Ruby by Lauraine Snelling, Alexandra O'Karm

the hall wall.
    “Opal, you put on the pillowcases.” She turned to Milly. “Do you usually iron these first?”
    “Iron pillowcases?”
    “I see.” Life had indeed been different at the Brandons’. She went on around the bed so as to let Milly set the pace. Together they spread and tucked the sheets before Ruby asked another question. “How long have you been working here?”
    “Two years or so.”
    They smoothed the top sheet in place.
    “Do you have any idea how long my father and Belle were married?”
    “Married?”
    Ruby stopped in centering the quilt and stared across the bed at the young woman. “Yes.”
    “They wasn’t married. Belle talked about it some, but . . .” She shook her head and jerked on the quilt.
    Not married? So that’s what Charlie was hinting about . Ruby kept from looking at Opal, who she was sure had plenty of questions. “I see.” Perhaps that explained some of her father’s comments in the letter.
    “But my Papá’s clothes and Belle’s things are—”
    “Opal.”
    “But—”
    “That is enough.” Ruby came around the end of the bed and took her sister by the arm. “We’ll be in the kitchen making supper, Milly. Please come down as soon as you finish here.”
    “Ah, there you are, Miss Torvald.” Charlie greeted her with a smile when she entered the kitchen. “I have someone who wants to pay his respects.”
    “Oh, well, of course.” Ruby’s hands automatically went to smooth back the tendrils of hair, and she wished she had glanced in a mirror before coming down.
    The door swung open and Charlie ushered in the officer she had seen at the graveside.
    “Miss Torvald, Captain Jeremiah McHenry.”
    Even in the dim light from the kerosene lamp, his buttons gleamed as if lit from within. She followed the button trail upward to a cleft chin and a smiling mouth bracketed by deep grooves. His hazel eyes smiled easily, the lines radiating from the edges, a mute testimony to a man that saw far distances and enjoyed the journey.
    “Miss Torvald, I just wanted to offer my personal condolences on your father’s death. I know coming here must be a shock, and I hope you will let me know if there is anything I can do to make your stay easier.”
    “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your offer. My sister and I have a great deal to become accustomed to here.”
    “Do I take it that you will be staying?”
    “For a time, anyway. Would you like to sit down?” Ruby glanced toward the table to see Opal standing just inside the door to the staircase. “Captain McHenry, this is my sister, Opal.”
    “I’m glad to meet you too, miss.” He turned back to Ruby. “Remember, if there is anything I can do to—”
    “Do you have horses?” Opal crossed to stand by her sister.
    “Why, yes. At least I have access to army horses. Why?”
    “Opal has always wanted to ride and was hoping she could while we are here.”
    “Now that is an easy wish to grant. As soon as we return from patrol, I will bring a horse for you to ride.”
    “You really will?” Hero worship wrapped Opal’s sigh in awe.
    “Yes.” He turned back to Ruby. “If you will excuse me now, I need to return to the cantonment.”
    “Thank you.”
    “You are most welcome.” He clicked his heels and, with a slight bow, left via the swinging door that led to the saloon.
    “Opal, that was not very mannerly.”
    “But he said to ask if there was something he could do, and so I did.” Opal squared her shoulders. “I said please and thank you.”
    “That you did. Let’s see what we can find for supper.” Perhaps one of us will get a wish come true out of this . . . this . . . She couldn’t think of an adequate word.
    Ignoring the sounds from the saloon, Ruby found a bag of potatoes and set Opal to peeling them while she sliced some of the ham she had discovered in the pantry. When Milly joined them, Ruby set her to making biscuit dough.
    “Who does the cooking here?”
    “Mostly me and Charlie.”
    “And the