Banking on Temperance Read Online Free PDF Page A

a maze of frantic activity, with shouts from the dockhands permeating the air, lending an aura of excitement to the proceedings.
    Everything her family needed was at their disposal, even gainful employment for a young lady. She was certain she and her mother could find work, as could Justice. They would be able to put some money together, and breathe a bit more easily. Certainly finding Mr. Fitzpatrick and him wanting to help just because the Jones family reminded him of his own was a wonderful stroke of luck on their part. She couldn’t wait to see the soddy, even though she schooled herself not to expect much.
    As she gazed about the countryside she was now riding into, she realized that although St. Louis was considered a civilized town, one didn’t have to go far to be thrust back into the country. This dirt road, leading to Basil’s brother-in-law’s ranch, was a good example of that. She slowed the horse to a walk as a house came into view. Horses in all shapes and sizes were in the pens in front of the home, so she figured this was the right place.
    Temperance caught sight of a young woman near one of the pens and rode up to her. The woman jumped down from the rung of the pen as Temperance approached and dismounted.
    “You must be Miss Jones. I’m Ginger, Basil’s sister. I’ve been waiting for you. I’m so happy to meet you.” She grabbed Temperance in a hug. “You don’t know what torture it is, to not have sisters around. I hope we can become friends.”
    “I’d surely be in favor of that. It’s hard sometimes for me to remember to have fun. Please call me Temperance.”
    Ginger glanced down the road. “Is my brother with you?”
    “He’s coming along with Ma. But I had to let the horse run a bit, so I beat them here.”
    “I can see now why Basil is so taken with you.”
    Temperance smiled. They were going to become best friends, she could tell. She tucked away the comment Ginger made about Basil liking her to think about tonight when she had some quiet time.
    • • •
    Along with Ginger and Joseph, Basil, Temperance, and Martha rode over to the small soddy. “Oh, dear,” Martha whispered as they approached the forlorn structure. They dismounted and the ladies headed inside to take a look around. Basil and Joseph stood in front of the small house.
    Joseph explained his plans to Basil. “I can bring my brothers over tomorrow. We will build the loft, repair the roof, and get the stove working by the time they bring the wagon out, if Mrs. Jones decides this place will do.”
    Soon, the women emerged from the little structure and Basil turned to Martha.
    She spread her hands. “I can’t thank you enough. My husband will be dry and warm here, and that’s about all I can ask for. The children can remain sleeping in the wagon until winter sets in, so we should be fine here.” Basil caught the tremor in her voice as she swallowed hard.
    Joseph detailed the plan for Martha. “We will repair the roof for you, and make certain the woodstove is still working by tomorrow. If the walls can support a sleeping loft, we will build one for you, so the children can sleep inside, too. This will do for the rest of the summer, and possibly, by the time winter sets in, our house will be completed and you can then move into the hunter’s cabin where Ginger and I are now staying.”
    Basil glanced again at Martha, who nodded in agreement.
    “Then it’s settled. Drive the wagon out here tomorrow, and get moved in,” Basil replied. “You can stable the mules in the barn on the main part of the ranch, and let Joseph’s family fatten them up for you over the winter.”
    With a huge breath and glistening tears in her eyes, Martha turned from the group and walked to the horse she’d rode in on. She placed a hand on the horse’s withers, clearly hoping no one witnessed her tears.
    • • •
    Temperance followed, and put her hand on her mother’s shoulder. Her mother was having a hard time not only accepting