Whirlwind (29 page)

“Nay, fair lady. Instead of fighting an enemy, I turned the wind into my ally.” He sat down beside her and gave the string a light tug, then played out a little more length. “Why don’t you hold it?”

“But you sent it aloft.”

“We’ll take turns. Besides, those oranges are looking very inviting.” His hands overshadowed hers. “Here. You’ve got it now. It’s a little like riding. Keep a firm but gentle hand.”

His nearness muddled her mind. Millicent pulled away. “Isabelle and I can both drive a buggy. She worries about it the whole while, so she prefers for me to take the reins.”

“I could have predicted that.” His tone seemed a little wry, but Millicent kept her eyes trained on the kite. A moment later, the sweet fragrance of an orange filled the air. “Here.” Daniel held a segment to her lips.

“Mmm. Thank you.” She bit into it, and the juice squirted all over.

“Mine now.” He popped the other half of the section into his own mouth, then pulled out his handkerchief. “Turn here.”

“I’m as messy as Arthur, aren’t I?”

“And every bit as cute.” His smile was true, but it died rapidly. “Millicent, it’s probably an act of God’s mercy that Isabelle went to the boardinghouse this afternoon. It will permit me to discuss something with you.”

His tone sent a whisper of unease up her spine. “Whatever is wrong?”

“First, I want to give you Alastair’s personal assurance that Audrey and Fiona are fine.”

“Oh. Good!” Relief flooded her. Then just as quickly, Millicent’s eyes narrowed. “Wait . . . Alastair?”

“Allow me to start at the beginning. I admit, what I say will cause you distress. Please hear me all the way through, though.”

Millicent bit her lip and nodded slowly. Still holding onto the kite string, she listened as he told her of the Wanted poster on Ellis Island and the initial telegrams, and her mouth went dry. Daniel mentioned that the academy wasn’t cooperative, then that the girls hadn’t been told about their father’s passing. Tears filled her eyes, and she started to shake.

Daniel slid his hand atop hers. “I gave my word of honor to Frank that I wouldn’t speak of this to you or Isabelle until we could give assurances that the girls were safe and happy.”

Unable to keep silent any longer, she blurted out, “But you’ve lied to me. All along, you’ve known the truth and perpetrated a falsehood.”

“I gave my word of honor to Frank—the last promise he asked of me before he passed on. He knew it would distress Isabelle and you too greatly and wished to shield you. Granting a dying wish is—”

“Important, I grant you. But is it any more sacred than a wedding vow?”

“No, Millicent, it’s not. In keeping that pledge to Frank, I’ve been secretive and even deceitful with you. I behaved that way because I wished to spare you further grief when you were already suffering from the loss of your brother-in-law. Even now, I feel Isabelle oughtn’t know anything. I received word late yesterday that Alastair is willing to serve as an emissary to transmit letters and telegrams between you and the girls. As soon as I knew the girls were safe and you could communicate with them, I’ve come to you. Had I said anything before now, it wouldn’t have served any purpose other than to have heightened your anguish. At this time, Millicent, the girls still don’t know about their father, and Alastair feels they ought not be told yet. Since he is able to see them, we need to trust his judgment.”

“He can see them?”

“Yes, he’s seen them.”

Those words gave her a small measure of comfort. Alastair loved Audrey and Fee. He’d keep a close eye on them. He wouldn’t let terrible things befall them. It was still a tragic situation and so much needed to be done, but at least now she could trade notes with her girls and remind them of her love.

“I’ll continue to investigate the matter further.”

She rubbed her forehead, then gazed at him. “I can’t believe it.”

Daniel gave her an irritated look. “I did what I had to do, Millicent. I was honor-bound.”

“No, Daniel. I can’t believe that you’ve put up with me. I’ve been sitting here finding fault with you when you did your best to act with compassion and principles. I hope you’ll forgive me for reacting too swiftly and harshly.” Tears filled her eyes. “It’s hard to imagine you did all that for me and two little girls you’ve never met.”

“Things that are important to you matter to me, as well.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ve taken on Arthur as your own. How could I not care for the little girls you love?”

His tone carried such conviction, Millicent felt sure God had blessed her with the best husband in the world.

“Hey!” A couple of children dashed up. “We saw your kite!”

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Millicent saw the longing in their eyes. She glanced at Daniel.

“Millicent, dear, do you think the children would like to have a turn?”

She turned the kite over to him, and he knelt alongside the younger boy. She’d once heard a man was never taller than when he stooped to help a child.
It seems I’ve married a giant.

Sadness threaded through her.
I shouldn’t be this way. I made a deal. Isabelle would be counting her blessings if she were in my place.
Still, a strange longing persisted.

“Daniel? Daniel?”

“Huh?” He rolled over and squinted at the door. “Is that you, Millicent? Something wrong?”

She stuck her head in his bedchamber and whispered, “I didn’t want my sister to hear, but I have telegrams for the girls. I should have asked. Are eight words apiece too expensive?”

“Eight?” He sat up.

She averted her gaze and whispered, “I’ll shorten them.”

“I don’t care if they’re one hundred eight words apiece.”

Appearing shocked, she turned back to see if he was teasing. He cocked an eyebrow and virulent color washed over her, and she dashed away. When he emerged for breakfast, she handed him three slips of paper and an I-dare-you smile. He glanced down to see that she’d written telegrams to both girls and a third to Alastair. Just to show his wife that for all her sass, she’d met her match, he looked down at her skirts and back up at her face. “It’s Monday.”

“But it’s a special Monday. This is the beginning of the first whole week your mercantile is open!”

He walked off to hide his grin. She’d told him yesterday that he looked like a boy with his kite, but this was going to be a game with her. Millicent’s girlish streak counted as a good sign; she wouldn’t play like this if she wasn’t starting to feel at ease around him. No doubt, she would concoct a reason—however flimsy—to declare each day to be special so she could keep on wearing that silly wire hoop cage and bustle. But she was right—this was the first full week the mercantile would be open, and that was exciting. Then, too, as long as he played the game, she’d wear the hoops. Heaven only knew how badly he needed her to. When she’d come downstairs yesterday with that gored skirt softly flowing down and accentuating her womanly shape, he’d wanted to fill his eyes forever; he found he needed to close his eyes and beg for strength. He’d have Isabelle work on other people’s orders first—saying that she needed to take care of their commissions long before his. After all, she and Millie both agreed they had sufficient to wear. He’d also keep this silly game going with his wife, so she’d continue to concoct reasons each day was special.

Phineas Stahl came into the store. He bought a readymade pair of trousers and shirt for himself, then stood by the case and vacillated between hairpins and combs for Annie. Sheepishly, he looked up from the case. “I’ll take both. My Annie—she deserves all I can give her.”

“She seems to be a fine woman.”

“Ja. I have loved her for many years and longed for her to be mine. I had to wait for God’s timing.”

Daniel teased, “I didn’t realize yours was a case of unrequited love.”

Phineas hitched his shoulder. “You could call it that. A few times I had plans, but in my soul I knew they were not right. It was not to be—not then.”

“I apologize. I shouldn’t have made light—”

“I take no offense.” Phineas looked at him with a directness that carried a wealth of feeling. “It is a testimony. God has worked His miracles for my Annie and me and done away with the barrier that kept us apart. You helped start us anew, too, with that bracelet in your drawing.”

Chuckling, Daniel said, “Millicent deserves the credit for that.”

After Phineas left, Daniel bowed his head. God had answered Phineas’s prayers—but it had taken years. That knowledge alternately reassured and depressed Daniel. There was hope, but could he hang on long enough?

Folks trickled in and out of the mercantile as the morning progressed. He’d come down immediately after breakfast to open the store, but Isabelle stayed upstairs to help clean up. When she came down, Daniel ambled past her and murmured, “I appreciate your working alongside your sister and teaching her. We’re blessed to have you.”

Just before lunch, Isabelle dashed up and down the stairs to fetch a collar she’d crocheted. Not long thereafter, the yeasty scent of fresh-baked bread drifted down. At lunch, Millicent brought sandwiches to them. How anyone could botch a sandwich was a mystery, but Millicent had managed. The bread and ham looked like a drunkard had sliced them. After the first bite, Daniel set the sandwich aside for a moment and took care of a customer. Millicent pattered back upstairs. Once the customer left, Daniel stalked over to the sewing machine and took Isabelle’s sandwich. “Courage is one thing; foolishness is another.” He took them through the storeroom and tossed them out to where any of the stray dogs or cats would snap them up.

Millicent came down to help as Arthur took his nap. When Daniel’s stomach rumbled loudly, Isabelle looked up from her sewing machine. “There’s going to be apple pie soon.”

“The pie!” Millicent ran for the stairs.

“What’s this about apple pie?” Tim Creighton came in through the back with a bucket in his hand. “Might be that I have something worth trading for.” Tim lifted the bucket.

“What do you say, Dan?”

“I say you haven’t tried my wife’s cooking.” As soon as he said it, Daniel realized he’d been indiscreet. “I’ve got quite the bride.”

Tim chuckled. “You had me going for a second there. When Sydney started cooking at the ranch, Velma kept bicarbonate of soda on hand for us. Thanks to Velma’s help and the Richardson girls’ lessons, my wife can more than hold her own in the kitchen now.”

So if I swallow enough bicarbonate of soda and am patient, then maybe there’s hope . . .

Tim set the bucket on the counter. “I need to order a half dozen traps. Coyotes are heavy this year—took down a cow and her calf last night. No use in good meat going to waste.”

“You set the price and I’ll sell it—or did you want to barter that for the traps?”

“Nah. We all help one another out around here.” The aroma of fresh pie flooded the store, and Tim’s nostrils flared.

Daniel called, “Millie? Dear?”

“Yes, Daniel?”

“Tim brought by a bucket of fresh meat. That pie’s got both of us . . .”

“Hankering.” Tim grinned.

The bell rang and Mr. Smith came in. “The rug’s done. I’m pretty sure my kids beat the last bit of dust out of it.” He stopped and inhaled. “I must be going crazy, because I could swear I smell baked apples.”

Millicent’s laughter flowed down the stairs. “Daniel, Arthur’s climbing up on a chair to get to the pie. If you men want a piece, you’d better hurry.”

Gesturing toward the stairs, Daniel said, “Gentlemen. Isabelle, the bell will sound if we get a customer. Come join us.”

As they started to eat, Daniel watched Millicent blush as the men paid her compliments on her baking. He mused, “You spent time in boarding schools, so this isn’t an old family recipe, is it?”

“Isabelle—”

Isabelle chimed in, “Shared the recipe.”

Tim turned to Smith. “What brought you to town?”

“I’m delivering a carpet. After being up all night last night, I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Likewise.” Tim shoveled the last bite into his mouth. “I came to order traps.”

“Traps?” Millicent gave Arthur a bite.

Eyes bright, Arthur bobbed enthusiastically. “Nummy, nummy nummy!”

“We’re all in agreement on that.” Daniel reached over and casually fed Millicent a bite. “Coyotes set upon the Creightons’ livestock.”

“Oh no!”

Tim heaved a sigh. “It happens every year. It’s not often, though, that they take down both a cow and her calf. The last two years, the coyotes have grown far bolder. I’ve not used traps before now, but this was by the house.”

As soon as they finished eating, Daniel rose. “Millie, can you keep Arthur in the nursery for a few minutes?”

“I’m going to put him down for another nap. He just babbled and played when he was supposed to be napping earlier this afternoon.”

“Fine. We’re going to bring up the carpet now.”

“You’re going to bring it up? Here?”

He nodded.

She pressed her fingers to her mouth. “I’m sorry. Could I please have a moment with you?”

He nodded tersely and led her to his bedchamber.

Twenty-One

T
he minute Daniel closed the door, Millicent whirled to face him. “Daniel, that carpet’s expensive!” She paced away and back. Still in a whisper, she said, “You know our finances; I don’t. But after having to restock the entire store, I understand we have to be careful.”

Daniel watched her, noting she couldn’t stay in one place. She went over to the window and back, then changed direction and measured the distance to the armoire a few times. The whole while, she fretted in a hushed voice.

Suddenly she wheeled around and came back once again. “The carpet isn’t ruined at all, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m sure the Smith kids beat every bit of grit straight out of it. As tightly woven and knotted as that carpet was, the grit didn’t stand a chance of getting past the surface. If you’re concerned that a customer would be offended that it’s had that negligible mishap, then you could discount it a little. Yes, you could.” She brightened up. “Even up to thirty-three percent like you did the other goods. You’d still recoup a fair price. It would sell in an instant. I’m sure of it.”