Sadina's Stocking (Strong Hearts, Open Spirits Book 3)

by Danni Roan

  “Molasses Crinkles.” Sadie grinned at his word choice.

  “Don’t matter to me what ya call, them as long as you make them,” Ed said grinning. “You add whatever you need to the list,” he continued. “I had a quick look at the books and we have a bit extra set aside. We’ll stock up and see how things go from there.”

  “The kitchen garden is coming on right nice, too,” Mrs. Crumps said, puckering her brow at Sadie as if she had questions she wanted to ask.

  “Mama?” Faith toddled down the stairs, her rabbit trailing behind her as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

  "Are you hungry, sweetie?" Sadie asked.

  "Uh huh," Faith said, climbing clumsily into her mother's lap.

  "It's bacon an' eggs," Mrs. Crumps grumbled, watching the child.

  "I like bacon," the little girl spoke shyly.

  Mrs. Crumps pursed her lips, but plunked three plates of piping food on the table.

  Just as Faith was digging into her meal, the sound of heavy boots on the back porch drew all eyes and a grizzled old man with a scruffy beard and dusty boots pushed his way through the door.

  "You gonna need help carrying everything?" Mrs. Crumps cast over her shoulder as she lifted crisp, browned bread from the oven.

  "Nah." The older man turned his eyes on Sadie and Faith scrabbled back onto her mother's lap.

  "You the new missus?" the big man asked as he stepped up to the table.

  Quietly Ed rose to his feet and stretched out a hand to the stranger. "Bayer, this is my wife Sadie and her daughter, Faith." He grinned.

  Lifting Faith on one hip, Sadie offered her hand in turn to be shaken. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Bayer." She spoke softly but boldly, hoping Faith would stop shrinking away.

  "Yer mighty welcome," the bewhiskered man's voice was gruff. "And you too, little Minnie bit," he added, chucking Faith under the chin and pulling a coin from behind her ear.

  Faith blinked at the coin in the man's hand, bewildered by the trick, but when he did it again, only this time pulling out a bit of peppermint she smiled, looking at her mother for permission.

  "Go ahead," Sadie encouraged with a grin.

  Faith took the sweet in her hand and turned her bright eyes to the man with the bushy whiskers. "Thank you," she smiled shyly.

  "This breakfast is getting' cold," Mrs. Crumps said, her eyes flashing at the old man. "Best take it and git."

  Ed winked at Sadie as she settled back at the table with Faith, a slight grin on her face as the two older people gathered up the platters and plates and headed to the bunkhouse.

  "Mama are we still going to town today?" Faith asked, eyeing her candy even as she dug into her eggs and toast.

  ***

  Calico Falls was a typical small western town, its dusty street passing by stores, shops, and saloons.

  The railhead and train station where Sadie had arrived only a day earlier was empty where it stood surrounded by corrals and loading pens designed to hold cattle and horses.

  Ed pulled the buckboard to a stop at the rail of the false-fronted general store, and with a grin, helped his small family down.

  For a moment he squeezed Sadie’s hand and grinned with the excitement of introducing her to the people of the small town.

  With a gentle hand on her back, Ed ushered Sadie and Faith into the store, which was already bustling with morning shoppers.

  "Ed? Is that you?" A portly woman asked as she stacked items on the long countertop.

  "Yes ma'am, Mrs. Felps," Ed said cheerily, "and I've got someone special for you to meet."

  Sadie flushed, understanding he wanted to make her known to the people of Calico Falls, but was it only a matter of time before the same gossip and backbiting she'd experienced before caught up with her?

  The plump older woman raised her hand to wave. "Let me get Mrs. Bays settled and then we'll get acquainted."

  Another woman smiled at Ed and moved toward them. "Edward Hampton, I didn't even know you were back," she said, resting a hand on her hip. "You should have let me know." Her dark eyes crinkled teasingly.

  "Mrs. Bay, I'd like for you to meet my wife Sadie, and this is Faith," Ed said, pushing Sadie forward before the startled woman.

  "Pleased to meet you," Mrs. Bay said, offering her hand. "When did you go and get yourself married?" She smiled brightly at the younger woman.

  "Just last week," Ed replied as Sadie blushed prettily. "Sadie and I were old school friends and when I went home for a visit, she kindly agreed to accept my offer."

  "Well didn't you get a catch then?" Mrs. Bay said, eyeing Sadie carefully. “And who's this little one?" she added, bending down to look at Faith.

  "I'm Faith," the girl spoke for herself.

  "Welcome to Calico Falls," Mrs. Bay offered, shaking Faith's hand. "We're glad to have you both here."

  "There you are Mrs. Bay," Mrs. Felps spoke. "Your order is all ready." She handed off a tightly packed box of goods.

  "Now get yourself over here, Edward," she called, waving to the blonde man as she hustled around the counter to give him a hug. "And you done got yourself married."

  Sadie stood by, expecting to take the woman's hand, but was quickly embraced in a buxom embrace.

  "Welcome, welcome," Mrs. Felps said. "We were all worryin' about our Ed here. Wanted him to settle down and get married, ya see."

  She tapped Faith on the nose. "And he brought us a right pretty little girl as well," she grinned. Faith shrunk back a bit, but smiled.

  "Now what can we get for you today?" Mrs. Felps bustled back around the counter and held out her hand.

  Ed pulled the folded-up list from his pocket, handing it to the shopkeeper. "I'll have this ready in a jiffy. You two look around and see what else you might need." She invited with a smile.

  "Faith, don't touch that," Sadie’s voice could be heard near a table where Faith was running her hands over a lovely piece of green material covered in yellow flowers.

  "Do you like that?" Ed asked the girl, who now had both hands firmly in her apron pockets.

  Nodding, Faith smiled up at him, and he looked at Sadie. "How much would you need for a dress for Faith?" he asked, his dark eye eager for her reply.

  "It's too expensive, Ed," Sadie replied, shaking her head.

  "I think she should have it," Ed persisted.

  "But," Sadie began to protest.

  "Sadie, Faith is part of my family now and you said yourself she needs some new things."

  "Yes, but nothing so fancy as this."

  Ed raised one eyebrow, his expression stern. "I can afford a few things for my new daughter," he grumbled.

  Faith's little hand tugged at her mother's skirt. "Please," she begged, her eyes imploring.

  Sadie looked between her new husband and daughter, recognizing she was out numbered. "Alright, but don't expect me to give in every time the two of you give me those puppy dog eyes."

  Ed laughed, winking at Faith.

  "Here ya, go Edward” Mrs. Felps offered. "Bring that calico along and I'll cut it for ya as well." Her bright eyes twinkled at the young family.

  "So, what did you think of Calico Falls?" Ed asked a short time later as he turned the horse and wagon toward home.

  "It's a very nice town," Sadie offered, looking about her as they passed the last structures and headed back toward the ranch.

  "Folks are pretty nice here," Ed continued, "I was welcomed with open arms when I first arrived."

  Sadie didn't say anything, but she was wondered how long it would take for that to all change when they knew he'd married a divorced woman. In her heart, she whispered a prayer that her shame would stay a secret, and that this truly would be a new start.

  Chapter 6

  Sadie wandered through the polished rooms of the ranch house, her hand trailing the little table in the hall.

  With Faith napping she had very little to do and over the past few days had managed to sew three new dresses for her daughter, including a Sunday go-to-meetin
g one from the pretty green fabric.

  Accustomed to doing for herself, she was beginning to find the long days rather unfulfilling. Ed would leave early in the morning with the other ranch hands, and once she had done lessons with her daughter, she had very little to occupy her time.

  Slowly she made her way to the kitchen where Mrs. Crumps was cutting up several large chickens and dredging them in flour.

  "Can't I do something to help?" she offered. The taciturn cook simply looked over her shoulder and scowled.

  "I'm used ta doin' for myself," Mrs. Crumps said. "Anyone interfering in my kitchen just puts me off."

  Sadie smiled despite herself. She understood having a system that kept things running smoothly. She'd had to keep to a very strict budget and schedule over the past few years or she would never have been able to sew enough to earn her keep.

  "You feelin' bored?" Mrs. Crumps asked, now adding the flour-coated chicken pieces to a large skillet filled with sizzling oil.

  "I can see you're a woman used to doin' for herself." The older woman did not wait for a reply. "That's good. I'm glad Ed didn't marry no slacker."

  Again, Sadie smiled; she was finding that she really liked Mrs. Crumps, even with her sharp words and scowling eyes. The other woman had even been gracious in letting Sadie bake when she was busy with other things.

  "When I was on my own, I did sewing and also had the house to keep and Faith to care for. I don't know what to do with so much free time on my hands."

  The kitchen door swung open with a loud bang as a young woman backed through carrying a large basket full of clean wash.

  "I got the warshin' all done, Mrs. Crumps." Her voice reached them before she ever turned around. "Oh, hello," she said, blinking at Sadie. “Mrs. C. told me Ed's got a wife, but I ain't met ya yet." The trim, brown-haired girl placed the basket on the table and stuck out a rough, pink hand.

  "Sadie," Sadie offered, shaking the hand.

  "I'm Mary. I do the wash," the girl offered. "My Pa's the local vet."

  "Pleased to meet you."

  "I'm sure," Mary said. "You finding the place alright?" She moved to the stove and reached around Mrs. Crumps for the coffee pot. "Where's them new cookies, Mrs. C?" she asked, taking down a mug and filling it with the fresh brew.

  "In the pantry, but don't you go eatin' them all. Ed likes those cookies."

  Sadie almost giggled aloud when the younger woman rolled her eyes behind the housekeeper’s back.

  "I'll get them." she offered with a grin. Apparently, her molasses's crinkles were a hit with the younger woman as well.

  The girl settled herself at the table with her coffee. "It sure is nice to rest my back," she said, taking a sip.

  Sadie sat the small tin of cookies on the table and popped off the lid, the smell of dark molasses, cinnamon, ginger and cloves wafting from the container in a mouthwatering wave.

  "I'm afraid Ed done ripped another pair of trousers," the girl spoke as Sadie poured her own coffee.

  "He's gonna spend an awful lot on new duds if he keeps that up."

  Sadie scowled as she sat across the table from the young woman. "What do you mean? He didn't tell me he'd damaged any of his clothing."

  "Ranching is tough on men's clothes," the girl said with a shrug.

  "Where are they?" Sadie continued. "I'll see if I can mend them." She was surprised when the girl gaped at her.

  "I'm very capable of sewing," Sadie offered, feeling heat rise along her neck.

  "Well I ain't,” the girl offered. “I'm alright with the wash, can get most any stain out of a dress or shirt, but I'm all thumbs when it comes to a needle and thread. The britches is in the basket," she finished, lifting a second cookie from the tin.

  Carefully lifting out other items, Sadie found the dark gray trousers with the long tear down the seam. "Why this is one of the easiest things to fix," she commented to the room in general. "It's where the seam is and can be stitched back quick as a wink."

  She grinned, stood and moved to the parlor to retrieve her heavy sewing box, and in moments had her needle and thread moving through the fabric so fast the other girl gawked.

  "Mrs. Crumps, looky here," Mary stated, pointing. "Why she's faster than my Ma or even old Mrs. Willby.”

  "I'll look when this chicken is in the oven," the older woman grumbled.

  "Mrs. C. said you make these here cookies," Mary continued, once more rolling her eyes at the back of the cook.

  "Yes, I'd be happy to share the recipe if you'd like." Sadie’s eyes never left her work as each second pulled the gaping tear in the cloth into a smaller and smaller rift.

  "Ed will sure be pleased that you can mend," Mary said, waving her treat at the garment. "He's got a bunch of things put aside for scraps that you might even be able to fix."

  Sadie’s hands stopped in their unerring motion as she raised her eyes to the girl. "What do you mean?" she asked, shocked.

  "Well there's stuff from before he left, and a few things he brung back with him, too," Mary said.

  Sadie settled the garment on her lap, her hands finally motionless. "Could you bring me everything he has that might be mended?" she asked. "I'll see what I can do."

  The banging of the oven door made both woman jump slightly as Mrs. Crumps turned, wiping her hands on a towel. "Now someone mentioned cookies," she said, grabbing a cup and settling at the table with the others.

  “I’ll go fetch the other items,” Mary replied, jumping to her feet and heading for a storeroom at the back of the house.

  “Well you do a mighty neat stitch, if I say so myself,” Mrs. Clumps said, pouring a generous amount of milk into her coffee. “You make some nice cookies, too,” she added, taking a dark brown disk from the tin.

  Sadie ducked her head back to her work and smiled. Perhaps eventually Mrs. Crumps and she could truly be friends.

  “Here ya go,” Mary said as returned with a huge bundle of clothing in her hands.

  Sadie gasped despite herself. “Good grief, so many?”

  Mary shrugged, dumping the stack on a chair. “No one does mending ‘cept for themselves around here.”

  A half hour later Sadie was ensconced in a large chair in the parlor, the afternoon light pouring through a westward window as she carefully stitched up rips, tears, and gouges in garment after garment.

  Before starting the task, she had sorted the items into those that could indeed be mended, and those destined for the rag bag. Anything made of cotton or flannel that wasn’t too badly damaged or faded would be turned into warm rag rugs for the floor.

  At her feet, Faith played contentedly with the small wooden toys they’d found in her room.

  “Mama, will I sew good like you?” she asked as she pushed a little horse toward her flop-eared rabbit.

  “I’ll do my best to teach you,” Sadie answered, a slight smile on her lips as she snipped the thread she’d carefully knotted on a shirt with a nearly amputated sleeve.

  “Then I can help you sew up all the things Eddie breaks.”

  Sadie laughed. “I think I’d like that. If he’s this hard on his clothes, I might need the help.”

  A soft cough made them both look toward the door where the man himself stood leaning against its frame, his eyes shining with delight at their banter.

  “I’ll do my best to keep you both busy, then,” he offered, holding up a dangling shirt cuff. “I caught it on the barbed wire today,” he said with a smile.

  “I’m more than half way through this mess I have already,” Sadie offered teasingly. “What’s one more?”

  Ed grinned. “Looks like I’ll have a whole new wardrobe when you’re done.”

  “How in the world did you ever manage to do this, Ed?” Sadie asked. “Isn’t there anyone in the area that takes in mending or sewing?”

  “I think there’s a dressmaker in town but she only does fancy work, and she’s kinda mean. Mrs. Crumps never mends. To tell the truth,” he looked behind him to make sure the housekeeper co
uldn’t hear, “I think she hates sewing worse than anything.”

  Together they smiled and Sadie flushed as Ed winked at her. “I’d best get cleaned up and ready before the old battle axe starts squawking that I’m late for dinner.”

  Rising from the bath a half hour later, Edward Hampton slung a towel around his slim hips with a sigh. His heart had practically crawled right out of his chest when he’d seen Sadie sitting in the chair with his mending in her lap.

  The familial scene had hit him hard - Little Faith contentedly playing while her beautiful mother placed tiny stitch after tiny stitch in a shirt he had all but forgotten about. It was nice being married.

  At least mostly. He'd seen the caution in Sadina's eyes as she met the women in town and at the general store. He wondered how she would feel going in to church the next day and meeting more of the folks he called friends.

  Drying himself quickly and climbing into his freshly laundered clothes, he couldn't help but sigh. He'd brought Sadie and Faith here out of an old love for a girl he'd known at school, but now he was starting to see that it would take time and patience to win the woman that girl had become.

  "Edward Hampton!" The shrill shout of Mrs. Crumps echoed up the stairs. "I'll not keep supper for you."

  Ed finished dressing and raced down the stairs in his stocking feet. Mrs. Crumps was not opposed to feeding your dinner to the hogs and letting you go hungry if you were late.

  ***

  "Ain't them the pants you ripped open the other day?" a stocky ranch hand called Pete asked as he lifted the end of a fence rail that he was busy mending on the corral with Ed.

  "Yeah. Why?" Ed replied, knocking the rail tight with a knee and setting the nail.

  "I thought you'd a had ta throw 'em in the rag bag," Pete continued, holding his part of the fence.

  Ed held the nail between thumb and forefinger and raised his hammer. "Well I got 'em mended, then, didn't I," he said, his concentration on the nail as his hammer fell.

  "Yeah, but who mended them?" Pete asked, his attention now on the neat seam of Ed's pant leg.

  "Sadie, of course."