A Ready-Made Texas Family

by Angel Moore

  Charlotte didn’t see Cyrus’s response. Her attention centered on Nathan and how much space he took up on the bench. She slid Sarah nearer to Michael and moved toward them, but was still so close to Nathan that she knew God would have to help her or she’d never remember a word of the sermon. How, in a matter of a few weeks, had he gone from being someone she didn’t want to be in the room with to being someone who stood out in the midst of a room as if no one else was there?

  The service began and everyone stood for the songs and sat for the sermon. Reverend Gillis preached a fervent message on caring for others. Michael and Sarah, warned that the picnic could be canceled if they misbehaved, sat still and quiet.

  But Charlotte fidgeted. She toyed with the buttons on her lace gloves and tied her reticule more than once. She reached for the hymnbook, but Nathan captured her hand in his. In an instant her restlessness vanished. He rested the back of his hand on the seat between them and his long fingers closed around her hand. She sat on the bench her family had occupied for her entire life and allowed a man to hold her hand during a service. Some would call it scandalous. Charlotte thought it sweet. He didn’t caress or attempt to distract her, but the security of his grasp offered comfort.

  The words of the sermon broke through her former nervousness. When the service ended, she felt more refreshed in spirit than she had since her parents died.

  Reverend Gillis prayed the closing prayer and everyone made their way out of the church. Rena came up to Charlotte.

  “How are you doing?” Rena shifted her baby from her arms to rest against her shoulder.

  “We’re getting a bit better each day.” Charlotte patted the baby’s back. “Cordelia is growing.”

  “She is. Scott can’t believe how quickly.”

  The sheriff joined them and took his daughter from Rena. “Come see your pa, little one.” He tucked the baby into the crook of his arm and made funny sounds and faces at her.

  Charlotte didn’t want to be jealous of her friend’s happy family, but a part of her had always wanted a husband and babies. It didn’t seem like it was possible for her with the responsibility of the hotel and her siblings, but maybe God was doing something for her and Nathan. She hoped so.

  After a short chat, Rena and Scott left her and the kids. Nathan joined them. “Are you ready?”

  “I am!” Michael grinned. “I wanna get in the river. It’s so hot I wanna go swimming.”

  “I don’t know how to swim.” Sarah put her hand in Nathan’s and tugged. “Will you sit on the quilt with me and tell me a story? Pa always told the best stories.”

  Nathan nodded. “We best be on our way if we’re going to do all the two of you have planned.”

  Charlotte followed Nathan and the kids back to the hotel. Michael and Sarah chatted with him the entire time. If they annoyed Nathan, he never showed it.

  In short order they had all changed clothes and walked to the river. Charlotte and Sarah spread out the quilt and pulled their food from the basket while Nathan and Michael walked down to the edge of the water.

  She let Sarah have a slice of bread while they waited on Nathan and Michael to join them.

  “Charlotte, do you like Mr. Nathan?”

  “He’s a very nice man. Yes, I like him.”

  “I mean do you like him like I like Archie Sherman?”

  Charlotte refused to smile at the sweet thought of Sarah being taken with the little boy who lived across the street from the hotel. “That all depends. How do you like Archie? Like a friend who plays tag at school during recess?”

  “Like that.” Sarah played with her doll. “But only I don’t like when he tries to pull my hair.”

  Nathan and Michael walked up the hill and sat under the large tree with them. A gentle breeze stirred the oak leaves, and several translucent clouds floated across the blue skies. The combination was a welcome break from the scorching sun they’d endured for the last many months.

  Nathan snagged a piece of bread from the basket on the quilt. “Who is pulling your hair?”

  Michael answered for her. “Archie does it. He says he’s only playing, but I told him not to do it anymore, or I’ll have to punch him in the stomach.”

  Charlotte was surprised by Michael’s protective defense of their sister. “Michael, you mustn’t hit.”

  “Pa wouldn’t let some boy hurt Sarah. He’d tan his hide.” Michael took a slice of bread.

  “He wouldn’t allow someone to harm Sarah, but he wouldn’t want you to fight.”

  Nathan spoke up again. “Sarah, did he hurt you?”

  She spread her doll’s skirt out on the quilt. “Not really. He said he’s just playing. But I don’t think it’s fair. Boys don’t have braids we can pull.”

  Nathan caught Charlotte’s attention and wordlessly asked her permission to address the situation. She nodded. Listening to Nathan tell Sarah what to do with a boy who acted like Nathan had when they were schoolchildren would be interesting.

  “If he’s told you he’s playing, and he’s not hurting you, he may be telling you the truth. He may want to be your friend.”

  “Then he shouldn’t pull my hair.” Sarah laughed what she considered to be a silly notion.

  “You’re right.” Nathan glanced at Charlotte. “But sometimes boys don’t know that. You have to tell them.”

  “You mean just tell him to quit?” Michael didn’t like this idea.

  “Yes, but Sarah has to tell him.”

  “Okay. I’ll tell him.” Sarah picked up her bread. “Can we eat the picnic now? I want more than just bread.”

  Charlotte helped Michael and Sarah with their food. “If you eat a good lunch, I made a treat for after.”

  “I like treats.” Michael bit into his chicken leg.

  “So do I.” Nathan took another piece of bread.

  “Then I think you’ll all be pleased.” Charlotte pulled a platter from the basket and unwrapped the towel that hid its contents. “I decided to put Momma’s tea cakes back on the menu, so I made a big batch last night.”

  “I’m gonna eat all my food, ’cause I want two tea cakes.” Michael took another bite of his chicken.

  “Yummy!” Sarah was as eager as Michael.

  The kids jumped up and ran to play in the deep grass along the water’s edge.

  “Don’t try to swim before I get down there.” Nathan leaned back on his elbows and watched them play.

  “You don’t have to take Michael swimming. He can go another day.” Charlotte packed the remains of their meal into the basket.

  “It’ll be fun. I haven’t been swimming in ages.” He pointed to a bend in the river. “We used to come to this very spot and swim on summer afternoons.”

  “You have pleasant memories of your life in Gran Colina.”

  “I do. That’s one reason I jumped at the opportunity to return.”

  Charlotte finished putting everything away and turned to him. “Were there other reasons?”

  He nodded. “I wanted to better myself in my work, and I wanted a fresh start somewhere other than Dallas.”

  “Were there bad memories there?” Charlotte hoped he hadn’t been unhappy.

  “Losing my mother was the worst of it. But, in time, that part of me healed.” He looked at his watch. “Would you and Sarah like to head back?”

  It seemed there were other memories he didn’t want to share. She supposed he was entitled to his private thoughts. She’d have to adjust her expectations of wanting to know everything about him with the reality that everyone had things they wanted to put behind them.

  “Sure. Will you bring the quilt when you come? I can manage the basket, but Sarah would struggle with the quilt.” She got to her feet and called to her sister that it was time to go.

  “Leave it all here. Michael and I will take care of it.” He stood and reached fo
r her hand. It was the sort of thing he’d begun to do in the last week. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon.” He released her and walked down to the river.

  Charlotte and Sarah went back to the hotel at a pace that enabled the child to keep up. She fell across her bed without argument when they arrived home.

  For the first time in a long time, Charlotte felt almost as carefree as Sarah. She wasn’t, but the load she carried was lessened by Nathan’s help. No one could have made her believe she would adapt to her new situation and learn so much in six short weeks. Maybe not short weeks. Some days seemed to go on forever and others, like today, were gone before she was ready to release them. The hard days were getting farther apart. It gave her hope for the future.

  She was beginning to care for him, but was it wise? She curled up in the corner of the settee to ponder her newfound emotions about Nathan and promptly fell asleep.

  * * *

  Nathan had Michael carry the quilt to the back porch so it could be cleaned the next day. He put the basket on the table in the kitchen and would have emptied it, but Mrs. Atkins and Mrs. Baxter insisted that they had caught up on their duties and needed something to do.

  “Let’s get you back to your residence. I’m thinking after a busy afternoon like we had, you’ll be needing to rest.”

  “I’m a big boy. I don’t need naps anymore.” A giant yawn escaped him.

  “I’m a man, and I like a good nap sometimes.” Nathan put a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for taking me swimming.”

  “We can go again whenever you want. Charlotte don’t like to go. She says it gets her hair all wet. And Sarah don’t know how.”

  “Maybe one day Charlotte can teach Sarah. We’ll go again soon.” Nathan waited while Michael entered the parlor, and then he went upstairs to his room.

  Over the weeks he’d settled into the attic room. It was clean and large enough for all of his things. He sat at the table and opened his Bible. He had a lot to think and pray about.

  Today was the most enjoyable day he’d had in years. The September heat didn’t even dampen his pleasure. The picnic and the swim had been nice, but Charlotte’s company had been his favorite thing about it.

  Holding her hand in church while they listened to the sermon together, sharing lunch with her and the kids, and coming home with the knowledge that she was here. Those were joys that couldn’t be measured.

  The future of the hotel was still uncertain in spite of their efforts. As a man he needed to make a good wage to provide for himself, but he’d rather live in an attic at Green’s Grand Hotel than be away from Charlotte ever again.

  Lord, let the work be enough to save the hotel for Charlotte and her siblings. It means so much to them. And to me.

  The realization that he was falling in love with her hit him hard in the center of his chest.

  Chapter Fifteen

  On Monday morning, Charlotte nestled into the corner of the settee and savored her tea. When Nathan’s familiar knock tapped a tune on the door to the lobby, she slipped her feet onto the floor and sat up straight. “Come in.”

  The door opened, and Nathan stuck his head into the room. His creased brow worried her. “You need to come to the desk.”

  “Is everything okay?” She put her cup on the table beside her.

  His lips tightened, and a knot formed in her middle. He slipped into the parlor and pushed the door closed. He never shut the door when they were alone together. The children were in the kitchen, but it was still something he never did.

  “I’m very concerned.”

  “What is it? The children haven’t left for school yet.” She stood and wrung her hands together. She saw no sign of Nathan’s persistent confidence. He was always confident.

  “Mr. Eaton is back.”

  “Why is that a bad thing? He stayed in a nice room and paid his bill. I’d think you’d be glad of guests like him.”

  “He’s returned with the land agent. Something seems amiss to me.”

  Michael followed Sarah into the parlor. “We finished our breakfast, but Sarah only wants to play with her doll. I want to go to school early.”

  Nathan cast a glance over his shoulder. “We really need to deal with this matter now, Charlotte.”

  She tapped her finger on her cheek. “You may leave for school now. Both of you, gather your things. Then take Sarah with you. I need the two of you to be very good while I go into the lobby with Nathan. We have important business to discuss, and I won’t be able to handle it like Pa would want if I have to see about the two of you. Can you do that for me?”

  Michael glared at Nathan. “What’s wrong?”

  Nathan studied Michael for a moment as if deciding how much to tell the young boy. There couldn’t be much to tell. Nathan had barely given her any details.

  “There is nothing going on that you need to worry about. Charlotte can handle it.”

  Michael’s glare intensified. “Are you sure?”

  “Man to man, I promise.” Nathan met Michael’s stare with a calm and even manner. “I’ll never lie to you.”

  Charlotte wanted to hug Nathan for treating Michael’s concern with such seriousness. It was difficult for the little ones. Many adults tended to dismiss them. Nathan had taken to acknowledging their questions and answering with honesty. Kindness tempered his words, but he never belittled or ignored Michael or Sarah. The three of them had formed a strong bond.

  The children headed off to finish their preparations for school, and Charlotte turned to Nathan. “Let’s go see what Mr. Eaton and the land agent want.”

  Davis Conrad had been the land agent in Gran Colina for as long as Charlotte could remember. He stood next to Mr. Eaton on the opposite side of the registration desk and fidgeted. The man was never still.

  “Mr. Eaton, Mr. Conrad.” Charlotte greeted the two men. “How may I help you this morning?”

  Mr. Conrad jumped in before Mr. Eaton could utter a word. “We’re here to help you.”

  The front door opened, and Thomas Freeman entered. His smug expression didn’t sit well with Charlotte. The knot in her stomach tightened.

  Mr. Freeman approached the desk. “Ah, I see we’re all here.”

  Charlotte was glad that Nathan stood beside her. He inched closer.

  “Gentlemen, you seem to have Miss Green and me at a disadvantage.”

  Thomas Freeman stepped into the middle of the group. “I’m about to remedy that for you, little lady.”

  “Remedy what, Mr. Freeman?” She didn’t like the arrogance of his statement.

  Mr. Freeman pointed at Mr. Eaton. “Mr. Eaton here works for Turner Hotels.”

  “He does?” Charlotte spun to look at Nathan. Why hadn’t he told her? “I was unaware, Mr. Eaton. Did you know Mr. Taylor in Dallas?” She held her hand out to indicate Nathan and watched the guest with a keen eye in search of any sign of recognition.

  “No. I met him on the train when I came to town on my last visit.”

  Charlotte sensed something was afoot. Mischief? Omission of some important truth.

  She wasn’t one to dillydally. “Please, someone, do tell me what the nature of this visit is.” She crossed her arms. Skepticism filled her every pore. She knew she wasn’t going to like what she was about to hear.

  “Allow me to explain.” Mr. Eaton didn’t move forward like Mr. Freeman had. It seemed the man who represented Turner Hotels felt no need to push. He’d stayed with them for almost two weeks, and not once had Charlotte felt him imposing himself on others. Did an ulterior motive guide his actions? “I was sent to Gran Colina by my employer for the purpose of determining whether or not this town would be a suitable place to establish one of our hotels. Mr. Turner was very specific in his request that I discover the profitability of the area based on the success of your particular establishment, Miss Green.”

  Nathan bowe
d up at the revelation. “Why would Mr. Turner send you to this specific hotel? He usually goes into a new town and builds on a vacant property. He did it time and again while I was in his employ. I have never known him to spy on the competition, unless he wanted—”

  Charlotte looked at Nathan. “Wanted to what?”

  Mr. Freeman broke his silence. “Unless he wanted to purchase the property. Mr. Turner prefers to go into a community and eliminate the competition.” He looked across the lobby. “Even if that competition is really no competition at all.”

  Charlotte started to get the big picture. “Mr. Conrad, why are you a part of this meeting?”

  “You know I do my best as land agent for Gran Colina. This is a perfect opportunity to promote growth in our fine community. A hotel that belongs to Turner Hotels will give Gran Colina an appeal like none we’ve known before. We may not ever achieve the success of a city the size of Dallas, but we’ll be set for sure if we embrace businesses like Turner Hotels. It can change us forever to have them locate here.”

  “But the town doesn’t own this property. I do.”

  Mr. Freeman raised his hand. “Well, Miss Green, if we’re going to talk about ownership, the bank owns the largest portion of Green’s Grand Hotel.”

  She felt the color drain from her face. “Are you saying you’re considering selling my note to Turner Hotels?”

  “It’s not a consideration. I’m in negotiations with Turner Hotels to sell the entire property to them.”

  “You can’t do that! It isn’t right. You gave me your word, and we’ve made all these changes with the money Pa borrowed from you. We’re going to be able to pay the note.” Charlotte tried to keep from screeching, but her voice rose with every word.

  Nathan put his hand on her arm. “Don’t let’s get ahead of ourselves here. Mr. Conrad, explain what you’re saying.”

  “I’m saying that Mr. Eaton and I have arranged for the purchase by Turner Hotels of the land beside Green’s Grand Hotel.”

  Charlotte leaned forward, and Nathan squeezed her arm. She didn’t know if he was supporting her or trying to keep her from standing up for herself and her siblings. “And you want to sell them my hotel?” She pointed at Mr. Freeman.