Page 13 of Hank and Elsie
“I think you should do that, Elsie.” Her mother spoke up for the first time. “If you work in Miss Taylor’s shop, you’ll need to be dressed well.” Her cheeks reddened. “Everything you have at home is even shabbier than what you’re wearing. As for the rest of your things, we can bring them with us next Sunday.”
“Three Sundays hence,” Pa corrected. “Weather permitting.” He sent Miss Taylor a sheepish look. “Plan to break ground on a new field and get it planted.” He glanced at Elsie. “But you’ll putallyour wages to paying back Miss Taylor. Only after that will I take half.”
Elsie nodded vigorously, too happy to utter any words.
“That’s settled, then,” Miss Taylor said briskly. She smiled. “I’ll leave you to finish your shopping. Afterwards, Elsie, why don’t you bring your family to the shop? We can show them around and go upstairs, so they can see where you’ll live.”
“We’re finished here.” Ma glanced at the basket over Elsie’s arm. “If you don’t mind waiting just a minute, we’ll buy these and come with you.”
“Shall we?” Miss Taylor turned and walked down the aisle toward the front counter, where Mrs. Cobb, the plump shopkeeper, wrote in a ledger.
Elsie and her family followed.
Mrs. Cobb gave Miss Taylor a hard stare out of her close-set eyes before turning her attention to the Baileys.
The shopkeeper’s baleful look made Elsie quake in her boots. She handed over the basket of supplies, trying not to make eye contact with the unpleasant woman.
Mrs. Cobb took the basket and ignored Miss Taylor. One by one, the shopkeeper removed each item and set them in two stacks. She held her hand over one pile. “The eggs will only cover these. You’ll have to pay cash for the rest.” She sent a malicious glare Miss Taylor’s way. “No credit.”
Why’s she looking at Miss Taylor in that nasty way?
Pa frowned.
“No credit?” Ma echoed, her hand going to her chest, a stricken look on her face. “Why ever not? You’ve always extended us credit before.”
“We’ve paid back every cent,” Mr. Bailey said gruffly.
“Yes, but repayment took far too long.” Mrs. Cobb sniffed. “We’re not a bank.”
Hot shame surged through Elsie, making her stomach tight. She glanced at Miss Taylor, hoping this news wouldn’t make her change her mind about the job. The anger sparking in thedressmaker’s eyes made her stomach relax somewhat but didn’t entirely banish the shame.
“Well, if credit is needed—” from behind them came an unfamiliar male voice with a Scottish accent “—I have nae problem with extending some.”
Curious, Elsie turned. She didn’t recognize the speaker, but from his red hair and Scottish accent, she figured he must be Dr. Cameron’s brother, Angus—another doctor. She’d read in the newspaper that he’d left Scotland to join the medical practice in Sweetwater Springs.
Relief went through Elsie, and she gifted Dr. Angus with a wide smile, which he didn’t seem to notice, so focused was he on Miss Taylor.
Dr. Angus nodded at the pretty dressmaker, a corner of his mouth quirking, before he shifted his attention to Pa.
Her father stiffened. “We have no need of charity.”
There was nothing her father hated more than taking charity. He’d probably die before allowing himself to feel beholden to anyone, much less a stranger.
Pa handed the shovel to Ricky. “Put this back.”
Dr. Angus raised one eyebrow. “I have na’ offered charity.Creditwas the word I used. Doctors are used to extending credit.” He held up a palm and offered a slight smile. “We are good at judging when someone will do his or her best to repay us.”
Ricky paused, holding the shovel like a staff, and looked from his father to the doctor.
Miss Taylor stepped closer to the Baileys. “Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, you probably haven’t met Dr. Angus Cameron yet. He’s newly come from Scotland.”
Pa’s hard gaze relaxed. “I heard you were coming here, Doctor.”
Mrs. Cobb let out a huff and reached up to finger the gold flowered brooch pinned to her basque. “Perhaps I spoke hastily.”
Dr. Angus didn’t relax his stern expression. “Does that mean yer reconsidering offering this family credit, Mrs. Cobb?”
The shopkeeper fluttered a plump hand. “Of course, since you practically vouched for them.”
