Donners Bend Read online

  That was true. She still lived in Hunter’s Ridge and could only visit Ellie in Donners Bend when she had the time, which meant she’d usually be coming on weekends or days free from work; Marcelle worked for a local seamstress.

  She left the following morning so she’d be able to get back to work in time, but she promised Ellie she’d return late next Friday night and stay till Sunday if she could. Her pursuit of Jon would just have to wait a few days before it commencing.

  Meanwhile, Ellie set out on her own undertaking: finding a job. It was not an easy task, for she didn’t have much experience. Besides helping her mother out around the house cooking and cleaning and such, Ellie had never had a real job. Without knowing what she was really looking for, it was quite hard to find it. Besides asking around town, which she did, Ellie didn’t know what else to do. After asking at the market, the laundromat, the seamstress, the café, the library, and even at Ol’ Smith’s, Ellie couldn’t find a thing.

  Jon went out of his way to help her too. He talked to everyone he knew, which basically meant everyone in the little town, and still he found no job opportunities. Then one day he was talking with a Mrs. Thompson at the café and she mentioned that although it wasn’t official yet, her neighbors, the Rhodes, were probably going to be in need of a new nanny/teacher for their four young children since their old governess had resigned the day before.

  Jon rode straight over to Ellie’s house to tell her the wonderful news. The two now sat in her parlor next to the fireplace. Sipping on lemonade and munching chocolate chip cookies, they discussed the matter.

  “Why do you suppose the old nanny quit?” asked Ellie.

  “I’m not certain, but I’m guessing the kids can be quite a handful at times. There are four of them and they’re all under the age of ten,” said Jon.

  “Do you think they’ll be too much for me though? I mean, I love kids but will they be too tough for even me to handle?”

  Jon shook his head, “I doubt it. I’ve met the kids, and they’re not that wild or anything. They’re like any other children I’ve ever met.”

  “And have you met the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes?

  “Yes, and as far as I know they’re kind people and I’m sure they’d be fair employers. They’re one of the wealthier families in Donners Bend too, so I’m sure you’d receive a respectable income. Robert works as a surgeon over at the hospital in the nearby city of Rutherford. And Louise, though one would expect her to stay home and rely on her husband’s occupation for money, is the only well-off wife I know that works. She owns a florist shop. It’s also in Rutherford, so she and Robert travel there together each morning and return home each night. That’s why they need someone to watch the children. They’ve got another son, Jamie, but he’s away at some university now. I doubt he’ll be there long though. Jamie can never hold a school for longer than a few months or so.”

  “Is that so? Well I hope the other children won’t be too difficult to teach.”

  “I’m sure they won’t.”

  It was quite hard for Ellie not to notice how quickly she and Jon had become friends and how much more they seemed to be together each day. When she hadn’t been searching for a job, Ellie would stop by Ol’ Smith’s and just talk with Jon or help him out with little odd jobs around the shop. He was so kind and sweet to her, and basically her only friend in town, that she couldn’t help but hope their friendship lasted.

  Ellie knew though that Marcelle probably wouldn’t be too happy that Ellie was closer to Jon than she was, so she made a little promise not to mention anything about Jon to Marcelle for the time being and hope if Marcelle did find out she wouldn’t be too bothered by it.

  In a way, even though she and Marcelle were best friends, she hoped that this time Marcelle wouldn’t win over Jon. Jon seemed too sweet for the flirty Marcelle, and in a way Ellie felt like she needed to protect Jon. Even though she and Marcelle were friends and had been so for a long time, Ellie felt like they were only friends because of the convenience. Since they’d been companions for so many years, finding a replacement wouldn’t be easy. She didn’t agree with Marcelle’s opinions on many things, including men, and she sometimes found Marcelle’s constant flirting tiresome and irritating, but she’d never tell Marcelle any of this for fear she should lose her only friend.

  Luckily for Ellie, the next day Mrs. Thompson, Jon’s original source for the Rhodes’ need for a nanny, stopped by Ol’ Smith’s when both Jon and Ellie were present and confirmed that her suspicion was true: Louise Rhodes had already begun searching for a replacement governess.

  Jon proposed the idea of Ellie working for the Rhodes, and Mrs. Thompson promised them both she’d stop by her neighbor’s that afternoon and tell them she’d found a possible choice.

  She sent a letter to Ellie the following afternoon that ensured her a meeting with Mrs. Rhodes for the next morning. During this meeting Louise would decide whether she found Ellie suitable for the position or not.

  Obviously nervous for her first job “interview”, Ellie found herself in a sweat over what dress to wear just an hour before she and Louise were to meet. First she thought the green striped would be best, but after a few turns in the mirror she thought it made her look a little too mature than she’d hoped. When she found that dress unsuitable, Ellie threw it on the bed, laced her corset a little tighter, for her next choice was slightly smaller in the waist, and pulled on a deep violet gown with a lace-edged collar and sleeves.

  It seemed appropriate until Ellie realized that when she leaned down, because of the low neckline more of her chest was bare than she’d thought and that definitely wasn’t what she imagined Louise would find acceptable for a child’s eyes. So, throwing it also onto the bed, Ellie tried on about four more dresses before deciding.

  She wore a soft yellow and olive green plaid gown with a sweetheart neckline and sleeves that reached just slightly past her elbows. With it, she tied her hair into a ponytail with a yellow ribbon and carried a cream-colored, small silk purse.

  The Rhodes’ carriage arrived precisely at nine o’clock in front of Ellie’s home. The driver, a man by the name of Matthew, helped her inside and then, almost immediately, they were off. Ellie looked around herself and determined that Jon had been right when he’d said the Rhodes were wealthy. Their carriage was one of the finest she’d ever seen. The outside, black and shiny, looked as though it had never been riding around the dusty roads of Donners Bend and the inside was large and luxurious. Creamy white velour covered the seats and Ellie lounged on it comfortably.

  Through the hills and around a lake they went, before stopping in front of an amazingly huge and beautiful home Ellie could only assume belonged to the Rhodes. With four large white marble pillars it certainly wasn’t something one could avoid gazing at. Porches surrounded the white brick home on three sides and overlooked a variety of beautiful trees and yellow dandelions. Black shutters sat beside each of the many windows and a fairly large balcony came off a pair of doors in the center of the second story.

  Behind the mansion, if Ellie had been fortunate enough to see them, stood hundreds of rows of apple trees making up an orchard that Robert Rhodes owned. Because it was only one of his side projects, he had hired a manger to overlook all its smaller details, but he always checked back in on its financial status. The products of the orchard were sold around town for a moderate amount, which only added slightly to Robert Rhodes fortune.

  Matthew opened the carriage door and led Ellie up to the front door. Leaving her, he returned to the carriage to take it and the horse leading it over to the stables that Ellie could see off in the distance to the left of the house. Far off to the right was what Ellie assumed to be the Thompson’s home. It, too, was very statuesque indeed.

  After only a moment, a young maid opened the door. She dressed plainly in a gray dress and black apron and a long, red braid ran down to the middle of her back.

  She gave a small smile and said in her meek voice, “Good morning,
miss. We’ve been expecting you. Miss Henderson, I presume?”

  “Yes, that’s me,” Ellie answered with a nod.

  “Please come in, miss. The mistress is waiting for you in the parlor.”

  Ellie followed her in and tried to stop from gaping at the classy interior and exquisite paintings and furniture as she asked quietly, “She hasn’t been waiting long, has she? I hope I’m not late.”

  “Oh no, you’re not. She hasn’t been waiting long.”

  They reached the parlor and the maid left after whispering a quick, “Good luck, Miss Henderson.”

  Ellie didn’t know what she was to do. She could see Louise Rhodes’ back as she sat on a lavender settee, but Louise obviously didn’t see her. After looking around at the room’s cream and white striped walls, beautiful black piano, lit fireplace, and accommodating seating arrangement of plum and lilac colored furniture, Ellie walked in further and came to stand before Mrs. Rhodes.

  “Hello, ma’am,” she said politely, “I hope I’m not intruding on anything.”

  “Of course not,” the beautiful Mrs. Rhodes said as she rose from her seat, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name’s Louise Rhodes. As I understand it, you’re new to Donners Bend?”

  “Yes. I just moved here less than a week ago. My name’s Eliana Mae Henderson but most people just call me Ellie. I’d like to thank you very much for this opportunity, Mrs. Rhodes.”

  As they shook hands, Ellie took a quick moment to observe Mrs. Rhodes spotless appearance. She appeared to be the perfect wife and mother with a kind, warm-hearted, and loving personality and she released an easing and carefree atmosphere. The top half of her dark blond hair was pulled back with a pearl embedded barrette, and the rest barely reached past her small shoulders. She had a very natural beautiful face, though it had obviously begun to age a little. Her warm brown eyes comforted Ellie, as did her gracious smile. Dressed in a powder blue print muslin dress with pearl detail on the bodice and an expensive lace collar, she obviously wasn’t poor, but yet she didn’t show off her wealth either.

  “Well, I’m very happy to have you here and I know the children will love you too. I can tell already. Now, I would invite you to take a seat and chat awhile, but you see I really don’t have the time,” said Louise Rhodes in a quick voice, “Forgive me for this horrible surprise, but I have a huge favor to ask, Ellie.”

  “Of course, what is it, ma’am?”

  “Well, I own a little florist shop over in Rutherford and it’s not much, but it means a lot to me. I just received news this morning that a huge, rush order was just placed by a very esteemed man in Rutherford. His daughter is getting married in two days and he’s willing to pay a large sum if we can provide all the flowers for the ceremony. I know I’m not exactly desperate for money or anything, but we never get orders as big as this. I’m dying to get back to the shop and help for I know the workers can’t do it all on their own though they try their best, bless their dear hearts. Do you follow what I’m saying, dear?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I understand.”

  “So, I was wondering if you’d be willing to start today, right now. You could watch the children for the day, you wouldn’t have to begin teaching them or anything, and when I come home at around five o’clock we can see how you did and continue on from there. Would you be willing to pay me that huge favor, Miss Henderson?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’d love to.”

  “Really?” Louise gushed. She gave Ellie a quick hug and said, “I’m sure you’ll do a fine job. Don’t worry about a thing. The children will be angels, I promise you.”

  Ellie smiled, “I’m sure they will.”

  “I need to leave right away, but Juliet can show you to the children’s playroom,” Louise called as she ran to a closet in the hall and grabbed her jacket, hat, and purse, “Is that alright?”

  “Of course.”

  “Thank you so much, Ellie dear,” Louise said as she walked out the door, “I never can thank you enough. Goodbye and good luck!”

  “Goodbye, Mrs. Rhodes!” Ellie called back. And in an instant Louise hopped into the carriage and rode away. The whole meeting had taken place in less than ten minutes.

  “Miss Henderson?” the maid Juliet, with the long red braid asked softly, “Shall I show you to the children now?”

  “Yes, that would be wonderful.”

  Up the large flight of stairs they went; Ellie looking around her at the majestic house in awe, and Juliet smiled slightly as she saw Ellie’s amazement.

  They walked through a few corridors before ending up at the door to the playroom.

  “Good luck, Miss Henderson,” Juliet said before disappearing again, and leaving Ellie alone. She could hear the laughs of the children and opened the door anxiously.

  It was a fairly large room, painted a soft yellow and filled with toys of all sorts: trains, teddy bears, building blocks, coloring books, crayons, playhouses, toy soldiers, paint sets, picture books, and many, many dolls.

  “Who are you?” asked a young girl in the corner as she set down her crayons and stood up.

  “My name’s Eliana Mae Henderson. I’m going to be watching you today while your mother’s at her florist shop. You can call me Ellie.”

  “Are you our new nanny, Ellie?”

  “Not yet, exactly, but hopefully I will be soon.”

  Ellie glanced around and saw that the other three children had stopped playing and were looking up at her with confused expressions. Finally, a girl who appeared to be the oldest walked over, straightened her dress, and told her siblings, “Come on, we’ve gotta introduce ourselves.”

  She wore a cute, pink cotton dress with burgundy details that reached to her knees, and underneath were white stockings with no shoes present. Her curly blond hair was long and reached to her mid-back, and her bright blue eyes looked up at Ellie happily.

  “My name’s Grace Rhodes and I’m nine years old,” she said, “You can call me Gracie.”

  As she spoke her siblings came to stand in a line beside her, and in turn they each introduced themselves.

  A jumpy, excited little girl exclaimed, “My name’s Demi Louise Rhodes. I’m named after mother. Her name’s Louise, you know. You can call me Demi.”

  Ellie smiled, “How old are you, Demi?”

  “Six.”

  Her navy dress had a white sailor collar and it was wrinkled, not smooth and clean like Gracie’s. Fairly short, thin dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a white ribbon, but stray hairs fell out and a few wisps fell into her eyes. A splash of freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks.

  Next came a girl with the same kind of hair and eyes as Gracie except she was slightly smaller and wore a green dress instead of a pink one.

  “I’m Leah Rhodes and I’m seven,” said she.

  Finally, the last came forward: a little boy with thick, curly ringlets of dark hair and warm brown eyes. Dressed in tan pants, a white shirt, red striped tie and burgundy sweater, he appeared quite the little gentleman, but of course she couldn’t expect that his appearance would stay this spotless till the end of the day, for he was but a wild and exploring little boy as she would soon find out.

  “Hello,” Ellie said, kneeling down to his height, “What might your name be?”

  “His name’s...” began Leah, but Gracie cut her off:

  “Let him introduce himself!”

  “I’m Wesley,” said the boy.

  “Say your full name, Wes,” Gracie urged.

  Wesley smiled as he proudly stated from memory, “My name’s Wesley Raymond Rhodes and I’m four years old.”

  “Show her how many,” Leah suggested.

  “This many,” Wesley said surely, holding up three fingers.

  “No, no, no,” Leah said, coming over to help him and lifting up one more of his fingers.

  “This many,” Wesley repeated, now holding up the correct number.

  “Good job,” Ellie commented, and in an instant she felt someone pulling on her sk
irt.

  “Come see my picture, Ellie,” Leah said, pulling her to it.

  “It’s wonderful,” said Ellie when she saw the drawing of a rainbow, “Very well done.”

  “Come see my Teddy,” Wesley pleaded, grabbing her hand and taking her to it. She’d only gazed at it a moment when Gracie came over and said, “Would you like to hear me play a song on the piano? I just started lessons a year ago.”

  “I’d love to.”

  And so the day began. Each of the children took to Ellie instantly, for she was young, not at all like the many older governesses they had had in the past. They hoped she’d stay for a long time and Ellie hoped the same thing. Although at the end of the day she returned home exhausted, she’d had fun playing with the children and they’d obviously had fun too. When Louise came home they told her how much they’d enjoyed their day and how they believed with time, Ellie would become a fine nanny. Louise took their advice and hired Ellie before sending her home. That was the first of many, many days Ellie would soon spend with the Rhodes.