An Unlikely Mother

by Danica Favorite

  He nodded slowly. “It is a difficult situation, that’s for sure. Perhaps, rather than continuing to apologize, you let the apologies you’ve made stand on their own. Move forward living life as you know is best and stop focusing on the past.”

  With a fatherly expression, he smiled at her. “I can imagine that you miss the camaraderie of your friends very much. But I also think that if you were accepted in their midst again, you wouldn’t have as much fun if they aren’t living the same as you.”

  Gesturing to the path leading to where they would be working, he continued. “I’ve had the opportunity to minister to men who had problems with the drink. The hardest part for them is learning to live life in a new group of friends, people who don’t frequent saloons or other places where they might be tempted. Some of their friends support this and are willing to accept this change. Others end up going by the wayside because they don’t want to miss out on what they think is the right way to live. I believe that’s what it will be like for you. In time, you’ll find a way to interact with your old friends that is comfortable for everyone. But some of them will be beyond your reach, and you have to accept that as being within the Lord’s timing.”

  Flora nodded as they reached the serving tables. “Thank you. I think I understand.”

  “Good.” He smiled broadly, then pointed at a barrel of water and a dipper. “You’ll be serving water to the men.”

  She murmured her agreement and looked down at Pierre, who’d calmly walked beside her as she and the pastor spoke. “Thank you for being so good and patient,” she told him in French. “You’re a very good boy.”

  Pierre smiled and puffed up his chest. “I good for Flora,” he said loudly in English.

  “You certainly are,” she said, giving him a squeeze.

  Then Pierre turned and pointed. “Is George! Pierre say hi to George?”

  The trouble with trying to get a certain man out of your mind was that when that certain man was so connected to the little boy you were caring for, seeing him was inevitable.

  “Yes. Thank you for asking.” She smiled at him, and he bounded off.

  Flora watched as Pierre leaped into George’s arms and George swung him around. The little boy giggled, and Flora couldn’t help the way her heart did a small leap of its own at the sight.

  “He is very good with him, isn’t he?”

  Flora turned to look at Ellen, who’d come to stand beside her.

  “Yes, he is.”

  Ellen gave her a warm smile. “I wanted to apologize for earlier today. I meant no harm. I thought that if I invited you to join us, we could all get to know each other better, as the pastor asked. I know Sarah is the ringleader, but I think that many of the ladies, including myself, are favorably inclined to giving you a chance.”

  “Really?” Flora stared at her. “Why?”

  “Someone who could care for a little boy who must be missing his father dreadfully, yet give that child so many reasons to smile, can’t be all bad.” Ellen gave her a sheepish look. “We’ve been judging you based on your past actions, and we should have been looking at the present.” She sighed. “No. Not we. I can’t speak for anyone else. But I can speak for myself when I say that I’m sorry for any insult that I may have given you.”

  “Thank you.” Flora smiled at her. “And I apologize for any insult I have given you.”

  Pierre came toward them, dragging a laughing George with him. Flora shook her head and glanced over at what she hoped would be a new friend.

  “Those two. I don’t know what to do with them.”

  “Guard your heart,” Ellen said softly. “It’s easy to get caught up in the romance of an exciting situation. But Pierre will go back to his father when he’s found, and George...” Ellen let out a long sigh. “He is handsome, but without the recommendation of a good family, who will receive him?”

  For a moment, the silence was thick between them, sticky and oppressive, because Flora knew what was coming and dreaded it.

  “I know I sound just like Sarah,” Ellen continued. “But the man is a miner. None of the good families would allow their daughters to be courted by one, so they wouldn’t be able to condone it in someone else. I’m not saying this to be unkind, but because it’s clear you like him, and I can’t see it ending well.”

  Flora couldn’t argue. After all, wasn’t that her own thought process in not wanting to pursue George?

  Then Ellen leaned in to her. “I know you must be thinking I’m being a busybody, but I understand what you’re going through. No one knows this, but last summer, when I was in Boston visiting relatives, I formed an inappropriate attachment to one of the delivery boys. My family was horrified, and fortunately, Mother brought me home before things got out of hand. It’s hard, when you think you love someone. But what good is love, when it will ruin your life?”

  Turning her attention back to George playing with Pierre, Flora honestly couldn’t give an answer. But when she caught her father’s watchful gaze on them, she knew. It wasn’t just Flora’s life she was hurting by pursuing a man so completely outside their social class. She could still remember the way her mother had sobbed at not being invited to an event at the Jackson Mansion because Flora had made a snide comment about Emma Jane Jackson. Her mother loved her, but Flora had seen how her mother had suffered with each one of Flora’s misdeeds. At the time, Flora hadn’t realized the significance, but now, as she looked back on how her actions affected others, it seemed unreasonable to let herself get caught up in a romance that would be frowned upon in their social circle.

  “I have no interest in George romantically,” Flora said. “It’s, as you say, impossible.”

  Though Ellen nodded, it was clear the other woman was still concerned for Flora. And Flora didn’t blame her. As many times as she’d tried telling herself that she wasn’t interested in George, she kept finding her eyes and thoughts drawn back to him. But as Flora was learning, her actions weren’t just about her own happiness, but about doing what was right for everyone else.

  Chapter Eight

  The day at the mine had been a bust, as far as George was concerned. Though Dougherty claimed he wanted to help them, it was also clear that the man was doing everything in his power to thwart them. He let them examine the books, or so he’d said, but they weren’t the books George had seen the night before.

  John approached, carrying a plate. “Did you get any dinner?”

  George nodded. “Flora and I ate with Pierre earlier. She said he’d been staying up too late and wanted to get him settled in to a better bedtime routine.”

  “For someone not interested in my daughter, you seem to be spending a lot of time with her.”

  “I know.” George looked over at the cabin, where Flora was tucking in the little boy. “But I don’t know how to separate spending time with her from spending time with Pierre. I had every intention of dining without them tonight, but Pierre insisted. How do I say no to a little boy who’s already missing his father?”

  The older man followed George’s gaze, and of course, Flora picked that moment to exit the cabin and head in their direction.

  “I don’t suppose you can,” John said, taking a bite of his beans. “What do you make of the books Dougherty let us examine?”

  “They’re completely different. The records aren’t the same. My pay is correct in that ledger. And the writing is different.”

  John nodded. “I thought so, as well. I didn’t get as good of a look as you yesterday, but what you had in your hand last night seemed much sloppier.”

  Exactly what George had been thinking. And unfortunately, he had a good idea about the records they’d seen today. “The clean books are in Robert Cooper’s handwriting. He’s been my father’s closest advisor since Uncle Ross’s death.”

  “That’s who approached me about buying
the mine. Said the family was struggling and they needed an investor.”

  George looked over at him. “Why you?”

  “Why not me?” John shrugged. “I started just like your father, with one mine. But as various outfits needed investors, I bought in. I now have an ownership stake in over a dozen mines here. People know that when they need to raise quick capital, I’m the one to talk to.”

  Quick capital. As in, John had already known the family was in trouble. “How bad is it?”

  “The mine?” John looked over at him. “Honestly? The equipment is in dire need of repair, the place is run inefficiently and your best veins of silver are played out. I’m surprised they didn’t try to seed the mine the way some folks have, but I suppose they knew it would be useless, given the state of things.”

  With a long sigh, John shook his head. “To be honest, were it not for the fondness I feel for your family, I’d have passed. But rumor has it that your father had a lot of debt tied to his various companies, and you need this sale to satisfy the creditors.”

  “Wouldn’t it make sense to sell the mine at a higher price, then? It seems like everything happening is devaluing the mine, not making it worth more.”

  In the waning light, it was hard to read the other man’s expression. But from the way his shoulders rose and fell, he was thinking deeply about the same thing.

  “There’s something else going on, and I don’t know what,” John finally said. “But you can be sure that I will get to the bottom of it, even if it means buying the mine myself.”

  The crunch of gravel made George turn. Flora. They’d been too indiscreet in their talk, but it was good to hear John confirm his suspicions. Well, not good. But at least George knew he was on the right track.

  “What are you getting to the bottom of?” Flora smiled at them. “And don’t you dare buy another mine. Mother will have a fit.”

  John grinned. “I’ll just buy her that diamond necklace she wants, and she’ll forget all about it.”

  “Well, you’ll have to buy me a matching one so I don’t tell her how you were preying on her weakness.”

  “Done.”

  Flora bent and kissed her father on the cheek. Though it was a minor exchange, such conversations were probably common in the Montgomery household. And, as George saw the twinkle in Flora’s eyes, one of the reasons he couldn’t marry her. Now, more than ever, he was convinced that he’d never be able to support Flora in any kind of decent lifestyle, let alone be able to bribe her with a new diamond necklace.

  “Now, really, what were you discussing? What did you find out in the mining office?” Flora sat on the log beside her father, opposite George. Still a little too close for comfort, but at least she wasn’t sitting directly next to him, as she’d done on several other occasions.

  “Well, sweetheart,” John said in a syrupy tone, “it’s complicated. Why don’t we talk about something else, like the new dress catalog I brought up with me?”

  Flora groaned. “Do not make me get a whole new wardrobe out of you. Honestly, Father, you could buy all of Paris and not distract me from the task at hand. What news do you have of Pierre’s father?”

  John hesitated, and though George understood the man’s reticence, he also knew it wasn’t fair to keep Flora even more in the dark than she already was.

  “There are discrepancies in the records,” George said. “Last night, I clearly saw a notation for an employee named Onree. May not be Pierre’s father, but it seems reasonable to assume. Today, when we examined the books, they were different, and the man’s name did not appear.”

  One more piece of the puzzle that didn’t make sense. Why hide the fact that Pierre’s father worked there?

  “You would buy the mine just to find out the truth about Pierre’s father?” Flora wrapped her arms around her father’s neck. “That is the sweetest thing you’ve ever wanted to buy me.”

  “Now, sweetheart, I didn’t say I was going to, just that it’s tempting.”

  Flora released her hold on her father, then returned to where she’d been seated. “But why would they lie about Pierre’s father?”

  “That’s exactly what we were discussing,” George said. “Clearly Mr. Dougherty is hiding something, but we’re having a hard time finding out what it is.”

  “If it’s something he wants hidden, then he’s not going to give you an easy time of finding it,” Flora said, looking thoughtful. “And if he’s making it difficult, then that tells me it must be something pretty terrible.”

  A haunted expression crossed her face, making her look older and wiser than her years. “Poor Pierre. It can’t look good for finding his father, can it?”

  George shook his head, wanting to do more to comfort Flora, but with her father sitting there, in light of their conversation about keeping his distance from her, it seemed like the worst thing to do. But what was he supposed to do when there were tears in her eyes?

  “Sweetheart, don’t trouble yourself with all this nonsense. Leave it to George and me. You just keep taking care of that sweet child.”

  “But I care about Pierre, too,” Flora said, tears in her voice.

  Lord, I know what it looks like to everyone, me taking up for Flora. But I can’t just let her sit here, crying, because her heart is breaking for an innocent boy.

  George took a deep breath after sending his silent prayer upward, then leaned forward and took her hand. “If something happened to Pierre’s father, and people are going to such great lengths to hide it, which is what I think we’re all thinking, then we’re dealing with some dangerous people. You’re a smart, capable woman, and I have no doubt that you would be an asset to our investigation. But if these people are so dangerous as to have done harm to Pierre’s father, how much more dangerous would they be to an innocent woman and child? Will you trust your father and me to handle this and keep you and Pierre safe? Please?”

  Flora nodded slowly. Though her eyes were still filled with tears, she looked stronger, more confident.

  “You think I’m smart?”

  Feeling John’s gaze upon him, George gave Flora’s hand a final squeeze, then pulled away, straightening. “I do. I’ve had a number of very intelligent conversations with you, and I respect your opinion greatly. Which is why I know you’ll see the wisdom in focusing your attention on Pierre’s care and letting us handle the investigation.”

  Flora looked at the ground. “No one’s ever called me wise before.” She sighed softly. “Usually they think I’m silly, and say that I have nothing in my head but fashion and nonsense.”

  “There’s nothing silly about fashion,” George told her. “My sister is constantly talking about the latest fashions, and I teased her about it once. Let me tell you, she set me straight. I couldn’t believe how smart a person needed to be to be so knowledgeable about fashion.”

  As John cleared his throat, George realized his mistake. Being knowledgeable about fashion meant being well-off. At least there was one way to salvage things.

  “I just hope I can someday buy her one of those dresses in that magazine she likes so well.”

  Flora leaned forward. “Ooh, which one does she read?”

  “I can’t rightly say,” George told her. “Whatever the ladies pass around after church. But that’s exactly what I mean about you. You take an interest in others, and you like to read. That’s smart in my book.”

  In the dim firelight, he thought he saw her cheeks turn pink. He supposed a beautiful woman like Flora didn’t hear too often about how smart she was. People probably spent so much time thinking of her beauty that they missed her other admirable qualities.

  Which, of course, he had no business thinking about. Especially now. John had confirmed that George’s family was in even more dire financial straits than George had originally suspected. And, based on the conversation they
’d all had just now, George couldn’t give Flora the life she was accustomed to, the life she deserved. There would be no pretty baubles to make up for his transgressions, and Flora would be relegated to the same misery his sister, Julia, was living.

  He took a deep breath as he thought about the dress he’d like to be able to buy his sister. Yes, he knew it was Arthur’s job to take care of his wife, but he didn’t think Arthur understood how miserable Julia was, having to wear the same fashions, or remake them, when she loved nothing more than something new and pretty to admire.

  Unfortunately, recognizing what a good woman Flora was meant that George cared too much for her to ask her to make the kind of reductions in living Julia was enduring. Serving at the mine was a temporary endeavor, but everyone knew that at the end of the summer, Flora would be back in her fine house, cared for by staff and surrounded by all the comforts George could no longer give her. Sitting here with her, without the excuse of Pierre, it just wasn’t right.

  George finished his cup of coffee, then stood. “I think I’ll go to bed now. Dougherty wants me back to work in the morning, says it’s a worse distraction having me not working than it is to have me on the job.”

  “Morning does come awful early up here,” John said, nodding at him. “We can meet tomorrow night to compare notes.”

  “Sounds good.” George looked over at Flora. “Good night, Flora.”

  She smiled at him, and he didn’t like the sparkle he saw in her eyes. No, he liked it. But that was the problem. He was a fool if he didn’t see how she was starting to become fond of him, as well.

  Fools, both of them. Wanting something they couldn’t have.

  * * *

  Flora watched as George disappeared into the night. Why did this man affect her so? Why couldn’t a man of means, a respectable man, say the kind of things George said to her? She’d been flattered countless times; it seemed all men could do when near her. But George...his words made her feel something she couldn’t quite express.