by Paty Jager
Chapter 13
Kelda stepped out of the bootmaker’s shop feeling as if she walked on clouds. The man had two pairs of women’s shoes in her size. He said there were several women in the town who had feet as long as hers. The boots were lighter and fit her feet better than the men’s boots she’d worn all her life. Her body swayed and her gait was less labored.
Before the bootmakers, Hank bought her two dresses at the dressmakers. The woman would deliver them to the hotel after making some alterations. One dress would only be used for special occasions. Now she knew why the women the night before wore the shimmery dresses. The material slid light and sinful against her skin. Of course she didn’t have the proper undergarments for such a dress. Thinking of all the items Hank had bought, guilt stabbed at her conscience.
When they arrived at the Commercial Hotel she started for the stairs.
“Mr. and Mrs. Halsey, you have several people waiting for an interview,” the clerk called out.
Kelda’s feet stalled at the man’s assumption. She started to open her mouth, but Hank intervened.
“We’ll go to our rooms and get settled. Send the first person up in ten minutes.” Hank placed his hand on her back, propelling her up the stairs.
She craned her neck to object to not correcting the man, but his expression said keep moving. Outside the room as he unlocked the door, she questioned him.
“Why didn’t you tell him we weren’t married?”
Hank opened the door and motioned for her to enter. “There’s no need for him or anyone else to think any different.” He followed, closed the door, and faced her. “It doesn’t hurt they think we’re married. We have separate rooms and beds which keeps your reputation in tact when we return to the log camp.”
Kelda studied him. It didn’t make that much difference if the hotel staff thought they were married, but the people they interviewed would know different when they returned to the camp.
“What about the people we interview? They have to know the truth or they could say things to Far or my brothers that would get you hurt.”
Hank hung up his hat and coat and plucked her cape from her shoulders. “You’re right. We’ll introduce ourselves right away and keep a professional appearance during the interview. I’ll ask the basics. You can ask the questions about cooking.” He handed her the cape. “Best to keep all your belongings in the other room so there are no questions. In fact, you stay in there, and I’ll summon you after the first person arrives.”
Kelda took her cape and left Hank scanning his room. What was he thinking? She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed staring at her narrow, lightweight boots. No one had ever given her so many things at one time. The delight that had lit his face with each item she accepted had felt like she’d given him a gift.
A brisk knock reminded her why they were here. To find a cook.
Kelda stepped out of the adjoining room as a small, frail looking woman sat in the chair Hank indicated.
“Sit here and I’ll retrieve another chair from your room.” He passed her shaking his head.
Kelda had the same first reaction. This woman had to be her mother’s age and less robust. Hank returned with the third chair and placed it alongside Kelda’s. He sat and began the preliminary questions.
It took less than fifteen minutes and the woman was at the door to leave.
“Please ask the clerk to send up the next applicant,” Hank said before closing the door on the woman.
“She is a definite, nei.” Kelda said. “How could she even think she’d be able to cook for sixty loggers is unbelievable.”
“I agree.” Hank crossed the room and filled two glasses with water from the faucet.
She had never been in a building with running water. It was one of the novelties she’d tell her family about.
He handed her one glass and set his on the table as a knock sounded on the door.
~*~
Noon came and went, and they had yet to find a suitable cook.
Hank ushered the last person out the door and turned to Kelda. “Let’s go down to the restaurant and get something to eat.”
She stood. “My growling stomach had me preoccupied talking to the last one.”
He tweaked her nose. “I heard it.”
Her cheeks reddened. “Do you think Mrs. Hamilton heard it?”
“No, she was across the table.” He grasped her elbow. “Do you need to freshen up before we go down?”
“Nei.” She took a step toward the door.
Hank wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her, but his head thankfully overruled his body. Instead, he followed her out the door and down the stairs.
“Have you found who you’re looking for?” the clerk asked as they crossed the lobby.
“No. Are there any more people waiting?” Hank scanned the people sitting on the cushioned chairs in the lobby.
“No. But if someone comes in I’ll ask them to wait until you return.” The clerk’s helpfulness was no doubt due to the tip he’d slid the man the day before.
“Do you think it’s going to take us longer than two days to find a cook?” Kelda asked as Hank seated her at a table in the restaurant.
“I hope not. Neither one of us can afford to be away from the logging camp that long.” Hank took a seat across from Kelda.
Halfway through the meal a commotion rose out in the lobby. Hank stared at the man about his size leaning on the counter, clearly intimidating the clerk. The man’s clothes were that of a laborer.
“Cook! Here!” The man said in an accent that sounded vaguely familiar but more guttural.
The clerk pointed to the restaurant and the man stalked through the door, his eyes scanning the room. The waiter pushed through the kitchen entrance, and the man marched across to the door and disappeared.
Five minutes later the man slammed through the door. “Ingen forstår meg,” he muttered walking passed their table.
Kelda’s gaze fell on the man and she smiled. “Jeg gjør.”
The man spun and stared at her. They began talking in what Hank believed to be Norwegian. The more animated Kelda became the more he wished he knew the language. The man turned to Hank and held out a hand.
He glanced at the hand then at Kelda.
“Meet Lars Eiker, he is our new cook.” Kelda smiled at the man who beamed down at her.
Hank didn’t like the needle pricks of jealousy piercing his chest. “Our cook? That was kind of fast.”
“He was told about the job by another Norwegian who can speak and read English but then he had trouble getting the clerk to understand why he was here. The clerk sent him to the kitchen and they sent him away.” Kelda grasped Hank’s hand. “He’s perfect. He can speak with Mor in Norwegian, he was the cook on a ship to come to America, and he has been cooking at ranches and mining camps as he crossed to Oregon.”
Hank had to admit they were all good qualities for the cook they needed. But the man looked to be only a few years older than Kelda and from the way he smiled and watched her, he would like nothing better than to work side by side with her.
“I don’t know. You have only his word for all of this.”
“He needs to find a steady income and a place to make a home to bring his wife and her family over.” Kelda squeezed his hand. “We can help him reunite with his family.”
Knowing the man was already married lifted Hank’s doubts. “Okay. Tell him to meet us out front at eight tomorrow morning.”
Kelda relayed the information and the man beamed. He shook Hank’s hand again with even more enthusiasm and marched out the door.
“What is your father going to say when you bring home that hulking man?” Hank led Kelda out of the restaurant.
“He’ll be pleased to know we’re helping a fellow countryman.”
Hank stopped at the counter. “If anyone else arrives tell them the position has been filled.”
The clerk looked bewildered but nodded.
“Wait here. I�
��ll get your cape, and we’ll go for a stroll. I don’t know about you but I’m in need of fresh air.” Hank led Kelda to one of the cushioned chairs.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” The smile she bestowed on him warmed his heart and had him leaning toward her. She cleared her throat reminding him they were in public.
He pulled back and stared into her glittering eyes. “I’ll be back quickly.”
“I’ll be waiting.” She sat primly on the cushion, and he took the stairs two at a time.
Kelda couldn’t believe her good fortune. Lars would be perfect. He had the skill to cook by himself, as well as the strength and stamina. He knew the recipes that her father loved, he could speak with Mor since she’d slipped into speaking Norwegian more than English, and she could tell he would keep her secrets of working in the woods from Hank.
Shame flared, causing a slight throb in her head. It was wrong to go behind his back when he’d done so much for her. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to push the guilt aside. She thought back to the month when she believed she would never set foot in the woods as a logger again. The sadness that had engulfed her was worse than any anger she’d receive from Hank.
“Here you go.” Hank arrived in front of her, his coat and hat on, and held out her cape.
“Mange takk.” She stood and he slipped the garment around her shoulders, fastening the top button for her.
He handed her the pair of leather gloves he also purchased that morning. The softness enveloping her hands made her sigh.
“You’re spoiling me.” She looked up. The happiness lighting his eyes stammered her heart.
“You deserve to be spoiled.” He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and strolled out of the hotel.
She enjoyed walking linked arm in arm with Hank. He was taller than her and made her not so conscience of her height. He maneuvered her around obstacles and allowed her to browse store windows when she saw something unique. They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the streets and returned to the hotel as the street lights started to flicker on. The electric lamps in the hotel settled a yellow haze over everything.
Hank stopped at the clerk’s desk. “Is there a bathing room located on the second floor?” he asked.
Kelda stared at Hank. A bathing room? What could that be? Surely not a room just for standing in a wash tub.
“Yes, sir. It’s at the end of the hall. One on the left and one on the right. Towels and soap are on a shelf.”
“Thank you.” Hank placed his hand on her back to once again navigate her up the stairs.
“Mr. Halsey, Mrs. Maroony delivered these while you were out.” The clerk held up two wrapped packages.
Kelda held out her arms to take her new dresses. Hank plucked the packages from the clerk and continued moving her along. She was beginning to feel like a cow the way he manipulated her.
At the door of their room, she asked the question swirling in her head. “Why don’t they just bring a wash tub up to the room if you want a bath?”
He waved her inside and chuckled. “The bath is for you. Another way for me to pamper you.” He motioned to the adjoining door. “Gather all the items you need for a bath.” He glanced at the packages and dropped one on the bed.
“What are you doing?” Kelda put her hands on her hips. She didn’t mind being pampered but she was getting tired of being bossed around.
“This is the dress and undergarments you’ll wear to dinner. Go get the other things you need, and I’ll show you to the bathing closet.” He sat the package down and took his hat and coat off.
Did she want to bathe in a closet? It would be nice to take a bath without worrying about someone barging in. Sunday night was her bath night at the camp. Everyone knew it and stayed out of the cookhouse. She usually dragged the wash tub into the supply room for added privacy but it was dark, small, and cold. The water grew cold before she finished.
She removed her cape, gloves, and boots before gathering her brush. Kelda looked around. Everything else she would need was in the package from the dressmaker. She stepped into the next room. Hank had a bundle of clothes under one arm and held out the wrapped package to her.
“You’re taking a bath as well?” Her heart raced wondering if the bath closet had more than one tub in it.
“Yes. The clerk said there was a bathing closet on each side of the hall. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good soak.” He opened the door and nodded for her to exit ahead of him. She stepped out, and he moved around her to walk to the end of the hall. He tried the door on the right and it swung in.
Kelda peeked around him and spotted a long white tub to the side of the room.
“Come on in. I’ll start the water and show you how to turn it off.” Hank peered at her from over his shoulder.
She scurried into the room and scanned the interior. Hooks protruded from the wall beside the door. A wooden chair sat at the end of the tub and a colorful braided oval rug covered the wood floor beside the tub. She set the package on the chair and ripped the paper open, drawing the clothing out and hanging it on the pegs.
“This is how you turn the water on and off.” She pivoted and watched Hank turn knobs above the head of the tub. “Turn them off when you have enough water. When you’re finished pull this string and the stopper will come out and allow the water to drain.”
“This is all…I’ve never seen anything so marvelous.” She ran her hand over the smooth cool surface on the side of the tub.
“Ethan built a water and bath closet for Aileen in their house.” Hank straightened. “Enjoy your bath.”
“I will. But does this cost extra? If we need to share water, I can take a quick bath and you can use my water.” His generosity this trip was more than she dared to think of repaying.
“Baths come with the price I paid for the suite. Take your time. I’ll be across the hall. I didn’t lock the door on the room so you can go back whenever you want.” He dropped a light kiss on her forehead and walked to the door. “Lock this after I leave.”
She nodded and crossed to the door. He smiled and stepped out, drawing the door firmly shut. She slipped the hook into the eye and turned back to the steaming, gushing water. The tub was half full. She turned the knobs, shutting the water off and quickly undressed. It would be wonderful to wash her hair without having someone pour buckets over her head.
Chapter 14
Hank sat in the room waiting for Kelda to return from the bathing closet. He’d bathed, shaved, and now waited impatiently for her to return. He’d told her to take her time, but his stomach growled and he wanted to see her in the dress he’d purchased. The blue gown had been advised by the dressmaker, and Kelda would be stunning in it.
He stood to head down the hall to see if she was having problems when the knob on the door turned. He held his breath and waited.
The door opened quickly and Kelda slipped in shutting it tightly behind her. She had the brown wool dress she’d worn the last two days around her shoulders like a shawl. Her old undergarments were tucked under the arm not holding the dress about her.
“Why are you wearing the other dress like that?” he asked, stepping toward her.
Her face reddened. Her lashes lowered, and she stared at the carpet where her bare toes dug into the colorful yarn.
“I can’t fasten the dress.”
Hank crossed the room and removed the wool dress from her shoulders. He glanced at her back and realized the dress had a long row of small buttons which held the garment on.
“Not a problem.” He stepped behind her and started at the bottom. The silky undergarments he’d purchased to go with the dress skimmed his knuckles as he worked the buttons. She’d adamantly refused a corset and the dressmaker had provided a bust improver which was to support her assets. His fingers worked up her back, pushing her silky hair to the side. Kelda gathered her loose hair, pulling it over a shoulder. The long golden locks sparkled in the light and smelled of vanilla. How did she do that? Smell of vanilla
when she’d been nowhere near a kitchen the last few days?
“There, you’re all properly fastened.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and spun her to face him.
“Mange takk.”
Her damp hair hung in one long twined lock like a golden rope over her shoulder and brought his attention to the creamy skin above the swells of her breasts peeking through lace. He’d purchased this dress not only for the color but the modest neckline. Kelda wouldn’t have been comfortable if too much of her neck and chest were revealed. This dress had a high neckline, but where most evening gowns were open from the swells of the breast on up, this one had a covering of pure white lace.
His mouth grew dry taking in the sight of her.
“You’re staring.” The hesitancy in her voice broke the trance her beauty cloaked him in.
“That’s because I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “You are going to turn heads tonight, and I’m honored to be your escort.”
Her cheeks tinged a bright red, but the happiness glistening in her eyes warmed his heart.
“Again, thank you for your kind words. I do feel more…soft in these clothes.”
Her softness was what his hands itched to touch, but there was no way he’d ruin this night by allowing his randy body to follow through.
He took the clothes from under her arm, and she blushed all over again. “I’ll put these clothes in your room and fetch your new boots. Sit in the chair and once your shoes are on, we’ll head to dinner.”
Kelda loved the feel of the rich carpet under her feet as she padded across to the chair by the table. The warmth of Hank’s fingers as he buttoned her dress sent tendrils of excitement skittering across her skin. Then the heat in his eyes as he stared at her…she fanned a hand in front of her face. And he looked wonderful. Freshly shaved and clothed in a fancy suit. No one would know they were from a logging camp.