A Ready-Made Texas Family

by Angel Moore

  “But you took him up on his offer, didn’t you?”

  Nathan reached into his jacket and pulled the envelope from his pocket. He handed it to her without a word. She turned it over in her hand.

  “You never opened it.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” The dead place in her chest started to quiver with resurrected life.

  “I couldn’t work for someone who would take all this from you.” He looked around and shrugged his shoulders. “Even if you didn’t want me around, I couldn’t work against you.”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather work at a bigger hotel? I’m certain they’d take you back on in Dallas.” She handed him the envelope. “I’m sorry. You probably can’t forgive me. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to.”

  “Losing your trust was more than I could bear.” He raised his brows. “I’ve learned something about myself since I came back to Gran Colina. I’d rather have a better quality hotel with you. It’s a better place, because the people running it love it.”

  “Momma always said I needed help when it came to judging character. She said I wasn’t serious enough to see people for who they are.”

  He tilted his head to one side and looked at her. “How old were you when she said that?”

  “Fifteen or so the last time she said it, I guess.”

  “Would you allow yourself permission to grow?” He leaned a bit closer to her. “Like you did me. I’m not the same boy I was when I teased you. And you’re not the same schoolgirl who needed her mother to guide her about people and associations.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have made some decisions on my own that I want to work out like I imagine.”

  “What sort of decisions?”

  “Oh, about people. And associations. I need to tell you about one of them.” She reached for his hand.

  “I’m listening.”

  “I don’t want to be your boss anymore.” She took a small step closer to him.

  “You’re going to keep to that decision after all we’re talking about?”

  “Yes. I’m determined not to be your boss anymore.”

  He took a step toward her. “Will you tell me what caused you reach this decision?”

  She put her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t think I should be your boss anymore because I fell in love with you.”

  He captured her hands with his. “But you weren’t looking to fall in love.”

  “No. And you weren’t, either.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “Did you?”

  Nathan nodded and lowered his face toward hers. “I did.” He told her how much with his kiss. No words could convey to her soul the power of the love they shared.

  She pushed against his chest and leaned back to look into his face. “We’re going to be late for our meeting at the bank if we don’t leave now.”

  He dropped a light kiss on her cheek and another on her forehead. “I will go with you to the bank, but, later, I want us to finish this conversation about the decisions you’re making.”

  She smiled and stepped away from him. “I want to go by the school after we leave the bank so we can tell Michael and Sarah the news.”

  “The news about the hotel?”

  She hooked her hand in the crook of his arm as they walked across the lobby. “After we tell them about us.”

  When Charlotte and Nathan entered the bank lobby, the sheriff motioned for them to follow him into Mr. Freeman’s office. Mr. Renfroe waited for them there.

  Mr. Freeman stood behind his desk. “I don’t appreciate all of you interrupting my business. Mr. Eaton and the land agent will be here any minute to sign the papers for the transfer of the hotel.”

  Mr. Renfroe answered the banker. “That’s why we’re here.”

  “You told me that Miss Green didn’t want to be here for the signing.” The puzzled look Mr. Freeman wore deepened to annoyance.

  Charlotte held up one hand. “I didn’t want to come sign away my father’s work or the livelihood he built for me and my siblings.”

  Mr. Freeman huffed out a breath. “Then I suggest you leave.” He pointed toward the lobby. “The gentlemen have arrived to deal with the paperwork.”

  “We aren’t leaving.” Charlotte took Nathan’s hand and enjoyed the comfort of his unspoken support when he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Nor are you going to sign away my hotel.”

  “Miss Green, we’ve been over this.” Mr. Freeman turned to Scott Braden. “Sheriff, will you clear these people out of my office?”

  “No.”

  “No?” He folded his arms across his chest. “Will someone please explain to me what is going on here?”

  Mr. Renfroe pulled her father’s copy of the banknote from the inside pocket of his suit and handed it to Charlotte. “I think you should handle this.”

  Nathan released her hand, and she took the note from the lawyer. “We found this in my mother’s things.”

  Mr. Freeman’s patience vanished. “What could your mother have possessed that would be of interest to me? I don’t have time for sentimental letters or such.”

  “This is sentimental.” Charlotte unfolded the banknote. “To me and my family.” She held it up for everyone in the room to see. “I’d like to read the paragraph my father wrote in his own hand.”

  She cleared her throat and read aloud.

  “This banknote is for the sole purpose of refurnishing and refurbishing Green’s Grand Hotel. The furnishings are the only collateral. At no time will Green’s Grand Hotel be seized in exchange for the obligations of this note. A grace period of six months will take effect immediately in the event the payments are ever in arrears.”

  She loved her father. He’d proved his love and determination to provide for her and her siblings by including these provisions.

  Charlotte folded the banknote, and silence filled the room.

  Nathan smiled at her and winked. She looped her hand into the crook of his elbow.

  Mr. Freeman finally spoke. “That clause was added by your father. It isn’t in keeping with bank policy.”

  “Was it written before you signed the document?” Mr. Renfroe asked.

  “Think carefully before you answer, Mr. Freeman. As sheriff, I’m prepared to insist on seeing the bank’s copy of the note.”

  “May I add to what you’ve read, Miss Green?” At her nod, Mr. Renfroe continued, “We are prepared to accept that this provision wasn’t your idea and that you didn’t want such an exception to become public knowledge. For the sake of the bank’s reputation in regard to their business practices and fairness, of course.”

  Mr. Freeman opened his mouth to speak, but Mr. Renfroe held up his hand to stop him. “I’m not finished. Miss Green deserves an apology from you for the sorrow this situation has added to her grieving family. In exchange for that apology and your assurances that the banknote will be honored by the bank and transferred to Miss Green with the same provisions her father previously arranged, we will keep the matters that have been discussed here today in confidence. Should you violate any of the conditions I’m offering, we will have no obligation to protect your privacy and will seek immediate remedy by taking this information in its entirety before a judge in open court. Is that satisfactory to all parties?”

  Charlotte was pleased with how quickly and proficiently her lawyer took the situation in hand. “I am willing to abide by those conditions.”

  Mr. Freeman stared at the floor. “I accept your offer.”

  “Good. I’ll draw up the papers and present them for all parties to sign later this afternoon.” Mr. Renfroe pointed at Mr. Freeman. “As soon as you offer your sincere apologies to Miss Green.”

  The banker lifted his head. “I apologize to you, Miss Green, for
any and all harm I’ve caused your family.”

  She watched the color fade from the banker’s face. “In good Christian faith, I accept, Mr. Freeman. And I trust that we will have no problems in the future.”

  Mr. Freeman nodded. “You have my full assurance.”

  Charlotte turned to Scott Braden. “Sheriff, if you and Mr. Renfroe can handle the details, I’d like to accompany Mr. Taylor to the school. We need to talk to Michael and Sarah about all that has transpired today.”

  On their way through the bank lobby, Mr. Eaton put out a hand to stop Nathan. “Are you certain you won’t reconsider our offer to return to the employ of Turner Hotels? We’re about to sign the papers to purchase Green’s Grand Hotel and the adjoining land. This will be your last opportunity to work with us.”

  “My mind is made up.” Nathan pulled his elbow closer to his side and covered Charlotte’s hand with his. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend.”

  When they stepped out of the bank into the sunshine of the day, Nathan turned toward her. “You were amazing. Have I told you that I love you?”

  She shook her head. “You did give me every indication, but you never actually spoke the words.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders and slid them down to capture her elbows. “Let me rectify that omission immediately.” He leaned very close.

  Suddenly shy of him, her heart pounded so that she thought he might hear it. “Nathan, we are in the street. People will see.”

  “I don’t see anyone but you.” He took a small step closer. “I love you, Charlotte Green.”

  “I’m very glad.” She got lost in the depths of his blue eyes. “I love you, too.”

  He took her face in his hands. “I love you and your family.”

  “That’s a good thing, because I know Sarah loves you.” She laughed and lifted her hands to rest on his shoulders. “And, as long as you promise that Michael can have the run of the hotel one day, I’m sure he’ll come to love you, too.”

  Then Nathan kissed her. In the middle of the street where anyone who wanted to could see.

  And she didn’t care. She didn’t even think Momma would object after all they’d been through together.

  Epilogue

  Three weeks later, Charlotte went into her parents’ room. She folded the clothes that she’d left in a heap on their bed. She’d have Opal alter her mother’s dresses to fit her. Nathan was taller than her father, so she’d offered his things to Revered Gillis. Mrs. Gillis had promised to collect them this afternoon.

  Nathan’s knock sounded on the parlor door.

  She stepped into the hallway. “Come in. I’m in my parents’ room.”

  “Won’t you come into the parlor and greet me?” He winked when she cast a glance over her shoulder at him.

  “Let me finish this first. It will only take another minute or two.”

  “Only a minute. I have to go to the meeting Mayor Livingston is having about the new town hall.”

  Charlotte picked up her mother’s blue skirt. Charlotte had loved to see her wear it. The color was lovely with her cream blouse. As she folded it to add to the stack of other things to be altered, she felt something in the pocket. She reached in and found her mother’s small notebook. It was the one she used for recipe ideas and notes about the hotel. She must have taken it on the trip to record things she saw in Dallas.

  Charlotte carried the book into the parlor. “Look what I found in my mother’s pocket.” She held up the book for Nathan to see. “It’s the notebook she used for work things.”

  “What a great thing to find. Maybe she wrote down things you’d like to implement here. Now that the farmers’ meeting is behind us—and a great success it was—we need to begin planning the next phase of improvements. It won’t take many meetings like the one last week for the bank loan to be paid in full.”

  They were ahead of schedule on the payments. “I look forward to that day, though I am satisfied with the way Mr. Renfroe arranged things.”

  She turned the pages of the notebook and smiled at her mother’s neat handwriting. There were new recipes and a couple of notes on how to help the maids do their jobs with more efficiency. Tucked into the very back was a small envelope. Charlotte looked at the front of it and tears began to flow down her cheeks.

  Nathan was at her side in an instant. “What is it?”

  “A letter to me. She must have decided not to post it. She probably thought she’d arrive home before the letter did.”

  Nathan urged her to sit on the settee and read it.

  She slid her finger under the edge of the envelope and lifted it. The letter inside was only one page, but Charlotte knew no matter what the content she would always treasure it as the last words from her mother.

  My dear Charlotte,

  Your father and I didn’t share the purpose of our trip as we wanted it to be a surprise for you. You’ve grown into such a lovely young woman, and we are honored to be your parents. The financial future of the hotel is more important than ever as you have reached adulthood, and your siblings will be grown before we’re ready for them to be.

  I promise to share all the details of our trip with you over the next few weeks, but there is one item of a personal nature that I want to share immediately.

  Your father and I have encountered Nathan Taylor in Dallas. You’ll remember him as the young man who tormented you in school before he and his parents moved away from Gran Colina.

  We have spent a good deal of time with him and found him to be a man of good character. After we finish the changes we want to make to the hotel, your father wants to contact Nathan and ask him to help us run the hotel. He has a vast knowledge of the workings of the hotel business, but it’s more than that. There is something about this young man that your father and I approve.

  In fact, God has not given my heart reason to pause over this young man as He did with so many others who offered to call on you.

  And I daresay you might even find him handsome.

  I will tell you more about the reasons for our approval when we are together again.

  I love you, so. Thank you, our darling girl, for caring for Michael and Sarah in our absence. The three of you hold our hearts in yours. We thank God for all of you when we pray.

  Momma

  Charlotte wept tears of joy at this wonderful gift from her mother. It was greater than anything she could have asked for.

  She read it again. Aloud this time for Nathan’s benefit.

  He sat beside her on the settee and, when she finished the letter, he dried her tears with his handkerchief.

  “I’m amazed at this.” Nathan hadn’t realized how much Charlotte’s parents had thought of him and his future. Especially in regard to Charlotte.

  “She never approved of anyone. Not once.” Charlotte shook her head. “This is God’s way of letting me know how they felt about you.”

  “Charlotte, I’ve waited for the right time to talk to you about something important. I didn’t know what would be proper and fitting given the fact that your parents aren’t here for me to seek their counsel.”

  Her heart raced. The joy of this moment was overwhelming, and she thought God was about to bless her beyond her dreams.

  Nathan took her hands in his. “Given the approval that I’ve just received from your parents—” He cleared his throat. “Charlotte, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?”

  The tears flowed new and fresh. “Yes.” She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes!”

  Michael and Sarah came into the parlor. The day had passed so quickly that Charlotte didn’t realize it was time for the children to return from school. She unwound her arms from Nathan’s neck and rested her hands in her lap.

  Michael frowned. “What are you screaming about, Charlotte? You never scream.”

  Charlot
te looked to Nathan. “Shall we tell them?”

  He nodded his agreement. “I’m still in awe.”

  “What is it?” Michael wasn’t so angry anymore, but neither was he patient.

  Nathan put his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders.

  Charlotte knew her excitement was more than the kids ever saw in her. “Nathan and I are getting married!”

  Sarah squealed with Charlotte. “I love weddings!” She ran and hugged them both.

  “Do I have to dress up in my Sunday clothes for the wedding?” Michael scratched his head. “Because if I do, I think you should get married on Sunday so I don’t have to wear them an extra day.”

  Nathan laughed. “We might be able to do that, Michael.”

  Sarah leaned over to Nathan and whispered in her loudest whispering tone. “Are you gonna kiss her now?”

  “Sarah!” Charlotte was shocked at her question.

  “I’m only asking ’cause Nathan said you should only be kissed when you want to be kissed.”

  Nathan nodded. “I did say that.”

  Charlotte laughed.

  “Don’t you wanna be kissed?” Sarah tugged on her hand. “Momma and Pa were married, and they kissed. Momma said Pa kissed her because it made her happy.” She looked at Nathan. “If you want to make her happy, you have to kiss her.”

  Out of the mouths of babes.

  Charlotte leaned toward Nathan, and he kissed her in a sweet way that made Sarah clap for joy.

  Momma was right. Nathan’s kiss did make her happy.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed A Ready-Made Texas Family,

  look for these other Love Inspired Historical

  titles by Angel Moore:

  Conveniently Wed

  The Marriage Bargain

  The Rightful Heir

  Husband by Arrangement

  Find more great reads at

  www.LoveInspired.com.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Convenient Amish Proposal by Jan Drexler.