“Well . . . I wouldn’t say I’m an expert. Just grew up on a sheep farm.” Memories made him chuckle. “I enjoyed helping with the cheese part, but not so much with the sheep.”
“But they’re so cute!” Miss Powell’s voice rose in pitch. “I’d much prefer working with them than doing the tedious process of working with the cheese.”
It was fun to watch her become so passionate about her topic. The tiny Miss Powell’s liveliness was a sight to behold. But he’d been staring too much already. Daniel looked back down at the order he’d been writing. “They might be cute, but they stink. And they bite. And they’re not all that smart.” He watched over the end of his pencil for her reaction.
“I’ll give you that, yes, but their cuteness and sweetness should overrule those qualities.”
John let out a hearty laugh. “Maddy, you think that because they all adore you and follow you around like you’re their mama. Some of us have to deal with the not-so-nice ends of things.”
Daniel joined in with John’s laughter. “Exactly. That’s why I enjoyed making the cheese.” He finished writing the order down and handed the paper back to Miss Powell. John had called her Maddy. It suited her. He gave both his customers a smile. “It will probably take six weeks or longer—depending on availability. It might not make it in before the harbor freezes and shipping is curtailed. If you’ve got the extra money, we could send a telegram to St. Michael, and they can cable it to Seattle from there. That would allow them to put it on the next available ship north. Might get here inside of ten days. For sure by the end of the month.”
“Let’s do that, John.” Madysen tapped her brother-in-law’s arm. “We need that equipment, and there might not be six weeks of shipping left. I know they’re thinking we won’t be frozen in before November, but I’ve seen it happen in October.”
“I’m sure if we telegraph it, we can make it work.” Daniel would do whatever he could to make it happen.
“Then let’s do it.” John pulled several coins out of his pocket. “The building should be finished in a couple weeks, and we’d like to get started with the cheese making as soon as possible.” He replaced his hat and tipped it at Daniel. “Good to meet you. We’d love to have you out to the farm sometime.”
“Would be my pleasure.” And not just for the sheep.
“Mr. Beaufort.” Miss Powell gave a nod and followed her brother-in-law to the door.
“Nice to meet you both.” In truth, meeting Miss Madysen Powell would probably be the highlight of his whole month.
“Oh, look!” She stopped by the post in the center of the store and stared at an advertisement Dad had put up. “Mr. Beaufort, do you know anything about this?”
He walked around the counter to her side. “Oh, that’s the new group Mr. Reynolds brought in.”
“‘Merrick’s Follies and Frolics,’” she read aloud. “‘Singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians, and an Irish Tenor who is guaranteed to make you cry.’”
The bell jangled above the door.
“That sounds interesting.” John leaned in closer, looking at the poster, and then turned to Daniel. “You say Judas brought them in?”
“I did, indeed.” All eyes shifted to the voice at the door. Mr. Reynolds stood there, tall, smartly dressed, and with an air about him that demanded attention. A large smile filled his face. “Good to see you, John.” He nodded. “And Miss Powell. How pretty you are in that green calico.”
Daniel had thought so too, but of course hadn’t mentioned it, or the way the gathered black band made her waist appear so very small.
“Mr. Reynolds.” Miss Powell offered him a warm smile and stepped closer. “I was just reading the flyer about Merrick’s Follies and Frolics.”
He rubbed his hands together and wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ve seen how popular you and your sisters are at the Roadhouse and realized we needed more clean entertainment in our fine town.”
“That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to catch a show myself.” Miss Powell patted Reynolds on the arm as if they were longtime friends.
Reynolds’s face turned serious. “How’s the family? Everyone making it through this difficult time? And your grandfather?” The older man’s tender tone conveyed great care for this family. They must have known one another for many years.
“Doing well.” John shook the man’s hand. “Thank you for asking. Chuck is improving every day, and we’re ordering supplies for our cheese-making business. All of the ewes gave birth, so we will have plenty of milk once we wean all the lambs.”
Reynolds narrowed his gaze “That’s wonderful news. But can you get the shipment in before winter freeze?”
“We’re having the store wire the order. It’s expensive, but we’re desperate to have that equipment before winter.” John tapped his hat against his thigh.
“I’ll see to it that they put the wire on my account.” Reynolds’s take-charge mode was hard to ignore. He looked to Daniel. “I have some things that need to be wired as well. Just charge it all to me.”
“That’s very generous, but unnecessary. You’ve done so much already.” Madysen’s expression was one of adoration.
“I insist.” Mr. Reynolds’s chest puffed out just a bit.
“You’ve always been so good to our family.” Another one of those heart-melting smiles. If only it were aimed at him.
“It’s my pleasure. You’ll give Chuck and your sisters my best, won’t you?” The man beamed at Miss Powell.
“Of course. Good to see you, as always.”
The exchange between these people made him think that maybe it wasn’t so bad to be in Nome. He could stay here, couldn’t he? Find something to do that gave him purpose?
Miss Powell waved at him as she left the store.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”
Daniel pulled his attention from the door to focus on Reynolds.
“You should hear them all sing. It’s like listening to angels.” And with that, the man turned for the counter.
Daniel would definitely look forward to hearing Miss Madysen Powell sing.
Who was he kidding? He’d do anything just to see her again. In the space of one encounter, the world looked brighter. One thing was certain. He wouldn’t be able to get the redheaded Miss Powell off his mind.
FOUR
Very interesting. Judas pressed his lips together and squinted at the papers on his desk. So the Bundrant Dairy and Poultry yard were expanding into full-time cheese production. He shouldn’t be surprised. He’d heard them speak of it, and they were definitely capable—especially with the sheep they’d acquired from him. And they’d done it all without his help.
Definitely not what he’d hoped.
The more the dairy grew, the more powerful that family became. In the past, it had all been Chuck. But when the old man fell ill, the Powell women didn’t crumble. It had been the perfect opportunity to ingratiate himself to them. Yet somehow it hadn’t gone according to plan. Oh, he still had their adoration and respect, but they didn’t need him like they should. They’d even paid off all their debt to him! In record time.