“I have to help Douglas with some wagon wheels, but I should be able to stop by when I’m finished. Would that be okay?”
Chauncy Dodd had been a mentor and friend from the moment Fred decided to turn his life around. If the man needed a hand, Fred would willingly give it, even if it meant missing out on a few minutes with his three aunts.
“That would be splendid, Fred. Just come to the church office when you’re ready.” Chauncy thumped him on the back then hurried inside the church.
Fred strode across the street and made his way to the bakery. A few people had arrived. Elsa glanced up at him as the bell tinkled above the door. She slid a tray of cream-filled pastries into the display case and offered him a welcoming smile.
“Good morning, Elsa,” he said as he stepped up to the counter. “How’s your new helper working out?”
Elsa’s gaze darted to the kitchen before she dropped her voice to a whisper. “Anna is wonderful, but my other new helper is horrible!”
Fred leaned across the counter, trying to see into the kitchen. He thought he caught a glimpse of Ethan’s wife. With wide eyes, he moved back and raised a questioning brow at Elsa. “Miss La-De-Da herself is in your kitchen?”
Elsa placed her fingers over his lips. “Shh. They’ll hear you.” Mirth danced in her eyes and a grin rode her lips as she shook her head. “She’s worse than pathetic in the kitchen.”
“At least she and Ethan are finally here,” Fred said, wondering what Elsa would do if he kissed her. Between the humor snapping in her eyes and those perfect, pert lips begging for his affection, he almost leaned forward and captured her mouth with his.
Good sense held him back, though. That, and the fact he didn’t need to set any more tongues in town wagging about his behavior. He’d endured enough of that when he was a rebellious, angry teen.
“Did your brother apologize?” Fred asked as Elsa poured a cup of tea and handed it to him.
She nodded. “He did. I warned him if he didn’t come back to work, I would buy his share and then tattle to our parents.”
Fred grinned. “That must have done the trick. I’m glad he and Lottie are both here helping you. It’s still a good thing you hired Anna. She is thrilled about the opportunity to work. I think she’s trying to earn money to buy something for Percy for Christmas, but no one seems to know what.”
“That is so sweet,” Elsa said, sliding two pastries onto a plate for Fred. “Do you want eggs and ham?”
“Of course,” he said, taking the plate from her. “Thank you, Elsa.”
“You’re welcome, Fred.”
He’d barely finished eating his breakfast when Mr. Dillon from the lumberyard stopped by and asked if he could help him with a special order that afternoon. Since the man was among those who’d given Fred a chance when he didn’t deserve it, he agreed to be there right after lunch. At the rate his day was going, he’d not have a spare moment to see his aunts. He hoped they’d understand.
With a final gulp of his tea, he rose from the table and shrugged into his coat. He caught Elsa’s eye as he opened the door and winked at her. She blushed but waved as he stepped outside.
He turned and headed toward the livery, almost plowing over Percy Bruner. “How are you today, Percy?”
“Just fine, Fred. I was gonna check on Anna then walk her to school,” Percy said, moving around him toward the bakery.
“Hey, Percy, could you do me a favor?” Fred asked as he removed a small notepad from his pocket. Quickly scribbling a note, he handed it to the young man, along with fifty cents. “Would you run this over to the boardinghouse and see that one of my aunts receives it?”
Percy glanced at the money and grinned. “You betcha, Fred. I’ll take care of it right now then come back for Anna.”
When the boy raced off, Fred hustled into the livery. It took most of the morning to help Douglas with the wagon wheels. As soon as they finished, he rushed to the church and spent an hour with Chauncy, moving pews up from the basement, cleaning them off, and making room for them at the back of the sanctuary and against the walls.
Chauncy insisted he join him for lunch at the parsonage. A mouth-watering aroma greeted the two men as they walked inside the kitchen.
“Looks like we beat Abby home,” Chauncy said, as he removed his coat and hung it by the door then went to the stove and stirred the stew his wife had left simmering all morning. “She should be along soon.”
Fred removed his coat and hat then washed his hands. “I can set the table, if you like.”
“That would be dandy,” Chauncy said. He pointed to a shelf holding the plates as he sliced bread from a loaf on the counter.
Fred had just set the last bowl on the table when the door opened and Abby breezed inside with her son.
“Wed! Wed!” Owen chanted, excitedly waving his arms and trying to lurch out of his mother’s arms.
“Hello, little man,” Fred said, taking the boy as Abby closed the door. “Let’s take off your coat.”
“Thank you, Fred,” Abby said as she removed her outerwear and hastened to help dish the food. “Chauncy mentioned you were going to help him this morning. Did you get all the pews moved?”
“We did. Now we’re all set for extra visitors at church for Christmas.” Chauncy winked at his wife.
Fred thought it seemed a little early to move up the extra pews, but he was more than happy to help Chauncy. He didn’t give it another thought as he removed Owen’s coat and knit hat then set the boy on the floor.
The little one ran over to his father and patted his leg. “Pa, pa, pa!” Owen chanted, clearly wanting his father’s attention.
Chauncy scooped him up and tossed him in the air, making him giggle. “Did you have fun with your mama this morning, Owen?”
The toddler nodded and patted Chauncy’s cheeks, babbling in his own language.
Fred grinned as the pastor set his son in a high chair. Owen slapped the tray with his chubby little hands and chortled.
“Looks like you’ve trained him well, Pastor Dodd,” Fred commented, drawing a laugh from Abby.
“Like father like son,” she said, earning a scowl from her husband as he set the bowl of stew on the table.
“That’s enough out of you, wife,” Chauncy said, winking at Abby then pulling out a chair for her to be seated.
Fred took a seat and bowed his head as Chauncy asked the blessing. He opened one eye and watched as Owen bowed his head and pressed his little hands together.
As the adults said, “amen,” Owen slapped the tray again and shouted, “mens!”
Fred held back a laugh and accepted the bowl of stew Abby held out to him.
Conversation was lively as they ate. Owen ended up with his bowl tipped over his head, laughing while stew dripped over his face.
Abby rolled her eyes. “At least he waited until I’d finished my lunch,” she said, rising and lifting Owen from his seat. “Pardon us, Fred, but this boy needs a bath.”
“Thank you for lunch, Mrs. Dodd. It’s very good.”
“You’re welcome. Come anytime,” she said, holding Owen so he wouldn’t smear stew all over her dress as she left the room.
Chauncy shook his head as he rose from the table and carried dishes to the sink.
Fred helped clear the table. “Want me to wash or dry?” he asked.
“Neither, Fred. Abby and I can take care of the dishes, but thank you for offering, and thank you for helping me this morning. Will you spend the afternoon with your aunts?”
Fred shook his head as he pulled on his coat. “Unfortunately, no. Mr. Dillon needs help at the lumberyard. I do hope to spend the evening with my aunts, though. I think I’ll take them to dinner at the restaurant.”
“I’m sure they’d like that. I happened to meet them, and they are all three lovely and sweet. In fact, Abby mentioned they stopped by her dress shop and made a few purchases.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. They seem to love clothes and pretty things.” Fred held h
is hat in his hands as he opened the door. “Thanks, again, for lunch. I’ll see you all later.”
“Yes, at church on Sunday if not before.” Chauncy waved as Fred left.
He’d only taken a few steps down the sidewalk when the sheriff caught up to him. “Fred, one of the deputies is sick. I hate to ask, knowing you have company visiting, but could you please fill in? I really would appreciate the help.”
Fred wanted to sigh in frustration, but he pasted on a smile and nodded his head. “I can do that. What time do you need me?”
“Dillon said you’re helping him this afternoon. Just come on over to my office when you finish up at the lumberyard.”
“I’ll be there,” Fred said, wondering why today, of all days, everyone seemed to need his help. He didn’t mind giving it, not in the least, but part of him resented not being able to spend the time with Ari, Bett, and Claire. After all, they wouldn’t be in Hardman all that long and he hated to waste any opportunity to get to know his aunts better.
Mr. Dillon kept him busy the next several hours. The moment he finished his work there, he headed over to the sheriff’s office.
“Fred, I hate to ask this of you, but I have some evidence I need to send to Heppner,” the sheriff said when Fred walked into his office. “The U.S. Marshal will be passing through on the morning train and I need someone there to hand-deliver it to him. Would you take it for me? If you leave now, you can reach Heppner before it turns dark. You know Sheriff Corbet. Just go to his office when you get there. He can put you up for the night then you’ll be ready to hand over the evidence to the marshal.”
Fred’s first inclination was to turn around and leave, go back to his house, and hide until everyone left him alone. Instead, he nodded his head in agreement. “I can do that, sheriff. I better hurry, though, or I’ll spend most of the trip riding in the dark.”
“While you go saddle Festus, I’ll get the evidence ready and pack saddlebags for you with provisions.”
Fred took the little notepad from his pocket and wrote another note to his aunts. “Would you please make sure someone delivers that to my aunts? They’re staying at the boardinghouse.”
“I’ll take care of it, Fred.”
Thirty minutes later, Fred was two miles out of town, riding through the bitterly cold wind toward Heppner. At least the sheriff made sure he had plenty of food and a filled canteen of water. Fred ate cold roast beef sandwiches as he rode and hoped his aunts understood his absence. If the train was on schedule, he would be able to leave Heppner in time to return to Hardman by early afternoon.
Fred had no idea why the sheriff wanted him to make this delivery, other than he knew the man preferred to remain in town. Rare were the days when any trouble arose in Hardman. The last criminal to stir up major trouble in town was Fred’s father.
Unwilling to allow his thoughts to dwell on what happened then, he instead indulged in thoughts of Elsa.
He was glad Ethan did the right thing and apologized to her. Fred had made mention of Elsa’s situation to Chauncy. He had no idea if the pastor had gone to speak with Ethan and Lottie, but he assumed he most likely had. The only two people in town who didn’t see anything wrong with Ethan’s behavior happened to be Ethan and his bride. Fred could understand Ethan wanting to spend time with Lottie, but he still had responsibilities at the bakery, ones he’d completely ignored as Elsa shouldered all the duties on her own.
At least she’d hired Anna Jenkins. The girl was a good worker and eager to please. She’d be a big help to Elsa. Perhaps Elsa would teach Anna a few things, too. He grinned, thinking of how Percy would no doubt be pleased if Anna learned to bake like Elsa. The boy had already made it common knowledge he planned to marry Anna as soon as they both turned eighteen. Percy had been saving every penny he earned to make that dream come true.
Fred had no doubt Percy would make it happen. The boy was dogged in his determination to pursue his dreams and, from what everyone knew, those dreams centered around Anna.
It was dark and Fred’s toes felt half frozen when he finally made it to Heppner. He rode straight to the sheriff’s office where Sheriff Corbet offered him a friendly greeting, a warm bed, and a hot meal.
The following morning, Fred was up early, eager to return home, but he had hours to kill before the train arrived. After eating breakfast, he went to see a few friends he’d made when he worked in Heppner for the railroad before his mother had a stroke. He visited with them a while then decided to wander through town while he waited for the train.
In one shop, he found the perfect gift for Elsa and purchased it before he could change his mind. Perhaps he’d tuck it away and never give it to her, or maybe he’d surprise them both and present it to her Christmas morning.
He smiled, imagining the look on her face when she opened the gift.
Fred purchased a few other small gifts for his friends and his aunts, tucked them in his saddlebags, then went to meet the train.
It arrived right on schedule. Fred asked the conductor to take him to the U.S. Marshal. He entered the train car to see a big, brawny man sitting in the back of the third passenger car next to a man in leg and wrist chains.
“What can I do for you?” the lawman asked, rising to his feet. Although he wasn’t much older than Fred, his size was impressive.
“Sheriff Brady from Hardman asked me to deliver this to you. He said it was evidence and I was to hand-deliver it to only you.” Fred held out a paper-wrapped parcel tied with string.
“Thank you,” the man said, taking the package then shaking his hand. “I appreciate you bringing this to me.”
“You’re welcome,” Fred said, stepping back. “Safe travels to you and have a blessed holiday season.”
“I’ll do my best,” the lawman said with a grin.
Fred left the train and hurried to collect Festus from the livery. As he saddled the horse and left Heppner, all he could think about was getting back home to the woman who’d managed to capture his heart and the three aunts who made him smile.
Chapter Fourteen
Elsa hid a grin as her sister-in-law’s jaw cracked with a wide yawn. Both Lottie and Ethan had shown up at the bakery that morning bleary-eyed and tired. Obviously, getting up and working for a living didn’t agree with either of them.
Ethan hadn’t spoken a word since they arrived. Instead, he’d gulped down a cup of coffee, poured a second, and mumbled something about early mornings not being for the faint-hearted.
Anna Jenkins coughed to hide a giggle, since she’d been at the bakery a full hour before Ethan and Lottie arrived. The girl had to trek into town from her family’s farm. Unlike the sleepy-eyed newlyweds, she was bright-eyed and ready for the day.
“Did you see all the wagons rolling through town yesterday?” Anna asked as she placed cinnamon buns in a greased pan.
“I noticed quite a few. I thought I saw wagons from that nice paint and wallpaper shop in Heppner,” Elsa said as she worked ropes of dough into a braided ring. “What do you suppose they were doing in town?”
“They went to Fred’s place,” Anna said, sliding the pan of buns into the hot oven.
Surprised, Elsa looked at Anna. “Are you sure? Fred was busy working all over town yesterday.”
“I heard he was hopping yesterday.” Anna began stirring the icing for the cinnamon buns, creaming the butter then slowly adding in the sugar. “But Percy followed one of the wagons just to see where it was headed, and it went right to Fred’s place. Percy said there were a dozen wagons there with workers racing around like bees in a field of sweet blossoms.”
Elsa’s brow wrinkled. “Were his aunts there, by chance?”
Anna nodded. “Percy said all three of the aunts were giving orders like they were conducting an orchestra or some such thing.”
“I wish I could have seen that,” Elsa said, wondering what Fred’s aunts were doing at his house. Surely, if Fred knew they were doing something he would have mentioned it. She couldn’t picture him not b
eing home if he knew workers were there. “Did Percy say what all the workers were doing?”
“Mercy, yes,” Anna said, eyes wide with amazement. “He said there were people hanging wallpaper and painting while others installed chair rails and beadboard. There were people cleaning and scrubbing and some men were even installing a refrigerator. It’s a good thing the weather was sunny and warmer yesterday, or they’d never have been able to paint outside.”
Elsa doubted Fred knew a thing about the improvements taking place at the farm. Part of her questioned whether he’d appreciate the interference of his aunts. Elsa had never been inside his house, although she’d walked past it a few times. From the outside, it didn’t look like much. However, she knew from speaking with Fred, he planned to paint it in the spring and add on a new porch. He’d told her about finishing the roof and the installation of a bathroom.
“Do you think his aunts are trying to surprise him?” Elsa asked Anna.
“That’s what Percy and I think.” Anna shrugged and continued stirring the icing. “I wish I could see Fred’s face when he gets home today.”
“Me, too,” Elsa said, winking at Anna as the bell above the door jingled with their first customers of the day. “Lottie, would you mind taking their orders.” Elsa tipped her head toward the front of the bakery.
Lottie tried to hide another yawn behind her hand as she nodded her head and left the kitchen.
Elsa caught Anna’s eye and grinned. The girl giggled, drawing a dark look from Ethan, which made them both laugh.
Lottie returned to the kitchen, suddenly alert and excited. “There are three beautiful women out front asking to see you, Elsa.”
Quickly rinsing her hands and drying them, Elsa hurried out front to see Ari, Bett, and Claire standing at her front counter.
“Good morning!” Elsa greeted with a warm smile, genuinely glad to see Fred’s aunts. “How may I help you this morning?”
“First, would you box up eight dozen assorted pastries?”
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