by Nerys Leigh
Amy lowered her eyes to the polished surface of the oak reception desk. “Oh.”
The man sighed. “I’m sorry, Miss, I didn’t mean to be sharp. Saturdays are usually my day off. I’m much nicer Monday through Friday.”
Despite her disappointment, Amy laughed. “Maybe I should come back Monday.”
“You should,” he said, smiling. “There still won’t be any jobs, but I’ll be here to brighten your day. Truth is, if there were any jobs and it was up to me, I’d hire you in a second.”
“Without even knowing anything about me?”
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “Having a pretty woman on the staff couldn’t hurt business, if there was any business to be had. I’m Zach, by the way. Welcome to Green Hill Creek, I guess.”
“Amy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amy.... wait.” He frowned. “Not the Amy who came in on the train to marry Adam and now isn’t Amy?”
“I, um, suppose. How do you know all that?”
He rolled his eyes. “Mrs Vernon. By now everyone knows who you are. She didn’t come in to tell me, but I overheard her talking to Mrs Sanchez, the cook here.” He chewed his lip. “Is it true you and Adam are living together?”
Amy pursed her lips, frowning. This gossip thing might turn out to be more trouble than she thought. “If by living together you mean in the same house, yes. If you mean in the same bed, no.”
He held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Hey, I didn’t mean to suggest anything. It’s just what Mrs Vernon said. So you and he aren’t...?”
He left it hanging, but they both knew what he meant.
“Absolutely not,” she said, a little more forcefully than she’d intended.
He nodded slowly. “Oh. Well, in that case, would you care to have dinner with me sometime?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You work fast.”
“Not many women out here that aren’t taken,” he said, shrugging, “and certainly none as pretty as you. You’ve got to get ahead of the game.”
Amy couldn’t help laughing. “You’re sweet, Zach, but I have to say no. I’m only staying in Green Hill Creek until I can make enough money to pay Adam back. Then I’ll be leaving for San Francisco.”
He sighed, placing a hand over his heart. “Can’t blame a man for trying.”
“Why don’t you try one of the agencies that matches women back east with men out here? It works for a lot of people. Handsome man like you, I’m sure you’d get lots of interest.”
He leaned one elbow on the desk and looked across the lobby to the door, running a hand through his red hair. “I would, but the pay here barely keeps me fed. If it weren’t for working part time for my pa, I’d be homeless too. I’d have no chance of paying for a girl’s train fare all the way from the east coast.”
Amy patted his hand in sympathy. “My mama always used to say that with God all things are possible. You never know what’s around the next corner.”
He smiled sadly. “I think God’s got more important things to be concerned about than getting me a girl.”
“God is big enough and loving enough to do everything. Besides, it’s important to you. Just keep praying.”
“You think so?”
“He got me here,” she said, stepping back from the desk. “I’d better get looking for that job. It was nice to meet you, Zach.”
“Likewise,” he said. “Good luck. If you change your mind about that dinner, you know where to find me.”
Laughing, she walked back to the door and out into the morning sunshine. Even though her first try hadn’t worked, her conversation with Zach had lifted her spirits. Feeling a little more optimistic, she headed for the store on the other side of the road.
The Green Hill Creek General Store, proprietor G. L. Lamb, was a wooden single storey building fronted by a covered porch crammed with heaps of boxes and barrels. Two wide, grubby windows flanked an open door. Movement caught Amy’s eye as she approached and she watched a large brown rat scurry beneath the raised porch. Maybe she could get a job cleaning the place.
Inside, the building was bigger than it looked, deeper than it’s width at the front suggested. The walls were lined with shelves and merchandise was stacked every which way on the floor. Thanks to the ineffectual windows, which were the only source of light, it was gloomy. Even in the poorer parts of New York it would have struggled to attract customers, but Amy supposed presentation wasn’t a priority when you were the only general store for miles around.
Two women were inspecting brightly coloured bolts of fabric stacked on a table to Amy’s right as she entered and they watched her wend her way through the store. As soon as her back was turned, one of them whispered to the other and they both giggled. Amy did her best to ignore them as she walked up to a plump middle aged man with a balding head standing behind a counter which doubled as a half wood, half glass display case.
“Mornin’, Miss,” he said, a cheerful smile making his red cheeks bulge. “How can I help you?”
Amy glanced back at the women. They were making a show of studying the fabric, but it was obvious they were listening. She stifled a sigh and turned back to the man.
“I’m new here and I’m looking for a job. I was wondering if you had anything? I’m trustworthy and very hardworking.”
His expression turned to sympathetic regret. “I’m sorry, Miss, but I have all the help I can afford. I’d take you on if I could.”
Amy nodded, trying not to show her disappointment. “Well, thank you anyway.” She pointed to a display of candy a little further along the wall shelves. “If you put one of those jars here, by the register, you’ll sell more of them. In New York they do it all the time. The children beg their parents for a piece when they’re paying.”
He looked at the candy and then the cash register. “Hmm, I never thought of that. I’ll give it a try. I’m Grover Lamb, proprietor of this here store. If I hear of anyone hiring, I’ll let you know, but things are slow around here right now. Town’s still waiting for that magic railroad touch to kick in.” He smiled and held out his hand.
Amy took it, trying not to wince at his crushing handshake. “I’m Amy Watts, and thank you, Mr Lamb.”
She turned, not failing to notice the two women looking rapidly down at the fabric display as her eyes fell on them. Squaring her shoulders, she walked past towards the door. Whispers followed her. She tried to ignore them, she really did, but by the time she’d reached the door she’d had enough. Stopping abruptly, she turned around and marched back into the store.
The two women’s eyes widened as she walked up to them.
“Good morning, I’m Amy Watts, although I’m guessing you already know that. As you are so effective at spreading news, I’d be grateful if you could let everyone know that I’m looking for work. I can cook, clean, sew or anything else anyone might need. I can be contacted at the post office, but I’m guessing you know that too. Thank you so much, your help is very much appreciated.”
She caught a glimpse of Mr Lamb as she turned away from the shocked women. He was laughing quietly behind one hand.
When she got back outside, Amy took a deep breath and grimaced. “Sorry, Lord,” she muttered. “I’ll try to be more gracious next time.”
~ ~ ~
Amy spent more than three hours working her way up and down Green Hill Creek’s streets, trying every store and business she could find. In every place it was the same, they were very sorry but they had no work available. It seemed everyone thought that the arrival of the railroad six months previously would bring new prosperity to the small town, but it hadn’t happened yet. She even tried the train station.
Eventually she ended up back at the saloon, staring at the large three storey building across the street with the peeling green paint and weathered sign. It was just about the only place she hadn’t tried, but after Adam’s warning it made her nervous.
A narrow balcony spanned the building on the second floor. As Amy w
atched a window opened and a young woman wearing a shawl over little more than her undergarments climbed out onto the balcony and took a deep breath, hands on her hips as she lifted her painted face to the sun. Seeing Amy, she waved and smiled. Feeling a pang of sympathy, Amy waved back. No, she wasn’t so desperate that she was ready to work in a place like that. She hoped she never would be.
She turned away and wandered along the street, tired and dejected, not really caring where she was going.
What do I do now, Lord?
There was nowhere left to try, no one who would give her employment. No way to pay back Adam. The only thing left was to go with her original plan, somehow get to San Francisco, get a job there and send Adam the money. The thought of leaving now made her feel sick to her stomach, but what else was she to do? And she wouldn’t be able to tell him either. She knew Adam would just tell her it didn’t matter and ask her to stay, and if he asked her to stay she didn’t think she’d be strong enough to say no.
A frown creased her brow as she thought about that. She’d known Adam for less than twenty-four hours and already she’d grown fond of the idea of being around him. That wasn’t in her plan. Admittedly, though, her plan was on shaky ground right now.
At the sound of men’s voices Amy looked up from the ground. Without realising, she’d wandered right to the very edge of town. A large, barn-like structure stood ahead of her, a sign above the door identifying it as Parson’s Livery. She didn’t know if this was the place he meant, but she remembered Isaiah mentioning the person who owned the livery was looking for help. Working with horses wouldn’t be so bad. Even though she’d never ridden one, she liked horses.
Perking up, she increased her speed.
“Not sure as I can pay more’n six dollars a week. I know people would be more likely to want the job if there were more hours, but that’s stretching it for me as it is.”
“Well, George, I’ll ask around, but I don’t know who’ll be interested. But I’ll ask.”
An older man emerged from the livery entrance, lifting his hat and nodding a greeting as he passed her. Amy walked up to the large double doors and peered in. A man was close to the entrance, his back to her. He was shorter than Adam, but with a larger build, probably from years of hard physical labour. His dark hair was greying and unkempt, falling below his collar.
She stepped forward and looked around the interior of the large building. Stalls lined the walls, all of them empty. A set of double doors stood directly opposite her and she could see a glimpse of fences, grass and blue sky. Riding equipment and saddles hung from hooks dotted around the walls.
The whole place smelled of horse and manure. Mostly manure.
“Can I help you, Miss?”
Amy jumped, startled. She hadn’t realised the man had turned around. His face was what could only be described as craggy, the bottom half hidden by facial hair that looked less like an intentional beard and more like he simply hadn’t shaved in a few days. It was hard to judge his age, but she guessed at somewhere around fifty. As his brown eyes studied her, she couldn’t help feeling she was being judged in some way.
“Um, yes, Sir.” She stood up straight, offering up a quick prayer for strength. “I heard you were looking to hire someone. May I ask what the job is?”
He folded his arms and leaned his hip against an old, battered table standing next to the door. Pieces of paper and a leather-bound ledger were scattered across the top.
“Well, it’s for general help in the livery here, looking after the horses, mucking out the stalls, cleaning, that sort of thing. You know anyone who might be interested? Pays six dollars a week for eight hours work a day, Saturdays and Sundays off.”
Amy smiled, trying to exude confidence she didn’t feel. “Yes. I would like to apply for the job.”
The man looked confused. “You want to apply on someone’s behalf?”
“No, I want to apply for myself. I want to do the job.”
The man stared at her for a few seconds. Then he burst into laughter, holding his hands to his stomach as if to contain his guffaws.
Amy frowned. “What’s so funny?”
His laughter petered out and he wiped one hand across his eyes. “What’s so funny? You asking me to hire a girl, and a slip of a girl at that, to do man’s work, that’s what’s funny. Go and try the general store or the laundry or the bakery, little girl.”
Amy put her hands on her hips. “I may not be as strong as a man, but I can work hard. And I can certainly muck out horses and clean this place.” She gave an exaggerated sniff. “And from what I can smell, it is sorely in need of it.”
His smile disappeared and he shook his head. “Go away, girl. I don’t have time for games.” He turned away.
Amy stared at his back, tears of frustration burning her eyes. She whirled round and strode away, shame and humiliation driving her steps.
Stop.
The word flashed into her mind. She came to such an abrupt halt her feet almost tripped over themselves. Unsure what to do, she looked back at the livery. The man had taken a chair at the table and was studying the ledger on it, lines creasing his forehead.
Sighing, Amy wiped her eyes on her sleeve and walked back to the door.
The man looked up as she approached. “You can’t take a hint, can you?”
“I need a job. I’ve tried everywhere else in town, but no one is hiring, only you. You need someone to help you here and I can do that. Just give me a chance and I’ll show you. What can it hurt, just letting me try?”
He pressed his lips together, frowning. “If I hired you to work here I’d be a laughing stock.”
“That’s what you’re worried about? What people will think? I’d have thought a man like you wouldn’t care what other people thought.”
“I have to care. This is a business.”
“So you’re worried I’ll hurt your business?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know.” He huffed out a breath. “You’re confusing me, girl.”
“What if I can improve your business?” It was worth a try even if she had no idea how she could.
He leaned back, looking amused. “And how are you going to do that?”
“I’ll show you once I’ve started work.” She smiled and stuck out her hand. “Deal?”
His frown returned. “Now hold on, I never said...”
“When would you like me to start?”
“You don’t give up, do you?” Lips pursed, he shook his head. “I’m going to regret this. Be here at nine Monday morning.” He looked her up and down. “And wear something more suited to hard work than that dress.”
Amy grinned. “I’ll be here. You won’t regret this.”
“I already do, girl.”
“My name’s Amy. Amy Watts.”
“George Parsons.”
“Well, thank you for the job, Mr Parsons.” She turned to go.
“And by the way,” he called after her, “job pays four dollars a week.”
Amy spun back. “But you said...”
“It would be six dollars if you was a man, but you ain’t, so it’s four.”
She opened her mouth and then closed it again. It was a job. She didn’t want to lose it before she’d even started.
Turning away again, she headed back towards the post office.
Chapter 7
When Amy reached the post office there was a sizeable queue of people waiting to be served.
The moment she walked in the door the conversation stilled, each and every one of the eleven men and women turning to stare at her. Her heart sank. Why hadn’t she gone around to the back door? She’d been so eager to tell Adam she had found employment that she hadn’t considered he could have customers.
She took a step back, wondering if she should leave.
At the counter, Adam looked up and gave her a smile that made her stomach flutter, although that was undoubtedly just indigestion.
At one end of the sales counter was a hinged section allowing ac
cess. Lifting it, he nodded for her to join him. It appeared there was nothing else for her to do. Stifling a sigh, she walked along the length of the waiting line of people, eleven pairs of eyes silently following her progress. It was only when she was with Adam behind the counter that she relaxed a little.
He turned to address their audience. “Well, ladies and gentlemen, looks like you’ve won the jackpot. Of the unusually high number of customers I’ve had today, you have managed to be here at just the right time to catch sight of my infamous houseguest. Congratulations. I’d like all of you to meet Miss Amy Watts.”
Every person in the room suddenly seemed to want to look at anything but her. There were a few mumbled greetings and “Ma’am”s.
When Adam winked at her Amy had to cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
“I’ll be closing in about half an hour,” he said quietly.
“Do you need any help?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m guessing you had a harder morning than I did. You go and relax.”
She didn’t want to say anything, but it was true that her feet were aching from all the walking she’d done. “Thank you.”
She was certain she felt the customers’ eyes on her as she walked to the door leading to the parlour, but she didn’t dare look back.
~ ~ ~
Half an hour later Adam walked into the parlour and flopped down onto the armchair by the settee, letting out an explosive breath.
Amy looked up from her book.
“I must say, I never saw that coming. I think I served every resident of Green Hill Creek today.” He grinned and pointed at her. “You are incredibly good for business.”
She replaced her bookmark. “They really all came to see me? I thought from all the surreptitious glances I got while I was out that everyone already had got a good look at me.”
“Maybe they wanted to see us together in our sordid den of sin.” He grimaced and rubbed his hand across his eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound the way it did. All morning I haven’t known whether to be amused, exasperated, or just plain angry. I just don’t understand how people I’ve known in some cases my whole life can be so judgemental and self-righteous when they don’t even know what’s going on.” He shook his head and stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing his ankles. “Anyway, how did your morning go? Any luck?”
