What Comes My Way

by Tracie Peterson

  Ella caught Lizzy’s attention and made her way to where she stood with Wes and Phillip. “Lizzy, I was wondering if you’d had time to speak to your uncle regarding my matter.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. Of course I did. Uncle Oliver said it was perfectly fine to hire Mara on to help with the sewing and laundry. She’ll be paid room and board and fifteen dollars a month.”

  Ella breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. Father only paid her room and board. Look, she can stay with me when she’s not busy elsewhere. We spent a good portion of our lives living close.”

  “That’s exactly what I thought too. I told Uncle Oliver and Mr. Adler that Mara would stay in your room.”

  “Thank you.” Ella smiled. “So, are you going sight-seeing?”

  “We were just discussing that. Would you care to join us?”

  “Yes, do come with us. I’ll see to it that you have a great time,” Phillip declared.

  “I can’t.” Ella glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening to their conversation. “Robert is supposed to come today. He’s in town on business and planned to speak to me about Mara and anything else he’s learned. It’s important that I see him. But maybe after practice in the morning I’ll have a little time.”

  Phillip grinned. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “Well, I should get back upstairs and let Mara know the news. She’s been worried.”

  “Tell her that we’re happy to have her on board,” Lizzy said. “Then later, after you’re finished with your brother, bring her around to meet Amanda and the rest of the work crew.”

  “She’ll be the only person of color,” Ella said, then bit her lower lip.

  “I know,” Lizzy replied. “I thought of that, but I don’t think it should be a problem. Our workers are decent folks—most are Christian, and the color of a person’s skin shouldn’t matter to them.”

  “It shouldn’t, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. I don’t want Mara to be given a difficult time. I’ve heard of horrible things done to people of color. I don’t want her hurt.”

  “Nor do we. We’ll do our best to make it clear to everyone that they will either accept her and work without complaint, or they’ll be dismissed.”

  Ella worried her lip a bit more, then nodded. “I’ll let Mara know.”

  three

  When she reached her hotel room, Ella was surprised to find her brother had already arrived. She embraced him and gave him a smile. “I had no idea I’d see you so soon.”

  “I completed my business early,” he told her, then nodded toward Mara. “Mara was gracious enough to let me wait here for you.”

  “I was afraid when the knock came on the door,” Mara admitted, shaking her head, “but Mr. Robert called out to let me know it was him.”

  Ella could well imagine. She smiled at her friend. “Let’s sit. I have news.” The sitting area wasn’t quite as large as she’d had in the other hotel, but they made do. “I just came from speaking with Lizzy. She said her uncle is happy to hire Mara on to help with the sewing and laundry—if that meets with your approval.” She looked to Mara with a smile.

  “It does. I’d be happy to help sew and wash clothes.”

  “I’m glad to hear it’s all working out.” Robert unbuttoned his coat and took a seat on a wooden chair. “And will they pay Mara a fair wage?”

  Ella frowned. “Definitely fairer than what Father offered. Did you know she worked for room and board only?”

  “Is that true, Mara?” Robert had a strange look on his face.

  “When I turned twenty-one, Mr. Fleming had me sign a special paper that said I’d agree to work for that, as well as my clothes and anything like medicine or such. He said he had spent lots of money raising me, and my work would pay that back. All of his workers signed the paper, so I signed it too.”

  Robert’s expression betrayed his concern. “What about spending money? What if you wanted to go to town?”

  “Or save up to move away?” Ella asked.

  “We never went to town, ’cept for church. We weren’t allowed.”

  Ella shook her head. “Weren’t allowed? You’re a free woman. How could you not be allowed to go to town whenever you wanted, so long as your work was done? Didn’t Father give you time off?”

  Mara shook her head. “Not exactly. We could go to church. We traded Sundays with other house staff so that there was always someone to see to the white folks. But our papers say we had to work every day unless Mr. Fleming say otherwise.”

  Robert looked at Ella, shaking his head. “I knew Father wasn’t allowing you to go to town or parties. I suppose as far as the staff was concerned, he figured that if he provided everything needed, there was no reason for excursions to town, but I don’t understand the attitude of paying no wage. I’ll ask him about that when I get back.”

  Ella nodded and turned to Mara. “Well, for now you’ll make fifteen dollars a month and have room and board. You’re going to have a much better life. I can hardly wait to show you around the cities where we’ve performed in the past. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”

  Lizzy heard laughter coming from her uncle’s hotel room. High-pitched, female laughter. No doubt Amanda Moore was visiting. It was highly inappropriate for a single woman to be entertained in a bachelor’s hotel room, even if he was twenty years her senior.

  When she knocked in an authoritative manner, Lizzy wasn’t surprised that the laughter stopped abruptly.

  “Well, if it isn’t my darlin’ niece,” Oliver said, swinging the door open.

  “Hello, Uncle.” Lizzy stepped inside and kissed him on the cheek. “I gather from the raucous laughter that you aren’t alone.”

  “You gather correctly. Amanda came to see me and bring me the shirts she mended for me. And to measure me for a new coat.”

  “I thought we had a new coat made at the ranch. Is there something wrong with it?” Lizzy glanced around the room, but there was no sign of Amanda. “Where is she?”

  Oliver looked a little embarrassed. “She’s gone to hang up the shirts. What can I do for you, Lizzy?”

  She could tell he was anxious to be rid of her. “I want to discuss the third act. I was talking to Ella a few days ago and then again earlier today, and we both agreed that some changes need to be made. It will affect your announcements.”

  “We can talk about it in the morning. I’m going to have a light supper and call it an evening. I’m much too tired to make sensible decisions at this hour.”

  “It’s only six.”

  “And I was up at four this morning. I need my rest. I’m completely done in.”

  Amanda chose that moment to return. She wore a sage green skirt and an embroidered cream-colored Mexican blouse that dipped entirely too low in the front. She stopped when she saw Lizzy and her expression soured, but she quickly put on a simpering look. “Why, Lizzy, what in the world are you doing here?”

  “I might ask the same question, but Uncle Oliver explained that you are delivering his mended shirts.”

  Amanda touched a hand to her blond hair. “And so I did. Just doing my job.”

  “I’m glad to see it. I was just about to tell Uncle Oliver that there seems to be too much work for you.”

  Amanda gave a sad nod. “I’m glad someone has finally noticed.”

  Lizzy gritted her teeth. This wasn’t going the way she’d expected. “I’ve decided to hire on another woman to work with you.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” Amanda lifted her chin. “She’d better be able to sew. Oh, and wash and iron. We have more laundry than one person can keep up with.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you already have two laundry assistants to keep things on track.” Both girls had complained to Lizzy about Amanda’s lack of willingness to work alongside them. She thought she might as well address the matter here in front of her uncle. “Although, when I stopped by to see how things were going this morning, you were nowhere to be found. The gi
rls were working alone. Do you want to explain?”

  “I don’t answer to you. Oliver knows my abilities and where I am at all times. You act like it’s my fault that there’s too much work to do. I’m only one woman.” She looked at Oliver. “Maybe you should explain that this is your affair, Oliver—that we’ve already discussed my duties, and it’s no longer Lizzy’s business to worry over.”

  “Brookstone’s show is my business,” Lizzy said. “My family owns this business, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  Amanda had the decency to remain silent.

  Lizzy continued. “I expect you to be working alongside those girls, especially when the workload is as arduous as you portray it.”

  Oliver patted Lizzy’s shoulder. “Now, now, Lizzy. I’m sure Amanda knows what she’s doing. No sense in dressing her down when she’s done nothing wrong.”

  Lizzy raised her brow. “I suppose that would depend on who you talk to.”

  “All I see you do is tell other people what to do. You don’t know how hard I work.” Amanda turned to Oliver with tears in her eyes. She reminded Lizzy of a pouty child.

  “We simply need things to run in an orderly manner. I’m trying to ensure the performers have what they need.” Lizzy was angry enough to tell Amanda what she really thought of her and her lack of modesty and work ethic. Instead she turned back to her uncle. “Uncle Oliver, I want to talk to you first thing in the morning. Can you meet me for breakfast?” She paused a moment for effect, then added, “Alone?”

  “Certainly, child. Never fear. I’ll be there.”

  Lizzy stood seething. She wanted to force Amanda from the room but knew she had no right to do so. She’d just bide her time and pray. Hopefully her uncle would see the truth for what it was.

  Ella enjoyed supper with her brother at a seaside restaurant. The food tantalized from the first aroma to the last bite, and the setting was beyond perfect. From their table they could watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. It was like watching gold melt into the water as orange and yellow hues spread out across the horizon.

  “I must say, the view is spectacular,” Robert said, sounding as if he admired it as much as Ella did. “Puts me in mind of a painting our grandfather had. Do you recall it? The large one that hung over the fireplace in the dining room. It always gave me a sense of well-being.”

  “I’ve never known you to be sentimental.” Ella sipped her tea and then marveled again at the setting. “But you’re right. It is a very grand view. Wouldn’t it be amazing to live on this cliff?”

  “Indeed.” Robert dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “I suppose, however, I must put aside pleasantries and tell you what I’ve been able to confirm in the last couple of days.”

  Ella was intrigued. “Regarding the farm and Father?”

  “Yes. I still don’t know what’s going on, but I didn’t want to speak in front of Mara the other day. You see, Father recently confided in me that he had some bookkeeping problems. The former bookkeeper, Mr. Buford, left some time back. I knew he was in San Francisco and decided to look him up.”

  “And did you?”

  “I did, but he was of little help. He told me Father dismissed him without any reason. He gave him a very good letter of reference, however, so Buford took it and the generous financial settlement Father gave him and came west. I told him how Father has been suffering headaches and that the bookwork has been miserable for him, so I offered to help. However, when I started looking at some of the sale ledgers, I was confused.”

  “By what?”

  “That’s exactly what Mr. Buford asked,” Robert said with a smile. “There were accountings for the sales of horses that I was unfamiliar with. When I questioned Father, he said it was part of a herd that he kept on Jefferson’s estate. A special new breed they were working with. He told me it was no concern of mine and that Jefferson would be highly offended if he found out that I had any knowledge of their special horses.”

  “How strange. Especially if he was already selling stock from this group. Obviously they must be advertising the stock.”

  “Exactly.” Robert shook his head. “Mr. Buford said that Father had more than one separate business arrangement and wouldn’t allow Buford to manage the books for those accounts. Father has me completely baffled. He’s not himself, and frankly I think Jefferson has some hold over him. I think whatever it is, it was the same reason you were promised to him in marriage.”

  Ella cringed. “I’ve often wondered why Father was forcing the issue. I thank God daily that Mother was able to convince him I was too young to get married. Otherwise I might have been forced to marry Jefferson at sixteen, as he wanted.”

  “Well, there’s enough oddity about the entire situation that I intend to keep searching. I’m wondering if this new breed of horse is what August Reichert saw.”

  Ella thought back to the night August Reichert had been killed. She had already decided she would never marry Jefferson Spiby and would run away with the Brookstone show. She had arranged with Mara to escape when August took the Brookstone horses back to the train cars that evening. But instead, word came that he had been trampled to death.

  Later, Ella overheard Jefferson admit to killing August—that he’d seen too much. She didn’t know what he’d seen, but she’d run away from home, terrified of being the next one Jefferson might put an end to.

  “If August did somehow get in the middle of this business and offend Spiby, then it wouldn’t surprise me if Jefferson killed him to keep him quiet,” Robert said.

  “That would make sense.” Ella nodded and picked up her teacup. “August knew horses better than anyone else in the troupe. If he’d seen the breed and questioned Jefferson about it . . .”

  “Still, that’s a lame excuse for killing a man.”

  “Perhaps they hadn’t started selling them yet and Father and Jefferson wanted to keep it a complete secret. It doesn’t excuse murder by any means, but if a lot of money is tied up in the matter, I could see that driving Jefferson to kill. Money is all he cares about. Well, that and having his own way.”

  “I suppose you may have something there,” Robert said. “My plan is to ferret out the truth. Father seems genuinely troubled by whatever is going on. Enough so that he can’t figure out his own books and is suffering terrible headaches.”

  “And,” Ella added, returning her gaze to the ocean, “he apparently can’t seek Jefferson Spiby’s help.”

  Robert escorted Ella through the hotel lobby. Light shimmered down from the crystal chandeliers overhead and sparkled off the jewels of the wealthiest patrons. Furnishings with rich upholstery and highly polished wood graced the marble floors. The room was crowded with well-dressed men and fashionably gowned women, all in a hurry to be somewhere.

  “Well, hello, you two,” Mary Reichert said, coming alongside Ella. “Chris thought that was you. Did you have supper out this evening?”

  Ella smiled despite her inability to think of anything but what August might have seen that cost him his life. Mary always reminded Ella of what had happened on Fleming Farm. Even if Robert hadn’t brought up the matter with his information about the new horse breed, Ella would have thought of the brother Mary loved so dearly and missed so much.

  “We went to Cliff House,” Ella announced. “Have you been there?”

  “No, but I have heard others recommend it,” Mary replied.

  Chris joined them. “Sorry for the delay.” He took off his hat and gave Ella a nod. “My, Ella, you look beautiful. That color suits you.”

  “Doesn’t it, though?” Mary agreed. “Dusty rose brings out the color in your cheeks.”

  Ella’s face warmed. “They’re sure to darken even more with all your praise. Might I offer you a compliment in return, Mary? You’ve always looked good in red, but the cut of that velvet gown is lovely.”

  “I told her the same thing,” Chris declared. “And I think every man who sees her thinks the same. I’m not sure I like this dress at all. It makes her too be
autiful.”

  Robert chuckled, and Mary rolled her eyes. “Who would ever expect a man to complain that his fiancée looks too beautiful?”

  Ella smiled. “Did you two enjoy an evening on the town, despite the troublemaking gown?”

  “We did,” Mary replied. She smiled at Chris with such adoration that it was easy to see they were in love. “We had a light supper and then went to a ballet. It was beautiful, and the dancers were so graceful. I wanted to dance right along with them, and if not for my two left feet, I might have tried.”

  Chris chuckled. “I really think she might have. I kept hold of her for most of the evening, just in case.”

  Ella grinned. “Well, even if you can’t dance as well as they can, Mary, I’m willing to bet none of them can shoot anywhere near as well as you.”

  “She makes a good point, my dear,” Chris said, raising Mary’s gloved hand to his lips. “You have your talents, and they have theirs.”

  “Speaking of talents, how is your book coming along, Chris?” Ella asked.

  He gave a little shrug. “It’s faring quite well, if I do say so. I was searching for an angle, something to really hook the reader, and it came to me that I might combine history with the wild west shows.”

  Robert piped up at this. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m sorry. Where are my manners?” Ella glanced up at Robert. “I know you’ve met Mary, but this is her fiancé, Christopher Williams. Chris, this is my brother, Robert.”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” Chris said, extending his hand. They shook briefly, then Chris continued to speak. “I’m writing a book about wild west shows. I know the idea of them is somewhat exotic and attractive to many people, but I also wanted to find another angle to draw in readers who might otherwise not care about the entertainment value. I decided to couple that with the history behind not only the shows themselves but also the acts. For instance, Mary is a sharpshooter. I thought it would be interesting to bring in stories about the history of firearms and the various sharpshooters who’ve made a name for themselves. The same with trick riding. There’s a lot of history surrounding people doing stunts while on horseback, from the Russian Cossacks to the Indians of the American frontier.”