“I’d like nothing better than to have you all stay here. Did you already bring your things out from town?”
Bett shook her head. “No. They would have been in the way today. Besides, the paint smell is yet a bit strong upstairs. If you open the windows in the morning, the rooms will be sufficiently aired by noon and we can spend the rest of the day coaxing heat upstairs so we don’t freeze to death tomorrow night.”
Fred chuckled. “I promise I won’t let you freeze or die from the paint fumes. Honestly, I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for what you did here. I can’t imagine how you accomplished so much so quickly. I just left yesterday.”
Bett giggled. “You need a lesson in what the three Baker girls can do when they set their minds to it, nephew. At one point, I think we had thirty workers here and poor Murtag was nearly run ragged. Now it’s all done and you like it, and that’s the important part.”
“Thank you all, again.” He gave each of his aunts another round of hugs. “But you all are probably exhausted because I know I am. Shall we meet after breakfast tomorrow and I can help you haul your things out here?”
“That sounds perfect, Fred. We’ll see you in the morning.” Ari looked to Elsa. “Would you like a ride back to the bakery?”
“Yes, please,” Elsa said. “I’ll just hurry and wash the dishes.” She started toward the sink but Fred shot out an arm and wrapped it around her waist, pulling her closer to him.
“I’ll take care of the dishes, Elsa. You’ve done more than enough. Thank you for your help and for making a wonderful meal for us this evening.”
Elsa blushed and nodded her head. “It was my pleasure.” She pushed away from him and reached for her coat. Fred hurried to hold it for her while Murtag helped his aunts with their coats then the five of them left.
In the quiet left behind by their absence, Fred wandered through each of the rooms again. He banked the fires in the hearths, made sure all the windows were closed against the winter cold, and locked the front door. He returned to the kitchen, awed by the flurry of fun and excitement his aunts had brought into his world.
The thing he was most grateful for, though, was to see Elsa drawn into their adventures.
Fred stored the leftover food in the new refrigerator in his kitchen, washed the dishes and dried them, then wearily made his way to the bathroom. He sank into a tub full of hot water and soaked his tired muscles while the love and contentment he felt throughout the evening saturated his heart.
Chapter Sixteen
Elsa glanced at the clock on the wall as Ethan and Lottie dragged into the bakery five minutes before it opened.
“If we could bottle your energy and enthusiasm, why, I just don’t know what we might accomplish,” Elsa said in a sweet, albeit sarcastic tone as Ethan helped Lottie remove her coat and hung it by the door.
Anna started giggling and excused herself to the front of the bakery to unlock the door.
Ethan glowered at Elsa as he poured two cups of coffee and handed one to his wife.
“You two don’t look well. Are you sick?” Elsa asked, expertly cracking eggs into a skillet with one hand and flipping slices of ham with the other.
“No. Just tired,” Lottie said as she slumped down at the table and took a sip of her coffee before resting her head on her outstretched arm. She glanced at her husband and flapped her hand at him, as though she encouraged him to speak.
Ethan cleared his throat and took a seat across from his bride. “Yesterday, when you left with those women, we both realized how much hard work we’ve left for you to do alone. We’re both deeply sorry, Elsa. It wasn’t fair for you to carry the load for as long as you have, because even before I went to Portland, you were doing far more than your share around here. Lottie and I are worn out from spending one day doing what you do every day.”
“We were so tired, we didn’t even have the energy to…” Lottie snapped her mouth shut and blushed a bright shade of red before she finished her sentence. She sat upright and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry, Elsa. We’ve been horrible to you and it won’t happen again.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Elsa smiled at them both then turned back to the stove, pleased they’d finally gotten a taste of what it was like to manage with no help. At least they had Anna there after school for a few hours to do some of the work. If Elsa knew her brother and his wife at all, she was sure Anna had done most of the work while Lottie flitted around arranging chairs or something equally unimportant while Ethan sat at his desk and pretended to balance the books. Elsa had taken over that chore along with everything else. The accounts were in order because entering the day’s income and expenses was the last thing she did each evening before she went to bed.
She glanced over her shoulder at Lottie almost asleep at the table and Ethan rubbing his bleary eyes. “I hear the bell tinkling over the door. You two better get out front and help Anna with orders.”
Lottie stood and pulled on an apron inside out while Ethan forked a hand through his hair, sending it into complete disarray.
Elsa shook her head when Anna breezed into the kitchen and stared in surprise at the couple. She shot Elsa an odd look and the two of them exchanged a smile as Ethan took Lottie’s hand and led her out to handle the front counter.
Anna had already left for school when Fred appeared, seeming rested and happy. For so long, he appeared to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Elsa was thrilled to see him look lighthearted for the first time since she’d met him.
“Good morning, lovely Miss Lindstrom,” Fred said as he stepped up to the counter.
Elsa had banished Ethan and Lottie to the kitchen a few minutes after the bakery opened,. They couldn’t keep the orders straight and Lottie had dropped an entire tray of muffins on the floor. So Elsa and Anna had handled the customers and baking while Ethan and Lottie washed dishes and yawned.
Now that the bakery was nearly empty, Elsa reached into the display case and placed two pastries on a plate for Fred then poured him a glass full of milk.
“Anything else this morning?” she asked.
“Only to say thank you for helping my aunts yesterday. It was so nice of you to take the day off and join in their fun.” Fred grinned at her as he leaned on the counter, in no hurry to take his food to his table.
“It was my pleasure, Fred. I didn’t realize how much I needed a day away from here. The opportunity to spend time with your aunts was appreciated. Those three women are such fun, and so lovely and smart.”
Fred nodded. “They are pretty special. I’m sure going to miss them when they return home.”
“You can always go visit them,” Elsa said. A trip back east to visit his family might be a grand thing for Fred. She didn’t think he’d ever traveled much farther than Heppner. But what if he liked it so well in Philadelphia he stayed? She didn’t know how she’d survive if she couldn’t see his smile at least once in a while.
Mindful of her thoughts, she mentally shook them off then gave her attention back to the conversation. “So you’re going to help your aunts and Murtag move out to the farm this morning. You’ll have a full week with them out there before they have to leave.”
“I know. I fear the novelty of being on the farm will wear off soon, and they’ll be bored to tears. If that happens, I’m afraid what sort of tomfoolery they’ll invent next.” Fred winked at Elsa. “Just make sure they drag you into whatever it is they do.”
“Oh, I’m a good girl and stay out of tomfoolery, but I’ve been known to engage in a shenanigan or two.”
Fred closed the distance between them when he leaned across the counter and dropped his voice. “I might like to learn more about those shenanigans.”
Her gaze fixated on his lips. They always looked so kissable, so unsettlingly enticing, Elsa started to close her eyes, ready for a kiss, before she caught herself and took a step away. “I best get back to work. Enjoy your breakfast. If you need anything else, please let me know.”
&nbs
p; Fred looked around the empty bakery before taking his plate and glass of milk to the table in the corner.
Ten minutes later, Elsa went out to check on him and found him pulling on his coat to leave. “Did you get enough to eat?” she asked.
“Sure did, Elsa. Thank you. And thank you for that wonderful dinner last night. I haven’t had roasted chicken in a long time.”
“Again, that was my pleasure. Your aunts insisted they’d send Murtag into the restaurant to get something for dinner, but it seemed silly since I was there and they’d hired Mrs. Kellogg to stock your refrigerator and cupboards with food.”
“I appreciated it, Elsa.” He glanced outside then back at her. “I reckon there’s a long list of folks around here I need to thank for what happened the past two days at my place.”
“No, Fred. There’s no list. Most everyone who helped was paid, quite handsomely, and those who weren’t did it because you’ve helped them too many times to count.” She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “You’re a good man, Fred Decker — one people in Hardman like and respect. Don’t ever forget that.”
Unable to speak beyond the lump of emotion that unexpectedly lodged in his throat, Fred nodded to her and left.
Elsa watched him walk down the street in the direction of the boardinghouse.
Hours later, after Ethan and Lottie helped her clean up from serving lunch, Elsa locked the front door. She returned to the kitchen and lost herself in her afternoon baking. She’d just pulled a batch of oatmeal cookies full of cranberries and nuts from the oven when a rap on the front door drew her interest.
Hurriedly setting the pan of cookies on the counter, she rushed out front to see Fred, his aunts, and Murtag standing on the sidewalk.
“What are you all doing here?” she asked as Ari, Bett, and Claire breezed inside, each of them giving her a warm hug.
“We’ve come to spread some magic in your place today,” Ari said, pointing toward the ceiling. “The other day when you showed us your apartment, we couldn’t help but notice your empty sitting room. If you’ll allow us, we’d love to decorate it today. We ended up with more furniture than Fred can use and it’s a shame to leave it stored in his spider-infested attic.”
Elsa would have said no, but the imploring looks on the faces of the three women made her nod in agreement. “That would be so nice. Please, do whatever you like.”
Claire squealed and hugged Elsa again then raced upstairs while Bett and Ari motioned for Fred and Murtag to begin carrying in furniture.
“Do you need any help?” Elsa asked as Ari removed her coat and hat. Bett slipped hers off and they left them on the coat rack by the front door.
“No. Don’t let us interrupt you. Just pretend like we aren’t even here. We’ll be as quiet as little mice in the back of a country church.” Bett smiled at Elsa then hurried up the stairs with only slightly more decorum than Claire.
Ari patted her cheek and smiled. “Thank you for allowing us to play in your sitting room. We love decorating and arranging furniture. Our husbands can only stand so much of it at home. This has been such fun for all three of us.”
Elsa grinned. “It’s been great fun for me, too. Thank you. Please, make yourselves at home. When you’re finished, come to the kitchen for tea and cookies.”
“You don’t have to invite me twice,” Fred said as he passed by her carrying a large rug over one broad shoulder.
For the next hour, the men carried up furniture and boxes while she listened to giggles and footsteps overhead. Twice, she almost went upstairs to see what the women had done, but managed by sheer force of will to remain downstairs. Part of her felt like she was accepting charity from Fred and his aunts, but the other part of her was so excited to see what her sitting room would look like, she couldn’t have stopped them even if she’d wanted to.
Anna arrived and Elsa set her to work making loaves of bread while they listened to the chatter upstairs.
“Aren’t you curious,” Anna asked as she set the bread dough to rise. She glanced at the stairs as she washed her hands, as though she couldn’t wait to run up them.
“I’m about to die of curiosity,” Elsa admitted. “I’ll wait until they’re ready for me to see it, though. I don’t want to spoil their fun or my surprise.”
“Well, I can’t wait.” Anna grinned and raced up the stairs.
More squeals and giggles floated down to Elsa, making her smile broaden. She loved hearing laughter in the bakery, and treasured the aura of excitement and joy Fred’s aunts brought into her world.
She stood at the sink peeling apples, thinking about how blessed she was by her friends when a familiar presence moved behind her. Fred’s masculine scent teased her nose.
“Hi there,” he whispered as his hands slid around her waist, drawing her back against him. “I feel as though I’ve hardly seen you lately. Are you doing well, Elsa?”
“I am,” she said, glancing over her shoulder at him, wanting to lose herself in the depths of his beautiful eyes and the warmth of his smile. His nearness was highly improper, or so she tried to tell herself, but she couldn’t move away. Not when she loved being this close to him. “You’ve had a busy few days.”
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple. “So have you. I see you’ve got Ethan and Lottie marching to your orders. Do you reckon they’ll stay straightened out or will you need to have Anna whip them into shape again?”
Elsa laughed and gently elbowed him in the side, aware he teased her. “Maybe I’ll let Erin Dodd and Maura Granger at them next time. That would really set them on their ears.”
“It would indeed.” Fred placed a moist kiss on her neck.
The warmth of his lips against her skin nearly buckled her knees. Before she could react or collapse to the floor, the sound of footsteps on the stairs made Fred take a step away from her.
“Elsa, are you ready to come see what we’ve done?” Claire asked as she hopped off the last step and waved a hand toward Elsa, beckoning her to join her sisters upstairs.
“I’d love to see it,” Elsa said, setting down the knife and apple she held. Quickly rinsing and drying her hands, she followed Claire up the stairs. “Are you coming, Fred?” she asked, looking back at him as he stood at the bottom of the stairs.
“Umm, hmm. I’ll be right up. I’m just enjoying the view,” he said with a rascally wink.
Elsa’s cheeks turned pink and she looked ahead to see if Claire heard what he said. If she did, she chose to ignore it as they stepped into the sitting room.
The air whooshed out of Elsa as she looked around what had formerly been an empty, barren room. “Oh, my,” she whispered, her hand going to her throat as she gaped in shocked surprise at the transformation Fred and his aunts had brought to her apartment. “It looks like Christmas.”
Claire giggled and clasped her hands together as she giddily bounced beside Elsa. “Isn’t it wonderful?”
“It’s beyond wonderful,” Elsa said, slipping an arm around the girl and giving her a hug. “I can’t believe it’s the same place.”
“You like it?” Fred asked, moving behind Elsa.
She wanted to spin around and hug him, but she refrained. Instead, she stepped further into the room. The walls that had earlier appeared a rather sickly shade of pale green in the stark afternoon light streaming in the windows now provided a beautiful backdrop to the exquisite furnishings.
Elsa’s gaze scanned the large cream rug, accented with gold scrolls, green vines, and red roses, that covered most of the floor. Pie crust tables on tripod legs flanked a cream sofa. Crimson parlor lamps with satin finishes adorned the tables and gave an elegant air to the room. Two plush chairs, upholstered in deep ruby velvet sat close to the fireplace while a rocking chair rested near a book case and brass floor lamp. In the far corner, a small writing desk with a finely-turned chair and a small cream globe lamp, painted with rosebuds and vines, rounded out the room.
Heavy dark green velvet drapes were pulled back from t
he windows and a large painting of a snowy sleigh scene hung above the mantel.
Much to Elsa’s delight, Fred’s aunts had discovered the trunk of holiday decorations she’d left near the doorway, thinking she’d set them up in the bakery. Now, the red and white treasures graced her room, adding to the festive atmosphere.
“It’s perfectly lovely,” Elsa said, beaming at Ari, Bett, and Claire then smiling at Murtag. The older man grinned and ducked his head, as though he was pleased to be included in the warmth of her gratitude.
“We hope you don’t mind that we set out your decorations,” Bett said, moving to Elsa’s other side and clasping her hand. “You have such lovely things. Fred said he thought some of them were traditional pieces for you.”
Elsa glanced back at Fred and grinned. “That’s correct. Swedish families have many holiday traditions. I didn’t bring many things with me when we moved here, but the few I did are greatly treasured.”
She moved across the room, running her fingers over the smooth mahogany wood of the tables, the velvety softness of the chairs. A red and cream blanket her grandmother had knit draped over the end of the sofa, beautifully pulling together the colors in the room.
“What’s this?” Claire asked, pointing to a framed cross-stitched pattern of a horse that hung on the wall near the desk.
“That’s a Dala horse,” Elsa said, moving over to study the horse she’d made when she was a young girl. Her grandmother had drawn the pattern on a square of white linen and Elsa had carefully taken each stitch with red thread. When she finished, her grandmother framed her efforts and told her how proud she was of her detailed work.
“What’s a Dala?” Claire asked, glancing over at Elsa.
“Legend says the original Dala horse has been around for centuries and was created by Swedish woodcutters. During the long, cold winters, the men would pass lonely evenings away from their families by carving little toys to take to their children when they returned home. Made from the scraps of their work, most of the toys were horses. The province where they worked was Dalarna, near Mora. That’s why the figures are known as Dala horses. Originally, the horses weren’t painted. The tradition of giving the tailless horses a spot of color started sometime in the 1700s. It’s even said when King Charles XII of Sweden sent troops through Europe, attempting to wage a full-scale war in the winter of 1716, soldiers used the carved horses to secure food. They were cold, tired, and hungry as they found places to stay at private residences. One enterprising soldier carved a Dala horse and painted it bright red, then presented it to the child of the home where he stayed as a gift. In return for the toy, the woman of the house gave the soldier a bowl of soup. He made another horse and earned another bowl of soup. Word of his success spread, and soon more soldiers were carving Dala horses, bartering them for food and supplies.”
The Christmas Confection (Hardman Holidays Book 6) Page 18