Rhonda Gibson - Groom by Arrangement

The wind blew from the opposite end of town, bringing with it the scent of sawdust from the sawmill and the burnt odor of Eliza’s shop. How was Eliza going to refinance her store?

He didn’t have far to go to find the smithy. Dan’s home was right behind the druggist. The livery sat beside that, and the smithy was across the street from the livery. He took a deep breath and entered the smithy. The smell of heated metal filled his nostrils. Comfort eased over his taunt shoulders. His eyes began adjusting to the dimmer light. This felt like home.

Home. Jackson’s thoughts returned to Eliza and the fact that she didn’t have a home or the money to restart her business or build a new house. Upon reflection, he realized that he’d come into town and gotten a job and roof over his head in a matter of hours. She’d come into town and realized within minutes that she was homeless and without a job. It didn’t seem quite fair.

He released the air in his lungs and silently prayed. Lord, please rebuild Eliza’s life. And, Father, if I am to be part of her restoration, help me to do and say the right things. Amen.

The thought entered his mind: What if God asked him to do more for Eliza than he wanted?

Chapter Five

Eliza looked about the spacious sitting room. She held her bag tightly in her hands, aware that all her belongings were in the bag.

“Please sit, Eliza. I made a pot of tea. I remember how much you enjoy tea.” Sally Tucker indicated a rocking chair across from where she sat on the sofa.

After sitting, Eliza placed her bag beside the chair at her feet. “Thank you,” she muttered, wishing she could be anywhere else.

Rebecca had promised this would be easy—that Sally was a friend—but it wasn’t easy. Taking charity from others was never easy. Now Eliza understood why some women shunned her help when she offered them new dresses to replace their worn-out ones. It had been shame at needing such things.

She looked up to find Sally’s pale blue eyes full of compassion. Sally wore a yellow day dress with black ribbons around the top and skirt. A row of black buttons lined the front of her blouse; her rounded tummy caused the buttons to gather slightly. Eliza had the urge to tell her that she could let the ribbon out slightly to give her baby more room to grow.

Sally handed her a cup of tea. “Help yourself to cream and sugar,” she offered.

“It’s fine, thank you.” Eliza took a sip of the tea. She felt awkward and little beads of perspiration formed on the back of her neck.

Sally added both sugar and cream to her cup. “Dan and I appreciate you taking care of the house for us, Eliza. I was so unhappy to leave it, but now, knowing you are here puts my fears to rest.”

Did Sally really think she was helping them and not the other way around? Or was she just being kind? Eliza swallowed. “It is I who should be thanking you.”

“Nonsense.” She smiled at Eliza. “It’s nice to have friends who can help each other out. You’ve been there for us several times. Remember when Dan burned his leg? You made him a brace to help keep his pant legs from touching the raw flesh. And then there was the time I needed to bake a cake for the church social and I was short on cash that week, you stepped right in and gave me a cake to take.”

Eliza opened her mouth to speak, but Sally held up a hand to silence her. “There were other times, too, but I think I’ve made my point. You are a good friend, Eliza. We all feel lucky to have you. So please don’t feel uncomfortable about using our home while we are gone.”

“You really feel that way?” Eliza wanted to believe that she was being a help and not a charity case.

Sally nodded. “Of course.”

Eliza felt a smile pull at her lips. “I’m glad.”

“Didn’t you arrive with a wagonload of supplies?” Sally asked, setting her cup back down on the table.

Reminded of the material, threads and other notations, Eliza nodded. “Yes, but I’m not sure what I’m going to do with them now,” she confessed.

Sally scooted forward on the sofa, and her eyes sparkled. “I have an idea.”

Eliza tilted her head sideways and studied the other woman. “Oh?”

“This room is the main sitting room. There is a smaller one in the back of the house that Dan and I use when not entertaining. I was thinking that you might be able to turn this one into a small shop. It wouldn’t be as fine as the one you had, but I think it would make a nice storefront, if you wanted to use it as such.” She looked down at her stomach and spread the material over it.

Eliza looked about the room. It would be nice. A large window faced the road, and she could have a sign made to hang in it, announcing she had hats and dresses for sale. She began to envision how to display her goods. Her gaze moved back to Sally. “Are you sure you and Dan wouldn’t mind?”

The young woman’s face broke out into a wide grin. “We’d love it. Last night I thought of it, and he said if you agreed, he’d have Mr. Hart help him move the furniture from this room to one of the back bedrooms. We’ve already moved the stuff that was in there against one wall, so now there is plenty of room for this furniture.”

Tears filled Eliza’s eyes at her friends’ kindness. She’d have wanted to do just what they proposed but wouldn’t have done so without their permission. “Oh, thank you. If I can open my shop here, I’ll be able to save the money to rebuild.” Eliza jumped to her feet. “We can put my supplies in that corner until I can start making dresses. Oh, but I don’t have a sewing machine.” She felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. Once more she was reminded of just how much she’d lost in the fire. Everything.

“You can use mine,” Sally offered.

Eliza dropped back down into her chair. “I didn’t know you had a sewing machine.”

Pink colored Sally’s cheeks as she confessed, “Dan bought it for me as a wedding present, but I have no idea how to use it.”

Once more Eliza felt her face break into a smile. “I’ll teach you when you come home.”

Sally clapped her hands. “That would be wonderful. We’ll start with baby clothes. I still can’t believe I’m going to have a baby.” Her eyes sparkled with joy.

Eliza felt a moment of remorse. She’d never have a baby and wondered what it would feel like. Charlie had wanted children, but after three years of marriage, they’d not had any. He had said it didn’t matter but she’d seen him watching children playing and knew that she’d disappointed him. She never wanted to see such deep disappointment in a man’s eyes again. Thankfully, she hadn’t been obliged to tell Miles Thatcher that she could never have children; she’d been saved from him turning away from her. Deep in her heart, Eliza believed no man could love a barren woman.

* * *

Jackson carried the small table toward the back of the house to the spare bedroom where they’d carried all the other heavy furniture. His back was tired, but the joy on Eliza’s face would be worth it. He still marveled that the Tuckers were so free with their home and business.

“Why don’t you stay and have dinner with us, Jackson?” Dan offered, slapping him on the back.

“Sounds good.” Jackson followed Dan into the dining room. The Tucker home was bigger on the inside than it looked from the road. So far he’d seen the main sitting room, three bedrooms and a dining room, and he knew there was a kitchen somewhere because the warm smells of pot roast filled the house.

“Smells good, too,” Dan said, taking a seat at the square table. “Sally’s the best cook in town.”

Jackson smiled. “I’m sure she is.” He sat down at the other end of the table.

Sally entered the dining room, carrying a large platter of meat. “Have you men washed up?” She eyed Dan.