by Renee Ryan
Through the swinging doors, Garrick could see the waitress busy with some chore. “We won’t take but a moment of your time.”
The lady sat and looked from Rosamond to Garrick and back again. “How can I help you?”
“We’d like to offer you the position of head chef at our hotel.” Rosamond’s demeanor conveyed professionalism and authority, along with a generous measure of friendliness.
“Oh, my stars.” Miss Pam sat back and again looked back and forth between Garrick and Rosamond. “Why, I never expected such a fine compliment. Naturally, I’m honored.”
“Then you’ll take the position?” Garrick sensed hesitation in the lady’s voice.
For several moments, she gazed around her pretty little café like a proud mother, and he guessed what her answer would be.
“After owning my own place, being my own boss, I can’t rightly say I’d enjoy working for someone else.” She patted Rosamond’s hand. “I hope you won’t take offense.”
“None taken. We understand,” Rosamond said. “You established your café before we even named our town.”
“Yes, I did.” Miss Pam’s warm smile held a hint of proper pride. “Tell you what. I’d be pleased to do some baking for you from time to time. Would that help out?”
Garrick’s first thought labeled her offer as quaint. After all, the hotel would require a great deal of baked goods every day, not just the odd delivery. Then he bit into the fluffy pastry before him, and all such arrogance disappeared. “Keep us supplied with these, and you have a bargain.” And if Henri didn’t appreciate serving this lady’s fine baking in his restaurant, he’d simply have to cope.
With one more issue out of the way, Garrick and Rosamond finished their refreshments and rose to leave. Rosamond ordered lemonade and cookies for the boys at the school site, and Garrick headed for the train depot to send wires to Uncle and Henri.
*
That evening over supper, Father announced that he’d been to town to talk to Mayor Jones and Reverend Thomas. They’d all agreed the hotel should share the cornerstone laying ceremony with the high school. “Both enterprises are important steps for our community, so we want everyone to take part. The town council will spread the word that we’re having the big event on Sunday after church. Mayor Jones suggested that we start at the school and then move on to the hotel, then back to the church for dinner on the grounds.”
Pleased beyond words, Rosamond glanced at Garrick as he nodded his approval. She also noticed Tolley sitting up straighter, so she flashed a grin at her brother. Right now, Father should commend Tolley for his fine leadership in clearing the school site, yet no such praise came. She started to say it, but Father spoke first.
“Garrick, I saw Mrs. Foster today. I understand you’re moving into town. We’ll miss you here, of course, but I understand your wanting to be closer to your work.”
Rosamond could barely keep from choking on her bite of roast beef. She’d been with Garrick most of the day, and he hadn’t mentioned a thing about this. So that was his “personal errand” this morning. She looked around the table. Seated beside Garrick, Percy gazed sadly at Beryl. Next to Rosamond, Beryl blinked back tears. Percy must be moving into town, too, and had probably already told Beryl. Why was Rosamond the last to know?
Anger welled up inside her, dousing all her former joy. This was Garrick’s doing. While he might find this move necessary, perhaps to get away from her, she couldn’t imagine why he’d deliberately hurt Beryl. Hadn’t her friend suffered enough? Even though Percy had helped her overcome her fear of guns, she still needed his company, his growing affection, to overcome her feelings of rejection at the academy and misunderstanding by her family. Didn’t Garrick realize Beryl had lost her place in the world? Percy was helping her find it again.
“Must you go?” Rosamond aimed her question at Percy, hearing the strain in her own voice. “You’re welcome to stay here while your cousin tends to his duties in town.”
Percy offered a weak smile. “Actually, he’s putting me to work, as well.” He looked at Garrick, as if for approval, setting Rosamond’s teeth on edge. What actual authority did Garrick hold over his younger cousin? Was bossing Percy around another silly English custom?
“What work is that?” Mother asked Percy. Had she noticed Rosamond’s anger and jumped in to stop a conflict? She always managed to smooth away any social unpleasantness.
“There’s some chap missing, and Garrick thinks I’m the one to find him.” He shrugged. “At home, I’ve done a bit of detective work—amateur, of course, because Scotland Yard says they aren’t quite ready to hire me.”
While the others chuckled at his humor, Mother hummed with interest, her mellow alto voice further soothing Rosamond’s annoyance. “You must tell us all about this missing chap.” She turned her attention to Garrick.
“Ah, well, a young lad in town, the new groom at the livery stable…”
He proceeded to give a very brief account of Adam Starling and his family, leaving out anything that might garner praise from his listeners. He made no mention of saving Adam’s little brother in the Denver train station or of rescuing the family from starvation once they reached Esperanza. Rosamond’s emotions churned, admiration mixing with a remnant of anger. How noble of him to send someone to search for Adam’s father. But why Percy?
A quick glance at Tolley’s cynical expression revived her own earlier thoughts. She had absolutely no doubt he’d chosen Percy for the job to get him away from Beryl.
Her opinion hadn’t changed by Saturday, when the two Englishmen and their valets moved into town, leaving both Beryl and Rita depressed. Even Consuela sighed frequently as she went about her duties, suggesting she missed Richards. Rosamond learned from Rita that they’d also grown fond of each other. Garrick was ripping them all apart. But for what reason?
By Sunday morning, Rosamond needed to spend considerable time in prayer to prepare her mind for the worship service. She didn’t want to see Garrick for fear she wouldn’t be able to keep from scolding him. But she did want to see him, wanted to tell him she’d missed him yesterday, missed the parlor games and friendly chats they’d all enjoyed every night. If he’d just explain himself, maybe they could work everything out. But he was a closed book, so last evening both she and Beryl had languished about the house like sick puppies.
When they arrived at church, Mother directed everyone to their places, as usual. No one in the congregation claimed a pew as their own, so this morning she chose a row on the right side of the sanctuary, halfway between the front and back. Rosamond noticed she didn’t save places for Garrick and Percy. To her amusement, however, when the two Englishmen entered, Beryl left her side and sat with Percy. Garrick nodded a greeting but offered no smile. Rosamond thought he looked sad, but if he was, it was his own fault.
As usual, Reverend Thomas’s sermon suited the events of the day. “Reading from Psalm 127, verse one, ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.’
“Since this small part of the San Luis Valley was first settled about fifteen years ago, the Lord’s blessed every endeavor. But we’ve come a long way in that time, and we’re growing bigger. The railroad came through, more folks came West hoping for a new life and willing to work for it. Businesses sprang up. This church was built so we can join together as a community to worship and experience spiritual growth. Homes were built, where we find love and comfort. Now we’ll have a high school where young folks can learn about the world and their place in it. We’ll have a hotel, a place of rest for the wayfarer.”
His gaze moved slowly around the room. “In the six years since I became your pastor, I’ve watched families grow and offered this prayer from Psalm 144:12, ‘That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.’
“But we have a more notable cornerstone to our faith. As the
Lord says in Isaiah 28:16, ‘Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.’ That cornerstone is none other than our Savior, Jesus Christ. If we do not make Him the cornerstone of all that we build, we labor in vain.”
As was her custom when hearing a sermon, especially one delivered by Reverend Thomas, Rosamond listened for that still, small voice telling her, “This is my instruction for you.” Today the Lord’s meaning was clear, just as four years ago she’d felt the call to become a teacher. She must set aside personal concerns and dedicate all of her energies to helping build this community, especially her school.
In a way, her family was the cornerstone of Esperanza, but not one of them wished to rule over the town or become, in biblical terms, the “head of the corner.” In fact, Father had begun to step back from leadership three years ago when Mother became ill. During their lengthy absence, first to Boston, then to Italy, the people of Esperanza had joined together to keep the town growing.
Last year, before Father and Mother returned from their travels, an election was held. Humble Edgar Jones, the barber, became Esperanza’s first mayor, and several other men were chosen for the governing council. Everyone agreed to and signed the original town charter, which included stipulations that no saloon would be built within the city limits, no alcohol would be permitted and all businesses would be closed on Sundays. All this was done without Father’s leadership, and upon his return, he’d been more than pleased to remain in the background.
Rosamond appreciated his wisdom and would try to emulate him. The school wouldn’t be hers, but would belong to everyone. In organizing the curriculum, she would merely put into practice the tried-and-true methods of education she’d learned at Fairfield Young Ladies’ Academy.
As for the hotel, with most of her disagreements with Garrick worked out, she could leave the rest of the project to him. Well, not the Palladian facade, of course. Yet, as she thought it, she felt another nudge from the Lord, and she knew she must surrender even that. All right, Lord. If he insists upon such an out-of-place front for the hotel, I won’t argue with him any further. Right away, peace swept over her, and she knew she could deal with whatever came.
*
Garrick watched as Rosamond dug her shovel into the dirt alongside Beryl, Mayor Jones and several others. After Reverend Thomas prayed a blessing over the school and all the students who would learn there, a four-foot square pink stone was moved into place. Fred Brody captured the moment with his large black camera. Then the congregants moved on to the hotel site, and the ceremony was repeated, this time with Garrick joining Rosamond and Colonel Northam for the photograph. As the magnesium powder flashed for the second time, Garrick’s emotions seemed to ignite, as well. With the cornerstone laid, this grand project would begin in earnest. When it was completed, he could return home to the life to which he was accustomed.
“Now let’s eat,” someone called from the crowd, and everyone laughed. Merriment ruled as they made the short trip back to the church, where the ladies promised to bring out baskets of food for the “dinner on the grounds.”
Hungry though he was, Garrick lingered at the hotel site. Although only one day had passed since he’d left Four Stones Ranch, he no longer felt a sense of community with these people. He’d tried to dismiss his childish feelings by reminding himself of his first impression of these small-town American cowboys. They were rustics, one and all, even those with better education and manners. He was an English gentleman better suited to life at Uncle’s country manor. That was what he’d known all his life. Even though he wouldn’t inherit the title or estate, he’d find a way to serve his three little cousins, perhaps as their tutor. After all, he’d completed his studies at Oxford and possessed all the knowledge required for the post. That idea had come to him after he addressed the boys’ Sunday school classes. Perhaps he had a gift for teaching. He’d certainly enjoyed it.
“You coming, Mr. Wakefield?” Adam Starling stood nearby holding little Jack on his hip. “I’ll walk over with you.”
“You go ahead. Join the other lads.” Garrick glanced beyond him. “Is your mother all right? And Molly?”
“Yessir.” Adam brushed dust off Jack’s short trousers—new ones, if Garrick wasn’t mistaken. “They’re over with the other ladies, fixin’ dinner. You ought ta come. Lots of good food free for the taking.”
The peaceful expression in Adam’s eyes warmed Garrick’s heart. He’d already been accepted by the other lads, as his mother was accepted by the ladies. Now they just needed their father to return, and all would be right with the world. For them.
As the lad walked away, Garrick sat on the newly placed cornerstone and surveyed the cleared site. The basement had been dug and concrete poured. Next week, a sump pump would be put in place to remove any water that might seep in from the region’s high water table. From deep below the Valley’s sandy surface, artesian water would be pumped to the hotel kitchen and guest bathrooms on the upper floors. This would be a luxurious, modern oasis in the middle of the wilderness.
“Father sent me to get you.”
Garrick turned to see Rosamond standing some ten feet away, her hands fisted at her waist as though she didn’t particularly relish the errand.
“How thoughtful.” Garrick hoped he didn’t sound sarcastic. After all, any animosity between them was his fault. “Please tell him I’ll come straightaway.” He waited to rise in case she didn’t care to return to the church in his company.
Instead of leaving, however, she moved closer, looking around the site. “It’s hard to imagine how it’s all going to look when it’s finished.” The glint in her eyes bespoke some of the excitement he’d felt earlier.
“Indeed. Yes.” He’d agree to almost anything to regain her good opinion. “The drawings on the drafts can never give one a sense of dimensions and ground space.”
Nodding, she proceeded to the temporary wooden barrier around the basement and peered into the hole. “Too bad we can’t install an elevator, but I suppose that would be silly for a hotel with only three stories and a basement.”
“Not silly at all. Do you want to hire an engineer to take on the project?”
She smiled, triggering a mild disturbance in the vicinity of his heart. “Let’s not cause a delay. The day may come when people are too lazy to climb stairs, but I think it’s good exercise.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” His stomach chose that moment to rumble, and she laughed.
“I’m hungry, too.” She walked across the level ground toward the site’s perimeter. “Let’s hurry before all the cowboys eat everything in sight.”
He stood and offered his arm. When she took it, his chest swelled with happiness and a hint of pride for having her at his side. Perhaps they’d progressed beyond the unpleasantness caused by his move to town. Perhaps now they could just be friends. Friends. Nothing more.
Now if he could only believe that lie, he might be able to sleep better at night.
Chapter Ten
Over the next days and weeks, the work progressed admirably at both sites. When Rosamond and Beryl weren’t working on their lesson plans for the coming year, they rode into town to watch the high school take shape. With so much of their own work to do, they didn’t have time for a close inspection of the hotel’s progress, and only observed it from a distance. Or so Rosamond tried to tell herself. In truth, Garrick’s withdrawal still hurt, and she didn’t wish to risk further pain.
Although the Englishmen had come to dinner one Sunday in mid-June and appeared to enjoy themselves, they’d left early, giving no plausible reason for not spending a leisurely afternoon in the country, resting from their labors. Rosamond sensed that Garrick instigated the early departure to separate Beryl and Percy, but the two managed a short visit on the front porch while Garrick fetched the gentlemen’s mounts. While Rosamond hoped to converse privately with him, she was impressed that he would take on such a me
nial chore instead of expecting a servant to tend to the matter. To his credit, the arrogant Englishman no longer rode his high horse.
Over time, the girls gathered supplies and equipment. Beryl’s father ordered charts and science equipment for her classroom, including an expensive microscope. Rosamond ordered textbooks, writing supplies and blackboards. Both girls experienced great excitement over having their dream come true, although Rosamond continued to see sadness in her friend’s eyes. If she were honest, she’d own up to a bit of melancholy, too. She found herself unable to dismiss all thoughts of Garrick Wakefield.
In the last week of June, the girls inspected the interior of their school and commended Tolley on his work. Rosamond always made sure her brother knew how grateful she was and how much she admired and believed in him.
“Anything for you, sis. Gotta keep the princess happy.” He always responded in a teasing, dismissive way, but she could tell from the twinkle in his eyes that he appreciated her praise. When the school was completed, she had every intention of requiring Father to voice his approval, as well.
After discussing the color of paint and placement of blackboards and desks for each room, they exited the school through the wide opening where the double front doors would soon be hung. Rosamond ran her gloved hand over the unpainted doorjamb without a single splinter catching the fabric. Tolley had done much of the woodwork himself.
“The hotel sure looks grand, don’t you think?” Beryl shaded her eyes and stared down the street. “Let’s go see how they’re doing.”
Her bold proposal surprised Rosamond. Hadn’t they agreed to leave the Englishmen alone? She looked toward the beautiful three-story building with its pink stones gleaming in the sunlight. “Yes. Very grand.”
When would they put up that horrid Palladian facade? She didn’t mind admitting that Garrick did very well with everything else regarding the hotel. Let others inform him of his mistake about the entrance.
