Eli ran the rag over the dashboard of the Duryea until it shone. He cared more than he should what Lucy thought of the automobile. Even though it wasn’t his, it still reflected him and his work in every way. In a few minutes, he’d pick her up at the Walker mansion and take her for her first ride. He said a quick prayer, hoping they wouldn’t break down—though the thought of a few extra hours in her company was entirely too pleasant to wish away altogether.
He had put on his best suit of summer clothes and made sure his hair was combed. While cleaning the Duryea, he took care not to get any grease or dirt on his light-colored suit. It was the one thing he owned that hadn’t been ruined by automobile grime.
He gave the hood one more swipe, chiding himself for putting more effort into the vehicle today than he had before the investors came.
“I thought I’d find you here.” Mr. Alexander entered the barn, his hands in his pockets, his face serious.
“Where else would I be?” Eli tried to smile, but he sensed Mr. Alexander hadn’t come for pleasantries—especially not in the middle of the morning when he was usually at work.
“On your day off, I thought you’d be with Miss Taylor.” Mr. Alexander went to the Duryea and ran his hand along the fender.
Eli chose not to comment. They’d been given permission by both their employers to go driving, but he didn’t want Mr. Alexander or Mrs. Walker to think it was a romantic rendezvous. Not only to protect his own job, but to protect Lucy’s. He couldn’t let anything jeopardize her position. He smiled to himself, realizing he’d given up on the idea of his sister becoming the lady’s maid. Someday, he’d find a way for Jessie to leave domestic service.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m home.” Mr. Alexander leaned against the workbench and crossed his arms. “I had a phone call from Mr. Caruthers.”
“You don’t sound too happy.” Eli stood motionless, afraid of what Mr. Alexander had to say.
“The group has come to a decision—more or less.”
Eli’s heart pounded, though he tried to act calm. “What does that mean?”
“They were very impressed with you and the Duryea—as well as your designs for manufacturing an automobile. Mr. Caruthers said if you were the only man they were considering, they wouldn’t hesitate.”
“They’re considering someone else?”
“Apparently they wanted to keep that bit of information to themselves.”
“May I ask who?”
“His name is Edmond Lerke. You’ll meet him in two weeks.”
“Two weeks?”
“At the company picnic.”
Eli was confused. He tossed the rag onto the workbench and faced Mr. Alexander. “The investors are trying to decide between you and Mr. Lerke. They want to see you two race side by side. Since Noah and I already have the company picnic race advertised and marked out, I invited all the investors back to Little Falls with Mr. Lerke. Noah has agreed to let Mr. Lerke race on his team, since he couldn’t find anyone else who could actually beat you.”
“I’ll be racing against Mr. Lerke?”
“Yes. He’ll bring his own custom-made automobile—the one he’d like to manufacture.” Mr. Alexander took a deep breath. “If Mr. Lerke wins the race, they will make him a partner in their venture. If you win, then they’ll pick you, with one condition.”
“What?”
“They believe, as do I, that if we’re going to partner with you, we want you to invest some of your own money in the venture. That way, you’ll have a stake in the company.”
“My own money?”
“You don’t need to worry. If you win, you’ll have the hundred dollars in prize money to put forth.”
“And if I lose?”
Mr. Alexander looked at his feet for a moment. “I’ve spent several years working with these men, and I believe that they are capable of building a promising automobile company. I will go along with whatever they decide, either way.”
The air filled with the weight of his declaration. “If I win, I’ll have it all—but if I lose?”
“You can remain as my footman—though I don’t believe you’d enjoy serving in that capacity for much longer.”
Mr. Alexander was right. If Eli lost, he would be forced to look for employment elsewhere, which meant he’d probably have to leave Little Falls altogether.
“I don’t think I need to tell you that this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Mr. Alexander said. “There will be a lot riding on that race now, but I know you can do it, Eli.”
He hoped so.
“Now.” Mr. Alexander moved away from the workbench, his voice less austere. “I imagine you have better things to do with your time. Go take Miss Taylor on a ride and try to forget about all this for the afternoon.”
Without another word, Mr. Alexander left the barn.
Eli stood for a moment absorbing all the information he’d just been given. It was vital that he win the race. His entire future depended on his performance.
He went to the large barn door and opened it wide, then he turned the crank several times before the Duryea began to run. He climbed into the automobile and backed it out of the barn.
The day was overcast and windier than he’d like, but it would still be pleasant enough to ride with the top down. Just thinking about Lucy sitting beside him, the wind blowing through her dark red hair, brought a strange warmth to his gut.
He tried to push aside any romantic notions he had for the attractive lady’s maid and drove the Duryea up the hill, backward. If he drove up the hill front first, the gravity-fed engine would not allow gasoline to flow properly and would sputter out.
As he pulled up to the Walker mansion, Lucy stood at the servants’ entrance, a warm smile on her pretty face. The moment he came within sight, she stepped out and walked toward the circular drive in front of the two homes.
Today she wore a green skirt and a white blouse. A matching green bonnet sat on her curls. Her dimple appeared as he jumped out of the vehicle and met her halfway.
“Are you ready?”
“I’ve been counting down the hours.”
“Here.” He offered his hand, just as he would if helping her into a buggy. In all truth, the Duryea looked like a buggy, without the horses attached.
She slipped one gloved hand inside his and lifted her hem with her other. With a glance of excitement in his direction, she stepped into the vehicle and let go. As she arranged her skirts, he went around and climbed in beside her. The tiller came up over the dashboard and stuck out between them. Eli rotated the tiller handle and the Duryea went into motion.
“Oh, my.” Lucy grabbed his arm as the automobile jerked forward.
He grinned as he watched her face.
Several emotions played over her features as they rolled out of Basswood Hill and onto Highland Avenue. Surprise, apprehension, and then pure joy. She shook her head as she smiled at him. “I can hardly believe I’m in a horseless carriage. Can you go faster?”
He laughed and lifted the tiller into second gear, allowing it to go about ten miles an hour.
They left Basswood Hill and followed the road out to the countryside where Eli usually raced. He rotated the tiller handle again, letting the Duryea go even faster.
Lucy’s gaze swept over the landscape, her eyes shining as she laughed in amazement. “This is incredible.”
He could watch her all day.
“Can we show my sisters?”
“Of course.”
She directed him to turn around and they went back toward town. Her childhood home wasn’t too far away from Basswood Hill, and they were soon on the street where she had grown up.
“My mother was able to keep the house,” Lucy said with a sigh. “But she had to sell almost everything of value to hold on to it.”
“I’m sorry about your loss.” He glanced at her and recognized the sadness in her countenance. “I lost both my parents at the same time. They died in a carriage accident.”
“Truly?” She looked at him, concern wedging her brows together. “What happened?”
He was quiet for a moment as he thought back to that horrible day. He rarely spoke about the accident, but he sensed she was someone he could trust with his darkest memory. “They liked to ride together on Saturday evenings, just the two of them. I was home with my sister, Jessie. I was fifteen at the time. A constable came to tell us there had been an accident. My father often raced with a neighbor and his wife when they were out. That night, my father’s horse spooked and became tangled with the neighbor’s horse, causing both buggies to overturn. Neither couple survived.”
She put her hand on his arm. “How horrible, Eli. Doesn’t their death make you afraid to drive so fast?”
He loved the feel of her touch and hated when she pulled away. “On the contrary. I believe automobiles will be much safer.” He wanted her to understand. He rarely shared the reason behind his passion with anyone. “That’s why I’m working hard to improve them. A horse is easily spooked and unpredictable. An automobile can be controlled at all times.”
She nodded slowly, as if she understood his reasoning—and perhaps she did.
“Their deaths were the hardest thing I’ve ever endured,” he continued. “I want to use it for good.”
They were both quiet for a few moments.
“That’s my home.” She pointed to a large Victorian house. It was set off from the street, with similar houses on either side. A wide front porch, deep gables, and bay windows completed its charm. It looked nothing like the humble home Eli had grown up in, but it wasn’t as fine as the Walker or Alexander mansions, either.
“I phoned my mama and told her we might be coming.”
Eli pulled up to the curb and three young girls rushed out of the house. All of them had the same ginger-colored hair as Lucy, and looked remarkably similar to their oldest sister. They stood on the porch and waved, but none ventured toward the automobile.
“Three sisters?”
“Four. My sister Margaret is inside.” She smiled sadly. “She’d be out here with the rest of them, but she can’t walk.”
“Is she a baby?”
Lucy shook her head. “She’s fifteen. She broke her legs a few months ago, and they didn’t heal properly.”
Eli turned off the engine and stepped out of the Duryea to help Lucy. “Will she ever walk again?”
“Only if she has surgery, but it’s very expensive, and Mama doesn’t have the money.”
An older woman appeared at the door and stood with the girls.
Lucy walked up to the house and Eli followed behind. She kissed each of her sisters and then embraced her mother.
Mrs. Taylor hugged her daughter tight, and then she pulled back to place her hands on either side of Lucy’s face. “My girl. You look well.”
“I feel well.”
“Good.” Mrs. Taylor looked to Eli, her brown eyes taking him in. “And this is Mr. Boyer?”
“Yes. Eli, this is my mama.”
Eli shook Mrs. Taylor’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mrs. Taylor squeezed his hand and held it a moment longer than he expected. “Welcome to our home.”
Her touch was warm and affectionate and she made him feel comfortable with a simple smile.
A knock at a window made Eli turn. He saw an older girl smiling and waving inside the house.
“Margaret!” Lucy grabbed Eli’s hand and tugged him to the front door. “Will you come and meet Margaret?”
He didn’t know if she realized she was holding his hand—but he didn’t mind. He enjoyed seeing her with her family. “Of course.”
She pulled him through the front door, across a wide foyer, and into a cozy sitting room.
“Lucy!” Margaret reached out to her sister from her chair.
Lucy went to her and hugged her, then bent down and looked her in the eyes. “Would you like to go for a drive?”
Margaret looked up at Eli, a bit bashful, and nodded. She reminded Eli so much of Lucy, it was uncanny. He’d never met a family that looked so much alike. “May I?” she asked.
“It would be my pleasure,” he said.
Lucy glanced from her sister back to Eli. “Would you mind carrying her to the automobile?”
Margaret’s cheeks turned pink and she lowered her eyes, clearly embarrassed by her need for help. She was so young, with her life yet to be lived. It was a travesty that she could not walk.
“Of course.” He went to Margaret and lifted her out of her chair. She weighed practically nothing.
He carried her out to his automobile and set her inside. Her eyes lit up as she looked around the Duryea.
“Can you show me how to start the automobile?” Lucy asked.
Eli nodded and brought her to the back of the vehicle. “I can tell you’re close to your family,” he said as he inserted the crank into the hole.
“Yes. It’s been very hard since Papa died.”
Eli glanced at Lucy’s mother and sisters as they stood near Margaret, exclaiming over the automobile.
Lucy put her hand on Eli’s arm and made him pause.
“You’ve probably guessed why I’m competing during the community picnic.” She looked up at him as she whispered. “If I win, I plan to use the money to pay for Margaret’s surgery—but I don’t want her to know yet. I wouldn’t want to get her hopes up. If she could walk, she could work and help Mama with expenses. As it is, she feels so helpless and dependent.” Lucy’s countenance grew heavy. “I just hope I win.”
Eli’s chest felt heavy and the day suddenly took on a dark pall. If Lucy’s team won, her sister would walk again. If his team won, her sister would be forced to remain in her chair.
Could he win the race, and the rest of the team still lose the competition? That would be ideal. But would it play out that way? He prayed they would all get what they needed, though he was well aware that they might all fail to reach their goals.
The evening before the community picnic, Lucy finally found time to practice her shooting and archery. Mrs. Walker had given her the night off, and Mr. Walker had set up a shooting range near the barn, complete with bow and arrows, as well as a pistol with ammunition. She had been practicing for an hour, but she wasn’t quite ready to go inside.
Eli was at the fairgrounds with the Duryea making last-minute preparations for the picnic and she expected him home any minute. She didn’t want him to think she was waiting for him, so she lingered near the target, pulling out her arrows with deliberate care, and watched the driveway for any sign of the handsome footman.
A low rumble filled the air and she glanced up at the sky, aware of the storm clouds building in the west.
Everything was still. There were no squirrels jumping through the basswood trees, no birds twittering from the branches, and no ducks splashing on the Mississippi. A wall of dark clouds appeared on the horizon and lightning jumped within the thunderclouds, promising a wild storm. If Eli didn’t return soon, she’d be forced to go inside without seeing him. The very thought filled her with disappointment.
She heard the putter of the Duryea before she glimpsed it, and she smiled, despite the sudden nerves jumping inside. After four weeks at Basswood Hill, she had grown to care for Eli more than she realized possible. Ever since he’d taken her out in the Duryea, there had been a quiet bond between them. Mama and the girls had loved him, and every time she called or went home for a visit, they asked about him and the automobile. He hadn’t taken her out driving again, but she’d relived that day in her mind and heart several times since then.
He appeared at the top of the hill and turned the vehicle toward the barn. She pretended not to notice and took her arrows back to the line she’d drawn in the dirt. With practiced ease, she put the arrow on the bowstring and aimed it at the target.
With a ping, she let the arrow go. It hit to the right of her intended mark.
Eli pulled the Duryea up to the barn and turned off the engine. “I imagine you think you’re going to beat me tomorrow.”
She grinned without even looking at him and placed another arrow on her bowstring. “I know I’m going to beat you. You haven’t even practiced.”
He sauntered over to where she stood and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Joy settled deep within her heart at the sight of his smile. Just knowing he was near made her mood lighten.
A crack of thunder reverberated through the air and they both looked up. Lucy prayed the storm would pass quickly and things would dry up before the picnic in the morning.
“If we have enough time before the storm breaks, would it be possible to give the competition a quick lesson?” He stopped beside her, and she had no desire to move away.
“It would be quite magnanimous to offer a lesson.” She gave him her full attention and realized he was even closer than she thought. Her breath caught as she came face to face with him.
His smile slowly gave way to a deeper, more serious look—one that turned her stomach of nerves into a chorus of warmth running up and down her body.
“Here.” She swallowed and handed over the bow and arrow. “Why don’t you start by showing me your form?”
He placed his hand over hers on the bow and she thought she might melt from the pure pleasure of his touch. She forced herself to let go and then stepped back to allow him to get into position.
Eli put the arrow in place and lifted the bow, pulling back on the string. “Like this?”
“No.” She stepped up to him, putting her arms around him from behind to show him how to stand properly. He was much taller than she was, and much broader, but she was able to reach his hands.
His shoulders stiffened and his breath became shallow as she placed her hands over his. “Like this,” she said quietly, and moved his hands until they were positioned correctly.
“Lucy.” He said her name gently, yet there was depth and meaning in his voice.
He lowered his hands and turned until he was face to face with her again.
Rain began to fall, yet neither moved or said a word.
The air was cool on her wet skin and she began to tremble, but all she could think about was how much bluer his eyes were with the gray sky overhead.
Did he feel what she was feeling? If the answer was yes, she shouldn’t let it continue, though she couldn’t force herself to step away, either.
“You’re cold.” He took off his coat and placed it around her shoulders. “Let me get you inside.”
He took her hand and they sprinted along the bottom of Basswood Hill. Rain fell through the leaves and mixed with the soil, making the air full with the earthy smells of summer. A set of steps rose from the bottom of the hill to the back door of the Walker mansion. Eli brought her up the steps and onto the back screened porch facing the river.
If Mrs. Walker or one of the other staff caught them holding hands, she would surely be rebuked—if not let go. She should release her hold—yet she couldn’t.
His coat was warm and smelled of the cologne he wore. She wanted to stay nestled in it, but she needed to hand it over before someone saw her. She finally did what she knew she must, and pulled away. “You’ll want your coat.”
He watched her, not saying a word, and took it when she handed it to him.
They looked at one another for a moment and then she let out a sad sigh. “Eli.”
“Don’t say it, Lucy.”
“I must.”
He shook his head. “Let’s leave things as they are. I want to always remember you just as you are in this moment.”
In the month she’d known him, she’d grown to admire him more than she had ever admired anyone. She’d never met someone with such deep and passionate dedication. He was thoughtful, hardworking, and highly respected. He didn’t feel the need to impress anyone or put on airs, and that was something she was coming to appreciate more and more. He had told her about his desire to manufacture automobiles and she was excited to see where it would take him. He was the kind of man who drew others to him because of his quiet confidence and vision, her especially.
The rain continued to fall, growing stronger by the moment, and still he did not leave. She didn’t ask him to because the truth was that she didn’t want him to go yet.
She walked to the screen and allowed the cool rain to blow against her warm face. If he didn’t want her to say what she felt she must, then they’d be reduced to mere pleasantries. “I hope the rain doesn’t interfere with tomorrow’s plans. Will you race if it’s raining?”
He was quiet for a moment and then he walked over and stood beside her. “We’ll have to see what the conditions are like before I decide.”
They watched the rain for a little while and then Eli spoke again. “Regardless of how things turn out tomorrow, I want you to know that I hope Margaret can have the surgery.”
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help you make it happen.” He gently took her hand. “You have my word, Lucy.”
Tears stung her eyes and she squeezed his hand. “I appreciate your offer very much.”
He lifted his free hand to wipe a tear off her cheek. “You’re a good sister. I could see how much your family loves you.”
She wanted to lean into his touch. “I love them, too.”
“What you’re doing for them is admirable.”
“I’m only doing what I can.”
He caressed her face with his gaze and took a step closer to her.
Suddenly, the desire to feel his lips upon hers was so strong, and so swift, she gasped. He must leave. Now. Because if he kissed her, she was afraid she’d want another kiss and another, and soon she’d want more. A home, a family, a future—things she had denied herself when she’d agreed to take the job with Mrs. Walker. If she married, she would have to leave her job, and her mother would have no income. She couldn’t very well ask Eli to support her mother and four sisters, especially when he’d also be let go.
Lucy took a step back and pulled away from his grasp. “I think you should leave, Eli.”
He stood for a moment, so many questions in his beautiful eyes. “Good night, Lucy. I wish you all the best tomorrow.”
“You too.”
He put his hat on and left the porch.
Lucy watched him walk through the rain, down the hill, and back to the barn where he started the Duryea and drove it into the building.
She leaned against the porch rail and tried not to cry. It wouldn’t pay. As the oldest daughter, it was her job to provide for her family. She didn’t have the luxury of falling in love.