Blowing on Dandelions: A Novel (Love Blossoms in Oregon Series) Read online

  “So she’s taking care of Mr. Jacobs? Where are Lucy and Zachary? Why didn’t someone come to get me?”

  Mama glared. “The children are in his room, as well. As I thought, Mrs. Roberts was not capable of helping the man up. Lucy and Zachary did so, while she waved that stick in my face and kept me from assisting.”

  Katherine didn’t reply but walked to the door, rapped twice, then pushed it open. “Is everything all right, Mr. Jacobs?”

  Her eyes grazed over the two children standing on one side of the bed and landed on Mrs. Roberts, who was tugging the blanket up under Micah’s chin. A tender look encompassed the woman’s face, and a gentle smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “There you go, dear boy. You relax now, and we’ll leave you alone.” She waved toward the door. “Everyone needs to leave so he can get some rest.”

  Katherine appreciated the sentiment but resented her boarder ordering her out of the room. She allowed Mrs. Roberts and Lucy to walk past her but stopped Zachary as he came abreast of her. “What happened, Zachary?”

  The boy raised weary eyes to hers. “I’m not sure. Lucy and I brought the bedding in off the line and were headed to put it away when we heard a crash and Pa cried out. I guess he was trying out his new crutches. He fell on his bad leg, and the pain must have knocked him out, ’cause it took a while to wake him. Then your ma and Mrs. Roberts came to help and, well …” He shot a look at the partly open door and waited until the heavyset woman disappeared from view before dropping his voice. “Your ma and Mrs. Roberts had words and kind of forgot about my pa, so Lucy and I got him up and brought him back here. Mrs. Roberts opened the door for us and helped us get him in bed. Pa drifted to sleep by the time the covers were pulled up. Think we should get the doctor to come back again?”

  “Yes, probably, but we’ll let your father sleep for a while first. You and Lucy did well, Zachary. Do you want to stay here and sit by him or come out with us?”

  “I’d like to stay, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course. I have business to attend to, but it would be good if you were here.” Katherine stopped by the bed and gazed at the sleeping man. A flutter began in her stomach and traveled all the way up to her throat.

  What was she feeling? Pity? Or attraction? The latter wasn’t acceptable. She didn’t need the added complication of a man in her life. But there was nothing wrong with feeling sorry for Micah—he’d lost so much, and now this …

  Realizing she had things to tend to, she stepped away from the bed. “I’ll be back later to check on him, Zachary.”

  Quietly closing the door behind her, Katherine headed down the hall. She needed to talk to her mother, but right now she’d deal with Mrs. Roberts.

  Lucy waylaid her at the foot of the stairs. “Is he going to be okay, Ma? It scared me something awful when we found him and couldn’t get him to wake up. I was afraid he was dead.” Her face was pale, and her chin quivered. “Like Pa.” The words came out in a whisper.

  “Oh, honey.” Katherine hugged her daughter. “This was nothing like your pa. Mr. Jacobs fell, but I’m sure he’s going to be fine after he rests. We’ll have the doctor come and check on him to be sure, but I don’t want you to worry.” She drew back and smiled, pride swelling her heart. What a brave, sensible girl she’d raised. “You did a good job taking care of things. I’m proud of you.”

  Lucy ducked her head. “Zachary helped too. It wasn’t only me.”

  Katherine nodded. “I understand that, but you—not Zachary—were in charge since Grandma had a headache and wasn’t feeling well.”

  “Why don’t you like him, Ma? You never say anything nice about him, and he’s my friend.” Lucy’s voice broke; then she fled down the hall.

  Katherine stared after her daughter. What had just happened? She hadn’t said a thing about disliking that boy; she’d only tried to emphasize that Lucy had done a good job taking responsibility for the events of the morning. Why was it so hard to get along with her daughter from one minute to the next? Ever since Lucy was born, Katherine had looked forward to the time when they could be friends. She laughed to herself. She should have known that was foolish. Parents couldn’t be friends with children while raising them; they had to maintain structure, discipline, and accountability. Moving into the realm of friends would muddy the waters too much, and with a young girl in her teens, there was also the matter of emotions bouncing around like a rubber ball on a hardwood floor. Lucy would probably forget all about this and be totally fine by supper.

  Katherine exhaled, knowing she still had an unpleasant task to tend to. Mrs. Roberts. The woman had apparently been rude to Mama—although that had to be taken with a grain of salt, knowing her mother. Mrs. Roberts might have overstepped her bounds, although from all appearances she’d only helped Lucy and Zachary care for Micah. What a pickle. Mama obviously didn’t like their new boarder, and though Katherine could ill afford to lose the income, it appeared she’d made the right choice about the pair finding new lodging soon.

  Trooping up the steps, she paused in front of the room she’d given to Mrs. Roberts. She hesitated, working to form the words she’d use, then discarded the effort. Much would depend on the woman’s attitude when she opened the door. She raised her hand and knocked, then waited several beats before trying again.

  Heavy footsteps sounded on the far side, and the door swung open. Katherine’s gaze was met by red-rimmed eyes above puffy cheeks.

  Katherine started. Mrs. Roberts was either coming down with a cold, or she’d been crying—but that didn’t seem to fit the image she had of the matron. “Mrs. Roberts? I wondered if you might have time to talk. We could sit downstairs, or in the small parlor down the hall if you’d like.”

  The older woman took a handkerchief from the pocket of her dress and blew her nose. “No need. Come in. I have been expecting you, and I’d appreciate the privacy my room offers.”

  Katherine was nonplussed, but she stepped across the threshold anyway and waited.

  “Before we go any farther, how is that young man faring? Do you think he’ll recover?”

  Katherine experienced a tinge of surprise at the question. She’d come expecting a confrontation and instead found a woman who appeared to have been crying and who asked about someone else before discussing her own complaints. “He’s sleeping, and I’ve sent for the doctor to make sure he didn’t do any further damage to his leg, but I believe he’ll recover. Thank you for asking.”

  The older woman nodded and moved across the room to an overstuffed chair. She motioned to it and waited for Katherine to sit, then perched on the end of the bed nearby. “I am afraid I had words with your mother. She took an instant dislike to me for some reason.” Mrs. Roberts sniffed, and Katherine’s heart started to soften … until the haughty expression Mrs. Roberts had worn the previous evening reappeared. “And, I have to admit, I have no fondness for her. But in spite of her rude behavior, Beth and I will stay here for the time being. That is, if you can assure me that Mrs. Cooper will mind her own business and won’t interfere with mine.”

  Katherine stiffened, and any sympathy she’d formed quickly dissolved. “I’m afraid I can’t give you any such assurance, madame. My mother is her own person and won’t be controlled by anyone, least of all me. But, regardless, I can’t agree with your decision to stay. I have given it much thought and feel it’s best for all involved if you find a new place to lodge as soon as possible.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Mrs. Roberts shook her head sharply as though trying to clear the unpleasant words from her ears. “I can’t have heard you properly. I am the injured party here, not you, or your mother. She is the one who accosted me, not the other way around. If anyone is in the wrong, it is Mrs. Cooper. Why should my niece and I be asked to leave?”

  Katherine sent up a swift prayer for wisdom and tact, something that eluded her in the presence of this woman. Why did some people have to make life difficult for everyone around them? She could well imagine that her mother hadn’t bee
n kind or considerate to Mrs. Roberts, but that didn’t condone the other woman’s behavior. “I simply feel it best. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?”

  Mrs. Roberts snorted. “No, we shall not.”

  “If you insist.” Katherine extended her hand. “I must consider the welfare of my entire household over any one individual, or in your case, any two. It would seem that you won’t be happy here unless we adapt to your needs, and that’s not something I’m willing to do—not if it means making an uncomfortable atmosphere for my family and other boarders. Is that clear enough?”

  Mrs. Roberts’s hands fell to her sides. “Quite. We will pack and be off within the hour.” Desolation colored her tone.

  Guilt stabbed Katherine but this had to be done, and it behooved her to be strong and follow through. “There is no need to rush. Take as much time as you need, and if you’d like, I can send Lucy to one of the hotels to see if they might have a wagon available to transport you and your belongings.”

  “No, thank you. I do not care to be beholden to you or anyone else in this place. Beth and I will make do on our own.” Mrs. Roberts strode to the door and opened it. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do.”

  Micah woke slowly, trying to orient himself to his surroundings. Shooting pain traveled from his ankle to his thigh and back down again. Ah yes, he had attempted to get out of this bed. How stupid could he be, trying to walk with crutches? Maybe if he had waited till he were stronger, it would’ve been easier, but now he’d probably be in bed even longer.

  His gaze landed on Zachary, sitting with his head tilted back against a Queen Anne chair, his body relaxed. Tenderness filled Micah’s heart at the sight of his sleeping son. What a mess he’d made of things, getting hurt over a toolbox. Now he couldn’t provide for his family and had to rely on the charity of strangers.

  Well, maybe not strangers, exactly. His thoughts drifted to the last time Katherine had visited his room. She’d surprised him by delivering breakfast herself. He’d assumed Zachary or Lucy would arrive with his tray, but a fresh-faced, smiling Katherine had stepped through the door, breathless from hurrying—or so he assumed. He’d hated how unkempt he must appear. It had been days since he’d had a bath or a shave. He ran his hand over the scruff on his chin. Katherine hadn’t stayed long, but the scent of lavender had lingered in the air afterwards.

  Zachary stirred and sat up. “Pa?” He struggled from the chair. “You doin’ all right? We were some worried when we found you out cold in the hall.”

  Remorse hit Micah hard, and he added worrying his son to his list of current transgressions. Nothing seemed to be going right lately, and he had no one to blame but himself. Unless he counted God. Frustration niggled at his heart. God could have kept all of this from happening—his wife’s death, his home and business burning, even losing his balance and falling. That wouldn’t have been too hard, would it?

  “I’ll be fine, Son. You didn’t have to stay with me.”

  “I wanted to. Doc Sanders is on his way. Mrs. Galloway sent for him.”

  Micah frowned. “Don’t need to see him again. I can’t afford all these doctor bills. He was here this morning when he dressed the burn and gave me the crutches.”

  “Mrs. Galloway says you fell pretty hard and might’ve hit your head or hurt your leg worse.”

  “Well, she’s not in charge. When the doctor gets here, I’ll tell him he can head back home.”

  Zachary looked uncomfortable. “You sure, Pa? You always told me we shouldn’t be uncharitable when people try to do something kind for us. Ain’t that being uncharitable?”

  Condemnation hammered his conscience. Couldn’t a man be grumpy for even five minutes without someone ragging him about it? “Don’t say ain’t, Son.” He wasn’t ready to apologize yet.

  Zachary hung his head but not before Micah caught a glimpse of hurt. “Yes, sir.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no call to growl at you, or at Mrs. Galloway. She’s right. Doc Sanders should probably look at this leg again. I hit the floor pretty hard trying to work those confounded contraptions.”

  Warm brown eyes lifted and met his. Then a small smile crept across Zachary’s face. “What happened, Pa?”

  Micah hoisted himself up against the pillow and winced. “From what I recollect, I went one way and those sticks went another.” He gave a deep-throated chuckle. “Guess they didn’t care to dance any more than I did.”

  Zachary erupted in a laugh.

  Micah joined in. He hadn’t felt so good in days. Seeing the pain and confusion in his boy’s eyes had stung, especially knowing he’d planted it there.

  From now on, he’d do better at this parenting business. He didn’t have much choice, seeing he was the only one Zachary had left, but he’d be hornswoggled if he’d keep falling down on the job like he had lately.

  A second later, when Doctor Sanders strode in, black bag in hand, Micah’s lips were still twitching with amusement. A blond vision floated in behind the doctor, and a jolt hit him hard. Had his heart been damaged during the fall? He couldn’t imagine any other reason it would jerk to a stop, then race forward again, when his landlady entered the room. No reason at all.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dinner last night had been a rather subdued affair after Micah’s setback, although Mama danced around like a Banty rooster when she discovered Mrs. Roberts and Beth had departed earlier in the day for one of the hotels.

  While Katherine had busied herself around the kitchen stacking clean plates and wiping down the front of the pie safe, the doctor had examined Micah. Doc had insisted Micah keep to his bed for at least another two days but had assured them the fall hadn’t done any lasting damage.

  Now that this morning’s chores were done, it was the perfect time for baking pies. Her boarders had a fondness for apple, and with a surplus of dried apples in the cellar, she could afford the luxury.

  A knock sounded at the front door. Katherine placed the last dish on the stack on the dining room sideboard and wiped her hands on her apron. She hurried to the foyer at the front of the house. Gripping the knob, she opened the door, ready to give a warm greeting.

  Her smile faltered and died as soon as her gaze rested on the woman standing on her porch.

  A deep flush stained Mrs. Roberts’s cheeks, and she clutched her reticule against her midriff. “Good day, Mrs. Galloway. I wonder if I might have a moment of your time.”

  Katherine hesitated, then swung the door wide and stepped aside. “Of course. Please come in.” She waited until the older woman strode past, suddenly grateful Mama had excused herself after breakfast to rest in her room. “Would you care for a cup of tea?”

  “No, thank you.” Mrs. Roberts’s normal bluster didn’t appear to be present, and her red-rimmed eyes glimmered with a hint of tears. “I do not care to put you out.”

  “It’s no trouble at all. In fact, I finished cleaning the kitchen and was thinking of sitting for a minute before I started my baking. The kettle is on. Please join me?”

  Mrs. Roberts hesitated, then gave a quick nod. “I suppose it might be a bit more private in the kitchen.”

  Katherine led the way down the hall. Why had Mrs. Roberts returned? She’d not been gone twenty-four hours—why, Katherine hadn’t even stripped the beds in those rooms. The last thing she needed today was another confrontation with this obnoxious woman….

  Suddenly she was ashamed of the direction her thoughts had taken. Forgive me, Father. I have no right to judge.

  She plucked two of her best china cups and saucers off the sideboard and poured the fragrant peppermint tea she’d been steeping. Last fall, Lucy had discovered a patch of peppermint growing along the Powder River. They’d dried a large bundle and stored it in the pantry. “Sugar?”

  “No, thank you. This smells wonderful.” Mrs. Roberts’s hand trembled as she lifted the cup, took a sip, then set it back on the saucer. She ran her finger around the rim of her teacup for several seconds. “Please, may Beth and I re
turn and stay here?”

  Katherine jerked and slopped tea over the side of her cup. She plunked it onto the saucer. “I’m sorry. Let me clean this before it stains the table.” As she busied herself wiping the tea and rinsing the rag, she wondered: What had possessed the woman to come back after she’d been asked to leave yesterday? She hated to hurt Mrs. Roberts further by rejecting her request, but after all that had happened, she couldn’t imagine it a good idea to allow them to return. Sinking back into her chair, she gripped the handle of her cup and waited, hoping she’d misunderstood.

  Long seconds passed. The color in the older woman’s cheeks became more intense. “I see it’s no use.” She pushed back her chair and rose. “Forgive me for being a nuisance. I will not take any more of your time. Thank you for the tea.” She turned to go.

  “Wait.” Katherine sprang from her chair and extended a hand. “I’ve forgotten my manners. Please don’t leave yet. I truly do want to understand.”

  Mrs. Roberts clasped her reticule in front of her like a shield. “Understand what, Mrs. Galloway?”

  “Why you’re asking to return when you left yesterday to find lodging elsewhere.” Katherine refrained from tacking on the rest—that Mrs. Roberts had been asked to leave with the expectation she wouldn’t return. “Won’t you sit down again and explain?”

  Mrs. Roberts paused. “As you wish.” She slid into the chair as gracefully as a woman her size could but sat as mute as a block of granite and just as still, her hands entwined in a knot on top of the table.

  Katherine touched the older woman’s fingers across the flat surface. “Mrs. Roberts?”

  “Oh.” She sighed loudly. “I’m sorry. Yes?”

  “You were going to explain your request.”

  “Yes. Indeed.” The fingers twisted, the agitation quite opposite of what Katherine had expected from their earlier encounters. “I came to apologize.”

  Now it was Katherine’s turn to be mute. She simply stared, unable to take in the meaning of those four simple words. “I see.” But she didn’t. Not really. She tried again. “May I ask what, exactly, you’ve come to apologize for, and what it has to do with your request?”