by Jill Maguire
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted by any means - electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise without written permission from the author/publisher.
Choosing Charity
Copyright 2016 © Jill Maguire
Prairie Wind Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted by any means - electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise without written permission from the author/publisher.
Chapter 1
Adam DeLane sipped his coffee contemplatively. He peered out the window, but didn’t pay any heed to the people walking along the boardwalks, going about their business. Dust lined the sill of the window outside, kicked up from meandering horses and the brush of women’s skirts along the ground.
But Adam’s thoughts distracted him from noticing anything around him. His heart humbly pleaded with God. He had thought that Mercy was the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, which had always been his plan. Now, she was married to another, a worthy man who loved and appreciated Mercy for who she was inside and out. It would take some time for Adam’s heart to heal and reconcile its feeling of love for Mercy, but he knew he had to forget about her now. She was happy and well-cared for and that was all Adam could have asked for.
Still, more than anything, Adam longed for a wife of his own, a woman to shower his love upon, to grow in love with through children and a home. Adam had a great capacity to love and he prayed now for God to bring the right woman into his life. If it wasn’t to be Mercy, then Adam hoped God would bless him with someone else.
The next move belonged to God, for Adam had decided to stay in Whistle Stop, and not return home with Magnum Lawson. Nothing was drawing him back east any longer. His mind worked to adjust to the idea of staying here, of starting a new life.
It was a barren town compared to what Adam was used to at home. The buildings were relatively new, but clapped together quickly with cheap materials. Towns like this had gone up quickly as demand for civilization rose abruptly in these remote parts of the untamed west. Whistle Stop was among the most developed of the towns in the west, and Adam felt he could make a good life here. And maybe fall in love again. The thought of finding anyone to compare to Mercy was not ripe yet, and Adam let it lie for the time being.
Adam sighed and looked around the cafe of the Inn, paying attention now to his surroundings. A few older ladies talked in hushed, excited tones in one corner, and a work-worn old man sat by himself at another table, staring into his coffee mug. Someone had put time into making the cafe feel comfortable and inviting with fresh curtains and bright flowers and a piano propped in the corner. Absently, Adam wondered if he should stay here at the inn for a few days as he had no plan, nowhere to go, and nothing to do. It would give him a space to figure out his new life.
“Excuse me, sir?” Adam jumped, sloshing coffee around in his mug at the sound of a woman’s voice at his shoulder. He looked up to see the server with an empty tray in her hand, looking at him.
“Yes?”
“You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
“I am,” Adam nodded.
“My name is Faith Morgan,” the woman held out a hand to him. Adam took her hand and shook it.
“Adam, Adam DeLane.” Adam flashed his most winning smile, the smile that he was complemented on often. His straight, white teeth shone out amid dimpled cheeks making him look younger than he was and made the room around him a little bit brighter. Faith herself seemed momentarily distracted by his smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. DeLane.” Faith collected herself quickly. “What brings you to Whistle Stop?”
“Oh, well,” he started. “Originally, a young woman,” Adam admitted frankly with a chuckle. “But she’s happily married to another now, so I’m here for a fresh start I suppose,” Adam said congenially.
“Hmm,” Faith mused. “Well, can I get you anything to eat?”
Adam ordered eggs and ham and Faith disappeared into the kitchen. When she returned with Adam’s food, Faith sat down across from him at the table.
“You know, I was thinking. I may know of an opportunity for you.”
“I’m all ears,” Adam listened.
“Well, Delia Snow was in here the other day, she boards folks here in town and she mentioned that she needs some help around her boardinghouse. Someone to do minor repairs and help with the upkeep. Are you handy?”
“I know a thing or two. It sounds like it would be worth looking into.” Adam took a bite of his scrambled eggs. “This is delicious, Mrs. Morgan. Did you make this?”
“Yes, I’m glad you like it, and please, call me Faith. I came to Whistle Stop on a wagon train and I did most of the cooking for the folks in our group. When I married my husband,” Faith motioned toward the blacksmith shop just down the road where from metallic sounds echoed down the street. “I decided to keep myself busy here, cooking.”
“Well, the town is better for it,” Adam said, smiling again. Faith laughed and stood.
“So, if you just head down the street that way and turn right at the second street, you’ll find Delia’s boarding house. It’s the second one on the left. You can tell her I sent you.”
“Thank you very much,” Adam said sincerely. “What do I owe you for the meal?”
“It’s on the house today. Think of it as a welcome to Whistle Stop,” Faith threw Adam a wink. “You’re welcome to join my husband and me for dinner anytime. Our house is just behind my husband’s shop.”
“If you can promise food like this, I’ll gladly take you up on that offer.”
“Alright,” Faith laughed. “We’ll see you around Adam. Good luck with Delia. She - she tends to be a little uh, abrupt, but you’ll learn to like her.”
“Thank you for everything, Faith.” Adam bowed slightly before putting his hat on. Faith smiled at him and turned back toward the kitchen.
Adam went in the direction Faith had told him and found the house within a few minutes. It was a large, old clapboard house that looked a little worse for wear. Just a brief inspection of the outside told Adam that if Mrs. Snow hired him, he would have his work cut out for him. Several shutters needed repairs and the front door was missing its screen altogether.
Adam made his way up the steps onto the wide porch and knocked on the dilapidated front door. In moments, a short, rather round woman with a twisted gray bun perched on the top of her head, answered the door and peered suspiciously at Adam.
“Hello Ma’am, my name is Adam DeLane. I was told by Mrs. Morgan at the Inn that you are looking for some help with repairs. I’d like to offer my services.” Adam held his hat in his hand and gave Delia his friendliest smile. Delia stood in the doorway staring at Adam through tight, colorless eyes. Oh boy, thought Adam, this may prove to be harder than expected.
Chapter 2
The woman seemed not impressed by Adam’s charming smile, but after a moment she held the door open wider and stepped back.
“Do come in,” Delia said in a sharp tone. Adam walked past her as she continued talking, getting right down to business. “I have several repairs that need attention immediately. I have three new boarders coming in today, you see, and I’d like the rooms to be ready for their arrival. My name is Delia Snow. You’ve come just in time.” Her words were clipped and without emotion and Delia said all of this as if she had been expecting Adam all day. Adam followed her into a bright and spacious kitchen, where delicious smells wafted from something simmering on the wood stove.
“Here is a list of things that need to be done today, by three o’clock if possible. There are tools and supplies in the closet there.” Delia pointed toward the back door of the kitchen where another door presumably led to the supplies. “Rooms are upstairs and they are each numbered. I have written which rooms need what repairs here.” Delia ran her finger
down the list again. “Any questions?”
“I don’t think so. Looks easy enough,” Adam replied as he studied the list. It was now eleven thirty and if he worked fast he could get through the list by three o’clock.
Adam looked up at Delia and smiled but was met with the same dour look, bordering on exasperation. Adam felt an urge to chuckle in spite of himself.
“Thank you for this opportunity Mrs. Snow. I am new in town and didn’t know quite what to do next when Faith told me about your situation.”
“Very well,” Delia replied curtly. “Best get to work, those problems aren’t going to fix themselves.” With that Delia turned her back on Adam to tend to the food on the stove.
Adam took the list to the supply closet and collected the tools he would need. As he made his way to the front stairs, Adam was surprised by the quaint charm of the house, quite the opposite from the impression that Delia Snow offered. Everything seemed to be in some state of disrepair, but the curtains and furnishings made the space feel cozy and warm.
Adam climbed the creaky, wooden stairs and found the first room at the top of the steps to the left. The room was small, the wallpaper peeling in places, and the bed a sorry sight. Not a very welcoming sight to someone who had travelled a long way, and not surprisingly the bed was at the top of Delia’s list for this room.
Adam went to work tightening the loose boards with nails and replacing those that were cracked or broken. When he had finished, he gave the bed a firm shake and was pleased to see that it no longer wobbled from side to side. The mattress was another sad story, but there was little Adam could do about that.
Then an idea occurred to him and he acted upon it quickly, not wanting to waste too much time with extra projects. Adam stripped the bed of its fresh linens and carefully flipped the mattress over. This side looked much more inviting. Adam took care as he put the linens back on the mattress, putting as much attention to detail in the task as Delia herself would have done.
Adam then consulted his list and managed to get through the rest of the repairs in that room in quick order before moving onto the next. Each room contained the same dilapidated furniture, water basin, and chamber pots and Adam working diligently and tirelessly throughout the day to repair them the best he could.
When he had put the last touches on the final repair, he stood to examine his work. Suddenly, he heard Delia’s voice coming up the stairs and quickly began to pick up his tools and put them back in the box. Adam straightened, with box in hand, and turned to face the door.
“This is your room,” Delia said in her raspy tone. Adam couldn’t see Delia from where she stood in the hall, but a young woman was backing into the room. “Dinner is at six o’clock in the dining room.”
“Thank you,” a soft voice chirped as the woman continued to back into the room. Adam had no chance to speak up before the woman bumped right into his chest.
“Oh!” The woman exclaimed and whirled around. She staggered backward as her protruding belly bumped Adam again. “I – I’m so sorry!” The woman’s hand flew to her thin pink lips.
“I am the one who’s sorry, ma’am,” Adam bowed slightly. “My name is Adam DeLane. I was just in here finishing some repairs in preparation for your arrival.” Adam lifted the tool box to emphasize his business in her room.
Warmth crept up his neck in embarrassment. He edged toward the door, making sure to avoid her obviously pregnant belly as his heart thudded strangely.
“Oh, thank you,” the woman lowered her eyes. Adam was struck by her delicate features. Long, dark eyelashes nearly covered half her cheeks as she momentarily closed her large, dark blue eyes. Her hair was coiled in thick, silky, dark braids around her head and Adam thought she looked very tired and wondered how far she had travelled.
“Excuse me,” Adam said politely, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before ducking out of the room.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Adam nearly ran right into Delia who stood waiting with hands on her hips. “Excuse me,” Adam said again.
“Yes, excuse you,” Delia spat out. Adam looked at her in surprise. Delia motioned for him to follow her and led him into the kitchen again. “Listen here, if you want to continue working here, doing odd jobs and earning a handsome wage, you are never to associate with the women here. Do you understand?”
Chapter 3
Adam stared at Delia for a moment before responding. “I – I understand ma’am.”
“Good, because if I see you so much as talk to one of these girls again, I’ll kick you right out into the street. Each of the women who arrive here has been sent for as mail order bride and its part of my business to collect a fee for their marriage arrangement. You are not to interfere. Now, I’ll ask you again. Do you understand?” Delia tapped her foot impatiently on the kitchen floor. Adam pulled back, somewhat repulsed by what this woman was inferring.
“I believe I do understand, Ma’am,” Adam said morosely.
“You may take the room downstairs at the end of the hall,” continued Delia. “You may eat dinner here in the kitchen, after I have served the guests. I will give you a list of long term projects that need to be done, and I will expect you to pick up any supplies you might need from town. Put everything in my name as I have credits at most of the shops where you will buy your supplies. I expect you to bring back a list of everything purchased written by the person you purchased from. Any questions?”
“No Ma’am,” Adam replied, starting to wonder what he had gotten himself into.
Adam spent the remaining hours before dinner getting acquainted with his new room. He organized his few personal effects into the bureau and took the time to flip his own mattress over for more comfort. The room was darker and dingier than the rooms upstairs, but Adam knew he could stand it for a steady job and regular meals, to say nothing of the intriguing woman living above him. Adam sat in the uncomfortable chair by the window and thought about the woman who had literally run into him. She was certainly beautiful, even more beautiful than Mercy perhaps.
But it wasn’t just the woman’s beauty that intrigued him. Adam had sensed a look of extreme sorrow and hardship in her mesmerizing gaze and he longed to know her story. He knew, even though Delia had forbidden it, that he had to talk to her again. He hadn’t even asked her name. Delia’s warning about interacting with the boarders suddenly rang through Adam’s thoughts, but he decided that he would do everything he could to cross paths with the woman upstairs.
Around six o’clock Adam made his way to the kitchen where Delia was frantically balancing plates in her arms, trying to dish food on all of them at once.
“Allow me help you, Mrs. Snow,” Adam stepped up to the stove and began filling the plates with food.
“Thank you,” Delia said tersely. She took as many laden plates out to the dining room as she could carry as Adam continued to fill the rest left on the counter. Delia came back through the swinging door between the kitchen and dining room and took up more plates. Together they had all the boarders served in quick order. Delia returned to the kitchen after her last delivery, white-faced with her scant lips in a tight line.
“You may serve yourself now,” she snapped. Adam took up a plate and filled it with food. He turned and handed the plate to Delia.
“You must need to eat too,” he said simply, then turned again to fill a plate for himself. They ate at the counter in silence before Delia set to work preparing coffee for the evening.
Adam sat and enjoyed his meal slowly. He hadn’t eaten a thing since Faith had served him his meal at the Inn that morning. Delia’s cooking couldn’t compare with Faith’s, but it was satisfying. As Adam ate he noticed that the door to the dining room remained slightly ajar, something he could probably fix to give Delia more privacy in the kitchen.
Then Adam realized that from his position at the counter he could see the woman he had met earlier. Adam’s fork was suspended in midair as he watched the beautiful woman eat her dinner in the most ladylike m
anner. She sat slightly away from the table as her protruding stomach kept her from sitting closer but Adam thought she handled the small difficulty with grace and ease. As the other boarders laughed and talked together, the woman sat quietly, looking tired and thoughtful. She engaged in conversation only when she was asked questions, and Adam noticed that she quickly retreated back into herself once the topic had moved on to something else. Adam was determined to pray for the unknown woman who mesmerized him.
Chapter 4
Adam was brought back to his own dinner when Delia stood suddenly and bustled out the door. She came back with dirty dishes which she loaded into a large basin in the corner and when Adam had finished his own meal, he took his plate and set right to work tidying the mess.
“You don’t have to do that!” Delia spat when she caught him in his cleaning.
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Adam replied with a chuckle in his voice. He was beginning to have fun aggravating this woman. “It’s the least I can do after you’ve offered me this opportunity and a place to stay. Come on Mrs. Snow, sit down, rest your weary feet.” Adam flashed a warm smile in Delia’s direction. She seemed indifferent to his words, but sat for a moment anyway.
“It’s time to serve the coffee.” Mrs. Snow snorted and stood, taking a cake out of the larder and began cutting it into pieces. She prepared mugs of coffee and placed a small piece of cake along side.
“Would you like help serving those?” Adam asked genially.
“No, I can manage,” Delia retorted and left the kitchen balancing more plates and mugs than Adam would have expected possible. He had the distinct impression that she didn’t want him to be seen by the boarders.
Adam sighed and continued washing the dishes. It may prove harder than he thought to see that woman again. If he asked anything about her, Delia would see right through him and he would be out of the house in no time.