“She does seem capable enough.” The words seemed reluctant on Mrs. August's lips, but she spoke them nonetheless.
Hester took a few silent steps back into the hall then marched forward loudly. “I’ve come to help with the dishes,” she declared as she entered the kitchen.
“No need,” Hyke grinned. “We old folks are pretty quick.”
Hester shook her head. “Thank you,” she said meeting her uncle’s eyes.
“We’d best turn in,” Mrs. August lifted he chin above the high collar of her dress. “We’ll have another long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Where’s Mr. Payton?” Hester asked without thinking.
“He’s gone to check on the animals.” Mrs. August cut a glance to the crate with the squirming kittens in it. “I hope he’s back soon. Good night.”
Hester watched the older woman walk stiffly from the room and sagged visibly as her uncle walked toward her.
“How about a cup of tea,” Hyke asked. “It’ll get us through the night.”
Hester grinned hurrying to the stove and stoking the fire while Hyke poured water from a jar.
“This place is kind of a surprise,” the old man declared. “I can’t say I hate it though.”
In a matter of minutes the two of them were seated at the table again, a cup in hand, like old times.
“I can’t say I hate it either,” Hester’s smile was bright though her eyes were weary. “So far so good.”
“Seems to be,” Hyke smiled over the rim of his cup. “Mr. Payton knows his way around a hammer and nails,” he said. “I think this life suits him better than the one back east. I know it does me. All those fancy clothes and nice manners back at that narrow little house. Bah, who needs it.”
Hester laughed softly. “Who would have ever believed that taking a job as a maid at that house would have led to this?”
“Life’s like that honey,” Hyke winked. “You never know what’s coming next. Good or bad, it’s always a surprise.”
“I thought everyone would be in bed,” Cecil walked into the kitchen placing a small miner’s lamp on the table.
“We’re just having a cup of tea before bed,” Hyke said.
“Would you like a cup?” Hester half rose only to be waved down again by Cecil.
“I can get it. I didn’t get that soft living in my brother’s fancy house.” His smile softened his words, but it was obvious by the rawness of his hands that he had all but forgotten hard work.
“How are the animals?” Hester filled the sudden silence with a question. She was, after all, working for the man.
“They’re fine. I checked the horses in the corral, and they have plenty of grass to keep them busy. I just hope they don’t decide to lean on a fence rail, or I’ll be walking back to town.”
Hyke’s bright bark of laughter made them all smile and soon they were sipping tea and chatting like old friends. Apparently the old adage was true, working toward a shared goal brought friendship.
“Uncle Hyke, why don’t you go to bed,” Hester said a few minutes later as her uncle yawned again. “I’ll clean this up. There are only three cups after all.”
“All right,” Hyke agreed but don’t you stay up too late. Morning will come faster than you realize.”
“You could just leave this till morning,” Cecil said looking at the cups, as Hyke headed for the stairs. “There’s no need to bother with them tonight.”
Hester shook her head. “And suffer the wrath of Mrs. August? No thank you.”
“Then pour me another cup,” Cecil said. “I have a few things to figure out before bedtime.”
Hester poured the tea then set a pot of water on the stove.
“I think the first order of business tomorrow is to get the old pump outside working and see if the water is fit to drink. We can’t count on bringing water from town. Then we’ll tackle the one here in the kitchen.”
Hester twisted in her seat to look at the black pump attached to the stone sink. “I was surprised to see a pump in the house,” she admitted. “I would say that no expense was spared on this place.”
“No, it is a fine house, if rather neglected. From what your uncle and I have been able to see, it will shape up just fine. Quality work lasts.”
“So you’re happy you came?”
“I am,” Cecil met Hester’s dark eyes with his own. “I’m glad I met you as well. You made me think outside the box about the care of the children and what comes next. To be honest, I feel that Abel must be as relieved to see me go as I was to leave.”
“I’m sure he wasn’t,” Hester shook her head.
“Well, he’s by far the better man for dealing with the business. I’m much happier working with my hands.”
“What will you tackle tomorrow?” Hester was curious as to what more needed done around the place.
“I started a list,” Cecil said pulling a slip of paper and a pencil from the pocket of his shirt. “What do you think?”
Hester stood moving around the table to look over the man’s shoulders. He smelled like hay, sawdust and hard work.
“You have the pump on there, and investigate the barn. That’s a good plan. What about the basement here? I know the cat is using it, but we have no idea what is down there, and frankly, I think that door is where Mrs. August draws the line.”
“I can’t say I blame her,” Cecil admitted with a shudder. “There’s no telling what has moved in down there.”
“Well we know there are mice,” Hester laughed as the cat marched into the room with a rotund rodent in her teeth.
“I’ll add it to the list.”
Hester placed her hand on the back of Cecil’s chair leaning in to read the list by the lamp light.
The man seemed to have things in order.
Cecil turned his head, breathing
