The Librarian of Boone's Hollow - Kim Vogel Sawyer Page 0,34
“Now, Bettina, you know we have a strict rule about limiting the weight of the packs to twenty-five pounds.” Then she let out a little airy sigh. Bettina’d never been around anybody who sighed more’n Miz West. Glory thought she did it because she had breathing problems. Bettina wasn’t so sure. “Of course, the scale I use might not be one hundred percent accurate. But I do try not to overburden you.”
Alba Gilkey gave Miz West a pat on her rounded shoulder. “Don’t worry none about it, ma’am. Bettina ain’t happy unless she’s got somethin’ to fuss about. She’s always been that way.”
Alba smiled while she talked, like she was telling a joke, but Bettina bristled anyway. That Alba was always trying to cozy up to folks and make herself look so good and perfect, but Bettina knew better. And Bettina had lots of reasons for fussing. Losing her maw before she was fully growed, having to duck away from Pap’s swinging fists whenever his temper got hold of him, not being smart enough to—
“Well, I have some good news for you girls.”
Bettina slammed the door on her inner grumblings and gave Miz West her full attention. Seeing as how she hadn’t gotten even a peek at Emmett yesterday and got smacked by Pap last night, she could use some good news.
“I got a telephone call from Lexington yesterday afternoon.” Miz West beamed, proud as a jaybird. “Another rider will soon join us.”
“Indeed, she will. We’ll divide the book-drop locations between the four of you, which means you’ll each have fewer stops on your routes.”
Glory and Alba squealed. Bettina didn’t squeal. Squealing hurt Pap’s ears, so she’d long ago trained herself not to make the happy noise. But she couldn’t help smiling. Fewer stops meant not so many hours in the hills. Not so many hours in the hills meant more hours free in the evenings. She wouldn’t spend those evenings at home, either. She’d be courting.
Hooking her thumbs in her overall straps, she leaned forward some to better balance the pack. “When’s she gonna get here? Today?”
“No, not today. Most likely not until next week.”
Glory and Alba groaned, and Bettina huffed. “How come it’s gonna take so long?”
Alba nudged Glory. “There she goes, fussin’ again.”
Like her and Glory hadn’t complained, too? Bettina glared hard at Alba. The girl’s cheeks went all pink, and she looked to the side. Bettina gave a little humph and turned to Miz West. “What I’m meanin’ is trains go between Lynch an’ Lexington twice every day. She could get here this very afternoon if she wanted to.”
“That’s true.” Miz West handed Glory her pouch. It didn’t look near as fat as Bettina’s. “But there’s paperwork and such I need to complete, and she’s committed to another job until the end of the month. So it will be a little while yet.” As she talked, she slid books into the third pouch. Now she fastened it and gave it to Alba, who almost dropped it.
Bettina held back a snort. Alba was so spindly she couldn’t hardly carry a cup of buttermilk.
Miz West bounced her smile on Glory, Alba, and Bettina. She left it aimed at Bettina. “But help is coming. It’s good news, yes?”
The three of them nodded, but a sudden worry smacked Bettina as hard as Pap’s fist ever had. “If we ain’t gonna have as many stops, are we gonna make less money?” Now that Pap’d got used to her turning over all but nine dollars of her pay every month, he’d have a conniption fit if she brung him less. He’d probably think she was holding out on him. She shivered, considering what he’d do.
Miz West held up her plump hands. “No, no, your salary won’t drop by even a penny.”
Bettina grinned. Well, now, that was better-’n-good news. “Thank you, ma’am. We best be goin’. Still got all our stops to make today.” She headed for the door.
“Be safe, girls.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused.
Bettina stepped from the dark smokehouse-turned-library to the street. Morning sunlight attacked her eyes, and she squinted at Glory and Alba, who trailed after her same as they’d done since they was little bitty girls. She went straight to the trio of animals waiting with their reins draped over the straggly limbs of bushes at the edge of the woods. “Wonder how she’ll divvy things up.”
Glory double-stepped up next to Bettina. “Reckon she’ll take some o’ yours an’ some o’