7

Jacob sat at a table in his small office space in one corner of the storeroom. A pen, ink, and an open ledger rested beneath a glowing oil lamp. He’d postponed his monthly report to Colin Riley, his partner in Boston, until he could think of a way to explain his hiring of Miss Haddon. Colin had warned him more than once about being overly charitable.

Jacob massaged the back of his neck. He didn’t believe his partner would be persuaded by a description of Miss Haddon’s sweet face and shining green eyes as the reason behind his decision to add her to the expense side of the ledger, although if he were honest that’s what he’d have to say.

The middle of May was fast approaching. Two weeks had passed since her employment. If he didn’t post a letter soon, Colin would no doubt send someone to check on him.

Jacob wanted to avoid such a visit at all costs.

He groaned and lifted a sheet of paper, then copied the income and expense figures for April at the top of the page. Thankfully, income exceeded expense even with the addition of another employee. After writing a draft for Colin’s share of the profits, he scribbled a brief message beneath the figures:

You’ll note I’ve added another person to the kitchen. She’s been a great help to Mrs. Fielder. With summer coming on, the cooperage and wagon shop will be hiring more men. I hear a brickyard will set up here soon, as well. New customers should easily cover the additional salary.

He stopped and tapped the pen holder against the tabletop. Should he say more about Miss Haddon? No, he’d stop now. Too many explanations opened the door to too many questions.

After dipping the nib in the ink again, he signed his name. In the morning, he’d take the letter to the post office and send it on its way.

“Mr. West?” Miss Haddon’s voice spoke behind him. He started, dropping the pen. She’d appeared as if his thoughts of her had brought her to the doorway.

“What is it?” His voice sounded harsher than he intended.

She took a step back. “Please excuse the interruption. I know it’s time to go home, but a man came to the kitchen door to talk to you. Mrs. Fielder made him stay outside, but she told me to come get you.” Her eyes opened wide. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I’ll come with you right now.” He gentled his voice, berating himself for causing the apprehensive expression he saw on her face. Frightening her was the last thing he wanted to do.

He followed her from the grocery through the dining room, then to the kitchen. Mrs. Fielder stood near the door wearing her cloak.

“The fellow’s in the alley. He wouldn’t say what he wants.”

“Thank you both. Before I talk to him, I’ll see you out the front entrance.” When he caught a surprised look pass between Miss Haddon and Mrs. Fielder, he hastened to explain. “No telling who’s out there. Best if he doesn’t know you’re out walking unescorted.”

By including the two of them in his comment, he hoped he’d hidden his concern for Miss Haddon. The drab clothing she wore to work couldn’t disguise her beauty. He wished he could offer to see her home, not merely tonight, but each night. He shook his head at his folly. At thirty-eight, he was practically middle-aged. She couldn’t be more than twenty-two. She’d never be interested in him.

When they reached the street entrance, he turned the key in the lock and swung the door wide. “See you tomorrow.”

Miss Haddon gave him the full benefit of her deep green eyes. “Yes, sir. I’ll be here.”

He paused a moment after closing the door to gather his straying thoughts. With an unknown visitor waiting in the alley, he needed to be alert. As far as he knew, Colin was the only person in Boston who knew where he was, but he couldn’t be overconfident. Life had a way of sneaking up on a man.

Bending over, he patted one of his boots. The outline of his Pepper-box pistol reassured him of the weapon’s presence. Thus prepared, he strode to the back door and inched open the screen door. He heard the visitor before he saw him.

“Mr. West?” A tall dark-skinned man stepped from the shadows, his hat tucked against his chest. Tight curls covered his scalp.

“I’m Jacob West.”

“My name’s Wash Bennett. I was wonderin’ if you need your kitchen swamped out nights after the ladies are to home.” Wash moved closer to the entrance.

Nothing about his slow drawl indicated Boston roots. Likely he was a freed slave, searching for work. Jacob relaxed a bit and pushed the door wide. “Come on in. You hungry?” He stepped aside and allowed the man to enter.

“No sir.” Wash’s skinny frame belied his words. “Not lookin’ for a handout. I work for my food.”

Jacob gazed around the kitchen, taking in spills in front of the worktables and stove. Most nights he stayed behind to scrub the floors after he balanced the day’s ledger entries. If he hired Wash Bennett, he’d be free to leave that much sooner.

A moment of silence passed between them. Pity swept over him at the sight of Wash’s hopeful face. So many former slaves needed work. He couldn’t help them all—but he could help one. Jacob rubbed his moustache with his thumb, then pointed to a mop and bucket in the far corner. “I could use someone. How soon can you start?”

“Right now. I’ll shine the place up real good.” Wash rolled up the sleeves of his faded chambray shirt. Ropy muscles stood out on his forearms.

“One thing first.” Jacob walked to the box where he stored bread and removed the wooden cover. He placed a loaf on the table and cut four slices, then spread them with butter. “Eat this now, then go to work. Tomorrow I’ll have the cook set aside some supper for you.”

Tears brimmed in the man’s eyes. “You’re a blessin’, sir. Thank you.”

Embarrassed, Jacob nodded. He thought of the unsent letter to Colin on the table in his office. He’d wait until next month to tell him about Wash Bennett. For now, he’d sit in the dining room and watch to see how his new employee carried out his duties.

It wouldn’t do to be too trusting.

As Cassie walked toward the Stewarts’ house, she pondered the change she’d seen in Mr. West. She wouldn’t have thought him afraid of anything. Yet his reaction to the news that someone waited for him behind the restaurant left her puzzled. Perhaps the lateness of the hour was the explanation. When she reached King’s Highway, she paused and forced her employer from her thoughts.

More immediate concerns awaited her in the brick home across the street. Her friend’s baby would be born in a few more weeks. Despite sending repeated letters to the railroad company, Mother hadn’t received any news about her brother. Tension vibrated in the air whenever she and Elijah were in the same room.

Cassie waited until a group of riders passed, then stepped off the boardwalk to cross the wide street. Her mind jumped from one solution to another, always returning to the same thought. She’d have to take what little she’d earned so far and try to find a place to live.

The atmosphere when she entered the house reinforced her decision. Rosemary sat alone, a half-knitted baby sacque resting on what was left of her lap. Woofs from the back garden told her that Elijah had probably taken Bodie and gone outside. As usual, Mother would be in their shared room, either reading or penning demands to the railroad. The contrast with the happy scene at her arrival last month brought tears to her eyes. How could her mother be oblivious to the disruption caused by their presence?

Rosemary pushed her knitting aside and smiled at Cassie. “Come sit with me. It’s lonely in here. Elijah seems more interested in throwing sticks for the dog than chatting with me in the evenings.”

“I suspect he’d like to be upstairs creating a nursery for your little one, but Mother and I are in the way.” Cassie took her friend’s hand. “We’ll be gone by the end of the week. I promise.”

Rosemary’s smile wobbled. “Please don’t do anything rash. I don’t want you to feel unwelcome. If it were up to me . . .”

“You’ve done everything you could to make us welcome. So did Elijah. We’ve overstayed.”

“Then tell me about your plans.” A frown crossed her friend’s face. “I hope you’re not leaving Noble Springs.”

Cassie shook her head. “I’m happy here. I like working for Mr. West, in spite of being confined to the kitchen.”

“You said that with a certain smile. Is it the work you like, or Jacob West?”

“Well . . .” She thought of his deep, resonant voice, and the kindness he tried to hide under a gruff manner. Knowing she’d see him every day spurred her toward the restaurant in the early mornings. “I must admit, I like both him and the work.” A flush heated her cheeks.

“He’s an honest man with a good reputation in town.” Rosemary’s eyes twinkled. “He’s a bachelor too.”

“Mother doesn’t like him.”

“Things change.”

“Mother doesn’t.”

Her friend blew out a breath and shifted on the sofa. “She can’t control your life forever.” She lowered her voice. “I’m concerned for her state of mind. More and more she shows signs of melancholia.”

Cassie had to agree. After her first few days at West & Riley’s, Mother had stopped complaining about her absences. As far as Cassie knew, she ventured from their room only for meals and to walk to the post office for more stamps and paper. The money she’d brought with her must be nearly depleted by now, with no results to show for her efforts.

Surely if they lived under their own roof, Mother would come around and take an interest in making a home for the two of them. Eventually she’d have to accept the fact that she’d never find her brother.

Nerves skittered in her throat. She’d given herself five days to find a place for them to live. Now that the words were out of her mouth, she prayed she could keep her promise.