by Angel Moore
“It’s a good job. Mrs. Atkins and I get on well. And seeing my daughter, Nora, during the day is an added blessing. I’ve missed her at home since she started her duties here as a maid.”
“I’m glad it’s working out so well. You’re a great help to us.” The children took their seats at the table. “Do you think we could have a couple of plates of pancakes for these hungry ones?”
Mrs. Baxter turned from the stove with a smile. “I’m sure we can manage something.”
Charlotte settled the children with a cup of milk and left them in Mrs. Baxter’s charge.
She encountered Nathan in the lobby. “Hello.”
“Good morning to you.” A broad smile accompanied his cheery greeting. He paused and took a step back. “I’m sorry.” His whisper made her laugh.
“It’s okay to be yourself, Nathan. I’ve actually been up for a couple of hours.” She looked over the registration book. “I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. I woke refreshed and ready for the day.”
“That’s good to hear.” He gathered his notebook. “Will you man the desk while I eat then?”
“I will. And Mrs. Baxter is ready to cover for us while we attend services this morning.”
He nodded. “Excellent. Shall we walk together?”
“Okay.” Charlotte wondered what it would be like to be invited to walk to Sunday service alongside someone who preferred her company. Nathan’s growing friendship made his offer sound natural and unencumbered. If only that were true for her. The longer they were together the more she wanted to forget her mother’s warning about a boy who would torment her. She ached for one more talk with her mother. One where she’d share that Nathan wasn’t a boy anymore. One where her mother would give her permission to allow Nathan to court her. Only that conversation could never happen. And Nathan gave her no indication he’d ever want to court her—or any other woman. “We’ll be ready.”
If he thought her response took too long or lacked enthusiasm, he didn’t show it. Charlotte watched him disappear into the dining room.
After weeks of working together, she now welcomed Nathan’s constant presence and knowledge. Maybe more than she should. But it was no use dreaming of things that weren’t going to be. Nathan’s expertise was her only hope of saving Green’s Grand Hotel from any plans Mr. Freeman might have for it. Nathan had come to teach her to run the hotel, and she’d finally convinced him that she wanted nothing more than that from him.
Too late her heart tugged at her to consider more than the help he was with her business. The same way she’d refused to budge from her original opinion of him as a schoolboy, she knew that he would no longer accept even a slight indication from her for more than a working friendship. At one time he might have been interested in her, but she’d shied away from him any time he’d made overtures that could be considered more than friendship. She wondered what would have happened if Michael hadn’t come into the kitchen on the night Nathan almost kissed her.
She’d never know.
While she sorted through the list of guests who would leave the hotel that morning, Junior Conrad walked through the front door. “Miss Charlotte. Just the person I’m here to see.” He approached the registration desk as if she’d invited him for a visit. He opened his hand and rang the bell. “Could I get some service here, ma’am?” He laughed at his joke, while she slid the bell to one side, hoping he’d take the hint to let it rest.
“What can I do for you, Junior?”
He was taller than when they’d finished school together, but he had the same playful attitude. “I’ve come calling. I thought I’d walk you and the children to church this morning.” He pulled on the cuffs of his dress shirt at the end of his jacket sleeves. “My pa says you need a suitor. I’ve come for you.”
It took all the restraint Charlotte possessed not to laugh in his face. “Excuse me?”
“Good morning, Junior.” Nathan came up behind the man and clapped him on the shoulder. “I haven’t seen you since I’ve been back in Gran Colina. What are you doing with yourself these days?” He walked around the desk and stood by Charlotte.
“Today, I’m taking Charlotte and the little ones to church.” Junior’s lips turned up in a confident smirk. “She’s needing a man in her life, and I’ve come to her aid.” He reached across the desk and rang the bell again. “It was as easy as ringing that bell. Pa said she needed me, and here I am.”
Charlotte tucked the bell on the shelf under the desk. “I am sorry you’ve gone to so much trouble, Junior.” She slid her hand into the crook of Nathan’s elbow. “I’ve already accepted Nathan’s invitation to walk me to church this morning.” She squeezed Nathan’s elbow and hoped he would interpret it as her need for his rescue from this forward man.
Junior leaned his elbow on the desk and propped his chin in his hand. “Charlotte, you know Nathan can’t offer you the things I can.” He stood up and tugged the bottom of his vest. He puffed out his chest much like Michael would do if he won a game of tag or carried a large valise up the stairs alone. It was endearing on her brother, but annoying when Junior did it. “Why, my pa is the land agent for this entire county. Poor Nathan here doesn’t have any claim to anything that would be worthy of a woman of your means now that your folks have gone and left you this fine hotel.” He spread his hands out to indicate the lobby. “Even if it does need some sprucing up.”
Charlotte tugged on her hand, but Nathan put his other hand over it and held her fast. He stepped a bit closer to her and said, “Junior, you make a fine case for yourself. You are like no other suitor Charlotte could hope to have call on her.” He turned and looked straight into her eyes. With the right side of his face out of Junior’s line of vision he winked at her and pressed his elbow into his side. She couldn’t help but smile at him. He was rescuing her. The wink was his way of asking permission, because they both knew she could refuse Junior on her own. “I must insist that she go with me, though, having given my word that I’d escort her and the children today.” Nathan looked back at Junior. “You know how important a man’s word is.”
“Well, you could release him from his obligation, Miss Charlotte.” Junior pulled the bow on his tie with both hands. “On account of getting a better offer and all.”
Charlotte gave a sincere effort at letting Junior down easy. “Thank you, Junior, but I’m indebted to Nathan. He’s done so much for my family since coming to manage the hotel. I don’t know how I’d have made it without him.” Junior really was a nice young man. If only he had some ambition—any ambition—some young lady would be glad to have him come calling. Especially with his father’s substantial holdings. At least, anyone who believed his father’s protestations would think their family to be financially blessed. It seemed they were so well off that Junior never had to work at all.
“Well, I must say I didn’t think you’d refuse me, Charlotte. I know you’ve turned men down left and right. If you don’t choose someone soon, you may end up with the likes of Nathan. Then won’t you be wishing you could do it all over again? Nathan may be keeping you company now, but he won’t be courting you. We all know he’s here because he thought this business belonged to the bank.” Junior turned his back on her and walked out the hotel.
Charlotte pressed her free hand against her abdomen and held her breath. Nathan’s shoulders shook, and she shushed him. She waited until Junior’s shadow crossed the last window of the lobby and gasped at the gall it took for Junior to say those things to them.
“I was ready to pounce on him for saying such things.”
Nathan laughed and patted the hand he still held. “He can’t be helped. You’d have felt bad later if you’d told him how rude he was.”
“True, but he had no right to speak to either of us in such a manner.”
“No, he didn’t. But I’ve learned a lot working behind a registration desk. You can be right. You
can even argue and win, but not every fight is worth the effort. Especially when your energy is short. It must be saved for battles that will reward you with their spoils.”
Nathan’s wisdom calmed her irritation, and his nearness closed around her. She was grateful that the lobby was empty. In that instant it dawned on her that they would face the consequences of their actions as soon as they arrived at Gran Colina Church together. She pulled her hand free and covered her mouth. “What have we done?”
Nathan looked puzzled. “Avoided an unnecessary argument and sent a man away without giving him what he wanted.”
“No. Don’t you see? Before, when you asked if we could walk to church together, it would have looked like the friends and coworkers that we are. Junior is probably telling his father about our conversation right this minute. Before we arrive, word will have spread to anyone who will listen.”
Nathan shook his head. “Charlotte, you missed the most important thing Junior said.”
She tried to remember anything their schoolmate had said that was of importance. Most of his words were worthy of immediate dismissal. “What?”
“He said no one will believe that you would allow me to court you.”
Junior’s words came back to her with clarity. Everyone in town knew Nathan had returned to town for the hotel. Not for her. She took a step back. Try as she might to forget, the truth of those words would always be there. Nathan had come to town for her hotel. Everything he’d done since he’d arrived had put the hotel in a better position to secure his future with Mr. Freeman.
Charlotte clasped her hands together in front of her. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll walk to church with the children. I don’t want anyone to gather a wrong impression about the two of us.”
“I see.” His mouth settled into a firm line. “And by anyone, do you mean to include me?”
“Of course not. You and I know the truth. Neither of us is ready to court anyone. You have your career, and I have this hotel and my siblings. That’s more than a body could be expected to handle at one time.”
* * *
Nathan entered the door of the church and took a moment to observe the people who’d assembled for the service. Mrs. Gillis was making her way up the aisle to the piano. It didn’t take long for him to spot Junior Conrad next to his father in an animated discussion. Junior pointed at Charlotte and then at Nathan. Davis Conrad turned around and met Nathan’s gaze with an air of dismissal and a shake of his head.
Charlotte gave every appearance of ignoring Junior, but the stiffness of her shoulders and the tilt of her head proved to Nathan that she was aware she was the topic of their conversation.
Sarah turned on the bench and climbed onto her knees. She gripped the back of the wooden bench with her doll in one hand. “Mr. Nathan, come sit by me.” Her curls bounced in response to her exuberant greeting.
Several people turned to watch him. He would have refused Sarah, but there were so many onlookers. He didn’t want to risk her displeasure. The little girl was still given to tears if something made her unhappy. Nathan had no good choice save to accept her invitation.
He came to stand at the end of the bench and endured the clandestine glare Charlotte sent him from beneath the brim of her Sunday hat. The straw creation was tied into place with a wide, green ribbon under her delicate chin. Even in a state of aggravation she was beautiful. He smiled an apology and sat beside Sarah.
“I’m glad you came today. Mrs. Gillis said it’s important for everybody to go to church.” Sarah leaned in and whispered, “She said it can heal your heart, but I don’t think Charlotte’s heart is healed yet.”
Nathan looked over Sarah’s head at Charlotte. She stared ahead, but the twitch of her cheek proved she was aware of his gaze. “She is better, Sarah. Sometimes Charlotte is trying to make decisions, and it makes it seem like she’s hurting. She’s just trying to get things right. Don’t you worry about your sister. She’s very strong. Inside and out.”
Mrs. Gillis began to play the opening hymn, and everyone stood to sing along. Nathan was hard-pressed to concentrate on the sermon. He was too aware of Charlotte’s discomfort and the furtive glances they received from every direction throughout the service.
Charlotte drew his attention with a small cough. Nathan hated that she was enduring the service that should have brought her comfort. He looked at his watch. Reverend Gillis would preach for at least another twenty minutes.
Nathan leaned over to Sarah. “I’m going to leave now. You make sure your sister takes a nice long walk on the way home today. Okay?”
“Oh, goodie. I want to walk by the river. I’ll tell her you said we need to.” Sarah’s pleasure contrasted with Charlotte’s mood. Perhaps the girl’s joy would spread to her sister.
Nathan winked at Sarah and left the church.
By midafternoon Nathan’s back was tired. He shifted on his feet and pulled another journal toward him.
The figures on the page swam in front of his eyes, and he remembered he’d skipped lunch. Several tasks in rapid succession had greeted him when he’d returned from church. By the time he had handled them all, the restaurant had closed for the afternoon. He marked his place in the journal and went to the kitchen in search of something to eat.
He opened the door and found Charlotte and the children at the kitchen table. He backed up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here. I’ll come back later.”
Michael’s mouth was full, but he managed a few words. “You gotta try this pie. Mrs. Baxter is a good baker.” He scooped up another big bite on his fork, but Charlotte lowered his hand with a touch on his wrist.
“Have some milk first.”
Michael dropped the fork to his plate with a clatter and drained his milk cup. A wipe of his sleeve removed the white ring from his lip.
“Slow down, Michael.” Charlotte put a plate with two large cookies in front of Sarah.
Nathan took another step back as Charlotte cut a piece of pie and slid it onto a plate. She set it on the table in front of the empty seat beside her. “You may as well join us for pie. Everyone in town now assumes we are a pair, so dessert in the privacy of this kitchen can’t do us any harm.” She took two cookies for herself and broke off a small piece of the first one.
“A pair of what?” Sarah picked up a cookie.
Nathan caught Charlotte’s gaze. “A pair of friends, Sarah. Your sister and I are friends.” Charlotte smiled at his innocent explanation.
He slid a chair out and smiled at Michael. “I’m not sure I’ll like the pie as much as you do.”
“It’s better’n Charlotte’s.”
“Is that so?” Charlotte laughed. “You may find yourself waiting until Mrs. Baxter cooks it again to have another slice.”
The four of them ate dessert and laughed at Sarah’s recounting of their walk by the river. It seemed Michael had been dangerously close to falling and knocking Charlotte into the water. A nearby branch had saved her.
Michael pointed at the hem of her dress. “She only got a little bit wet, and I caught the cricket.”
“What did you do with the cricket?” Nathan enjoyed their boisterous telling of their outing.
“I put it in my pocket.” Michael reached into his pocket and retrieved the insect. “See.” He opened his hand a bit for Nathan to admire his catch, but the cricket leaped for his freedom and disappeared behind the pie safe. “Oh, no! I wanted to show him to Archie.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Michael. “I’m quite sure you’ll hear him chirping later. You can find him then. And no more bugs inside.” She wagged her finger at him, but they all laughed knowing she was as amused as Michael had been.
The kids soon lost interest in the kitchen and headed for their rooms to change out of their Sunday clothes.
“I didn’t see you come home.” Nathan stacked the plates and took them to
the basin.
Charlotte followed with the cups. “We came in the back door. I didn’t want the children to disrupt anyone in the lobby.”
Nathan wiped his hands on the towel that hung on a peg near the basin. “You don’t have to avoid me, Charlotte.”
She put the cups in the basin. “What makes you think I was avoiding you?” She picked up the towel he’d used but didn’t look at him.
“The fact that you’ve never come in the back door before. Not in the entire time I’ve been here.” He leaned against the cabinet and folded his arms across his chest.
“Michael and Sarah were laughing and playing when we got here. It was nice to see them enjoying themselves. I didn’t have the heart to ask them to settle down. They’ve had almost no fun in the last few weeks.”
“I understand that, but you still could have entered through the front. Children of our guests come in laughing and happy all the time.”
“I know.”
“But—”
“I don’t know how to act around you sometimes.” Her words were quiet.
“I’m your friend. You don’t have to act around me. Just be yourself. I’ve never known a more genuine person than you.”
Charlotte looked up then. “It’s so hard with everyone in Gran Colina talking about me. If they aren’t talking about Pa and Momma and feeling sorry for us, then they’re talking about the hotel. I’ve heard the whispers about me being too young to know how to handle things.” She flung the towel onto the cabinet. “I don’t need the added worry of everyone questioning my every move.” She threw her arms out wide. “Do you know that three different ladies approached me after the sermon to tell me who they thought I should be courting?”
“I see. So that’s the root of your attitude.”
“My attitude?”
“Yes. That somber and worried grumpiness that isn’t you.” He reached out and flicked a bit of her hair over her shoulder. “You’re much too sweet of a person to be so serious. You should laugh when they make their suggestions and tell them you’re waiting on God to bring the right man to you. That you’ll know him when you see him.”
