object.” He pointed his pen in her direction. “But don’t get your hopes up. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”
She agreed and hurried from her father’s office before he could change his mind. A visit to the general store was in order. Mrs. Johnson would know of anyone seeking employment as a housekeeper. The mercantile was the place where folks stopped to purchase their goods, but they also stopped by to catch up on the latest news. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were always among the first to know the comings and goings in Hill City. In fact, Mrs. Johnson made it her business to elicit tidbits of news from the store’s visitors. And she also made it her business to pass along the scraps of gossip to any listening ear.
Mrs. Johnson was near the front door, arranging a new shipment of fabric when Macia entered. She glanced at Macia’s arm and her smile faded slightly: she was obviously unhappy Macia wasn’t carrying a basket. And she knew Macia wasn’t one to share gossip. The woman was astute when it came to business, but she enjoyed hearing the latest rumors even more. If another customer entered carrying a basket and list, Macia would quickly lose the older woman’s interest. She surveyed the fabrics and commented on the quality of several pieces. If she mentioned her need for several new winter dresses, maybe Mrs. Johnson would warm to her.
One comment proved to be all that was required. Immediately, Mrs. Johnson started pulling out various bolts of fabric, commenting on each one as she placed them before Macia. Knowing what was expected, Macia responded favorably as she surveyed the plethora of choices. She rubbed each piece of cloth between her fingers, careful to intersperse her personal questions with inquiries regarding the fabrics. Surprisingly, Mrs. Johnson remained by her side even though several of her favorite customers entered the store.
Unwinding a piece of dark blue print, Mrs. Johnson draped the fabric across Macia’s shoulder. “That color is good with your complexion.” She nudged Macia’s arm. “Garrett mentioned how much he enjoyed your company at the Fall Festival.” She tucked her chin close to her chest and drew nearer. “He also said the dark blue shade of your gown was quite becoming on you.” She lifted the fabric from Macia’s shoulder and slowly began to wind it onto the bolt.
“I’ll consider this piece. My father seems to think shades of green are better suited to my blond hair and pale skin.”
Mrs. Johnson returned the bolt of blue fabric to the table with a hefty thud. “Did you enjoy Garrett’s company? He’s a fine-looking man—an excellent catch. An intelligent, hardworking man who is going to go far in this world. You should give him strong consideration, Macia.”
She nodded, but she knew Garrett would purchase a ticket for the next train out of Kansas if he heard his aunt attempting to sell him like a barrel of goods.
“All of us are pleased when new folks move to the area, Mrs. Johnson. In fact, I wondered if you’d recently met any newcomer who might be interested in a housekeeping position.”
The older woman hesitated for a moment, and then mentioned the recent arrival of German immigrants—a family that had purchased acreage several miles outside of town. Macia perked to attention. Mrs. Johnson’s penchant for gossip might prove helpful after all.
The older woman ran her fingers along the rows of fabric and finally pulled a bolt of green fabric from the pile. She offered it to Macia. “They have a daughter who was asking if I needed help in the store. She speaks English, but I don’t know if her parents understand the language. She appeared eager to find employment, so she’d likely be a hard worker. Maybe she’d be interested in a housekeeping position. Has Fern talked Jeb into setting a wedding date?”
Macia bristled. The question caused her physical pain. Fortunately, Garrett walked into the store, tapped his finger on the piece of
She agreed and hurried from her father’s office before he could change his mind. A visit to the general store was in order. Mrs. Johnson would know of anyone seeking employment as a housekeeper. The mercantile was the place where folks stopped to purchase their goods, but they also stopped by to catch up on the latest news. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were always among the first to know the comings and goings in Hill City. In fact, Mrs. Johnson made it her business to elicit tidbits of news from the store’s visitors. And she also made it her business to pass along the scraps of gossip to any listening ear.
Mrs. Johnson was near the front door, arranging a new shipment of fabric when Macia entered. She glanced at Macia’s arm and her smile faded slightly: she was obviously unhappy Macia wasn’t carrying a basket. And she knew Macia wasn’t one to share gossip. The woman was astute when it came to business, but she enjoyed hearing the latest rumors even more. If another customer entered carrying a basket and list, Macia would quickly lose the older woman’s interest. She surveyed the fabrics and commented on the quality of several pieces. If she mentioned her need for several new winter dresses, maybe Mrs. Johnson would warm to her.
One comment proved to be all that was required. Immediately, Mrs. Johnson started pulling out various bolts of fabric, commenting on each one as she placed them before Macia. Knowing what was expected, Macia responded favorably as she surveyed the plethora of choices. She rubbed each piece of cloth between her fingers, careful to intersperse her personal questions with inquiries regarding the fabrics. Surprisingly, Mrs. Johnson remained by her side even though several of her favorite customers entered the store.
Unwinding a piece of dark blue print, Mrs. Johnson draped the fabric across Macia’s shoulder. “That color is good with your complexion.” She nudged Macia’s arm. “Garrett mentioned how much he enjoyed your company at the Fall Festival.” She tucked her chin close to her chest and drew nearer. “He also said the dark blue shade of your gown was quite becoming on you.” She lifted the fabric from Macia’s shoulder and slowly began to wind it onto the bolt.
“I’ll consider this piece. My father seems to think shades of green are better suited to my blond hair and pale skin.”
Mrs. Johnson returned the bolt of blue fabric to the table with a hefty thud. “Did you enjoy Garrett’s company? He’s a fine-looking man—an excellent catch. An intelligent, hardworking man who is going to go far in this world. You should give him strong consideration, Macia.”
She nodded, but she knew Garrett would purchase a ticket for the next train out of Kansas if he heard his aunt attempting to sell him like a barrel of goods.
“All of us are pleased when new folks move to the area, Mrs. Johnson. In fact, I wondered if you’d recently met any newcomer who might be interested in a housekeeping position.”
The older woman hesitated for a moment, and then mentioned the recent arrival of German immigrants—a family that had purchased acreage several miles outside of town. Macia perked to attention. Mrs. Johnson’s penchant for gossip might prove helpful after all.
The older woman ran her fingers along the rows of fabric and finally pulled a bolt of green fabric from the pile. She offered it to Macia. “They have a daughter who was asking if I needed help in the store. She speaks English, but I don’t know if her parents understand the language. She appeared eager to find employment, so she’d likely be a hard worker. Maybe she’d be interested in a housekeeping position. Has Fern talked Jeb into setting a wedding date?”
Macia bristled. The question caused her physical pain. Fortunately, Garrett walked into the store, tapped his finger on the piece of
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