Reverie (Hollow Hearts Book 1) (9 page)

Isaac was unsure how to respond to her confession. This woman, through all her pain and struggles, wanted nothing more than to have a place to call her own. Not a place she worked. Not a place she stayed temporarily until age dictated she move on. But a place no one could ever take away. This was her dream. In that moment Isaac realized the loneliness she must feel never having belonged someplace permanently. He tried to understand the struggle of losing her parents at such a young age and working through life with no one to depend on but herself. A thought crept in to the back of his mind.
Would she share this home with someone? Would some man claim her as his bride and spend his nights enjoying her meals and warming her bed? Would this man even be good enough for such a spectacular lady?

Isaac knew he shouldn’t be thinking such things. It wasn’t a concern of his whom she married someday. It wouldn’t be him. The sins of his heart were too great to be forgiven, and he knew he couldn’t open himself up to someone like her. She’d never see him the same if she knew he had caused the death of his brother’s beloved wife, Rachel.

The Wheeler brothers worked side by side the barn in complete silence. It wasn’t unusual for them to take comfort in the ability to complete their work without the need to engage one another in conversation or brotherly banter. Elias worked to load Isaac’s finished pieces into the wagon, securing them for the drive to town. Isaac sorted his paperwork to be sure he would receive adequate payment for the pieces he would deliver this afternoon.

He was relieved to have the latest orders done and was ready to reclaim some space on his side of the barn. With October drawing to a close, these would be the last orders he’d fill until after the holiday season. Isaac always tried to limit his orders during Thanksgiving and Christmas so he could concentrate on time with his family, building presents for his niece and his mother, and helping Elias with the daily running of the ranch. It wasn’t unusual for the weather to limit their visits to town for weeks at a time. With no looming deadlines or deliveries, Isaac relished this time to cozy up with his family to wait out the harsh winters of Montana. And this year Hetty would spend it with them.

As he sorted his order forms and made notes of impending payments, Isaac thought about Hetty. She’d been so kind to offer her small savings to his family. The medicine his mother needed had recently arrived from New York, and they all hoped she’d find a bit of her lost health. It had cost them most of their savings and they’d have to be a bit more frugal, but they felt blessed to be able to afford it. Even though Isaac hadn’t accepted the money he’d thanked her several times for her generosity, but she always dismissed his praise, claiming nothing more than wanting to help. She certainly had a giver’s heart. Taking her generous spirit even further, Hetty had offered to organize this year’s Wheeler apple festival. She’d managed to talk to neighbors at church about turning the event into a potluck, since Elizabeth wouldn’t be able to handle all the cooking preparations as she had in the past. She’d sat with Elizabeth for hours planning and preparing for the upcoming festival, trying to gain as much knowledge as possible as to how things should run and the festivities they should have. Together they’d decided to host special events just for neighboring children including bobbing for apples, sack races, and apple carving contests for the older children. They’d spent their evenings sewing and embroidering numerous ribbons to present to the winners.

Isaac was impressed with how she threw herself into upholding one of their treasured family traditions. With all of her effort, Isaac and Elias only had to worry about setting up outside, organizing the men to collect this year’s harvest, and enjoying the bounty of food available. She’d even managed to organize an area outside where they could make homemade apple cider over an open fire—freeing any of them from having to run the hot kitchen while the fall treat simmered. With the festival just two days away Isaac couldn’t wait!

“Hey, brother, I think you’re ready to go,” Elias said, double-checking his rope work and making sure the furniture was secure.

“Thanks, Elias. I appreciate your help. I’ll be so happy to be done for the rest of the year.” Isaac stacked his papers neatly and slipped them in a small satchel before placing it in the seat of the wagon.

“With the festival just a couple days away I’d think you’d actually be able to enjoy yourself this year. I know last year you were still finishing orders well into November,” Elias said.

“We’ve certainly managed to catch up on our work with Hetty here.” Isaac avoided his brother’s eyes, not wanting him to see the flush on his face when he said her name.

“She’s certainly brightened things up around here. Did you know she’s been teaching Lottie all her letters, colors, shapes, and numbers? I swear that girl will be ready for school far sooner than I’d be ready to send her.” Elias laughed. “She’s something else.”

Isaac could see his brother’s appreciation for Hetty’s efforts. He’d had much more time to spend with his daughter recently, teaching her the basics of riding a horse, taking several short trips to town, which always resulted in a sweet treat or two. He was finally able to enjoy fatherhood the way he’d hoped to. Isaac hoped Elias’s feeling did not stretch beyond that simple appreciation. He’d joked about courting Hetty when she’d first arrived, and Isaac still prayed that Elias didn’t take it past something said in jest.

“I’ll be off then. I won’t be back until late, so please tell the ladies not to hold dinner. I’ll just eat something in town.” Isaac climbed into the wagon seat, waved to Elias, and made his way to town.

Hetty and Elizabeth giggled by candlelight that night as they put the finishing touches on Lottie’s new dress. They had worked late the last several nights to create a dress that would make the apple festival that much more special for the sweet child. The tiny embroidered apples covering the apron made Hetty proud. She’d taught Elizabeth the basics of embroidery and was pleased with Elizabeth’s idea to show off her newly acquired skills on her granddaughter’s dress. Hetty was grateful for this time with Elizabeth. Despite being forced to rest as much as possible, Hetty had found ways to engage Elizabeth in simpler tasks, and the two of them had become fast friends during their late-night sewing sessions. With the apple festival just two days away, neither woman could wait to show Lottie what they’d created.

“I think it is absolutely perfect!” Elizabeth said, holding up the dress.

“I agree. Lottie will be so pleased. And, as an extra surprise I made a small matching apron for her doll while you were busy stitching away.” Hetty pulled the small apron from her ragbag and held it up to Elizabeth.

“Oh, Hetty, it’s just darling! Our little girl will be the hit of the apple festival!” Elizabeth said.

Our?
Hetty thought. She knew Elizabeth wanted her to feel like family, but referring to Lottie as
‘our little girl’
gave Hetty a truly wonderful feeling.
Maybe they really do think of me as family,
Hetty thought.
At least to Elizabeth I’m more than just an employee.

Putting her sewing aside, Hetty said, “I think we should retire for the evening. It’s late and I want you to have as much rest as possible before all of the excitement.”

Elizabeth nodded her head and rose from her chair. Hetty moved to hold her arm and help the woman up the stairs. Even with adequate rest the last couple of weeks, Elizabeth had yet to regain much of her strength. Hetty knew that even a simple task, such as climbing the stairs, was difficult for Elizabeth and it pained Hetty to see her struggle. They made their way up the steps, careful to keep quiet and not wake the boys. Hetty helped Elizabeth prepare for bed and wished the woman sweet dreams once she was safely tucked in.

Hetty knew she should retire for the night as well, but she felt full of energy and excitement at the prospect of the apple festival being just days away. She turned down the lights in the front room and checked to see that the fire was just embers. She made her way to the kitchen and decided to treat herself to a warm cup of cocoa. Maybe the warm richness would make her ready to sleep.

When her mug was full and warming her hands she slipped out the back door onto the porch and breathed in the cold air. Hetty was always amazed at how quiet the nights were on the ranch. Even though they were fairly close to town she often felt like she was in the middle of nowhere with how serene it felt outside. This was possibly one of her favorite moments, breathing in the air and enjoying the peaceful quiet while the house slept soundly.

“Hetty, don’t be alarmed. It’s just me.”

Hetty turned to see Elias coming up the stairs. “What are you doing out here, Elias? I thought you were sleeping.”

“I needed to visit the outhouse. I sneaked out while you were helping Mother to bed.” He smiled and moved to stand next to her.

“Oh. Do you want some cocoa? I can make you a cup, if you like.”

“No, thanks. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. It looked like you were pretty deep in thought there.” Elias nudged her shoulder.

“Just enjoying how peaceful it is out here. I need to get some sleep, but I’m so excited about the apple festival that I can’t seem to quiet my thoughts long enough to drift off.”

“I’m glad you’ll be with us this year. I think you’ll enjoy the day. It’s really a chance for all the neighbors to get together and have a little fun before we’re all locked away for winter.” Elias smiled.

“I am excited, too. Wait until you see the dress we made for Lottie. She will look so adorable!”

Elias turned is head and looked at Hetty’s excited smile. “You’ve really been wonderful to Lottie since you’ve been here. That little girl adores you.”

“The feeling is mutual. She’s such a little joy. I’d love to have a daughter of my own someday.” Hetty smiled back at him.

“You know, Hetty, I try to do my best to give Lottie everything she needs.” Elias sighed. 

“Elias, you’re doing a wonderful job.” Hetty moved her head to meet his eyes. “You’re a great father.”

Elias looked at her hand and moved his eyes back to her. “What she really needs, though, is a mother.”

Hetty was suddenly uncomfortable. The look in Elias’s eyes told her he wasn’t just thinking of Lottie’s need for a mother, but of his need for a wife. She removed her hand from his shoulder, not wanting to him to think it was more than a friendly gesture, and turned away.

“Have you ever considered getting married, Hetty?” Elias asked.

Hetty refused to look at him. “I’m not sure you should be asking me that, Elias.”

“Maybe you’re right. This time of year just makes me miss Rachel so much. I wish she could be here for the holiday watching Lottie enjoy all our little traditions. I miss being married.”

Hetty couldn’t miss the sadness in his voice. She didn’t want to appear unsympathetic to his needs, and decided in that moment what Elias needed more than anything was her friendship. She turned to look directly at him. “Elias, it’s okay to feel that sadness. It’s okay to remember the people we love. I try to remember my parents as much as possible even though I was so young when I lost them. In God’s time you’ll find someone to settle down with. It won’t be forced or rushed. It’ll be the perfect time because it’ll be His time.”

“So no marrying a widowed rancher, huh?” Elias chuckled and pulled her into a friendly hug.

Hetty was quick to hug him back. She liked Elias—had liked him from the moment he picked her up at Mrs. Calhoun’s to begin working on the ranch. And she hoped their friendship would remain even after her work with his family was done. “Oh, Elias, you do know how to make me laugh.”

“What the hell is going on out here?” a voice boomed from behind them.

Hetty and Elias moved apart as if they’d been struck by lightening and, judging by the angry voice behind them, it wasn’t far from the truth. Isaac stood in the doorway, his face full of rage. Hetty backed toward the porch railing, unsure what had caused such a fiery outburst.

“Hey, brother. Nothing is going on,” Elias said. Hetty noted a touch of humor in his voice.

“It didn’t look like nothing to me. What are the two of you doing out here alone at night?” Isaac moved closer to Elias, his fists clenched and his jaw tight.

“We were just talking, Isaac. Relax.” Elias slapped his brother on the shoulder. He turned to face Hetty, still frozen against the porch railing. “Good night, Hetty. And thank you.” Elias winked at her and walked inside the house, leaving Hetty alone to face his angry brother.

Isaac turned his eyes toward Hetty, unable to control the fury he felt seeing his brother with his arms around her. “Did you do something with him?”

Hetty was surprised by the accusation, and she felt her own anger begin at the notion that anything inappropriate had happened on the porch.  “Excuse me?” she said, her eyes wide with shock.

Isaac moved closer to her. “What were you doing on the porch this late at night with my brother?” His words pierced her.

“We were talking.” Hetty maintained eye contact, not wanting him to think——even for a moment—that she had done something wrong.

“Just talking?”

“Yes. I came out to enjoy the fresh air and he happened to be returning from using the necessary. That’s it.” Hetty’s words held confidence. She knew she had done nothing wrong.

“Then why were you two touching?” Isaac’s anger was not diminishing.

“We weren’t touching like you think. We were hugging. A friendly hug, that’s all. Elias is my friend, Isaac.” Hetty said as she maintained her stance.