by Karen Baney
Lieutenant Harrison turned the wagon down one of the streets bordering the town square before stopping in front of one of the log cabin structures. A simple painted sign announced “Lancaster Boardinghouse.” Lieutenant Harrison jumped down from the wagon. Before he turned to help Hannah down, she exited from the other side behind an excited Martha.
“Hannah!” Betty’s cheerful greeting reached her ears before the woman stepped from the doorway. Betty engulfed her in a firm embrace and Hannah savored the comforting action.
“This must be Mrs. Murphy,” Betty said as she released Hannah.
“Betty, pleased to meet you,” Martha said as she was engulfed in an equally warm hug. “Please, call me Martha.”
“Come, dears,” Betty said, leading her visitors into the dining hall. “We’ll take our tea back in the kitchen.”
As Hannah followed behind Betty, she studied the room. There were three rows of long tables with benches on both sides. It looked like the room could serve roughly thirty men, with ten or so at each table. Walking through the entrance to the kitchen, a wall stood immediately to the right. Straight ahead, along the back wall, there was a door. Betty propped it open to allow the fresh May air to fill the room. Next to the door was a fire fueled stove. On the wall opposite the stove was a table big enough to fit four people. The final wall was lined with shelves, acting as a pantry and dish storage.
“A real stove,” Hannah sighed in admiration. She had not laid eyes on a real stove since leaving the clinic back in Ohio almost nine months ago. The memory threatened to spill gloom on a pleasant visit, so Hannah forced her attention back to her friends.
Grabbing three mugs from a shelf, Betty poured tea for the three ladies. “Please sit,” she said indicating the table.
As she took her seat, Hannah noticed another door off of the kitchen next to the open back door. That must lead to their private rooms or a storage area.
“Betty, this place is amazing. How did you and Paul build all of this so quickly?” Hannah asked.
“Well, we hired some of the miners and ranchers looking for extra cash. We have two bunkhouses out back where the men board. Each one can hold up to ten men, maybe more when we need to pack them in. The bunkhouses each have a small room where the men can wash up. Besides the outhouses, we also have a very small barn, if you want to call it that. That’s where we house Gerdie and a few chickens. Gerdie’s the milk goat. The small corral next to it will fit a horse or two and it gives Gerdie a place to stretch her legs.”
“How many boarders do you have now? What do they do for a living?” Martha asked, lifting the steaming cup to her lips.
“Right now we have twelve men. Most are miners. A few of those government men stay here from time to time.”
“How do you feed so many between you and Paul?” Hannah asked.
“Well, truthfully I could use some help. If I only had to worry about cooking, I could probably handle it. But with three meals a day, laundry, and cleaning, I’ve got my hands full. Paul doesn’t get out to the mine as much as he’d like since most days he’s stuck here helping me clean. He never complains about it but I know he would like me to find some help.”
“I know how hard it can be just to feed a large group of men,” Hannah sympathized.
“Mornings are the most difficult since I am often preparing packed lunches for the miners in addition to breakfast. The afternoon is when I get the cleaning done while they are off at the mines. Then, as soon as that’s done, I’m working on supper.”
“Do you serve meals for men who don’t board here?” Martha asked.
“Yes. We have separate rates for individual meals. Most anyone who comes into town these days comes in for dinner. We often are left with some patrons standing, waiting for someone else to vacate a seat.”
“Well, sounds like you are busy!” teased Hannah.
“You are looking real good, Hannah. How have you been doing at that fort?” Betty asked.
Hannah started sharing about the routine of daily life at the fort, but before long Betty steered the conversation towards a more personal vein.
Looking into Hannah’s eyes, Betty said, “I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. I wish I could have been there for you through such a difficult time, dear.”
The softness and compassion in Betty’s tone broke down the barriers Hannah carefully erected around her heart. Tears streamed down her face.
“It was so hard,” she confessed, “to lose the baby…” She choked on a sob. “Especially with Drew gone. The baby was…my last connection to him.”
Martha grasped Hannah’s hand as Betty pulled her into a motherly hug. For several minutes, Hannah let herself be comforted from her sorrow by her caring friends. When her tears finally stopped, Betty took the seat next to her.
“Dear, I know it is hard right now. But,” Betty said, “I promise it will get easier with time.”
Hannah nodded, wiping her face with her handkerchief. When she drained the last of her tea, Betty stood to refill it.
“Hannah,” Martha said, “You should really think about moving into town and working with Betty.”
Betty nearly dropped the teapot as she whirled around to look at Martha with a stunned expression. Hannah was certain her face mirrored the same surprise. What made Martha think of such a thing?
“Well, don’t look so shocked,” Martha said, looking from Hannah to Betty. “It makes perfect sense for both of you. Betty needs the help and the company would be good for you, Hannah. It doesn’t sound like you would be working any harder than you do now.”
“She’s right. I would love to have you work for me,” Betty agreed, excitement sparkling in her eyes. “I can pay you a decent wage beyond room and board.” Taking on a look of mischief, she said, “We may have to boot Paul out to the bunkhouse, but I don’t think he would mind, especially if it meant he could spend time working his placer mine.”
Hannah thought for a moment. She was lonely at the fort. Besides Martha, the only ladies were her Mexican coworkers who spoke little English. She and Martha were always so busy they rarely had time to socialize. If she worked for Betty, she would be in town. And she would be near Betty, the woman who was like a mother to her. She would live in a building. Cook over a real stove. Stop living out of crates. Of course, Martha was right. Both she and Betty needed this arrangement.
“I’ll do it. How soon do you need me?”
“Tomorrow would be just fine,” laughed Betty.
Martha beamed, obviously pleased to have orchestrated the entire thing.
Chapter 24
Once back at the fort, Hannah asked Joshua to walk with her for a moment. Looking forward to some time alone with her, he quickly agreed. He offered his arm, then led her along the outer perimeter of the fort.
“Lieutenant,” she started. Joshua really wished she would call him by his given name, but decided not to press the issue tonight. “I’m going to move into town.”
At first Joshua thought he didn’t hear her right. Stopping, he turned towards her. The pink tint to her cheeks and the brightness lighting her eyes showed her excitement. Why would she be moving to town? “When?”
“If possible, I would like to move tomorrow. I am going to work for Betty—Mrs. Lancaster—at the boardinghouse. She really needs the help.”
Turning pensive for a moment Joshua said nothing. If she moved to town, he would rarely see her, as his duties kept him either at the fort or on patrol. She sounded so confident and sure of her decision. And he knew she and Betty were close friends. But that did not keep his heart from pricking at the thought of being separated from her. For just a brief moment he considered asking her to marry him again, but discounted the idea as being desperate.
“Lieutenant?” asked Hannah, stirring him from his thoughts.
“I beg your pardon,” he replied. “My mind was elsewhere. What did you say?”
“Would you be able to help me move?”
Another twist drov
e the knife a little deeper. How could he convince her to stay? Should he?
As much as he wanted to keep her near, he would do anything for her. “Of course. I will speak with the major first thing in the morning. I am sure he will be agreeable, after all, we are here to help protect the citizens.”
Leading her back to her tent, he bid her good evening, resisting every temptation to confess his feelings and convince her to stay. One thing was certain, he would greatly miss the lovely Hannah Anderson.
Morning dawned. Hannah still could not believe the quick decision she made yesterday about moving to town—yet it felt right. Nothing about her life in the Arizona Territory turned out the way she dreamed. Drew always made decisions for them, though he sought her opinion. Since losing him, she let others, mainly Joshua Harrison, fill that role. But, she was a widow, with no one seeing to her care. She needed to take charge of her own life now. So, she made her first decision, one she hoped would prove to be a good one.
Walking towards the mess tent, she dreaded telling the manager she was leaving, especially after he treated her so well and gave her the job sight unseen. Walking around to the back of the tent, Hannah greeted her two coworkers before spotting her manager. She took a deep breath and walked in his direction.
After a brief conversation, the manager told her he was thankful for her great work over the past months. If things didn’t work out in town, he would gladly have her back. While comforted by his offer, Hannah felt confident she would not be back.
As she walked back to her tent, Lieutenant Harrison already started loading her things into a wagon. He smiled as she approached before lifting the last trunk into the sparsely filled wagon. Then he turned and helped her up to the seat, climbing next to her.
The old familiar sway of the wagon seemed almost comforting to Hannah, calming her nervousness about the move. Joshua must have sensed her mood, for he said nothing during the short trip to town, an odd silence from the man who conversed so easily with her.
As they turned down the street in front of Lancaster’s Boardinghouse, Betty waved a greeting. Hannah smiled and waved in return. Paul stepped out from the dining hall as Joshua pulled the wagon to a stop.
Hannah sighed. This was her new home.
“You can pull the wagon around to the side door,” Paul said, indicating a separate door to the personal living quarters on the outside of the building.
Once Joshua stopped the wagon in the designated area, Paul helped Hannah down.
“Ma had me clear my stuff out this morning, so the place is all ready for you,” he said. “Go in and take a look around. The lieutenant and I will bring in your things.”
Hannah stepped into the small living quarters, giving her eyes a minute to adjust to the dimmer light. Only one window graced the room, allowing light to filter in from the town square. Next to the door she entered, sat two chairs and a small table. A wood heating stove stood near the center of the room, to allow for maximum heat in the winter. The rest of the space was sectioned off by two curtains strung on a line across the length of the room. She passed through the curtain and quickly discovered a bed and small dresser penned in by another curtain. Lifting back the edge, she saw another bed and small dresser, with a few items scattered on the top. A Bible lay on the corner closest to the bed. That must be Betty’s room.
A clearing of a throat behind her caused Hannah to jump back, dropping the curtain closed.
“Where do you want this?” Joshua said. When had she stopped thinking of him as the lieutenant?
As he looked around the small bedroom of sorts, his face flushed when his gaze reconnected with hers. She felt a similar heat touch her cheeks as she realized he was standing in her room. Why should such a simple act cause such a reaction?
He shuffled his feet, stirring Hannah from her confusing thoughts. Pointing toward the foot of the bed, she barely squeaked out a “There.” She was acting like a silly buffoon.
Slowly Joshua slid the trunk from his shoulder. Once it was safely on the ground, Hannah caught him rubbing his shoulder. Heat rose to her cheeks again as she realized she kept him waiting too long.
Paul bounded into the room with the last of her things and deposited them on the floor in a pile as Betty bustled into the room.
Looking at Joshua, she said, “Dear, won’t you join us for dinner before you return to the fort?”
“Certainly,” he replied, “lead the way.”
Betty took them through the door between the living quarters and the kitchen, before leading them back into the dining hall. Two patrons sat at the middle table, so Betty led them to the table closest to the kitchen. Once Hannah and Joshua were seated, Betty and Paul brought in coffee and food for all four of them.
After a quick prayer, Paul said, “Hannah, you have no idea how glad I was to hear you were coming. Ma is working far too hard and I was getting worried about her.”
“Nonsense,” Betty replied, swatting at her son’s arm. “I am just fine.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She needs the help.” At his mother’s glare, he said, “What? I’ve seen the way you fall into bed exhausted each night.”
“You make it sound like I’m ready to go to glory,” Betty teased her son. Taking a more serious tone, she turned to Hannah, “But, I am grateful for the company.” Betty winked, “It will make laundry go so much faster with someone to talk to.”
Hannah laughed. She forgot just how much she missed the dynamic mother and son.
Glancing over at Joshua she saw him jerk his head away suddenly, as if the corner of the room held something that warranted his concentrated attention. He was acting so odd today.
As Hannah finished her last bite, Betty stood. When Hannah started to rise, Betty said, “You just sit, dear. Soon enough you’ll be on your feet all hours of the day. Paul and I will take care of this.” She motioned her arm over the dishes Paul stacked neatly into a pile.
When mother and son retreated to the kitchen, Hannah looked over at Joshua again. His gaze bore through her. She supposed this would be the last time she would see him for awhile.
---
Joshua looked over at Hannah, her blue eyes shimmering in the light from the oil lamp on the table. The impulse to reach for her hand was strong, but he kept his palms flat on the table in front of him. Clearly she had something to say, but remained silent for a few breaths.
“Joshua,” she started. His heart soared. She finally used his given name. “Thank you…for everything…” she stammered. “Not just for today, but for…”
Holding up his hand he stopped her. “There is no need to thank me for that, Hannah,” he said, knowing she was about to thank him for taking care of her after Drew’s death. He would have done anything he could for Drew. The look in her eyes told him he read her correctly.
Not wanting to part without some assurance of seeing her again, Joshua said, “I hope that you might allow me to visit from time to time. I’ve come to treasure your friendship and will miss it.” He inwardly kicked himself as he stood, knowing that she had become so much more than a friend to him.
As Hannah stood and followed him outside, she said, “I would welcome your company, for you, too, are a treasured friend.”
Before he knew what happened, she gave him a quick peck on the check. Then she turned and was gone. Unconsciously, he rubbed the spot her lips had touched, astonished at how deeply he was affected by the innocent action. He needed to find an excuse to get back to town often.
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After saying her farewells to Joshua, Hannah searched for Betty. She found her friend in the back hanging sheets on the clothesline. Lifting the next one from the basket, Hannah pinned it on the line.
“That young man is smitten with you,” Betty stated matter-of-factly.
Confused, Hannah asked, “What young man?”
“The lieutenant.”
“That could not possibly be,” defended Hannah.
Betty snorted, apparently not agreeing with her as
sessment. Changing the subject, Betty stated, “After we finish hanging the laundry, I’d like your help cleaning the washroom in ‘Gold Rush’.”
At Hannah’s incredulous expression, Betty explained, “‘Gold Rush’ is the north bunkhouse and ‘Mother Lode’ is the south bunkhouse. The men thought it would be funny to name them. I didn’t see any harm in it, so the names stuck.”
Hannah smiled at the names, obviously the idea of a miner. Betty led her to Gold Rush and showed her what to clean.
Once that task was done, they started supper in the kitchen. Betty cut up the fixings for venison stew, while Hannah started the biscuits. As they worked, Betty explained the routine. Any man who wanted a packed lunch for the next day was to let her know at supper the night before. In the morning, they rose early to make the packed lunches, and then prepared breakfast. On rotating days, they laundered the bedding in the bunkhouses, washing only a few per day. They cleaned the washrooms on alternating days, so tomorrow they would clean the Mother Lode. The men were responsible for hauling their own water for bathing. If they wanted hot water, they could request it in advance and it cost extra. Any clothing they wanted laundered was to be placed in a designated area on their bunk. Anything else would be left alone. Wash days were Wednesday and Saturday. During those days, they did not launder sheets. The men were expected to be clean when they showed up in the dining hall. There was to be no swearing, spitting, or drinking in the dining hall. What the men did in the bunkhouses was up to them, but Betty demanded they keep it civil. Paul hauled all of the water for cooking and cleaning from the town well. Having listened carefully to the long list of tasks, Hannah was astonished Betty managed to get it all done.
“One last thing, dear,” Betty said, turning to look Hannah straight in the eye. “I will not tolerate any untoward behavior from these men. If any of them even so much as look at you funny, you tell Paul and he will take care of it. Many of these men ain’t seen a young woman for a good long time, much less a real beauty like you. You remember what I said—be sure to let Paul know right away if you have any concerns.”