“I don’t like the idea of leaving you here, daughter.  Why, you’ll be out here all alone with Jenkins gone to Skylar.  Won’t you change your mind and come with me?”

“No, Papa!  I will be just fine.”  Sophie looked at her parent in disdain.  “You know perfectly well I will be safe enough.  Why, it’s common knowledge that I can shoot as well as any man!”

“Yes, it is common knowledge,” Clarence Foster said sadly.  “You are never going to get a husband if you keep acting like a man, Sophie.  Men want a woman for a wife.  They want to hear petticoats rusting and get a whiff of perfume.  They don’t want to see britches and smell horse liniment.”

“Thank you, Papa, for once again pointing out what a terrible disappointment I am to you.”  Sophie tried to pretend that she didn’t care, but it hurt to know how her father felt about her.  It hurt to know that all the men within a hundred miles thought she was to be avoided at all costs.  She made the mistake of going to the last dance in town… she even put on a dress for the occasion… and not one man asked her to dance, well, except for old  Mr. McCrae, and he wanted a mother for his six boys.  She certainly told him ‘no’ fast enough.

“Sophie, I love you, but your Mama had dreams for you, and she would be real upset to see what I’ve let you come to.  While I’m gone I wish you’d try putting on a dress and acting like the woman you are.  Who knows, maybe you would like it, Sophie.”  Clarence Foster kissed her on the cheek and then took his leave.  He didn’t see the tears in her pretty blue eyes.

Sophie quickly pulled herself together.  She’d been looking forward to having time alone ever since she learned of her Papa’s trip to Clear Lake.  With their farmhand, Jenkins, gone she was in charge of their boarding house and livery stable.  At present, they were empty of guests, and that suited Sophie just fine.  True privacy was a rarity, even though they were a mile from town.  She couldn’t recall the last time they were without a boarder, or that Jenkins and her Papa were both gone at the same time, and she intended to enjoy the time alone.  She quickly made sure the barn work was all done, their livestock all cared for, and then Sophie filled the bathtub with hot water and she undressed and climbed in.  She added some sweet smelling rose water to the tub and the fragrance filled the room.  It felt delightful to soak in the water until it started to cool to the point of being almost cold.  Sophie reluctantly got out and wrapped herself in a clean towel.  She brushed her long, dark hair in front of the fire until it was dry, and then she put on her flannel nightdress and went to her bedroom, which was downstairs.  She made sure her gun was within reach, and she climbed into bed, along with her book, and she enjoyed the simple pleasure of reading… without being told that it was late and she needed to shut off her light and go to sleep.  For all that her Papa wanted her to be a woman, he still treated her like a little girl, dictating her day and her night.  She worked hard, and he seldom gave her a moment of free time to read or go for a ride.  She planned to enjoy every moment of freedom, and she prayed that no one showed up wanting to rent a room.  Sophie finally went to sleep, knowing she would be up early as usual.

The next day started well.  Sophie woke before dawn, and she quickly dressed, and her father would have been shocked to see her in a skirt and shirtwaist, with her hair put up in a roll on top of her head.  She also wore perfume, and wondered if the cow and chickens would notice…?  Laughing at her own whimsy, she hurried to tend to her critters, as she called all of the various animals depending on her for their care.  The horses were happy to see her.  She fed them well and took the time to pet them and talk to them a bit.  The cow munched on hay while Sophie milked her.  She scattered feed for the chickens, and then gathered eggs, pleased with the amount.  With no boarders, she would have more she could sell to Mr. Cline at the General Store.  Taking care of the critters always put her in a good mood.  The animals loved her unconditionally, and they didn’t care how she dressed or fixed her long hair.  They loved the sound of her voice and her touch.

Sophie fixed herself breakfast, peeling a potato and dicing it small, adding onion, and putting the vegetables into a skillet with some butter.  She then sliced off some bacon and put it in another skillet to fry.  While that was cooking she made herself some orange juice, and got out a plate and silverware.  When the bacon was done, she used the drippings to fry two eggs.  Sophie always ate a huge breakfast.  She needed it to face the day, and cleaning the entire house, top to bottom.  When you provided lodging and meals for paying guests, part of the job was to keep the house as clean as could be, and that meant dusting furniture and floors, cleaning rugs, washing sheets, scrubbing floors, and cooking great meals.  To provide food for all those people, Sophie tended a big garden, and she kept a milk cow to make her own butter, cream, and milk.  And the chickens kept her in fresh eggs.  Sophie baked daily, too.  It was a treat to have a day off.  The house was clean enough to welcome an unexpected guest, but she planned to take the entire day and spend it as a lady of leisure.  She was going to hitch up the buggy, take the milk and eggs to town and sell them to Mr. Cline, and then spend the money, plus a bit she had saved, on whatever caught her fancy.  She would leave a note on the door to welcome any guests who might stop by and let them know she would return soon, and in the meantime to make themselves at home.

After she ate, she made quick work of the dishes.  Cleaning up after one person was not like work at all!  Within a short time, she’d removed her apron, hung the note on the front door, hitched up Clementine to the buggy, and she was on her way to Apple Creek.  She’d considered changing her clothing, but for once she wanted to feel like a lady instead of the hard working hand she considered herself to be.  The only difference, a hired hand got paid… she didn’t.  Her father didn’t feel he should have to pay his daughter for her efforts.  Sometimes, when she was feeling especially tired of all the work, Sophie considered leaving.  She wondered just how much her Papa would have to pay to hire a woman to do all she did.  Knowing him as she did, he might hire a woman, but within a short as time as he could manage it, Clarence Foster would put a ring on the woman’s finger, and she wouldn’t see another cent for all the work she did.  The one time that Sophie suggested he pay her, he’d laughed and said that he had a right to expect her to work for her room and board, and that was that.

Sophie often thought that her Mama died from all the work, and not a bit of thanks or praise from Clarence Foster.  After giving birth to her, her Mama suffered miscarriage after miscarriage.  She learned a couple of years ago that Doc told her Mama she needed more rest if she hoped to carry a baby, but her Papa thought that nonsense and said he didn’t believe in coddling women or children.  Her Mama hemorrhaged and died before the doctor could get there.  Sophie knew it was her Papa’s fault, but all he said was that her Mama was a weak woman.  Sophie missed her, and she supposed he did too.  When he wanted his scolding to have an effect, Clarence Foster invoked her Mama’s name. 

“Good morning, Miss Sophie,” Mr. Cline looked up from the counter he was wiping down.  “You surely do look right purty this morning,” he complimented her.

“Thank you, Mr. Cline,” she answered with a shy smile.

“What do you have for me today?” he asked, looking at the basket she was carrying.

“Eggs, milk, cream, and butter,” she replied.

“Oh, bless you, child!  I am out of eggs and butter, and short on cream and milk.  You are saving my life,” he said, exaggerating his plight, of course.

Sophie gave him a grin and then said, “Well, then you’ll be wanting to pay me a bit more today…?”  His face turned red as he stuttered just a bit, telling her he couldn’t make a profit if he paid more than the normal rate.  She just giggled at him, and then he smiled, too.

“You and your teasing, young lady!”  He shook a finger at her, but the scolding wasn’t sincere and they both knew it.  He gave her the amount and asked if he should put it on account like usual.

“No, Mr. Cline.  I would like a bit of spending money today.”

“Now, I sure don’t blame you.  It never does seem fair that your Pa always makes you put it on your account and you doing all the work.”

“Papa only sees the bottom line, Mr. Cline,” she said, her tone giving away none of her feelings.  She accepted her money, and then started looking about the store.  A couple of women came in and she lowered her voice and said quietly, “Please go ahead and wait on them, Mr. Cline.  I will enjoy looking around.”

“Fine, Miss Sophie.  You just let me know when you find something you want.”

“I will do that,” she agreed.  It was so enjoyable to spend all the time she wanted looking around the store, and not having to worry about having the next meal ready on time, or sheets that needed to be taken from the clothesline, folded, and put away for the next morning’s bed changing.  She was not used to having time for herself, and she was going to enjoy every precious second.

“Is that you, Sophie Foster?” elderly Mrs. Graves asked as she spotted her.

“Yes, ma’am.  How are you feeling, Mrs. Graves?” Sophie asked politely, just as her Mama taught her to do.

“I’m just fine, girl.  You look pretty today, and wearing a skirt, too!  Why on earth you wear those pants all the time is a mystery to me.  You are too pretty for that, girl.”

“Pants are easier to work in, ma’am,” Sophie explained, as she always did.

“You should be trying to look pretty for the young men, Sophie,” Mrs. Graves insisted.  “Your Papa does you no favors by allowing you to dress so… And he makes you work too hard.  You tell him I said so.”

“Yes, ma’am.”  Sophie would never say a word, but she did not wish to upset the elderly woman.

“Are you trying to decide upon that piece of yard goods?” Mrs. Graves asked, looking at it with a critical eye.

“I rather like it,” Sophie explained.

“Well, hold it up next to your face, child.  Let me have a good look,” the elderly woman bossed.  “Yes, it goes well with your complexion and those pretty blue eyes of yours.  Matches well.  I think you should buy it and sew it right up and wear it to church next Sunday.”  She looked around for Mr. Cline.  “Adam, cut off enough of this for a pretty dress for Sophie.  She needs some lace and some buttons, too.”

Sophie smiled and nodded at the man.  “It’s been a long time since I had a new dress, Mr. Cline.  I think it will make a nice project for me while Papa is gone.”

“I think you need a new hat, too,” Mrs. Graves announced as she walked across the store.  “Adam, when are you going to get some decent hats in here?  These are suitable for the women who flaunt themselves in the saloon, but there is nothing here for a sweet girl like Sophie!”

“I can’t afford to carry hats no more what with Penny Carlson opening her millinery.”

“That’s right.  We’ll go there and look for a new hat, Sophie.”

“I’m not sure I want to buy a new hat, ma’am,” Sophie protested.  What she didn’t want was to set foot in Penny Carlson’s store… Not after the way she’d treated her since her son tried to force himself on her.  Mrs. Carlson seemed to think it was Sophie’s fault!

“Nonsense, Sophie.  It’s been at least three years since you’ve had a brand new hat, thanks to your father’s penny pinching ways.  You just come with me, young lady.  I’m going to see you have what you deserve!”  She headed for the door, and then turned back.  “Cut off a small piece of that fabric so we can take it with us for matching purposes, Adam.”

He did as he was told.

“I’ll be back, Mr. Cline,” Sophie promised.  She wasn’t sure she could afford a hat… and still buy the new books she planned to buy.  Not getting her books would be a huge disappointment to her, but then, she hadn’t had a new hat since she finished with school.

The bell tinkled on the door of Penny Carlson’s hat shop.  “Penny, are you here?” Mrs. Graves called out.

“Yes, I am here,” the woman replied, pushing aside a curtain and walking into her display room.  She had a smile for Mrs. Graves, but she looked at Sophie in distaste.  “What can I find for you today, Mrs. Graves?” she asked.

“Nothing for me, but Sophie needs a hat that will match or compliment this fabric.”

“Well, I’m not sure I have anything,” the woman answered with a frown of annoyance, not even bothering to look at the fabric in her hand.

“Mrs. Graves, let’s go.  Mrs. Carlson has an obvious dislike for me because I slapped her Rory when he tried to paw me a few weeks ago.  For some reason Rory thought I was easy, and he made a fool of himself.”

“Why, how dare you make such accusations?” the woman sputtered indignantly.

“Probably because you and half the other women in this town sweep your skirts aside when I am in town.  I’ve never done one thing to earn that kind of reputation and it makes me mad to know that you women think I have!”  Sophie was angry and her blue eyes were snapping with unbridled temper.

“Is this true, Penny?” Mrs. Graves asked in shocked disbelief.

“She’s out there with all those men all the time, isn’t she?”

“Her father lives there, too!” Mrs. Graves stated.  “What is she supposed to do?  Turn away boarders who aren’t female?  As if her penny-pinching father would give her a choice!  Sophie works hard, Penny.  If your boy made improper advances to her, then it is his own fault he came away looking a fool.  This child is as innocent as they come.”

“I don’t believe it!”

“Well, perhaps you can believe this.  I won’t do business with you, and if I have my say, no other decent woman in this town will either.  You might as well close your doors, my dear.  You are done.”  Mrs. Graves jerked open the door, causing the little bell to fall to the floor.  “Come along, Sophie.  We’ll let Adam know he’d better restock his hat department.”

Once they were outside, she stopped and took Sophie’s arm.  “This is just plain stupidity with these people, my dear.  I’ll deal with it, you may be sure.  In the meantime, we’ll see what we can do with what Adam has on hand.”

Sophie listened in no little amusement as Mrs. Graves told Adam to restock the ladies hats because Penny Carlson would be out of business within a week or less.  She also picked up several of the man’s creations and proceeded to demolish two of them in order to make a lovely hat that was suitable for Sophie’s age.  “Try this on,” she bossed, and Sophie admitted she loved it, pleasing Mrs. Graves to no end.  “I think it lovely,” she nodded in satisfaction, and then ordered, “Adam, you put this on my bill, please.  I don’t care what it cost, it certainly is worth it, and I’ll make darn sure it is known all over town that Penny Carlson did not have a thing to do with it.  When I was newly married I worked in a hat shop in Boston.  It seems I remembered a thing or two!”

“You certainly did, Mrs. Graves, but I can’t let you pay for it!” Sophie argued.

“Why, you can’t stop me, either, young lady!” the woman blustered.

“It certainly isn’t any of my business, Miss, but I think you should listen to the lady,” a strange man said from the counter where he was leaning and watching the entire hat pageant play out.  “You look right pretty.”

“Do we know you, young man?” Mrs. Graves turned her attention to him, stepping in front of Sophie protectively.

“No, ma’am, and I was raised to have better manners than to offer such an opinion to a lady whose acquaintance I hadn’t made.  My apologies,” he said, tipping his hat as he gathered the few purchases he’d made and headed for the doorway.  When he reached it, he turned and grinned.  “Take the hat, Miss.  You look as pretty as a clear blue sky!”  Once he made his point, he left.