A Ready-Made Texas Family

by Angel Moore

  “Can you take a break when you’ve finished?” Nathan caught sight of stew simmering on the stove for lunch. The workings of a hotel kitchen had always fascinated him. The preparations for one meal began before the previous meal was finished. It was like well-orchestrated music that required precision timing and thoughtful planning.

  “Certainly. Just give me a few minutes. Should I meet you in the restaurant? We can talk over a cup of coffee, if you’d like.”

  “That sounds great. Bring three cups, and I’ll get Charlotte to join us.”

  The three of them pored over the menus for the week. Nathan complimented Mrs. Atkins on the way she prepared the meals based on what had worked in the past and new items that travelers mentioned to her when they visited.

  “Thank you. I like to vary the offerings. It all seems a bit stale if we don’t mix it up on occasion.”

  “Momma always loved trying your new recipes.” Charlotte poured another cup of coffee for herself. “And I think the townsfolk dine here more often because of the variety.”

  Nathan made notes as they talked. His notes would serve him well as they made the changes he had in mind. “How do you decide which items to drop from the menu?”

  Mrs. Atkins looked at Charlotte. “Your mother made those decisions.”

  Nathan wondered if there was a method to the decisions or if it was done at random. “I suggest that we make the determinations based on popularity of the dish, cost to prepare it, and the price we must charge the guest when we serve it. Plus seasonal availability of the ingredients.”

  Charlotte ran her finger along the edge of her saucer. “There are some items I’d like to remove.” Her next words came out in a rush. “I’d like to drop the tea cakes and two of the pie flavors.”

  Nathan was surprised at her suggestion. “If you’re having trouble keeping up with the demand for baked goods, we can hire someone to do it for you. I have been concerned from the beginning about your putting in such late hours on the nights when you bake.”

  Mrs. Atkins offered, “Perhaps Bertha could help.”

  “It isn’t the amount of work.” Charlotte picked at the edge of her napkin. “I don’t have the heart to keep making all of Momma’s recipes. She guarded them so closely. I can’t hire someone and give them her secrets. I may want to add them back in time, but for now, I want to drop those options.”

  “You poor girl.” Mrs. Atkins patted Charlotte’s hand. “I should have thought of that. The way you and your sweet momma worked side by side in the kitchen. Please forgive me for not realizing what a toll it’s taking on you. I can do the baking.”

  Charlotte thanked her. “I thought I could do it. At first it was comforting to be in Momma’s place. I even wore her apron the first couple of times I baked. But I can’t keep doing it. Not right now.”

  Nathan watched Charlotte bare her soul to Mrs. Atkins. The woman was probably closer to Charlotte than any other adult now that her parents were gone.

  “Charlotte, Mrs. Atkins has offered a good solution. We could hire someone to do some of the things she is doing. She could take over the baking. At least a big part of it.” He turned to Mrs. Atkins. “Would that be acceptable to you?”

  She squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “I’ll do anything that will help to ease your burden.”

  “Okay, that’s settled then.” Nathan turned the page in his notebook.

  “Excuse me.” Charlotte gave him the same look she’d given Michael when she’d corrected him. “I haven’t agreed to this arrangement.”

  Nathan sat back in his chair. He hoped she wasn’t about to scold him like a child.

  “I’d like to think about it for a day or so.” She nodded. “It may be the very thing we need to do, but I’d like us to talk about it when we discuss other things we’re planning, Nathan.” She pushed her cup and saucer away from her. “Mrs. Atkins, we’ll let you know as soon as we make a decision. And if we decide to take on extra kitchen help, I’d like for you to offer any suggestions you may have on their duties and who might be a good candidate for the position. We’ll want to make certain we keep things running smoothly. The wrong personality might upset the well-run service you provide for the restaurant.” She stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check in with Libbie about the children.”

  Nathan was impressed. Charlotte had grappled with whether or not she agreed with him, but she’d handled it in a professional manner that would have been acceptable in any business. Even something as well respected as the Turner Hotels.

  Charlotte showed growth in her knowledge of business in the short time he’d been in Gran Colina. Her determination would be the root of her success.

  He only hoped he wasn’t working himself out of a job.

  * * *

  On Tuesday evening Nathan put away everything on the desk. He’d worked steadily for the last two days to clean out the desk and anything in the lobby that needed to go. More than once he and Charlotte had disagreed over an item. In the end, she’d taken the personal items to her living quarters, leaving only a portrait of her parents on the wall over the fireplace. She’d wanted to honor their legacy of establishing Green’s Grand Hotel. It was in keeping with the business side of things, so Nathan saw no reason to resist her on the subject. All her mother’s trinkets had been removed.

  The door to the private residence opened, and Charlotte walked into the lobby. “I’ve got the children to bed. Do you need anything else before I retire for the night?”

  “Would you make a pot of coffee? We could go over the details of the plans. Time is passing quickly, and we need to decide on the details before Mr. Thornhill arrives with his group of farmers.”

  She stretched her neck from one side to another. “It would probably be best to do it while things are quiet. You get your notes, and I’ll put on the coffee.”

  They settled at a small table in her parlor and spread out their notes. They started with the things they agreed on and worked through much of the details in less than an hour.

  “I think we can arrange the new furniture in most of the rooms to achieve a fresh look. It won’t be necessary to paint, but every room needs to be cleaned from top to bottom.” He drained the last of his coffee and set the mug on the table.

  Charlotte wrote in her notebook. “I’ll speak to the maids tomorrow morning. They can choose a room to do each day. That will keep the work from being too much at once.”

  “That’s a fine idea.” He leaned back in his chair and studied her in the light of the lamp. “You’ve taken to the business side of things. It seems you have a natural ability for organization once you get into the practice of the work.”

  She eyed him in that snappy way she had when they were in school together. “You seem surprised.”

  “Not surprised as much as pleased. You need to stay on top of things, or you’ll fall behind and never catch up.” It was true. He hadn’t expected her to be prompt after the first few days of watching her be distracted. She had put that behind her. A monumental task for someone struggling with so much loss and responsibility.

  “I’m not going to let Thomas Freeman take this hotel. I won’t fail.” She shrugged. “Even if it means I don’t sleep or that I have to let you have your way on some of the things that you say need to be changed.”

  “I know you think the changes are all coming from me. I give you my word that I’m staying as true as I can to the things your father told me. It’s almost impossible to remember every detail, but the fact that our conversations were so recent has helped.”

  Charlotte nodded. “If only he’d talked to me. I would have been more prepared.”

  “He never imagined he’d be gone so soon. His job wasn’t dangerous like a sheriff or rancher. A businessman in town leads a relatively safe life.”

  “If he’d given me any clue... Momma and I worked together in the restaurant, so I know wh
at I’m doing in there. The kitchen and the dining room are very well known to me. All except the ordering.” She shifted in her chair. “I should have paid more attention to Pa’s work.”

  “He would no doubt have shooed you out of his way. I imagine he had Michael in mind for that part of the hotel. And little Sarah would have grown up to help you and your mother.”

  Her eyes misted over again.

  Nathan reached across the table and put his hand on hers. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s just such a sweet thought. Momma had already let Sarah stand on a stool beside her while she worked sometimes. Sarah was learning to roll out the dough for dumplings or cookies.”

  “I’m glad you have those memories. I treasure the little things like that about my mother. Sarah will, too. She’s young, but she’s old enough to have the image of her mother and that love in her heart forever.”

  “They both left us pleasant memories. Michael would sit by Pa and help tote valises up the stairs.”

  He hadn’t realized this. “If you think it would help with his behavior, Michael can spend some time in the afternoons with me. I can let him do those things.” As he made the suggestion he thought he might have just opened himself up to a load of trouble with a small boy.

  Charlotte’s face lit up. “Would you? That may be what brings him out of his anger. We had a long talk on Sunday evening. He’s been better, but there are times he seems to be holding on to this temper with all his might. He doesn’t want to be angry, but it’s easier for him than being sad.”

  “Do you think he’ll resent my authority? It wouldn’t do for him to be rude in front of the guests.”

  “I can make it part of the agreement. He can only help if he’s mature and represents the hotel as if Pa was standing beside him.”

  “That could work. We can try it if you like.”

  “I hope Sarah isn’t jealous.” Charlotte laughed. “That little girl thinks she should be included in everything. Since we’ve agreed to hire help for Mrs. Atkins, maybe Sarah can help me or Mrs. Atkins on occasion.”

  Nathan began to understand why she was so concerned about the children. “A wise choice. It’s hard to imagine that they didn’t just lose their parents—they lost their way of life. You’re doing an excellent job with them. They are blessed to have you.”

  He hadn’t meant to, but he’d embarrassed her. The clock on the mantel struck the hour.

  “Oh, my. We’ve been working a long time.” Charlotte stood and gathered their coffee cups.

  Nathan rose from his chair and reached for the sugar bowl. Charlotte grabbed it just before him, and his hand closed around her warm fingers. He looked up and released her as she pulled away. “I’m sorry. Let me help you.” He picked up the sugar and followed her into the kitchen.

  She put the cups down and took the sugar from him. He was careful not to touch her hand or look into her eyes. She might see how the brief contact had affected him. The longer he spent his days and evenings with Charlotte, the more he knew the young man he’d been had chosen wisely when he cast his affections in her direction.

  If only he’d known how to deal with his youthful feelings, maybe he would have drawn her into friendship—and something deeper in time. Instead, he’d teased her and driven her away.

  He searched for a way to take her mind off the awkward moment. “Did you open the valises yet?”

  The discomfort in her face turned to sorrow. She moved away from him. “No. I tried not to think of them.”

  They went back into the parlor, and he looked through the door that stood open to the lobby. “I’ll gather my notes and be going.”

  Charlotte stood near the door. “I think we made a lot of progress tonight.”

  “We did. I don’t think you have to worry about the banker coming to take your property. We’re on track to make a substantial increase in the income of the hotel with the new furnishings. And a successful stay for Mr. Thornhill’s group will make it even better.” He headed toward the door.

  Charlotte put her hand on his arm. “I’m glad you were able to come to Gran Colina. I’m sorry I resisted you at first. It was childish.”

  “You had only our history as children on which to base your opinion of me.” He smiled at her. “I’m glad we’ve both grown out of that stage of our lives.”

  “If you hadn’t shown up, I wouldn’t have known about the furnishings or where the money went. I’d have lost the hotel before the order ever arrived. Even if I’d held on until then, I wouldn’t have been prepared for the changes that needed to be made. By coming, you brought my father’s vision back home. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”

  “I have offered a prayer of thanks for that very reason. It would have been an added tragedy for the three of you to lose the hotel when your parents’ purpose for being away was to make it better for you.” He wanted to offer her comfort, but his arms were full of the work they’d done. “I wish we had your father’s papers. They were so detailed. He even drew out his vision for the rooms and changes. If we had that, we could know we were doing everything exactly as he’d planned.”

  Charlotte’s future had become very important to him. Admitting that fact to himself wasn’t as hard as he’d thought it would be. He refused to ponder why. He wasn’t ready to deal with the answer.

  Chapter Ten

  Charlotte dropped her hand from Nathan’s arm and went as quickly as she could to her parents’ room.

  “What is it?” Nathan’s voice followed her.

  “Just a minute.” She called the words over her shoulder and looked at her parents’ belongings that Dennis had brought. She opened the box first. He’d said it contained the items her parents had with them. Her mother’s reticule and her father’s watch were inside. She opened the valises next. She rummaged through the first two without stopping to treasure the scent of her mother on the dresses and nightgown. The third one held her father’s things. She turned it upside down, and the clothes tumbled onto the bed. “It has to be here.”

  Nathan asked again. “What is it, Charlotte? Are you okay?”

  She turned to look at him. He still stood near the lobby door, but she could see him through the open door of her parents’ room. “Yes.” Her tone was clipped, but she wouldn’t give up her search. She dropped the valise onto the bed and picked up each article of clothing to shake and toss aside. “I’m looking for Pa’s notes. He wouldn’t have left them in Dallas. They must be here.”

  Nothing. She’d looked through everything in his case.

  “It’s not here.” She sank onto the side of the bed. “He must have been carrying it in his hands when the train wrecked. It was probably lost amid the wreckage.”

  Nathan pointed at her mother’s valises. “What about those?”

  “Those are Momma’s.”

  “Perhaps he had her put them there.”

  “I looked.”

  He indicated the piles of clothes on the bed. “You seem to have searched your father’s valise more thoroughly. Give it another look.”

  She gave a deep sigh. “I don’t know what good it will do, but—” She dumped the contents of the first valise and went through each item carefully. “Nothing.”

  The second case was heavier but not as large. She turned it upside down and shook it. “I don’t see anything here, either.” She rummaged through the clothes anyway.

  “What about inside the case? Perhaps it lodged in the bottom when you turned it over.” Nathan’s voice held hope.

  She didn’t know if the hope was for her sake or the hotel’s. The result would be the same if he was right.

  Charlotte looked in the bottom of both of her mother’s valises and found nothing. When she picked up her father’s valise she heard a thump and turned to Nathan. “Could it be?” She stuck her hand into the bottom of the valise and pulled out
her father’s leather journal.

  Excitement filled her. “It’s here!”

  She raced into the parlor and threw her arms around Nathan’s neck. He stumbled backward from the force of her approach, and his papers fluttered to the floor in disarray. He wrapped his arms around her waist and steadied her. The gentle strength of his embrace invited her to relax against him. The need for relief from the constant weight of her burdens begged her to stay in his arms.

  But she couldn’t. Nathan worked for her. He had helped her, but could she trust that he wasn’t like the other men who wanted her hotel? He’d made it clear from the beginning that he wanted to take it over. Was this desire of his to follow through with her father’s vision a way to make that happen? She couldn’t be certain.

  Charlotte would accept his help and expertise, but she wouldn’t depend on him for her happiness or peace.

  She jerked away from him and felt the heat climb into her face. “I’m sorry.” She put a hand at the base of her throat. “I was overcome by the discovery.”

  He bent to retrieve the papers that surrounded them and laughed. “It’s quite all right. I haven’t had a young woman fling herself into my arms before. I could think of more unpleasant experiences.”

  He was teasing her. She knew she should accept it as such, but the thrill she’d felt when he’d held her close had surprised her. It hurt to think he would dismiss it in jest. Her head spun with the emotions that warred inside of her. Reality stopped the whirlwind. They were working together to save her future. Silly emotions could jeopardize their success. She’d never forgive herself if that happened.

  She pushed her hair back over her shoulder and opened the journal. “Thank you for telling me about this.” She turned the pages quickly and saw drawings and long lists. “Now we can do everything like Pa wanted.”