Ilsa:

by Shanna Hatfield

Ilsa put a hand on the woman’s arm before she ran upstairs. “I keep meaning to ask you, what does cara mia mean?”

  Caterina studied her a moment then the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile. “Where did you hear that?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s been in my thoughts every since the incident with Delmon.”

  “Is that so?” Caterina glanced at Kade and lifted a shapely eyebrow his direction before returning her attention to Ilsa. “In general, it is a term of endearment, like saying ‘my dear,’ or you could even take it as ‘my beloved,’ depending on how it was said, of course.”

  Ilsa’s world tipped off kilter. Although she couldn’t prove it, she knew Tony was the one who said the words to her, whispered them in her ear. Finally understanding what they meant gave her a flicker of hope that he might care for her, just a little.

  “Thank you for the explanation.” Ilsa stared at her coffee, missing the knowing smile passing between husband and wife.

  “I can’t wait to try on my dress. I’ll be right back,” Caterina said, hurrying up the stairs.

  Kade watched her go and picked up another cookie. “Is it the one I picked out?”

  Ilsa nodded. “It turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself.”

  “I think instead of the other two dresses you planned, we could perhaps use some that will accommodate her expanding waistline.” Kade didn’t care what Caterina wore, but he knew she’d still want to look fashionable during her pregnancy. Her current wardrobe, filled with dresses in the current tight-waisted style would definitely not work in a few months.

  Drinking his coffee, he choked and started coughing when he looked up and saw his wife floating down the stairs in the gown Ilsa created.

  Getting to his feet, he walked to the bottom step and held his hand out to her.

  “Wow, Cat! You look amazing.” Kade twirled her around and grinned appreciatively.

  “Thank you, kind sir.” Caterina grinned at him then turned with a squeal as she hugged Ilsa. “I love this dress! It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever owned. And the stitching, Ilsa. I can’t imagine how you sit patiently and do such detailed work, but it is superb.”

  “I’m so glad you like it.” Ilsa adjusted the short train on the skirt and tugged lightly on the shoulder seams. “Does it feel comfortable in the sleeves?”

  “It’s perfect,” Caterina said, turning in a circle with her arms held away from her sides. “I feel like a princess.”

  “You look like a queen.” Kade hugged his wife and whispered something in her ear that made her blush and smack his chest.

  Ilsa watched the two of them with a pang of jealousy. She’d come to realize love came in all shapes and sizes, in different forms and varieties, but it didn’t make it any less real or special.

  Aundy and Garrett had what she thought of as a subtle love. In all the time she lived with them, she never once heard them raise their voices or fight. They seemed to speak volumes to each other without ever saying a word, using their eyes, smiles, and touches of their hands.

  J.B. and Nora, who had been married for thirty-five years, were steady and constant in their love for each other, like they’d found a comfortable place and settled in for a long rest.

  Despite her yelling and tendency to smack playfully at him, Ilsa knew Caterina loved Kade deeply and he felt the same about her. She thought their love was fiery, perhaps even a little volatile, but it was true and lasting.

  She wanted what they all shared - love, friendship, respect, and passion.

  Thinking of those things brought an image of Tony’s teasing grin to mind. As if her thoughts made him appear, he walked into the kitchen and whistled.

  “Would you look at that? The wild cat is about to get all fancy on us.” Tony winked at Ilsa before taking his sister’s hand in his. He knew Ilsa labored long hours over the gown because he’d seen her stitching the many tiny rows along the bodice. He also knew Caterina would love it.

  “Doesn’t she look lovely?” Ilsa asked as Tony walked around his sister, nodding his head.

  “You look beautiful, Cat.” Tony pecked his sister on her cheek before focusing his attention on Ilsa. “And so do you, chickadee.”

  Ilsa blushed as he glanced from her head down to her toes and back up again, resting his warm amber gaze on her eyes. “Is that a new dress you’re wearing?”

  Looking down, Ilsa brushed at her deep blue skirt. “No. It’s the first time I’ve worn it here, though.”

  “It’s pretty on you.” Caterina smiled at Ilsa then gave Kade another knowing look before she rushed back up the stairs.

  “Very pretty,” Tony said, pouring himself a cup of coffee and taking a cookie from the plate still on the table. “Much too pretty to be stuck in your shop all day. I think you should go with me for a ride.”

  “I’m too busy to be going for rides anywhere today, Mr. Campanelli.” Ilsa wished she did have time to go with Tony.

  He’d borrowed a buggy a few times and took her out on Sunday afternoons. Once, they drove out to Caterina and Kade’s place and joined them for dinner where Ike refused to sit anywhere other than against Ilsa’s side. Overcoming her fear of the behemoth canine, she appreciated his loyalty. Another time they stopped by Marvin Tooley’s place. Why Aundy and Caterina liked the old coot, Ilsa would never know. He told her she looked like a good wind would fell her and that she didn’t have enough spit or vinegar to blow out a match, whatever that meant. Appalled by his statement, she told Aundy she didn’t care to visit him again, although he had been nice to her right after Delmon’s attack.

  She definitely didn’t have time for one of Tony’s adventures today. Her work was piling up and she couldn’t afford to go wandering off with the man, no matter how badly she wanted to soak up the attention he seemed to lavish on her.

  “That’s too bad because I may have located a woman who would not only show you how to do the beadwork you are so intently interested in, but she might be willing to do it for you.” Tony leaned nonchalantly against the counter as he took a drink of his coffee.

  Ilsa grabbed his arm and yanked, sloshing the hot brew over the edges of the cup and almost burning his fingers.

  “Careful, there,” Tony cautioned, setting the cup on the counter and wiping his fingers on a dishtowel.

  “Would she really be willing to do some work?” Ilsa asked, not even aware of the spilled coffee.

  As much as she wanted to learn how to do the beading, she simply didn’t have time. Not only was she gaining new clients in Pendleton, but she’d also heard from her friend in Chicago who sent her a large order. Somewhat concerned about not being able to do final fittings, she knew as long as the women were the same size as the last time she sewed for them, everything should work out splendidly.

  The thought of being able to hire someone to do the beading, adding another dimension of unique creativity to her fashions, made her want to jump up and down with excitement.

  “Yes, she would. I told her I’d bring you to meet her, but if you’re too busy…” Tony let his words linger in the air, knowing Ilsa would go with him, no matter what else she had planned that day.

  “I’ll go. Just let me get my hat and gloves and I need to gather…”

  Tony grabbed her arm before she could hurry out the door. “I told her we’d be there this afternoon. No need to get in a rush.”

  “Oh, um… well, thank you, Tony. I appreciate that very much.” Ilsa gave him an enthusiastic smile.

  “Appreciate what?” Caterina asked, returning to the kitchen, carrying her new gown over her arm and Ilsa’s basket in her hand. She handed the dress to Ilsa who carefully folded it before returning it to the basket. She had a few seams to finish and threads to clip. After a thorough pressing, it would be ready for Caterina to wear.

  “Tony thinks he found a woman who’ll do the beadwork I told you about,” Ilsa said, picking up the basket and walking to the door. “I have some things to accomplish before we go, Tony, but I’ll see you
later.”

  “The dress is magnifico, Ilsa. Thank you for it.” Caterina gave her a tight hug.

  “You’re welcome, and congratulations to you and Kade,” Ilsa whispered as she hugged her back.

  Offering Kade a big smile, she nodded to Tony then rushed out the door.

  He stepped out on the porch and watched until she was safely inside her shop.

  “You can’t keep your eye on her all the time, you know.” Kade walked over and thumped Tony on the shoulder.

  “I know, but someone needs to take care of her.” Tony stepped back inside.

  “What makes you think she can’t take care of herself? Seems to me she’s done a reasonable job of it these past few weeks since she moved into town,” Kade said, turning to his wife. Hugging her close and kissing her cheek, he picked up his hat and settled it on his sun-kissed head before walking outside. “Don’t smother her, Tony. I’ve learned the hard way women don’t like that so well.”

  “No, they don’t,” Caterina agreed, blowing Kade a kiss as he disappeared around the corner of the building and went back to work.

  “Where are we going?” Ilsa asked as she sat on the buggy seat beside Tony. He guided the horse south of town in an area she hadn’t seen before. Sagebrush-covered hills formed the landscape to the left with fields of harvested wheat to the right.

  The day was warm and sunny with the scent of fall lingering in the air. Tipping back her head, Ilsa let the sunshine warm her face and fill her with its light.

  Tony watched Ilsa lean back and look up at the blue sky. It took every ounce of his willpower to keep from kissing her as she sat bathed in the autumn sunshine. At the very least, his fingers itched to trace across her pink cheeks, down the line of her jaw, to what little skin was visible above the high neck of her dress. Thinking of the day he unbuttoned the back of her dress when she stood in Aundy’s kitchen covered by eggs, he felt searing heat rush through him. Recalling the smooth creaminess of her skin, the soft fragrance of it, he wanted to see it, touch it again.

  Scrambling to focus his thoughts in another less dangerous direction, he asked Ilsa if she still needed help with another window display she’d mentioned wanting to put up before Thanksgiving.

  “I could use some help, but I hate to take up more of your time.” She sat up straight and glanced at him. “You’ve been far too generous offering your assistance as it is.”

  “I insist.” Tony smiled at Ilsa, wondering what she had planned for him now. Since she opened her shop, he’d helped move her furniture around both upstairs and in her showroom twice, made shelves for her apartment when she realized she needed a few more, and hung a sign in front of her store, letting everyone know her fashion boutique was open for business.

  He’d also let her take his measurements and tried on the suit she made for a display half a dozen times until she was pleased with the results.

  He offered to take a photo of her in her shop so she could use it for business advertisements, but she continued to turn him down.

  Determined to take her photo, he wouldn’t give up easily. The best of the photos he’d snapped the day she slept beneath the trees at Dogwood Corners hung in his darkroom, where no one else could see it. It was a sweet, private moment that belonged only to him.

  “What is it you need help with now?” he asked as he guided the horse up a hill on the bumpy road.

  “I want to start working on a holiday display, with a Christmas tree and garlands.”

  Tony stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. With the warm October sun overhead, the last thing he wanted to think about was the cold snowy days of winter.

  “It’s too early for thoughts of the holidays. Ask me closer to Thanksgiving and I’ll do whatever it is you need then.”

  “I will.” Ilsa watched as he maneuvered the horse and buggy around a deep hole in the road. “Either this road doesn’t get a lot of traffic or is lacking in maintenance,” Ilsa observed as she held onto the seat, trying to keep from bouncing off. She thought the rutted road might rattle a few of her teeth loose.

  “A little of both. This road leads out to the reservation, but once you get a mile or so from town, it gets somewhat rough. I usually ride Giacomo, but I didn’t think you’d appreciate sitting across my lap all the way out here.”

  Ilsa glared at Tony, only because it was what she should do, not because she was upset with him. She rather liked the idea of him holding her close while riding his horse.

  “Maybe another time. I’m glad you chose the buggy for today. At least I think I am,” she said, as they hit another bump in the road. “My gracious, this must be an awful mess when the road is muddy.”

  “You don’t even want to know.” Tony turned the horse off the road and down a dirt track too narrow and untraveled to be considered a lane.

  “The woman I’m taking you to meet is named Rebecca. That’s her white name, anyway. Just treat her like you would anyone else you meet. She’s very smart and quite talented at what she does.” Tony pulled the horse to a stop in front of a small house with no yard.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Ilsa asked, feeling overtaken by nerves. When her chest began to ache, she sat on the buggy seat and took several deep breaths.

  Tony hurried around to her side and stood with his hand on her knee, coaching her to relax and breathe.

  After she told him she’d visited with the Doc about her episodes, as she referred to them, Tony stopped by and talked to the man himself, wanting to know how he could help her. He’d learned the best thing he could do was keep her calm and remind her to breathe.

  “She’s going to love you, so stop worrying and come meet her.”

  When Ilsa nodded her head, Tony lifted her up by her waist and set her down beside him, then offered his arm. “Shall we?”

  “We shall,” she said, taking one more deep breath and straightening to her full, diminutive height.

  Carefully skirting two sleeping dogs, Tony walked her to the door and called out a friendly greeting.

  An old woman pulled it open and motioned them inside. A huge smile wreathed her round face as she spoke. “Tony, you brought her.”

  “I did, Rebecca.” Tony placed his hand at the small of Ilsa’s back and nudged her slightly forward. “This is my friend, Ilsa. Miss Thorsen, this is Rebecca. She does the most exquisite beadwork you’ll ever see.”

  The old woman studied Ilsa for a moment, looking at her from top to bottom and side to side before nodding her head.

  “She’ll do.”

  She turned and shuffled over to a rocking chair by a heating stove near a window.

  Ilsa tried not to stare at the primitive surroundings. The house was one large, long room with a sink and a cook stove on one end and a bed on the other. Between the two, there was a sitting area with the rocking chair, a rickety side table, and an old threadbare sofa. Rebecca pointed to it, indicating Ilsa should take a seat.

  “My son told me my bones are too old to not be comfortable, so he brought me this chair. It’s a good chair,” Rebecca said, picking up a piece of strange-shaped leather and resuming the beading she’d been working on before her company arrived.

  Ilsa followed Rebecca, taking a seat on the sofa. Although worn, the sofa, like the rest of the house, was immaculately clean.

  Leaning forward, she studied the object in the woman’s hand, giving Tony a curious glance as he sat beside her.

  “It’s a moccasin - a shoe,” he whispered, unobtrusively pointing to Rebecca’s feet. Ilsa could see colorful beads covering the moccasins the woman wore as they peeked out from the hem of her calico dress.

  Looking around, Ilsa noticed many beaded objects, from a bag with a deer design to a pillow featuring what looked like a blooming rose. The work was outstanding.

  “Tony said you might be interested in doing some beadwork for me. I can pay you for the work with cash or in trade goods.” When the woman continued to sew without speaking, or even looking at them, Ilsa turned to Tony. H
e shrugged and motioned for her to keep quiet.

  Finally, Rebecca let out a chuckle. “Cash is good. Part to start, and part when I finish.”

  “That’s fair enough.” Ilsa smiled kindly at the woman as they discussed the type of beading she was looking for and the amount of compensation Rebecca expected for her work.

  “I won’t work in town. I want to do my work here,” Rebecca said, waiting to gauge Ilsa’s response.

  Ilsa agreed. She felt confident the woman kept things clean and tidy and she wouldn’t need to worry about Rebecca staining or ruining fabric as she worked on it.

  “I’ll select some fabric and sketch out what I have in mind then get it to you.” Ilsa didn’t know if she should shake the woman’s hand, bow to her, or what was considered the appropriate thing to do as they concluded their verbal business agreement.

  “Send it with Tony. He stops by once a week or so.” Rebecca continued to work, seeming uninterested that her guests were ready to depart.

  “May I give you something, as a promise of sorts on our deal?” Ilsa asked.

  Rebecca looked up and smiled. “Yes. A gift is always welcome.”

  She pointed to the bracelet on Ilsa’s arm, but Ilsa shook her head. “I can’t part with this. It was a special gift from my father to my mother. You can have my necklace, though.”

  Quickly removing the gold necklace she wore, Ilsa held it out to Rebecca. “Would this do?”

  “Yes, child. That will do.” Rebecca’s smile deepened as Ilsa fastened the clasp around her neck. She picked up the floral pendant that hung on the chain and studied it. “This will do just fine.”

  “It was very nice to meet you, Rebecca.” Ilsa moved toward Tony where he stood at the door. “Thank you for meeting with me today.”

  “Come anytime. Tony is a good boy. Only one better is my son.” Rebecca laughed then waved at them as they stepped back outside into the warm afternoon sunshine.

  Remaining quiet until Tony had the horse headed back toward town, Ilsa let out a deep sigh. “I think that went well.”

  “I told you she’d like you.” Tony bumped his leg against Ilsa’s and she grinned. “You should listen to me more often.”