Sarah's Heart Read online

  “Not at all, Widow Biggs,” Nell answered. “We’re celebrating Sarah opening her seamstress shop.”

  “We could use one in town,” Celia Paddon exclaimed smiling at Sarah and clasping her hands together.

  “Thank you for your encouragement, Miss Paddon,” Sarah answered returning her smile.

  “Well, I never,” stammered the third woman in the group. Eloise Mudd had been widowed for three years and still wore her widow’s weeds religiously. “You should be grieving and not opening a shop.”

  Sarah answered, “I’m sorry you feel that way Widow Mudd, but I need to support myself.”

  “Hmmph,” Widow Biggs grunted. “You could do the decent thing and get married again before you open a business. You should have a husband’s permission for this venture.”

  Molly snorted audibly. “She doesn’t need a husband for anything much less permission.” She stood with her hands on her hips.

  “I would expect that from a woman of poor standing such as you,” Widow Biggs snapped lifting her chin high.

  Sarah took a step forward, “Miss Sullivan will be my employee and she will share my upstairs apartment.”

  “In that case, Mrs. Morey,” Widow Biggs added, “None of us will visit your shop.”

  “That’s all right with me; I can’t possibly carry enough black fabric for you and Widow Mudd. Good day to you, ladies.”

  Sarah spun on her heel to face Nell and Molly. When she heard the three women walk away, she whispered, “I’ve never been unkind like that before to an elderly person, but how dare she belittle Molly or me.” She patted her heated cheeks.

  Nell took her arm. “Forget about them. At least Miss Paddon is excited for you. Let’s go order your sewing machine and fabric.”

  “Yes, let’s,” added an exuberant Molly.

  Sarah turned again to continue their walk down the boardwalk when she spied Ole’ Doubles stumbling across the street.

  “Not another one,” Sarah mumbled before the usually intoxicated man caught up to them.

  “Mornin’ lovely ladies, anyone want to give me a little morning kiss?” They grey-bearded man slurred and then tipped his hat.

  “Now then, Doubles,” Molly said, “Why don’t you go on over to Underwood’s and let these nice ladies finish their shopping.”

  “Can’t,” he answered. “Sheriff just let me out. Said I need to go home. I’d rather get a kiss first, just one little old peck. Come on, ladies; be kind to an old man,” he said grinning and showing off his yellow teeth. The gaping hole, where his two front teeth used to be, made his appearance more unpleasant. He leaned against a wooden beam supporting the overhang above the bank’s door.

  Molly walked up to him and gently placed her hand on his arm. “Come on, Doubles, go home before the sheriff puts you back in a cell. After you sleep, maybe you can come back to town.”

  “Then will ya give me a little kiss?” He tried to lean closer but lost his balance and fell backward right over the horse rail and into the horse trough.

  Molly ran around the rail and tried to pull him out, but he was heavy and just laid there staring up at her. She yanked him by the hair to get his head out of the water and shouted, “Oh, Lord, I think he’s dead. Help me get him out.”

  Two muscular arms reached around her and hoisted Doubles into a sitting position. Doubles began to sputter and spit. “Hey let go. Can’t a feller have a bath and look at pretty ladies around here?”

  “Not today, Doubles. I told you to go home. Get out of there,” Sheriff Ben Clay insisted helping the man to his feet and getting him out of the trough. He turned him in the direction of the saloon. “Get your horse and go or I’ll take you back to jail.”

  Doubles mumbled incoherently as he walked toward his horse.

  “Thanks, Sheriff,” Molly said. “I thought he drowned on me.”

  “No thanks needed, Miss Sullivan. That man is a handful for anyone,” Sheriff Clay commented wiping his wet hands on his pant legs.

  “But,” Molly interjected. “He’s had a sad life, and when he’s sober, he’s sweet. I think he’s broken-hearted and lonely.” She stood on her toes to look over the sheriff’s shoulder and watch Doubles ride out of town.

  “You’re a good soul, Molly Sullivan. Not everyone sees the good in that old man.” He tipped his hat. “You ladies have a nice day.” He turned and headed back toward the sheriff’s office.

  “Yes indeed,” Nell said. “That man is sweet on Molly.”

  Molly’s face turned red, and she suggested, “I think we should forget about the sheriff and go to the mercantile.” She hurried across the street headed for Masters’ Mercantile.

  Nell and Sarah smiled at each other knowingly and then followed Molly.

  Sarah spent some time with Mr. Masters ordering her sewing machine while Nell and Molly perused drapery fabric.

  Nell pushed most of the fabric aside stating, “These seem appropriate for the Widow Biggs or maybe a funeral home.”

  “Funeral home?” Sarah asked walking up behind them. “I didn’t think we had one here. Mr. Masters said the barber’s son makes furniture. We need some before we move into the shop. Mr. Masters says the young man is a good carpenter since he builds all the coffins needed in town.”

  Molly shivered. “I don’t need a bed made by a coffin maker. I’m used to sleeping on the floor. I just need a few quilts or a bed roll.”

  “No,” Sarah insisted. “You’ll have a proper bed.” She picked up a bolt of fabric and turned it over in her hands. “You won’t sleep on the floor again if I can help it.”

  A crack of thunder rattled the windows of the mercantile. Molly exclaimed, “Storms on the way. I better get back to Pastor Reynold’s. I promised to help Rachel make bread. I’ll stop by the shop in the morning to help you begin on the drapes.” She smiled and cringed at the next crack of thunder.

  Nell suggested, “The boardwalk overhang should keep us dry if you want to choose that window fabric. Then we can go back to the restaurant and have tea. Cal must think I’ve run off.”

  After a few minutes, Sarah decided on a medium blue with tiny cream-colored flowers. “I think it’s inviting and calming. It’s the perfect drapery for the front window and the doorway separating the main shop and the fitting area. I’m excited, Nell. I believe this is the beginning of my new, happy life.” She hugged her friend and added, “Thank you for the help.”

  “You’re more than welcome. Come, pay for your fabric and we’ll have some tea before the restaurant opens for lunch, and I’m too busy,” Nell tugged on Sarah’s arm.

  ~ * ~

  Nell poured Sarah a cup of tea and filled her cup just as the rain began hitting the window. “I think Molly had time to get home before the rain started. Cal doesn’t need any help in the kitchen, so I have an hour to talk and catch up. Will you miss living at the ranch when you move into town?”

  “No, I love living there, but I can’t wait to start my business. Having Molly living there too will make it less lonely. It does stay hectic at the ranch,” Sarah answered stirring a bit of sugar into her tea.

  Nell leaned forward and whispered, “How about missing Adam?”

  “I’ll miss him only in the respect that he’s funny each morning at breakfast. It’s good to start the day off with a laugh. He usually drives Miranda to distraction,” Sarah giggled.

  “Do you think he’s serious about you?” Nell inquired looking her friend in the eye.

  “No, we took a ride out to Gentle Falls yesterday and talked. I will miss riding horses every day. We spoke about our initial attraction and decided we are more like brother and sister now. I’m happy he’ll be there for me if I ever need him,” Sarah sighed. “I never had much family before.”

  “It’s a good thing you both know how you feel. I remember how you caught his eye the night you arrived. Did you like the falls?” Nell bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  “He caught mine, too, but we’re friends.” She laughed a bit too when she a
dded. “The falls surprised me. I expected to see a waterfall similar to ones I saw in magazines. How high are they? Maybe four feet and yesterday since it hasn’t rained in a while, the falls were more of a trickle.”

  “Cal told me it’s why the town is named Gentle Falls. They are the only falls for miles and certainly not mighty as I thought. It’s a lovely spot for a picnic,” Nell blushed remembering her last picnic with Cal.

  “Do tell,” Sarah leaned closer to Nell.

  Their thoughts were interrupted by the bell above the front door and the figure of a tall, muscular man standing just inside the door.

  Nell stood, “I’m sorry. I left the door unlocked. We’re not open yet.”

  “I understand,” the man answered removing his hat exposing sun-streaked blonde hair. “Mr. Willoughby at the bank suggested I speak to Mr. Callahan.”

  “Please have a seat, I’m Mrs. Callahan. I’ll get my husband,” Nell said and turned to head to the kitchen.

  A moment later, Cal walked into the dining area and extended his hand. “Good morning, I’m Mr. Callahan. People call me Cal. What can I do for you?”

  The other man shook Cal’s hand and answered, “My name is Giles Bowen. I’m interested in renting the office space you have available above the restaurant.”

  Cal swept his arm showing the restaurant area and explained. “The upstairs office space is about one-third this size. The rest of the space is used for living quarters by my wife and me. If you think it’ll be large enough, I’ll be happy to show you.”

  Giles Bowen nodded, “I think it may do nicely. I would like to inspect the office.”

  “Let me get the key and I’ll show it to you,” Cal said. He walked past Nell and said, “Keep an eye on the soup for me.”

  Nell followed him into the kitchen and stirred the soup while Cal grabbed the key for the office.

  Sarah looked up to see the man staring at her. When he smiled, she felt her chest warm at the same time chills ran down her spine. He was handsome and strong. Sarah forced herself to look at her tea cup and she busied herself stirring the now warm tea.

  “Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Bowen. I have the key to the office. It has its own staircase on the outside of the building. Follow me,” Cal said holding the front door open for him.

  Giles Bowen nodded at Sarah and thanked Cal. He walked out of the restaurant, and Sarah watched him out of the corner of her eye until he disappeared from view.

  Nell rushed back into the dining room. “What a handsome man. I think he may rent the empty office upstairs. I wonder if he’s married. Did you like him, Sarah?”

  “Yes, I liked what I saw, but he could be married with six children. Are you trying to marry me off the way Widow Biggs would like?” Sarah laughed.

  “Not at all, but when a man that looks that handsome walks in the door, I’d be curious if I were you. I better check that soup again.” The restaurant grew darker. “I think we’re going to have a big storm. I’ll light a lamp when I come back. Do you need more hot water for your tea?”

  “No, but I’ll have a bowl of soup when it’s ready. Then I’m going to take the fabric to the shop and look things over. I rode one of Roy’s horses to town today, and I don’t want to head back to the ranch alone until the rain stops.”

  “If it doesn’t you can stay here overnight,” Nell offered.

  “Thanks, Molly might not mind sleeping on the floor, but I like a bed. Speaking of beds, I should stop at the barber’s and ask about furniture. Mr. Masters said my sewing machine should be here in less than three weeks. I’d like to be somewhat settled by then.” Sarah finished the rest of her tea. Nell brought her a bowl of soup which she ate quickly then grabbed her bundle of fabric and her reticule and hurried on her way.

  ~ * ~

  Cal mentioned the privacy of the outside staircase. “You won’t have to worry about bothering anyone. There are three rooms. The back room is large enough to make a small living area. There’s room enough for a bed, table, stove, and it has a sink with a pump.”

  “Sounds good,” Giles answered as he followed Cal up the stairs.

  When Cal opened the door, Giles hurried inside. “I like having all the windows in this front room. It would make a great office space.”

  Cal nodded, and Giles walked into the center room. “Ah, a nice room for my books and papers. One window is enough in here.” Giles walked over and looked out the window. “Nice view of the meadow. I like that this building is at the edge of town.”

  “Yes, it is, but I’m not sure for how long. The town is growing. I added this office to my restaurant at Mr. Willoughby’s suggestion. He was right; we need office space in town.”

  Cal preceded Giles into what would be a living area. Giles looked over the room and said, “I like the running water. I could take a bath in here.”

  Cal informed him, “Mr. Willoughby insisted new buildings have certain improvements ready. The room has plumbing if you wanted to add a water closet. For now, there is a new outhouse in back. The decision is yours. You can add whatever improvements you wish, but Mr. Willoughby made it clear that nothing red appear on the front of the building, and no one can hang out of the windows the way they do at the saloon. I doubt that will be an issue here.”

  Giles laughed, “No, it won’t. I do hope lettering in proper colors is allowed on the front windows. I’d like people to find the new lawyer in town with ease.”

  “The only lawyer,” Cal quipped. “And well needed.”

  The two men discussed rent and shook hands in agreement.

  Giles offered, “If things work out well, I’ll buy one of the houses Mr. Willoughby tried to sell me and use this for business only. In the meantime, I can live here comfortably.” He walked around the main room once again measuring the space in his mind.

  “Welcome to Gentle Falls,” Cal said. “Come down to the restaurant. Lunch is on me today.”

  “Thank you. I need to send a telegram to have the rest of my belongings sent.”

  “You can do that at the train station. It’s at the other end of town, but you already know that since you arrived by train,” Cal laughed.

  ~ * ~

  Sarah unlocked the door of the empty shop and set her bundle on the floor in a corner. She threw her arms out and twirled laughing harder with each spin. She stopped and lifted her eyes and thanked God for this second chance at life. She survived Harold’s cruelty and could support herself. She had friends and a safe, new place to live. She spun once more and opened her eyes to see the Widow Biggs staring at her through the large front window. Sarah threw her training and her lessons in deportment to the wind for a moment and waved at the scowling woman knowing full well it would only enrage the Widow Biggs.

  Widow Biggs lifted her chin high enough Sarah wondered how she could see and strode away from the front of the shop. Sarah giggled, picked up her reticule, and headed for the barber shop.

  Sarah stopped before she arrived in front of the barber shop. Was it proper for her to enter? It was a shop for men after all. At that moment, Miss Paddon approached her.

  “Is something wrong, Mrs. Morey? You appear perplexed,” Miss Paddon said.

  “Umm, no, well, yes, I need to inquire about furniture. I understand the barber’s son makes furniture, but I don’t believe it’s proper to walk into a barber’s shop,” Sarah explained gripping her reticule tighter.

  Celia Paddon peeked around the corner and into the barber shop. “No one is in there except Otis. He’s reading. His son must be around,” Miss Paddon explained. “We can go inside, follow me.”

  Sarah swallowed her concern, gathered her courage, and followed Miss Paddon into the shop.

  Otis stood and exclaimed, “Miss Paddon, Mrs. Morey, nice to see you. What can I do for you ladies today? Surely you don’t need a haircut.”

  Celia spoke up, “Mrs. Morey needs furniture for the shop she purchased and for her residence. We’re here to see if your son is available.”

  “Yes, Joseph
is in his shop out back. Follow me, please.” He led the way through the barber’s shop and out the back door to a large shed several feet from the back door.

  “Joseph,” Otis called. “You have customers.” Otis made the introductions and left the two women to discuss furniture with his son.

  “What can I do for you, ma’am?” Joseph asked wiping his hands on a rag he pulled from his pocket.

  “I need furniture for my shop and apartment,” Sarah explained. “To start, I need two beds, a small kitchen table and two chairs, and two tables for my shop along with chairs for customers to sit or small benches that I can cover with padding. Oh and one set of shelves for fabric samples.”

  Joseph stood and crossed his arms. He rubbed his chin with his forefinger and thumb while looking up at a large oak tree alongside the shed.

  He finally looked at Sarah and said, “I have some pieces in stock. I have one bed, and you can order a mattress from Mr. Masters. I also have a kitchen table and several chairs to choose from and two bookcases that might work for your fabric. Let me show you. Come in, please.” He motioned to the open double doors of the shed.

  “You do excellent work,” Sarah exclaimed looking at the detail on the chair spindles. “I’ll take the bed, both bookcases, table, and four chairs.” She pointed out the four she liked and handed him a piece of paper. “These are the measurements I need for the two tables for my shop, but could you make the second bed first? Later, we’ll discuss dressing tables and armoires.”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Morey,” Joseph said grinning. “You’ll keep me busy for a while, but I love what I do.” They settled on a price and a time for Joseph to deliver the furniture the following day.

  When they left the shed, the rain had stopped. Miss Paddon hooked her arm through Sarah’s and asked, “I need to ask you something private. Can you keep a secret?”

  “Of course, Miss Paddon.” Sarah looked at her with raised eyebrows.

  “Call me Celia, please.”