Was he? Mother would have been appalled to know he’d be eating what she considered Southern fare, never served at her table, ever.
“How can I help?”
“Do you know how to cook?”
“No.”
She grinned again, sending warmth through him. “Then you best stay out of the way. That’s how you could help.”
“All right.” He sat at a high backed rush-seated chair. “Say, have you thought about doing something about that back garden area? Maybe serving tea out there?”
He’d spied a beautiful old structure at the far reach of the garden. It had fallen into disrepair, a though neglected for years, despite the care the garden, itself, appeared to have had. His great-grandparents had a large similar-looking garden feature which they called a folly, but it was built from marble or stone. Theo had spent many an afternoon in that pretty outdoor shelter, imagining the day when he’d be an engineer, building great ships – never imagining he’d help with the mechanisms that moved those vessels from one body of water to another.
Lilly set a large iron skillet on the stove top. “It is right pretty out there, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I thought when I went to the shed. If you had a screen put up between that and the garden, and added some gravel around the side of the house, I think you could attract folks to the back garden.” And if someone would either repair or replace the folly.
“It would take an awful lot of work.” She removed the chicken from the icebox and brought it to the counter.
“But it would be so lovely.” But Theo’s talents weren’t well-developed in constructing things. Rather, he told others how to build things, such as changes in the Locks.
“Truth be told, I haven’t spent much time out there. I’ve been too busy with the. . .inventory.” Her pretty lips drew into a purse expression, as though she wanted to say something more.
“Yes, I suppose that has to be done.” Every business owner certainly must keep up with their paperwork.
She made no reply, turning her back to him momentarily.
He might not be able to make large repairs, but certainly he could do something. “I could help you with it.”
“With what?” She rolled the chicken pieces in flour and then sprinkled pepper and salt on them.
“The garden.”
“Oh.”
Not that he knew much about gardening, other than tagging along after their gardener. “If I’m not imposing, that is.”
She laughed. “You’re my first friend here, Theo. You can impose all you’d like.”
Her friend? He longed to be more.
Soon the scent of fried chicken filled the room. She boiled the already-peeled potatoes and chopped some dark green leaves before dousing them with vinegar and cooking them in another pot.
Later, after consuming far more delicious chicken than he should have, Theo patted his stomach. Lilly had far surpassed any test he could have given. Could he pass any she gave him? He wasn’t so sure.
A trio of well-dressed women stopped at Lilly’s gate. She continued checking the bottoms of the cups and recording their descriptions and the imprint on her notepad. She was now up to over two hundres sets. How could one woman have so many? Perhaps Aunt Lillian had intended to set up shop. But how could Lilly find out? The neighbors hadn’t exactly been swarming the place with condolences or welcomes.
The three trod up the walkway. The two younger women twirled small pastel parasols over their heads. All wore white gloves, despite the warm day. Lilly glanced down at her own chafed hands and clasped them together. “Hello.”
All glanced between one another and then they each scanned the beautiful house, the lawn, and the tables on the porch covered with tea sets. “We don’t see your sign.”
Sign? Several of the cottages further along had sweet names like “Nonni’s Treasures” which she assumed meant the white-haired woman’s grandchildren, as she had many at her home every day. How had Aunt Lillian referred to her home? Was it some Northern eccentricity?
Lilly blinked at them. “I don’t have one, but I’m fixin’ to.” Just as soon as she asked Theo where she could get one made.
“Oh!” The woman with salt-and-pepper hair, upswept under a fashionable little befeathered cap, seemed relieved.
The two other ladies smiled.
“Might we look?”
When they pointed to the porch and the teacups, Lilly nodded. “Sure thing. I’m trying to get these out of here to make room.” For her sisters. But these strangers didn’t need to know that.
“We’re Mrs. Rush, Mrs. Klassen, and Mrs. Dickerson. Theo sent us.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “Any friend of Theo is a friend of mine. Welcome.”
“Thank you.”
“He said you had an amazing assortment and he was right.”
“He’s such a dear.” The youngest one, her hair swept up in a fashionable style, barely looked out of her teen years.
“So hard working.” The woman, about thirty or so judging from her appearance, while pretty also had dark rings under her eyes.
“And thoughtful of his mother.” The dark-haired matron adjusted the waistband of her skirt, beneath her too tightly fitted navy jacket. “In fact that’s why he’s been coming over here.”
“Oh?” A rock seemed to have plummeted into her gut. “Is that so?”
“Yes. He’s been trying to find just the right teacup and saucer that will please her.” She arched an eyebrow.
So that was what he was up to. And now three strange women were marching up to her new home, just as pretty as you please, acting like they owned the place. Lilly’s ire rose. “She sounds like such a bitty, if you ask me.”
The older woman raised an eyebrow. “Mrs. Archibald Reynolds may be a bitty, but with her fortune, that might account for her demeanor.”
Lilly ran her tongue over her upper lip. “Theo’s family is wealthy?”
Mrs. Rush clasped her hands at her waist. “We’ve wondered what he is doing working as an engineer, since we found out.”
The older woman made a buttoning motion over her mouth. “Melvin told me that, I probably shouldn’t have repeated it.”
“But it is so delicious to think of one of the Locks’ engineers hailing from such a prominent family.” Mrs. Klassen’s girlish giggle seemed out of place. “He puts on no airs.”
“He certainly doesn’t.” Mrs. Dickerson lifted her chin. “And lives so frugally.”
Lilly’s head began to ache. No rich educated man was going to have any genuine interest in her. She drew in a long slow breath and exhaled.
“I’d like these.” The matron lifted two pretty yellow tea cups and saucers from where they sat on a table. “Could you box them up?” The woman turned to Lilly, as though she was a servant. Was that how Theo saw her?
She crossed her arms. “They aren’t for sale.”
The three exchanged incredulous looks with one another. “I’m real particular who gets Aunt Lillian’s stuff.” And these three gossipy women weren’t.
“What?” Mrs. Klassen squeaked.
She didn’t even know these women, who’d waltzed right up and started grabbing at things. “I apologize. I’m afraid I was wrong.”
“About?” Mrs. Rush’s perplexed face held sympathy.
“Either you’re not friends of Theo’s or maybe any friend of his ain’t my friend. Now scat.” She motioned for the women to move on.
“Scat?” Mrs. Klassen’s youthful voice rose.
“You’ve done wore out your welcome here.” Lilly repeated Pa’s phrase. In the mountains, that intonement was often accompanied by hoisting the shotgun from the wall.
“Well, I never!” Mrs. Reynolds grabbed a fold of her dark bombazine skirt, and swiveled away from Lilly.
As the three women stalked off, Lillian decided on her first purchase. A rocking chair. She’d not rock in it with a shotgun across her lap, like Pa had done, but she sure as shootin’ wasn’t gonna keep having strangers moseying
up to her house thinking they could walk off with Aunt Lillian’s goods.
Chapter 4
Theo whistled Beautiful Dreamer as he walked home along Bingham. The parlor song, published after Stephen Foster’s death, had been one of Father’s favorites and one Theo’s landlady played often. Soon, he turned down the boarding house street and arrived home. Mrs. Elsner sat out front, shucking peas into a bowl. She wiped her hands off and pulled a yellow envelope from her apron pocket.
“Here you go, Theodore. A letter from your sister, I believe.”
He stopped whistling. “I hope you’re wrong.”
Edwina didn’t write unless she wanted something or had unpleasant news. He accepted the missive, sank down on the steps beside the boarding house owner, and opened the letter.
Dearest Teds,
I wanted to write to warn you that Mother plans to stop at your place next. Never mind that I told her you still write from a boarding house address, she INSISTS that since she TOLD you to obtain a rental house for her for the summer that you’ll have done so.
Theo dropped the letter into his lap as a fly buzzed past them. He shooed it away.
“What is it?” Mrs. Elsner stopped shelling the peas again.
“My mother.” He owed his mother honor, but did God really believe Theo owed her a house rented for the summer?
“She isn’t. . .” His landlady’s pale eyes widened. She knew about Mother’s demand.
“She is.”
“Oh no.” One pudgy hand flew to her flushed face. “You know I have no room for her here. And. . .”
Theo cleared his throat and interrupted. He knew what she was thinking. That it would be far too humble for his mother’s tastes, despite her current circumstances, which Mother apparently failed to accept. “I know. I understand.”
“What will you do?” Her blond eyebrows knit together.
“I don’t know.” He was only an engineer, not a supervisor or manager. “My income only stretches so far and I’ve needed to put aside for my own future.”
He’d dreamed of one day providing a home for a wife and children. That day, which had seemed far off, now loomed closer since he’d met Lilly. But now he’d have to dip into his savings. He’d be the first Reynolds in four generations forced to purchase his own home instead of inheriting or being gifted with a country estate. He picked up the letter and read on.
Teds, Mother also said something I want to share with you. She said you were RIGHT to disobey her all those years ago. She said “Thank God, your brother had the good sense to ignore my instruction.” Can you believe that? In any event, I cannot convince her to stay with us in Syracuse. The summer season is upon us and she frets that someone will discover her true state of affairs, which dear brother, are yours as well. Do not fear, though, she intends to rotate between Nanette and myself and our husbands are quite content to have Grandmother come visit with the children.
Love and prayers (you will NEED them!), Your loving sister, Edwina
A young boy, perhaps no more than ten or eleven, rode his bicycle up the road and then veered toward their yard. “Telegram!”
Theo and Mrs. Elsner exchanged a knowing glance. Only one person ever sent a telegram – his mother. He rubbed a spot on his scalp that had begun to throb.
After tipping the boy, Theo read the telegram aloud. “Arriving on train by Saturday. Mother.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.” How much had that cost her? Father’s fiscal irresponsibility had cost Mother most of all. But now Theo would be paying for it. What could he do?
“Do you know anyone who might be letting out rooms, since the cost of a rental house is so dear?”
“No, but. . .” Dare he? How could he ask Lilly this favor when she’d only met him a week earlier?
Lilly had worked herself up into quite a dither after the women left. Not only was her sisters’ room clean as a whistle but the other two on that hall were also freshened and neat. Thankfully, she’d already boxed and packed up a hundred teacups and saucers for her cousin, Garrett, to take back to Mackinac Island for his wife’s tea shop. He should be there any time. She had to take a quick bath before the late train arrived. What an unbelievable pleasure it had been to enjoy her first bath in the huge porcelain tub. Indoor plumbing! What a luxury. She started the water, pouring in some of her aunt’s rose perfumed oil. She needed to still get rid of that last bit of steam she’d worked up over those ladies.
“Hello the house. It’s Garrett Christy!” Her cousin’s deep voice boomed from the front door.
“Garrett! I’ll be right down.” She turned off the faucets.
Lilly scurried down the steps. It had been years since she’d seen him, although Mama had received a photograph of Garrett and his wife, Rebecca Jane. She stopped descending the stairs when she caught sight of him. This was no boy. He was a full-grown and very handsome man. Nearly-black hair curled around his forehead, matched by his dark eyes. Even standing a tread up, he was taller than her.
He stepped forward and pulled her into a quick embrace. “Little Lilly--look at you!”
She stepped down and looked up at him. “Maybe I should have stayed on the stairs. And you’re a grown up man now. I’m so glad to see you.”
He ducked his chin. “Sorry my sweetheart ain’t here, but she’s feelin’ a might poorly.”
“Oh?”
His cheeks reddened. “We’re hopin’ for a Christmas gift.”
“A baby?” A thrill shot through her. What would it be like to know you were going to be adding to a family you loved? “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” He set his carpetbag down on the floor. “Do I hear water runnin’?”
Lilly’s hands flew to her mouth. “Yes, I was just about to take a bath.”
“Don’t let me keep you. You go on up and take care of all that. I’m early. I reckon if you point me to the water, I can drink me a glass and rock on your porch.”
“Rock?”
“Yes, ma’am. Ya don’t think I came empty-handed now did ya?” Garrett gave her a half-smile, like he had a secret.
Lilly peeked outside at the gorgeous oak rocker. She gasped. “I heard from Mama that you were quite the craftsman now, but I had no idea.”
His high cheekbones turned a rosy shade. “The folks at the Grand Hotel like my work. As does Rebecca Jane. So maybe I’m a fair woodworker.”
“Fair? I’d say extremely talented. I’ve never seen one so pretty.” She touched the satin-smooth back. “I love it.”
He beamed and Lilly gave him another quick hug.
“You go on now, Little Lil, and get your bath and I’ll break it in for ya.”
“Are you sure?” She hated leaving him downstairs by himself when he’d just arrived.
“Sure as shootin’.”
“Thank you, Garrett.” She pointed to the kitchen. “Glasses are on the left and the pump works fine, no trouble.”
“Good, thanks.”
“If a dark-haired young man comes by, please tell him to wait.” She had something to say to him.
“Sure thing.” Garrett’s dark brows drew together. “This fella got a name?”
“Theo.”
“Ah.” A gleam lit his dark eyes. “Now you go scoot.”
She giggled and headed up the stairs. After grabbing her robe and an extra towel for her hair, which sorely needed a washing, Lilly entered the bathroom and climbed into the tub.
Although she’d love to relax, she tried to accomplish her ablutions as quickly as she could. Two men’s voices collided downstairs. Who was Garrett speaking with? Or was it her imagination?
Theo hurried to Lilly’s tea shop. A good cup of strong tea, or even the sassafras she brewed, might help him think more clearly. Somehow, talking with her made things seem to work out better. As he neared the three story establishment, he spied a dark-haired man rocking on the porch. Theo stopped cold in his tracks. Two women approached on the walkway, both with skirts wide enough to sweep one a
nother from the walkway, yet they managed to stride side-by-side. He stepped off the sidewalk, onto the grass and turned sideways to allow the women by. Both cast their eyes downward as he were beneath their attention. He’d noticed that most married women in the town had this manner of interaction with men outside of church, their homes, or social situations. A married woman gave no other man except her husband any attention whatsoever. How very different from his parents’ social circle in New York, where scandals continued to crop up over marital infidelities. At least his father hadn’t done that, as far as Theo knew.
When they passed, Theo continued on, but more slowly. Although the man in the chair didn’t wear the clothing of a lumberjack, he looked like one, with a brawny build. The stranger wore the plain clothing of a working man, including suspenders that only emphasized the breadth of his shoulders. He required no arm garters for his sleeves as his bulky muscles and long arms filled out the extra-long sleeves of a store-purchased, rather than tailored, shirt.
Even a workingman might wish to buy teacups for his lady, mightn’t he? Theo hesitated before pushing through the gate.
As he approached the porch, the man rose, his height well over six feet tall. “Howdy. You lookin’ for Lilly?”
Dust seemed to clog Theo’s throat. “Yes.”
“She’s takin’ a bath. Reckon she’s tryin’ to look pretty for someone.” The man winked.
Was this rough character, who Theo had to admit was a striking-looking man, Lilly’s sweetheart? “Oh, well, I’ll leave you two to. . .”
To what? She was upstairs in the bath while this man was downstairs. Only someone who was very close, or even intimate with someone did that. His face heated.
“You Theo?” The big man cracked his knuckles.
“Uh, yes.” Good heavens, did the man intend to hit him?
Stretching his arms out one way and then another, the man’s dark eyes appraised him. “You sweet on her?”
“Uh. . .”
The door flew open. With a towel wrapped around her head and covered in a too-large winter robe, Lilly peered out through a crack in the door. Beside her, on the floor, was the telling bulge of a suitcase. This man was staying here.
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