Carol's Choice Page 8

  “You see that is what I wanted to talk to you about. I would like to court you, ask permission to court you. I wondered if there was someone to ask? That is, if you would agree?”

  Swallowing hard, she stammered, “Thank you, Mr.— I am sorry I don’t even know your name.”

  Squaring his shoulders, he continued, “Jonathan, Jonathan Pierce. I assure you my intentions are honorable. I am a God-fearing property owner. My family and I own a ranch about fifty miles west of here.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Pierce. I am honored you would ask to speak with me, especially after such a brief acquaintance.”

  “Not at all, ma’am. You would make me a happy man if you would agree.”

  Rebecca shook her head. She’d become immune to the almost daily marriage proposals offered to her while working at the diner; she never took one seriously. Due to a shortage of unmarried women in this area, most of the eligible age or sometimes not-so-eligible didn’t stay single long. Most, but not her. The one man she wanted to marry was dragging his feet. Rebecca stared into the eyes of the handsome cowboy then blushed when she realized he awaited a response. “I appreciate your offer, Mr. Pierce, but I have a beau.”

  Once again, he gave her a playful grin, displaying dimples on both sides of his mouth. “Might have known. You were too perfect not to be already taken.”

  Rebecca felt her face redden. What in the world is wrong with me, reacting like this to a stranger? “Thank you, Mr. Pierce. Although far from perfect, I am flattered.”

  Not wavering his steady gaze, he adjusted his hat back on his head. “I plan on being here for the next week or two waiting to ship my cattle. If anything happens, or should you change your mind, I’d be honored if you would let me know.”

  Really, the man is adorable, Rebecca thought as she hurried to fill orders and clear tables. Once the rush hour was over, Rebecca placed the closed sign on the door and returned the last of the dishes to the kitchen.

  Mrs. Potts approached the work table, with a grin, then elbowed Rebecca good-naturedly. “I was about ready to send out a search party for you. I noticed the tall, good-looking fellow singled you out. What did he want?”

  Mrs. Potts possessed an uncanny way of keeping up with all the comings and goings of everyone in the diner, including the ability to listen to different conversations going on at the same time.

  Without looking from her work, Rebecca answered, “He wanted to court me.”

  Mrs. Potts put her hand to her face, dropping her jaw in mock surprise. “Now don’t that beat all.” Patting Rebecca’s hand, she continued. “In all seriousness, as far as appearance goes, you could do a lot worse. From the make of his boots and his hat I would say he could take care of you quite nicely.”

  I can’t believe she didn’t mention his smile. Rebecca laughed despite her frustration with another effort of matchmaking from her employer. “You would honestly make a decision based on what you see, and what he is wearing? His hat and boots? From what I remember my father exhibited fine taste in boots. You see where that landed me.”

  Scuffing a chair to the work table, Mrs. Potts patted Rebecca’s hand. “When you have been in business as long as I have, you get a certain feeling about people. Appearance is one thing, and behavior is another. Not only is he handsome, but he is respectful and polite. He isn’t like some of these men who try to grab you. I also noticed the men he is with are well-mannered.”

  Stopping her work for a moment, Rebecca stared into her employer’s eyes and grinned. “Mrs. Potts, do you think if I possessed two good ears I could keep up with things the same as you?”

  Her employer wiped her hands on her apron and wrinkled her nose, ignoring Rebecca’s comment. “I expect he did what so many of these fellows want to but can’t find the backbone to try. I give him credit for attempting. He did say court, right? That’s what courting is, getting to know one another. Besides, I agree with him; things are getting a little too rough here for my liking. Yes, I believe a body could do a lot worse.”

  Rebecca sighed in frustration, though she felt certain Mrs. Potts meant well. “Why do you suppose a man I have never set eyes on until last week, would intentionally seek me out, while the one person I would like to show me that kind of attention seems disinterested? I wish things were different between Sam and me. However, the past few years have scared him, what with the bad weather and all. He wants to have some money set aside before we set a date.”

  “If you ask me, Sam seems to be getting along fine. He has a nice home, a profitable business, food to eat. Those two girls of his need a mother, and honestly, I don’t like the way he is holding you off. Speaking of such, you won’t even have a roof over your head soon. Have you found another place to stay?”

  Rebecca pressed her hand to her chest and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I’ve all but made myself sick with worry about the possibility of being homeless. She plastered a smile on her face in order not to worry her employer and friend. “No, nothing permanent. Doc and his wife have offered me the use of their extra room. Mrs. Doc said she could use the company. That gives me a few more days to try and work something out.”

  Leaning in, her face filled with concern, Mrs. Potts pressed further, “Have you considered staying with your friends, Molly and Adam? At least until things settle down a little in town.”

  “I don’t want them troubling themselves about my problems. They have plenty to worry about already, especially since they lost so much during the last blizzard. Adam is so protective of me, and since he is Sam’s older brother, I know it’s caused a strain on their relationship and put him in a position where he feels like he needs to choose sides. Not to mention, I don’t want to add another mouth to feed at their table.”

  “Pshaw, no more than you eat, I don’t think they would mind. Especially now Molly is in the family way. You could be a big help. What about the lawyer friend of Horace? Have you thought any more about getting his help to go after whatever inheritance your Ma left for you?”

  Glancing at the work table, Rebecca stared unseeingly at the stack of dishes. Papa Horace may not have been her actual parent, but he’d loved her like one. He encouraged her to write frequently to her father, sharing with him each academic achievement, her apprenticeship, and every other accomplishment. His death and the discovery the letters written to her father were returned unopened delivered a double tragedy.

  A noise startled Rebecca. She realized Mrs. Potts waited for an answer. “Since there was never any money sent to Papa Horace to help with doctor bills, much less to help raise me, I don’t know if there is actually an inheritance to be had.” What does money matter when compared to the loss of Papa Horace?

  With a wave of her hand, Mrs. Potts scoffed. “I don’t mean to pressure you, honey, but I’m worried about the way everything is going in town. Things are getting a little too rambunctious for a young, single miss like you, to my way of thinking.”

  Looking around the kitchen with a certain amount of pride, Mrs. Potts’ mouth tightened, and her shoulders dropped. “The extra work caused from the new business in town has put a strain on all of us. Our stocks are running low, so I am going to have to cut back on our hours at the diner until the supply train gets here.”

  Rebecca shuddered. Her budget was already stretched thin. I have been praying for wisdom to know what to do. If Mrs. Potts is about to reduce my hours, I am out of time. “When do you plan on starting the new hours?”

  “I am sorry to spring this on you like this, but honestly Rebecca, based on our supplies, we should start tomorrow.”

  Lord, I sure wasn’t expecting this. Tears sprang to her eyes. Rebecca blinked rapidly and looked away, so her employer wouldn’t see discouragement on her face. “Mrs. Potts, you have always been good to me, and I don’t want to give you cause for concern. I do have another option although I have been hesitant about accepting the invitation. I recently became reacquainted through correspondence with my mother’s cousin, and she invited me fo
r an extended visit. I have been hesitant to take her up on her offer since we have never met. But with my situation in losing my room at the boarding house, this might be the push I need to go ahead.”

  Mrs. Potts put her wash towel aside, turned and patted Rebecca’s hand again. “These are the kinfolk your Papa Horace said you could trust, right?”

  Rebecca took a slow, deep breath as she tried to fight the all too familiar feeling of the tightening of her chest. Lord, please don’t let me be getting sick on top of everything else, she silently prayed. “What you say is true. The idea makes me feel anxious. You are right though. I will consider more seriously accepting the invitation. In the meantime, I will mention it to Lois. Maybe business has picked up at her dress shop.”

  Read the rest here

  Other Books by Kimberly Grist

  ~o0o~

  Rebecca's Hope

  Raised by her guardian and influenced by the mostly male population of Carrie Town Texas, Rebecca benefited from a forward-thinking, unorthodox education not typical for a young woman in the late Nineteenth century.

  As an adult, she is armed with skills that most would covet, yet she lives in a boarding house, works as a waitress and struggles financially. Most single women in the area didn’t stay single long. Most, but not her. The one man she had said yes to was dragging his feet. The townspeople all agree she needs a husband. Even the young girls in her Sunday School Class have taken action by writing an ad for the paper.

  Wanted: Husband for Rebecca Mueller. **Must be handsome, nice, like children, and live within walking distance of Carrie Town School.

  Will her circumstances change and allow her to hold out for true love?

  ~o0o~

  Emma's Dream

  In my first novel Rebecca's Hope, I introduced a western town in the late 19th century filled with colorful characters and innovative young women. Emma's Dream is a continuation of the tale based on Rebecca's best friend. While other young women in the late nineteenth century are reading about proper housekeeping, Emma studies herd improvement and her cooking skills leave a lot to be desired.

  Our story begins several months before Rebecca's wedding. Circumstances require Emma to take on the household chores which include taking care of her six-year-old twin cousins. Like a double-edged sword, help arrives in the form of Grandma Tennessee who manages a household with ease but whose colorful stories, old wives’ tales and superstitions flow like a river.

  As I researched pioneer life in the late 19th century, I found that superstitions were widely practiced as immigrants migrated and cultures blended. One of my goals as I wrote was to give an accurate account of the period while exposing the inaccuracy of the quotes and beliefs in a humorous way. Hence the birth of the delightful character, Grandma Tennessee.

  Emma's Dream is a story of love that's tested by distance and has the perfect combination of history, humor, and romance with an emphasis on faith, friends and good clean fun!

  ~o0o~

  Lois's Risk

  Lois Weaver has been schooled to be polite, lady-like, honest, to clean, cook and sew, so that at the proper age she would marry. As an adult, she surpassed her father’s expectations with her skills and beauty only to shatter them when she opens a dress shop. She risked everything to start her own business.

  Now the handsome bank owner has come calling. So why isn’t she happy? And why can’t she forget about a certain farmer with big brown eyes? Daniel Lawrence, former Texas Ranger, gained immense satisfaction when he purchased his farm and livestock. His new way of life is not only a means to make a living but adds a sense of fulfillment. The only thing lacking is a wife and family.

  He is just shy of proposing when a family tragedy forces him to open his home to his grieving sister and his niece. How could he bring a new wife home to this? Lois is heartbroken because Daniel is ignoring her. Can she go against the 19th-century rules of how a woman should behave and have the courage to tell Daniel how she feels?

  Combining history, humor, and romance with an emphasis on faith, friends, and good clean fun, fans of historical romance set in late 19th-century will enjoy Lois’s Risk a delightful tale of courage and reminds us how God uses adversity to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him.

  ~o0o~

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SM9HKWP

  Twenty-year-old Maggie Montgomery, is a petite young woman ahead of her time. She's had a wonderful childhood and enjoyed spending time with her father and five brothers and is happiest working in the smithy with them. A competent cook and housekeeper, as a favor to the local doctor, she moves in to assist his wife who is struggling to recuperate from a bout of pneumonia.

  A tomboy at heart, she ignores her mother's pleas to dress more appropriately. Until the son returns. A recent graduate of medical school, although handsome, the young doctor is stoic and obviously put out that his father has hired her to help his mother recuperate. Sparks fly and suddenly for the first time Maggie is concerned more about how she is perceived by others, especially the young doctor? The question is why? Can they get past their first impressions?

  Maggie draws on unrelenting strength where iron sharpens iron—forging an unexpected result of the romantic kind.

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