The Blacksmith King

By Brooke Barenfanger

At eight years old, Lila Starwok lost her parents. Ten years later, she runs a boarding house for the people who raised her, her grandparents. There are several men who would like to court her, but Lila feels nothing but friendship for them. One day, a handsome, mysterious man steps into her life. He says his name is Asher Frost. He has secrets behind his eyes and a wariness to his face that never seems to leave. Slowly, Lila discovers his secrets. One day, Asher disappears, leaving only a note and memories that seem more like dreams. The only thing that separates dreams from reality is their love. But when catastrophe strikes, even that seems to be in danger of disappearing. In the end, Asher has to make his choice between selfishness and selflessness. Lila has to trust in Gods perfect will more than ever before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449755546

Brooke Barenfanger

Brooke Barenfanger’s passions are reading, photographing her five younger siblings, and using her writing ability for God’s glory. She lives in Angola, Indiana, within Pokagon State Park. She loves taking long walks in the forest and trails that are right in her backyard. Her favorite passage of Scripture is Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Book preview

Prologue

Lighting flashed outside of the window. Thunder boomed and crashed all around the little house. A little house resembling the eye of the storm. But the small girl in her bed didn’t know that. The thunder sounded like a giant’s footfalls. The lighting was a giant’s lamp. After the loudest crash of the thunder she had ever heard in all of her almost eight years the little girl ran from her room. Her parent’s slept in the room right across from hers. At another crash of thunder, Lila screamed, Daddy! Daddy!

The reassuring sound of her parent’s familiar voices drifted from their room. After hurling open the door, Lila flew across the room and into the safe haven of her daddy’s arms. He sat in a chair by the bed. He had a worried expression on his handsome face as he looked from his wife, who was lying on the bed, down at his daughter. Lila’s mother had her hands on her extended belly.

Charles, the lady said softly Take Lila with you. I don’t want her to hear me when the birth pangs become stronger.

Charles took the small white hand that lay upon her stomach. I don’t want to leave you here alone, Naomi.

God is with me.

But—

Go!

The word was forced out as excruciating pain took over Naomi’s body. Lila looked on helplessly. Babies were supposed to come this way. Her mother had told her that. But it sure was hard to see Mama suffer so. Charles unexpectedly swept up his little girl. Put on your heaviest coat and boots. He ordered as he carried her back to her room and sat her down on her quilted bedspread. It’s going to be all right, honey.

Charles kissed Lila’s forehead. What he told her did not stop her fears, but Lila did as her father said and prepared to go out into the rain-laden night.

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The horse was liquid speed beneath Lila’s small body. Moving so fast nothing could be seen. But even speed cannot outrace rain. Lila thought. She had never been so wet. Every dry place she once had was soaked with the cold rainwater. Daddy seems afraid. Lila thought with concern. She had never seen him afraid before. Every muscle was taut on his body. His breath was labored and his hands held the reins of the horse tightly. When they finally reached their destination, Lila wasn’t sure how long the ride had lasted. It could have been an hour or five minutes. She knew where she was, though. She was at her uncle’s house. He was the doctor. Lila stayed on the horse as her father dismounted quickly and ran toward the door. The pounding the thing received must have rivaled the pounding that other expectant fathers had surely given it before. Lila shivered in the saddle. After an eternity passed, the door opened. Charles had to shout to be heard above the thundering of the rain. Naomi’s having contractions. It’s too early, Will! You have to come now!

Charles stood in the doorway as his brother disappeared into the house and reappeared quickly. The doctor had a black slicker on to match his black bag and hat. When he saw Lila, he called for his wife.

Mable! Come quickly!

Will calmly walked over to Lila and picked her up. After depositing her into the arms of a rather sleepy-eyed aunt, he went into the barn for a horse. Charles took his distraught daughter into his arms and stroked her wet hair.

I will be back for you tomorrow, honey. You will have a new brother or sister then. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.

Lila clung to him. I love you, Daddy. Charles pulled back and looked into Lila’s big green eyes, so much like his. His heart melted a little at the childish trust and love he saw there.

I love you too, He whispered before he kissed her forehead. Then he rose and walked toward the barn after the doctor. The big red barn was cheerful to look at in the daytime, but now, in the dark, it looked to Lila as if it were a giant’s house. Lila glanced up at her aunt. Fear swept over her the little girl’s features.

Will Mama be all right?

Her aunt looked down at her shivering niece and hurriedly swept her inside to get her warm and dry. She did not answer the question.

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Lila’s much older cousins were soon surrounding her. Opal and Ruth were there first. Then Jennifer. They smothered her with hugs and warmth and love. They put her into a warm cotton nightgown that was just a little bit big on her. Mable presented Lila with a warm cup of steaming hot chocolate. They heated her up so well Lila could barely remember she had been cold, but she remembered. Remembered her mother’s pain and her father’s tense body. Lila snuggled up next to her aunt after they warmed her up so well. Usually, staying over at her cousin’s house would be a treat. But now … all Lila wanted was her own home, her own room, and her own bed. She couldn’t fall asleep so she thought of some of her best memories. Mama and Daddy had just told her about the baby. A week later she and Mama had been in their favorite spot …the meadow…

Mama! Look what I found!

What a pretty rose, Lila.

Will the baby like flowers?

Oh, yes, I’m sure.

Will she have red hair like you and me?

You will have to ask God.

Will she be a boy or a girl? I want a girl.

Her mother smiled and tucked the rose behind Lila’s ear.

Whatever God gives us.

Lila picked all different sorts of flowers while her mother made daisy chains. The bright sun came down red-hot on their heads. Someone passing by might have mistaken them for faeries. They had gone swimming later. The field contained a lake as well as flowers. When they climbed out of the water, they lay on a red and white checkered blanket and talked of Lila’s upcoming birthday. The sun had quickly dried them out again. They both went home with a bunch of flowers for home and a new memory for their hearts. Lila had asked one more question on their way back. Will she have freckles?

Mama had laughed.

I’m sure she will. Your brother and you certainly do. But only God knows.

Only God knows… only God knows…only God knows…it echoed in Lila’s mind. She restlessly got out of bed. Her aunt’s soft breathing told Lila that she was asleep. The rain had long since stopped. Lila opened the window. The moon was silvery white against the sky. God, Lila whispered into the early morning air Mama needs some help. Can You please help her? Mama says only You know. Just help her while she has the babies. Thank you. Amen. Lila stared up at the stars. Mama had always said that they looked like tiny lighthouses lighting the way for sailors lost within the black spaces. Slowly, Lila became aware of a rather lovely sound. I say slowly because the sound rather faded upward instead of fading away. It was a sound as natural and lovely as the stars. That is why Lila did not notice it at first. Somebody was whistling. It was a sad, melancholy sort of tune. Lila looked around for the whistler. Then she saw him. The man stood on the top of Uncle Will’s barn. He had a cane in one hand. He used his other hand to pull out a pocket watch. It glinted gold in the moonlight. His and Lila’s eyes met as surely as those sailors would find the lighthouses in the sky. He smiled a bit and bowed, never taking his eyes from hers. His black skin looked odd. She had never seen a black man before. His eyes though…they glowed blue. Such a blue Lila had only seen at twilight. Suddenly, the bed behind her creaked. Lila whirled about to find her aunt with her feet on the carpet beside the bed.

Good morning, dear, Aunt Mable said in a still-waking-up voice. Lila turned toward the window once more but saw nobody on the roof. In the horizon the sun awoke as sleepily as Aunt Mable did. A slight breeze stirred Lila’s tangled red curls. She wondered if she had dreamed the black man on the barn roof with eyes that were the color of the twilight.

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Lila sat eating breakfast with her cousins when her uncle returned. His face was grim. Aunt Mable took in his expression and her own smile of greeting faded.

Will? What happened? Naomi and the baby are they—

They’re fine. Uncle Will said cutting her off. It was a good delivery. She had twins.

The initial joy of the good news was cut short by his still grim face. Jennifer spoke then. A confused frown marred her usually smooth brow.

What…what is wrong then, Daddy?

The man sat down then spoke slowly as if it pained him greatly. He seemed to have aged overnight. There were tears in his eyes as he spoke. Charles…was coming to get Lila after Naomi gave birth safely about two hours ago.

Two hours? That seemed like a very long time indeed. From Lila’s house to Uncle Will’s house was only about the span of ten minutes. And that was walking.

He was on Copper. You know how spooked that horse can get. Copper threw him…

Is he hurt? Opal asked.

Oh, how I wish it were only that. Uncle Will said in a broken sounding whisper.

You can’t mean—Aunt Mable stopped speaking as tears choked her voice.

No. It can’t be! Opal cried.

His head hit a rock, Uncle Will continued. By the time I got there…it was too late. Charles was already gone.

The girls were starting to cry. Lila didn’t understand. Her trembling, girlish voice could barely be heard above the sobs. Uncle Will, where is my daddy? Will looked with compassion at his little niece and could not answer her. Her life would be altered forever. Lila would never see her father again.

Chapter One

Imagine you wake up

with a second chance: The blue jay

hawks his pretty wares

and the oak still stands, spreading

glorious shade. If you don’t look back…

Rita Dove, Dawn Revisited

1902

Ten years later…

Lila woke from a deep slumber. The cock crowed, its tone ridiculously bright for so early in the morning. She shut her eyes once more, but got up a second later. She needed to make breakfast for all of the boarders as well as her family. Lila stared at herself in the mirror for a moment as she brushed her hair. Her hair was so much like her mother’s. That was what she had dreamed about last night…her mother. Just a year after Charles had died another tragedy had hit the family. Naomi had gone to heaven. Lila had been in the city with her grandmother, visiting Grandma’s sister, when scarlet fever had struck Stardust Ridge. Riana, Gabriel, and Lila’s mother had caught it. Grandma went back right away, but Lila had been left in the city with her great aunt. Stardust Ridge suffered twelve losses that year. One of them was Naomi Starwok. Lila had dreamed that her mother had been in the meadow with her. For just a moment, she had been a little girl again. For just a moment, she had had no worries at all. But then she woke up. Lila shook off the feeling of melancholy and determined that she would think of happier things today. She dressed in a blue calico and tied back her long red curls with a blue ribbon. A blue ribbon from Jonnie. He was her only older brother. When would he be done with college? She hadn’t seen him in nearly a year. Lila heard a crash downstairs and ran to see what it was. After flying down the eighteen steps, and swinging around the banister at the bottom, Lila ran into her grandpa.

Slow down there, gal. Everythin’ is just fine.

What happened, Grandpa? I heard—"

Those siblings of yours. They tripped over a few things. We were tryin’ to help you out. But, uh, see I forgot I didn’t know how to cook. Riana’s makin’ pancakes and Gabriel, he is makin’ eggs but it seems we didn’t do it too right.

Did you light the stove? Lila asked in alarm. Did they catch anything on fire?

The stove? Yep, I reckon that is what we kinda missed.

Her grandfather, Richard Starwok, had never had to cook for himself. He had grown up with six sisters who loved to be in the kitchen and had married an excellent cook as well. Richard Starwok was also good with animals and plants. When he was younger, he could not read because he had never spent a day in school. Once he was married, though, his wife taught him how to read and write.

Lila winced at a crash of glass coming from the kitchen. It’s the thought that counts. She reminded herself. She geared herself up and went to see the disaster area. It was worse than she expected. Partly cleaned up glass was in one corner. Flour covered the table and a few eggshells dotted the counter. Broken eggs made a gooey yellow mess all over her stove. There, in the midst, stood the two little culprits with sheepish grins. Some sort of batter looking substance coated Riana’s hair. Gabriel was moderately clean compared to his sister, although he did have suspicious looking sugar specks dotting the corners of his mouth. Lila nodded toward the door. The two of you go clean yourselves up. When you are finished come and help me, Lila stared at them for a moment. Please. She added as an afterthought.

The pair obediently fled outside. Lila borrowed some of her grandpa’s shoes from his office before starting to clean up the mess. Sorry, gal. Didn’t mean to make more work for you. Grandpa said as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Slowly, he started to edge toward his office. Lila saw his motive and propped her hands on her hips.

Come back here, Grandpa. You are part of this as well. So grab a broom and start sweeping.

Grandpa chuckled. You’re bossy, gal.

I know. You’ve told me before. Now come on and help me.

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Asher sat on his bed in the Starwok Hotel. He had risen early on account of his dreams. They haunted him wherever he went. Stardust Ridge was a sleepy little town. Maybe he could find work here. He would first get a few supplies at that mercantile across the street. Asher pulled on his boots and crossed the room to the door. His stomach rumbled like thunder. Food first. Then supplies. After he had done these two necessary things, he could then find work. Survival was necessary for his uncertain future. He was running so low on many things. Money being one of them. Asher sighed remembering a time he had taken everything for granted. Well, that time was over. He went downstairs and ate breakfast before he went over to the mercantile. He bought only a few food supplies. He questioned the grey-haired woman behind the counter as to where he could find work. She looked at him in surprise. He knew that his French accent was odd in this place. The lady answered him after a moment. There is some help needed over at the Starwok’s Boarding House. Here is the work sign if you want it.

The lady ripped a piece of paper off of a cork board behind her and handed it to him. It read,

HELP NEEDED AT STARWOK’S BOARDING HOUSE

NEEDS TO BE ADEPT AT HANDLING

WOODWORK AND ROOFING REPAIRS

PLEASE CONTACT LILA STARWOK OR RICHARD STARWOK FOR

MORE INFORMATION

What brings you to America? the lady asked slyly.

Asher didn’t answer her. All women are busybodies. He thought

"Bonjour, Madame. How might I get to this place?"

She gave him directions while he paid for his things. Afterwards, he stopped by his hotel room and gathered up his few things into his small satchel. Hopefully, this goes well. He thought to himself. He needed work desperately. He only had a dollar left and needed something to occupy his mind with. If he had nothing with which to divert himself, he was afraid that the thoughts and actions he had suppressed for so long would make him do things that he ought not to do. At least not yet.

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Lila sighed as she cleaned up after breakfast. Grandma had looked tired at the table. Her rheumatism had probably flared up. Grandma never complained though. No, she would never even think of complaining. As Lila stared out the window while cleaning dishes at the kitchen sink, she heard footsteps behind her. You don’t have to help, Grandpa.

Only way she will sleep is if I help you. I don’t mind.

He started to dry the dishes as Lila washed them.

I forgot to tell you that I posted that work sign up at the mercantile. Grandpa said.

I hope someone who will actually work will be interested this time.

The last man they had hired had eaten her food and slept the day away. The only time he actually did something was when Lila bothered him about it, but when the work had been finished Lila found it to be half done and sloppy.

How about Simon Fisher? Grandpa asked. He said he would—

Grandpa, Simon Fisher is looking for a wife, and that is the only reason he offered. I don’t want to encourage him. I’ve known him since first grade. He dipped my hair in ink, put a frog in my lunch pail, saturated my desk with slugs, and—to top it all off—he tied a live grasshopper to my shoe. By the time the teacher untied the poor thing, it was dead! All of which happened within the first two weeks of school before his father decided that he was too good for our ‘country school’ and sent him off to a private boarding school for boys. Grandpa shook his head with a chuckle.

He was a rascal, that one. But that was years ago. I can’t figure why you don’t like him. He is easy on the eyes, and he ain’t poor neither.

Money is not everything. I just wish that he would turn his attention to someone else.

How many times has he asked you out?

Seven. He just won’t take the hint. Plus he got me some flowers the last time we met. And not just ordinary run-of-the-mill flowers, mind you, but a whole bouquet of roses. Maybe I should pair him up with somebody.

He chose you, gal, ‘cause you have more reason in your head than ten men. And ‘sides all them smarts you’re too pretty for your own good. I think you should accept Simon Fisher’s courtin’ attempts.

Lila washed the last dish, I don’t know. She looked out the window, It’s just that when I’m with him, I don’t feel… She searched her mind for the words she was trying to express. Grandpa spoke them for her. That there is a spark. He concluded.

She gave a small nod and continued looking out the window lost in a daydream she had had as a little girl. A daydream of a handsome prince coming and riding away with her. Grandpa dried the last dish and set it aside before reaching out a large, wrinkled hand and taking his granddaughter’s small, slender hand in his. She turned to him. The man who had been her father since she was eight years old.

God has someone for you, Lila. All you have to do is wait and pray. He will bring you both together in His own good time. Just like He did to your Grandma and me.

Tell me that story, Grandpa.

Right now? That one’s a little long, ain’t it?

Yes, but we have time.

He shrugged. All right, gal. You know that I’m not one to turn down a storytellin’ opportunity.

He paused for a moment, searching his mind through all of his stories as if looking through the files there. Then he began.

The first time I saw her I was on clouds for the rest of the day. She was wearin’ a pretty yellow dress with a big white bow wrapped around her tiny waist. Her dark hair floatin’ about her face like the night floats about the stars. It was at a church picnic an’ this little town had just officially become Stardust Ridge (after my family because they were the ones who really settled the town). But my daddy refused for it to be named after him. He was a humble, God-fearin’ man. Couldn’t read a word if his life depended on it. Grandpa seemed to drift off for a moment before continuing his story.

She had just moved to Stardust Ridge. I found out her name was Emily Rosenburg. The first time I saw her I was covered in dust from wrestlin’ with one of my five brothers. I’m sure she didn’t notice me. I heard she had just come from Paris. I was so sure that I wasn’t good enough for her that I sulked around the farm for a good week. Finally, I told Addie, the sister I was closest to, why I wasn’t my normal self. She then cleaned me up right purty with Henrietta, Tess, Betty, Dorothy, and Mary givin’ me some advice. My sisters really helped me out that time. I don’t know what I would have done without them. I looked so good for Sunday mornin’ service that nobody recognized me. After three whole Sunday mornin’s like that, I finally worked up the nerve to ask her pa if I could go courtin’ his daughter. After I prayed on it awhile, of course. Her pa told me that if she was agreeable, then I could come callin’. And she was. We were married six months later. She taught me how to read and taught every one of my six sisters as well. Took her awhile to convince Henrietta, though. She is the oldest and the most stubborn. But she finally did it. A feather could have knocked me over when I came in from plowin’ the fields and saw them leanin’ over a book on the kitchen table. I told her to just give up, but Emily wouldn’t for the life of her. I have never to this day seen Henrietta give into sometin’ she has her mind set against. The only thing she has ever given into is letting my Emily teach her how to read.

At the end of his story, Lila gave her grandpa a kiss on the cheek.

Thank you, Grandpa.

Well, you know this old man loves tellin’ his stories. What you goin’ to do today, anyhow?

I’m going to go for a short ride on Neptune before I start cleaning house.

Neptune was Lila’s horse. He was the only one the Starwok’s could afford to keep at the moment. Out of the blue twenty years before Grandpa had announced that they were going to start a boarding house. Grandpa had sold the farm to his brothers and bought a huge house with the money. He loved to entertain people and that is exactly what he did at the boarding house. Before Lila was old enough to help, Grandma had done the chores and cooking, while he handled the financial matters. He had always been good with money. It had forever been Lila’s refuge, especially after her parents had died.

I’ll be in my study if you need me. He told her as he exited the kitchen. Lila headed for the barn. Neptune needed some exercise.

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Lots of Starwok places, Asher thought, staring at the Help Needed paper in his hand as he walked down the road. Must have settled the place. Asher paused and looked around for a moment. The woman said at the next left he would see…oh, yes. There it was. A white house on a hill with a forest behind it. Or, at least it looked like it used to be white. Trees were scattered everywhere but not as thickly as behind the hill. Suddenly, he heard the pounding hoof beats of a horse. The horse streaked by the road where he walked. Asher looked up to see a woman with flaming red hair astride a midnight black stallion. He was immediately fascinated by the contrast that they made. Red hair…Asher had never seen red hair before. His fingers itched to paint them. The woman was beautiful and the horse magnificent. Suddenly, the stallion started neighing and pawing the ground. The woman struggled for control. Whoa, Neptune. It’s all right, boy. Please don’t do this to me this time. I have a treat for you when we get back home. It’s all right. You’re fine. Whoa. It’s—

The horse reared. The woman was thrust from the animal’s back by the sheer force of it. A shoe was flung at Asher. He caught it in his hand before it hit him in the face and stared at the woman as she flew through the air. The horse whinnied a few yards off. It seemed very pleased with itself. Asher was faintly alarmed now. The lady had not yet gotten up. Was she all right? He started jogging toward her. Neptune saw him and reared once more before racing off into the distance. The lady stumbled upwards and groaned as she watched her horse run off.

Ooooh! Well, this is just great! Wonderful! Fantastic! And to top it all off spectacular! Neptune! You ornery thing come back here now! Just so you know you won’t have a treat when you return!

The woman scooped her hair away from her face and blew out a breath.

This is the second—no—the third time that you’ve thrown me this week. No wait… She started counting on her fingers. It’s the fourth! she exclaimed.

Asher noticed her rolled up sleeves. Quite improper for a lady to have her sleeves rolled up. But then, she was no ordinary lady. She had been riding astride, her shoes and wild red hair not properly done. She turned about, her eyes searching the ground. Bemusedly, Asher watched her. She seemed so wild and free. He had never seen anything quite so…beautiful. All of the women he had met paled in comparison to her natural beauty.

Where did my shoe go? she muttered to herself.

He cleared his throat. When she heard the sound, her eyes flitted up to his. She about jumped out of her skin.

I did not mean to scare you, Miss.

She took a deep breath and pressed a hand to her chest, as if to reassure herself that she was fine. It’s all right.

I was just making sure that you were not hurt.

I’m perfectly fine. He does that to me often.

When she saw her shoe in his hand, a delicate red color took over her face. He held out the shoe which she snatched from him. She quickly leaned down and slipped it back on. Her red hair fell in a riotous mess of jumbled curls down to her waist. He had never seen anyone else like her before. The woman stood back up and planted her hands akimbo on her hips. She looked up at him and he was startled by the color of her eyes. Like the color of the ocean they were. A deep green color. They reminded him of the wildest green waves back home. She seemed not to notice his fascination with her, for she looked back toward the boarding house. Have you business at the Starwok’s?

Asher nodded.

A bit of a smile took over her mouth. You are here for the handyman position?

Yes.

Relief flooded her eyes. Wonderful. You seem like you could do the job. Have you done handyman work before?

Yes. He answered once more.

A thoughtful look came to her face. You are French?

I am indeed, he said, wondering if that would be a problem. But, for some reason, it seemed to make her happy. Her lips curled up a bit as she looked him up and down, sizing him up.

My name is Lila Starwok,

Asher Frost.

She held out her hand and he shook it. She had a warm, firm grip. Asher noticed her hands were calloused and suntanned from hard work. Nothing at all like the women back home.

Asher Frost. What a unique name, she said and seemed to dwell on it a moment before she began to speak. Now, down to business. As you see from here, the boarding house has become a little...dilapidated. My brother is gone and my grandfather is too old for fixing such things. There are multiple repairs to be done. You seem to be an able-bodied man and I am in desperate need of some help. You will be paid at the end of the week. Meals and boarding are included. There is a little cabin at the bottom of the hill that you can use as your personal space. Breakfast is at 7:30, lunch is at 12:00, and supper is at 5:00. You will have Sundays off. Will a week suffice to see if the situation would suit?

Asher blinked, a little startled that he would get the job without any questions asked of him. Very adequately, thank you, he answered.

She turned around and started toward the boarding house. I can show you where you can get started. My Grandpa will want to meet you first.

Red hair…he had heard of it, seen it in a few paintings, but a woman with the actual color…it was quite rare in France. Lila Starwok was also quite pretty to look at. Maybe she would agree if he asked to paint a portrait of her. Asher turned on his heel and followed Miss Starwok to the boarding house on the hill.

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Asher Frost seemed so mysterious. Lila wondered if Frost was an alias or if one of his parents was English. His eyes were a rich gold color. They seemed to burn a hole right through her when he looked at her. She wondered if he went to church. If he did, then everyone would certainly wonder who he was exactly. He seemed to be quite handsome beneath the beard and dirt. All of the single girls would definitely like seeing him in church. She glanced behind her as they came to the door. She opened it and motioned for him to follow. When she came to the study’s door, she knocked before opening it.

Grandpa put down the newspaper he had been reading. Done with yer ride already?

Neptune threw me and ran away.

Her grandfather frowned. Doesn’t usually do that,

She shrugged. I found a man who would like to become our new handyman.

A wide smile formed on Grandpa’s face, Show him in then, gal.

Lila opened the door wider and let Asher in.

Close the door, will you? If you find the twins wanderin’ about, tell them to stay away from my study until I’m done here.

Yes, sir.

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Asher turned to the man behind the desk after she shut the door. He glanced about the room. It was rather spacious. There were two large windows behind the desk. On either side of the room there were bookshelves filled with paraphernalia such as different labeled boxes, toys, rope, and what looked to be butterflies on pins sticking up from little wood planks. The books were about various subjects ranging from history and science, to fairytales and fiction. In both corners nearest the windows, there were two comfy looking chairs. In one of the chairs, there was a rag doll.

Yer name, young man? Mr. Starwok asked, interrupting Asher’s inspection of the room.

"Asher Frost, Monsieur."

His grey brows lifted. French are you? Haven’t met a Frenchman in a long while. What brings you here?

Asher’s mouth tensed. "Personal business, Monsieur."

I don’t mean to be nosy, young man, but I would like to make sure that you ain’t on the wrong side of the law or anythin’ like that.

Asher relaxed slightly, No. I have never gone to prison and am not running from the law.

Take a seat, Mr. Starwok gestured to a chair in front of his desk.

Asher sat.

Have you had any other work like this before?

Yes. I am good with my hands.

The older man’s lips tipped up in some secret amusement that Asher knew nothing about. Asher’s mouth tightened even more.

How long will you be able to work?

As long as I am needed.

Ah, yer answers are not all that straight forward, are they? Well, maybe once you know us you will loosen up a might.

Mr. Starwok stood and opened a drawer to his desk. He took out a dragonfly upon a pin. The wing color was emerald green. He studied it for a moment before looking up at Asher.

I’m sure Lila has told you of how desperate we are. You seem to be fit for the job. Lila’s cookin’ and my storytellin’ will probably make you want to stay for a while. She tell you that you can use the cabin?

Yes.

Did she make any other agreements with you?

She said I would be paid at the end of the week.

You will be if you do a good job. The last man did not. We didn’t pay him much in the end. Only a few cents for the little effort he made.

I will work hard.

Sharp blue eyes met guarded golden ones. The old man smiled just a little. Are you good with children?

I am not sure. I do not have much experience.

I have two little grandchildren. Riana and Gabriel. Though I will tell them not to get in your way, they most likely will. I want to make sure that yer ready for that. I am raisin’ ‘em because their parents died a little while after they were born. If they bother you, ignore them and they should wander off.

"Yes, Monsieur."

Stay out of the way of our boarders as much as possible.

He stopped and thought for a moment, That is all I can think of at the minute. Lila is most likely in the cabin right now, cleanin’ up some for you. I think I already mentioned how good Lila’s cookin’ is. That is about it.

"Thank you, Monsieur."

Yer welcome, young man, Asher rose and left the room.

Richard Starwok wondered about the secrets behind those pretty eyes of the new handyman. It was very odd to have a Frenchman in Stardust Ridge. Very odd indeed.

Chapter Two

He came and took me by the hand

Up to a red rose tree,

He kept His meaning to Himself

But gave a rose to me.

Ralph Hodgson, The Mystery

You hired someone, Richard? Who is it? I hope he is more suitable than the last one. Have I met him before?

They sat in the parlor drinking lemonade just an hour after Asher had been hired. A few boarders were sitting here and there throughout the room. Asher Frost was fixing the porch railing. Riana and Gabriel sat outside watching him.

His name is Asher Frost, Grandpa began He has a French accent—

Have I met him? Grandma repeated.

Lila took a sip of lemonade, hiding her smile. Grandma liked to meet every new person that entered into the house. Though Lila didn’t blame her. Last year they had been robbed by their handyman. The man was never caught. It had taught them to be wary. Lila sighed silently. That was the handyman before last. They didn’t seem to be making very good choices concerning them.

Miss Hattie, their most faithful boarder, sat beside Lila on the love seat while her husband and their newest boarder, Mr. Harrison Keats, played checkers in the corner with John, Miss Hattie’s husband. Mr. Keats was a fifty-ish bachelor who had moved in because he was Miss Hattie’s brother and Miss Hattie’s husband’s best friend. Grandpa let out a small, exasperated sigh. No. You have not met him,

Grandma opened her mouth but her husband cut her off. Come on now, Emily. We need a repair guy real bad.

Amen to that, Miss Hattie said fervently.

The place is fallin’ down around our ears, Grandpa continued. Let’s give him a try,

What does he look like? Grandma persisted.

Well, uh, let’s see, he is tallish… Grandpa was very good with physical descriptions, but he could be difficult when he wanted to be.

Lila stood up, lemonade in hand. Why don’t you just go meet him, Grandma? she suggested.

Tell me your description of him first, dear.

He’s tall, dark, and handsome. Lila told her. Not to mention his lovely golden eyes.

Really? Oh, dear. I suppose that he is a heartbreaker then.

Lila smiled. Come meet him, Grandma. Everyone else has.

I will, then,

Lila and Grandma went out onto the front porch. Mr. Frost was testing the railing. Riana was at his side with a box of nails talking a mile a minute. Gabriel sat in the grass nearby, playing with a frog. Mr. Frost looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Grandma, meet Asher Frost. Mr. Frost meet Emily Starwok. Mr. Frost, my grandmother speaks French fluently.

He let go of the railing and came up the stairs holding out his hand to her. Grandma grasped it and looked him straight in the eye as she firmly shook his hand.

"Enchante, Madame."

Grandma’s whole expression softened as she heard Mr. Frost greet her in French. Grandma’s father had been French. Lila knew that her grandmother longed to hear the language spoken. She often called it the language of her heart. She had even taught Lila some French so that they could converse in it on occasion.

It is nice to meet you as well, Mr. Frost. I hope that you will do a good job around here.

Mr. Frost inclined his head ever so slightly. I shall try my best to please, Mrs. Starwok.

Grandma then swept back inside. Lila followed her. She and Grandma had cleaned house for the whole day and were only half done. They still had a few more hours before dinner, so she knew they should probably get right back at it. The boarding house was so big that it took two whole days for them to clean it thoroughly.

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After dinner, Lila and Mrs. Bere cleaned the dishes before joining the boarders and her family in the parlor. Mrs. Bere was a widow in her late forties. She had been living at the boarding house for two years and helped with running the place as part of her rent. She worked as a cook for a restaurant in town.

Asher Frost had already retired to his cabin. Grandpa had been disappointed. Lila had reminded him that there would be plenty of other nights to play checkers with the new handyman. As soon as she entered the room, Lila saw two things wrong. Number one: Gabriel was missing. Number two: Riana was also missing.

Where are the twins? Lila asked.

Somewhere around, Grandpa answered vaguely. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, a colossal crash sounded from upstairs.

Oh, dear, Grandma murmured.

Lila sprinted from the room. As Lila climbed the stairs, she heard the twins shushing each other. She opened the door and found two guilty faces and one collapsed bed frame.

Didn’t I tell you two not to jump on your beds? Lila scolded as she examined the woodwork of the frame before she shook her head.

I can not believe that you two did this after I explicitly told you not to. I will have to pull your mattress out, Riana. The new handyman will fix this tomorrow. Lila got them all settled down and started to leave, more than a little irritated with them. Riana’s voice stopped her.

Lila? What did Mama look like?

Some of Lila’s annoyance melted away. It was a question often asked in different ways at different times. She was happy to answer it as much as she could to keep her mother’s memory alive. She had hair so bright Daddy called it the color of the sun,

Was it as long as yours? The little girl asked.

Yes. And it felt as soft as silk. She had wide blue eyes. God must have taken pieces of the sky and made them into her eyes. When she was angry or tired they would cloud right over to grey like the sky does when there is a storm. But—

She was almost always happy. Gabriel finished for her.

Do my eyes look like hers did, Lila? he questioned.

Yes. Lila walked over to him and smoothed his tousled white-blond hair from his head, Exactly like hers. Sometimes I look into your eyes and see her looking back, Lila kissed his head, then Riana’s.

And Riana, your eyes look just like Daddy’s. Like a deep sea-green pool. They all reflected on this for a minute. It was a brief, bittersweet moment. Afterwards, Lila said goodnight and closed the door.

Just before she entered the parlor, she heard Grandpa talking.

…I hired him because there was somethin’ about him that said he was capable.

Miss Hattie spoke up. Might not be a bad match for Lila.

No. Certainly not, Hattie! The man is a complete stranger! Obviously, Grandma did not agree. She had to know the man his entire life in order for him to be good enough for her granddaughter.

Married me didn’t you? Grandpa chuckled. Lila walked in.

What did the twins do this time? Grandpa asked.

They were jumping on Riana’s bed and the frame collapsed.

I have told them over and over not to do that. Grandma said shaking her head.

We all have, Miss Hattie agreed.

Mr. Frost can fix it tomorrow. So…what have you all been discussing while I’ve been upstairs?

She is a quick one, Miss Hattie smiled