A Heart Renewed (33 page)

She was short—probably where he got his lack of height from—and had blue eyes and sandy brown hair.  Father said both he and Drew looked so much like her.  Father said her smile was so bright you just had to respond with one of your own.

Not having a mother’s influence certainly shaped more of his course than Providence, he thought.  When Father wasn’t looking, it was so much easier to sneak a few pieces of candy from the counter of his store and share them with his friends out back.  The lack of nurturing added to his fiercely independent drive.  By age ten, he was already bucking his father’s discipline.  Unlike the obedient Drew, he thought he knew better than his father and constantly broke the rules and bent every boundary set.

Then, at the age of fourteen, the only stable things in his life were ripped away.  Father was killed in a freak carriage accident.  The horse spooked and ran out of control through the streets, eventually crashing into a building, crushing his father under the overturned carriage.  Drew, at eighteen, already had plans to leave for medical school.  Suddenly, the responsibility of the store and seeing to Thomas’s future rested squarely on his brother’s shoulders.

Pursuing his own dreams, Drew sold the store.  Then he sent Thomas to live with Uncle Peter before he left for medical school.  Thomas hated him for it.  Not only had he lost his father, but he lost his brother and his home all in a few short weeks.

The churning emotions he felt from living without a mother only intensified afterwards.  Looking back, Thomas did not even think he could say what those emotions were.  He only knew those feelings drove him to set his own course in life, even at the young age of fourteen.

Sighing, he turned his thoughts back to his original question.  Had God really taken his mother, his father?  If that was true, he was even more certain that he could not trust such a being.

Yet, Thomas could not deny the unexplained circumstances in his life these last few years.  It was too structured to be mere chance.  Was there such a thing as fate or destiny?  Was he just following along the path destiny determined for him?  If that was true, did he really have any control or say over his own life?  If he did not, then what was the meaning of his life?  If everything was determined for him, why exist at all?

If it was all about destiny, then was it destiny that he tried to rob that bank?  Would destiny seek such sinister purposes?  If not destiny, but Providence, would He direct someone to criminal behavior?

Or, was his life truly his own to make?

He had been confused and hurting as a young man.  No one pushed him towards drinking and gambling.  He made those choices on his own.  Yet, not all of his choices were his to make.  The judge sent him off to fight in the war.  That decision set off a series of events that led to Thomas becoming a dispatch rider, and now being assigned to the frontier.  None of those things he chose for himself.

But, he could choose what he did after the army.  If he was in the Arizona Territory, he would seek out his brother, if for no other reason than to assure himself that Drew and Hannah were happy.  Then, he would need a job.  He wasn’t sure what sort of job he could do.  Other than riding horses fast, he was not good at much else, except gambling and drinking—actions that only brought him, and those he loved, pain.

Knowing he had only more questions and no answers, Thomas tried to push these thoughts from his mind.  Things, as he discovered, had a way of working themselves out.

The bell rang from the front lobby just as Julia finished the last bite of her midday meal.  Chewing quickly, she swallowed and hurried to greet the waiting customer.  The man standing next to the front desk was dressed in dark twill trousers with a very dusty white shirt.  Saddle bags lay over his shoulder.  A light hat, similar to the one Will always wore, sat back on his head.  He looked far different than most of the well-dressed men who stayed at the hotel.

“Good afternoon,” she said, drawing his attention.  “How may I help you?”

His eyes went wide as she took her place behind the front desk.  “Um…  Where’s Mr. Hamilton?”

“He’s busy with other duties.  Can I help you?”

Slamming the saddle bags down on the counter, he said, “Here’s the mail.”

Julia blinked, not understanding.

When she failed to move for another moment, he said, “I’m kinda eager to get home and you’re my last stop, so if you don’t mind, Miss…”

“Colter.  Miss Colter,” she stumbled.  “Perhaps you could tell me what Mr. Hamilton normally does with the mail, Mr…?”

“Frye.  Leland Frye.”  A big grin stretched across his narrow face.  “Mr. Hamilton usually takes the stack,” he said as he pulled the mail from the saddle bags, “and places it in those cubbies, right there.”

She followed his pointed finger to the cubby holes on the wall behind the desk.  Taking the mail from his hand, she wondered what she should do next.

“Pleasure meeting you, Miss Colter,” Mr. Frye said as he headed for the door.  “I’ll be seeing you again in a few days to pick up outgoing mail.”

Wishing Mr. Frye farewell, she laid the stack of mail on the counter.  Then she went back to Mr. Hamilton’s office to find out what she was supposed to do with it.  After apologizing for forgetting to show her sooner, he helped her sort the mail into the different cubbies for the businesses and residents in town.  Then he showed her where they held the mail for those who lived outside of town, like the ranchers.

“People are still getting used to regular service.  Mr. Barnard took over as postmaster back in November when Reverend Read, the former postmaster, left.”

Glancing at the last envelope, she noticed it was for Betty Lancaster.  “Can I hand deliver this one later?”

“Hmm.  Leave it in the cubby for now, just in case someone comes over to check.  Then if you want you can take it over to Betty after your shift.”

Julia nodded.

The rest of the afternoon went by quickly.  Before she realized it, Mr. Hamilton was there to relieve her for the evening.  Grabbing the letter for Betty, she headed out the door without eating supper.  Deciding to stop by Gray & Company first, she started down the boardwalk.

“Miss Colter!”

Turning, she waited for Mr. Hobbs to catch up.

“Might I escort you,” he said, warily eyeing the saloons lining the street.  “The sun sets so early these days, I would hate for you to walk the dark streets unescorted.”

Looking around, she agreed.  Even at six o’clock, the sky already darkened and stars started twinkling.  “Thank you,” she replied, taking his offered arm.

“Would you feel more comfortable on the other side of the street?” he asked, concern edging his voice.

“I’m going to stop by Gray & Company on this side of the street.”

“Very well,” he said, holding her closer.

A man burst out of the doors of the saloon in front of them.  Angry curses followed him.  Julia stopped, shocked by the display.

“Stay out!” the saloon owner yelled from the other side of the doors.

Mr. Hobbs urged her forward at a fast pace, leaving her almost breathless by the time they arrived at Gray & Company.

“Here you are,” he said.  “I’ll wait here.”

“That’s quite alright,” she answered.  “I’m just going over to Lancaster’s as soon as I’m done here.”

Eyebrows raised, he asked, “Are you certain?  It will be no trouble.”

“Thanks for your help, Mr. Hobbs, but I don’t want to take any more of your time.”

“Have a good evening, then.”  He turned and left.

Mr. Young was just turning the closed sign around when she started toward the open door.  She briefly mentioned to him that there was some mail down at the hotel—thus completing the purpose for her visit.

Turning, she cut across the town plaza to Betty’s kitchen door.  Despite the chill in the air, the door stood slightly propped open.  Knocking on the door, she stuck her head in the kitchen.

A Chinese couple laden with plates full of food left the kitchen for the dining hall.  Betty stood over the stove dishing up plates as fast as she could.

“Evening,” Julia greeted.

“Dear, come on in.  Take a seat,” Betty said after giving her a big hug.  “I’m so glad you stopped by.  Have you eaten yet?”

At the shake of Julia’s head, Betty thrust an overflowing plate of food towards her on the small kitchen table.  “As soon as it slows a bit, I’ll sit with you.”

Fifteen minutes later, Betty sat down across from her.  “How have you been, dear?”

“I’ve been well.  I really like working at the hotel.”  Sliding the letter across the table, she added, “I brought you something.”

“Oh!”  Betty exclaimed.  Turning the envelope over, she looked closer.  “It’s from one of my daughters.  Bless you for bringing this over.  Did it come today?”

Julia nodded.

“I keep forgetting that Mr. Barnard is handling the mail these days.”

Setting the letter aside, Betty continued, “Did you know we have a new pastor, Reverend Page?  He’s holding services here in the dining hall on Sunday mornings.”

“Really?  For how long?”

“This Sunday will be his first sermon here.  I’m so excited,” Betty smiled.  “His wife is so precious.  Pretty little thing.  I bet they’ll be graced with a few little ones soon.  Guess they are newly married.”

Julia smiled.

“Anyway, maybe you could join us for services?  It’d be a great way to meet more folks from town.”

She hesitated.  “I work on Sunday mornings at the hotel.”

“Nonsense,” Betty patted her hand.  “Just ask Mr. Barnard for the morning off.  It’s a day of rest.”

As the noise from the dining hall quieted, Betty stood and readied the dish pan.  Even though Julia offered to help, Betty refused.  Instead, she asked Paul to walk Julia back to the hotel, saying it wasn’t safe for a young woman to walk about alone.

Thanking Paul, she entered the hotel.  Her new home.  It didn’t really feel like home.  She still didn’t know what to do with herself in the evenings.  Most of the time, she sat and read a borrowed book from the guest library.  Perhaps she would read her Bible this evening, the thought sparked from her conversation with Betty.  Maybe it was time to move on.

Chapter 26

Julia smiled and greeted Mr. Hobbs as he entered the hotel.  “Good day, Mr. Hobbs.  May I assist you with anything today?”

“Miss Colter, your smile brightens my day,” he replied with his customary greeting.  “I see you made it home safely last night.”

Nodding, she wished her cheeks would cool down.  Surely her face was bright red.

“I was curious if you might be able to recommend some place for a scenic ride.  My associates are interested in exploring more of the area.”

Julia, not being familiar with the area other than Colter Ranch, could think of nothing.  “Just a moment, Mr. Hobbs.  Let me see if Mr. Hamilton might have a good suggestion.”

At his nod, she walked down the hallway to Mr. Hamilton’s office.  She explained Mr. Hobbs’s request and Mr. Hamilton followed her back to the front desk.  The two men spoke at length about the different possibilities for a short ride.  At the end of the discussion, Mr. Hamilton suggested the men hire horses and perhaps a guide from the livery down the street.  When Mr. Hamilton returned to his office, Mr. Hobbs remained at the front desk.

“Is there anything else, Mr. Hobbs?” she asked when he made no move to leave.

“I was wondering, Miss Colter, if you liked to ride,” he said softly, leaning on the edge of the tall counter side of the front desk.

Nervous, she fidgeted with the corner of the open guest book.  “I…uh…”

“Miss Colter,” Mr. Hamilton called from his office.  “A word with you, please.”

Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, Julia left Mr. Hobbs standing there and entered Mr. Hamilton’s office.  He motioned for her to sit then he stood.  “One moment, Miss Colter.”

Mr. Hamilton entered the lobby and Julia could hear him speaking with Mr. Hobbs.  “Miss Colter is much too busy with her duties to go on outings with our guests.  I do hope you understand and refrain from suggesting such an activity in the future.”

Mr. Hobbs acknowledged his request before Mr. Hamilton returned to his office and took a seat on the other side of his desk.

“Miss Colter, I am sorry to see you put into such an awkward situation.  Please realize that as an unattached beautiful woman in the middle of the Arizona Territory, men are bound to pay attention to you.  It is best if you respond in a manner similar to what I just did on your behalf.  They will respect you for it.”

She considered his words.  She had no desire to go on an outing with any of their guests, knowing deep in her heart none would ever find her acceptable if they knew the truth of her past.  She only accepted Mr. Hobbs’s offer last night because of the late hour.  What Mr. Hamilton suggested made sense.  “I understand and I will make my disinterest known.”

“Very good, Miss Colter.  That will be all,” he said, dismissing her with the wave of his hand.

She was somewhat relieved to know she could take a firm stance with anyone who might try to garner her favor.