“I’m so sorry you had to trouble yourself coming all the way out here,” Hester felt a trickle of embarrassment at all the unexpected attention.
“I’m just doing my job. Besides, I’ve always wanted to see this place.” The old man grinned, offering Hester a wink.
Mrs. August walked into the room with a fresh pot of tea. “How is she?” she asked the doctor. “Will she be all right?”
“She’ll be fine.” Doc Walker patted Hester on the shoulder and pushed out of his chair. “She’s young and healthy, and sensible enough to rest for a few days.”
Mrs. August smiled, an unfamiliar sight that seemed to soften something in Hester’s heart. Perhaps there was hope of a true friendship between herself and the housekeeper.
“I have another call to make,” Doc said pulling a watch from his vest pocket and checking the time. “If you start having regular headaches send for me again.”
“Don’t you at least have time for a sandwich and a cup of tea?” Mrs. August looked at the tray in her hands.
“I’m off to see to Constance Wooster,” Doc said, eyeing the sandwich. “She’s due to have her baby, and I should get over there.” He licked his lips, then looked up to meet Mrs. August's smile. “Her grandfather is poorly as well ya see.” The older man ran a hand over his mouth and jaw, smoothing his bushy mustache.
“Well at least take the sandwich with you,” Mrs. August insisted. “I’ll wrap it up.”
“It’ll be fine as is,” Doc grinned snatching the thick ham sandwich and giving a nod. “Let me know if you need me,” he mumbled around a mouthful as he hurried out the door.
In a matter of moments the man was gone, the sound of a horse and buggy making a brisk exit from the yard. If this kind of traffic kept up the drive way would be the clearest spot in the yard.
No sooner had the doctor gone than the sound of another buggy and the laughter of children filled the outer yard.
“This is turning out to be a very busy day,” Hester smiled as Mrs. August rushed back to the kitchen to prepare more refreshments. It was obvious that today was to be a revolving door of people.
Chapter 23
Another round of people poured into the house, men with various tools, and children with excited voices.
Jonas immediately corralled Mark and Georgie hurrying them to the attic to get their ideas on how to make it his own special place in the far reaches of the old house.
Beverly shyly invited Alyssa to see her room, but Alyssa insisted she had to help her step-mother first with cleaning first. Soon both girls were busy washing windows upstairs as they chatted, getting to know each other better.
“Mr. Olson, I can’t just sit here anymore,” Hester said as George Olson walked into the room, a hammer in his hand. “Will you be kind enough to escort me to the kitchen?”
“I’d be delighted,” the older man grinned offering his arm. “Polly said you had a nasty fall.”
Hester nodded, pleased that this time when she tried to stand, the world stood mostly still.
“Hester, I don’t seem to know what to do,” Mrs. August fluttered when Hester took a seat at the table. “There are people in and out and all around. It’s chaos.”
Hester grinned. “I think this is just how Biders Clump does business,” she suggested. “People are friendly, helpful, and more than a little curious. We should be thankful they wanted to help.”
George Olson chuckled as he helped Hester to a chair. Folks around town were a close knit bunch and believed in helping their fellow man. Still grinning, he turned heading back the way he had come.
“But what should I do?” Mrs. August seemed completely unable to adjust to the informal manner of the day. Her dark eyes were wide as she watched Mr. Olson leave.
“Just go with it.” Hester smiled, feeling compassion for the stalwart woman. “Why don’t we make a big pot of stew, so that everyone can eat here and not have to go home and cook later?”
“Well, yes. I guess that would work.”
“No, need for that,” George Olson returned carrying a large pot in his hands. We men were charged with bringing the food along with the children.” The old man winked a devilish grin on his face. “We want you to all feel welcome and right at home here in Biders Clump. We might be a tiny town, but we have a big heart.”
Hester couldn’t contain herself anymore and burst out laughing. “Mrs. August, I think you might want to see if Hyke can use your help in the cellar at this point. Everything seems to be under control up here. Perhaps you can guide him in arranging whatever it is he has found down there.” The young woman hoped that sending Mrs. August downstairs would give her time to collect herself.
“Mrs. August, why don’t you find Polly Esther,” George intervened. “I’ll go down and help Hyke, but I’m sure my Polly would be grateful for your input on what to do next.” He shot a grin at Hester who hid her smile behind her hand.
“Yes, yes, I’ll find Mrs. Olson,” Mrs. August agreed. “Hester are you all right on your own?”
“I’ll be fine,” Hester insisted. “I’ll be sure to send for you if I need anything. She watched as the housekeeper left the room in search of Miss Polly then turned back to George.
“You handled that very well.”
“She seems a little uptight,” George grinned. “I just wanted her to know she was needed.”
“Is it always like this around Biders Clump?”
“Mostly, we’re a small town and everyone knows everyone. If you want to keep good neighbors, you need to be a good neighbor. There ain’t anyone who hasn’t had a few bad times in their life, but if we help out, everyone gets through them. Why every one of the people here helping, have been through
