Emily

by Cheryl Wright

  They all knew Aaron Jasper had been evicted that morning, so perhaps they were being on their best behavior. The problem was, how long would it last?

  He wouldn’t be there forever, and what would happen when he left? He felt sure that without his insistence, the lodgers would all go back to their old habits.

  Each man made his sandwich, then poured his coffee without complaint and returned to the table.

  “You’re a miracle worker,” Emily said quietly as she made her sandwich. “I’ve been trying to implement this for ages. They wouldn’t comply.”

  “They will now,” Patrick said firmly. “I’ll be here to make sure they do.” He grabbed two coffee mugs and poured both their beverages, then made his own food.

  Emily cut up a pound cake ready for the men when they finished their luncheon. They picked up their food and drinks and headed to the dining room.

  Patrick felt a great sense of achievement. It seemed this had been a long time coming. Emily needed a reprieve from the constant and relentless work she was doing, otherwise she would soon collapse in a heap.

  And that was the last thing he wanted to happen to her.

  When they’d all finished eating, one of the older men – his name was George if Patrick recalled correctly – spoke to him. “What else can we do to help?” he asked firmly, glancing around the table.

  Patrick put his mug down, surprised at the question. “From now on, all meals will be served to the counter in the kitchen, and each of you will collect your food from there.”

  He looked around the table. Not one man objected. He turned to Emily. “Are there other ways we can help?”

  She chewed her bottom lip as she thought. “It would be a big help if each man made his own bed in the morning.”

  Patrick shoved his chair back and stood, glaring at them all. “You lot should be ashamed of yourselves. I have made my own bed since I was five years old. From now on you make your own beds every day.”

  They nodded their acquiesce, and Patrick continued. “I expect everyone to do their bit. Take a long hard look at Miss Stanton. She is skin and bone, and it cannot continue.” He glanced around the table. “If you want to remain living here, things must change.”

  Satisfied the message had gotten through, he picked up his empty plate and headed to the kitchen. “Anyone want cake?” he asked over his shoulder, and every man followed him. He glanced back to see a satisfied smile on Emily’s face.

  * * *

  Emily pulled on her new lilac gingham dress, then the matching bonnet Patrick had bought for her. She would feel so proud going to church today in her new outfit.

  She stared at herself in the mirror – she looked very pretty, if she did say so herself. She pulled the bonnet off for now, and snatched up her white gloves and reticule, then headed out of her private apartment.

  As she descended the stairs, she shoved the gloves into her reticule. Glancing down, she spotted Patrick in the foyer. He did look a treat in his Sunday best, and her heart did a little flutter.

  He looked up and beamed at her. “I must say you look like perfection itself, Miss Stanton.” He took a few steps toward her and her heart danced a little jig.

  What was it about this man that made her heart happy?

  She hesitated on the stairs. “It’s too quiet. Where is everyone?” Normally at this time on a Sunday, most of the men were hovering around noisily, waiting to be fed.

  “They each made their breakfast, and believe it or not…” He stepped closer and whispered. “George made a pot of coffee.” He raised his eyebrows.

  She was as surprised as Patrick.

  “Do we have time for a quick breakfast before heading off?” He glanced down at his pocket watch. It was obviously a rhetorical question since he answered himself. “It looks as though we do.”

  He headed for the kitchen and she followed. Bacon, eggs, and toast were in the warmer of the wood stove, mugs were on the counter.

  She stopped in her tracks. “You are marvelous,” she said, a catch in her voice.

  He shrugged his shoulders. “We have to fatten you up somehow.” He stood grinning at her, and she fought back tears. Since her parents had died, Emily had been totally alone, and had run this boarding house entirely without help.

  She had run herself ragged, as Patrick had surmised, and now here he was – her guardian angel, standing before her.

  Protecting Emily from herself.

  “I honestly don’t know what to say,” she said softly.

  “Nothing to say,” he said as he dished out their food. “You pour the coffee and I’ll carry our food out to the dining room.

  They had not long finished taking their soiled plates to the kitchen, when voices alerted her to the men waiting in the foyer. She quickly washed their dishes, then headed out to meet them.

  “You look very pretty today, Miss Stanton,” Abner Jameson told her. His words shocked her as he’d never given her a compliment before.

  “I could say the same about you, Mr Jameson,” she said gently.

  Patrick pushed forward and offered her his arm, and Emily snatched up her bonnet as they left the house.

  The other men scowled at him. Emily wondered how long it would take for them to object to her friendship with the newcomer. Especially since he was the one to implement new, more restricting rules for them.

  They began as a group, but most of the lodgers walked at a quicker pace and arrived at the church ahead of the pair.

  “Do you think they’re annoyed?” Patrick glanced across as he asked the question.

  She took her time answering. “Perhaps, but it had to happen. I cannot continue like this.” She knew it was true, and was more than grateful for Patrick’s intervention.

  He nodded but didn’t answer.

  As they rounded the corner, the church stood proudly before them. Emily was nearly always overcome with emotion as she approached the church – this was the place her parent’s funeral had been conducted. It held a lot of good memories, but the bad ones seemed to overshadow those.

  They entered the building and they could hear organ music belting out the tune of Onward Christian Soldiers.

  Most people had already taken their seats, including the gents from the boarding house. Emily guided Patrick to a seat at the back of the room since Preacher Angus Devon was already entering the room. Less disruption that way.

  “Thank you everyone for coming today,” he began. “It is always gratifying to see our humble building filled with believers.” He smiled and looked about the room. “Let us bow our heads in prayer.”

  After the prayer, they went straight into another hymn. Emily reached for the hymn book at the same time Patrick did, and the contact sent a thrill rushing up her arm. She nearly dropped the book.

  Patrick glanced curiously at her. Thank goodness he didn’t realize the reason.

  They all recited The Lord’s Prayer at the end, then piled out of their seats once the preacher was in place at the entrance.

  “Good morning, Preacher Devon,” Emily said. “I’d like to introduce Mr Patrick Harper. He is new to Grand Falls.”

  “Welcome to our church family,” the preacher said as he offered his hand. “Are you staying or just passing through?”

  Patrick didn’t hesitate. “I hope to be here for some time. I’ve come to help Harry Johnson with the housing growth.”

  “Ah, another carpenter. Exactly what this town needs, eh, Miss Stanton.”

  She smiled. “He’s already helping me around the boarding house,” she said. “It is truly wonderful having another crafty man in town.”

  They said their goodbyes then moved outside. Emily liked to stay for coffee and biscuits, but she wasn’t so sure today. She would prefer to leave now, and have Patrick all to herself. She’d been enjoying their strolls of late, enjoyed having his full attention.

  “Are you coming, Emily?” It was Mrs Baker from the diner. She glanced at Patrick and grinned. “I see you have your young man w
ith you.”

  Emily opened her mouth to object, but Patrick laughed, distracting her. “Coming where?” he asked, totally oblivious to their after church ritual.

  Mrs Baker walked over and hooked her arm through Patrick’s. Then they strolled toward the hall as Mrs Baker explained about their morning beverages.

  A pang of something stung her heart. Surely not jealousy? Mrs Baker was old enough to be Patrick’s mother. She straightened her shoulders and followed the mis-matched pair into the hall.

  Chapter Five

  Morning coffee at the church had been good.

  Patrick met up with a few people he was already acquainted with – Daniel Carson from the Saw Mill, Cecil Delbert from the Mercantile, and of course Mrs Baker.

  He also met people he’d not encountered before and his head was spinning with all the names and faces. Not being particularly good with names, he wouldn’t remember them all. Not yet anyway.

  As an added bonus, Harry Johnson was also there. He seemed like a friendly chap, and Patrick quickly warmed to him.

  Harry was currently working on a cottage which wasn’t far from Emily’s boarding house. From what he’d learned today, the town had quickly grown once the railway had arrived. Not that anyone was complaining – business in Grand Falls was booming.

  Prior to the fairly recent arrival of the railway they’d had to travel to Fort Benton, which Emily said had taken her grandfather three days by buckboard to visit the Trading Post near there.

  Life was certainly difficult back then, but he was pleased Emily didn’t have to endure that lifestyle.

  He was ready for the hard work ahead, after all, this was what he’d trained for and dreamed of all his adult life.

  Building his brother’s bakery and home in Dayton Falls had been one of the best decisions Patrick had made for a long time. It meant he could use them as examples of his recent work.

  Sending photographs had been even better.

  He glanced across and noticed Emily fidgeting. Did she want to leave?

  Patrick pulled out his pocket watch. Good grief – it was after noon. She would be itching to prepare luncheon for the lodgers.

  Despite Sunday being the day of Our Lord and a day of rest, there was no rest for Emily. She seemed to be on the go seven days a week. At least now the pressure had been eased a little.

  He would try to entice her into a stroll again this afternoon. Perhaps he could even hire a horse and buggy from the livery and take her for a drive in the countryside.

  He was thoughtful – that would be quite pleasant on such a lovely Spring day. What a pity he hadn’t planned ahead; he could have made it a picnic outing.

  Perhaps next time.

  As they headed back home, Emily linked her arm through his. She didn’t look quite so agitated now. They heard the murmur of voices as they entered the boarding house.

  The aroma of the cooking roast was more than a little enticing. She had earlier told him her routine was to prepare the roast very early, before anyone else was awake. He was constantly amazed at her resilience.

  She quickly ran upstairs to her private quarters to offload her bonnet and reticule, then returned without delay.

  Emily reached for her ruffled apron and checked the food cooking in the oven. He watched mesmerized as she pulled the roast out of the oven and transferred everything to a platter.

  Then she began to make the gravy using the juices from the food.

  She reminded him so much of his mother. She had always tried to please everyone, and ran herself ragged doing so. Perhaps that is the reason he was determined to make Emily’s life easier?

  He didn’t want her to have an early demise like his dear mother.

  “What can I do to help?” She startled at his words, so intent was her concentration.

  She turned to face him, her hand to her chest. “Perhaps set the plates out on the counter ready for serving?”

  She reached into a low cupboard and pulled out two large gravy boats, while continuing to stir the gravy. “They belonged to my grandmother, and I treasure them greatly,” she said quietly.

  Patrick nodded. His mother had something similar, with pretty pink flowers on them, not unlike these.

  He felt completely useless once he’d set the plates and mugs out on the counter. Emily said there was nothing more he could do, and began to dish out food. He carried the gravy boats to the dining room, then called the men to collect their food.

  Surprisingly, not one protested, and collected their food and beverages without so much as a word of complaint.

  Patrick’s mouth was already watering.

  Once everyone was seated, they joined hands and bowed their heads, then said a prayer of thanks.

  Patrick felt a sense of renewal wash over him. This was a whole new life for him. He had a job that could last for anything from a few months to several years. But the way Harry Johnson spoke, if he did a good job, which he would, he could live the rest of his days here.

  He thought about what he wanted from life. It had always been to find a permanent position as a carpenter. He now had that, and Patrick wondered what the next step in his life would be.

  Until a few days ago, he’d never thought about marrying. Not even when his brother had married. The thought had never entered his mind. But now things had changed.

  Emily had brought about that change to his way of thinking. But was she even interested? She’d not shown any indication she was even the slightest bit taken with him.

  He glanced up to see Emily staring at him. How long had he sat there daydreaming? He cut his food and took a mouthful. It was absolute bliss. “This is wonderful, Miss Stanton,” he said, and the other men joined in with their vote of thanks.

  She seemed more relaxed as each day passed. Patrick was so glad he’d come to this particular place to stay, otherwise he would have never met the alluring Miss Emily Stanton.

  * * *

  Patrick had convinced Emily to take another stroll this afternoon. She was beginning to look forward to spending time with him, even though she knew she shouldn’t. The ‘no relationship’ rule popped into her mind once more.

  She brushed it away.

  Emily finished up the dishes, with his help, then prepared for their afternoon out. Next week would be different – Patrick began work tomorrow and he would be too exhausted to help.

  She brushed that thought away too. She hated the thought of not spending time with Patrick.

  There wasn’t a lot to do around town, but they would check with the livery, and if a wagon was available, they’d hire it.

  Her heart fluttered.

  She hadn’t felt this excited since Johnny Toogood kissed her behind the school shed in grade six. His family had left town soon after, and she’d always blamed that kiss as the reason. It had been years before she discovered his grandfather had died suddenly and left his thriving business to Johnny’s father.

  She hadn’t thought about him for many years, and wondered why he’d popped into her head now. Was the promise of a kiss from Patrick making her imagination run wild?

  Except Patrick hadn’t promised her anything except a couple of hours of his time.

  With the last of the dishes put away and the kitchen tidied up, Emily pulled off her apron and hung it up. “I’ll go and get changed,” she said over her shoulder as she left the kitchen.

  Patrick reached out for her. “Why would you do that? You look so pretty today, Emily.” He looked her up and down. “You look pretty every day, but the colors in your new gown really suit you.”

  She felt the color creep up her neck and cheeks. “Then I need to freshen up and grab my bonnet.” She flashed him a smile and was on her way.

  No matter what Patrick said to her, his words always made her feel better, and feel wanted. He was the sort of man that when he walked into a room, everyone noticed.

  And everyone took notice of what he said.

  From the moment they’d met, a sort of calmness had descende
d on her. What was it about Patrick Harper that made her feel that way?

  Emily inwardly shook herself. She was thinking like a crazy woman. How could one man make all that happen?

  Only it had. She’d seen it with her own eyes. He had stood at the end of the table and commanded the lodgers change their ways and they had. He was a born leader, and she loved that about him.

  By the time she returned, Patrick had changed out of his suit and was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

  She hooked her arm in his, and they headed for the livery. Their expectation was low as Emily was certain it would be closed on a Sunday afternoon.

  When they arrived chains were up, indicating the livery was closed. As they turned away, a young voice called to them. “Whatcha want?” the young boy said, as they faced him. “Pop ain’t here today, but I can help.”

  Patrick grinned at the confident young man striding up to him. “We’re looking to hire a horse and buggy for two or three hours,” he said, reaching into his pocket.

  The boy motioned for him to leave the money and to follow him. “What are you up to Charlie?” Emily asked the young boy.

  He looked about suspiciously. “Follow me, an’ I’ll getcha wagon. Just don’t tell me pop and I’ll give it to ya cheap.” His eyes lit up and Emily knew without a doubt the boy would pocket the money.

  Not her concern.

  Patrick pulled three notes out of his wallet once they were out of sight, and Charlie’s eyes opened wide. The boy snatched up two of them. “Take all three,” Patrick urged, but the boy would have none of it.

  “Nah. If I have too much, Pop will get suspicious.” He shoved the notes into his pocket with his grubby hands. “This’ll do.” He prepared the horse and wagon for them and removed the chains so they could leave. “Make sure you’re back before five, or Pop will beat me until I’m black an’ blue.”

  Emily glanced across at Patrick, and watched as he cringed. “I don’t want you getting into trouble, boy.”

  “Just come back in time an’ I’ll be fine,” he said, handing over the reins.