Chapter Two

The distinct urge to throttle his brother was immediate.

Jack was well aware that Walter was prone to saying whatever popped into his head, but this time he’d gone too far.

He’d all but offered Myrtle a most unusual proposal on Jack’s behalf. And even though Walter was apparently under the misimpression that he was being helpful, at thirty-one years old, Jack was perfectly capable of proposing to a woman on his own—not that he’d had much success in figuring out how to let Myrtle know he was interested in courting her.

As it stood now, though, he wouldn’t be surprised if Myrtle decided he was completely ridiculous, as well as incompetent, because what woman longed to spend time with a man who needed his younger brother to speak for him?

Given that there was now complete and utter astonishment in Myrtle’s eyes, it was evident she’d not been aware she’d garnered his affections. The reason behind that undoubtedly rested with him, because he’d not actually spoken to her much since he’d first laid eyes on her five months ago. That moment was forever etched in his memory, because the second he’d gotten a glimpse of Miss Myrtle Schermerhorn, he’d known she was the woman he’d been waiting for his entire life. He’d also known, though—what with her being the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—that she was far above his reach.

A beautiful woman such as Myrtle Schermerhorn, who was capable of maintaining her poise even while dealing with the most querulous guests, was hardly likely to be impressed with a man who could claim only an eighth-grade education, even though he was now a self-made man in possession of a more-than-reputable fortune.

She was a woman who drew a man’s notice, especially since she had the unusual ability of gliding across a room instead of merely walking across it. And even though Harvey Girls, especially the ones working at El Tovar, were expected to be refined, gracious, and capable at serving their many guests, he’d yet to discover exactly why Myrtle had taken such a menial position.

Being a Harvey Girl was a difficult and demanding job, and though Myrtle had never given him a reason to believe she didn’t enjoy the work, it bothered him that she toiled day after day serving others, especially when he had the means to give her a life of luxury—a life where she’d never have to work again. All he needed to do was figure out how to convince her to accept such a life with him.

But since he was failing somewhat spectacularly at convincing her of anything, what with how he seemed incapable of holding an actual conversation with her, he was probably in for a rough time of it, especially after the nonsense Walter had just spouted.

Deciding there was nothing to do but offer an apology for his brother’s unfortunate remarks, Jack drew in a breath—a mistake if there ever was one, because he’d forgotten he was in the process of trying to swallow a piece of steak. Air immediately became impossible to come by, and he began pounding his chest, trying to dislodge the steak from his throat.

“Good heavens, Mr. Daggett, are you all right?” Myrtle asked.

As much as he wanted to pretend that he was, Jack was beginning to see stars from lack of air, so he merely shook his head and gave his chest another pound.

“He’s choking,” he heard her say as she moved to stand behind him. A second after that, she began pummeling his back, something so unexpected that he lurched forward, his face smacking into his plate of mashed potatoes and creamed cauliflower. Thankfully, though, when she hit him again, the steak dislodged, and he pulled blessed air into his lungs. Breathing in another breath, even though doing so left him sputtering because his mouth was buried in potatoes, he raised his head, finding that the entire dining room had gone silent as everyone watched the drama unfold.

Swiping a hand over a face covered in potatoes and dripping cream from the cauliflower, he lifted his gaze, finding Myrtle watching him with wide eyes, her face a delightful shade of pink, probably brought about due to her rigorous pummeling.

“Miss Schermerhorn, what have you done to poor Mr. Daggett?”

Jack shifted his attention from Myrtle to Mr. Gene Eliot, one of the managers at El Tovar, who was currently glaring at Myrtle.

Rising to his feet, Jack took the napkin Myrtle snatched from the table and handed him, and after taking another swipe at his face, he took a step toward Mr. Eliot, who immediately took a step backward.

“Miss Schermerhorn just saved my life, Mr. Eliot, which means you should be commending her. If she hadn’t reacted so quickly, I’m convinced I’d now be spread out on the floor, no breath left in my body, which would have then left you with the unfortunate task of cleaning up the mess my death would most certainly have caused.”

Mr. Eliot glanced toward Myrtle, then back to Jack. “She saved your life?”

“Indeed. I choked on my steak—although allow me to say that it had nothing to do with the steak, which was delicious. Until I choked on it, that is.”

“I suppose that does shed a different light on the matter,” Mr. Eliot said before he nodded to Myrtle. “My apologies, Miss Schermerhorn. I’m afraid I jumped to the conclusion that you were accosting Mr. Daggett.”

Myrtle quirked a delicate brow Mr. Eliot’s way, the quirking drawing attention to brown eyes that some might consider rather ordinary but Jack found nothing of the sort. Myrtle’s eyes always seemed, at least to him, to be filled with a sense of excitement as she went about her day serving up meal after meal in the El Tovar dining room. That she could find excitement in such a mundane task and maintain an air of cheerfulness was one of the reasons he’d been drawn back to El Tovar time and time again, even though his traveling to the Grand Canyon on such a frequent basis disrupted the business he’d always so diligently pursued.

That business had begun years ago, when he’d created an unusual concoction to combat the termites eating all the fence posts that kept his family’s small herd of cattle corralled. After he’d been forced to dig out one too many posts, he’d begun experimenting with different forms of creosote, adding a variety of different tars to his mixture before he finally added in a bit of zinc to see what would happen. The zinc turned out to be exactly what was needed to repel insects in an effective manner, while the tar in the mixture preserved the wood from the elements.

His family had been struggling financially for years, and because he’d known he’d stumbled onto something that might have value to those involved with the lumber industry as well as the telegraph industry, because so many telegraph poles were needed as the railroads moved west, he’d quit school after finishing the eighth grade and gone on the road, taking his concoction to the timber barons. Because of his unusual size, the timber barons believed they were dealing with a man, not a boy on the verge of manhood, and before Jack knew it, he was selling his product at a rapid rate. Once money began flowing in, he built a factory to produce his creosote in large quantities. He’d amassed a fortune by the time he was twenty-five—one that was now considered one of the greatest fortunes in the West.

“Have I ever given you reason to believe I’m a lady who’d accost a guest dining at El Tovar?” Myrtle demanded, pulling Jack from his thoughts.

Mr. Eliot gave a quick shake of his head. “Can’t say that you have.”

“Then I’ll thank you to remember that in the future, Mr. Eliot, especially if another guest chokes on a meal and I’m forced to take action again.” Myrtle turned from Mr. Eliot and winced as she looked Jack over. “I am sorry, Mr. Daggett, about pushing your face into your plate. I imagine I must have taken you by surprise, but do know that I’ll pay to have your jacket laundered, since it’s now covered with potatoes, which aren’t looking nearly as fetching as you apparently once found them.”

Ignoring the creamed cauliflower dripping from his chin, Jack shook his head. “You’ll do no such thing, Miss Schermerhorn. As I just mentioned, you saved my life. I hope you’ll allow me to treat you to a nice dinner, or if that’s not to your liking, I’d be honored to escort you around the grounds this evening. The sunset over the canyon is always magnificent, and I would enjoy taking in that view with the woman who just made it possible for me to actually see another sunset.”

For a second, Jack thought Myrtle might refuse because she was looking at him with her mouth slightly agape, but then, to his relief, she nodded, albeit rather slowly.

“That sounds lovely, Mr. Daggett. I quite enjoy seeing the sun set over the canyon. I do hope you won’t retreat back to your normal silent self, though, because it will be a much more enjoyable evening if you and I can actually hold a conversation with each other, something we’ve not had an opportunity to do before now.”

“My brother’s always been more of a strong, silent type,” Walter called out behind him. Jack turned his head and discovered Walter standing next to a Harvey Girl named Miss Ruthanne Hill, a young woman who was currently beaming a bright smile Jack’s way, a smile that was accompanied by a discreet nod, as if she was trying to encourage him to . . . well, he had no idea what she was trying to encourage him to do.

Myrtle directed eyes that had begun twinkling at Walter. “That does explain much, but now, if all of you will excuse me, I need to return to work.” She nodded to Jack. “My shift is over at six. I could meet you on the front veranda at seven, if that’s an acceptable time for us to take our stroll.”

Jack caught Mr. Eliot’s eye and didn’t need to say a word, because the manager immediately turned his attention to Myrtle. “You may end your shift early today, Miss Schermerhorn. You did, after all, save Mr. Daggett’s life, and I believe that deserves some manner of reward. Why don’t you take off now?”

To Jack’s surprise, Myrtle shook her head. “That would cause additional work for other Harvey Girls. I’ll finish out my shift, thank you very much, and then”—she smiled at Jack—“I’ll meet you at seven.”

As Myrtle glided for the kitchen, Jack watched her disappear through the kitchen door, his respect for her increasing by the second.

Her refusal to end her shift early spoke volumes about her character. That character lent credence to the conclusion he’d been coming to over the past few months, that she was a woman like no other he’d ever known and one he wanted to pursue—or maybe woo was a better way to look at it—even though he’d made a complete muddle of matters so far.

Nevertheless, because he was a man who believed in chasing his dreams, and he’d been dreaming about Myrtle a lot these days, he knew it was past time he stopped being ridiculous and got on with the business of trying to convince her he could offer her a life she’d never imagined. Before he did that, though, he needed to get the creamed cauliflower off his face, because no woman would be impressed by a man wearing his supper.

Four hours later, after he’d finally gotten his turn in one of the few bathing chambers El Tovar offered—a situation he had a feeling management would eventually rectify, since so many families were streaming to the hotel to see the wonders of the Grand Canyon—Jack strode into his guest room, unsurprised to find Walter lounging in a wooden rocking chair.

Looking up from the papers he’d been perusing, Walter nodded. “I see you finally got those fetching potatoes off you.”

Depositing the towel he’d been using to dry his hair on the back of another chair, Jack released a bit of a grunt. “How did I know you were going to bring up my unfortunate remark about fetching potatoes at your earliest convenience?”

Walter shrugged. “How could I not? I encouraged you to tell Myrtle she was looking fetching today, and the next thing I knew, you were proclaiming your potatoes were fetching instead.”

“It was not my finest moment.”

“Agreed.” Walter smiled. “It was amusing, though, and it did make me understand exactly why Ma insisted I accompany you here.”

Jack sat down in a chair next to his brother. “I thought you accompanied me because you wanted to learn more about doing the books for Daggett Industries.”

“If you’ve forgotten—although I don’t how you could, since you’re the one who insisted I pursue a formal education—I’m in possession of a college degree. In finance, no less. I could do your books in my sleep.”

“So you lied to me about why you wanted to come to El Tovar?”

“Lied is such a nasty word. I prefer stretched the truth, but only for your own good. Besides, Ma made me, so I really had no choice in the matter.”

“Why would she have done that?”

Walter’s brows drew together. “How could you not realize that by mentioning Myrtle a few times over the past months, you’d attract Ma’s curiosity?”

“I didn’t say that much about Myrtle.”

“A fair point, but since you’ve never talked about a woman before at all, the few times you did say something about Myrtle got Ma thinking you might have romantic intentions. That right there is the reason she insisted I travel with you to El Tovar to assess the situation.”

“You’re here to assess the situation?”

“I am, and good thing, because you’re clearly in need of some assistance in the romance department.”

“I can do romance without any help.”

Walter released a snort. “Romance involves interaction, Jack, something you’re woefully inadequate at with Myrtle. She doesn’t even know about your work or that you’re building a more-than-impressive house in Michigan.”

“I didn’t want her to come to the conclusion that I’m a braggart.”

“I don’t believe you need to worry about that because she doesn’t seem to have been given an opportunity to conclude much of anything about you except that you find potatoes fetching and apparently have a problem eating steak.”

“She makes me nervous.”

Walter gave a knowing nod. “Because you think she’s above your reach.”

“She is above my reach. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and has this air of refinement about her that one doesn’t normally find in a waitress. She also has the most glorious way of gliding across a room. I could watch her walk for hours and must admit I’ve done just that over the past few months.”

“You really think she’s the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen?”

“Without question. She has an understated beauty that I’m sure many overlook, but her face is very expressive and suggests she’s a lady who is captivated with life and all the adventures it has to offer. And while some might find her hair to be a normal shade of brown, I can’t help but feel the most unusual urge to study it closer, especially to see if the red I think I noticed in it a time or two when she’s walked past a window is really red or just a figment of my imagination.”

“You might want to refrain from doing that until the two of you become better acquainted. She might not know what to make of you suddenly inspecting her hair with any intensity.”

“Think she’d notice if I slipped on the spectacles I occasionally use for reading to get a closer look at it?”

“Probably, particularly if she hasn’t seen you wearing spectacles before.”

“Perhaps I should take a book with me next time I dine, which would allow me the perfect excuse to let her see me with spectacles.” Jack smiled. “Did I mention that I’ve often seen Myrtle holding a book when she’s heading off to take a break?”

Walter returned the smile. “You have not, but how delightful to learn Myrtle is a reader. You can use your love of books as a common interest and discuss them with her when you take that stroll this evening.”

“I don’t imagine she reads the same books I do. She doesn’t strike me as the type to enjoy Dracula or The Time Machine.”

“You never know, she might. But if you’re worried about that, why don’t you bring up that new book our younger sister was talking about last week—The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton? Sadie said it revolved around New York high society, and I’ve yet to meet a woman who isn’t interested in high society or who doesn’t secretly long to join it—our sister included.”

“That does explain why Sadie’s been so determined to enroll in a finishing school.” Jack shook his head. “I’ve told her that our family isn’t cultured enough to be accepted into society, but she’s still determined to get herself invited into Chicago society, which is why she’s been pestering me to build a house there.”

“I think Chicago society would be only too willing to have our family join their ranks, given the vast fortune you’ve made over the years. New York society, on the other hand, which Sadie tells me is the society of choice, wouldn’t be keen to open its doors to us, because we’re definitely considered upstart members of the newly rich.”

Jack nodded before he frowned. “Do you think Myrtle has dreams of entering society? She’s refined enough to impress even the most critical of society members, even with her taking on a position as a Harvey Girl.”

“I know this is probably a ridiculous question, seeing as how you’ve rarely talked to her, but have you asked her why she decided to become a Harvey Girl?”

“I haven’t, but I would think she’s done so because she needed to earn a wage.”

To Jack’s surprise, Walter shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the only reason.”

“Why not?”

“Because I had a lovely chat with Miss Ruthanne Hill after you left. I moved to Ruthanne’s section, you see, to get out of Myrtle’s way because she was cleaning up the mess you made, and—”

“Myrtle had to clean up the mess I made?” Jack interrupted.

“She had help from a busboy, but yes, she did clean up all the potatoes strewn about the table.”

“I should have stayed and assisted her.”

“She wouldn’t have appreciated that, nor would she have agreed to your assistance. But getting back to why she’s a Harvey Girl, Ruthanne told me something I think might be of interest to you.”

“What?”

“Myrtle apparently suffered a broken engagement almost a year ago, and even though Ruthanne said Myrtle doesn’t say much about that unfortunate situation, it seems to me as if that broken engagement might be behind Myrtle’s decision to become a Harvey Girl.”

“What man in his right mind would break off an engagement with a lady like Myrtle?”

“I have no idea, but perhaps that dastardly business is also why Myrtle told Ruthanne that she’s made a vow to swear off men forever.”

Jack blinked. “That might make any attempt at wooing somewhat tricky.”

“Except that Ruthanne—who is a very delightful young woman, by the way, and one who agreed to take a stroll with me later this evening—told me she thinks Myrtle’s had a change of heart about that because of you.”

Jack’s lips curved. “You don’t say.”

“I do say, and I think now is the point in the conversation where you thank me for opening the door to that courtship you’ve been hoping to pursue with Myrtle.”

“You’re mad if you think I’m going to thank you after you extended Myrtle what amounted to nothing less than a very peculiar secondhand proposal.”

“One she didn’t get an opportunity to accept because you ruined the moment by choking.”

“Thus giving her a much-needed excuse to avoid the topic altogether.”

Walter tilted his head. “You’ll need to broach that topic again with her—and the sooner the better. Can’t very well leave a marriage proposal up in the air like that.”

“I didn’t propose marriage to her—you did. Maybe you should broach it with her, tell her you completely took leave of your senses for a moment or something to that effect.”

“Or you can use my proposal as a perfect opening to allow her to know you’re interested in wooing her.”

“Or allow her to understand that my family is a bit deranged so she’ll realize what she might be getting into before I broach the topic of wooing.”

“Myrtle won’t have a problem fitting in with our family. She seems to be a most sensible sort, and you know Ma will adore her after she discovers she saved your life today.”

With that, Walter got up from his chair, snatching up the papers he’d been looking over. “But now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get out of your way so you can get ready for what I’m sure will be an interesting evening.” He nodded to the freestanding wardrobe. “I’d wear the pinstripe trousers and jacket, paired with that embroidered waistcoat Sadie brought back for you from Chicago. It’s very fashionable, or at least it is according to Sadie.”

It took all of fifteen minutes for Jack to make himself presentable in the clothes his brother had recommended, and after he checked his appearance for what felt like the hundredth time in the long mirror attached to the back of the door, he was fairly confident he was sufficiently groomed. The waistcoat his sister had purchased for him was far more embellished than he was used to, but it did give him a somewhat dapper air, and if that impressed Myrtle, well, he was going to have to remember to thank his sister.

Striding out the front door, he glanced around, nodding to a few of the guests, who nodded back as they sat in chairs on the large veranda.

Disappointment was swift when he couldn’t find Myrtle, but then he looked out onto the grounds and spotted her surrounded by railroad men, who were evidently waiting to board the last train of the day.

Even though she was smiling, there was something about the smile that suggested she wasn’t appreciating the attention the men were giving her. That was proven a blink of an eye later when she began walking backward to get away from them, her escape blocked when a man suddenly stepped forward and had the audacity to take hold of her arm.

His temper flowed freely as Jack strode down the steps, set his sights on the man Myrtle was trying to shake off, and felt his hands clench into fists.