The fourteen women took their seats at the table, after they’d helped themselves to some of the appetizers on the sideboard and gave Lucy their full attention.
“I have several things on the agenda today so let’s get started and then, we can have lunch.” She glanced at the sideboard groaning under the weight of all the food. “Which, from the looks of that spread, might take a while.”
Everyone laughed.
Tresia pulled a notebook from her drawstring bag and laid it open on the table. She would take notes and transcribe them later, perhaps after Avery went to bed, and she went to her quiet, lonely room at Mrs. McMurty’s after sharing a cup of coffee with Devlin.
“The first order of business. I’d like to submit Josie DuBois’ name to become a member of the Serenity Ladies’ Society.”
“Excuse me?” Samantha Graves piped up, her face beginning to color. “Did I hear that right? You want Josie Dubois to join us?”
Lucy gave a regal nod. “I do.”
“But she’s…she’s—” Samantha stammered, her mouth opening and closing as if she were having difficulty finding the words to express herself, which had never been a problem for her before.
“She’s what, Sam? A madam?”
“Well, yes,” Samantha said, clearly uncomfortable with Josie’s chosen profession.
“Does that preclude her from joining us?” Lucy asked, then simply looked at the woman. “The purpose of this group is to do good. For the town. For the ranchers and farmers. For everyone. It doesn’t matter what a person does for a living as long as she has a good heart and a giving soul.” She straightened, pushing her shoulders back. “Have you ever spoken to her?”
“No, why would I?”
“You should.” Lucy smiled. “She’s a fascinating woman. Educated. Kind. Intelligent. She takes care of her girls, makes sure they are seen by Doctor Ben, my husband, at least once a month. She’s teaching them how to handle money and save so someday they can leave that business and live a different kind of life, if they want.” She eyed every woman around the table. “Are any of you aware that she has been secretly donating to whatever cause we come up with? Her donations have always been anonymous, but I caught her slipping an envelope full of cash under my door just the other day for the Thromball family.” She laughed. “She was embarrassed that I caught her, as she didn’t want anyone to know.” She stared at everyone at the table. “All those in favor of having Josie DuBois become a member raise your hand.”
Most of the fifteen women raised their hands. Only three dissented.
“Tresia, record the vote.”
She dutifully did so, jotting down the names of the women who had voted for allowing Josie DuBois to join the Ladies’ Society, as well as those who disagreed.
Lucy looked down at the paper in front of her. “The next item on our agenda is the Lending Library. I’ve spoken to Mayor Tisdale and he has agreed to let us use those two rooms at the town hall.” She tapped the paper on the tabletop. “Tresia has rendered a drawing on what it could look like so now all we need is the funding. Anyone have any ideas on how we can raise money?”
“We could do a bake sale,” Polly suggested. “I’ll happily donate a few cakes and cookies.”
“We could do another cookbook. I know I use mine all the time.” Charlotte Applebaum looked across the table at Thelma Pierce. “Thelma’s recipe for pumpkin pie is absolutely wonderful.”
“Good suggestions, but we need something big, ladies! Something that will bring in a lot of money. We will need lumber to build shelves. We must purchase a desk, and some nice comfy chairs so people can sit and read, but mostly, we need books. Lots and lots of books. I have some I can donate. I’m sure some of you do as well, but that won’t be enough.”
There was a lively discussion about all the possibilities to raise money, from charity events like a small fair to holding a dessert auction at the church common room. Eventually they decided and voted and agreed to hold a fair later that summer, on July Fourth, with booths and games and races and a dessert auction.
Lucy smiled then glanced down at her notes. “And the last thing on the agenda, ladies. There’s a new marshal in town, asyou may know. Devlin Goodrich. I’m sure most of you have met him. He has a daughter, Avery, whom Tresia is taking care of.”
Tresia’s face grew warm as everyone turned to her, chatting and laughing among themselves, giving her big smiles, as they all knew of Lucy’s penchant for matchmaking. Some of those around the table had availed themselves of her services…and were quite happy with the outcome.
“Let’s make them both feel welcome. And that’s it. Meeting adjourned. Let’s eat. I’ve set up little tables outside for the children.”
Later that evening, after the dinner leftovers were put away, the dishes were done, Avery had already had her bath and Devlin was putting her to bed, Tresia took two big coffee mugs from the cabinet and placed them on the table. She couldn’t help smiling as she listened to the murmuring of their conversation, interspersed with Avery’s laughter coming down the stairs, followed by Devlin’s deep rumbling laughter as he responded in kind. Avery hadn’t stopped talking about playing with all the children at Lucy’s house.
Tresia took the coffeepot from the stove and placed it on the trivet in the middle of the table, looking forward to spending a little time with the marshal for their nightly ritual, which she enjoyed much more than she should.
She removed her apron and hung it on the hook in the pantry then turned to see Devlin standing in the doorway to the kitchen. “Oh, Devlin! I didn’t see you there.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She studied his face, his eyes most especially. They were warm and filled with…was that concern? “What is it, Devlin? Have I done something wrong?”
“No, not at all.” He entered the kitchen but didn’t sit. “Avery was telling me how much fun she had at Lucy’s house with all the kids as well as the other ladies, especiallyTiaEvie, and I just wanted to thank you.”
