Thirteen

Faith was glad they’d had near a week in the house before her boarders began moving in on Saturday. It truly felt like home. She loved serving her family and Gabe in the kitchen, and the room felt even more special to her because they’d used it.

It was the gathering place. At the end of the day, the men came in through the back door. On the rare occasions she hadn’t been in the kitchen or nearby, they seemed to be disappointed and called her name to find out where she was.

She had learned how her range cooked and was very happy with the one she’d chosen. It was easy to operate, and everything she’d cooked had come out wonderful.

It had been so different having everyone come down to the kitchen—sometimes Gabe got there before anyone else and kept her company while she cooked. He seemed to like watching her work in the kitchen, and she liked having him there.

He’d taken to making sure she had plenty of wood each night before bedtime, and he filled the water reservoir in the range so that she didn’t have to lift the heavy bucket to do it. Ben had almost stopped checking to see if he needed to replenish the wood box or the water.

She’d only have one room left when her last boarder moved in later that day, and Faith wasn’t sure she wanted to fill it yet. With her family and Gabe taking up four rooms and with two couples and one gentleman taking up three more, she’d see how well she could handle taking care of the needs of ten people before adding another.

Mr. and Mrs. Warner had opened a shoe store downtown and were waiting for their home to be built, so they would be leaving after a month or two. But Mr. and Mrs. Fairmont were still trying to decide if they wanted to stay in Guthrie. They’d lost many of their possessions in the run and then seen their claim disappear when told they were in the middle of a street. While they had a half-claim to set up his barber shop, they weren’t sure whether to find a lot for a home or build an apartment above their shop if they did stay. For now, Mrs. Fairmont just wanted to be able to think about it without camping in the shop.

Mr. Harrington was a druggist and engaged to a young lady back East. He wanted to be assured he could make a living before going to get her and bring her back. Or rather, as he clarified things, her parents wanted to make sure he could make a living for her before they agreed to let her marry him. He was just glad to have a place to call home and not have to worry about eating out or cooking his own meals.

He was the last to arrive and was quite pleased with the room Faith gave him. “This will work just fine, Miss Anderson. Thank you. I will write home tonight that I’ll be well taken care of here until my Mindy can join me and we can get married. Would we be able to stay here once we are married—until we can build a home?”

“Certainly. And just so you know, Mr. Logan, who is staying here also, built my home.”

“Really? Well, I must talk to him.”

“You’ll have plenty of opportunity, I’m sure. Supper is at six thirty.”

“Thank you. I’ll be on time. Whatever we’re having smells wonderful.”

“We’re having a family favorite of chicken and dumplings, and I’d better get back to the kitchen to make sure it doesn’t burn. You saw the dining room and the parlor when you came in. I’ll ring the bell when it’s time to gather in the dining room.”

Faith hurried downstairs and was relieved to find her dumplings were perfect, simmering slowly on a back burner. She was serving green beans with the filling main dish, and Hope had made a berry cobbler for dessert. She certainly hoped her boarders weren’t fussy eaters.

When everything was ready, she only had to ring the bell once. She could hear footsteps coming from all directions. She assigned seats to everyone, with her brother at one end and her at the other. Ben had insisted that if he was sitting at the far end from the kitchen, Gabe should take the seat to her right so they could keep heavy dishes moving

She made introductions all around and was happy to find that her boarders weren’t picky. Mrs. Fairmont was thin as a rail and just didn’t eat much at all. But what she didn’t eat, her husband made up for.

“This is mighty good food, Miss Anderson. I do believe we’ve found the perfect place to stay, dear,” he said to his wife.

“I believe you are right, dear.” Mrs. Fairmont turned to Faith. “I’m not much of a cook, Miss Anderson. Thank you for providing two chairs in our room. It is such a comfort to be out of the back of that shop and in such a nice big room.”

“I’m glad you feel comfortable here. I hope you all will be. As I told you earlier, breakfast will be served from six thirty until eight thirty, the midday meal at twelve noon, and supper will be at six thirty from now on. Sundays, there will be breakfast and Sunday dinner after church. Supper will be light.”

All of her boarders seemed agreeable to the schedule, and she breathed a sigh of relief. After all the planning for the boardinghouse, she was a little overwhelmed that she would be responsible for keeping these nice people well fed and comfortable. Thankfully Guthrie had more than one laundry, and she’d told them upfront that they’d have to arrange for their laundry to be done—all except for their linens and bath towels. She’d manage. She hoped.

❧

By the end of the second week of being the proprietor of a boardinghouse, and even with Hope’s assistance, Faith knew she needed to hire someone to help them. If she hadn’t realized it, her family certainly did.

“Be prepared to have people call on you today, sis,” Ben said as he came down to the kitchen on Tuesday morning. “Yesterday, I placed an advertisement in several of the local papers for someone to help you. It should be in today’s papers.”

“Ben! You shouldn’t have done that. And why didn’t you tell me last night?”

“You’d just have worried yourself, and me, about it all evening. But you can’t keep going at this pace for much longer. You look exhausted all the time, and Hope’s not going to be able to help as much once school starts. If you can’t enjoy having boarders without it wearing you out, I’m not sure I can leave Matt and Hope with you when I decide to find my own place. I want you to enjoy life a little more, Faith. You deserve it.”

“But Ben, I don’t know if I can afford—”

“I said the pay would be room and board. You have the one extra room. Might as well use it to your benefit. You don’t have to hire anyone you don’t think will work, but you really need to interview whoever answers the ad.”

“I suppose I could use some more help.”

“Sis, you need to do something before your boarders begin to think you don’t want them here. Even Gabe has noticed the dark circles under your eyes and the fact that you can barely keep your eyes open to get the kitchen cleaned up and preparations for the next day finished.”

“He said something to you?”

“He doesn’t like to see you so tired. He’s been thinking maybe he ought to move out so you’d have one less room to clean and—”

“No! I can’t let that happen. We owe him so much. . . .”

“Well, then just hire someone to help. That should take care of the problem. I’m sure you’ll find someone who needs a place to live and will be happy to work for their keep.”

Faith opened her mouth to say she wished he’d mind his own business, but Gabe came into the kitchen just then.

“Did you tell her?” Gabe took the cup of coffee Faith handed him. “Thank you.”

“About the advertisement he took upon himself to put in the papers?” At Gabe’s nod, Faith sighed. “Yes, he told me.”

“Good. If he hadn’t done it, I most likely would have. You need help, Faith.”

“So I’ve been told.” She looked from one man to the other. “Several times today. I’ll interview the applicants. And I’ll pray about it.”

“We can’t ask for more than that, can we, Ben?”

“I’ll be happy with that.”

Faith shooed them in to breakfast. She supposed she should appreciate that they wanted her to have help. But she really didn’t have time to interview people today. Still she prayed that the Lord would send the right person to become part of her household and that she would know her when she met her.

Faith dove into her work after breakfast, resigned to the fact that she’d be interrupted all day. But she was more than a little surprised when she opened the door midmorning to see a familiar face.

“Mrs. Lambert—oh, how wonderful it is to see you! I’ve been wondering if you made it all right.” The older woman’s spark seemed to have left her, but she smiled as Faith pulled her inside.

“Oh, my dear Faith. I had no idea this was your boardinghouse. How lovely it is.”

“How have you been? What can I do for you? I’m so glad you found us.”

“Well to be truthful, dear, I’ve come to answer this advertisement.”

Faith felt confused. Why would Mrs. Lambert need work? “I don’t understand. Did you and Mr. Lambert not find a claim?”

“Oh, yes we did. It’s not too far out of town. But. . .” Tears came to the older woman’s eyes. “I lost my mister a little over a week ago. He just up and died on me.”

“Oh. . .” Faith didn’t know what to do but gather the woman into her arms. “I am so sorry. Please, come this way, and let me get you a cup of tea.”

She led Mrs. Lambert down the hall and into the kitchen. “Please take a seat at the table, and let me make that tea.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Lambert pulled a lace handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just haven’t known quite what to do. I brought him into town to have him buried, and I’ve been staying at the Hotel Carlton over on Harrison. I can’t bring myself to go back home. And I don’t know what to do about my place. But I can’t farm it myself, and I just don’t know what to do.”

“You are more than welcome to stay here until you decide. We’ll gather your things from the hotel this afternoon, and you’ll stay right here with us.”

“Faith dear, you are so nice. I’d love that. But only if you will let me work for my keep.”

“But there’s no need—”

“There is a need. You have one”—she waved the advertisement—“and I have one. I don’t know what I’ll do with the claim, but I can’t go back to it right now, and I need work. I’d count it as a blessing if you’d hire me to help you. I can wash and clean with the best of them. And I’m not too bad a cook either. Please consider me for the position. Please just think about it.”

Faith set a cup of tea in front of her and sat down with her own cup. She stirred her tea and shook her head. “I don’t need to think about it. You have the position. I’ve been praying about it all morning, and the Lord answered my prayer more quickly than I ever imagined He would. He brought you to my door. Let’s drink this tea, and I’ll show you to your room.”

Mrs. Lambert ducked her head and nodded, reaching out to pat Faith’s hand. Faith knew she was trying to hide her tears, but there was no need. Faith brushed at her own. Mrs. Lambert would be part of this household for as long as she wanted to be.

❧

Mrs. Lambert had been quite pleased with the room Faith gave her. It was the last corner room upstairs, and Faith was glad she hadn’t given it to any of the boarders. The sorrow in the woman’s eyes broke Faith’s heart.

She and her husband had made so many plans, and now. . .perhaps it was because Faith had had her own dreams shattered by the death of her husband that she could relate to what Mrs. Lambert was going through.

All Faith really knew was that the Lord knew what they both needed and brought Mrs. Lambert to her door. They decided that Ben and Matt would go back to the hotel with Mrs. Lambert to gather up her things, and she would start work the very next day.

But Faith wasn’t surprised when Mrs. Lambert showed up in the kitchen right after supper with her apron on. She’d have protested, but it was a good time for the family to get to know her.

Matt and Hope remembered her from the day of the run, and Faith had never been more proud of them than she was at their response to seeing Mrs. Lambert again. Hope hugged her like a long-lost aunt, and Matt patted her shoulder at the news that her husband had passed away. Then they went to work cleaning up the kitchen so that Ben and Gabe could get to know Mrs. Lambert.

Faith poured them all some coffee and told of how Mrs. Lambert had convinced them all that they could make the trip without Ben.

“Lambert? Seems like I met him at the creek right before we all decided to go to the front of the line,” Ben said. “I’m sure I did. I’m so sorry ’bout your loss, ma’am.”

“Thank you. He was a good man. And he managed to get us a good stake. Built a little house already—we’d planned on adding on to it later. He got the crops planted, but I just don’t see how I can keep it up by myself, and I don’t take much to livin’ out there all alone. I have a neighbor keepin’ an eye on it until I get back out there, but at the time I thought I’d go right back.” She shook her head. “I just can’t bring myself to go.”

“That’s understandable,” Gabe said.

“I’m just not sure what to do with the claim. My neighbor said he couldn’t farm any more than he has right now, and even if he could, he can’t afford to buy me out.”

“You say it’s not too far from town?” Ben asked.

“Well, it’s about halfway between here and Edmond Station, I’d say.”

“That’s not bad.” He exchanged a look with Faith before offering, “Would you like me to go take a look at it? I might can give you an idea what you could ask for it or if you could get someone to farm it for you.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose on you. I’m sure you have your own work to do.”

“It’s not an imposition. I can ride out and be back in a day. Gabe won’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Gabe added. “We’re glad you answered Faith’s advertisement. Be glad to help you any way we can.”

“I’ll take you up on your offer, then. It’s a fine place, and I’ll appreciate any advice you can give me.”

“Maybe I’ll go after church on Sunday and come back Monday morning. That way I won’t miss that much time helping Gabe.”

Faith was almost certain that Ben was looking for himself, but she didn’t say anything. Mrs. Lambert needed advice, and Ben would know what to tell her.

“That won’t be a problem. Take all the time you need,” Gabe said.

“Thank you.” Mrs. Lambert looked around the table. “I can’t tell you how happy my husband would be to know I found Faith and you all. It means more to me than I can say to have a place, to be so welcomed here, and to have a family to care for. I thank the Lord for sending me here.”

“No more than we thank Him for bringing you,” Faith said. “I didn’t much want to hire anyone. It was Ben’s idea. But now I know that the Lord had a plan—probably from when we first met.” She got up and hugged Mrs. Lambert’s shoulders. “I’m so happy you are here with us. I hope we can be of some comfort to you. And I don’t want you living out there by yourself either.”

“Thank you. I can’t tell you how I’ve worried about what I was going to do. But I should have known better. The Lord always takes care of His own.” Mrs. Lambert took one last sip from her cup and carried it to the sink, where Hope took it from her.

“Thank you for everything. I’m going to call it a night now, but I’ll be up to help you with breakfast first thing in the morning.”

“You can sleep in—”

“No. I’ll be awake early. I’ll see you then.”

Faith watched her leave the kitchen, blinking back tears. Then she shook her head and turned to her brother. “Thank you for placing that advertisement. Not so much for the help, but so that Mrs. Lambert would come to us.”

“She sure is a nice lady,” Hope said. “She made me feel better when I woke up that morning and found out Papa had left the night before.”

“She made me feel like I could drive just as good as anyone,” Matt added.

“And you did,” Faith said. “She was an encourager for us all. Now I hope we can help her.”

“You’ll help her, Faith,” Gabe said. “You nurture everyone.”