Winnie Griggs (17 page)

Chapter Eighteen

J
ust as Everett had predicted, Abigail had him rearrange her things a number of times until she pronounced herself satisfied. She also had him hang her newly constructed curtains in both her room and Daisy’s.

He wasn’t certain what he’d expected to see when he stepped into Daisy’s bedchamber, but he found himself surprised by the almost monastic simplicity of it. The bed was covered by her bedroll only—there were no sheets or coverlets, and no pillows. A small braided rug sat on the floor next to the bed, and two large crates served as tables. One held a Bible and lamp, the other a hairbrush and a small wooden horse. Her clothing—what there was of it—hung on pegs on the wall across from her bed.

If he’d expected her to be embarrassed or apologetic, he was mistaken in that, as well. While he hung the curtains, she explained to Abigail, with some pride, how she’d made the mattress herself, as well as the braided rug that served as Kip’s bed, and how the wooden horse was carved by her father and given to her as a gift when she was six.

She truly seemed content with what she had.

Was that part of the secret of her ever-present optimism? That she could find contentment in whatever her circumstances?

Could it really be so simple?

* * *

The next day, Everett contacted Walter Hendricks, the local carpenter, to take a look at his place with an eye toward doing the proposed remodeling.

“It seems a straightforward-enough project,” Mr. Hendricks said. “I don’t recommend taking the entire wall out, but we should be able to take down a good three-quarters of it to open up the room. My boys and I should be able to get it all done—tearing out and smoothing over—in about two and a half days.”

“When can you start?”

The man rubbed his chin. “I have another small job ahead of you, but I should finish it up in the morning. Is tomorrow afternoon okay?”

Everett nodded. “The sooner, the better.”

Mr. Hendricks gave him a knowing smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll have it all done before your new bride is ready to settle in.”

Everett made a noncommittal response, and the carpenter, with a tip of his hat, took his leave.

Everett moved to the window to check on Daisy. Today was her laundry day, and she was hard at work. He thought about bringing her something to drink, but saw Abigail step outside with a glass in her hand.

It appeared his services were not required.

He headed downstairs, noting how unusually quiet the place seemed, leaving him free from distractions.

Except the memory of last week’s laundry day and how it had ended.

* * *

Daisy brushed the back of her hand across her forehead, pushing the damp tendrils out of her way. It was only mid-morning, but already she felt wilted. Still, the chore seemed easier this second time around. Not only did she know what to expect now, but she’d learned from some of the mistakes she’d made last week.

One other thing that made the job feel less of a drudgery was Abigail’s frequent visits, bringing her lemonade and passing the time with her easy chatter. The girl even offered to help with a few minor tasks, but Daisy quickly dismissed that notion. She didn’t feel it would be right to accept full pay from her customers if she didn’t do the work herself.

Though she enjoyed Abigail’s company and appreciated her efforts, Daisy missed having Everett checking up on her the way he had last week. He
had
come out here first thing this morning, of course, before the last gauzy wisps of darkness had fully disappeared, to check that her tubs were all situated in a manner that would make them easy to drain later. She’d tried thanking him, and he’d merely said he wanted to avoid a repeat of what had happened last week. And that had been the last time she’d seen him today. Had he been too busy to bother, or merely too disinterested?

Daisy pushed those thoughts aside. Hadn’t she told both Abigail and Everett that she wanted to handle this job on her own? She couldn’t really fault him if he took her at her word, could she?

That back-and-forth argument with herself kept her mind occupied through the rest of the day. By evening, when she’d brought the last of the clothes in, separated out the items that needed ironing and folded the rest, Daisy was ready to focus on something different. She quickly freshened up, then went upstairs to find Abigail working on a sewing project.

“The
Gazette
goes out in the morning,” she told the girl, “which means your brother will be working to get it printed tonight. I’m going over to lend him a hand.”

Abigail immediately set her project aside. “What a great idea. I’m coming with you.”

When they entered Everett’s office, he was already printing the first page. “I know your hand is better,” Daisy said by way of greeting, “but I thought you might want some help, anyway.”

He looked up with a frown. “That’s not necessary. I know you’ve had a hard day, and I have everything under control here.”

The hint that he might be concerned for her welfare, maybe even had checked on her without her knowing, lifted Daisy’s spirits. But it didn’t dissuade her from her purpose. “Be that as it may, since we’re to be married soon, I’d like to learn as much as I can about the family business.”

Abigail grinned. “Family business—I like that. But since I’m not any good at this sort of thing, I’ll take care of supper. I baked some fresh bread earlier. It’s not as good as Daisy’s, but it’s passable. Why don’t I prepare some sandwiches and bring them down here so we can eat picnic style. Then I’ll watch Kip and keep you two company while you work.”

Everett didn’t raise any further objections, and they had a surprisingly pleasant evening. Abigail tried to teach Kip a few tricks with results that had Daisy laughing and even drew a smile or two from Everett. As with the laundry, Daisy found the job of typesetting much easier this second time around. And she and Everett developed a comfortable rhythm working together.

When Daisy headed home that evening, she was accompanied by Kip and Abigail. It somehow felt wrong to leave Everett all alone in his place. Of course, that was just as he had been before she showed up. Perhaps it was how he preferred it.

But when she lay in her bed later that night, she thought about how good it had felt while they were all together earlier. If she were a betting person, she’d wager that even Everett had enjoyed himself. Almost as if they were a true family.

The family they would be in actuality in less than two weeks. She lay there, letting that thought flow through her, settle in her mind. And in her heart. For the first time, it didn’t seem so far-fetched that this was the man she’d build her life with.

Perhaps God had known what He was doing, after all.

* * *

Everett had waited until he heard Daisy’s door close before he’d closed and locked his own outer door. Then he’d quickly climbed the stairs and listened for sounds that they were all upstairs. He heard the faint sound of Daisy’s laughter, no doubt in response to something his sister had said.

Now, before he could retire, he had to disrupt the orderly arrangement of his bedchamber and get the room ready for tomorrow’s demolition work.

While he shoved and slid various pieces of furniture to the far side of the room, he wondered at his mood. He had lived alone for most of the past dozen or so years. Why did it suddenly feel lonely over here?

Then his thoughts shifted to how deft Daisy was becoming at typesetting. He had to admit, she’d make a good partner in the running of his newspaper business. If that was something he wanted to continue.

Which, of course, he didn’t. Someday soon he would get the break he needed and return to his place as a reporter in a big city.

In the meantime, though, there were worse things than being married to a woman who took a genuine interest in his work.

And on that thought, he turned down the lamp and climbed into bed.

* * *

Daisy was finishing the dishes the next afternoon when Walter Hendricks showed up with his two sons in tow. Predictably, Abigail made quick friends with the two Hendricks brothers, especially Calvin, the older son.

But once the work began in earnest, the girl quickly distanced herself from the noise and dust. “I have an errand to run,” she told Daisy. “I won’t be gone long.”

Sure enough, when Daisy returned from her afternoon walk with Kip, she found Abigail waiting for her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I borrowed the furniture catalog from Mr. Blakely,” she told Daisy. “I thought we could figure out what furniture we’d like to order.”

Caught up in the girl’s enthusiasm, Daisy eagerly pored over the catalog with her. But she was still uncomfortable with spending Everett’s money, regardless of how he felt about it. She had to keep reining in the less-concerned Abigail. One item that hadn’t been on her mental list, however, caught her eye. It was a large chaise lounge. The piece had simple lines but was topped with a wonderful-looking plush cushion. If she placed it in their bedchamber, it would give her a not-so-obvious alternate sleeping accommodation. At least then she wouldn’t have to worry about which of them would be sleeping on the floor.

Abigail enthusiastically approved of her choice. “I knew you had a touch of the frivolous romantic in you. I was afraid for a moment that you were going to be thoroughly and boringly practical.”

Abigail also insisted they order a sewing machine and some updated laundry equipment. Despite her frequent flights of fancy, the girl had a practical head on her shoulders.

After much back and forth, Daisy and Abigail finally had a list of items they both could agree on.

Abigail shook her head sadly. “I do think you’re taking my brother much too literally on this budget business, but I’ll defer to your wishes.” She plucked the list from the table and linked her elbow with Daisy’s. “Let’s go place our order. The sooner we do, the sooner the pieces will arrive.”

Daisy held up a hand. “Not so fast. We should discuss our selections with your brother first.”

“But he said we should order whatever we wanted as long as we stayed within his budget, which, thanks to your stubbornness, we did.”

“Yes, but since we
are
spending his money, to furnish and decorate
his
home, I’d like to make sure he doesn’t have any objections to anything on our list.” Everett had such elegant taste in everything, she was afraid she’d made some glaring mistakes in one or more of her choices.

But Abigail had no such qualms. “It’s your home, too, and I assure you, Everett will be fine with whatever you decide—especially since you’re his bride-to-be.”

If only Abigail knew how little weight that really carried. “Still, I must insist.”

Abigail gave in with good grace. “Oh, very well, if it makes you feel better. Let’s see if he can look it over now.”

“I think we should wait until he closes his office for the day.”

“There’s no telling when that will be. And what can it hurt to check now? If he’s too busy, he’ll certainly let us know.”

Daisy didn’t doubt that for a moment. Still, she was hesitant to disturb him.

Abigail, however, was already headed for the stairs. Almost before her feet touched the ground floor, she started in with melodramatic emphasis. “Everett, Daisy and I have selected the barest minimum of furnishings needed to make our combined quarters livable.”

Everett leaned back in his chair. “Have you, now?”

“Yes.” Abigail rolled her eyes. “And it wasn’t easy because Daisy insisted on being positively frugal—quite a trying experience.”

“If she succeeded in reining in your extravagance, then my hat is off to her.” He turned to Daisy. “You didn’t let her run roughshod over you, did you?”

“Not at all.”

“Good. Then I take it you’re headed to the mercantile to place the order.”

Daisy smiled. “Actually, if you have a minute I’d like your opinion before we place the order.”

“I’m sure it is perfectly acceptable.”

Did the man ever give a direct answer? “Still, I’d like you to take a quick look. I wouldn’t want there to be any unpleasant surprises for you once the items arrive.”

“And time is of the utmost essence,” Abigail added dramatically.

He gave Daisy a quizzical look, then stood. “Well, in that case, I suppose I’d better have a look. I’m having trouble concentrating on my work with that infernal racket upstairs, anyway.”

They spread the catalog and their list out on his desk, and Everett stood between them as they looked it over. Daisy let Abigail point things out to her brother and explain exactly why each item was a must-have purchase. But several times he interrupted his sister to turn to Daisy and get her opinion. Was he just being polite? Or did he really care what she thought?

When Abigail got to the chaise lounge, Daisy saw Everett give her a quick, speculative glance, but he didn’t say anything. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but wasn’t sure if she’d succeeded. Had he guessed the reason she had included it in her order? And if he had, what did he think about it?

* * *

In the end, Everett found himself surprised by the list. The practical items far outweighed the decorative. What had happened to all that colorful exuberance she tended to use in her own place? Had his strictures about sticking to the budget boxed her in too tightly?

When Abigail bemoaned the fact that Daisy had vetoed the purchase of a small dressing table for her use, something she insisted every young woman
must
have, Everett turned to his bride-to-be. “Do you agree with my sister over the importance of this item?”

Daisy shrugged. “A dressing table is a nice item to have, but I’ve gotten along for quite some time without one, so I think I can manage a bit longer. The other items on the list are much more important.”

Everett studied the list again. “I believe there are items here that we need regardless of any renovations, so they should not be counted against the budget.” He met Daisy’s gaze again. “That means there are funds to cover the addition of the dressing table.”

Daisy’s eyes widened in surprise.