The Halsey Brothers Series

by Paty Jager

  “Ethan, Mr. Healy here was just explaining the newest processing method for skimming the gold.” Clay stopped far enough back to stay clear of the swinging hammer.

  Colin propped another spike in a hole and sat back to allow Ethan a swing. It would be hard to turn this man away when he had the knowledge they needed. He slammed the next spike in the ground with one swing and continued to pound in spikes, talking while Colin set them. “Is that so?” The metal of hammer hitting spike rang out. Once, twice, three times. “And where did you learn this, Mr. Healy?”

  The sound of metal on metal chimed again.

  “In South Dakota. I be workin’ in the mines nearly four years before my feet began a itchin’ and I set me sights farther west.” Mr. Healy’s eyes followed each stroke of the hammer.

  One, two. The spike speared the metal to the cross board “So you have itchy feet. Where all have you been?” Ethan didn’t miss the way the man’s gaze darted between him and the boy.

  “I’ve hung me hat from the East coast to the West coast and a few spots north and south.”

  He avoided any specific places. A sure sign he was hiding something. Ethan planted the last spike and leaned on the hammer handle. “When did you come over here from Ireland?” He saw Colin take an interest in the conversation at that point.

  The man continued his inspection of Colin. Ethan stepped between the two. “Mr. Healy, thank you for all your information, we’ll let you know by tomorrow if we’ll hire you.”

  “What do you mean if?” Clay crossed his arms in defense of the man.

  “Clay, stay here and help Colin and I finish the last bit of track.” He turned from the Irishman, hoping he’d take the hint to leave. To help sway the man, he added, “Good day, Mr. Healy.” The man slowly turned and walked back the way he came.

  “What do you mean you’ll think about hiring him?” his brother said before the man moved completely out of hearing.

  Ethan shook his head and pointed to the next hole in the track. Colin placed a spike in it, and he swung the hammer. When the man neared the front of the stamp mill, Ethan leaned on the hammer handle.

  “That man may have the knowledge we need, but I’m positive he’s up to no good.”

  Clay shook his head. “You’re just saying that because he offered to drive Aileen and Shayla into town.”

  Ethan pushed the hammer handle away from him and marched up to his brother. “What are you talking about?”

  “Mr. Healy offered to drive Aileen into town for a ride and she refused.” Clay stared at him, defiantly. “You just don’t like the man helping her.”

  “I didn’t know a thing about that.” He wasn’t going to add that the man made Aileen uneasy, her reason for declining his offer.

  “Face it, some man comes here with an accent like hers—”

  “He’s Irish, she’s Scottish. They aren’t a thing alike.” He turned to Colin who stood to the side listening. “Are they?”

  “Ma speaks mostly Scots but a little Irish,” Colin said. “That’s from living in Ireland for a while and listening to my da.”

  “See, that man and Aileen have nothing in common. He’d better stay away from her.” Ethan handed the hammer to his brother. “You two finish this. I’m going to read the applications from today.”

  He hadn’t looked the papers over and wondered if Aileen had added one of her marks to the Irishman’s application. If so, it would give him even more reason to talk Clay out of hiring the man.

  ****

  Aileen drove the wagon straight to Myrle’s. She’d leave it tied up here and walk to the mercantile. People might think one of the Halsey brothers was taking a meal and not connect her with the vehicle if she and Shayla could get in the building fast enough.

  She climbed over the side and lifted Shayla down. Grasping her daughter’s hand, she hurried up the steps of the house and inside. It was mid-afternoon and the place appeared empty.

  She wasn’t sure what to do to find Myrle. The few times she’d had tea with the woman, she’d noticed the door to the left led to the kitchen, the logical place to find the proprietress. She walked to the door, stilled her racing heart, and put her hand up, giving the door a push. Myrle sat at a small table with two other women. The one facing the door scowled.

  “Excuse me?” She wasn’t going to let the woman’s glare keep her from speaking to Myrle. Ethan depended on her to do a job.

  Myrle and the other woman turned at the sound of her voice.

  “Aileen! What a surprise,” Myrle waved to an empty chair. “Won’t you join us?”

  “Ah— Nae, Myrle could ah speak with ye?” She motioned her head toward the door behind her.

  Shayla tugged on her hand to join the women, but she wasn’t going to let her daughter alone with the woman staring daggers at her.

  “Certainly.” Myrle pushed out of her chair and crossed the room. “It’s been a while since we visited.” She ushered them out the door and back into the eating area. “Let’s sit here.” The small woman led them to a table in the corner farthest away from the kitchen.

  “Thank ye.” Aileen pulled out a chair for Shayla to crawl on and took a seat, untying her bonnet and placing it in her lap.

  Myrle took a seat across from her, twined her hands together, and placed them on the table in front of her.

  Aileen opened her mouth to speak, but the woman shook her head and smiled to someone behind her.

  “Edith, would you bring us each a cup of coffee and cookies and milk for the child?” Myrle smiled, however her eyes held a warning to the woman.

  Someone humphed, and the kitchen door smacked shut.

  “You have to forgive Edith. She’s had her sights set on Ethan for a long time. She still can’t get over he’s taken a shine to you.”

  Aileen sucked in air and stared at the woman. “He’s no’ shinin’ me. Ah’m workin’ for the stamp mill. That’s why ah came to ye. He said to ask for yer help to purchase beddin’ so the people wouldn’t talk.”

  Myrle shook her head again as Edith brought a tray with coffee, milk, and cookies.

  “Thank you!” Shayla exclaimed, taking a cookie and nibbling.

  Aileen studied the other woman as she took her time leaving the room. “Ah’ve no intentions on Mr. Halsey.” She looked back at the older woman watching her daughter with a tender gaze.

  “That may be, but I do believe he has intentions for you.”

  “Nae. We have a business agreement.” She didn’t want to think of the times they’d kissed, and the pleasure she received from being held in his arms.

  The woman chuckled. “You can both call it business all you want, but I’ve talked to the man and he has it bad for you, and I see a new woman emerging in you.”

  Aileen started to protest.

  “No, don’t you dare tell me any different. I’ve watched you both for many years. I’m like a second ma to those Halsey boys. I can tell you, Ethan hasn’t cottoned to any woman, but he lights up when he talks about you and your children.”

  The woman’s words fluttered her insides and lightened her heart. Did he really care for her? Could it be he wasn’t just randy? She’d felt that from him, but he denied wanting a family. That left her believing he was only out for one thing.

  “If ye know him so well, ye know ah must do the favor he asked.” Aileen took a sip of coffee and watched Shayla gulp the milk and eat another cookie.

  “I just don’t understand why I have to go with you to buy bedding. How could that start gossip?” Myrle sipped her coffee. Her faded blue eyes studied her over the rim of the cup.

  “Clay purchased a bed this morning from the mercantile. He brought it to the office, where me bairn and ah live, but it isn’t for me, ’tis for his brother and wife who are coming to visit.” She took a breath. “Ah know someone has figured out the bed is at my home. They will be sayin’ things that aren’t true if ah buy the beddin’.”

  “That’s because too many people around here have nothing bette
r to do than spread gossip.” She stood. “Finish your coffee while I get a shawl and let Edith and Sadie know I’ll be gone for a while.”

  For the first time since Ethan asked her to purchase the bedding, she found herself excited to help him. He’d done so much for her family she wanted to do things for him. And if purchasing the bedding for his brother and wife helped, she had to do it. Having Myrle along would give her support.

  The woman bustled back into the room. “Come on, we need to hurry so you two get back to Cracker Creek before dark.” Myrle stretched out her hand to Shayla. When her lassie’s tiny fingers curled around Myrle’s small hand, the woman beamed with delight.

  Aileen made a note to bring Shayla to visit with Myrle. It appeared the woman had been cheated out of motherhood. She took Shayla’s other hand and the three walked down the street to the mercantile.

  Myrle nodded and smiled at the people they passed. Aileen tried to do the same, but the glares and outright snubs she received began to slow her steps.

  “Chin up. You have as much right to walk this street as the likes of them,” Myrle said loud enough for many along the way to hear. At the mercantile, Aileen held the door for the older woman and Shayla to enter.

  “Afternoon, Myrle,” called the store owner.

  “Afternoon, Mr. Kepler. Aileen and I are looking for bedding.” Myrle motioned for Aileen to follow. The woman’s small boots tapped a fast cadence as she walked the length of the wood floor to the back of the store.

  Aileen captured Shayla’s exploring hands and followed the woman. Stacks of bedding on a table in the back caught her eye. Some day she would own bedding like this. Many a night she shivered through till dawn under the thin wool blankets Mr. Miller had provided for bedding. Either that or she slept in a chair next to the fire to keep it going so the bairn wouldn’t get cold. She’d long since given most of the blankets to Shayla and Colin.

  “Did he have anything for the bed?” Myrle asked.

  “Nae, ’tis just a frame and mattress.” She ran her hand over a finely stitched coverlet.

  Myrle picked up the coverlet, placing it in her arms. “Then we’ll need everything.” Before Aileen could protest, she added two sheets, two pillows, three blankets, and handed Shayla two pillow slips to carry. “That should take care of things.”

  She followed the smaller woman to the counter. Myrle turned to her, “Is this being charged to the Halsey’s?”

  Aileen wanted to melt into the floor at the narrowed gaze she received from the man behind the counter. “Nae, they gave me this.” She set the items on the counter and dug the coin out of her skirt pocket.

  “Why are you buying personal items for Ethan?” the merchant asked, ignoring the coin she’d extended.

  “Because I asked her to.” Ethan’s strong voice jolted her so, she dropped the coin on the counter. His presence elated and dismayed her. Would he make this more intimate than she cared?

  He strolled up to the counter, nodded to Myrle and smiled at Shayla. “And they aren’t personal items for me. Zeke and his wife are coming to visit. I want them to have a place to stay.” He picked up the coin, grasped the merchant’s hand and placed the money in his palm. “As an employee of the Cracker Creek Stamp Mill, Aileen will be asked to come in and make purchases. It would be in your best interest to help her with these purchases or I can take my business to Baker City.”

  Aileen bit her lip to keep from smiling as the merchant’s mouth dropped open.

  “Close your mouth, Earl, or you’ll catch flies,” Myrle said, taking hold of Shayla’s hand and heading to the door. Ethan placed the pillows in Aileen’s arms and gathered the rest of the bedding in his.

  There wasn’t anything she could do but follow Myrle out the door and down the street to the wagon. A horse was tied to the back of the vehicle. Ethan moved the animal aside and placed all the items into the wagon box.

  Aileen turned to him. “Why did ye come to town?” She glanced over her shoulder at the people starting to filter into Myrle’s for dinner.

  “I realized how late it was getting and didn’t like the idea of you two traveling after dark.” He picked up Shayla. “But since it’s nearly dinner time, how about I buy two pretty girls a meal?”

  “What about Colin?” She offered as an excuse not to be seen in public with him, even though she’d never had a man buy her a meal.

  “He’s fine. Hank is hanging out at the office to keep an eye on him.” He started toward the front of the building.

  She couldn’t get her feet to move. Not only would word be around that she and Ethan were together at the store buying bedding, but if they were seen together eating at Myrle’s.

  “’Tis no’ right.” Her words sounded weak even to her own ears.

  He strode back to her. “What isn’t right?”

  “To have ye buy my dinner. Will give people an idea we’re—” She couldn’t finish the thought. The suggestion in the man’s eyes made her mouth go dry.

  “We’re what Aileen?” The deep timbre ignited her insides as the twinkle of mirth in his eyes sparked her ire.

  “Ye know! Ah’ll no’ be despised any more than ah am.”

  “If anyone so much as makes a comment, I’ll put them in their place. Come on. There’s no sense riding home on empty stomachs when Myrle is a fine cook.” He grasped her elbow escorting her up the steps and into the building.

  Chapter 23

  Heads turned, but Ethan smiled politely and escorted her to the same table where she’d sat with Myrle earlier. He placed Shayla on a chair and held out one for her. Her face heated at his attention. A quick glance around the room confirmed her concerns. The other patrons tilted their heads together, talking about them. About her.

  “Ah cannae do this.” She stood, holding her hand out to Shayla.

  “Don’t.” His one word resonated through her as a plea, a warning, and a dare all rolled into one.

  She wanted to have it out with the man. However, his hand extended toward her, a warm smile lit his imploring eyes, and the apologetic lift of his shoulders weakened her knees, and she sat back down.

  “That’s the feisty woman I’m growing fond of.”

  Before she could retort, the woman who’d glared at her earlier in the day arrived with coffee. After singeing her with a hostile glance, the woman turned all her attention to Ethan and her back to Aileen.

  “Mrs. James, have you met Aileen and her daughter Shayla?” Ethan grinned at the appalled expression on the woman’s face. He wouldn’t let this old biddy snub Aileen. He hated the way the merchant treated her and now the Widow James. He’d not stand for it. Aileen had done nothing other than survive a living hell with her last husband.

  “I know who she is,” the woman answered.

  “Well turn around and greet her proper.” Ethan motioned with a finger for the woman to turn and face Aileen. She hesitated, so he took the matter of politeness out of her hands and gave it to Aileen.

  “Aileen, this is the Widow James.” He glanced at Aileen and witnessed a flicker of determination in her eyes. When the woman turned, he winked at Aileen. “The widow here thinks I’d make a good catch as a husband.”

  The widow gasped and raced to the kitchen, her apron ties fluttering behind her.

  “That wasn’t very nice o’ ye,” Aileen said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “I know. And Myrle will give me an earful about it, but she had no right treating you the way she did. All because I choose to spend time with you over her.” The sparkle remained in her eyes as they gazed at one another across the table.

  He could get used to making her smile. Each time those eyes lit up and her rosy lips curved at the corners, he warmed all over.

  “Ahem.” Myrle stood beside the table, holding three plates of food. “Not sure what you said to Edith, but she refused to bring your food.”

  “Just the truth, Myrle.” Ethan winked at Aileen.

  “May be, but she’s riled now more than when you were after her t
ub.”

  “Aileen, would Shayla like some milk?” He had to stop Myrle from revealing the whole tub incident. He’d tried to wipe it from his mind.

  “Ah’d rather hear about the tub.” She smiled at Myrle as she waited expectantly.

  Myrle pulled out the vacant chair and sat, placing her body to give Aileen her full attention.

  “Don’t you have something you need to do in the kitchen?” He tapped Myrle on the shoulder, hoping she’d take the hint.

  “When you told Ethan he had to bring you a bathtub—”

  “Myrle, this isn’t anything she’s interested in.”

  “Aye, ah’m very interested.” Aileen blinded him with a seductive smile and gave her attention to the infuriating woman leaning toward her.

  “The mercantile was out and you said he had to have it to you the next day. He came here because they told him Edith had been the last person to purchase a sitting tub…”

  Ethan groaned and started eating his meal. There was no sense letting the food get cold, especially when his protests went unheeded.

  “I wasn’t here at the time, and Edith was thinking he was going to propose to her when all he wanted was her tub.” Myrle laughed. He glared at her back. He didn’t find the story even a little bit amusing. Aileen on the other hand tittered behind her hand. Her gaze lit on him. The merriment lighting her eyes was a spectacle. Maybe Myrle telling the story wasn’t so bad.

  “Anyway, when I came through the door, she was huffing through into the kitchen, and Ethan looked lower than a boy who’d lost his puppy.”

  “Where did ye get my tub?” Aileen’s question surprised him.

  “From Myrle. She had one and I ordered her up a new one.” Now he had to fess up about the tub not being new. “I know I promised you a new tub—”

  “Nae, ye promised a bathtub, new was never discussed.” She patted his hand. The action spoke more than the words. She understood he’d been uncomfortable asking for the tub, but he’d done it for her.

  “I’ll let you two finish your meal so you can get back before it’s too late.” Myrle left and a few minutes later Edith brought a glass of milk to Shayla. She set the cup on the table and left without a look or a word.