Olivia woke up, stretched and stared at the ceiling of her hotel room. It was nice having a room to herself. Rufi had to share a room with those of her siblings old enough to attend last night’s dance. The younger ones and all their cousins were at home with Benjamin and Charity. She wondered what it would be like to have a large family like the Weavers. For all she knew she did. But she didn’t want to speculate on what was or wasn’t – she wanted to keep her new memories alive.
She felt so giddy, not even her memory loss could dampen her spirits today. She’d had the most wonderful evening, and couldn’t wait to see George again today. She knew she should be taking Ma’s advice, perhaps even avoiding him, but what could it hurt? The Johnsons were spending Christmas with the Weavers anyway – what were a few extra minutes with the man?
She got up, dressed and did what she could with her hair. Had she come from money? She didn’t seem very adept at hair styling – maybe she had been rich enough to have a lady’s maid. Wouldn’t that be something?
Outside in the hall she ran into Rufi. “Good morning,” she told the girl. How did you sleep?”
Rufi rolled her eyes. “I would have slept better if Alonzo hadn’t put Arturo’s scarf at the end of my bed.”
Olivia was confused. “His … scarf?”
Rufi turned and glared at her hotel door down the hall. “The boys slept on the floor, we girls slept in the bed. The scarf is very itchy. Alfonzo stuck it under the blankets.”
“Oh.” Olivia saw where this was going. “Who screamed?”
“Lucia, of course.” But Rufi turned an interesting shade of red.
“And you didn’t?”
Rufi sighed. “Maybe a little. Enough to have those ragazzi laughing half the night.”
Olivia giggled. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I didn’t hear a thing. Perhaps no one else did either.”
“I hope not, because Bella will be upset with me if those boys woke anyone up.”
Olivia had an odd feeling. Had something Rufi said triggered a lost memory? If so, why didn’t she know what it was? How annoying …
“Is something the matter?” Rufi asked.
“No, nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“I just had a funny feeling, that’s all.”
“Maybe you are remembering?”
Olivia shook her head. “Well, it’s gone now, whatever it was. Are the others already downstairs?”
“They have either gone to breakfast at Hank’s or they are with Auntie Betsy and Uncle Lancaster.” Rufi, like Bella, spoke English more formally than any of the Weavers, a product of learning it as a second language.
“I’m the last up again?” Olivia said in dismay.
“You must have been used to sleeping in late. Perhaps you are a woman of leisure?”
Olivia laughed. “Perhaps.” She looked at her hands. “My hands are smooth enough. I hope this doesn’t puzzle me all day.” And who knew how many days to come.
Rufi looked mischievous. “I think you will have your mind on other things. Will you see Mr. Johnson today?”
Olivia noticed the girl’s blush and smiled as her own cheeks heated. “I believe so. He’ll be seeing Doc Brown later and so will I. Perhaps we’ll run into each other?”
Rufi smiled. “Perhaps. I watched you two last night. You look good together.”
Olivia’s blush deepened. “I like Mr. Johnson. He’s very … nice.”
“Nice?” Rufi laughed. “Just nice?”
Olivia crossed her arms. “All right, he’s very nice.”
Rufi nodded with an exaggerated wink. “Looks like someone is going to have a merry Christmas.” She turned to leave.
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. “Rufi! Don’t say such things!”
Rufi laughed and continued down the hall. “Are you coming?”
Olivia harrumphed, then giggled. She was in a good mood and wanted it to last. This was the first morning since her accident that she’d woken without a headache, without confusion. She returned to her room, grabbed the coat Ma had loaned her for the journey, then joined Rufi downstairs. They went out the door and straight to Hank’s Restaurant. Bella, Calvin and most of the others would be there. Ma, Harlan, Arlan and Samijo would eat with Aunt Betsy and her family as there wasn’t room for the rest of them there.
In the restaurant Hank, a middle-aged man whose hair was rapidly graying at the temples, ran to and fro taking orders. The Weavers took up three tables and the rest were also full. Thankfully a woman Olivia recognized from the night before marched in, took one look at the crowd and offered to help.
“Oh thank goodness, Nellie!” Hank said in exasperation. “Of course you can help – I’ll even pay you!”
“That would be a first,” she quipped and rushed into the kitchen. When she emerged she had an apron on. She went straight to Olivia and Rufi’s table. “All right, what’ll you have?”
Olivia stared at her in shock. This was Charlotte Quinn’s mother Nellie Davis, the worst gossip in town. Seeing her pitch in to help Hank was like hearing the James Gang had volunteered to join a sheriff’s posse.
“Well?” Nellie prompted.
Rufi spoke up. “We will all have the pancakes and eggs.” She motioned around the table at Arturo, Lucia and Alfonzo. “Except Olivia – she can pick what she wants.”
Nellie did a headcount. “Four orders of pancakes and eggs. And you?”
Olivia hadn’t even had a chance to look at the menu. She shrugged. “I’ll have the same, and some coffee, please.”
“Actually, that sounds good,” Nellie commented. “I think that’s what I’ll have when I get a break.”
Rufi smiled. “You really are volunteering, aren’t you, Mrs. Davis?”
“I don’t mind. To tell you the truth, I kind of miss working here. It was nice to get to visit with people all day. Well, I’d better get this to Hank and go by the other tables. I’ll talk to you later.” They watched Nellie hurry into the kitchen and out again to the next table full of Weavers.
Olivia’s brow creased. “She used to work here? She doesn’t seem the type.”
“She is not,” Rufi said. “She had to work here.”
“Had?”
“Community service, the judge called it. Nellie did a very bad thing and caused all sorts of trouble for Daniel and Ebba. This happened before my brothers and sisters and I arrived, but trust me, it was not a nice thing she did.”
Olivia’s mouth formed a perfect O. “I see.” She’d leave it at that. Apparently folks in Nowhere took gossip very seriously. So much so that it was a crime? Or was there more to it?
After breakfast the family gathered outside Hank’s to figure out when they were leaving town. “Olivia and I will pay Doc Brown a visit, Rufi,” said Ma. “In the meantime, you help get everyone ready to leave.” She turned to Olivia. “You ready?”
Olivia nodded. She was curious about what Doc Brown had to say. But she was more curious to see how much she’d get to see George before they left. One would think it would be the other way around, but it wasn’t.
They reached the doctor’s house and entered the front parlor that served as a reception area. Millie the doctor’s wife greeted them, spoke with Ma a few moments, then guided them to one of the patient rooms down the hall.
“What a quaint little place,” Olivia commented.
“Yes, Millie and Doc keep it nice for when they have patients. It’s also their home, you know.” Ma went to the window and peeked out. “Their daughter was married to Clayton Riley years ago.
“One of the gentlemen I met last night?” Though Olivia had been introduced to so many people, it was a miracle she remembered any of them.
“Yes.” Ma turned to face her. “Sarah Brown married Clayton, but was killed in an accident on their farm not two years later. That’s when he became sheriff. His brother Spencer took over the farm and ran it with their mother, but it was a little too much for them, so Leona leased part of it to Old Man Johnson.”
“George’s grandfather,” Olivia stated.
“Yes. The Johnson’s orchards weren’t doing well for a few years and so that helped them out.”
“Then Clayton remarried and Spencer became sheriff?” Olivia clarified, taking a seat.
“Something like that. Now understand, child, I’m not telling you this just to pass the time.”
Olivia looked up. “Then why?”
“Because the longer you’re with us the more stories you’ll hear. Clayton’s will be just one of them. And I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
Olivia frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Leona and Spencer ordered a mail-order bride for Clayton and didn’t tell him. It was about this time of year, so I suppose they thought she’d make a nice Christmas present for him. He didn’t want anything to do with Summer, but they ended up falling in love and getting married anyway.” Ma sat next to Olivia and looked her in the eye. “You’re in a fine mood this morning, child, and I can understand why. You had a good time last night and so did Mr. Johnson. But I must tell you again that I don’t think it’s a good idea for you two to get too attached.”
“Because I might be married,” Olivia stated.
“That’s one reason,” Ma said quietly. “And until we’re sure whether you are or not, it wouldn’t be fair to you or to George to …”
A knock on the door and Doc Brown stepped in. “Good morning, Ma. Good to see you.”
“You’re lucky to see me at all after the dancing I did last night.” Ma fanned herself.
Doc Brown laughed. “Hello again,” he told Olivia. “Now, let’s see if we can’t figure out a few things.”
Olivia smiled at the doctor before turning back to Ma. Again, she had to agree with her. And again, she didn’t have a clue how she’d get through the next few days without losing her heart to George Johnson – if she hadn’t already.
* * *
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” George asked Warren.
“If he won’t listen to us, maybe he’ll listen to Doc Brown,” Warren stated for the third time.
George put his hat on and gave Mrs. Ferguson a quick nod of farewell. They’d wanted to speak to her niece before they saw the doctor. Thankfully Grandpa had gone to Hank’s for a cup of coffee, but now it was time to fetch him and head to Doc’s. “I think that little gal really did see someone.”
“It’d be better if Ottilie hadn’t. If this Albert is real, then we have a stranger prowling around the farm.”
George stopped short. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.”
“That’s all right, you were a little preoccupied last night.”
George smiled. “I suppose I was.”
Warren chuckled. “I knew you had it bad.”
George shrugged as they started down the street. “What do you know about her?”
“No one knows any more than you do, cousin. Including her. Who knows when she’ll get her memory back?”
“She’s a wonderful, intricate puzzle I want to solve.” George laughed at his own simile. “Maybe that’s why I’m so attracted to her.”
“That’s all well and good, but you won’t have long to solve it,” Warren pointed out.
“Because I’m returning to Oregon City?”
“Why else?” Warren put his hand on George’s shoulder. “Just be careful. She might remember who she is, and the person you met last night might disappear.”
“Nonsense. I’ve heard about these things. People lose their memory but not their personality.”
“But what if this isn’t that?” Warren asked.
George nodded. “Your concern is duly noted, cousin. Thank you.”
Warren removed his hand. “Good. Now let’s go get Grandpa and see Doc Brown.”
After collecting their grandfather, Warren and George escorted him to Doc and Millie’s place. Olivia and Ma Hughes were just leaving when they arrived. George greeted Olivia with a bright smile. “Good morning. Have you recovered from last night’s festivities?”
She smiled back. “Yes, I’m faring rather well. You?”
“I think I ate too much pie toward the end, but I’ll live.” Her cheeks went pink and George’s chest warmed in response. “Well, it’s nice to see you again. Are you leaving soon?”
“Yes, as soon as we can,” Ma said. “We’ve got a long drive ahead of us. Are you leaving today?”
“No,” Warren said. “We thought we’d make the trip in one day if possible.”
“What about the baby?”
“Alston will be fine. If we think we need to stop at Gunderson’s we will, but then we wouldn’t arrive until Christmas day.”
“That would be all right.”
“The weather seems good,” George pointed out. “I’m sure we can make it in one day.”
“If you don’t, we’ll understand and look for you on Christmas.” Ma glanced between George and Olivia who had locked gazes again. With a sigh she took Olivia by the arm and escorted her toward the door.
Olivia shook herself as if she’d been under a spell and smiled at George. “I look forward to spending the holiday with you and your family, Mr. Johnson.”
“I look forward to it …” Warren and George said at the same time. George laughed. “We do as well.”
Grandpa, meanwhile, stood off to one side, a silly grin on his face. Doc Brown stepped into the room and shook his hand. “How are you doing, Samuel?”
“Okay, Doc. I guess I’m next.”
“Are you?” Doc Brown said.
“Of course I am. Don’t think I’m not smart enough to know why my grandsons brought me here. They think I’ve gone to cloud-cuckoo-land.”
“Have you?” Doc Brown asked with a smile.
“No. I sure haven’t.”
Doc motioned to the hall. “Then come sit and tell me all about it.”
Grandpa looked at Warren and George. “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.” He followed the doctor down the hall and disappeared.
Ma shook her head. “Warren, if there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me.”
“I don’t think there’s much any of us can do,” Warren said. “But we’ll see what the doc has to say.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s best.” She took Olivia’s hand again. “Come along, child, let’s get ready to go home.”
Olivia took one last look at George. “Merry Christmas.”
George stared longingly back. “Merry Christmas, Olivia. I’ll see you soon.”
She sighed, smiled and left the office.
“George …,” Warren warned.
“Oh, hush.” George kept staring at the door.
Warren rolled his eyes, went to a nearby chair and sank into it. He wondered if any of this would end well.