Recipe for Christmas (Cutter's Creek Book 10) Page 4

  She reached the dressmaker’s shop and went inside. The ring of the bell above the door alerted Mrs. Cornell behind the counter as she helped a customer. The proprietress smiled when she saw Aggie and motioned to a chair. “I’ll be with you in a moment, miss.”

  “Thank you,” Aggie said and sat.

  Mrs. Cornell turned back to her patron. “Now, Mrs. Petroff, tell me again what you’re thinking?”

  Mrs. Petroff, an older woman with salt-and-pepper hair, tapped her chin in thought. “I want the dress to be as festive as the Christmas festival itself.”

  “I see,” Mrs. Cornell said with a small sigh. “What colors were you thinking – red, green, gold?”

  “All of them! It’s for my granddaughter, you see – she’s seventeen and coming to stay with us. The Christmas festival will be a wonderful way to introduce her to the town. I want her to be the belle of the ball!”

  Mrs. Cornell thought a moment. “I have something in mind. When is she arriving?”

  “A few days before Christmas – depending on the weather and roads, of course.”

  The dressmaker shook her head, dismay on her face. “I’m afraid I couldn’t create the sort of dress you want in a few days.”

  “But you have almost three weeks to get it ready!” Mrs. Petroff argued.

  “But the girl’s not here to measure. How can I make a dress for her when I don’t know her measurements?”

  Mrs. Petroff fidgeted, then glanced at Aggie and her eyes lit up. “You there – could I trouble you to stand up?”

  “Me?” Aggie pointed to herself.

  “Is there anyone else here besides us?”

  “Er … no.” Embarrassed, Aggie stood.

  Mrs. Petroff marched over, took her by the arm and pulled her to the counter. “My granddaughter is about this size.” She looked at Aggie. “You don’t mind if Mrs. Cornell takes your measurements for me, do you? I would consider it a huge favor.”

  “Well, I…”

  “It would help,” Mrs. Cornell said. “Then I could get started on the dress today.”

  Aggie nodded. “All right, I’d be happy to help.”

  “Wonderful!” Mrs. Petroff said with a happy smile. “This will only take a moment – right, Mrs. Cornell?”

  “Of course. Follow me.” She motioned Aggie to follow her into the next room.

  “Oh my, look at all of this,” Aggie said as she entered the room and saw the beautiful bolts of fabric, spools of different colored thread and yards of ribbon and lace.

  “Did you bring your samples?” Mrs. Cornell asked.

  “Yes, ma’am. I had nothing on hand, so I made this last night.” She reached into the flour sack and pulled out the dress – a forest green velveteen bodice with a dark brown skirt, a lighter brown sash around the waist, ivory lace at the collars and cuffs, and brass buttons. It wasn’t the nicest she’d ever made, having only leftovers from Mrs. Todd’s sewing room to work with and had taken her most of yesterday not to mention most of last night to make. But, it would hopefully do. She held her breath as she handed everything over.

  Mrs. Cornell held the dress up before her. “You say you made the entire thing last night?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Mrs. Cornell turned it this way and that. “Impressive. Where did you get the pieces?”

  Aggie told her of Mrs. Todd’s generosity while staring at the floor and blushing. Mrs. Bridger and Olivia had never complimented her work, only complained about it.

  Mrs. Cornell examined the stitching more closely. “This is excellent – and done so quickly? Well done.” She looked up from the dress. “When can you start?”

  Aggie swallowed hard. “Would tomorrow be too soon?”

  Aggie was walking on air as she left. She got the job! Soon, if everything worked out, she would be able to get a place of her own – or at least start compensating the Todds for their hospitality. Quietly, she thanked God for His provision – and for spurring her to get away from the Bridgers.

  The Bridgers … hmmm. Was there a way she could get her few meager possessions from their clutches? Not a hard task in theory, but nothing in dealing with Mrs. Bridger or Olivia was ever easy. Maybe Jonathan, God bless him, would be willing to sneak her things out …

  “How’d it go?” Jonathan asked as he caught up with her at the mercantile.

  “Wonderful! I’m Mrs. Cornell’s new assistant – I start tomorrow.”

  Jonathan unexpectedly hugged her. “Aggie, that’s great!” He stepped away and smiled. “I’m… You know I miss you. But it’s the best for you. Though Pa …” Abruptly, he cut himself off.

  “What about your father?” Mr. Bridger hadn’t treated her badly … well, he had, but not as badly as his wife and daughter.

  He frowned. “I don’t think Pa’s doing so well.”

  “Is he sick?”

  “No, I think he’s running out of money.”

  Suspicion confirmed. “I see. Then you’re right, this is for the best. Maybe for all of us.”

  Jonathan nodded. “I talked to the blacksmith – he needs help, and offered me a job.”

  Aggie’s eyes lit with excitement. “You’ll be working in town too? This means you can help your family. My goodness, you must feel some relief.”

  His face was somber as he nodded. “Maybe we’ll put down roots here. I’m getting tired of traveling around. Almost makes me glad Pa’s money is running out.”

  Aggie understood – she’d grown tired of the Bridgers’ constant roaming too, and she’d only been with the family five years. Jonathan had dealt with it most of his life. “You’re not too young to work at the livery?” she asked.

  “Nah, I’ll just be cleaning stalls, feeding and grooming the horses. How hard is that?”

  “Do you think he’ll give you more work when you’re older, maybe teach you his trade?”

  “I don’t know if I wanna make a living smithing horses – I’ve always fancied being a teacher. But I don’t read so well, so …”

  Aggie’s heart went out to him. He hadn’t attended school since she’d been with the family, and probably not much before – he’d only been eight when they found her. “I read well. I could teach you.”

  “When would you have the time, what with your job and all?”

  Aggie closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “I don’t know, but I’ll think of something. Will you have the time, with your job?”

  “Dunno,” he said with a shrug. “I start tomorrow too. And part of my job is to feed the horses in the evening. The blacksmith’ll be gone – maybe you can come by and teach me then.”

  “That might work. I’ll just have to tell the Todds where I’ll be, so they don’t worry.” She looked toward the livery stable. It would be dry and fairly warm in the cold winter evenings. It could do as a schoolroom for now.

  “And I can pay you for the lessons, once I get paid.”

  “Jonathan,” she said, tears in her eyes. “You don’t have to pay me – we’re friends. What would I have done without you all these years?”

  He shrugged again. “I guess I still feel like I owe you. Since you’ve been with us, Olivia hasn’t picked on me. I’ve had five years of peace and quiet thanks to you.”

  Aggie laughed and wiped away a tear. “Yes, I’ve drawn her fire. I hope you’re able to manage without me.”

  “I’ll make do. Now let’s take care of Ma’s list and get something to eat. I got my own money I’ve been saving, and I want to at least get you a meal, even if the Todds are feeding you. Like you said, we’re friends.”

  Aggie did her best not to cry. “Thank you, Jonathan. You’re an angel.”

  “I ain’t no angel, Aggie. I just know the way Olivia and my ma treated you ain’t right and, well, I’m sorry.”

  She nodded. The poor lad must have felt guilty about not being able to prevent his family’s mistreatment of her. They headed up the mercantile steps and went inside. Best do as he suggested, get his mother’s list filled and ge
t something to eat. It would be easier for him to face the Bridgers’ wrath – and for both of them to face their first days at new jobs – on a full stomach.

  After the mercantile, Aggie and Jonathan headed to the red church building at the other end of town to see what he could find out about the Christmas festival. Aggie had filled him in some over dinner, but he wanted to know more. They strolled down the boardwalk, munching on apples and cookies Jonathan had bought for dessert.

  They entered the building to find a group of people talking about the festival. “We need to do something other than a pie-eating contest,” one woman said.

  “Yes, that thing seems better suited to a summer celebration,” said another.

  “What do you suggest?” a man asked. Aggie wondered if he might be the preacher.

  Mrs. Todd spied them standing in the doorway. “Come in, join us,” she called. “We’re just getting started. Is this a relation of yours, Miss Shrewsbury?”

  Aggie and Jonathan entered the sanctuary. “No, but he’s a good friend. Jonathan, this is Mrs. Todd, who I’m staying with for now.”

  “And for as long as you like, dear – you’ve been a pleasure to have around. Good to meet you, Jonathan,” she added.

  Jonathan took off his hat and turned it in his hands a few times, hesitant. “Nice to meet you too, ma’am. I came about the festival.”

  Another woman took note of the conversation and smiled. “I’m Mrs. Carlson.”

  “Her husband is the parson’s assistant,” Mrs. Todd explained.

  “Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” Jonathan mumbled.

  Aggie caught his nervousness and smiled. “Jonathan’s folks would like to get involved with the festival, and were wondering if they could perhaps …”

  “… donate some prizes!” Jonathan blurted.

  Aggie glanced at him in horror before plastering her smile back in place.

  “We were just discussing prizes.” Mrs. Carlson waved a hand at the folks gathered. “Won’t you join us?”

  “Well, I …” Aggie froze. The man she’d bumped into at the café – and nearly fainted in front of – stepped out of the crowd and was making his way toward them. She gulped as her stomach flipped.

  “Is something wrong?” Mrs. Carlson asked.

  Aggie’s eyes were glued to the man as he approached. “Ah … no … that is …”

  He arrived and smiled warmly at Aggie. “We meet again.”

  She tried to swallow but couldn’t – her mouth had gone completely dry. “Yes,” she croaked.

  Mrs. Carlson and Jonathan both looked at her quizzically.

  “The young lady and I ran into each other a day or two ago.” He turned back to Aggie. “Unfortunately we were never properly introduced.”

  Aggie’s eyes went wide. He wanted to know who she was? But that was normal. Maybe she’d been denied normality for too long. She remembered when the Bridgers would introduce her as Agatha. Then Olivia began introducing her as their maid. Then they stopped mentioning her at all! She straightened and smiled. “Agatha Shrewsbury.”

  He surprised her with a bow. “Eldon Judrow. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Shrewsbury.” He looked at Jonathan. “And who is your young companion here?”

  “Jonathan Bridger,” Jonathan was quick to reply. “I’m … a friend of Miss Shrewsbury’s.”

  Aggie shot him a nervous glance then looked at Mr. Judrow. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.”

  His eyes met hers and locked. “I assure you, the pleasure is mine. Won’t you join us?”

  “Mr. Bridger’s family is interested in donating some prizes,” Mrs. Carlson said.

  Mr. Judrow tucked his thumbs under the lapels of his jacket. “Well, what a coincidence. I’m here to do the same.”

  Jonathan’s eyes flicked between Mr. Judrow and Aggie. “You are?”

  “Yes, some prize money. I’ve just arrived in town and haven’t much in the way of possessions to give.”

  “Prize money?” Jonathan repeated.

  Aggie cringed. Now the Bridgers were sure to get involved. With their current financial troubles, they’d be sniffing around the festival like hungry dogs. And who knew what trouble they could get themselves into this time? More to the point, what trouble could they get her into?

  Chapter 6

  When Amara Bridger announced supper was ready – an hour later than usual – Jonathan was the first to come into the kitchen, all smiles. He was the only one. Amara herself was exhausted, and J. Wayne Bridger was frowning deeply. Olivia entered, her nose in the air, and flounced into her seat. “So what did you find out about that silly Christmas festival?” she asked Jonathan without preamble.

  “They’re giving money away,” Jonathan announced. “Some new fella in town said he was gonna give some. Name’s Eldon Judrow. He was dressed real fine –”

  “How much money?” Mr. Bridger interrupted, suddenly alert.

  “Dunno – he didn’t say.”

  “This is a small town,” Olivia pointed out. “People here won’t have much money to part with. And if that new person really was rich, he wouldn’t come to a little burg like this one.”

  “Oh, do hush,” Amara snapped. “What do you know of this town – or anything?”

  Jonathan cleared his throat. “I got a job today,” he volunteered, hoping to stop the coming battle before it started.

  His parents’ eyes popped. “You did what?” Pa asked.

  “I got a job – cleaning stalls and taking care of the horses at the livery stable. I start tomorrow.”

  They stared at him in shock. “Whatever gave you the notion to …” Ma began, then trailed off.

  “Because I wanted a job, that’s why,” he said. “There’s no shame in working, Ma.”

  She lowered her eyes as if he’d just told her he’d eloped with a harlot. “A livery stable? Cleaning up after …” She put a hand to her mouth as if to stifle a sob.

  “I think shoveling manure is a perfect job for him,” Olivia said with a smirk.

  Her mother turned the guns on her again. “How dare you say such a thing?”

  Jonathan hunched down in his chair. So much for keeping the peace. Ever since Aggie had left, Ma and Olivia had started turning on each other. Pa had advised him privately to stay out of it – well, “let them have their hen fight” were his exact words. He looked across the table and saw that Pa was also trying to make himself invisible.

  But Pa did a better job than Jonathan, since Ma turned on her son first. “A job, really? And why didn’t you find out how much money that Judrow was going to give? Was that too much to ask?”

  “It’s foolish anyway,” Olivia added haughtily. “We’ve always done fine without anyone’s help.”

  Jonathan spoke before he could stop himself. “Yeah, that’s why we’re living out here in the boondocks,” he mumbled.

  To Ma and Olivia, that might as well have been a call to war – they both turned and began yowling at him like alley cats, so loudly that he couldn’t tell what either one was saying. It made his head hurt regardless.

  “Enough!” Pa began pounding on the table with his fist, and didn’t stop until both women were silent. Then he glared at Jonathan – but was there a twinkle in his eye? “Boy, you know better than to sass your ma. Now you can just go without supper. Go upstairs and stay there until I say so.”

  Jonathan pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. “Yes, sir,” he said meekly and left the kitchen.

  Once he got upstairs, he sighed in relief. That could not have gone better, save for the yelling. He didn’t really need to eat – he was still full from that big lunch he’d had with Aggie. And with the rest of the family chowing down on their food (and each other), he was free to take care of a little project – packing up Aggie’s things to take to her in town She didn’t have much, but he wanted to bring it to her anyway.

  The flour sack he’d used earlier that day served to hold her few dresses and underthings, a hairbrush, some books and
other mementos. He tied off the top, left her old room and went to his own, shoving the sack under his bed. He could take it with him when he headed to the livery in the morning. If Pa or Ma asked, he’d tell them he was just hauling away some old junk. If Olivia asked … oh, who cares what she did.

  He giggled at the thought. Things were looking up for Aggie, all right. She had a new job and a place to stay – Mrs. Todd had acted real nice. And that tall, handsome fellow Eldon Judrow seemed a little sweet on her. He felt a twinge of jealousy, but pushed it aside. Maybe he did have a little crush on Aggie, but she was far older than he was – she wouldn’t be interested in waiting years for him to be old enough. He’d just have to wait until he was older, and find a nice girl his own age.

  Jonathan sighed, lay down on his bed and closed her eyes. Yeah, things were looking up for Aggie – she was free of his family. He looked forward to the day he could be too. But, he knew that might take awhile.

  “Why are you so interested in this silly Christmas festival?” Olivia asked her father as he helped himself to a second helping of potatoes. “You aren’t thinking of entering something, are you?”

  “Of course – especially if they’re giving money away as a prize.”

  “But what? What can you enter?”

  “I’m not going to enter anything. You are.”

  Olivia jumped in her seat. “What? Me?! What could I do?” Her parents knew she couldn’t cook a whit, or sew very well for that matter.

  “I don’t know … something!” Mr. Bridger blustered.

  “But what if the prizes aren’t a pittance?” Mrs. Bridger challenged Olivia. “You ought to at least try.”

  “Try what?” Olivia whined.

  “Are you sassing your ma?” Mr. Bridger warned.

  Olivia looked down at the table. “No, Father.”

  “Good. Now, Jonathan mentioned that new man in town, this Eldon Judrow, was donating some.” Mr. Bridger knew their financial situation was growing tight, even though he hadn’t said a word yet to his wife or children. Aggie’s leaving had actually helped – one less mouth to feed – but it wouldn’t be enough.