| |
Beth moved through the day, trying to keep from being underfoot, but it was obvious that she wasn’t needed at the Hampton House.
Did this mean that she should be concentrating on getting to know the single men of the community and deciding if one of them would suit her as a potential mate? The prospect did not thrill her as yet another miner grinned at her through a layer of dust and grime covering his face.
Perhaps it would have been better to arrive in Needful with a man already picked for her. That way she wouldn’t have had to think about the whole mess. Instead, she would have been adjusting to a new life as a stranger’s wife.
“You’re a mighty pretty girl,” an older man with a long beard said grinning at her with a gapped smile. “Why don’t you pick me, and we’ll get married tamoory?” he said.
Beth managed not to shudder at the man’s proposal but hurried back into the kitchen as soon as she could.
“Rosa, I don’t know what to do,” she whispered as she huddled next to the stove, dreading going back into the dining hall. “I know I came here as a mail-order bride, but I just can’t seem to like any of these men.”
The black-haired woman turned, her eyes weary. “It does not matter,” she said. “You can think you know a man, but he will hide things from you, and then it is all too late.”
Olive had told Beth that Rosa was still struggling with the loss of her husband a few months earlier, and she shook her head at her careless words. “I’m sorry Rosa,” she said. “I shouldn’t have brought it up.”
Rosa shrugged her shoulders. She wasn’t any bigger than a minute but was hard working and an excellent cook. “Why don’t you take my Christina out for a walk,” she said, stirring chopped onions into a pan. “She is inside too much.”
Beth looked down at the little girl playing with a rag doll in the tiny pen Rosa had set up for her in the kitchen. The little girl was a year and a half old and as pretty as a picture, with rosy cheeks and pitch-black hair.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Beth said reaching down and picking up the child. “It’s bright and sunny and a few minutes outside will do us both good.”
Rosa nodded absently as Beth carried Christina toward the back door. It was very hard to care about things some days, and she was glad to have someone else take a turn with her daughter.
The sun was shining as Beth stepped through the door, but the air was still cool and brisk. She had heard that Texas could get warm in the spring and summer, but so far the weather was mild, even welcoming.
Putting Christina down on the patch of grass on the backlot, Beth took her little hand and began walking around the clearing.
“Now ain’t that a sweet sight,” a ragged voice called as a man working on the structure of the livery stable yelled down from the roof. “You’re as pretty as a painted pony,” the man continued, slicking greasy blonde hair out of his eyes. “Maybe I’d best come callin’ later this week and meet up with you,” he added with a wink.
Beth felt her face flush as she hurried to gather Christina up and rushed into the house, the man’s raucous laughter following her through the back door.
“What’s wrong?” Olive asked, hurrying to catch Beth in the parlor. “Are you ill?”
Beth stood staring at Olive for several seconds, face flushed, and eyes flashing. “The men in this town are rude,” she finally spoke. “That man on the roof out there was calling to me as if I were some common trollop.”
Olive shook her head. “I know, I know,” she grumbled. “The men around here lack a certain refinement. I think it comes from being on their own too long.”
“Olive,” another voice interrupted and Prim stepped into the family living quarters smiling softly. “I was wondering if you would let Mama sit here for a while,” the dark-haired young woman said. “I’m trying to get the shopping done and don’t want to tire her before supper.”
“You know your mama’s welcome here any ol’ time,” Olive grinned. “I’ll fix some tea,” she continued turning toward the shared kitchen then pausing. “Why don’t you come and sit with me for a spell though before you go to the store,” she added tapping her lips with a finger. “I have an idea.”
Prim looked to Beth then back at Olive when the other girl had nothing to offer.
“You two come along now,” Olive said, grabbing each young woman by the hand and tugging them toward her small table in the back of the building. “My girls will see to your mama until you return.”
“So you think Anderson and I should hire Beth to work at our house and help look after mama?” Prim said a few minutes later as they all sat around a small table drinking tea. “That way she won’t be bothered by the men here in town that are determined to have a wife, and I’ll have someone to help around the place.”
“That’s right,” Olive nodded, adding a smidge more sugar to her tea. “Then Peri and I can sort out a few fella’s who might suit you, Beth,” she continued, turning toward her newest helper. “Dan Gaines doesn’t seem interested in marryin’ up yet, but he’s a good man, and maybe if you get to know him things will work out.”
Beth chewed her bottom lip thinking over the idea. “I wouldn’t want to be any trouble,” she offered, looking at Prim.
“It wouldn’t be any trouble for me,” Prim assured. “It would be a big help. Ever since Peri married Bear, it’s mostly me and Mama, alone all day. Some days I surely would love the help.”
“When would you like me to start?” Beth asked shifting Christina from her lap to the floor.
“I’ll need to talk it over with Anderson first,” Prim smiled her blue eyes kind. “I don’t see any issues with it though. He keeps telling me I shouldn’t be doing all the housework on my own. Give me a couple of days and then we’ll go from there.”
“Prim, you go on and do your shopping, and I’ll introduce Beth to your mother. I’m sure they’ll get along wonderfully,” Olive said, finishing her tea and ushering everyone back out into the parlor where Mrs. Perkins sat rocking in an old chair where one of the Hampton women had placed her.
“Mama, I’m going to do the shopping now.” Prim smiled down to the woman with gray-streaked brown hair who was humming softly as she rocked.
The chair came to a halt as the older woman’s eyes roved the room landing on her daughter and the other women as her thin hand reached toward Beth.
“Yes, Mama,” Prim grinned. “This is Beth and she’s going to keep you company for a bit while I go to the store.”
To Prim’s surprise her mother started humming again, this time a jaunty tune she didn’t recognize even while pulling herself out of the chair as she clung to the blonde girl’s strong hand.
“I think she likes you,” Olive said with a chuckle. “Just take her into the dining area, and we’ll bring out some coffee,” the old woman finished with a grin.
