Catching Kent

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Pleased, he turned his attention back to telling her more about his job.

  ***

  “There’s a man who’s selling the exact kind of house you’re interested in,” Richard Larson told Kent the next day.

  Kent shifted in the chair in Richard’s small office. “There is?”

  “Yep. He’s only lived in it for a couple years, too, so it’s practically brand new. My men took three years to build it. It’d be nice if someone who has enough money bought it,” Richard continued. “Since you are asking for something bigger than the average house, I’m assuming you have the kind of money required to buy it.”

  “I have the money. You can check with the bank.”

  His eyebrows rose in interest. “Does my niece have any idea what kind of house you can afford?”

  “No. I want that to be a surprise.”

  “It’s certainly a nice one. Knowing Rose, she’ll fall in love with it as soon as she sees it.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping for.”

  “I’d be happy to show you the house.”

  Intrigued by the type of work Richard did, Kent nodded his consent and stood up. As they headed for Richard’s buggy, Kent asked, “How long have you been building houses?”

  “About forty-three years.”

  Impressed, his eyebrows rose. “That long?”

  “I love what I do.”

  Kent slipped into the seat beside him and studied the man’s face. When Richard discussed his job, he had an excitement about him that was common in men who were successful in their ventures. He didn’t often discuss business with someone unless while purchasing something, but he figured that the conversation had already gone in this direction so it wouldn’t hurt to continue it. “Richard, I invest in businesses that I believe have a potential for growth.”

  Richard released the brake and urged the horse forward. “My business has already seen good growth.”

  “I gathered that much since you have your own office and have men working for you, but there’s always room for more growth.”

  He glanced at him and chuckled. “Does my niece realize she’s going to marry a salesman?”

  With a grin, he said, “I’m not a salesman. Well, to a certain degree, I suppose you can say I am. I could offer you money to use for more supplies, buildings or employees. Whatever area you most need in order to grow your business, that’s where I can offer you money. In return, I get a certain percentage of your profits. I have a contract back at the boarding house if you’re interested in taking a look at it.”

  “You make a living this way?”

  Kent nodded. “You’d be surprised how much.”

  “Enough to buy the house I’m taking you to look at?”

  “And more.”

  He shook his head and smiled. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m impressed. I had no idea a man could make money simply by letting others do all the work for him.”

  “It’s work finding men worth investing in. Do you go out and physically build houses?”

  “Not anymore. I did when I started, but with all the paperwork I have to deal with, I supervise.”

  “So you make money off of men who build houses.”

  “Your point is noted. But I didn’t start out that way. In the beginning, I did the brunt of the work.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Kent replied. “You wouldn’t be good at running your business if you didn’t understand all the details involved in it, and that includes building the houses.”

  “Do you flatter men to get them to let you invest in their businesses?”

  Noting his teasing tone, Kent’s smile widened. “It never hurts to pay someone a compliment, but I don’t offer a compliment unless I feel someone deserves it.”

  “It’s good to know I deserve it.” After a moment, he nodded. “Alright. When we get back to town, we’ll talk about that contract of yours and what you can offer me.”

  As they traveled further out of town, Kent took note of the path along stalks of corn swaying in the wind. Wind, he had learned, was common in this state.

  “It takes about a half hour to get to the house once you leave town, but that is why there’s so much open land surrounding it.”

  “It sounds like the man preferred his privacy.”

  “He did. I didn’t know much about him, but he did very well financially but didn’t trust anyone.”

  If the man had a father similar to Kent’s, Kent certainly couldn’t fault him for that. Instead of voicing the thought, he examined the view around him. The cornfields cleared and he caught sight of the hills in the distance. He tried to imagine what Rose would think when she saw those hills for the first time. With luck, she’d like it.

  What was he thinking? Of course, she’d like it. The very fact that she was going to her new home with him was enough to make her like it. She’d probably enjoy living in a one-bedroom house if it meant they were together. She’d probably make up all kinds of charming stories about how quaint it was. It worked to his advantage that she saw the best in every situation. Even thinking he had nothing to his name, she loved him.

  The path wound in a gentle downward slope and that’s when he saw the manor, still a ways off in the distance. A stable was also on the property, along with a pasture for horses they’d own. She was going to love living here. He wanted nothing more than to surprise her on their wedding day.

  Richard pulled the reins and the buggy came to a stop. “Well, there it is. What do you think?”

  “It’s perfect,” he replied. He couldn’t wait for Rose to see it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Three weeks later, Rose’s father finally had to make a trip into town. She was beginning to think he’d never go. While Kent had been out there twice a week to see her, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Most of the time, it felt like she’d never get to see him again.

  But today she would and better yet, she’d get to see where he was staying. If she was lucky, she’d even get to see the house he bought. She shifted in the seat next to Eli as the wagon finally reached town.

  Her father slowed the horses. “I forgot something. We have to go back home. We’ll come back tomorrow.”

  Alarmed, Rose gasped but then caught the mirth in his eyes and groaned. “That’s not funny, Pa.”

  “That was great,” Eli told their father, chuckling. “I wish I could scare her that good.”

  Their father winked at Eli. “I wouldn’t do that to your sister for real.”

  She relaxed and shook her head. “I don’t know why you even have to joke about it. I’ve waited a long time to see Kent.”

  “It’s been two days since you last saw him,” Eli pointed out.

  “Two days is two days too long,” she insisted, ignoring the way he rolled his eyes. “Just you wait until you find the young woman you want to marry. Then you’ll understand.”

  “She’s right,” their father agreed as he led the horses down the street that would take them to the mercantile. “It is hard to wait to be with someone when love is brand new. I remember how much I looked forward to being with your mother when we were first married. The days out in the fields seemed to take forever until I could see her.”

  “But you married Ma the first day you met her.” Eli gave Rose a look that indicated he’d heard the story of how their parents met so many times he was sick of it.

  “I did, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to be with her every chance I got.”

  “It was really romantic how you and Ma met at the train station,” Rose said. “And you knew right away she was the one for you?”

  “I did. It was love at first sight,” their father replied, “though at the time I didn’t realize it. I just knew she’d make a good wife.”

  “Just like I knew Kent would make a good husband.”

  “Kent was asleep when you first saw him,” Eli was quick to point out.

  “So? That doesn’t mean I didn’t know he was the one for me.” She’d never
tell anyone that she knew it when she first talked to him, specifically after she kissed him and he woke up. They didn’t need to know everything. “I think what Pa means is that sometimes you just know when you’re supposed to be with someone.”

  “Even if that person doesn’t realize it?” Eli pressed, not looking convinced.

  “Kent only protested because he was afraid I’d leave him like the young lady in his past who broke his heart, but I’ve proven I won’t give up on him and now he admits we belong together.”

  Their father slowed the horses as they neared the mercantile. “You want me to drop you off at the boarding house where Kent’s staying?”

  “Yes.”

  “What are you going to do if he’s not there?” Eli asked her.

  She shrugged. “I’ll find you and Pa.” Glancing at her father, she asked, “Are you going anywhere but the mercantile?”

  “I thought I’d stop by and invite your aunt Sally and uncle Rick to supper. Your ma hasn’t seen her in a while. I’ll do that before I go to the mercantile.”

  “There.” She smiled at Eli. “I’ll check with Aunt Sally if he’s not at the boarding house.”

  Her brother sighed and shook his head. “I figured that much after Pa answered you.”

  “Well, then you should have asked Pa what I was going to do if Kent isn’t at the boarding house.”

  Rose fidgeted on the seat. As much as she struggled to hide her excitement, Eli snickered in a way that let her know they weren’t fooled. When her father finally pulled the wagon up to the boarding house, she hopped down.

  Sensing her father’s bewilderment, she glanced at him. “I got impatient. Sorry, but I just couldn’t wait for you to help me down.” Without waiting for her father or brother to respond, she hurried up the porch steps.

  “Aunt Sally’s and the mercantile,” her father called out.

  She waved at him to indicate she heard and knocked on the front door as he led the horses down the road. Clasping her hands in front of her, she smiled and tapped her foot on the floor as she waited for someone to answer the door.

  An old lady opened it and scanned her up and down. “Let me guess. You’re the girl Kent’s going to marry.”

  “How can you know that? I haven’t introduced myself.”

  “Ah, but you have hair the color of sunshine and eyes the color of the Atlantic Ocean and a smile that lights up the world around you.”

  “Kent said that about me?”

  “Not in so many words, but I’m good at telling what a man means when he’s in love. Am I right? Are you Rose Larson?”

  Blushing, Rose adjusted her hat so that she could see the woman better. “I am. Is he here?”

  “No, my dear. He left a couple hours ago.”

  Rose hid her disappointment. It was in the middle of the week. She couldn’t expect Kent to be sitting around the house all day. He was probably running around doing his investments. She didn’t understand everything his job involved but understood he didn’t work regular hours. His hours were much like her uncle Joel’s. When people wanted to talk to him, he made himself available.

  “Could you tell him I stopped by to see him?” Rose asked. “I’ll be at the mercantile for about an hour if he happens to come back before then.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she winked at her. “Or you could see him now. Your timing is excellent.”

  Rose turned around and saw Kent walking up the steps.

  “I hope you’re looking for me,” he said as he went over to her.

  “Is there another Kent Ashton in town?” she teased.

  “I’m glad you stopped by.” He took her by the arm and glanced at the older woman. “I’ll be back in time for your great roast.”

  She nodded and told Rose, “It was nice meeting you, my dear.”

  Rose returned the sentiment and walked down the porch steps with Kent. “Where are we going?”

  “I want to show you my new office,” he said.

  Noting the pride in his voice, her smile grew wider. “You have an office?”

  “I figured it was time I did. That way if anyone wants to find me, they can.”

  “I heard Uncle Richard decided to do business with you.”

  “Yes, he did. That just goes to prove how smart he is.”

  She laughed at his joke. “I knew you had a sense of humor. When I first met you, you seemed so serious, and everyone in my family thought you were always that way. But I knew there was more to you than they did.”

  “Well, then that means you’re smarter than them.”

  “I won’t argue with you on that one.”

  She scanned the buildings around them as they continued their stroll. She loved how wonderful it felt to be by his side and walking through town. It was such a thrill. Nothing could be better than knowing he was all hers and she was all his.

  When he came to a stop, he motioned to a small building tucked between a tailor shop and a bakery. “What do you think?”

  Her gaze went to the door which had his name and the word “Investor” written under it.

  “The building is pretty much the office,” he explained, “but I don’t need anything bigger than this, at least for now.”

  “For now?” she asked as he opened the door and motioned for her to enter.

  He followed her in and shut the door. “I might hire a man or two in the future as I gain enough businesses to invest in. At that time, I’ll get a bigger place.”

  She examined the cozy office with the nice oak desk and chair with a filing cabinet in the corner of the room. “It’s a beautiful office! It’s just as I pictured the office in a story I read where a man spent a lot of time counting pennies because he was lonely and had nothing else to do. He took a lot of comfort in those pennies and counted them every day. As the story went on, he gathered more and more pennies and before long, he filled up the whole room with them. Then when he died, there was no one to give the pennies to. The story was about missing out on the important things in life. You can’t spend all your time alone. You have to enjoy getting out and being with people.”

  He nodded and sat on the edge of his desk. “I can’t argue the moral of the story. I’ve been alone and it’s not pleasant. Of course, being around the wrong person isn’t any better.”

  She walked over to him and held his hands. “What was your life like, before you came to Omaha?”

  “I’d rather not think about it. Suffice it to say that being in Ireland with my uncle was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  A moment of silence passed between them then she squeezed his hands. “I’m glad you had someone like that in your life.”

  “Your father’s a good man, too.”

  “I know. He thinks the world of you.”

  “Does he?”

  Noting his pleased smile, she nodded. “He does. And wait until I tell him you have your own office!”

  “It’s not as impressive as you make it sound.”

  “Sure, it is.”

  “It’s small.”

  “It’s still yours, and knowing you, you’ll make it grow into something huge.”

  He laughed. “I wouldn’t say huge.”

  “Everyone in town, maybe in the state, will know who you are.”

  His carefree laugh turned into an uneasy chuckle. “I’m happy with being where I am.”

  She wondered why he didn’t want to be well-known, but she also knew she couldn’t ask him without making him uncomfortable. There were some things she’d have to let him deal with on his own, and apparently, his past was one of them. Leaning forward, she kissed him. “I’m happy because we’re together, and as long as we’re together, I have all I need.”

  He examined her face and whispered, “You really mean that, don’t you? Even if I didn’t make a lot of money, you’d be content.”

  “My parents don’t have a lot of money, but they would do anything to make the other one happy. I can’t think of anything better than that, can you?�
�

  “No, I can’t. Your parents are lucky.”

  Giggling, she kissed him again. “And so are we.”

  “You’re sure about that, aren’t you?”

  “I’ve known it from the moment I saw you. But you need more time to be convinced. Fortunately for you, I can wait for you to see things the way that I do. Now,” she continued and squeezed his hands again, “do you have time to go for a stroll in the park? It’s a beautiful day, and I’d like to go back to my favorite bridge.”

  He stood up and nodded. “As it turns out, I have an hour until I need to meet with someone.”

  “Wonderful!” Tugging on his hand, she led him out of the building.

  Chapter Seventeen

  In November, Rose finished brushing her hair before pulling it back with a yellow ribbon that matched her yellow dress with white polka dots on it. She’d spent considerable time making the dress and she was thrilled with the results. She could only hope Kent liked it, too.

  She turned around to study her backside then turned back and examined her front. Smoothing her dress, she took a deep breath and let out an excited cry.

  From where she sat on her bed, Harriett glanced at her and chuckled. “I hope you can survive until May.”

  Surprised, Rose pinched her cheeks to make them pink then turned to her sister. “I didn’t say anything about being anxious to marry him.”

  “I thought I’d say it before you let out a subtle hint, like, ‘I can’t wait to see what house Kent got for me’ or ‘What do you think of this for a girl’s name if we don’t have a boy?’”

  “Those are all simple questions any bride-to-be would ask. That doesn’t mean I won’t survive until May.”

  She shot her a pointed look, though a smile tugged at her lips. “I stand corrected. You have not come right out and said it.”

  Satisfied, she nodded and studied her reflection again. “Thank you. Despite what people think, I do have patience.”

  Even if it was getting harder and harder to stay patient, but she decided not to add that. She hadn’t seen Kent for two very long weeks. He had made it a point of coming out twice a week ever since he left, but he had gone to Kansas City because someone already doing business in Omaha was thinking of branching out there.