Page 28 of Hank and Elsie
Mr. Canfield briefly doffed his hat, showing a head of thick brown hair. “I’m sure your services are sorely needed in this town. When I told my sister, who lives in Chicago, that we had none, she started referring to Sweetwater Springs as that ‘pokey frontier town you’ve banished yourself to.’”
“Well, now you’ll be able to assure her that we’re practically a metropolis, which would then make you a city man,” Miss Taylor said lightly.
His eyes twinkled. “I’ll be sure to do that. Although, she’ll probably start saying, ‘pokey metropolis.’”
As she watched the two banter—were they flirting?—Elsie couldn’t help feeling envious, wishing she was as beautiful and sophisticated as Miss Taylor, able to attract the attentions of men like Dr. Angus and Mr. Canfield. Even if she had no desire to marry for years, it would be fun to know how to flirt—in a ladylike way, of course.
Hank engagedthe two women in conversation, his expression admiring as he looked from one to the other, but mostly focusing on the older lady. Miss Bailey asked him where he lived, and hewaxed eloquent about the beauty of the lake, the reflection of the mountains and the sky, and how the swans glided gracefully across the surface, although their feet pedaled furiously below the water.
As they conversed, Miss Taylor smiled and nodded, giving him plenty of encouragement to continue. His spirits rose.Maybe this courting business won’t be so hard, after all. Might as well get to the point.
Hank glanced from Miss Taylor to Miss Bailey. “Could I invite you two to my home for a
picnic next Sunday after church?” The invitation was made to both women, but he focused on the more suitable Miss Taylor, who was obviously in charge.
Miss Bailey clasped her hands. “Your place sounds so beautiful!” She gazed at Hank with wide eyes. “I’d love to see it. Please, Miss Taylor, may we go?”
The dressmaker pursed her lips. “Well, there are a few challenges. The first is we wouldn’t be able to leave right after the service because we do have to open the shop for an hour or so.” She glanced down the street. “In fact, we should be going there in another minute. The second concern is how would we get to your home, Mr. Canfield? Surely, you don’t expect us to walk there and back?”
Hank wanted to kick himself for not planning better beforehand. He gave them a sheepish grin. “I guess, in my spontaneity I hadn’t thought everything through.”
Dr. Angus stepped closer and inserted himself into the conversation. “If I may….” He gave a slight bow. “I heard the wordpicnic, always a favorite activity of mine.” His Scottish brogue gave the words an interesting accent. “Good food and nature. What could be better? I do believe my new horse and surrey—a four-seater—will be here by next Sunday, Mr…?”
Not sure whether to feel relieved by the man’s solution or stymied by a potential rival, Hank thrust out his hand. “Canfield, Hank Canfield. But call me Hank.”
“Well, Hank.” The doctor returned a strong handshake. “If I could include myself in yer invitation…” he hinted. “I could drive everyone there and bring the ladies back to town.”
Judging from the expression that flickered across Miss Taylor’s pretty face, she didn’t seem pleased by the idea of the doctor joining them, which, in Hank’s opinion, made the plan all the more advantageous.
“Why, that sounds just dandy.” Hank made his grin wide and guileless. “Aren’t you the new doc?”
“Aye.” The man nodded. “Angus Cameron, at yer service.”
“If you don’t mind, Doc, I’ll hopenotto have your service. Good thing I’m healthy.” He winked at the ladies. “Clean living does that to a man.”
“And what do ye do for that clean living?” the doctor asked.
“A bit of this and that. Some gardening, hunting, and breeding horses.”
Miss Bailey brushed her fingertips over Hank’s arm, curiosity in her big brown eyes.
He liked how she evidently felt comfortable enough to touch him, and then reminded himself that she was too young. Still, he didn’t sidle away.
“How many horses do you have?”
“Just my gelding and two mares. So far, both with foals.”
The doctor eased Miss Taylor out of the conversation. “May I walk with ye to the shop?”
“Please.” Miss Taylor took the doctor’s arm. To Miss Bailey, she said, “We’re going ahead. See you in a few minutes.”
Left alone with Miss Bailey, Hank found himself unexpectedly tongue-tied.
The girl flashed him a bright smile and, with the slightest of bounces, announced, “Today is the first time I’ve attended church service on my own, as a young lady, I mean. Well, with Miss Taylor, of course. Without my family, that is.”
Surely, she wouldn’t be so pleased if something had happened to her family to force her to live with the dressmaker. Still, for politeness’s sake, he had to inquire. “Your family is well?”
“Just dandy,” she parroted Hank’s earlier expression. Then her eyes widened in obvious guilt. She clapped a hand over her mouth before lowering her arm. “According to Miss Taylor, that’s slang, and I’m not supposed to say such words. Even if you did earlier,” she said in an aggrieved tone.
