Wanted: Carpenter

by Marianne Spitzer

  Trying to speak but only being able to nod, Ella Grace stood there silently before an idea came to her. “If Miss Edie is going to have a husband, don’t you think she should begin to dress in more than the black you’re both wearing. I know it’s only been a little over six months, but she needs to have a brighter wardrobe, and you know she won’t unless you do.”

  “Yes, I agree, and I think Edward would understand that we still mourn but can wear more than black. I will talk to her this evening. Have a good afternoon, dear.”

  Ella Grace hugged her guardian wondering how she managed to get into the middle of this. At least she convinced Miss Ethel to stop wearing black. The younger girls felt sad after losing Mr. Edward but seeing Miss Ethel and Miss Edie in black every day added to their sadness.

  She had to explain it all to Michael. Maybe he wouldn’t mind since she wasn’t running around town. She could keep this secret and stay at home the way he wants. She bid Miss Ethel goodbye and placed her favorite hat on her head before checking herself in the mirror. She needed to look her best when she tried to convince her husband to keep the secrets.

  Ella Grace closed the door behind her and walked deliberately down the street slowly and carefully the way Michael suggested. He worried about her tripping and falling. He worried about everything. She wanted to run to Howard House and find Katie to share the secret, but first she had to go to the Inn and tell Michael what she was doing.

  Chapter Three

  Katie cleared away the dishes from the tea and pie and carefully folded the copy of the Grooms’ Gazette and slipped it into her pocket. Apprehensive about what replies, if any, she might receive, not to mention the friend of Michael’s arriving on Monday’s train, she did the best to push it all from her mind when she heard the twins cry.

  As usual, Rosie and Ivy were the first to run to the new infants’ sides when they began to cry. They were enthralled by the tiny babies that looked as identical as they did. They helped Katie with diapers and never complained when they needed to take away a dirty diaper. They did their best to bottle feed their new sisters and sang softly to them when they cried.

  Ivy, the quieter of the two, whispered to Rosie, “Ask her.”

  “Ask me what?” Katie said.

  Rosie usually the more talkative and inquisitive shuffled from one foot to another. “Ivy and me were talking.”

  “Ivy and I,” Katie corrected.

  “Umm, yeah, Ivy and I were talking about the babies. We were wonderin’ if their mama is in Heaven with our mama and if they know each other. You told us that our mama always watches over us. We thought if we prayed and asked God to let our mama tell Sophie and Josie’s mama that they will be happy here that she would be happy. We don’t know if she knows she can watch over them from Heaven, too.”

  Katie fought back the tears listening to the small five-year-old child showing such great concern for her new sisters.

  Katie squatted in front of the twins and hugged them tightly. “I’m sure Sophie and Josie’s mama knows she can watch over her girls just like your mama watches over you, but you can always ask God to watch over all of you. He loves each of you.”

  Ivy nodded her head, and Rosie said, “I’m happy that the babies are here. If you have a mama that has to go to Heaven, this is the best place to be.”

  That brought a new wave of tears to Katie’s eyes. She silently thanked God for bringing the twins to Howard House. If not for them, she would be on her way to Portland and a life away from these adorable children. That would’ve been a big mistake. She was needed here, and Ella Grace was right, she needed a husband. Someone to help around the place the way Mister Edward did before the mine collapse. Katie decided to keep an open mind when she met Michael’s friend and give any man who wrote her a chance to convince her he was her best match.

  Cindy Lou peeked around the corner and asked, “Do you need any help?”

  “Yes,” the babies are hungry, and Rosie and Ivy need to get back to their lessons. Could you take one of the babies?”

  “Of course, they are so sweet,” Cindy Lou gushed. “Makes me want one of my own.”

  “That could happen if the sparks I see flying between you and Peter Bunyan continue unless Miss Ethel shoots him for getting sawdust on your clothes and in your hair again.”

  Cindy Lou blushed, “He works hard all day, and that sawdust is impossible to get off, and it ends up on me. I can’t help it. You don’t suppose Miss Ethel will really shoot him, do you?”

  Katie did her best to assure Cindy Lou that Miss Ethel wouldn’t actually shoot anyone. At least, she didn’t think she would. Cindy Lou’s crinkled brow brought a smile to Katie’s face. “Try not to worry about it and tell Peter to shake off more of that sawdust before he calls on you again. It might help.”

  Cindy Lou nodded and followed Katie to the kitchen carrying one of the sweet bundles of joy in her arms.

  ~ * ~

  Humming while she strolled toward home, Miss Edie couldn’t help but stifle a giggle when she remembered the look on Widow Wallace’s face when she handed her two letters addressed to the Grooms’ Gazette. The widow’s eyebrows rose, but she knew better than to question Miss Edie. After Miss Edie paid the postage, the two women discussed the weather, the town’s rebuilding, and the tiny twins newly arrived at Howard House. She was also pleased that Michael listened to her without interrupting. He had a lot to learn about women and babies, and she was just the person who could educate him.

  Ella Grace could see Miss Edie heading toward Adam’s Street as she quickly walked to the side door of the Inn and slipped inside. Mrs. Donlinson heard Ella Grace’s voice wishing her good morning before she saw her.

  “Goodness, I didn’t expect to see you here today. Michael told us not to expect you often since you needed to stay home and rest. I was going to stop by and see if you and the baby were doing all right. You look beautiful. Would you like some fresh cherry cobbler?” Mrs. Donlinson spoke without taking a breath.

  Shaking her head, Ella Grace said, “The baby and I are fine. Michael thinks I might break if I do more than sit and knit. The cobbler smells wonderful, but I already had a large slice of pie and six cookies this morning. I’m here to see Michael.”

  Mrs. Donlinson’s eyebrows rose. “He may not be in the best of moods. Miss Edie stopped to talk to him, and he’s been scowling since she left.”

  “I understand. I know why Miss Edie was here and what she told Michael, but I have something else to speak to him about, and I’m not sure it will make him any happier,” Ella Grace answered walking toward the door that led to the lobby. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, “I’ll come back to take a piece of the cobbler home if that’s okay. I may need it after I talk to Michael.”

  Ella Grace could see Michael’s scowl as she walked toward the front desk. “Good morning, darling, why do you look so unhappy?”

  She heard him release a huge sigh before he smiled at her. “Good morning, dear. I just had an enlightening conversation with Miss Edie.”

  “I know, and I need to speak to you about something else. Can we go to your office?” Ella Grace said and bit her lip wondering how she would explain about the letters for Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.

  “Yes, let me get Mr. Donlinson to watch the desk. Go ahead and sit down and rest. I’ll be there soon.”

  Ella Grace blew out a breath. He still wanted her to sit whenever possible. Maybe Miss Edie’s talk didn’t help. She ran over all the reasons she could give him for helping her guardians as she walked to his office and took a seat on one of the large chairs. By the time he walked into the office, Ella Grace had convinced herself that she should have stayed home.

  Michael closed the door and walked over to his wife. He kissed her and sat in the chair next to her.

  “We should talk about what Miss Edie said to me. I’m not sure I agree with her,” Michael said.

  “I need to tell you something first,” Ella Grace blurted out then told him about the letters t
o the Grooms’ Gazette for both of her guardians, how she was sworn to secrecy, and all the smaller details. She took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair happy she shared the information and waited for Michael’s eruption.

  Instead of anger, he laughed. “I suppose I can do my part by receiving letters here for Miss Ethel or is it Miss Edie? Doesn’t matter. If they are busy getting a husband for each other maybe they will leave me alone. I’m not sure I can take another one of Miss Edie’s lectures, and Miss Ethel might try to emphasize the facts with her rifle.”

  “They aren’t that bad. They love me and want what’s best for me,” Ella Grace insisted.

  “I care for you, too and want what’s best for you,” Michael countered.

  “I know, and I love you for it.”

  Michael added, “We could meet on middle ground. I will keep your secrets, and you allow me to hire a cook and housekeeper.”

  “I don’t need both. One person to help will be more than enough. I want Clara.”

  “Clara? She’s my best maid. How do you expect me to run the hotel without quality people?”

  “She’s my friend and helped save me from an abduction. Look around town, Michael. Widows and daughters are trying to put their lives back together. You will not have trouble finding someone to replace her. Many of the women are considering leaving town. Since business is growing, you could hire two new maids and help all of us and the town.”

  Michael thought for a minute and then nodded. “All right, I will keep your secrets, you can have Clara to help at home, but only if you promise to limit the time you spend working here. I did tell Miss Edie that I would allow you to come to the Inn more often.”

  “Allow me?” Ella Grace asked crossing her arms across her chest.

  Michael threw up his hands. “Wrong words. Sorry. I won’t say anything. You come in as often as you feel up to it.”

  “Better,” Ella Grace smiled.

  After a few minutes of hugging and kissing, they returned to the lobby both happy with the outcome of their conversation.

  Chapter Four

  Ella Grace opened the front door of Howard House and called, “Hello, anyone home?”

  A chorus of young female voices answered her before she saw her younger sisters rush toward the door. She hugged them all and then turned to Miss Edie.

  “Thank you for talking to Michael. He agreed I could work at the Inn if it doesn’t tire me. He also agreed with me that we don’t need a maid and a cook, just someone to help and we’re hiring Clara. It will be lovely to have a friend at the house, and she can stay in the room off the kitchen. It’s larger than her room at the Inn. I convinced Michael to hire two of the town’s women who need jobs since their husbands were killed. Everything worked out well, and you did it all, Miss Edie.”

  Miss Edie clapped her hands. “Wonderful. You will need some help later in your pregnancy, and Clara is a sweet girl. Would you like a cup of tea, dear?”

  “No, I ate too many cookies, but I would like to steal Katie away from her work for a little bit. I have some things she could help me with, please.” Ella Grace winked at Miss Edie.

  Miss Edie smiled broadly at Ella Grace. “The girls are studying right now, and if the babies wake, I will care for them. Run along and have some sister time.” She shooed them out the door.

  “What do you need help with?” Katie asked as they walked toward Ella Grace’s house.

  “It’s a secret. I can share it with you because I need help.” They settled in Ella Grace’s parlor, and she explained how she was convinced to play matchmaker for both Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.

  Katie laughed out loud, “You agreed to this scheme? You certainly have your hands full.”

  “Our hands, dear sister. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel both agree I could share the letters with you so we can find the perfect matches. Michael was a bit skeptical, but he agreed to receive letters for Miss Ethel at the Inn. Letters for Miss Edie will come here. Well, letters meant for them will arrive here or at the Inn and we have to look at them as if they were meant for the other one.” Ella Grace bit her lip and shook her head.

  Katie laughed again. “I’ll help. This could get confusing. When do you suppose we’ll get letters?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, Ella Grace said, “I’m not sure. The two letters went out today along with yours. I suppose within two weeks. Letters between Michael’s mother and me travel from Gentle Falls and back in about a week. Having the train running makes the mail much faster. It takes a bit for the paper to be published, so I guess two weeks maybe three.”

  Katie nodded, “Do you think we can find a husband for Miss Edie and Miss Ethel and if we do, how do we convince them to get married?”

  Ella Grace threw up her hands, “I told them I would find the best man from the letters, but it is up to them to tell each other the truth. I refuse to be the bearer of bad news or good news depending on how they take this.”

  “Don’t forget I should receive a few letters, too. At least I hope I do. Our dear guardians thought it would be a good idea to ask for a hard worker hoping that would scare away any man that isn’t serious. I hope it doesn’t scare them all,” Katie said with a nervous smile.

  “No worries, Michael is positive you’re the perfect match for his best friend, Benjamin. Remember, he will arrive on Monday’s train and you’re coming for supper. Maybe you won’t need the letters.”

  Katie intertwined her fingers and held them close to her chest. “I’m nervous about all of this. Meeting a man I don’t know and writing to men that might not be who they seem. What if I answer a letter from someone cruel, untruthful, or a criminal? I could be in trouble.”

  “Miss Ethel will shoot him, and you can go on and answer the next letter,” Ella Grace said hoping to ease Katie’s apprehension.

  “There is that, I suppose. I doubt she would shoot someone, but she would scare them. I’ll try not to worry about all of this.”

  Ella Grace nodded, “No more worries. With any luck, Benjamin will steal your heart, and you can ignore the letters.”

  They chatted and laughed for a while over the chaos that might ensue when the sisters shared their secrets before Katie had to get home to take care of the babies and Ella Grace needed to start supper. Michael would want more than the large pieces of cobbler Mrs. Donlinson sent home with her.

  ~ * ~

  Katie did her best to hide her apprehension as she walked home. She decided she’d wait until she received a letter before she would worry. It would be harder to hide her feelings about her guardian’s romance scheme. Could it work? They deserved love as much if not more than others since they gave their futures to the girls in their charge. This could be the answer for both Miss Edie and Miss Ethel, but it was a huge responsibility. What if she and Ella Grace chose the wrong men? Her mind bounced back to her own problem? What if she chose the wrong man? What about Benjamin? Could Michael be right? Would they suit? She shook her head. Too many questions. She’d take one day at a time and see what happened. She nodded to herself and hoped she could stop her mind from racing with different worries about her future.

  ~ * ~

  While Katie worried about the future, Ella Grace busied herself with supper preparations. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and fresh biscuits were on her mind while she hummed and moved around the kitchen. A knock at the door stopped her humming and supper plans.

  A broad smile crossed her face when she opened the door to find Clara standing on her porch valise in hand. She noticed Riley, the night clerk from the Inn, waiting on the street with Clara’s trunk on the cart the Inn used to move luggage to and from the train station. She invited Clara in and waved at Riley to bring the trunk inside.

  Riley carried the trunk into the room off the kitchen and quickly excused himself saying he wanted to eat something before starting work. Clara and Ella Grace thanked him and waved as he left heading back to work.

  Clara looked around the room Ella Grace offered her. “This
is three times the size of the room I stay in at the Inn. Are you sure you want me to stay here?”

  “Of course, this is meant to be a maid’s room,” Ella Grace explained, “but although you will be here to help me keep the house and cook, you are first and foremost my friend. If it wasn’t for you, Malcolm Wooster might have killed me, and I never would have been able to take care of the Inn after the quakes without your help. I’m so happy you are here.”

  “I am, too. I was surprised when Mr. Karson asked me to work here.” Clara answered and looked around the kitchen. “This is such a lovely home.”

  Ella Grace smiled. “You must consider this your home, too and it won’t do for you to call me Ella Grace and then call Michael Mr. Karson. I’m sure he’ll want you to call him Michael, too.”

  “Oh, my, I couldn’t do that. Mr. Karson is my employer, and he might let me go.”

  “Nonsense,” Ella Grace insisted. “I insisted he hire you. We have an agreement. He can’t let you go unless he wants to upset me. You can stay here as long as you wish.”

  Clara smiled. “Thank you. I think I will like working here better than at the Inn. It looks as if you were starting supper. Let me do it, it’s why I’m here after all.”

  “You should unpack first.”

  Clara shrugged. “I only have a few uniforms, two day dresses, and my Sunday dress. I can unpack later.”

  “We’ll have to change that. Michael ordered a sewing machine for me. It should arrive next week. It was another one of his ideas to keep me at home thinking I could sit all day and sew dresses for my little sisters. He said he also ordered several bolts of fabric to keep me busy. You can learn along with me and make a few new dresses quickly.”

  Clara was busy rolling the chicken in flour and looked over her shoulder, “I would enjoy that. I think I’m going to be happy here.”