A Ready-Made Texas Family
Page 6
He was here to alleviate the load, even if she didn’t see how much she needed him.
“Mr. Thornhill, we’re pleased that you’ll be extending your stay with us beyond the time of the meeting for mayors. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
The older man’s thick brow wrinkled. “Is there anything I can do for those children? The Green family treated me with such kindness after my wife passed. And in all the years since. I’d like to repay the favor. It’s so hard to listen to the little ones crying.”
“Why don’t you ask Charlotte the next time you see her. She’s with her siblings at the moment, but your gesture is one I’m certain will be a comfort to her.”
Mr. Thornhill cast a glance at the closed door of Charlotte’s residence and shook his head. “I’ll do that.” He walked away from the desk, and Nathan knew the man’s concern for the grieving family was genuine. The Greens had built something here in Gran Colina that was unlike the Turner Hotel in Dallas. These people cared for one another. It was refreshing, but he hoped the sentiments they shared wouldn’t prevent Charlotte from seeing the need to implement the changes her father had initiated.
The children’s upset trickling into the lobby was just the type of event he intended to keep out of the hotel. Guests on business or pleasure travel didn’t need to know the inner workings of the proprietor’s private life. Grief was normal but had no place in the hotel lobby. Not the sight of it or its sound.
There must be some way to get Charlotte to see his reasoning.
The door opened, and she joined him at the desk. “Poor thing. She wrapped up in Momma’s shawl and cried herself to sleep. Michael is on his bed with Pa’s hat pulled over his face. I know he’s not sleeping, but he won’t talk to me. Neither of them wanted anything to eat.”
Nathan looked around the lobby. “I’m sorry you are all having such a hard time. It’s to be expected in a situation like yours.”
“One minute I think they’re coming to accept our loss, and then something happens that triggers their grief anew.”
He hated what this family was suffering. He wanted her to know that—needed her to believe it. “They’re young. I’m sure that makes it especially difficult.”
“But?” She seemed to sense he wanted to say more.
“I was just going to say that I think you did the right thing by taking them into your residence. One’s home should be a place of refuge and comfort. It affords them the privacy to cry themselves to sleep or deal with their sorrow in whatever way eases them.”
“I don’t know what else to do.” She stood with her arms wrapped around her middle as if it was the only way she could hold herself together. Her face was pale, and dark circles contrasted against the blue of her eyes. He felt compassion for her, but there was nothing he could do to help.
Except run the hotel.
“I know one thing you can do.”
“What?” She barely lifted her head.
“You can eat.”
Charlotte shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You need to. It’s been a week. I don’t imagine you’ve eaten well since you got the news.”
“I just can’t.” Her voice wavered.
“You have to, Charlotte. Michael and Sarah need you. You won’t be able to care for them if you fall ill. You need nourishment.”
She dragged in a slow breath. “But I’m not hungry.”
“You’ve gone past hunger. It’s understandable, but it’s not healthy.” He checked the time. “The lunch crowd has eaten. Go ask Mrs. Atkins for something substantial and have a quiet lunch in the restaurant. I can keep an eye on things here.”
“I need to stay close to the children.”
“If they need anything, I’ll come for you.” Why did he offer to do that? He wasn’t here to take care of children. Or even keep an eye out for them.
“You aren’t the most patient man with children.”
Had he come across as unkind to her siblings? “I’m not impatient with children. I’m a focused man. You are putting yourself at risk of collapsing if you don’t care for yourself. I’ll listen for any sound from them. With the littlest one asleep, it shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
She twisted her mouth to one side and narrowed her eyes. “One peep and you’ll call for me.” It wasn’t a question.
“One peep.” He waved his hands to get her to move along.
Charlotte walked half of the distance to the restaurant doorway and turned back at him. “One sound.”
“Go eat, or I’ll be forced to get a frog to hurry you along.”
She scowled at him and left the lobby. He had no intention of ever tormenting her with boyish pranks again, but it was all he could think of in the moment.
A half hour later she emerged from the restaurant and headed toward him. A few of the mayors lounged in the lobby in small groups that would erupt in laughter or raised voices trying to be heard as they all seemed to talk at once.
She made her way through the groups, stopping to speak to some of the guests along the way. At the desk she opened the registration book. “Do most of the mayors seem to be satisfied with their accommodations?” She perused the entries and didn’t look at him.
“There have been small requests for more towels or extra pillows. Normal expectations. Overall, I think they are pleased with the hotel and service.”
“That’s good. I wasn’t sure how they’d react when they found out my parents are no longer here. Some people seem to think a young woman can’t handle a business. I need groups like this to continue to book here. Pa used to say they were the bread and butter of our establishment.”
“He was right. Turner Hotels have guests who come every year for events. They expanded their properties to include large meeting rooms. They work with people in the area to establish entertainment for the guests during their stay.”
“That could be interesting. I wonder if there is anything we could offer in Gran Colina.”
“As the town grows more opportunities will open up.”
“The most we’ve been able to do is offer the restaurant for meetings between meals. It’s not ideal, though it is a large room, so it’s functional. It also means that most of the attendees eat here. That’s added income.” Charlotte lifted a finger. “I should talk to Mayor Livingston. He and Sheriff Braden talked about the possibility of a town hall being built in the center of town.” A flicker of excitement darted through her eyes for a moment.
He nodded. “Now you’re thinking like a proprietor. You need to keep pondering ideas. Ways to bring people to Gran Colina and your hotel. We can talk about them and decide which ones would bring the most profits.”
The concern returned to her gaze. “Wouldn’t it stand to reason that offering more things would bring more people? Then the profits would be greater.”
“Yes, but if the things you plan cost too much, the income of the hotel could fall short of covering those new expenses. Raising the cost of staying here could turn people away. We should implement any changes gradually and record their success and failure.”
“This is perplexing. Is this the kind of thing you handled in Dallas? The planning and such?”
“Among other things. I knew about everything that happened at the Turner Hotel in Dallas. And coordinated every event at one time or another.” He was glad of the opportunity to share his expertise with her. “I was determined to learn everything I could about the hotel trade.”
“If you were so good at your job there, why did you want to leave?”
He would never tell her, or anyone, of the regret he’d endured after pursuing Viola Turner. The woman had given him every indication that she’d viewed him as a proper suitor. She’d teased him and even flirted in the most demure way. He’d thought her intriguing until her ultimate rejection of him after she’d garnered the attent
ion of a wealthy guest. Shame had filled him when he’d realized her coquettish behavior toward him had been meant to attract another man. That was a story he’d keep hidden. A valuable reminder to him that women of means could be treacherous.
“I wanted to attain things that were denied me by the Turners.” That much was true. “My career is important to me. I was hindered in Dallas.” Foiled by the Turner family, who saw him as presumptuous for thinking himself worthy of their precious granddaughter.
“You know I won’t surrender the hotel. Not to Mr. Freeman, to you, or anyone else.”
He appreciated Charlotte’s direct approach. “I know. No one can accuse you of being unclear.”
“I won’t change my mind.”
Nathan chuckled. “You’re not one to dillydally or waver. I remember well that once you’ve made up your mind about something, you stand firm.”
“As long as we’re clear.” She blushed. It reminded him of long-ago days when they’d played tag in the schoolyard. She’d kept up with the fastest boys and often won. Those lightly freckled cheeks had warmed with jubilant satisfaction every time.
He smiled at her and nodded. “We are.” Possibility lurked in those tender memories. Possibilities missed and best forgotten. He picked up his notebook from the registration desk. “Let’s follow your thoughts about expanding the services at the hotel. I think the timing is perfect for initiating new things. We have a few weeks to work out the details.” He opened the notebook to a fresh page. “Tell me more about the mayor and this town hall plan.”
“It’s something that came up during the recent elections. Mr. Freeman ran against Mayor Livingston. He promised a new town hall as a way to promote the growth of Gran Colina.”
“Yet he lost the election? Do you think the people in the community were opposed to his ideas? That would hinder growth. Not just of a town hall, but of the local economy. Towns that resist change often lose business to nearby towns that embrace the future.”
“The election was complicated, but all the candidates agreed on the need to build the town hall.”
“Good.” Nathan jotted a note to speak to the mayor about the time frame before the new town hall would be a reality. “I’ll go see Mayor Livingston tomorrow morning.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him. “Why would you go? This is my hotel, so it’s my place to talk to him.”
“He is a businessman, Charlotte. Running a town is business. He’ll most likely talk to me due to my experience.”
She laughed. “You have been gone too long, Nathan Taylor. Mayor Livingston is like an uncle to me. Do you remember Rena Livingston?”
“The little girl with long braids who sat by you in school?” He had a vague picture of her in his mind.
“She’s my closest friend. Her father is very dear to me. I’m sure he’ll speak freely with me on any matter I broach.”
Nathan made another note on the page. “That’s great news. It will make our plans easier.”
“Our plans?” She grabbed the corner of his notebook and read the open page. “Hmm. I see where you’re going with this.” She turned the book back to him. “You may accompany me when I see him tomorrow. We’ll leave directly after the guests of the mayors’ meeting check out. Their last event is at eight in the morning. Most of them will leave by ten thirty. I’ll have Mrs. Atkins watch the desk while we’re out.”
“Mrs. Atkins will be needed in the kitchen. We’ll have to get someone else.”
Charlotte thought for a moment. “I’ll ask the mayor to meet with us here. And I’ll find someone to watch the children for me. We can meet in my parlor, but leave the door open so we can assist anyone who needs us.”
It was a good sign that she was planning around the guests. When she’d left the hotel desk unmanned for church that morning, he’d worried that her approach to the business was too relaxed. Her excitement over possible improvements was encouraging. Perhaps Green’s Grand Hotel could grow into something that would compete with the likes of any hotel that chose to open in Gran Colina in the future. He needed the hotel to expand enough to require his long-term employment or he’d have to move. Again.
Returning to Gran Colina had brought him a comfort he hadn’t realized he’d missed. Singing in church this morning, on the bench his family had occupied during his childhood, had stirred happy memories. Yes, he wanted Green’s Grand Hotel to succeed. Not just for Charlotte’s sake, but for his own future, too.
Inserting himself into his position required no slack on his part. If Mr. Freeman got the impression he wasn’t fulfilling his obligations, he might try to move Nathan out of his new position. That would never do.
Charlotte brushed raindrops from her shoulders and stepped into the lobby. Nathan was at the desk. He’d become a fixture in the few days since his arrival.
He looked up as she approached. “Did you find someone?” His voice was tight.
“Mrs. Gillis will be here in a few minutes and walk them over to her home while we meet with the mayor.” She went through the door to the residence and let Mrs. Atkin’s daughter, Bertha, know she’d returned. “You can go back to help your mother. I’m sorry to have kept you from the preparations for the lunch meal. Thank you for watching Michael and Sarah.”
“You’re welcome.” Bertha moved toward the door but avoided eye contact with Charlotte.
“Was there a problem?” She didn’t hear a sound coming from the bedrooms.
“They are both in their rooms. Sarah is playing with her dolls.” Bertha looked beyond Charlotte to the door of Michael’s room.
“What about Michael? Did he give you any trouble?”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte. I tried to stop him.” Bertha shrugged her shoulders. “He was just too quick.”
“What happened?”
“Nathan caught him when he tried to run out of the lobby. He put him in his room and told him he had to stay there until you got back.”
She let her head drop back and closed her eyes. Michael’s antics had to stop. “Thank you, Bertha. I’ll take care of everything.”
Bertha left the residence, and Charlotte opened Michael’s door. He sat on his bed with his back to the door and didn’t turn when she entered.
Charlotte walked around the bed and sat beside him. They were both silent for a long time. He was probably waiting on her response, but Charlotte was praying for God’s direction. She was unprepared to be a mother to these sad children, but without warning it had happened. She’d prayed more in the last week than she had in the last year.
“So...” She started the conversation. “Bertha tells me you didn’t want to stay inside this morning.”
“I don’t have to. Pa always let me go where I wanted to go.” Michael kicked his heels against the side of the bed.
“That’s not how I remember things.”
“You were always in the kitchen or off visiting with your friends. You don’t know all the things Pa taught me. Nobody knows how we were except me and Pa.”
“I’m glad you have memories of things you and he shared. Hold on to them tight.” She longed to hear her father’s voice now, to know what he’d say to Michael.
“What do you think Pa would say to you today?”
Michael shrugged his shoulders.
“You can tell me.” She waited.
After a long pause he wrinkled up his face. “Pa would say he didn’t want to die in that train wreck. He’d say he wanted to be here.” He pointed toward the lobby. “That it’s his place to run our hotel and not that man’s.”
Charlotte dropped her arm around his shoulders and hoped he wouldn’t withdraw. “I think you’re exactly right.”
He turned to look up at her. “You do?”
“I do.” She nodded. “Pa wouldn’t have left if God had given him the choice.”
“Why did God take him then?”
“I want to run the hotel, Charlotte. It’s got our name on the sign. Not his.” He jerked his head toward the lobby again.
“Nathan isn’t here to take the hotel from us. He’s here to teach us how to make it better.”
“I don’t like him being here.”
“I know. It’s hard for me, too.” She cupped his cheek. “I make you a promise, Michael. This hotel will be ours. The Greens will own Green’s Grand Hotel. As long as I can do everything like I’m supposed to, you and me and Sarah will have this hotel. It’s what Pa wanted for us. It’s why he and Momma went to Dallas.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They met Nathan there. Together they planned for a lot of changes that we’re going to make happen soon. I’ll need your help though.”
He perked up for the first time in days. “What do you need me to do?”
“I’ve got to learn a lot about how to run the hotel. You can help me learn it faster if you’re a good boy.”
“I am a good boy.” Defiance returned to his eyes.
“You are, but I need you to be even better. The more time I have to worry about you and what you’re doing, the longer it will take me to learn all Nathan is teaching me. And the more we’ll risk losing the hotel.”
“I promise I won’t do anything to make us lose the hotel.” He hopped off the bed and turned to face her.
“Good. And I promise to study hard and do everything the way I think Pa and Momma would want.” She stood and took his hand. “Let’s go see if Nathan is ready for our appointment.”
“You’re leaving again?” For all his tough exterior, Michael had a tender heart.
“We have a meeting with Mayor Livingston about some business. He’s coming here.” They walked into the parlor, and she saw Nathan at the door. Bertha must have left it ajar. He raised his fist to knock but lowered it when he caught sight of her.