“No,” I said, cutting her off. “Nothing for me. My clothes might not be much to look at, but they serve their purpose.”
She nodded and turned to Myra. “How about we size you up first?” She took Myra by the hand. “While I’m taking your measurements we can talk about what style you want your new dress to be.”
I thought about Myra shivering last night, and frowned. “No dress.”
“What?” Myra asked, giving me a dirty look.
“I’m sorry, but we need to be practical. You’ll be warmer in trousers and shirt. Plus, trousers are less cumbersome which may be important to us since we aren’t sure how things will play out in the coming days.”
Her shoulders hunched forward, wearing a look of defeat. She saw my reasoning, though she didn’t like it.
I put a hand on her shoulder. “Maybe we can get you a dress in time for next summer,” I said, trying to brighten her mood.
She shifted her stance so my hand fell away. “It doesn’t matter.”
I saw it did.
She probably hadn’t owned a nice dress since I was bouncing her on my knee. I made a mental note to make that up to her. My list seemed to grow by the minute. I clenched my jaw. I had been careful with my money for ten years so by the time I made it home I wouldn’t have to wait any longer to make things up to her.
Jareb’s contracts changed my plans.
Damaris watched the exchange without interrupting, something I appreciated. She smiled wider, and spoke to Myra. “There are still plenty of things we can do with trousers and shirt. We can cut it differently so it still has very much a feminine quality. I actually have an outfit like that myself for traveling.”
Myra looked up, hopeful. “All right.”
I breathed a small sigh of relief. “Myra, would you mind letting Zadok go first? I need to visit the cobbler to see about getting him some shoes. I can do that while Miss Damaris is fitting you afterward.”
“Sure.”
“Go ahead, Zadok.”
“Do I have to, Pa?”
I saw his trepidation. “Miss Damaris isn’t going to bite you. It’s fine.”
“I’ll be as quick as possible. And it’s just Damaris,” she said to me, walking over to Zadok. “I’m not ready for the Miss part yet. Maybe by the time my hair turns gray.” She gave me a small wink before putting her arm around Zadok and leading him to the mirror.
Myra stood next to me, quiet and sullen. I thought to say something more in an effort to make things right, but everything that came to mind seemed like it would do more harm than good. I chose to focus my attention on Zadok who looked as uncomfortable as a stable hand at the king’s court. I’m pretty sure I saw him blush a few times during the measuring process.
Damaris could obviously sense his discomfort as she kept her smile present and made small talk in an effort to distract him. She moved quickly between measurements and jotted down notes on a nearby chalkboard.
When Damaris announced Zadok could step down, he jumped off the box and ran over to me. I patted him on the back and leaned down as Damaris was making the last of her notes. I whispered. “One day you might not mind having a pretty woman jostle you around like that.”
“Pa!” he said in a low whisper, face growing red.
Damaris turned. “All right, Zadok. That should do it. Myra, are you ready?”
Myra nodded and walked over. Zadok was out the door before I even had a chance to turn. I decided not to tease him anymore. I may have pushed it too much already. Sadly, my children were still strangers to me and I didn’t know when to tease or when to be serious. I had to remind myself that these weren’t soldiers. I needed to talk to them differently.
Like most other businesses, including the tailor we just left, the cobbler had his own window display. The display showed shoes of varying styles-mostly black or brown with the exception of a green pair I’m sure no one but an actor or a playwright would buy.
I led the way inside again, greeted by the overwhelming smell of leather and hide. A middle-aged gentleman looked up from a work station in the back where he hammered on the sole of a boot. A large, twisting mustache spanned his face.
The small twinkle in his eye at first evident when we entered, faded as he looked us over. He rose from his seat and approached.
I guess our physical appearance was beneath his usual clientele. “Can I help you?” Skepticism laced his voice.
“Yes, I need to get my son fitted for some boots, something warm, but comfortable.”
The man looked Zadok up and down. “Payment is required up front.”
“That’s fine. I’d like them by this afternoon. The nights are getting cold.”
“That shouldn’t be a. .” his voice trailed off as his eyes rested on the sword at my hip. He seemed to notice the dagger at my thigh next. Then the boiled leather peeking through the collar of my shirt. “You know, come to think of it, I doubt I could get your order fulfilled anytime in the next few days.”
I frowned. “Is that so?”
“Yes, I’m actually behind on my work.”
“Is there another cobbler in town?”
He shook his head. “No. You might try Tamra though. It’s only a day’s ride away.”
“Which means I’ll get the boots two days too late.”
“I’m sorry, I-”
“What’s your angle? Are you trying to work me for more money? If so, let’s get to it.”
“You were in the army, weren’t you?”
Ah, the crux of the situation. “I was.”
“There are stories about-”
“So, I’ve heard. Most are completely inaccurate.”
“Regardless. If someone saw me doing work for you it might impact my business.”
“It’s not for me. It’s for my son.” I pulled Zadok forward. “Look, I just got back to town and I learn that my boy’s got nothing for his feet. I know you’ve been outside recently. The air’s getting colder and unless he gets something to wear by the time the first snow hits, he’s liable to start losing toes. I can’t let that happen. You don’t want to be seen with me. Then I’ll leave out back once we’re done here. But first, you need to size him up and promise me his boots will be ready by the end of the day. How much do you charge for something like that?”
He told me the number.
I blinked. No way it cost that much for boots. But I didn’t have time to argue and I could see he was going to be hardnosed about it. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to strike him. I knew that wouldn’t get me or Zadok anywhere.
“Fine.”
I walked over, counted out the money from my pouch and set it on the counter. My pouch was getting light far too quickly.
He counted the money, meticulously examining each coin for authenticity. I began to wonder if he was in the wrong profession. Moneylender seemed more apt considering his scrutiny.
“We have a deal?”
He paused for a moment, thinking. “Have your son sit there,” he said pointing to a chair. The man walked over and locked the door. After that he hurried over to Zadok, squatted, and grabbed a foot. He scrunched his nose. “A bath might do him some good,” he offered.
“No doubt,” I said, trying to make light of the comment rather than let the cobbler’s rudeness get under my skin. “But one step at a time.”
The cobbler measured Zadok’s feet, then had him stand to determine where he placed most of his weight.
He scribbled notes quickly, calling out without looking up. “Come to the back door after sunset. I’ll have the shoes ready for you then.”
“We’ll be there. C’mon Zadok, let’s go.”
The man got up and walked to the back of his shop. “Follow me.”
He peered out the window of the back door. When satisfied, he opened it quickly. “Make sure you’re here on time. I won’t wait around.”
“We’ll be here.” I held out my hand, hoping to end on good terms. “I’m Tyrus.”
He looked at my hand, but refused to take it. “If anyone else from town is with you or sees you come, then the shoes stay with me. I can’t take any more chances.”
He slammed the door, leaving us out in the alley.