Ethan wondered again who she was marrying. He hadn’t heard of anyone in town or in the area, who had ordered a mail-order bride, let alone a family. Ethan also hadn’t asked for payment of the night, guessing the groom would pay for his new family when he joined them tomorrow. Mrs. Higby looked exhausted besides low on funds. He thought it better to save her pride and let her recuperate from her trip rather than bring up payment before ushering them to their room.
*
He heard, rather than saw Mrs. Higby and the girls come downstairs for their evening meal. He didn’t peek as they trooped down the stairs, just smiled at the renewed chatter of the girls. Sounds like the long nap helped their wilted spirits. Hopefully Mrs. Higby rested also, instead of worrying about meeting her groom tomorrow.
Ethan had told the cook about the family, so Irma knew to add extra meat to their bowls of soup, set glasses of milk out for the girls, plenty of sliced bread and butter, and to save a whole cherry pie for their meal. He wondered what the girls would eat best for breakfast, but Irma would figure it out.
He had given them twenty minutes at their table before wandering in the dining room to check on them. “How was supper tonight, girls?” They might have been concentrating on their food, but heads perked up and the conversation commenced.
“It was so good!”
“Can I have more stew?”
“When do we get our pie?”
“More!”
Ethan stepped back as he was bombarded with the girl’s remarks, not sure what order to answer them in. He looked to Mrs. Higby, who’s mouth was working fast to chew her mouthful of food so she could answer him.
“I take it you like Irma’s cooking. I’ll be sure to let her know you liked it.” He couldn’t help smiling at the girl’s satisfied faces. They had needed a good healthy meal and he was more than happy to help.
“Thank you, Mr. Paulson. Please let her know the stew was delicious. Tonight’s meal was a real treat.” And probably a lifesaver for five growling tummies.
“You are more than welcome. We want all our guests to enjoy the finest in dining.” Ethan knew he was staring at Mrs. Higby’s gorgeous hair since she had come downstairs without her hat, but it was like he couldn’t help himself, he was so drawn to her.
“Here’s your dessert, young ladies,” Naomi, the waitress announced as she presented the cherry pie to the table. “Who wants the first slice?”
Four hands and shouts of “Me!” immediately filled the air, causing other diners in the room to chuckle at the scene.
“Mr. Paulson, there’s one piece of pie left in the pie tin. Do you want to join this little party of happy girls?” Now why did Naomi, old enough to be his mother, ask him that? He never sat down with guests. He looked at her and she winked, probably figuring out he was fascinated with the family, or Mrs. Higby?
“Yes, please join us, Mr. Paulson. You’ve been so kind...” Mrs. Higby finally said after she realized he was still standing at the table.
“Oh, uh, I’d be pleased to.” Naomi already had an extra plate and fork with her so she scooped the last piece on the plate and set it down on the table across from the oldest girl. Had Naomi been watching him watching them?
Now he had five pairs of eyes on him while he ate his pie. He bet Naomi and Irma were peeking out of the dining room door watching him, too.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” It seemed like a safe subject to ask.
Mrs. Higby had a smear of red cherry filling on the corner of her lip, which he’d so like to wipe off. “I’ll meet Mr. Jensen tomorrow morning, then...I’m not sure.” She had that worried look on her face again.
“What does this Mr. Jensen do? I can’t quite place him,” or know of him at all.
“His letter said he owns a ranch north of town. Do you not know him? Mr. Maurice Jensen?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t made his acquaintance yet, but I’m sure we’ll be getting to know him better when he comes into town with you for church and school functions.”
“There’s a school in Clear Creek?” Ida Mae asked. “We haven’t been to school yet this year since...” The girl stopped talking after glancing at her mother.
“You’ll have to start next week then,” Ethan practically butted in to save the mother another embarrassed explanation. “The new teacher, Miss Maeve Ramsey, is well liked by the students and parents, and you’ll soon have new friends.”
Ethan looked at Mrs. Higby who gave him a slight nod, probably thankful he gave the schoolteacher a good mark.
“And I saw one church when we came into town? What denomination is it?”
“Our only church is called the Clear Creek Community Church and almost everyone attends church there, instead of traveling further to Ellsworth where there are more churches.
“Pastor Patrick and Kaitlyn Reagan are two of the most helpful citizens in town. Always feel free to knock on their door. They have six boys, so you’ll meet them at school.”
“Eww, boys!” Ethan didn’t know which child proclaimed their annoyance with them.
“Your tune will change in a few years,” Ethan couldn’t help teasing them, while looking over at Mrs. Higby, who smiled and gave a nod of agreement.
Why did he want to spend time with this woman and her little family? It was so unlike him. He’d been engaged to Sarah Wilerson…now Brenner, for a long time, but things were…always formal between him and Sarah. They didn’t tease each other or show much affection in public, or even alone when he thought of it. He inwardly sighed. Ethan had been moping around about Sarah marrying another, but…meeting Helen Higby put a spark in his heart that had been absent with Sarah. And just his luck, when he felt like his heart might feel attraction to someone again, the woman is marrying someone else, tomorrow.
~*~*~*~
I hope you enjoyed the beginning of Helen Heals a Hotelier. You can continue reading it on Amazon now.
~*~*~*~
Grooms with Honor Series in order (available and future titles)
Angus’ Trust (Angus and Daisy)
Fergus’ Honor (Fergus and Iris)
Gabe’s Pledge (Gabe and Iva Mae)
Mack’s Care (Mack and Pansy)
Cullen’s Love (Cullen and Rose)
Seth’s Promise (Seth and Lilly)
Tully’s Faith (Tully and Violet)
Grooms with Honor “Friends” Series in order:
Montana Sky: Nolan’s Vow (Nolan and Holly)
Montana Sky: Elof’s Mission (Elof and Linnea)
Montana Sky: Jasper’s Wish (Jasper and Julip) Nov. 9, 2017 release
Brides with Grit Series in order:
Rania Ropes a Rancher (Rania and Jacob) FREE
Millie Marries a Marshal (Millie and Adam)
Hilda Hogties a Horseman (Hilda and Noah)
Cora Captures a Cowboy (Cora and Dagmar)
Sarah Snares a Soldier (Sarah and Marcus)
Cate Corrals a Cattleman (Cate and Isaac)
Darcie Desires a Drover (Darcie and Reuben)
Tina Tracks a Trail Boss (Tina and Leif)
Lorna Loves a Lawyer (Lorna and Lyle)
Helen Heals a Hotelier (Helen and Ethan)
Also, read Lilly: Bride of Illinois, a spin-off book in the American Mail-Order Brides Series.
~*~*~*~
Historical Fiction Books by Linda K. Hubalek
Trail of Thread Series
Trail of Thread
Thimble of Soil
Stitch of Courage
Strong Women: The Complete Trail of Thread Series
Butter in the Well Series
Butter in the Well
Prairie Bloomin’
Egg Gravy
Looking Back
Planting Dreams Series
Planting Dreams
Cultivating Hope
Harvesting Faith
Kansas Dreams: The Complete Planting Dreams Series
Kansas Quilter Series
Tying the Knot
~*
~*~*~
About the Author
Linda Hubalek grew up on the Kansas prairie, always wanting to be a farmer like her parents and ancestors. After earning a college degree in Agriculture, marriage took Linda away from Kansas as her husband worked in engineering jobs in several states.
Meanwhile, Linda wrote historical fiction books about pioneer women who homesteaded in Kansas between 1854 to the early 1900s, especially her Swedish immigrant ancestors.
Linda Hubalek and her husband eventually moved back home to Kansas, where they raised American buffalo (bison) for a dozen years.
Linda is currently writing sweet historical western romances set in the 1800s.
Her future writing projects include a contemporary romance series, starting in Melissa Storm’s First Street Church Romances Kindle World in November 2017.
Look for two books, Love’s Blessing on November 15, and Love’s Double Blessing on November 27.
Gabe's Pledge (Grooms With Honor Book 3) Page 10