"Where are we going to now, Aunt Lucy?"
"Well my dear, I don't have any other errands to run, with exception of continuing your tour of the town. Do you have any ideas as to where you would like to go or are you just happy to have a good look around?" Lucy asked as the two women walked away from the livery.
"I'd quite like to see the International Hotel up close and may we visit the Saloon, I'd like to see if 'Old Ted' is around."
"Hmm, I certainly can show you the hotel and perhaps we could even stop for afternoon tea or a coffee and a slice of warm pie as a treat. I'm sure not that I am comfortable though with taking you anywhere near the Saloon."
"Please Aunt Lucy, its daylight; surely the Saloon's will be safe during the daylight. And anyway, I don't want to go inside them, I just wanted to see them up close and perhaps talk to 'Old ted'."
"What is the issue with you wanting to meet Ted so anxiously?"
"Just curious. I want to know why 'the Bucket of Blood' is called 'the Bucket of Blood'."
Lucy shook her head; Curiosity killed the cat didn't it. Perhaps I will need to talk to Sam about watching our niece more closely as her need to know everything might lead her into wanting to do things that she shouldn't too.
"OK Theresa, we will see if the area around the Saloon's is quiet when we get nearer. If it is, and only if I feel that it is safe will we go any closer. Am I making myself understood young lady?" Lucy asked in a stern voice as she placed her hand on the younger woman's arm, stopping them on the boardwalk for a moment.
"Yes ma'am," Theresa replied as she looked into her Aunt' eyes.
Lucy patted Theresa's arm, "That's OK then," and they resumed their stroll down the boardwalk.
A few minutes later they arrived outside of the Sheriff's office. Deputy Jacob Lewis was sitting outside on the bench with his feet crossed, enjoying a cup of coffee. Tipping his hat he called out to them, "good afternoon ladies, it sure is a pleasant afternoon. Out for a stroll?"
"Good afternoon Deputy," replied Lucy as she stopped to talk to him. "Having a quiet day?" she asked.
"Yes Mrs. Carter, so far anyway. I've only had a few minor issues to deal with the whole day and since we have no prisoners at the moment, I thought I would sit out and enjoy the sunshine with a coffee. And, who is this pretty young lady that accompanies you this fine afternoon?"
"This is Theresa, mine and Sam's niece. She is staying with us for a while, whilst her mother nurses her father through Scarlett Fever. Theresa, this is Deputy Jacob Lewis."
Theresa inclined he head, "Pleased to meet you Deputy Lewis,"
"And I you, Miss Theresa and you may call me Jacob or Deputy Jacob if you prefer. I don't believe I have seen you about before. Have you been in town long?"
"No Sir, I only arrived in town last week and I've been busy helping Aunt Lucy with my room. Although Uncle Sam is now letting me help out in the store. If you come by now I might be serving you." Theresa smiled as she answered the deputy's question.
"Is that a fact? Well now, I might just have to drop by the store a little more often, just to check on things you know. After all having someone so pretty and friendly working at the store will be a nice change," said the Deputy winking at Lucy.
"You know Theresa, your uncle is a real nice fellow but he can be a little moody as I expect you have already discovered. Probably because he is always so busy serving customers who ask for anything and everything."
"Jacob! Sam is not moody!" Lucy scolded.
"Oh yes he is. Come on Lucy, admit it, you know Sam has been moody a lot lately," said the Deputy grinning from ear to ear.
"You uncle is not moody Theresa. Jacob is telling you lies because he is sore that your uncle beat him at checkers the last time he came visiting," laughed Lucy as the deputy's face turned into fake indignation.
"Well he only won because he was cheating Lucy," said the Deputy turning his gaze to the younger woman. "Theresa, if you ever get tempted to play checkers with your uncle you better make sure that you have a witness to every move," he said winking.
"Oh yes sir, I will," Theresa said smiling at her Aunt so that she conveyed that she was well aware of the teasing nature of this discussion. Obviously the deputy and her uncle were friends.
"Will you visit again Wednesday night Jacob to keep Sam occupied whilst Theresa and I attend Mrs. Marchant's sewing circle?" Lucy asked.
"I just might do that Lucy, if Sam agreed to play cards this time."
Lucy rolled her eyes, Jacob and Sam were firm friends and were always accusing one or the other of cheating at some kind of game but it was always done in jest.
"Shall I tell Sam that you will stop by then or will you be calling by the store before then?"
"Oh I think I will call by the store, perhaps tomorrow and tell him myself, if it's all the same to you Lucy. I'd like to see Miss Theresa at work and I can assess for myself if she has gotten that moody old husband of your to cheer up." Jacob said laughing.
Theresa and Lucy both laughed along with the deputy.
"Alright then Jacob, I will let you make the arrangements with Sam. We must be getting along now Jacob as I am giving Theresa a quick tour of the town before we have to return to prepare supper."
"Having a guided tour eh? Well then I bid you good day ladies."
"Thank you Jacob, I hope that the rest of your day is as quiet," replied Lucy.
"It was nice to meet you Deputy, come by the store soon," said Theresa.
The deputy touched his hat and Theresa and her aunt waved goodbye and carried on down the street.
-CIC-
It wasn't long before a large two storey building loomed in front of them. The upper floor had a wide veranda which overhangs the boardwalk in front of it. Outside a rail and a water trough had been erected. Two horses and a wagon with a single horse attached were tied up.
"Is THAT the International Hotel?" asked Theresa awed at the sheer size of the building. She had never seen a building so big, the small town she was front didn't have a building anywhere near as big.
"Yes Theresa, it is. The Hotel is the largest and finest building in the whole town. I believe that it has 16 guest rooms of various sizes, 1 or 2 even being big enough to house a family. I hear tell that the owner also has plans to add another floor next year so that it will tower over the whole town. Inside there is a parlour and a restaurant and even those not staying at the hotel may go in for refreshments. Would you like to see inside?"
"Yes ma'am. We don't have anything like this at home, why this building would fit two homes and the school house in it and still have room to spare."
Yes well, it is a large town Virgina City and the stage comes through here often. Many people choose to stay in town for meetings and just to rest before continuing their journey and that is precisely why your uncle and I do not wish you to go wandering around on your own. Let's go inside and see if we can get a cup of coffee and a slice of warm pie shall we. I believe that they also serve several varieties of tea too if you would like to try one. You can then tell me your thoughts so far about our fair town. We have about an hour my dear and then we must be heading back so that you can help me with supper. If we do not complete your tour today we can go out again in a few days if your uncle can spare you for a while."
The two women crossed the alleyway and stepped up onto the boardwalk in front of the hotel.
Theresa glanced around her, taking in the large shuttered windows, the solid but ornate half glass doors and the large decorated sign that designated the hotel name and the owner. 'Virginia City, International Hotel. Proprietor, Joseph Michael Sanderson. Esq.'
Opening the large door, Lucy held it for her niece to walk through. Inside the lobby the thick red and green carpet gave the appearance to Theresa that the establishment reeked of class.
Theresa looked up from studying the carpet which had a mat with the name of the hotel inlaid in it to the solidly built large reception desk. The desk was made of oak and had been painted white with the desk surface stained a dark brown. A wide approximately 4 inch band at the top of the white had been painted gold and the name of the hotel had also been painted into a rectangle area with a gold border. On the surface of the desk was a framed wooden signed with a golden plated sign saying Reception. And a large push button bell was located next to the sign.
Theresa looked around the walls and was pleasantly surprised to see that the rest of the room had been tastefully painted white with the staircase behind the reception desk. The rail of the staircase had been stained the same dark brown as the reception desk. The wall were hung with oil paintings of horses and wagons and several greyed pictures of the construction of the hotel in stages of the build. A full colour picture of the outside of the hotel as it was now took pride of place behind the reception desk.
"Good afternoon, Ma'am and Miss. How may I be of service to you today?" asked the well-dressed young man behind the reception desk.
"Good afternoon, "replied Lucy. "We were hoping that we might partake of some coffee and a slice of warm pie. Have we missed afternoon tea?"
"No ma'am. Our many varieties of Tea and coffee are available all day in the parlour. And I am sure that a couple of slices of today's special pie can be arranged. Please take the door to your right and go through into the coffee parlour and Maria will be happy to serve you I am sure."
"Thank you, come Theresa let us go and find a seat," said Lucy as she led the way to the door to the right as indicated.
Theresa nodded her head and made to follow her aunt. When she was a few feet from the door she stopped and turned back to face the reception desk. It was as she had thought; the young man behind the desk was staring at her. When the young man realised that Theresa was now staring back at him he blushed.
"Why are you staring at me?" Theresa asked.
"I'm very sorry miss. I meant no disrespect I just though that you were very pretty is all. I'm sorry if my staring has caused offense," he said quietly.
"No, I'm not offended but I would prefer it if you didn't continue to stare. My name is Theresa by the way what is your?"
"It's Scott, Miss," the young man replied.
Well Scott. It's Theresa not Miss if you wish to talk to me and I don't think I am pretty enough that people need to stare. Everyone today has been telling me how pretty I am but I don't think that I am. The other women and girls in town are so much prettier than I."
"If I may miss, uhm I mean Theresa, I think that you are wrong. I think that you are very pretty. Please excuse my staring. I've only been working here at the hotel for a month. Can you forgive me?"
"Yes of course I can Scott. Are you from around here then?" Theresa asked.
"Yes. I live with my parents and my little brother and sister at a homestead just outside of town. This is my first real job, well outside of helping pa in the fields. My Ma is real proud of me and wants me to work hard at finding a new role for myself and not get stuck being a farmer like my father, she says that I am too smart for that. If you don't mind me asking, Theresa but I have not seen you around town before, are you visiting?"
"No I don't mind you asking and yes I am. I am staying with my aunt and uncle for a while. Uncle Sam owns the Mercantile store."
"Theresa, what is holding you up? I thought that you were right behind me," said Lucy, startling her niece.
"Sorry Aunt Lucy. I was just talking to Scott," she said turning to face her aunt.
"Oh, well I have ordered coffee and a slice of pie for us both in your absence and I would appreciate you joining me please."
"Yes ma'am," Theresa turned back to face the young man again. Will you please excuse me Scott?"
"Certainly. Er Theresa, I unm, well I….May I call on you tomorrow? I have the morning off and I was wondering if we could talk again, if that is OK with your aunt of course," Scott asked shyly.
"Aunt Lucy? Would it be OK for Scott to call on me tomorrow morning?" Theresa asked hopefully, she liked the young man who looked to be around the same age as her.
Lucy studied the young man who still stood shyly behind the desk. He is well dressed, polite and looks innocent enough, yes I think that Sam would be agreeable although Theresa will only be able to see him in the house at first. "Yes Theresa. Young man, you may call at the house behind the Mercantile Store around 9 am if that is agreeable. Theresa, you will have to obtain your uncle's assent at supper but I do not foresee any problem with him granting permission. "
Theresa smiled at her aunt and mouthed, "thank you." Turning to Scott she said, Tomorrow morning then Scott, I will look forwards to your visit." Will this be my first friend in town?
"Thank you for granting permission ma'am. I will see you as arranged then Theresa. I look forwards to seeing where you live; I didn't know there was a house behind the Mercantile."
"Theresa, the coffee will be getting cold," scolded Lucy softly.
Theresa turned towards her aunt, "Oh yes, sorry Aunt Lucy."
With that Lucy turned on her heels and opened the door to the parlour, stepping through it closely followed by Theresa. Lucy led the way back to the table the parlour maid had escorted her too before and taking a seat she waited for Theresa to join her. Just then the maid re-appeared with a tray laden down with a coffee pot, two cups with saucers to match, two teaspoons, a small jug of cream, a small silver pot of sugar and two plates with a slice of warmed apricot pie on each.
Lucy and Theresa sat back and waited whilst the maid placed the tray down softly on the table and proceeded to unload it onto the thick cotton white table cloth, putting the coffee pot on a small metal trivet located in the middle of the table to protect the table from the heat.
"I hope that everything is satisfactory ladies. If you require anything please ring this and I will return," she said removing a small silver bell from her apron pocket.
"Thank you, "Theresa and Lucy said at the same time.
The maid smiled and backed away before turning and carrying her tray back to the kitchen.
Lucy turned over the coffee cups and placing them on the saucers she poured coffee into the cups. She passed the cream and sugar to Theresa and waited whilst she creamed and sugared it before accepting them back and adding cream to her coffee. Taking a sip of the hot liquid and licking her lips at the blend she replaced the cup back on its saucers.
"So my dear, tell me what you think of our fine town so far!"