Love's Gamble - Chapter 5
Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: Love's Gamble, Tina Dee | Posted On November 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Love's Gamble - Chap 5...finally!
Thank you for hanging in there, patiently waiting for this chapter. I wanted to let you know that you'll see a word I've used in this chapter that may seem out of place. It did to me when I first learned of it.The mountain gold-mining town of Julian, CA boasted 9-13 saloons (this is a tiny town, so it nearly knocked me down when I was researching this). Julian is now a quiet, cozy bed & breakfast town.
Back in the day, when all those saloons were around, the town didn't have deputies, they had constables. So, keeping true as I can, I used constables rather than deputies. I've already taken a few historical liberties, I didn't want take more than necessary.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm dedicating it to my first son, M-bear. He turns 21 yrs old this week. Oh, how the years go by...yes, they do...
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Chapter 5
Molly stepped into the kitchen, took an apron from a hook on the wall, then tied it around her waist.
Sunny eyes roamed over Molly’s dress. “That's what you’re wearin'? Didn't you have that on yesterday?”
She glanced at her traveling dress then back up to Sunny. “I—my other clothes were even less appropriate.”
Her employer’s gaze locked with hers, then softened. “Well, I guess that’s fine. We’ll have to see what we can do about getting you something more fitting to the job. Why don’t you turn out that dough for the rolls.” Sunny turned back to stir what looked like a large pan of bubbling sausage and gravy.
With a gulp, Molly stepped over to the counter, scanning it and the shelves above. What was she doing here? Baking, serving, washing dishes—these were all things that were done for her back in her parents' home.
“Well, are you going to stand there or are you going to get started on those biscuits?” Sunny’s voice came from behind.
“Oh.” Molly startled before turning to the other woman. “I’m sorry. I’m a little out of sorts this morning. I…”
Sunny’s brow rose, but so did the corners of her mouth. “Yes?”
Best not to admit she’d never done this kind of work before, or any kind for that matter. “Well, I need to see someone in town to schedule an appointment, and maybe drop by the mercantile for a dress. I shouldn’t be long—maybe fifteen minutes. Could you spare me then?”
Sunny pulled the oven door open and threw a small log in. “We'll see how busy it gets. You do need a dress you can work in.” She closed the door to the oven and then loaded a rectangular basin with empty glasses, napkins, and utensils. She gave a nod in Molly's direction. “You should probably take care of that dough.”
“Yes, I'll do that.” Molly turned to face the counter. The kitchen had grown quite warm. She wiped her brow with the back of her hand, then poured the dough into a large heap before her. She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. Now what? Occasionally, she'd been permitted to watch the cook do this in her parents’ kitchen. She crinkled her nose at the mound. It never looked this sticky with bits of flour here and there not mixed in well. There shouldn’t be much to it. She plunged her fingers into it only to have them covered with the gooey mess. Holding her hands up in front of her face, she stuck her tongue out in disgust.
“Really work your hands into it and add some flour to keep it from sticking too much,” Sunny called over her shoulder carrying a box filled with glasses, cloth napkins and silverware into the dining room.
Add flour to keep it from sticking? Molly shrugged a shoulder—it only made sense, the dough’s so gummy. She filled the large empty bowl to the brim with flour, then dumped the contents onto the dough. A fine powdery cloud engulfed her. She coughed and batted her hands through the air, flinging bits of dough about. She forced her hands back down into unruly mass and squeezed it together several times, but the flour wouldn't work in.
Molly shook her head at the glob. This would take forever. Well, good enough, there are other things to do. She snatched a towel from a stack on the shelf and draped it over the dough so it could rise there on the counter.
~ ~ ~
Jeff thanked the Cameron’s for breakfast then bid them goodbye. He headed for Will Darby’s office. There had to be some legal issue he could use to encourage his brother to do the right thing. Eddie would get his help whether he wanted it or not.
He turned onto a street right behind the shops, where all their deliveries were made.
Up ahead, behind the café, Miss Adams set a large basin down on a bench, then poured a bucket of water into it. She carried the empty bucket back in, then returned with a wooden spoon in her hand. The large utensil was covered with something white.
He smiled. He could lend a hand, carry more water or help empty the basin when she finished washing pans.
Looking his way, she pursed her lips and stared him down.
This couldn’t be good. Not even a word to one another today and already they were off to a bad start. If he showed her he wanted friendship, to make amends, then maybe she’d be reasonable and see how silly this whole thing was. Well, not silly, her heart had been bruised, for sure.
“Mr. Riley. Good day.” The words were as tight as her lips. “I am not speaking to you, by the way.” Her words had been spoken softly. But she started talking once again and her voice worked into a fury.
Her voice probably sounded pleasant in her usual tone. Then again, he hadn’t seen her for more than a few seconds before something in their first meeting went wrong. And if he’d thought she was pretty then, she somehow looked all the prettier today in her wrinkled dress. Was that the same one she wore yesterday? He resisted the urge to pluck little white chunks of stuff embedded in her golden curls. Even as she continued talking, her spunk flared. The corners of his mouth turned up. Incredible. She was nothing less.
Something cold and wet splattered on to his face, hitting him just below eye, jerking him back from his thoughts.
Miss Adams pointed the large spoon in his direction and shook it at him with each punctuated word. “Are you listening to me, Mr. Riley?”
More mashed potatoes splattered across his face, he winced.
“Yes,” he wiped his face with his shirtsleeve. “Absolutely.” At least he'd heard her voice, maybe not all of her words. Pleasantly distracting, that's what she was.
“…And furthermore, I plan to seek legal counsel on this matter.”
What? “Legal counsel? Now wait a minute.” This girl’s all fired up. Surely, she could be reasoned with. “If you’ll just let me explain Miss Adams—”
“Good day, Mr. Riley.” She lifted her chin.
Was that defiance, or fortitude? She didn’t need help against Eddie. Actually, it might be the other way around.
With a curt nod she whirled around then disappeared through the open door.
Lord, help Eddie from that one. She’ll chew him up and spit him out. He won’t have a chance if she gets her hands on him.
To read the entire chapter click on The Homestead Heart - Love's Gamble ~ Ch 5.
To read chapters 1-4, click on The Homestead Heart ~ Love's Gamble Blog Book.
Copyright - Tina Dee Books/Tina Dee Communications 2009 - All Rights Reserved
Way to go, Tina.
Love,
Molly
Thanks, Molly. I'm having a lot of fun with the story.
The story sounds great. I haven't had time to read it yet.
tarenn98[at]yahoo[dot]com
Hi April,
That's okay, it'll be up for whenever your ready to read it. I won't pull it down, it's for my readers when they have a moment in their crazy-hectic days. You just come on over when you can, it'll be there for you.
Thanks for keeping it in mind!
Hugs,
Tina