CHAPTER 7

C HAPTE R 7

The baby came into the world strong-fisted, making Ava's job of cleaning the tiny fingers a challenge, while dodging kicks from the boy's ever-flailing legs. She smoothed the soft, warm cloth over the infant's head, over the thin layer of a blond mass against the scalp, defining him as Gracie's son. The nostrils turned up when she scraped out the mucus, and the lad's face contorted when the warm water lightened the purplish hue to a pale periwinkle, with hints of ivory flesh sneaking into view by the minute.

When Ava noticed the child shiver, she reached for the blanket lying on top of the grate directly above the cookstove below. She wrapped the infant in the folds with only his face peeking out, and he immediately relaxed and closed his eyes. She picked him up and turned around to look at his mother. She was grimacing at the doctor's probing. but when he announced, "Done," she smiled weakly.

"You can bring the child to his mother," Doctor Breacher said. "Looks like Slate got himself a son, Gracie. There won't be no shutting the man up or stopping him from prancing around town, strutting and puffing his chest like a peacock."

Gracie chuckled, grabbed for her stomach, and groaned.

"Now, you rest easy for a few days. Just you and the baby, no work, hear me, Gracie?"

"I will see to that, Doctor Breacher."

"Counting on you, Miss Gardner. It was a hard labor. Might have seemed quicker than some, but it was hard on the mother."

"They are both healthy, and that's all that matters," Ava said, resting the bundle in his mother's arms.

"Oh, Ava—he is perfect."

"He certainly is. Are you up to putting poor Slate out of his impatient misery?"

"Yes. Send the father up…and Blanche if she's awake."

"Flaked out cold on the settee last time I was downstairs, but she wanted to be woken the moment the baby arrived."

Ava found renewed energy and descended the steps, stopping short when she spotted Orson pouring Slate and himself some coffee. "Mr. Shilling—you're still here at this late hour?"

"I couldn't leave this fellow alone. He's near worn out, worrying about his wife."

Slate struggled to his feet. "This black joe isn't doing the job anymore. Is Gracie nearly finished?"

"She is, Slate Yagger, and she would like you to come upstairs to meet your son."

"My son? Slate staggered and held the table's edge for balance. "She plumb bore me a son the first time around?"

"She did. Hurry up now, and don't stay too long. She's mighty tired."

"I'll fetch Blanche and head up now. Thank you, Ava. We could not have run this last leg of the journey without you."

Ava watched Slate hurry from the room. She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Congratulations. Perhaps nursing is more your skillset than cooking."

She stared at the crumbs left on the plate from pastries the men had consumed. "It seems you didn't mind devouring my baking efforts, sir."

"Tasty, indeed. I didn't mean to put down the fruits of your kitchen labor; just suggesting an alternative if you were looking for one."

"I think I will leave the midwifing for the doctor. I've been doing all the cooking for the family this past week and I find that I enjoy it. Not the hot kitchen, but the fruits of my labor."

"I spoke to the chef at the hotel, and he said the job was still yours when you've finished up here."

"Why would you care to do that? My future is of no concern to a man who is here today and gone tomorrow."

"Is that what's keeping you away from me?"

"You did say you traveled with your construction business," she said. "I asked Slate if he knew where you were working, but he hadn't heard of any new projects."

"I found some choice land and ordered the wood from the mill today."

"Is the building for a new business or a client's home?"

"You are full of questions this late at night," he said, and she couldn't decide if he was teasing or not.

"Excuse me. It is none of my business." She sighed. "Thank you for keeping Slate company. He is a fine man but a bundle of nerves when it comes to Gracie's health."

"He said I was a help, and I enjoyed hearing about his colorful past."

"He is as unique as his wife. They make a wonderful couple."

"I must agree. It was nice to hear of shattered lives making a go of it the second time around." His gaze held her captive, and Ava feared she might reveal more than she was willing to share.

"I believe in second chances, too. In fact, I'm staking my life on it."

He smiled, but did not dig for information, which pleased her immensely.

"Exactly what a man likes to hear."

"Are you looking for a second chance, sir?" she dared to ask.

"Maybe I am." His answer was short and simple, telling her nothing.

"I only mention it because you seem to be well-established and not in need of a second chance."

"Being a widower, I suppose I do…when it comes to love," Orson said, his startled expression hinting to Ava that he'd love to take that response back.

"I hope you find it, sir. I am sure there are women of your station who are missing you back home."

"Do you think me so stuffy that I'd only marry a rich woman?"

"Again, I apologize. It appears the late hour is causing me to put my foot in my mouth."

He stood. "I should go and let the household settle for what is left of the night. Might I swing by some time and take you out to see the property? It is for a female client, so to speak. Perhaps you can give me some pointers."

"Give me a couple of days to get caught up here," Ava said. "By then, I will likely appreciate an afternoon break."

"Two o'clock then, the day after tomorrow. I will pick you up in the carriage and show you what I'm up to for no reason other than to bring peace to your mind as to my reason for being here," he said, and she caught the tease in his eyes.

"Mr. Shilling, you are incorrigible, but I shall be ready to give you pointers. Will I get a commission?" she said, adding her own brand of tease.

Orson laughed. "I daresay you shall." He placed his hat on his head and headed for the front entrance. "Goodnight, Ava Gardner."

The following day's routine was totally off, but the family all pitched in where necessary, accomplishing what needed to be done. The baby received a name—Jacob Slate Yagger—and the father could not have been prouder. The Holiday gang showed up after supper to see the new arrival but did not stay so long as to tire out the new mother.

Ava served the guests blueberry pastries and received raves from Skylar. When she heard about the job opportunity at the hotel, she advised the newcomer to take the position as the chef there was a picky man who must have seen some potential in his patron.

"I have no idea what the man might have seen in me. Orson ordered from the menu for us, and all I did was rave about how delicious the meal tasted."

"Maybe your Mr. Shilling has some pull with the hotel," Skylar said as she reached for a second treat. "I swear I must be with child again the way my appetite has increased. And I know the Holiday clan is not ready for a sixth family member so soon."

"You do have a houseful; a boy from Shep's first marriage, plus a girl and boy from your union. The way I see it, Gracie's son could use a playmate, or if you're feeling like a matchmaker, a future bride for young Jacob," Ava said, hoping Skylar's suggestion about Orson's pulling strings in her favor had not been the case. "I'd like to think I can succeed without additional aid from any man."

"Do I hear pride in that remark?"

"Independence was more my idea."

"From what I see, he is a kind man who has taken a shine to you. A single woman needs to take notice of such things."

"But what of the admirer who sends things to the house on a regular basis, leaving no clue as to his identity? If such a man were interested, do you not think he would make his presence known?"

"I'd prefer a man who is upfront like Orson Shilling, not someone who hides behind gaining your interest with intrigue and by providing things," Skylar said.

"I suppose you're right. I do like honesty in people," Ava agreed. "Too much pain is hidden by secrets and sly motives."

"Good. Then Mr. Shilling, as admirer number one, is leading the race for your heart."

"It's all happening far too quickly. I keep it at the forefront of my mind that contender number one is likely to leave town one day without me, so if you don't mind, I will not give up on the secret admirer just yet."

The girls laughed. "Oh, to have two men on your coattails is so exciting. It's the most engagement I've seen in this town for some time."

Skylar stood. "I need to go and drag my family from the parlor before they totally exhaust the new parents. You look happy here in the kitchen, Ava. I would consider the job at the hotel. It's respectable and will help train you for your own home someday."

"I am considering it seriously. As soon as my time assisting the Yaggers is over, I am ready to step out on my own."

"That's the girl Gracie bragged to me about," Skylar said, hugging Ava. "She was so thrilled you chose to come to Blazer to reconnect with old family ties."

"Not sure we are too eager to reconnect our past ties, but being a part of one another's future is more than we ever hoped for."

Skylar sighed and looked toward the other room, where noise from her children filtered into the kitchen. "Off to gather the troops. You take care, my dear, and bring your young man over to visit. We'd love to get to know him better."

Ava frowned. "Not my young man—a friend."

"Same thing. Bring your friend over to visit soon before he leaves town, and we miss the opportunity to tell him what a great catch you are."

Ava ignored the remark and followed Skylar to the parlor. Within ten minutes, the Holidays had gone home. Shortly after, Slate escorted his wife upstairs to their room.

As Ava sat at the kitchen table, drinking some coffee, she thought about Gracie. That woman was a true pioneer, ready to face whatever came her way with a smile on her face and an offering in her hand for others. She claimed the source of her keeping and giving power came from God. Ava regretted that two Sundays had come and gone without her being able to investigate the church, but she debated over asking Orson if he would accompany her on the next Lord's Day. Gracie might even be up to going out then, and they could all sit together. Church was all about family, or so she suspected. It amazed her how ignorant one could be when it came to spiritual matters.