Convicted by Lars’ statement, Bertie realized she’d been trying so hard to make her own plans, she’d all but forgotten to seek God’s guidance. Determined to let go of her worries, she smiled and walked around the bed toward the door. “Aundy, if you want to stay here, I can take the rest of the pies into town.”
“No. Lars and Sadie can keep good watch over Marnie.” Aundy kissed the little girl’s cheek then Marnie’s before she gave Lars a warm hug. “If you do need help with anything, let me know.”
“We will. I’ll see you ladies out while Sadie keeps Marnie company.” Lars placed a hand on Aundy’s shoulder and walked with her to the door.
“Thanks for coming and for the pies. We’ll all enjoy them.” Marnie called from the bed and waved to Bertie. “Don’t be strangers.”
“We won’t,” Aundy assured her before Lars closed the door. Bertie walked a few steps ahead, but could hear Lars and Aundy’s quiet conversation as they made their way down the hall and back stairs.
“No more spicy foods, Lars. It would be best if she takes it easy the next few weeks,” Aundy cautioned. “And you might want to spend some individual time with all of the children. Besides Sadie and Noah, two of the others lost their mothers in childbirth.”
“I will. Marnie and I both appreciate you coming over, Aundy. I know it’s hard for you to um… to see … to be around.” Lars struggled to find words that wouldn’t upset Aundy more than she already was.
“I’m fine, Lars. Really I am. I just wish sometimes… Well, it doesn’t matter what I wish. I appreciate what you said to Sadie, though. I needed that reminder.”
Lars hugged Aundy as they reached the kitchen. Bertie pretended not to notice the moisture in her friend’s eyes or the way Lars cleared his throat.
“Did you see all the pies, Dad?” Noah asked as he stood on tiptoe, peering at half a dozen pies on the counter.
“I did see them, son. They’re for after supper, though, so I best not hear from Shea or Gertie that you snuck into one.” Lars gave the boy a stern look that might have been intimidating if his eyes hadn’t held such warmth and humor. “If I do, you’ll not receive any dessert for a month.”
“I won’t Dad. I’ll stay out of them!” Noah ran over to Aundy and gave her a quick hug then raced out the kitchen door.
Bertie grinned at the boy’s antics then looked up as Shea Meade entered the kitchen carrying Sophie. The little girl squealed at the sight of her favorite aunt and held out her arms.
“How’s my Sophie today?” Aundy kissed her cheeks and tickled her tummy.
Sophie giggled and squirmed in her arms. “I’s good, Aunt Aundy! Hi, Bertie!”
“Hello, Sophie.” Bertie smiled at the adorable little girl who bore a strong resemblance to Lars with her fair coloring and blue eyes, even though she was adopted. “Are you helping Mrs. Meade today?”
“Yep! I’s a good helper.” Sophie poked a finger to her chest.
Shea rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. “That declaration ‘tis open to interpretation.”
Bertie stifled a giggle and grinned at Lars as he took Sophie from his sister. “Come on, baby girl. Auntie Aundy and Miss Bertie need to get to town while you and I find a book for your mama to read.” Lars walked them outside and over to the waiting wagon.
“Do you want me to take her, Lars?” Aundy tipped her head toward Sophie.
“No, I’m off today and tomorrow, so I’ll keep an eye on the youngsters, but thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it soon. In fact, when Marnie’s time really comes, it might be best if you could keep all the kids at your place until, well, you know.”
“I do know.” Aundy grinned and patted him on the back. “We’d be happy to have them stay with us, however long they need to. Just say the word.”
“We will.” Lars held Sophie on one burly arm while he gave Aundy then Bertie a hand up to the wagon. “Thanks again for the pies. They’re sure appreciated. Even if I told those kids to stay out of them, I plan to sample one long before supper.”
Lars winked and Bertie couldn’t help but laugh at his boyish behavior. Aundy shook her head. “And here I thought you’d finally grown up, Lars Thorsen. My mistake.”
Aundy flicked the reins and the horses started down the dogwood-lined lane leading back to the road.
When they were out of earshot of the house, Bertie glanced at Aundy. “Do you really think Marnie will be well?”
“I’m sure of it. If he were the least bit concerned, Doc Reed would be out here, checking on her. Besides, I’ve read several of Nik’s textbooks. Marnie’s problem today was most likely her meal last night.”
“That’s a relief. I feel so bad for the children there who’ve lost a mother to childbirth complications.” Bertie thought of Sadie and her concern over Marnie. It made her heart ache for the little girl.
“It’s hard, but Sadie seems the most worried about it. She was six and right there in the cabin when her mother died. Noah doesn’t remember as much about it as she does. We’ll have to think of some fun things for them to do when it’s time for them to stay at our house. Maybe the men can help keep them occupied so they won’t have time to dwell on what ifs.”
“That’s a good idea. Sadie, especially, seems to enjoy being outside around the horses. I’m sure one or two of the men would be willing to take some of the children for a ride.” Bertie knew that at least one of the men had experience caring for children. “I’m sure Riley would be happy to help.”
Aundy arched her brows and cast a sidelong glance at Bertie. “I noticed he seemed quite chipper this afternoon. It’s nice to see you two on friendly terms again. Did he do something to upset you a while back?”
“No. I smacked him with some flowers the last time we talked at any length and felt bad about it. I thought he might be mad at me, but it was more of a misunderstanding.” Bertie fussed with her gloves, ignoring Aundy’s surprised look.
“Smacked him with flowers? Last time I checked, that wasn’t the best way to let a man know you’re interested in him courting you.”
Bertie spluttered but Aundy laughed.
“Oh, you aren’t fooling anyone, Bertie. I know you’re taken with Riley. You, and maybe Riley, are the only two who don’t realize it.”
Stunned into silence, Bertie glared at Aundy.
The woman grinned and shrugged her shoulders. “What? It’s true, isn’t it? If you could pick any man in the world to sweep you off your feet, wouldn’t it be Riley?”
“Well, yes, but that’s beside the point.” Bertie would have stamped her foot indignantly if they hadn’t been in the wagon.
“That, my dear girl, is exactly the point. Now, what seems to be the problem?”
“Riley!” Bertie huffed in frustration. “He acts friendly one minute, then standoffish the next. If I hadn’t run into him this afternoon, who knows how long he would have waited to have a real conversation with me.”
Aundy remained silent so Bertie continued. “He acts interested, but then I think he isn’t. I’m pretty sure he looks at me as a silly, childish sister, not as a woman who cares for him a great deal.”
“Perhaps you need to say that to him. Those exact words and see what he says.” Aundy offered her an encouraging smile. “What have you got to lose? The worst that can happen is he’ll pat you on the head and offer you one of the lemon drops I’ve seen him give one of our little rascals.”
Bertie sighed, her heart turning to syrup at the reminder of how good Riley was with children. “He is good with them.”
“Very good. He, um… he told Garrett and me about losing his little boy and wife. It’s no wonder he looked so sad when he first moved here, but he seems much happier now. And you know what I think?”
Bertie stared at Aundy. “No, but I’m fairly certain you’ll tell me.”
Aundy grinned and bumped Bertie with her arm. “I think he’s happy because of you. Whether Riley admits it or not, he is in love with you.”
Hopeful, Be
rtie looked at her friend. “Do you really think so?”
Aundy stopped the wagon outside Caterina’s restaurant. “I do. Now, while I leave the pies here for Caterina, can you take two of those boxes to the boarding house? Marvin said they wanted four of them.”
Bertie climbed down and accepted the two stacked boxes Aundy handed to her. She wanted to grunt under the weight of them, but nodded her head and started at a brisk pace up the street.
Unable to knock with her hands full, Bertie tapped the kitchen door of the boarding house with the toe of her shoe.
Marvin Tooley opened the door and gave her a gruff frown then broke into a smile. “Come on in, Miss Hawkins. Aundy said you’d be bringing in some pies today. My Evelyn is right pleased to have them, too.” He took the boxes from her and set them on the big kitchen table. “How are you getting along out there at Nash’s Folly?”
“Very well, sir.” Bertie glanced around the kitchen, taking in the neat and orderly state of the room.
“And how’s Riley Walsh doing. He’s still workin’ for Garrett ain’t he?”
“Yes, he is.”
Marvin nodded his head. “That’s good. We went out to see the ol’ place a few weeks ago. He’s making good progress out there. Said he’ll work on the house this winter when the cold keeps him inside.”
“Yes, that’s what he mentioned.” Bertie wondered why Marvin continued speaking about Riley. It seemed rather odd to her, but then again, Marvin Tooley was a strange man.
“Do you know what tomorrow is?” Marvin leaned against a counter and snapped his suspenders, hooking his thumbs around them.
Bertie wracked her brain to think if she’d missed the approach of a holiday. Perhaps there was a potluck or something planned at church she’d forgotten about.
“I don’t know, Mr. Tooley. Is there something special taking place tomorrow?”
“Well, only if you think Riley Walsh is special. It’s his birthday. He done mentioned it to my wife last time he joined us for supper. She marked it on the calendar so we wouldn’t forget. We even got him a little present. Reckon we’ll give it to him after church.”
“Oh, I see.” Grateful Marvin had told her something she definitely did want to know, she backed toward the door. “Well, enjoy those pies, Mr. Tooley. Have a good day.”
“We will, Miss Hawkins. Tell Riley to be sure to see us after church tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.” Bertie hurried out the door as her mind whirled with plans. She kept a fast pace as she walked back to Caterina’s. When she arrived, Aundy was just climbing up to the wagon. She reached down and gave Bertie a hand.
Hastily scrambling up, she settled her skirts as Aundy turned the horses down a side street to finish making their pie deliveries. “Marvin Tooley told me tomorrow is Riley’s birthday. Do you think we could do a little something for him?” Bertie asked.
“Absolutely. Why don’t we make a surprise dinner tomorrow night? I’ll ask Garrett to devise some reason for Riley to come to the house. We can have a nice supper with a cake waiting for him.”
Bertie shared her thoughts on the plans as they finished delivering the pies then headed to the mercantile.
A display of pocket watches in a glass case caught her eye. She glanced over gold and silver watches, their cases etched with a variety of designs. One had a hunting dog, another a running deer, some bore crests and a few had flowers.
In the very back of the case, a silver watch drew her gaze. A giggle burst out of her as she leaned closer to study the image. The watch held an etching of a mule on the cover.
“Do you need a watch, Miss Hawkins?” Mr. Johnson asked as he finished placing Aundy’s purchases in a box.
“I believe I do, Mr. Johnson. How much is the one in the back with the mule?”
The storeowner smiled broadly. “Don’t tease me so, Miss Hawkins. That watch arrived in an order by mistake more than a year ago. No one wants to buy a watch with a mule on the case.”
“Well, I do.” Bertie tapped the glass. “That is the one I want, if the price is reasonable.”
Mr. Johnson stepped over to the case and laid a square of navy velvet on top of it before setting the watch on the material for Bertie’s inspection. “I’ll give you more than a reasonable price for it. You see that watch there in the front with the deer on it?”
Bertie nodded.
“It’s the same watch as this one and it sells for twenty-eight dollars.”
A gasp escaped Bertie and she pressed her gloved hand to her throat. “For a watch? My stars!”
“These are twenty-year watches with solid silver cases. You won’t find any finer in town.” Mr. Johnson opened the watch with the mule and showed Bertie the watch face. He wound it and set it to the correct time before snapping the lid closed. “Would you take this monstrosity off my hands for four dollars? You’d really be doing me a favor.”
“You’ve got a deal.” Bertie grinned. “I don’t suppose you have a box it would fit in, do you?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Mr. Johnson reached beneath the display and produced a small box. He set the watch inside then settled the lid over the top. “Is there anything else you need?”
“A pound of pure baker’s cocoa, a yard of thin dark blue ribbon, and half a dozen of those candles.” Bertie pointed to a box holding small white tapers.
“The birthday candles?” Mr. Johnson asked as he set a tin of cocoa next to the watch on the counter.
“Yes, please.”
“Who’s celebrating a birthday?” Mr. Johnson asked as he measured the ribbon and cut a piece.
“One of our ranch hands, Riley Walsh.” Aundy stepped beside Bertie and smiled.
“You don’t say.” Mr. Johnson gathered up the candles and slipped them into a small paper sack. “And you ladies are planning to make him a chocolate cake?”
“Yes, sir, we are.” Bertie dug out the money to pay for her purchases, although Aundy tried to add the chocolate and candles to her bill. “I’ve got these, Aundy.”
“All right, then. I think we’re finally ready to go.”
Mr. Johnson stepped to the doorway leading to his stock room and called to one of the boys that worked for him.
A gangly youth hurried out and hefted Aundy’s box of purchases, carrying it out to the wagon.
“Thank you, Mr. Johnson,” Aundy said, waving to the man as she and Bertie stepped outside. She fished a few coins from her reticule and handed them to the boy. “Thank you, Johnny. Have a nice afternoon.”
The boy tipped his cap and grinned. “Thank you, Mrs. Nash, Miss Hawkins.”
Aundy climbed up on the wagon and gave Bertie a hand then the two of them set off for home.
“Did you buy that watch for Riley?” Aundy asked as they neared the lane that would take them home.
A flush stole over Bertie’s cheeks. “I did. Have you noticed how he is forever looking at the sun to tell the time? He’ll scorch his eyeballs one of these days.”
Aundy laughed. “I think he’ll like the watch with the mule. Have you met his mule?”
“I have,” Bertie said. “Steve bumped into me one day so I walked with him over to Riley’s pasture. He’s like an overgrown dog, wanting his head scratched and undivided attention. Riley said Steve generally stays away from women, though.”
Aundy nodded her head. “The few times Garrett and I have stopped by Riley’s place, Steve didn’t seem pleased to see me. I wonder why he doesn’t like women.”
Bertie shrugged. “Riley said he almost kicked his wife in the head once. Maybe it was because it was just Riley and his father on their farm for so long.”
“You should feel honored he likes you,” Aundy teased as she parked the wagon in front of the house. Garrett stepped out the front door and jogged down the walk. He reached up and swung Aundy down, giving her a kiss on the mouth.
She blushed and playfully swatted his chest, but Bertie could tell his greeting pleased her.
“Garrett, my gracious! What a
re you doing in the house this time of day?”
“To tell you the truth, I forgot you went to town and popped in the house, only to find you gone and warm apple pie in the kitchen. I was in the middle of snitching a piece when I heard you pull up.” His silvery eyes glowed with mirth.
“No pie for you later, then.”
“Now, honey, there’s no reason to get carried away.” Garrett kissed her again, slightly bending her back over his arm as he made a thorough job of stealing her breath away. Bertie giggled behind her hand when Garrett finally let Aundy up for air.
“You two go on in. I’ll carry in the supplies.” Garrett gently swatted Aundy’s backside and pointed her toward the door then turned to hold a hand out to Bertie.
She climbed down and hurried to catch up to Aundy. “Do you think he was trying to distract you from the pie he snitched or was he just glad to see you?”
Aundy held open the screen door and looked back at Garrett with a tender smile. “Most likely, a little of both.”
Chapter Twenty
“Surprise!”
“Happy Birthday!”
Animated voices filled the room, enveloping Riley in an excited welcome as he stepped into Aundy and Garrett’s kitchen. Garrett had cornered him following the church service that morning and asked if he would help with a horse due to arrive that afternoon. Riley agreed and told Garrett he’d be there after he had lunch with Marvin and Evelyn Tooley.
Garrett encouraged him not to rush and suggested he come just before suppertime, inviting him to stop by the house when he arrived.
Riley didn’t think anything of it and spent the afternoon visiting with Marvin and Evelyn before riding out to Nash’s Folly.
It was a beautiful September day and Riley let Mud plod along the road at a leisurely pace. The whole world seemed wrapped in a golden glow with the autumn sun shining warm and bright around him. The last of the wheat had been harvested. Stacks of hay stood ready to feed cattle through the winter. Gardens offered up a bounty of produce for women to preserve for the cold months ahead.
Bertie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 6) Page 23