*****
The reverend met up with the Hatchetts and Mary after the service, keeping them pinned in the pew. “I hear you’re leaving today,” he said to Seth.
“I am. I came to help my uncle do some rounding up but I need to get home before winter sets in.” He lied—he knew exactly why his uncle brought him out this way and it wasn’t because he needed help with any cattle. But he was sure this was considered one of the good lies since it had to do with other people’s feelings and such. He felt Mary tense beside him.
Her voice was drawn. “You’re not staying with Graham?”
He pulled his eyes to her. She looked as though she was losing someone or something. He hadn’t meant anything to her, surely. “My home is in Texas.”
His uncle cleared his throat, something he did whenever he was displeased, then roused himself up. “I told him his home is with me, but he’d rather go live in the desert.”
Not understanding why he needed to explain himself to anybody, especially Mary, he disengaged himself from the pew alongside his uncle. “Good service today, Reverend Palmer.”
Mary, still sitting, echoed, “Yes, it was.”
His uncle left him there, seemingly irked, so Seth reached a forearm down to Mary. After hesitating, she accepted it. He was grateful the reverend had moved on to greet other parishioners. “Mary, I apologize, I thought you figured…”
“It’s no matter to me,” she said, smiling weakly. “It seems we both disappoint poor Graham.”
He had a sudden thought of her residence. “How goes it at the boardinghouse? Making friends?”
Now who was the fool? The moment the words came from his mouth he could have boxed it shut. The look on her face told everything. His uncle made it clear how folks treated her, and apparently it was her turn to lie.
“I have made friends, yes.”
Looking upon Mary and the kindness that radiated from every part of her, he was unable to fathom how she could not be accepted. She could make all the ugliness go away, if she’d only stop practicing such methods of treatment. Suddenly his purpose was to help her see that.
“Mary, I need to head toward Cheyenne soon. The train leaves this evening. But I can spare a short time for a walk, if you approve?”
Leaving together caused several pairs of eyes to hone in on them. As if he cared about his reputation with this hypocritical bunch! His concern was for Mary alone.
She made light of it all and he received a genuine smile. “Tongues will wag, you know that don’t you?”
He guided her down the wood stairs with the frosty morning’s dew long gone, until they landed on the cold earth. “I should care less. I only care for your reputation, Mary Kincaid.”
“And why is that?”
“I…I don’t know, really. There’s something about the way my uncle has taken you under his wing perhaps. I guess I feel responsible for you, too.”
He felt her rigidity again but she kept up the pace alongside him as they made their way back to the boardinghouse.
“You shouldn’t, there is no need. Graham needn’t worry about a thing. I’m quite hap…happy where I am.”
He prayed for wisdom. “I was thinking, what if you gave up the practice of massage? Would that not allow you to be a part of society, for what it’s worth?”
Her steps did stop at that moment. And she stared him down with eyes beautiful and intense. “How dare you? You’re no better than anyone else around here. Making me give up what the Good Lord has given me! I’ll see myself home. Have yourself a pleasant trip, Seth Hatchett!”
***
Chapter Ten
For the strictly run boardinghouse Mrs. Hines ran, Mary was surprised to hear a ruckus going on down below. Setting aside the book in her lap—the one she had given up the count of how many times she’d read it—she snuck to the staircase and peered over. To her dismay, it was Millie raising a fuss with Mrs. Hines, who was rightfully wound up by the overt entrance. And then she remembered…it was Sunday.
“Millie?” Mary brought herself toward the couple.
“Girl! I been all over the county, and here you are all tucked away in this haughty place? Why, this ain’t for you.”
A loud gasp erupted from Mrs. Hines, who stood in the corner with a hand over her heart, as if to settle a rise in palpitations. “Millie! Be kind.” Mary hushed her and apologized to her host.
Millie took herself to the staircase. “I’ll be kind, but Edith Hines wouldn’t know kindness if it bit her right on the nose.”
Mortified, Mary took in the situation. Millie was upset and it was her fault. She’d forgotten about their appointment. With the news of Seth’s departure and his outrageous idea that he could advise her in any way, she’d lost the notion to contact her patient. “You’re using a cane.”
“Of course I’m using a cane! Like I said, I went to your place, then to Graham’s because I reckon I was worried about you and he told me you’re shackin’ up here with Mrs. Hines. Now I need my foot worked on and I ain’t leaving until it’s done.”
Mrs. Hines rushed toward them, practically hyperventilating. “She will not!”
“Oh settle yourself, Edith.” She looked hard at her nemesis. “I ought to suggest you yourself receive some magic this girl’s hands got to offer.”
“I would never!”
Mary stepped in. “Mrs. Hines, I apologize for the interruption. We will take our business outside.” She couldn’t afford to be kicked out of the boardinghouse, not even making it an entire week!
“We will do no such thing, Mary. Now, where is your room? And if Edith so much as threatens you with displacement, I’ll remind her that I own the bank notes on said boardinghouse.”
And off she went up the stairs, clueless as to where her room is. Mary turned to Mrs. Hines, red-faced and flustered. Millie put her in place all right. It was most unchristian like, but Mary felt a small amount of pleasure bubble up. Mrs. Hines was hardly kind to her and treated her like the plague during mealtimes. She was most likely only able to stay on because of Graham—and now Millie. It looked as though Mrs. Hines had no choice but to keep her. Torn between following Millie and making things right with the vexed woman before her, Mrs. Hines helped her decision right along when she hissed, “Well get on up those stairs so she doesn’t cause any more uproar!”
*****
Mary led Millie to her room. “I don’t have my cot…or any oils.”
“Your bed will do. Put the pillow just so, like this.” She tossed her cane aside and placed herself upon the bed.
“Please forgive me, I forgot to inform you…”
Millie settled herself and flung her hand in a gesture of annoyance. “What’s done is done. Now get to work. I will pay you in coin, as you have no need of bread and jam here.”
Mary pulled up a wooden stool that had a delicate rose painted on the top and eased herself into a position best to work the pain out of Millie’s foot. One by one, she worked on the laces of her boot and loosened her foot. “You’re swelling. Might you see the physician this time?”
“Stop insisting on that, I will do no such thing. It works every time you put your hands to it. Just put extra into it today.”
Clearly she’d meant to remind Mary it was her fault, but she’d done it with a twinkle in her eye. It seemed she rather liked her run-in with Mrs. Hines. An old spat perhaps?
“I saw that boy, Graham’s nephew, getting on a stage. Said he was headed toward Cheyenne.”
Mary wondered why she should mention this. “He’s going back home, to Texas.”
“Down by my heel, yes, there…ahhh that is the spot.”
Mary worked in silence for several moments, enjoying the process of massage. It had the ability to calm her too. Unfortunately, it seemed Millie wasn’t done with the chatter.
“Seems like you caved.”
“Pardon?”
Millie opened her eyes and challenged her. “You allowed Graham to dictate where you live.”
She halted mid-stroke. “You don’t understand.”
“Liang did you no favors, girl.”
“Millie, with all due respect…”
“Now I don’t aim to upset you, you’re doing me a favor here. But he didn’t. He kept you sheltered, dependent on him all the while you believed to be taking care of yourself.”
“I’m used to taking care of myself.” Switching positions, she didn’t wish to be defensive. “Since I can remember, I had to fight many orphan street kids for every bite I put into my mouth, for a place to sleep at night—I did that on my own.”
Saying that out loud gave her great revelation. She was used to taking care of everything. Never did she allow anyone to provide for her because she could do it herself. It was an accepted way of life.
Millie and all of her newfound wisdom continued, “It’s what I meant. Liang didn’t allow you to lean on anybody else so he could protect you. After all, if you didn’t need anyone, you couldn’t be hurt. Ah child, he meant well, but he was wrong.”
“Why are you sharing all of these things with me? I’ve been with you every Sunday for months and months, why now?”
“I’m in my last days…I decided to call things as I see them.”
Mary sent her a scolding look. “You owe Mrs. Hines an apology.”
Settling back into the pillows Millie sighed. “Perhaps.”
***
Chapter Eleven
Mary struggled the next week during mealtimes, not only with the other guests, but even more so with Mrs. Hines. Despite the mortifying threat from Millie for Mrs. Hines to be kind, she refused to be and her ill feelings only seemed to trickle down to everyone in the house. That is until a Mister Elias Black checked in prior to the evening mealtime.
He was situated by Mary, for that was the only available chair. And to her discomfiture, he conversed with her the entire supper, speaking more to her in one hour than anyone else had the entire month prior. Did he not realize the stares? The silence permeating round about them? During his chatter, Mary cast a glance along the table where she saw pursed lips of disapproval and haughty noses suspended in the air. As if she could taint the man by visiting over a roast of beef and stout potatoes.
“So you see…” He buttered a hot roll. “I am stuck here until the weather calms. It’s a blizzard out there!”
The whole event was comical. A stranger who didn’t know a thing about this town was engaging with her—much to the dismay of the people she lived with. Surely they would have liked to know all about the young man on business who couldn’t make it to Cheyenne. But he was visiting with her and not them and she craved the company. A typical supper consisted of a hurry to eat and tea taken in her room, but today she sipped leisurely on her tea, relishing in his worldly exploits. There was no rush this time to leave the table. And he was not poor company in the least. She peered into his lively eyes and settled comfortably for the first time. Her eyes grazed down to the stubble on his chin, noticing he had a rugged look for someone on business—attractive indeed.
“You are a woman of few words,” he said.
She snapped out of her daydream and heat stole over her. “I apologize…I…” What could she say? I’m not used to partaking in conversation? With everyone staring at her she stumbled over her words.
Elias leaned close. “It is I who apologize. I’ve been rambling on and on. Tell me, why is it you’re here?”
He was genuinely curious, but she could not stand to have those who disliked her so much to know anything about her. Let them judge, they do anyway. “How about we take to the drawing room?” She turned to Mrs. Hines, who appeared ready to burst. “You wouldn’t mind would you?”
She would refuse to say no. There was a reputation for Mrs. Hines to keep and she would not appear inhospitable in front of a traveling business man. Though her answer was forced, she managed to bring it with a smile of service. “Why of course not! I shall have the cook bring in some shortbread cookies to go with your tea.”
Elias scooted his chair out, then reached to assist Mary, catching her quite off guard. Eyes to the table, she allowed him to assist. She avoided the looks of disapproval surely shooting her way like daggers to a bull’s-eye.
Mary took the plush scalloped chair she’d always admired near the window, leaving the sofa to Elias. It truly was a blizzard outside, with snow slicing sideways. “No wonder the stage would not continue on, it’s horrible out there.”
“Indeed it is. I’m more than grateful that this boardinghouse had a vacancy.” He stirred a cube of sugar in his tea and leaned back. “And even more pleased at the kind company to be had.”
She could not be more embarrassed at his outright admiration. If only he knew her. She’d give it time, maybe after breakfast perhaps—before he caught on to the true feelings about the outcast Mary Kincaid. Until then, she would welcome his company.
“The others at dinner, they’re a peculiar bunch, no?”
She had to smile. So he had noticed. Not wanting to gossip she only affirmed to move along the topic. “They are generally quiet at mealtimes.”
“I cannot help but make conversation, and mealtimes are one of the best means of obtaining it.”
She couldn’t agree more.
“I ask you again, Miss Kincaid, what brings you to this quiet house?”
Sharing with Elias everything except the dreadful husband hunting portion of Graham’s wishes, she divulged intimate details of Liang’s passing, of having a farm in poor shape, winter living. And soon enough boldness erupted and she even spoke about her work on Millie.
He was beyond intrigued. “I’ve heard of this treatment.” Excitably, he placed hands to knees. “Why of course! I recall a few bath houses in the East having this sort of massage for body aches. Quite effective I’m told.”
Mary saw Mrs. Hines brush past the entrance, naturally keeping her nose in their conversation. If the weather allowed, Mary would have requested a walk outdoors to keep from prying eyes and ears. Keeping her voice low she asked, “Is that true? Folks have an open business of massage?”
She didn’t much know the man, but she knew when someone’s brain was rolling around ideas. He was looking upwards in thought and held out a finger—hold on a moment.
When he spoke next it was all business. “I work with investors. Why don’t I bring this to them and set you up here, or better yet, in Cheyenne!”
“Oh no, I couldn’t…”
“Why not? You could be the one to break ground in this new business. People flock to centers that help them with remedies of comfort.”
She strongly doubted that. Deciding to put his idea to rest she said, “You don’t understand, the folks who do come see me they do so in…secret.”
His brow rose.
She wasn’t naïve and knew his immediate thought. “Not like that! You didn’t see much but white when you rode in, but if you looked around this town, you would see that folks are cautious about being seen with me. It’s a bit scandalous.”
His response was invigorating laughter. “That’s what was wrong at supper. I spoke to you when no one else would. Well I’ll be.”
Figuring her time was up with him now that he knew she was a pariah, she readied to leave.
“Where are you going? We have a business to plan.”
***
Chapter Twelve
She heard footsteps outside of her door and didn’t pay much heed until they stopped at her room. That was odd. No one ever visited except for Millie, and it wasn’t Sunday.
Mary slipped from the chaise lounge and waited. Finally there was a light tapping on the door, and she answered. Mrs. Hines held out a box to her. “Well? Are you going to accept it or not?”
“Yes…thank you.”
Slowly and with much curiosity, Mary removed the brown paper covering. A slip of stationary fell to her feet, then she took in the contents—a book?
She picked up the fanciful sky blue paper with a silver H embossed along the top
and read.
Dear Mary Kincaid,
I owe you an apology for my unsolicited and insensitive advice. Please receive this book as a token of my sincerity in seeking forgiveness. It is my hope that you have not yet read this title. It was difficult to ascertain your reading preference.
Please send my uncle my greetings when you next see him and be well.
With my kindest regards,
Seth
Joy filled her, and without even knowing what the leather bound book was about, she hugged it to her chest. The idea that Seth Hatchett had given her any thought at all brought a shiver of excitement through her. Stepping over the paper wrappings on the floor, she made haste to the lounge and opened the book, eager to devour anything new.
Hours later the supper bell chimed six times. A choice presented itself: continue to read the coveted new material, or satisfy her growling stomach. She opted to save the book for later. Not having had new books in months, she was going to savor every word, over and over.
After supper she and Elias took to the parlor as they’d done the previous two evenings. Mrs. Hines and the others had quit the murmuring and even ceased on their looks of disapproval—clearly he had won them over and they now favored him. Mary slid a piece of molasses cake into her mouth and eyed the man across from her. She was privately grateful that the other house guests were behaving decently, even if on account of his charm.
“I almost don’t wish to leave in the morning.”
“You’d rather stay here than go on to Cheyenne?” She was puzzled.
“I would stay if you were to ask me to.”
The look he sent her was one consisting of more than admiration. He genuinely liked her and he accepted her. She was going to respond positively when a heavy feeling landed abruptly in her middle. Something wasn’t right about his suggestion. She couldn’t place it but had to take heed to the less than subtle warning.
Instead she said, “I wouldn’t presume to keep you away from business.”
“What if you were to begin a practice in Cheyenne?”
She wondered if he knew God and the only way to find out was if she asked. “Elias…may I be forward to ask you something?”