“I’ll be there some. Saturdays, I try to get caught up. I may be there when you and she arrive, then head out when I need to.”
“I can ask her if she’s interested. She’s old enough to take on that responsibility. If she is, we’ll come at my regular time on Saturday. If she’s not, I’ll clean your shop for you.”
“That sounds like a mighty fine plan, ma’am.” Massot tipped his Stetson. “Thank you, I hope to see you both on Saturday.”
“Yes, um, good-bye. See you then.” Ruth thought it was a rather weak salutation, but couldn’t seem to think of something better.
As she walked back to finish making lunch, Tadpole jumped out from behind the dining room door. “You think Kathryn’ll want to do the cleaning? If she doesn’t, can I? I’d like to earn some money. There’s all sorts of things I’d like to buy. There’s really keen marbles at the general store. I’d sure like to have my own to play with. The guys are teaching me. I’ve never had any real toys before. If I earned some money, I could buy my own. You think Mr. Massot might have something I could help him with. I’d like a hoop and stick too. We have to take turns and I can’t play with Eddie’s when he’s in school. He doesn’t want it bent or broken.”
“Hold on, Tadpole,” Ruth said, laughing at the swiftly spewed words. “I have a feeling Kathryn will want to clean Mr. Massot’s shop. I can ask him if he needs a short helper. You’d have to work and not play while on the job.” She counted out the plates and silverware, handing the flatware to Tadpole. They went into the dining room and began setting the table.
“I can do that. I’m thinking I never had much chance to play before so I know how to work. Always had more chores and work to do just to keep going when I was with the gang. I like it here so much better. Boone and Mae and Nina do too, even though Mae still don’t talk. You think she ever will, Miss Ruth?”
“That’s something we’ll have to pray for, Tadpole. She was hurt really badly by those men. God can heal her, but it may take some time. We need to do all we can to help her feel safe.”
“I never knowed about God before I moved here. He seems real helpful. Or at least, if we let Him. Pastor Noah told me that He even sacrificed his Son for me. Just special for me. Well, for everybody else too, but He knowed all that I was going to have happen to me and helped me and the others get left behind so we could be found and come to live here. I were real scared at the time, but I’m real happy that He did that. I love living here with you and the others, but especially you.”
Tadpole had finished setting the table and come to Ruth. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her stomach. Tears flooded her eyes and she hugged him close. “I’m real glad He did that too. I’m so happy you all are with us. I love you and the others too.” She leaned down and kissed him on the top of his head. “You run upstairs and tell all the others lunch is ready. I’ll get it on the table. Be sure to help the twins come down the stairs. We don’t want them falling.”
“Sure thing, Miss Ruth.”
Ruth watched Tadpole run off to do his errand. He was such a sweet precocious boy. He was picking up his lessons well. He normally finished before Mae and Boone. She was pushing the older ones more so they could go to school in the fall without being so far behind.
Nina and the twins played well together and normally stayed upstairs in the corner of the room they used for school after Ruth left to begin lunch. Nina wasn’t asking for her mother anymore. Neither were the twins who had lost theirs to the epidemic of measles.
Tadpole had a special place in her heart though. He was always ready to help. He talked a blue streak and was nearly always happy. There had been bumps in adjusting to living in town as well as with so many other children. The House children were used to new people coming to live with them. It was a regular occurrence at Sanctuary Place.
The gang children didn’t have any experience with people not of the gang. There had been some battles between the boys that were quickly squelched. Once the rules were explained and boundaries set things had smoothed out.
Footsteps running up the stairs and across the floor above caused Ruth to end her reflections and begin getting lunch served.
CHAPTER SIX
MASSOT HITCHED HIS mules, Milo and Snitch, to his wagon. In it were the last of the furniture he’d built. Climbing into the seat, he took the reins and flicked them, getting the mules to start moving. This was a day he’d been waiting for since he’d been mustered out of the Union Army. The heartbreak he’d suffered when he returned to his hometown had driven him to Stones Creek, Colorado. He’d set up his carpentry shop and begun a successful business. The town was young and needing homes and businesses built. It hadn’t taken him long to earn enough to purchase acres far enough out of town so he’d have privacy.
Over the first harsh winter he’d drawn up the plans. The house would be different from any he’d seen or built before. It was a log house, built from logs he’d felled from his land. It didn’t look like any other log house or cabin.
It blended into its surroundings, nearly hidden until one was quite close. The first floor had the kitchen, dining room, washroom, entryway, a small sitting room, and a storage room. The stairs wound around the foyer and sitting room that were paneled; the floor, walls and ceiling in boards he’d plained and smoothed to a satiny finish.
There was a pump in the kitchen from the well under the corner of the house. Water could be pumped to the wash room where there were twin laundry sinks. It could also be pumped to the second level.
The second story was larger than the first. A balcony also wrapped around. It was supported on several trees which grew through it, shading the deck as well as the house. Every side of the upper floor was filled with large windows overlooking the forest and the waters of Stones Creek which ran past and on down to run the mill. The creek gave the town its name too. One corner of this floor was a six sided room with a turret that rose to another story. It too had windows on each side.
A great stone fireplace began on the first floor, its chimney in the center and rising to another fireplace on the second floor which provided a warm fire to the master bedroom and the parlor on the other side. The stones Massot had gathered from the creek.
There was also a bathing room with a stove used to heat water for the tub in a large copper tank in the room. The turret also had a stove. Three more bedrooms clustered next to the master bedroom. The parlor ran the length of the floor, overlooking the creek curving around the house. It could be seen from the master bedroom also.
Massot had built the house himself and every piece of furniture. Chairs were made of bent wood, as were the bases of every table. The kitchen cupboards were smoothed wood like on the walls and ceilings of the rooms on the first floor. Shelving was held up by bent wood and wall hooks branched as if growing from the walls themselves.
When the house came into view, Massot pulled the reins, halting the mules. He sat looking at the house he’d built. It was large. Large enough for a family. A family he didn’t have. Ruth and Kathryn came to mind. It was almost as if he could see them coming out and waiting for him to get home from work. Another child ran around them toward him. A boy. In his mind’s eye, Massot imagined that Ruth was round with his child. He shook his head to clear the vision.
“Git up,” Massot said, starting the mules going again. Sitting here dreaming of what couldn’t be didn’t get this furniture into the house.
As he unloaded the coffee table, he thought about the day before when Kathryn and he began work on the glove box for her mother. She and her mother had come into the shop right after breakfast. Kathryn’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Once Ruth was up in the apartment, Massot had led her over to the work bench and showed her how to sand the boards smooth. He’d done quite a bit the day before so all she had to do was finish it. He carved out the dove tails while she completed her job. Then they set the sides around the bottom, fitting it into the grooves he’d carved. Finally, they glued the
m in place. That’s all they’d do until next week, allowing the glue to dry.
Kathryn then cleaned up all the scraps and swept the sawdust, her payment for the wood and labor to make the box. She also gathered the tools he’d left around the shop and put them in their designated places.
When she was done, Kathryn hugged him, thanking him for his time and help. His chest had constricted with love for the girl. Once again, he wished she were his. In order for that to ever be Massot would have to set the past away. He’d have to be willing to risk being rejected again. He wasn’t sure if he could do so.
With the chair and table set in front of the windows overlooking the creek, Massot sat not seeing the beautiful view as he sought direction and courage from his Lord as to his future.
~~~~~
The glove box was finished. It only took three Saturdays to complete. He’d done the preliminary work each week so when Kathryn arrived they could do the steps he’d planned for that day.
One thing he’d done, without discussing it with her, was carve a large heart with two small ones interlocking with it on the top. When Kathryn had seen it she’d squealed and hugged him, jumping back when Ruth came down to see what the noise was for. He’d covered the box with a rag while Kathryn claimed a mouse had scared her. Once Ruth was back in the apartment, they had laughed holding their hands over their mouths to keep her from hearing. Massot had cautioned her about fibbing.
It was Thursday, after lunch. Massot knew Blanche would be home now after working in the cafe she owned with Almeda Wilson and Chloe McIlroy. The twins and Nina would be napping. He hoped Ruth would have time for a walk with him.
With his hat in his hand, Massot knocked on the front door of Sanctuary House. He’d prayed that Ruth would answer and sent up a quick thank you when she did.
“Afternoon, Mr. Massot. What brings you to the House?” Ruth smiled at him and his insides flipped just a bit.
“I was hoping you had some time to take a walk with me. It concerns your cleaning for me. I’d like to discuss something with you.”
“Oh, um, I suppose so. I’ll need to let Blanche know I’m leaving for a while. Just a moment.”
“Thank you ma’am. I’ll wait out here on the porch.” He stepped back and Ruth closed the door.
When she appeared she had on her hat and gloves, with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She blushed as she passed him then preceded him down the steps. When they reached the street, she said, “Where did you want to walk?”
“It’s a few minutes outside of town, this way.” Massot pointed into the woods behind his shop.
“Oh.” Ruth hesitated, obviously uneasy.
“Don’t worry. I just want to show you something. I want to know if you want to continue cleaning for me.”
“And we need to walk in the woods for that?” Ruth gave him a sideways look.
“Well, yes. I’ve built a house and moved in. I’m hoping you’ll want to keep cleaning for me, but it’s in the woods a little ways from town. I’ll understand if you don’t want to.”
“You built a house? You never told me you were doing so.”
“I’ve been working on it for several years. Did it all myself. The furnishings, too. It’s, um, not your typical house. I’d like you to see it.” Massot stuck his hands in his pockets to keep from taking hers.
“I’d love to see it. Which way?” They’d entered the forest and were walking side by side.
“It’s about a five or ten minute walk.”
The forest of aspen and pine enclosed them, the silvery leaves quaking in the breeze. The air was fresh and cool in the dimness of the tall trees. They walked in silence for a while then she asked, “Does anyone know you have a house out here?”
“Not many. Ben Cutler knows and the sheriff. I’ve a feeling Pastor Noah does. He seems to know just about everything that goes on around here.”
“Yes, he does. Or at least he pretends to. He’s been a real help with Boone and Tadpole. He’s teaching all of them, well the three older children, several times a week about faith and Jesus. They hadn’t ever heard anything other than His name as a curse word. Other inappropriate words also seem to be well known. He’s been able to explain why they aren’t used in polite society.”
Massot chuckled. “I’m sure Tadpole wanted to know why more than Boone did.”
Ruth laughed. “Yes, and he made sure to tell me which words Pastor Noah told them not to use in explicit detail on each word.”
“Saying them, of course.”
“Of course.”
The house came into view and Ruth gasped. “Oh, Massot. It’s beautiful. How did you do this all by yourself?”
“Time, strength and patience. It was a lot of work over several years. It’s done now and I’ve moved in. Come, let me show you.”
They entered and Ruth dropped her mouth open. Massot showed her the downstairs, explaining the various features he’d built in. When they went upstairs, Ruth was drawn to the windows overlooking the creek. Massot opened the door to the balcony. They went out and up to the railing.
“Oh my, what a beautiful view. You picked a wonderful spot for your house.”
“I like it. I’m above the high water so there’s no worry about it flooding. The balcony wraps around by the master bedroom also. There will be chairs and a table or two out here next summer. Those are winter projects.” Massot opened the door so she could enter.
“What a beautiful fireplace. The stones are from the creek aren’t they?” Ruth drew close examining the stones and ran her hand across the wooden beam mantel.
“From farther up the hillside. There’s another firebox in the master. Come, I’ll show you the rest of the place.”
He led the way, showing her the three smaller bedrooms, the bathing room, and finally the master bedroom. The view of the forest from the windows was spectacular from each room, but the one in the master was another view of the creek.
“You did a wonderful job building this. That turret room is lovely. What do you plan to use it for?”
“An office. The upper room hasn’t been finished yet. No need as I’m the only one living here.” Massot eyed Ruth trying to determine if she might be interested in living here. She walked around the room gently touching each piece of furniture. She’d done the same in each room they went in.
“Would you be interested in keeping this place clean? I doubt I’d track as much sawdust in after the walk from my shop.”
“Truthfully, I’ll have to think about it. Being this far from town and the home of a bachelor…” She let the sentence drop. “Even being here with you now is questionable for my reputation. Especially standing in this room.”
“You’ve seen the entire house so let’s head back to town. You can think about it and let me know.”
~~~~~
“So, what did Mr. Massot want to speak with you about?” Blanche sat beside Ruth on the wide front porch as the children played in the yard. It was Laura’s and Libby’s day to fix supper so neither woman had any chores to do at the moment. Ruth was darning a sock and Blanche was mending a tear in one of her sons’ trousers.
“Did you know he’s built a house in the woods?” Ruth laid her hands in her lap. “It’s about a five or ten minute walk.” She pointed in the general direction of the house.
“No, what’s it like?”
“Like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Made from logs but the second story is larger than the first.” Ruth went on to explain the details of the house and Massot’s request that she keep cleaning for him. On the walk back to town he’d asked if she would help him by sewing drapes and curtains. Help pick out the fabrics and trims. The lack of any type of softening of the decor left the house looking bare and unlived in.
“Are you going to? It’s far out and you’ll be alone with a man. That’s not going to keep the gossips from having a hay day.”
“I know.” Ruth sat silently gazing out over the yard. Tadpole and Mark Duffle were wrestling. Though
older, Tadpole was smaller. When Mark tossed him to the ground Tadpole jumped up and hit Mark in the stomach. Ruth started to get up, but Blanche laid a hand on her arm.
“Oof.” Mark let out a pained breath.
“Wait. Let’s see how they handle this,” Blanche said.
“Wow, good punch,” Mark said with a smile.
“Yeah, you took me down good too.” Tadpole wrapped his arm around Mark and the two ran over to where some of the other boys were whittling. They were too young yet, so they didn’t have the knives the older boys had.
“See, they worked it out. Boys are very different than girls.” Blanche picked up her mending.
“You’d think I would know that. I’ve lived with so many boys ever since I came to Sanctuary Place and now here at the House.”
“It’s different when they are yours.”
The sound of a horse approaching had both ladies looking up the street. Hawk Conner came into view. Hawk was the owner of Hawk’s Wing Ranch. He’d gone with the posse that found the children and gained Mae’s trust when she rode in front of him as they came to town.
Mae didn’t trust easily. The ten-year-old had been abused by the men of the King gang and no longer spoke. All the ladies hoped the love and security in Sanctuary House would help her heal from her trauma.
Hawk swung down from the saddle and wrapped the reins around the hitching post. “Howdy, ladies.” He tipped his hat to them as the children swarmed around all talking at once.
Mae squeezed through the group and hugged Hawk who returned it. She smiled up at him.
“How you doing, pipsqueak?”
She smiled and nodded.
Hawk glanced up at Ruth and Blanche who shook her head slightly. He ruffled Mae’s hair. “You doing your lessons well?”
His Protective Wings Page 4