8

Rosemary stalked toward home, her anger cooling. What had she done? Curt warned her to keep her temper. Now she’d cost herself the job she so desperately needed.

She drew in a deep breath and held it while she tried to think what to do next. Buggies and riders on horseback passed by on the street. Sheriff Cooper entered the barbershop on the corner. A small boy darted past, schoolbooks swinging from a strap. Everyone had someplace to go—everyone but her.

Without any conscious plan, her feet carried her to West & Riley’s. She needed a few extra things now that she was cooking for two people. In spite of what she’d said to Curt, Jolene had begun eating small amounts.

She’d spend what she had on food and then tomorrow collect what Dr. Stewart owed her for helping with Mrs. Haggerty’s baby. Her mind skittered away from another confrontation with him. She’d worry later.

Entering the grocery store, her mouth watered at the combined aromas of coffee and fried bacon wafting from the restaurant portion of the building.

Jacob West strode toward her, a smile lighting his attractive face. “What a fine way to start my day. Has the doctor changed his hours?”

“No.” She swallowed. “I’ve changed mine, you might say.”

He cocked his head. “How so?”

After Dr. Stewart’s harshness, Jacob’s friendly interest was a balm to her spirit. “We had a . . . disagreement. I don’t work for him anymore.” She dropped her gaze, focusing on a crack between the wooden floorboards.

“He was a fool if he sent you away. I hear nothing but good about your help in his practice.”

A smile quivered on her lips. “Really?”

“All the time.” He reached into a glass jar on the countertop and handed her a peppermint. “This’ll make a bad day look better. Now, what can I get for you?”

“Just a few things. Two pounds of rice, a pound of oatmeal, and some baking powder.”

“Would your dog like a ham hock? The butcher brought more than I can use.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’d be happy if you’d take it off my hands.”

“Jacob—”

He lifted a hand to stop her. “It’s the least I can do for my favorite nurse.”

In spite of her embarrassment, she chuckled. “How many nurses do you know?”

“One. But she’s special.”

Rosemary left the grocery with the image of Jacob’s face before her. The Lord must have guided her feet to the store, knowing how much she needed a kind word. Fortified by the encouragement, she turned west on High Street toward Lindberg’s Mercantile.

Faith needed to know what happened, but Rosemary quailed at telling her. She’d been so proud of finding a way to support herself and now she was right back where she’d been before. Barely enough money to feed herself, let alone Jolene.

Clouds blurred the sky, blotting out the feeble rays of the sun. She drew her cloak tighter against the gusting wind. She’d endured storms before—she would do it again.

She turned onto King’s Highway, passed the newspaper office, and slipped inside the mercantile. Faith glanced up from an open ledger at the sound of the bell over the door. Her eyes widened when she saw Rosemary.

“This is a lovely surprise.” She closed the book with a snap and darted around the counter for a hug. “Did the doctor send you here for supplies? Paper? Ink?”

“No.” The enormity of the morning’s happenings engulfed her. Her eyes stung. “I came to say . . .” She cleared her throat. “I told Dr. Stewart I wouldn’t work for him any longer.”

“What? Come, sit.” Faith took her hand and led her to the chairs near the stove. “Please tell me. Was he unkind to you?”

Rosemary dropped her grocery-filled carryall next to a chair and sank down. “He said he couldn’t allow me to shelter Jolene. He told me she’d have to go.” Remembering the scene, her anger boiled afresh. “Can you imagine? He said it reflected on him, of all things.”

Faith leaned back, a bewildered expression on her face. “How absolutely odd. I must say, I’m surprised. He seems such an affable soul. In fact, for a doctor, he’s quite friendly.”

“Yes.” She remembered the conversations they’d had in his office. He enjoyed learning about the townspeople and often went out of his way to chat with patients. His reaction to Jolene’s presence in her home left her baffled. She rubbed the back of her neck. “I remember him from when I first started at the Barracks. No matter how bad the injury to one of our soldiers, he remained calm.”

“You didn’t tell us you knew him.” Faith’s voice squeaked with astonishment. “Did he recognize you?”

“No. I was only there for a month or so before he was sent to a battlefield depot.” She glanced at her sister-in-law, feeling a flush creep up her neck. “I must confess I hoped he’d remember me.”

“No wonder you wanted to work for him.” Faith sent her a knowing look. “He’s very attractive.”

“Doesn’t matter now, does it? I’ve got bigger things to worry about.” Rosemary stood. “I need to go home, but I’m afraid if I tell Jolene what happened, she’ll blame herself. The poor girl is frantic with fear already.”

Mr. Slocum entered the store and meandered over to them. “Miss Rosemary. Thought you was working for the new doc.”

“Was. Not anymore.”

“You coming back here again?”

“I’ll give it some thought.” She leaned over and kissed Faith’s cheek. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Drops of rain spat at the boardwalk as she strode home. There had to be a way to explain today’s events to Jolene without upsetting her. Rosemary wished she knew what it was.

“I’ll leave right now.” Jolene jumped up from the settee.

Rosemary blocked her path, arms extended. “You’re not leaving. I want you here.”

“You lost your job because of me.” Tears streaked the girl’s face.

“No, I lost my temper. I cost myself my employment. I should have tried to explain things to him.” She dropped onto one of the chairs in front of the window and blew out a weary breath. Not having the job was bad enough. Explaining the particulars to everyone was worse.

Bodie padded over and poked his nose under her arm. She reached down and scratched his silky ears. “Good boy,” she murmured.

Jolene settled back onto the settee, sniffling. “Say what you want. It’s my fault. If I left, would he hire you back?”

“I wouldn’t work for him under those circumstances. My life is my concern—not his.”

“Maybe Miss Lytle would give me piecework again. I’m feeling some better now.” Her large brown eyes reflected a sheen of tears. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not.” Rosemary crossed to the settee. Bending over, she hugged the girl’s thin shoulders. “I’ve already thought of something we can do together.”

By the time Curt arrived that afternoon with Jolene’s possessions, Rosemary had changed from the drab clothing she wore in the doctor’s office into her pleated moss green outfit. Her skirt swished over the floorboards as she hurried to answer the door.

“You’re very prompt. No students kept late today?”

He blinked. “You didn’t tell me you’d be home. I expected Miss Graves would let me in.”

“She’s upstairs, in your old room.” She pointed at a battered trunk next to him. “Could you carry this up for us, please?”

He hefted Jolene’s belongings onto the entry floor, then tucked his thumb under Rosemary’s chin. “I’m always happy to see you, but why are you here? It’s only four o’clock.”

After already explaining her actions to three people, Rosemary abbreviated her answer to her brother. “Dr. Stewart told me I couldn’t have Jolene here. I disagreed. Faith can give you the details.”

Curt brought his heels together and saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”

Rosemary led the way up the stairs and tapped on Jolene’s door. “My brother brought your trunk,” she called.

In a moment, the girl stood facing them wrapped in Rosemary’s striped blue dressing gown. Her hair hung down behind her in a long braid. “I must have fallen asleep.” When she noticed Curt standing in the hallway, she ducked to one side, cheeks crimson. “I thank you. Just leave it, please. I’ll unpack directly.” Backing away, she closed the door.

Pity clutched Rosemary’s heart. From the girl’s swollen eyes, she knew she’d been crying. The sooner she got her busy on a new enterprise, the sooner Jolene would feel useful.

The following morning, Rosemary woke with a sense of dread nagging at her. She’d promised herself she’d collect her share of the Haggertys’ payment today, but the thought of facing Dr. Stewart was enough to remove all joy from the morning.

She shoved her feet into wool slippers and threw her wrapper over her shoulders. No sense delaying what had to be done. As soon as she opened the door, Bodie rose from his post, stretching. His body heat seeped from the floorboards to the soles of her feet.

“You’re supposed to sleep in the kitchen, not outside my room,” she said to him, secretly pleased at the thought of him keeping watch over her.

Bodie wagged his tail and ran down the stairs toward the back door.

She stepped onto the porch after him, shivering in the early morning chill. He circled the yard with his nose to the ground. After a minute, he disappeared inside the greenhouse.

Half-awake, it took Rosemary a moment to realize the door stood open. Her senses jangled. Although it was late March, the previous night had been chilly. Her tender plants might not survive the cold. She sped down the steps and along the path to the small outbuilding.

Stepping through the entrance, she scrutinized the tidy tables. The mint plant appeared unaffected by the drop in temperature. Rosemary inspected each of the pots containing infant sprouts while Bodie nosed about the corners of the window-lined enclosure. On some of the stems, new leaves curled downward in the chill air. She shook her head. Nothing to do now but wait to see if they recovered.

She took a final look around, trying to remember when she’d last watered. Surely the door had been latched upon returning to the house. But perhaps the distraction of Jolene’s arrival had made her careless.

“Rosemary?” The girl’s high-pitched voice warbled from the porch steps. “Where are you?”

Bodie’s ears perked up when he heard Jolene. He bounded across the yard and stopped at her feet, wagging his tail.

Rosemary ducked through the opening and fastened the door behind her. “I found the greenhouse open and went to check.” She rubbed her forehead as she crossed the yard. “I don’t understand how I could have been so forgetful.”

“Maybe the door blew open. The wind howled last night.” She shuddered. “I don’t like that noise. Sounds like ghosts.”

Rosemary slipped an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “There’s no such thing as ghosts. Besides, this house is stout. We won’t blow away.”

She locked the back door, grateful for the heat radiating from the cookstove.

“I got the fire going,” Jolene said. “The kettle’s on for tea. I think after a cup and a bite of toast I’ll be able to help you.” Her pale skin belied her brave words.

Rosemary glanced at the corner of the worktable where she’d left a block of lard and a can of lye. “We’ll start this afternoon. Drink your tea and rest for a bit.” She blew out a long breath. “First, I’m going to see Dr. Stewart.”

Dr. Stewart met Rosemary when she entered the waiting area. “Good. You changed your mind. I hoped you would.” He strode toward her, a broad smile on his face. “I’m willing to give you a little time to find a home for Miss Graves. Perhaps a week?”

She wondered why he hadn’t noticed she was wearing her gray silk dress and spoon bonnet rather than her normal work attire of plain calico. “Miss Graves’s situation need not concern you further. I came to collect my share of the payment from Mr. Haggerty.”

His eyebrows shot upward. “You’re not coming back?”

“No.” She kept her voice steady, but her throat tightened. Spending the days with him had been educational as well as pleasurable. If Jacob were correct, she’d gained the respect of some of the townspeople in the process. She prayed their favorable regard wouldn’t disappear along with her employment.

“Miss Saxon . . .” He held out a hand toward her, then dropped it. “How about two weeks?”

The pleading in his deep brown eyes unnerved her. He looked like a boy—quite a tall, burly boy, but a boy nonetheless. She straightened her shoulders, determined not to weaken. “Miss Graves will remain with me as long as necessary. Now, I’d appreciate my wages, if you please.”

“Of course.” He strode to his office and took a small envelope from his desktop. “Here’s your share from Mr. Haggerty. I set it aside last evening.” He placed the sum in her hand, but held on to an edge of the envelope. “You’re sure?”

“I am.” She kept her tone brisk and dropped the money in her handbag, hoping her uncertainty didn’t show on her face. The next stop would be the mercantile for a talk with Faith. She’d find another way to remain independent. She had to.