Chapter 18

 

She moved her fingers across the banister. Mark had worked so carefully when he carved the intricate flowers along the banister. Seth had sanded it to a smooth finish. No slivers of wood were going to mar Violet’s soft hands. All that was left was to finish it with linseed oil.

“Be right there,” he called from the kitchen.

She folded her arms across her chest and took a deep breath, taking in the clean smell of pine and oak. She could close her eyes and imagine this was her own new house. Walking to the open door, she stared out at the valley below. It was a view she could get used to.

But it was wrong to think about. She and Charlie would have to make their own home someday, once she got some money saved. And when that time came, they would move far, far away from Seth Murphy.

“Here it is,” he grinned as he returned, a large catalogue in his hand. “Take a seat on the steps and look at these with me. I‘ve been trying to pick out the right stove, but I’m just not sure which one.” He plopped down on the second step and patted the place beside him.

Opening to a page he had marked, his finger pointed to a small Windsor model.

She shook her head. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had my own stove before.” She’d only cooked on an open fire before coming to live with Uncle Wally. His cast-iron range was the first she’d prepared a meal on. There was an art to making cornbread over a fire, but nothing could be better than using a real oven. She hoped never to be without one again.

“Does Violet like to cook?” She shouldn’t ask, but wondered if Seth had even considered the question.

He gave her a brief glance, then turned back to the book. “I haven’t really heard her say.” He pointed to one at the top of the page. “Do you think just starting with this basic Grand Windsor would be alright? The catalogue says they are the best stoves you can buy.”

Sitting so close to him, his voice soft in her ear as he leaned toward her, sent tingles down her arm. She’d like to scoot away, but the staircase was narrow and standing would seem rude. She would just have to bear the situation until he was finished showing her his choices.

“I suppose they all cook the same,” she answered, staring at the variety on the page. Some were so large they probably wouldn’t fit in the small room Seth had built for the kitchen. And what did one do with all those pots and gadgets that seemed to be advertised next to the ranges?

She gave him a brief smile. He was so earnest, doing his best to please the girl that he loved. Would Violet ever appreciate all the work he had done? Any woman would be blessed to have a man that loved her so much.

Maybe Missy’s worries were for nothing. It was possible that Violet was the girl God had for Seth. He didn’t seem to have any doubts. Right now his only worry seemed to be getting his love something decent to cook on.

“I think you’re right,” he agreed. “And if I save money on the stove, I’ll be able to purchase a parlor suit for the other room. I know Violet would like to start off with everything finished and new.”

She swallowed hard. The parlor. It was her favorite room. The limestone fireplace was beautiful and the carved mantel Mark had created gave the room a special touch. Seth had even ordered wallpaper to cover the boards in that room. No doubt the two of them would sit in front of the fire at night, dreaming about their new life together. The twinge in her heart was hard to ignore.

“Seems it costs a lot to get a household started.” She gave a weak smile. The items he’d shown her had added up to more money than she’d thought of.

He checked his page marker and shut the catalogue. “Well, I’ll only be working at the store two days a week after Saturday. Rob Hilton’s hiring me four days a week over at the sawmill, so that’ll be some more cash for me. I’m going to do my best to get this place finished before fall.”

Only two days a week? She was going to miss him. And he was surely pushing himself to have two jobs and work on the house. “I guess it won’t be long until you propose.”

He shrugged. “I just want everything to be perfect before I do. And thank you for the advice,” he grinned. “I’d ask Violet, but I want everything to be a surprise for her. I know she. . .well, she loves me, but I want her to think she’s marrying a successful rancher that will be able to support her and give her nice things.”

He stood and held out his hand to her. “Guess I’d better get you and Charlie home.”