One thing after another had proven his luck was bad.
First Tayler had disappeared . . . then he got home and received an ominous note about his debts . . . then this phone call about the airplane manufacturing company he’d bought in Ohio. It had been hit by a tornado and completely wiped out.
Another investment washed down the drain. And he had no money to cover any of it.
His debt soared, and he owed way too much to Charlie the Chisel back in Chicago. If Emerson didn’t recoup his losses soon, Charlie would chisel him up too.
The infamous crime boss was known for carving up people and leaving them for dead when they owed him money. And Emerson had gambled too much at Charlie’s gambling emporium. His name might have saved him for a while, but not for long.
Especially if that note meant anything.
Charlie had sent someone after him. To get what he owed. And Emerson owed a lot.
Maybe that was his saving grace. If he could find a way to convince Charlie’s man that he would get the money, then maybe he’d buy himself enough time. The Chisel surely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to get his money back.
He’d have to make the call and meet to try to hold off the dogs.
Only problem was, he had no leads as to Tayler’s whereabouts. Every private investigator he’d hired had come up empty. And Mrs. Hale hadn’t heard a word from her daughter.
Well, he’d just have to lie about that . . . for now. It was the only way.
Then he’d have to do everything in his power to find her and bring her home.
It was the only option left. Unless he wanted Charlie the Chisel to take his payments via pounds of flesh. And with as much as Emerson owed to the crime boss, once Charlie took his share, there wouldn’t be anything left of Emerson Pruitt.
That wasn’t an option.
Tayler was his only hope.
16
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5—CURRY
The kitchen was always teeming with activity, but today had been crazier than most. Margaret shook her head. This day felt like it would never end. And they still had dinner for the guests and an elaborate birthday party after that.
Mr. Bradley thought it would be wonderful for the hotel to offer such events when a guest asked for one. He thought that they could eventually host weddings and anniversary parties, and the hotel would become a special event location.
As if they needed more business. It felt like they were busting at the seams already.
Cassidy entered the kitchen and put on her apron as she walked. “I’m here.”
“Thank goodness. I’m about to lose my mind.” Margaret patted the young mother.
“That bad, huh?”
“Oh, I don’t even want to talk about it. But do you think there’s any chance you could help a little longer tonight? I’ve got dinner and this birthday party, and we’re behind schedule. Collette has done amazing, even with her injured hand, but we’d both need four hands to keep up at this pace.”
Cassidy frowned. “I’m not sure. Allan is out on an overnight hunting trip, and I’d have to find someone to watch the boys. But if you give me a minute, I’ll run upstairs and see what I can do. Mr. Bradley might be able to lend me one of the hotel maids.”
“That would be wonderful.”
The rain outside had put several of the kitchen workers in foul moods and too many people underfoot inside the hotel. There had been more requests for hot chocolate, hot tea, and hot cider than they’d ever had before. You’d think these poor people didn’t know what cold was like. They should come back in the winter, then they’d find out what cold really meant in Alaska.
Margaret shook her head. Some of these tourists were quite silly. But she reckoned that most people wouldn’t know what to do with Alaska’s weather. It was definitely different from anywhere else in the world.
The soufflés wouldn’t make themselves, and since Cassidy was off finding somebody to watch the twins, Margaret might as well get them started.
A scuffle sounded over by the back door. Margaret looked to the ceiling. Lord, if there’s one more problem today, I just might have to throw someone out of my kitchen.
Susan appeared at her side. “Mrs. Johnson, I tried, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“What are you talking about, young lady?”
The young kitchen maid opened her mouth, but big and burly Bertram Wilcox stepped next to her. “Now, don’t you go getting your knickers in a knot over this young gal. It’s my fault that she’s got to deal with your wrath, but I’m tired of being kept away.”
“Mr. Wilcox, I do not have time for any shenanigans today. You shouldn’t be in the kitchen. Now get.”
“No, I won’t ‘get,’ Mrs. Johnson, not just yet. I brought you a present, and I aim to give it to you.” The big man laid a box of chocolates on the worktable in front of her. “These are for you.”
“I don’t care if they are for a queen in Africa, you are interfering in my kitchen.” She went back to work and ignored the box.
“You are a handsome woman, Chef Johnson, and I aim to call you Mrs. Wilcox before too long. I’ve been trying to get to know you for a year now. That’s long enough to make a man wait.”
Amazingly, the entire kitchen went silent. “You can call me whatever you wish, Mr. Wilcox, but that won’t make it so.” She cracked eggs into a bowl with one hand and refused to look at the man. “And just because women your age are scarce up here doesn’t mean that I’m going to go weak in the knees from flowers and chocolates.”
“You may be stubborn, Margaret Johnson, but you’ve met your match. I’m mad with love for you, and I want you to marry me.”
“You’re mad with something all right, but it’s not love for me, you big oaf. You’ve been breathing too much locomotive smoke.” Shaking her head, she wiped her hands on a towel and pushed Mr. Wilcox out of the kitchen. “Do not come into my kitchen again, or I’ll have to call the manager.”
As she turned around, she noticed that every member of her staff was standing there gawking at her like she’d come to work in her nightdress or something. “Get back to work, or I’ll fire the lot of ya.”
Cassidy walked up to her at that moment and grinned. “You know, it wouldn’t be so bad to see you married and happy.”
“Oh, stop it. I’m perfectly happy without being married.” The reply was stiff.
“All right.” Cassidy held up her hands in surrender. “But maybe you could be happier.”
Margaret remembered days that were the happiest. Before she’d lost her husband and children to the influenza eleven years ago. But being happy also meant risking her heart. When you love, there’s a greater risk of being hurt.
She shook away the memories and turned back to the girl who felt like a daughter. “Did you find someone to help with the boys?”
“I did. I asked Thomas first, but Mr. Bradley needed him for something. Then I found Tayler. Even though the rain just stopped, the rest of the hikes for today were canceled. She said she was glad to help, and the boys just love her.”
“Perfect, thank you. I need all the help I can get. No one seems to be able to stay focused around here today.”
Chef Daniel chose that moment to invade her space. Dear Lord, another one. Help.
“What do ya mean, lass, letting that railroad man come into the kitchen? Why, just look at the chaos he’s created. The whole place smells of soot now. And I bet he left some dirty footprints too.” The man spotted the box of chocolates, and his cheeks turned a shade of red that matched his hair. “Chocolates? He brought you chocolates? Why, that . . .”
Margaret chose to ignore the rampage and walked over to the stairs to head down to the provisions rooms. But Daniel Ferguson bellowed about her gentleman caller and followed. Rolling her eyes, she sighed. Lord, now would be a good time for that help.
Tayler walked to the Brennans’ little house at four thirty so she’d have plenty of time to get all the instructions for the twins tonight. She h
ad no illusions that babysitting toddler twins would be easy. She needed a plan.
“Tayler, wait up!” That sounded like Cassidy’s voice.
She turned and the young mom ran toward her from the hotel, her apron still tied around her waist.
“I saw you walking toward the house and figured I could chat with you while we walk.”
“That sounds great.”
Cassidy took a few deep breaths. “The boys have been a little out of sorts today since their dad is gone on a hunting trip. The weather was uncooperative earlier, and we couldn’t go outside to play, and well, they’re rambunctious and active little guys.”
Tayler nodded. “Since it’s stopped raining, do you mind if we go outside now?”
“There’s plenty of daylight, so I’m not worried about that. Just know that it’s always a challenge to keep up with two of them if they go in different directions, and it’s sure to be muddy. But I’ll make sure everything is ready for a bath, and I think it will all be fine.” Her friend gave her a smile. “Just remember, I warned you.”
“Warned me about what?”
“Twins.” Cassidy just laughed. “And their uncanny ability to thwart you.”
“Oh boy.”
“You’ll do fine. They adore you.”
As they entered the Brennan home, Tayler heard the incomparable sound of little running feet. The boys charged their mother and she hugged them, and then they spotted Tayler.
“TayTay, TayTay!” they chanted. She hugged the little guys and tickled their bellies.
The older lady behind them came forward. “I best be going, Cassidy. The morning starts early in the laundry. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thank you, MaryAnn, for watching them. Tayler will take over now.”
“And don’t forget me.” Thomas appeared out of the kitchen.
The boys jumped up and down. “Yay!”
Tayler wasn’t sure what to think. “Is Thomas babysitting?”
Cassidy laughed. “Well, I asked him too”—she turned toward him—“but I thought Mr. Bradley needed you for something else.”
Thomas shrugged. “We finished early and I thought I’d come over to see if you still needed help.” He looked so relaxed with his hands in his pockets and a shock of hair falling over his forehead.
Cassidy glanced between her two guests. “It would definitely be easier with the two of you working together. Like I said, they’re a handful.”
Tayler stared at Thomas. She hadn’t said much to him since their little competition the other day. It still irked her how those girls intruded and he’d allowed it. “I can leave if you think Thomas will be better suited. . . .” She followed Cassidy to the bathroom.
“Heavens no. To be honest, I would be worried about either one of you trying this alone.” She pulled out towels and soap. “Here’s the things for the boys’ baths. They like to take one together, but don’t let them play too long, or there will be water covering everything. Their pajamas are under their pillows.” She glanced down at her timepiece. “I’d better get going. Mrs. Johnson seemed fit to be tied.”
Tayler followed Cassidy back out to the front door, where she passed Thomas on the floor with Jonathon and David climbing all over him. “Maybe we’ll go on a walk and expend some of this energy.”
“Sounds like a great plan.” Cassidy looked back at the boys. “I’ll be home as soon as I’m done helping with the birthday party. It should be in plenty of time for me to get them fed and into bed at nine o’clock.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve got it all under control.” It was easy to say it, but she wasn’t sure it was true.
As soon as Cassidy left, Tayler turned back to the living room. The boys saw her and started chanting “TayTay, TayTay” again and tackled her to the floor.
Thomas reached a hand down and helped her up. “I have a feeling we’re going to be exhausted after just a few hours of this. I don’t know how Cass does it.” He grinned at her. “So what’s the plan, boss?”
Tayler straightened her blouse. “Well, I thought we could go for a walk and get them to run off some of this energy. Then we could pick salmonberries. Some of them are already ripe.”
“I noticed that this afternoon.” Thomas shook his head. “It normally starts a couple weeks later than this, but we’ve had lots of sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll go see if Cassidy has any small buckets we can use.”
Tayler looked down at her charges. “Who wants to go for a walk?”
They giggled and jumped up and down again.
“I’ll take that as a yes from both of you.” She leaned down and looked at them real close. “Jonathon?”
The little guy nodded.
“So you must be David?”
His twin giggled. “TayTay!” He pointed at her.
“You’re right. I’m TayTay.” She reached down and took one of each of the boys’ hands in her own. “All right, so one of the rules is that we have to hold hands while we’re walking so you don’t lose me, okay?”
“’Kay.”
“We would never want to lose Tayler, now, would we?” Thomas came back with a few small buckets in his hands.
“TayTay!” the boys shouted at Thomas.
“Forgive me, Miss TayTay. It seems I mispronounced your name.” Thomas bowed gallantly, which sent the boys into a fit of giggles. He walked up to her and whispered down into her hair. “I kinda like your nickname.”
Tayler did too. Especially when Thomas said it.
With him so close, a shiver ran down her spine. Tonight was going to be very interesting.
Cassidy wasn’t kidding when she warned that the boys would keep them running. Putting on their rubber boots had been an adventure in and of itself, and then it took them thirty minutes just to get to the ball field because the boys had to investigate every bug, leaf, and rock that crossed their path. Thomas enjoyed watching Tayler trying to keep hold of each of their hands, but she was smart. After the first few minutes, she passed one off to him. That way they each had two hands to keep track of one boy.
Even that had been difficult.
But then they’d spent the better part of an hour chasing the boys in a circle as they ran and ran and ran.
At that point, Tayler announced it would be a good time to pick some berries. That would be a nice treat for them, and then they could walk home and build with blocks and read stories after a bath.
It sounded like the perfect plan.
Thirty minutes later Thomas wondered what would have happened if only the perfect plan had gone the way she intended. Walking back to the Brennan home, Thomas couldn’t believe he’d been bested by a two-year-old. He sighed.
Tayler muttered something to herself behind him. He didn’t even want to look. He was already in enough trouble with her.
He held Jonathon in his arms because the boy had gotten both of his boots stuck in the mud. He’d finally pulled the shoes loose only after Jonathon had fallen onto his backside and spread mud over his hair and face. Amazing how two seconds was long enough for a little guy to make a huge mess. He hadn’t even made it to the salmonberry bushes. By the time he’d rescued the boots and the little boy, they were both covered in mud. From head to toe.
Tayler wasn’t in much better condition, but she had salmonberry juice mixed in with the mud all over her. Apparently, she’d started off strong with David, and they had been happily picking berries together. Until Thomas showed up with Jonathon. Complete messes.
David—obviously not wanting to be left out of the fun—ran to Jonathon and tackled him in the mud. By the time Tayler had the boys apart again, they were all covered in mud, and their berries were squished. All of them except the ones the boys managed to eat along with a little of the mud.
So now here they were, traipsing back to the Brennan house for all to see, each of them carrying a toddler, and each of them covered in mud and berries.
Thomas attempted to hold his head high, even though there were plenty of g
uests outside tonight since the weather had finally broken. His only hope was that no one would recognize them.
“If you would have just listened to me, this wouldn’t have happened,” Tayler hissed from behind him.
“Exactly how could I have kept this little guy from getting stuck in the mud?” Thomas shook his head.
Tayler walked up beside him. “Need I remind you that I warned you to stay on the path?”
Oh, that. “Well, yes, I see how that was a mistake on my part. But the flowers were pretty, and Jonathon wanted to see them.” Thomas tried to lighten the mood. Maybe if he could make her laugh, things would be better. “As a graduate of botany, I would think you would want to encourage that in the little guy.”
“I can’t believe you’re blaming the two-year-old. What is Cassidy going to say? We’ve made a mess, and not just of her children but of ourselves. How are we going to get cleaned up and not drag all of this through their home?”
Thomas thought about that predicament. Tayler was right. This was going to be a nightmare to clean up. And not just the mess. She’d probably never forgive him.
17
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
The little white church sat in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Curry. As Tayler walked to the building, she soaked in the beauty of the mountains rising around her. Covered in lush green grasses with carpets of purple, blue, pink, and white wild flowers, this place was a dream come true. Everything she’d discovered so far had been enchanting.
Except maybe for Thomas.
Well, maybe he was enchanting—with his sweet smile—but their situation was not. Why was it that everything ended in a mess between the two of them? It was too simple to say that they’d had a rocky start. The thought of working closely with him excited her and then also made her stomach churn. She’d never dealt with this before. But she felt bad for how she’d treated Thomas. None of her reactions to him of late had been very nice. What was that all about? He’d really put forth an effort to be friends, and she kept shutting the door in his face.
The real crux of the matter? She’d been hurt. By a man. But not all men were like that, were they? Allan wasn’t that way. Neither was John. So why was she giving Thomas such a hard time?
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