only the Lassiters’ influence that had allowed her to have an education in the first place.
Pastor Lassiter, or Uncle Frank, as he’d lately insisted he be called by the MacDonald family, and his late wife, Catherine, had come to the mining camps as part of their ministry to spread the gospel to the miners. But more than that, they’d helped Polly’s family better their circumstances, and Polly had been able to take lessons with their daughter, Annabelle.
Uncle Frank! Polly looked around, realizing for the first time that while she’d come with the pastor, in all of the excitement, she’d forgotten him.
She spied him at the counter, talking with Mr. Taylor and his wife. Polly started toward the Taylors, noting that Mitch followed close behind.
“Ah! Polly!” Uncle Frank stepped aside to let Polly join the conversation.
“I’m sorry, I got caught up in all the excitement.” Three little heads peered from around the corner of the counter.
“Yes, I saw.” Uncle Frank smiled. “I think we stopped by in the nick of time.”
He turned his attention to Mitch. “Frank Lassiter. I’m the pastor at Leadville Community Church. Andrew wanted me to welcome you to town, let you know that we’re here for you if you need anything.”
Mitch frowned, then gave his brother a funny look. “You know I’m not much of a church-going man. The church—”
“This church is different. Trust me. Pastor Lassiter can help with your situation,” Andrew Taylor said.
Uncle Frank made a face. “Please. I’ve told you to call me Frank. We’re all the same in the Lord’s eyes, so don’t make me any more than I am.”
“I’m sure the church can’t do anything for my situation. I need a new nanny, that’s all.”
The hard set to Mitch’s jaw made Polly’s heart ache. They’d encountered a lot of pride over the years, both when Polly’s family helped take care of other miners’ children, and now with helping Uncle Frank with his ministry to the miners and the outcasts of Leadville society. Mitch wanted help. But like so many who’d been wounded in the past, accepting help from the church was almost too difficult to bear.
Uncle Frank looked over at Polly. “That is something we can help with. Polly is wonderful with children, and I know she’d be delighted to help with yours until you can find a replacement.”
The familiar resentment rose up in Polly. It wasn’t that she didn’t like children, or that she didn’t like being with children. But her entire life, she’d heard the same thing: “Polly won’t mind.” “Polly would be delighted.” Only no one ever bothered to ask if, in fact, Polly had any opinion on the matter at all.
Surely there had to be more to Polly’s life than the same drudgery that seemed to be a woman’s lot. Until she married, she was under the direction of her family in doing whatever they wanted. And then, when she finally settled on a husband, it would be more of living whatever life he chose for her. When did Polly get to choose for herself? To live beyond dirty diapers, washing that needed done and cleaning up after everyone else.
And it wasn’t that Uncle Frank, her mother and everyone else asked things of her that were intolerable. It was just that...no one ever gave her a choice. All she wanted was to find her own way in the world and choose to live a life she wanted, not having to constantly do what everyone asked her to do.
As for finding a husband, well, Polly had fooled around with the notion of romance. Only a lot of people were not who they seemed, and she’d been taken in by the wrong sort of fellow. There were a lot of wrong sorts of fellows in Leadville, and as much as a girl wanted to believe in the happy endings a few of her friends had, finding an honorable man was just as difficult as finding a good vein of silver. It might happen to some folks, but too many people lost everything in their hunt for the elusive treasure.
So what was left for Polly? Continuing to be “delighted” to perform every menial task her family gave her since she was without the benefit of a husband? Settle for marriage to a man who was nice enough but spent his spare time in the many saloons and brothels in town? No, she had to find a way to make her own way in the world.
A respectable way in the world. She’d met enough working girls to know she didn’t want a life outside of the respectable bounds of society. Which left her few options outside of marriage or remaining the dutiful daughter.
But perhaps, with this situation, there was a way for everyone to get what they wanted.
Polly smiled and turned to the gentlemen.
“Actually, Uncle Frank, I would like to apply for the position myself. I think it would be good to earn my own money and start to live my own life.”
Uncle Frank stared at her for a moment, then shook his head. “Is there something you need? I thought I paid Gertie plenty to provide everything you could want, and your father is earning a nice wage running the mine. I’m sorry if we haven’t been generous enough.”
The genuine despair at having thought he’d cheated her family in some way tore at Polly’s heart. Uncle Frank had been too generous, to a fault, for many years.
“That’s not it at all.” Polly sighed. “Everyone my age is married. Annabelle, Mary, Emma Jane. Every time I begin to form a new friendship, the woman finds a husband. I’m sure I’ll have to marry eventually, but I don’t want that right now. I—”
“I know your heart was broken by that fellow, but you’ll find another. In time.”
All of the other adults murmured in agreement. All except Mitch, who stared at her intently. His seemingly expressionless face gave almost nothing away. But his eyes...they seemed very interested in what Polly had to say.
“This isn’t about what Tom did. I’ve been over him for a long time. This is about me, and finding what’s important to me in life. Surely there is more to life than the drudgery of marriage and children. If I can take a job, earn some money, then I can go off in the world and find what else is out there for me.”
“If taking care of children is drudgery, then why would you want to take care of my children?” Mitch asked quietly.
Polly’s hand flew to her mouth. She often got into trouble for speaking her mind without thinking. It had almost ruined her friendship with Annabelle, but fortunately, the two of them had been able to mend the rift. Since then, Polly worked very hard to temper her tongue.
“Because they aren’t my children, and I’m being compensated for my time. I enjoy working with children, but I also want time for myself. I can have that if I’m taking care of your children.”
Polly took a deep breath, then drew the courage to share her plans with Uncle Frank. “I’ve been thinking of obtaining my teaching certification. If Mr. Taylor does not hire me, then I will find a job elsewhere to earn the money needed to take the course.”
Then she turned back to Mitch. “Surely we can work something out. You need a nanny, and I need employment. I’m good with children, you heard it yourself.”
“All right,” Mitch said, looking at her. “I’m willing to discuss the job with you. Once you’ve heard what it entails, you can decide for yourself if it’s drudgery or not.”
Polly
