An Angel Out West by Emma Ashwood

Author:Emma Ashwood [Ashwood, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

“The meal was superb, but Della and I had better be going if I’m to have her settled in at Mrs. Garret’s before sunset,” Elizabeth said as she straightened her bonnet.

“I really appreciate your help. I’m alone in the café and I’m sorry I can’t accompany you ladies to gather Della’s things.”

“No need to thank me.” Elizabeth turned to Della. “Are you ready to go?”

Della nodded, and as she walked past James, she said, “Thank you again for the employment. I’ll work very hard.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. When I get a break here, I’ll come over to Mrs. Garret’s to make sure you’re all settled in.”

She and Elizabeth walked out of the eatery into the bright afternoon sunshine. For a few moments, she was blinded, blinking rapidly to become accustomed to the brightness after the low light of the café. She walked beside Elizabeth who chatted merrily all the way to the parish rectory.

Inside the room Della had slept in the previous night, a travel bag lay open on the bed into which she now placed her few items. Elizabeth leaned against the windowsill watching her, a small crease of concern etched on her forehead.

“Are you sure you're going to be okay moving into the boarding house so soon? You know that you’re welcome to you stay here for as long as you want.”

She looked up at the kind woman who’d befriended her. “I know and I thank you for telling me, but I’ll be fine. The boarding house is right next to the café, so it’ll be much easier for me to come and go to work.”

Elizabeth sighed and pushed stray strands of hair into her bun. “Remember that you can come back here anytime. And if you ever need help or someone to talk to, I’m always here.”

Della smiled warmly. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Once packed, Elizabeth accompanied her to the boarding house. Mrs. Garret’s rooming house was a white painted two-story building with seven rooms available for young ladies who worked at the various business establishments in town. In her late forties, she’d been widowed for almost seven years. Seated on the porch in a wooden chair, Ruth Garret stood up when Della and Elizabeth approached.

“Are you Della Langston?” she greeted, offering her hand before Della could even respond. “I'm Ruth Garrett and I handle the place. James told me about you. Come on in so I can show you your room.”

Della spotted the surprised look in her gaze. “That all you have?” She pointed to the travelling bag Della held in her hand. She nodded. “All right then, come on in.”

The two women followed the landlady into the foyer of the house. The dark wood paneling on the walls and the brick fireplace on the far-left wall made Della think of her home back in Boston. Back home, there was a fireplace in practically all of the rooms.

“It’s very nice in here,” she said.

A big smile broke out across Ruth’s face. “Thank you. I try to make everything look inviting, you know, like a regular home.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.