Chapter Nine
“Miss Westcott seems like such a delightful person. I’m just sorry I didn’t get a chance to learn more about her before I left.
Did you enjoy speaking with her on your trip to Lovely?
” Risa asked as they left the town behind them.
She’d noticed Mr. Stanton had hardly been able to keep his eyes off the woman at lunch.
Fleetingly, she wondered if that was how Gunder looked at her and she had failed to notice or chose not to see.
“Miss Westcott said her mother passed when she was young, and her aunt, Mrs. Baldwin, stepped into the gap left behind. Her father died two years ago of a heart malady. She’s remained in the house her parents built in The Dalles.
Her father had something to do with a shipping trade.
It was quite a trip for her to travel to Lovely all alone, but she said she was determined to spend the holiday with her aunt. ”
“I’m so glad she came. Mrs. Baldwin never says, but I think she gets lonesome. She’s mentioned a favorite niece, but I had no idea Candi was grown up, or quite so beautiful. Isn’t she spectacular?”
Risa grinned as Mr. Stanton’s ears turned red beneath the brim of his hat, and it wasn’t from the cold. He nodded in answer, and Risa took pity on him, changing the subject to Baker City and his work there.
“My family owns a livery and a mill. My older brother and Dad run the mill, and I run the livery. We’re all happiest that way,” he explained.
They were halfway to Baker City when Risa caught sight of a familiar figure on a freight wagon heading toward them.
“Would you mind stopping for a moment? That’s my father.”
“Of course, Miss Hoffman.” Mr. Stanton guided his team over so the freight wagon could pass, and stopped.
Risa started to get out, but Mr. Stanton put out a hand to stop her. “You’ll freeze if you get out. Don’t lose the warmth trapped beneath the robe.”
She realized he was right, and instead of getting out, flapped her hands over her head, hoping her father would realize she was the one in the sleigh waving at him like a crazy person.
“Whoa! Whoa up there!” her father called to the team of mules as he brought them to a stop beside the sleigh. “Risa! What in the world are you doing?”
“Hi, Papa! I’ll explain everything when you next come to Gloria’s place, but I didn’t want you to think I’d run off and disappeared. I’ll be there for a while, at least I will be if she’ll let me stay.”
“I have a few dozen questions, but they’ll wait.
As far as Gloria letting you stay, she’ll be thrilled to have you there for a visit.
She speaks of you so often, and wishes you two could spend time together.
As long as Mrs. Baldwin knows you won’t be at work, I’m glad you and Gloria will have some time together. ”
“Mrs. Baldwin insisted I go. Her niece arrived today for a long visit, and I was able to get a ride with Mr. Stanton since he had to return to Baker City anyway after bringing Miss Westcott to the boardinghouse.”
“Well, it sounds like it all worked out just fine. Tell Gloria I said howdy, and enjoy your time off.”
“I will. And Papa, if Gunder asks, please tell him I’ve gone to visit a friend. I left a note for him on the kitchen table. I just … I need some time to myself.”
Her father scowled, and his brow dipped into a frown. “How do you plan to avoid him when you’ll both be staying at Gloria’s house?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure something out. Please, Papa?”
“I won’t say anything, for now. I hope you know what you’re doing, Girlie.”
“Me, too, Papa. I love you.” She smiled and blew him a kiss.
Her father grinned and pretended to catch the kiss and tuck it in his pocket, as he’d done ever since she was a little girl. “Stanton. I trust you to take my daughter safely to Mrs. Franklin’s boardinghouse.”
“Of course, sir. We were just talking about the different businesses in town.”
“That’s good. I passed Gunder a couple hours ago. He made good time coming in today and might even beat you to the boardinghouse, so good luck avoiding him.”
Thoughts of Gunder, and more specifically, kissing him, made Risa’s cheeks heat. She hoped her father didn’t notice, or attributed it to the cold.
“Be safe, Papa. It doesn’t look like you have a bad load today.”
Lars looked behind him at two spools of cable and a stack of timbers. “Just a heavy one that makes the going slow. Bye, Girlie. Have fun.”
“Bye, Papa!” She waved at him again, then tucked her hands back beneath the robe, glad Mr. Stanton had warned her not to get out. As it was, the robe that encircled her had held in the heat of the bricks remarkably well.
Her father snapped the lines, and the mules leaned into the harness, plodding onward.
Mr. Stanton waited until the freight wagon was fully past them before he guided the horses back onto the road, and they resumed their brisk journey.
Risa loved listening to the bells jingling as the team moved at a fast pace and the sleigh glided so seamlessly over the snow.
It seemed as though only moments had passed before they arrived in Baker City.
Risa wanted to gape at everything, but instead tried to behave with decorum and only turned her head slightly to glance at the buildings they passed on their way to the boardinghouse. There would be time enough for exploring later.
When they arrived, Mr. Stanton hopped out and offered Risa his hand. She stepped down and felt the cold seep into her. She was grateful again to have had the warm robe and bricks that had kept her from freezing on the trip into town.
Now that she was here, Risa hesitated to just march right up the steps of the imposing three-story home. Had it been erroneous to assume Gloria would welcome her?
Before she could worry herself sick, the front door swung open and Gloria rushed outside, arms wide and a welcoming smile on her face.
“Risa, darling! You’ve come! You’ve actually come!” Gloria called, hurrying down the steps.
Risa rushed forward, and the two women shared a warm embrace before Gloria pulled back, looked into Risa’s face, then settled an arm around her waist. “Come in out of the cold. I just fixed a pot of tea.”
Mr. Stanton held the crate and Risa’s bag. Gloria smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr. Stanton. If you wouldn’t mind setting those inside the door, I’d be most appreciative.”
He nodded and followed them inside, setting the bag and crate down where Gloria indicated.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Risa said, digging into the crate and pulling out a quart jar of wild berry jam. She held it out to Mr. Stanton. “Thank you.”
He smiled widely and took the jar. “Thank you, Miss Hoffman. If you find yourself in need of a ride to Lovely, let me know. Have a nice visit, ladies,” he said, then tipped his hat and left, pulling the door shut behind him.
“You are probably half frozen, Risa. Come into the sitting room and warm up while I bring the tea.” Gloria motioned to a room to the side of the entry.
Risa removed her coat and left it on the coat rack by the door, along with her scarf. After tucking the mittens into her coat pockets, she picked up the crate. “I didn’t want to come empty-handed, so I brought cream and eggs. I packed the eggs in straw in hopes they wouldn’t freeze.”
“How thoughtful of you. Cream and eggs are two things I can always use.” Gloria led the way down the polished walnut floor of the hallway to the kitchen.
Risa thought the house was elegant and tasteful, yet seemed so homey. She could see why her father and Gunder both enjoyed staying here so much. Then again, Gloria had such a warm, friendly spirit, how could anyone not feel welcome in her home?
“Your home is glorious,” Risa said as they walked into a kitchen with plenty of windows to let in the morning sun, as well as a big stove and sink, a round table covered in a lovely lace cloth, and a yeasty fragrance of baking bread along with an aroma of roasting meat scenting the air.
“Thank you, Risa. I received a telegram from Mrs. Baldwin about fifteen minutes before you arrived. I could hardly believe the news, but here you are!” Gloria gave her a hug around her shoulders, then took the crate from Risa and set it on the counter.
Risa tried not to gape at the large well-appointed kitchen.
“I am delighted more than you can know to have you here, and you are welcome to stay as long as you like, but might I ask what prompted the sudden visit?” Gloria asked as she placed the cream and eggs into a huge icebox.
It was twice the size of the one Mrs. Baldwin had, and Risa found herself quite fascinated with it.
“Well, I … um … you see, it’s …” Risa sighed.
She saw no way to explain why she was there other than the truth.
“I love Gunder, and I think he loves me, but I promised myself a long time ago I would marry a man who could provide well for me, not someone who lives in a tent and has a dangerous job that could get him killed at any moment. After last night, Mrs. Baldwin suggested some time away would help me figure out what I really want and the choices I need to make for my future.”
“I see.” Gloria studied her as she washed her hands at the sink, then dried them on a thick towel. “Did Gunder say or do something that upset you? What caused this sudden need to run away from home?”
Risa stiffened. “I didn’t run away. In fact, I spoke with Papa on our way into town. He said to tell you hello. I left Gunder a note letting him know I’ve gone to visit a friend. I hope you don’t mind my imposing on you and your hospitality. If so, please tell me and I’ll get a room elsewhere.”
“Nonsense!” Gloria set a beautiful teapot covered in delicate pink roses on a silver tray, added teacups and saucers, spoons, sugar, cream, and a plate of cookies, lifted the tray, and motioned for Risa to follow her.