Blessing by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Buster’s relief overwhelmed her when she saw Thad was safe. When had he become so important? She was grateful each of the men returned, of course, but what she felt when she saw Thad ride in was totally different.

Someone had taken care of Sam’s mount. After she fed and watered the doctor’s horse, Buster tied Sundown to the back of the wagon.

Marnie came out to see her off. “Are you sure you don’t need to have a nap before you go to town? I know you didn’t sleep last night.”

Buster hugged her housekeeper. “I’ll be fine. The horse knows the way to town and Sundown knows the way home. I think I’ll have lunch at Garnet’s café. I’m so jittery I don’t think I can settle down yet.”

“See you take care.”

Buster smiled. That was Marnie’s way of expressing her affection. Although Buster’s mom had died when she was five, Marnie had stepped in to do her best at mothering the child.

Marnie forgot Buster was grown now. At least, Buster knew someone cared for her. In fact, she knew Dub and Marnie cared as if they were her parents.

After she returned the doctor’s wagon, thanked, and paid him, she decided to linger in town. She ambled down the street.

When she saw Diantha Ames, owner of the Ridge Hotel, crossing the street, she waved. “I’m on my way to have lunch at Garnet’s café. Would you like to join me? We need to talk over the dance.”

“I’d love to. First, let’s check out the dining room.”

They strolled the short distance inside the hotel.

Diantha led her through the lobby. “We can set up refreshments at that end. I had the tables removed and stored so there would be plenty of room for dancing. The chairs are scattered around the edge for those who don’t wish to dance. Of course, they can also sit in the lobby.”

Buster turned slowly. “This is a lovely room, Diantha.”

The gold medallion-patterned wallpaper had a coordinating border about a foot wide around the top. Draperies were a shade darker gold and held back with the same color cord. Puncheon planks covered the floor.

“The white woodwork is refreshing.”

Diantha blushed. “We couldn’t afford to have walnut for the wainscoting and trim. We used cheaper wood and painted it white.”

“The effect is very pleasant and refreshing. Seeing the room empty makes a bigger impact than when I dined here in the past.”

“I’ll take care of decorations. Several have promised to help.”

“I hope they remember. If they don’t, please don’t do them alone. You can always gently remind others they volunteered. Shall we go have lunch?”

They ambled to the café across the alleyway and next door. After they’d greeted Garnet she showed them to a table.

Once they had ordered, Buster relaxed. “Thank you for agreeing to let us hold the dance at your hotel. It’s really the only place in town that’s suitable.”

“I’m looking forward to the event. I’ll even play the piano part of the time for dancing.”

“That’s wonderful. Dub—you remember my foreman—plays the banjo and George Tweedie agreed to play his fiddle.

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