Wanted: Bookkeeper (Silverpines Series Book 14)

by Sophie Dawson

  “I’m sure you’re right. Let me show you the bedroom. You can change in there and I’ll change in here.”

  This time it wasn’t pink staining her cheeks, instead she blanched. “Um, ah, okay. That sounds good. Is it time to… yet?” He didn’t know if that counted as a blush or not.

  Joel lifted an eyebrow. “Can’t say go to bed?”

  “Um, no. I don’t think I can.” She looked him straight in the eye. Then she started giggling. “This is not how I ever pictured my wedding day. Married to a stranger, my mother furious with me.”

  Joel watched the humor slip from her expression.

  “My father not there to walk me down the aisle.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  Dropping her bag, Joel took her in his arms. “Let it out, honey. According to my sister, every girl dreams of her wedding day. Yours hasn’t lived up to your dreams, has it.”

  Tilde held on to him, crying. When she quieted, she looked up. “Thank you. You seem to understand so well.”

  Joel brushed the tears on her cheeks away with gentle fingers. “I don’t have many memories of my birth mother, but the sadness is burned into my soul. Maybe it’s made me more aware of it in others.” He released her when she pulled back. “Or maybe it’s my sister, Annie, telling me not to be an insensitive lout and remember all the reasons why you wanted a husband. She warned me with threats of pain and death if I made this day more difficult for you.”

  Tilde giggled. “Sounds like a girl I’d like to know.”

  “She’s something, I’ll say that. Maybe we’ll be able to go to Cottonwood sometime. I’d like you to meet my family.”

  “I think I’d like that.”

  ~~~~~

  Rather than change and get into the bed, since it was early and still light out, they went for a walk through town. Tilde told him details of the earthquakes and their aftermath. There was quite a lot of repair work being done, but there were also empty houses and businesses. Tilde explained that many families had left since work was scarce as the town rebuilt. The bank held the mortgages for most of them.

  With the setting of the sun, they went back to the inn. Joel now stood in the sitting room waiting for Tilde to let him know she was ready for bed. He had folded his clothes and set them on a table. How long did it take for a woman to change into a nightgown?

  Walking to the door, Joel leaned his ear against it. He heard muttering that carried a tinge of frustrated annoyance. Not able to decipher the words he knocked on the door.

  “Tilde, are you ready for me to come in?”

  “No, yes. Oh bother. Come in. I need some help.”

  He stepped back as the door was pulled open. Tilde was standing in her unmentionables. He knew she was well covered in her drawers, chemise, and corset, as well as her stockings and shoes. It seemed all she’d removed were her bodice, skirt, and petticoats.

  “I don’t know how many times I’ve told Dara not to double knot the corset strings but she always does. At least I don’t pull the laces tight. If I did, it could be dangerous if I fainted. I like to be able to breath.”

  She turned around and stomped over to the bed. “Will you please untie this cursed knot? Dara always helps me. I wonder if she double knots hers. She doesn’t have anyone to help her. Well, from now on I’ll be tying and untying my own laces. I don’t know why she knots them anyway. It’s not as if they are going to come untied with my petticoats and skirts covering the laces. Not to mention the corset cover.” She stood with her back to him and gave a little wave toward the laces.

  Joel stood staring at the bright pink corset. He’d always thought they would be white or black. This one was pink and gold brocade with thick gold stitches marching around the top and bottom. He wondered if they had a purpose or were just for decoration. Also if they were on the front. Her laces were gold too. Who would have thought that something only the wearer and maybe mother, sibling, or maid would see was so pretty? Well, he’d heard the soiled doves wore brightly colored corsets, but a modest young lady? His wife?

  Tilde turned slightly and shot an annoyed eye at him. “Close your mouth, you look like a cod fish. Now, untie this cursed knot.”

  Joel hadn’t realized his jaw had dropped. He closed his mouth and cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.” Stepping behind her, he picked the double knot out and pulled the loop, untying the bow.

  Joel watched as her hands quickly loosened the laces, then she moved them to the front and the corset came off and was hung over the foot rail of the bed. Tilde stretched her arms up and leaned from side to side. Even with the chemise covering her from shoulder to knee, Joel had to swallow down the desire that flared.

  Tilde turned around. “Oh, um, thank you.” Red flamed her cheeks. Joel fought the grin at another of her blushes. That’s two or three if I count her paling when we first spoke of going to bed.

  “Um, can you leave now and let me finish changing? Please?”

  “Oh, yes, of course.” Joel backed up, keeping his eyes on her. It was only a few steps, but he bumped into the wall beside the door. He could tell Tilde was fighting a grin. He moved sideways and pulled the door closed, shutting her from his view.

  ~~~~~

  Sleep slowly released Tilde from its hold. She lay on her side listening to the birds greet the day outside the open windows. Then she realized something wasn’t right. Her eyes popped wide open.

  SHE WASN’T ALONE IN HER BED!!! An arm was around her waist holding her to the person behind her.

  Stiffening with a jerk, Tilde’s head cracked into the chin of whoever was behind her.

  “Ouch!”

  Tilde recognized Joel’s pained cry and the events of yesterday came into focus in her mind. She turned, moving away from his hold. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Did you bite your tongue? Do you need a cold wet cloth to hold against it?”

  She knew she was babbling, just as she had last night when Joel had to help her with the corset knot. That was so embarrassing, not even being able to untie her own corset. He must think she was a bungling idiot. First the knot, and now smacking him in the chin with her head. His arm slipped from her waist. The warmth of it fading as the morning air cooled the fabric of her nightgown.

  Joel’s expressive eyebrow lifted giving her a moment of unease, then she saw the twinkle in his eye. “No, but I bit my lip.”

  He’s not going to want me to kiss it better, is he? The thought both scared and enticed her. Drat, she felt heat begin its climb up her neck. She scooted away from him, stopping only when she felt the edge of the bed nearing. The last thing she wanted was to fall to the floor.

  “That’s one. Be careful. You falling out of bed would hurt more than when I bumped into the wall.” The twinkle was even more evident in his eyes.

  Tilde nodded and slipped out of bed. She grabbed the wrapper she’d laid out on a nearby chair last night, putting it on. When she turned around, Joel was leaning back against the headboard with his arms behind his head. His nightshirt was unbuttoned at the neck leaving a few inches of his chest exposed to her gaze. The heat from her cheeks had been fading but now it flamed again.

  “That’s two,” Joel said with a wide smile.

  “Two what?”

  “Blushes. I didn’t think to count them until last evening. Today, I’m starting right now. You’ve already blushed twice and we’ve only been awake two minutes. Doesn’t bode well for your cheeks for the rest of the day.”

  She wanted to respond to his teasing with a witty reply but felt another blush coming. Instead, she turned her back to him to hide it and walked to the washstand. “I’m going to wash up and begin dressing. You can leave now.”

  A chuckle right behind her as she picked up the pitcher made her hand shake, knocking it against the basin. Joel’s hand came around and covered hers on the handle. “That seems a little heavy. Let me help you.” As they poured the water, Tilde felt Joel’s breath by her ear. “That’s three,” he whispered.

  He was right. She was blushing again. When
they set the pitcher down and his hand released hers, Tilde swung around and smacked him on the chest. “You get out of here. I’m… um, hungry, so get your clothes on.”

  Joel laughed, heading to the door. He gave her a quick smile, opened the door, and just as he closed it said, “That’s four.”

  Tilde covered her cheeks with her hands. He was right.

  CHAPTER SIX

  They spent the morning going over accounts at the bank. Tilde explained the number of accounts and mortgages that were abandoned or hadn’t had a payment made since the disaster. Joel jotted facts and thoughts down in a notebook. They were interrupted a number of times when Tilde’s friends came into the bank excited about her marriage.

  “Tilde Lasek, how dare you not tell me so I could be at your wedding.” Sarah Dekum stood with her hands on her hips when Tilde came from the office where they’d been working.

  “Hey, you ran away and got married, not telling anyone. At least I stayed in town.”

  Sarah laughed. “You got me there.”

  Tilde had gone out from behind the counter and the girls hugged. She looked back and saw Joel standing in the office doorway. “Joel, come and meet one of my good friends. She owns the gun shop.”

  “Well, my husband and I do. He’s holding down the fort while I come and see if you are good enough for my friend.”

  Joel came out and extended a hand to Sarah. “Pleased to meet you. I haven’t met many of Tilde’s friends.”

  They chatted for a few minutes. “I need to be going. Mason is working on a new gun, so I need to mind the store.” She pulled a small revolver from her pocket. “You be good to Tilde or I just might use this sweet thing on you.”

  Joel held up his hands even though she was not pointing it at him. “Don’t worry, I’ll be good to her. No need for that, although I’d like to see it.”

  Sarah handed the small revolver to him.

  “Smith and Wesson. What’s the caliber?”

  “.38. It’s a 38 Special”

  “Very nice gun.” He handed it back.

  “My husband makes them. He was married to Mr. Wesson’s daughter before she died. He’s now the exclusive manufacturer and distributor for Smith and Wesson in the West. We’re building a factory outside of town. We’re hoping it brings more families to Silverpines.

  “I’m sure it will. I’ll be around soon to meet your husband.”

  “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” Sarah looked at Tilde. “He likes my gun. He’ll do.”

  Tilde scoffed then hugged her friend. “Get out of here. We have work to do.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The girls giggled as Sarah left.

  “She seems nice,” Joel said as they walked back to the office.

  “She is. We grew up together. There are several of the girls my age who might show up this morning. Tonya Watts, she owns the lumber mill and yard, and also owns the logging forest. She’s married to Braylon Watts. He’s converting the mill so it can generate electricity.

  “You know Abby James. Betsy is Sheriff Sewell’s wife. She won’t be coming in. She’s having a difficult confinement and is on bed rest. That’s something I need to do. Go visit her. Maude Jones will scold me if I don’t. She’s another good friend. She helps with Betsy in the morning with Tonya and teaches the little girls at Howard House. It’s an orphanage for girls. She grew up there.”

  As they settle into their chairs, the bank door opened again. “Tilde, where are you? I want to meet your new husband. Abby came by this morning while I was visiting Betsy. Tonya and Maude were there. Betsy says to get yourself over to her house, both of you. She wants to meet him too.” Katie Deidmann came through the gate and into the office before Tilde and Joel could even rise. Katie threw her arms around Tilde. “I didn’t even know you had sent an advertisement and here you are married. What a shock! How did your mother take it? Don’t tell me. I know. She hates the idea.”

  “I was just saying the same thing.”

  “That your mother hates that you married?”

  “No, silly. That I needed to go see Betsy.” She looked at Joel. “Maybe we could go once the bank is closed.”

  He nodded, not able to get a word in since Katie started talking again.

  “I need to leave. The twins are probably driving Miss Edie crazy. See you later. It was a pleasure meeting you, Tilde’s husband. I still can’t believe you got married and your mother didn’t know.” Katie hurried out of the office.

  Tilde and Joel looked at each other and laughed.

  “Is she always like that?”

  “No, not always but when she gets excited, well, you saw.”

  Just before noon, Dara came in carrying a basket. Joel rushed forward to relieve her of the burden. “I brought you some lunch. I figured you’d be busy today, what with himself learnin’ about the bank and everyone wantin’ to see the new citizen of Silverpines.” Dara went through the gate to behind the counter and gave Tilde a hug.

  Joel raised his eyebrow. Tilde knew he was wondering about Katie’s and Dara’s boldness at not staying in the customer area. She just hugged the woman and smiled at him.

  “Let’s go into the office. We can eat at the desk. Will you be eating with us, Dara?” Tilde cleared the desk, gathering the papers and folders and tapping them into a neat pile.

  “No, Sweeting, I’ll be a goin’ back to tend to herself. She’s mighty pensive, that she is. Didn’t hardly eat a thing last night or this morn. Stood lookin’ out the window of the parlor last evening.” Dara began setting containers and plates onto the desk. Joel poured lemonade from a jar into glasses.

  Tilde looked at Joel. Tears clogged her throat. She loved her mother, even though she drove Tilde crazy with her scolding to be more ladylike. He set the jar down and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.

  “I’m a thinkin’ you both might want to be a comin’ at supper time this evening. You’ll be needin’ to get some clothing for tomorrow, and just maybe I can convince herself to be invitin’ you to stay and eat. She can be savin’ face, and you, Mr. Richards, can be gettin’ to know herself a bit. Who knows where that could lead.”

  Tilde turned hopeful eyes at Joel.

  “I think that’s a very good idea, Mrs. Conway.”

  “Auch, be a callin’ me Dara. We’re family now. Well, I’ll be leavin’ you to your meal. Please, bring it all back home with you, will you, Sweeting?”

  “We will. Thank you, Dara. This was quite thoughtful of you.” Tilde gave the housekeeper a hug.

  “T’wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my girl. You be a knowin’ that.” Dara patted Tilde on the cheek and left.

  “Do you think Mother will welcome us and invite us to supper?”

  “I don’t see how she can’t. I don’t think Dara will allow anything else.” Joel grinned, making Tilde chuckle.

  “I think you’re right. She is a force to be reckoned with. She can manipulate my mother into doing just what she wants, and Mother never knows it wasn’t her idea.” Tilde drew her eyebrows together. “I think she does that with me too, now that I think about it.”

  Joel just laughed, making Tilde slap him softly on the arm.

  ~~~~~

  Mrs. Lasek sat at the head with Tilde on her left and Joel on her right, sitting in the middle of the long table. The stiffness of her smile wasn’t very welcoming. She’d already been seated at the table when they arrived promptly at five fifty-five.

  Tilde had stalled as long as Joel allowed. She had told him that supper was served at the specified time and being late was not an option. Still she’d dallied with her hair, pretended to misplace her gloves, and decided she needed a new handkerchief just as they were leaving the hotel room. Joel was sympathetic but didn’t want to alienate his new mother-in-law, any more than he already had, by being late.

  Not bothering to knock, Tilde had gone right into the house. Dara came bustling in welcoming them and saying herself was in the dining room. Joel was carrying her bag and set it on the
floor by the stairs before going into the dining room. Now they sat in silence as Dara brought fragrant dishes in and placed them on the table.

  “This be one of my Sweeting’s favorite meals. Pork chops, applesauce, scalloped potatoes, peas, and Mother Lee’s rolls. There be fresh peach pie for dessert.” Dara set the basket of rolls in front of Joel. “Mind you have to be eating a good supper to have dessert.” She patted him on the shoulder as she headed back to the kitchen.

  Grace was said by Mrs. Lasek and the dishes were passed with murmured thank-yous until all plates were filled. The tension emanating from Mrs. Lasek could be cut with a knife. Her shoulders were ramrod straight. Her movements stiff as she cut her meat and began eating. They continued eating in silence.

  Joel cleared his throat. “Thank you for inviting us for supper, Mrs. Lasek. We appreciate your hospitality.”

  “This is Tilde’s home. She is always welcome here.”

  “Mother, does that mean my husband is not welcome?” Tilde set her fork down on her plate and looked at Joel.

  Mabel set her silverware down and pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve. She touched it to her eyes. “Yes, he is welcome as you are, my dear. It’s just…” She stopped speaking and looked from her daughter to Joel and back. “I’m having a difficult time adjusting to…” She stopped again, bringing the handkerchief up and pressing it to her lips. It was obvious she was struggling to keep back her tears. She reached a hand across and grasped Tilde’s. “I’ve lost so much. I never thought I’d not attend my only daughter’s wedding.”

  Joel watched as Tilde’s eyes filled.

  “I never wanted that either, Mother. I wanted you there so badly, but I knew you wouldn’t approve of my actions and I couldn’t deal with your objections. I was nervous enough marrying a stranger. Papa wasn’t there. Neither was Terrance. No one I love was there. Well, Mrs. Edmondson was there, but she’s not family. I so wanted your support but it wasn’t there, so I had to do what I knew was best without you.”