And Those Who Trespass Against Us by Helen M MacPherson Page B

"Miss." Instead, their acknowledgments were like those given to a work partner or an equal.
    "It sounds like you're well-known."
    Catriona nodded. "Some of the men are part of the farming cooperative. We often share news and crop-raising ideas between us."
    "It must be nice to be able to talk with them about things that matter, rather than be constrained by only female social chit chat."
    Catriona raised her brows. "I thought you would've preferred such talk."
    "I much prefer to talk about substantive issues, rather than vacuous ones."
    "Excuse me for a moment."Catriona halted the wagon, to answer a question from one of the workers.
    While she spoke with the man, Katherine politely listened, noting that she spoke to the men like no other lady Katherine had ever known. She surreptitiously scanned the woman beside her. Catriona was again dressed in a similar fashion to what she wore yesterday--dusty work boots and long white pants, complemented by a maroon shirt and a broad-brimmed hat.
    Catriona and her brother obviously possessed a degree of financial independence, not as great as what Katherine experienced in Ireland, but comfortable just the same. She thought how fortunate for Catriona to be in a position where she didn't have to marry due to fiscal pressures, or to satisfy family. If Katherine had been given the same opportunities, without the pressure of her family, she wondered if she would have joined the convent.
    After an abridged trip through town, Catriona again stopped the wagon in front of a store. She hopped off, came around to Katherine's side and stood, poised. With an impertinent grin, she held out her hand. "I know you can get off by yourself. Based on your success last night though, I think it would be better, in the light of day, if I helped you, just in case."
    Deciding discretion was the better part of valour, Katherine took the proffered hand. Steadied by Catriona when she alighted, Katherine was surprised at her strength, thinking it must serve her well on the farm.
    Catriona reached into the back of the wagon and picked up a mechanical implement. She walked up the stairs of one of the few stores left standing. Reaching the top, she shifted the apparatus to one hip and turned. "I'll be a few minutes. Is there anything you need while we're here?"
    Katherine couldn't think of anything. Besides, she didn't have a substantial sum of money. The convent had supplied her with only enough to see her to her destination, assuring her the local parish would then support her. Yet, from what she had seen so far and, with the exception of Catriona's home, it was unlikely the town would be able to provide much support.
    Katherine didn't know what she was going to do about that. "N-no, thank you, I have all I need. I'll come in to have a look around if I may."
    "Feel free, there's no need to ask. I'm sure the proprietor will be more than happy to see a new face in town."
    The shop's interior was markedly darker than outside, and Katherine took a moment to adjust. She cast her eyes around a store that held a bit of everything. There were picks, shovels, and all sorts of weaponry, bolts of cloth, and provisions, to name a few. The store was nothing like the ones she'd frequented back home. She could do a month's shopping in here, without visiting anywhere else. She concluded that the man who owned it must be quite the entrepreneur.
    Turning to the counter, Katherine attempted to identify the proprietor and did a double take. Standing among piles of stores and equipment was a short woman with Germanic features. Her blond hair had been pulled into a functional bun, capably suiting Katherine's impression of what a storekeeper should look like. Her dress was a practical one of light blue cotton, covered with a freshly starched apron for the day's duties. Her round, wire-rimmed glasses served to add to her air as a proprietor. Yet, she had a serene face, which put Katherine at ease.
    Catriona placed the metal tool on the