Soft color crept up Faith’s cheeks. Was that what Royce had told Joe? That she was his future wife. The thought sent butterflies fluttering inside her stomach. Her hands shook with some emotion Faith could not readily identify.
Joe came into the stage office stomping snow off his boots. The wind whipping through the door sent icy fingers down Faith’s spine. “Pete said he would see to the horses,” the stage driver explained. “I will take you along and introduce you to Mrs. Paige.”
“Thank you,” Faith replied.
Mrs. Paige’s Boardinghouse was a large three storied structure of wood and stone. A wrap around porch shielded the front door from falling snow. The lamp on a table in a front room window gave out a cheery golden glow. Joe dislodged snow off his boots before knocking on the front door.
A tall thinly built woman answered his knock. “Mr. Joseph,” Mrs. Paige greeted. She folded her hands together in front of her and looked past Joe at Faith. “You know I don’t have any rooms available,” she spoke sharply.
Faith stepped forward extending her hand in greeting. “I am Faith Gaines. Mr. Hargadon sent me,” she declared not flinching at Mrs. Paige’s critical look. “He told me before I left Clear Creek. I am to use his room while on business in Carrington City.”
Mrs. Paige’s mouth dropped open. Color rose in her cheeks. “This is a respectable establishment,” she said caustically.
“I am sure,” Faith replied pleasantly, “Otherwise Mr. Hargadon would not have told me to come here. He said you are a kind generous woman and I would have nothing to fear while under your roof.”
“This is unheard of,” Mrs. Paige retorted scandalized. “I have never allowed a woman inside a man’s room.”
“Mr. Hargadon is miles away,” Faith stated shyly willing her self not to blush to her hairline. “What possible harm can come of my using his room,” Faith asked with an innocence that left Mrs. Paige flabbergasted. The woman made soft disapproving sounds in the back of her throat unable to find plausible reasons for denying Faith’s request.
“Marshal Hargadon put Miss Gaines on the stage in Clear Creek. He said I was to look after her and see she arrived safely. If he intends for Miss Gaines to use his room Hargadon will have more than a few words to say if his wishes are not carried out.”
Mrs. Paige gave Joe a piercing glare. She pulled her shoulders back in a fussy manner tilting back her head. Mrs. Paige could be a formidable adversary.
“Hargadon threatened to stake me over an anthill if any harm came to Miss Gaines,” Joe relayed.
“Very well then,” Mrs. Paige said giving Faith closer inspection. She did not approve but would bow her better judgment to Marshal Hargadon’s demands.
“Thank You,” Faith said extending her hand to Joe.
“I will be taking the stage out in the morning. You need anything between now and then send one of Mrs. Paige’s men for me.”
“I am sure Mrs. Paige will see to any needs that arise,” Faith replied. “Goodbye.”
Mrs. Paige coughed and patted her black hair with one hand. “If you will follow me,” she said disapproval dripping from her words. Faith followed the woman upstairs and along the hall until she stopped in front of a door. “You conduct yourself properly,” the woman ordered.
“Yes ma’am,” Faith replied. “I am a Minister’s daughter I know proper etiquette.” Mrs. Paige looked Faith up and down. Her look plainly saying she did not believe what Faith confessed. “Father says it is a blessing my sisters and I take after our mother.”
Mrs. Paige scoffed noisily before unlocking the door. Faith did not look like any Minister’s daughter she had ever met!
The room was austere containing a wide bed and a five drawer dresser. Green broadcloth curtains hung over the window. A round crocheted rag rug covered bare floor boards. A shaving mirror was on one wall a washstand with porcelain bow and pitcher beneath. There was nothing inside the room to indicate Royce lived inside these walls. It was simply a place to hang his hat between assignments.
“Thank you,” Faith said turning to Mrs. Paige.
“Not my doing,” the woman replied tight lipped dismissing any responsibility in the action. “Supper is at seven. Don’t be late.”
Faith did not reply. She doubted Mrs. Paige would have let her have Royce’s room if not for Joe’s insisting. Removing her stiff brimmed bonnet Faith set the hat on top of the dresser. Faith was removing her winter coat when there was a knock on her door. “Yes,” she called.
The door opened and a young woman entered the room carrying a pitcher of warm water. “Mrs. Paige said I was to bring you water,” the girl stated. She looked at Faith with open curiosity. Mrs. Paige was in a flap over this young woman’s presence.
“Thank you,” Faith said. Vickie opened her mouth as if to speak then thought better of her enquiry. “Your name is,” Faith asked.
“Vickie,” the young woman replied.
“Are you Mrs. Paige’s daughter,” Faith asked.
“No Miss,” Vickie said. “I work here ever since my Ma died.”
“And your father,” Faith asked in a friendly tone. She was finding the room overly warm dressed in layers of clothing as she was. Taking out her handkerchief Faith mopped moisture off her cheeks.
“I never knew my Pa,” Vickie replied. He was killed when I was just a baby.”
“I am sorry,” Faith said with sympathy. “My Father is a Minister. I can’t imagine what life would be like without him.”
“Yes Miss,” Vickie said backing out of the room and closing the door. Blymme! A Minister’s daughter and sleeping in Mr. Hargadon’s bed! What was the world coming to!
After the door closed Faith unbuttoned her dress and laid it across the bed. Then, she removed her flannel petticoats and peeled off her longjohns. Faith stretched lifting her arms above her head. She touched her toes and stretched again. Long days on the stage left her with kinks in her limbs and an
