Page 36 of Hank and Elsie
While Elsie fetched the food, Miss Taylor gathered up her skirts to climb into the front seat.
His arms full with the child, Hank couldn’t provide gentlemanly aid. He politely looked away until he heard her slide into the seat, and then handed Jewel to her.
Miss Taylor settled the girl on her lap, careful not to jar her ankle, talking softly in her ear and tilting the hat to a more comfortable angle.
Feeling satisfied Jewel was in safe hands, Hank went to help Dr. Angus with the horse.
Soon, Zeus was hitched to the surrey. The picnic basket and Hank’s food were loaded in the back, for they were all famished. Then they were on their way to reunite Jewel with her frantic father. The swaying of the surrey made the girl’s eyes droop, and she leaned against Miss Taylor.
Moments later, they met Torin on the trail. He ran toward them. “I heard your shots,” he yelled, puffing. “Is she…?”
“The lass is well,” Dr. Angus called.
Torin’s face lit with joy. He loped to the surrey, handing Hank the rifle and reaching for his daughter before Angus even reined Zeus to a halt.
“Her right ankle is sprained,” Miss Taylor cautioned, releasing the child to her father’s arms.
Torin grabbed Jewel in a fierce embrace. He held her tight, weeping with joy and relief.
Watching them brought tears to Hank’s eyes, and he couldn’t be bothered to judge them as unmanly, especially when he saw Dr. Angus make a finger swipe across his cheek, and the two women pull out handkerchiefs to wipe their eyes.
Apparently, the others didn’t mind their tears, for they all exchanged warm smiles.
Miss Taylor shifted closer to Dr. Angus and patted the seat for Torin and Jewel to join them.
Torin squeezed next to her with Jewel on his lap.
Not the way I’d have chosen to expand Torin and Jewel’s social circle. But now that the scare is over, I can’t say I’m sorry.
He looked over at Elsie, watching Torin and Jewel. Seeing her reddened eyes and beatific smile, he remembered his promise at the beginning of the bride search that his potential wife would need to accept and love Jewel.She certainly fits that criteria.
She turned to look up at Hank. Her lips parted, making her look sweet and kissable.
He held her gaze, felt an unfamiliar clench of his heart, and realized that perhaps he didn’t need to rush into a marriage. Now that he’d found someone special, a long, slow courtship might just set the perfect pace to—when she was old enough—eventually win Elsie’s heart.
CHAPTER 14
Afew days later, Elsie worked the sewing machine in the back room of the shop, shortening the hem of a black skirt. By now, having done ten of these, she wasn’t hunched over trying to finish each piece perfectly. More comfortable with her work, she could sit straighter and let her mind wander a bit, like to a certain handsome man, while still maintaining a straight line.
Since moving to town, Elsie was happier than she’d ever been. She never dreamed such a life could be hers: fine surroundings, her own bedroom, indoor plumbing, and the kindest employer. Thank goodness, Miss Taylor, although an exacting dressmaker and shop owner, had more than a full store of patience. She took the time to explain every step of whatever piece of work she set Elsie to crafting.
Best of all, Elsie was steadily working off her debt to her employer. She couldn’t wait to start saving to buy Pa’s boots.
If, at times, she missed her family and the farm, well, that was the price she had to pay to fulfill her dreams. Truth to be told, though, without Ma’s constant looking over her shoulder, trying to mold her into the perfect daughter and future wife, withPa, silently, right alongside her, something inside Elsie, still too nebulous to name, began to blossom.
Miss Taylor hurried into the back room, her green eyes sparkling. “Elsie, dear. I have an opportunity for you.”
Curious, Elsie lifted her foot off the pedal.
“Mrs. Sanders, whom you met at church last week, purchased the lace handkerchief with the violet you embroidered. She’s requested you add her initials, which I told her will cost an extra ten cents. But she’s also wondering if you’d be willing to do some more embroidery work for her. If you consent, you can do the embroidery after hours and keep half the money we are charging for the service.”
Elsie loved to embroider.And to be paid! “Oh, Miss Constance!”
“I take that is ayes?” Miss Taylor tilted her head toward the door. “Come along, let’s find out what Mrs. Sanders has in mind.”
In the exterior room of the shop, Elizabeth Sanders, an elegant, blond beauty, stood next to the bolts of material, fingering one of blue silk.
“That one will match your eyes, Elizabeth.” Miss Taylor moved to stand next to their customer. “Your husband will be smitten when he sees you in a gown made of it. Or perhaps I should saymore smitten.”
