Wanted: Carpenter

by Marianne Spitzer

  “I know you will, but there is one thing I have to tell you. Since you’ll be here every day, I can’t hide the secret from you.” Ella Grace continued to share the secret of future husbands for Miss Edie and Miss Ethel.

  Clara giggled as she rolled another piece of chicken in the flour mixture. “I’m sure I’ll be happy here.”

  Chapter Five

  Katie was both nervous and excited when Monday morning’s sun peeked through the curtains in her bedroom. She rolled over tugging the quilt up to her neck and tried to push her thoughts away and drift back to sleep for a few moments when she heard the babies stir. They slept in her room to keep them from disturbing her sisters and to be honest she felt a bit lonely in the room since Ella Grace married Michael. Maybe soon she would have a husband to share a room with. She felt her face blush and threw off the quilt. Enough of those thoughts, she had a busy day ahead.

  Sophie and Josie were good babies. Katie stared down at the two sweet faces that changed her life. If they hadn’t come into her life, she wouldn’t be in Silverpines. Their father died in the mine collapse, and their mother passed away shortly after giving birth. The kindly couple that took in their mother when she had nowhere to go brought the girls to Howard House first before asking the marshal for help since they could not care for the infants themselves. One look at the tiny faces and Katie knew Howard House would be her future not just her home. Two quiet knocks on the door let her know that Ivy and Rosie were there as they were every morning. They were both fascinated with the twins. Before the twin’s arrival, they seemed satisfied to be sisters and enjoy life. Now they found new questions every day.

  “How long will it be until we know if they will look alike?” Rosie asked.

  Ivy nodding her head added, “If they don’t look alike will they know they are twins? People know Rosie and I are twins.”

  Katie smiled at the solemn faces staring up at her. “I don’t know how long it will take. The girls are only two weeks old. We can tell right now that they have dark hair and I was told their mama had dark hair. When they are old enough to understand we’ll tell them about their mama and papa.”

  That satisfied the girls for the moment, and Katie told them to change out of their nightdresses, and they could help feed the babies. Two sets of feet padded across the floor and a matched pair of voices giggled and chatted on the way to their room. A few minutes later, Ivy and Rosie returned ready to help. Katie lifted a baby in each arm, and the sisters made their way down to the kitchen.

  Katie was surprised to find Miss Edie and Miss Ethel in the kitchen warming milk for the babies and making breakfast.

  “Good morning,” Katie said. “You two are certainly busy this morning.”

  “Of course, dear,” Miss Edie answered. “You have a big evening in front of you. You could be meeting your husband tonight. You need to appear rested and happy.”

  “But caring for the children makes me happy, Miss Edie. You know that,” Katie countered.

  “Yes, but it also makes you tired. I want you to look your best.”

  “Humph,” Miss Ethel said. “The man may be a friend of Michael’s, but we don’t know a thing about him. Men can have dark hearts. We’ve seen it right here in Silverpines. Con-men, scoundrels, and worse. You be careful, Katie, don’t trust anyone until you get to know them, and you certainly can’t do that over one supper.”

  “I know, Miss Ethel, but Ella Grace told me that Michael said he’s a good man. I’ll be careful, but it can’t be any more dangerous to meet a friend of Michael’s than it will be when strange men answer my ad if they do answer.” Katie bit her lip wondering once more if sending an ad was the best idea.

  Miss Ethel nodded slowly,” Perhaps, but if you think he’s worth getting to know better, ask him for dinner in two or three days. That’s enough time to see if you kept his interest and dinner here will be enlightening for him. He’ll see what life is like with a house full of females and how quickly I can shoot a rifle at anyone who hurts one of my girls.”

  The rest of the girls quickly filled the kitchen, and while Katie and Miss Ethel fed the babies, Miss Edie served breakfast. Maybe Miss Ethel was right about any young man who might be interested in her should come and meet her sisters. After all, life at Howard House was not the norm, but it was her life and any man who wanted to share her life would also have to share life with all her sisters. Katie hoped a house full of little girls didn’t scare off any prospects she might have.

  As soon as breakfast was over, the girls scurried around doing their chores and Katie readied the babies for the day. Mid-morning found Katie gathering baby things for the laundry when she heard Ella Grace’s voice. “Yoo Hoo, anyone home?”

  A chorus of small voices called out, “Ella Grace, Ella Grace, come in. We miss you.” She was encircled by young girls and more hugs than she could count.

  “I just saw you yesterday,” Ella Grace laughed.

  “But we missed you at breakfast. We miss you every morning,” Julia, the oldest of the younger girls at fifteen, answered.

  “I miss all of you, too, every day. You know you can walk down and visit me whenever you want. Maybe we’ll have a picnic one day soon.”

  Shouts of excitement filled the parlor and Katie hurried in to hush them “Quiet, you’ll wake the babies.” The shouts died down to whispers and giggles.

  Katie smiled at Ella Grace. “You can keep me company while I wash the babies’ things.”

  The two walked to the small washroom at the back of the house. While Katie pumped water to heat for the laundry, Ella Grace commented, “I forgot how many things a baby uses each day, and you have double.”

  “You’ll find out soon,” Katie answered.

  “Yes, but Clara works for us now, and I know she’ll help. If not, I can have Michael take the laundry to the hotel. As soon as he found out about the baby, he insisted I stop washing clothes and takes them to the hotel. I can’t say I argued much. It’s one chore I gladly gave up.”

  Katie nodded in agreement. “What brings you here so early?”

  “I came to help you get ready for supper tonight.”

  “It isn’t noontime yet. I have a day’s work ahead of me.”

  Ella Grace explained, “Oh, no. I spoke to Miss Edie when Michael first told me his friend was coming today and suggested we all have dinner together. She agreed you need to come over to my house for the day and rest, so you look your best tonight. She is a true romantic.”

  “I agree,” Katie said, “But I’m going to do the babies’ laundry first. I don’t want any of the younger girls to struggle with the laundry if they are going to help with the babies all day.”

  Ella Grace headed for the kitchen and called over her shoulder. “come an have a cup of tea before we start the laundry. We can talk about your new beau.”

  Katie hurried out behind Ella Grace. “I don’t have a beau and Michael will strangle both of us if I let you help with the laundry.”

  “For goodness sakes, I’m with child not ill. I can wash a few baby things. It isn’t like I’m trying to tackle a big heavy wet bed sheet.” Ella Grace insisted planting her hands on her hips.

  Throwing up her hands, Katie shook her head. “Calm down, I was only trying to keep your husband happy.”

  “He isn’t here. He’ll never know. Now, how about some tea and we can discuss what you’re going to wear tonight.”

  Katie let out an exasperated sigh and set the cups on the table while the tea steeped.

  Ella Grace ignored her best friend’s response and said, “I think you should wear that pretty blue dress with the tiny pink flowers on it. It brings out the blue in your eyes. I think Michael has told Benjamin all about you when he wrote to him and since the train arrived a short while ago, I think you are the major subject of their discussions right about now.”

  “Now, wait,” Katie insisted as she dropped onto a chair at the table. “I thought he was coming to be a carpenter here in town. We certainly can use the h
elp. He isn’t coming just for me.”

  “Uh huh,” Ella Grace mumbled. “I think he’s coming for both and it’s a good thing he’s here before you receive any responses to your ad. After all, at least you know he comes from a good background.”

  “I do?”

  “Of course. He and Michael grew up together. I know Mother Karson would never let Michael have friends that were troublemakers.”

  Katie raised her eyebrows. “They are both men which means they were both boys at some point and you know as well as I do that boys get into mischief.”

  Ella Grace winked. “I know, and we were girls once. They couldn’t have caused much more mischief than we did. Remember, Miss Edie once told us we would end up in jail and threatened to send us to a convent.”

  “I remember,” Katie giggled.

  Chapter Six

  Clara, busy dusting the furniture in Ella Grace and Michael’s parlor, noticed Katie and Ella Grace hurrying toward the house. She opened the door before Ella Grace could reach for the handle.

  “Welcome back, Ella Grace. Katie, it’s good to see you,” Clara said as she pulled the door open wide.

  The three women hugged and exchanged pleasantries before settling in the kitchen. Katie commented on the delicious aroma of chicken that greeted them.

  “I’m making chicken and dumplings for supper. It’s Mrs. Donlinson’s recipe and Mr. Karson’s favorite,” Clara answered and stirred the pot of chicken.

  “That’s perfect, but you need to change out of that black dress, Clara,” Ella Grace said. “Your white apron works fine, but I am so tired of black dresses.”

  “I explained yesterday that this is my uniform.”

  “Yes,” Ella Grace countered. “I told you that you don’t need to look like a maid here. You can wear one of your day dresses until we buy fabric. Tomorrow we’re going to the mercantile and buy enough fabric for three new dresses. You can choose the color and fabric. I know you want them to be serviceable, but please no black. Even Miss Edie and Miss Ethel have stopped wearing black. Today they were in brown and dark blue, but both are better than black.”

  “I promise,” Clara smiled.

  “Good, we can all learn how to use the sewing machine together. Katie, you can sew more baby things if you need them,” Ella Grace offered.

  “We have enough baby things, but Ivy and Rosie need new dresses, and the ones Anna has outgrown are still a bit big for them. Using the sewing machine will help, and I can surprise them with identical dresses. Since they received the new dresses for your wedding, Ella Grace, all they talk about is wearing the same dress or at least the same color. They are helpful with the babies that I think they deserve a surprise,” Katie said excitedly.

  Ella Grace crossed her hands across her slightly expanding stomach and said, “Enough talk about dresses. We need to talk about the handsome man Michael is bringing home for supper and how you are going to enchant him.”

  “Enchant him?” Katie gasped.

  Clara giggled.

  “Of course, just smile and you’ll have him eating out of your hand.”

  “And don’t forget to bat your eyelashes,” Clara offered.

  “No, absolutely not.” Katie sat back and crossed her arms across her chest. “He’ll think I’m a loose woman.”

  “Just be yourself. He’ll adore you. He and Michael are best friends so why wouldn’t my husband’s best friend not love my best friend?” Ella Grace asked winking at Katie.

  The happy banter continued all afternoon until the three women heard the front door open. Katie bolted from her seat and headed for the back door. Clara grabbed her arm shaking her head no. Ella Grace just smiled and reached out her hand. Katie took it and felt her friend’s reassuring smile and took a deep breath.

  Katie followed Ella Grace into the parlor and stood with her hands folded in front of her as Ella Grace greeted her husband and was introduced to his friend. When Ella Grace called her name, Katie finally looked up and stared into the face of the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was as tall as Michael and solidly built. His dark brown hair nearly matched Michael’s, and Katie could see why they were best friends. They were almost bookends, but while Michael’s eyes were dark brown, Benjamin’s were lighter. Katie wasn’t sure what color precisely because she was afraid to stare.

  Michael brought his friend closer and said, “Benjamin Hunter, I would like you to meet my wife’s best friend, Katie Deidmann. Katie, this is my best friend from back home, Benjamin.”

  Benjamin held out his hand, and Katie reached to shake it. When she touched his hand, she felt a small shudder run through her body. Katie attributed it to nerves, but she felt the same feeling when she looked into his eyes—his hazel eyes. She was close enough to tell the color now.

  “Pleased to meet you, Miss Deidmann,” Benjamin stammered apparently as enthralled by Katie as she was with him.

  Katie smiled and whispered, “Please call me Katie.”

  Benjamin smiled back and said, “I’m Benjamin.”

  “I know,” Katie answered and realized they were still holding hands. She pulled hers away and blushed furiously.

  Michael’s eyebrows shot up at the scene playing out in front of him, and Ella Grace giggled. She whispered, “This is better than I hoped.”

  Ella Grace stepped forward, “Katie, Benjamin, please have a seat, and I’ll see about supper. Michael will keep you entertained I’m sure.”

  Michael shot her a ‘what do I do now’ look, and she smiled again leaving him to deal with their two awestruck guests. His face showed his relief when Ella Grace returned a few minutes later and announced that supper was ready. Michael had done his best to start conversations, but all he received from Benjamin or Katie were one-word answers. He hoped they would be more talkative at dinner.

  Ella Grace did her best to get Katie to talk, and she occasionally did when the subject of the orphanage and her sisters came up. Benjamin was just as quiet unless Michael drew him into a conversation about life back in Gentle Falls and a few antics they shared as boys. Katie and Benjamin spent more time staring at each other and eating small bites. Clara, who Ella Grace insisted join them, also tried her best by asking Benjamin questions about his plans in Silverpines. When he answered, “I want to open a carpentry shop” and didn’t expound on the subject, Clara shrugged and smiled a knowing smile at Ella Grace. Both women knew, and Michael suspected that both Katie and Benjamin were already smitten.

  Clara stood and announced she had made apple pie for dessert and would bring it in shortly. She began to clear the table, and Ella Grace helped her. Michael excused himself saying he had to find an important document in his office giving the young couple a few moments alone.

  Benjamin finally spoke, “I have enjoyed supper and your company. Would you have supper with me at the Inn tomorrow evening? I’m staying there. Michael asked me to stay here, but I thought it best not to intrude.”

  “I would enjoy that, but my guardians, Miss Edie and Miss Ethel would like to meet you before I accept any invitations. They are terribly protective. Perhaps you could come to supper on Wednesday evening.”

  Benjamin sighed, “Wednesday is two days away, but I think I would enjoy that. Michael warned me about your guardians. Don’t they guard you with a rifle? They won’t shoot me, will they?”

  Katie shook her head, “I doubt it unless you deserve it and then only Miss Ethel would. Miss Edie doesn’t like guns, but she has a baseball bat that she uses for protection and defense of her girls.”

  Benjamin sat back in his chair. “I would never do that. Please tell Miss Ethel she wouldn’t need her rifle.”

  The look on his face made Katie laugh, and that seemed to break the tension in the room, and they both laughed as Ella Grace brought the pie, and Clara carried the plates. The two women glanced at each other and smiled again both certain that Katie wouldn’t need any answers to her ad in the Grooms’ Gazette.

  Michael strolled back into the dining room. “A
pple pie, my favorite. Thank you, Clara. This looks delicious.”

  “Thank you, sir. I enjoy baking.”

  “Please, we talked about this last night. You no longer work at the Inn, and you don’t have to call me mister or sir,” Michael insisted.

  “Yes, sir, I mean Michael. Who wants pie?” Clara responded and began to slice the pie Ella Grace placed on the table.

  After pie, coffee, and some enjoyable conversation, Katie announced she needed to leave and arrive home before dark. Benjamin offered to walk her home, and Katie accepted.

  Thanking Ella Grace and Michael for supper, Benjamin offered Katie his arm, and she slipped hers through his. The short walk home just four houses away ended all too soon, and Benjamin found the courage to tell Katie she looked lovely.

  He also noticed Michael stood on his porch watching them. “We have a chaperone, I think. Michael is watching.”

  “We have two,” Katie answered. “I see Miss Edie sitting on our front porch.”

  Benjamin swallowed and hoped the guardian wouldn’t think he was too forward offering Katie his arm, but it was what a gentleman would do, and he was a gentleman. His mother made sure of that.

  He opened the gate and followed Katie to the porch where he was introduced to Miss Edie.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am,” Benjamin stammered hoping he didn't make a fool of himself.

  Miss Edie just smiled.

  Katie spoke up. “I invited Benjamin to supper on Wednesday.”

  Miss Edie stood. “Supper is at six. Don’t be late. Katie don’t dawdle.” Miss Edie walked into the house leaving the front door open.

  “I have to go,” Katie whispered.

  “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

  “Don’t be late. Miss Ethel might not let you in if you’re late,” Katie suggested before she hurried up the steps and into the house.

  Benjamin began his walk back to the Inn whistling. He waved at Michael as he walked past the house and knew he would thank him in the morning for introducing him to the delightful Miss Deidmann.