Whirlwind (21 page)

The stairs drew his attention. To top off their sensitive conversation here in the store, the harshest words he’d ever spoken had come out when he’d forbidden her to carry Arthur upstairs tonight. If ever a marriage had gotten off to a rocky start, it was theirs.
Maybe come morning, she’ll understand why I said what I did. Millicent isn’t the type to hold a grudge. She’s going to have to change, because I’m unyielding on this. She’ll come around.

Yet even as he told himself so, unease trickled down his spine.

Millicent lifted her hem and stomped up the steps. Part of her wanted the noise to awaken Daniel so she wouldn’t have to endure the embarrassment of rapping on the door of his bedchamber. The other part of her hoped he’d take the hint that she was thoroughly miffed.

“I lost one wife and child because she fell down the stairs. I’m not losing another.”
Daniel’s words echoed in her mind, taunting her. He didn’t trust her with his son. He thought she’d kill his little boy on the stairs. That hurt. Furthermore, it was ridiculous. In fine temper, she made it up the last step, turned, and gulped. The door to the bedchamber hung wide open.

Either Daniel Clark was deaf or he slept like a brick. On more than one occasion he’d heard mutterings she’d hoped he hadn’t; so she knew his ears worked just fine. That left the other alternative: Daniel Clark was one of those people who needed a hurricane to blow him out of bed. Come to think of it, she’d had to beat on his door forever that morning she told him Arthur was sick.

Shouting wasn’t ladylike, and Millicent refused to resort to such behavior. Instead, she gave the doorjamb to the master bedchamber a solid kick.

Pain exploded, but she choked back a yelp.

Daniel bolted upright in bed.

Well, at least the pain’s worth it. I woke him up.

“What are you doing here?”

To keep her from rubbing her toes, she shoved her hands into the pockets of her apron. “I was going to ask you the same question.”

“What time is it?” He fumbled on the bedside table for his pocket watch.

It wasn’t until then that it occurred to Millicent his chest was bare. Heat zoomed from her bodice to her brow, and she spun away. Her aching toes protested, but she continued to punish them by balancing on that foot until she regained her equilibrium. Only she wasn’t sure she ever would. She’d never seen a shirtless man.

“Seven forty-five!” A solid thump made it clear he’d leapt out of bed.

“Yes.” Why did she sound breathless? He was the surprised one.
Well, I’m surprised, too. But I’m not going to let that stop me from showing him how ludicrous he’s being.
“We’re waiting breakfast on you.”

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“Yes we did. You said you’re uncompromising, so Arthur is stranded upstairs until you arrive to carry him down.”

“That’s not going to change.”

She stared at the stairs. Rustling of cloth let her know Daniel was getting decent. Her gaze traveled to the other bedchamber. Shame scalded her. She’d awakened her husband, scolding him like a harridan. He’d made one request of her—one. That edict didn’t demand labor on her part—it meant he had to do more himself.
I’m being a fool. He’s done so much for Isabelle and me.

His hands rested on her shoulders, and she jumped at the contact. Wheeling back around, Millicent stammered, “I’m sorry. I’m . . . You . . .”

“You’re not yourself right now.”

She nodded. Of all the things he could say, that was probably the most true. Before she could let her irritation or pride extinguish her good sense, she blurted out, “You want only the best for your son.”

“I do.”

Dark stubble covered the lower half of his face. Yesterday, had it been there? Everything blurred together and she couldn’t remember.

His hands remained on her shoulders, his thumbs slowly rubbing her collarbones. “Which is why I want you for Arthur. You’re the best.”

“You’re impossible.” She let out a mirthless laugh. “In one breath you say I’m what Arthur needs, and in the next you tell me not to take care of him.”

“By having me carry him up and down the stairs, you
are
taking care of him and yourself.”

“Your shirt is buttoned crooked.” She groaned. “I’m going back to the boardinghouse to tell Isabelle and Arthur that you’ll be there shortly.” Fearing she’d blurt out something more she’d regret, she headed down the stairs.
He can’t even button up his shirt correctly, but he thinks he can take care of two women and a baby. Lord, you’re going to have to help us all.

“Millicent?”

She continued down the stairs, pretending not to hear him.
So help me, if he comments about my wearing a white blouse, I’ll forget every rule of comportment I ever knew. I’d rather have him consider me a shrew than let him know Isabelle insisted it’s a bad omen for the marriage if the bride wears black.

“Millicent?”

She stopped one step from the bottom but didn’t want to turn around.
I refuse to be a coward.
Forcing a smile, she looked over her shoulder. After all, it was a decent compromise—even if he didn’t like compromises, she could still make them in her heart. “Yes?”

“Arthur isn’t just my son now. He’s your son, too.”

Sixteen

S
uch a good boy.” Phineas Stahl scratched Nicodemus on his withers, then gave the bay gelding a solid slap. The workhorse walked from the trough toward the field. Phineas had already cleared the two milch cows, Hope’s mule, and the mare from the stubble-covered field. Today, they’d hitch a plow to the beasts and plow under the stubble to enrich the soil for the next crop.

Looking at his boss, Phineas grinned. “Jakob, the liniment worked. Nicodemus walks without a hint of limp.”

“Might not be the liniment. I threatened to bring out Doc Wicky.”

Walking along with Jakob toward the field, Phineas snorted. “I’ve heard he’s taken up treating animals, but I sure wouldn’t summon him.”

“Nor would I. He’s not fit to treat man nor beast. Town council is looking for a replacement.”

“Speaking of replacements, your wife sounds impressed with the new storekeeper and his wife.”

Chuckles spilled out of Jakob—a miracle, given the deep grief Jakob had endured until Hope breezed into his life and turned it upside down. “Given the state Orville left the mercantile in, any woman who didn’t dissolve into tears or indulge in hysterics deserves some credit. That being said, Hope is wont to overestimate the goodness in others. After supper last night, my sister said Hope could make a mute leper sound like an ideal house guest.”

Stopping dead in his tracks, Phineas rasped, “Annie said that?”

A smile stretching across his tanned face, Jakob halted. “Ja. There are times when a glimmer of the old Annie shines through.”

The old Annie—the young girl Phineas had adored at school as they were growing up. Lively, helpful, and compassionate. He’d had nothing to offer her—no land, no money—so when her father married her off, Phineas moved south to Texas and became Jakob’s farmhand. For years, Annie endured untold abuse at her husband’s hand until Jakob unexpectedly went home and discovered the truth. He’d brought her here, and they’d protected her.

Now Konrad was dead, and Annie was beginning to emerge from the terror that once claimed her. Taking off his hat and swiping his brow, Phineas grinned back at Jakob. “Your sister—staying here let her know she was safe physically, but in her heart and mind, she was still held captive. Now the fetters that held her lie broken at her feet. For her to say such a thing—it shows she has finally begun to heal.”

Jakob stared off at the horizon. His expression remained as bland as could be. “Ja. This is true.”

Now. Now was the time. “I want her for my wife.” There, he’d said it.

Jakob turned and arched a brow. “And Johnny?”

The thought of Annie’s newborn son brought a rush of delight. “Johnny is the son of my heart, and well you know it. I’m the only person who’s made a bigger fool of himself over that baby than you have. I want to adopt Johnny and give him my name.”

Anguish darkened Jakob’s eyes. “Even with that pledge to take Johnny on as your own son, she won’t marry yet. Her fears will be too great. You yourself just said she has just begun to heal. It will take time—a long time.”

Along with the love he felt for Annie, an ache lodged in Phineas’s heart. “I’ll prove to her what a special woman she is, that I cherish her and will always be tender. With God’s blessing and the Holy Spirit’s help, Annie will come to trust me.”

Jakob gave him a sideways glance. The corner of his mouth pulled as it did whenever he was about to say something wry. “So you want God’s blessing and the Holy Spirit’s help, but you don’t ask my permission to court my sister?”

“I don’t need it.” Phineas kicked a small stone and sent it sailing. “Remember the time we were swimming at the water hole and she—”

“Ja.” Jakob didn’t like to be reminded of that embarrassing incident.

“On that day, you told me I could have her.” Laughing like a simpleton, Phineas couldn’t thank the Lord enough that the time had finally come for him to realize his dreams. “You gave Annie to me, and you are a man of your word. All these years, she’s been worth waiting for. I haven’t changed my mind. It’s good to know she’ll finally be mine.”

“Thank you for watching Arthur.” Daniel started steering Millicent out of the boardinghouse. “I have every confidence he’ll have a happy day with his aunty while we inventory stock today.”

Still trying to accept the fact that she’d become Arthur’s mother, Millicent hadn’t taken that next mental step. “Did you understand what he just said, Isabelle? Arthur is your nephew!”

Isabelle blinked. “He is, isn’t he?” For the first time since Frank died, she smiled.

The whole way down the boardwalk, Millicent kept thanking Daniel. “You have no idea how important that was to Isabelle. She and Frank have been married awhile, and well . . .” Heat filled her cheeks. “Isabelle loves children. She adores Arthur, you know.”

“I wouldn’t leave him with her otherwise.” Daniel let go of Millicent’s elbow and opened the mercantile door.

Maybe now that he’s turned loose of me, I can think clearly.
That hope fled just as soon as they got inside and Daniel started rolling up his sleeves, revealing strong wrists and muscular forearms. Millicent wheeled away. In a decade or two, she might not feel quite so abashed by his actions. It took a moment for her to realize the nail holes and cracks in the walls had disappeared. “Oh, my gracious! When did you do all of the plastering?”
He stayed up late last night. That’s why he was asleep this morning.

“It’s a matter of using time wisely and adhering to a schedule. As it’s Friday, we must telegraph our orders today so stock will begin arriving next Wednesday.” Neatly drawn diagrams lay on the counter. Daniel touched each. “Stockroom, store, and Isabelle’s shop. I’ve plotted where to place the goods for maximum efficiency.” He plucked a list from the wall. “Requests first. By supplying the items the clientele wants, the store will begin on a good footing. First impressions last.”

“In all the confusion, it’s possible some of the things requested are actually in stock.”

Daniel’s features darkened. “There’s no use wasting time on such a doubtful errand. The first request: Hope Stauffer wants pecans.”

“I want to do something special for her. She offered friendship and help without a thought of anything in return. Could we give her a bag of pecans as our very first order since she has such a heart of gold?”

“Gold.” The paper in his hand crackled protest as his fingers tightened into a fist. “I ran across a receipt for jewelry, but there’s none to be found other than the silver already in the case. Supposedly there are four gold rings, a brooch, two pendants, and a bracelet.”

“That’s a lot.”
Expensive jewelry.
She cleared her throat. “With Mr. Clark spending the bulk of his time at the feedstore, perhaps he felt it prudent to tuck such valuable items someplace special for safekeeping.” Millicent didn’t believe it, but Orville was Daniel’s kin. She wanted to give him every chance to prove himself to be of good character. In the meantime, she decided to revert back to discussing Hope. “Yesterday, Hope said something about—”

“The camel wallowing under the ditch.” Daniel nodded. “I was still trying to figure out what she meant when she said Orville was probably ‘firing too many irons.’ ”

“Yes!”

“Tim Creighton told me Hope is famous for mangling clichés. Her husband adores how she does it, so no one corrects her.”

Millicent gave a small sigh and smiled. “I like it here.”

Daniel scanned the store and grimaced. “This isn’t what it was purported to be.”

“We’re a good team and have wonderful neighbors, Daniel. I’m not about to let a nasty dust storm ruin my opinion.”
I know the dust storm wasn’t the cause of the problem. Was that a kindness, or was that a lie? Lord, you’re going to have to guide and forgive me. I don’t have any idea how to be a wife.

Tearing paper from his tablet, Daniel felt a spurt of satisfaction. “We’d best send off some of these orders. As the day progresses there’ll be more, but since I’m a little ahead of schedule, it’s prudent to get shipments on the way.”

Humming as she had been all morning, Millicent rounded the corner. “I finished inventorying the ready-to-wear clothing, so we can send in the order for garments, as well!”

“You were to do canned goods.”

She nodded. “I will. They’re right here on the list you gave me.”

Never had he imagined he’d have to explain something this basic. Daniel tamped down his irritation. “Millicent, I list tasks in order of importance. The things I expect to be done first are at the top of the list. I need you to count every jar of food on that shelf over there at once.”

“What about—”

“That’s all, Millicent. There’s nothing more to be said.”

Her smile melted, leaving her features stiff. “I see. Now that I’ve been instructed, I’ll try not to disappoint you in the future.”

He nodded acknowledgment, and she disappeared back around the aisle. Seconds later, the scrape and clink of jars sounded in the otherwise deafeningly silent store. No doubt, Millicent was embarrassed. She couldn’t conduct herself in a willy-nilly fashion in the business world. Teaching her that lesson early on, and in private, was the wisest and kindest course of action. She might not see that now—but in the days ahead, she’d look back and understand.