Tomorrow would be another fresh start, a new day to put the place together. Yawning, Cecil rubbed tired eyes and eased back against a solid cabinet door. Between the travel, hard work, and long day he was exhausted both mentally and physically. Adding another log to the fire, he leaned his head against the counter top and quickly fell asleep.
Chapter 17
“Where’s Uncle Cecil?” Beverly asked as they finished breakfast the next morning. “He did take the cat to the house didn’t he?”
“He did,” Hester assured her. “I’m sure he decided to stay the night instead of making the ride back. He was probably worried about leaving your cat all alone. Do you know what you’re going to name her yet?”
Beverly smiled brightly. “I don’t know what to name her yet. Do you really think Uncle Cecil stayed in the house? Do you think he likes her?”
“I’m sure your uncle will be very fond of your cat,” Hester tried to keep the doubt and worry from her voice. She had sat alone at the kitchen table for some time, finishing the dessert that had been put aside for her as she waited for Mr. Payton to return, only to go to bed still not knowing where he was.
Worry that something might have happened to him still turned her stomach to acid, and she realized that she cared for the man as more than an employer. He had somehow become a friend.
“Hurry up!” Mrs. August snapped. “We need to get a move on.”
“We’re almost ready,” Hester called. “Miss Polly, could I ask for a portion of breakfast to take to the house for Mr. Payton. I believe he stayed the night there.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Polly grinned. “Mr. Payton is a generous man, and we’re glad to call you all neighbors. When things settled down around here, I’ll bring some of the ladies from town to meet you. I have a feeling you’ll fit right in.”
Hester smiled thankful for the woman’s kind words. Even if she did work her way out of a job with Mr. Payton, perhaps she and Uncle Hyke could find a small place of their own in Biders Clump, far from the hustle, bustle and uncertainty of the big city.
In a matter of minutes the small crew was all loaded into the wagon as Hyke urged the horses to a trot. Half of the supplies they had ordered the night before sat securely in the back of the buckboard, with the assurance that everything else would be delivered by noon, and they set out, with the children in high spirits.
“Mrs. August sat between Hyke and Hester on the hard bench seat, her hands clamped in her lap. She might not admit it, but she was obviously as worried about Mr. Payton as Hester was.
“I’m sure Mr. Payton is fine,” Hester whispered. “He probably decided it wasn’t worth the ride back to town.”
Mrs. August lifted her chin ignoring Hester’s words for several seconds before relaxing and offering a nod. She might not like that the young woman that had moved above her station, but she had to admit she had done well with the children and that she was loyal to Mr. Payton.
“If Bev got her cat, when will I get my pony,” Jonas asked. “I want to ride all over these mountains and see everything.”
“You’ll have to go to school as well,” Hester chided. “Right now we have to get the house fit to live in. We don’t even know what state the barn is in or anything. You can’t just get a pony with nowhere to keep it.”
Jonas crossed his arms and blew out a breath. “I don’t like it when you’re sensible,” he pouted.
Hester laughed, she knew how hard the boy had worked, and how much he wanted that pony. Cecil was determined he should have one as well, but first they needed a place to live.
“Can’t we go any faster?” Beverly asked. “I want to check on my cat.”
***
Cecil blinked bleary eyes trying to focus on the room around him. He was disoriented and a little confused, but as his mind cleared he remembered that he had brought the cat to his new-old house.
“I must have fallen asleep,” he said stretching as a yawn cracked his jaw. Something off to the side of the kitchen moved and he held his breath uncertain what it might be.
“Oh it’s only you,” he sighed as the cat trotted toward him a fat mouse clamped in her teeth. “I see you’ve been busy.” Cecil smiled, only to have the smile turn to a grimace when the cat dropped the still warm body on his lap. “Thanks, but I think I’ll find my own breakfast,” he retorted, noting the remains of another mouse near the cat’s crate. “At least one of us is earning their keep.”
Cecil placed one hand on the hard granite counter top pushing to his feet with a groan. Sleeping sitting upright was not how he had planned his night. No, he had planned to linger over still warm dessert, chatting with Miss Hester Johnson and getting to know her better. He knew she was efficient, kind, and dedicated, but what were her dreams and hopes? He wanted to know the woman for who she was, not just what she had done for him.
***
“Mr. Payton.” Mrs. August walked into the kitchen, eyes wide. “Did you spend all night here?”
“I’m afraid I did,” Cecil grinned. “I think the fire is still warm if you could coax some coffee from it.” The young man cocked a hip against the counter trying to look sad and needy.
“Of course,” the housekeeper acknowledged, hurrying to put a
