Chapter 6 #2
“Thank you. When Henry decided to get married, he had Cal Long, the carpenter in town, change his one-room home into a home big enough for both of us to live here. He added on two bedrooms, a cellar, a washstand, rinse box, clothes lines, a smoke house, a cookstove, shelves everywhere, it was wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live than with him.
He’s a wonderful husband and father to our son.
I love being a wife, mother, and nurse in the clinic.
I also like being able to leave Hank with you when I’m working.
I told Henry that I still wanted to keep working but I didn’t want to leave Hank with just anybody.
He understood and suggested leaving him with you, his own sister.
I felt horrible that you lost your husband in the war, but I loved that you were willing to move here to help us out.
Thank you, Angie. You will love Angel Falls.
Helen, the other nurse I work with, fell in love with the town the very day we moved here.
I think you will too.” Lynn told her and smiled at her sitting there.
She also liked the quiet way her boys played on the floor.
“I think we need to introduce you to Samantha Buchanan. She has boys about the same age as your two boys. They have a playground in their yard that I think Will and Bobby would like playing in. Remind me to ask Henry to take the boys over to play with them as soon as you get settled.”
“They’d like that. I can’t wait for my trunks to arrive from the stagecoach.
I’ll be able to get our new home set up in nothing flat.
I will need to get some supplies from the mercantile to be able to start making meals for my sons and me, but I have some money so that I won’t be a burden on my brother.
I love Henry and he would help me out forever, that’s just the kind of man he is, but he has an obligation to his family first…
not me. I’ll get a job in addition to taking care of Hank that will provide enough money to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table.
I am a good accountant. I went to school before I married my Matthew, I took care of the books for several stores in St. Louis at home and still took care of my boys.
I can do the same here.” Angie told her and saw her smile.
“Henry is ahead of you. He’s already talked to the hotel, the bank, and of course our livery.
He’s not as good with numbers as you are.
I think with the three accounts, you’ll have enough money to stay independent.
As others become aware of your talent, you’ll get others beating down your door to keep their accounts straight. ” Lynn told her and saw her smile.
“I should have known that Henry would have done something like that for me. I love him so much. Now, I think we need to go and see where we’ll be living.
Thank you Lynn for making us feel so welcome.
I already love having you for a sister.” Angie kissed her on the cheek and the baby on the forehead.
She gathered up her boys and left with Henry to the house two doors down from the livery.
Many men were working on it. Henry introduced Cal to his sister and her sons.
Cal was immediately taken with how pretty she was.
Angie liked how nice he was and the time he took to show her around.
It had started out being only two rooms, Cal was enlarging it to be three rooms. A kitchen and two bedrooms. It was to have a cellar, a cookstove, a loft, a washstand, a rinse box, clothes lines, a smoke house, and shelves wherever she wanted them.
The floors were wood even in the cellar.
Angie complemented him on how nice it looked and the good job his men were doing everywhere she looked.
It had a tub and a sink where she only had to pull a plug to drain the water out.
It had a pump to get water even when there was snow outside.
“Is there anything else you’d like us to add before we finish up?” Cal asked her hoping to keep talking to her a little longer.
“Would it be too hard to put a sand box in the yard, a swing, and a tree house that isn’t too high up in the tree in the yard?
I’d also like a fence around it, so that I can have a place for my boys to play while I work in the yard.
I’d also like to plant a garden. Could you get your men to plow me a garden plot before they leave?
I’d sure appreciate it.” Angie asked him and saw him smile.
“I will make sure that all of that is done tomorrow before we leave. Henry also asked us to build you a bed in one of the bedrooms, two small beds in the second bedroom, a table and chairs in the kitchen, and a rocker for in front of the fireplace. We have all of the furniture built, but it isn’t here yet.
We’ll bring it tomorrow before we leave you, Mrs. Howard.
I hope to see more of you in the future.
” Cal told her and left to tell his men what else they needed to do.