Hidden in a Whisper

by Tracie Peterson

  “Linens obviously marked for the Harvey Company?”

  “A lot of folks wouldn’t care about such a thing.”

  “I still believe it’s possible the inventory sheets were simply wrong,” Rachel replied. “After all, we’re still receiving supplies daily from the trains. Perhaps some of the goods are still en route.”

  “I suppose it’s possible,” Braeden finally conceded. “However, I’d like to call the town marshal in on the matter.”

  “I hardly think that’s necessary,” Rachel said sternly. “It would make us look incompetent. No, I suggest we wait and see what happens as we go. Let us do an inventory daily and see if anything else turns up missing.”

  “Daily? I don’t have time for daily inventories. Not if I’m going to have this resort ready for a grand opening in little more than a week.”

  “Then assign someone to help you,” Rachel replied impatiently. “I’ve done that very thing with Reginald, and it’s working out very nicely. Put your housekeeper in charge of the matter. That is, if you trust her.” She knew her words were cutting, but she didn’t care. The tension in the room grew stronger and even Reginald was starting to look uncomfortable. Rachel grimaced and tried hard not to let her emotions control her actions.

  “I trust her,” Braeden said, staring hard at Rachel. “She’s proven herself to be worthy of my faith.”

  His eyes narrowed and seemed to deepen in hue. To Rachel they were the most beautiful shade of blue she’d ever known. Why did he have to be so handsome? Why couldn’t she just forget what they had shared and leave the past well enough alone?

  “I … ah … quite agree with Rachel,” Reginald said hesitantly.

  Obviously he didn’t really want to get in the middle of their affair.

  At the usage of her given name, Braeden visibly clenched his teeth together. The ticking in his cheek told Rachel he was quite irritated at this new-found friendship she shared with the resort’s chef. It bothered her to have him angry, but at the same time it infuriated her to think he would perhaps consider her undeserving of friends.

  “Thank you, Reginald,” she replied, feeling only the tiniest bit of comfort to have him take her side in the matter. “If the inventory continues to disappear, then perhaps we could call in the law.”

  Braeden shrugged. “Have it your way.”

  “Good, now moving on to other business,” Rachel said, trying hard not to notice his agitation. “I plan to appoint Gwen Carson as head waitress. She will be in charge of everything whenever I am off duty or otherwise occupied. Gwen has just over three years with the Harvey system, and I find her to be the best candidate for the job. However, there is a slight problem.”

  “What kind of problem?” Braeden questioned.

  “Esmeralda Needlemeier.”

  “Ah,” he replied, nodding.

  “The old woman is quite a fearsome creature, if I do say so,” Reg offered.

  “Still, the railroad and Mr. Harvey have asked us to treat her with the utmost of respect,” Braeden interjected. “She owns over half the town, and what she doesn’t own, she seems to have little trouble controlling. She could easily make life for us here at Casa Grande most difficult if we don’t allow her a say in some of the issues.”

  “Well, this is one decision I cannot heed her advice or desires on,” Rachel replied. “She expects for me to put Ivy Brooks in the position of head waitress, but the request is completely out of line. Ivy has barely made it through her training and has no experience, at least not in being a Harvey Girl.” She knew her words sounded sarcastic, but she didn’t care.

  Braeden took her words for what they were, a reminder of that evening by the pool. “I wonder if Miss Carson knows how to trust people and not jump to conclusions?”

  “She appears very level-headed,” Rachel answered, tensing at his words. She’d known better than to goad him that way, but the truth of the matter was that Ivy was inexperienced and unacceptable as head waitress. And before Braeden could further cause her pain and suggest she appoint Ivy to the head waitress job, Rachel wanted to dismiss the idea once and for all.

  Trying hard to ignore the scowl on Braeden’s face, Rachel continued. “Gwen Carson is the most reliable person I have on staff. She is always willing to do additional jobs when need demands, and she never complains about the extra work. There isn’t an aspect of the job she doesn’t know, and we get along very nicely.”

  “I should speak to her and learn her secrets,” Braeden muttered.

  Rachel ignored him and looked away to Reg. “You’ve worked with her. I presume you have some thought on this matter.”

  “I believe she would make an excellent leader for her peers,” Reginald replied. “She seems quite willing to follow orders and to adhere to the suggestions of her superiors.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Rachel gave him a broad smile.

  “I didn’t know you needed our approval in order to make the decision,” Braeden said seriously.

  “I didn’t, Mr. Parker, but I wanted you to understand the situation. Mrs. Needlemeier will no doubt raise quite a ruckus. She may even feel as though I have slighted her on purpose—which is not the case. Miss Brooks is often insolent and uncooperative, and her attitude toward those she deems to be her inferiors is generally harsh and demeaning. With this spirit and clash of wills, I could not have promoted her to the position even if she had more experience than all of the girls put together. Mr. Harvey firmly believes that attitude is just as important as experience.”

  “I agree,” Braeden replied. “A good attitude can get you through the worst of times. How one deals with bad times has much to do with what lies in the heart.”

  Rachel drew a deep breath and got to her feet. “The time is getting away from us. I must join my girls for a staff meeting in the dining room. I believe we’ve resolved all of our issues for the day.” She tried to smile, but when she caught sight of Braeden’s expression, she knew of at least one issue that had not been dealt with—maybe never would.

  Why, God? Why can’t I let this matter be? Why does my heart have to be so consumed? Help me to get beyond this, to live my life without this burden. She sought solace in her prayer but found nothing but unanswered questions.

  Saying nothing more, Rachel made her way from Braeden’s office.

  She couldn’t help but think of Braeden’s reaction to her obvious openness with Reginald Worthington. He appeared not only irritated by her first-name basis with the chef, but if she didn’t know better, she’d have believed him jealous of the friendship they shared.

  She smiled. Maybe it would do him good to be jealous of Reg.

  After all, he treated Rachel with more respect and tenderness than Braeden did these days. Not that she had allowed Braeden much leeway in that area.

  The meeting with the girls passed quickly and without too much ado. Rachel saved the announcement of Gwen’s promotion for the very last. She knew in some ways she had done this to save herself from having to deal with Ivy’s negative response, but she also saved it in order to leave the meeting on a higher note than the one she’d had with Braeden and Reg.

  “Most of you know that the position of head waitress is appointed based on several issues. The most important being length of service and your work record during that time period. Secondly, personality and interaction with your fellow workers is considered. Head waitress is hardly a popularity contest, but how you work and get along with others is an important consideration. Lastly, I consider the way you have worked with me. The head waitress will be my eyes and ears during times when I am away or otherwise occupied. She will need to be someone I can rely upon and feel open to discuss problems related to our dining room. However, I don’t want anyone here getting the wrong idea. My choice for this position is not based on whether I like one young woman more than I like another.”

  She looked out to meet the expression on each girl’s face before continuing. With the exception of Ivy and Faith, everyone seemed happy
and content and eager to hear her announcement.

  “So without further delay, I would like to present our new head waitress, Gwen Carson.” Most of the girls clapped, including Faith, who seemed content just to be a part of the group when Ivy wasn’t forcing her attentions elsewhere. Ivy quickly jabbed her in the ribs, however, putting a stop to her revelry.

  Gwen joined Rachel at the front of the group and beamed a proud smile as Rachel shook her hand. “I shall come to rely heavily upon you, Gwen.”

  “Thank you, Rachel. I won’t let you down.”

  Over the last few days she had allowed the girls to start calling her by her first name, although it was clearly understood that this was only to be done when there were no customers or officials present. Rachel dismissed the meeting and watched as everyone but Ivy and Faith hurried to surround Gwen and congratulate her. Rachel felt a small amount of satisfaction in seeing Gwen’s joy. She’d made the right decision, there was no doubt about that, but she sighed heavily as she saw Ivy slip out the side door. No doubt she would get word to her aunt as soon as possible, and then Rachel would have to face the music.

  Nearly an hour later, Rachel was still considering the arrival of Esmeralda Needlemeier when the old woman appeared at her door. Her pinched expression made her intent quite clear.

  “Miss Taylor, I believe a mistake has been made,” Esmeralda said, tapping her cane loudly on the floor.

  “Won’t you have a chair,” Rachel offered graciously.

  Esmeralda tilted her chin slightly and took a seat. “I suppose you know why I’ve come.”

  “Yes. Ivy told you that I’ve appointed Gwen Carson as head waitress for the dining room.”

  “I thought we had an understanding that my niece was to receive that position.”

  “No, you had that understanding. I am under the instructions of Fred Harvey, however, and his understanding is considerably different.”

  “Miss Taylor, your Mr. Harvey and the Santa Fe Railroad assured me that I would have their utmost consideration in matters related to Morita and this resort hotel.”

  “And so you have. I considered your request for Ivy,” Rachel admitted, even though she’d not considered it very seriously. “She is hardly qualified when compared to Miss Carson’s experience. I personally trained Miss Carson in Topeka and have continued to receive letters from her since she was sent to Emporia to work for the Harvey dining room there. She was quickly promoted and attained the position of head waitress in little over a year. So not only does she have experience as a Harvey employee, she has already performed the duties of a head waitress. She is well versed in the rules and regulations, which your niece seems wont to ignore, and she is well liked by most of the girls on my staff.”

  “I see there will be no convincing you to change your mind,” Esmeralda stated severely. “I suppose I shall have to take the matter up with the officials of your railroad.”

  Rachel felt frustrated by the woman’s inability or refusal to see the reason behind her decision. “Mrs. Needlemeier, are you a Christian woman?”

  The black-draped woman gasped. “I should say so! What kind of question is that?”

  “I ask about your faith in order to ascertain if we value the same things. I seek my direction in prayer and God’s guidance. If you held no value for that, then I would be wasting my breath in trying to justify my choice. But since you are a God-fearing woman, I can speak to you as a sister in the Lord.”

  Mrs. Needlemeier harrumphed at this thought but said nothing.

  She leaned both hands on her silver-capped cane and awaited Rachel’s explanation.

  “I prayed about the choice I made,” Rachel began. “I prayed about coming to Casa Grande and I prayed about the girls I picked for my staff. Ivy was not one I would have chosen, primarily because a resort of this size and expectation needs to have staff members who are already well trained. Secondly, I have never cared for situations where people with money caused other people—good, faithful, hard-working people—to suffer loss because they were unable to compete with the money others used to buy themselves into a position.

  “Your niece would certainly not be at this resort had I had my say in the matter. Not only because she is young but because she is totally new and inexperienced and the pressures that will come to her here are hardly fair to put upon a new employee. Also, there is the matter that this resort is looked upon as a privileged place of employment. Many requests for transfer were received for this house, but of course, only twenty-five could be accepted. To allow Ivy to take one of those positions, as well as Faith Bradford, the granddaughter of one of the board members, kept others who were more deserving from being allowed to serve here.” She paused, surprised that the old woman hadn’t seen the need to interject her opinion on the matter. Grateful to find Esmeralda listening intently, Rachel continued.

  “I prayed about each one of these girls, asking God to direct me in working with them. I continue to pray for each of them. I also asked for divine direction on choosing a head waitress. What few people know is that up until a couple of weeks ago, my head waitress was to be Mrs. Jeffery O’Donnell. She and I had worked together in Topeka, and I have come to consider her a good friend. However, she is expecting her first child and Mr. O’Donnell has requested she not work. That caused me to look elsewhere for a head waitress. After much prayer and contemplation, Gwen Carson seemed the most fitting. In fact, it would have been hard to explain choosing Simone O’Donnell over Gwen, as the latter has at least two years of service over Simone. So there you have it. I felt certain God had led me to make the choice of Gwen Carson. I would ask that you pray about it and see if God doesn’t give you the same peace of mind on the matter. Rather than making this an issue of our wills, I propose it be given over to God for His supreme will on the matter.”

  Esmeralda rose to her feet. “You make a logical argument and a wonderful speech. I suppose, given your reasoning, it makes sense to appoint this Carson woman to the position of head waitress. However, I’m used to getting what I want.”

  Rachel stood and smiled. “I assure you, my choice was not made in order to deny you. You are an intelligent businesswoman; your dealings with the Santa Fe and Harvey Company are proof of that. Your creation of Morita is another. I would hope you might see the logic of my choice in that light, if in no other.”

  Esmeralda tapped her cane to the door, then turned. “I am an intelligent woman, Miss Taylor. Intelligent enough to deal with your kind and any other who crosses my path. I will yield in this matter, but do not think to push me in any other. Regardless of your faith and religious convictions, God does not sit on the board of the Santa Fe, nor does He run the Harvey Company, although there are those who would argue that point. I am God-fearing and a Christian, but I am also a businesswoman as you pointed out. Therefore, the decisions I make will be based on what will benefit my business, and my business is Morita and this resort—despite any thought you might have to the contrary. Good day!”

  She left in the same stormy mood by which she had appeared, and when she had gone, Rachel fell back into her chair in a rather exhausted state of mind. The woman was simply more trying than any person Rachel had ever known. With a sigh, she picked up her paper work and tried to refocus her attention, but it was almost impossible.

  Between Ivy’s conniving and hatred, Esmeralda’s bossiness, and Braeden’s presence, managing Casa Grande’s dining room had ceased to be any fun. In fact, the stress of the whole operation was beginning to take its toll.

  Then a frightening thought came to Rachel—one she tried very hard to ignore.

  Perhaps she should resign her position and put in for a transfer elsewhere on the line.

  ELEVEN

  THE NIGHT AIR WAS COOL, almost chilly, as the shadowy figure slipped into Rachel Taylor’s office. Quietly, the marauder closed the door, then lighted a candle. The dim amber light illuminated the office in an eerie manner, and this, coupled with the wind as it howled down from the mountains
, set the stage for the covert scene. The wind would actually benefit the thief, throwing out noises and moanings as it whistled through the junipers, coyote willows, and jaboncillos to play itself out against the buildings of Casa Grande. That way, should some sound accidentally emanate from the scene of the crime, no one would give it a second thought. At least that was the plan.

  Hot wax dripped down the edge of the candle, causing the thief to curse softly before tipping the candle in a different direction. It was always the little details that ruined great plans, and this plan needed very much to succeed. The job should be performed quickly, as well as quietly. Mistakes were not allowed.

  Sliding Rachel’s desk drawer out, the forager moved rapidly through the stack of papers until finally finding the one sought. Unfolding the bound copy, it was quickly scanned, deemed to be the necessary article, then refolded. The search continued until all of the drawers had been examined for content. Two other papers were confiscated, and finally the robbery was concluded.

  The looter gave a momentary glance toward Rachel’s bedroom. That door was securely closed—probably locked, but it didn’t matter.

  Patience needed to be practiced. Patience and wisdom. There would be time to see to her later.

  Blowing out the candle, the thief quietly opened the door and stared out into the dimly lit lobby. The front desk was deserted and would continue as such until the grand opening brought in tourists and other celebrating fools. Pulling the door closed without a single sound, the marauder slipped the candle into a pocket and hurried away into the night. The first act of deception had played itself out rather nicely, but part two now needed to be planned.

  Yawning, Rachel opened the door and stepped into her office. Though dressed to Mr. Harvey’s standards and fully groomed for the day, Rachel couldn’t seem to shake her weariness. She would have loved nothing more than to have remained in bed, but she saw little sense in it. Her mind simply wouldn’t let her rest. She couldn’t stop worrying about all the new complications to her job at Casa Grande, and with each succeeding thought she desired nothing more than to run away and hide. But she had a job to do—at least for now. She could give serious consideration toward her future while continuing to maintain her post.