“We’ll just pop inside. We’ll talk to Papa and see what new and interesting things have been shipped in lately. What do you think, Heath?” Layla asked, and she was rewarded with one of his signature gurgling sounds. “I agree,” she responded, as though he had spoken.
She wove around the crowd near the establishment next door, Mr. Miller’s, the local solicitor. A group always gathered near his business early to hear the gossip as it trickled from the white and black door. Layla bobbed her head at the small group of men and women and then spoke to Heath. “I think a cup of lemonade will do for me, and I’m sure Papa will have some milk for you. We’re almost there now.”
The hot morning sun was baking the sand, and even though it was December, Layla figured the temperature was hotter than it usually was this time of year. Since she hadn’t used the sling much yet, she didn’t trust its sturdiness, so she kept her hands and arms wrapped tightly around Heath’s body so that she might not drop him. Though the walk from the farm to the store wasn’t far, having Heath close to her body made her sweat.
When Layla pushed through the red front door, the familiar bell jingled upon her entry. Sadness swooped into her mind as she realized that she had not been home in weeks. She had been so busy on the Flint ranch, taking care of the baby, learning how to do her household chores, and cooking meals that she had neglected to even think about her father and what might be happening at the store.
“Papa!” Layla called out, and Heath clucked his tongue along with her. “Papa!” Scanning the store quickly, the shelves were stocked with goods, and there were only a few empty spaces where fresh bread, rolls, and pies would be piled once they were delivered. Continuing to search the area, Layla noted that her father was definitely not inside at the moment.
“Eliza James, at your service,” a chipper female voice greeted from behind her as the bell sang her arrival, causing Layla to jump in fright.
“I’m sorry for startling you, Mrs. Flint, and I hope little Heath isn’t bothered by my quick appearance, either,” Eliza began, and Layla’s heart thudded rapidly. Not only was she still recovering from being surprised, but this was the first time someone had called her Mrs. Flint. She wondered if she would ever get used to that. Her eyebrows furrowed. How did this woman know her or Heath?
“Please,” Layla said, finding her voice at last. “Call me Layla. Ms. James, did you say? Do I know you? Or do you know me? And Heath?”
“All right, then. Layla,” Eliza replied jovially. “Mr. Fitzpatrick talks about you constantly. I couldn’t mistake that gorgeous silky dark hair if I tried. As for Heath, I know his family.” She placed one delicate but firm hand behind Layla’s back and guided her into the store. Layla allowed the woman to assist her. “Let’s get out of the doorway,” Eliza said. “I wouldn’t want you and this beautiful baby to get run over by our next customers.”
“Ournext customers?” Layla asked, concern touching her tone. Stepping away from Eliza James, she looked at the woman properly. Layla was shocked to see that Eliza James couldn’t be much older than herself. She was wearing a dress the color of ripened plums that cut in nicely at the waist. The full skirt that billowed out around Eliza probably wouldn’t be practical for the farm, but it looked lovely here in the store. Freckles smattered across the bridge of her nose. Her dark curly hair was unencumbered by a bonnet or a hat, and her dark brown eyes were shimmering with glee.
“Yes, Mrs. Flint, I work here. Your father hired me shortly after you married. He said he’d be needing some help around the store, and I was only too grateful to get away from the house for a little while.” As Eliza spoke, she circled the countertop near the front of the store.
Reaching into a drawer, Eliza pulled out a cream-colored cotton apron. With deft fingers, she tied it around her waist. Then, she lined the candy on the front counter in a pleasing display. Layla tipped her head to admire Eliza’s work. She appeared to know what she was doing, which was a good thing. Layla had been helping her father for so long in the store it was hard to fathom how he would keep the operation going once she married. It was relieving to see that he hired someone capable and friendly like Eliza to take her place.
“As you can see, I’m doing my best to work here for your father whenever he needs assistance,” Eliza said as she eyed the pieces of candy she was trying to arrange. She must have decided they looked just fine, as she reached under the countertop and came back up with some newspapers. “I guess I’ve only been on the job for about ten days, but I like it so far. I like being with all the people who come in and see the new shipments of supplies when the warehouses drop them off. I’d sure like to get a look at one of those railway cars that holds all these things, but I suppose that will have to wait until next time Mr. Fitzpatrick goes over that way.” Stacking the newspapers neatly in front of the candy, she must’ve changed her mind because she moved them behind. She tilted her head to examine her work but made a funny face before returning the papers to the front.
Layla cocked her head. “If you are minding the store, where’s my father?” A sinking feeling formed in the pit of her stomach as she considered the possibilities.
Even though he promised to give up drinking and stop gambling, Layla hadn’t put much stock into his vow. She hoped that he wasn’t sleeping off the drink or, even worse, laying in a ditch somewhere. Layla shuddered at the thought.
Before Layla’s mind could take her off in too many dark directions, Eliza waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, Mr. Fitzpatrick likes to sleep in a bit nowadays. He’ll be down sooner or later, I expect. In the meantime, canIhelp you with something?”
Layla appreciated the polite offer, but Layla had been hoping to see her father this morning, not a stranger. Even though she liked Eliza immediately, it was going to take a minute to adjust to the new circumstances.
“And what can I do for you, Mr. Heath?” Eliza asked gently, leaning across the counter to speak to Heath. She reached out her fingertips toward the baby, and he moved his hand through the air until he caught her index finger. He giggled and tried to bring Eliza’s finger to his mouth.
“You mentioned that you recognized Heath because you knew his family. How are you familiar with them?” Layla asked, wrapping her arms more tightly around the child.
“We’re old friends,” Eliza explained. “My husband, Jack, works for Mr. Flint, so I’ve been around the ranch quite a bit. As a matter of fact, I used to stop by and see Heath and Mr. Flint every day. I usually didn’t get to talk to Mark, as he was always busy working, but I would spend time with Heath and Dollie Calkins. She’s a lamb, isn’t she?”
Though Eliza paused to take a deep breath, she didn’t wait long enough for Layla to answer her or explain that she had yet to meet Dollie Calkins. “Anyway,” Eliza continued, “Jack and I live close to the ranch, and I guess I should’ve come over and introduced myself earlier, but I’ve been so busy here, with my new job—” Eliza halted abruptly and gave Layla a sheepish smile. “Am I rambling? Jack says sometimes I get carried away when I meet new people, and I start telling them everything about my life. You just feel free to hush me up if I’m bothering you.”
“No,” Layla said quickly. She liked the way Eliza spoke to her as if they were already friends. Plus, now that Layla knew Eliza was married to Jack, she wasn’t so concerned about the young lady who was working for her father. She was far less suspicious of Eliza now that the circumstances were made plainer. Mark trusted Jack, and Layla valued his opinion. If Mark thought Jack James was a good person, Layla hoped his wife, Eliza, might be dependable. “Please, continue. I find the company pleasant.” As soon as Layla said it, she realized it was true.
“If you say so,” Eliza shrugged cheerfully before walking out from behind the counter to extend her hands toward Heath. “Why don’t you let me hold the baby for a moment? You look exhausted. I’ll bet you could use a cool drink.”
Though Layla was reluctant to let anyone else hold Heath, Eliza knew Heath and could see that Layla needed a bit of a break, so she acquiesced. Carefully, Layla removed Heath from the baby sling and delivered him into Eliza’s waiting arms.
“Well, Mr. Heath, it seems to me you’ve been doing some growing since we last talked,” Eliza said softly to the baby as she pulled him close to her chest.
“I’m just going to grab a couple of drinks and then—”
“Help yourself. I’m sure the drinks would be cooler if you went on upstairs. Your father is probably awake by now, and I’m guessing he’d love to see you. He talks about you every day and always wonders what you’ve been up to on the farm.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Layla said brightly. Now that she did not have Heath strapped to her front side, her back relaxed, and she was infinitely more optimistic. She looked from Heath to Eliza. “You sure you don’t mind watching the baby for a second?”
Eliza didn’t take her eyes off Heath when she answered. “Go on. Give me some time to catch up with the baby.” Heath yanked on one of Eliza’s curls, and even though she winced, she smiled lightly at the boy. “We’ll be fine,” she said encouragingly.
Layla walked quickly to the back of the store and mounted the steps that led to her father’s upstairs apartment. It was odd to think of it as anything other than her own home. Even though she had only been gone just over two weeks, she had quickly come to think of the ranch as her new home.
