Mail Order Menace by Kirsten Osbourne

Author:Kirsten Osbourne [Osbourne, Kirsten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unlimited Dreams Publishing
Published: 2017-05-26T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

As it grew colder, Ernie’s job became more difficult. Within a month of marrying, she had five guests, not counting her new husband, and each man brought more work with him. She did laundry as an extra service, for more money, but she found she was spending a full day washing clothes and hanging them on the line.

She designated every Wednesday as wash day unless it rained, and then she adjusted to another day of the week. Sometimes she paid Katie to help her, and afterward they’d have tea and cookies and play with the baby together. The cold hard truth was that Ernie was exhausted.

When Cliff came home for lunch on a Friday in late October, he frowned at her. “You’re pale. You’re doing too much!” He told her to sit down while he served everyone lunch.

“I can’t sit! This is my job. You work hard all day.” His business was already becoming wildly popular. He and Jake had made one free saddle for one of the area ranchers, and the rancher had bragged about it to all of his men and his friends. Before long, there was a waiting list for saddles. She pushed him gently toward a chair, knowing the other five men would be along soon. She hadn’t expected so many to take her up on her offer to cook lunch, but they all loved her cooking.

For lunch that day she served a hearty chicken stew. There was already snow on the ground, and the men needed a good, hot meal to get them through their days. They all trickled in, taking their seats at the table. The men had learned early on that they were expected to wait until everyone was seated and the prayer had been said before they started reaching for food.

After everyone was served, Ernie took her seat at the foot of the table closest to the stove. She could serve the men their seconds when they asked.

Cliff said a quick prayer, and the men passed the biscuits around. “What are your plans for this afternoon?” he asked Ernie.

“I need to make up the beds and get supper on.” The men paid an extra five cents a week for her to straighten their rooms and make their beds for them, but they all thought it was a good deal. Which meant she was making six beds every day, as well as cooking three meals a day for seven people. “The parlor could use a good dusting as well.”

One of their new boarders, Jerome, played the piano. He and Jake played for them every night, and Ernie enjoyed listening to the music. It was strange being the only woman amongst seven men, but she enjoyed her work, and she was used to always having a houseful of people. If not for the constant fatigue she was feeling, she was certain she’d be in her element.

When the men were gone after lunch, Cliff lingered. “I’m getting worried about you, Ernie. You’re doing too much, and there are shadows under your eyes.

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