A/N Thank you all! I appreciate the comments, follows and favors so much. We're picking up right where chapter two ended :)
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He saw the color rise on her pretty face when he nodded again and said, "Nice ta meet ya, welcome ta Heavenly." That blush was okay by him, she looked even prettier with that pink on her smooth white cheeks. He might not be blushing himself, but he did have what felt like a hot coal in the pit of his stomach.
"Thank you." Were the only words she managed to say.
Jim was oblivious to the blush on her cheeks and the look in the blacksmith's eye, and the nervousness of the two. He just kept talking. "Do you have a little time to spare Daryl? I'd like to show Beth how we go about a transaction like this."
"Yeah, sure." If she hadn't been there he would have apologized and said he needed to get back to work, but he was happy for the excuse to spend as much time in the same room with her as he could. She wanted him to stay and yet she was so afraid she was going to embarrass herself.
Jim, still oblivious, instructed her, "Now the first thing to do is look at the list, see if he's a cash or a credit customer. You'll soon remember who's who. Cash only folks are the ones who seem to forget to pay their bill. Daryl here, by his own choice, like to always pay upfront."
Jim showed her where the coffee beans were located and how to weigh them on the scale, then remembered to ask, "How much do ya need Daryl? Surely not your usual three pounds."
"I still got quite a bit at home so how bout just a pound today?" He was talking to Jim but he was looking at her, and she felt it. Her tummy was fluttering and she was worried her hands might shake as she scooped the beans onto the scale.
The blacksmith's eyes never left her as Jim further explained things to the young woman. She felt his gaze and it was both pleasing and unnerving. "Now you have to ask if he'd like the beans whole or would he like you to grind them."
She wished she had a cup of hot tea, maybe that would help her speak. In a voice she knew was still low and still timid-sounding she asked, "Would you like your coffee beans whole or shall I grind them for you?"
He was looking in those pretty blue eyes so intently he almost forgot to respond to the question, "Oh uh, ground please. Thanks Beth." The sound of her name on his lips nearly made him smile. Beth.
She was turning the grinder's big handle and he had half a mind to jump over the counter and do that task for her. If Jim hadn't been there maybe he would have. She'd just put the ground beans in a bag and was busily tying it with a string when Merna called out to Jim to come help her with something in the back.
Beth got her chance to study the blacksmith's handsome features when she told him the amount owed for his purchase. As he dug in his pocket for the money he looked at all the jars of candy and the notion came to him. He grabbed a peppermint stick from the display and said, "This too please."
Her smile was so sweet and the lilt in her voice was almost like she was singing her answer, "Yes sir, that's one penny more." He corrected her, "Um Daryl, just call me Daryl. Please."
There was the color on her cheeks again as she handed him his change. He put the money in his pocket and the smile finally came as he handed her the peppermint stick, "Thanks Beth."
She was so stunned all she could do was stand there tightly clutching the candy, her eyes never leaving him as she watched him walk across the street and back to his shop. She was sure it was a good thing when Jim walked back in while at the same time two customers came through the door. She needed to stay busy and keep her mind on things other than Daryl Dixon.
He couldn't believe he'd done it, just purchased that candy from her and then given it to her that way, like a present. Never in his life had he done anything of that sort. It was just that he'd been looking in her eyes and watching the way she moved and hearing the sweet sound of her voice. She had him under some kind of spell, but he wasn't at all unhappy about that.
He was busy all day but that didn't stop him from glancing over at the store every chance he got. That's how he happened to see her when she came out to sweep the front sidewalk. He could tell she was sneaking looks at him too and he was amazed at how the interest she showed in him seemed to make his chest swell. When he saw her step out again it was just as her workday ended, just after three o'clock. He gave her a long look and a slight nod of the head and she responded in kind, and they both felt that odd combination of thrill and embarrassment.
She was on her way back to the schoolhouse and looking forward to cooking her first meal in her new home . She carried a parcel of brown paper filled with just enough yeast, salt, flour, lard and sugar to make herself a loaf of bread. She'd also gotten a bit of butter and Merna had kindly given her a generous portion of bread and a small jar of jam. Her splurge was the purchase of two rashers of bacon. She'd have a rasher of the bacon and bread with jam for her dinner, and the other rasher and her home baked bread for breakfast.
She got to the schoolhouse to find the door was unlocked and she was a little scared. Had someone broken in or had she merely forgotten to lock it? She quietly opened it just enough to peek in and see there was a woman sitting at her desk, "You must be Elizabeth Greene. Come in, I don't bite. I'm the president of the schoolboard, Mrs. Neudermeyer."
Beth set her parcel down on the desk and smiling at the woman said, "I'm very happy to meet you and quite excited for this opportunity to teach the children of Heavenly."
The woman did not exchange a pleasantry with her. Instead her voice was stern, almost as if she was scolding Beth, "Yes well, you look very sweet but they all start off looking sweet, that makes no difference. You're probably already very well aware that any unmarried young woman arriving in Heavenly is immediately besieged by men wanting her attention. I'm here to remind you Miss Greene, there are to be no men in your life. I can't have the schoolmarm's behavior setting a bad example for these young and impressionable students. If I get wind of you breaking any of the rules you'll be asked to leave your employment and your accommodation immediately. There are no second chances. Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes Ma'am, of course. I have no intentions of breaking any of the rules." Beth was stunned by Mrs. Neudermeyer's words. Why was the woman speaking so harshly to her? She hadn't done anything wrong.
"Just see to it you don't." With that Mrs. Neudermeyer got up from the chair and almost appeared to be marching as she left the schoolhouse.
Beth was shaken by the woman's visit, her words and her tone. She locked the door behind her and went straight to her room. She set her groceries down and nearly began to cry, but she told herself no. She wasn't going to let that mean Mrs. Neudermeyer ruin her day. She was going to do just as she'd planned, have dinner and bake a loaf of bread for herself. She put on her apron and made a fire in the stove then got her dough made, setting it in a covered bowl to rise. She was hungry so while the dough was rising she prepared her dinner, but what she was looking forward to most was dessert. She had a stick of candy from a certain blacksmith and she was determined not to let the words of that sour woman spoil her special treat.
When Wednesday morning came he waited until she'd been in the store about fifteen minutes before casually strolling across the street. He walked in and tipped his hat to her, "Mornin' Beth," trying to act as if stopping in the store was part of his daily routine.
She was afraid she might be smiling a bit too eagerly when she answered back, "Good morning Daryl. What can I help you with today?"
"Well I's just about ta catch up my books but my ink bottle's empty. I guess it's time I bought more." Shit, he should have planned better what he was going to say. He didn't have Merle's gift of the gab.
She just smiled that real pretty smile as in her sweet and quiet voice she told him, "We have some right over here, let me just get it for you." She was so nervous. How could this man make her feel this way? Her heart was racing and her tummy was fluttering and it shouldn't be like that. She didn't even know him. She'd only just met him yesterday. They hadn't even had a proper conversation. But in that racing heart of hers she knew, she'd been attracted to the blacksmith since she first caught a glimpse of him.
It couldn't be that way though. She had a new job that she couldn't risk losing. She hadn't even taught her first day yet. She had no business thinking about him or any other man. Not that there was any other man she cared to think about. "Can I get you anything else today Daryl?"
"Um, lemme think a minute. I wouldn't wanna forget sumthin' and have ta come back in five minutes." He rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger and pretended to look around. The truth was he didn't need one damn thing including the ink, he just wasn't ready to leave the pretty teacher. He did something he rarely did, he made an effort at conversation, "So where's Jim and Merna?"
"Oh they're just taking a bit of extra time this morning. Merna's resting." She had her chance to converse with him but she was so nervous she couldn't think of anything more to say.
He nodded, still rubbing his chin. Shit, he had to get to work but they were alone and there was so much he wanted to ask her. So many things he wanted to know about her, but he didn't have it in him to ask. "Uh, I think I got what I need, except for gumdrops. Can I get a nickel's worth a gumdrops? Please."
"Of course, let me get those for you." He watched her as she so carefully and so precisely measured out exactly a nickel's worth. It was the sort of thing that would usually make him cross and impatient. He'd tell the clerk it was good enough, but he wouldn't tell her that. She looked so pretty he could stand there and watch her all day.
When she got it just right she handed him the bag with the gumdrops. He took the bottle of ink, stuck it in his breast pocket and she told him his charges. He handed her the money and when she gave him his change he handed her the gumdrops. "Thanks Beth. Have a good day now."
He'd caught her by surprise again and she barely managed to whisper out a, "Thank you Daryl." And by the look of him she was sure he was just as nervous as her. He mumbled a simple, "Welcome," and quickly made his way out the door.
He surprised himself again but he had no regrets. He wanted her to know she had his attention, but he was not the kind of man who could just come right out and tell her.
He was busy. He had six horses to shod for the stage driver. Depending on the temperament of the horse it took him forty minutes to an hour to trim and hot shod front and back hooves. His own horse also needed to be shod and he hoped to have the time to do that. That was just part of his list for the day, he still had work to complete on the chassis and wheels from the buckboard mishap. He'd be plenty busy even without drop ins.
None of that stopped him from keeping an eye on the General Store and he wasn't pleased at all with what he was seeing.
He was sure every man between the ages of eight and eighty in the Montana Territory had decided he needed to make a purchase that day. The blacksmith was also sure he knew why. News travels fast and they'd undoubtedly all heard about her. He could imagine the talk at the barber shop, the saloon and everywhere in between about how pretty the new marm was. They wanted to see her for themselves. Maybe converse with her, maybe get flirtatious with her. Shit. They were all just making up excuses. At one point, just after noon, things were so busy inside that there were men standing outside waiting to get in.
The blacksmith was experiencing another new feeling. Jealousy.
She never expected the store to be so busy and the day went by so quickly. She was happy to have Jim's help, she was sure she never could have handled so many customers alone.
Even though she was busy her mind couldn't help but wander to thoughts of the blacksmith. She was glad he'd come early and that they'd had a few minutes alone. She was smiling on the inside as she thought about it. She'd seen the little signs that morning and it had become clear to her. The obviously strong, rugged and seemingly self-assured blacksmith had a shyness and a tenderness to him. She thought she liked that combination quite well.
She was also sure she had to stop thinking those thoughts. She had a new teaching job to go to. She had to keep reminding herself she wasn't allowed to have a beau. Mrs. Neudermeyer didn't seem at all the type to be understanding or forgive a misstep of any kind.
She was off work at three but she didn't leave. Instead she went in the back to help Merna. The poor woman, her ankles had become swollen and her body ached and Beth did what she could. She urged the woman to put her feet up while she tidied the house a little and got dinner started. Merna insisted, "You must stay for dinner Beth. You've worked so hard today and helped so much." Then she laughed, "I saw this coming the very minute I first saw you. I knew every man in the territory would be here to have a look at the pretty new marm. Beth Greene you're the best thing that ever happened for our store. I bet we did two weeks worth of business today."
Beth felt her face turn scarlet, "No, I'm sure it couldn't have been because of me."
"Oh really? Did you notice if any of those men had a wife with them? No? That's odd isn't it? For a man to do the family shopping? Believe you me Beth, by today they'd all heard how pretty you are. In Heavenly there are far more men than women and they're all, well let me think how I can put this delicately. They're all in need of the special kind of comfort a woman brings to a man's life."
Now Beth was sure her face was on fire, "Merna, I…well, I'm the schoolmarm. I can't be thinking about those things."
"Oh those mean old biddies, they wonder why they can't keep a marm. Maybe they're not as smart as they think. And my sweet friend you should know, there are plenty of wives in Heavenly who use to be the schoolmarm. I was the marm myself just five years ago."
Beth was startled and they were both giggling and Beth was thinking how different folks were in the west. People thought nothing of calling each other by their familiar names right from the start. She wasn't Miss Greene or Miss Beth, she was simply Beth. Merna was Merna and Jim was Jim and Daryl, well Daryl was Daryl and so much more, and the way they talked so openly about things, it was all so new.
He'd gotten three drop ins looking to get their horses trimmed and shod and decided to work a little late to get it all done. There was also the fact she hadn't left the store yet and he was both curious and just a little concerned. That's when he realized she must be staying to have dinner with them. He could wait. He had plenty to do and he just kept after it.
It wasn't until six that she finally stepped out as a smiling Jim held the door for her. Daryl saw she was smiling too and that smile was so big and bright it almost made him smile.
She glanced his was and he lifted his chin as a form of greeting, and her big smile suddenly turned shy as she gave him a slight wave of her hand. He didn't take his eyes from her, she was walking away from him and she wouldn't know. What was the harm?
Then he saw Spencer Monroe tip his hat as he approached her. The blacksmith's heart nearly stopped as he watched any chance he may have ever had with Beth Greene fade away. Spencer Monroe's family were a big presence in the area. The family had first settled in the region back when it was still the Nebraska Territory. Spencer's folks, Deanna and Reg, were ranchers. Very wealthy ranchers.
Daryl got along just fine with Deanna and Reg but he wouldn't give you two cents for Spencer. There was something about the guy. The blacksmith was sure he couldn't be trusted. He was also sure he could kick the shit out of Spencer any time, any day. But where he couldn't compete with him was in money and influence. Spencer had those things and a lot more. His folks had even sent him back east for a fancy college education. The way Daryl figured it, if Spencer Monroe was interested in Beth Greene he himself didn't have much of a chance. And he was sure by the way Spencer was smiling at her as they talked, the man was very interested in Beth Greene.
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The blacksmith didn't stop by the store and she'd been so sure that he would. She'd even dared to look forward to it and to be excited. But Daryl Dixon never came in the shop on Thursday. She knew she shouldn't let it upset her, she was being silly. The man didn't have to come into the store every day. There was something else though. Every time she glanced his way his head was down, like he didn't want to even look her way. As hard as she tried not to let it spoil her day her heart felt heavy.
When she left the shop that afternoon she made herself stand straight and tall as she walked back toward the schoolhouse and home. It was probably for the best anyway, she needed to stay away from men. She had to make her own way in this life, she couldn't take a chance on losing her teaching position.
He'd been miserable all day. He wanted to go buy something from her, anything. He just wanted to look in those pretty blue eyes and hear that sweet voice. But he knew better. He'd just be torturing himself being around something he wanted so badly but knew he'd never have.
He tried to be sneaky as he watched her leave the shop and walk toward the schoolhouse. Seemingly out of nowhere Spencer Monroe appeared again. He blocked her way on the sidewalk, making it nearly impossible for her to walk around. She was forced to stop and speak with him. At least that's how it appeared, but maybe hoping she wasn't happy to see the rich boy was just wishful thinking on Daryl's part. It was more likely she stopped because she wanted to talk with him.
The blacksmith told himself he'd been stupid right from the beginning. Did he really think a woman like her would be interested in a man like him? Shit. He could never offer her all the things that Monroe asshole could. Still something else had him worried. He was sure the bastard was no good and he'd better watch himself. If he made one false move with Beth, hurt her in any way or did her wrong, the blacksmith wouldn't hold back.
She wished that Monroe man would stop bothering her. She tried to be polite that first time. She was new in town and for just a moment he seemed like a nice enough fellow. He'd greeted her politely, introducing himself and welcoming her to Heavenly. Then his tone had changed. He became quite the braggart going on about his family's money and landholdings and about his impressive education.
It was all so very rude, not a gentlemanly way to behave at all. Perhaps if he'd been asking her father for her hand he may tell him such things. But at a chance meeting with a woman, to just begin boasting of one's wealth and position was impolite. He was of no interest to her. Still she was reluctant to make an enemy so soon after arriving in her new home.
This time it was worse, she was uneasy as well. She felt as though he'd deliberately blocked her way, forcing her to stop and chat with him. Or more correctly, forcing her to stop and listen to more of him singing his own praises. She was relieved when a very large gentleman with bright red hair and a huge mustache of the same bright coloring, told Mister Monroe, "Get your ass outta the way rich boy, a real man's tryin' ta pass here." It had been difficult not to laugh and impossible to hide her grin as she took the opportunity to hurry around Spencer Monroe and be on her way.
Shortly after Beth arrived home a young woman close to her age stopped by the schoolhouse to welcome her to the community. Her name was Amy Mitchell and she told Beth her husband Zach worked at the mine. She'd brought over a dinner basket for Beth that included a piece of boiled chicken, a roasted potato, string beans and a slice of huckleberry pie. Beth was happy to have a distraction from her thoughts of the blacksmith, and thrilled to have been given such a nice dinner and to meet and visit with another woman.
They'd been chatting away when suddenly Amy seemed to become quite nervous as she explained, "I have to tell you something, something I know you'll hear sooner or later and I'd rather you hear it from me. My older sister Andrea works at the saloon. I'm sure I don't need to say what that means. Please, I hope you won't judge me Beth. I'd like us to be friends."
"Of course I don't judge you Amy. I'm so happy to have a chance to get to know you and it was so kind of you to bring me dinner. Thank you for welcoming me to Heavenly."
Amy smiled then and as she confessed something else, like Merna, she'd once been Heavenly's schoolmarm.
By Friday he thought he was done worrying over Beth Greene. She'd end up married and happy and as for himself, well he'd just keep doing like he'd always been doing. That was that. That's what he thought, he nearly had himself believing it, until he saw her. Dammit.
She'd convinced herself she wasn't going to give any more thought at all to the blacksmith. She would only be working at the store a short while longer, then she'd be teaching and wouldn't see him every day. She'd forget all about him. That's what she tried so hard to convince herself of, and then she saw him. Darn.
The store was busy and she was happy for that. It kept her from glancing his way too often and it made the day pass quickly. She'd be able to go home and have her weekend, and a busy weekend it would be. She'd be able to just put the blacksmith right out of her mind. At least she hoped she'd be able to. Then she caught a glimpse of him, bent over at the waist with the horse's hoof between his bent legs as he scraped the hoof buttress vigorously back and forth over it. He was so strong and manly and such a hard and diligent worker. But best of all she just knew he was kind and tender, she'd seen that in him. Her heart felt heavy believing he didn't find her to be of interest in the same way she felt such strong interest in him.
He was grateful for the work he had, he was busy, too busy and that was good. He didn't have time to keep looking over at the store and thinking about what she might be up to. He was occupied with his work, he didn't have even an extra minute to concern himself with all the men who suddenly seemed to need something at the store every day. Things were far too hectic with his own work for him to be thinking about her pretty yellow hair and those soft blue eyes or her sweet smile and gentle voice. At least he wished he was that busy, but he didn't think it was possible for him to ever be that busy.
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A/N A bit of misunderstanding going on, we'll see if they can figure this out. I'd appreciate you leaving a comment / review. The chapter photo is posted to my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Again, I thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you back next Friday for more of A Place Called Heavenly. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee