Joel was respectful enough in their private life. He had a good sense of humor and was easy to live with. He had even charmed her mother and that was difficult to do. It was at work he didn’t seem to respect her and her knowledge of Silverpines and its citizens. He didn’t seem to want her opinion on anything having to do with the bank.
Tilde stared at the door with her lips pursed in aggravation. It opened and Joel stuck his head in.
“I left two letters I need typed up in triplicate. I left them on your desk. Please, try to get them done before closing, will you? Thanks.” He pulled his head back out and shut door.
Tilde turned and kicked her desk in frustration. Then she spent the next couple of minutes jumping on one foot and nursing her toes.
~~~~~
“For the future of Silverpines, the improvements we’ve been discussing are key. I know the silver mine is going to reopen and there are already trees being cut and the mill is running. With the electricity being installed, I think it’s a good time to put in sewers, a water plant to pump water to all the buildings, and cobble the streets. Motorcars are becoming more popular and they work best on paved streets. Bicycles are easier to ride, too. We should put in telephones at the same time.” Joel paused as he summed up the points of discussion. “In order to do this right someone needs to oversee the entire thing. The last thing we want is to have to tear out newly cobbled streets in order to put in sewer or water lines. The city planner could help with deciding how to grow the downtown. We don’t want businesses starting in the residential areas.”
“That all sounds very good, but who is going to oversee all that? We all have jobs. Plus, none of us have the knowhow,” Luther Garrison, the town’s mayor said. The other men agreed with a nod or quiet murmur.
“That’s why we hire a city planner. His job will be to make the plans and layout, hire workers, manage and oversee the entire project. I know.” Joel raised a hand as protests of the cost began. “Yes, it will take money. All of this will. The fees and property taxes will be what pays for all the work and supplies. They can pay the salary of the city planner too.”
“There isn’t enough money in the budget for any of this,” one of the council said.
“No, and there never will be. We could float municipal bond, but I don’t think the citizens would vote for it. I know someone who would be able to loan the town the money and I’m sure it would be at a good interest rate.”
“Who?” Luther said. “Who has that kind of money and would risk it all on a Silverpines infrastructure project?”
Joel looked at the men sitting around the table and saw Clay Cutler and Marshal Sewell smile.
“The Preacher, Nathan Ryder.”
~~~~~
Joel was excited about the results of the meeting. The council had agreed to hiring a city planner and he was in charge of the applications and the initial interviews. Once he’d weeded out those unsuited for the position or downright imposters, the entire council would go over the resumes and interview who they thought were the best candidates for the job.
Taking the steps to the bank in one leap, Joel opened the door to find Tilde busy at the teller window with one other customer waiting in line. He greeted both and waved at Tilde. He’d tell her all about it once she was finished. Right now he wanted to begin writing the advertisement for a city planner that would appear in newspapers in various larger towns and cities. He hoped to have some applications by Christmas.
He set to the task and when he was satisfied with it, looked at the clock. It was an hour since he’d come into the bank. Had Tilde been busy with customers all that time? He hadn’t heard or maybe noticed the bank door opening and closing. The letters he’d asked her to type had been stacked on his desk when he had gotten back, so that wasn’t what she’d been doing.
The clicking sound of the adding machine handle being pulled could be heard even though his door was closed. It wasn’t loud, and he’d ignored it while he was working. Why hadn’t Tilde come in to greet him once she was done with her customers? She normally did when he returned from an errand or meeting. Oh well, he’d go out and tell her the good news.
Opening his door he found Tilde concentrating on the adding machine. He smiled. She really liked it now.
When she didn’t look up he drew his eyebrows together, confused. Where was his happy, cheerful wife?
“Tilde?”
“Yes.”
“Are you busy?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a minute to talk?”
“I need to get these ledgers balanced. It’s been busy today with people making mortgage payments.”
Her sniping tone surprised him. You’d think she would be happy people were finally paying on their mortgages. His talking with each business and homeowner and readjusting the payments had helped bring this about.
“Oh, okay. We can talk once you’re done.” He turned and went back into his office and closed the door. There was a letter addressed to him in the box on his desk. He smiled when he picked it up and recognized the handwriting. Sitting down he opened it and scanned the words. His smile grew as he read it. This would be so good.
Joel sat holding the letter thinking how much this would please Tilde. He hoped it pleased his mother-in-law too. Mabel wasn’t nearly like Beulah Taylor, and Beulah had gotten so much better throughout the years but was still someone who people didn’t want to cross. Mabel was mostly a grieving woman who didn’t see much joy in her future. Joel wanted to give her some.
His thoughts turned to Tilde. She was so much more than he ever thought he’d be fortunate to have in a marriage of convenience. He’d known she was a beauty the first time he saw her as she stood on the platform. That she was smart, funny, and giving he learned early on. She was also stubborn, as witness to her resistance to the adding machine. Her loving it now showed she wasn’t resentful of making a change.
So what was the matter today? For that matter, her attitude hadn’t been as open and joyful in the past couple of weeks. Not that she was irritable or angry. It was a more subtle change. Rather than chat and tease, she was quiet, answering his questions but not really making conversation. She spoke with her mother just as normal and with Dara. It was only him she seemed to be pushing away from. And he didn’t like it.
What was the matter? Was it something he’d done? He couldn’t think of anything. The bank was running smoothly. Mortgages were being paid. Accounts were being opened by the people who were moving into town. Now, with the coming improvements to Silverpines, you’d think she’d be delighted with him.
Well, nothing would come of his worry. He needed to write back so what he’d initiated could come to pass.
~~~~~
Tilde heard the door close behind Joel. She blinked several times to keep the flooding in her eyes from falling on the ledger. She was so lonely, even when she was surrounded by people. Joel didn’t share things with her. Oh, he told her about things after the fact. After everything had been decided. But he didn’t want her input. Wasn’t interested in her ideas. Didn’t even want to bounce his off her.
What kind of a marriage would they have if he made every decision without consulting her? Never wanted her opinion.
When they’d met, she’d had such hopes. He was everything she wanted in a husband. Kind, considerate, caring. He had a great sense of humor. He was compassionate with her mother, who could try a saint at times. In almost everything, Joel was perfect. Well, not perfect but pretty close.
So what was wrong? It must be her. Something about her made him not respect her intelligence. Not want to truly discuss topics and ideas with her.
A tear slipped past her vigilance and dripped onto the ledger page. She wiped it away. At least it hadn’t settled on the writing. There would be no smear she’d have to explain. She doubted Joel would notice anyway.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Dara, do you have a minute?” Joel stuck his head into the kitchen.
“For you, alwa
ys. What you be a needin’?” Dara grinned at him as he came in. “A piece of pie or a cookie?”
Joel chuckled. “No, thank you. I was wondering if you had noticed anything unusual about Tilde?”
“Not off hand. Why do you ask?” Dara went back to kneading her bread dough.
“She seems, I don’t know, off somehow. Quiet, reserved. Not her normal cheerful self. I was wondering if she’s worried about something. If her mother is not doing as well as I think she is with her grief.”
“They seem pretty normal to me. They go on outings and to visit friends on the days she’s not working. I hear them laugh which is music to my ears. There wasn’t any laughter in the house for too long. Herself is beginning to make plans for a Christmas party. They had one every year. I didn’t think she’d want one this year.”
This was the first Joel had heard about a Christmas party. God certainly worked in mysterious ways. This fit into his plans very well. Now he had the perfect reason to make his request to Mabel.
“Thank you for your time. I appreciate your help.” He gave Dara a quick hug and left her shaking her head at his abrupt turn about as he headed out to find Mabel.
He found her in the parlor reading. “Hello, Mother. How are you today?” It was a Wednesday afternoon and the bank was closed. “Is Tilde around?”
“I’m just as fine as I was at lunch.” Mabel smiled at him, amused. It was less than an hour since they’d been at the table together. “No, she went upstairs a while ago. Do you need her?”
Joel thought about how he needed her but didn’t share that with her mother. He sat on the settee across from her. “No, just wondering. Actually, I was wondering if you could help me order something for her. I’d like to get her a dress for a Christmas present.”
“Oh?”
He could tell the idea pricked her interest. “Yes, a white cashmere dress. You know, with a bodice and skirt. Something fancy in white with fur or that ribbony type stuff they sew on in loops and swirls.” He waved his hands around trying to explain something he knew nothing about. There was some word his mother and sister called it.
“Gimp?” Mabel offered.
“That’s it. They sew it on and swirl it around down the front of the bodice and around the skirt. It’s real pretty and I think Tilde would look beautiful in something like that.”
Mabel was smiling at him. “I think that’s a wonderful idea for a Christmas gift. Let me get the Harper’s Bazaar. It will have images we can look at. You can choose the style you like and I can send to Astoria to the dressmaker we use.” She got up and went to get the periodical.
Joel breathed a sigh. Mabel would enjoy helping with this. It might not replace planning Tilde’s wedding dress but it’s what he could do to replace the desire.
~~~~~
Joel took a sip of coffee then set down his cup. They were just finishing dessert that evening. Supper was superb as usual. Dara was a wonderful cook. “So, Dara tells me there’s a party being planned.”
Tilde shot him a surprised look. “What?” She looked across the table at her mother.
Mabel smiled. “She spoiled my surprise. I’ve decided to hold our annual Christmas party.”
“You have?” Tilde sounded shocked.
“Yes, I think Silverpines needs a celebration. We’ve come through a trying time and survived. What better way to celebrate than honor the birth of our Lord. I want to have an open house and a supper for our closest friends.”
This was more than Joel had expected. He’d thought there would be a dinner party for a few couples and singles who were Tilde’s and Mabel’s closest friends. She seemed to be wanting to have everyone in town.
“You do?” Tilde still sounded shocked.
“Yes, I do. We can decorate the house and open it to whomever wants to come that day. We’ll announce it in church a few Sundays before as well as send out invitations for the supper.”
“What’s the date you are planning this for?” Joel asked.
“Christmas is on a Monday this year, so I thought the Saturday a week before would be good. That way it won’t infringe on family celebrations but still give us time to prepare.” Mabel looked at him. “You will have to let Tilde off more than two half days a week as we get closer. I’ll be needing help with the planning and decorating.”
“Of course. We can work around whatever you need.”
“Thank you. I’m so glad. I was dreading this Christmas, but I think it will help everyone get through the holiday. It’s a way I can give back to the community. Or rather we can, right Tilde?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll help you plan and spread the news about it.”
~~~~~
“I can’t believe Mother is planning a Christmas party, and for the entire town. Well, an open house for the whole town. The supper will be smaller.” Tilde sat brushing her hair as Joel picked out his clothes for the next day.
“She seems quite enthused about it. I’m glad she wants to do this. I think it will be good for her, the planning and all. She sounded so happy talking about it.”
“You’ll be tired of her talking about it soon enough.” Tilde chuckled. “It’s all she’ll be interested in until it’s over. Then we’ll have the post mortem about how it went and how things could have been done better.”
“If it makes her happy, it’ll be worth it.” He came over and placed his hands on her shoulders. Their eyes met in the mirror. “Will it make you happy, Tilde?”
Tilde remembered when they’d been in this same position that last night they spent in the inn. It had been such a wonderful night. She wanted that again, but wasn’t sure they could get back to the same feeling. Not unless Joel began to include her in the planning and ideas of the bank more.
Joel took the brush from her hand and began brushing her hair in long, gentle strokes. Tilde closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. When he stopped he pulled her hair to one side and bent down, kissing her neck. Tilde leaned her head to the side to give him more access. He kissed it several more times then drew her up from her seat, slipping his arms around her, kissing her on the lips.
Tilde didn’t care about her irritation at him. She kissed him back as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bed.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The plans were going along well. Joel could tell by the joy in Mabel’s demeanor. She hummed as she wrote lists and placed orders. He only wished things were going as well with Tilde.
He’d thought they’d fixed whatever was wrong. Thought the idea of the party would bring her out of whatever had been bothering her. That night was certainly memorable. But at work the next morning she’d been as silent as ever. When he’d told her about the plans for the town and the hiring of a city planner she’d simply listened. She hadn’t asked any questions, just made agreeing mumbles when he paused waiting for her input.
He was at a loss. What was he supposed to do? He couldn’t think of anything he’d done that might make her shut down like she seemed to be.
Tilde certainly could hide her dissatisfaction. She was her usual bubbly self whenever customers came in. Also at church and when they met people on the street.
Joel was beginning to think something was wrong with Tilde physically. She was tired all the time. She went to bed early most nights, leaving him and Mabel in the parlor. Several times she’d fallen asleep at her desk during the day. He always let her sleep, making sure he listened for customers coming in. Some men made crude comments about him keeping her up too late at night. He cut those off quickly. He would let no man disrespect his wife.
Hearing her laugh, Joel looked out his office door. Millie Cutler was there with several of her children. Grace had that magnifying glass at her eye, as usual. Tilde handed a bank book back to Opal. Millie picked Ida up and said something. Tilde grinned and opened the gate, letting them come behind the counter.
“Mr. Richards,” she said. “Miss Ida Cutler would like to open a savings account.”
“I have fiv
e dollars and forty-seven cents.” Ida held out her hand and the coins dropped to the floor. She squirmed to be set down and gathered up her coins before standing with a huge smile. “Will you help me?”
“Of course, Miss Cutler. I’d be delighted to.” Joel noticed the frown on Opal’s face. “Is there a problem, Opal?”
“I wanted you to help me when I opened my account, but you weren’t here. Mrs. Richards had to help me.”
“How about, once I get Ida’s account open, you show me your bank book? We can see how much you’ve saved.” That brought a smile to the pouting lips.
Joel looked up to share the moment with Tilde. The girls were so cute. She’d gone back to her desk and was punching keys on her adding machine. As he turned his attention back to the girls and their mother, he wondered again how to get back the woman he’d married.
~~~~~
Tilde opened the door to the Silverpines Apothecary and Clinic run by Dr. Hattie Childs and her husband Dr. Robert Childs. She’d made an excuse of running an errand for her mother as she’d left the house. Now she’d need to buy something at the mercantile that she might or might not need to make her excuse the truth. Well, this visit was an errand but she didn’t want her mother or Joel to find out.
Tilde had worried that something was wrong with her. She was so very tired all the time. She couldn’t count how many times she’d fallen asleep at her desk in the last month or so. She’d almost fallen asleep at their Thanksgiving meal. As she laid in bed last night a thought came to her. With the Christmas party coming fast she needed to know. She was at the clinic to see Dr. Hattie Childs to confirm her suspicions.
“Hi, Tilde. What brings you in here today?” Tess Daniels was sitting behind a small desk. Though both ladies grew up in Silverpines, they hadn’t been in school together as Tess was somewhat older.
Wanted: Bookkeeper (Silverpines Series Book 14) Page 9