Flynn hopped out of the sleigh. “By this time next year, skiers will be speeding down these runs. Isn’t it a beauty?” Flynn asked, pointing to the gear-and-pulley system for the ski lift. “That takes you up to the top. You won’t even break a sweat. Come on, Phillip. We’ll show you the inside.”
I followed him into the log building. Theo trailed behind us, but joined us just the same.
The large rectangular room was as rustic on the inside as out. Crevices between the logs had been closed with cement. “You can’t imagine how long it took us to strip these logs,” Flynn said, sounding proud. “The Olofsson boys helped us but even so, it took us the better part of the spring.”
“They look great,” I said, feeling as if I’d been asked to comment on a man’s child.
Flynn strutted around, showing me where the bar would be that would serve warm beverages and sandwiches. “Tables will be there.” He pointed to the area closest to the windows. “Where people can eat and drink or just relax and warm up before going back out again.”
“We wanted to serve beer,” Theo said. “But with Prohibition, it won’t be possible.”
“Still possible,” Flynn said. “If my puritan brother looks the other way.”
“I don’t want us shut down for breaking the law.” Theo glared at Flynn. “But my criminal-minded twin refuses to see reason.”
“You know as well as I do that the bar in town will serve homemade brews and liquor in secret.” Flynn pointed to a trapdoor on the floor. “We have a basement for just this purpose.”
Was his plan to serve alcohol downstairs or make it? Regardless, I didn’t think interfering in their argument to ask would be welcomed at this time.
“What do you think?” Theo asked me.
“I…I don’t know. The new law will most certainly be violated. I don’t think people will give up their liquor just because the government tells them to.”
“Especially out west,” Flynn said.
“Whatever you decide, you’ll need to be united.” I inwardly cringed, waiting for one or the other to start arguing again.
“But what do you think, Phillip?” Flynn asked. “We want to know your opinion. Break our tie.”
I really didn’t want to share my thoughts, but I did anyway. “I don’t know much about the tourist business, but I’d think serving liquor would be profitable. As long as you didn’t get caught.”
“See there, he’s reasonable,” Flynn said.
“If we didn’t get caught,” Theo said. “Which is not guaranteed.”
“You could put systems into place,” I said. “Ways to dump the liquor or hide it if the cops show up.”
“Or we could just buy off our sheriff,” Flynn said. “Everyone knows Lancaster’s a crook anyway.”
“The only thing we agree on,” Theo said. “Lancaster is no better than the criminals he puts away.”
“Perhaps you could agree to set this argument aside for now,” I said. “It’s not really important that you decide right away.” To distract them from further strife, I gestured around the room, rattling off ideas of how things could be laid out, including where to put the fireplace. “What matters more is the atmosphere. If you want to attract rich tourists, then you should decorate with women in mind. For those who don’t ski, they might like to spend the afternoon here. You’ll want a roaring fire, don’t you think? I could build a special mantel, maybe with etchings of bears and deer or something indicative of the area? Definitely soft couches where people can rest after a long day of skiing. For that matter, have you thought about having an inn on the property? Otherwise, where will the tourists stay?”
They were both staring at me as I turned back to look their way. “Have I overstepped? I apologize. This project has my blood pumping.”
“No, don’t stop,” Flynn said. “What other ideas do you have?”
“Maybe not an inn,” I said, thinking out loud. “But something grander and bigger, like they have in Europe? Do you know the ones I mean? You also need an activity that could bring them here in the summers.”
“Fly-fishing,” Flynn said under his breath. “We could advertise it as a fishing vacation. People could stay for a week. I’d take them out to the best spots.”
“Sell the gear here,” I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. “Waders, flies, the whole bit. Same with skis and clothing. That way you have more revenue than just the slopes.”
Flynn and Theo exchanged a look.
“This is what I was talking about last night,” Theo said. “The kind of enthusiasm and ideas that I don’t have but should. You need a partner as driven and excited by this enterprise as you are.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Flynn asked his brother.
Theo’s expression changed from combative to contemplative. “It’s fairly obvious. The answer to all our problems is staring us right in the face. Phillip has an obvious affinity for this kind of work. His strengths complement yours.” He turned toward me. “Phillip, you need a livelihood if you’re going to support Jo.”
“This solves it all.” Flynn grinned. “I’m a genius.”
“But…but I’m not qualified. I know nothing about skiing.” Despite my protestation, my stomach fluttered with excitement.
“Who cares? You have business sense. That’s what we need.” Flynn placed a hand on my shoulder. “What do you say, old boy? Would you like to be my partner?”
“I don’t have any equity to buy my way in.” This fact deflated me. There was no way I could be an equal partner.
“I’ll lend it to you,” Theo said. “You’re doing me a favor by getting me out of this, so it’s the least I can do. As you become profitable, you can pay me back slowly.”
“‘Getting me out of this’?” Flynn asked, repeating Theo’s words back to him. “Is it really that bad to you?”
“The thought of being able to attend university is a huge weight off my shoulders,” Theo said. “I need to go my own way. Anyway, Phillip’s going to become our brother once he marries Jo, so it’s still in the family.”
“If your father says yes,” I said.
“You know he will,” Flynn said. “We know, anyway.”
“We’ve never seen our sensible, serious sister quite so happy,” Theo said. “And for that, we thank you.”
“All right then, do we have an agreement?” Flynn asked. “Should we shake on it?”
We did so. In the firm grip of the twins’ hands, my life seemed to unfold before me. God had granted me my miracle. Was it possible I was getting what I’d wanted for so long? A family. Good, honest work. And the woman of my dreams.
Josephine
After breakfast, Poppy and I went out to the Cassidys’. When we arrived, Shannon and Nora were in the barn feeding the cattle.
“They’re so thin,” Poppy whispered to me.
“It’s been a hard time for them. Which is why I’m glad you’re here to help.” In my normal voice, I shouted out to them, “Girls, I have a surprise.”
They turned in tandem to look at us. Both the girls wore overalls and men’s rubber boots. Their hair was covered with scarves, like peasant girls.
Nora squealed. “Poppy, is it really you?” She set aside her pitchfork and ran to us.
“Yes, I’ve returned,” Poppy said.
Shannon put her shovel against the wall and approached. “I’m a mess or I’d hug you. We must look a fright.” She placed her hand over the scarf. “But we have chores all day long.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ve been away too long for you not to hug me.” Poppy embraced both girls. “I’m very sorry to hear about your dad.”
Shannon’s eyes teared up. “Thank you. He didn’t suffer. Heart attack.”
“We can be grateful for that,” Poppy said. “He was a kind man. I remember how encouraging he was to me when I left for training. I promised him I’d bring back whatever knowledge I could.”
“He spoke highly of you until the day he died,” Sh
annon said. “My sisters and I teased him that he wished he’d had a daughter like you.”
“Your hair looks like a magazine cover I saw,” Nora said, shyly.
“You look different, but I guess we do too,” Shannon said. “Dressed like boys.”
“I think you look strong and independent,” Poppy said. “Which is to be admired. Now, tell me about the sick cows you lost.”
I left them to it and went inside the house to take the basket of food Lizzie had prepared. When I reached the front door, I knocked and waited for Mrs. Cassidy. Soon, she arrived, opening the door and greeting me with a smile.
“Come in, lass. You’ve brought more food? I’ll never be able to repay your family for their kindness.”
“Nonsense. We’re neighbors.” I set the basket on their new kitchen table. The room smelled of coffee. Dough for bread was rising in a bowl near the stove. “How are you feeling today?”
“The doctor came out a few days ago and gave me some powder to take when I feel one of the headaches coming on.” She spoke faintly, as if worried to bring one on by speaking too loudly.
Pale and wan, her color looked no better than the last time I’d come. “Has it helped?”
“I haven’t had a headache since. Isn’t that just the way?”
I suspected that having the men repair the barn and the other chores had eased her mind, which in turn helped the headaches.
“Please, sit. Would you like coffee?” Mrs. Cassidy wiped her hands on the front of her apron. “I’ve not much else to offer.”
“No, thank you. I’ve had enough this morning.” I sat at the table in one of the rickety chairs. One of the legs was shorter than the others, making it wobble as I shifted to look at her. “Poppy’s out with the girls. I brought her to see if she can figure out what happened with your cattle last summer.”
“I do hope she can. Shannon’s worried herself sick about the remainder of the herd.” She sighed as she sat across from me. “My poor girls have the weight of the world on their shoulders. I wish I’d had a son to take some of their burden.”
“You should be proud that they’re doing the work of a man.”
“I am, truly. However, ’tis not the life I’d hoped to give them when I left my mother country.”
“Are you still thinking of returning to Ireland?”
She shook her head as she glanced out the window in the direction of the barn. The light through the glass made it so the fine lines around her eyes and mouth were visible. Mrs. Cassidy was so young to have lost her husband. The last year had aged her. “The girls are vehemently opposed to the idea. Since they’ve taken on their father’s duties, I can’t argue. If they’re willing to do the work to stay, then who am I to argue? Anyway, all our friends are here. The last few weeks have certainly made me see how much community matters. I wish I’d reached out sooner.”
“Speaking of which, I have a question for you.” I laid out the idea for the party. “It’ll be a fun event to celebrate the season but also provide some financial relief to you.”
Mrs. Cassidy wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. “Oh, you good people. I can’t thank you enough. Having people into your home, just for us? I don’t know what to say.”
“Perhaps someday you’ll be in the position to do for others. That’s how it is, isn’t it? Sometimes we’re in the position to help. Other times we need help.”
A worried look replaced the one of gratitude. “The girls and I don’t have anything we can wear. Nothing that wouldn’t embarrass us.”
“Mama is about your size. And my sisters and I have a few dresses to spare.”
“I don’t know. That’s too much.”
“Please, let us do this for you. For your girls. Don’t they deserve a fun evening where they can get dressed up and dance?”
“Yes, when you put it that way, I can see you’re right. I can’t deprive them of it.” She dabbed at her eyes again. “May I speak to you about another worry?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“My Shannon has developed a crush on your brother Flynn. I’m afraid she’ll make a fool out of herself. A girl like mine isn’t likely to attract a Barnes.”
I covered my mouth briefly as it twitched into a smile. “Mrs. Cassidy, you underestimate your daughter’s inner and outer beauty. She’s indeed caught the eye of my brother. It’s not only her who’s smitten. We were afraid you’d think him too much of a rascal for your daughter.”
“I’ve known all you kids from when you were small,” she said. “I remember him as a little boy. How sweet he was to the little ones.”
“True. He has a big heart, even if sometimes he causes trouble.”
“He’s brave, too. My daughter would be lucky to have him.”
“Well, now that we’ve got that settled, you and I should agree not to interfere. If they think they have our approval, it might cool the entire process.”
We were interrupted when Poppy and the girls entered the kitchen.
“What do you think, Poppy?” Mrs. Cassidy asked. “What’s killing our cows?”
“It’s the acorns that have done it,” Poppy said.
“Acorns?” I asked.
“Yes, acorns.” Poppy gestured toward the window. “There are all these oak trees just outside your fences. They drop their acorns and the cows eat them, not knowing they’re poisonous—gives them the very symptoms your girls described to me. We had a similar case last year on one of the ranches.”
“What do we do?” Mrs. Cassidy asked.
“You’re going to have to cut down the trees unless you want it to keep happening,” Poppy said.
“Or pick up a thousand acorns a season,” Shannon said. “We have enough to do.”
“Once the snow melts, the boys and Phillip can come out and help you fell the trees,” I said. “It’ll be good firewood, anyway.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” Mrs. Cassidy said. “We can’t afford to lose any more.”
“This should take care of it,” Poppy said. “And I’ll be around in the spring to check on them.”
Mrs. Cassidy started to cry again as she rose to her feet. “How can we ever thank you?”
“Keeping your girls here is enough thanks,” Poppy said. “Give it time, your circumstances will improve. I’ll be here whenever you need me and for the rest of the community. I have to make Lord Barnes proud that he sent me to Dr. Miller.”
“You already have,” I said.
“What do you think, Jo?” Flynn asked as he plopped down next to me on the couch in the sitting room. Theo stood with his back to the fire, watching me with glittering eyes.
They’d spent the last few minutes pitching their idea to bring Phillip into the ski and tourist business. Initially, I’d not been sure. Phillip’s passion had seemed to be in woodworking. Running the operations of a ski lodge and the mountain seemed wrong somehow. However, the more I listened to Flynn describing how Phillip had lit up with excitement while banging out ideas had me rethinking my position.
“Do you think he’ll be happy?” I asked. “Or is he doing this for me?”
“You make him happy,” Theo said. “Whether he’s doing it for you or not seems irrelevant.”
“I disagree,” I said. “If he does it for me, eventually he’ll come to hate it and resent me.”
“Like Theo’s done?” Flynn asked.
We were all quiet for a moment. The truth of his statement couldn’t be denied.
“I’m sorry, Theo,” Flynn said after a few more moments of awkward silence.
“Don’t be.” Theo gave him a weary smile. “You’ve given your blessing for me to start down my own path. We can put aside our resentments, can’t we?”
“Yes, of course, brother,” Flynn said before turning to me. “Don’t you see, Jo, that this is an answer for all of us? We’re all getting what we want, including Phillip.”
Theo nodded. “He’s genuinely excited, and he has an affinity for business.”
�
��He wants to be part of a team,” Flynn said. “Family, brotherhood. All the things the three of us have taken for granted.”
“As long as he’s sure,” I said. “A man doesn’t like to feel obligated to his wife’s family. The loan worries me.”
“Ah, Jo, don’t worry so much,” Flynn said. “All will be well.”
I looked into the warm eyes of my brother. Of the three of us, he was the one who didn’t worry, instead plunging into everything with unbridled sureness that everything would work out to his advantage. Perhaps his approach was better than Theo’s and mine, fretting over every decision? Whatever the case might be, I would go along with whatever Phillip decided. He wanted to make a path for the two of us to marry, which I wanted too. I hoped that he wouldn’t have to give up too much of his pride and dignity in order to do so.
Theo moved from the fire over to sit on my other side. He placed his hand over mine. “Jo, this is good for all of us. I truly believe it with all my heart.”
Flynn took my other hand. “Jo, please say you approve.”
“I approve.” I smiled at them both in turn. “May God help us all.”
“Amen,” my brothers said in tandem.
I woke in the middle of the night from a dream. I sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. My heart pounded and my nightgown was damp with perspiration. Several deep breaths later, I slipped from bed and shed my flannel gown. Shivering, I crept over to the dresser and pulled out fresh nightclothes. Instead of going back to bed, I went to the window. The night was clear, with a full moon hanging in the sky.
Edges of the dream came back to me. I’d been dreaming of my mother. She’d been standing over me with a knife while I slept. In the dream, I’d opened my eyes just before the knife plunged into my chest.
“What are you doing?” I’d asked her as my hand wrapped around her wrist.
“Theo,” she said. Then I woke.
Theo. Regardless of my brothers’ agreement, Theo was in trouble. Would giving up his part in the business help? I hoped so.
The Spinster (Emerson Pass Historicals Book 2) Page 18