Trailblazer

by Anna Schmidt

  She would be on the same schedule as Lily and Emma—and away from Polly. Nick rarely if ever ate in the dining room, so perhaps, as much as she looked forward to seeing him, that was another plus. She could concentrate on why she had taken this job in the first place. Working in the dining room meant a higher wage and larger tips. “Yes, ma’am, I would.”

  “For now, I’m afraid I need you to pull double duty—mornings and lunch at the counter and evenings in the dining room. That would just be until a new girl arrives to take your place at the counter.”

  “That would be just fine.” She could hardly wait to share her good news with Emma and Lily—and Nick.

  “Very well. We’ll start the new schedule tomorrow, so why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”

  “Thank you so much.” Grace grinned.

  Miss K returned her smile and actually walked with her into the kitchen. “You should go change and get out and enjoy yourself. You’re going to be quite busy in the coming days.”

  On her way to the back stairs, Grace passed Jake. “I’m to be the dining room drink girl starting tomorrow,” she told him, unable to keep the news to herself a minute longer. “And I’ve been given the rest of the day off.”

  Jake smiled. “Well, go on with you then. Get changed and get out of here. Go shopping, or just sit in the plaza and write your folks the good news. Not every day somebody around here gets promoted.”

  Grace ran up all three flights of stairs. She changed from her uniform to her favorite dress, braided her hair into one thick plait that hung down her back, pinned on her hat, and grabbed pencil and paper so she could write her parents.

  Outside, the weather was the usual New Mexico combination of sunshine and dry, clear air. Grace stood at one corner of the town plaza considering the park benches scattered along the paths. She chose one with a view of the hotel, with the idea of making a sketch of the scene for her siblings. She worked intently, glancing between her paper and the hotel, trying to get the proportions right. She was aware of people passing, the clip-clop of horses and rumble of wagons, even the whoosh of the two o’clock train pulling into the station behind her. But she ignored it all as she carefully drew and labeled the different parts of the hotel and grounds.

  Finally satisfied, she sat back, flexed her fingers, and considered her work. The bell in the church chimed three times, and she realized she’d been sitting and sketching for over two hours. “Surely you aren’t going to waste this gift of a day sitting here,” she muttered to herself as she gathered her things, packed them away in her satchel, and stood. Grace allowed her gaze to roam over her surroundings and settled it on the mercantile, a place she had not permitted herself to explore in all the weeks she’d been in Juniper lest she be tempted to spend her money on something frivolous. But this was a special day, and perhaps a small treat to mark the occasion was exactly what she needed. She shouldered her satchel and walked with purpose across the plaza and onto the warped boardwalk that led to the shops.

  The double doors were closed, no doubt to keep out the constant dust, and a small brass sign attached to the outer wall read Mr. Frank Tucker, Proprietor. A bell jangled as she stepped into the cool dimness of the store. Goods of every sort filled the aisles, making it difficult to see the proprietor or other customers.

  “Be right with you,” a male voice called out from the back of the store.

  Grace followed the sound of conversation, passing bins of colorful candies and thinking she could buy an assortment to share with Emma and Lily to celebrate her promotion.

  Of course, as she made her way down the aisle, it was hard not to pause and examine the shelves with an eye to gifts she might send her family for Christmas. Here was a rolling pin made of marble instead of wood. It would last forever, no matter how many pies her mother made. And there, a display of pipes and tobacco for her father. Farther along, she came to a selection of bandanas for her brothers and wooden pull toys and rag dolls for the twins. She glanced at the prices and calculated the total along with what it might cost to send everything by post.

  Too dear, she thought as she reached the end of the aisle. To one side was a potbelly stove surrounded by a semicircle of worn wooden chairs. To the other was a long wooden counter with a large cash register at one end and a roll of brown wrapping paper and a large spool of twine at the other. Mr. Tucker was gathering supplies from the bins of flour, sugar, and other foodstuffs displayed along the wall behind the counter. He was a short, stocky man of maybe fifty with a snowy white beard that she had to admit reminded her of Santa Claus.

  And waiting for the order to be filled…was Nick Hopkins. Both men turned. The store owner smiled. Nick didn’t. He simply looked up and then back down at the list he carried.

  “Grace,” he said softly.

  How she loved the sound of her name coming from him!

  “Good day, miss,” the owner said. “Just finishing this order, and I’ll be right with you. Got a new shipment of ladies’ hats in just yesterday if you’d care to have a look.” He motioned to the far wall.

  Grace had no interest in a new hat, but the far wall put distance between her and the shop window. She and Nick hadn’t really had a chance to speak since the company outing—since the kiss. And yet she so wanted to revive the easy friendship they’d shared before that night. Maybe they could steal a moment or two to talk, away from prying eyes. He glanced at her, and she smiled, then walked over to examine the hats. She fingered the round brim of one hat, the bright red feather of another as she waited.

  “This one, I think.” Nick was behind her, reaching up and over her to take down a cocoa-brown straw hat trimmed with a turquoise moiré ribbon held in place by an engraved silver button. “It matches your dress and brings out the color of your eyes.”

  Grace turned to respond and barely stifled a gasp. He was standing too close, looking at her too intently, his gaze holding hers, his eyes questioning exactly where they stood with one another.

  She wished she could give him an answer, but to do that, she’d first have to know herself.

  Instead, she ducked beneath his arm, still outstretched to retrieve the hat from the wall display. “I came for penny candy, not a hat,” she said with a laugh she hoped would lighten the moment. Perhaps they weren’t ready to be alone away from curious eyes after all.

  It worked. He grinned and stepped aside, offering her a little bow as he led the way back to the counter. “Frank, Miss Rogers is in the market for a selection of your candy.”

  “Licorice sticks, peppermints, lemon drops, butterscotch…or perhaps these nice chocolate creams?” the store owner offered. He pointed to a display of luscious-looking chocolate bonbons arranged on a plate under a clear glass cover.

  They did look tempting, but when she calculated the price, she decided the penny candies were the wiser choice. “Perhaps an assortment of the hard candies and licorice,” she said. “Three of each, please.”

  “No chocolates then?” Nick asked.

  “They are far too dear,” she explained. “Perhaps another time,” she added, not wanting to hurt the proprietor’s feelings.

  The shopkeeper smiled at her. “Is this some kind of celebration, Miss Rogers?” he asked as he dropped the various candies into a paper sack.

  “I just got a promotion,” she blurted, unable to control the smile she knew was spread across her face. The way Nick’s eyes brightened, she knew he was truly pleased for her.

  “You’re a Harvey Girl, are you?” Mr. Tucker asked.

  “One of the best,” Nick said. “What’s the promotion?”

  “I’m to serve the beverages in the dining room beginning tomorrow, though I’ll be continuing my duties at the lunch counter as well for the time being. That’s why Miss Kaufmann gave me this afternoon off.”

  “Well now, that’s just swell,” Mr. Tucker said as he handed her the bag of candy. “So
how about you allow me to give you this on the house? My way of congratulating you?”

  “I couldn’t.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Miss Rogers. I hope to see you back in the store soon—maybe taking another look at that hat?”

  Grace blushed. Mr. Tucker was a good salesman, that much was clear. “Thank you. Maybe not the hat, but I will need to do some Christmas shopping later.” She folded the top of the bag closed and stored it in her satchel. “Thank you, sir.”

  Mr. Tucker turned to Nick. “Well, Hopkins, you gonna just stand around all day or walk this young lady back home while I load up your wagon?”

  “Oh, I’ll be fine,” Grace rushed to assure them both, all the while edging toward the exit. As much as she would enjoy a stroll across the plaza with Nick, she felt perhaps this was not the time. What if Mr. Campbell or Miss Kaufmann saw them and decided she was perhaps not serious enough for the new position after all? There certainly were a number of other girls Miss K could have given the opportunity. “I have some time and thought I would explore the church and… Nice to meet you, Mr. Tucker. Good day, Nick,” she called as she turned and fled the store.

  Chapter 5

  Nick came to town once a week to buy supplies for the ranch. Mrs. Lombard gave him her list, and he added it to what he needed to replenish for the hands and himself. He’d told himself he was in town on ranch business and that business only. To that end, he had eaten a hardy breakfast with the other ranch hands and chewed on some beef jerky during the ride in so as not to be tempted to stop by the hotel.

  Ever since the picnic, Grace had been a constant presence in his thoughts—and his dreams. Everywhere he went and everything he did, she was there. More than once, the other cowboys had teased him about daydreaming, speculating on who the lady might be. None of them had guessed Grace. Most had thought it might be Lily, once Slim told them all how Nick had given her special attention during the ride to and from the falls.

  Knowing the trouble he’d caused for Grace with her employers with the special attention he’d paid to her those first days after she came to the Palace, he’d really tried to keep his distance. And repeatedly when he found himself thinking of her, he reminded himself that his plan for the future didn’t leave time for a serious romance just yet. But lately, he’d begun to rethink his plan. Why wait for each thing to fall into place? He had a good job, and there were separate quarters for the foreman, although he’d always preferred to live in the bunkhouse with the other men. But there was certainly no reason he couldn’t marry and start a ranch at the same time. In fact, having someone to work alongside him would probably be better than going it alone, and from the little he knew of her, it seemed to him Grace would be the perfect helpmate. In the past, he’d known men who had courted a Harvey Girl on her time off. The key was to respect the rules set up for her at work, but when she was off duty, what was the harm in getting to know her?

  He barely listened to Frank’s chatter as the two men loaded the supplies into the back of the buckboard. That was until he heard Frank say, “Pretty little thing, isn’t she?” The older man was studying Nick closely, his eyes squinting in the late-afternoon sun.

  “Who?” Nick asked.

  Frank just laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You know damned well who.” He nodded toward the church. “Saw her step inside there. Good place for two young folks like you to talk, maybe get to know each other a little better?”

  “You’re a hopeless romantic, old man,” Nick muttered as he climbed onto the seat of the buckboard and unwrapped the reins.

  Frank shrugged. “Romantic? Realist? Who says you can’t be a realistic romantic?” He headed back toward the store. “You’re not getting any younger, Nick, and take it from me, a girl like that one won’t come along twice.”

  The best way out of town meant driving the wagon around the plaza—past the church. Nick was tempted to heed Frank’s suggestion and stop, but instead, he made the full circle until he was back at Tucker’s store.

  Once inside, he slapped down payment and ordered half a dozen chocolate creams boxed and tied with a ribbon.

  Frank filled the order, then passed Nick a scrap of paper and pencil.

  “What’s this for?” Nick asked.

  “I figure maybe you’d like the candy delivered? Or were you just planning to bust into the church and declare your love for the lady? If you ask me, that’ll get you nothing but scaring her off for good.”

  Frank had a point.

  Nick held the pencil poised over the paper.

  “Just say ‘Congratulations’ and sign your name,” Frank advised. “Make it about the promotion. Give the girl a way out if she wants it. I’ll drop the candy and note by the hotel on my way home.”

  Nick took the advice. He knew Frank had his best interests at heart. “Thanks.” Once he’d signed his name, he looked around as if trying to decide his next move.

  “You should head back to the ranch,” Frank said. “Be dark before you get there.”

  Nick nodded and left. As he walked back to the wagon, he saw Grace leaving the church. He raised his hand in greeting, and although she hesitated, she returned the gesture and continued standing on the church steps watching him. Nick climbed onto the seat and loosened the brake. “Let it play out, Hopkins,” he advised himself, although what he wanted more than anything was to change course, walk to meet her, and ask her straight out if she might be feeling what he felt for her. He knew he’d have his answer in a heartbeat, just by looking in those eyes. They were like a mirror to her thoughts.

  Friendship, he reminded himself firmly. Take it slow—for now.

  * * *

  Once inside the quiet, dark church, Grace chose a pew toward the back, sat down, and closed her eyes as she tried to calm herself. This attraction to Nick Hopkins was risky. And yet…

  Repeatedly since arriving in Juniper, she had reminded herself of her stated purpose in leaving home. But as a girl, she had often dreamed of travel and adventure and the freedom to make her own choices. And if she was brutally honest with herself, yes, she had imagined a day when she would meet a man like Nick—kind and understanding and, of course, handsome. Now she had, and he seemed as attracted to her as she was to him. But the timing was wrong.

  Nick’s life was here in New Mexico. Where was her future once she completed her contract? She’d always assumed she would return home, her itch for adventure scratched and her determination to help her family fulfilled. All those weeks earlier when she’d boarded that train, it had never occurred to her that adventure might include meeting the man of her dreams. She had confided her growing feelings for Nick to Emma, and the older Harvey Girl had offered encouragement.

  “Grace, you have every right to see Nick or any other man not employed by the Harvey Company when you are off duty. The only thing Miss Kaufmann and Mr. Campbell will be watching closely is your conduct—and his, around you. If things go too far…” She shrugged. “But then who knows? There are plenty of stories of Harvey Girls breaking their contracts to marry.”

  “Marry! Oh no, Emma,” Grace had protested. “It is far too early. I mean, we barely know each other. He has plans, as do I. Marriage? Not at all.”

  Emma had only smiled. Just then, Lily had returned from her nightly toilet, smelling of her signature lily-of-the-valley soap as she swirled into the room like a breath of spring air. “And what have the two of you been plotting in my absence?” she teased. “Such serious faces, it must be something dire.”

  Grace had told Lily about her feelings for Nick, and as usual, Lily had brushed all doubts aside. Now, Grace smiled as she realized how comforting it was knowing Emma and Lily were in her life and on her side. Maybe things could work out after all. Why shouldn’t she enjoy Nick’s company when she was off duty? Certainly, other Harvey Girls had beaus they saw when not on duty, men who worked for the railroad or men from town.

&nb
sp; Of course, Polly would be upset, but perhaps in time…

  Grace opened her eyes and focused on the beautiful interior of the church—the light coming in through the large stained-glass window behind the altar, the high-gloss polish of the wooden pews, the—

  Polish!

  She stood and practically ran to the exit. Had she finished polishing the coffee urns before Miss Kaufmann had given her the offer? She thought so, but what if—

  Grace blinked in the bright sunlight outside the church. Across the plaza, Nick was just climbing onto the seat of his buckboard. He raised a hand to her. She hesitated, then returned his greeting and stood there watching as he drove out of town.

  The urns!

  She ran across the plaza, and when she entered the ornate lobby, Mr. Campbell glanced up and smiled. “Congratulations, Grace,” he called to her.

  “Thank you, sir. I just want to check something at the lunch counter.”

  She opened the doors that led to the lunch counter and squinted in the dimness. Twin silver urns caught what light there was. Grace moved behind the counter and examined them more thoroughly, inspecting them for any sign of a smudge or fingerprint. Finding none, she heaved a sigh of relief.

  “You’re quite welcome.” Polly Forrester stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen. “I understand you’ve been promoted,” she added. “You seem to have wheedled your way into becoming everyone’s pet around here.”

  “I… Thank you, Polly, for polishing the urns. When Miss Kaufmann came to speak with me—”

  With a wave of her hand, Polly dismissed anything Grace might say. “A word of warning, Grace. Nick is not the marrying kind. He has plans. He wants a place of his own, and he’s made it clear that comes before anything—or anyone—else.” With that, she left.

  Grace wondered if perhaps Polly was upset because she had been working at the lunch counter far longer than Grace had. On the other hand, Polly truly thrived in her position as a sort of assistant manager of the lunch counter. It seemed to Grace that the other waitress might actually see serving drinks as a demotion.