sounded ludicrous to her. However, Garrett spoke with assurance, convinced the plan could work. He wasn’t concerned about workers, either. He figured there were plenty of folks who’d be willing to work for him. But the entire concept depended upon the railroad.
“Shall we stroll for a bit?” Garrett asked.
She rose in response. “And where does Harvey fit into this plan?”
Garrett laughed. “He certainly won’t be working in the cannery.” She took his elbow and they walked along the road. “Nor will he be investing a vast amount of money. Instead, Harvey will lobby the railroad tycoons when the proper time arises.”
The comment surprised Macia. Her brother had developed into quite the businessman since his return from college. A far cry from the laissez-faire way of life he’d embraced back in Kentucky years ago.
Though she had hoped to ask a few additional questions, Garrett pleasantly called a halt to further business talk and insisted they rejoin the festivities inside. Gathering her skirts in one hand, Macia moved alongside him. She would have much preferred to remain outdoors, distanced from Jeb and Fern, but raising an objection would require far too much explanation. For now, she would attempt to avoid the couple. Tomorrow she would speak to her father about Fern.
CHAPTER
6
T here was a crispness to the October morning that warned of winter’s impending arrival. Macia bent forward against a surge of chilly wind and tugged her cloak tight about her neck. She should have waited until after the noonday meal to visit with her father. At least the sun would have warmed the blustery air by early afternoon. However, her father had warned of his busy schedule, and this might be her only opportunity for a few moments alone with him. And this discussion must take place away from the house— where Fern wouldn’t be privy to her request.
She shivered as she entered the office. Her father had arrived nearly an hour earlier, and she was pleased for the warmth of the fire he’d started. When he reached for her cloak, she shook her head and then took a seat opposite his desk. “I promise I won’t keep you from your work for long.”
She knew from the tilt of her father’s head that he was pleased to hear that bit of information. He probably had much to accomplish before his first patient arrived. After settling into his chair, he gave Macia his full attention. As she spoke, her father smiled and nodded at the appropriate moments. And by the time she had concluded her entreaty, she believed he understood her plight and would grant her request.
Her confidence began to wane, though, as he stroked his chin and focused on a spot a few inches above her head. When he finally cleared his throat, Macia leaned forward, anxious to hear what he would say. “I know it is humiliating and somewhat difficult to have Fern living under the same roof.” He tapped his pen on the desk. “But I can hardly dismiss her. The young woman is in need of her wages, and we have need of a housekeeper.”
Tears stung Macia’s eyes, and she swallowed hard. He was more concerned over Fern’s welfare than her own!
She kept her gaze fixed upon her tightly clenched hands. “If she had the assurance of employment elsewhere and another housekeeper could be found to replace her, would you then agree?”
“Possibly. But I doubt whether such arrangements could be made, my dear. Difficult as it is, I believe you must endure this situation for the present.” Her father glanced at the clock. “I do apologize, Macia. I wish I had more time, but Mrs. Wilton will be arriving soon for her appointment.”
She rose and silently walked toward the door. Suddenly, unwilling to accept the full measure of her father’s edict, she turned. “But if I could make the arrangements?”
Her father peered at her over the top of his reading glasses. “I do want you to feel comfortable in our home, Macia. If suitable provision can be made, I won’t
“Shall we stroll for a bit?” Garrett asked.
She rose in response. “And where does Harvey fit into this plan?”
Garrett laughed. “He certainly won’t be working in the cannery.” She took his elbow and they walked along the road. “Nor will he be investing a vast amount of money. Instead, Harvey will lobby the railroad tycoons when the proper time arises.”
The comment surprised Macia. Her brother had developed into quite the businessman since his return from college. A far cry from the laissez-faire way of life he’d embraced back in Kentucky years ago.
Though she had hoped to ask a few additional questions, Garrett pleasantly called a halt to further business talk and insisted they rejoin the festivities inside. Gathering her skirts in one hand, Macia moved alongside him. She would have much preferred to remain outdoors, distanced from Jeb and Fern, but raising an objection would require far too much explanation. For now, she would attempt to avoid the couple. Tomorrow she would speak to her father about Fern.
CHAPTER
6
T here was a crispness to the October morning that warned of winter’s impending arrival. Macia bent forward against a surge of chilly wind and tugged her cloak tight about her neck. She should have waited until after the noonday meal to visit with her father. At least the sun would have warmed the blustery air by early afternoon. However, her father had warned of his busy schedule, and this might be her only opportunity for a few moments alone with him. And this discussion must take place away from the house— where Fern wouldn’t be privy to her request.
She shivered as she entered the office. Her father had arrived nearly an hour earlier, and she was pleased for the warmth of the fire he’d started. When he reached for her cloak, she shook her head and then took a seat opposite his desk. “I promise I won’t keep you from your work for long.”
She knew from the tilt of her father’s head that he was pleased to hear that bit of information. He probably had much to accomplish before his first patient arrived. After settling into his chair, he gave Macia his full attention. As she spoke, her father smiled and nodded at the appropriate moments. And by the time she had concluded her entreaty, she believed he understood her plight and would grant her request.
Her confidence began to wane, though, as he stroked his chin and focused on a spot a few inches above her head. When he finally cleared his throat, Macia leaned forward, anxious to hear what he would say. “I know it is humiliating and somewhat difficult to have Fern living under the same roof.” He tapped his pen on the desk. “But I can hardly dismiss her. The young woman is in need of her wages, and we have need of a housekeeper.”
Tears stung Macia’s eyes, and she swallowed hard. He was more concerned over Fern’s welfare than her own!
She kept her gaze fixed upon her tightly clenched hands. “If she had the assurance of employment elsewhere and another housekeeper could be found to replace her, would you then agree?”
“Possibly. But I doubt whether such arrangements could be made, my dear. Difficult as it is, I believe you must endure this situation for the present.” Her father glanced at the clock. “I do apologize, Macia. I wish I had more time, but Mrs. Wilton will be arriving soon for her appointment.”
She rose and silently walked toward the door. Suddenly, unwilling to accept the full measure of her father’s edict, she turned. “But if I could make the arrangements?”
Her father peered at her over the top of his reading glasses. “I do want you to feel comfortable in our home, Macia. If suitable provision can be made, I won’t
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