Mail Order Barbara

by Elissa Strati

  Picnic on the Hill

  Lifelong neighbors, most of the Green River Church congregation had seldom visited St. Mary’s on the Hill except for the occasional wedding or funeral. The church was of stone, and beautifully crafted but it was the picnic area that had been prepared which became the focus of attention as Mother Evangeline’s habit stood out among the brightly colored gowns.

  Mrs. Henderson directed desserts to one table and main dishes to another. Blankets and quilts were already claiming spaces and neighbors called greetings, pointing out where others should set up.

  Most folks had their own plates and utensils, but the Kenners and Barnetts had brought a stack of extra supplies over to accommodate their guests.

  Those who had attended the tea had all the other girls anxious to meet the newcomers. Many had done so at the dance the previous evening, the remaining few, including some of the older and younger females, and quite a few matrons with youngsters clinging to their skirts, were anxious to meet them as well.

  “I only hope, when the new wears off, we are still liked for ourselves,” commented Barbara softly to Judith.

  Where the girls were, so were the boys. Judith was amused to note they weren’t all that different from the boys at the orphanage. Perhaps, on average, they were more poorly educated, but they assumed the same male posturing she’d seen among their dance partners back east as well as last night. She also noticed a few sparks igniting among the men and women talking together—“and not just with our group,” she pointed out to Barbara.

  “Oh, Mother Evangeline is trying to get my attention, she added. To an onlooker, the subtle raise of eyebrows and shift of eyes would have gone unnoticed, but Judith had assisted first Mother Clara and then Mother Evangeline for years and understood their subtle body language. Looking at Mother, she cast her eyes swiftly toward Barbara and lifted her own brows slightly, getting a microscopic head shake in return. Barbara had watched the exchange and smiled warmly at Mother, then turned to Judith for a quick hug before sending her on her way.

  As she turned, she saw Mrs. Cooper raising a hand toward her. Not quite as infinitesimal a gesture as Mother Evangeline’s, it was also spare and elegant, and Barbara smiled, nodded, and strolled at a ladylike pace toward the older woman.

  Employment

  Billy watched as Barbara walked over to talk with Mrs. Cooper. He shouldn’t be jealous. After all, it was he who had introduced them, and he really wanted her to have her dreams. She’d written him about dressmaking plans and then heard the girls praising her designs, so knew he had to give Barbara the opportunity to talk with the town’s only seamstress.

  He reckoned he’d see if there was any pie left and give her a few minutes to talk with Ms Dorothy.

  “Mrs. Cooper, so good to see you again!”

  “Please, call me Dorothy! And may I call you Barbara? Such a pretty name.”

  “Thank you, Dorothy,” Barbara smiled.

  “Having seen your styles, being modeled by our newest residents, I really hope we can work something out. Right now I am the town’s only outside dressmaker and, as I’m sure you know, although in an emergency even most of the cowboys can sew on a button, not everyone is talented.

  “I don’t think I’m telling tales out of school to give Charlie Sue as an example. I understand the two of you enjoyed tea together yesterday.”

  “Oh, how can one help but like her? She is so open and lively! Yes, she commented she gets ready-mades and has you add flounces since they are inevitably many inches too short.”

  “She has it in her head her father can’t afford to have a dress made from scratch for her. Of course he’d do anything for her that she asked, but since she seldom wears dresses, he doesn’t have a clue.” Dorothy sighed, and then continued.

  “I have to be honest. At first I was doing it for the money, which was short during the war. The ranch was barely hanging on and there was nothing left over for the little extras it is nice to have for children, especially girls. But the Tri Brand is already doing well—I should know, I keep the books!” and Dorothy gave a quick grin.

  “So now I sew for the pure joy of it—which I gather you share.”

  It was Barbara’s turn to smile broadly.

  “It is designing I adore. Draping fabric so the individual for whom it is fitted seems to have a perfect shape, adapting current trends so they are flattering to the wearer.”

  “When Pastor Joe shared your information with me, I was praying you’d at least be a competent dressmaker. You are clearly more than that and I think the women of Green River will be lucky to have you.”

  A frown marred Barbara’s smooth brow; Dorothy laughed gently.

  “Your Mother Evangeline sent a note sharing a few words about the sort of work for which the training and background of each girl seemed to be best suited. Your description mentioned that you were her amanuensis—she apologized that this letter was in her own handwriting as you were otherwise occupied—and had taken over the wardrobe function for the entire orphanage.”

  A wave of pain swept Barbara’s face but passed so quickly that had Dorothy not been watching the normally placid features before her so carefully she might not have noticed. Taking a deep breath, Barbara’s voice started to come out in a whisper. She cleared her throat, glanced around, and started again, still softly.

  “Mostly I remade the donated castoff clothing into wearable gowns for the older girls. The younger all wear simple uniforms.”

  Dorothy also glanced around them, startled to see so many people whose interest was trained on the pair of them. They had been speaking in low tones and of nothing particularly private, as the note she’d mentioned had seen wide circulation, but really!

  Catching Barbara’s eyes, she deliberately looked over to where Julia was in conversation with Mother Evangeline and a nice looking gentleman.

  “Why don’t I check to be sure you can be spared tomorrow, and then send a buggy for you to come see me at the house,” she paused meaningfully, raising her voice slightly on the last word, “privately.”

  Hard pressed to suppress her smirk at the number of hastily averted gazes, she noted Barbara, too, was having trouble keeping a straight face.

  “I would be honored to join you there.” Barbara’s eyes dropped down to her hands and then back up.

  “May I bring . . .”

  But Dorothy had beaten her to the mark. “Won’t you please be sure to bring your darling niece? Harmony had a delightful time with her last night.”

  In fact, Dorothy had noted, Harmony and her younger sister Melody had ridden over early this morning, despite last night’s late hours, and taken charge of Mrs. Barnett’s nursery which, in addition to her own daughter, Chrissy (short for Christmas Noelle, her birth having been on Christmas Day), contained Emilene plus a few infants and toddlers belonging to ranch hands. It seemed once Chrissy was old enough to start walking she proved a bit of a handful in church, and the ranch ladies had elected to rotate child minding among them so the remainder could enjoy a peaceful worship service.

  Today, however, Dorothy’s youngsters had volunteered to do the child watching so all the women could meet the brides-to-be.

  “It is just so romantic,” Harmony had sighed as she waved them off.

  Advice

  “I look forward to meeting with you again tomorrow, but if you will excuse me, I had promised Billy, um, Mr. Stuart . . .” Barbara trailed off as Dorothy casually waved her away, smiling.

  “Tomorrow!”

  As she stood, Barbara was again made aware of eyes following her every move. She mentally shrugged, hoping that soon all the girls would become part of the fabric of the town and no longer a “seven-day wonder.”

  Sam came bustling up to her, intent on conversation.

  “Miss Barbara, may I speak with you?”

  Barbara smoothly cut him off.

  “Oh, Sam, how good of you to come over to escort me to the lemonade. I find the heat has made me a bit thirsty.”
She waved her hand languidly in a fanning motion, and he quickly took the hint, offering his arm with a smile.

  The pair strolled off as Barbara murmured, “Unless you want your doings broadcast into the next county, you might wish to speak a bit more softly.”

  “Oh!” he replied, chagrined, suddenly aware of all the eyes following him. His hand reached for his shirt collar as if to loosen it, but dropped when Barbara gave his arm a subtle jerk. “I didn’t think of creating gossip.”

  Laughing softly, she chided him, “No, you fellows usually don’t.” At his surprised look, which she correctly interpreted, she continued, “I have no brothers but many of the other girls do, and as their orphanage was next door to ours, we were able to visit together regularly, so I do know about boys.”

  “Well, you just reminded me of one of my sisters, is all. You are right, we are mostly just ‘go and do,’ not ‘think, then act,’ as Ma always says.”

  “Your Ma is a wise woman. So let me do a little of your thinking for you and suggest you make a point of talking with as many different ladies as you can today, not only among us but among the local girls as well. That will keep everyone guessing. And be sure to keep it light and polite so you don’t inadvertently raise hopes as you get to know all of us better.”

  “And that sounds just like something my sister Bessie would say.” His face dropped for a moment, missing his family, then brightened as the object of his interest came into view.

  Barbara followed the direction to which his attention had strayed and laughed to herself. She’d suspected he was interested in Anna, based on his attentiveness at the dance last night and the fact he had written to her. Anna and Kathleen were joking and chatting with a small group of young men over by the dessert table.

  “Anna got letters from a number of gentlemen. She told me she intends to get to know each of you, but, as I am, she is seeking employment that will allow her time for courting. However, I do know she’s fond of flowers,” Barbara added slyly. She rather liked this bluff cowboy and knew Billy thought of him as a good friend.

  She held onto his arm as he made a move to step away. She felt as if she were in his head as his attention flickered over to the next meadow which was lush with blooms.

  “I did not mean right now, silly. Right now we are going to join the group and you are going to greet everyone politely and chat for a moment before announcing you are going to fetch me a lemonade and offering to get one for each of the other ladies as well.

  “I assure you every man there will immediately make the same offer.”

  Sam looked at her with interest. Hmm, strategy. He’d never thought in those terms. Seemed as if his recent military service might be useful for something after all.

  She went on. “You will just wait for the clamor to die down a bit, and then, unless one of the ladies has declined, you can say, ‘Then that will be three lemonades,’ and head on over to the table. I assure you that you will not have to juggle three cups as at least two of the gentlemen will accompany you. In fact everyone may start to take off, but one or two will turn back to keep the ladies company.

  “Those who stay, while acting out of chivalry themselves, will nonetheless have lost a bit of status as they are now not the knights errant. And, of course, those who accompany you will have lost those few moments of conversation. You, on the other hand, will be seen as the Rescuer of all the Distressed Damsels, from the Dragon of Thirst.”

  She slowed to a stop, still a few paces away from the group and out of earshot. Sam was clearly paying close attention to what she had to say.

  “Okay, now this last bit is the most important part, if you want this to work in your favor. When you return with a single cup of lemonade, because the others will ensure there is sufficient for everyone, you will bow and offer it to me, because it was I whom you set off to please in the first place.”

  His respect for her was growing with every word and now his face split in a grin.

  “You could have been one of the Generals I served under. That is brilliant.” As was his smile as he prepared to resume their march toward his quarry. She held him back a moment longer, making sure he was looking her squarely in the eyes.

  “Sam, one last thing.” He waited most attentively. “Get Billy to give you some dance lessons.”

  Startled, he guffawed, then with a huge grin, marched her over to the group, where he executed his assignment brilliantly, handing her the lemonade with a slight wink. Everything had occurred exactly as she had foretold and he was delighted to have enlisted her as an ally. He’d even take those dance lessons.

  Jealousy

  Having consumed another portion of dessert—someone else’s offering, as Charlie Sue’s pie had disappeared with startling rapidity—Billy decided to stroll about and headed toward the meadow, intent on gathering some blossoms for his Barbara.

  They had taken a walk after supper the night before, taking care to remain in sight of the party since they were unchaperoned, and they’d had a chance to talk then instead of having to wait. She had shared with him her recent loss.

  He was startled to realize just how recently, and understood why she wasn’t broadcasting such news. A number of the old biddies and sticklers would have had her in black between one breath and the next, and none of the weekend’s activities would have been possible, casting an unimaginable pall over the entire trip.

  But he was mighty glad she’d agreed to abide by her sister’s wishes that she not mourn publicly, and, further, that she’d come west with the others. She was such a strong woman! He would give her the time she needed to get over her loss and just stand by to help in any way he could.

  ~~~

  Looking up from the bunch of flowers he’d gathered, he saw Barbara get up and look around. His arm raised to wave, he realized he was too far away to be noticed. And then he saw Sam offering his arm as escort, and stiffened. Then they started walking over toward the tables.

  They were acting as if they’d known each other for years! The flowers fell from his fingers and he faded back into the trees and watched, sorrow etching his features.

  He followed their progress. He watched as they laughed and talked. He’d seen Sam fetch her some lemonade. That was his right!

  Billy stayed behind the trees. He had noticed Barbara looking around for him, but his heart was broken. Sam was trying to get Barbara to step out on him.

  He had thought he could trust Sam! He had thought he could trust Barbara!

  But as he looked at her, he decided it was not her fault. She had made plain to him last night that she was still in mourning and was not seeking anyone to pursue her. And he could see that Sam was getting no further than he had. He brightened a bit—perhaps even less.

  He had promised to give her the space she needed to recover. It doesn't mean you have to stay away from her completely, though does it? We could still be friends.

  He saw her glance around again and stepped forward. Her face brightened and she waved. He smiled and waved back feeling much happier now that he had decided he could give both of them time to really get to know each other.

  Women really aren't that different from fillies. You just have to let them get to know you and be gentle with them if you want them to cooperate with you. And most mares have ways of gentling their stallions, he chuckled to himself as he walked toward Sam and Barbara and the others.

  ~~~

  “There you are, Billy!” called Barbara. “I thought you had gotten lost or something.”

  Sam and Billy exchanged looks which said to each other so clearly “city-slicker.” As if either of them didn’t know how to navigate in this country.

  But he really couldn't blame Sam for wanting to know Barbara better. She's so beautiful. Still, he really hoped she liked him better than Sam.

  CHAPTER 28 – Courtship

  Before leaving the picnic, Dorothy and her sister Mary had decided Billy should be the one to drive Barbara and Emilene to visit. They were delighted when arra
ngements were agreed upon and, with the blessing of Mother Evangeline and the other orphans, Barbara and Emilene moved in with the Coopers, into their spare bedroom.

  First Steps in the Campaign

  As the ladies endeavored to turn their dressmaking talents into a going business, Billy remained the patient courtier. He had laughed heartily when Sam regaled him with the opening salvo in his campaign for Anna’s heart, finally realizing he’d been foolish to be so jealous.

  Now Billy mounted his own campaign, making it a point to drop by regularly after supper to take Barbara for walks and buggy rides. He also made good on the offer of riding lessons.

  Tired of seeing him waiting in the yard for them to finish dinner, Dorothy had started inviting him to dine with them.

  ~~~

  Barbara had learned the basics of cooking, at the orphanage, but under Dorothy’s and Harmony’s tutelage she and Melody began to master some of the subtleties, such as timing the vegetables so they weren’t soggy or burnt by the time the meat was done.

  “Miss Dorothy, this is one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten,” Billy complimented his hostess after a particularly fine meal of fried chicken with biscuits and gravy, pole beans, and an especially delicious berry pie.

  “I believe that pie might even beat out one of Charlie Sue’s!”

  Hearty laughter acknowledged his compliment.

  “But, Billy,” Dorothy drawled, “didn’t you know that Barbara made this entire meal, including the pie?”

  “And I helped with the pole beans,” Melody piped up, to more laughter.