Elizabeth smiled, handing the baby to Belle.“Come right this way,” she said, leading Belle to her office which was the last door on the left.
Belle took a seat on the sofa opposite the desk that Elizabeth seated herself at.She bounced the baby up and down smiling as the girl calmed down and stuck a fist into her mouth.
Elizabeth shook her head.“You do have a way with babies, don’t you?”
“Always have,” Belle replied.
“I have a letter I think you’ll be interested in,” Elizabeth said, handing Belle the letter.
As Belle read the letter, she couldn’t help but smile.
Dear Madam,
I am a man of thirty-two years with an established lumber business in Yeti, Alaska.Though rough around the edges, I am sincere in my desire to find a wife who is willing to share in both the hardships and joys of frontier life.
I have worked in the logging industry since I was a boy, beginning in Washington State and making my way to the Alaskan wilderness, where I’ve built my life and livelihood from the ground up.The work is demanding, but I find it rewarding.There are no fancy parlors here, but I offer warmth and loyalty to the right woman.
I confess, my focus on work has left me with little time to court, even if there were women in my area who were unmarried.I may not be an academic man, but I can provide a good home.The air here is fresh, and the landscape beautiful, though it demands strength and determination.Perhaps there is a woman with those qualities, longing for something more than she has?
I’ve always believed a man must be steadfast.“You can trust that my intentions are genuine, and I will not disappoint the right partner.
This is a lot to ask.But for the one who dares, I promise to try my best.
Sincerely,
Everett Thompson
P.S.I have all my own teeth.
Belle looked up from reading the letter, absently patting the now-sleeping baby’s back.“Well, I’m certainly glad he has all of his own teeth!”
Elizabeth laughed.“I thought you’d like that part.”Her expression grew serious.“Do you think you’d be interested in marrying a man like him?”
Belle bit her lip, considering the question.Everett seemed to be a good man, but how would she feel about living in the wilderness?He said there were no unmarried women, but surely that meant there were married women for her to befriend.It would be much more primitive than her life in the hotel, but the work she did would be for her husband, and eventually, her family.
After a long moment, Belle nodded.She liked the idea of helping to build a community.“I do think I’d be interested.”
Elizabeth smiled.“I’ll send a letter off to Alaska immediately.My husband will need to do some research on the best way to get you there.It will be a long journey.Do you think you could be ready to leave in a week?”
“I think so.I’ll give notice immediately.”Belle looked down at the dress she was wearing.“This is my only dress other than my work uniforms.I’ll need to do some sewing.”
“Then let’s say you give one week’s notice now, and after the week is up, we can work together sewing two new dresses.Would that suit you?”
“I will have nowhere to stay once my notice is worked out.I can’t just stay there.”
“Then you’ll stay here,” Elizabeth said readily.“I always keep a guest room ready for just such an occasion.”
Belle blinked a few times, surprised that Elizabeth would be so generous.“I couldn’t ask you to do that!”
“You’re not asking.I’m offering.I enjoy the company.My husband often travels for me, and I like to know someone else is here with me.”Elizabeth grinned.“Besides, you’re so good with the baby!”
“I’ll do everything I can to earn my keep.”It felt strange to rely on the generosity of a virtual stranger, but she wouldn’t be able to sew anything if she were working at the hotel.“I’ll choose some fabric on my way home.”
“Perfect.And you’ll be here on Sunday of next week?”
“Yes.Thank you for your hospitality.”
As she walked to the hotel, Belle’s thoughts were on Everett and the life she would lead as his wife.Never before had she allowed herself to let someone else care for her.When her mother had died, she’d stepped up and taken care of her younger siblings.It was only when her father had remarried that she’d allowed herself to move on.
