She nodded. “I can meet you in the parlor in fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Although Wallace had been looking forward to the beef stew all day, he now had a hard time swallowing it. He hadn’t courted a woman in years, and courting Regina hadn’t been difficult at all—they’d grown up on neighboring farms, and it had always been assumed that they’d marry. It was as natural as anything to slip a ring on her finger. Miss Hampton, on the other hand, was like a spring storm, unexpected and unpredictable. He wished he had any idea how she was likely to respond.
He finished his meal, then stepped into the parlor. Miss Hampton was already there.
“I hope I didn’t keep you long,” he said as he crossed the floor to take a seat near her.
“Not at all. What can I do for you, Mr. Dupree?”
Wallace swallowed a few times. “You see, Miss Hampton, I’ve very much enjoyed our conversations about books and poetry and so forth, and I wondered if you . . . well, that is to say that I thought . . . ahem.” He cleared his throat. “Miss Hampton, I wondered if I might call on you again sometime so we could talk more about books. And poetry.”
“You’d like to call on me?”
“Yes. Very much. I mean, I’d like it very much. Not that I’d call on you very much. I was thinking, once a week. Maybe.” Why wasn’t his tongue working? Could he sound any more foolish?
Miss Hampton sat back and regarded him with a curious look. “Mr. Dupree, may I ask why?”
“Why?”
“Yes. Why. Why would you like to call on me?”
He hadn’t expected that question. Wasn’t it rather obvious? “I thought we might get to know each other better. See if we’re suited.”
“Suited. So, you’re interested in courting me.”
Why was she making this so difficult? “Maybe this isn’t the right time to be asking,” he said, beginning to stand. “I can come back later, if that works better for you.”
“Please, Mr. Dupree, have a seat. I apologize for my rudeness—again.” Miss Hampton shook her head. “I seem to have forgotten how to be tactful. I was just surprised, that’s all. No one has wanted to court me in so long, I’d forgotten what it was like.”
“I imagine any number of men have wanted to court you,” Wallace replied.
“I’ve had suitors, but none of them were meant for me. I decided long ago that I was happiest living my life as an unmarried woman, as outlandish as that sounds.” She paused, looking thoughtful. “May I give you my answer another day? I hardly know what to think right now, and I’d hate to keep saying hurtful things in the meantime.”
“I suppose that would be all right,” Wallace said slowly. He’d hoped for some sort of reply right away, but then again, he should simply know to expect the unexpected when it came to Miss Hampton. “I’ll stop in again in a few days. And now I’d best be getting back to the train. Afternoon, Miss Hampton.”
He was halfway down the sidewalk when he heard a voice calling from behind him. “Mr. Dupree. Wait!”
He turned to see Miss Hampton running down the hotel steps toward him, and he paused. “Yes?”
“Why me?” she asked, slightly out of breath.
“Why you? I’m not sure I know what you’re asking.”
“Why me? Out of all the women you could have chosen.”
Wallace met her eyes and smiled. “Because I want to know what you think about things. Your mind fascinates me. And maybe . . . just maybe . . . I think you’re beautiful. Good day, Miss Hampton. I have a train to conduct.”
He noticed a look of astonishment on her face before he turned back around, and it made him smile. A little astonishment once in a while was good for a person.
Chapter Six
Caroline all but felt her way to the chairs that lined the porch of the hotel and sank into one of them, needing a private moment to think about what had just happened. Mr. Dupree wanted to court her. And he wanted to know what she thought about things. And he thought she was beautiful. It was all very flattering, and all very sudden.
Of course, her first impulse was to send him on his way. She was happy as things were, and she’d certainly never thought of him in that way before. It wouldn’t make any difference in her life whatsoever if he left as quickly as he’d come. She’d go on just as she always had, and she was sure he’d find another nice lady to fill his spare hours. But did she want what she’d always had? That was the real question she needed to ask herself.
Her thoughts were too much of a jumble to sort through on her own. She wasn’t usually the type to air all her problems to the world, but she needed to talk to someone who could help her see the situation logically. Logic was sorely needed right now. She pushed herself out of the chair, then went inside and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
She entered Agatha’s room quietly to find Elizabeth rocking Rose to sleep. Agatha looked like an ivory statue in her white nightgown, her white hair and pale skin nearly all the same shade. Her chest rose and fell slightly, but she hadn’t moved one muscle since the last time Caroline had checked in.
“How is she?” Caroline asked, even though the answer was obvious.
“The same.” Elizabeth peered at Caroline more closely, making her a little uncomfortable. “What’s the matter, Caroline? Did something happen?”
“No, I’m fine. Well, I suppose I don’t really know.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Would you like to talk about it?”
“I don’t think so. Well, maybe I do. I really do. I came in here to find you so I could talk to you, actually.”
“Have a seat and tell me what’s going on before you make me even dizzier.”
Caroline sighed and did as she was told. “It seems that Mr. Dupree wants to court me.”
Elizabeth gasped, and her free hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Caroline! That’s wonderful news. Or is it? Do you want him to court you?”
“That’s the question I keep asking myself. It’s going around and around in my head until I’m quite dizzy too. The most confusing part is that I never considered Mr. Dupree until he asked me, and then suddenly I was flustered and tongue-tied. I’m never flustered and tongue-tied.”
“You’re the least flustered person I know,” Elizabeth agreed.
“And when he left, I almost felt like I wanted to run after him and ask him to stay. But how is that possible? Today was the first time I’d ever spoken to him about anything that wasn’t food related or connected to the train schedule. What’s happening to me?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Nothing too scary, I promise. Your heart’s just curious to see where this might lead. Mr. Dupree is a good man, a kind man. Adam’s often commented on the respect he has for Mr. Dupree, and it’s just as well because you know your nephew would shoot anyone he didn’t approve of if they took one step toward you.”
“I do know that, and his good opinion matters a lot to me, but I don’t consider Mr. Dupree’s character to be the question. He’s a good man, no doubt, but does that mean I should have feelings for him? If I developed feelings for every good man I ever met, that would be a little bit of a problem, wouldn’t it?” Caroline chuckled, trying to bring some humor into the situation, but she felt anything but humorous. “I believe I’m going to tell him no. If I never noticed him before in that way, surely that’s a sign that we’re not meant to be together. Wouldn’t I have been attracted to him or at least found him interesting before now?”
“Did you find him uninteresting before?”
“No. We had some pleasant chats, but nothing earth shattering. I certainly never swooned when he walked into the hotel.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Not everyone swoons, Caroline, and if that’s your idea of what it feels like to fall in love, you might be missing out on some lovely opportunities.”
Caroline raised her eyebrow. “Do you mean to tell me that you never swooned over Adam?”
Elizabeth looked thoughtful. “He made my heart flutter from t
he very first minute. That’s because I was terrified of not getting the job. Then after a little while, it fluttered because he’s so handsome.” She grinned, and Caroline shook her head. Adam was her nephew, and while she could see that he was, indeed, handsome, it always amused her to hear Elizabeth talk this way. To Caroline, he would always be that little tow-headed boy with jam all over his face. “But I didn’t actually swoon until the first time he kissed me.”
“But you did swoon.”
“I did, I admit. But not everyone does. You might not be a swooner. That’s all I’m saying.”
Caroline sighed. “But what if I want to be a swooner? What if it would make this decision easier? If I swoon, it’s a yes, and if I don’t swoon, it’s a no. That would save so much time, don’t you think?”
Elizabeth laughed again. “Oh, Caroline, love isn’t about saving time. It’s about letting things develop naturally, at their own pace. It sounds like Mr. Dupree wanted to save some time too by approaching you instead of waiting for you to notice him, but the next steps don’t have to be rushed. Now, tell me what else has been going on downstairs. Yours is certainly the most exciting news. Is Margaret picking up on her duties?”
“She’s doing very well. Oh, and we brought on a new girl from Wichita. Deputy Hanks recommended her to us. Her name is Emma Gibson.”
“I’ll look forward to meeting her.”
A wistful tone had entered the young woman’s voice, and Caroline looked at her niece-in-law with compassion. “Elizabeth, you’re exhausted. You’ve been sitting here all day, haven’t you? Why don’t you lay Rose down and then walk around a bit? I’ll stay and let you know immediately if either of them need you. Meet Emma, get something to eat—take a moment for yourself. You won’t do anyone any good if you wear yourself out.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you. You’re right—I am tired, and walking around does sound nice.”
“Go, then. Take as long as you need.”
Elizabeth lay the baby in the cradle and wrapped her well, then glanced at her mother as she slipped out the door. Caroline leaned her head against the back of the chair and sighed. The weight of expectation was heavy in this room as the clock ticked on, counting down every last minute of Agatha’s life, every movement of the hand being a victory, but mocking them with the unknown.
“Oh, Agatha,” she said, her eyes still closed, “I wish you’d come back to us.”
***
When Wallace stepped off the train onto the Topeka platform the next day, he hadn’t expected to see Miss Hampton standing there, and yet, she was.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Dupree,” she greeted him. “I’ve come to pay you a visit.”
He took off his hat and gave her a quick nod. “Afternoon. What brings you by, Miss Hampton?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about your visit yesterday, and I’d like to talk with you about it, if that’s all right.”
Wallace couldn’t tell anything from her tone of voice, and he wished she’d give him some kind of clue as to just what sort of conversation this was going to be. “I have a little time, and I’d be delighted to spend it with you, Miss Hampton.”
She motioned to a picnic basket sitting on the platform at her feet. “Would you care to take a little stroll with me and have some lunch? I brought cherry pie.”
“Of course.” Wallace shook his head as he walked to the front of the train to tell the engineer where he’d be. Miss Hampton had brought him a cherry pie? And now she wanted to have lunch with him? It was almost impossible to believe after the way things had ended the day before.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked as he rejoined her on the platform.
“Well, I know you can’t go far from the train, so I thought we could eat in the orchard out behind the hotel. If it can be called an orchard—the trees have yet to produce much of anything.”
“It’s the lack of rain. Everything’s had a hard time growing this year. May I?” Wallace motioned toward the basket, and Miss Hampton nodded. He picked it up, following her toward the hotel.
The orchard did have several trees, but Wallace didn’t think they’d budded that spring. “This is a nice spot,” he said, looking around. “It even has some grass.”
Miss Hampton laughed. “If three blades sticking out of the ground can be called grass.” She pulled down a blanket that had been looped over a branch. “I took a chance that you’d say yes and did a little advance preparation.”
“I approve.” Wallace took the other two corners of the blanket and helped her spread it out on the ground, and then they sat.
“I didn’t think you could leave the hotel during a meal service,” he said as she unpacked the food.
“Ideally, I wouldn’t, but this felt too important to ignore any longer.”
She didn’t elaborate, and Wallace decided to change the subject until she was ready. “How is Mrs. Early today?”
“She still hasn’t woken up yet, and Dr. Wayment feels she never will.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. She’s a kind woman.”
“She is indeed. We’re all holding out hope as best as we can.” Miss Hampton passed over a plate loaded with chicken, potatoes, and cherry pie. “Here you are.”
“It smells delicious.”
“I hope it is. Sarah tried something different with the chicken, and you’ll have to tell me if it passes muster. I won’t serve it in the dining room unless you approve. I know you’ll give me your honest opinion.”
Wallace did enjoy fine dining, and he had often mentioned different herb and spice combinations to Miss Hampton in the past. He was gratified to know that it meant something to Miss Hampton. He took a bite and smiled. “This is delicious. I think she balanced the rosemary just right.”
“I’ll let Sarah know. She tries hard to come up with new things so we’ll always have a variety.”
Silence fell as they both ate. Wallace’s internal clock told him that time was passing far too quickly. He’d intended to let Miss Hampton broach the subject, but if she didn’t do it soon, either he’d have to do it, or he’d have to wait. He didn’t want to wait. After all, hadn’t Miss Hampton created the perfect atmosphere for this very conversation?
“Thank you for this delicious lunch,” he said a moment later, setting his plate on the blanket. He wiped his mouth on the napkin she’d brought—she’d thought of everything—then sat back to study her. “Miss Hampton, this was a very thoughtful gesture. It’s this type of thoughtfulness that first made me notice you. On one of my first visits to the hotel, I saw you help an older woman who was traveling alone carry her heavy suitcase up to her room. You are unique in many ways, that being only one of them.”
Miss Hampton looked down at the blanket. “I wouldn’t say I’m all that different,” she replied. “Anyone would have lent a hand.”
“No, I don’t think so. Everyone else was bustling to and fro. I don’t even know where Tom was that day, and he usually handles the heavy baggage. No, Miss Hampton, you are unique, and from that moment on, you have done nothing but continue to impress me.”
“I didn’t realize you’d been watching me for so long,” she said lightly.
“I couldn’t help myself. You’ve made it quite impossible to ignore you.” She didn’t reply. In fact, she didn’t even look up, so he rushed ahead. “I realize we’re barely acquainted, and this must be quite a surprise to you. To be honest, it’s quite a surprise to myself. I wasn’t expecting to discover you here at this hotel.”
“Oh? And where did you expect to discover me?”
Her gentle tease made him chuckle. “I wasn’t sure you even existed. You see, Miss Hampton, I was once married to a young woman named Regina. We were together for eight years before she took ill and passed away. Since then, I’ve lived rather quietly, and I had never thought about anyone else catching my eye. But then you did, and I wasn’t quite sure what to think of that. It’s taken me weeks even to drum up this much courage.”
Mi
ss Hampton smiled again, putting him at ease. “I think it’s only fair to warn you that I’m not terribly good at being courted. In fact, I gave up years ago, back when I was still young and highly eligible. The expectations were too unrealistic—I simply couldn’t conform to what society wanted me to be. I’m stubborn and opinionated, Mr. Dupree, and I don’t bend my will to fit the occasion. If I know the answer to a question, I’ll answer it. If I’ve figured out the winning chess move, I’ll make it. I can’t reduce myself to nothingness just because that’s what a woman is supposed to do in the presence of a man. I just can’t.”
“And I would never want you to. What a waste that would be of a perfectly well-crafted mind. No, Miss Hampton, as I said before, I want to know your thoughts. I want to hear your opinions. They matter to me.”
She leaned forward a little, a smile playing around her lips. “I haven’t scared you away with my scandalously forward thinking?”
“Not one bit.”
“Hmm.” She toyed with the last cherry on her plate with her fork. “What if I told you that I’m horribly judgmental? Or that—”
“Miss Hampton, why are you trying to talk me out of my feelings?”
She blinked. “I . . . I just want you to have an accurate picture of me. I’m afraid you’ve created a false ideal in your mind, and I don’t want you to be disappointed later when you learn the truth.”
Wallace leaned back and studied her. “What if instead, you learn to see the truth? You’re a delightful woman, and all these attempts to make me change my mind aren’t working at all. I’m weary of the games women play to entertain men, and even more weary that the men seem to force them into it. It’s a false association at best, and I have no patience for it. If you’ll promise me that you’ll always tell me exactly what you’re thinking, whether it agrees with me or not, I promise that I’ll always hear you out. And I think that’s an excellent way to begin, don’t you?”
“Begin what, exactly?”
“Let’s call it a new friendship, for starters. We can decide later if it’s going to be
The Whisper of Morning (Kansas Crossroads Book 6) Page 4
