part0008

L inc climbed out of the wagon in front of the mill office and followed Griffin inside. Everything looked the same as he’d last seen it, the over-sized wooden desk, the three file cabinets lined against one wall, and the open-front cabinet that occupied two-thirds of the adjacent wall, housing the pics, axes, and extinguishers needed to fight a fire. A man, unknown to him, stood in front of an open file drawer.

“Morning, Smoke.”

“Hey, mornin’, Griff.”

“Smoke, this is Lincoln Bass. He’s come down from Little Rock to give us a hand, since Clem and Otto are leaving to go back to school.”

“You’d mentioned trying to get someone down here.” He put out his hand and said, “Jimerson Tolbert, but everybody calls me Smoke.”

Linc shook his hand, noticing the severe scarring on his palms, as well as the backs, probably from a fire. “Call me, Linc.”

The middle-aged man looked at his previous injury, smiled, and said, “Happened a while back. Hazards of the job, if you’re in this business long enough, that is.”

Linc absent-mindedly ran his hand down his thigh. How much longer were the remembrances going to overtake him?

“So, you’re the one.” It was a statement, not a question.

“You’re the one who saved Griff’s little girl.”

“Nothing any one of us wouldn’t do.”

“Maybe, but it’s tough looking certain death in the face.”

“Not for me where another life is concerned.” Talking about all this made him uncomfortable, so he walked over and opened the door. “Griffin, I’ll be outside when you’re ready.”

He breathed deeply as he closed the door behind him. Even though the weather was sultry from the summer heat, the air was clean and refreshing. Despite his issues with the accident, he still much preferred to be outdoors. Go figure. Sometimes, he even confused himself.

After a few minutes, Griffin came out to meet him. “Let’s go around and reacquaint you with the men. I especially want you to meet the new hires as soon as possible.”

“Yeah.” Linc agreed with him that the sooner he could gather information to form his opinions, the sooner he could start building files for his investigation. “What happened to him?”

“Smoke? A few years back, he caught one of his men setting a fire behind the mill.”

“Maybe, eventually, we should compare notes. How did he catch him?”

“He didn’t. In the process, the arsonist stepped in a puddle of spilled kerosene. By the time he dropped the match, the fumes ignited turning the man into a ball of flames. Smoke got to him, but too late. He couldn’t save him and nearly lost his hands in the bargain.”

“Talk about fortunate,” Linc commiserated. “That’s tough. He was lucky.”

“Yes, anyway, he’s taking care of the office for me to give me more time in the field.” Griffin looked back toward the office and waved. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Linc didn’t see, but rather felt Smoke staring out from the window behind the front door. It was the kind of feeling that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. When he glanced around, as they started up the trail, no one was at the window. He would file this moment away for study at a future time.

Emmeline dried the last plate from breakfast and returned it to its place in the cabinet. The flour sack towel she’d used was soaked through, so she took it outside to the clothesline to hang it up. Laurel was already there pinning shirts, and other sundry items she’d washed, to the line.

While she knew women carried and birthed babies every day, she hadn’t been around any of them. Should Laurel’s activities be limited? She didn’t want her to over-do and tire herself or harm the baby. She also didn’t want her brother-in-law, or anyone else to think her lazy. Though, why that should bother her, she had no idea.

She approached Laurel, after she’d draped the towel over the line, and asked, “Sister, should you be doing this, in your condition?”

“What? Everyday household duties?” She grinned. “Why ever not?”

“Don’t laugh at me. I’ve never been around anyone who was expecting, Mama’s friends are too old and mine, thus far, are too young. I’m worried about you and want to help, if I can.”

“Dear, sweet, Emmeline, I would never laugh at you,” Laurel said, as she reached for Emmeline and pulled her into an embrace. “Circumstances have thrown you into a new and strange situation for which you are completely unprepared. I wouldn’t consider forcing you to fit in here, but if you truly want to learn, I will teach you all I know.”

Emmeline contemplated, briefly, the task of learning and fitting into a different lifestyle. Could she do it?

“Sister, I know I’ve been stubborn, selfish, and sometimes childish.” When Laurel put her hand over her mouth to hide a smile, it sparked Emmeline’s temper a bit. “I know what you’re thinking, but I’m serious about wanting to help you.”

“Of that much, I’ve no doubts,” she assured. She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a folded piece of cloth. “Here, we might as well get started. Take this and run it along the line to make sure it’s clean before you hang the clothes from it.”

She did as instructed, and then observed Laurel as she hung a shirt and pair of pants belonging to Griffin. “Those are huge.”

“Believe it or not, Linc’s clothes are larger.”

“Laurel! How would you know that?”

“I did his laundry, while he recuperated, last year. When I ironed his shirts, I remember thinking they were the size of wagon covers.”

While Laurel’s description exaggerated the size – she’d seen pictures of covered wagons in school – she’d also seen the shoulders of the handsome lumberman and agreed they were quite broad. She found she was curious to know what those shoulders looked like and her fingers itched to know if they were as muscular as they appeared. She bowed her head, realizing her thoughts were most shameful and her mother would be appalled.

Hearing her name, she let the image of Linc’s muscular shoulders slip away and focused on her sister. “Yes?”

“Where did you go?”

Feeling the heat in her cheeks at being caught fantasizing in broad daylight, she cleared her throat and answered, “N-n-nowhere, I’m right here.”

“Hmm, I wonder . . . anyway,” Laurel continued, “We need to introduce you to everyone at the mill and Flat Rock Point, and I know the perfect way to do so.” She placed the last wooden pin on the final garment and said, “Come on in the house and help me get the girls ready.”

“Why? What are we doing?”

“We’re going into town, to talk to some of my friends about putting together a picnic. We could have it at the new park just south of town.”

“If it’s all right, may I pick up a few things at the mercantile while we’re there?”

“Of course, I have a list of my own.”

By the time, they reached the small town of Flat Rock Point, it was mid-afternoon. Emmeline was impressed at the way Laurel, a former member of Philadelphia society herself, handled the wagon and horses. Would she ever learn to do this? It certainly didn’t look all that difficult. Perhaps, one day, she’d give it a try.

Jasper Dunlevey met them as they stopped outside the livery. “Laurel, Miss Emmeline, Misses’ Coral and Josie,” he greeted them. “What are you ladies up to this afternoon?”

“We’re doing some shopping, and I want to visit with Tildie.”

“I believe you’ll find her and a few of the ladies at the Hotel. My Agnes said they were getting together for tea and a game of Bridge this afternoon.”

“Good,” Laurel said. She took hold of Josie’s hand. “We’ll be back in a couple of hours. Come along, girls.”

Emmeline noticed, even with the one or two stores added since she’d visited two years ago, the town looked the same. She found that comforting, as Philadelphia seemed to change, in some way, every day. She also liked the closeness and sense of family that she felt.

As they made their way toward the Bradford Hotel, on the planked walkway, she asked, “So, Tildie. She’s the preacher’s wife?”

“Yes, she was a witness at mine and Griffin’s wedding. My very first acquaintance here, she took me under her wing, so to speak.”

“I remember her.” Emmeline smiled, remembering their first meeting last Christmas. “There’s something about her makes me think of Aunt Lottie.”

Laurel glanced over at her. “Really?”

“Yes, certainly not in her looks, but because she’s so friendly and eager to help.”

“I hadn’t thought of it, but possibly. Here we are.” Laurel opened the front door to the hotel and ushered the girls in ahead of her, as she stepped into the lobby.

Emmeline followed them inside. She looked around and immediately felt a warm and comforting atmosphere. The furnishings, rugs, and velvet drapes were most surely worn, but the deep magenta and green hues, of the patterns, offered a sense of welcome.

Female chatter drew her attention to the dining room. When they entered, they found four women seated at a table in a far corner of the room. Tea cups and dessert plates occupied the surface of the table along with playing cards.

Tildie Waggoner stood to greet them. “Laurel, it’s good to see you. Hello, my sweet babies!”

Coral frowned and replied, “I’m not a baby, Aunt Tildie. I’m seven.”

“Don’t I know it.” She cupped Coral’s chin. “You make me feel older each day.”

“That’s makes two of us,” Laurel agreed. “Emmeline, this is Georgia Dunlevey, Agnes Bradford, Polly Baker, and, Of course, you remember, Tildie Waggoner. Ladies, my sister, Emmeline Weidner.”

She nodded and shook hands with them. While they wore no fine dresses or jewels, like her friends back home, their smiles, and greetings were warm and genuine. Some of the women she knew back east could give one frostbite.

“It’s so nice to meet all of you. I’m looking forward to my visit here.”

The one called, Polly, who looked closer to her own age of twenty, asked, “How long will you be staying?”

“I-I don’t have definite plans yet,” she answered, wondering how much more she needed to say.

Laurel seemed to sense her hesitation. “We hope to keep her here, at least, until our family comes for Christmas.”

“Oh, lovely,” the young woman said, smiling broadly.

“In the meantime,” Laurel said, “I wanted to talk to you about having a picnic as an end of summer celebration and welcome for Emmeline and the new loggers who have come here recently. What do you think?”

“Why don’t we incorporate it into the annual picnic for the loggers?” Tildie suggested.

“What a marvelous idea.” Agnes Bradford clasped her hands together. “Aaron and I will contribute the beef. As a couple of the men are residents here at the hotel, he’ll be happy to.” She stood, gathered the cards, and dishes. “Wait here, while I get paper, pencil, and lemonade. We’ll start planning right away.”

Excitement began to build in Emmeline for she loved a good party. She’d started thinking of the dress she would wear, when a man dressed in rugged outdoor clothing, entered the dining room. Her heart kicked up an extra beat when he stared at her. It was only for a second or two, before he disappeared into the kitchen, but his silent scrutiny was so intense, it almost felt as if he’d touched her. She felt completely exposed, like he’d seen her without her chemise and drawers.

She leaned over and asked Polly, “Who was that?”

“He’s one of the new loggers, Thatcher Whiteaker. Isn’t he handsome? I swear if I wasn’t already married, why I’d—”

“Polly Baker!” Georgia said, shaking her head. “You know you’re head over heels for Avery.”

“Yes, I am,” Polly countered. “But I still have eyes and great amounts of appreciation for a fine-looking man.”

Emmeline laughed with them at their joking, stopping short as the man walked back through the dining room and out through the lobby, onto the street. He’d, again, given her that knowing gaze. She was both appalled and intrigued by his boldness, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d see him at the picnic.

Agnes followed close behind with a tray of lemonade, glasses, and cookies for the girls. Georgia took charge of the list making, and within a half an hour, they were on their way to having an organized picnic.

Before the girls got too fidgety, they left the hotel and headed to the mercantile. After making their purchases, Mr. Babcock arranged to have the packages sent to the livery.

“You know,” Laurel said, as they stood on the walkway, “It’s getting late, and I don’t have any dinner prepared. I think we’ll splurge and take something home from the diner.”

“You can do that?” Emmeline had eaten out in restaurants, but never had anyone dared to bring food in. Their cook had always served their meals promptly at the designated times set by her father. “Griffin will allow you to do that?”

“Well, this will be the first time I’ve done it, but as long as he gets fed, I imagine he won’t be too grumpy.”

An hour and a half later, Laurel drew back on the reins, halting the horses in front of the house. Emmeline jumped down and walked to the back of the wagon to lift the girls out, but she found them both sound asleep. Griffin’s voice caught her attention as he and Linc came out onto the porch.

“Here you are!” he said.

“I left you a note, so you wouldn’t worry. Didn’t you see it?”

“Yes, but I didn’t think you’d be gone this long.” He met Laurel at the wagon, lifted her into his arms, and then, turned at the bottom step. “Linc, will you help Emmeline?”

Walking up the steps, Griffin asked, “Now, mother of my child, what took you so long?”

Emmeline watched her brother-in-law carry his wife into the house, as she told him about their day. The sight pleased her, yet left her wondering if she would ever have someone to care for her.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Those two are really in love.”

She jumped at Linc’s voice beside her ear. She been so wrapped up in her own musings, she hadn’t realized he stood beside her. Wistfully, she answered, “Yes, they are.”

“Of course, not!” She whipped around to glare at him, He grinned and reached around her to unload the cargo. “That’s a nasty thing to say. You must be more miserable than I thought to be so mean.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she ignored him, and went to wake the girls and get them into the house.

Coral went inside by herself, and as Emmeline walked past him while carrying Josie, he stopped her with his hand on her arm.

“Yes, Mr. Bass?”

“So, we’re back to that, are we?”

“What do you want? I need to get Josie inside.”

“I’m sorry for my remark.” He glanced at his boots and then, toward the house. “I can’t, for the life of me, figure out what it is about you that brings out the worst in me.”

“I’d be interested in knowing what that trait is, as well. Until you decide, I’m going to assume you’re the one with the problem.” She moved past him and said, over her shoulder, “By the way, dinner is in that large box. It would be nice to eat it while it’s still warm.”

She sat Josie on the settee beside Coral. She, then, removed her hat and jacket, and began to set the table.

Griffin came into the dining room, with his daughters, as Linc put the box from the diner on the sideboard.

“Emmeline, would you fix a plate for Laurel, and take care of Coral and Josie for the evening?”

Yes, of course, is Laurel unwell?”

“She’s fine, just tired. I’ve convinced her to stay in bed until the morning.” He tucked napkins in the necks of the girls’ dresses, and kissed them on the tops of their heads. “You two be good for Auntie Em and Uncle Linc, all right?”

“Yes, Papa,” they answered in unison.

She handed Griffin a tray with enough food for him and Laurel, and then, turned back to find Linc setting filled plates in front of her nieces. They ate in companionable silence, except for the girls telling him about their travels earlier in the day. When they began to nod over the remnants of their dinner, she excused herself, took them to the bathroom, and then on up to bed.

With the girls clean and in their nightgowns, she tucked them in and laid down beside them. Josie was already snoring softly, when Coral asked, “Auntie Em, is Mama sick?”

“No, sweetheart, she’s just tired. She’ll be all rested tomorrow.” She cuddled Coral close and said, “Why don’t we close our eyes, too, and drift on a cloud to dreamland?” No sooner had the words left her lips than she realized Coral had already joined her sister.

She smiled remembering how childish she thought the phrase, when her mother had said it to her and her own sisters. It didn’t seem childish now. Her lids closed. She thought she should go to her own room and prepare for bed, but she was too comfortable to move. Just before she joined her nieces on that cloud, Lincoln Bass floated past her.

She jerked herself awake, when she felt like she was falling. The silly man was now invading her dreams. Even there, he thought her addle-brained and childish. But why did she care about what Lincoln Bass thought of her? In her mind, he was the one with the problems and he was projecting them onto her.

There had to be more to him than she was seeing, but she had no idea what it could be and, if neither of them changed their attitudes, she never would. Perhaps, she, as the woman, should concede and try to find out what was in his past, besides the accident. Yes, that’s what she’d do. Tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Emmeline knocked on Linc’s bedroom door. She couldn’t remember exactly when last night, but she’d decided to make peace. They’d gotten off on the wrong foot and she intended to be the one to forgive and forget. When there was no answer, she knocked again.

“Mr. Bass? Lincoln?” Silence greeted her query.

Laurel called out to her from the second floor. “Emmeline, Linc isn’t here. He and Griffin left before sunrise this morning for the mill.”

“I see.” She joined her sister on the lower level. “I’ll talk to him later.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, we have some unfinished business is all. How are you feeling this morning, Sister?”

She took Laurel’s arm and steered her to the set of stairs leading to the ground floor. She could tell from the curious look she received, Laurel wanted to ask more questions, but being a member of the closed-mouth, tight-lipped Weidner family, she didn’t. Thank heavens.