by Zina Abbott
Louisa chuckled. “Oh, he’ll like that. I heard Luther is quite impressed with your sister. Val said he no sooner dropped her off at your home than he asked to court her.”
The grimace on Beth’s face told Louisa how Beth felt about that development without another word being said. Louisa laughed at her friend.
“I know Luther tends to rub you the wrong way, Beth, but she could do worse. I can hardly wait to meet her.”
Beth changed the subject. “How’s Sophie Anne holdin’ up with all this packin’?”
Louisa sighed. “Not well. She must know something is happening, plus I think she is teething. She’s been quite unsettled the last day or so. One reason she’s sleeping now is she fought us about taking an afternoon nap yesterday and getting to sleep last night. Poor Gus. With all he has to do to get ready, he spent half the night walking the floor with her. After I fed her last night, she didn’t want anything to do with me.”
“You done good marryin’ Gus to be a pa for Sophie Anne. Reckon you done good gettin’ him for a husband, too.”
Louisa turned pink in the face and grabbed Beth’s hands with both of hers. “Oh, Beth!” She whispered. “He loves me. He doesn’t say it very often, but I know he does. Considering where I came from, I cannot believe my good fortune that a man like Gus would fall in love with me, and love my daughter like she’s his own.”
Beth squeezed Louisa’s hand. “He done made her his own. I’m right pleased you’re so happy and movin’ closer to where we can see each other more.”
“So am I, Beth. I’ve missed you. I just hope the snow doesn’t get as bad down there as it does here.”
“If it does, Val’s got a sleigh. Still, with our weddin’ in a few weeks, he don’t want me worryin’ none about helpin’ get food to the ranch. Val done good offerin’ Gus and you to cook for his ranch over the winter, knowin’ that ain’t where Gus wants to end up. Val don’t want me tied up in the kitchen when his family comes for our weddin’, so we’ll be hirin’ you to help cook for that, too.”
“A few weeks? Oh, Beth, that is so exciting. Of course we will be happy to help with your wedding. And, you’ll be too busy keeping your husband happy to want to worry about cooking for his ranch hands.”
“Told him, though, Gus makes his bratwurst, he best make plenty for me to buy. You and Gus settle in the county next year, I’ll raise me some pigs so he can buy the meat off me in exchange for some brats.”
“Gus does look forward to being able to make his bratwurst. Val told him they have a smokehouse he can use. Oh, Beth, I’m so happy it’s working out for us. Business here in Lundy is dying, and with that big shoot-out we had up here several weeks ago on top of the one when Gus was shot, I knew we had to get out. But, with winter coming on, it’s not a good time to move and start a new business somewhere else.”
Beth narrowed her eyes with concern. “What shoot-out?”
“It was over the arrest of Tex Wilson who kidnapped that Chinese woman off the stagecoach. He let her go, and I have no idea what happened to her after that. But, that trouble-maker, Charlie Jardine was shot—I think they arrested him later—and two deputies were shot, although one of them, Kirk Steves, isn’t much better than an outlaw himself. But, Bill Callahan, you remember him, don’t you?” At Beth’s nod, Louisa continued. “He was shot in the hip. They had to call up Doc Weaver from Bodie to take care of him, because they were pretty sure he’d lose his leg. The doctor took him back to Bodie.”
“What happened to Dr. Guirado?”
“He left not long after Gus was shot. I heard he is practicing in Los Angeles now. Lundy no longer has its own doctor, which is why they sent to Bodie for one.”
“Folks probably ain’t too happy about that. Ain’t goin’ to be happy you’re goin’, neither.”
“We have a few customers who grumbled when Gus told them last night was the last time we were frying chops, but I think they understand. It’s not like there aren’t other places to eat. Those that are staying will be happy there is one less place competing for what few miners are left. I used up all the meat and some of the dried fruit that was left to make turnover pies. Gus figures we can sell those tonight, and what we don’t sell, we can take to eat on our way to Bridgeport.”
“The stove gone cold yet? I’d figure on usin’ it one last time if it ain’t too late.”
“Oh, Beth, I’m sorry. I let the fire die out. I’d build it back up again for you, but Gus already sold his firewood to Leonard and Fritz to use for the saloon. All, that is, except what he figured Josh would need to stay warm this winter. Maybe you can ask to use Mrs. Ford’s stove if you don’t have a lot. I know she’d love to see you again. In fact, Gus says we’ll pay to eat there tonight.”
“Reckon I’ll stop by. Where’d Josh run off to? I ain’t seen him yet.”
“He came in for a meat pie for breakfast and then left. I think he’s more upset about us leaving than he is letting on. Oh, Beth, I wish I could take him with us. But, since we’re going to a job on the Caldwell Ranch, Gus says we don’t have the right to bring another mouth to feed that they haven’t hired to work for them.”
“I’ve a mind to talk to Josh. You see him, you tell him to come find me.”
Both of them turned toward the back door as they heard the wail of a cranky seven-month-old baby waking from her nap.
“Reckon we best go fetch Sophie Anne.”
CHAPTER 6
Louisa knocked on the back door of Mrs. Ford’s Pioneer Boarding House, then cracked it open and called out. “Mary, it’s Louisa and Sophie Anne. May we come in? I have a surprise for you.”
“Hurry on in, now, and be gettin’ that baby out of the cold. I was hoping to see you before you left.” Mary gasped in shock as she caught sight of Beth who came in last. She hurried over with her arms outstretched. “Beth! A pleasure to see you, it is.”
As Louisa settled in a kitchen chair with the baby on her lap, Beth bent forward to give Mary Ford a quick hug, mindful of the delicate cargo she carried in a basket draped across her one arm. She, too, was happy to see her former landlady.
The day Beth had arrived in Lundy, Val had chosen Mary Ford’s place as the best rooming house for Beth to stay in. Then, when Beth had helped Louisa get away from brothel life, much to her landlady’s initial dismay, she had talked Mary into giving the young mother a chance. Mary had been wary of Louisa’s character and intent at first. After watching her for a couple of months and after falling under Sophie Anne’s spell, she had gradually warmed up and accepted Louisa as a friend. As Beth prepared to leave Lundy and Louisa and Gus married, she had happily let Louisa and her husband rent the same room Louisa had once shared with Beth.
“Right pleased to see you, Mrs. Ford. I come to ask a favor.”
“It’s willin’ I am, if I can.” She stepped back and looked at the covered basket and large tow sack slung over Beth’s shoulder. “What have we here, now?”
“If you have a spell when your stove ain’t bein’ used, reckon I could bake somethin’ up in it? Intend to make enough for you for supper. The rest is for some business I need to see to. Brought my own makin’s, plus some extra eggs to gift you.”
“You can do it right now, Beth. I’ll be lookin’ forward to not baking supper dessert. And a few extra eggs are welcome. That is another thing that is getting scarce up here.”
“Gus done shut his place down and Louisa said they’d be payin’ for board tonight and in the mornin’. If you have two extra rooms, will it discomfit you to let us pay for room and board for tonight? It’d be me in one, and in the other Val, his hand Hank, and maybe Josh. If I can find Josh, I’ll see he makes a trip to the bath house first.”
While Mary and Beth worked out arrangements for the night, Beth borrowed a bowl and the spice grinder and began to stir up a cake batter. She opened the three cans of peaches and chopped the fruit into small bits. She borrowed one of Mary’s pans for one of the cakes, and used one she brought for the other. The women sa
t and talked while they waited for the cakes to bake.
Beth was disappointed, but understood, when Mary said she had to decline her invitation to the wedding. As much as she’d like to go, especially with Louisa leaving, she had no one to whom she could turn over the management of her boarding house for the days needed to make the trip down to Bridgeport and back.
Mary inhaled the spicy fragrance. “I can hardly wait to serve this for supper tonight.”
Finally, the cakes were out of the oven and had cooled enough to be removed from the pans. “You got a plate you can spare, Mary? If I can’t get it back to you, I’ll pay for it.”
CHAPTER 7
Plate in hand, covered first by a deep baking pan so the cloth that covered the whole thing didn’t stick to the icing Beth had drizzled over the top of the cake, Beth marched east down Main Street in the direction of Lundy Lake. Although she knew both Mary Ford and Louisa were curious about where she was going with the second peach spice cake not set aside for that night’s supper, she had refused to tell them her destination. Not even Val knew about this one bit of business she intended to take care of here in Lundy. No one did.
Beth turned right at the last street before heading out of town and walked farther until she came to the Blue Feather. Taking a deep breath for courage, she walked up to the front door and tried it. As she suspected it would be, it was unlocked and opened for her.
Beth had been to the brothel several times before. She wasn’t afraid to enter, even though she knew she could be approached by some of the customers who would assume incorrectly she was available for their entertainment. Beth had not been one to back down from a challenge before, and she had no intention of starting now. She only hoped the madam had some time available to see her.
It was early afternoon, just after dinnertime. Beth hoped with it being a workday the main room of the brothel would be empty. As her eyes grew accustomed to the dim light inside, she noticed a few loiterers who turned to see who entered. One of the men stood and inhaled deeply as he started toward her.
“That smells mighty tasty, pretty lady. You bring that for me?”
Just then, a big man moved to intercept the man. The next thing Beth knew, all she could see was the broad back of Albert, the muscle Flora had hired for the Blue Feather. No one in their right mind would have mistaken the threat in Albert’s growl. “She isn’t here for you. Go back to what you were doing.”
As soon as the man who had initially approached Beth moved away, Albert turned and nodded respectfully to Beth. “Pleased to see you, Mrs. Dodd. I understand from talking to Mr. Caldwell last week you aren’t Mrs. Caldwell yet, but will be shortly. May I offer my congratulations?”
“Thank you, Albert. I come to visit with Miss Flora for a spell, if it won’t inconvenience her none.”
Albert glanced at the plate in Beth’s hand and inhaled the fragrance floating out from under the cloth. “I’ll go see if she’s receiving visitors, Mrs. Dodd. Rather than stand here, would you like to wait in the kitchen, or stand closer to the bar where Hal can keep an eye on things?”
Beth knew Albert was concerned the man who had approached her before might try again once Albert crossed the room to where the madam had her office. Flora may have kept a room upstairs, same as her working girls, but the night Beth had seen Val make a delivery to the brothel, he had been led to a door on the ground floor. The one and only time she had been in the kitchen was the evening she had learned she was a widow. This time of day, it was probably full of women eating a meal before they got ready to work for the evening. She didn’t want questions about the plate in her hand. “Reckon I’ll visit with Hal.”
Albert nodded, and gently taking her elbow, he guided her over to the far end of the bar before he walked toward the door that led to the back rooms of the brothel. He soon came out and stopped by the kitchen long enough to say something to whomever was in there. Next, he came toward Beth, and nodded.
“She said she will be happy to see you, Mrs. Dodd, as long as you don’t mind the mess. As you probably heard, we are packing up to leave soon.”
“Thank you, kindly, Albert. I done heard she’s leavin’ Lundy, so what her place looks like don’t make no never mind to me.”
Beth followed Albert to the door which led to a hallway that served as a buffer between the noise of the main room. There was a bar and the two rooms that Beth could see on the other side of the wall. Albert knocked on the second door. Beth heard a voice calling out to enter. As soon as Albert opened the door and motioned for Beth to enter, she stepped into a small office that obviously was in the process of being packed up.
Beth’s first sight of Flora was her back, as she was in the process of moving a wooden crate of papers off of a chair. The woman was dressed casually in a light green silk wrapper. She wore her hair loosely tied back with a ribbon. After Flora set the crate down on one of the few empty places on the floor, she turned to face Beth.
The shawl collar on Flora’s wrapper was dark green, embroidered with a white floral vine design. Beth doubted she would ever own such fancy clothing. She told herself had no desire to. Yet, she had to admit it looked becoming on the dark-haired woman who, at about ten years older than Beth, was still attractive—even if there was a certain hardness about her features. It was the first time Beth could recall that she had seen Flora without her trademark blue feather headdress pinned in her hair.
“Sit down, please, Mrs. Dodd. I’m sure Albert—or perhaps your fiancé—might have mentioned we are in the process of packing and moving. I hope you will excuse the clutter.” Flora eyed the plate in Beth’s hand and worked to clear a spot on the table with two drawers below the surface. Beth suspected it served as Flora’s desk.
“To what do I owe this honor?”
Beth noted the hint of sarcasm in the madam’s voice. She refused to be intimidated or deterred from her mission. “I brung you a peach spice cake. Based on what you done gifted me in the past, I figured you was partial to peaches.”
Flora raised her eyebrows in surprise as she studied the peach cake after Beth removed the cover. “As it so happens, I am. Thank you for the gift, Mrs. Dodd, but I’m sure you have a purpose in making it for me.” Flora carefully seated herself across from Beth and arranged her wrapper so it covered the nightgown beneath. “So, tell me. Is this delightful confection intended to be a peace offering for you not agreeing to come to work for me as one of my girls? Like I told you last winter, we are going next to Sacramento. I bought a beautiful home I am turning into a very upscale parlor house. The girls who come with me will have the best of everything. You could have been a part of that.”
“Got me my own farm I’m proving up, so I don’t reckon I’ll regret it none.”
The hint of derision as Flora responded was unmistakable. “A farm? You passed this up to be a dirt farmer? I would say ‘your loss,’ but I suppose you are more interested in marrying that cowboy of yours. Well then, did you bring the cake to apologize for taking one of my best girls away from me? I had big plans for Lulu, although between keeping that baby and marrying that old German, she never did get her baby weight off.”
Beth ignored Flora’s tirade. “Yes, ma’am, reckon I am partial to marryin’ Mr. Caldwell. That’s why I come for some professional advice.”
Flora cocked her head, the beginnings of a smile twitching at her lips. “Professional advice? And just what kind of professional advice are you seeking from me, Mrs. Dodd?”
A knock sounded on the door. Flora rose and cracked it open. Upon seeing who was there, she opened it wider to allow in a young woman Beth soon recognized as Daisy, the prostitute who had been in the room with Louisa the previous April, trying to help and comfort her friend at the end stages of labor. She had also come to the judge’s office with Albert the day Louisa and Gus married. Daisy carried a tray loaded down with a teapot that had steam drifting out of its spout, two fine china cups and saucers, two small plates, a knife and two spoons. Flora quickly restacked ledge
rs and papers on her desk to make room for the tray.
“Albert asked me to bring this up, Miss Flora,” Daisy said to her boss before she turned to Beth. “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Dodd. I hear Lulu…I mean, Louisa…is leaving Lundy. Please tell her I miss her, but wish her the best.”
“I surely will, Daisy.”
“Thank you, Daisy. That will be all.” Daisy smiled and nodded at Flora’s curt dismissal and left the room, closing the door behind her. Flora opened a box on her back credenza and found a bag of tea leaves. After she scooped some into a tea infuser and placed it in the tea pot, she sat back down and turned toward Beth. “Now, about that professional advice you want from me…” Flora prompted.
Beth realized Flora was not going to make it easy for her, but she forged ahead. “Like you done said, I figure on marryin’ Mr. Caldwell right quick, the Saturday before Thanksgivin’, it’s lookin’ like.”
“Wedding night jitters, Mrs. Dodd?” Flora taunted. “Surely you know what takes place. You have been married before.”
“Yes, ma’am, I have. But you know as well as me that don’t mean nothin’, seein’ as how my husband was Jim Dodd.”
Flora turned away and softly chuckled. “Yes, I see what you mean. When I first met him, his skills in the bedroom lacked a lot, to put it kindly. Until I taught him what I expected of him in order for me to allow him in my bed, he wasn’t worth being allowed across my doorway.”
“It wasn’t no different for me. Reckon I already knew what goes where, me havin’ growed up on a farm and run one and all. But, except for the baby he got on me, it sure weren’t worth my time bein’ in bed with him. Reckon even though I’m to be a married woman, not a madam, I can still expect it to be worth my time.”