Chapter One

Snake River Sawmill

Windemere, Arizona Territory

Late August 1890

Jake Harkness studied the list of supplies, counting each and every piece a second time.

"I've done that already," Del Burrows reminded him. "Twice, just like you ordered."

It wasn't that he didn't trust his floor supervisor, it was more a matter of the disappearing supplies that had him checking and double-checking for his own peace of mind.

"I know," Jake admitted. "I'm being paranoid. It's just that saw blades aren't cheap and there's no way we've gone through three dozen of them so quickly. Other things too… sharpening stones."

"It beats me," Del grumbled. "I mean those things are of no use to anyone who's not lumbering."

"I'm going to lock up these blades in my office," Jake explained. "Then I'll get to work on the pay packets. The young boy… Ricky… who's been cleaning up after shift is headed back to school next week, so I reckon I should put a little extra in with his wages."

"You spoil these fellows," Del scolded. "Not just the Barnes kid headed back to classes, but the men in their twenties. They got it easy compared to when I was coming up."

"What they've got is a good paying job that I want them to take pride in. A happy worker is a loyal worker."

"Except for the fellow stealing your stuff," Del noted.

"Except for him," Jake agreed. "We'll call lunch break once the wages are sorted. Give them an extra half hour so they can go to the bank or tend to their errands."

"Like I said," Del joked. "You spoil them."

Rather than admit to Del's claim, Jake told him, "Just make sure they know exactly when to be back."

"Are you taking a break, too?" Del asked.

"Naw, not yet. I'm going to take a tour of the mill. Make sure everything's up to snuff."

"Izzy packed me a lunch bucket. How about I take a peek-see with you, and then we can sit down and have some food?"

"Sounds like a good idea. Heaven knows I love your wife's cooking," Jake teased. "If she weren't married to a grumpy old man like you, I might be scooping her up for myself."

"You just never mind," Del tossed back. "It's enough you've got her sister for a housekeeper. That's as close as you get."

The end of the day's work shift came faster than Jake expected, leaving them a bit short on a big order. As the men were packing up to leave, he called them into a circle. "First of all, I wanted to thank you all for coming back so promptly after lunch. I know, once you're paid, it's tempting to take an extended break."

"It wasn't easy, boss," Shep Martin joked. "'specially after we got a taste of that new baker's fancy dessert."

"There's a new baker at the diner?" Del asked. "Since when?"

"According to Miss Betty," Shep explained, "the woman just moved here with her pa and younger brothers. Her plan is to open a bakery but, for now, she's working at the café helping out with the cooking and baking. All I know is I ain't ever had a pudding like the one they served today."

"I ordered a second helping," Ray Baxter confirmed.

"Well then," Jake said, chuckling, "I guess I should be especially proud of your dedication to your jobs." He paused, glancing from one man to the other. "That said, we're a bit short on our order going to Hank Thompson for his fencing job. I'm offering up a half day's work tomorrow morning for any man interested in making some extra money. If I get enough volunteers, we should be done by noon so you can go home to your families. Obviously, there'll be no work on Sunday."

"No saving us from one of Reverend Sikes long sermons?" Ray teased.

Jake gave an adamant shake of his head. "I'm an ambitious businessman, but I'd never take a man away from the Almighty's good words."

"As it should be," Del agreed. "We can use four men for the morning. If you're interested, raise your hand."

Six hands went up, drawing a broad grin from both Jake and his foreman. "Great. We'll take all of you. If we finish early, we'll still pay you for the full four hours."

As the men dispersed for the evening, Del sidled up to Jake's side. Del's voice a gravely whisper, he uttered, "Like I said… spoiled."

The Prescott's New Home

Friday Evening

Susana took a seat in the parlor, gathering her mending and sewing box up into her lap. "I can't get over how fast you boys rip your clothes. I just mended these pants last week."

"Sorry, Sis," Seth apologized. "The schoolyard is rough in spots. Not at all like the nicely kept grounds we had back in Saint Louis."

"One of the boys in the grade above me tripped over a tree root along the side of the field where we play," Will added. "Missus McIntyre says his wrist is broken."

"Oh, dear," Susana whispered. "You two need to be careful. While I don't enjoy mending clothes over and over, I much prefer that to nursing an injured brother."

Her father's deep-throated chuckle filled the room. "If I remember correctly, it was you Susana, who had a penchant for coming home with scrapes and bruises. Even sprained your wrist twice trying to keep up with the boys older than you."

A warm flush coated her skin, underlining her father's memories. "They said I couldn't keep up," she insisted. "They needed to see that girls are just as tough as boys."

"Much to your mother's dismay," her father pointed out.

"She was so angry when I tore my new dress, I thought I was going to be taken to the barn for a switching," Susana admitted.

"Never," Wallace said firmly. "There was never a need to punish any of you in such a barbaric manner."

"Thankfully," Seth said with a heavy sigh. "Mama's stern glances were enough to scare you out of your shoes."

"I'm looking forward to attending our first church services on Sunday," Susana noted. "We've been so busy getting the house in order, we've been lax in our worship."

"The Lord knows we were working hard," their father reminded them. "We didn't skip reading our bible or saying our prayers. It will be nice to hear a sermon for a change, though."

"Tommy Parker says the reverend goes on and on," Will told them. "I'm hoping there's a youth group gathering to attend in place of services."

"We'll look into it," Wallace assured them. "However, our first Sunday will be spent as a family, in the church. No matter how long the service."

"Yes, sir," Will responded, nodding his understanding before returning to his book.

Saturday dawned overcast with a threat of thunderstorms. A perfect day for baking, and for experimenting with new ideas. Susana took out the wooden box that held instructions for all her favorite recipes. Next, she laid out the list she'd received from Miss Betty. Once she'd finished her commissioned baked goods, she'd whip up something special for her family.

"Two sugar pies," she read from the list. "Two coconut layer cakes, two lemon pies, and… finally … three sweet potato pies." Susana closed her eyes and let the café owner's words come back to her.

‘ Best sweet potato pie I've ever eaten. I don't know what your secret is, but this piece is just melting in my mouth .'

The secret wasn't hers but, rather, belonged to her dearly departed mother. It was one memory Susana was reluctant to share.

"Something smells good," her father said, coming through the back door. "Is that cake I'm smelling?"

"Yes. It's the vanilla that's so fragrant."

"Did you have any plans for the supper menu?" Wallace wondered.

"Despite the clouds and rain, it is still warm outside," Susana pointed out. "And not getting any cooler with this oven going full blast. I thought I'd carve up some of the ham we had on Thursday and make cold salads to go with it."

"That sounds very reasonable," her father agreed. "Assuming one of those cold dishes is a mustard salad. With apples."

"As long as my brothers haven't pilfered all the leftover mashed potatoes, I think a mustard salad would be great. Maybe a sweet pea salad and some sliced tomatoes."

"And do we get some of this cake for dessert?"

Susana shook her head, dislodging a few curls from the ribbon at her nape. "Sorry, those are for the café order. I will make something special for us though. I'm just not sure what."

"I'm going into town for a bit. I ordered some paint for the small shed," her father explained. "I can take the boys with me to keep them out of your hair if you'd like."

She glanced around the kitchen. Everything she needed was close at hand. "Yes, please. It'll save me time if I don't have to swat their hands away as I'm cooking."