by Kit Morgan
Aggie sighed at her words.
“What was that?” Mrs. Cornell asked.
“Nothing,” Aggie said. She’d best stop her woolgathering over Eldon Judrow and get to work. She had to keep this job.
“You will think about entering one contest at least?” Mrs. Petroff said. “You could put up a tree in the shop.”
“Yes, I suppose,” Mrs. Cornell said. “But how am I going to get one?
“Quite easily,” Mrs. Petroff said. “The men from church are going to cut some and bring them back to town.”
“How nice,” said Mrs. Cornell. “I very well couldn’t fetch one myself. Not even with Agatha’s help.”
“Please, call me Aggie.”
“Very well, Aggie. Getting it up would be another problem. Decorating is the easy part.”
“Yes, but once decorated I’m sure your tree will win – just think of all the ribbon and lace you could use on it!”
Mrs. Cornell’s eyebrows rose in interest. “Yes, we could …”
“I knew you’d like the idea,” Mrs. Petroff said, pleased. “Now I must be going. Do think about entering something in the dessert contest. Oh, and I hear some folks might want you to make them costumes for the parade. Bye-bye now!” Before they knew it, the door had closed and Mrs. Petroff was out of sight.
Aggie and Mrs. Cornell looked at each other. “Parade?” they said at once. Well, there went Aggie’s worry about not having enough work to do.
Mrs. Cornell brushed a wisp of hair from her face and looked at the notes she’d taken for Mrs. Petroff’s order. “Well, best we get to work, Aggie.”
Aggie smiled. Never in her life had she been so happy to hear the word “work”.
Chapter 8
Aggie and Mrs. Cornell worked well into the evening, to the point that Aggie worried she’d miss Jonathan at the livery stable. She’d told Mrs. Todd before leaving in the morning that she would be home late because she was helping out a friend. Mrs. Todd hadn’t asked for specifics, so she hadn’t given any.
She and Mrs. Cornell bid each other good night, and Aggie hurried to the other end of town. She slowed as she got closer to the livery, unable to tell if anyone was inside. Well, if she was late, Jonathan would understand – there was always tomorrow to start his lessons. One day at a time, that’s how she had to handle things. Don’t worry about …
“Why, hello.”
“Aaack!” Aggie almost jumped out of her skin.
A man stepped out of the shadows. “Whoa there – I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Aggie’s mouth went dry. It was Eldon Judrow! “H-hello.”
Mr. Judrow smiled and tipped his hat. “Miss Shrewsbury, isn’t it?”
“Yes …” She tried to swallow.
He looked around. “It’s after dark – what are you doing out? You should be home eating supper.”
“I … I just got off work. I’m g-going to see a friend.”
“Ah. Then allow me to escort you.”
She felt her chest warm and automatically smiled at the sensation. “Uh, you can’t.”
His brow furrowed. “Why not?”
Her mouth opened and closed a few times. Drat! Why was he having such an effect on her? She sighed and tried again. “I’m sorry. I’m just not used to …” She ran out of words.
“People offering to help?”
Aggie blinked, then looked at her shoes. “Er … yes, actually.” She swallowed. “Perhaps … you could escort me as far as my meeting?”
Mr. Judrow looked as if she’d just made his day. “I’d be happy to. You really shouldn’t be out alone.”
But just as he offered his arm, she heard another voice behind her. “Aggie?”
“Jonathan!” she said as she turned. “There you are!”
Now Mr. Judrow just looked disappointed. “Young Mr. Bridger – nice to see you again.”
“Hi, Mr. Judrow. I’m here to fetch Aggie.”
“I see.” He shifted his weight. “Are you two related?”
“No,” Aggie said, at the same time Jonathan said “yes.” He laughed, while Aggie clarified: “We’re good friends.”
“Oh. Well, don’t let me hold you up.” Mr. Judrow watched as Jonathan took Aggie by the arm and started to lead her away. “One last thing. Are either of you entering any of the contests for the Christmas festival?”
“Mrs. Cornell and I are going to decorate a tree for the dress shop,” Aggie informed him.”
“The dress shop? How nice.” He looked at Jonathan. “And you?”
Jonathan shrugged. “Haven’t thought about it yet.”
“You should participate – it’ll be fun,” Mr. Judrow assured him. “My brother and I are both judges.”
“What are you judging?” Aggie asked.
“Myself, the Christmas tree decorating contest, while Lucius is judging the Christmas desserts. Do you bake, Miss Shrewsbury?”
She gulped – for him, she’d open a bakery. “Yes.”
“She’s good too,” Jonathan said. “I’ve eaten enough of it to know.”
Confusion flashed across Mr. Judrow’s face, and Aggie wanted to kick Jonathan for saying it, but it was too late now. The horse was out of the barn, so to speak.
“How do you two know each other again?” he asked.
Aggie grabbed Jonathan’s arm and started to pull him along. “Sorry we can’t stay wereallymustbegoing!”
Jonathan grimaced. “Talk with you later, Mr. Judrow!”
Aggie looked back one last time to see Eldon Judrow, his hands on his hips, staring after them in puzzlement. At least he didn’t yet know how she knew Jonathan – from being slave labor for his wicked family. How embarrassing would that be?
When they entered the livery, Aggie sighed in relief. “That was close.”
“What happened back there?”
“I don’t want him to ask too many questions.”
Jonathan glanced out the barn door. “He didn’t follow us. Even if he did, we could’ve come up with something to tell him.”
She looked at him. “Yes, this is Agatha, my family’s ex-slave, who dumped the wash water on my ma and escaped to work in a dress shop.”
Jonathan chuckled. “There’s worse things.”
“Like what?”
“Like you could still be living with us.”
Aggie’s eyes widened. “You’re right. Sorry.”
“Land sakes, Aggie, you were acting like some outlaw running from the sheriff,” Jonathan said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two small apples. “Here – to tide you over ‘til dinner.”
“Thank you.” She looked outside for a moment herself. The livery stable was near the end of town, between Mr. Cahill’s lumberyard and the community meeting hall. The church was across the way but back from the road. She didn’t want anyone to see her sneaking into the stable and think she was up to no good. Luckily no one else was around.
“Are you ready to teach me?” Jonathan asked.
“Yes,” she replied, shaking herself out of her musings. “But … oh dear. I forgot to bring a book …”
“Oh!” Jonathan darted into a stall, coming back with a sack. “I got your stuff from home. Including your Bible and your other books – here!” He held it out to her.
Aggie took it and started weeping before she could stop herself. “Oh, Jonathan, thank you so much …”
“Aw, don’t go crying!”
“It’s all right, it’s all right,” she assured him between sniffles. She pulled her one good handkerchief out of the sack and wiped her eyes. “You really are a good friend.”
It took a minute for her to compose herself, but soon she was working him through some Bible verses and passages from Melville’s The Confidence-Man, encouraging him past his frustrations and cheering his successes. After an hour, though, he stopped and rubbed his eyes. “My brain’s all tired out for tonight, Aggie.”
“And you’re probably hungry. I hope your parents won’t mind you being late
for supper.”
“Naw, they know I’ll be here late. Thanks for teaching me.”
“And thank you for everything,” she said sincerely, putting her books back in the sack.
Jonathan smiled. “Aw shucks, Aggie, you’d have done the same for me. But we know there’ll be heck to pay if Ma or Olivia finds out.”
“For me, not you.” But she was less worried about that than she had been. The Todds would stand up for her, and Mrs. Cornell, and maybe Rev. and Mrs. Latsch. And hopefully Eldon …
Jonathan stood and offered his arm. “I’ll walk you to the Todds’ on my way home. Like Mr. Judrow said, you shouldn’t be out at night alone.”
She smiled, picked up the sack and took his arm. “Such a gentleman. One day when you’re grown up, you’ll make some lucky lady a fine husband.”
His ears turned pink. “Well, maybe. But for now I’m concentrating on finding Olivia a husband. It’d sure make Pa happy.”
“No doubt,” Aggie said with a laugh. They blew out the lantern and headed out of the livery stable.
Eldon watched the two shadowy figures leave the livery, about an hour after they’d entered. They walked past on the road, not seeing him in a space between two buildings. He didn’t want them to know he’d been watching them. Jonathan was no doubt escorting his friend Miss Shrewsbury back to the Todds’ house, where she lived.
So he knew where she lived, and where she worked. He could easily call on her or send her something – like an invitation to the Christmas dance – and he’d see her when it came time to judge the Christmas trees. But did he dare do so? No … not unless he wanted to be obvious about his intentions. Though was there anything wrong with that?
No. But she might not feel the same affection for him. It was a risk.
Eldon breathed in a lungful of crisp cold air and considered his folly. He’d been a bounty hunter, a soldier, a prospector and an investor – and now he was afraid of a little risk? No, there was no help for it – he’d have to talk to her and find out how she felt. Regardless of her response, it would be better than waiting an hour outside in a Montana winter like a dolt.
The pair was long gone now, so he left his hiding place and walked up the road toward his brother’s house – and the Todds’, if he cared to make a detour. He spent the minutes in transit pondering whether he should make it, especially this late in the evening. But when he was opposite the Todds’ little place, he was still as undecided as ever.
He sat on the edge of the boardwalk and stared at the warm light coming from the windows. Miss Shrewsbury was likely sitting down to a late meal after a long day of dressmaking and … what had she and the boy been doing in the stable all that time? Nothing untoward, he was sure – neither one seemed the type, and why would anything of the like be happening between an adult woman and a boy barely out of short pants?
No, it was probably something entirely innocent. She had said they were friends – maybe they were just catching up on the day’s events. And now the boy was headed to his own home – he recalled hearing that the Bridgers lived outside town – and she was eating and resting for tomorrow.
A gurgle in his stomach told Eldon that he ought to be doing the same, rather than skulking around Cutter’s Creek in the darkness. He shook his head, wondering what Lucius would think of him shivering in the cold while mooning over the new girl in town. He chuckled at himself, stood up and headed for home. But Miss Shrewsbury – and puzzling out the right time to declare himself to her – was never far from his thoughts.
Chapter 9
The next morning Aggie awoke before dawn, but fully rested and ready to face the day. She threw back the quilts and blankets, bounded out of bed, lit a lantern and got dressed. She was glad that Jonathan had retrieved her belongings – the dress she’d been wearing since she left the Bridgers was starting to smell. Now she had two others to wear, and she could wash that one when time allowed.
She headed into the kitchen and started a fire in the stove, finishing just as Mrs. Todd entered. They worked on breakfast together, Mrs. Todd thanking her for the help, and Aggie thanking her right back for having the chance to. How delightful it was to do things around the house when people appreciated it and treated her with respect. If only she’d known – she’d have walked away from the Bridgers years ago!
Soon enough, breakfast was done and on the table – thick slices of ham, eggs sunny-side-up, toast and butter and a jar of cranberry preserves – and she and the Todds all ate their fill. She made a sandwich out of some leftover ham and bread, wrapped it in a linen napkin and headed out to the dress shop for another day’s work –
– only to find herself nearly frozen solid before she was halfway there. In all her excitement to get on with the day, she’d forgotten to grab the coat Mrs. Todd had loaned her earlier. And the already wintry weather had taken a turn for the icy. She picked up her pace, hoping that with extra movement she could stay thawed long enough to get to Mrs. Cornell’s.
“Good morning.”
Aggie yelped in surprise and spun around. But there was no one there.
“Awful early in the morning for you to be out and about, isn’t it?” the same voice drawled.
Aggie turned toward the sound as Eldon Judrow stepped from between two buildings. “Y-you,” she croaked, too cold to talk properly. “M-Mr. Judrow, what are you d-d-doing …”
“… Up at this hour?” he finished for her, then shrugged. “I fancied breakfast at the café this morning, but they ain’t open yet.” He reached beneath his coat and pulled out a pocket watch. “Looks like I’ve misjudged the time.”
Aggie stared at him in shock. “H-h-how long have you b-been waiting?”
His eyes softened, and he came to her side. “Great Scott, woman, where’s your coat? You’ll catch your death out here.” He removed his and put it around her shoulders. “There,” he said softly, “that’s better, ain’t it?”
Aggie slumped in relief at the coat’s warmth, and at his. Tears stung the back of her eyes. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Now, are you going to tell me why you’re up so early, Miss Shrewsbury?”
“I … I was on my way to the dress shop.”
Mr. Judrow looked at his watch again. “Planning to get an early start? I didn’t think the shop opened for another two hours.”
She swallowed hard as she reveled in the exquisite warmth of his coat, heavy with his scent. If only she could hide within the fabric the rest of the day. “I was just … eager to start the day, I suppose …”
“Well, nothing wrong with that.” He stepped closer. “But do you really have to go to work so early? Would you like to have breakfast with me?”
Aggie’s eyes widened. “Eat? With you?” She was still full of ham and eggs, but the lean years with the Bridgers meant she could always do with another meal.
He glanced around. “I don’t see anyone else asking. Am I being too forward?”
Aggie licked her lips nervously. “No, no. But Mrs. Cornell …”
“If she’s agreed to open the shop early so the two of you can work, then by all means don’t let me keep you.”
“Open the shop?”
“Of course,” he said. “Unless you have a key.”
“Oh good heavens.” No, she didn’t have a key, nor had it ever occurred to her. Most likely the shop would be locked and Mrs. Cornell still in bed. In her enthusiasm for her new-found life, she hadn’t thought through such details. “Silly me. She’s probably not expecting me at all.”
He crossed his arms. “I see.”
Embarrassed, she looked up at him. “Are you getting cold? Do you need your coat back?”
His eyes met hers, and Aggie felt warmer still. “No, you need it more than I do. Now, Miss Shrewsbury, since you appear to have some free time, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to breakfast?” He offered her his arm.
Aggie stared blankly at the arm and felt the warmth inside her explode. “But the café’s … not open yet…
”
“The cook is there. I’m sure she won’t mind if we come inside to warm ourselves with a cup of coffee.” His arm didn’t move.
“Well …” She offered him a lopsided smile. She wanted his company – or at least, something inside her did. Besides, she didn’t want to part with his coat just yet. So why was she hesitating? She took a deep, chilly breath and steeled her nerves. “I would like that very much, Mr. Judrow,” she said in a tiny voice and wrapped her arm through his.
Eldon fought the urge to pull her close. Even though he’d given Miss Shrewsbury his coat, he could tell she was still chilled to the bone. And why wouldn’t she be? Her sorry excuse for a shawl and threadbare dress wouldn’t keep a church mouse warm in August. She was lucky it wasn’t snowing. What was the woman thinking, running around town without a proper coat?
That brought another question to mind: did she even own one? She was new in town, after all, and had just started working the previous day – maybe she’d come from somewhere warmer, hadn’t realized how nippy it would be here, and didn’t yet have the money for one. Should he get her one? He had the cash, of course, but didn’t want to embarrass her by asking about her finances.
So instead he chose another subject. “I hear the ham and eggs are especially good.”
For some reason, she seemed to find that amusing. “Hmmm … I actually had something else in mind. Do you know if they serve pancakes?”
“Let’s find out,” he said with a warm smile as they reached the café. He opened the door and motioned her in. Mrs. Bates the cook looked up in surprise as she made her way back to the kitchen. She must have just unlocked the door. “I hope we’re not too early,” he said.
The plump woman smiled. “No, but you’ll have to wait a bit – things are still cooking. But the coffee is ready.”
He heard a tiny hum and realized it was Miss Shrewsbury – enjoying the steamy warmth of the room, no doubt. The poor thing … “Two coffees to start, then,” he replied.