"That sounds fine, Rob. Don't rush. I will enjoy looking around." She wanted something appropriate to go riding in. She looked at bolts of fabric while she waited her turn with the proprietor.
"Miss Chambers, what can I do for you today?" Ted asked, and it was obvious from his manner that he was only being polite because he had to be. Amanda knew it was her own fault. She'd criticized everything in the mercantile the first time she came inside, and insulted Ted in the process.
However, before she could answer the man, another woman came to the counter and roughly shoved her aside. Amanda lost her temper and declared, "I was here first. Wait your turn."
The other woman turned on her and pulled out a knife.
Chapter Six
Amanda was shocked when the woman pushed her aside and pulled out a knife. "Are you crazy?" she asked. She'd seen the other female around town, and it was obvious from the way she was dressed that she was a lady. She was also holding the knife all wrong if she truly intended to use it.
"It's your fault my man lost interest in me!" The accusation hung in the air like a cloud.
"I do not have a clue what you are talking about," Amanda told her truthfully. "Put the knife away and we'll discuss this like grown women."
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, I would. I honestly do not know what man you are talking about. I haven't seen anyone socially since I arrived here, with the exception of Mr. Robert Thorne. I was under the impression that he was not involved with another woman...?"
"I don't even know Mr. Thorne," she answered. "What about my Ted?" the young brunette hissed angrily.
"Ted?" Amanda looked at the store owner in surprise, her eyes wide at the very thought. The man was at least fifteen to twenty years older than she.
"Not him! My Ted, your father's foreman! Ted Fox!"
"Ohhhhh. There must be some mistake." Amanda said, confused. "I have nothing at all to do with Mr. Fox, other than when he comes to the house to see my Papa." She avoided him because she didn't trust him at all. Her Papa had talked to him and insisted he leave her alone. "I'm not interested in him, I assure you."
"He told me he plans to marry you!" The woman seemed confused.
"No, no, no," Amanda said gently. "I am truly sorry if he led you to believe that. I rarely talk to him at all."
"You don't think he is good enough for you?"
"I didn't say that. You are a woman; you know that there are men you don't find attractive, right? That's how I feel about Mr. Fox. If you are still interested in him, then you should let him know it. He might be too embarrassed to come calling since he told you that! If you want to write him a note, I will take it to the ranch with me and ask Papa to give it to him."
"You would do this for me?" The pretty brunette seemed surprised.
"Of course I would. Papa keeps the men so busy they don't have a lot of free time, but now that the rustling has stopped, surely he can give Mr. Fox some time off to come in and see you."
"I expected you to be selfish and mean," the girl whispered, putting the knife away. "I am Helene Patterson. We were introduced once, but you were upset at the time and..."
"Helene, please call me Amanda. I'm sorry I was rude when we first met. I have been selfish and mean since arriving here, but hopefully I have grown up a bit lately. I've discovered that I actually do love it here, and I'm fortunate to have such a wonderful Papa. I will need to mend a few fences, starting right here with you and Ted. If you know what you need, Helene, please go ahead while I decide which fabric would be best for making a riding skirt. I'm waiting on Mr. Thorne, so I'm in no real hurry." She gave the other woman an encouraging nod.
"I don't need anything," Helene said with a sheepish smile. "I came in here to start a fight with you."
Amanda giggled. "How about helping me pick out the right fabric instead? I have no girl friends at all and I could certainly use one."
Helene helped her and then said, "I would love to visit, but I have to return this knife before my Uncle misses it. He'll strap me if he learns I took it without permission."
"Men are touchy over some things, aren't they?" Amanda said with a wink. "It's nice to have a new friend, Helene. Ride out to the ranch and visit me sometime, please. I really would like that, and I'll have Papa invite your Ted to have lunch with us."
"Thank you, Amanda." Helene gave her an impulsive hug and then ran out the door.
"If you don't beat all, Miss Chambers!" Ted looked at her in bemusement.
"I was serious when I said I want to mend fences, Ted. I am truly ashamed of the way I behaved when I first saw your store. I was rude."
"You were unhappy, Miss Chambers."
"Yes. I'd lost Mama and was determined to make my father's life miserable, and I took all of that out on you... and a lot of other good people. I am sorry for that, and I hope we can start over again...?" she asked hopefully.
"I think that is real fine, Miss Amanda," the man replied, giving her a tentative smile. "I never seen Miss Helene act that way before. You were good to her, and I know her Uncle will be grateful."
"Oh, please don't tell him what she did, Ted! She'll get into trouble, and there was no harm done!"
The man actually chuckled. "I think I like you, Miss Amanda. Those yard goods you picked will make up nice. Do you want some buttons and some yard goods for shirts, too?"
"Yes, I do. Something practical but pretty," she answered with a smile.
Ted was relieved at the change in the young woman and thought it real sweet of her when she picked out a present for her Pa. By the time Robert Thorne entered the store, he had her purchases all wrapped up. "Mr. Thorne, can I help you?"
"I am not in need of anything today, Ted. I came to pick up Miss Chambers and take her to lunch. Are you finished with your shopping, Amanda? I am in no rush."
"I'm finished, Rob, and I'm hungry, too!" she said with a smile for him. When she started to pick up her parcel, Rob reached out to take it from her.
"Allow me, Amanda," he said. "I am sure this will be safe in the buggy while we have our lunch," he stated as he put the package under the seat. He put her arm through his and held her close. "I am hungry, too. Shall we go and have a nice steak dinner?" He escorted her across the street and into the lobby of the Hotel.
Amanda laughed and then said, "We'd better see what they are serving today first, Rob. I've been here several times, and Papa swears that Mrs. Whittier doesn't know how to cook a steak properly."
"Thank you for the warning," he said, disappointed. He wanted to buy a really great meal for Amanda, and it might prove impossible to do in this small town.
"Don't worry, Rob. The chocolate cake here is fabulous, and no one, not even Goldie, makes better chicken and dumplings."
"We will not starve, I am positive," he replied, smiling.
"You folks have a seat and I'll be right with you," a young waitress called out as they walked into the restaurant.
Rob picked a table that would give them a bit of privacy. He pulled out a chair and seated Amanda, and then sat down. The waitress came over and gave them a smile as she poured coffee into the cups already on the table. "It's good to see you folks. Miz Whittier has meatloaf or chicken and dumplings today. Or you can get a steak or fried chicken if you're willing to wait a little longer."
"I believe that Miss Chambers and I shall have the chicken and dumplings, Miss."
"Be right out," the waitress said with a smile as she hurried to the kitchen.
"This place is a bit different than what I am accustomed to," Rob admitted, looking around. The furnishings were pleasant, but very functional. He imagined that most of the people living around here were happy to have something this nice in town. He was aware that the saloons offered food, but a man certainly couldn't take a lady there.
"The first time I came in here with Papa I felt as though he was punishing me. What I quickly realized, however, is that Mrs. Whittier runs a very clean kitchen and her food is very good... except for her steaks," she whispered the words in a low voice. "What I considered important, the furnishings, weren't important at all." She smiled. "Have you ever gone to a really fancy restaurant, Rob, only to discover the food was terrible...?"
"Yes, I have."
"The food here is delicious," she said with confidence. "I am surprised Papa brought me here after the first time, however. I threw a major fit," she admitted, thoroughly embarrassed.