Midmorning
Christmas was over, the Lick Skillet was back to regular hours and Clara was back to work. She was already realizing the baby was costing her sleep but life goes on. However, she had decided to make an effort to hire some help. An ad had been posted in the newspaper and also a hand written poster hung on the front door of the business. The first eager applicant had been a ten year old girl who Clara had to gently turn down. She was sure the child's parents had not known the girl was going to attempt this. Sweet but not useful.
However yesterday, Clara caught a lucky break. In walked a young woman with the newspaper in hand, inquiring about the job. A short talk later and Clara had a good feeling about this one. A newcomer to Kalispell but in her twenties at least, looking fit and proper. Obviously she could read. Also willing to do any sort of work the job demanded. Clara explained she wanted someone to wait on customers, clean tables, sweep floors, and wash dishes. Oh and know basic arithmetic so she could make the proper change.
Today Emeline was showing up and all that was left was for the woman to approve of Clara's decision to make it final. She did not think that would be much of an issue. They usually saw eye to eye on pretty much everything. The applicant was already present and Clara had assured her not to worry. If one couldn't work for Emeline Pike, then they couldn't work for almost anyone.
Clara was waiting on a pair of customers, taking care of the bill while in the back, the would-be employee was washing some dishes. If Emeline did not agree to hire her, Clara would just pay her some coin for the washed dishes and say she was sorry. But Emeline's word was final.
Considering it was the 'dead of Winter', the weather was fairly mild, although it was still cold enough to be unpleasant, even swathed in heavy blankets over her coat. But Emeline didn't mind, she was getting used to it over the years, here and in the Dakota Territory, and at least it wasn't as bad as last year had been...yet. And everyone hoped it never got that bad again, considering what had happened in Whitefish.
Clara had sent word that she was hiring help, and certainly Emeline didn't blame her one bit, and while she trusted her surrogate sister, Clara had wanted her to approve her choice. And Emeline needed to run into town for supplies anyway, so the trip was necessary and a good change of pace.
Of course, Barnabas wouldn't let her come into town alone, something she fully understood, even though she was fine with traveling alone. But then, she figured that it was a bit of a 'working holiday' for the two hands who were accompanying her. Oh, they would have some work, gathering and loading supplies, but then she'd invited them to come by the cafe for some coffee and pie.
Once in town, Emeline turned the buckboard over to the young men -- it was Justus who left his horse with her and took over driving the wagon -- then entered the cafe. As always, it smelled delightful, and Emeline smiled and nodded to Clara as she peeled off her coat, gloves, scarf, hat...
Clara bid the customers good bye and invited them to come again then went right over to Emeline as she hung up her coat and such. Of course it was cold but at least no snowstorm.
"Oh I love that scarf. Very colorful," she smiled thinking of something funny.
"My dear husband got me a mitten. Yes, one mitten. He said he bought a pair at Helena when he was there but by the time he arrived home, he only had one left. What can I say?" She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Anyhow, come into the kitchen. She's already here and I put her to work washing dishes. I think you will find her quite acceptable," Clara then led the way back.
"Constance, I would like you to meet Mrs. Pike, she owns the place. I learned much of what I know about cooking and running this place from her," Clara launched right into introductions, no small talk as was her way.
Constance was drying a plate but set it down immediately and smiled at the woman. She was conservatively dressed for the season but had donned an apron. She was shorter than Clara, average build, and had big expressive eyes.
"Hello ma'm," her voice was soft but clear.
"And this is Constance Straub.Her uncle is Joseph Straub." Clara referred to the owner of the local pawn shop which also sold second hand goods too. He was a no nonsense sort of fellow and a sharp bargainer at his trade. His wife was the loudest singer at Sunday services. Far from the best but merely the loudest.
There was no disputing that a jaunt to town was a welcome relief from tending cows, and Justus knew it was enviable to be chosen for the task, so he appreciated that he was here, along with Cade, and he was determined not to get into any trouble.
Of course, that was contingent on how much time they had left after going to the mercantile and feed stores, and then there was the offer of pie...well, this wasn't the sort of trip for trouble anyway.
After tying Mule to the hitching post at the Lickskillet, he climbed aboard the buckboard, then glanced at Cade. "Let's get this done, I got some shoppin' of my own...reckon I could do with new boots." After all, he had pay burning a hole in his pocket, but then, he was getting holes in his boots!
Cade was as pleased as Justus to be selected to go into town with Mrs. Pike. It was cold of course, it was always cold in Montana winters. But at least the road was open to town. The infamous Montana blizzards had yet to make any appearance in strength, but they would, they would. They dropped the woman off at her diner first. Now it was off to get the supplies on the list Justus carried, all necessities for the ranch.So it was still work but easy work. When finished they might have some free time before heading back to that diner. Mrs.Pike had promised them coffee and pie. Cade hadn't been to that place yet but he had heard they had really good pie. And only a fool turned down a free slice of pie.
As they made their way on the wagon to the front of the general store, Justus revealed he had other plans too.
"Let's get this done, I got some shoppin' of my own...reckon I could do with new boots."
Cade shook his head, "What? Why? Neither of your soles have fallen off....yet. Why waste your money." It was a tease of course.
Now Cade was saving his wages so far. What exactly for he wasn't even sure though.
"And this is Constance Straub. Her uncle is Jeremiah Straub."
"It's good to meet you," Emeline commented with a smile, "I'm glad you could help Clara, she needs to take care of herself." She gave the young mother a wiggle of the eyebrows, then looked back at Constance.
"Do you have any experience in the kitchen?" she asked. Most girls her age did, but there was no telling the quality of the experience. "Are you interested in cooking? Not that you need to be," she added hastily, "my dishwasher was only interested in marrying me!"
"It's good to meet you," Emeline commented with a smile, "I'm glad you could help Clara, she needs to take care of herself." She gave the young mother a wiggle of the eyebrows, then looked back at Constance.
"I have seen the baby, I completely understand," Constance nodded.
Clara waved one hand, "Oh I shall be fine. I actually like being quite busy."
"Do you have any experience in the kitchen?" Mrs. Pike asked, "Are you interested in cooking? Not that you need to be," she added hastily, "my dishwasher was only interested in marrying me!"
"I have done a bit of baking. Used to help the household cook with making bread when I was a child. I could of course be taught to do more if that is your wish. I believe myself to be a quick learner," Constance answered.
"As for marriage, I came for the money not in the hope of being married," she smiled, trying for a bit of levity.
Clara now spoke to Emeline, "I advertised that I was looking for someone to wait on tables. Myself, I prefer to cook and bake over dealing with customers."
"Oh, well, Mr. Pike is a rare exception, I think." Emeline chuckled. "But there will be plenty of cowboys making love-sick cow-eyes at you, but they're harmless." As rough as cowhands and miners could be, they were mostly respectful of women...but with available women at a premium, they could get a bit overwhelming!
"As for your tasks around here, that's up to you and Clara...well, and me, on occasion when Clara is having a break. I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm to have more cooks!" While quality was certainly a priority, there were plenty of cooking tasks that were basic, a good place to start.
"Let's get this done, I got some shoppin' of my own...reckon I could do with new boots."
Cade shook his head, "What? Why? Neither of your soles have fallen off....yet. Why waste your money." It was a tease of course.
"Well, ol' Mule's been complainin' that my feet smell right through them holes, an' it's worse than th' cows!" Justus laughed, looking around as they entered the main part of town, hoping to spot a pretty gal or two. "Gotta look all daper fer th' ladies, right? Catch me a pretty one!"
"Oh, well, Mr. Pike is a rare exception, I think." Emeline chuckled. "But there will be plenty of cowboys making love-sick cow-eyes at you, but they're harmless."
Constance didn't know what to think about that but Clara piped up, "Oh they are not all harmless. Just watch out. If any of them are Evergreen ranch hands, I would avoid them like the plague is my advice."
Constance nodded, "Alright."
"As for your tasks around here, that's up to you and Clara...well, and me, on occasion when Clara is having a break. I'm sure it wouldn't do any harm to have more cooks!" While quality was certainly a priority, there were plenty of cooking tasks that were basic, a good place to start.
"You are paying my wages so I will do whatever you want me to do to the best of my ability. I am just glad to have this job," Constance admitted quite bluntly.