Wanted- Developer

by Sophie Dawson

  “Some will accept the changes being made in town. Others will want to rebuild just as it was before. We are at the start of a new century. The improvements the city council have envisioned will improve Silverpines, leading to growth and development some will embrace. I, for one, am looking forward to running water in my home. Others will fight any sort of change. You need someone who everyone knows who can be a buffer between the newcomer, you, and the new ideas you bring with you and those who might object. That someone is me.”

  “What you say has merit. Why should I hire you as my assistant?”

  “I know everyone in town. Every business owner. I also know their wives. Many were my playmates as a child. I am also efficient, competent, and talented. I’ve taken a course in typewriting, so I can type your correspondence.” Belle didn’t mention that had been eight years ago, before she was married, and she hadn’t touched one of the machines since. It wouldn’t take long to become proficient again, surely.

  “Why is knowing the business owners’ wives a benefit?”

  Belle nearly snorted. “You know of the disasters that happened a year ago. The women left behind ran those businesses after the men’s deaths. They survived and stayed here in Silverpines. They bravely advertised for husbands to help with their businesses. Don’t think that just because they have married they turned everything over to their husbands. Each lady is actively involved. They won’t be left out of the decisions being made about rebuilding. If you think you only have to convince the men, you will fail. The women won’t be shunted aside.”

  He nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “You are a widow, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” Belle swallowed down her grief. Though Emery had been gone over a year now, it still felt like she’d just kissed him goodbye as he headed for the mine that terrible morning.

  “You didn’t have a business?”

  “No, my husband was a miner.” She hoped she didn’t have to explain more.

  “Tell me more about yourself. Do you have children?”

  “Yes.” Belle couldn’t help but smile. Her children were her delight. “Two, Connor is six and Neva is four. We live with my husband’s mother. She will tend the children while I’m working. Connor is in school, but Neva is still too small.”

  “Why haven’t you taken a job before now? It’s been over a year.”

  Again, Belle swallowed her grief. The baby she’d lost before she barely realized she was expecting, slipped in and out of her thoughts. She hadn’t recovered from the miscarriage easily, her depression over her losses too much for her to bear. When she had come to grips with her new life, her system was weakened. She’d caught every illness throughout the winter, taking longer to recover than most. “I’ve been ill much of the year. I’m healed now. Dr. Hattie is positive I can work full-time now.”

  Mr. Hughes was quiet for several minutes. Belle fought the urge to squirm in her chair. He studied her, making it doubly difficult to stay still. Finally, he spoke. “I’m considering your proposal. You’ve made a good case. I would, however, like some time to think about it. Come back tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have made my decision by then.” He stood and came around the desk.

  Belle stood and held out her hand. “Thank you. I will. Thank you for listening and not simply brushing me off because I’m a woman. The ladies of the town wouldn’t take that too kindly.”

  A slight pinkening of his cheeks told her he’d wanted to. Maybe still did. But, with her calling him on the possibility, he would have to give her a much better reason for not hiring her. She wasn’t above letting it be known she’d been rejected simply because of her gender. These women knew what it took to run businesses, and wouldn’t approve of a man who didn’t take them seriously. They could make his job easier or much more difficult.

  ~~~~~

  Denver followed Mrs. Stewart down the hall, admiring her backside with its gentle sway. He hastily looked up as she began to turn toward him when they reached the outer office.

  “Thank you again, Mr. Hughes, for your time. What time would you like me to come tomorrow?” Mrs. Stewart pulled her gloves more securely on and nodded to Luther.

  “Two o’clock will work for me.”

  Mrs. Stewart nodded and smiled, retrieving her parasol. She turned around, pulling the door open. As she exited, her parasol struck the frame and door since it was sideways in her hand. Denver held back a chuckle as she turned her hand allowing the parasol to fit through the opening.

  “So, what did Mrs. Stewart want with you, Denver?” Luther asked.

  Denver descended into a chair in front of the mayor’s desk and smiled. “Remember when I told her to figure out a way to help me navigate this mess of the reconstruction?”

  Luther nodded.

  “She has. At least she made a good case.”

  “Oh?”

  “She has applied to be my assistant. She knows all the people of Silverpines and, more importantly according to her, their wives. Claims she can help me with their foibles and influence their accepting the changes that need to be made.”

  Luther eyed him. “She might be right. With the women left behind after the disaster, having a woman with you just might make it easier for you. Those women, including my wife, are strong survivors and play an active role in the businesses they were left.

  “A man coming to their husbands without female input just might make them less cooperative. Mrs. Stewart grew up here and is friends with many in town. She’s good-hearted and has a joy of life, is witty and bright. Did she tell you of her losses?”

  “Just that she lost her husband and was ill much of the year.”

  Luther nodded. “She was very ill. She almost died. Her mother-in-law, Geneva Stewart, lives with Belle and her two children. She took care of Mrs. Stewart and the children all throughout her illness and recovery. Good woman.”

  “So, you think Mrs. Stewart’s idea has merit?”

  “I do. You’ll need someone who can do the paperwork for you and act as a liaison between you and the townsfolk. Should ease your burden some.”

  “Okay, so let’s talk about her salary, Mr. Mayor.”

  ~~~~~

  Belle stuck the last pin in her hair, hoping there were enough to tame the curls that continually wanted to escape their confines. Today, she wore a brown twill skirt and off-white shirtwaist trimmed in narrow cotton lace.

  “Are you going to get that job, Mama?” Neva’s sweet voice had Belle turning on her vanity chair. Neva was twirling on her toes, her arms outstretched. Her daughter was always on the move. Always dancing. She had been ever since Belle had felt the first flutters in her womb.

  “That’s my hope.”

  “So you won’t be my mama anymore?” Large solemn blue eyes looked up as Neva clutched her mother’s skirt.

  Belle lifted Neva onto her lap. “I’ll always be your mama. That will never change. I’ll just go to work during the day. Bama will be here with you, just like always.”

  “Okay.” Neva’s head rested against her bosom, and Belle hugged the four-year-old body against her. “So long as you are always my mama and never leave me.”

  Belle knew Neva was referring to her father who’d died in the earthquake. She wished she could promise she would never leave, but who knew what today or tomorrow would bring.

  Kissing the strawberry blonde curls, Belle set Neva on her feet. “I’m going to find out if I have the job right now. Pray I do.”

  “Okay.” Smiles were back on the little face. “Can Ida come to play soon?”

  “I’ll stop by the mercantile and find out. Maybe Fern can bring her one day next week. The whole Cutler family is busy right now with the building damage. I hear they are going to tear that one down and build a new store.”

  “Where will Ida live if they tear down the store? She lives on the top.”

  “I don’t know, but Mr. and Mrs. Cutler will figure it out. They are staying at the hotel right now.”

  “They’d need a lot of room
s for all the kids.” Neva’s eyes went wide at the thought.

  “Yes, they would.” Belle chuckled and picked up her gloves. “I need to leave right now if I’m going to talk with Mrs. Cutler about having Ida come to play. You go find Bama and let her know I’m leaving.”

  Neva ran out of the room and down the stairs, yelling “Bama.”

  Belle grinned. For a dancer, Neva was sometimes elephant footed.

  Geneva Stewart met Belle at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ve been praying you get that job, Belle. I know it means a lot to you. And, well, the rest of us too.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. You being willing to watch the children means a lot to me too.”

  Geneva patted Belle’s cheek and smiled. “Now why wouldn’t I? I love my grandchildren and their mama too. I just wish Emery could see them grow up.” Tears glistened. Geneva blinked them away, just as Belle did.

  “I’m off. If I get the job, I may need to stay until suppertime. Mr. Hughes might want to put me right to work.”

  “I won’t worry until later. But don’t let him keep you past dark.”

  Belle smiled. “I won’t.” She picked up a brown parasol then turned to face her mother-in-law again. “I have a wonderful mother-in-law. Did you know that?”

  Geneva couldn’t keep the tears from slipping down. “Yes, sweetie, I did. You’ve told me that before.”

  Belle laughed, brushed away the tear that escaped, and went out the door.

  ~~~~~

  She took a big breath and released it slowly. Belle stood on the step of the Mayor’s office, her hand on the doorknob. This was it. Please, Lord, I need this job. Your Word doesn’t tell us what to do for work, only that we are to work to support ourselves and our family. I’m wanting to do that. I leave it all in your hands.

  Turning the knob, Belle entered and found Mr. Hughes standing beside Mr. Garrison’s desk. With the sunlight shining through the window on him, Belle was struck with how handsome he was. Standing straight with his shoulders square, his brown hair gleamed, highlighting the waves. He was impeccably dressed. Tan tweed jacket, dark brown trousers, a plaid vest peeking out, covering a white shirt. His brown shoes were so shiny they nearly reflected the molded tin ceiling tiles.

  Belle’s heart fluttered in a way she barely remembered from when Emery was courting her. Now was not the time for such thoughts and feelings. She needed to remain professional.

  “Right on time, I see, Mrs. Stewart. Well done. Come, let’s go into my office.” Mr. Hughes led the way down the hall and held the chair for Belle to seat herself in.

  Belle clenched her hands together in her lap, thankful her gloves hid how white her knuckles must be.

  “After you left yesterday, Luther, Mr. Garrison, and I spoke about your ideas.” Belle held her breath when he paused. “We think it will be beneficial to the reconstruction of Silverpines.”

  She waited for him to continue. When he was silent, she asked, “Does that mean I get the job?”

  “Yes.”

  Belle jumped out of her seat, rounded the desk, leaned down and hugged Mr. Hughes tightly. “I’m so glad. Thank you so much. When can I start? I’m willing to start now. I told Geneva I might be late if I got the job and you wanted me to start right away. She just told me to tell you to not keep me out after dark. I’m so excited.” She gave him another hug then hurried around the desk and sat down. When she looked at Mr. Hughes, he was blinking rather rapidly.

  “Are you all right? Is something in your eye?”

  “Um, no. I’m fine.” He cleared his throat. “Well, let me explain your duties and your wages.”

  Belle was delighted with what she would be earning. Doing a quick calculation in her head, it would be more than enough to pay their bills, keep up with the mortgage, and have a little to put into savings. They wouldn’t be rich by any means, but she could support her family.

  “You’ll be working from 8:30 each weekday until 5:00. There may be some days where we work longer hours, but we will try to keep to that schedule. Please plan to bring your lunch most days. Somedays we might have lunch meetings. We will know about them ahead.”

  He went on to explain what he was expecting her to do. Whatever typing there was, helping with drawings, going out to meet with people, helping with measuring, etc. They would be contacting water, telephone, gas, and other companies and services they planned to bring to Silverpines.

  By the time he was done, Belle’s head was swimming. There was much more to this job than she’d anticipated. She hadn’t typed for eight years. He was indicating there would be many letters going out. Would she be able to do it all?

  “Let’s take a break and get something to drink. I fear all this is overwhelming you.”

  “Oh no, I didn’t want it to show.” Belle clapped her hands on her cheeks which she knew were red.

  Mr. Hughes chuckled. “Not a problem. I know this is all very new to you. It can be overwhelming for me if I look at the entire reconstruction needed. We can take it step by step starting tomorrow. We’ll work on outlining the goals and listing the business and property owners. Right now, let’s go to the inn for a cold drink.”

  “I don’t drink, Mr. Hughes,” Belle said softly.

  He threw back his head and laughed. “I was referring to iced tea or lemonade. I’m not a drinker either.”

  “Oh,” Belle said cheerily. “They have a wonderful raspberry tincture.”

  As they left the office building, Belle opened her parasol, not noticing that one of the spines nearly poked her new boss in the eye.

  ~~~~~

  Denver jerked back as the parasol started to attack him. He watched his new employee lightly descend the few steps to the boardwalk. When she’d run around the desk and hugged him, it had startled him so much. His head was buried against her chest. He could hear her heart beating rapidly.

  She smelled wonderful. Lilies came to mind, or was it lilac? Denver didn’t know what, only that he could breathe in her scent forever. What was he thinking? She was his employee. Denver shook his head to banish the thought and hurried to catch up with her.

  Mrs. Stewart was right. The inn did serve a refreshing raspberry tincture. They were sitting in the restaurant, with Denver explaining some of the plans for the improvements he wanted to bring to town.

  A man Denver didn’t know came up to the table. He gave a slight bow to Mrs. Stewart.

  “Hello, Mrs. Stewart. How are you today?” The man gave a nod to Denver.

  “Now, I’ve told you to call me Belle. What would Tonya say if I called you Mr. Watts?” She grinned impishly at the tall man.

  “She’d probably poke me in the side and say, ‘Don’t be so formal with my friend’.”

  Belle giggled. “She would at that. May I present Mr. Denver Hughes to you? Mr. Hughes, this is Mr. Braylon Watts. He runs the lumber mill. It supplies Silverpines with electricity.”

  Denver stood and shook hands with the man. “Pleased to meet you. You are on my list of business owners I want to speak with.”

  “Mr. Hughes is the new City Developer. He’s also my new employer.”

  Braylon raised his eyebrows. “Well, congratulations, Belle. I assume this is a new development. Does Tonya know?”

  “Not yet. I was just hired this afternoon.”

  Denver pulled out his pocket watch. “An hour and thirty-seven minutes to be precise.”

  He felt her eyes on him as he slipped the watch back into his pocket. What was the matter with being precise?

  “I’ll be contacting you in a few days to set up a meeting about expanding the electric availability to Silverpines and how the town can help with that,” Denver explained.

  “Looking forward to it. Mayor Garrison told me about the plans for improvements. Lots more complicated now, I suppose.”

  “That it is.”

  Just then a woman’s voice called, “Mrs. Stewart, what are you doing here with a strange man?”

  “Oh no,” Belle put her hand to her h
ead.

  Braylon made his excuses and quickly made an escape.

  “Well, young lady, why aren’t you home with your children. School was out a while ago and your young Connor will be home.” The woman now standing next to the table with her hands on her hips was past the prime of life with frown lines reaching from her lips to her chin. Light brown hair streaked sparsely with gray was pulled back in a bun. Denver thought her skin was being stretched by how tight it was.

  “He’s fine with his grandmother, so is Neva, Mrs. Wallace.” Belle’s tone was flat.

  “Well, who is this man?” She pointed at him.

  “Mrs. Wallace, this is Mr. Denver Hughes, the new City Developer. This is Mrs. Wallace, the post mistress.”

  She eyed Denver. “I didn’t think we needed a developer before, but now with the fire, I suppose we do. I don’t like all the changes the council wants to make in town. No need for such fancy stuff. Old ways are good enough for me.” She turned back to Belle. “That doesn’t explain you sitting in the window of the inn with him.”

  “It’s really none of your business, Mrs. Wallace. Besides, we aren’t in the window. It’s several tables away.” She pointed.

  Belle was right. They were more in the middle of the dining room. It would take someone searching the room to find them through the window.

  “Piffle. You young women have to have someone look out for you. All this sending off advertisements to the Groom’s Gazette for husbands. Scandalous, I say.”

  “Well, Mrs. Wallace, you may rest easy. I have not advertised for a husband.” Belle swallowed the last of her raspberry tincture and rose. “Shall we take our leave, Mr. Hughes?”

  Denver stood and bowed to Mrs. Wallace. “Madame.” He then took Belle’s hand and placed it on his arm as they walked away.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Belle leaned over the drafting table as Denver drew another line on the map they were creating of the Silverpines proposed rebuild. It was the Friday after the fire and she’d been working since her hiring on Tuesday afternoon. They’d spent the last few days measuring each block and taking notes on what buildings had been where and setting up meetings with the building owners.