two

Samantha took the hand he offered and stepped down from the wagon. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt nervous about meeting this sister of Mr. Thompson’s. It was probably because she was still dressed as a man—or boy—and she reeked of smoke. She reached up and touched her hair. No telling what it looked like and—

“Don’t worry. Faith will get you cleaned up in no time, and you’ll feel more yourself.”

How did he know she was feeling so insecure? Probably from the smell and the look of her, Samantha decided as she let him lead her to the front door of the boardinghouse.

He didn’t knock, just opened the door and went inside, calling, “Faith, Matt, Hope!”

Footsteps came from the back of the house, and a woman about Samantha’s age with blue eyes and beautiful auburn hair, bearing a definite resemblance to Mr. Thompson, hurried to the front hall, wiping her hands on an apron.

“Ben! You’re here early!” She hugged him and then gave him a tap on the shoulder with her fist. “And you know Matt and Hope are still at school this time of day.”

Only then did she turn to Samantha. “And who is this you have with you?” Her eyes were kind, and her smile bright.

Samantha cringed at what she must think of her, all smoky and—

“Sis, this is Miss Samantha Carter, and she’s not had a good start to her day. She was camping between here and my place when her tent caught on fire this morning. She’s lost near everything she owns. Faith, I’m hoping you can help her out. Miss Carter, this is my sister, Faith Logan.”

Samantha could see the compassion in Mrs. Logan’s eyes as she reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry about your loss, Miss Carter. Come, let me fix you a cup of tea, and we’ll figure out what to do.”

Before Samantha knew what happened, she was sitting at a table in a sunny kitchen, and Mr. Thompson was leaning against the doorframe explaining how he found her, while his sister made her a cup of tea.

“Oh, I’m so glad Ben came by when he did, Miss Carter,” Mrs. Logan said.

“Yes, I am, too.” Samantha stole a glance at Mr. Thompson and saw that he was studying her intently, with a look of concern in his eyes. Suddenly it hit her that the man had actually saved her life. If he hadn’t stopped her, she would have run back into the tent. “I’m very beholden to him.”

Mr. Thompson pushed away from the doorframe and stood straight. He shook his head. “I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t have done. I’m glad the good Lord put me in the right place at the right time.”

Faith Logan put a cup of tea down on the table in front of Samantha and turned to her brother. “You want some coffee?”

“No, not now. I’ve got to deliver my produce to some of the stores in town. I’ll leave yours on the back porch and bring it in when I get back. I wanted to get Miss Carter here first. I won’t be long. She’s in need of work and a place to stay. She actually came here the other day, and Rose or one or your boarders told her you were full up—but I’m hoping we can find a place for her to sleep and eat, at least until she can find something more permanent.”

“Don’t worry, Ben. We’ll figure out something. You go on and take care of business, and I’ll take care of Miss Carter.”

Samantha felt like a bystander as the two talked around her. But she sensed that they really cared, and she didn’t have many options, anyway. So she said, “Thank you. I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”

“You aren’t any trouble at all,” Mrs. Logan said with a smile. “Now go on, Ben. I’m thinking Miss Carter would like to get some of that smoke and ash off of her and her clothing.”

He hesitated long enough that his sister gave him a once-over and said, “You know you could use a little cleaning up, yourself.”

“I’ll use the pump outside.”

His sister nodded. “That will help. You have some soot on your cheek.”

“Thanks for pointin’ it out, sis.”

Mrs. Logan laughed. “You’re welcome. Go on, now. We’ll see you after a while.”

“You’re all right with this?” Ben Thompson looked into Samantha’s eyes, and her heart stirred at the caring tone in his voice.

“Yes, I’m fine with it. Thank you—”

He waved away her thanks and headed for the back door. “I’ll see you both later.”

Faith Logan shook her head. “He’ll be chomping at the bit to get back here and see how you are.” She turned to Samantha. “Come on with me. I’ll run you a hot bath and find you something to change in to. We’re about the same size so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

She never asked why Samantha was dressed in boys’ clothing, never asked where she’d come from. She simply led her back to a real bathroom with a huge, claw-footed tub and began to run water. In all her twenty-five years, Samantha didn’t think she’d ever been accepted so readily.

“There’s soap right there, and if you take off your clothes and leave them outside the door, I’ll get them washed.”

“Oh I can do that—”

“You can help later. For now, I’ll find you something of mine to wear and have it all right outside. Don’t worry about being interrupted. It’s only women here this time of day, and this is my bathroom, so no one should bother you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Logan.”

“You’re welcome. And please call me Faith.”

“If you’ll call me Samantha.”

Faith grinned and nodded. “Have a good soak, Samantha.” She slipped out the door, and Samantha sighed in antici-pation of the first long, hot soak she’d had in days.

❧

Trying to keep his mind off the woman he’d just left at his sister’s wasn’t an easy feat as Ben went about his business, delivering his produce. His normal deliveries were to the Diamond Grocery on the corner of Cleveland and Sixth Streets, Allen & Anderson on the corner of Fifth and Vilas, and Kimbal Grocery and Provision on Division Street. After that, he checked in with several new grocers to see if they would buy from him. The town didn’t lack for grocers or any other kind of store, for that matter.

Once in a while he wondered if he’d done the right thing by leasing Rose’s farm and not staying in town to work with his brother-in-law. But every day brought something more to do on the farm, and deep in his heart, Ben knew he wouldn’t be happy living in town for long. He liked the open spaces and the peace and quiet of his farm. Still, it might be a sight easier to find someone to share his life with here in town.

Then again, the only single woman he’d come across in a long time was Samantha Carter, and the only thing he was pretty certain about her was that she wasn’t that kind of woman—if so, she’d have found work in a hurry.

He couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like all cleaned up. She had the prettiest blue eyes he’d ever seen, and in the sunlight, her hair lit up like spun gold, even smelling of smoke and with bits of ash in it. For some reason, the name Sam fit her, at least what he’d seen of her so far. She had a lot of spunk to be out here alone. He had to give that much to her.

Ben pulled out his pocket watch. They’d gotten into town right after noon, and his stomach was growling like nobody’s business. But he didn’t want to bother Faith for something to eat midafternoon. Besides, he knew she didn’t want him back until Miss Carter had a chance to clean up. He’d grab something at one of the eateries in town, and then he’d head back to the boardinghouse.

He stopped at the Oklahoma Café on East Oklahoma and found one empty table. It didn’t seem to matter what time of day it was—all the cafés in town did a good business. Many men like him were bound to get sick and tired of their own cooking. If it wasn’t for the food Faith insisted he take back to the farm with him, he’d probably be riding into town more often than on weekends. His cooking left a lot to be desired.

“What’ll ya have?” the proprietor asked. “We have stew and beans today. Served with corn bread. Take your pick.”

“I’ll have the stew.” He’d seen a plate of beans delivered to the next table, and they sure didn’t look like his sister’s. He could only hope the stew looked better.

“It’ll be right out.”

Ben looked around and saw mostly men in the place, which wasn’t unusual for the new town. Many men had come in to get settled before sending for their families. He wondered if any of them had wives still waiting back wherever they came from, or if like him, they wished for someone to share their life with.

His stew arrived steaming hot with a big slab of corn bread. He bowed his head and said a silent blessing before taking his first bite. It wasn’t nearly as good as his sister’s stew, but it was better than he could cook, and it would serve the purpose and keep his stomach from growling at her supper table.

By the time he finished, it was nearly time for his children to get out of school. He decided he’d buy some newspapers for Homer and swing by the school to get Matt and Hope. Then they’d go back to Faith’s, and he’d see how well Miss Carter had cleaned up.

He purchased the papers at a newsstand that had recently opened up on the corner and put them under the wagon seat. Then he went to get his children. As he waited outside the schoolhouse, he found it hard to believe that Hope had just turned fourteen. And Matt was now fifteen. They were growing up on him way too fast. It seemed only yesterday—

The school bell rang, and in minutes, children were swarming out the door. Hope was outside before Matt, and she was talking to another girl about her age when Matt joined them. They turned in his direction, and Ben’s heart swelled at the smiles that broke out when his children recognized him.

“Papa!” Hope took off in a run, and Matt hurried his long stride. Ben jumped down from the wagon and swung Hope up into a hug. He set her down and turned to give a manly hug to his son. “It’s good to see the two of you! I’m sure ready for the harvest break to get here, already.”

Ben wondered about the look Matt and Hope exchanged as Hope climbed up onto the seat up front by her father and Matt jumped in the back.

“It’ll be here before we know it, Papa,” Hope said.

“And I can’t wait!” Matt settled up near the wagon seat and held on to the back of it. “I’m eager to get out to the farm for more than a few days at a time.”

“In the meantime, I’m so glad you are here, Papa,” Hope said.

“So am I, darlin’. I had quite an adventure today.”

“Oh? What happened?” Matt asked.

Ben told them about the fire and Miss Carter. “She lost everything she had, which probably wasn’t much, so you two be extra nice and considerate of her, okay?”

“Oh how sad,” Hope said. “Of course we will, Papa.”

“Boy, it’s a good thing you came along when you did, Papa,” Matt said. “She might have died in that tent if you hadn’t been there to keep her out of it.”

Ben shuddered thinking about it. He wanted no credit for saving her—instead he sent up a silent thank-you that with the Lord’s help he’d been able to keep that tragedy from happening.

❧

Samantha didn’t get out of the tub until the water turned cool. She couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed a bath more. Faith’s dress fit her perfectly, and Samantha loved the material, which matched the blue of the sky on a fall day. She always felt good when wearing that particular shade. She’d washed the smoky smell out of her hair, and it dried in natural curls that she put up on top of her head.

By the time she made her way back to the kitchen, she felt like herself for the first time since she’d left Kansas. Faith was checking something that smelled like roast chicken in the oven and talking to another woman who looked up from icing a cake. She appeared to be in her late forties or so.

“You must be Samantha,” she said. “I’m Rose Lambert, and I’m glad to meet you. Faith has been telling me about your ordeal and that you inquired about a room a few days ago. One of the boarders must have answered the door. They do that at times.”

Faith only knew it wasn’t this lady or Faith who she’d talked to. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Lambert.”

“Oh we don’t stand on ceremony here, child. Call me Rose.”

“Yes, ma’am. . .ah, Rose. Please call me Samantha.” Calling the older woman by her first name went against the way she’d been raised, but she didn’t want to refuse the woman’s request either. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Not after all you’ve been through today. You sit down and relax,” Faith said.

Samantha took a seat at the table and smiled at Rose.

The older woman smiled back and said, “I told Faith that you are more than welcome to share my room with me.”

“Why, that is very nice of you, Rose. Thank you.”

“I don’t snore, or if I do, my departed husband never told me so.” She grinned at Samantha.

Samantha laughed. “I don’t think I do either. I certainly hope not.”

“We’ll settle the room situation later, but don’t you worry, Samantha. You have a place to stay as long as you need it,” Faith said as she basted what turned out to be two hens she was roasting. The aroma had Samantha’s mouth watering, and she realized it’d been awhile since she’d eaten.

“We’ll find you work, too. Only that might take a few days longer. I’m going to ask around town. I have an idea of several places that might need help,” Faith continued as she slid the roaster back in the oven. She turned to Samantha with a smile. “Oh, that dress looks wonderful on you. I’m so glad it fit.”

“Thank you so much for letting me borrow it. I’ll take very good care of it.”

“Consider it yours. I’ve worn it so much I’m sure my husband is getting a bit tired of it. I think I have another dress or two that will fit you. I’ve put on a little weight since I married, and I’ve noticed several outfits that are a little snug on me.”

Samantha wondered if she was exaggerating a bit, but she had a feeling Faith wouldn’t like it if she asked. From the way she’d treated her since she’d walked through the door, Samantha knew Faith Logan had a huge heart. “Thank you, Faith. But one more should do me until I can go to work and buy some—”

“No need to spend your money if you don’t have to, I always say,” Rose said, giving her opinion on the subject as if it settled the matter.

“That’s right, Rose. And really, Samantha, I’d like to share what I can.”

“Then I thank you, Faith.”

The sound of a door opening cut short their conversation, and Samantha wondered if Mr. Thompson had come back. Several people were talking and laughing as they got closer to the kitchen, and she figured it might be some of the boarders. She was surprised when two young people burst into the kitchen with Mr. Thompson coming in right behind them.

“Oh, that smells good, Aunt Faith,” the young man said.

“My mouth began watering as soon as Papa opened the front door,” the young lady said.

“Matt, Hope, please meet Miss Carter, the lady I told you about on the way here,” Mr. Thompson said. “Miss Carter, these are my children.”

“I’m pleased to meet you both,” Samantha said. From what Mr. Thompson had told her earlier, either his wife had passed away, or they weren’t living together.

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Hope said.

“Yes, I’m pleased, too,” Matt added.

“You cleaned up real well, Miss Carter.” Ben smiled from behind his daughter.

“Ben!” Faith slapped her brother on the shoulder. “What a thing to say!”

“Well—”

“It’s all right, Faith. I was a sight, you must admit, what with all that smoke and ash covering me. And please, everyone, call me Samantha.”

The young people looked at their papa for permission to do so. He nodded. “I suppose it’s all right, since Miss—since Samantha has asked us to. Of course she must reciprocate and call us by our first names, too.”

Samantha inclined her head and nodded. “All right, Ben. It’s nice to meet your children.”

“Thank you.” He poured himself a cup of coffee and joined her at the table. “I come in most weekends to see them and eat Faith’s good cooking. But come fall, I’ll have them out at the farm, and then we might all come in for some of Faith’s cooking. Unless Hope has learned—”

Samantha noticed the glance Hope and her aunt shared before Faith said, “Hope is a good cook. She helps us in the kitchen most days, doesn’t she, Rose?”

“She does, to be sure.”

“And I need to go wash up now; then I’ll be right back down to help.” Hope kissed her papa on the cheek and hurried out of the room.

“I’ll go do my chores,” Matt said. “This smells too good to stay inside with until supper time.”

“I’ll be out to help when I finish this coffee.”

“There’s no need, Papa. I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can, son.”

A shadow seemed to fall over Ben’s face as he watched his son leave the room. He took a swig of coffee and looked at his sister. “They’re growing up on me, Faith.”

“They are, Ben. But they are becoming wonderful young people. You should be proud of them.”

“Oh, I am that. But I wish time didn’t fly quite so fast. Where is Gabe working today? I think I’ll go give him a hand.”

Faith watched her brother leave and then turned back to Samantha and Rose with a sigh. “He’s really not going to be happy when he finds out Hope doesn’t want to spend the harvest break at the farm.”