Harvey House Bride (Harvey Girls Book 1) Page 4

  “Hmm, sounds boring. Why don’t you get Dale to do all those things with you? At least you won’t be bored.” Annie giggled and walked away.

  Sheila shook her head. All the girls joked about her and Dale, but she knew Gladys didn’t like it.

  “There’s no reason for me to get Dale to walk with me,” her empty sounding words echoed down the hallway.

  Suddenly the door across the hall flew open, and Gladys peeked out. She stared at Sheila with a look of pure hatred then stomped across the hallway in her dressing gown.

  “Now look here, Sheila. I’ve had my eye on Dale for a long time, and he was just starting to take notice of me before that silly fall in the mud routine of yours. You told us all you don’t want to get married, but I do; so stay away from Dale.” The girl pointed her finger directly at Sheila’s nose and almost tweaked it.

  Sheila was taken aback. “Gladys, I’ve done nothing to encourage Dale, but I’m sorry if you think he was interested in you before I got here. I don’t think that’s true.”

  Gladys stomped her foot. “I’m telling you, he was.”

  Sheila felt a moment of pity for the other girl. She was attractive but much too forward. Most of the men who were regulars at the Harvey House found Gladys a bit overbearing.

  Gladys’s face turned a bright red. “It doesn’t matter what you think. Just stay away from him. You’ll see, before too long he’ll start courting me.” She turned around and went back to her room, slamming the door behind her.

  Sheila leaned against the door frame and took a long, deep breath. Living in such close quarters with these girls wasn’t easy, and she didn’t want to have things strained between herself and Gladys.

  I’ll just keep away from Dale whenever Gladys is around. I know I shouldn’t have to, but it’s not worth all this aggravation.

  With that thought, Sheila slipped into her room and was soon sound asleep.

  ~

  “Mother, it’s so good to have a day off from work,” Sheila’s exuberant cries echoed through the tent. Her mother turned with a smile on her face.

  “Yes, I enjoy the work, but I needed the day off to catch up around here. Things are getting a bit messy, and there are a few dresses I was working on that still need to be finished for several ladies in town.”

  Mrs. Bennet sat down and picked up the edge of a dress she was hemming and began to sew. “Now, tell me all about your new job. Is it hard? I can see you girls are all on your feet most of the day.”

  Sheila sat beside her mother. “It was worse when I was training in Kansas. I think my legs and feet are getting used to it now. Actually, working the small counter here is much easier than the place I worked in Kansas.”

  They both continued to discuss work at the Harvey House for a time, then Mrs. Bennet grew quiet.

  Sheila leaned forward. “What’s wrong, Mother?”

  “Nothing, really. I have nothing to complain about. I was lucky to get that job at the Harvey House. When Mr. Bennet died, he left us nothing, but I do miss the companionship I had with him, on his good days.”

  “I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t think of that. I’ve made a few friends, and I spend my free time at the Reading Room, but I could spend more time with you.”

  Her mother shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I want you to have friends and enjoy your free time. Besides, the cook, Mr. Howell, is very friendly. We talk and laugh all the time.”

  Sheila eyed her mother curiously. “Mother, your cheeks are flushed. Does that mean what I think it means?”

  “What do you think it means?”

  “That you are interested in Mr. Howell.”

  Her mother sat up straight. “He’s a very interesting man.”

  Sheila gulped. The last thing she wanted was her mother to fall in love again, with another man who might be even worse than Mr. Bennet.

  “Don’t look that way, Sheila. I know I made a mistake with Mr. Bennet. He wasn’t a drinker when I first met him. I had no idea moving to Slaton would change him so much. But Mr. Howell is very different. He has been cooking at the Harvey House here since it opened. He’s a very stable man and has never taken a drink in his life. He attends church in town as well.”

  Sheila felt herself softening. She reached over and patted her mother’s hand.

  “Just go slow, Mother. I’ll ask around a bit, find out everything there is to know about him. You want to be sure, just in case things get more serious.”

  Mrs. Bennet sighed. “Shouldn’t I be the one giving you advice? What about Dale? I’ve heard rumors floating around that he’s courting two girls at a time.”

  “That’s not true!” The words burst from Sheila’s lips. “It’s Gladys who is spreading that lie. She seems to think Dale is showing interest in me, and she’s jealous.”

  “Oh, I hope it doesn’t cause any problems at work. Mr. Harvey runs a very strict business. Problems between you girls won’t be tolerated.”

  “I know, and I’m doing all I can to be quiet and nice to Gladys. She came to my room and told me to keep away from Dale. She believes he wants to court her, but it isn’t true.”

  “Really?” Her mother set down the dress and squeezed the bridge of her nose.

  “Do you have a headache?” Sheila was instantly concerned. “I could boil water for tea.”

  “Yes, a bit of one. It’s my eyes I think. It’s hard for me to see well in here when I’m sewing. When you finish making the tea, tell me why you think Dale doesn’t want to court Gladys.”

  Sheila got up and gathered the teapot, added the tea and after a few minutes, the boiling water. She poured a cup for herself and one for her mother.

  “Here, Mother. Put that sewing down and drink this.” Sheila sat down. “I know Dale isn’t interested in courting Gladys because he told me so. He wanted me to know that Gladys assumes he is interested in her, but he isn’t.”

  “That’s strange. Why do you think he wanted you to know that?”

  Sheila shook her head. “I don’t know. We’ve become friends. Maybe he has no one else to talk to. Some of the girls laugh about his arm. He’s probably been ostracized by the other railroad men because of it.”

  Her mother sipped her tea. “Dale is wonderful with the children. I believe he would make a great teacher.”

  Just then the tent flap opened, and Susie and George scuttled in. When they saw their sister, they both rushed over and hugged her.

  “I missed you, Sheila,” Susie pressed a wet kiss on Sheila’s cheek.

  Sheila hugged them both. “ I missed you both so much. But I believe you made a friend while I was gone?”

  George nodded seriously. “Dale tells us stories and reads books to us. He’s very nice.”

  “But, you mustn’t bother him too often,” Sheila encouraged.

  “We aren’t a bother. Dale likes us,” George argued.

  Sheila placed her hands on her hips and was about to give the children a severe talking to, but just then the tent flap opened again, and Dale stepped in.

  “Hello, am I interrupting anything?”

  Sheila felt a warm flush on her cheeks. “Not at all. Can we help you?”

  Dale smiled with a head shake. “No, I saw the children come in here and thought I’d stop by and say hello to your mother.”

  Mrs. Bennet stood and straightened her skirt. “Hello, Dale. Would you like a cup of tea? Sheila just boiled the water.”

  Sheila expected him to refuse, but instead he nodded and took a seat on the third, wobbly chair.

  Sheila felt embarrassed as her eyes scanned the small tent.

  Mrs. Bennet poured a cup of tea and handed it to Dale. Then she asked Sheila to tell them a bit about her time in Kansas.

  “Well, Topeka is a busy railroad town. Most everyone who lives in the town works for the railroad in some way or another. It’s amazing. Whenever a train comes in, everyone in the town gathers at the depot to watch. Most of them end up wandering into the Harvey House.

  “I w
as assigned to follow, observe and assist more experienced Harvey Girls. There was so much to learn. There were a few girls who didn’t make it. The work was just too hard for them, or they didn’t understand the rules.

  “What kind of rules?” George asked.

  “The girl who takes the order has to turn the coffee cup upright in the saucer, and that means the coffee girl needs to give pour coffee. If the cup is upside down, she needs to serve hot tea. It gets a bit tricky for ice tea. The cup is upside down and tilted against the saucer. If it’s upside down and off the saucer, the customer wants milk.”

  Susie sidled up to Dale and stared at Sheila. “Is the food as good as in the Harvey House here?”

  “Yes, all the Harvey Houses share recipes, but in Topeka they sometimes serve roast beef as thick as a person’s fist.”

  “What else did you do?” Dale leaned in, showing his interest.

  “The same things that have to be done in all Harvey House establishments. Clean the chrome-plated coffee urns, the crystal glassware and the pastry cases. Saturdays are the worst because all the silver has to be polished. And whenever there is a lull, we are expected to dust the entire restaurant. It has to be done well because the manager might put on white gloves and run their hands along the surface looking for dust.”

  Dale whistled. “That must be hard to keep up with here in Texas. With the dirt streets, the dust is always swirling around.”

  Sheila nodded. “It is hard, but I enjoy meeting all the people who come into the restaurant. I also have my own station to keep clean, including the countertop, salt and pepper shakers and the coffee urns.”

  “Mr. Harvey is very particular,” Mrs. Bennet added. “If any of the plates have a chip, we have to get rid of them. It’s a pleasure to wash such lovely china.”

  After he finished his tea, Dale stood with a stretch.

  “I have to get back to the library, but I wanted to tell you all there is a picnic being held this weekend by the church. We’d love for you all to join us. We are taking advantage of this unseasonably warm weather.”

  The children started jumping up and down. “Can we go, Mother?”

  “I don’t see why not. I have time off. What about you, Sheila?”

  “I’ll be working, but I do get my afternoon hours off. I can join you all then.”

  Dale reached out and took her hand in his good one. “I’ll look forward to seeing you then.”

  Sheila’s face flushed, and she felt a tingle in her hand.

  Dale squeezed her hand once then left the tent.

  Sheila’s mother gave her a hug from behind. “That’s a very nice young man.”

  Sheila cradled the hand Dale had squeezed. “Yes, he is.”

  Chapter 6

  W hen the last passenger of the day left the Harvey House, Sheila and Annie both took a deep breath.

  “That was an ornery crowd.” Annie began wiping the countertop. “Must be the weather. It’s usually pretty cold in January. This is the first time I remember it being so warm, but it was a mild winter.”

  Sheila collected the plate and cup from her station and carried them toward the kitchen. “I’m just glad they’re gone. I don’t think even one of them was happy today.”

  Just then the door opened again, and a tall man strolled in, a Stetson hat on his head and a gun in the belt on his hip. Sheila was amazed. The dark-haired man was the epitome of the gunslingers in the penny novels some of the girls read.

  The man sat at the counter, glaring at Sheila defiantly. Sheila put down the dishes and returned to her spot. Annie stepped in front of the man to take his order. Sheila waited until Annie turned the cup then moved to fill it with coffee.

  “You’re a new girl?” the man’s deep voice questioned.

  “Yes.”

  “Pretty, too.”

  Sheila didn’t answer.

  “Shy?”

  Again, Sheila didn’t answer. She poured the coffee and turned away. The man reached across the counter and grabbed her arm.

  “What’s wrong, little gal? You too good to speak to me?”

  Sheila knew the rules in the Harvey House were to be polite to all customers so she smiled at the man. “Not at all, Sir. I have my duties to attend to.”

  “It’s not busy. I’m sure you could stay and talk a little while.”

  Sheila swallowed. Her thoughts were on the picnic where she was supposed to be. This man was keeping her from that.

  Annie pulled Sheila away from the man “Mr. Barton, this girl is done with work. I’ll be waiting on you.” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at the man.

  Sheila noticed his hand hover over his gun but finally drop to his side. “Okay, Annie. I won’t pick on your new little girl.” He chuckled deeply.

  Sheila realized she’d been holding her breath. She stumbled out of the restaurant and rushed up the stairs to change out of her uniform.

  Without any further thought of Mr. Barton, she traipsed down the stairs and rushed out the back door.

  ~

  “There you are,” Susie shouted as Sheila neared the family. Mrs. Bennet had a quilt spread out on the ground beside several other families’ blankets.

  “We’ve got lots of food!” George held up a chicken leg.

  Sheila glanced at the bounty of food curiously. She didn’t think her mother could afford so much.

  “Mr. Howell asked to join us. He supplied most of the food.”

  Sheila watched the woman tuck her head coyly.

  “Mother, you like him, don’t you?”

  Her mother swiped some crumbs off the quilt. “He’s a very nice man.”

  Just then, Sheila looked up and noticed Mr. Howell walking towards them. Beside him was Dale.

  “Hello, ladies.” Dale waved his good hand as they neared.

  Mr. Howell clapped his hands together. “I can hardly wait to eat. I’ve gotten used to eating while working, it will be nice to sit and relax through a meal.”

  The men stretched out on the blanket. Mr. Howell led them all in a prayer, and then everyone began eating.

  After the meal, Susie and George ran off with some of the other children to play chase. Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Howell were in a deep conversation about new recipes he wanted to add to the Harvey House menu.

  “Sheila, would you like to take a walk with me?” Dale asked.

  Sheila stood. “Yes.”

  They walked together, slowly, discussing a book Sheila was reading. She loved being able to talk about books with someone. Her mother was educated but too busy to enjoy conversing about books.

  “There is a new stack of books in the library. I’m sure you would enjoy one or two of them.”

  Sheila’s eyes lit up. “I’ll stop by tomorrow during my break.”

  Dale took her hand in his and gave a gentle squeeze then continued to walk, keeping her hand cradled in his.

  Sheila felt warmth run up her arm.

  Suddenly a voice halted them.

  “Thought you Harvey Girls couldn’t court.”

  Sheila’s head popped up, and her eyes met those of the man she’d met earlier in the restaurant. She pulled her hand out of Dale’s grasp.

  The man noticed and began laughing.

  “Mr. Barton? What are you doing here?” Sheila’s voice sounded like a squeak.

  “Wanted to enjoy this picnic.”

  Dale snorted, and Barton frowned at him.

  “I thought you and I could take a walk, Miss Sheila.” Barton spoke like a gentleman and gave a slight bow.

  Sheila stood staring at him, dislike etched on her face. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back to work.”

  “I could walk you.” Barton stepped forward and offered her his arm.

  Again she just stared at him.

  Dale cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Barton, but Miss Sheila has already asked me to escort her.”

  Dale stepped in front of the man. Sheila realized he had placed her on the side of his bad arm and left his good ar
m on the side near Barton.

  Sheila’s hand trembled slightly as she grasped his useless arm but stilled as Dale began to lead her away from Barton.

  They walked silently all the way to the back door of the Harvey House. Sheila was tempted to turn around, but Dale just kept moving.

  When they reached the back door, Dale stopped and, with his good hand, removed Sheila’s clutch on his weak arm.

  Sheila turned slowly and sighed in relief; Barton was not following them.

  “Are you alright, Sheila?” Dale asked.

  “Yes, but I don’t think Mr. Barton is very happy with you.”

  “What could I do about it? Did you want to go walking with him?”

  “No, not at all. He frightens me. But I wouldn’t want you to get hurt because of him.”

  “Sheila, you don’t realize what kind of man he is. The chances of someone getting hurt were far greater if you had gone with him. He is a gunslinger, and worse, when it comes to women.”

  Sheila gulped.

  Dale stepped closer to her. “Sheila, while Barton is around, please stay in the Harvey House. Don’t even come to the library. I’ll bring books to you.”

  “Do you think it’s that serious? I’m sure I mean nothing to him. He’ll forget all about me by the end of the day.”

  Dale shook his head. “No one could forget you. Promise me, please.”

  Sheila lowered her eyes. “I promise.”

  Dale took her hand again, lifted it to his lips and pressed a kiss on it. “Thank you for an enjoyable day.”

  Sheila smiled warmly then turned and skipped into the building, holding her hand against her cheek. Mr. Barton was no longer on her mind.

  Chapter 7

  O h, goodness. I’ve gotten a stain on my apron.” Sheila proclaimed one afternoon. “Annie, can you cover for me so I can go change?”

  Annie nodded, and Sheila scooted out of the restaurant. She ran up the stairs, slipped off the dirty apron and put on a clean one. The dirty one was added to the pile of aprons that were to be sent by train to Kansas to be cleaned That was one nice thing. The girls didn’t have to worry about washing their uniforms as they were all sent to Kansas along with all the linens from the restaurant. She just had to keep the uniform pressed and neat between cleanings.