Everything was coming together nicely, in Riley’s estimation. Though the Bowmans had decided to hold off until after the train depot was well established, Charlie Monroe was all in. A crew was set to begin next Monday on a twelve-room hotel and spa near the springs on the Monroe’s property, with a tentative plan for a restaurant and another hotel nearby.
If everything went according to plan, the hotel should be ready by the time the first train pulled into town. Mayor Bridges was so excited he could barely sit still. He had already purchased ads in newspapers around the country, inviting tourists to Lampasas come next spring.
Riley rode Medina all the way up to the front porch and looped her reins around the rail post, climbing the steps two at a time. Three knocks, but he didn’t wait for an answer before he nudged open the door. “Hello? Charlie?”
“Come on in,” Charlie called.
“It’s all ready to go.” Riley handed the older man the large brown envelope and took a seat next to him. “I have a good feeling about this.”
Charlie’s knotted fingers smoothed out the building plans on his lap. He adjusted his spectacles and studied the papers. “Looks pretty fancy.”
“Yes. People who can afford to come to a luxury spa will expect fancy.”
Charlie didn’t say much else, other than an occasional, “Hmmm...” as he turned the plans this way and that. But Riley thought the man looked pleased.
“You sure you got the money to pay for all this?” Charlie set the papers aside and eyed him.
“I believe so, sir. I’ve worked for my father since I was fifteen, and I’ve invested that money. My dad’s actually a pretty savvy investor, and I’ve followed his lead. It’s taking nearly everything I have, but as I said, I have a good feeling this is going to be a success.”
“I hope so. For all our sakes,” Charlie said. “Did you see to the other matter we discussed?”
“My lawyer is drawing up the papers now. He said it would be another week or so.”
“And Emma and Lyndel will inherit equally? I want Emma taken care of.”
“Yes, sir. I made sure he understood.”
“We have just a few months before the first train arrives. How long do you think it will be before we turn a profit?”
“Since the land is paid for and I’m not having to borrow to cover the building expenses, it shouldn’t take long. If we can hire the staff we need and keep the hotel filled to capacity, I’d say you’ll be well provided for in no time.”
“I don’t like Emma working as a maid. She wants to be a teacher. No offense to you or your family.”
“I understand. A local university is part of the mayor’s long-term plan. Maybe Emma can get her teaching certificate without leaving home.”
“As long as she has the option.” Charlie speared him with a look that said more than a library of books ever could. If only Riley could make the man understand. Whether she ever returned his affections or not, nothing would make Riley happier than to see all Emma’s dreams come true. Actually, nothing would make him happier than her love...but even if she never loved him, he’d do his best for the Monroes. For Emma.
Because that’s the kind of man he wanted to be.
It didn’t take long in the General Store since Emma only needed a couple of things to restock the Stratton’s pantry. By the time she and Skye finished, Medina was gone. Still, Emma didn’t want to take a chance of meeting Riley on the road, so she decided to take a quick detour. She’d stop by and check on Pa before going back to work.
She’d ventured so deep into her thoughts, lulled almost into a trance by Skye’s soft humming, that she was all the way in her yard before she noticed Medina hitched to the porch rail.
What was Riley doing here? Should she turn around and go back to work?
But it was too late. They must have heard the horse and buggy, for the front door opened and Riley stepped out. The expression on his face held a mixture of guilt and regret and something almost mischievous, as if he’d gotten caught pinching the cornbread again.
“Hello,” he called.
“Uncle Riley!” Skye jumped from the wagon and ran up the stairs, lunging at his legs with the force of a young filly running for a fresh bucket of apples.
“Hey there, Sunshine.” Riley scooped up his niece and held her close. “I see you’re taking good care of Rilene. Has she been minding you?”
Skye giggled and nodded.
“She eating well?”
More laughter. “Yes.”
“Cleaning up her room?”
Skye chortled. If Emma hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed the transformation. What had happened between these two?
She climbed from the buggy, and Riley swept down the stairs to offer his assistance, still holding Skye on one hip. Why did he have to be such a gentleman?
“Thank you,” Emma whispered. “I must admit, I wasn’t expecting to find you here.”
“I was just leaving,” he said, but offered no further explanation. He set Skye down and tipped his hat to them both. “Ladies.” Then he climbed on Medina and left them on the porch in a cloud of dust.
Emma stood there, mouth agape, watching him ride off into the blue-sky-and-cedar-framed road. Then she took Skye by the hand and marched into the house.
“Hello, Pa.”
“Well, hello. I certainly didn’t expect you at this time of day. Hello, Skye.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Just sitting here, like always.”
Clearly, Pa wasn’t going to give Emma a clue as to why Riley was there. If they wanted to play that game, they could just play alone.
Except curiosity was about to eat her from the inside out. She swallowed back the questions that fought to get out and kissed her father on the head. “I’m glad to see you’re well. Skye and I best get back to work.”
“See you in a few hours.” Pa picked up some papers...what were those? But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of looking over his shoulder. She’d just have to wait until tonight when he was asleep. Maybe she could snoop then.
“All right.” She used a haven’t-got-a-care tone, but Pa seemed unaffected.
For now, she didn’t have any choice but to take Skye by the hand, climb in her wagon, and head back to the Strattons.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
Riley had found the best crew money could buy. Or at least the best crew in these parts. He’d even paid extra to have the foreman’s word that they’d keep the entire project under wraps until its completion.
Oh, word would get out long before then. But the longer Riley could avoid telling his father about his plans, the longer he’d have a place to sleep. When Dad found out what Riley had gotten himself in the middle of, he was going to detonate.
And Riley would be quite homeless.
Emma was another story, though. In a few days, men would be crawling all over her property, not to mention the enormous structure that would soon rise like a phoenix from the barren fields of what was once a beautiful farm. How would she react? Would she be angry? Would she accuse Riley of taking advantage of her father’s illness, or using his influence to push the man into doing something he didn’t want to do?
Knowing her opinion of him, he felt pretty sure she wouldn’t be happy about his joining forces with her father. But maybe one day, she’d see that he really was trying to do the right thing.
Maybe one day she’d see he wasn’t like the rest of his family. But even if she didn’t, that was all right. Just knowing he was acting honorably, following God’s lead, was enough for him.
At least that’s what he kept telling himself.
But the thought that one day soon, he would stand alone against everyone who’d ever been important to him was more than a little unsettling. It left him feeling both excited and terrified. He’d already jumped from the boat. Whether he sank or swam was yet to be seen.
Just when Emma was finally recovered from the Thursday evening dinner, Allison decided she wanted to throw a tea party for the Temperance Society ladies. She showed up in the kitchen Friday afternoon, Davis on her hip, a stack of recipes in her hands, and announced the party would be the following Tuesday.
Emma took the recipes and assured her employer she’d see to it, and Allison exited toward the front of the house, onto the wide front porch. The music of Davis’s giggles and squeals brought a smile to Emma’s heart.
Was there a third voice on the porch? Oh, dear. Where was Skye? Emma had sent her to the garden to cut some fresh rosemary. A look out the kitchen window showed Skye was nowhere to be seen.
She tiptoed to the dining room where she could peer, unnoticed, onto the porch. There was Skye, sitting cross-legged on the blanket next to Davis, playing peek-a-boo with the little boy as Allison watched, laughing.
Emma was transfixed. Never in a thousand lifetimes would she have thought Allison Stratton would show any kind of tenderness, or even tolerance, toward Skye. Yet here she was, treating the child as if she had a right to be there, playing with her cousin.
After several minutes, Emma returned to the kitchen. This family was truly an enigma. Were they good people or evil overlords?
After a time, Skye returned through the back door and said nothing of the interaction on the porch.
A short time later, Allison reappeared. Surprisingly, she sat right down at the kitchen table and asked Emma’s opinions on which sandwiches and what flavor of punch sounded best for the party. She even asked Skye if she’d like to help make decorations.
Skye nodded.
Truly, this new side of Allison left Emma feeling pretty wobbly. Was it a trick? Was Emma being set up?
“I hope at least one of your dresses will be ready by then, Emma,” Allison told her.
“I suppose I could stop by tomorrow and see how she’s coming along.”
“Splendid. You can get supplies for the party while you’re in town.”
Emma had never in her life had such a hard time deciding if something smelled of roses...or a rat.
When Skye whispered she had to use the necessary, Emma dismissed her to the outhouse. As soon as the door shut behind the child, Allison cleared her throat.
“I...want you to know...I think it’s a good thing, what you’re trying to do for that child. It’s a pity...well…” Allison pulled at a thread on the tablecloth.
Allison Stratton, nervous? And at a loss for words?
She’d seen everything now.
“I don’t know what will become of her,” Allison continued. “But whatever happens, I’m glad you’ve taken an interest in her.”
“You know, she’s really warmed up to her Uncle Riley. I’m sure she’d welcome attention from her Aunt Allison, as well.”
Allison stood, walked to the kitchen window. “You don’t understand how things work in this family. It’s not that easy. Riley is John Stratton’s son, I’m just the daughter-in-law.”
She was right. Emma didn’t understand. What was Allison afraid of? John Stratton? How could anyone just stand by and watch an innocent child suffer?
But Emma knew better than to voice those questions out loud. For now, it would have to be enough to know Allison had revealed a chip in her armor. She had a soft spot for children.
Emma wasn’t quite sure what to do with that information. It was so much easier to think of Allison as the Ice Queen—cold and uncaring. She didn’t know how to respond to this new version of her employer.
As if Allison sensed the disarray her revelation had caused, she sealed up the chink, stiffened her back, and turned to Emma. “There will be a lot of important ladies at this tea. I hope you won’t let me down.” And with an icy stare that chilled Emma from her nose to her toes, Allison left the room.
For the hundredth time since she’d been in their employ, she thanked God for not making her a part of this crazy family.
But even as the thought floated through her mind, Riley’s face melted away the chill, and she felt a twinge of regret that, indeed, she never would be part of this family.