Dixie pushed through the batwing doors into the kitchen.
Steam rose in misty drifts from the double sink beneath the back window. Belle, who’s hands were buried in the hot water up to her elbows, tossed a glance over her shoulder. She acknowledged Charlotte with a dip of her chin before returning to washing dishes.
Susan offered a smile from where she stood drying the plates Belle placed into the rack. “Morning, Charlotte.”
“Good morning.” Charlotte gave both women a quick squeeze. Then she sank down at the little kitchen table across from Dixie, who had dropped into a chair and promptly propped her feet on a nearby stool.
“Pardon my unladylike sprawl.” She smiled.
Charlotte tugged off her gloves as she returned the smile. “I’m sure it must feel like a bit of heaven to put your feet up. How is the little one behaving today?”
Dixie rubbed her belly in a circular motion and loosed a sigh. “I’m not sure if it is elbows or knees, but someone has been gouging me in the ribs all morning!”
Charlotte chuckled and set her gloves on the table. “Only a few weeks and you’ll be able to tickle little toes in retaliation.”
Dixie laughed. “I do deserve at least a poke or two.”
Motioning to the coffee pot Dixie had placed on the stove, Charlotte lifted her brows. “Can I pour you a cup?”
Dixie waved a hand. “Of course. And help yourself to the hot water. That blueberry tea you like is there on the shelf. In fact, I should avoid more coffee. I’ll take some tea too.” She glanced toward the sink. “Susan? Belle? Would you like to join us?”
Susan stepped over and set the sugar bowl and a pitcher of cream on the table. “Don’t mind if I do. But I’m having coffee.” She grinned.
“I’ll just finish washing this last stack of plates.” Belle’s words weren’t unfriendly, just all business.
Charlotte poured Susan a cup of coffee and fixed two cups of the herbal tea, then settled into her seat. She scooped a little sugar into her tea and relished a sip of the tart blueberry concoction. She appreciated the fact that Dixie kept the drink just for her. Both coffee and tea gave her debilitating headaches. Chocolate too. “So catch me up on all the news from town? Since I quit teaching, I feel like I miss out. By the time I hear about something it’s already days old news.”
Susan nodded. “You know Zoe’s been helping to tutor the children after school each day.”
“Yes. I’d heard that.”
Dixie’s lips thinned a little. “From what I’ve heard, she’s been doing quite a bit of the teaching too.”
Susan opened her mouth as if to reply, but then snapped it shut. She deliberately lifted her cup and blew on the black brew. But after only half a moment, she plunked the cup down again. “Oh, I can’t stand to keep it to myself any longer! Zoe has decided to take the teaching exam. I’m so proud of her!”
A thrill of joy bubbled up inside of Charlotte. “She has? Oh that’s such great news! I always felt she would be a wonderful teacher.”
A plate crashed to the floor. Shards shot in all directions.
Belle gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mrs. Griffin. I can’t think how that happened.”
Susan leapt to her feet and hurried to fetch the broom in the corner.
Charlotte took in Belle’s stricken face. “Are you injured, Belle?”
The girl seemed to give herself a little shake. “No, no. I’m fine. I’m just...” She raised her gaze to Dixie. “So sorry. I’ll cover the cost from my next pay.”
Dixie hadn’t even moved. “Please, Belle.” She waved a hand. “Accidents happen. I’m just glad you are unharmed. I’m not about to charge you for replacing a plate that was probably already chipped to start with.”
Belle bent to pick up the larger pieces while her mother set to sweeping up the smaller bits. An uneasy silence settled.
Charlotte wanted to remove the scrutiny from Belle. “So, the teacher’s exam! When does Zoe take it?”
Susan moved to the garbage bucket in the corner. “She goes to Seattle mid-December. I’ll accompany her.”
“You’re making the trek to Seattle this time of year?”
Susan gave a nod. “The weather has been fairly mild this winter. We’ll push hard so we aren’t out in it for too many days. And Washington Nolan will escort us. Thankfully he has time to make the trip before he leaves to join the cavalry.”
“Wait! What? I hadn’t heard that! He’s joining the cavalry?”
Dixie sipped from her cup and gave a happy sigh. “He leaves just after the new year. He’s to be stationed with the Seventh Cavalry Regiment in New Mexico.”
“Oh my! Well, I’ll certainly add him to my prayer list!”
With the clean-up of the broken plate complete, both Belle and Susan sank down at the table.
Belle smirked. “I guess the rest of those plates will have to wait. I obviously need a coffee break.”
Everyone chuckled and Charlotte quickly fetched the pot and poured another cup for Belle.
As she sank back into her seat, Dixie peered at Charlotte over the top of her mug. “So what brings you by?”
Charlotte pulled a face. “I can’t just swing by for a chat?”
“You know you can. Anytime. But I’ve never known you to do anything out of your routine unless you were on a mission of some sort.”
“I’m that predictable?”
Dixie arched a brow. “Well?”
Charlotte chuckled. “Fine. I’m that predictable. I’ve decided to buy Reagan a pair of boots for Christmas, only I don’t know his boot size. Nor do I have nearly enough money.”
The other three women looked at each other.
Belle broke the silence. “How are you going to buy them if you don’t have the money?”
Charlotte sighed. “That’s why I’m here. I need help figuring that out.”
Susan arched a brow. “And his boot size?”
Charlotte slumped back into her seat. “I need help with that too.”
The ladies chuckled.
Chapter 4
Fixing Dixie with a look, Charlotte arched a brow. “Do you know what you are getting Flynn?”
A mysterious smile touched Dixie’s lips. “I do.”
She leaned in. “Tell me.”
Setting her cup back in her saucer, Dixie clasped her hands. “Let’s just say that the ‘shopping trip’ I’m taking to Seattle in a couple of weeks isn’t for new dresses as Flynn thinks.” She grinned. “I’ve purchased him a sleigh from the premiere sleigh maker in this region. He’s going to love it. It will certainly make his trips out to the camps more comfortable.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely! But Flynn is letting you travel to Seattle so soon before the baby is due to come?” Charlotte’s brow furrowed.
Taking another sip of tea, Dixie brushed the concern aside. “Flynn says all is progressing normally, and I’ll be taking the train. So only a day there, one day in town, and then another day back. Everything will be fine.”
Charlotte exhaled. “Well, I’m glad you have everything figured out. Now, any ideas for how I should—”
A knock sounded at the back door.
Dixie made to stand, but Susan rose quickly and waved her back into her seat. “I’ll get it.”
Kin Davis stood outside the door, hat in one hand and a fishing creel in the other. Snow dusted his shoulders and hat, and he hunched his coat up around his ears.
Susan stepped back, inviting him in with a smile. Once he was inside and the door shut, she peered into his creel. “Well now, look here. Fresh fish for tonight’s dinner. The loggers will be so pleased. Wait right here and I’ll get your payment.” She bustled into the pantry where Dixie kept her money for such purchases.
Kin fidgeted a bit when he noticed the other three women seated at the table looking at him. “Ladies.” He gave a little bow that was more nod than anything.
Dixie smiled at him. “Thank you so much, Kin. I always appreciate the addition of your fresh
catches to my menu. I’m sure it was cold work, sitting still long enough to catch those.”
He twisted his hat through his fingers, expression serious as usual. “You pay me well, Mrs. Griffin. I’m always happy to sell to you.”
Dixie suddenly got a light in her eyes. She glanced back and forth between Charlotte and Kin. “Kin, you’re an enterprising soul. Mrs. Callahan here was just sharing that she needs to make some Christmas money. What would you advise?”
Kin didn’t even hesitate. His eyes softened a touch as he said, “After the last community gathering, I heard several men raving about your apple pie, Mrs. Callahan.” He dipped a nod. “Sampled a piece myself and it was mighty tasty.” His gaze pinged to Dixie. “Been awhile since Mrs. Griffin offered desserts because of—” His cheeks blazed and he kicked at the floorboards with one toe. “Well, anyhow, I’m thinking that if Mrs. Griffin isn’t opposed to the idea that you could bake pies and sell them by the slice right here in the diner.” He shrugged as if it was the simplest solution in the world. “Mrs. Griffin, can likely even make a bit of profit for herself.”
Charlotte blinked at Dixie who blinked back.
Dixie was the first to break the silence. “That’s a fabulous idea!”
Charlotte grinned. “Why didn’t I think of that! I’ve still got plenty of apples in the cellar! And I’ve enough money to buy the flour and sugar. It’s the butter I’m not sure of. Mr. Hines does ask a dear price for it. We were buying our milk from Mr. King and making our own butter, but his cow has gone dry.”
Belle cleared her throat. “Our cow is still giving a goodly amount of milk, and I’m sure Ma would be happy to sell you enough cream to make the butter you’ll need.”
“Of course we will.” Susan Kastain nodded as she handed Kin his payment for the fish. “And I can spare you a bucket of milk every other week after that too. What do you say to fifty cents for the month?”
“That sounds like a very good price.” Charlotte eased back in her chair. “Oh, this is such a load off my mind! Now all I have to figure out is how to finagle his boot size out of him without raising his suspicions!”
Dixie chuckled. “And bake pies every day without him wondering why the house smells so delicious yet he hasn’t had a bit of dessert for weeks!”
Charlotte laughed. “Oh that’s true! I’ll have to bake them first thing in the mornings after he leaves so the smell won’t still be lingering when he gets home!”
“You don’t mind my input on his shoe size, Mrs. Callahan, I might have an idea for you there too.” Kin peered at her as he tucked his money away in his poke.
“I’m all ears!”
He shoved the drawstring bag into the inside pocket of his coat. “Heard Zoe talking to Wash about how she’s having the kids down to the school do a project where they all line their feet up by size around the classroom.”
“Line their feet up?” Charlotte couldn’t figure out what he could mean.
“Yes’m. Tracings. They trace them, then cut them out and put them around the room by size.”
“Oh!” She still felt confused. She glanced at Dixie who didn’t seem to understand any better than she did. “How does that help me?”
Kin clasped his hands behind his back and Charlotte had a feeling that if his face was more expressive, it would be showing a great deal of impatience with her density. But his tone was the epitome of patience when he spoke. “Zoe could ask the sheriff for a tracing of his feet to add to the wall.”
“Oh! That’s brilliant!”
“While she’s at it, she maybe ought to ask a few other merchants so he doesn’t get suspicious, and well...maybe”—he gestured at Dixie, and his face turned red again—“Doc and Mrs. Griffin would like to have their baby’s feet traced, soon as it arrives.”
Dixie rested one hand on her rounded belly. “Oh Kin! That’s an amazing idea. We can put it away in a keepsake box once Zoe takes them down.”
He nodded. “Yes’m.”
Charlotte couldn’t help herself. She rushed across the room and threw her arms around Kin’s neck. He stiffened, but she didn’t let that stop her. She dropped a kiss on his cheek. “You’re the best, Kin Davis.” A thought hit her then. She pulled back and looked at him. “Where are you and Parson Clay going for Christmas? You are welcome to join Reagan and me.”
He stepped back and waved his hat in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, no ma’am. The parson has plans to visit his family back east. Don’t worry any about us.”
Charlotte squeezed his arm. “Well, I’m sure that will be an adventure. I’m glad you have some place to go. And thank you, again.”
“My pleasure.” He offered a nod of farewell, and then stepped out into the frosty morning.
Charlotte sank back down at the table. “My, that’s a relief off my mind. Pure providence that Kin stopped by, I say.”
Dixie nodded. “Agreed. I wonder how he and the parson will get along on a trip over Christmas? They’ve seemed a bit at odds with each other the past several weeks. I’m glad they have a place to go.”
“Yes. I’m thankful too. That boy could certainly use some joy in his life.”
Dixie adjusted the position of her feet on the stool. “Indeed.”
“Remind me how much you charge for a slice of pie?”
“Five cents.”
“Eight slices per pie?”
Dixie nodded.
“And what would my cut of that be?”
Dixie tilted her head. “How about this. I haven’t been selling any pies at all. And just having them back on the menu will make my customers so happy. How about for the first two weeks you keep all of it. Then after that we can see if you want to keep making them and discuss it further.”
Charlotte did some quick calculations. And after deducting her costs for the cream, sugar, and flour, two weeks should just give her enough money to pay for the boots.
She squeezed Dixie’s hand. “You’re a gem!”
Dixie only smiled and sipped her tea. But after a moment she squirmed uncomfortably, and adjusted her feet again.
Susan immediately stood. “You should go upstairs and rest, Belle and I will take care of the remainder of today’s meals.”
Dixie winced as she lumbered to her feet and rubbed her belly. “You know, I don’t mind if I do. I’m suddenly feeling as though I could sleep for a week.”
Charlotte took her cue and stood too. “And I’d best go talk to Zoe and put the plan into motion.”
She gave first Dixie and then Belle and Susan quick hugs.
Susan stepped back. “We’ll bring you plenty of cream and a bucket of milk tomorrow.”
“Thank you. I’ll swing by here to pick it up, first thing.”
With that, she hurried out and crossed the street toward the schoolhouse.
Chapter 5
Kin settled his hat on his head and tugged his collar up around his ears as he stepped onto the street. If there was a God in heaven, he hoped the Almighty would forgive him for lying about having a place to spend Christmas.
It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate Mrs. Callahan’s offer. It was just that Christmastime was about family, and no one really wanted Wyldhaven’s rogue orphan to spend Christmas with them, no matter how kindly stated their offers.
Parson Clay had, of course, invited him to return east with him to visit his family. But Kin could only surmise that the invitation had come out of duty. And besides, a week spent with the parson in the stuffy confines of a train car would mean a week of hearing stories about how God had given the man so much joy once he quit fighting for his own way. Kin was bone-weary of that, and it was especially not something he wanted to subject himself to on Christmas.
Not only that, but the parson was taking Tommy Crispin with him on the trip, and Kin could sure use a break from the simpleton’s incessant questions and chatter.
When Wash had learned he wasn’t taking the train with the parson, he had invited him too, but Kin had also put him off. Wash’s family barel
y had enough money for presents of their own, much less for an extra. And they would feel obligated to get him something if he were to spend Christmas with them.
It was only one day. He would drink plenty to forget, spend the morning sleeping in, and let everyone else enjoy their families. Then the day would be done and he wouldn’t have to think about it again for a whole year. And no one would be the wiser. They’d all think he was at someone else’s place.
Besides…he’d been thinking more and more about moving to Seattle to find more permanent work. Maybe he’d even see about becoming an apprentice in a law office. He’d read a few books about the law and wouldn’t mind learning a little more about how the justice system worked.
McGinty stepped into the doorway of his saloon, drying a beer mug. He gave Kin a wave and lifted the mug with a little waggle.
Kin swallowed. A drink would be mighty satisfying right about now. But he’d promised Wash he’d try to cut back, and he’d been doing pretty good for the past few days. He rubbed his hand over the bulge of his money sack in his jacket. Even had a little bit saved up since he’d quit spending it all at McGinty’s. But...he licked his lips.
McGinty smiled at him.
Kin took a step.
Movement down the street caught his attention. It was just the flicker of a white hat by the jailhouse alley. He watched.
A moment later, Sheriff Reagan poked his head out and scanned the street in both directions, then he waved frantically for Kin to join him and withdrew again.
Kin’s brow furrowed. He waved off McGinty as he headed toward the alley.
McGinty frowned, and looked out in the direction of the alley but, when he didn’t see anything, withdrew with a gesture of disgust.
Kin didn’t let it get to him. He was too curious about what the sheriff could want. The sheriff was normally a very level-headed man and he couldn’t figure out what might have the man acting so crazy.
When he stepped into the alley, the sheriff was pacing back and forth. Near his feet were two bushel-baskets filled with...apples.
Kin’s heart gave a thump of dread. He looked up and met the man’s gaze.
Sheriff Reagan's Christmas Boots: A Wyldhaven Series Christmas Romance Novella Page 2