The Christmas Bargain Read Online Free Page B

have your own store?” Philamena asked as she helped put vegetables into a pot of broth with chunks of rich smelling beef.
    “I sure do. I’ve been a seamstress since I was old enough to hold a needle. I had a store in Kansas where I grew up and when my folks died, my cousin and I decided to head out West. She fell in love on the train ride out here and ended up staying in Idaho with her new husband, but I decided to come on to Hardman and see what was available. I not only found the perfect store, but the perfect man for me,” Abby said, looking around the kitchen, surprised at how quickly Philamena set everything to rights. “Let me get a couple of my shawls and we’ll run over to the store.”
    While Philamena wiped off the table, Abby disappeared and came back with an extra shawl, handing it to Philamena. Wrapping it around her narrow shoulders, Philamena reveled in both the softness and warmth it offered.
    Opening the door, Abby waited for Philamena to step outside before joining her. As they walked past the church, Abby waved at the building, then grinned at Philamena.
    “I never know if he’s looking out the windows or not, but at least Chauncy knows I waved if he was,” Abby said, tipping her head toward Philamena conspiratorially.
    Philamena couldn’t help but smile at Abby.
    They walked down the street and stopped two doors down from the mercantile where a window display featured a rich brown and cream striped gown with a beautiful cream-colored shawl, fancy brown shoes and a hat bedecked with peacock feathers. Philamena let out a sigh as she looked dreamily in the window.
    “Like it?” Abby asked, observing Philamena’s perusal of the items in the window as she took a key from her reticule and unlocked the door. “I can’t wait for you to try on a few things.”
    The few things Abby wanted Philamena to try on turned out to be more like two dozen different dresses in a variety of styles.
    It didn’t take long for Abby to decide what styles and colors looked best on her new friend. As Philamena tried clothes on, Abby either shook her head or clapped her hands in delight and started making notes and pinning in alterations. The entire time, Abby kept Philamena away from the big cheval mirror in the corner. When she was finished with Philamena, she could look, but not until her makeover was complete.
    “I don’t know what Mr. Granger has planned,” Philamena finally said, “but I’m sure one dress would suffice.”
    Abby laughed and continued fitting a beautiful burgundy silk gown to Philamena’s tall figure. Hoping that Philamena would fill out once she began eating better, Abby was leaving wide seams that could be let out later.
    “Luke will want you to have everything you need to be a banker’s wife. I intend to see you properly outfitted.”
    “Oh,” was all Philamena could manage to say, as her thoughts tumbled through her head. She had no business being a banker’s wife. Her skills when it came to being a gracious hostess or socializing were practically nonexistent.
     Other than at harvest time when the threshing crew came to help cut their wheat, the only person she’d been around in the last dozen years was her pa. He drank, ate, yelled at her, and slept. On the rare occasions when he was somewhat sober, he attempted to farm. If they had any money, he went to town and spent it all at the saloon.
    She grew all their vegetables, canning and preserving what she could during the summer and fall months.  Their once robust herd of cattle was now a handful of spindly cows. Pa butchered one a year and that beef had to last them for a good long time. Philamena learned to stay out of his way, be quiet, and keep the house as neat and clean as possible.
    A good cook and efficient housekeeper, Philamena was hopeful she wouldn’t be an overwhelming burden to Mr. Granger as she worked to pay off her father’s debt. Failing to grasp why she had to marry him for the bargain to be carried through,