“Did you like traveling with children?” Maggie asked as she patted Alice's back for a burp. Alice drank like a normal hungry infant after waking up from her nap this afternoon.
“Oh, yes. It's been a fulfilling job, but I could never count on every child getting in the perfect home. That always made me so sad. If we could, we’d make return visits to the adopted children's homes to check on them. Some situations were not what they should have been, and have haunted me through the years, but that's the way it happens sometimes.”
“I'd miss my family too much to travel like that,” Molly added to the conversation.
“You would, Molly. Women agents are usually single without any close relatives, and some like...Rita, were orphans themselves.”
Ann stopped to blink rapidly, trying to keep her feelings about her fellow traveler under control.
“Well, I'm familiar with taking care of orphans, Ann,” Sarah said to change the subject. “Maggie's mother died after giving birth to triplets, and my future husband and I adopted them.”
“Oh my. Four children at once, three being newborns?” Ann asked.
“Actually, eight children at once,” Sarah chuckled. “Maggie has two other siblings, Marty and Maisie. Molly and her brother, Moses, were orphaned out in western Kansas, and my husband brought them home from Fort Wallace.”
“I was the oldest at six years old,” Maggie told Ann.
“And she was so much help, even that young. My mother, Cate Connely, moved in to help us, and we survived those first years when they were very young.”
“Then the Gatti children have been in good hands. I think Alice had responded better with you than anyone else who held her in the orphanage,” Ann said, which warmed Maggie’s heart.
“Thank you. Both Molly and I have enjoyed taking care of them.”
“Even though we didn’t get much sleep since they arrived,” Molly added. “The children were upset and confused.”
“And I want to hold them now but can’t for weeks. I still can’t get over the fact I broke two arms at once. I’ll be beholding to strangers for a long time,” Ann sighed.
“We won’t be strangers for long with us helping with all your personal needs,” Maggie laughed.
“So true. Instead of me helping children blow their noses and wiping their bottoms, it will be the other way around,” Ann chuckled. At least the woman had a sense of humor, which would help her get through her recovery.
“The women in town will help you through your ordeal. You’ve met Kaitlyn Reagan, the pastor’s wife, correct?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, Kaitlyn and Millie Wilerson, the marshal’s wife. I’m sure I’ve met other women, but Doctor Pansy had me medicated to ease the pain, and I don’t remember the others.”
Maggie and Molly looked at each other, then started to chuckle.
“Should we warn Ann about the Peashooter Society?” Maggie asked her sister, raising her eyes in mischief.
“Maggie,” her mother scolded her, “you shouldn't call the church women by that name.”
“Oh, Mama, that's what they call themselves,” Maggie answered with a wave of her hand.
“Why did they name their church group after pistols?” Ann asked.
“Twenty years ago, when the huge cattle drives were traveling through the area, women carried protection on them. Often times it was a peashooter in their reticule. I carried one too, until it was unsafe with all the children,” Sarah told Ann.
“Were you worried one of us kids would shoot another?” Maggie asked her mother.
“Yes. Fist fights were bad enough. I didn’t need you children shooting each other too.”
“You can tell the pastor’s wife has used her peashooter because of the mended bullet holes in her reticule,” Maggie added with a gleam in her eye.
“Girls! You don’t need to go into those stories,” Sarah warned Maggie and Molly.
“The group’s latest agenda is to get six of us young women married off,” Molly confirmed.
“What? There's a story there,” Ann asked after leaning back in her chair to get more comfortable.
“They advertised they need six men for six women needing husbands. Offered them jobs and housing to sweeten the deal,” Molly told Ann.
“Well, did it work out for any of the couples?” Ann asked, amused. Why did the older women, apparently including Ann, think it was a good idea?
“Actually, two couples have married so far. And I bet my three daughters, who were part of the original six, have possible mates too?” Their mother waved her finger between her and Molly.
“Who answered the advertisement? I'd be wary of men who wandered in town expecting to receive a wife, job, and home.”
“You'd be interested in the fact that they were six men who'd been adopted off an orphan train in the same community when they were young. They came as a group, right out of the army to apply, hoping to start their own families in the same community,” Maggie gave Ann the men's background.
“I want to meet these men and hear their stories.”
“You've met them all but didn't know it. They helped get you out of the train and to the doctor's office,” Molly said.
“Peter Gehring, the barber, who offered these rooms to you, is one of them,” Maggie was happy to tell Ann.
“The man Christian and Bonita latched onto, thinking he was their father?”
“Yes. Same man.” Maggie’s heart thumped, thinking of the generous, and handsome man.
“Maggie? Why are you blushing? Do you like Peter? Is he one of my future sons-in-law?”
Her mother had raised the eight of them to honestly speak their mind and get right to the point. Sarah had to be efficient and organized with so many children.
“Yes, I think I’m to the point of loving Peter and can see him being my future husband.”
“But Peter was paired with me, and you were paired with Squires,” Molly pointed out.
“The Peashooters paired you in the beginning to meet each other, that was all. They expected you to change men if you wanted to. Can you see Peter as your husband, Molly?” Sarah challenged her middle daughter.
“Oh, no. I…panic at the thought of being with Peter, but I’d like him as a brother-in-law.”
“Knock, knock. May I come in?” The muffled voice of Tobin came through the closed door between the barbershop and front room.
“Are you up for more company, Ann?” Sarah asked.
“Toad got kittens,” Bonita scrambled to her feet and ran toward the door before Ann could answer.
“Apparently my answer should be yes if kittens are involved,” Ann chuckled.
Ann Beasley seemed to be a congenial, happy woman. Maggie could see why the children felt comfortable being around her.
Molly followed Bonita and opened the door. Sure enough, Tobin had a kitten under each arm.
“Salt and Pepper visited Master Christian, but they couldn't leave until they'd been petted by Miss Bonita,” Tobin addressed the little girl first, who reached for Salt.
“Hello, Miss Molly. Want to hold Pepper while I meet Miss Beasley?” Tobin blushed, making his face almost as red as his hair.
“Hello, Tobin. I'd love to hold Pepper for you,” Molly stammered, her face showing her feelings toward the man too. Molly took the kitten and sat down on the settee.
Maggie glanced at her mother, who raised an eyebrow, then glanced between Tobin and Molly. Maggie nodded to answer her question. Yes, the two shy, blushing persons liked each other.
Tobin straightened his short frame and bowed to Ann.
“I'm Tobin Billings, the livery owner. My team and wagon carried you over to the doctor's office after your accident. It's nice to see you smiling, Miss Beasley. I hope your arms heal quickly,” Tobin dipped his head again.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue, Mr. Billings. I appreciate your help,” Ann said graciously.
“You're welcome.”
Tobin looked at the available seating and chos
e to sit down by Molly on the settee. Molly scooted to the far end of the settee as she lowered her head and blushed again, all the while petting the kitten Tobin had given to her.
“Tobin was one of the six orphans we were talking about who answered the Peashooter's advertisement,” Maggie offering the information to Ann.
“Oh yes, we were so lucky to land in Clear Creek. Brothers, Barton and Gordon Miller have already married two wonderful women. And maybe some of the rest of us will too. If not, I've made good friends in town and love living here.”
“They were telling me that the six of you were orphans. When and where were you placed?”
“We'll always remember the date because it was on my sixth birthday, Wednesday, March 12, 1873. We were picked out by our parents in Topeka and lived in a little community north of there.”
“Interesting. I went through Topeka several times throughout my years. I hope you, and your friends, had good lives with your adoptive parents,” Ann commented.
“I must confess some did, and some didn't. My parents were both dear hearts, but sadly, they've passed. They were an older couple, both deaf and only knew sign language. I became their voice, so to speak.”
Bonita was lifting the kitten by its neck, and Tobin quickly intervened, picking up the child and kitten together, then sitting back down on the settee.
“How about you sit with us, Miss Bonita? There's space between Miss Molly and me for you and Salt,” Tobin asked the girl before moving her to the space. He was always so thoughtful with the children.
“Yes, Toad,” Bonita clearly said.
“Did she just call you, Toad, Mr. Billings?”
“Yes, that's my nickname. You can call me Tobin or Toad. I'll answer to both,” Tobin shrugged and smiled. He was so comfortable with his physical appearance.
“Well, I’ll try to call you Tobin, but you’ll forgive me if I slip, then.”
“Of course, Ma’am.”
Sarah rose, and Tobin quickly followed in his polite way. He always stood when a woman did at a table or seating area.
“It’s time I find my sons and we head back for the ranch. It was nice to meet you, Ann, and I’ll visit next Sunday again when we’re in town for church if that works for you,” Sarah said.
“I’d love visits because there isn’t much else I can do for a while,” Ann smiled.
The woman would be easy to help with her attitude. Maggie cringed to think of having to take care of a cranky, mad person.
“I’ll see you on Sunday then. Maggie, walk out with me, please,” Sarah said as she stopped to hug Molly. Maggie transferred the baby to Molly’s arms and followed her mother out the front door.
“Goodbye, gentlemen,” Sarah said as she breezed through the barbershop. When Maggie closed the outside door, her mother turned and placed her hands on her shoulders.
“If you want Peter for your husband, tell him so. It doesn't matter that he was matched to your sister first. Don't waste time with the wrong man like I did with Ethan Paulson. I stayed engaged to him because his mother planned our future, and I was afraid to tell her, and Ethan, that we weren't happy.”
“If you hadn't run away from your wedding to find Marcus, you would have never been at the ranch to help my mother either. The triplets would have died with her that day.”
Sarah pulled Maggie in for a hug. “Keep fate in mind in the days ahead, because things happen for a reason.”
Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and pulled away. “The boys are waiting in the wagon, so I must go. I'll see you on Sunday.”
“Bye, Mama. Please tell Papa, hello.”
Maggie watched her mother cross the street, then waved at her brothers. At age nineteen, they'd soon be looking for spouses to share their lives with.
Maggie pondered that fact a bit. She was going to be an old maid if she didn't take matters into her own hands as her mother suggested. The dream of being single and traveling the railways to place orphans faded away when she thought of Peter and the three children she was taking care of. She wanted the four of them to be her future.
Chapter 13
The first thing Peter did this morning, after having breakfast with Maggie and the children, was to walk around town, asking his five friends to meet him at the café for their lunch hour.
It had been five days since Miss Beasley and the orphans were delayed in town. And Peter was starting to panic, thinking of the children being taken away by strangers.
Where would they be adopted? Would their adopting families be close to each other so the children could keep in contact? Would Christian break his silence, or never talk his entire life?
Peter needed advice from his lifelong friends. The men had experienced what the three children were facing, and Peter wanted to help the youngsters’ future.
“Where's your sidekick?” Wesley asked as he set down at the table Nolan Clancy had reserved for them in the back of the café.
“Maggie bribed Christian with pancakes to eat lunch with them,” Peter answered as he pulled out a chair for his friend.
“Pancakes? Doesn't he eat them for breakfast sometimes?”
“Christian could eat pancakes three meals a day,” Peter smiled, thinking of the boy's excitement when he smelled the bubbling batter in the skillet.
“And next week he might not touch them,” Gordon said, overhearing them as he sat down at the table.
“Probably. But the trouble is I want him be here next week to find out,” Peter sighed.
Squires and Barton stepped inside the door and looked around for the group. Peter stuck his hand in the air to get their attention.
“What's the occasion, Peter?” Squires got right to the point. “I hope you're paying for this meal.”
“You got a job and you're living free with Peter. Don't you have enough money to buy a lunch now and then?” Barton asked his youngest brother.
Squires looked away instead of answering. His friend seemed to save every penny but said he didn't have the money to buy a much needed pair of new boots.
“I hope I'm not late,” Tobin wheezed as he sat down in the remaining chair. “I ran the whole block, scared I'd miss some important gossip.”
“You're fine, Tobin,” Peter nodded to the man. “Thanks, everyone, for taking time to meet today. I need some advice.”
Everyone gave Peter their attention like he knew they would. They'd always helped each other out since meeting years ago.
“I'm worried about the orphans,” Peter started out.
“Why? They aren't your worry, or ours,” Squires stated before leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
“Maybe they should be,” Peter said defensively.
Sometimes Squires’ attitude irritated him. Yes, Squires had ended up in an adoptive home with difficult parents, but that should make him all the more concerned about the Gatti children.
“An agent will be picking them up in a few days. I'm sure they will find homes for them,” Wesley tried to convince Peter he didn’t have to worry about them.
“But Christian doesn't talk. How will he communicate with new parents?”
Peter liked having Christian as a shadow, and it wasn't hard to wish he could be his son forever.
“He gestures now, and he'll do that with the next people he lives with,” Gordon tried to assure him. “Avalee thinks he'll eventually talk once he feels comfortable again. He's been through some traumatic months with his parents dying and being put in the orphanage.”
But Bonita called Peter “Papa” and he knew Christian thought the same thing in his confused mind.
“I think you and Maggie should adopt the children,” Tobin announced matter-of-factly as he stirred sugar into the coffee the waitress had just placed in front of him.
“Maggie is supposed to be my wife,” Squires cut in.
“Oh, give it a rest, Squirrel. Neither one of you has shown interest in the other,” Tobin cut off Squire's whining. “Admit you like Maisie and court her.”
>
Squires opening his mouth to protest, but then shut it with a twist of his jaw.
“Can you afford to immediately support a wife and three children, Peter?” Barton asked, being the one who'd always been in charge, being the oldest of the six.
“Yes. I received money from my adopted father's will and can support a family, even if the children need more medical help than Doctor Pansy can give them.”
Peter noticed Squires bite his lip, trying to keep from saying something again. Tonight, he'd ask what was bothering Squires—if he got the chance. He'd been spending his evenings downstairs with Ann, Maggie, and the children. Most nights he'd ended up with Christian sleeping with him upstairs too.
“What kind of medical problems?” Gordon asked, now interested in health since his wife, Avalee, was still working for Doctor Pansy part-time.
“Besides Christian's problem, Alice is slow developing for her age. Doctor Pansy thought maybe she was deprived of oxygen if her mother had a long and difficult birth. Alice might have worse issues than just not talking like Christian.”
The group was silent, thinking of having children with problems.
“Step back a minute, Peter,” Barton advised. “What about Maggie? Yes, she’s attached to the children and probably would like to be their mother. But, do you love her? You’ll have many years together after these children are grown.”
“Barton’s right, Peter. Saying the wedding vows to Avalee really hit me in the chest.”
Peter looked at Gordon, and then Barton. Both had married fairly quickly after meeting their spouses. But both men were happy and settled now.
“Do you think Maggie is the right woman for me?”
One by one, the men nodded their approval, except Squires, which his older brother picked up on.
“Squires, why the hesitation?” Barton asked in a concerned voice.
“I was told Maggie would be my wife,” Squires said without looking up to meet his brother’s eyes.
Barton sighed in exasperation. “Squires. You have choices now that you’re in Clear Creek. You chose your job, and you’re happy with it, right?”
Maggie Shifts Her Gent Page 9