Wanted: Carpenter
Silverpines Series Book 15
By Marianne Spitzer
© September 2018
This book is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, events, locations, or organizations is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the written consent of the author.
Acknowledgments
There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support. Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.
The cover was created by the talented Josephine Blake. You can find her on Facebook at JBGraphics.
Wanted: Carpenter
Prologue
Katie Deidmann dropped onto the large floral chair in the parlor of The Howard House for Orphaned Girls and let out a huge sigh. It had been a long day made even longer by the arrival of twin infants, Sophie and Josie. When she had looked into the expectant faces of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd when they brought the orphaned infant girls to the door, Katie couldn’t turn them away. The babies’ father died in the mine collapse and their mother giving them life. Katie’s life changed in an instant. She knew what it was like to be raised without parents and the idea of them growing up in a cold orphanage felt worse than a stab in the heart. Her plans for leaving Silverpines changed in a heartbeat and she decided running Howard House was the calling she had been searching for all along.
She had felt the pain of loss when the mine collapse took Mr. Edward from them. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel’s brother took on the responsibility of father, brother, and protector. Now, they were a family of women and girls fighting for survival with the rest of their friends in Silverpines. Katie wouldn’t allow her guardians to take on the care of two infants. They had dedicated most of their adult lives to orphaned girls. It was her turn to take over and help them in any way she could.
Of course, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel insisted they were quite able to care for anyone who came to their door in need of help, but Katie didn’t want to add to their burden by bringing twins into their already full household without making a commitment to help.
Katie dropped her head in prayer asking the Lord to give her the strength and wisdom she would need to protect and guide the girls in her care.
Chapter One
Silverpines, Oregon
Autumn 1899
The scent of cinnamon and baking apples filled the large Victorian house at the end of Adams Street. It was a quiet mid-afternoon at the Howard House for Orphaned Girls as the younger girls read or practiced writing their letters. Katie Deidmann sat at the kitchen table with her guardians, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel Howard, perusing the copy of the Grooms’ Gazette lying in front of her.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” explained Katie as she read some of the ads aloud. “These are all men looking for wives.”
“That’s the reason you need to place an ad in this paper,” Miss Edie explained as she tapped the paper with the tip of her index finger. “Each of these men wrote an ad, but I am sure they read the others to find out what the best ads sound like. If you put your ad in there, men will see it. It worked for Ella Grace and some of the other women in town.”
“But they all had something else to offer. Ella Grace needed someone to run the Inn, Millie needed help at the mercantile, Sarah at the gun shop, and of course, Laura couldn’t run the ranch alone. All the other women had equally as much to offer. What do I have? A large house in need of repair, eight girls that require care including the newly arrived twins, and just a job as a waitress if I’m needed. You know I quit working every day when the twins arrived. No man wants that.” She dropped her head on the table and drew in a deep breath.
“Now, now,” Miss Edie said. “You are a beautiful, caring, young woman. We told you money is not an issue. We have more than enough for years to take care of this place. If something happens to Ethel and me, the money reverts to the care of the house and girls. Our girls will never do without regardless of how many we bring under our roof.”
Miss Ethel chided, “Sit up straight, Katie. Do you need a lesson in correct posture?”
Katie lifted her head to look at her kindly guardian, a few locks of her blonde hair falling around her face. “No, Miss Ethel. Maude is still talking about having to walk around outside with that book on her head.” Katie sat up straight as an arrow. “All right, but what do I put in the ad?”
“What do we need most around here?” Miss Edie asked.
“Help?” Katie offered. “We need a hard worker. Someone who can keep our home repaired and the yard from turning into a barren field.”
Miss Edie exclaimed, “That’s it. Needed Hard Worker. Write that down as the ad’s heading.”
Katie shrugged but did as Miss Edie suggested then added her age, a brief description, and that she needed someone to help with the orphanage. She mentioned the carpentry and yard work hoping someone would show interest. She didn’t have much faith in placing the ad.
“Let me look at that,” Miss Ethel said taking the paper from Katie. “Hmm, ‘Twenty-year-old lady, blonde, blue eyes, well read, capable in all household duties, and God-fearing. Seeks man in his twenties, God-fearing, hard-working, and skilled in repair work. Carpentry and yard work helpful.’ Well, that should work. It’s simple and to the point. You shouldn’t receive a lot of unwanted responses. Lazy men will never respond.”
“Silverpines also needs help. A carpenter would be more useful more than a yard worker. Carpenters work hard. What if I change it to Wanted Carpenter and take out yard work?”
“I like it,” Miss Edie exclaimed, but Miss Ethel added, “Be sure to leave in ‘hard-working.’ We don’t want more slothful con-men showing up.”
As Katie and her guardians were discussing the newspaper ad, Ella Grace Karson was making her way down the street from her home four houses away from Howard House where she grew up. She held the handle of the large black umbrella tightly to keep the light rain from soaking her new blue dress and the important letter she had in her pocket. Pushing the gate open, she smiled at the repaired brick walkway. The earthquakes in spring left them askew and the walk dangerous. Miss Ethel spent hours repairing the walkway insisting she didn’t need help. She knew everyone in Silverpines had their own problems to solve and declared she would not see any of her girls injured if she could help it. Ella Grace knew they all needed help and she held the answer in her pocket.
The front door flew open before she had a chance to knock. The five-year-old twins, Ivy and Rosie, stood in the doorway jumping up and down. “It’s Ella Grace. It’s Ella Grace. She came to visit.”
She hugged the girls and asked where Katie was. She followed the twins as they skipped to the kitchen where she found her sister and best friend and her beloved guardians huddled over a letter Katie was writing.
“What are you doing,” Ella Grace inquired.
Miss Ethel looked up and smiled. “We are helping Katie send for a husband.”
“That’s not necessary,” Ella Grace gushed. “I have the answer right here,” she waved a letter at the ladies seated at the table.
“What answer?” Katie’s eyes mirrored Ella Grace’s excitement in knowing her sister could always find a way to brighten her life.
“Michael’s best friend Benjamin from Gentle Falls plans to move to Si
lverpines. He’s a carpenter by trade and not only makes furniture but builds houses, does repairs, and can fix almost anything. Michael wrote and told him of the help we need here in town, and he agreed to come. Michael also told him you need a husband and Benjamin has wanted to marry for some time but could never find the right lady. Michael thinks the two of you will suit.”
Katie groaned. “First, I had no hope of finding a husband here, and now I have two opportunities. I suppose I should be grateful for both. Does Michael want me to write to his friend?”
“No need,” Ella Grace explained. “He’ll be here on Monday’s train. Can I have a slice of that apple pie? I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” Katie laughed.
Miss Ethel chided, “If you don’t stop eating you will need to buy new dresses.”
“She is with child, Sister, of course, she will need new dresses. She might as well have some pie, too. You worry too much.” Miss Edie stood and sliced a large piece of pie and placed it on the table in front of Ella Grace.
Katie smiled watching Ella Grace attack her pie happy that she decided not to move to Portland. How could she leave her friends and family? Now, she had options. A new man to meet on Monday and an ad that might bring a few responses. Yes, Katie thought, I made the right decision to stay here when the babies arrived. If I had left, those tiny girls would have been sent to an orphanage and possibly separated. That will never happen here with me.
Katie’s musings were interrupted by Ella Grace whose thoughts seemed to mirror Katie’s, “I am happy you decided to stay here and help run Howard House with Miss Ethel and Miss Edie. I’d miss you so if you left and we can spend more time together. Michael tried to forbid me to come to work at the Inn last night when I yawned during dinner. He wants me to sit all day and do nothing.”
Katie snorted out loud and dropped her head to stifle her laugh when Miss Ethel and Miss Edie gave her the look that let her know “ladies do not snort.” When she peeked back up at Ella Grace, she asked, “Didn’t you tell him that sitting all day is not good for expecting ladies. Maybe Dr. Childs or Hattie should speak to him.”
Ella Grace swallowed another bite of pie and answered, “I told him, but he insists I stay home and knit baby items. No child will ever need as many things as I can knit over the next six months.” She shook her head and finished her pie.
“You will turn into a pumpkin if you sit all day,” Miss Edie added. “I’ll speak to him.”
“Would you, please,” Ella Grace said. “He told me he is hiring a cook/housekeeper and sending for his mother. I love his mother dearly and would love nothing more than for her to be here, but she has her own husband to care for.”
Miss Edie nodded, “I’ll walk you home when we’re finished and then I’ll mail Katie’s letter. Widow Wallace won’t dare raise an eyebrow when she sees the letter for the Grooms’ Gazette if I mail it. Then I’ll stop at the Inn and have a talk with Michael.”
The four women enjoyed the pie and discussed the possibilities that lay in Katie’s future and Ella Grace’s expected child. Miss Edie wasn’t paying much attention as her mind whirled with an idea. It could work.
Chapter Two
On the walk home to Ella Grace’s house, Miss Edie said, “I need to stop at your house before I mail Katie’s letter. Do you have paper and envelopes? I have an idea, but I need you to promise not to breathe a word.”
“I promise. What are you up to, Miss Edie,” Ella Grace asked as they walked up to her porch.
Miss Edie flashed one of her mischievous smiles, “Ethel believes she needs to take care of everything and everyone even me. She’s just a few minutes older, but for some reason, she always felt she needed to care for me. With our dear brother, Edward, gone, Ethel is taking that responsibility too seriously. She needs to relax and enjoy life. She needs love and happiness. She needs a husband, and you and I are going to find her one in the Grooms’ Gazette.”
Ella Grace stopped in mid-step. “You’re going to send for a husband for Miss Ethel? I don’t know how that is going to turn out. She needs to know what’s happening.”
Miss Edie winked, “Oh, she will. The day her groom arrives I’ll tell her on our way to the train station. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, but the thought came to me as we were helping Katie write her letter.”
Not sure she wanted to be part of this scheme but unable to tell Miss Edie no, she opened the door and invited the kindly spinster in to write her letter. Ella Grace brought paper and ink to the table, and Miss Edie began humming to herself. Ella Grace knew this was how Miss Edie thought things through and came up with her ideas. She sat quietly nibbling on a cookie and waited for Miss Edie to say something.
“I have it,” Miss Edie exclaimed. She picked up the pen and began to write.
Husband wanted. Mature, sensible, responsible lady caring for orphaned girls in Oregon seeks gentleman for marriage. Must be honest, God-fearing, hardworking, and reliable.
“That should do it,” Miss Edie decided. “Now, I will have the answers go to the paper, but the paper will need to send any letters to me. I’ll need to use your name and address.”
Ella Grace stammered, “What? I have a husband. Widow Wallace will spread rumors that I’m looking to replace Michael.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” Miss Edie explained and patted Ella Grace's hand. “When I mail the letter, I will tell her that you are secretly helping a friend. I will also remind her that the mail is private. I believe there are laws about sharing information about other’s mail. It will all work out.”
Ella Grace shook her head as she watched Miss Edie address the envelope. She had a sick feeling this would turn out badly.
“There,” Miss Edie said. “I’m ready to mail this letter and Katie’s. On the way back, I am going to stop at the Inn and explain to Michael that sitting home is the worst thing you can do. You will see a difference in his attitude tonight at dinner.”
She stood and embraced Ella Grace. “I’m off and remember not a word to anyone.”
Ella Grace nodded, took another bite of her cookie, and watched Miss Edie hurry off.
A few minutes later, she heard a knock at the door. Thinking Miss Edie forgot something, she opened the door and was surprised to see Miss Ethel standing there.
“I didn’t think Edie would ever leave. I need your help with a little secret. We need to write a letter. Edie needs a husband. I think she depends on me too much. She needs someone else to be there for her. Let’s see how we can word a good letter and find her a nice husband.”
Ella Grace stood there dumbfounded as Miss Ethel breezed past her into the house. Two secrets but identical subjects. How was she going to keep this all straight? She needed another cookie.
“You certainly are making this house into a home. It looks lovely.”
“Thank you. Michael’s mother sent two large crates with paintings, vases, china, and numerous other things she thought I could use to brighten the house,” Ella Grace said as she beamed with pride over her new home.
“Indeed, it looks wonderful. Now let’s get on with the letter.”
“Why do you think Miss Edie needs a husband,” Ella Grace asked wondering why both of her guardians had the same thought at nearly the same time.
Miss Ethel shrugged her shoulders. “It never occurred to me before we helped Katie write her advertisement. I think this is what Edie needs.”
Ella Grace realized what she had thought for years was true. Not only did her dear guardians look exactly alike, they thought alike, too.
Miss Ethel tapped her pencil on the table lost in thought, and Ella Grace picked up another cookie deciding she would stop baking cookies for a while. She couldn’t keep eating them all day long.
“I have it,” Miss Ethel declared aloud.
Husband Wanted. Virtuous lady raising female orphans in Oregon for over twenty years seeks man of good character. Must be God-fearing and compassionate.
“That was easier
than I thought,” Miss Ethel said. “I don’t want to add flowery words. Simple is best. Only decent men will be attracted to this letter.” She nodded to herself as she spoke. “Now, I need to make sure Edie doesn’t see the letters. I’ll have them delivered here.”
Ella Grace’s mind whirled and raced. No, that would never do. How would she tell which letter belonged to which guardian? She knew it would end disastrously.
“Wait,” Ella Grace said. “You know Widow Wallace will ask questions. Why don’t we have them sent to Michael at the Inn? I know he won’t mind and Widow Wallace won’t say a word to him.”
As Miss Ethel thought about the suggestion, Ella Grace said a silent prayer asking forgiveness for using Widow Wallace as the reason she didn’t want all the letters arriving at her house.
Miss Ethel slapped the table with her hand causing Ella Grace to jump and return her attention to her beloved guardian. “That’s it. The letters will go to the Inn, and no one will know. It isn’t unreasonable that Michael would receive letters from a newspaper.”
Ella Grace could only nod in agreement while reaching for another cookie. Miss Ethel was right about more than the mail. If she ate a cookie every time she felt some stress, she would never fit in her dresses, new or not.
Handing the letter to Ella Grace, Miss Ethel said, “You can take this to the Inn and add it to their mail. Widow Wallace will never know, and you can explain it all to Michael. I should run before Edie comes back home.”
“Wait, Miss Ethel, what do I do when the letters arrive?”
“Hmmm, read them of course and pick out the best ones. Then you can stop over and give them to me. I’ll answer them,” Miss Ethel suggested.
Not wanting to bear all that responsibility alone, Ella Grace said, “Since Katie is also looking for a husband, I’d like to ask her to read the letters, too. She will keep the secret.”
“Excellent idea. I know Katie will keep our secret. I have a better idea. You and Katie answer the letters and that way Edie will never suspect. All right. I’m off home before Edie returns although it might take her a bit longer. She did say she was going to give Michael a piece of her mind.”
Wanted: Carpenter Page 1