And he had no intention of kissing Elizabeth Hamilton. He only wanted to have dinner with her. Get to know her. Possibly become her friend instead of only her employer.
That made him feel like that schoolboy. Having her around every day made him realize how lonely he was.
“Stewart!” Auggie called, knowing the desk clerk was within earshot. Stewart rarely left his post at the lobby desk.
“Yes, Mr. Raines?” Stewart stepped just inside the door and waited.
“Stewart, I’d like you to deliver a message to Mrs. Alexander for me.” Auggie pulled out a notecard and pencil. “Come back in ten minutes to collect the note. While I’m writing it, please ask Sally to give my apartment an extra going over today. I’ll be expecting guests for dinner tonight. Oh, and tell her there will be something extra in her pay this week for doing so.”
“Yes, sir.” Stewart nodded then left the room in a flurry.
That boy is always in a hurry to get somewhere, especially when it comes to Sally, Auggie thought, chuckling as his pencil scratched across the paper.
Willa,
I would be honored if you were to join Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Hall, and me for dinner tonight. I do hope to see you at 6:00 at the Grand.
Auggie
Auggie read over the note then folded it in half before placing it into an envelope. On the front, he quickly wrote “Mrs. Willa Alexander” and waited for Stewart to return.
Those few minutes gave him plenty of time to let a seed of doubt be planted in his mind.
What if dinner backfired and blew up in his face? What if Willa and Mary refused to accept his invitation. Worse yet, what if Elizabeth only saw him as her employer and not a potential friend?
Shaking his head, he sat back in the worn leather chair. It was comfortable, much like seeing Elizabeth each day had become comfortable. And the fit was just right. Perfect for him.
What am I thinking about? The blasted chair? Or Elizabeth?
Bolting out of the chair, he sent it crashing into the wall.
“She is not a piece of furniture, you fool!” he exclaimed, looking out the sole window in his office.
“Excuse me, Mr. Raines.”
“Yes, Stewart?” He kept looking out the window, doing his best to get his emotions under control. To put them back into their hiding place before turning around.
“Sally is going to your apartment to give it an extra cleaning.”
“Excellent.” Auggie turned and nodded as he reached for the handwritten invitation.
“Please take this to Mrs. Alexander. I don’t need to wait for a reply as I’m sure she’ll arrive as requested,” Auggie said, handing Stewart the envelope.
Taking the note, Stewart left Auggie to his own thoughts. Now to get Mary to agree to making and eating dinner with us. How hard can that be?
Auggie stepped out of his office, not at all surprised to find James behind the lobby desk covering for Stewart.
“James, I’ll be in the kitchen should you need me for anything.” Auggie walked quickly toward the back of the hotel. His steps slowed as he approached the kitchen door. Pausing for a moment, he listened to the cheerful singing. It had been awhile since he’d heard Mary singing. He rather liked it and wished she’d do it more often. She had a nice, soft, beautiful voice.
He cleared his throat as he stepped into the kitchen, almost laughing at the look on her face.
“Oh my!” Mary exclaimed after peeling herself off the ceiling. “I didn’t hear you come in, Auggie.”
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Auggie shuffled toward her, feeling like a boy who was about to tell a secret but afraid to do so. “I haven’t heard you sing like that for a very long time.”
“That’s because you don’t come into the kitchen like you used to,” she said, turning her attention back to the stove. “You’ve stayed either in your office or your apartment, until lately, that is.”
“I’m trying to change that.” He laughed. “Mary, how do you feel about making a special dinner tonight for four?”
Turning away from the stove, Mary squinted at him. “What sort of dinner?”
“Nothing too special. Simple yet hearty.” Auggie shuffled several items on the counter around, only to have her put them right back where they’d been.
“Humph! Spill it, Auggie, before you break something I can’t mend.”
Auggie drew in a breath of courage then spewed out his words. “I would be honored if you would join Willa and I for dinner tonight at six.”
“Why would you want to have dinner with two elderly women when— That’s only three people, Auggie. Who is the fourth?”
Auggie looked up at her with a grin on his face. “Actually, there is a fourth for dinner. Elizabeth—er—Mrs. Hamilton has agreed to come as well.”
“Oh, Elizabeth,” Mary teased, turning back to mixing ingredients. “And whose idea was it to ask Willa and me to attend what could be an intimate dinner for two?”
“Mrs. Hamilton thought it would be inappropriate if we dined together in my private apartment alone,” Auggie replied, rocking back on his heels, hands in his pockets.
“And so it would,” Mary agreed.
“Since I agreed, I suggested you and Willa join us.” Auggie was quite proud of himself for not pushing Elizabeth to dine without two very special matriarchs.
“Do you have a menu planned? Or are you going to eat whatever I have for our hotel guests?” Mary asked, hands on her hips and an expectant look on her face.
“No, I don’t,” Auggie admitted, then smiled. “I thought I would leave that in your capable hands. I don’t know what your schedule is for tonight. Or what you have in the pantry.”
“Simple and unassuming would be best,” she said, flipping through her recipe box. “I may have something in mind that will work.”
“Then you’ll come?” Auggie asked, raising his eyebrows, hoping she’d say she would be there.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything!” Mary laughed. “Now get out of here. I’ve work to do both in and out of this kitchen.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Auggie saluted, leaving his old confidant to her recipe box.
“Mr. Raines.” Elizabeth smiled, lowering her eyes slightly.
“Mrs. Hamilton.” Auggie nodded with a slight bow. “I am looking forward to our dinner at six.”
“I will remember to be prompt.” Elizabeth smiled, feeling a flush of heat rise in her cheeks.
They both paused a moment longer, looking at each other before continuing on their individual journeys.
When Elizabeth reached the kitchen, she found Mrs. Hall mumbling and rummaging through a stack of recipes, tossing one after another aside.
“No, that won’t do at all,” Mary insisted, shoving aside yet another notecard. “Ah, here it is!”
“Can’t decide on lunch, Mrs. Hall?” Elizabeth asked, holding back the giggle struggling to surface.
“What? No. Yes.” Mary laughed. “It’s for dinner tonight. It seems I will be dining with you and Auggie.”
“Oh? That’s good news,” Elizabeth replied, touching her on the arm. “It won’t be too much trouble for you, will it?”
“Not at all, my dear,” Mary chirped, going over to the pantry.
“If you are sure, then I look forward to tonight.” Elizabeth liked Mrs. Hall. She was like that doting aunt you love but don’t get to see very often. “I wanted to ask if you wouldn’t mind preparing an extra lunch plate on my tray. Mrs. Alexander will be joining me today.”
“Umm, not at all, Mrs. Hamilton. I’ll bring in the tray myself,” Mary answered, scanning through the recipes once again.
“That won’t be necessary. I can come and get it like any other day.” Elizabeth began to insist further until she noticed Mrs. Hall was tapping her foot.
“Nonsense!” Mary insisted. “I haven’t seen my dear friend for several weeks. It will give me an opportunity to at least say hello.”
“All right.” Elizabeth gave in, l
ooking down to hide her smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Hall.”
“Now, go on with you. I have a dinner to plan,” Mary declared, turning back to the scattered recipes.
Lost in her thoughts, Elizabeth strolled through the hotel on her way back to her sewing room.
So, it would seem that she was having dinner with Auggie tonight. Mrs. Hall had agreed, but had Willa? If Willa declined, then she’d be free to go home to her sanctuary as they’d be missing one guest. Would she really cancel dinner if Willa decline Auggie’s invitation to join them?
A wave of sadness swept over her. She didn’t want to go back to an empty house. Yes, it was full of memories and the love she and Steven shared, but somehow their home had transformed into her home. Elizabeth wasn’t quite sure how to handle that subtle and unexpected change.
Everything was changing without her taking notice. How and when did it all start? Her mind searched for answers while her heart wept with guilt.
Was there any harm if Auggie did become a friend? Would that mean she was betraying Steven’s memory? His love?
Elizabeth picked up the cotton dress she’d been repairing for one of the hotel guests and inspected her work. Every stitch held the material together until it hadn’t.
Much like her life as a happily married woman wildly in love with her husband had been held together. Their union had been stitched together tightly with their love until it blew apart several months ago. She blinked back the tears building in her eyes. Maybe the time for feeling sad had to stop. She must remember all their good times and their love—not feel sorry for herself that she’d been left alone. Because she wasn’t alone. She had friends—old and new—to build a new life around.
Setting the garment onto her lap, Elizabeth wiped away the tears.
“I’ll not be a victim of my own grief,” she declared, threading the needle with a fresh strand of blue thread. “Even if Willa doesn’t agree to attend, I’m still going to dinner. It won’t hurt to have dinner with two new friends.”
“Elizabeth?” Willa’s voice followed behind the light knock upon the door.
Startled, Elizabeth pricked her finger. “Ouch! Willa, is it really time for lunch?” she asked, sucking the spot where the needle had stung her. “Been a long time since I stuck myself,” she laughed, putting the mending away.
“No, not yet,” Willa replied, taking a seat on the other side of the small worktable. “There is something I wish to discuss with you before then.”
“Oh, there are a number of things I’d like to talk about with you as well,” Elizabeth said, moving her sewing over onto the bench where several other items waited their turn at the needle and thread. “I just need to know—”
“Elizabeth, did you know about this?” Willa pulled an envelope from her skirt pocket, handing it to her.
“What’s this?” Elizabeth turned the envelope over, immediately recognizing Auggie’s handwriting. She burst out laughing. “Oh, Willa.”
“Did you know about this invitation to dinner?” Willa asked, a concerned look on her face.
“Yes, I did.” She stifled another round of giggling. “You must excuse me for finding this rather funny. Not only do I know about it, I informed Mr. Raines I wouldn’t dine with him alone.
“He agreed and suggested asking both you and Mrs. Hall to join us. Are you agreeable to the arrangement?” Elizabeth waited for her friend to say she was. Not that it mattered anymore since she’d already made up her mind to have dinner with Auggie regardless.
The two friends continued discussing Elizabeth’s newfound freedom in being able to provide for herself. What is was like working in the Grand. And how Elizabeth was happy to be able to stay on in Blessings Valley until a knock at the door startled both of them.
“Mrs. Hamilton?” Mrs. Hall’s voice followed the tray that came through the opened door. “I have brought lunch for—oh! Hello, Willa.”
“Oh! It’s that time already?” Elizabeth asked surprised that the past few hours had flown by so quickly.
“Mary, you are looking well.” Willa’s gaze swept over Mrs. Hall and the tray she carried.
“As do you, Willa. It has been far too long since we last spoke.” Mary set the tray on the table between Elizabeth and Willa, her gazed locked upon Willa.
“We must rectify that one day,” Willa suggested as Mary nodded her agreement, a suspicious smile upon her face.
Elizabeth watched with amusement as the two exchanged one last look before Mrs. Hall walked out the door.
“What was that all about?” Elizabeth asked, spreading butter over a piece of bread. “I am not sure if it was friendly, or if I should call for staff to break up a potential fight.”
“I’m not sure what you are concerned about. It was nothing, I suppose.” Willa poured coffee into their cups, dropping a sugar cube into her own. “Now, what was it you wanted to discuss with me?”
Elizabeth put the bread down, adjusting the napkin on her lap. “I’m scared I am forgetting Steven,” she confessed, the tears returning to her eyes.
“What do you mean?” Willa gushed, surprise in her voice.
“I’m starting to dread going home each night. It is so quiet there. And the house feels, well, it feels cold and empty.” Elizabeth let the tears creep down over her cheeks.
“Elizabeth, you’ll never forget your husband or the life you shared with him.” Willa reached over, covering Elizabeth’s hand.
“Are you sure, Willa?” Elizabeth stood then turned toward her. “Look at me! This morning, I found myself putting on clothes that aren’t suitable for a widow. Yet I did nothing to change them.”
“Who says they aren’t suitable? You look lovely, and the light is returning to your face,” Willa noted, smiling softly at her. “You are starting to get on with your life, Elizabeth. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But—” Elizabeth began, then sank down into the chair. “Is it right they somehow make me feel alive again?”
“Steven wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your days mourning for him. He’d want you to go on and live the rest of your life in peace and happiness. Maybe even find love one day.”
“I don’t know if I could ever love another man the way I did Steven.” Elizabeth wiped her nose. She was acting like a little girl, but she didn’t care. It felt like she was losing sight of her best friend in life.
“Elizabeth, do you want to cancel dinner tonight?” Willa’s words were edged with concern that matched the look in her eyes.
“No!” Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of not seeing Auggie for dinner. “I mean, it would be disrespectful to do so. Mrs. Hall is planning something special. Auggie—I mean, Mr. Raines—agreed readily to my conditions to dine with him.”
“I see,” Willa said, smiling. “Do you find Mr. Raines…appealing?”
“Willa! I find Mr. Raines to be someone I’d like to consider a friend one day. He’s been nothing but kind and honorable to me while I’ve been here,” Elizabeth exclaimed, feeling her cheeks turn several shades of pink. She’d never thought of whether or not she was attracted to Auggie other than maybe as a friend. Certainly not as a romantic possibility! It was too soon for such notions, if she ever entertained those feelings again. Which she wouldn’t.
“Then you have your answer.” Willa placed a sandwich on her plate alongside a spoonful of fruit.
“Yes, I suppose I do.” Elizabeth smiled, feeling some of the weight of guilt lift.
They continued eating and laughing about several things happening about town. How the boardinghouse would be receiving some new miners on the next train. Elizabeth told Willa about how she spent her days working at the Grand.
“Goodness, I really need to get back,” Willa announced. “I’ll take the tray back into the kitchen. It will give me a chance to speak with Mary again.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you for coming to lunch, Willa. And for agreeing to have dinner. You are a true friend and one I am honored to have in my
life.”
“My dear Elizabeth, you are like a daughter to me,” Willa chimed, picking up the tray and leaving the room for the kitchen.
Elizabeth smiled. For the first time in months, her heart and soul felt lighter. And happier.
Walking into the kitchen where Mary was preparing a large piece of beef, Willa set the tray of soiled dishes on the counter and waited for her to acknowledge her presence.
“What do you propose, Willa?” Mary asked after several minutes, putting the pan into the icebox.
“We must find a way to get them together.” Willa leaned over the counter. “Mary, don’t you see how perfect they would be for each other?”
“I do,” Mary turned toward Willa, wiping her hands down her apron. “But I’ll not have two broken hearts on my shoulders! Auggie has suffered enough humiliation in his life. He came to Blessings Valley hoping to escape the ridicule of his unfortunate riding accident. He lives with the belief he’ll only be loved for his massive fortune, not for the man I know him to be.”
“Really, Mary, don’t you think Elizabeth has been suffering as well?” Willa asked softly. “Or have you forgotten what it is like to have lost the love of your life?”
“Have you?” Mary asked, irritation flickering in her eyes. “We’ve been friends for many years. Must we quarrel over this?”
Willa let go of the breath she’d been holding, afraid she would have to bite her tongue. Then she realized they were both only concerned for the happiness of two young people they both admired and loved like they were their own children.
“Elizabeth is struggling as she starts to let go of her grief, and she’s not a fortune hunter by any means. I have also noticed she turns a pretty shade of pink when she speaks of Auggie.” Willa smiled, hoping Mary got her meaning.
“You know, now that you mention it, I have noticed that in her and in him as well. Auggie’s eyes light up whenever he mentions Elizabeth,” Mary replied, cutting more vegetables then opening the icebox and putting them in with the pan of beef. “Could it be their hearts are turning toward each other and they don’t know it?”
Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1) Page 8
