Page 24 of Bride in Blue
“I guess,” Cassie didn’t want to say too much. Granted, Max managed to bring her father home yesterday, but that didn’t mean this was a long-term solution.
Mrs. Brown laughed and went back to frying the meat in the pan. The smell made Cassie’s mouth water.
“We don’t have much time, as church will start soon, but how about some eggs and salt pork for breakfast?”
“That… that would be lovely,” Cassie said.
“Max mentioned you liked tea, but we only have coffee this morning. Is that alright? Or would you prefer milk?”
“Coffee is fine. May I help you with something?” She didn’t want this woman waiting on her.
“No. I have almost everything done. Here is a cup of coffee. Milk is over there in the pitcher. Why don’t you have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring breakfast right out for you.”
“Thank you,” Cassie said, taking the cup. She blew on the hot liquid and headed to the table. “Where is Max?” she called to Mrs. Brown as she took a seat.
“I think he is looking for that cat of his.”
Cassie gave a little giggle. Mr. Gladstone certainly did get around. He spent the night curled up on the end of her bed, his purring providing comfort through the night, until he cried to be let out of the room early in the morning.
Max appeared a moment later with the cat under his arm. “How did you sleep?” he asked when he saw her. Mr. Gladstone wriggled, and Max placed him on the floor. Cassie could hear him running down the hallway.
“It is different than being in the city, that’s for sure. It was so quiet.”
“I remember it took me a whole month to get used to the night here.”
“I didn’t think it would be so dark.”
“The city has lights on all the time. Out here, it is like everything stops once the sun goes down.”
“That is just on this side of town,” Mrs. Brown said, placing a plate filled with scrambled eggs and a few pieces of fried meat in front of Cassie.
“What’s on the other side?” Cassie picked up a piece of the meat. It was cut in strips and had pepper on one side. She took a bite and moaned. “Oh my, this is good.”
“It is brined and smoked pig’s belly,” Max offered. “It can keep for long periods of time.”
Mrs. Brown returned with another plate and placed it in front of Max. “North of here is the old mining town. It has most of the restaurants and saloons. The theater is also up there.”
“The theater? I’ve always wanted to go to the theater.”
“Are you joining us, Mrs. Brown?” Max asked.
“I need to make a few more eggs. You said there is one more person here?”
“Yes,” Max said. “Cassie’s father, Hal.”
“Let me do up our plates and I’ll be right back in.”
Max nodded. When Mrs. Brown retreated into the kitchen, Max looked at Cassie. “You look beautiful this morning.”
“Thank you,” Cassie replied. “It is wonderful how a bath can make you feel almost human again.”
“I can’t believe there was such a beautiful woman hiding under all that dirt.”
Cassie blushed. She hadn’t had anyone tell her she was beautiful before. It made it all the more special coming from Max.
Max dug into his eggs with gusto as Mrs. Brown returned with two more plates. Cassie took one of the plates and set it down next to her, while Mrs. Brown sat next to Max on the opposite side of the table.
Hal walked in and stopped short when he saw Mrs. Brown. “I didn’t realize we had company. I would have been down sooner.”
