Bertie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 6) Read online

  “I’ll remember. I hope both of you will come out to the farm to visit sometime, too.” Riley respectfully touched the brim of his hat then gently slapped the reins across the rumps of his horses.

  He drove down the street and around the corner, following Marvin’s directions to the mercantile.

  Riley parked the wagon and strode inside the store, taking a moment to look around. It appeared similar to every other mercantile he’d ever entered. Three women stood by the fabric display, holding an important debate over which shade of pink ribbon best matched the piece of gingham one of them wanted to purchase. A fresh-faced young man who appeared to be from the nearby Umatilla Indian Reservation browsed through a selection of books while a young boy and his sister eyed the variety of colorful candy on the counter.

  “I done told you, Noah, to hurry up and pick a piece. Mama said we need to get home and help the rest of the kids with the chores.”

  Riley hid a grin as he watched the boy with freckles splattered across his face and tousled brown hair chew his lip. The boy’s gaze wavered between a jar of horehounds and one of peppermint sticks. He reached out a finger and tapped the glass of the peppermint jar. “A peppermint please, Mr. Johnson.”

  The clerk behind the counter smiled at the boy and fished out a peppermint stick, handing it to the child. “That’s always a good choice, Noah.” The man turned to the older girl with her hair pulled into a tight braid. “How about you, Miss Sadie? What’s your pleasure today?”

  “I’m saving my penny for something better than candy, but Mama said to buy enough for the other kids. Can you give me seven gumdrops?”

  “I sure can.” Mr. Johnson bagged the candy and handed it to Sadie, accepting the coin she held out to him. “Now, what is so important that you’d miss out on candy?”

  “I’m saving my money for a baseball mitt.” Sadie looked toward a selection of toys and sporting goods on display along the far wall. “Dad bought us a bat and some balls and we’ve been practicing for the Fourth of July picnic. If I have my own mitt, I can whoop that dad-blasted Harley John Hobbs and he won’t even know what hit him.” Sadie smacked her fist against her palm with a loud pop.

  Riley turned away to hide his smile while swallowing back a chuckle. He didn’t know anything about the two lively youngsters at the counter, but whoever was raising Sadie certainly had their hands full.

  The door to the store opened and one of the biggest men Riley had ever seen stepped inside and glanced around. He nodded to Riley before he turned to the youngsters. They glanced up at him and grinned. “Hi, Dad!”

  Noah latched onto one of the man’s solid legs while Sadie wrapped her arms around the giant’s waist.

  “Are you two pestering Mr. Johnson?” The man’s voice was deep, but held a note of kindness.

  Riley took in the deputy sheriff badge pinned to his vest, muscular arms and towering height. Although Riley stood average height for a man, the deputy was several inches taller and brawny.

  “We ain’t pestering him, Dad. Noah got a peppermint stick and I got gumdrops for the kids.” Sadie jiggled the sack of candy. Her father opened the sack and took out a piece. With a wink at Noah, he popped it in his mouth.

  Sadie sighed and fisted a hand on her hip. “Goldurn it, Dad. Now someone will have to do without, and I already gave up my danged piece to save my money for a mitt.”

  “Language, young lady.” Lars scowled at his daughter, his blue eyes piercing although Riley could detect the mirth lingering in the crinkles at the corners along with the smile he worked to conceal. “I suppose we’ll just need to buy more candy, then. How about you sell me a dozen candy sticks and another handful of gumdrops, Mr. Johnson?”

  “Be happy to, Lars.” Mr. Johnson selected an assortment of candy and placed it in a small sack, noticing Riley standing nearby. “I’ll be right with you, sir.”

  “No hurry. I have a long list to fill.” Riley nodded to Mr. Johnson, watching as the storeowner handed the sack of treats to Sadie. The man he called Lars ruffled Noah’s hair and nudged both children toward the door after he paid for the candy.

  As he neared Riley, Lars stuck out his hand in greeting. “Lars Thorsen. Are you passing through or new in town?”

  “I’m new,” Riley said, accepting Lars’ outstretched hand and giving it a shake. “Riley Walsh. I just purchased the Tooley place.”

  “Marvin Tooley’s farm?” Lars furrowed his brow in concern. “Have you seen the place? You didn’t buy it sight unseen, did you?”

  Riley shook his head. “No. Mr. and Mrs. Tooley took me out to see it first thing this morning before we signed the papers. I know what I’m getting into.”

  Lars looked relieved. “That’s good. If you need anything as you settle in, just ask. My sister and her husband are your closest neighbors.”

  “Are they part of the Nash family?” Riley recalled the information Marvin and Evelyn shared about his neighbors.

  “Yes, they are. Aundy is married to Garrett Nash. We live a few miles away. If you ever want to come for a visit, just ask for directions to Dogwood Corners. My wife, Marnie, and I have an orphanage there in what looks like an old southern plantation home.”

  Fascinated by an officer of the law who also ran an orphanage, Riley gave him a curious look. “How many children live there?”

  Lars grinned, thinking of the noisy, boisterous brood awaiting him at home. “There are nine, total. We also have a cook, a housekeeper, and a groundskeeper. Marnie and I adopted four of the kids. These two troublemakers are officially ours.”

  Sadie huffed and rolled her eyes. Lars tweaked her pert little nose and placed a tender hand on her small shoulders, ushering her and her brother out the door.

  He turned back and tipped his head to Riley. “Welcome to Pendleton, Mr. Walsh. Just ask if you need anything.”

  “Thank you, Deputy. I appreciate the offer.” Riley watched the gentle giant escort the children down the steps before walking over to the counter and handing Mr. Johnson a list. “Mr. Johnson, I hope you can help me with some much needed supplies.”

  “I’d be happy to. If you want to take a stroll around town, I can gather up everything on your list and have it for you. Give me about twenty minutes.” Mr. Johnson nodded encouragingly at Riley.

  Although he’d rather get his supplies and head out of town as quickly as possible, Riley worked up something that resembled a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”

  Riley walked outside and glanced up at the sun. He didn’t own a watch, so he’d have to guess at the time.

  He strolled to the corner, surprised to see an entire section of the downtown area had paved streets and real sidewalks instead of boardwalks and dirt roads. For its wild reputation as a western town that hadn’t yet been tamed, he’d noticed many modern conveniences in Pendleton such as electricity and telephones, several automobiles, three trains running through town every day, and a wide assortment of businesses.

  Convinced he’d made a good decision in choosing Pendleton as his new home, Riley ambled along the sidewalk, glancing at signs painted on store windows and hanging in front of professional offices. An Italian restaurant caught his attention. He glanced in the windows at the white linen-covered tables and read a sign that said, “Dinner Service, five to eight Tuesday through Saturday evenings.”

  Maybe one evening when he had some extra change in his pocket he could treat himself to a meal at the restaurant. He’d eaten Italian food just once before, and it had been so tasty, he’d never forgotten the meal. Memories of the rest of that evening surfaced so he shoved them down before the gaping chasm in his heart grew any wider.

  A sudden presence at his side drew his gaze to a man built like a lumberjack. He looked enough like Lars Thorsen, Riley thought at first he’d bumped into the deputy again. Quickly realizing his mistake, he studied the man a moment. Every bit as tall and broad as Lars, this man had green eyes and a slight indentation in his square chin. He also wore
a deputy badge on his shirt. The resemblance between the two men was uncanny.

  Briefly, Riley wondered if all the law enforcement officers in town were built like stalwart trees and somehow related to each other.

  A big hand stretched out to him and Riley accepted it, smiling at the deputy.

  “Name’s Kade Rawlings. Are you new in town?”

  Riley nodded his head. “I am, Deputy. Riley Walsh.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Walsh.” Kade smiled in greeting. “My wife owns this restaurant. Best food in town, and I’m not saying that because I’m the least bit biased.”

  A smile tugged at the corners of Riley’s mouth. He’d smiled more since he’d set foot in Pendleton than he had in the past several years. If he was interested in being happy again, which he wasn’t, Pendleton would be a good place to do it.

  “I’d take you in to meet my wife and boys, but the restaurant is closed today. She always takes Sunday and Mondays off. Come back any other day and she’ll serve you a meal fit for a king.”

  “I’ll plan to do that someday, Deputy.” Riley turned and started back toward the mercantile. As he walked, Kade Rawlings kept pace with him. Since Kade and Lars had different last names, he had to assume they weren’t related, although they looked enough alike they could be brothers.

  “So what brings you to our wild and wooly town?” Kade asked as they stopped and waited for a bright red automobile to drive by before crossing the street. Kade waved and the man driving the car tooted his horn, causing a nearby horse to buck and nearly unseat the surprised rider.

  Riley watched the scene before him with interest then answered Kade’s question. “I purchased Marvin Tooley’s farm. We looked at the place this morning then signed the papers. I’m purchasing supplies before I head back out there. Mr. Tooley recommended Mr. Johnson’s store.”

  “The mercantile has a great selection at fair prices. If you need help with anything, please let me know. I get out that direction once a week or so. My wife, Caterina, and I are good friends with your closest neighbors.”

  Riley looked over at Kade. “Let me guess — Aundy and Garrett Nash?”

  Kade grinned broadly. “That’s right. Reckon you’ve heard their names already.”

  “As a matter of fact, I have. I also met Deputy Thorsen at the mercantile earlier. He said he’s a brother to Mrs. Nash. Is that right?”

  “Yep. Lars is her brother and Ilsa, their sister, is married to my wife’s brother, Tony Campanelli. He owns the ice business in town, so if you need ice, get in touch with him. He’ll deliver it right to your door.” Kade stopped outside the mercantile and eyed Riley’s team, giving Mud and Steve a thorough once-over. “That looks like a sturdy mule. They’re quite popular around here during wheat harvest. You ever seen thirty of them hooked up to a harvester?”

  “Can’t say that I have, but I’d like to,” Riley admitted. He couldn’t imagine having thirty animals as contrary as Steve hooked up to a piece of equipment and getting them all to cooperate. It was probably crazy for him to drag the old mule to Oregon with him, but he couldn’t bear to leave him behind. The mule represented a time before his past became so full of pain and misery.

  “You’ll get plenty of opportunity before long. Another six weeks or so, and harvest will begin. If you want to make some extra money, people hire extra hands to work on the harvest crews.”

  “Thanks, Deputy. I appreciate the information. Once I get settled in, I’ll be looking for some part-time work.”

  “Like I said, if you need help with anything, let us know.” Kade chuckled. “You’ve got your work cut out for you if you plan to whip the Tooley place into shape.”

  Riley nodded and shook Kade’s hand again before entering the store. Mr. Johnson smiled and motioned him over to the counter. The same three women were still fussing with the ribbons and fabric. No one else was in the store except for a little old woman with her nose buried in a book.

  “I had everything on your list in stock, Mr. Walsh. You were fortunate to get my last sack of flour.” Mr. Johnson pointed to a pile of goods by the counter.

  “I’d hate for one of the women in town to come in and not find any. I can take just half a sack of flour.” Riley motioned to the sack on the floor.

  “No, you take it all. I have an open sack in back if someone needs a few cups. As soon as the afternoon train arrives, I’ll have a new load of supplies, including plenty of flour.” Mr. Johnson gave him the total and Riley paid his bill, hiding his wince. Although the prices were fair, as Deputy Rawlings said, he still spent a substantial amount to purchase all the necessary supplies.

  At this rate, he’d be penniless with nothing but a derelict farm, three horses, a stubborn ol’ mule, and a pink flower-sprigged sack of flour.

  Mr. Johnson called to a gangly teen boy in the stock room and had him help Riley load his wagon. Riley gave him a few coins in thanks for his help and the boy grinned from ear to ear.

  “Thank you, Mr. Walsh. Welcome to our town.”

  Our town.

  Riley liked the sound of that. It had been far, far too long since he’d felt welcome anywhere.

  Chapter Three

  Riley stood on the porch and sipped a cup of coffee, watching the rising sun turn the sky from tones of gray to a magnificent golden hue, tinged with shades of pink.

  He rolled his shoulders and neck then took another drink of the hot brew. Although the day would no doubt be exceedingly warm, he felt the need for a jolt to get him going that morning. All the excitement of the past few weeks caught up with him. It would have been easy to sleep away the day, but he had more work he wanted to accomplish on his newly purchased farm.

  At first glance, it looked like the buildings on the place needed to be burned to the ground. Once he closely inspected them, though, he discovered the framework was solid. Marvin, the sneaky ol’ coot, had recently put a new roof on both the house and the barn.

  The porch boasted new steps, although the railing all needed to be replaced. There wasn’t a room in the house that didn’t need the wallpaper peeled off and the floor sanded smooth and refinished, but it was a big house, with five bedrooms upstairs. Downstairs boasted a large parlor, a dining room, a smaller room that could be used as a library or office, and a roomy kitchen.

  The house lacked indoor plumbing or electricity, but did have a telephone. Riley had never used one, so he supposed he’d have to get someone to show him how, or dig around and see if he could find an instruction booklet.

  He’d already discovered Marvin had left several things behind, including kitchen tools and supplies, two iron bed frames and miscellaneous pieces of furniture.

  In the largest bedroom upstairs, Riley found a beautiful maple bedroom set including a four-poster bed with a matching dresser and chest of drawers. The large bed lacked a mattress, but the furniture looked almost new and he wondered why Marvin had taken such care of it. Perhaps it had never been used, but that didn’t make any sense.

  Whatever the reason, Riley planned to get a mattress for it in the near future.

  For now, he tossed the mattress he’d purchased at the mercantile onto one of the iron bed frames and claimed the bedroom near the top of the stairs facing the eastern horizon as his.

  He didn’t own much, but what he did, he left in boxes on a surprisingly sturdy table in the dining room. However, the chairs around it looked like they might fall apart if he attempted to sit in one.

  The parlor had two nice parlor tables and a leather-covered overstuffed chair in good condition. The sofa looked as though a goat had gnawed one end of it and the other chairs all appeared to be in as bad or worse condition.

  The kitchen had a big cook stove. Far from new, it functioned well, at least it seemed to when Riley made coffee and toasted some of the bread he’d purchased at the mercantile the previous afternoon. In addition to the stove and a big sink with a hand pump, there was a small table with two chairs, and a refrigerator that looked as though it hadn�
��t seen much use.

  The thought of having ice to cool his water at the end of the hot day ahead sounded appealing, but Riley wouldn’t waste money on something so frivolous. Marvin assured him the well produced good, clean water.

  Eager to begin transforming the farm into something to be proud of instead of a rundown mess, Riley finished his coffee, returned the cup to kitchen, and picked up his work gloves.

  He settled his dusty Stetson on his head, fetched his toolbox from the back of the wagon parked on the side of the house and walked out to the barn.

  The first order of business was to get it whipped into shape. Once he had a secure place for his animals, he’d work on the house.

  The cool shadows of the big barn greeted Riley as he stepped inside. The two-story structure had a loft overhead for storing hay with plenty of stalls below. A room to his left had pegs where he’d keep his harnesses and tack.

  Marvin had left a set of harnesses and two bridles. Riley took them outside and set them next to a pile of things he wanted to return to the man. After finding the new shingles on the roof, Riley decided he’d gotten quite a deal on the place. In fact, he felt marginally guilty at the low price he’d paid. Even with the buildings in need of so much work, the six hundred acres offered good ground and lush pastures.

  Grateful and humbled, Riley went to work, cleaning everything out of the barn. In a stall in the back corner, he found a cat with four mewling kittens. He spent a few moments talking softly to the scared animal then went to the house and came back with a chipped bowl he’d found in a cupboard. With slow movements, he opened a can of milk and poured it into the bowl, setting it in front of the cat.

  “Dig in, kitty. You eat some breakfast while you feed those babies of yours.” Riley stepped back and grinned when the cat got to her feet and began lapping at the milk. Guardedly, she raised green eyes to observe him then returned to her meal. When she began to purr, Riley knew it wouldn’t take much to win her over.