The Artisan's Wife Read online

  Much to Ainslee’s delight, Nettie had been thrilled when Ainslee suggested submitting her story to Godey’s Lady’s Book. While Dr. Thorenson initially had expressed reservations about the idea, he soon became convinced Nettie could deal with a letter of rejection. After all, she’d seemingly accepted her husband’s rejection without dire consequences.

  Ainslee prayed her actions would prove positive and help Nettie progress toward life outside the institution. They’d agreed the submission would bear Nettie’s name, but all correspondence would be addressed to the tile works rather than the asylum. And while Nettie had given every assurance she didn’t expect a positive response from the magazine, Ainslee hadn’t missed her look of expectation each time they met.

  Today Laura would be arriving at Weston with a delivery of books to help fill the shelves. Her desire to accompany the shipment had come as a delightful yet unexpected surprise. There would be little time for visiting upon her arrival, since Ainslee would need to shelve the books and assist with arrangements for the tea and ribbon-cutting ceremony, but Laura planned to remain in Weston for several days, and Ainslee would have time to enjoy Laura’s company after the library opening. During her visit, Ainslee hoped to convince her to visit the asylum. While her sister-in-law had expressed a fear of the patients, Ainslee hoped to prove how many of them were harmless.

  Dr. Thorenson tapped on the library door. Although it stood ajar, he remained in the hallway. Ainslee crossed the room and greeted him.

  “Am I allowed to come in, or are you making everyone wait until the books have been shelved before you permit entry?” With a grin, he attempted to peek around her and look into the room.

  She opened the door wide and waved him forward. “You are more than welcome. I want to surprise the ladies, but any members of the staff are welcome to see what’s been accomplished.”

  His mouth gaped and his eyes opened wide when he stepped inside and inspected the room. “I can’t believe it. This is wonderful, Miss McKay.”

  His compliment created a rush of heat that raced up her neck and across her cheeks. “Thank you. When the patients come into this library, I hope they will be able to set aside their grief and worries for a time. Beyond what we learn from books, they can also provide a wonderful escape from the difficulties that surround us.”

  “You’re preaching to the converted, Miss McKay. I’m already a firm supporter of your program here at the asylum, and I certainly think your library is going to prove a great asset for our patients.” He leaned against one of the library tables. “Once the staff sees how well you’ve appointed this room, they may begin clamoring to work in this wing of the asylum.”

  “My brother’s wife will arrive today with a shipment of books. She didn’t tell me how many books had been donated or purchased so I’m eager to see how many of these shelves I’ll be able to fill before we finally open the doors to the patients.”

  “Perhaps Mrs. McKay will attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony with you. I believe it would be a fine gesture to include her since she has played a large role in securing books and donations for the furnishings, don’t you?” Before Ainslee could reply, he continued, his excitement mounting. “I believe we should present her with a certificate during the ceremony.”

  “I don’t know all of her plans just . . .”

  “Yes! A certificate of appreciation would be perfect. I’ll see that one is prepared. We have an excellent calligrapher working in the office.” He pushed away from the table, his eyes alight with excitement. “You don’t need to concern yourself. I’ll see to the preparation and make certain there’s a proper presentation from the administrator.” An orderly appeared at the door and gestured to the doctor. He nodded and crossed the room. “I need to see to a patient, but you keep up the good work, Miss McKay, and I’ll see to the certificate. We’ll have a grand ceremony right here in the library.”

  Ainslee stared after him, surprised by the doctor’s last-minute decision but determined to complete as much as possible before Laura’s arrival. There wasn’t time to dwell on anything other than shelving books.

  The clock in the bell tower sounded, and Ainslee startled to attention. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late meeting Laura’s train. As promised, the wagon Levi had arranged for at the livery was waiting outside the asylum when she arrived at the front gate.

  The driver jumped to the ground to assist her. “I was beginning to think maybe Mr. Judson gave me the wrong time.” Using his thumb, he gestured toward the asylum. “I sure didn’t want to go in there lookin’. I might never get back out.”

  Ainslee frowned at him. “Why would you say such a thing? Nobody is going to keep you in the asylum merely because you step inside the gates. That’s plain silly.” She tipped her head sideways. “Unless you need treatment.” She hesitated a moment and arched her brows. “Do you?”

  He shook his head with such vigor that his cap slipped sideways. “Nah! Ain’t nothin’ wrong in my head.”

  “Then there’s no reason to be worried about going into the asylum. The patients are treated well. This new asylum is much better than being locked in a jail cell with twenty or thirty other people suffering from mental deficiencies, don’t you think?”

  He jumped back up on the seat, unlocked the brake, and slapped the reins across the horses’ backsides. “I don’t want to think about what would be better. I don’t want to think about them folks at all. I know more than half the people in this town make their living working there, but I’d rather go without than work in a place like that.” He shuddered. “Gives me the shivers just thinking ’bout it.”

  “So I noticed.” Ainslee momentarily considered an attempt to dissuade his thoughts but decided against the idea. Instead, she’d use her powers of persuasion on Laura. She wanted her sister-in-law to see what her hard work in Grafton had helped to create.

  Once they arrived at the depot, the driver helped her down and followed her inside. “Mr. Judson said there’d be a lot of heavy crates for me to load into the wagon and deliver back to the asylum. I hope you got arrangements for someone else to take ’em in there. I told Mr. Judson I wouldn’t go inside.”

  Ainslee sighed. “I expect you to unload the crates at the front gate. Arrangements can be made for them to be delivered inside without your help.”

  “You ain’t gonna have none of them crazy folks out there when I’m around, are ya?”

  Ainslee clenched her teeth and willed herself to remain calm. “The men who will assist with the delivery are employed at the asylum. Some may even be your friends or neighbors.” She turned toward the clanging and hissing of the approaching train. “The train has arrived. Please follow me.” She swallowed the angry lecture she longed to give him, squared her shoulders, and strode toward the platform.

  Moments later, Laura stepped down from the train and rushed forward. She opened her arms and pulled Ainslee into a warm embrace. “It’s so good to see you again.” She took a backward step. “You look lovely.”

  Ainslee giggled and pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “I believe lovely is a bit of a stretch. I’ve been working at the asylum all morning and didn’t have time to go home and freshen up before coming to meet the train. Preparing for the library opening has been more time-consuming than I had imagined, but it has taken shape and looks wonderful. I can’t wait to shelve the books you’ve brought for us.” She glanced over her shoulder toward the wagon driver. “I have a driver waiting to load the crates into his wagon and deliver the books to the asylum. How many crates are there?”

  Laura hesitated. “Perhaps it would be easier if we go with him. That way I can be certain we retrieve all of them. Some of the books are packed in crates, but some are in barrels. There are even three large trunks, which I’ll need to ship back to the owners when I return to Weston. They arrived from Wheeling and I didn’t have time to unload and repack them into crates. It seems Mr. Harrington was able to elicit good support for your cause.”

  �
��Truly? How wonderful of him. He donated money to assist with the purchase of furnishings for the library, as well. He’s proving to be quite a benefactor.” She waved for the driver to follow them.

  He hurried forward and loaded the crates onto baggage carts. “I coulda figured out these was the ones. They got the McKay name on all of ’em.”

  Laura nodded and smiled. “There are three trunks, as well, and they haven’t been properly identified.” She wove through the baggage area with a determined step. “Ah, here they are.” She traced her gloved hand across the three canvas-covered, flat-top trunks. “I believe that’s everything, except my personal trunk, which will need to go to the hotel. Let’s make certain it doesn’t get unloaded at the asylum.”

  “No need to worry, Laura. We’ll take a carriage to the asylum, and I’ll supervise the unloading there.” She stepped to the side of the driver. “You might want to load Mrs. McKay’s trunk onto the wagon first since it won’t need to be unloaded until we go to the hotel.”

  “I don’t need ya to tell me how to load a wagon, Miss McKay.” The driver groaned. “My aching back. I woulda charged Mr. Judson more if I’d known there would be so much to load into the wagon. Them crates and barrels is mighty heavy, and I’m thinking the trunks are even worse. Books are lots heavier than dresses and hats.”

  Ainslee offered the driver a tight smile. “Consider your labor a contribution to a good cause.”

  He glowered at her as he lifted the trunk onto a wheeled cart, but Ainslee pretended not to notice. Any further comment would only make matters worse, so she hurried Laura toward the doors leading into the depot. “No need for us to wait on the platform. You can sit down inside and I’ll arrange for a carriage to take us to the asylum.”

  Laura hastened her step. “You won’t be going into the asylum, will you? If so, I’ll have the driver take me on to the hotel and then have him return for you. I know you said it is perfectly safe, but—”

  Ainslee shook her head. “No, I won’t go in today, but I’ll return tomorrow so I can log and shelve the books you’ve brought.”

  Tomorrow would be filled with tasks in the library, and Ainslee was determined to have Laura by her side. She walked outside, signaled to a carriage driver, and silently prayed God would provide her with the needed words and direction to convince Laura there was nothing to fear.

  After overseeing the unloading of the books, Ainslee stopped at the hotel and waited until Laura’s trunk was delivered to her room before returning to the tile works. Her full attention had been devoted to the library over the past days and the workers’ time records needed to be entered in the ledger before the pay envelopes could be prepared. If she planned to go to the library first thing in the morning, she would need to complete her duties at the tile works before joining Laura for supper at the hotel.

  As she entered the office, Levi looked up and grinned. “Did Laura arrive safely?”

  “She did.” Ainslee brushed the loose strands of hair from her face. “I’m pleased to see you, but why are you in here instead of working on the mosaics?” Perhaps he’d decided to make changes to some of his drawings. She drew closer and peered across the desk. The payroll ledger lay open on the desk in front of him, as well as a stack of time sheets. She gasped. “You don’t need to do this. I told you I’d return and get the pay envelopes prepared.”

  “You have so much to do before the opening. I know how important the library is to you—and to me. I’m proud of what you’re doing, and this is one small way I can help. I can work on sketches later, but this needs to be completed and I want you to have time with Laura.”

  “I will. We will. I told her we would join her for supper at the hotel this evening.” She sat down at the opposite side of the desk and picked up a stack of mail. Her heart pounded a new beat when she caught sight of an envelope bearing Nettie’s name. “Did you see this?”

  Levi shook his head. “I didn’t go through the mail. What is it?”

  Her hand trembled when she picked up the envelope. “It’s a letter to Nettie.” The words caught in her throat. “From Godey’s Lady’s Book.” She hesitated. “Oh, Levi. I think it must be good news.” She clutched the thin envelope to her chest. “If they don’t intend to publish submissions, I believe they’re returned to the author.”

  “Then they must have liked her story. Are you going to open it?”

  Ainslee placed the envelope in front of her and stared at Nettie’s name. “I didn’t ask what I should do when a response arrived. If it’s good news, I want Nettie to know first, but if it’s bad news . . .” She looked at Levi. “What do you think I should do?”

  “I think you should let me complete the payroll, and you should return to the asylum so that Nettie can open her letter. If Dr. Thorenson is in his office, ask him to accompany you—just in case it’s a rejection and Nettie should become distressed by the news.”

  Little wonder she’d come to care so much for Levi. He seemed always to provide the help and advice she needed. “You’re sure you won’t mind doing the payroll?”

  He rested his arms on the desk and turned his open palms toward her. “I’m yours to command. I would be pleased to complete the payroll, assist you in shelving books at the library, or order you supper later this evening.”

  She giggled, enjoying his amusing tone and willing spirit. “Then I believe I will accept your offer to finish the payroll and order my supper later this evening. As for shelving books, I may put those strong arms of yours to use tomorrow morning.”

  He stood, waved his hand in a sweeping gesture, and bowed. “As you wish, my lady.”

  Ainslee turned and smiled as she neared the office door. “Good sir, if you can think of some way to help me convince Laura she’ll be missing a wonderful experience if she doesn’t attend the ceremony tomorrow, I’d consider knighting you.”

  Levi chuckled. “I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to have you tap my shoulders with a sword. I’ll do my best to offer a solution upon your return.” He offered a deep bow.

  Ainslee couldn’t contain her laughter. “I’ll count on that since I don’t want to order a beheading.”

  Levi gasped and held his hands to his head. “Please don’t consider such a thing, my lady. I promise I’ll have an answer for you.”

  She opened the door and offered a final wave to Levi before departing. The good-natured role playing with him had been just what she needed.

  Ainslee’s shoes clicked on the Minton tiles that lined the hallway leading to Dr. Thorenson’s office. She’d barely lifted her hand to knock, when the door opened and the doctor appeared.

  “Miss McKay, I thought you’d left.” His gaze wandered toward the hallway leading to the library. “There wasn’t anyone in the library when I passed by a short time ago.”

  “I did leave, but when I returned to the tile works, I went through the mail.” She waved the envelope under his nose. “Look what arrived. It’s from Godey’s.”

  He leaned back slightly and focused on the envelope. “So it is.”

  Her voice vibrated with excitement. Truth be told, Ainslee would have jumped up and down if such behavior hadn’t been so unladylike. “Can we go and get Nettie? I can hardly wait to see what the letter says.”

  Dr. Thorenson smiled and gave a slight nod. “Yes, but you need to be prepared if the news isn’t good. While Nettie isn’t one who shows much emotion, I’m sure she’ll be quite disappointed. You may need to stay for a time and offer her encouragement.”

  Though she had promised to join Laura for supper, Ainslee was willing to take her chances. She couldn’t bear to wait any longer to know the contents of the letter. “If the news isn’t good, I’ll do my best, but I feel certain they’ve accepted the story.”

  He didn’t say anything, but from the look in Dr. Thorenson’s eyes, it was obvious he wasn’t so positive. “Then, let’s be on our way. The ladies should be in the dormitory preparing for supper.”

  By the time they arrived at th
e doorway to the dormitory, Ainslee could barely breathe. She startled when the doctor lightly grasped her elbow and nodded toward the room where she’d met Nettie before. “I still don’t think you should go into the dormitory. It will create too much excitement for the other patients and some may be difficult to calm.” A slight smile played on his lips. “Unintentional or not, the nurses and orderlies will be unhappy with me if I do anything to cause an upheaval before supper.”

  Ainslee clutched the letter in her hand as she awaited Nettie’s arrival in the private room. When she heard the click of the dormitory door, she straightened to attention and leaned forward. She jumped to her feet the minute Nettie appeared.

  “Did Dr. Thorenson tell you?” Before Nettie could answer, Ainslee thrust the envelope toward her. “You received a letter from Godey’s.”

  Nettie’s mouth dropped open as she glanced toward the doctor. “No. He merely said you needed to speak to me. I thought it was about the library.”

  When she didn’t reach for the envelope, Ainslee waved it back and forth. “Here. Please open this. I’ve been on pins and needles ever since I laid eyes on it.”

  Nettie’s hand quivered as she grasped the missive and opened the seal. Both Ainslee and the doctor peered at her. Moments later, she dropped to one of the chairs. “They want to publish my story.” Eyes wide, she looked up at Ainslee. “The letter says they’ll send a draft by separate mail if I sign the enclosed contract and agree to publication.” She clasped the letter to her chest. “Can you believe it? The letter says they have a readership of more than one hundred and fifty thousand.” She sighed. “If only a few of them read my story and like it, won’t that be grand?”