Page 24 of Married By Midnight
He turned to ask Mr. Pennyworth a question, but the man had disappeared. Ian turned in circles looking at the landscape trying to find where the man disappeared to. Dismissing the thought, he turned back around and headed to town.
His business at the bank took less time than expected. The banker, a Mr. Mathews, was helpful in opening an account for Ian. He told Ian that he would contact the appropriate banks and the money should be in Ian’s account within a week.
Ian could tell Mr. Mathews was surprised when Ian told him where he was staying, but he didn’t say anything. He simply said the Abrahams were good people.
Ian was hearing that a lot. That the family was respected in the community. They were very charitable to others, even being marked as a safe place for weary travelers.
As Ian walked through town, Creede reminded him of a smaller version of New York. There were industrial buildings, offices, shops and residences all in short distance of each other.New York.That is where he originally was from.
Ian continued down the cobblestone road, past several shops until he found the mercantile. He really didn’t need anything, but he remembered Sarah saying that she had used the last bit of tea in her tin.
The sound of a bell was heard as he entered the store. There were displays of canned goods, ribbons, bolts of fabric, flour barrels, sugar barrels and more scattered throughout the store.
“May I help you?” the man behind the counter asked.
“Yes, sir. I was looking for some tea.”
The man peered over his glasses. “What kind of tea?”
There was more than one kind?“I’m not really sure.”
“Well I know what most people in town purchase on a regular basis. Is it for someone in town?”
“I’m buying it for Sarah Abrahams.”
“Sarah hasn’t been into town for a while.” The shopkeeper went to one of the shelves behind the counter and pulled down a tin. “But I can understand since her parents died.”
“And her sister.”
“What? Oh yes, her sister too. Lacey was the most beautiful young lady. Had her choice of all the beaus.” He placed the tin on the counter. “Unfortunately, she took all the attention away from her sister.”
“I don’t know why that would be.”
“Well, Sarah isn’t exactly the most handsome of figures. She’s pretty enough, don’t get me wrong. But nothing compared to Lacey.”
“I think Sarah is beautiful. In fact, she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.”
The man gave Ian a quick smile. “Good. Good.” He chuckled to himself. “I’m extremely glad to hear that.” Removing the top of the tin he asked, “How much do you want?”
“How much is the whole tin?”
“You want two pounds? Tea is very expensive. Comes all the way from China. Tea is sixty cents a pound.”
Ian swallowed. He nodded at the shopkeeper. “I’ll take that tin.” As the shop keep wrapped his purchase, Ian looked around. “And a pound of sugar.” Ian didn’t know if Sarah like sugar in her tea. “Do you know where the bakery is? I was told to visit the bakery while I was here.”
“Just down the road. Make a left then a right and it’s up at the top of the hill. That will be a dollar twenty-five.”
Ian put exact change on the counter and picked up his package. “Thank you very much,” he said as he left the store.
Left then right.
Ian went to the end of the block and looked around. He turned left, which brought him in front of a tailor’s shop. There were several jackets in the window. Ian felt a panic growing in his belly.
He looked inside the window and there was an older man with gray hair, measuring a man standing on a stool. Images of working in a clothing factory flooded his mind.
Most of the images were fine, but there were a few that felt almost ...sinister. Ian left the window and hurried up the road. He spied the sign for the bakery and made haste.
When he entered the shop, he took several deep breaths, praying for the panic to leave.
