Quinn's Promise

by Agnes Alexander

  “I think your nieces have a right to know. It might make them feel better about accepting your help.”

  “You’re right.” He looked at his nieces. “And I want you to know Mrs. Potter has more than paid back the money I loaned her.” He grinned at Marlene. “I’ll expect the same thing from you, my dear.”

  “Oh, Uncle Hank. If I could only…” Tears filled her eyes.

  “Now, Marlene, I didn’t mean to make you cry. I thought you’d be happy.”

  “I’m so happy I have to cry.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t guess I’ll ever understand women.”

  “They’re a mystery to most men,” Ina said as she picked up the ham. “Would anyone like seconds?”

  Quinn spoke quietly, thoughtfully. “Of course if we do this, Marlene will be the one who’s doing most of the work. I can hem dresses and do some simple sewing. Deborah is a little better than I am, but she can’t sew as well as Marlene.” She paused and took a piece of ham. “Of course, I can keep the books and help with the selling.”

  “Quinn’s right. I’m no where near the seamstress Marlene is, but I can help with the simple stuff. I’m not good with books, but I can help keep the shop clean and sell, too. I think I have a good eye of what women like. We might be able to carry accessories to go with the dresses.”

  “Of course, Marlene will get the bulk of our share of the profits,” Quinn added.

  “No I won’t. We’ll be together in this, just like we have been in everything since we lost our money.”

  “We’ll discuss that later. I hope eventually Marlene will have a business that employees more people, but you’re right. You’ll need to help her all you can in the beginning.”

  “You’re a genius, Uncle Hank.” Deborah looked at him with big eyes. “I’m ashamed now to say I didn’t want to come west and find you, but I’m so glad we did.”

  He chuckled and said, “I’m glad you did, too.” He glanced at Mrs. Potter. She was smiling at him and he wondered if she’d ever forgive him for the time she caught him with Lola Norwood. Maybe it wasn’t too late to see if they could get back to being the friends they’d been when he first came to town. He’d missed her more than he ever thought he could miss a woman. He just wasn’t sure how to tell her.

  Chapter 12

  The three sisters stood in the front room of the building and looked around. “It’ll look better when it’s cleaned up,” Deborah said.

  “It’ll be beautiful.” Marlene whirled around. “Look at the window. We’ll try to keep a dress there to match the hats Mrs. Forester displays.”

  “We can order ladies undergarments,” Deborah added. “Some women want fancier underwear than can be bought in the mercantile.”

  “That’s true.” Quinn nodded. “When I was there yesterday a woman came in who’d ordered some fancy things from Chicago. Maybe we could stock things of silk and lace.”

  “Uncle Hank did say we could put anything in here we want to. I don’t think he’d complain about lingerie.” Deborah walked over to the curtained-off room and pulled the heavy drapery aside. “I think this will make a good workroom, Marlene.”

  Marlene joined her. “Oh, yes. We’ll put in tables for cutting out the patterns and comfortable chairs to sit in to sew. We’ll order dressmaking forms and build a private dressing room where I can measure the woman. We’ll make it comfortable with a plush chair so they can feel they’re in their own private room.” She took a breath. “The wall over there will be perfect to put shelves for bolts of cloth. The sun won’t fade it there. We’ll have a stock room for our other merchandise and we’ll put a desk in for Quinn to keep the books.” She whirled around. “This is going to be perfect.”

  “I guess you’ll want a counter in the front area. It’ll be where we greet the customers and display some items.” Quinn looked around, wondering how long it would take to get the layers of dust and grime off the floor and the walls.

  “Yes,” Marlene said. “We’ll put some shelves for smaller items in here and a couple of display tables. It’s going to be beautiful when we finish.”

  Before anyone answered her the door opened and Ashe Montgomery stepped inside. He looked surprised to see the Stockton sisters. “Sorry, ladies. I noticed the door ajar and thought someone had broken into this abandoned store.”

  “We didn’t break in. Uncle Hank gave us a key.” Marlene turned toward him. “We’re going to open a dress shop here. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  He tipped his hat and nodded. “It’ll be nice to see a new business in town. When are you going to open this dress shop?”

  “It’ll take a while to get things cleaned up, but we’ll be ready in a few weeks.” Quinn moved toward the window to get a little further away from him.

  “Hey—I thought you came in here.” Cal stuck his head in the door. He saw the women and smiled, mainly at Deborah. “Now I can see why. The beautiful Stockton sisters are here, but don’t be selfish. I want to visit with them, too.”

  Deborah returned his smile. “Quinn was telling Ashe about the dress shop we plan to open here. Marlene will do the sewing and Quinn and I will be her helpers.”

  “We have a lot of work to do first. I want to get this back room ready to work in. We need to clean it and get some tables and shelves built.” Marlene’s voice sounded excited. “Do you happen to know anyone who could build these things?”

  “Well, I’m not bad with a hammer. Let me see what you want done.” Cal walked across the room and followed Marlene and Deborah through the curtain.

  Ashe looked at Quinn. “So are you going to be sewing in this enterprise?”

  “I might do some simple sewing, but mostly I’ll handle the books. I’m not good enough with a needle to be called a dressmaker.”

  “That’s too bad. I was going to order a shirt.”

  “I’m sure Marlene would be delighted to make you a shirt. I can sew the buttons on for her.”

  “Then, I’ll talk with her about it.” Ashe took off his hat and walked about the room. “You’re going to have to do some major cleaning in here.”

  “You’re right and I plan to show up tomorrow with lots of soap and water.”

  “So, you’ve already rented the place and everything?”

  “Yes. Uncle Hank took care of it for us. He’s our partner.”

  Ashe grinned. “How about that? The saloon owner is now into ladies dresses. Probably won’t be long until he has you making frocks for the women who work for him.”

  Quinn eyed him. “I don’t think so. Uncle Hank doesn’t want us to be involved with his saloon.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I offered to come to work there as a hostess and he said he’d never let me work at the Horseshoe.”

  “I’d sure come in more often if you worked there.” He grinned at her.

  “Then you might as well stay at home.” She turned and looked out the window. “Anyway, your girlfriend wouldn’t want you coming there to see me.”

  “What girlfriend?” Ashe’s voice became hard.

  She turned slowly and gave him a coy smile. “Why, Mr. Montgomery. Everyone in town heard her yelling at you yesterday.”

  He snorted. “Just because a woman yells doesn’t mean she’s anyone’s girlfriend.”

  “Oh, that’s not the only reason I know Mrs. Norwood is your girlfriend.”

  “How’d you know the woman’s name?”

  “Mrs. Benson introduced her to me in the mercantile.”

  “I see.” Ashe looked away. “Well, regardless of what you think, she’s only a friend. Not a girlfriend.”

  Quinn hoped he was telling the truth, but she doubted it. She moved away again. “It’s really none of my business, Mr. Montgomery.”

  There was a short silence. “Why don’t you call me Ashe? I think after the closeness we’ve shared we should be on a first name basis.”

  “I don’t recall our being close.”

  He chuckled. “I rode for hours with you in
my lap and my arms hugging you to my chest. I call that close myself.”

  Quinn swallowed. “That was out of necessity, Mr. Montgomery.”

  “Not really, Miss Stockton. I could’ve had Miss Goodspell or your sister, but I didn’t want them. I wanted you. That’s why I chose you to ride with me before Cal or Wes had a chance.” He grinned at her.

  The others came from the back room. “These ladies have a good plan for their business, Ashe. I told them, I’d help build their shelves and tables. I think Beck will help, too. At least as much as his shoulder will let him.”

  Ashe raised an eyebrow at him, but only said, “Hell, I’m not much with a hammer, but we might as well make it a family affair.”

  “Thank you, Sheriff. I hope Beck feels the same way.” Marlene blushed after she said it.

  Quinn wasn’t sure she wanted Ashe working shoulder to shoulder with the rest of them, but she knew no good way to discourage him. Finally she said, “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  Marlene turned to her sisters. “We still have a while before Mrs. Potter will have supper ready. Let’s go to Benson’s and get some things to start cleaning up this mess.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Deborah smiled up at Cal. “Thank you again for offering your skills.”

  “How could I resist working with a lovely lady like you?”

  Quinn noticed the sparkle in his eyes. She wondered what this Montgomery brother had in mind for her sister. She cleared her throat. “Then we’ll let you know as soon as we have the place clean enough to start building.”

  “That’s fine, Miss Stockton.” Ashe turned to his brother. “You ready to get back to work?”

  Cal winked at Deborah and said, “I’m right behind you.”

  Ashe went out the door without saying anything. Quinn turned her back and bit her lip. She wasn’t sure if she was irritated because Ashe didn’t bid her good-bye or if she was upset because he had brought up the fact he’d held her in his arms a few days ago. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help wondering if he would’ve rather been holding Mrs. Norwood.

  * * * *

  The next day Quinn was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor in the front room of the dress shop. The door opened and a timid woman stepped inside.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, we’re only cleaning. We’re not ready for business.”

  “I know. I stopped by to see if you could use some help.”

  Quinn eyed the woman. “May I ask your name?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m Mazie Smithton. I thought for a few coins I might be able to help you clean this place.”

  Quinn knew Mrs. Smithton’s husband had been buried this morning. She figured the woman was desperate if she was looking for work already. Though their funds were getting low, Quinn didn’t feel she could turn the woman away. “I’ve washed down the walls and am now starting on the floor. We could pay you a little if you want to finish scrubbing it with me.”

  “Oh, Miss Stockton, I’m ever so grateful.” The woman removed her bonnet and laid it on the broken chair in the corner. She rolled up her sleeves and started to get on her knees.

  “Wait,” Quinn said. “You need an apron. You’ll get your dress dirty.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I think we have aprons in the back.” Quinn went through the curtain and paused beside the box of old rags and cleaning supplies. “The widow Smithton is out front,” she said to Deborah, who was perched on a ladder scrubbing the ceiling. “She asked if she could help us for a few coins. I told her yes. I think the poor woman’s desperate.”

  “You did the right thing. When she finishes in there, I could use some help in here. With another pair of hands we could possibly finish this job in a day or so.”

  “That’s great. I’m tired of scrubbing.” Quinn picked up an apron and headed back to the front room.

  Mazie Smithton tied it around her waist. “Miss Stockton, why don’t you let me finish the floor and you work on something else. I don’t mind.”

  “We’ll do it together and please call me Quinn.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’re a lady and—”

  “Mrs. Smithton, you’re a lady, too. Please, I’d feel better if we were using each other’s first names.”

  “If you insist.”

  “I do.” Quinn got back to her knees and picked up the heavy brush. “Why don’t I scrub and you come behind me and wash the floor.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The women worked in silence for several minutes. Quinn broke the quietness. “I was sorry to hear about your husband.”

  “It has been hard to accept. One minute he’s alive and the next, he’s gone.”

  “I’m sure it’s horrible.”

  “Sheriff Montgomery got the men who killed him. He brought me the money the robbers took from Gus. It was enough to bury him, but I didn’t have nothing left. That’s why I’m looking for something to do.”

  “Who’s looking after your children, Mazie?”

  “My daughter’s almost fifteen. She’s good with the younger ones. She’s also a good cook.”

  The door opened and the women looked up. “Uncle Hank. Come in, but be careful. The floor’s wet.”

  “I see.” He stepped carefully to the side of the room. “Hello, Mrs. Smithton.”

  “Hello, Mr. Stockton.”

  “Quinn, could you girls take a break?”

  “I suppose. Deborah is working in the backroom and Marlene went up the street for something. She should be back in a little while.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll step back here and see what Deborah is accomplishing.”

  “Sure.” Quinn stood and dried her hands. “Do you mind if I leave you alone with this, Mazie?”

  “Not at all, uh… Quinn.”

  Quinn followed her uncle into the backroom.

  “Hello, Uncle Hank.” Deborah climbed down from the ladder. “It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s nice to see you girls, too. And I must say you’re really doing a good job with the cleaning. I hardly recognized it when I came in.” He grinned at Quinn. “I see you hired Mazie Smithton.”

  “I couldn’t turn her down. She seemed needy.”

  “She told me at the funeral she had to find work and I told her to come see you. I thought you could use the help and I know Mazie needs the money.”

  “We won’t be able to pay her much, Uncle Hank.” Quinn took a deep breath. “I’d like to, but our funds are limited. We still have to pay Mrs. Potter and—”

  “Hi everyone.” Marlene came in and interrupted. “I got the order in for the material.”

  “Very good,” Hank said. “Now that I have all three of you here, would you like to go for a cup of coffee?”

  “We’re not dressed well enough to go out, Uncle Hank.” Quinn looked down at her damp skirt.

  “Then I’ll say what I have to say.” He grinned at them. “Last night I came into possession of a house on Denver Street. It has three bedrooms upstairs, a parlor and kitchen downstairs. I thought my nieces might be interested in moving in there.”

  “Oh, a house would be lovely.” Deborah’s voice grew excited. “We could do our own cooking and save the money we’re paying Mrs. Potter.”

  “But we’d have to pay you rent, Uncle Hank,” Quinn said. “How much would you want us to pay you?”

  “Very little. I have to put someone in there to keep the place up, because I have no intention of giving up my apartment over the saloon. When a place stands empty, it goes downhill and it isn’t long until it takes on an abandoned look.”

  Quinn smiled up at her uncle. “Do you realize how special you are? You make me want to hug your neck.”

  He grinned. “Then let me see what else I can do for my nieces. I’d love to get a hug from each of them.”

  “Let me be the first.” Marlene threw her arms around Hank’s neck. The others followed her lead.

  “When can
we see the house?” Deborah asked.

  “I’ll be glad to take you there now. I’m sure Mazie won’t mind working alone for a while.”

  “Then let’s go. I can’t wait to see it.” Marlene was enthusiastic.

  Quinn wasn’t so sure this would be the right thing for them to do. After all, Uncle Hank had been more than generous and now offering them a house seemed like too much, but she wasn’t going to complain. She smoothed down her hair and followed the rest of them out of the shop.

  Chapter 13

  The next few days passed quickly. The sisters left the boarding house early and worked at the store all day, often bringing a lunch Mrs. Potter had packed for them. At night Winnie and Mrs. Potter were brought up date on their progress as they ate supper.

  Mazie Smithton continued to help them a few hours every day and the Montgomery men came and built shelves in the back room along with worktables where Marlene would cut material into patterns, two dressing rooms and a storage room. In the front room they built two display tables and a sales counter along one side wall and shelves on the other. Ashe suggested they put a display table in front of the window and they all liked the idea. Uncle Hank surprised them by sending over a sofa and two chairs for the front room and a collection of chairs for the work area. They also used one corner of the back room to arrange for an office they could close off from the public.

  After Marlene finished the peach-colored dress for Deborah and a royal blue one for Quinn, she worked on a yellow one for herself. They decided it was practical to use their new dresses for the display window and they decided to use Deborah’s first.

  As they waited for supplies, they worked on the small two-story house Uncle Hank had supplied for them. Quinn was a little dismayed to find it was down the street from Lola Norwood. It was going to be hard to watch Ashe go in and out of her house. That was one reason she insisted they finish the dress shop before moving to the house. The other reason was they’d paid for the rest of the month at Mrs. Potter’s and she didn’t want to ask for their money back.

  The first shipment of material and trimmings came in the next week. The shop had taken on a pleasant atmosphere with the colors lining the shelves and the decorations from the mercantile scattered in the front room. Quinn made an attractive display in the window with the peach dress and a few accessories. She had no more than stepped outside to survey her work when Mrs. Forester came out of her hat shop.