Sean shook his head. “Pa, like always I’ll do what you say, but I agree with Logan. You said you’d been thinking along these lines before Mrs. Shaw mentioned them. Can you honestly say you’d have made these changes without her influence?”
Pa waited a minute before he answered. “Maybe, maybe not. I thought about them, but I don’t know as I’d have put this plan to work right now. I’m grateful to Edwina… um, Mrs. Shaw for her suggestions. You should be too.”
Logan leaped to his feet. “Pardon me if I’m not. I think the idea is a bunch of bull—”
“Choose your words carefully, Son.” Pa pointed a finger at him and wore a harsh expression. “Mrs. Shaw is a lady I hold in high regard.”
Logan staggered back and fell onto the chair. “Pa?”
Sean asked, “What does ‘high regard’ mean?”
“What I said. She’s a fine woman who’s had a difficult life and risen above the obstacles.”
Logan gaped at his father. “Well, I’ll be damned, you’re sweet on her.”
His father pointed at him again and narrowed his eyes. “Watch what you say, Logan. That’s not how I’d phrase my feelings. I respect her a great deal and enjoy talking to her. I expect you to treat her with courtesy.”
Logan looked from his brother to his father. “When has either of us been rude to a guest?”
“You don’t call the way you talk to Miss Kelso rude?”
Logan was stumped. He had been rude to her but he didn’t want to admit that to his father. “I teased her a little is all. Nothing rude about me doing that.”
Sean hooted. “That’s not all you did.”
“Shut your yap, little brother, or I’ll feed you to the hogs.”
Pa pinned Logan with a glare. “What does Sean mean?”
Logan shrugged. “She called me in here to chew me out when she heard me say ‘ornery old cow’ this morning. She thought I meant her aunt and wouldn’t let me get a word in to explain. Then,” he softened his voice. “Well…um, I kissed her.”
Pa stood, hands fisted on his desk. “You not only forced a kiss on a woman, but one who’s a guest in our home?”
Logan raised his hands in front of his chest. “Pa, it’s not like you think. I’m sure she knew I was gonna kiss her and she kissed me back. Then… well, reckon we were both plenty surprised. I’ve steered clear of her since.”
Sean shook his head. “That’s not what it’s looked like to me. I saw you put your hands at her waist when Pa and Mrs. Shaw came in here. I think you aren’t as put off by Miss Kelso as you pretend.”
Logan caught Sean’s emphasis on Miss as the way he addressed her. Damn, wasn’t anything private around here? He couldn’t speak to a person without the entire household commenting.
He stood and faced his father. “You through laying down the law?”
“Reckon I am if you think you can remember what I said.”
“Don’t see how I could forget.” Logan strode from the room.
He was as upset at himself as he was at anyone else. Just the same, he didn’t appreciate Sean shooting off his mouth. Had his brother let news of that kiss slip to the hands? Man, he’d never hear the last of the teasing if Sean had.
***
Charity was almost relieved when the three men emerged a half hour later. Logan’s expression was mulish and angry. Sean appeared perplexed. Mr. Murdoch smiled at Aunt Edwina and touched her shoulder as he passed by on the way to his chair near the fireplace. Charity would love to know what had been discussed in the office.
The young men came back to the table and Whitey pulled a deck of cards from his shirt pocket.
Aunt Edwina rose and went to the living room. She sat in the chair near Mr. Murdoch and they conversed quietly.
Amelia and Charity exchanged puzzled glances and Charity said, “What is going on between them?”
Logan peered over his shoulder and nudged Sean, who turned to stare at his father talking to Aunt Edwina.
Logan turned back and met Charity’s gaze. “You ladies care to play poker with us?”
Charity shook her head. “No, thank you. We have other things to do.”
Amelia shook her head at his invitation but leaned near Charity. “We do?”
Charity whispered, “We’ll find something.”
To Jenny, she said, “Are there any scraps of cloth from things the men outgrew or something like that? My aunt was right about rugs making the floor warmer.”
“We can look in the attic tomorrow. Need daylight to prowl around. I don’t even remember what all’s up there.”
They chatted until time for bed. Charity wondered if the men would sit up playing cards, but they ended the card game when Mr. Murdoch said time for bed had come and he helped her aunt upstairs.
Logan walked beside her. “Shall I escort you to your room, Miss Kelso?”
In spite of his sarcasm, she smiled. “You may, but I know the way by now. I’ve wondered, is there enough wood for us to keep the fire going in our bedrooms at night?”
He stayed beside her as they climbed the stairs. “There is. Even with the weather like this, we have enough to last until spring.”
“Good, because having a warm room is very nice. I hoped we weren’t using up all your supplies.”
“Might come to that with this weather. Never known it to be so cold. May have to move the hands in here until the thaw. The bunkhouse isn’t built as well as this house. I don’t know if we have the parts we need to repair their stove.”
“Oh, I thought the flue dislodged.”
“Yeah, after something else happened that created a bang. Can’t afford to have the bunkhouse burn down.”
“Can you move their bunks into the house? Maybe over by the stairs. No privacy for the men, but better than the floor.”
“We’ll see. If worse comes to worse, Sean and I can share a room and the hands can have Sean’s room.”
Sean was right behind them. “Aw, man, I hate to think of sharing a bed with Logan ’cause he hogs the covers and the mattress.”
Logan looked over his shoulder. “I thought you were the one who did that.”
Amelia chuckled. “I’m glad Charity and I don’t have to do battle. I hardly know she’s there.”
Logan looked at her with a wicked smile and leaned near. “Mmm, bet I would.”
“You’ll never know.” Charity had tried for sass but sensed the heat of a blush steal across her face.
“Never is a long, long time, Miss Kelso.” He left her at her door and continued down the hall.
Sean saluted. “See you in the morning, Ladies.”
Charity said, “Oh, I almost forgot I need to help my aunt.” She hurried next door and rapped before she entered.
Aunt Edwina twisted to undo her dress. “Good, you’ve come to my rescue. I have no idea why most dresses fasten in the back.”
Charity went to work on her aunt’s buttons. “Me either, Aunt Edwina. I intend to make sure any new ones I get open in front.”
“I’m glad you talked me out of wearing a corset. I hadn’t realized how much more comfortable going without one is. I may never wear one again.”
“You’ve a nice figure so you don’t need to cinch yourself in.”
“How nice of you to say so, but I admit things sag in places I’d rather they didn’t.”
“You can’t expect to look twenty. You’ve had a child and have matured. You’re still a very attractive woman, though, and you look younger than your age.”
“I wonder… Well, we’d both better get a good night’s sleep. Morning comes very early here.”
“Doesn’t it? Would you like the warming stones again?”
Her aunt climbed into bed. “At my feet would be nice.”
Charity placed the flannel wrapped hot stones in her aunt’s bed. “Goodnight, Aunt Edwina. Sleep well.”
She went to the room she shared with Amelia. Aunt Edwina’s attitude appeared to have mellowed unbelievably. Perhaps she’d needed a ch
ange of scene and to feel needed. Praise for her pies certainly brightened her countenance.
Dear Lord, Aunt Edwina’s lovely like this. Please don’t let her start complaining and cause trouble. And bless those trapped in the snow, both humans and animals.
Chapter Six
Charity woke to the smell of coffee drifting from the kitchen. She quickly readied for the day then waked Amelia before going next door. She met Logan in the hallway.
He caged her against the wall. “Don’t you look good enough to eat this morning?”
She ducked under his arm. “Excuse me, Mr. Wolf, but I have to hurry to Grandma’s house.”
He laughed and strolled down the stairs.
In Aunt Edwina’s room, her aunt was sitting on the side of her bed drawing on her second stocking. “Did I hear you talking to someone?”
“Logan was acting silly.” Charity helped her aunt dress.
“Such a nice young man, as is Sean. Kevin has done a good job raising them. Of course, I pointed out several areas he’d slighted and he agreed to remedy his oversight.”
Charity’s hands stilled. “He did?”
“He was most receptive to my suggestions.”
So, that’s why the boys were called into the office with their father. No wonder Logan was angry when the interview was over. In fact, he practically had steam shooting from his ears.
“Aunt Edwina, you know that our time here is—in the grand scheme of things—short and we shouldn’t interfere.”
“I feel duty bound to point out certain failings since they have no mother to guide them.”
“Wonder what happened to her?” She brushed her aunt’s hair and fashioned the long strands into a French roll.
“She ran away with a neighbor when Logan was ten. Other than Jenny, we’re the first women in the house since then.”
Charity plopped on the bed beside her aunt. “My stars. That’s why Logan and Sean were astonished you and their father were conversing.”
“I almost told Kevin about Horace but… I feared I wouldn’t have been able to do so without crying. I can’t abide women who weep over this and that.”
“No one could fault you. I’m so mad at Dad for the way he acted, telling us not to compliment you on your cooking because it would embarrass and upset you. How could he be so mean and spiteful?”
“That’s Billy. He was as mean to me as Anne was to you. I think we’re both better off away from Albany. Certainly I’m already happier. Since Reggie knows what’s happened to delay us, he won’t be worried. We may as well enjoy our time here.”
“Very sensible, Aunt.” She held out her hands. “My skin doesn’t agree and is getting red and breaking out from the dish soap.”
“That’s lye for you. I’ve an old pair of gloves.” She opened a drawer. “Stick these in your pocket to save for tonight. Just before you go up to bed, I’ll show you how to care for your hands.”
Charity stood. “Shall we go down for breakfast?”
Today was dusting and polishing day and Jenny drafted the three women to help. Before dinner, all the downstairs furniture was waxed and polished as well as the banister.
When they’d finished cleaning up from the noon meal, Jenny beckoned to them. “We’ll do upstairs another day. I’ll take you up to the attic now to look for clothing you can use for rugs.”
The three women guests filed behind the housekeeper. At the end of the second floor hallway, Jenny opened a door to reveal a narrow stairway.
“We keep the door closed so we don’t lose all the warmth.” She raised her skirts and climbed.
Amelia was last in line and closed the door behind them.
The attic was large and had a window at each end.
Aunt Edwina surveyed the expanse. “As bright as it is outside, we can see pretty well up here.”
Jenny banged on the nearest trunk. “Let’s hope there’re no mice.”
Charity said, “I’m surprised you don’t have a cat.”
“There are some in the barn.” Jenny opened a trunk. “These are family photos and memory things.”
Charity would have enjoyed looking through those.
Jenny stopped by a large box. “These are clothes left behind by… um, someone years ago. May be rotted by now.”
Aunt Edwina held up a gown. “No, this quality lasts. Would we be allowed to use this?”
“I don’t think so, you’d have to ask Mr. Kevin. There are quite a few of them.” A wooden crate drew Jenny’s attention. “And here are dungarees Sean’s outgrown over the years. Some were handed down from Logan and they may be missing the knees, but there’s good fabric left.”
Aunt Edwina sorted through them. “These will be sturdy. Let’s start with them. This rug can be used in the living room where there’s lots of traffic.” Edwina gathered up all the dungarees in sight.
Charity took them from her aunt. “Amelia and I will carry them, Aunt, so you won’t trip and fall. Going down is steep.”
“Let’s see what else is up here.” Aunt Edwina wove among furniture. “Why, look, here’s a bed. Two of the hands could sleep on this instead of the floor. And there’s what looks like a bunk over there.”
Jenny acted uneasy. “We’d better take the dungarees down and get busy with supper.”
Charity and Amelia went first and Jenny helped Aunt Edwina. When they were in the hallway, Jenny jiggled the knob on the attic door firmly. “Have to make sure this is shut firmly.”
Aunt Edwina stopped at her door. “I have a pair of scissors in my things. I’ll bring them down so our work will go faster.”
Amelia hurried ahead to the room she and Charity shared. “I have a pair also.”
“Amelia, I’ll carry your load for you.” Jenny stretched out her arms.
Charity shook her head. “I only have a tiny scissors that wouldn’t cut this thick fabric. I’ll go on downstairs.”
She and Jenny went into the kitchen with their load.
Sorting through them, Charity held up one pair. “I think these would fit me. May I have them?”
Jenny shrugged. “Sure, if you want them.”
“If I need to help feed cows or work in the barn, I could wear these.” She laid them aside.
Charity used Jenny’s scissors while Amelia and Aunt Edwina used their own. They took out hems, unstitched pockets, and slit fabric into strips. As soon as they had enough strips to work with, Aunt Edwina began the rug.
Jenny watched as she cooked supper. “I never knew how those rugs came about. I reckon it’s not as easy as you make it look.”
“A braided-in rug isn’t difficult but does require practice before the rug will last. I learned from my grandmother when I was a girl. She lived in a very old house built up off the ground. Wood strips were between the house and the ground. Wind whipped underneath in spite of everything. Grandma practically carpeted her floor with braided rugs to keep out the cold. She hung quilts on the walls for the same reason.”
Jenny fried steaks. “I’m sure glad this house is sound and warm. And it’s cool in summer too. I’m lucky to live here.”
The men tramped in after stomping off the snow on the porch. They hung their things on the pegs and went into the living room, except Logan.
He stopped. “What’s going on here?”
Aunt Edwina displayed her work. “We’re making a rug for the living room from some of Sean’s outgrown dungarees.”
“That’s nice.” He picked up the pair Charity had laid aside. “This pair stuck over here by itself for a special reason?”
Jenny pointed her spoon at him. “Leave those be. Charity thought she’d wear those if she needed to help in the barn or ride to feed the cattle.”
He laughed. “You ride a horse? Does someone lead it for you?”
Charity was saved from snapping at him by her aunt. “Charity is an excellent rider. She won the Steeplechase when she was sixteen. I was so proud of her when they gave her the trophy.”
Charity stared at her
aunt. “You were there, Aunt? Why didn’t I know?”
“I’m sure you can guess. Your father thought if you knew I was there you might think too much of yourself.”
Speaking before she thought, Charity recalled, “Anne was so jealous she threw my trophy down the stairs. Dad sold our horses the next week because seeing them supposedly hurt her feelings too much.” After all this time, Charity almost cried over losing her beloved horse.
Logan leaned on the table. “Wait. Let me get this straight. Your father sold your horse because your winning upset your sister?”
Aunt Edwina turned to him. “That’s correct. You have no idea how cruel my brother can be. Unfortunately, Charity’s younger sister takes after him. We’re both much better off as far from Albany as possible.”
He shook his head. “That’s simply not right. Pa would never do something like that to Sean or me.”
Charity couldn’t meet his gaze. “You still think living in the city is easy?”
“Humph. Not at your house.” He brushed his hand gently across her shoulders as he walked away to join the other men.
After a few more minutes, Jenny told them she needed the table for supper. They added the strips of cloth to the mending basket and Aunt Edwina carefully laid the center of the rug on top.
When Jenny announced the meal was ready, Logan held Charity’s chair for her. She worried over whether he would jerk it back so she’d fall, but she saw Mr. Murdoch holding her aunt’s chair and Sean holding Amelia’s. What had come over them?
Over a meal of fried steak, fried sweet potatoes, and green beans, Charity caught parts of three conversations going on at once. She was happy to sit in the warm kitchen and soak up real family life. Her family had never conversed like this at meals.
Would she ever have a family that got along this well? The more important question was whether or not she’d ever have a family of her own.
Sure, Sean and Logan play-scuffled and pretended to insult one another, but you could tell they were close. Mr. Murdoch appeared to love each of them equally. The hands joked with them as if they were part of the family too.
All things considered, she was glad they’d been forced to come here for refuge. Their stay had opened her eyes to more that was wrong with her previous life than she’d imagined. She’d never view her old life the same or accept it as normal.
Montana Sky: Murdoch's Bride (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 3) Page 5