“Now, how may I help you?” Tilde said as she came to the teller window.
“Miss Tilde, can I look at your dust? I’ve never studied it before?” Grace Cutler asked, the magnifying glass pressed against her cheek.
“I want to look too, Grace,” the littlest of the girls, Ida, said.
“May I, not can I,” corrected Millie, “and no, you may not. I just did wash and I’m not eager to do it again.”
Grace twisted her lips to the side in irritation. Ida looked disappointed too. Opal wasn’t paying any attention. She was standing quietly, gripping a drawstring bag in her hands.
“So, what brings all you ladies to the bank today?” Tilde leaned over the counter to better see all the girls. The two older ones were five and Ida was three.
“I’m going to open a savings account,” Opal said, holding up her bag. “I’ve saved five dollars. I think it will be safer from the boys if it’s in the bank.”
Tilde kept her expression neutral, not wanting to chuckle at the disgust flooding Opal’s face. It might hurt the girl to think she was being laughed at. “You are most certainly correct. My brother got into my piggy bank more times than I want to think about when I was your age.”
Tilde and Millie exchanged compassionate eyes. Millie knew Tilde had lost her father and brother in the disaster. Millie had lost her husband. Clay Cutler came to Silverpines after answering Millie’s ad in the Groom’s Gazette.
“We can open your account and you will have a book where each time you deposit or withdraw any money we’ll record it in your book and in the one we keep at the bank. That’s how we’ll know how much money you have.” Tilde showed the girls the bank book she took from the drawer.
“Is Mr. Richards here?” Opal stretched on tiptoe trying to see over the tall counter. “I want him to help me.”
“I’m sorry. He’s out of the bank for a while. I can help you. Come around and we’ll work at the desk. Are either of you opening an account too?” She held the gate open allowing Opal through.
“Not today. Grace spent her money on a new doll. Ida hasn’t enough to deposit yet,” Millie said. “I have a deposit, but I can wait until you have helped Opal.”
“I really wanted Mr. Richards to help me. He’s real handsome.” Opal leaned close and whispered, “I know he’s married to you but don’t worry. He’s too old for me anyway. I just wanted him to help me. You can though. I don’t mind.”
Tilde coughed to hide her giggle. “Thank you. Let’s get this book filled out.”
It didn’t take long to set up the account and to handle Millie’s deposit. Soon she watched as Millie herded the girls up the street, Opal’s bank book clutched tightly in her hand.
Tilde went back to her desk and took up her pencil again. Maybe the stupid columns would add up and balance this time.
~~~~~
Joel walked slowly back to the bank. Now that he’d visited every house the bank held a mortgage on he had a better idea of how to proceed. The only house that was sold recently was the one Jeremiah Henderson purchased last month. It was late October and some of the houses had been abandoned since April. Others whose families still lived in them hadn’t made a payment since the earthquakes that had killed so many. This couldn’t continue or the bank might fail.
With the marriages and the mill working again, some were up to date or near it on their mortgages. There was work going on at the collapsed mine in hopes of reopening it. At the moment the focus was on recovering the bodies of those killed.
New people were coming to town or returning slowly, as jobs were becoming available. Braylon Watts, the man who married Antonia Woodson, the mill owner, was bringing electricity to the town. He was planning to somehow use the mill wheel to generate the electricity. Already poles were being erected and lines strung. Joel wondered if Mabel Lasek would allow him to have the house wired for lights and ceiling fans. He’d looked at some catalogues Clay Cutler had at the mercantile.
Joel planned to have the bank wired and an alarm system set up to ring if the bank was broken into at night. He wouldn’t mention it to Tilde yet. She seemed reluctant to make any changes to the bank in its policies and methods.
Though she didn’t like many of his ideas, Joel enjoyed, no loved being married to Tilde. Other than the differences in their ideas about the bank, they worked well together. They were getting along well within their marriage too. The more intimate aspects were wonderful. Joel made sure Tilde was satisfied and enjoyed their times together. He most certainly did.
Joel tipped his hat to Mrs. Edmondson as they passed on the boardwalk. There was talk of having the streets cobbled. If Silverpines did so they would put in sidewalks too, at least in the business district.
Progress was returning to Silverpines. He’d had inquiries about a few of the abandoned houses. That brought his thoughts back to the dilemma he had: what to do about the unpaid mortgages of the abandoned houses and the non-payments of those still occupied. He had some plans to consider and calculations to do before he presented his ideas to Tilde. He hoped she’d be willing to listen and try them out. He wasn’t very optimistic since she still refused to consider the adding machines.
Crossing the street diagonally, Joel climbed the steps and opened the bank door. A growl, then a howl of anger was followed by a pencil smacking into the wall by the door frame. He ducked, wondering if the ledger was going to follow.
“Stupid, you’re just being a dunce. A ten-year-old could add up these columns better than you. I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I get something different every time I add the stupid numbers.” The gate slammed open and Tilde stomped from behind the counter. “Oh, Joel. I didn’t see you come in. Did you get everything done?” She sidled sideways to the window.
“Yes, I have to gather my thoughts on the matter then I’ll let you know.” He watched as she squatted down, picking up the pencil that had rolled nearby. He removed his hat and coat, hanging them in the corner by the retiring room and moving next to her desk. The ledger page was crumpled, but at least it wasn’t torn. “Are you finished balancing this account?”
Tilde, coming through the gate gave him an evil look. “I give up. You win. Order those stupid adding machines. I’ve spent more time adding columns over the past month than I should. If they will help, then they’ll be worth it.” She flopped down in her chair in a very unladylike manner. “Don’t say it. I know I’m not sitting properly. Mother would be appalled, and I really don’t care at the moment.”
Joel raised an eyebrow but she didn’t look at him. He went into the small supply room and brought out a large box. Setting it on her desk, he waited. It didn’t take long.
“What’s this?” Tilde sat up.
Joel unhooked the latch and lifted the lid of the wooden crate. “It’s an adding machine. I ordered two several weeks ago. I’ve kept them stored away until you were ready to try one.
She stood and looked from him to the machine and back. “I don’t know whether to smack you or kiss you. Ordering this thing behind my back. Not telling me it was here waiting for me to use it while I fought with the addition.”
Joel pulled her to him, pressing her against his chest. “I vote for the kissing. Much more pleasant and an appropriate way of thanking me for ordering them.”
Tilde reached around and spread her fingers over his back, “I’m not sure that’s appropriate between the boss and the employee.”
Joel kissed her nose. “Who is which?”
Tilde tapped her chin. “I’m not sure. You’re the president. I’m the owner, or half owner. It’s a dilemma.”
“Easy enough to figure out. It’s the one who gets the most pleasure from the kisses.” He began giving her small, quick kisses.
“Might be hard to tell.”
“We’ll just have to keep it up until someone wins.” His kisses inched longer and longer.
“Or someone comes into the bank.”
“Maybe we should turn the sign to closed and lock the
door.”
“For what reason?”
Joel kissed her nose again. “Executive board meeting.”
“Ah…good idea.”
CHAPTER TEN
“I’m not sure how you talked me into this. I don’t know most of these people.”
Tilde followed her mother down the stairs trying to tune out her mother’s complaint. “You know Millie and the children very well, Mother. You’ve met Mr. Cutler a number of times at the mercantile. His children also. You’ve known Maude since she was a baby. This is a good opportunity to meet her new husband, Jeremiah Henderson.”
“Yes, yes, I know. It’s that U.S. Marshal I’m concerned about. What do they call him, The Preacher? What if he decides to pull out one of those guns and shoot us all?”
Joel, standing at the bottom of the stairs, laughed. “Nathan would never do that. I’ll be surprised if he wears his guns tonight. Unless he has a Calling, he’ll leave those behind at the inn.”
Tonight was going to be the first time since the disaster that Lasek House was having visitors for supper. Joel had asked that they host a gathering for Nathan Ryder who was leaving in a day or two to go back to Redemption, New Mexico where his ranch was. He wanted to get back to his family. With the situation at the silver mine taken care of it was time for him to leave Jeremiah in charge.
All the doors on the main floor were open, allowing the guests to easily mingle and Millie and Clay to keep an eye on their nine children. The dining table was extended fully with all seven leaves in place. A high chair occupied one place for Abe, Millie’s 21-month-old son. Mabel hadn’t been in favor of including the children until she learned that Clay Cutler was a second cousin of Nathan Ryder.
The doorbell jingled signaling the first of their guests arriving. Joel answered, admitting the newlywed Maude and Jeremiah Henderson. He was the mining engineer in charge of reopening Pike Silver Mine. A former resident of Silverpines, he’d returned to work on the mine and marry his childhood sweetheart, Maude Jones.
It wasn’t long before the Cutler’s arrived along with Nathan. Tilde worried that the children would act out, but they were on their best behavior, which she knew would please her ‘stickler on propriety’ mother.
Supper was a feast created by Dara and enjoyed by all. As the evening drew to a close, not very late because of the children, Nathan called everyone together in the parlor. He stood in front of the fireplace.
“I want to extend my thanks to Mrs. Lasek for allowing this gathering in her home. Joel and Tilde, also. Thank you for this delightful send off.” Nathan made eye contact with each of the adults. “Jeremiah, you’ve been reunited with your love. Blessings on you both.” Nathan’s polite expression changed. “All right, with the niceties to the adults out of the way, come on kids, I have something for each of you.”
Nathan knelt down, opening a carpet bag next to him. “Girls, first.” To each one he gave a fabric doll. “These were handmade especially for each of you by my grandmother, Penny Ryder.” The girls oohed and ahhed as they accepted them. Fern led the way, thanking Nathan with a kiss on the cheek and was followed by each of the other three.
“Abe, Reuben, Ben, these horses were carved by Nugget Nate himself.” Each horse was slightly different in stance. The boys dropped to the floor in a corner and began galloping them around.
“Ryder, Nathan, I’ve got something very special for each of you.” He pulled two sheathed knives from the bag. Nathan stood and held one out to each of them. “These knives are the very ones Jim Bowie gave to Nugget Nate after he beat Jim in a fight.”
Clay Cutler cleared his throat loudly. “I thought he gave that knife to me. That’s what he claimed.”
“Me too,” Joel said.
Nathan chuckled. “He did. Nugget Nate said that to every boy he gave a knife to. We thought it was just one of his tall tales. When I first got to the ranch we went through everything. Every building, every trunk, and crate. We found several crates filled with these knives. Several more were empty. There was a letter in the open one from Jim Bowie dated before the Alamo. It said, ‘Here are the knives you won for beating me in that fight. Hope this settles the bet.’ The old coot was telling the truth every time he gave one away.”
~~~~~
Early the next morning Joel met Jeremiah, Clay, and Nathan on the platform at the station. Nathan’s Pullman car and cattle car were waiting on the side track to be hitched onto the train. Nathan bounded up the stairs with his carpetbag. His trunk was already sitting, ready to be loaded.
“Well, I didn’t think I’d have a send-off this early.”
“We wouldn’t let you leave without a final good-bye.” Jeremiah punched Nathan on the arm.
“No, I suppose not.” Nathan smiled at them all. “Clay, I hear Ryder’s showing evidence of having Callings.”
“Yes, he is. I’m thinking Nathan might be soon too.”
“Keep me posted on how they progress. If they need their heads knocked together about it any time, just send them to me.”
All the men chuckled as a whistle was heard in the distance. It wasn’t long before the train was at the station and Nathan’s cars were hitched on.
Nathan shook hands with each man, then jumped onto the platform of his Pullman. The whistle blew as the train began its journey east.
“He’s one of the last of the great lawmen of the West, isn’t he?” Joel said.
“He is at that. The century is changing and the ways of the West are too.” Clay patted Joel on the shoulder.
“He’s one of a kind, the good kind.” Jeremiah cleared his throat. “I’m gonna miss working for him.”
“We’ll all miss him. He brings Light wherever he goes.” Clay and the others watched as the train faded from sight.
~~~~~
Tilde watched as her mother stared out the window of the parlor. Something was bothering her and Tilde didn’t know what it was. It seemed as if she was accepting Joel into their family. She thought her mother had been making progress in grieving her husband and son. Now Tilde wasn’t so sure.
“Mother, is something bothering you? You seem depressed.”
A sigh was the response.
It was Wednesday afternoon and the bank closed at noon. After lunch Joel said he was going back to complete some work and she didn’t need to come with him. Tilde approached and placed a hand gently on her mother’s arm. “What is it? Can I help?”
“No, there are just so many things that have happened lately. I need to get over them, but it’s difficult. I’ll be fine.”
“You mean the earthquakes and losing Father and Terrance?”
“Yes, and not being able to see you married. Not planning your wedding. I know it’s selfish but…” Mabel’s voice trailed off.
Tilde didn’t know what to say. She knew it had disappointed her mother not to have the big elaborate wedding she’d always talked about for her daughter. It couldn’t be helped. Her mother’s objections to Tilde placing the advertisement in the Groom’s Gazette made any public wedding an impossibility.
When a tear slipped down her mother’s cheek, Tilde felt more guilt than she thought possible. There wasn’t really anything she could do about the disappointment her surprise marriage was. She thought she and Joel had made the right decision. Truthfully though, it was Tilde who had chosen that they marry right away without informing her mother. Now, she second guessed her choice.
Everyone in Silverpines had lost so much. Everyone was still struggling with grief and moving on with their lives. Tilde realized her mother didn’t have anything to move on to. She was a widow who had lost her son. Her daughter had married without her, moving on to a new life.
There was nothing Mabel Lasek had to move on to. She kept to herself, in the house with little to look forward to each day. The activities she’d participated in before the disaster had stopped and not resumed. Ladies circle at church. Tea with friends her age. Bridge club. Several of her friends had left town. Others were still grieving so
badly they wouldn’t take visitors. Several were trying to help with the businesses left to them.
In the summer and early fall, Mabel and Dara tended the garden and put up the produce for the winter. That was complete now so she had more time on her hands.
Tilde realized that her mother was lonely. Before, she only spent three days a week at the bank. Now she spent six. No wonder her mother was depressed. Not only was Tilde not around nearly as much, when she was Joel was the focus of her time. What could she do to help her mother? Tilde didn’t have a clue.
“Mother, it’s a beautiful day. There won’t be too many more until spring. How about we go for a walk? I hear the mercantile has a new line of lace, Venetian.”
“You go on, Tilde. I’ll just stay here.”
“Please, Mother. The bakery has put in a few tables. We could have tea there.”
Mother turned and her sad eyes nearly made Tilde cry. How could she have not seen how her mother was feeling? She needed to talk with Joel about this.
First though, they needed to get out of the house for a while. Maybe they would see some of her mother’s friends; Mrs. Edmondson, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel Howard. Maybe they could stop in at the bank. Tilde could show her the new adding machine. Maybe they could talk Joel into having tea with them.
“Please, Mother?”
“If it means so much to you, who am I to deny you? Please be sure to wear your gloves, Tilde. You forgot them this morning. I found them on the foyer table.” Mabel preceded her daughter out of the parlor and up the stairs to change into a walking dress. Tilde decided she’d do the same. That would make her mother happy.
~~~~~
“Okay, my dear, what’s bothering you?” Joel came up behind Tilde as she looked out their bedroom window. Night had fallen and the sky was overcast so she couldn’t see anything anyway. She was standing in her nightgown. The only light in the room was the lantern on his bedside table. He grasped her shoulders and turned her to face him.
Wanted: Bookkeeper (Silverpines Series Book 14) Page 7