An Unconventional Lady

by Cynthia Hickey

  She glanced at the other waitress, who cocked her head. “No. I’m sorry, I don’t. But why don’t I meet you on my mother’s porch when I return home?”

  “That’ll do.” He needed to check over the gear used in yesterday’s tour. That would keep him plenty busy until Annie returned home. He plunked down the change for his coffee and headed back outside.

  The afternoon sun beat on his head, shouting to the world that summer was coming with a vengeance. Still, Dallas doubted the heat could rival that of his hometown. He plopped his hat on his head and sauntered toward the Rollins barn.

  By the time he’d finished, and settled in one of the porch rockers to wait on Annie, night had begun its descent. He didn’t wait long before he saw her hurrying up the walk, carrying a silver tray.

  “Let me give this back to my mother, and I’ll be right out.” The screen banged shut behind her.

  “Must you always slam the door?” Mrs. Rollins’s strident voice carried to his ears.

  “Sorry. How do you feel about baking for the hotel?”

  “Why in the world would I do that?”

  “For the money, of course.” Annie’s words dripped with frustration. “They’ll pay you well. They’ll place an order each day for what they need in two days. This way, you only need to serve breakfast to your guests. You can spend the rest of the day baking, and make more money doing so. I also have another idea.”

  Dallas chuckled at the sigh emanating from Mrs. Rollins. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but considering his position on the porch, and the open windows, he couldn’t do much else.

  “We need incentives to pull guests from the El Tovar. Since you hired a trail guide, we can offer free tours with a three-night stay. I’m sure more ideas will come to me as time passes.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Mrs. Rollins paused for a moment. “These are actually very good ideas, Annie. You’ve always had a good mind for organization and creativity. You may tell the hotel that I accept their offer of baking. I may even hire a girl to help me.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Minutes later, Annie sat in the rocking chair next to Dallas. “Since the window is open, I’m sure you heard our conversation.”

  “I did. My apologies.”

  She waved his words away. “No need. If it were private, Mother would’ve closed the window. Now...” Annie turned to look at him. “What did you want to discuss with me?”

  “I just needed someone to express my frustration to. The notion is gone now.”

  “Nonsense. You said I would understand, if anyone would.”

  Dallas took a deep breath. “True. My family is upset with me for leaving our ranch in Texas and coming here to Arizona. While ranching is nice, and I do want to do it someday, I want an adventure first. I need to prove that I’m more than the younger brother. Does that make sense?”

  “Very much.” She leaned back against the wood slats of the rocker. “You crave adventure as much as I do.” She stared toward the canyon. “I still intend to go to the bottom, you know. Mother thinks I’ll find a husband working at the El Tovar. So many girls do. But not me.”

  “Do you ever intend to marry?” He held his breath while he waited for her to answer. He didn’t think an adventurous wife would suit him, but every girl settled down eventually, didn’t she?

  She shrugged. “Someday. Maybe.” She returned her attention to him. “What kind of agreement did you arrive at with your family?”

  “They gave me a year to make up my mind what I want to do.” He leaned his head back. “I have every intention of returning, but it has to be on my terms. No more browbeating from my brothers.”

  “Well, as an only child, I can’t say I understand how that feels. But...” she paused and lowered her voice “...I do know what it feels like to have someone else make your decisions for you.”

  “Annette! It’s much too late for you to be sitting unchaperoned, in the dark, on the porch.” Mrs. Rollins stood on the other side of the screen door.

  “Coming.” Annie stood. She stopped and leaned to whisper in Dallas’s ear. “I think my mother is the one who needs a husband. Then she’d have someone to boss around other than me.”

  Dallas laughed as she stormed inside. Whoever married Annie Rollins would have his hands full. He turned and caught a glimpse of her back before she disappeared up the stairs. Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad thing, after all.

  Chapter 7

  Finally, a day off from work at the hotel. Instead of attending church with her mother, Annie donned her split skirt and took her Bible to her favorite spot overlooking the canyon. A person couldn’t get any closer to God than in the middle of His creation.

  Annie flipped through the pages to Psalms. “I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” She ran her finger over the words, then gazed across the great expanse in front of her.

  God had made her the way she was. He’d given her the stubbornness and thirst for adventure. He’d bestowed on her the ability to stand up for what she believed. Even Mother couldn’t find fault with the words on the page. Maybe someday Annie would know why her mother struggled so hard to turn her into her version of a lady.

  She turned and caught a glimpse of her mother, hat firmly in place on her head, striding toward the church in the distance. Annie had hurt her feelings by requesting to stay home, but being constantly surrounded by people every day made her crave a few moments of solitude.

  The sun rose above the horizon, illuminating the canyon walls, revealing their stripes of mauve and rose. Did they look the same from below or was the view from above a special one? She’d promised herself she would go on the next tour Dallas led, but her work schedule hadn’t allowed the time yet. The latest group was due back late that afternoon. One of the guests was a pastor who thought it would be a good idea to have a small church service at the river’s edge. How glorious that must be.

  Annie had begged for permission to go, but her mother had denied it, again, and Dallas had turned and left the room without supporting her. Annie sighed. What could he do? He wasn’t family; he was only an employee. As long as Annie lived at home, Mother’s word was, and always would be, law.

  Sometimes Annie wished she’d been born male, but then she would read something in God’s word, like the scripture she’d read that morning, and repent of her ungrateful thinking.

  A hawk soared and screeched, dancing on the same breeze that kissed Annie’s cheeks. She closed her eyes and lifted her face heavenward. The chance to be outside was the greatest gift she could have. She turned and eyed the hotel. Maybe she could convince them to install an outdoor dining room. Would that be something customers would appreciate?

  Annie shrugged. Probably not. It was a silly idea. Most of the dining guests were pressed for time and didn’t have the luxury of enjoying a leisurely meal. If folks wanted to sit outside, they occupied one of the many rockers on the expansive front porch.

  That could be another perk of the boardinghouse! They could offer picnic lunches beside the canyon rim for those lacking the courage to venture to the canyon floor. Of course, most of the perks would have to be free of charge, since the idea behind them was to entice folks to stay at the more modest accommodations, but there was little difference between eating at a table or on a beautiful quilt, right?

  She sighed with the romance of the idea of sharing a meal on the canyon rim with a handsome man. At the age of nineteen, she wondered whether a man would ever look at her like she hung the moon. She bent her knees and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on top. Maybe if she weren’t so outspoken... At least that was Mother’s explanation for why Annie had no suitors.

  But then again, it had been a long time since she’d thought twice about a man...until Dallas Baker arrived on their doorstep.

&n
bsp; “Annie?” Mother peered down at her. “Why are you sleeping on the ground? Are you ill?”

  “I must have dozed off.” She sat up and tried to straighten her hair.

  “There are people standing on the porch.” Mother put her hands on her hips. “They are looking for their room assignments. Gracious, girl. When I heard that and couldn’t find you...well, never mind. Come help me.”

  Annie’s face flamed. She smoothed her skirt and followed her mother back to the house. A young couple and a middle-aged man smiled with amusement at her. She ducked her head and hurried inside.

  But, oh, the nap had felt wonderful! Late nights conversing with Dallas on the porch and long days behind the lunch counter at El Tovar added up to exhaustion. Maybe a Sunday nap should become a regular occurrence.

  “Welcome.” Mother smiled and removed her hat. “Forgive us. We take Sunday mornings off to attend church.” She cut a sideways glance at Annie. “My daughter will assign your rooms.” With a curt nod, she moved into the dining room.

  Annie handed the guests their room keys. “Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. Lunch and dinner may be purchased with at least an hour’s notice. Otherwise, the El Tovar serves excellent meals. With a dress code, of course.” She handed each of the guests a pamphlet listing the rules and amenities. With a smile at the younger couple, she added, “And we offer picnics beside the canyon. Just let my mother know if you’d like that option.”

  They beamed at each other and the young man grabbed the girl’s hand. “That sounds lovely. We’re on our honeymoon.”

  Annie had guessed as much. “Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your stay in Williams.”

  Once the guests had headed up the stairs, Annie went to inform her mother of the latest perk the B and B was now offering.

  Mother sighed and turned, leaning her back against the counter. “Do you realize that all your newfangled ideas create more work, rather than lessening my load?”

  “I’m sorry.” Annie took a step back. “I thought I was helping to assure you of a good livelihood.”

  “I will definitely have to hire help. With the baking, cleaning, cooking meals on demand, why, I don’t know which end is up half the time.” She pulled a pan and wooden spoon from a shelf.

  “I could quit working at the hotel and help you.”

  Mother waved the spoon at her. “Definitely not! That is our best option for finding you a husband.”

  * * *

  Rascal’s head cleared the rim of the canyon. Dallas guided the horse next to where the tour guests dismounted in front of the barn. “Having a church service in the canyon was an excellent idea, Pastor.”

  The man nodded. “I find myself closer to God outside than between the walls of a building.”

  “I very much agree.” Annie approached, clapping. “I spent this morning outside with God’s word myself.”

  The pastor, Sean McMurray, turned to greet her. His eyes widened and his face lit up. “Miss Rollins, I shouldn’t be surprised.” He handed his mule’s reins to Dallas. “I’d be pleased if you’d join me next week for my outdoor devotions.”

  “I’d love to, Pastor McMurray.” She accepted his offered arm, and he led her into the house.

  Dallas stifled a growl. Why should he feel jealous that Annie and McMurray hit it off? The two were well suited for each other. The man seemed appreciative of Annie’s uniqueness.

  Gathering all the reins together, Dallas led the mules inside the barn. His stomach rumbled, but he’d need to take care of the animals first. Had Annie invited McMurray to stay for supper? He was a guest at El Tovar, but it would be just like the kind-hearted girl to ask him.

  Dallas needed to hurry. If the two were going to form a friendship, then Dallas needed to make sure the man had Annie’s best interests at heart. His hands stilled. Of course McMurray did. He was a man of God. Dallas shook his head, trying to rid himself of his jealous feelings.

  He valued Annie’s friendship. That’s why the thought of the other man unnerved him. Dallas was afraid Annie’s attentions would be focused somewhere else. Sure, that was it. What a fool he was being.

  Finished with the evening chores, he washed his face and arms at the outdoor pump before entering the kitchen through the back door.

  Mrs. Rollins turned with a smile. “Just in time for supper. Do you mind carrying in the roast?”

  “Not at all.” Dallas lifted the platter, carried it into the dining room and set it in the center of the table. As he’d assumed, McMurray was sitting next to Annie. An older man occupied the chair next to where Mrs. Rollins usually sat. Dallas had thought regular meals were no longer provided for guests. He chose the seat across from Annie.

  “Dallas, this is Mr. Harris. He’s a guest here,” Annie said. “You know Mr. McMurray. We have some newlyweds staying also, but they are dining at the El Tovar.”

  Dallas nodded a greeting to Mr. Harris. When the man’s grin widened upon the appearance of Mrs. Rollins, Dallas suspected the reason the gentleman was staying for supper. He hid a grin of his own. It would be good for the widow to find another husband. Maybe then she’d give Annie the freedom to be who she wanted to be.

  “I’m thinking of possibly canceling my stay at the El Tovar,” McMurray said, his gaze never leaving Annie’s face. “But knowing you are one of the beautiful waitresses there stills my hand.”

  She pressed her lips together and reached for the bowl of roasted potatoes. “That shouldn’t matter, Mr. McMurray. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of each other.”

  Dallas concentrated on buttering his roll so the others wouldn’t see the smile on his face. So, McMurray was seeking a bride and Annie was less than thrilled. Dallas’s heart lifted. Selfish thought or not, he wouldn’t be losing his friend anytime soon.

  “I’m counting on it.” McMurray spread his napkin in his lap. “Why, I caught a glimpse of heaven when I walked through those doors.”

  Annie rolled her eyes.

  Mrs. Rollins sat up straighter. “Have another slice of roast, Mr. McMurray.”

  Dallas chuckled, eliciting a kick under the table from Annie.

  “This part of Arizona is chock-full of beautiful ladies.” Mr. Harris nodded at Mrs. Rollins.

  Her cheeks turned pink. “What a nice thing to say.” She served him a heaping spoonful of green beans.

  Annie glanced from her mother to the man, then at Dallas. Her eyebrows rose. He shrugged. He had no idea what was going on, but it seemed suspiciously like a matchmaking service. A gentleman for each of the Rollins women. Dallas wanted no part of it. He rushed through his meal, declining dessert.

  “Thank you for the supper. Delicious as always.” He scooted back his chair and stood.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.” Annie hurried to his side.

  “All right.” Dallas frowned. She’d never escorted him out before. Once they were out of the others’ hearing, he took her by the elbow. “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t leave me back there. Can’t you see what my mother is doing?” Annie pulled her arm free.

  Dallas led her to the porch. “She’s encouraging the attention of an eligible man.”

  “She’s trying to marry me off!” Annie plopped into a rocker. “And she seems to have the same plan for herself.”

  “I noticed.” He sat in the chair next to her. “Would that be so wrong? Someday, you’ll find a husband and she’ll be alone.”

  “I’m not talking about her.” Annie cupped her head in her palms. “I’ve told her countless times I’m not looking for a husband. At least not yet. With my job as a Harvey waitress, and helping her run the boardinghouse, there’s little time for courting. Not to mention that I still intend to explore the canyon.” She shook her head. “No, I have too many plans that marriage would only hinder.”

  “Unless you were
to find the right husband. Someone with the same outlook on life as you have.”

  “All the men I’ve met want to turn me into someone I’m not. Even you have old-fashioned ideas about women.” She leaped to her feet and ran inside, leaving Dallas speechless.

  Chapter 8

  Annie glanced up from wiping down the lunch counter and grinned at the sight of Dallas entering the hotel dining room. His hair, slicked back from a recent dousing, brushed the collar of the borrowed suit jacket he wore. Maybe she could offer to give him a haircut. Her fingers tightened around the rag. Would his hair feel as soft as it looked?

  “Close your mouth and stop staring.” Dottie glared. “I’ve had my eye on that man for quite a while now, and I’ll not be stepping aside so you can have him.” She patted her auburn pompadour. One side was poufed higher than the other. Annie scrubbed the counter harder to prevent herself from smiling at the other girl’s obvious attempt at copying her hairstyle.

  Other than the Harvey Girls, women were few and far between in this part of the country. Pa had always thought the times would change and families would flock to the area in droves. Well, Annie was still waiting. So was Mother, obviously. Families meant more respectable men to parade in front of Annie as prospective husband material.

  “Good morning, ladies.” Dallas sat in Annie’s section.

  Dottie grinned and grabbed the coffeepot, ignoring her customers. “It’s so good to see you, Mr. Baker. Your friendly face brightens up the place.”

  “Thank you, Miss...?”

  “Flannery. But you can call me Dottie.” She poured him a mug of coffee, flashed him another smile, then moved down the counter.

  Annie chuckled. “Careful, or that girl will have a ring on your finger. She emphatically told me she’s got her eye on you.”

  “Did she have a reason for telling you that?” His eyes twinkled as he sipped his hot drink.

  “What reason would she have?” The nerve of the man. Annie didn’t have her eye on anyone, much less the man who’d stolen her dream. “Why would I jeopardize our friendship for a young girl’s jealousy?”