Page 37 of A Joyful Ring
“I’ll be careful,” he said with a nod, then hurried off to the livery.
Risa took the front steps two at a time and tamped the snow off her boots before she stepped inside. She ran down the hallway and into the kitchen, where Mrs. Baldwin and Candi were washing the dishes and chatting up a storm.
“Oh, Risa dear. Did you see Mr. Stanton outside?”
“Yes. He took my things and will be back in a moment.” Risa crossed the room and threw her arms around Mrs. Baldwin. “Thank you for thinking of this. For giving me much to consider.”
“You’re welcome, darling. Stay as long as you need to.” Mrs. Baldwin pulled back and patted her cheek. “You’ll make the right decision.”
“It was wonderful to meet you, Risa.” Candi offered her an impulsive hug. “I hope we’ll be able to spend time together when you return. Aunt Gertie tells me I have big shoes to fill if I hope to keep up with the work you do here.”
“I have a feeling you’ll do wonderfully well at whatever you turn your hand to.” Risa returned her hug.
“I hope you find the … peace and joy you are searching for, Risa.” Candi gave her hand a squeeze, then Risa knew it was time to leave.
Mrs. Baldwin and Candi walked with her to the front door and waved as Mr. Stanton gave her a hand into the sleigh.
Risa had never been in anything as nice as the conveyance with the velvet-upholstered seats. Candi had mentioned in parting she’d already paid Mr. Stanton for the trip, so Risa could just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Much to Risa’s surprise, Mr. Stanton had thought to have Silas Evans warm up the bricks he’d brought along to keep his and Candi’s feet warm. With a thick robe over her lap and the bricks warming her feet, Risa didn’t have any concern about freezing on the trip as she gave Mrs. Baldwin one last wave and settled back in the comfortable seat. The excitement of an unexpected adventure washed over her, and Risa couldn’t help but wonder what the days leading up to Christmas would bring.
Chapter Nine
“Miss Westcott seems like such a delightful person. I’m just sorry I didn’t get a chance to learn more about her before I left. Did you enjoy speaking with her on your trip to Lovely?” Risa asked as they left the town behind them. She’d noticed Mr. Stanton had hardly been able to keep his eyes off the woman at lunch. Fleetingly, she wondered if that was how Gunder looked at her and she had failed to notice or chose not to see.
“Miss Westcott said her mother passed when she was young, and her aunt, Mrs. Baldwin, stepped into the gap left behind. Her father died two years ago of a heart malady. She’s remained in the house her parents built in The Dalles. Her father had something to do with a shipping trade. It was quite a trip for her to travel to Lovely all alone, but she said she was determined to spend the holidaywith her aunt.”
“I’m so glad she came. Mrs. Baldwin never says, but I think she gets lonesome. She’s mentioned a favorite niece, but I had no idea Candi was grown up, or quite so beautiful. Isn’t she spectacular?”
Risa grinned as Mr. Stanton’s ears turned red beneath the brim of his hat, and it wasn’t from the cold. He nodded in answer, and Risa took pity on him, changing the subject to Baker City and his work there.
“My family owns a livery and a mill. My older brother and Dad run the mill, and I run the livery. We’re all happiest that way,” he explained.
They were halfway to Baker City when Risa caught sight of a familiar figure on a freight wagon heading toward them.
“Would you mind stopping for a moment? That’s my father.”
“Of course, Miss Hoffman.” Mr. Stanton guided his team over so the freight wagon could pass, and stopped.
Risa started to get out, but Mr. Stanton put out a hand to stop her. “You’ll freeze if you get out. Don’t lose the warmth trapped beneath the robe.”
She realized he was right, and instead of getting out, flapped her hands over her head, hoping her father would realize she was the one in the sleigh waving at him like a crazy person.
“Whoa! Whoa up there!” her father called to the team of mules as he brought them to a stop beside the sleigh. “Risa! What in the world are you doing?”
“Hi, Papa! I’ll explain everything when younext come to Gloria’s place, but I didn’t want you to think I’d run off and disappeared. I’ll be there for a while, at least I will be if she’ll let me stay.”
“I have a few dozen questions, but they’ll wait. As far as Gloria letting you stay, she’ll be thrilled to have you there for a visit. She speaks of you so often, and wishes you two could spend time together. As long as Mrs. Baldwin knows you won’t be at work, I’m glad you and Gloria will have some time together.”
“Mrs. Baldwin insisted I go. Her niece arrived today for a long visit, and I was able to get a ride with Mr. Stanton since he had to return to Baker City anyway after bringing Miss Westcott to the boardinghouse.”
“Well, it sounds like it all worked out just fine. Tell Gloria I said howdy, and enjoy your time off.”
“I will. And Papa, if Gunder asks, please tell him I’ve gone to visit a friend. I left a note for him on the kitchen table. I just … I need some time to myself.”
Her father scowled, and his brow dipped into a frown. “How do you plan to avoid him when you’ll both be staying at Gloria’s house?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll figure something out. Please, Papa?”
