“What is so funny?”
“John, you invited me here, remember?” Matt asked. “Doesn’t that sort of make it my fight?”
Now, John laughed as well. “If you put it that way, I guess you are right,” he said.
“Besides, I just bought in to the paper. So in my book, this makes it my fight as well.”
“Matt, I have not the words to express my gratitude. I don’t know what I was thinking writing to you as I did, but …”
“No but,” Matt interrupted. “We are friends. That’s all that is needed.”
John took Matt’s hand into his own. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you so much.”
“I’ll be in to work tomorrow,” Matt said. “In the meantime, I need to find a place to stay while I’m here.”
“As I said in my letter, you are welcome to stay on a cot in an extra room at my house.”
“No, if this really does develop into some sort of fight, it would better if we weren’t staying at the same house. I’ll find a hotel.”
“I’m afraid our hotel doesn’t offer all that much,” John said.
“How about Ma Perkins’ Boarding House?” Millie suggested.
“Yes,” John said. “That would be a great place for him.”
“Where is this place?” Matt asked.
“It’s just across the street,” John said. He pointed. “It’s that two-story white house with blue trim.”
“Kenny Perkins lives there,” Millie said. “So if you need anything, ask him.”
“Kenny Perkins owns the house?”
John laughed. “Not exactly. His mother owns the house. Kenny is our paperboy. He is only twelve years old, but he is very resourceful, as you’ll see when you meet him.”
“All right,” Matt said. “I’ll give the place a try.”
“There is a meeting of the Fullerton Business Association this evening. It’s being held in a conference room at the bank. After you get settled in, I’ll come by for you. I would like to introduce you to a few others in town.”
“All right,” Matt agreed. “Just come by for me when you are ready.”
Chapter Nineteen
Leaving the newspaper office, Matt rode down to Ma Perkins’ Boarding House. The woman who greeted him was very pretty, with blue eyes, high cheekbones, and a light spray of freckles across her nose. There was a young, fresh attractiveness about her, more like spring flowers than an arranged bouquet of roses.
“Yes, sir?” she said.
“I would like to speak to Ma Perkins,” Matt said.
“I’m Ma Perkins.”
“You?” Matt said, his surprise evident in his voice. “You are Ma Perkins?”
She laughed, and brushed back a fall of auburn hair. “My real name is Lucy,” she said. “It’s just that when I started my boardinghouse, Kenny suggested I call it Ma Perkins’ House. I did, and before I knew it, people were calling me Ma Perkins. What can I do for you, sir?”
“My name is Matt Jensen. John Bryce suggested that I might be able to secure a room here.”
“So, Millie and John sent you to me, did they? Well, bless their hearts. They’re good people. But I worry about John. I swear, he has more courage than sense, taking on Denbigh like he has. How is it that you know him?”
“I have taken a position at the newspaper with Mr. Bryce,” Matt said.
“Is that a fact? My, I had no idea John was looking to increase his staff. But I suppose it is quite a job for him to be running the paper with just nobody but Millie for help.”
“I take it then that you have a room I can rent?”
“Yes, indeed, I have room for you,” Lucy Perkins said. “Would you like to see it?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“It’s upstairs,” Lucy said. “Follow me.”
Matt followed Lucy up the stairs, then down the hall to a room that was at the front of the house, looking out onto the street. It was a comfortably appointed room with an iron bedstead, feather mattress, chifforobe, overstuffed chair, table, and lantern.
“Does this meet with your approval?” Lucy asked. Her voice was soft, well modulated, and had a distinct Southern accent. “It will be three dollars a week. I hope that isn’t too dear.”
“No, I think that is quite reasonable. And it’s a very nice room,” Matt said. “I’ll take it.”
“Good, we will be happy to have you as our guest. Let me tell you about the place. There is a bathing room at the end of the hall, with a tub and a small stove you can use to warm your water. It’s the only bathing room in the house, so when you use it, I recommend that you lock the door from inside.
“I furnish breakfast and supper. You are on your own for lunch. Supper is at seven. I know most folks eat at six,
