HCTB Chapter 2

Joshua spent three days scouting the north side of Veil Mountain. He along with Corky and Red looked for the best route to build a log flume that would carry logs down the north face. They had to account for cliffs and unusable routes. The flume would be built in stages, from the water up, clearing the land of trees as they went. It was a painstaking task that took engineering and careful planning. The reason Jason sent Joshua was because he was the best at it.

Back in town...

Missy and Alice were in Bens store browsing for fabric. "I think this green check would look pretty with my eyes," Missy said holding it up against her chest and smiling.

"Oh Missy, you'd look pretty in any color," Alice said.

Missy just smiled and sat the fabric down.

They moved onto the ribbons and trims. "Oh Alice look," Missy said holding up some emerald green ribbon. "What do you think?"

"It's pretty," Alice agreed.

"But do you think it would show up with my black hair?" she asked.

"I think it would be real pretty in your hair," said a deep voice from across the room.

Both girls turned quickly. and saw Burt standing at the counter smiling at Missy.

Missy blushed slightly, not realizing they were being watched. Burt strolled over to where they were standing. Missy sat the ribbon back on the counter.

"Ladies," Burt said. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just saw you looking at the ribbon and thought it would look real pretty in her hair," he said. "I guess I'm being rude, mam. My names Burt Anderson," he said bowing slightly. "And you are?" he asked.

"I am leaving, Mr. Anderson," Missy said as she weaved her way past him. She left the store followed by Alice.

Burt watched: his face plastered in a wide grin. "She's about the prettiest thing I've ever seen," he said to no one in particular.

Ben watched as Missy and Alice left the store. "Good bye ladies," he said as they left. He then turned to Burt. "Is there anything else Mr. Anderson?"

Burt grabbed the bolt of green ribbon. "I'd like a hairs length of this please," he said.

Ben looked a little bothered. He cut 20 inches of ribbon for Burt and added it to his supplies.

"Could you tell me the name of that girl that was in here?" he asked Ben.

"Alice and Missy," Ben said. "They're some of the brides," he added.

"The black headed one. Which one's she?" he asked.

"That's Missy. She's been seeing Joshua Bolt." Ben added, letting him know she currently was seeing someone, in case he got any ideas. because Joshua was a friend.

"She ain't seeing any one right now," Burt thought to his self.

Burt pulled out the green hair ribbon from his box. "Hold on to this, I'll be right back," he told Ben before he left and walked across the street. He saw Missy going into the Brides Dorm.

He knocked on the door and a little mousy woman answered. "Well hello," she said "Are you here to see someone in particular?" she asked.

Burt smiled at the odd little woman. "Yes mam, I'm here to see Missy," he said.

"And your name please?" she asked, folding her hands together.

"Burt Anderson mam," he said.

"Please come in Mr. Anderson," Biddie said, stepping aside to allow Burt into the dining room.

"Is this little visit business or pleasure?" Biddie asked.

"Well, I'm not sure," Burt said. He was beginning to get annoyed with Biddie's questions.

"You're not sure?" she asked and rolled her eyes.
"Biddie is someone at the door?" Candy asked as she walked into the dining room. "I thought I heard someone knock." She saw Burt standing there and was surprised. "Oh," she smiled "Hello Mr.…?" she asked.

"This is Mr. Burt Anderson," Biddie butted in. "He is here to see Missy, but he isn't sure if it's for business or for pleasure." Biddie said pointedly and with some suspicion.

Candy was still smiling, and her eyes went to Biddie. "Please come in Mr. Anderson…Burt you said?"

"Yes mam," Burt said relieved to be rescued from Biddie's questioning. "I was hoping to have a word with Missy," he said.

"Yes just a moment, please have a seat" Candy said "I'll get her." She motioned for Biddie to follow her from the room.

"Candy, I don't think it's appropriate for Missy to have a gentleman caller when Joshua is away," Biddie snipped as they went upstairs to get Missy.

"Missy, there's someone downstairs to see you," Candy said.

"Someone to see me?" she asked.

"It's a man," Biddie quipped "and I don't think it's…"

"Biddie, it's none of our business," Candy said cutting her off.

Missy checked her hair and quickly went downstairs.

Biddie started to follow, but Candy stopped her.

"Aren't you curious?" Biddie asked.

"Yes, but we can't just stand there," Candy whispered as they both strained to listen.

"Oh of course,' Biddie whispered.

"Shush," Candy said "I can't hear."

Downstairs Missy stopped when she saw Burt. He stood up when she entered the room.

"What is it you want?" she asked unable to remember his name.

"Hello, Missy," he said. "The store keep told me what your name was. I didn't mean to be so forward earlier in the store. I hope you'll accept my apology and this little gift." He said as he held out the green hair ribbon.

Missy saw the ribbon and looked up at Burt. She took it from his hand and admired the shiny green ribbon. "Well thank you," she said.

"I just think it would be real pretty in your hair," he said. "Heck, you could wear any color and it would be pretty."

"I'm sorry, what was your name again?" she asked.

"Burt Anderson, mam. I'd like to call on you, maybe take you to dinner sometime?" he asked.

"Oh, Mr. Anderson, I'm seeing someone right now, I'm sorry, but I'm just unable to…" she started.

"Mam, I don't mean to be forward," he interrupted, "but I don't see a ring on your finger, and that tells me you're not officially spoken for yet," he smiled. "Now a pretty lady like you, just think of all the colors of ribbons I could get to tie in that pretty black hair of yours."

"Well Mr. Anderson, I'm not all certain Joshua Bolt would take kindly to you flirting with me in such a brazen manor," she smiled and batted her eyelashes. "But I thank you for this lovely green ribbon. Now if you'll excuse me, it's getting rather late."

Burt went towards the door, but stopped and turned. "I think maybe a pretty blue next time," he said with a wink. He bowed slightly, smiled and left.

"Blue," Missy thought. "I'd like a blue ribbon."

When she went back upstairs, all eyes were on her. The questions poured out. "Who was he? What about Joshua? Did she and Josh break up? Where did she meet this man? Why did he give her the ribbon? What was going on? She tried to answer, but she stumbled over her answers. Burt's flirting and sudden attention was exciting. She had two men interested in her and that made her feel special. Joshua was sweet and nice. He was a gentleman, she couldn't think of anything bad at all about Joshua, but this new man, Burt. He was forward, and complemented her appearance. He was bringing her gifts and Joshua hadn't bought her anything except dinner. Burt's flirting was exciting, where Joshua always seemed to be working.

Missy couldn't stop thinking of Burt. They way he flattered her, and promised gifts, was exciting.

"I don't like it," Candy said softly to Biddie. "She's going to break his heart, and I don't like it one bit."

"Me neither," Biddie said with her arms folded in anger. "I knew I shouldn't have let that man in the house."

"Oh Candy, would she really choose that plain old man over Joshua, with his pretty yellow hair and gorgeous baby blue eyes…and that big wide smile…and him all tall like a big old tree…" Biddie dragged on.

"Biddie," Candy laughed.

"Oh dear," Biddie said, "But he is a handsome thing."

"If she breaks his heart,I'll never forgive her." Candy said.