinson nodded and released her hand, reclaiming his seat. Maxine slipped from the room and found Richard waiting for her. He saw the look on her face let out a low chuckle.
“Good news?” he asked.
“Very,” Maxine replied. “Mr. Wilkinson said you would informed me about how things are run here?”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Hanson,” Richard replied, and offered her his arm.
They toured the house for about half an hour while Richard carefully and clearly outlined each of Maxine's duties. It was a lot to take in all at once, but Maxine was too happy to worry about the work she had ahead of her. Her room was the largest out of all the women servants’ quarters, though still small compared to the rest of the rooms in the house. Still, it was larger than her room at Lizzy’s. Plus, the house was truly beautiful. Now that her nerves had dissipated, Maxine could appreciate the décor and the craftsmanship of the place. She had always dreamed of owning a house like this. Living in one would have to do.
Her first thought should have been to rush home and tell her sister and Jacob that she had gotten the job. Instead, she found herself thinking of Sam.
Richard saw her to the door and said his goodbyes, then left Maxine on the porch searching for her escort, filling her lungs with fresh country air. Sam could be anywhere on the ranch, Maxine knew, but she hoped he hadn't gone far. Keeping an eye out for him, she wandered off towards the horse corral, smiling when she saw Willow free of tack and grazing lazily. She clicked her tongue at the mare, who raised her head and trotted over, immediately snuffling around Maxine's skirts to check if she had any treats.
“She's takin' a liking to you,” came a familiar voice behind her. Maxine looked over her shoulder and smiled at Sam as he made his way over to her. He had an apple in one hand and a small knife in the other. He carved out a slice of the apple as he reached the fence and offered it to Maxine. She delicately picked it off the tip of the knife and held it out to Willow, giggling as the horse's soft whiskers tickled her palm.