Page 11 of Hank and Elsie
“You’re welcome.” She tilted her head in the direction of the mercantile. “Gotta go. Ma only gave me fifteen minutes to linger after church, and I’ll bet I’m at fourteen minutes and fifty-five seconds.” She gave him a jaunty wave, ran her hand down Chipper’s nose, and rushed past them and into the mercantile.
Still smiling at the girl’s irrepressible spirits, Hank kept a hold of the hat brim, while still trying not to break the straw. His little sister, Julianne, had the same bubbly ability to make people—even their dour grandfather—smile. Until, that is, diphtheria had taken her along with their grandmother. He firmly shut the door of his mind on those memories.
Riding home, while carrying the hat would be a challenge. He imagined tying the small hat on his head to keep his hands free. The ribbons were certainly long enough. Just the ridiculous picture that made had him simultaneously cringing and chuckling.Oh, no. He’d carry Jewel’s gift.
Then the reaching branches of a bush almost grabbed the hat from his hand. With an eyeroll of resignation and gratitude that no one would see him looking so ridiculous, he halted Chipper and carefully placed the boater on top of his bowler, tying the pink ribbons under his chin.
Buying the hat hadn’t been the best idea. But the laugh from the girl turned a frustrating day into a better one.Too bad she’s not older.
Whistling, he kneed Chipper in the direction of home, savoring the story he’d have to tell Torin.
By the timeHank reached home, his whistling had died away, and he’d fallen into a brood. He’d thought finding a wife would be relatively easy. After all, he should be a good catch—clean habits, possessing all his hair and teeth, a decent face, and some of the prettiest land around. But he hadn’t thought available women might be so rare in Sweetwater Springs, or that the kind of woman he had in mind might not be eager to move into a one-room cabin, no matter how well-crafted.
He reined in Chipper, and, instead of dismounting, studied his house, seeing the place as if through the eyes of his future bride. Would she care if he pointed out how the tight shingles on the roof never leaked, or how well the chinking sealed the logs so no errant cold air trickled inside, or the smooth plane of his floors that wouldn’t catch splinters on bare feet? What about the two front windows, wider than normal for a cabin so as to take in the lake view? Surely, she’d like the blue-painted shutters that he used in bad or freezing weather to cover the glass and keep the warmth inside.
She’ll probably want more space and privacy.
Frowning, he swung down from Chipper and led the horse around the house to the barn. But a hail from Torin, walking down the path, halted him.
“Jewel’s napping,” his friend called, moving close to grin at Hank. “I thought I’d slip over to retrieve the supplies andhear how your courting is going.” His eyes lingered on the hat perched on Hank’s head. “Um…a new fashion in men’s attire?”
Having forgotten the pink boater, Hank merely rolled his eyes. He tapped the crown and thrust Chipper’s reins into Torin’s hand so he could untie the ribbons and take off the hat. “An impulsive purchase for Jewel’s birthday.”
Torin smirked, his eyes alight. “Her birthday isn’t for several months. EvenIhaven’t thought of what I’ll get her.”
Though Hank was in a broody mood and knew he’d looked ridiculous, he didn’t let out the growl he’d use at any other time. Torin seldom smiled, much less grinned in such a way, making him look relaxed and younger. He was inclined to let his friend’s amusement pass unchallenged.
Shrugging, he dangled the hat by the ribbons. “Last year, we had a snowstorm the week of her birthday and neither Brian nor I was able to get to town.”
“True. But Jewel doesn’t know the date of her birthday until we celebrate it.” He reached out to touch the brim. “She’ll be thrilled with this.” Torin shot Hank a penetrating glance. “Now what’s got you all bothered?”
Am I that easy to read?
“Yes, I’m a mind reader.” Torin chuckled. “But, actually, your mouth had an uncustomary downward pull. You’re usually fairly even-keeled and good-natured, not like Brian with his perpetual frown.”
Thinking of teasing Brian, even in his absence, made Hank’s bad mood start to dissipate. Their grumpy neighbor always served as an example to poke fun at. “I saw Brian smile once. Remember that time…” He pretended to think. “No, guess I don’t remember a time.”
Torin chuckled.
Hank let out a sigh.Maybe I should talk to Torin. He was married, even if the relationship didn’t work out.“I’ve realizedthat I don’t have as much to offer a woman as I thought.” He ran a hand down Chipper’s neck. “A one-room cabin like I’m a pioneer?”
“Maybe pick a woman who’s used to a one-room cabin or two or three rooms that aren’t well built. Probably sharing a small space with plenty of people. In comparison, your place, with the view of the lake, will seem like a palace.”
Hank scowled. “Problem is, I was thinking of a…a moreelevatedlady.”
“I had anelevatedlady.” An expression of pain crossed Torin’s face. “Take it from me. They aren’t always a wise choice.”
Hank scuffed the dirt with his boot. There wasn’t a comfortable way to comment on his friend’s failed marriage.
“I doubt there are any marriageable elevated ladies in Sweetwater Springs.” Torin jerked his head toward the house. “While you’re searching for your wife, why don’t you add on?”
“I’d planned for a bedroomsomeday.”
“Sounds like “someday” is now.”
A spurt of excitement went through Hank. He raised the hat. “Let me put this on the porch and get Chipper settled. After, I’ll show you what I have in mind.” He loped up the steps to the porch and set Jewel’s hat on the rocker. Returning, he took back Chipper’s reins and started toward the barn.
“I have about forty-five minutes before Jewel wakes up.” Torin fell into step with him.
