by Angel Moore
“That’s fine. Whenever you’re ready, we’ll be in the kitchen.”
Ten minutes later, he knocked on the kitchen door and pushed it open. “May I come in?”
Charlotte sat at the table with Michael and Sarah.
Sarah scooted closer to Charlotte. “We didn’t think you would come.”
“I’m sorry.” Nathan smiled at the sweet girl. Her shy demeanor and the way she clung to Charlotte was endearing her to him. “I had to help someone at the desk.”
“We are just about to offer thanks.” Charlotte motioned for him to have a seat and held out her hands to the children.
Nathan took the offered chair and reached a hand to each child. Sarah snuggled even closer to Charlotte but slid her tiny hand into his. Michael bowed his head and kept his hand in this lap.
Charlotte gave thanks for their food and the blessings of guests to fill the rooms of the hotel. When she lifted her gaze, she saw Michael glare at Nathan.
“Michael, you will apologize to Nathan or leave the table.” Her voice was steady and even. She was mastering her maternal instincts.
The chair legs scraped across the wood floor, and Michael stood. “I ain’t hungry no way.” He stomped toward the door.
“You are not excused from the room, Michael. You may apologize to Nathan, or you may stand in the corner while we eat. Then you will eat and wash all the dishes afterward.”
“But—”
“No. You may not sass me. Not on this or anything else.” Charlotte kept calm through the entire exchange, and Nathan marveled that she wasn’t already a wife and mother. She’d taken the children in hand in a loving and maternal manner.
Michael studied his shoes for a moment, then jerked his head up and looked at Nathan. “I’m sorry.” He plodded back to his seat and slumped into it.
Charlotte put stew on their plates and added a biscuit. “If you finish your meal, there is pie.” She smiled across the table at Nathan. “That applies to you, too.”
This was the real Charlotte. The girl who smiled and laughed.
“Yes, ma’am.” He returned her smile and glanced at Michael to see how he was faring. The boy wasn’t happy, but he was eating. That was something, and it spoke well of Charlotte’s tactics.
Sarah ate her biscuit first. Charlotte had to coax her to eat her stew. “You know you love pie. I made buttermilk pie today.”
Sarah perked up. “Buttermilk? That’s my favorite.”
Charlotte tapped the tip of Sarah’s nose. “That’s why I made it.”
Michael talked around a mouthful of food. “I like sweet potato pie.” He loaded his spoon with another generous bite of stew.
“I’ll make that for you as a special treat soon.”
They finished the meal, and the children put their plates on the cabinet for Charlotte to wash. She added her plate to the stack of dirty dishes.
“I want to go on the front porch and rock my doll.” Sarah straightened the folds of the doll’s dress.
Charlotte thought for a moment. “If Michael goes with you.”
“Do I gotta?”
“No. You can stay here and help with the dishes if you’d like.”
Nathan tried not to laugh at Charlotte. Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
“Come on, Sarah. I’ll bring my horses and play, too.” Michael grabbed two wooden horses and went through the parlor with his young sister.
Nathan could stand it no longer. He dropped his head back and laughed. “You have tormented that poor boy with your logic tonight. He can’t win a minute of reprieve.”
“It’s awful, isn’t it?” Charlotte giggled. “He needs to remember his manners, but I don’t want him to feel as though I’m being unfair to him. I’ve found he responds well when given a choice of two things he doesn’t want to do.”
“You are a smart one, Charlotte Green.” He picked up a towel. “You wash, and I’ll dry.”
She took a step back. “What? The great hotelier is going to serve as kitchen help?”
“I’ve done my share of dishes. And cooking, for that matter. Don’t think I don’t know my way around the household chores. Life without a mother or wife can make a man resourceful.” He leaned close to her. “You’d be surprised.”
She drew in a quick, low breath. “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.”
Nathan stared into her blue eyes. He hadn’t meant to be so close. Hadn’t intended to tease her. But the look in her eyes wasn’t teasing. They’d both turned serious in an instant. His eyes roamed the contours of her face. The worry lines that were new to her young face deepened on her forehead. He didn’t want her to be uncomfortable, but he didn’t trust his feet to hold him if he tried to back away.
He reached out and tried to smooth the worry from her forehead. “Don’t fret, Charlotte. I’m here to help you.” Without forethought he added, “Not just with the hotel. I’ll help with anything you need.” As his finger traced across her temple and down her cheek, he leaned closer.
“Sarah dropped her doll and it fell into the street. Now she’s crying.” Michael’s voice startled them both, and Nathan backed up until he bumped into a chair at the table.
Charlotte tucked a loose tress of brown hair behind her ear. “Tell her to bring it to me. I’ll wash it after I’ve done the dishes.”
Michael cast a wary eye over Nathan. “Were you trying to kiss Charlotte?”
He felt his face flush hot. “No. I was—” What should he say? He had thought of kissing her. He’d wanted to. If the boy hadn’t interrupted them, he might have. Then where would he be? On the street with no job in all likelihood. “I was telling your sister that I’d help her with the dishes.” He held up the towel he’d tossed over one shoulder. “I’m going to dry.”
Charlotte turned her back on them and slid the first dishes into the soapy water.
Michael didn’t seem convinced. “You don’t need to stand that close to dry the dishes.” He twisted toward the door and back to look at Nathan. “I’m watching you.” He pointed his little finger at Nathan and went to fetch Sarah. If Nathan hadn’t been so embarrassed he’d have laughed again.
This time there was no humor in the moment. He’d almost kissed Charlotte. Something he’d thought about as a gangly boy, but not something he should entertain now that Charlotte was his boss.
He took the glass she handed him and wiped it dry. They worked in silence, carefully avoiding eye contact, until the children came back into the kitchen. Charlotte washed each dish and placed it on a towel on the cabinet. He assumed it was her way of eliminating the risk of an accidental touch. She wasn’t just wise about how to handle the children—she was proving to be more mature in how to handle her relationship with Nathan than he was. And his past failure with Viola Turner should have taught him better.
Where had she learned to be so cautious? And was she cautious of all men? Or just him?
Sarah came to stand between them and held her doll up for Charlotte’s inspection. “She’s awfully dirty, Charlotte.”
“It’s okay, sweetie. I can get her clean. You just put her over on this other side of the cabinet.”
Sarah motioned for Charlotte to stoop over and whispered, “Michael said Nathan was trying to kiss you.”
Nathan watched Charlotte’s cheeks fill with color.
“No, he wasn’t. Michael is mistaken.” Charlotte put another plate on the towel. “He’s helping with the dishes because he ate supper with us.”
Sarah peeked up at Nathan. “Charlotte is pretty. Pa always said she was pretty and that some boy would want to kiss her but she wasn’t to let him do it.” She tugged on Charlotte’s skirt. “Don’t let him do it.”
Charlotte leaned close to Sarah again and whispered, “I won’t.”
Well, if Nathan needed to know what Charlotte thought of the idea of being kissed by him, he
knew now. He wanted to relieve her of the uncomfortable situation they found themselves in, and he wanted to put her mind at ease for the future.
“Your father was right, Sarah. Someone is going to want to kiss Charlotte.” Charlotte’s face turned another shade of pink. He seemed to be making matters worse instead of better. “I promise not to kiss her. She should only be kissed by someone when she wants to be kissed.” He lowered his voice to mimic the whispers the sisters had shared. “She doesn’t want to kiss me, so you don’t have to worry.” He turned to Michael. “You don’t, either. You’re a good brother to look after your sisters. Your pa would be proud.”
He folded the towel and draped it over the back of the chair he’d occupied during supper. “If it’s okay with all of you, I’ve got some more work to do before bed. May I be excused?”
“Thank you for your help. We can finish here.” Charlotte seemed to breathe easier, and the color in her cheeks was fading. “Children, tell Nathan good night and go get ready for bed. I’ll be in to check on you both as soon as I’ve finished here.”
Michael watched Nathan as he went through the parlor and closed the door.
Lord, this family doesn’t need me to complicate their lives. You sent me here for a job. I didn’t realize that helping them would be a part of the job. I need Your strength. Charlotte is beautiful, and I wasn’t prepared for how spending time with her would waken my heart. It’s not right. I won’t hurt them. And I’d be grateful if You’d keep me from hurting myself.
Chapter Eight
Charlotte put a hand on Michael’s knee to still his fidgeting during the church service on Sunday morning. Norman Lewis glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded a subtle greeting. Why would the owner of the feed and seed be greeting her? She acknowledged his nod and turned away to see how Sarah was doing. Reverend Gillis finished his sermon, and they stood for the closing prayer.
In the aisle, with a child holding on to each hand, Charlotte was surprised when Mr. Lewis pushed in close to them. “Miss Charlotte, I want to personally extend my condolences on your loss.” He was tall and leaned over to say the words.
She was uncomfortable looking up at him so near behind her. “Thank you.” The children pulled her forward as they continued to the church doorway.
“Hurry, Charlotte. Mrs. Atkins told me she’s making dumplings for lunch, and I’m hungry.” Sarah tugged on her hand.
“I don’t want dumplings.” Michael persisted in his anger at everything. Charlotte would need to have another talk with him about it.
At the door, Reverend Gillis smiled at them. It wasn’t a smile of pity, but concern. “How are you, Miss Green?”
“We’re doing the best we can.”
The preacher offered his hand for Michael. “How about you, Mr. Green? Are you able to help your sisters now that you’re the man of the house?”
Charlotte wanted to hug the preacher for knowing the exact words to boost Michael’s spirits.
“I do all Charlotte will let me.” Michael put a hand beside his mouth as if he were sharing a secret. “She thinks I’m just a kid, but I’m not.”
“I understand, Mr. Green. I have a big sister, too.” The preacher winked at Michael.
Sarah chimed in. “I’m a kid. I don’t want to be a grown-up. Charlotte is a grown-up, and she’s sad all the time. I’m sad sometimes, but I can play with my doll and feel better.”
Reverend Gillis patted Sarah on the shoulder. “You’re a wise young lady.”
Charlotte appreciated the encouragement the preacher offered, but Mr. Lewis was so close behind her that the feeling of unease she’d experienced when he’d turned to greet her in the service grew.
“We best be on our way.” She led the little ones down the steps and turned toward the street.
“Miss Green, I’d like a word with you.” Mr. Lewis had followed her down the steps without stopping to speak to Reverend Gillis.
She lifted her arms to show that she still held Michael and Sarah by the hand. “I’m busy with the children. Could we wait for another time?”
“The children can step aside. It won’t hurt them to wait while we talk.” Norman Lewis was her father’s age. He’d been widowed for several years and had no children. Perhaps that explained his impatience. People who lived alone seldom had to take the needs of others into consideration. He must be accustomed to having his way with things.
“I really must get them home.”
“I insist. It will only take a moment.” He looked at the children. “You two go stand by that tree over there. I need to speak to your sister.”
Her temper was bubbling to the surface at his high-handed treatment of, not just the children, but her as well. The desire to handle whatever he wanted without delay caused her to shoo the children out of earshot. She turned to him and clasped her hands together to keep from balling them into fists in her frustration.
“What is it that you’d like to say, Mr. Lewis?” The words were measured, but her attempt to keep the tension out of her tone failed.
“I see the struggle you’re having with the children. I’m sure the hotel is more than you can handle on your own. I want to offer myself to you as a way to give you the security you need since you’ve lost your parents.”
“We are managing just fine, Mr. Lewis.”
Sarah called out, “Stop!” She swatted at Michael when he tried to snatch her doll.
Charlotte snapped her fingers and signaled Michael to move away from Sarah.
Mr. Lewis frowned. “You obviously need time to teach those two how to behave in public. I suggest that you allow me to call on you for a respectable amount of time. While we are courting, I can take over the management of the hotel. You’ll be free to tend to the children. Then we can marry, perhaps in six or eight weeks. I can provide for you in a manner that frankly will be better than you’ve any chance of with another man in Gran Colina.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”
“I believe I’ve made myself plain, Miss Green. I’m a man of business, and you are a young woman—too young to deal with what’s been thrust upon you by God. I am willing to take you on and absolve you of your burden.”
That was more than she could stand silently for. “You mean absolve me of the responsibility of my hotel.” She took a step closer to him. “I do not need to be rescued, Mr. Lewis. Not by you or anyone else.” Her temper was at full wrath. “I will not give away everything my parents worked so hard to give to me and my siblings.” Fists at her side, she took another step, and he backed up. “I am not the next wife of whoever decides they want me. You, and every other man in Gran Colina or the whole of Texas, can stand back and watch me make the most of Green’s Grand Hotel. Not just for now, but from now on. The hotel will provide for me and the rest of the Green family—just as my father intended—for as long as the Greens choose to run it.”
She motioned for Michael and Sarah to come to her. “I trust I’ve made myself clear.”
“You are a silly girl, Charlotte Green. I hope you come to your senses soon, or no man will want you. You’re past the age of marrying for most young men. A man like myself won’t beg to take on the load of another man’s family.”
“I am in complete possession of my wits, sir, and will take care of my family without being made to feel I’m a charity case.”
Mr. Lewis shook his head. “A man trying to do a Christian duty and make life easier for someone too young to handle it isn’t something to be scoffed at. I’ll take your ignorance into account if you come to me with a change of heart.” He frowned at the children who stood by her side. “I’d recommend you take those two in hand. Good day.” He spun on his heel and walked away.
Charlotte almost couldn’t breathe. How dare he speak to her like that?
Rena must have noticed something amiss. She handed her baby to her husband and came to see abou
t Charlotte. “What’s wrong? You’re so pale.” Rena took her hand.
“Pale? I’m surprised my face isn’t bright red.” Charlotte pointed at the retreating back of Norman Lewis. “I cannot believe what I’ve just been told.”
Rena told the children to go visit with Mrs. Gillis. They skipped away, unaware of the depth of Charlotte’s anger.
“What did he say to you, Charlotte? I’ve never known Mr. Lewis to be unkind. Arrogant, yes, but that should come as no surprise.”
“He told me I need to take the children in hand and let him court me and take over the hotel.” Her voice rose with each word. “As if I’m unable to function because I’m a mere woman.” She clinched her fists. “And a young one at that.”
Rena started to laugh.
“This isn’t funny.”
“Oh, Charlotte.” Rena pulled her into a brief hug. “I’m sorry for laughing, but I wish you would.”
“How? I’ve been insulted to the highest degree.”
“You have, but think about it. Mr. Lewis made a preposterous gesture. No woman would accept such an offer.”
“It’s still not funny.”
Rena grinned at her. “How many men have approached you in the last two weeks?”
“He is the third. How did you know?”
“You are an unattached young woman with respectable means. Every eligible man in Gran Colina is going to come calling. Hopefully, one at a time, but they’ll all come.”
All but one. Charlotte wondered about Nathan and the respectable distance he kept from her at all times. Well, not that moment in the kitchen when she’d thought he might kiss her.
“Not one of them would be approved by Momma.”
Rena nodded. “And that’s what you can tell them. Tell them you know your parents wouldn’t want you to make such an important decision when you have so much new responsibility.”
She took a slow breath. Would she resist Nathan if he approached her? It had never occurred to her to ask such a thing. He was the boy who had teased her in school. But no more. Now he was the man who helped her with the hotel. He understood her need to keep it and work it.
