Owen nodded vigorously. “I thought he might be,” he said. “I remember meeting him when he arrived here to join with his mail order bride, Betsy Henderson. Who is now Betsy James, of course.”
“Yes. She is now working in the office as well.”
The mayor smiled. “Well, that certainly must be convenient,” he said.
“It is,” Aaron agreed. “But only up to a point.”
“What do you mean?” Owen asked, frowning in confusion.
The doctor grinned. “Well, I’m afraid we’ve been keeping him a little too busy,” he said.
“Ahh.” He cocked his head and studied Aaron, knowing an explanation would be forthcoming. “Heaven knows that’s all too common here in Last Chance. Part of the price of happiness in an expanding prairie town, I suppose.”
Aaron nodded. “It does sound better when you put it that way,” he said. “But it turns out they have been trying to start a family.”
“Aah.” This time the mayor’s response was deeper and more heartfelt, and Aaron was grateful for his understanding.
“So how exactly can I help with that?” Owen asked.
Once again Aaron took a moment to consider his phrasing. “Well, Rachel and I have decided to give them both some time off,” he explained. “So that they have more time together.”
The mayor nodded. “That makes sense,” he said. “The newness of making the long journey. A new life out on the prairie, and here in Last Chance. It does take its toll.”
“Very much so,” Aaron agreed. “I think that because we’ve been here for some time, Rachel and I both tend to forget how difficult it was at the beginning.”
Owen nodded again. “Yes. Well, you know my feelings about all this,” he said. “I try and make things as easy as possible.”
“And you do a wonderful job!” Aaron said, remembering all the things the mayor had done for the newly-arrived mail order brides and their newfound husbands. At times Owen truly was a miracle worker.
“That is why I thought it a good idea to approach you about this matter,” he added.
The mayor took a deep breath. “So what would you have me do?” he asked. “Did you have something specific in mind for them?”
“No,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “And to be honest, I have no idea what to do.” Then he smiled. “I thought I might rely on your ingenuity.”
“Hmm.” Owen smiled slightly. “A dubious notion. But I will do my best to come up with something.”
The doctor nodded, slightly reassured by Owen’s words. He was still slightly anxious, though, for a specific solution still seemed far away.
He shook the mayor’s hand, and then Aaron went to leave. Just as he got to the door, though, Owen spoke again.
“Wait a minute!” he said, his voice betraying the excitement that seemed to come with every one of the mayor’s little projects when he thought them up. “I think I might have something!”
Aaron smiled wryly as he turned around. “So soon?” he said.
Owen nodded. “Yes.” He was beaming now, and Aaron knew that was a very good sign indeed. “It’s a variation of something we’ve done before.”
The doctor cocked his head, curious. “Really,” he said. “Well, I’d love to hear about it. Unless you need more time to cogitate on it.”
Owen smiled at his use of the word “cogitate.” It was a word he used himself occasionally, and it often brought a moment of levity to a serious conversation.
“Not at all,” the mayor replied. “I’d be happy to explain it to you if you happen to have a few more minutes.”
Aaron grinned. “I’d love for you to,” he said.
With that, Owen motioned once again toward the chair next to his desk. Aaron strode briskly and eagerly toward it, and then he sat down and waited for the mayor to do the same.
And without further ado, they began to plot and plan, and to come up with a scheme that would change Stewart and Betsy’s lives forever.
The next day was Friday, and Aaron and Rachel moved to implement their plan immediately. They would receive an important assist from Owen Standard, of course, but the first step in the process began with them.
Aaron started it by approaching Stewart. The boy was working outside, something Aaron knew he loved, and he was hammering something together that looked like it would be a wall.
“What do you think, doc?” Stewart asked enthusiastically, looking up from his sawing when he saw Aaron approaching.
Aaron smiled. The boy certainly did love his work, that was for sure. Sometimes I wish I worked outdoors, he thought. I know I work with my hands, which is satisfying, but he seems so happy.
“Looks great,” Aaron said, nodding but not quite understanding how everything would fit together. “But where will it go?”
“Why, right over there,” the boy said, nodding, pointing at the corner of the office building. “We’ll have to knock out that wall, of course, but that can wait until everything else is ready.”
“Ah,” Aaron said, nodding again. “I think you explained all of this to me before.” He paused. “But I can’t quite see it yet.”
Stewart smiled. “You just have to try to imagine it,” he replied. “Like I showed you when I did the plans.”
Aaron nodded. “I remember,” he said. “You definitely have a talent for it . . . not sure I do, though.”
The boy shrugged. “Well, I don’t think I could set a broken leg or cure an illness,” Stewart said. “All of that’s way beyond me.”
The doctor smiled. “Different talents,” he said. “That’s what makes the world go round.”
Stewart nodded, and then he looked at the wooden horse that had been serving as his work place. It was obvious that he wanted to get back to work, and for a moment Aaron felt bad about what he was about to do.
“I’m afraid not,” he said, before Stewart had even moved to get back to work. Then he grinned slightly. “At least not today, anyway.”
Stewart blinked, and his eyes widened in surprise. He was obviously startled that Aaron had seemingly read his mind, even though Aaron knew it wasn’t all that hard.
“What do you mean?” he said. “I was just about to get back to work.”
Aaron nodded. “I know,” he replied. “But I’m afraid you’re getting the rest of the day off.”
Stewart frowned in concern. “What do you mean, doc?” he asked. “Is something wrong? Some kind of emergency or something?”
The boy looked toward the office, obviously eager to help, and Aaron laughed in spite of himself. Stewart has such a good heart, he thought.
“No, not at all,” he said. “It’s just that . . . you’re being given the day off.”
Stewart blinked again, and he shook his head in surprise. “I am?” he asked. Then he paused. “But why?”
Aaron managed a slight smile. For an instant he wondered if he should tell Stewart the real reason, but as soon as he had the thought he knew it was a bad idea.
“Because I’m your boss, and I say so,” the doctor replied, his smile turning into a broad grin.
Stewart frowned. They both knew how odd Aaron’s statement was, and the boy cocked his head. “What’s going’ on, doc?” he asked.
Aaron smirked. “It’s just like I said,” he replied, standing his ground. “You have the day off. Officially. As of now.”
The boy’s frown deepened, and suddenly he looked hurt. Aaron felt bad; he really was wounding Stewart by doing this, even if the pain was superficial and momentary.
A small part of Aaron hated himself for doing this, but he also knew it was necessary.
“All righty then,” Stewart said, his reluctance painfully obvious in the tone of his voice. He looked at the saw as if it, too, would feel pain at being abandoned so suddenly.
Then the boy looked up. “So what is it I’m supposed to do, then?” he asked. “Is there something specific you’ve got in mind?”
Aaron’s smile returned. “Not really,” he said, keeping h
is tone light.
Stewart shook his head, looking thoroughly nonplussed at this point. “So . . . I’m just supposed to go home or something?”
The doctor shrugged, and then he nodded. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” he said, smiling as if he were hiding something. Which he was.
“Why don’t we start there?” Aaron suggested.
Once again, Stewart looked hurt, and even more deeply this time. “I guess,” he said, his tone turning desultory. “But I don’t have no idea what’s going on.”
Aaron shrugged a second time. “You don’t really need to know that for now,” he said, managing to ignore the sympathy for Stewart he felt when he saw the boy’s wounded expression.
“For the moment, all you need to know is that you have the day off.”
“All right then,” Stewart said, looking at the saw like a child who’d been told he couldn’t play with his favorite toy. “I guess it’s useless to argue with you.”
Aaron nodded. “It is, at least on this particular occasion,” he said, trying to think of a way to cheer Stewart up, but finally he realized it was useless.
“You’ll just have to trust me on this, Stewart,” he said finally. “Believe me, when it’s all said and done, you’ll thank me.”
Meanwhile, inside the office, a similar conversation was taking place between Rachel and Betsy.
It started with Betsy doing the filing. She was days behind on this, and she’d been looking forward to using her day to catch up.
She made good progress throughout the morning, and when Rachel popped in for a visit Betsy thought she might have earned her praise.
But the reason for Betsy’s visit turned out to be quite different. Oh, it started with praise, but then things quickly took a turn in a different direction.
“It looks like you’ve made a great deal of progress with all of this,” Rachel said, waving at all the files after she’d rapped softly to get Betsy’s attention.
Betsy turned, slightly startled, and then she smiled. “I have,” she replied, and Betsy could tell from the sound of her own voice how tired she was. “It’s taken a lot of effort, but I am happy with the progress we’ve made.”
Rachel smiled. “You’ve made,” she said, correcting Betsy. “And you have no idea how grateful Aaron and I are for all the work you’ve done. “You’ve been a godsend.”
“Thank you,” Betsy said, blushing as she nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s simply been a pleasure to have a job after coming all this way with so much uncertainty. It’s something I was very worried about.”
“Needlessly so,” Rachel replied. “You’re a good worker, and very diligent. The type of person who succeeds at anything they put their mind to.”
Betsy sighed as she nodded again, and Rachel could tell there was something on her mind. She could also see the fatigue etched on Betsy’s face.
The timing couldn’t be better with all this, she thought. It’s exactly what these two need.
“Is there something wrong?” Rachel asked, thinking back to their last conversation. “Are things alright with Stewart?”
Betsy perked up and flashed a smile. “Oh yes,” she said. “He is my rock. And it has happened in such a short time.”
Rachel nodded in understanding. “You have been fortunate in love,” she said, and Rachel grinned. “That seems to happen a lot here in Last Chance.”
“It does seem to be something of a magical place,” Betsy agreed.
There was a pause in the conversation, and for a moment Betsy thought Rachel would want her to get back to the filing. She was so close to being finished, and Betsy knew if she put her nose to the grindstone she could probably finish the work.
Instead, though, Rachel merely cocked her head toward the paperwork in front of her, and then she spoke.
“But I’m afraid you’re done for the day, Betsy,” she said.
“Oh!” Betsy looked around frantically at the files, wondering if she’d done something wrong. “Is everything all right? Is something wrong?
Rachel’s smile was reassuring. “No, not at all,” she said. “We’re just giving you the day off. Aaron and I . . . Doctor Jessup, I mean.”
Betsy frowned, still concerned. “You are?”
“Yes,” she replied, nodding. “And I’m afraid it’s not optional.”
Betsy blinked. “Is everything all right?” she asked, still concerned. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
Rachel took a step or two toward the desk, and when she was close enough she placed her hand on Betsy’s shoulder.
“Everything’s fine, Betsy,” she said. “I’ve just noticed how tired you are. So I talked with Dr. Jessup about it, and he said he’d noticed a little as well. So we decided to give you a day off.”
Betsy took a deep breath, and then she sighed. Rachel could tell that she still wasn’t convinced that there wasn’t something else afoot with this.
“Very well, then,” she said. “What is it I’m to do?”
Rachel shrugged. “Why, whatever you like,” she said, her tone turning whimsical. She nodded out toward the area beyond the back of the office. “You could simply go for a walk and enjoy the day.”
Betsy’s expression brightened for a moment, only to turn sad. “Alone, though,” she said. “That doesn’t sound like much fun.”
Rachel smiled slightly. “Well, it will relax you, and give you a chance to rest,” she said. “And who knows, you might be surprised.”
Betsy watched as Rachel’s expression changed, and then Rachel offered a cheeky grin. She frowned, confused, and she looked back down at the file in front of her, realizing that she truly didn’t have any choice.
What in the world is going on here? she thought. I’ve never seen Rachel like this. Something is up for sure.
Betsy gathered her things slowly, and then she left the office. She was tempted to see if she could sneak a file out with her, but she could tell that Rachel was watching her quite carefully.
She’s making sure I’m going to leave, Betsy thought. Now I’m sure there’s something going on.
Once she was outside, though, her thoughts changed completely. It was a bright, brilliant day, and as soon as the breeze brushed her cheeks Betsy found it impossible to think about work.
Well, this is better, she thought, forgetting about Rachel and whatever she might have been plotting or planning for her. Perhaps this was a good idea after all.
Slowly, Betsy made her way toward the tiny house that she and Stewart had just purchased. It was on the edge of town, and it wasn’t much, but Betsy had quickly managed to turn it into a home.
Moreover, Stewart was very ambitious about it. He liked to work with his hands, and he was a restless sort.
He’d already rebuilt much of the interior, so that the inside looked like new, and Stewart was talking about expanding the house as well. The house itself was small, but the yard was large, and there was definitely room to build on.
He’d been after her several times about that, but Betsy felt it was far too soon. A large house would feel empty without children to fill it, and she sighed as she thought about the struggles they’d been having.
It always seems to come back to that, Betsy thought. I hope things change soon.
Then, just as she came around the corner and turning from Main Street to the small avenue where their home was, Betsy noticed a figure just ahead of her.
She smiled, recognizing Stewart immediately. Betsy picked up her pace, wanting to join him, and then she smiled to herself when she realized he was heading home, just as she was.
Then the oddity of that struck her. What in the world would Stewart be going home for in the middle of the day?
It seemed strange beyond words, for he’d been talking a lot about the work he’d been doing around the office, the expansion they’d been planning. For him to be home at this hour, well before lunch, simply made no sense.
Betsy shook her head, and she became even more determined to get to t
he bottom of all this.
I will figure it out, she said to herself, watching as Stewart drew closer to the walkway leading to their front door. There is something strange going on, and I will know what it is before the end of this day.
Then things got even stranger. She saw Stewart head up the walkway, and she realized she wouldn’t be in time to catch him.
That was fine; Betsy would be at the house herself in a matter of minutes, and they would have a chance to talk about whatever was happening that had caused them to be home at exactly the same time of day.
Just as he went inside, though, Betsy heard a noise behind her that sounded like the clattering of horse’s hooves.
It had taken her a while to get used to the sound when she’d first arrived in Last Chance, but now she recognized it instantly whenever she heard it.
She turned and wheeled, nearly at the door herself. And when she did, Betsy saw a large stagecoach, bumping its way down the street, and she blinked to make sure it wasn’t a mirage of sorts.
But it wasn’t. Once she was certain of what it was, Betsy recognized the coach itself, which belonged to the town and was used mostly for official purposes.
Moreover, there was only one place it could be headed. Betsy and Stewart lived in the house at the end of the street, and the stagecoach had come far enough that their house was the only place it could be headed.
All of which left only a single question: what was a stagecoach doing going to their house in the middle of an otherwise normal day?
The driver tipped his cowboy hat to her as soon as he saw her, just before he was about to pull up in front of their house.
“Greetings, ma’am,” he said, giving her a friendly smile. “You must be Miss Betsy Henderson.”
She smiled back, and then Betsy realized the need to correct him, which was still new to her.
“I used to be,” she said pleasantly. “But now I’m Mrs. Stewart James.”
Betsy thought about proudly displaying her ring, but it seemed like a bit much at the moment. Still, the temptation was there.
The driver blushed as he brought the coach to a halt. “My apologies, then, ma’am,” he said as he pulled up alongside her, and he turned his attention to the horses for a moment.
The Mail Order Brides of Last Chance Page 7