by Angel Moore
“Mr. Freeman, you asked me to come here because of my vast experience with Turner Hotels. I’m doing my job. And I’m doing it well.”
Charlotte entered the lobby carrying a large bundle wrapped in brown paper. Nathan went to assist her.
Mr. Freeman headed for the door. “I won’t wait a moment past the six-week mark. If you want to stay on here after that, you’ll have to prove your worth to me.”
Charlotte watched the banker leave and turned to Nathan. “What was that about?”
“He visits every week, and it’s almost the same conversation. He wants to know how the hotel is doing. Today he thinks that no one in the lobby means we’re failing.”
“Everyone is in their room or at breakfast. Or out for the day.” She let him take the bundle from her.
“I told him.”
“Is he offering to keep you on if he takes the hotel from me? You know I won’t let him take it.” She untied the string that held the paper around her package.
“I know. He was rambling on about so many things. I was too busy to pay him much mind.” He didn’t want her to think about the possibility that he would stay on if Mr. Freeman succeeded in taking the hotel from her. It wasn’t what he wanted to do, but he’d be a fool not to consider it. Even the thought made him feel disloyal to Charlotte. “I suggest you do the same.” He lifted the paper from one side of the bundle.
“It’s not your livelihood at stake.” She was pulling the other side of the paper away from the package, and he caught her hand.
“Yes, it is, Charlotte. I don’t know how to impress on you that my future is tied with yours here. If you fail, I fail. If you lose the hotel, I have no income or home.” Unless he stayed on for Mr. Freeman or whoever bought the place.
She stood still. “I’m sorry. I know you came here for a permanent position. I wish things were different. I would try to keep you on. But with the banknote coming due, I don’t know if there will be enough to take care of everything the kids will need for the next couple of years. Paying off that note is my main concern. I won’t let Mr. Freeman have that kind of power over me for one moment longer than necessary to satisfy the note.”
Charlotte lifted a curtain from the paper. “These are lovely.” She shook it out and let it drape across the registration desk. “I saw Opal Pennington on my way back from the school. She told me she had these ready. They go in the dining room. She said she couldn’t resist making these as soon as the fabric arrived. The lobby ones will be ready on Friday as promised.” A touch of anticipation turned her blue eyes bright, and she pulled the top of the curtain under her chin. “Can we hang these today?”
He smiled at her excitement. “I think we might be able to do it tonight after the restaurant closes. I remember seeing a ladder in the attic.”
“Wonderful! We’ll finally start seeing the results of all our planning. Well, all the planning Pa and Momma did with your help.” She folded the curtain back into the bundle.
“You helped make this happen, Charlotte. For all the effort that went on before you learned of their plans, you’ve been the one to see it through.”
“Thank you. It means a lot for you to say that. I’ve been so busy and sad that I wondered if anything I’ve done is working out well.” She fingered the golden trim on the curtains. “Do you think we should wait and do everything at one time?”
“No. We’ll have so much to do that we may fall behind.” He helped her tie the string around the curtains. “And, Charlotte, it’s all working well. That’s what I just told Mr. Freeman. I know you wouldn’t have believed it when I first arrived, but I do want you to succeed. I want you to make Green’s Grand Hotel into everything your parents ever imagined. And more.”
“I believe you.” Her words were quiet and measured.
Chapter Thirteen
Charlotte tried to focus on the tasks at hand. “We need to choose the extra helpers we need for when the furnishings arrive and for Mr. Thornhill’s meeting.”
“Great. Let’s put this bundle of curtains in the parlor and get started while it’s not too busy.”
An hour later, the final decisions were made for the renovations and the upcoming meeting. She stood and stretched her neck from side to side. “Time is moving quickly. At first it stood still, and now it’s as if I can’t hold it back.”
Nathan closed his notebook. “I’ll go out this afternoon and make sure everyone we’ve chosen knows when to come to work.” He looked around the empty lobby. “Do you want to join me for an early lunch?”
“I’d like that.”
They finished their light meal, and Mrs. Atkins removed their plates from the table.
Charlotte touched the fabric of the curtains they would be removing tonight. “These are very old. As much as I liked them when they were new, I’ll admit I won’t be sorry to see them go.”
“I’m glad. Some things are easier to let go of than others.” Nathan checked his watch. “I spoke to the maids this morning. There are only two rooms left to deep clean. They are doing one of them now. The other will be done tomorrow.”
“I’ll make a final round of all the rooms and gather the rest of the items we decided would be best removed.”
Nathan straightened the tablecloth. “You aren’t still upset about removing the sentimental trinkets?”
“As a matter of fact, we’re enjoying having some of them in our residence.” She smiled and pointed at the mantel. “The music boxes that were over the fireplace are among our favorite things. We listen to one every night. They remind us of the joy in our mother’s heart and the happiness she and Pa shared.”
He smiled. “You should have seen them at the Turner Hotel in Dallas. They danced after supper on their last night. Their love for each other was evident.”
“Was she wearing her blue dress? It was Pa’s favorite.”
“I think so. They had a wonderful meal and spent the evening talking and dancing.”
“They would dance in the parlor here. Michael and Sarah would dance, too.”
Nathan frowned. “What about you? Don’t you dance?”
“No. There was never anyone Momma approved.” It was strange that she no longer resented her mother’s protectiveness. She would miss having someone to guard her from life’s pitfalls.
“Seeing the procession of intended suitors who’ve called since I’ve been here, I can see why she was so careful.” He chuckled, and it made her laugh.
“It has been quite an assortment of fellows. Some not so bad but others I could never accept—under any circumstances.”
“Has there been anyone you’d like to consider?”
“Not yet. There has always been an idea of the kind of man who’d suit, but he just hasn’t made himself available yet.” She smiled at Nathan. She didn’t think she’d be sorry if he’d never moved away and the two of them had courted. But if they had, he wouldn’t be here helping her keep the business running. All he’d learned was benefiting them both. Sometimes when life didn’t turn out like you’d hoped, it could be a good thing.
Just before time for the children to return from school, the young man who made deliveries for the train station appeared.
“Miss Green, there’s a big shipment for your pa at the station. It was on the morning train. We only had time to unload it, but it’s all on the platform. The stationmaster wants to know when you’re coming to pick it up.”
Charlotte looked at Nathan. “Could it be so early?”
“Dennis, is the shipment a lot of large crates? Something the size of furnishings and such for the hotel?”
“Yes, sir. It’s all powerful heavy, too. I wore myself out toting things off the train with some of the others at the station.”
Nathan looked at her. “It is.”
“We’ll have to make arrangements to bring the things here, Dennis.” Her heart raced like a
child in anticipation of a splendid gift for Christmas. She asked Nathan, “Shall we go see how much there is and hire a wagon from the livery?”
“Yes. I’ll get Nora to watch the desk, and we’ll leave immediately.” He climbed the stairs two at a time while she thanked Dennis and sent him on his way.
Her heart was glad. In all the weeks since her parents had died, this was the thing that held the greatest hope for her family. Michael and Sarah came home before Nora came to the desk, so she left the bell for any new arrivals to ring and told the children they could come along.
“Will I get a new bed?” Sarah held Nathan’s hand as they walked to the train station. “And is there one for my doll?”
“Your pa and momma ordered these things special to make Green’s Grand Hotel more grand than it’s ever been.”
Charlotte appreciated the way he spoke to the children. Sarah’s hopes for something new weren’t dashed by his explanation, but he gave her the truth. Most men dismissed her siblings as an inconvenience. In the beginning, Nathan had been so intent on the business of the hotel that she’d thought he’d be the same, but he’d endeared himself to her sister and brother. Sarah had been won over by the way he winked at her and asked for help in some project that made her feel essential to his plans. Michael had taken longer but, in the end, could often be found at the registration desk doing whatever chore Nathan assigned him.
Michael ran ahead of them and was sitting on one of the large crates when they arrived.
Charlotte was stunned at the number of crates. “Where will we put everything?”
“The drawings in your father’s journal will show us.” Nathan raised his eyebrows. “Seeing it all stacked here like this makes it seem an enormous task.”
She didn’t move from where she’d stopped when they rounded the corner of the train station and saw the shipment. “I wonder that no one told us about this before so late in the afternoon.”
Nathan cupped her elbow and urged her forward. Sarah was still holding his other hand. “Let’s have a look.”
Michael stood up on the crate he’d chosen and held his arms out wide. “I’m taller than all of you.” He climbed onto the crate behind it and stood higher still.
“Come down carefully, Michael. We can’t have you getting hurt. There is too much work to be done.” Charlotte shook her head. “I’m overwhelmed.”
“Don’t be.” Nathan guided her along the platform to see how many crates were there. “I was able to contact all the extra help we need this afternoon. To a man, they were all willing to help on a moment’s notice. We’ll go to the livery and hire a wagon first. A couple of the men there will be great help. Then I’ll stop in at the mercantile and the barbershop to get the word out to the others that the shipment has arrived.”
And with that short list of things to do, Nathan took over and handled all the details of having the furnishings taken to the hotel. Most of the crates were taken to the livery to be stored while they worked on one wagonload at a time. They were back at the hotel in time for supper.
“Mrs. Atkins, it seems we’re to be turned on end for the next many days. I had no idea the arrival of the furnishing would create such an upheaval.” Charlotte accepted her plate of ham, mashed potatoes and green beans. A bowl of biscuits was placed in the center of the table.
“I’m sure we’ll get it all done in time for the meeting of farmers that Mr. Thornhill is bringing next month. To be honest, I’m glad to see everything arrive so early. It’ll give you and Mr. Taylor more time to get it all arranged to your liking.” Mrs. Atkins asked if they needed anything else and went back into the kitchen.
“I wanna pray tonight.” Sarah reached a hand out to Michael and Charlotte. The three of them bowed their heads while she offered thanks for all the new things they’d received today. “And thank you for school. Help me and Michael get as smart as Charlotte and Mr. Nathan so we can be the bosses when we get big.”
“Amen.” Michael snagged a biscuit and tore it in half. “Charlotte, I don’t think I should go to school tomorrow. There’s a lot of man work to do. I can help.”
“Let me talk to Nathan first. That may be just the thing to do.” Charlotte loved how they were all enthused. The shipment had arrived on the afternoon train. The same train that took their parents from them last month. Today it had brought back some of their joy. The shipment was a gift from their parents from beyond the end of their lives. Charlotte was grateful. She couldn’t imagine if the hotel had been taken by the bank and there had been no good news to come of the trip their folks had made to Dallas.
Mrs. Atkins came to their table. “Miss Charlotte, would you like me to take a plate of supper to Mr. Taylor at the registration desk?”
Charlotte looked through the door and into the lobby. Nathan sat at the desk alone. “Please bring him a plate here. I’ll invite him to join me and the children. Make sure it’s a healthy portion. He’ll be needing his meals to match the amount of work he’s facing.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Mrs. Atkins smiled. “I’m grateful to you both for hiring my husband and son to help with the load of it. It’ll be a nice boost to the savings we’re working on to help buy more cattle for our place. And the things we’ll be needing for our winter crops.”
“You and Bertha are such a blessing to us here. We were glad to take them on for this job.” Charlotte stood and rested her hands on Michael and Sarah’s shoulders. “You two use your best manners. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Nathan looked up when Charlotte approached the desk. “Are you finished with your meal so soon?”
“No. We’d like for you to join us.”
“I’ll be fine here. Mrs. Atkins will bring me a plate of supper. All I have to do is ask.”
“I asked her to bring it to our table.” She grinned. “Please. I’m so excited, and you’re the only person who understands why. This is a huge day for Green’s Grand Hotel.” She threw her arms out wide. “We’ll be grand like we’ve never been grand before.” She spun in a circle. “I had no idea it would be this amazing.”
Nathan watched her twirl. A slight lift of one corner of his mouth was the sole reaction he gave to her jubilance. “I’ll be right in.”
She stopped still and lowered her head. “We’ll be able to see the desk from the table.” An earnest effort to be demure wasn’t enough to hold back her joy, and she glided across the floor and back to the table as if she were dancing.
Supper went quickly, and Charlotte promised the children they would be allowed to stay home from school to help. They were entering the parlor when she made her decision. “But only for one day. Then you’ll go back with the other children.”
Nathan agreed. “It will be exciting to open the crates and put things away, but it is important that you learn all you can at school. Your sister will tell you that there is much more to running a hotel than working at the registration desk.”
“Like you work at the desk, but you do other stuff, too?” Sarah cuddled her doll and looked up at him from inside the parlor.
He tugged on the long braid that hung over one shoulder. “Like that.” He told her and Michael good night. “Make sure you go straight to sleep. You’ll need to be rested for all the work we’ll do tomorrow.”
Charlotte got the kids tucked in for the night and went to look for Nathan. She found him in the restaurant on a ladder. The old curtains were in a pile on the floor near the kitchen door.
“I thought you’d make me wait on the curtains because the shipment came early.” He jumped and almost fell when she spoke.
He clung to the top of the ladder with both arms. “I’d be glad of a warning the next time you catch me unawares.” A tremor went through his shoulders.
“You were startled that badly?” she laughed. “If I’d known how easy that was, I’d have done it many times before tonight.”
“So I
’ll thank God in my prayers tonight for the mercy that you didn’t know.”
Charlotte giggled then. A schoolgirl giggle that surprised and delighted her. First because she hadn’t expected it, and second because she needed to feel joy again. “The season of mercy may have ended. You best be on your guard.”
They worked together for the next hour in an effort to hang all the curtains that Opal Pennington had finished. Charlotte backed into the center of the room and studied their progress.
“It’s lovely. I can’t wait until tomorrow. The sun streaming in will be amazing.”
Nathan descended the ladder and moved to stand by her. “You are right. The fabric was an excellent choice. The new decor will rival anything that is built in Gran Colina to compete with us.”
Us? Nathan had invested himself into the hotel. He had every right to be proud.
“Do you think we’ll be up and running under our new image before that kind of competition arrives in town?”
“I do. There’s not building here that would suit. Anyone who wants to run a hotel will have to build before they can open. We’ll have that much time to establish our reputation. The farmers who are booked here next month will give us plenty of exposure.”
“With the furnishings arriving early, we’ll be ahead of schedule for that. I’m so relieved.”
She started to fold the old curtains, and he pulled the ladder away from the window. “I want to thank you for suggesting that we hire Mrs. Baxter. With her sharing the workload of the kitchen with Mrs. Atkins, I’ve barely had to do any of the baking.”
“It was too much, Charlotte. I’m glad you came around on that point.”
“Nora is doing well on the desk, too. I think we could promote her to a type of assistant as we grow.” She folded another curtain.
He smiled at her and picked up the end of the curtain that had spilled onto the floor. He straightened it and walked toward her to fold the ends together. “You realize that you are talking about the future of the hotel in terms of we and us.”
