The Baldwins had been in town for less than six months when the explosion happened. Elizabeth realized she was luckier than Vera. Yet like Vera, Elizabeth also found herself employed and alone, fighting for her place in Blessings Valley.
“Stop with these sad thoughts. They won’t do you a bit of good!” she scolded herself, shaking her head. “You are so much braver than you believe, Elizabeth Hamilton.”
“Elizabeth!” Willa waved from her front porch, broom in hand. “Good luck today.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth called back, waving. Doesn’t she ever sleep?
By the time Elizabeth reached the front steps of the Grand, Blessings Valley was waking up. Shades were being drawn up in the windows. Closed signs flipped to open. Front porches and steps swept off.
It was going to be a glorious day!
Auggie tugged on his vest, nervously gazing at his image in the mirror. He’d meticulously trimmed his beard and mustache earlier this morning. Inspected the rest of his suitcoats until he found one free of damage. Satisfied with his appearance, he went down to his office, arriving well before seven o’clock.
He’d gone to look over the seamstress room one last time. A small table sat under the window where it would give the best light during the day. A lamp on a corner would provide adequate light on cloudy days. And the chair would provide comfort for those long hours Mrs. Hamilton sat while making repairs for guests.
Yes, this room was perfect.
Unsure as to whether or not she would have eaten, his next stop was the kitchen. Mary was already preparing breakfast for the few guests sitting in the dining room.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hall,” Auggie greeted, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Augustine,” she said, stirring pancake batter.
“Would you be able to fit in a breakfast tray for Mrs. Hamilton this morning?” he asked, snatching a warm biscuit from the breadbasket. “Maybe some of your delicious pancakes, eggs, and biscuits. A pot of coffee would probably be nice as well.”
“Of course, I can,” she answered, pouring batter onto a sizzling griddle. “In case you hadn’t notice, she needs to put on a bit of weight, too skinny for my liking.”
Auggie coughed, nearly choking on a piece of biscuit. “Um, no, I hadn’t noticed.”
And he hadn’t. Looking at Elizabeth Hamilton in any other way than as an employee would be inappropriate.
“You need to pay attention, Augustine.” Mary turned to him, pointing a spatula at him. “The poor widow has probably been scrimping and not eating properly. You don’t want anyone walking into her room to find her slumped over that table now, do you?”
“No, ma’am.” Auggie smiled, brushing his hands off on a towel. “Can you bring in some breakfast about 8:15 then, please?”
“Yes, now get out of here before those guests waiting to eat go to the café,” Mary scolded, turning back to flipping the pancakes.
Walking down the hall, Auggie glanced at his pocket watch, and his heart thumped in his chest. Seven-thirty. Elizabeth Hamilton would be here in precisely thirty minutes.
“Good morning, Stewart.” Auggie glanced at the desk clerk, walking over to the front doors. “Please show Mrs. Hamilton to my office when she arrives.”
“Ah, Mr. Raines?” His head down, Stewart flipped open the guest register.
“Yes, what is it?” Auggie stepped around the desk and headed into his office.
“Mrs. Hamilton arrived a few minutes ago.” Stewart looked up, trying to suppress a grin. “I showed her to the sewing room.”
“What? She’s here already?” Auggie’s step slowed, and he turned around. “I wasn’t expecting her for another thirty minutes.”
“Would you like me to bring her to your office now, Mr. Raines?” Stewart asked, hiding the grin Auggie saw creep on his face.
“No, I’ll go see her myself.” Auggie turned toward the dining room which lead to the sewing room. “Thank you, Stewart.”
Walking through the dining room, Auggie nodded at the few guests waiting for their breakfast. Reaching the back of the room, he stood inside the open doorway where a very light scent of lavender lingered.
Elizabeth stood looking out the window. A sewing box sat open on the table. Her shawl was draped across the back of the chair.
Auggie hesitated for a moment, admiring the silhouette. Back straight, hair pulled back in a bun, she appeared to be deep in thought, as if she were somewhere else.
Taking a step back out of the room, he drew in a breath, tapped on the door, then entered.
“Good morning, Mrs. Hamilton.” He greeted her cheerfully.
She turned, a small smile on her face. “Good morning, Mr. Raines. I came in early. I hope it isn’t an inconvenience to you.”
Inconvenience? Why on Earth would she feel coming in early would be an inconvenience?
“Not at all, Mrs. Hamilton.” Auggie stepped into the room. “Are the accommodations suitable for you to work?”
“Oh yes, they will do nicely.” When she turned fully to face him, he glimpsed the dried trail a tear had left. “I am very grateful, Mr. Raines. You have no idea what it means to me to have this chance to—” she turned her attention to the sewing box, fiddling with the contents “—make a living and to be able to stay in Blessings Valley.”
“I think I do, Mrs. Hamilton.” Auggie stepped closer to her, wanting to put an arm around her. To tell her that she was an important part of the hotel now. That if she needed anything, he’d do his best to help her.
What the heck was he thinking? It was too soon to tell her anything remotely like that, let alone think it. And he had no business thinking about holding her close. None whatsoever!
“Mr. Raines, where would you like the tray?” Mary asked as the wondrous smell of breakfast filled the room.
Auggie jumped out of his skin. Turning to Mary, he half expected her to see the thoughts in his head. If anyone could see through him, it was Mary. Sometimes he thought she knew him better than he knew himself. She certainly knew him better than his own parents had.
“In here, if Mrs. Hamilton has no objection,” Auggie said, feeling lighthearted when Elizabeth nodded her approval. “Wonderful, I will get myself a chair. I think this room could use two after all.”
Auggie relieved Mary of her tray then went into the dining room to retrieve another chair.
Elizabeth poured coffee into each of the cups as Mr. Raines left for a chair. She stood looking out the window, catching glimpses of Blessings Valley and its people.
Her people.
Her family.
She belonged here, and thanks to Mr. Raines, she’d be staying.
“You haven’t had your breakfast yet, have you, Mrs. Hamilton?” Mr. Raines asked as a matching chair was brought in.
“I had some bread and preserves. Unfortunately, I accidently left my sack lunch on the table.” Elizabeth felt the heat warming her cheeks and turned away. “I was in such a hurry this morning that I walked out the door without it. With your permission, I’ll go home at lunch then immediately return.”
“Mrs. Hamilton, may we get a few things out in the open?” Mr. Raines asked, pulling one of the chairs closer to the table and tray of food.
“Yes, of course. I believe in honesty, Mr. Raines.” She sat in the chair as Mr. Raines held it for her. It had been a while since a man held her chair. The last time was when—well, it had been Steven who’d done so the night before the explosion. Her heart slammed against her breast at the memory of their last meal together.
“Good, that pleases me.” Mr. Raines replied sitting in his chair. “Let me make it clear that as long as you are employed at the Grand, you will never have to be concerned with bringing a lunch or eating breakfast during a workday. Mrs. Hall would have my hide if I didn’t offer to feed the employees.”
“Mrs. Hall?” Elizabeth asked, raising her eyebrows. Who was this woman who had so much influence on Mr. Raines? “Is she the lady who brought the tray in?”
/> “Yes, she’s been with me for as long as I can remember.” Mr. Raines smiled, and it somehow softened his features. “Mrs. Hall is the hotel cook, and while she runs a tight ship, she is the kindest woman I know.”
“I see,” she said, watching him closely as the emotion he had for Mrs. Hall came and went quickly. She noted that his trimmed beard of yesterday looked to be trimmed even more. She had a feeling that the round wire-rimmed glasses she hadn’t noticed yesterday were a hiding place for him. She was sure of it, judging the reservation that lurked behind them. “What else do you wish to be honest about, Mr. Raines?”
He scooped some egg onto his fork then slid it into his mouth. “If you don’t mind, I suggest we eat while talking. Is that acceptable to you, Mrs. Hamilton?”
As if he needed her permission to eat. He was her employer—he could eat anytime and anywhere he wished.
“It is, Mr. Raines.” Elizabeth picked up a warm biscuit, spreading preserves on it.
“I would like to be your first customer.” Mr. Raines looked at her over his cup, his gaze expecting nothing more than acceptance.
“Of course. Might I start with the unfortunate rip in the suitcoat you wore yesterday? I believe I have thread that would match the material perfectly.” Elizabeth pulled a dark blue spool from her sewing box, holding up the spool for him to inspect.
He chuckled. “I was thinking of that one as well. I also have a lighter brown one that has a pocket in need of repair. I brought them both down with me this morning to my office.”
“If there is nothing else, I am ready to get to work on them then.” Elizabeth placed her fork and knife on her empty plate. If she didn’t start doing something, she was afraid her full stomach would lull her to sleep.
“I shall retrieve them and bring them into you after I return the tray to the kitchen.” Auggie stood and began gathering the dirty dishes onto the tray.
“Mr. Raines, if you would allow it, I would very much like to return the tray to Mrs. Hall.” Elizabeth was surprised at how much she’d eaten. Mrs. Hall’s breakfast had been a feast she hadn’t had after several months of pinching pennies. She wanted to convey her appreciation of a wonderful start to a new day. “I will pick up your suitcoats on my way back.”
“As you wish, Mrs. Hamilton. I shall see you in my office shortly.” Mr. Raines nodded, then left the room as quietly as he’d entered thirty minutes ago.
Elizabeth finished placing the dishes on the tray then followed in Auggie’s footsteps, satisfied that the Grand Hotel would be a fine place to work.
And Mr. Raines a wonderful and kind employer.
CHAPTER 6
Elizabeth carried the breakfast tray into the kitchen where the woman she presumed to be Mrs. Hall stood over the stove. She was humming catchy a tune Elizabeth hadn’t heard before.
“Mrs. Hall?” Elizabeth asked, stepping over to the small table for two in the corner. “Where would you like me to put these?”
“Yes?” Mary turned with an instant smile that turned to confusion in a flash. “Goodness, right there on the table is fine. Why didn’t Auggie bring those back? I’m going to have to speak to that boy.”
“I told Mr. Raines I would bring them back. It gave me something to do before the two repairs I have to work on.” Elizabeth set the tray onto the table then picked up the soiled dishes and carried them over to the large sink. There was no reason she couldn’t take care of her own breakfast dishes, especially since she hadn’t paid for the meal. She would pull her own weight, refusing to take advantage of Mr. Raines’s generosity. “Mrs. Hall, who is Auggie?”
“I’m sorry, I was too familiar. Auggie is Mr. Raines’s first name.” Mrs. Hall dropped several cut-up chicken parts into the steaming pot, followed by an array of herbs and spices. “Chicken stew for lunch today with buttermilk biscuits. I’ll bring you some around noon, if the dining room isn’t too busy.”
“That isn’t necessary. I can come get my own lunch. I don’t want any special treatment, Mrs. Hall. I’m not used to being waited on. It doesn’t feel appropriate here somehow.” Elizabeth wondered about Mrs. Hall.
When had she come to Blessings Valley, and how did she know Mr. Raines? What was their relationship? Was Mrs. Hall a widow as well? Or did she have an absent husband who traveled on business? Or did she only pretend to be married as so many unmarried women of her age did to keep unwanted suitors away?
“Mrs. Hamilton, I have wanted to tell you how terribly sorry I am about your husband,” Mary said softly with a deep kindness that took Elizabeth by surprise. There wasn’t any pity in her words. They were edged with genuine sorrow. And her eyes held a knowledge most wouldn’t understand. What it was like to be alone. “You girls are far too young to be widows.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Hall.” Tears sprang to Elizabeth’s eyes. She swallowed away the rock of grief threatening to choke the life out of her. “Is there a Mr. Hall?”
“Oh, not for many years. I am thankful we had a full life together. I have so many happy and loving memories that carry me through any dark moments.” Mary smiled, her eyes bright with those memories she eluded to. “And of course, I had the Raines family to help me through the grief.”
“The Raines family?” Elizabeth asked, surprised by this small piece of information. Was Mrs. Hall somehow related to Mr. Raines? No, she wouldn’t be working as a cook in his hotel if she was. What was her connection then? “You know Mr. Raines’s family?”
Mary laughed, adding flour and stirring the now simmering pot. “Yes, for a long time. I’ve known Auggie, Mr. Raines that is, since he was a young man. By his silly youthful actions, I’d say a boy, really. He has done some rather questionable things through the years that he has had to pay for.”
“He seems to be pleasant.” Elizabeth meant it, but what in his past had he done to make him feel responsible for? “He is kind in taking me in as the hotel seamstress before today’s papers were delivered. Of course, I have Mr. Wagner to thank as well; he told me about the position.”
“Auggie is a kindhearted and compassionate man, if a bit guarded.” Mary turned around, a bit of sparkle in her eye. “But I sense that is all going to change. Now, run along, dear, so I can finish my work here. I don’t want what guests we have heading down to the café.”
Elizabeth smiled then wandered slowly down the hall toward the lobby where Mr. Raines’s office was nestled behind the registration desk. She’d promised to pick up his suitcoats on the way back from the kitchen to repair them. Hopefully, she’d have more than just those two pieces to work on today. If not, it would be a long day of sitting around sorting thread. Or a very short one, and she’d be home earlier than she’d anticipated.
Auggie looked over the notice announcing the hotel’s need for the services of a seamstress. Stewart had tactfully sent away the few interested applicants who had arrived then promptly put a sign in the window announcing the position was filled.
Maybe Auggie should have put up the notice yesterday after he’d hired Mrs. Hamilton. He certainly hadn’t expected to see her in his office before the paper was published.
What was done was done. Truth be told, Auggie was pleased with having hired her. True enough, it had all happened quickly. He hadn’t had time to digest it all with transforming the storage room into a sewing room. It was small for now; if business mandated it, then he’d find a larger room.
Then, when he saw her this morning standing in the light of the window, something moved inside him. He couldn’t identify it or put a name to it. He felt it through his soul. As if she was there waiting just for him, Auggie. Not Mr. Raines.
But it wasn’t so. Mrs. Hamilton had been waiting for Mr. Raines.
“Excuse me.”
As if she knew his thoughts, Elizabeth stood in the doorway of his office.
“Mr. Raines, I’ve come to get your suitcoats now,” she said waiting patiently while he foolishly stared at her.
“My suitcoats. Ah yes. I have them right here,” Auggie stutt
ered, pushing out of his chair. Walking to the door, he reached behind it, pulling down the garments in need of repair, then handed them to her.
“I believe I have a matching thread for this one,” Elizabeth commented, inspecting the dark jacket, then turning to look over the light caramel one.” I don’t think I have anything that would blend well with this one. So that may be a problem.”
Auggie took the lighter jacket from her, looking it over. Smiling, he placed the open jacket on his desk. With scissors, he snipped a piece of fabric from inside.
“Mrs. Hamilton, I believe it is time to make a few purchases over at Smith’s.” Auggie chuckled. “Please get your shawl and meet me at the front door.”
Nodding, she left the office. Auggie stuffed the piece of material into his pants pocket, put his bowler hat on his head, and walked into the lobby just as Mary appeared.
“Going somewhere, Auggie?” she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You never leave the hotel this time of day. Must be important to have you rushing off.”
“Yes. Mrs. Hamilton and I are going for a few things she needs.” Auggie kissed her lightly on the cheek. “And don’t get any romantic notions, Mary.”
“Remember, you’re a gentleman, Auggie.” Mrs. Hall smiled then turned back to the hall as Elizabeth strolled gracefully into the lobby.
“Let’s go then.” Auggie offered Elizabeth his elbow. She hesitated for a moment then took it as they walked out the door and down the steps into the street.
They walked the short distance over to Smith’s in silence. Once inside the dry goods store, Auggie handed her the swatch of material. As she looked through the spools, he retrieved a few personal items.
After only a matter of minutes, she joined him at the counter with several thread options in her hand.
“One of these will work fine. I’ll know for sure which one once I start the repairs.” Elizabeth placed the spools next to his other items.
Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1) Page 5
