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There was one man that she knew understood business very well. So she began to write a short message that she would send to Mr. Neil Sanders. She wrote and then scratched it out and wrote again. She went through several different wordings until she got one right.
She hoped that he could help. It was what Patrick said that he was a man of God and that it would take a businessman to talk to the railroad tycoons. That was when she rememebered that Neil was a very savvy businessman and perhaps he was even familiar with these railroad men. If anyone could talk to them and get them to let go of the church, then perhaps Neil was that man. She wrote the message and was satisfied by it.
An an hour later she joined Mrs. Hawkins and Mr. Hawkins at dinner. She was very quiet because she could not stop thinking about the message to Neil. Was this the right thing to do? What if he thought it was rude? What if he wanted to come out here to deal with it personal,y face-to-face? There were so many ideas running through her head about the awful consequences of sending the note for his assistance that she was very quiet throughout the entire dinner. She was so nervous she could hardly eat a bite.
But the next morning, she persuaded herself that sending him the message was the right thing to do. She woke up very early in the morning, before Mrs. Hawkins would be awake. She had already scorned so she knew that once she awoke she would not let her out of her sight. So she went down to the innkeeper's reception desk at dawn.
“Sir, is there a place where I might send a letter?”
“Yes, the general shop across the street is our post.”
“Perfect, thank you very much.“ She walked out and went directly across the street. This was very lucky indeed.
“I wish to send this by post.”
“Absolutely, miss. We can send it today for the post comes through at noon.”
She gave the letter to send. She was nervously fiddling her hands. She had to get back to the Inn before Mrs. Hawkins woke up.
She thanked the shopkeeper and quickly walked back to the Inn. She went directly to her room. Luckily, Mrs. Hawkins was not stirring yet. She sat down by the window and looked out over the village. There, she had done it. There was no undoing it now. Now, she only had to wait.
She never received a reply from Neil. It made her nervous, an entire week passed She did not know whether he got the message at all. Perhaps he was away on business.
When Sunday came she was excited to go to Patrick’s sermon again. She enjoyed his sermons very much and she enjoyed going to the outdoor church. She looked forward to Sunday more than any other day. Mrs. Hawkins and her husband were becoming very acquainted with the village and she actually saw Mrs. Hawkins beginning to loosen up a bit.
So, as Jennifer stood underneath the tent listening to the sermon, she was feeling more and more like she belonged here. Mrs. Hawkins was giving into the atmosphere, and so was she. But as she scanned the crowd, she saw a gentleman dressed in very fancy wear walk up to the crowd. She could not see his face but there was something very familiar about him. She was dodging her neck back and forth trying to get a good look at him. But as she did so she saw his vest. There was a very familiar silver chain pocket watch. She gapsed. Could it be? It couldn't.
But as the crowd moved with the end of the sermon, she saw the gentleman's face. It was Neil Sanders. He was in Knowl Hill. This could not be good. She had only asked for his assistance via letter, not by person. What have I done?
She felt sick to her stomach. She could not believe it. Was she dreaming? This could not be happening. The crowd dispersed and she watched as parishioners went out to Patrick to shake his hand and congratulate him on a good sermon. She had missed the end of the sermon because of her concern.
“Oh my word. Neil Sanders is here,” She told Mrs. Hawkins and her husband.
“What? You must be mistaken. Where is he?” Mrs. Hawkins said.
“The Hawkins! And Miss Christian. I am so glad to find you. I was unsure about arriving on a Sunday, but I had no choice. I cannot control the train schedule, as you know,” Neil said as he walked over to them.
“Mr. Sanders! This is a surprise indeed! What are you doing here in Knowl Hill?” Michael said.
“Well, when I received Sarah’s letter for assistance I came straight away. I knew that I could help. So I wasted no time.”
“Letter?” Mrs. Hawkins said giving Jennifer a look.
“Yes, she asked for advice and help about dealing with the problem with the railroad company. She figured I was the best man to ask,” he grinned.
“Yes, but sir, I did not think that you would trouble yourself to come all this way,” She said.
“I know. It is a bit much. But with the problem that you told me, I know that in-person is the best. Paperwork and such could take months. I know these gentlemen that you speak of; the railroad company. I have done business with them before. So it is better that I am here in person. Plus, any chance to see you, my dear,” he said.
“Hawkins! How did you enjoy today’s sermon?” Patrick came over to them.
Jennifer sucked in a sharp breath of air in shock. She did not want him to meet Neil after what she had told him.
“Pastor Bryce! We enjoyed it very much. Please allow me to introduce you to my associate, Mr. Neil Sanders,” Mr. Hawkins replied.
Patrick restrained emotion on his face. She knew he felt it. She knew that it bothered him that this man was here, just as much as it bothered her. Her heart broke just watching it cross his face. But being the good honorable man that he was, he said nothing but was polite.
“Mr. Neil Sanders, welcome to Knowl Hill. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I have heard good things about you.”
“Thank you. Pastor.”
“What brings you out here? The Hawkins did not mention they were expecting another acquaintance,” Patrick said. It pleased her that he was fishing for information. She liked knowing that he cared so much. Perhaps he was even feeling a little jealous. He would not be proud of that feeling, but he was only human after all. This was turning out to be a very awkward moment indeed.
“Miss Christian here sent me a letter about your dilemma with the railroad company. I have come to be of service, Pastor. I have dealt with these gentlemen before and I believe that I can perhaps speak with them. I do not know what the outcome will be, but Miss Christian sounded very dire that there was no one else with my expertise in business to deal with these men. So I came out straight away when I received it a week ago.”
Patrick looked shocked. It was only getting more awkward by the minute. She did not know what to do.
“Then you are a very good man to come all this way to help the church. My gratitude and appreciation to you, sir. You are also very good to your friends here. Miss Christian asked for your help and you came all this way to help her. You are very good indeed,” Patrick said.
She did not like where he was going with this.
“Now, Michael. Do you want to fill me in on the details of this railroad business? Perhaps we can go get a drink at the tavern while the ladies take lunch at the Inn?”
She heard Mrs. Hawkins gasp under her breath. She saw Patrick change his demeanor. The smile fell from his face but he was not rude about it. Mrs. Hawkins was shocked that Neil wanted to go to a tavern, and on a Sunday, in order to speak business. It was not the way of their family, and she knew that it made Patrick unsettled as well.
“The tavern is closed on Sunday, out of respect. I am sure that you will find the lobby of the Inn with tea service much more enjoyable as a substitute for your... needs,” Mr. Hawkins said.
“That is a shame. Shall we go then? There is no time to waste in business and time is money,” Neil said.
“Yes, of course. Let us walk this way to the Inn. Ladies?” Mr. Hawkins said.
Michael led Neil out of the tent ,and Mrs. Hawkins and Jennifer followed behind.
As Mrs. Hawkins and Jennifer walked behind Michael and Mr. Sanders as they conversed, Mrs. Hawkins whispered. “I cannot believe you would do such a thing, really Miss Christian.”
“I apologise. I did not mean for this to be the outcome. I only wrote for his advice, not his presence here.”
“Well, I guess that is no fault of your own. I cannot believe what he said about the tavern, and in the church, no less to the Pastor's face. Does he have no dignity, this man?”
“I am just as shocked as you are. The fact that he would come all this way is shocking, but the first thing on his mind is the tavern and drink.” Jennifer said. She felt some sort of happiness that Mrs. Hawkins was displeased with Neil and perhaps would not try to push her to marry the man after all. But him showing up in the village, Jennifer knew he would expect something in return for his trouble, and that worried her.
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