Wanted: Innkeeper: Silverpines Series (Book 6)

by Marianne Spitzer

  Michael shrugged. “It’s all right, dear, everyone makes mistakes.”

  Ella Grace’s eyes flew open wide, and her hand flew to her mouth. Before her tears began to fall, she answered, “You don’t believe me.” She spun on her heel, ran down the hall, and out the back door leading to Adams Street. She hiked her skirts not caring who saw her and ran as fast as she could home.

  Chapter Twenty

  Rushing up the stairs to her room in the empty house, Ella Grace fought back her tears.

  “Miss Edie and Miss Ethel, I’m sorry. You gave me the most beautiful dress,” Ella Grace said aloud when she pulled at the fabric and heard a few buttons hit the floor. It didn’t matter if the dress tore, she’d never wear it again. Tugging a bit harder, Ella Grace freed her arms and spun the dress around so that she could undo enough buttons to push the dress down off her hips and legs. It puddled at her feet, and she stepped over it. She left her petticoats lying next to the dress. Ella Grace quickly slipped into a brown riding skirt and ivory blouse.

  Ella Grace dropped to the floor and reached under the bed. She found the old worn satchel she retrieved from the trash when she was seven. She wasn’t sure why she kept it, but today was pleased it was still there. She stuffed a few simple dresses, a few personal items, and a pair of shoes into the bag. If her plan worked, she knew Katie would send her the rest of her clothing. She slipped her feet into beat-up boots and pulled the pins from her hair. No place for fancy hair on the trail. Her hair tied back with a dark blue ribbon and tucked under her favorite hat, the transformation from blushing bride to just an average girl taking an afternoon ride finished. Adding a few cans of food and some bread from the kitchen, she decided to leave. She turned to take a spoon and knife and dropped them into her satchel.

  Mr. Bastion paid Ella Grace a fair wage, and while she saved most in the bank, she always kept emergency money in her room. Getting away from Michael as quickly as possible was an emergency. She couldn’t stay in town. He owned the Inn and would never leave. She refused to live anywhere that she might see him. Hearing the front door slam, she pushed some of the money in her small purse and the rest in her sock. Ella Grace picked up the satchel and rushed down the back hall with Katie on her heels.

  “Wait, wait, Ella Grace, please. At least talk to me before you do whatever it is you’re planning. You’re my sister and best friend,” Katie gasped as she rushed down the hall after Ella Grace.

  Ella Grace stopped and turned to look at Katie with tears streaming down her face. “I have to leave. Please don’t try and stop me. Michael thinks I lied. He believes I married Bugs. He told me it was okay because everyone makes mistakes. I didn’t make a mistake. Michael’s father will never allow him any peace if I remain in town. I don’t know where Argus found that marriage license. It isn’t mine. I swear, Katie, I don’t understand what’s happening.”

  Katie threw her arms around Ella Grace and held her tightly. “Please don’t leave. Where will you go? I’ll miss you so, please don’t leave me, too. My mother didn’t want me. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel are wonderful as are the other girls, but you’re the only one that truly has my heart. You’re my sister even if we had different parents. Please.”

  Ella Grace took a half-step back and looked at Katie. “You know I love you more than anyone in this world. I love Michael with all my heart, too, but you’re my sister and always will be. I can’t stay here where I will see him. I won’t marry a man who thinks I would lie about something as important as a marriage. How could we ever truly trust each other? I’m going to Portland. Before she left the Inn, Mrs. Corley gave me her address. She said no young woman should live in a small town that has as many disasters as Silverpines. She truly believed this was the only town affected. She said I would be welcome anytime. I should be able to find my way, and if not, maybe I can go to California. There are jobs for women everywhere,” Ella Grace explained.

  “Not always decent jobs,” Katie countered.

  “I know, but I’ll send a telegram to Mrs. Corley from the next train station. Please don’t tell Michael. I’ll send a telegram as soon as I’m in Portland with the Corleys.”

  “Mrs. Corley made me the same offer. Maybe I’ll follow you,” Katie said.

  Ella Grace tightened the hug and answered. “Maybe. Please follow your heart. I have to go before anyone returns home.” She kissed Katie on the cheek and rushed out the door. Katie just nodded and watched her best friend leave. She closed the door, dropped onto a kitchen chair, laid her forehead on her arms, and sobbed.

  Ella Grace slipped behind the house and stopped briefly to look back at the house where she grew up. She’d come back someday when her heart healed…maybe. Would it heal? She doubted it but kept walking to the livery. The Inn had an account with the livery, and Ella Grace asked for a horse for a female guest about her size. She’d done it before, and no one ever questioned her. Today was no exception. She thanked the liveryman and stepped up onto the chestnut brown mare. Since she hadn’t received her salary for the month, she knew the rental could be taken out of the money owed her. She’d let Katie know where the horse was when she sent her a telegram.

  Miss Edie burst through the front door of the house as Ella Grace wheeled the horse West and took off at a gallop hoping to put a few miles between her and Michael quickly.

  Katie met her in the parlor tears still streaking down her cheeks. “Ella Grace is gone.”

  “What do you mean gone?”

  “She took her old suitcase and left. Said she couldn’t live in the same town after Michael said he didn’t care if she’d been married before. When he said everyone makes mistakes, Ella Grace knew he believed that story Argus told, and it broke her heart. She said she’ll send a telegram when she’s settled. Oh, Miss Edie, I’m worried about her.”

  Miss Edie dropped into a chair. “Sit, Katie and tell me where she went.”

  Katie obeyed and took a chair across from Miss Edie, stared at the floor, and shook her head.

  “Katie, I know you and Ella Grace are closer than sisters. I have a sister. I understand, but you must know that Ella Grace is in danger from many things out there alone. Where can she go? How can she get there? You must tell me.”

  Katie shrugged. “She left in a riding skirt. I promised not to tell Michael.”

  “We won’t tell him, but we certainly will tell Marshal Sewell. We also need to tell Ethel. She’s going to want to shoot that young man. Do you know why she ran off?”

  Katie nodded and began to cry again. “He told her it was all right about being married to Bugs. He said everyone makes mistakes. She said she won’t marry someone who thinks she’s a liar. Oh, Miss Edie, I’m worried and scared for her.”

  Miss Edie leaned forward in her chair, “Now, Katie, dear, I know you are worried. I am, too. You promised not to tell Michael, and I know you would never break your word, but you need to tell me. You girls are like my daughters, you know that. She’s alone and heartbroken. She may not think correctly. Where could she go? Do you know?”

  Katie nodded, “I think so. She said she was headed for Portland, but I don’t know how or when. She just couldn’t stay where Michael could find her. She’s also terrified of his father.”

  “Portland? That’s so far. The train doesn’t come through until tomorrow. You don’t suppose she’s hiding somewhere or would try to walk do you?”

  “No, Miss Edie. She said she’d send a telegram from the next train station, so we’d know she was safe and on her way to Portland.”

  “Hmmm,” Miss Edie mumbled. “Where can she hide until she can catch the train?”

  Katie thought for a moment. “She was wearing her riding skirt. Maybe she plans on riding.”

  “What?” Miss Edie shot to her feet. “New Hope is four hours away by train. How can she possibly think she could ride all that way safely? It’ll be dark in a few hours. She won’t make it before dark. You don’t think she’d try to camp out there somewhere alone, do you? Of course, she would. It
’s Ella Grace. She’s the strongest willed of all of you girls. She’d do it. Come on, we have to find Ethel and Marshal Sewell.” Miss Edie strode to the door ignoring her usual parasol.

  “Wait, I’m coming,” Katie answered and followed a determined Miss Edie as she stormed toward the Inn. She worried about Ella Grace, she prayed that Miss Ethel wouldn’t shoot Michael, and she feared the marshal wouldn’t be able to find Ella Grace. Her mind was consumed with worry and guilt. Why hadn’t she stopped Ella Grace?

  Chapter Twenty-one

  While Katie and Miss Edie discussed what Ella Grace planned, Miss Ethel was doing her best to control the situation at the Inn and not beat Michael Karson over the head with her parasol.

  “Maude, take the younger girls into the dining room and feed them. Give them a few extra treats and see if you can keep Rosie and Ivy from crying again.”

  “Of course, Miss Ethel,” Maude replied and ushered the five younger girls into the dining room.

  “Now,” Maude said, “Mrs. Donlinson made her best fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Miss Ethel said we can all have two desserts. Sit at that table, and I’ll bring your plates.”

  “Do we have to have vegetables?” Rosie asked her eyes as big as saucers and wet from her tears.

  “Not today, Sweetheart. No vegetables, just fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits.”

  “With honey?” Ivy asked.

  “Of course, with honey.” Maude dished up six plates for her and the girls. Extra gravy on the mashed potatoes and no vegetables. She smiled watching the girls dig into their food forgetting about the chaos in the main room for just a few minutes. She knew the extra desserts would help the girls take their mind off their oldest sister’s troubles.

  Miss Ethel was in the middle of the chaos poking Michael in the chest with her parasol. “What did you say to Ella Grace that made her run out of here? If I had my rifle, I’d shoot you. You made that poor child cry.”

  “All I did was tell her that her past was not a problem. We all make mistakes. If she married that man and he’s dead, there isn’t a problem,” Michael answered trying his best to look sincere.

  “What?” Miss Ethel shouted causing everyone in the room to look at her. “You actually believe that our Ella Grace would marry an uncouth man such as Bugs? He bothered her for two years. He repulsed her and scared her, and you had the nerve to believe she married him? You told her that to her face? No wonder she ran off. She better not be hurt, or I will shoot you.”

  Michael backed off toward the kitchen hoping to put some distance between him and Miss Ethel. He believed that woman might shoot him. He tried to remember what he said to Ella Grace before she ran. Everything was a bit of a blur. He knew the signatures looked similar and all he wanted to do was reassure Ella Grace that nothing in their pasts mattered. He didn’t believe she would ever marry a man like Bugs, but he did tell her that we all make mistakes. Try as he might, he couldn’t remember his exact words. He didn’t mean to accuse her. She did say he didn’t believe her before she ran. His head ached as he tried to remember. From the look in her eyes just before she ran away from him told him he must have hurt her. Why was he so blunt sometimes? She must think he believed what was on the marriage license. Oh no, she’ll never come back. His heart ached. He loved her with all his heart, and he had to fix it now.

  Just as Michael was preparing to sneak out through the kitchen, Miss Edie rushed into the Inn calling to her sister, “Ethel, Ella Grace is gone. She packed a bag and disappeared. She’s heading to Portland on horseback.” She reached her sister in the crowd and stammered, “Get the marshal to go after her. She could get killed out there alone. It’ll be dark soon.” Miss Edie spotted Michael near the kitchen and grabbed Miss Ethel’s parasol. She ran up to him shouting, “This is all your fault. You think she lied. How could you?” She hit him in the arm with the parasol using all her strength.

  Michael grimaced and grabbed his arm and the parasol. “Miss Edie, I didn’t call her a liar.”

  Marshal Sewell didn’t listen to Michael’s explanation. He left immediately, climbed onto his horse, and galloped West. He’d find the young lady and bring her home safely.

  “Michael said, “I’ll go after her. She can’t be that far away. I can make her understand.”

  Miss Ethel scowled. “Don’t you dare go near that child, or I will shoot you. I mean it. Ella Grace will come home, and if you place one foot in our yard, I will shoot you. It’s my right. Stay away.”

  Betsy hurried to Miss Ethel’s side slipping her arm over the older woman’s shoulders, “Don’t worry. Alexzander has already gone after Ella Grace. He’ll bring her home. He’s good at what he does, and he knows Ella Grace is my friend. Let’s go sit and have a cup of tea while we wait.”

  Betsy glanced at Michael. “I would take Miss Ethel’s warning seriously. She will shoot you.”

  Michael slipped into the kitchen and sat at the small table. “Mrs. Donlinson, can you give me a plate of whatever you’re cooking please?”

  Mrs. Donlinson gave him a look he hadn’t seen since his mother caught him sneaking a sip of his father’s brandy when he was twelve. With a hand on her hip, she asked, “And why do you think I’d want to give you something to eat? You made Ella Grace cry. She is the sweetest child I know, and you hurt her.”

  Michael dropped his head in his hands and fought to keep his composure. He lifted his head, and Mrs. Donlinson could see tears in the corners of his eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’m not sure how I did it. I said the wrong thing, and it wasn’t intentional. I’m an idiot. I could say you need to feed me because I’m your employer, but truth be told, I’m hungry, and I need something to eat before I go after Ella Grace?”

  “You’re going after her?”

  “Of course, I love her.”

  “Mercy,” Mrs. Donlinson replied while piling chicken and potatoes onto a plate. She slid it to Michael. “Praise the Lord, I feared that child would never find someone to truly love her. Eat up, you need to find her and bring her home.”

  Michael nodded and mumbled between bites, “Marshal Sewell already went after her. I plan to follow. I need to convince her to come home.”

  Five miles from Silverpines, Ella Grace sat on her still horse thinking about what she planned on doing. She’d never make it to New Hope before dark. She didn’t bring a bedroll or even a blanket except for the blanket under the horse’s saddle. Even if she had, she didn’t want to camp in the dark alone. She couldn’t make a fire since it might attract undesirable men and if she didn’t build a fire, she couldn’t fight off any wild animals. Bugs was killed by a cougar. Were there more nearby? Ella Grace shuddered at the thought. Marshal Sewell told her Bugs had shot the cougar. She didn’t have a gun. What could she do?

  As Michael mounted a horse at the livery, Ella Grace reconsidered her impulsive act. She began mumbling to herself, “What am I doing? I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t lie. I don’t know where that marriage license came from. Either Argus is lying, or Bugs lied to Argus. Everyone in Silverpines knows me. They won’t believe Argus. I’ll stay at the house until I decide what to do. If I go to Portland, I’ll take the train. Miss Edie and Miss Ethel won’t let Michael near the house. How could he believe I lied?” Her tears spilled down her cheeks again as she turned the horse around to return home. She saw a rider approaching and her heart skipped a beat. Was it Michael? She didn’t want to see him. She squinted at the rider and saw the sun glint off the badge on his chest. It was Marshal Sewell. Ella Grace groaned. They sent the marshal after her.

  She took a deep breath and rode the horse to meet the marshal.

  “Good evening, Ella Grace. Everyone in town is worried about you,” Marshal Sewell said.

  Ella Grace dropped her head until her chin met her chest. She wiped her tears away and looked back at the marshal, “I told Katie where I went. I didn’t think anyone would worry.”

  Marshal Sewell smiled, “We all worried. Katie rushed into the I
nn with Miss Edie. Miss Ethel was berating Michael for what he said to you. As soon as Miss Edie said you left on horseback, I rode after you. It isn’t safe out here for a young woman alone.”

  “I know. I began to think about Bugs and Malcolm Wooster. If they could try and harm me in town, I was afraid to keep going. I decided to return home when I saw you.”

  “Good decision,” Marshal Sewell answered, and they began the ride back to town. “There’s a rider coming. It looks like…”

  “It’s Michael,” Ella Grace stammered. “Please, I don’t want to talk to him.”

  When they were close enough, Alexzander called out, “Karson, the lady doesn’t want to see or speak to you. We’re going to pass, and I strongly suggest you don’t say a word. Miss Ethel doesn’t want you near the house. Send Ella Grace a note, if you need to explain anything.”

  Michael nodded and watched Ella Grace ride by with her head held high. He felt as if she tore his heart out and took it with her.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Breakfast was a quiet affair the following morning. The younger girls didn’t fully understand why Ella Grace didn’t get married, but they knew Michael hurt her and were glad she was home with them. Church followed, and Ella Grace was nervous that everyone would stare and snicker at her.

  “I will go in first,” Miss Ethel insisted. “No one will dare say anything to you.”

  Ella Grace hugged her and said, “You always go in first. We’ll follow just like every other time. We are still a family.”

  The younger girls followed Miss Edie and Miss Ethel with Ella Grace, Maude, and Katie walking behind them. Ella Grace held her head high, but there was no need for her apprehension. She was met by smiles and compassionate looks from her friends, the other ladies in town, and the few men in attendance. She smiled back broadly thanking God for the good people of Silverpines. She did notice Michael’s parents sitting near the back. Lilian Karson smiled at her, and her husband sat with his head down. There was no sign of Michael.