So enjoy today's post and next Tuesday's.
Part 29
“I will be arriving on Wednesday on the 10:47 train. If you cannot come for me yourself or send one of your men, no doubt I can find someone who will take me out to Triple Creek Ranch. . .”
“Good news, sir?” Hearter asked, for he had been anxiously watching Mr. Mavrich’s face and had seen the relieved look which came over it as he read..
“Excellent news, Hearter!” Norman exclaimed. “It’s an answered prayer. Where’s Hardrich?” He had refolded the letter and replaced it in the envelope which he now tapped on his hand.
“I haven’t seen him since I rode in, sir, but I’ll check the barn when I take the team in to unhitch them.”
Mr. Mavrich nodded and after hesitating a moment, he strode towards the nearby pasture where some of the men were working.
It was there that his foreman found him, and the two men talked for some time. At last Hardrich said, “That would do. What time are you planning to leave?”
“Oh about ten I’d say. But I think I’ll remain at the house in the morning and will just hitch up the team myself. There’s that new horse that needs worked with. We’ve been so busy no one has had time.
Hardrich nodded and, after a few more words, Norman moved towards the barn.
“Jenelle,” Norman began as the two of them were sitting at the supper table that evening, “I’m going to have to go into town in the morning; is there anything you need me to pick up for you?”
“I don’t think so. We picked up supplies not very long ago. Didn’t Lloyd just go into town today?” she asked.
Norman nodded.
“Then why do you have to go in tomorrow?” his wife pressed.
“It’s just something he couldn’t do today,” and Norman shrugged. He had thought of mentioning the letter to Jenelle but had second thoughts. “She’d wear herself out trying to get ready,” he reasoned and decided to keep it a secret.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, for Jenelle was still not her usual self and didn’t have the energy to talk much.
The clock in the front room was striking ten when Norman drove out the lane leaving a puzzled wife behind him, for before he left he had come in and put on a clean shirt.
“I do hope he isn’t going to town looking for someone to help me,” Jenelle sighed, watching the dust settle behind the wagon. “It’s not that I wouldn’t like a little extra help,” she said aloud to the empty front room as she turned from the window. “But I can’t think of a single person who could be spared for such work.” An imperative voice called her just then and Jenelle gave up trying to understand her husband’s errand in town and hurried to Orlena’s room.
Orlena was making the most of her sickness. Since she was in bed, she didn’t have to sew or do anything else she didn’t want to do. Her demands to be amused, have a cold drink brought to her or to be fanned, were endless, and there were times when Jenelle refused to follow her whims. These refusals, always given gently and because Jenelle had other matters to attend to or because some requests went against the doctor’s orders, were received with indignation, for Orlena had not learned to accept any way but hers without a fuss.
It was after Mrs. Mavrich had brought a glass of cold water to Orlena for the seventh time that morning, that the sound of wagon wheels was heard in the yard. Stepping to the window, Jenelle looked out, remarking, “Norman has returned and—” then she paused.
“And what?” the demand sounded from the bed.
Jenelle didn’t turn her head. “He has someone with him.”
“Who?” Orlena persisted.
Jenelle didn’t answer but turned swiftly from the window and hurried from the room.
“Jenelle Mavrich!” Orlena called after her. “Don’t you dare leave me until you tell me who came!”
The words were wasted for Jenelle was already half way down the stairs. Who had Norman brought? It was a woman, Jenelle had seen that plain enough from the window, but who was she and why was she here? Hurrying to the door, she flung it open and met her husband on the steps.
“Darling,” he said, kissing her, “I’d like you to meet Mrs. O’Connor. Mrs. O’Connor, my wife.”
“Ah, it’s a pleasure at last to meet you,” the former housekeeper of Mrs. Marshall Mavrich exclaimed, shaking hands with Jenelle first and smiling warmly.
After returning the greeting, Jenelle turned puzzled eyes on her husband. What was his grandmother’s housekeeper doing here?
“Ah, Norman,” Mrs. O’Connor chuckled, seeing the unasked questions in Jenelle’s eyes. “I see you have not told your sweet wife of my letter.”
“I didn’t tell her of either letter,” Norman chuckled. “I knew if I did, she would work herself sick trying to get ready in the event that you should come. Come now, let us go inside. The heat out here is too much for you ladies.” So saying, Norman opened the door and bowed as Jenelle and Mrs. O’Connor entered, then he followed with a small trunk.
“I still don’t understand, I’m afraid,” Jenelle said, somewhat bewildered and sitting down in the first chair she came to.
“It is a simple matter really,” Norman replied. “I realized you were right about no one around here being able to come help. I also knew we needed someone who understood the situation and could help. That is when the Lord brought Mrs. O’Connor to mind. So, I wrote to ask if she would come, and here she is.”
Jenelle was evidently not her usual quick self, for she still stared confusedly at her husband. “But what is she here for?”
“Child,” Mrs. O’Connor spoke before Norman had a chance to. “I’m here to do anything you need done.”
What do you think of this part?
Thanks for posting TC Tuesdays while you had the parts written! It was fun reading it every week for a while! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've enjoyed it, Abigail. I'd love to be able to keep posting it and finish the story (I'm as eager as the rest of you to see how it turns out), but I just don't have time right now.
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