A New Beginning (13 page)

She seemed surprised, but after taking a moment to compose herself, she said, “Yes, sir. Right away.”

“Good. And don’t ever again let me catch you working when you should be lollygagging about.”

“Yes, sir. Never again.”

Adam left her standing befuddled in the entryway as he walked through his office and into his bedroom. He took off his tie and wiped his neck with a cool cloth, then sat down on the edge of his bed.

Elizabeth. Her name came to his mind unbidden, but it certainly wasn’t unwelcome. He smiled as he remembered the way her hair felt against his fingertips, the way she closed her eyes when he touched her, even if it was just a whisper. He couldn’t be in love yet—he couldn’t possibly be. He knew nothing about her. He’d never met this mysterious mother who made cake like the angels would eat. He didn’t know what schools Elizabeth had attended or what she most desired in her life.  All he could hope was that someday, she would come to desire him.

* * *

Adam hadn’t slept much at all the night before. He’d gone to bed early, knowing how important this first day would be, but he’d done nothing but lie there hour after hour. His thoughts circled through his head like a kaleidoscope. Would his father be proud of him? What would Vivian have thought about this hotel? Had they ordered enough meat? Would his mother have liked the tablecloths they chose? Was Elizabeth’s skin as soft as her hair? There was this little portion of her neck he longed to touch, right below her earlobe and above her collar. No, it was better to think about the hotel.

He rose long before the sun and bathed, then dressed and headed outside. A light in the barn told him Tom was also up, so he headed out that way.

“Morning, Tom,” he called out as he entered the barn.

“Oh, mornin’, boss.” Tom’s legs appeared coming down the ladder, and then the rest of him. He didn’t bother to climb down the last three rungs, but instead, he dropped the rest of the way. “You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep. Too much on my mind. You?”

“I’m always up this early. Just my nature, I guess.” Tom’s wide smile took over his face. “I’m ready to get this thing going.”

“I am too.” Adam stepped back outside and looked toward the train station. In just a few short hours, a train would come rumbling to a stop, their first chance to start their business off right. He knew it would take several months to know if their hotel would be a success, but he couldn’t hope but pin some dreams on this morning. If they had a rough first day, it might be hard to feel motivated to go on. He would much rather start off with a bang, but that was probably just wishful thinking on his part.

Tom stepped up beside him. “It’s going to be a great day,” he said quietly. “There’s a feeling in the air, you know? Like something really good’s going to happen.”

Adam could feel something, but it was more like nervousness, and maybe just a little bit of nausea.

“Do you want me to fetch Miss Caldwell, or did you want to do that this morning?”

At the mention of Elizabeth’s name, Adam’s heart jolted. It was the most pleasant feeling he’d had that morning. “I’d better send you,” he said, even though he wished that wasn’t so. “I need to be on hand in case anything goes wrong with the preparations.”

“I’ll be glad to do it.”

Adam nodded and headed back inside. The dining room was still and dark. He tried to imagine it full of customers, laughing and talking, enjoying the good food. Maybe some would rent rooms. That’s where the real profit would be made.

“Planning to help me peel the carrots and potatoes?”

He turned at the sound of his aunt’s amused voice. “Morning, Aunt Caroline. Just getting my bearings.”

She reached out and put a hand on his arm. “Everything’s going to be all right. You’ll see. We’ve created a wonderful hotel, the staff is ready to go, and your vision will come true.”

Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you. Your faith in me means everything.”

“You have it. Now, are you going to scoot out of my way, or are you going to come in here and help me with the vegetables?”

He chuckled. “I’ll leave the food to you. I’m not quite done walking around and worrying about everything.”

“Frankly, I think it’s a waste of time, but if that’s what it takes to get you ready, by all means, go ahead.” Caroline disappeared into the kitchen, and Adam turned back to the dining room. This was the stage where everything would play out. He hoped for encore after encore after encore.

* * *

Mr. Hoover, the station manager, nodded to Adam as he stepped up onto the platform. “Good day, Mr. Brody. All ready for the train, I see.”

Adam leaned forward and shook his hand. “I am. It just remains to be seen if the train is ready for me.”

Mr. Hoover laughed. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Most of the people who get off this train are hot and tired, and they don’t want to walk through town to get to another establishment. If you’ve got cool drinks and something to eat, they’ll flock to you in droves.”

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

The train’s whistle blew in the distance, and Adam took up a position near the edge of the platform. Tom was nearby, ready to lend a hand where needed, holding a sign that advertised the hotel.  It gave Adam comfort to know that Caroline was waiting for him next door and that the waitresses were ready—one waitress in particular. He hadn’t seen Elizabeth yet that morning, but Tom had reported that she’d been collected, and Adam could hardly wait to see her. He hoped she hadn’t changed her mind after their conversation the afternoon before. Maybe a good night’s sleep had made her see the error of her ways and she’d realized that it wasn’t wise for her to become involved with a dreamer, a risk taker like him. But then he remembered again the way she’d closed her eyes when he touched her face. She must feel the same way he did—there was no other explanation.

The train puffed into view, and Adam watched with anticipation as it pulled up to the platform. As the passengers alighted, he stepped forward, introduced himself, and invited them to go over to the Brody Hotel. Then he moved on to the next couple or group, repeating the invitation. The train wasn’t filled to capacity, but he figured he’d made his little speech twelve or thirteen times when all was said and done, and he did see some people making their way through the hotel’s front gate. Tom followed after a moment, carrying a couple of satchels, and Adam exhaled with relief.

“You have the copy of the train schedule I gave you, so you know you can’t keep these folks very long, right, Mr. Brody?” Mr. Hoover reminded him.

“I do. Thank you for all your help.” Adam tipped his hat and walked back over to the hotel, eager to see how many they’d be serving for this very first meal.

When he entered the dining room, he saw that Caroline had seated the travelers at five tables, and the young ladies were busy taking orders. His gaze flicked around the room until he saw Elizabeth. Just the sight of her calmed his heart. She wore a dark dress and a crisp white apron, and she listened attentively while her customer explained what he wanted. Then she turned toward the kitchen and caught Adam’s eye, and she smiled. His chest warmed until it felt like a pair of slippers on a snowy day.

The staff moved efficiently from the dining room to the kitchen, carrying trays of food and refilling water glasses. Adam tried to keep an eye on things without looking like he was being nosy or trying to interfere. Truth be told, Caroline had things so well in hand, he wasn’t needed at all except to make an appearance as the owner and hopefully to create a good impression.

When everyone had eaten their fill, they left the hotel and filed back to the train station. Caroline closed the door behind the last one and smiled. “We did it, ladies and gentlemen. Our first meal served.”

Adam clapped. “Well done. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Caroline rested against the door for a few seconds, then straightened. “Now we’ll see what kind of a mess was left for us.”

Adam walked into the dining room with her to find the four waitresses already clearing the tables and pulling off soiled linens. They looked a little tired, but they also looked triumphant, exactly the way he felt. This would be a success—now he sensed that excitement in the air Tom had been talking about.

Chapter Sixteen

The evening meal was prepared with the same speed and efficiency as the meal earlier in the day. This time, Mr. Dupree, the conductor who had helped deliver their shipment from New York, was one of their guests, as was Mrs. Dempsey.

“I decided I’d better come see what was going on down here on this end of town,” she said by way of greeting as Adam met her near the door. “If I’m going to recommend you to other folks, I should make sure I have my facts straight.”

“Welcome to the Brody Hotel,” Adam said with a wink, motioning her toward her table.

He stood in the corner of the dining room and counted the heads. This time, they had twenty guests, and that encouraged him greatly. When one couple indicated that they’d like a room, he was even more encouraged.

Mr. Dupree seemed to be paying some special attention to Caroline. He waved her over to the table and asked her a question, and to Adam’s surprise, she laughed and seemed genuinely amused. Adam took a closer look at Mr. Dupree. He was neatly dressed in a crisp conductor’s uniform, his hair was trimmed, and he seemed polite. Of course, as a railroad employee, he was taught to be polite as part of his job. Was he just as polite when he was off the clock?

Caroline was a beautiful woman—Adam had always thought so. Of course, she resembled his mother, who had been truly lovely. It was no wonder to him that Mr. Dupree was showing interest. However, his protective nature made him wonder if he should be investigating this conductor, maybe asking the station manager his opinion. He would feel terrible if his aunt’s heart were to be broken.

Then he shook his head. He had no reason to worry—this was a dining room. Of course a customer would want to speak to the cook—he was most likely letting his imagination run loose.

The girls were just cleaning up the last bits of dinner when Adam decided he need to step outside for a moment. The air inside had become a bit warm, and he wondered about opening a few windows to allow a breeze. The dust was never predictable, however, and he didn’t like the idea of ruining a white tablecloth or even someone’s bowl of soup if there should be an unexpected gust.

He stood on the porch for a minute and breathed in the early evening air. Maybe he could make a home for himself in Topeka, feel like he belonged here instead of being an outsider. That was something he missed about his old life, back when he had friends and acquaintances.

Suddenly, a cry caught his attention, and he looked up to see an older woman running toward the hotel, clutching a bundle in her arms. He stepped through the gate and caught her just as she collapsed.

“Madam, what’s the matter? Are you all right?”

“I need . . . to find my daughter.”

“What’s your daughter’s name? May I help?”

“Her name is Elizabeth Caldwell,” the woman said. “Our . . . our house is on fire.”

Panic seized Adam’s chest. “On fire?”

She nodded.

“Tom!” Adam nearly screamed, and Tom came running around the corner of the building.

“Ride out to the Caldwells’. Take whatever men you can find. Their house is on fire. But first, go inside and tell Miss Caldwell to come out. ”

Tom nodded and ran up the porch steps.

“Did you tell anyone else?” Adam asked, still holding the woman upright by her elbows. She held her bundle tightly and wouldn’t loosen it.

“A few men as I came here. I believe you’re Mr. Brody?” She seemed to be having trouble breathing.

“I am, and you must be the woman who made me the most delectable cake I’ve ever eaten.” Maybe she’d be able to regain her breath if he kept the conversation light. He maneuvered the woman through the gate and led her up to the hotel. She made it as far as the steps before her knees gave out, and she sat heavily.

Adam wondered what was keeping Elizabeth as he sat next to the woman on the steps. “Mrs. Caldwell, tell me more about the fire. Was it a cooking accident?”

She shook her head. “I heard two men laughing outside, and then the shattering of glass. They threw a torch through our window.”

“Were they the ones who have been bothering Miss Caldwell?”

“I don’t know. I never saw those men. But these two were making ribald comments, and I imagine they would be the same ones.”

Just then, the bundle in her arms began to move. Adam startled. He’d been expecting a pile of clothing, perhaps a few family heirlooms, but not a living thing. He was even more surprised when a tiny hand poked out of the blankets.

“Mrs. Caldwell, I . . .”

“Mother!” Elizabeth ran through the front door and fell to her knees on the porch, gathering the woman and the tiny child into her arms. “Are you hurt?”

“We’re fine. We’re both just fine.” Mrs. Caldwell returned her daughter’s hug with her free arm. “It’s all right.”

Elizabeth buried her head in the woman’s shoulder, her hand clutching the infant’s, and sobbed. Adam felt completely bewildered—he had no idea what was going on.

“Mrs. Caldwell, would you like to come inside?” he said after a long moment.

“Her name isn’t Mrs. Caldwell.” Elizabeth raised her head and wiped at her tears. “Mr. Brody, I need to speak with you.”

“Yes, I think that would be wise.” Adam stood and helped Elizabeth’s mother, whatever her name might be, into the hotel, her curious bundle still held snugly in her arms. He asked Caroline to fetch some cool water and something to eat for their guest, and then he followed Elizabeth into his office.

* * *

Elizabeth’s knees were trembling so badly, she thought she might fall over right there on the rug. Her house was on fire, but thank goodness her mother and baby had made it out safely, and Tom had assured her he’d do everything he could to save her home. She had no idea how severe the damage would be, but she feared that the even greater damage would be to her new relationship with Mr. Brody if she didn’t take this opportunity to explain things to him. She trusted Tom to see to her meager belongings—she was the only one who could salvage this situation.