Mail Order Mix-Up

by Christine Johnson

  Amanda hesitated at the kitchen door. “I should iron them, but I can do that later.”

  Pearl could hear Mrs. Calloway chopping something inside. Her stomach rumbled. Supper was still an hour away. She fingered the stiff cotton. Amanda had quietly taken care of all the laundry and mending while Pearl fussed on and on about the school. “I prefer mine fresh from the line.” She stuck her nose in the dried garments to emphasize the point.

  Amanda laughed. “No, you don’t. No one likes a stiff, wrinkly nightgown.”

  “Then I will help you after supper.”

  Amanda looked aghast. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time you wanted to press the clothes?”

  “How could I forget?” In spite of the day’s exhausting emotions that had ended with gloom, Pearl laughed. “I burned Miss Hornswoggle’s red petticoat.”

  “And spent a week scrubbing the kitchen stoves and ovens as punishment.”

  Even now Pearl could smell the rancid grease that had coated the surfaces. “I doubt they’d been cleaned since the orphanage opened.”

  “There’s a basket in the pantry where we can leave the laundry until later. You worry about teaching school, and I’ll take care of the ironing.”

  Pearl stopped her friend. “I can’t let you do that. You’ve been doing too much for me. You help with the classroom by day and do laundry and whatnot every other spare moment. I should be helping instead of reading and making plans that come to nothing.” Such as a life with Roland.

  Amanda simply smiled. “You have given me a home.”

  “In a boardinghouse.”

  “With my dearest friend. I’ve made friends here, friends I’ve come to love.” Her eyes glistened. “Thank you.”

  “Sometimes I wonder if I should have dragged you away from the Chatsworths.”

  “Oh, yes.” Amanda shuddered. “I can’t bear to think of still living there.”

  “Even when Fiona tries to maneuver ahead of you?”

  “Don’t let Fiona get to you. She likes to think she has the upper hand with Garrett, but I don’t think she does.”

  Pearl pulled her thoughts around to what most concerned Amanda. “Has he warmed up to you?”

  Amanda shook her head. “He’s still grieving. You can see it every Sunday in the way he tears up while singing the hymns and how close he holds his children.”

  Pearl hadn’t noticed those little details. Her friend was quite perceptive. “But his brother seems to think he should remarry.”

  “For the children’s sake.”

  “You disagree?”

  Amanda shook her head. “They do need a mother, but he’s not ready.” She sighed. “He must have loved his late wife very much.”

  Pearl tried to recall the few words Roland had spoken about her. They hadn’t struck her as much as his reaction. “I’ve noticed. Roland doesn’t like to talk about her.”

  “I think it was tragic.”

  “That would make sense, then.” But Pearl suspected there was much more behind that situation.

  “You like Roland, don’t you?”

  Pearl forced a laugh. “After today it wouldn’t matter what I thought. I said some awful things to him, that he was inconsiderate and selfish.” The last word caught in her throat. She was the one who’d acted selfishly. “It’s a good thing my teaching contract forbids marriage.”

  “A contract doesn’t mean anything. If you fall in love, you would stop teaching.” She led Pearl into the pantry while Mrs. Calloway hummed and worked away in the kitchen. “You can’t tell me you haven’t wondered what it would be like to marry Roland.”

  Pearl felt the heat rising and deposited the nightgowns in the basket on top of Amanda’s bundle of dry clothing. “What I have or haven’t thought is irrelevant.”

  Naturally Amanda saw through her attempt to deflect the question. “He suits you far more than he would have suited me.”

  A lump formed in Pearl’s throat. “How did I ever deserve such a gracious friend as you?”

  “You took care of me when I’d lost hope. You wouldn’t let me give up, even when I thought no one would ever love me.”

  “At one time or another all of us thought that.” It was a hazard of the orphanage. Some of the children had reacted by retreating. Others had lashed out. Pearl had tried to unite them all under the banner of hope, and they’d all found families—except her.

  Amanda squeezed her arm. “Don’t give up on what you want. All this turmoil will work out for the best.”

  Pearl forced a smile. “I know God has a place set aside for me. I thought it was Singapore, but maybe I was wrong.”

  “Maybe you were right, just not in the way you expected.” Amanda squeezed her hand, and Pearl could feel excitement trying to burst forth.

  She stared at her friend. Despite the dim light, Amanda nearly bubbled over. “What happened?”

  “It’s so wonderful,” Amanda said, gushing. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Garrett asked to court you?”

  “No, silly. He won’t say two words to me.”

  “Then what could possibly have you so excited?”

  “It’s Jake.” Amanda trembled with joy. “Fiona said that that Sawyer Evans told her the lumber crews are headed downriver with the load of logs.”

  “And what does Jake have to do with that?”

  “Mr. Evans confirmed that one of the men is around my age with the same dark hair and goes by the name Jake. It has to be him. It has to be my brother.”

  Pearl wasn’t convinced. Worse, Amanda’s excitement and anticipation meant she’d be crushed if this Jake didn’t turn out to be her brother. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “You sound like Mrs. Calloway, but I must believe it’s him. It has to be.”

  Pearl sighed. Amanda’s joy could get crushed. Pearl could not believe her friend’s missing brother would end up in such an obscure place. Possible, yes, but not likely.

  “When are they expected to arrive?”

  “Fiona said they have to finish cutting and then ride the logs down the river. The first should arrive in a week or so, and then the others will follow.”

  That gave Pearl time to settle the school problem before having to console Amanda. The rally would take place the day after tomorrow, but she was no longer certain of her course.

  * * *

  “Did you hear what they’re planning?” Garrett asked over the midday meal at the store counter.

  Roland looked up from his soup and grabbed another chunk of the fresh bread Fiona O’Keefe had dropped off this morning. Either she’d turned into a decent baker or had convinced Mrs. Calloway to send a loaf to them. “What who is planning?”

  “The women.”

  The bread stuck in Roland’s throat. He took another gulp of coffee to wash it down. “You’d better tell me what’s going on.”

  “Miss O’Keefe told me that the mothers are rallying tomorrow morning at your work site.”

  “Rallying?”

  “To shut you down.” Garrett didn’t seem to take any pleasure in delivering the news.

  Still, Roland had a tough time believing it. “How would Fiona O’Keefe know what the mothers are planning? She doesn’t have any children.”

  “She stays at the boardinghouse with Miss Lawson.”

  Roland gnawed on that. Fiona could easily learn about any plans there. Though Pearl didn’t appear to spend time with Fiona, Mrs. Calloway was free with her tongue. Any news that crossed the threshold would soon spread to the boarders. Yes, it was entirely possible.

  “Maybe she’s spreading rumors,” Roland suggested. Fiona had cause, after all, considering she was doing her best to win over Garrett. Sharing a tidbit that affected his children would be one way to garner his goodwil
l. Moreover, she had delivered bread this morning precisely when Garrett was sending the children off to school and Roland was already at the store. “There might not be a grain of truth to it.”

  He hated to think Pearl would deliberately shut down the glassworks when she had so eagerly embraced his plan a few weeks ago. Yes, she hadn’t taken the news of the church’s closing well, but he was only asking for a week or so to clear the land.

  Garrett dashed all hope of a rumor. “Your foreman confirmed it. Since they can’t use the church, they want you to wait until next summer to build.”

  “Next summer! That’s seven, no, eight months away. I can’t wait that long. Holmes won’t stand for it.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Roland set down the bread, no longer hungry. “Stop them.”

  “How?”

  Roland blew out a breath. He had no idea how, but he knew who stood at the center of this storm. “Is there any other building available?”

  “Not once the workers arrive. And you know Stockton won’t stand for you pitching tents this time of year.”

  “I know. I know.” But the comment got him thinking. “Do we have a tent big enough for a school?”

  “You’re going to put school children in a tent?” Garrett stared at him incredulously. “I don’t want Isaac and Sadie in a tent come November.”

  Roland groaned. “No, of course not.” He drummed his fingers on the countertop. “How bad is the noise inside the school? Did Isaac say anything to you?”

  “No.” Garrett frowned. “He doesn’t tell me things like he used to.”

  Roland suspected Garrett was still sour over the children’s role in placing the advertisement. Mrs. Calloway had confirmed that Roland’s speculation was correct and tried to shoulder the entire blame, but Garrett still held his son and daughter partly responsible.

  Rather than start another fight on the subject, Roland chose a different explanation. “Isaac is growing up. He wants to stand on his own.”

  Garrett blew out his breath. “I suppose you’re right, but I can’t help wondering what’s going through his head.”

  Roland certainly didn’t have answers. More important now was figuring out a way to stop Pearl’s crusade.

  “I can’t believe the noise is that disruptive,” he mused. “I told Pearl the worst would only last a week or two. Once the workers begin arriving, we’ll have to halt construction anyway. Why would she get the parents riled up now?”

  Garrett grinned. “I knew you were sweet on her. Never thought I’d see the day Roland Decker fell hard for a woman.”

  Roland bit his tongue before pointing out he’d fallen for Eva before she chose Garrett. His brother didn’t know the depth of Roland’s feelings for Eva and the blow her departure had struck. Garrett thought they’d happened to see each other at various social functions like the theater, soirees and whatnot, and from that developed a friendship. Neither Roland nor Eva had ever shared the truth.

  The blow that had severed his relationship with Garrett had come later, on the day Eva died. Roland could not risk a disastrous relationship again. Family had to come first.

  He held Garrett’s gaze, trying to look convincing. “I am not sweet on a woman who causes trouble wherever she goes.”

  “And brings out your better side.”

  “Now you’re hitting low.”

  “The truth hurts.”

  Garrett’s grin was beginning to irritate Roland. “If you think you’re so wise, tell me how to convince Pearl to call off this nonsense.”

  “Who am I to tell you how to handle a woman? Aren’t you the dashing man about town?”

  “That’s not saying much in Singapore.”

  “Forget Singapore. I heard the stories of you in Chicago. Eva told me you could charm any woman, that you had a different woman on your arm each night.”

  Roland gritted his teeth. That wasn’t true—Eva had been the one and only woman on his arm for months before she met Garrett. But it was safer to project the image of the man about town charming the ladies. That had allayed any suspicions. “Unlike you.”

  “Eva was the only woman for me. Ever.” Garrett made that point a little too firmly. “None of those New York women will ever convince me to marry.” He grabbed another chunk of bread as the mill whistle blew. “Back to work.”

  “Convenient excuse,” Roland called out to his brother’s retreating back.

  Garrett waved off the barb with a laugh.

  Roland considered his brother’s words. Garrett had reminded Roland of his chief asset. Unfortunately, Pearl Lawson was completely unaffected by charm.

  * * *

  Pearl had hoped Debra Wardman would come to fetch her daughters after school. A sleepless night thinking and praying had left her more confused than ever about the rally. There had to be a way to satisfy both the students’ needs and Roland’s project, but she couldn’t see it. She’d hoped Debra would be able to spot an answer.

  Amanda helped the youngest girl, Beth, into her coat.

  Pearl handed the older girl her bonnet. “I thought your mother would be here by now.”

  “It’s baking day,” Angela solemnly informed her. “Mama can’t go anywhere on baking day. We’re to walk home with the Baileys.”

  Amanda finished buttoning Beth’s coat. “You’d better hurry, then. They’re already walking away.”

  Pearl followed the girls out the front door. “I’d hoped to speak with your mother about tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh! I forgot. Mama said to tell you that everything’s all set. They’ll be here at seven thirty.”

  “Hurry now.” Amanda grabbed both girls’ hands and walked them toward the brothers, who had already reached the edge of the newly cleared land.

  “Goodbye, Miss Lawson,” the girls said in unison.

  Their smiles and waves touched Pearl’s heart. Angela was a whiz with arithmetic, and Beth could recite the alphabet backward and forward. Writing out the letters was more of a problem, but she would learn in time. Pearl hugged her arms. She would do anything for her students, even if it meant delaying Roland’s dream just a bit.

  She glanced at the construction site, which had been unusually quiet that day. Though the sun shone through the remaining trees, it didn’t warm her. She shivered. Winter was on its way. Construction should have pressed on at a torrid pace from dawn until dark, but the tractor sat idle, and she spotted only a handful of men piling branches into the huge pile to be burned.

  “Pearl!”

  That cheerful call could only come from one man, the very one she did not care to see. By now he must have gotten wind of what was going on. By breakfast, both Fiona and Mrs. Calloway knew about the rally, doubtless from one of the parents or through the mill.

  Roland’s grin gave her pause. Maybe he didn’t know yet. As impossible as that seemed, it was even more unlikely that he’d be waving at her like an old friend if he did know.

  She mustered a smile in return. “Roland.” She rubbed her arms. “It’s chilly today.”

  He appeared surprised, and considering he was dressed in his usual rolled-up shirtsleeves, he probably hadn’t realized the chill had set in. “A fine October day. Won’t be many more like this. Would you care to take a stroll along the river?”

  A few days ago, Pearl would have leaped at the chance to spend time alone with Roland, but everything was so confusing now. With the rally in the morning, this walk would not offer anything close to romance.

  “I need to take care of the kittens and close up.” She hoped the excuse would put him off gently.

  “I’ll wait.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but Amanda returned after seeing the Wardman girls safely to their escort.

  “Go along,” Amanda said. “I’ll feed the kitte
ns and close the schoolhouse. We do need to send those kittens to their winter homes soon, though.” She smiled at Roland. “Sadie will be so glad. She adores Cocoa.”

  To Pearl’s amusement, he looked less than thrilled by the idea of a cat underfoot.

  “I’ll tell my brother.”

  Amanda hurried into the school and returned with Pearl’s shawl and hat. “Now you two go on. I’ll take care of everything.”

  Pearl shot her friend a glare for this bit of matchmaking, but Amanda ignored the hint.

  “You should enjoy every moment of good weather,” her friend suggested.

  Pearl grumbled as she plopped the hat on her head and tied the ribbons under her chin.

  “May I?” Roland took her shawl from Amanda and held it up. The light shone through where the weave had thinned or broken. “This won’t keep you warm.”

  Pearl snatched it from his hands. “I’m aware of that.”

  He tilted his head in that charmingly boyish way. “We have a few women’s coats in stock. I can give you an excellent price.”

  Pearl wrapped the shawl around her shoulders and held her response until Amanda slipped back into the school.

  “Perhaps I will stop by sometime to try them on.” She had hesitated this long because of the cost.

  Roland seemed to read her mind. “There’s one in the back room that would fit.”

  “My arms are longer than those of most women due to my height.”

  He nodded. “Exactly why this cloak would work. It won’t fit anyone else in the area. I’ve had it in stock for years. If you wouldn’t mind a somewhat outdated style, I can sell it to you at cost.”

  Cost! That was exactly what she needed. She was about to thank him when a thought crossed her mind. “What would you expect in return?”

  He blinked, looking genuinely surprised.

  She felt awful. He might have come here today with the finest of intentions, and she’d judged and condemned him before he’d done one thing wrong. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I speak before I think. It’s just that, well, we parted on rather bad terms yesterday.”