Read Online Where Wildflowers Bloom: A Novel by Ann Shorey - Free Book Online Page B

The dishes had come at a high price, nearly a week’s worth of receipts, but she believed they wouldn’t sit long before enticing a buyer.
    Rosemary leaned over the counter. “My, those are beautiful.”
    Rubbing her back, Faith straightened and smiled. “Aren’t they? I’m hoping they sell quickly.” She wiped perspiration from her forehead with a corner of her apron, then grabbed the empty barrel and rolled it toward the storeroom.
    “Let me help you.” Rosemary pushed while Faith steered the bulky wooden container across the floor. Bodie followed them, his tail beating the air.
    Faith laughed. “He thinks we’re playing a game.”
    “Everything’s a game to Bodie.”
    “My father had a hunting dog named Flint. Grandpa gave him away after we got word of Papa’s death.” Faith placed the barrel with other empty ones and faced Rosemary. “I used to hug Flint and pretend he was Papa. I cried when he left with his new owner.” She shrugged. “Silly of me.”
    Rosemary’s eyes welled with sympathetic tears. “Not silly. Small losses are nearly as painful as big ones.”
    “Yes.” Faith dusted her hands together, dismissing the moment. “I know you didn’t come in today to roll a barrel into the storeroom. What can I get for you?”
    “I’m on a mission this morning. Curt and I are going to Pioneer Lake for a picnic Sunday afternoon. We’d like you and your grandfather to join us.”
    Two invitations in one day. After the somber war years, she relished the prospect of social activities. “Sounds delightful. We’d be happy to come. I haven’t been to Pioneer Lake for a long time.”
    “I have a second reason for being here today.” Rosemary whipped a long apron from her carryall and tied it around her waist. “You need an assistant. The mercantile is too big for one person to handle alone.”
    Faith pushed the burlap curtain aside and attempted to visualize her grandfather’s store as it might appear to Rosemary’s eyes. The long rectangular room was filled with merchandise on floor-to-ceiling shelves. Cookstoves, crocks and kettles, and a barrel filled with ax handles formed a row down the center. The fabric display occupied a prominent space near the door. A few bright calico work dresses, purchased from a local seamstress, hung from a rack near the notions.
    She clasped Rosemary’s hands in hers. “I’d love to have your company, but are you sure you want to spend time here? Some of our town gossips can be cruel.”
    “I can’t hide at home forever. If I’m to make a new start, it might as well be here.” She raised a questioning eyebrow. “Don’t you want me?”
    “Oh, you know I do. We don’t earn enough to pay wages, though. I hope to change that, but for now my presence in the store has driven away the older customers. They don’t think it’s fitting for a woman to engage in commerce.”
    Rosemary hugged her. “I don’t want wages. Curt takes good care of us. I just want to help you. I’ll come each morning and stay through the noon hour, starting today.”
    “Done. Let’s see what people think of two women engaged in commerce.” Faith chuckled. “We’ll create a stir.”
    Bodie pattered across the floor and sprawled outside on the boardwalk.
    “See?” Rosemary said. “He’s already comfortable in his new position as doorkeeper.”

     
    On Sunday afternoon, Faith filled a basket with cold roast chicken, buttered biscuits, and spice cookies. After a survey of the pantry, she added a jar of apple butter and one of peach jam. She needed to use last summer’s preserves. The glass jars were too fragile for travel over the Oregon trail.
    Grandpa rapped his cane on the kitchen floor. “Are you ready? They’re waiting.”
    “Coming.” She paused at the hall mirror to adjust her bonnet.
    He fidgeted at the window. “Look at that sunshine. What a fine day for a picnic.”
    She smiled to see him so eager. Linking her arm with his, she stepped out the door.
    Once she