Caring for the Cowboy Page 6

  Curling his toes in his thin socks, Baxter headed outside, down the trail to the main road, and quickly realized he was less than a mile from Cooper’s ranch. Well, that was a stroke of luck. He headed that way, figuring the sooner he made it the better. At least it was close enough that he wouldn’t freeze before getting there … he hoped.

  “Oh, it’s you,” Ariadne said when she opened the back door of the tea shop. “Won’t you come in?”

  “Thank you,” Maja said. “Sorry to bother so early.”

  “That’s all right – I was just finishing up some baking. Regina will be here soon – she and Jake live on a ranch outside town.”

  Maja nodded and smiled. “Something I, uh … wanted to talk to her about.”

  “Oh? Is it anything I can help with?”

  “No, it’s okay. She knows already.”

  Adriane shrugged. “But do let me know if I can help?”

  “Yes. Thanks.” Maja took a seat by the stove. All this talking after so long without was tiring.

  “Would you like some tea?”

  She shivered. “Yes, please.”

  “I say, but where is your coat? You must be positively freezing! Oh, do let me bundle you up!” Ariadne bustled around the tiny work area, wrapping Maja in a blanket, then fetching her a cup of tea and some toast.

  Maja snuggled into the blanket even as tears came to her eyes. No one had tried to take care of her like this since her mother died. She bit her lip to keep from blubbering. “Thanks.”

  “Thank Jake. He bought supplies the other day before coming by the shop, left the blanket behind on accident, and Regina forgot to take it home.”

  Maja nodded and sipped her tea. Thank Heaven Creede was only a few miles from the cabin – she swore her breath might freeze before she got there.

  Regina entered the shop, took one look at Maja and rushed over. “Good morning! It’s so nice to see you! Oh dear, has something happened?”

  Maja shook her head. “N-no. I, er … forgot my coat.”

  The two women exchanged a look. “On a day like this?” Regina commented, then waved it off. “Never mind – I saw that coat, and you’re almost better off without it.”

  Maja almost laughed – the shape it was in, Regina wasn’t far off. She set her cup on a nearby worktable. “I need help.”

  Regina smiled warmly. “We’d be happy to. How can we help you, my dear?”

  “I …” Maja hesitated, then gritted her teeth in determination. Take your chances … hope for the best. “Do you remember yesterday … my coins?”

  “Oh yes,” Regina said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I told my husband about them.”

  Maja gasped.

  “Oh, not to worry, he’s perfectly trustworthy. And made a very good suggestion as to who would know about them. Best to have someone appraise them before you take them to a bank.”

  Maja reached for her cup and took another sip of tea, wondering what “appraise” meant. “Who?”

  “Tobias Redfern. He owns the local bookshop and he knows a little about everything. He probably has a book about old coins tucked away somewhere.”

  Maja hesitated. She didn’t want a lot of people knowing about the coins, especially if what Myrtle said about them was true. She shuddered again at the thought of Myrtle the maybe-crazy maybe-angel.

  “Are you quite all right?” Regina asked.

  “Um, fine. Cold.”

  “She’s half frozen, Regina,” Ariadne said. “What we ought to do is have her take a nice hot bath.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed.

  Maja glanced between them as if they’d just said they should name her queen. “A, a bath?”

  “And those clothes will never do, not if you want to be taken seriously at a bank,” Regina added. “Or, well, anywhere.”

  “Regina!” Ariadne scolded her, then stopped. “I mean, there are ways of saying it …”

  Maja looked at her dirty work shirt and pants, and again couldn’t disagree. “A hot bath,” she repeated. She hadn’t had a hot bath in years. “Yes. Er, yes, please.”

  “That settles it, then.” Ariadne turned to her sister. “Can you handle things without me for a couple of hours?”

  “Of course,” Regina said. “You’ll take her to your place?”

  “Yes, it’s closer. Wendell isn’t there right now, and there’s already hot water on the stove. Won’t take long to heat more.” Ariadne offered Maja her hand. “Come with me, then. Let’s get you fixed up.”

  Maja swallowed hard and stared at the hand. “Fixed … up?”

  “Take a bath, wash your hair,” Regina said brightly.

  “And you can borrow one of my dresses and a spare coat,” Ariadne said. “I daresay you want to look your best at the bank.”

  Maja’s lower lip trembled. When was the last time “looking her best” had even been an option?” Thank you, thank you so much.”

  Regina pulled her out of the chair and into her arms. “Oh my dear sweet girl, I don’t know what’s happened to you or where you’ve been, but I’m glad the good Lord chose us to bless you.”

  Maja took one look at her and began to sob. She was beginning to wonder who her real guardian angel was – Myrtle, or the two British women in the tea shop.

  Two hours later, Ariadne put the finishing touches on Maja’s hair. “There. Now I realize your hair is still damp, but it will have to do. I must get back to the shop.”

  Maja stared awestruck at the mirror in front of her. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Think nothing of it. In fact, I’d like to ask a favor of you.”

  Maja turned to look at her, wondering what she could possibly do for Ariadne. “Okay.”

  “My, it’s nice to hear someone sound so grateful. I need help with the shop this afternoon. I know Regina should be fine, but because I’ve been here, we’re going to be behind in a few things.”

  Maja stood. She felt so different – clean and light and happy and warm and … wanted! “Of course – anything you’d like.”

  “Could you help in the kitchen?”

  “Yes. I can do dishes, sweep, whatever you say.” She could hear the gratitude in her own voice. She felt so happy, like a human being rather than a pack animal. She’d spent so many years covered in dirt and men’s clothes that she’d forgotten what she looked like. Her face had changed, and so had her body – the differences were astounding.

  “Can you take charge of some of the baking if needed?” Ariadne went on. “Maybe even serve?”

  “Well … I don’t really … know how. But I’ll do my best.”

  Ariadne looked her up and down. “You are a lovely girl. Why did you hide?”

  “I … well, um …” She took a deep breath. “Can I tell you later?”

  Ariadne took her hands and squeezed. “Of course. My guess is you’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

  Her eyes misted with tears. “Yes.”

  “Well, never mind that now. Let’s get back to the shop, shall we?” Ariadne fetched her a coat to wear and together they headed back.

  When they entered the kitchen, Regina turned and gasped. “My goodness! Maja, is that you?”

  Ariadne laughed. “Don’t sound so astounded – of course it’s her.” She helped Maja off with her coat. “Isn’t she lovely? And my clothes fit her almost perfectly – just a little short.”

  Maja smiled too and did her best not to cry. She felt so happy despite her current predicament, and decided to just not think about what she might have to face later. Hopefully by now Baxter Hicks had left the cabin and found his way home, though the man only had socks to protect his feet. Guilt stabbed her at that, but there wasn’t anything she could do about his stolen boots. She hoped he found the coins and food she left for him.

  “Maja is going to help us this afternoon,” Ariadne announced. “Now, how far did you get?”

  “Not as far as I’d have liked.” Regina smiled at Maja. “Thank you for helping. Sometimes we real
ly need it.”

  Maja smiled back, so grateful she was ready to do anything for these two. “What should I do first?”

  Chapter 7

  Maja couldn’t remember enjoying a day so much. She made little sandwiches and helped prepare tea for Regina and Ariadne’s customers. Once they started coming in, the shop brimmed with activity. Every time one of the sisters went in or out of the kitchen/work area, she caught snippets of conversation. The tea shop with its pretty china and blue and white checkered table cloths was definitely considered one of Creede’s best treasures.

  She even caught a few glimpses of cowboys and other men enjoying tea. She wanted to go into the dining area and watch everyone chatter and enjoy their snacks, but Ariadne kept her busy in the kitchen. Probably just as well – she wasn’t ready to meet everyone in town.

  Regina carried a tray of small serving dishes into the kitchen. “Could you refill these with clotted cream?”

  “Right away.” Maja hurried to comply. She was trying to remember where everything was kept, so she wasn’t working as quickly as she wanted. Still, no customers had complained about slow service.

  The moment she was caught up, she went to the kitchen door and peeked into the store front. Sure enough, at a large table sat two women with what looked like a pair of ranchers or cowboys. The women were pretty, their men handsome, and she envied them. What would it be like to be married, to have a husband and children? She’d never let herself dwell on the idea long, not while she was with Pa. But now she could do what she wanted.

  She pulled back as Regina entered the kitchen and took a deep breath. “My, but we’re busy today. Did you put another batch of cookies in the oven? Pity we were shorthanded so long. No one’s fault, mind – just an observation.”

  Maja's face fell. “I’m sorry. I did enjoy the bath, but …”

  “Nonsense, you needed it,” Ariadne insisted. “You’re more important than a few cups of Darjeeling and some jam tarts.”

  “Too right,” Regina readily agreed.

  Maja looked at the floor. No one had ever said she was more important than … well, anything. “Please, let me make it up to you.”

  Regina came over and took her hand. “Maja, it’s all right. We’ll be fine. Thank Heaven you’re here – you’ve already helped us this afternoon more than we helped you.”

  Maja had trouble believing it … but she knew Regina wasn’t just saying that either. She nodded, picked up the next pan of cookies from the worktable and put them in the oven. “Now what?”

  “Well, when those are done, take them out and put in another batch.” She looked at the worktable. “I see you have two more ready to go – wonderful!” She gave Maja a parting smile and bustled back to the front of the shop.

  As she left, Ariadne hurried in. “Maja, can you help me carry out a couple of trays?”

  “Yes!” she said happily. She helped Ariadne prepare two pots of tea, arrange the trays, then picked one up and followed Ariadne into the dining area.

  As soon as she stepped through the door Maja almost dropped the tray. Oh my …

  “Yours is the table of five. Set the tray down, place the strainer over the cup and pour the tea, understand?”

  Maja nodded, her eyes still glued to Baxter Hicks sitting at the table!

  “Something wrong?” Ariadne asked.

  “No,” she squeaked. Baxter was bruised and bandaged, but there he sat with two other couples, chatting away as if nothing had happened.

  “Well, go on,” Ariadne said. “They’ll put their own sugar and cream in if they want it.”

  Maja’s eyes darted between Ariadne and the table. She gulped and headed for it. The closer she got, however, the more she noticed that Baxter was pale, shaky and definitely not well. What was he doing here? This was her own fault for leaving him the way she did – of course a man left unattended would just go his own way. At least he hadn’t headed for a saloon the way Pa would have, but still, he should be resting, not dining out.

  A pretty blonde woman at the table seemed to agree. “We should have gone to see Dr. Thomas first,” she scolded.

  “I want something hot in me, Hattie,” Baxter insisted. “I had some soup last night and some jerky and dried apples this morning, but that doesn’t sustain a man.”

  “If you were so hungry, why didn’t you let me fix you something at the ranch?”

  “Because I was angry. I had a lot of time to think about what happened to me.”

  Maja gulped again. Thankfully no one noticed.

  “We should have gone to Hearth and Home,” one of the other men said. “Got Mr. Hicks something heartier.”

  “I would have suggested it, Mr. Knight,” Baxter said, “but I wasn’t sure my stomach could handle it. Tea and toast is about my speed right now.”

  The other woman, a redhead, looked up and noticed Maja. “At last, our tea is here,” she said happily.

  Maja smiled at her, set the tea tray on the table and concentrated on serving the way Ariadne instructed.

  “You must be new here,” the blonde said.

  She nodded, her eyes flicking to Baxter and back. “Yes.”

  “Did you just move to town?” the man next to the blonde asked.

  Maja forced another smile. “Yes.”

  “How lovely,” the blonde said. “I’m Hattie White and this is my husband Cooper.” She motioned to the man beside her.

  “And this is my business partner Gavin Knight,” the man said. “And his wife Adelle.”

  “And last but not least there’s me, Baxter Hicks at your service.” He studied her a moment. She froze – oh no, did he recognize her? “Pleased to meet you,” he added after a beat.

  “And you are?” Mrs. White prompted.

  Maja was speechless. He was still looking at her as if he couldn’t fathom she was real. Oh heavens, he did recognize her! What to do?

  “Miss?” Mrs. White urged.

  She forced her gaze from Baxter to the woman. “Maja,” she squeaked. “My name’s Maja.”

  “My my, Maja,” Baxter teased.

  Mrs. White rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to excuse our Mr. Hicks - he’s a bit of a joker, even when he doesn’t look like he’s been kicked by a couple of mules.”

  Maja smiled weakly, her eyes bouncing between Mr. Hicks and Mrs. White.

  “And your family name?” Mr. White said.

  “Oh, um … Van Dyne.” Maja stiffened. Should she have told them? If Pa was arrested around here, they’d connect her, and then … well, it was too late now. She busied herself serving their tea before Ariadne came to check on her. She didn’t want to disappoint the sisters after they’d done so much for her. She finished, took one last look at Baxter – no, Mr. Hicks, she was in polite company now – then hurried back to the kitchen, set the tray on the worktable and took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

  “Ooh, lemon curd.”

  Maja yelped and jumped. Myrtle was next to her examining the small dishes of clotted cream, lemon curd and various jams. “What are you doing here?”

  “Just checking on you, my dear. My, what a lovely dress.”

  Maja looked at the maroon skirt, matching vest and white blouse Ariadne had loaned her. It was basically a work outfit, but still the nicest clothes she’d worn in years. “Yes. Now what are you doing here?” She glanced at the door and back.

  “I see Mr. Hicks has returned to civilization.”

  Maja frowned. “I shouldn’t have left him, I know.”

  “But it’s all right, dear. More importantly, he’s all right.” Myrtle patted Maja on the shoulder.

  “I, uh, left him some of the coins. And some food.”

  “You don’t have to defend yourself, dear. I’m not your father – I have no condemnation for you.”

  “If you say so.” Maja turned away as the weight of all that had happened hit her. “I’m doing my best …”

  “Of course you are, dear. Don’t cry. It’s quite a shock to discover one’s p
arent is … well, you know as well as I. But look what’s out there!” She pointed at the kitchen door.

  Maja looked at her. “What?”

  Myrtle smiled tenderly. “Your future, my dear. If you let it happen.”

  Maja turned to the door as Adriane walked in. She gasped, turned to Myrtle … and she was gone. Just as well – she wasn’t sure how to explain Myrtle to anyone.

  “I need more cookies,” Ariadne sang out. “The batch in the oven’s probably done.” She picked up two dishes of jam and hurried out again.

  Maja took a few more deep breaths to calm herself. Myrtle would be the death of her. She blanched at that. Considering the woman’s talk about being her guardian angel, she’d better not think such things. She removed the cookies from the oven and put in the next batch.

  Regina came in. “That table of five wants some scones. Would you mind?”

  Maja stared at her, unable to move. “Y-you mean the two couples and the, er … gentleman?”

  “Yes, that’s Mr. Hicks, the one with the bandage on his head.” Regina looked at the cookies. “Oh, wonderful – I need some of these right away.” She grabbed a spatula and began moving cookies from the pan to a platter.

  Maja watched her a moment then went to a large tray of scones, put a few on a plate, then held it out for inspection. “Is this enough?”

  “No, dear – give them one apiece.”

  She put two more on the plate. She was stalling, and hoped Regina didn’t mistake it for idiocy. She could count to five, after all. Finally she re-entered the dining area – and stopped a moment when her eyes met Mr. Hicks’. He was handsome and had a brightness about him despite being pale and battered. His bad eye was open now, the swelling down, and the cloth on his forehead had been replaced with a clean bandage. She’d been so shocked to see him earlier, she hadn’t taken in all the details.

  “Scones over here, ma’am,” Mrs. Knight said.

  Mr. Hicks smiled at her. “I can probably handle one of those.”

  Maja almost protested, but cut herself off in time.

  Still, all five of them looked at her. “Is something wrong?” Mr. White asked.