Chapter 28
Thank you all once again for your reviews. Very much appreciated. And for those new readers who have been following my other stories. Hope you are all keeping well during these difficult times.
The whole crowd stepped inside the restaurant and Rachel made her way to the counter and stood up on a stool she had previously placed there.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," she called, bringing everyone's attention to herself. "It is a great pleasure to see you all here today at the opening of The Dickensian Restaurant. Today we celebrate the opening, so let me tell you what I have planned." She took a deep breath, unaccustomed as she was for speech giving, but went on nevertheless trying not to show her nervousness. "Today I have organized one set menu and as you are aware there are more of you here than can be accommodated inside so as I'm sure you've noticed, I have arranged an outside sitting area for today. I hope it won't be too cold for you. But I think today's weather has blessed this opening day."
"No worries, Rachel," Abby spoke up. "We can organize everyone's seating arrangement."
"Thank you Abby," Rachel replied. I would like to introduce you to my staff who will be waiting on you today."
She pointed out the two young girls just to the side of her. "Ann Warren and Sheila Price. Also, and just for today, I have the help of Mrs Ellen Cole and Mr John Harvey." There was a chorus of laughter as the two stepped forward from the kitchen doorway, both wearing their aprons. John's face turned a little red. "And finally I must thank Abby and Adam Cartwright and Ellen Cole and their children, for, without whose help, this day would not have been achieved. I give you all my sincere thanks."
"Now if you would please find yourselves seats you will see a menu card on the tables. But I have two places reserved. One for Mr Daniel DeQuille, having promised him the first meal of the day and the other for Mr and Mrs Edward Henderson, who are the owners of the restaurant and who gave me this wonderful opportunity. Without them none of this would have come about. So thank you so much." She said the last directly to Mr and Mrs Henderson, and showed them to the VIP table.
There was a bustle of activity as people were looking around for a seat as Abby directed them. Adam took the girls to a corner table and waited for Abby to join them. And the outside seating arrangements worked very well. And so the meal was served. The card menus read:
Gruel (In the form of Beef Broth) and hot bread rolls.
Honey-glazed Chicken in white wine sauce with Mashed Potatoes/Fried Potatoes and Vegetables
Apple and Cinnamon Cobbler with Ice-cream or cream
Wine, Tea, Coffee and Lemonade
The Dickensian would be open: 8 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Breakfasts / Lunch / Afternoon Teas.
Abby offered her services but Rachel refused, telling her she was a VIP today and to go and sit with her husband.
The meal worked wonderfully. Rachel had prepared enough for fifty people so was pleased that she had worked so hard at preparing it. But Adam couldn't help quietly laughing every time he saw John Harvey walk through the restaurant in his apron. He and Ellen had been designated to serving the outside brigade. After a thoroughly enjoyable and leisurely lunch and once the tables had been cleared and guests were left with their beverages, Adam stood up and walked to the door and called everyone sat outside, to come inside. He made his way to the counter area, which seems to have been the area for speeches, and so he began.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure you've had a real treat today. The meal was tremendous Rachel. Thank you so much for your hard work. And I know you have been working very hard at making this day come true." He waited for the applause to die down before he could continue. "Now, before you leave today, I invite you all to walk around the restaurant and view everything, which I know will astonish you. Abigail and Rachel came up with ideas to dedicate this restaurant to Mr Dickens and his work, which we have come to admire. There are many paintings around the room showing scenes from Charles Dickens' novels. These were painted by my wife Abigail Cartwright"
Abby could see just how proud her husband was of her. But she blushed nevertheless at the compliment, especially in front of everyone. Adam continued on.
"Mrs Ellen Cole, too, has given up her time in preparing today's event. And I should add Miss Connie Cole, Miss Jenny Cole, Elizabeth and Margaret Cartwright, also helped with the preparations."
As he listened to more applause, he looked over to the two tables occupied by said families and smiled appreciatively.
Adam raised his hands to ask for quiet.
"I have one further announcement to make, and it's my pleasure to invite Mr and Mrs Edward Henderson over here
with me to partake in this."
Mr and Mrs Edward Henderson stood from their table and walked across to join Adam. Abby was smiling at Rachel's face. She was frowning in confusion and obviously not aware that anything further needed to be done. Mr Henderson addressed the guests,
"Ladies and Gentlemen I would like you to meet Miss Rachel Evans who has made this restaurant much more than I had thought possible." He held out his arm gesturing Rachel to join him. "Rachel, I have something very precious to give to you today." He handed over an envelope to her. "You need not open it right now as I will tell you and everyone what it is. Today you have become the new owner of The Dickensian Restaurant. And I hand it over to you with my blessing."
There were shouts of congratulations as well as more applause.
Then amid the noise, as Adam took Mrs Henderson aside to speak with her, Rachel leaned in to Edward Henderson and said, "But Mr Henderson, this is your restaurant. I just hoped to make it more so, just for you."
"I know my dear, but I could tell how much you were loving it here and knew it was time to think of retiring, now is definitely the right moment."
"But you can't just give it to me. Let me buy it from you. Of course it would have to be in instalments."
"Not to worry about that. Adam and I came to an agreement."
"Adam! An agreement! What kind of agreement. Mr Cartwright has done enough already."
"You must speak with him, my dear, it's out of my hands."
"I certainly will….." Rachel said, raising her voice slightly, but suddenly realized the room was silent and blushed in embarrassment. And then out loud she announced, "I certainly will do everything in my power to ensure The Dickensian will strive to be all that you wished it to be."
"I know it will. My wife and I hand over the restaurant to you with our blessing, knowing you feel as we do about The Dickensian."
Following another bout of applause but mercifully short, the guests were chatting and milling around and investigating the restaurant. Abby and Rachel stood together listening to the comments and the oohs and ahs as the guests walked around.
"I think it was all worth the effort." Abby said. "Will you be ready to open on Monday?" She asked.
"Oh yes, with Ann and Sheila, it will be just fine. And then of course Ellen will be helping out as well."
"And what about John Harvey?"
"What about him?"
"Are we going to lose him to The Dickensian?" Abby asked, sadly.
"Oh, of course not. He wanted to help me just for today," Rachel answered with a slight grin she couldn't control.
"Well, if we do lose him, I'm very happy that it will be you who will benefit." Abby said, bringing a big smile and chuckles from them both.
And finally, after many thanks that Rachel received, only a few of the guests were left and as they left Rachel could see Ben standing just outside the front door with a basket in his hand and people were dropping money into it.
When the last guest left she went over to Ben to ask what he had been doing. "Ben what have you got there, may I ask?"
"This is everyone's gift to you for today," he said as he handed over the basket to her. "As you didn't charge for the food
I thought to suggest a small donation to help pay for the food and everyone was very happy to do so. So here, use this for the purchasing of future supplies with our blessing." He had also given a generous donation himself.
"Oh Ben, what can I say. Thank you, thank you." Rachel gave him a kiss. Then after a moment of thought she said, "I think I'll ask Daniel to write up a letter of thanks to everyone in his next issue."
"They will appreciate that. Now I think it's time to gather up my family and make our way home."
"Yes, it's been a long day for everyone. You will be glad to be home and take a rest."
"Rest? Fat chance of that I fear." Ben said, jokingly. "My congratulations to you Rachel. I wish you all good things for this restaurant of yours. But don't forget us and come and see us sometimes."
"I will, Mr Cartwright."
"Ben please." And he kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you, Ben. One other thing I'm grateful for is your son Adam, who is about to have a piece of my mind about what he has done here today."
"Well," he laughed, "I'll leave you to it." And as he started to walk away, he turned and said, "You won't win you know. Trust me." And with that Ben, having gathered his family together, journeyed back home.
"Well we'll be off Rachel," Abby called as she was putting her thick coat on having seen the children were both dressed ready to go home.
"Yes, I know. It will feel strange after you all go. We've been together over this project for quite a while. I'll miss seeing you as often," Rachel told her.
"I think you'll be too busy to miss me. And in any case we will see each other often. You to us. Us to you. I don't expect to see much of you once the snow appears and by the Spring we will have another Cartwright to contend with."
"Yes, you must send word if you need me. Promise me."
"I promise," Abby assured. "I would love for you to be there with me if possible."
"Of course, if it's in my power, I'll be there. I too promise." They hugged, both happy that they had each other.
Just then Adam walked over to them with the girls. "Are you ready, Abby. We should go right now, and you might ask what's the rush. Well I'll tell you, your prediction about the weather I think is about to happen. Look how grey/white the sky is. I see snow in our not to distant future." His quick decision to leave left Rachel no time to have cross words with him and he knew it.
"Oh, in that case we'd better make a move. Buy Rachel, and good luck for Monday, although I predict you'll not need it." She gave Rachel another quick squeeze and kiss and left with an arm round each of the girls.
"You'll not get away with it," Rachel whispered to Adam as she stood barring his exit with hands on hips. "We…I mean I will challenge you at a later date. Next time you are in town."
"Can't wait." Adam whispered back, with a wicked smile. "Bye Rachel." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and rushed around her and out. …
It was definitely getting colder as the day wore on, but Adam and family were warmly wrapped up in blankets and chattering nineteen to the dozen about The Dickensian.
"Oh, I just remembered," Adam said. I was speaking with Mrs Henderson and she mentioned Beth's speech and how she read about asking you, sweetheart, to draw pictures of the inside and outside of The Dickensian."
"Right, so?" Abby queried.
"Well, she asked if she could commission you to two similar drawings for her. It is something she would love to give her husband as a retirement gift. She said he would adore them."
"More machinations of yours?"
"Certainly not. It was all Mrs Henderson, I swear." Adam raised his hand as swearing to an oath.
"Very well. I can do them while we hibernate and Beth you can be writing up your letter to Mr Dickens."
"What about me?" Mags piped up. Being left out all the time made her mad.
"Well, why don't you write to him too," Abby suggested. "And I can help you with spelling if you want."
"What can I write to him about, Mamma."
"You could tell him about what is happening in Virginia City and on the Ponderosa and you could also tell him what you think about the last novel of his that was read to you and of course the new baby to come."
"Wow, that's a lot to think about and what a long letter that would be," Adam said in agreement. He squeezed Abby's knee under the blanket they were wrapped together in. "Such a good idea, Abby, he whispered in her ear."
Reasoning saved the day yet again.
….
The weather did indeed turn to snow, so Adam worked hard at organizing the family sleigh in readiness for the months ahead and fixing the long rope from the house to the barn for those days when it was difficult to see much in front of their faces.
The girls were busy writing their letters and Abby was working on her paintings as requested of her when Adam came back in and walked to the fire to get warm and then sat in his favourite chair reading, relaxing in the peace that surrounded him. But for how long, he asked himself.
"Daddy?" Mags was the first one to break the silence.
"Yes, sweetheart."
"We will get to the Ponderosa for Christmas, won't we?"
"I hope so, there's not too much snow about and the sleigh will get us there," he replied.
"It will be a shame if Sam and Ellen can't make it." Abby joined the conversation. "It will a lovely Christmas if they could be with us all."
"Yes indeed, but don't build your hopes up, the weather could change over night and prevent their coming."
"You'll put a damper on it saying something like that."
"Yes, Daddy," Beth added. "We want them to be able to come."
"We have presents for them too," Mags said, "so don't be a meanie and say horrible things."
And before Adam could reprimand her for name calling, Abby broke in quickly, "Mags, you apologise to your father right now for calling him names." Abby gave her a look that Mags recognised as one her Daddy uses when she was in trouble.
"Sorry," she quietly said, keeping her head down.
"I think you should look at the one you're apologising to, young lady." Adam said a little sternly.
Mags then turned in her seat and looked her father in the eye. Tears began to form and she got up from her chair and rushed over to Adam and put her arms around his neck and squeezed, then stood back up from him and said, "I'm sorry, Daddy. I hope you forgive me."
"I forgive you and thank you for the apology, but I don't want to hear that kind of talk from you again. Understand?"
"Yes, Daddy. I'll be good." And she hugged him again.
Where have I heard that before, he thought.
"Okay now, go on back to your letter to Mr Dickens. How is it going?" Adam asked.
"Not too good, but I'll pre…serve."
"Persevere, darling, is the word you're looking for."
"Sorry Daddy. It takes a lot to learn big words."
"But you were thinking the right way, darling." Abby interrupted. "What other words do you know that mean persevere?"
"Keep going, continue, carry on." Mags answered.
"Quite right. That's exactly what persevere means."
…
That night as Abby and Adam lay in bed, "Mags is coming along in leaps and bounds with her words," Abby said.
"She sure is and with your help she is going to get even better."
"Yes, I thought I could help her with words while we're all home," Abby continued. I could list a few words each day and ask her what other words mean the same thing."
"Like you did this evening?"
"Yes. It might help her to remember the 'big words'."
"Well, it would be nice if it worked. She can be a stubborn little miss when it comes to learning, especially when it is school holidays. Well sort of school holidays. But then we always know the weather dictates our lives, one way or another."
"Yes, I know Adam, but if I can make it into a sort of game, she'll learn and not know it."
"What sort of game?" Adam asked.
"Oh, I don't know, but I'll think of something."
"Just remember I expect you to relax as much as possible, your time is moving on. So nothing strenuous, understand?"
"Yes, Sir. Nothing arduous, difficult, taxing or demanding."
"Very funny. But if I find you doing anything you shouldn't be doing, I'm going to tie you to the bed." He said in his authoritative voice. "How would you like that?"
"Well, if that were to happen, then you, my love, would be the one to lose out."
"How so?"
"It would mean there would be no response from me when you want a little loving."
"Mmmmm. I hadn't thought of that."
They both smiled, and Adam snuggled in closer to Abby to kiss her and hold her tighter to him, as best he could. Then bringing his arm around Abby, he caressed her tummy very gently.
"All is quiet in there," he said.
"He must be asleep. Just like we should be. We have a busy day tomorrow. Lots of presents to wrap up, food preparation….."
Adam stopped her there. "What did I just ask you?"
"Command me, you mean."
"Don't you start with me, madam." Then he went quiet, thinking of what he had planned. "Listen to me a minute," he said. "I've been speaking with Hop Sing and there is a cousin of his who has been staying on the Ponderosa, learning how to look after a family, just like he does."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, her name is Su Li and she will be coming to live with us in a few days time."
"What!"
"I am not having you working yourself into exhaustion, so Su Li will be to us, just as Hop Sing is to the Ponderosa.
There will be no argument. My decision is irreversible, irrevocable, unalterable and final."
"No argument, sweetheart. I was just shocked that you hadn't told me of your plans before. I love the way you look after me, care for me and think to make life easier for me. Oh, how I love you Mr Cartwright. Who would have known how my life would change for the better."
"From a life of crime, you mean." He chuckled. "And I love you, Mrs Cartwright. Now sleep." He leaned across Abby and kissed her goodnight. "Goodnight, my love."
"Ditto," came a sleepy reply.
…
Adam Cartwright and his family were being introduced to Su Li.
"Hop Sing has told me many things and I hope to serve you well," Su Li said, bowing.
"Mr Adam, I tell her your favourite food, how you like your clothes and all things to do with household. She good worker and serve you well," Hop Sing told them, and he too bowed.
"Dear Hop Sing," Abby began, "I can't thank you enough for bringing Su Li to us." And then turning to Su Li, she said, "you will be a part of our family, not a servant and I hope you will care for us as much as we already care for you."
"I thank you Missy Abby."
"You're welcome."
"How about you show Su Li around the house and where she will be staying," Adam stated.
"Of course, let me take your bags….." A cough was heard behind her. "Well, perhaps Adam can bring them along when he's ready."
"That's right, sweetheart."
"Can I come too?" Came a little voice.
"Of course, Mags." Abby answered. And as quick as a flash Mags jumped from her seat and ran towards the stairs to follow her Mamma. But before she got there she was stopped by a pair of strong arms and received a hard swat to her bottom.
"Ow!"
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop running in the house?" He admonished.
"Many, it seems," whispered Beth to herself with a smile.
Then looking up the stairs, where Abby and Su Li were stood, waiting, he said, "Su Li, you see how my daughter is? You will report to me or her mother if you see her running in the house. It's a strict rule."
"Yes, Master. I understand."
"And please, don't call me Master, I'm plain Adam, or Mr Adam, if you prefer."
"Just as you say, Mr Adam."
So with that out of the way, everyone continued on their way, with Mags rubbing her bottom as she climbed the stairs.
Adam turned back to Hop Sing. "She seems very young, Hop Sing. What about her family, are they happy about this?"
"Yes, she very young, but born here and knows American ways. She is eighteen years old and has no family. Her mother and father both died of illness, not long after Su Li born. She was taken in by many families over the years, but has learnt much and is a good girl. She learn a little medicine too."
"As long as she's happy to be here with us, that's all I ask."
"She happy. She like children and can help Missy Abby when her time come."
"Really?" Adam said in surprise.
"Yes, she assist many time."
"Su Li sounds like a godsend. And I thank you for bringing her to us. I want her to feel part of this family."
"I think I should return to Ponderosa. I leave her in your masterly hands." And with that Hop Sing bowed and left.
"Daddy, Su Li seems very nice," Beth said. She had been sitting and listening to all that was said. "Another female in the house. You're outnumbered." She giggled.
"How right you are, sweetheart. But I cherish you all and do my best to look after you all."
Beth stood up and went to her father, hugged him and said, "Maybe our new baby will be a boy, that would help to even it out."
They both smiled.
"Unfortunately, it will take quite a while before 'we' can fight you females off." And they both laughed out loud. …
Su Li settled in very quickly and was always busy. Abby had shown her everything in the kitchen, but told her she would still like to be of a little help with cooking and Su Li was happy with that.
"I can make everything easy for you. I like to be of help."
"And you already have," Abby praised. "What about Christmas and your family?" She asked.
"I don't have blood family. But I consider your family as mine now."
"Wonderful. We're hoping to be able to go to the Ponderosa for Christmas. All our families together and you will come with us. That is if the weather permits."
"I would like that very much. You will need a lot of help that day. Hop Sing and I work well together."
"Well, it will be a holiday for you too. So with everyone helping you won't be doing all the work that day."
"I'm most grateful, Missy Abby."
"You're welcome. Now tell me, how do you know so much as such a young age?" She asked.
"I learn different things from different families I lived with. Over the years I learn well."
"You sure have. Now I'll leave you to finish preparing dinner while I have a lie down, or Mr Adam will be on my tail. And we don't want that, do we?"
"No, Missy Abby. He is a good man and looks after you all well."
"He certainly is. But he can also be a tyrant when annoyed or angry, so keep well away at those times." She chuckled.
"He is no tyrant. He a wonderful man." Su Li said, smiling.
"Well, time will tell."