by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
“Thanks, Paul. O’Keefe seemed like a decent fellow. I’ll put him in charge for now, and I’ll be spending more time over there.”
Paul left for home, and a short while later, Conner headed to Vivian’s.
Chapter 14
Conner looked up just as Vivian glided through the doorway of his store. Was she trying to drive him crazy? Stay uptown. What was so hard about that? He would just have to be sterner with her. He would forbid her from coming downtown. It was for her own safety. With his resolve bolstered, he strode toward her. “Vivian.”
“Conner.” She smiled up at him, and his resolve melted.
It was so very pleasant to see her in the middle of the day. His voice softened. “What are you doing here?”
“I need your help.”
He folded his arms. He couldn’t look like the pushover he was around her. “With what?”
“I’m looking for a house.”
He smiled. “You have a house.”
“Technically, until William and Sarah come. I’m looking for a different house. Well, actually I found one. I want you to take a look at it and tell me what you think.”
He leaned a little closer, and his heartbeat quickened. “I can tell you what I think: Stay in the house you have.”
“Oh.” She looked a little flustered.
Good. Maybe she’d stay where she was safe.
She straightened and seemed to pull her thoughts together. “This house isn’t for me. I’ve sent a telegram to William to see if I can use some of the money Randolph left him to open an orphanage. The Randolph Carlyle Home for Children. I haven’t heard back from him yet, but I’m sure he’ll say yes.”
“You want to run an orphanage?” She couldn’t be serious.
“Not me. I want to open it and have someone else run it.”
She better not be thinking of him for the job. He was already juggling two, and not very well at that. “Do you realize what kind of undertaking that will be?”
“That’s why I’m asking you for help. I know you have your store and the shipping company, but I was hoping you’d have a little time for this.”
Time was one thing he needed more of not less of. “When you find someone respectable to run it, I’ll help you.” That ought to hold her off for a little while. Hopefully months, until William arrived.
“Mrs. Parker. She has a son to care for and is about to be evicted from her house. I’ve seen her with her own child, so I know she’ll be caring to the children.”
“Children? Are you thinking about those two boys who took the food from my back porch?” It had evidently been a bad idea to let her see the needy children.
She nodded. “Sam and Tommy, but also Betsy, Peter, and George.”
He couldn’t believe she knew their names. “After I told you about them, you went out and found them?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it, then pursed her lips shut.
“Vivian, what have you done?”
“I met them about a month before I knew you were feeding them.” She gave him an “I’m sorry but not really sorry” sort of smile.
“Met?” There was more to this than what she was telling him.
“I’ve been taking food to them down at the beach. They’re hungry. Someone has to feed them.”
“You’ve been going down to the beach? Alone? How often?”
“At first it was just once or twice a week.”
“At first?” He rubbed his temples. “Please don’t tell me you go every day.”
“Okay.” She bit her bottom lip.
It was every day. He groaned. She was trying to drive him crazy. And doing a good job of it. “Let’s wait until spring. I’ll have more time after William gets here to help with the shipping company. In the meantime, let me feed those children.”
“They can’t stay out all winter. They’ll freeze and get sick.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Fine. Get the house, and if William doesn’t want to spend the money, I’ll back you.”
“I want you to come look at the house.”
“Why, if it’s the one you want?”
“I want you to look it over and tell me if it’s worth the price they’re asking.”
He took a deep breath. She’d succeeded. He was crazy. “Tomorrow morning, first thing before I open.”
“Thank you, Conner.”
“Now will you go back uptown where you belong?”
She smiled and nodded.
So much for being stern.
Conner pushed on the stair railing going up to the porch of the house Vivian wanted for her orphanage. It was loose. The wood of the bottom step bowed under his weight. The front door stuck. Several windows were broken out.
“I know it needs a little paint, but Abigail, the children, and I can do most of it.”
It needed more than a little paint. It probably needed a new roof. He didn’t have time for this. “Why this house?”
She took his arm and pulled him through the house and out to the back. “It has a barn to put a milking cow, a chicken coop, a vegetable garden, and plenty of room for the children to run and play.”
He could hardly think for her hand on his arm. He worked hard to focus on the building before him. The barn had no door, several boards were missing on the front, and who knew what kind of shape the inside was in. The chicken coop was broken down, and the garden hosted a variety of thick, prickly weeds. “This place needs a lot of work.” And he’d likely be the one doing it.
“As long as the roof doesn’t leak, Abigail and the children can move in and work on the rest later.”
“And if the roof does leak?” Which he assumed it did.
“We can get a better price and have it fixed.”
She meant he could fix it. “Fine. Negotiate a price.”
“Me?”
“You’re the one who wants the house.” Vivian was a smart woman. He knew she could do this. She just needed a little confidence.
“But he’ll give you a better price. He’ll respect you because you’re a man.”
Unfortunately, she was right. And right now, the way she was looking at him with hope, biting her bottom lip, he could refuse her nothing. If he didn’t start talking soon, his temptation to kiss her would overtake him. But then her black dress reminded him she was recently widowed, so he cleared his throat. “I’ll go with you, but you make the deal. I’ll fold my arms. When I think the price is fair, I’ll unfold them.”
She nodded reluctantly.
He strode back through the house. “Let’s go.” The sooner he was no longer alone with her and away from temptation, the safer he’d be.
Vivian stole a sideways glance at Conner as she stepped up onto the boardwalk across the street from the livery. He’d left her carriage and horse there for safekeeping while they were at the bank. Walking down the street with him was quite an education. She’d always thought Conner a handsome man, but every woman they passed assessed him. Some boldly turned their heads to get a better look. Others simply gave a dart of their gaze. It didn’t seem to matter whether they were in the company of a man or not. Conner didn’t seem to notice any of them. Why hadn’t Conner ever married? He’d told Randolph not to bring him back a bride. Was there a special lady who was unreachable to him? Or had someone broken his heart, and had he then vowed never to love again? If she wasn’t wearing black, maybe he could see her as more than just Randolph’s widow. She hoped no one stole his heart before she could shed her mourning garb. She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow to let the other ladies know that he might be taken.
She stopped short outside the bank door and took a deep breath. “What if William won’t agree to the children’s home?”
“Then I’ll cover it.”
She tilted her head back to get a better look at him. Just like that? He’d “cover it”? Did he have that kind of money?
He motioned for her to go through the open doorway as he held the door for her.
&n
bsp; The clerk behind the cage window adjusted his glasses. “May I help you?”
She looked to Conner to answer. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to speak. She turned back to the clerk and took another deep breath. “I would like to see Mr. Olsen, the bank manager.” She didn’t know if she could do this. Mr. Olsen scared her. He always seemed to be frowning.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
He left and came back a minute later. “Mr. Olsen has an opening tomorrow at one.”
She looked up at Conner to see if that time was fine with him. His eyes were narrowed at the clerk, and he folded his arms. Did that mean she wasn’t supposed to accept that? “I’d really like to see him today?” Her nerves made her words come out like a question. She wished she could take them back and try again.
The clerk seemed intimidated by Conner and left again. When he returned a moment later, he was on their side of the cage windows. “Right this way.” He led them into the manager’s office.
Frowning, Mr. Olsen stood, pressing the bridge of his glasses higher on his wrinkled nose. “Mrs. Carlyle, please do have a seat.”
She sat.
“Mr. Jackson, won’t you have a seat?”
“I’ll stand. We haven’t much time and need to get down to business.”
Mr. Olsen kept his gaze on Conner. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s Mrs. Carlyle who has come to do business.”
Mr. Olsen raised his eyebrows but turned to her. “How may I help you?”
“How much is the house on Cherry Street?”
“You already own a house. Why would you want another?”
“I’m going to open a children’s home.”
Mr. Olsen narrowed his eyes in disapproval then quoted a price that was twice what Conner had told her would be fair.
She wasn’t sure what to do. “Isn’t that a bit high?”
“It sits on five acres, but for you, Mrs. Carlyle, I can come down.” He quoted a price that was still high.
Conner’s arms remained locked across his chest.
She took yet another deep breath. “Windows need to be replaced, the outbuildings are in disrepair … the whole house is in disrepair.”
“I’m sorry. That’s as low as I can go.”
Conner put his hands on the desk and leaned forward. “Randolph Carlyle has done business at your bank for years, and this is the way you treat his widow, cheating her out of money for a rundown house that has been vacant for years?” He turned to her and held out his hand. “Let’s go. This is a waste of your time.”
She gave him a quizzical look but took his hand and stood. She wanted that house for the children. She would pay what Mr. Olsen was asking.
Conner opened the door for her.
“Wait.”
She and Conner turned back to Mr. Olsen.
Mr. Olsen’s frown had deepened. “How much are you willing to pay?”
She quoted in the middle of the range Conner had told her. He’d said to start at the bottom and work up, but she didn’t want Mr. Olsen to laugh at her. Mr. Olsen countered. Conner finally unfolded his arms, and they settled on a price at the high end of the range Conner had given her.
“You drive a hard bargain, Mrs. Carlyle.” Mr. Olsen almost smiled.
She couldn’t have done it without Conner. They left. “Thank you, Conner. I have never done anything like that before.”
“You did well. You were at a disadvantage. Mr. Olsen knows exactly what’s in your bank account.”
“But it’s not my money. It’s William’s.”
“He gave you power of attorney over it. And agrees with me that Randolph’s unsigned will should be the legal one.”
“Well, it’s not.”
Conner retrieved her carriage from the livery and drove her to his store. “You go straight home.”
“I can’t. I’m going over to Abigail’s to tell her about the children’s home.”
Conner shook his head as he set the brake. “Did Mrs. Parker agree to run the children’s home?”
“Not yet.”
“How do you know she will accept the position?”
“Why wouldn’t she? She’s about to be thrown out of her house and has no family to go to.”
Conner shook his head again. “I suppose there’s no talking you into staying uptown, is there?”
She shook her head.
“Do you at least know how to handle a gun?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to give you one. Use it if you need to.”
“I have one.” She pulled her Derringer out of her skirt pocket.
He frowned at it. “That’s only got one shot.”
“The threat of one well-placed shot can deter any man.”
He waggled his head back and forth. “Be careful.”
“I always am.”
Moments later, she pulled up in front of Abigail’s house. A sign nailed over the FOR SALE sign read SOLD. She knocked on the door.
Abigail’s eyes were red rimmed and swollen when she answered.
Vivian immediately pulled her into a hug. “How long do you have?”
“Three days. I don’t know where I’ll go.”
“Get Harry. I have something I want to show you.” She drove Abigail to the house she’d just purchased.
“What do you say to being the headmistress at the Randolph Carlyle Children’s Home?”
Abigail stared at her, then gaped openmouthed at the house. “You’re opening an orphanage?”
“If you’ll run it.”
“Where are the children?”
“I don’t exactly know. But I visit them at the beach. They must stay somewhere around there, but they can’t stay out all winter. Please say you’ll do it. Those children need you.”
“Can I see the place?”
“Of course. It needs a few repairs, but I got a good price on it.”
They walked around the two-story house: a parlor, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom on the first floor, and four bedrooms upstairs. When Abigail stepped out onto the back porch, which needed a whole railing replaced, she clapped her hands together. “Look, Harry, a barn, and we can put in a nice big vegetable garden to feed everyone.”
Vivian smiled at Abigail’s enthusiasm. “You and Harry can move in immediately, and as soon as I talk to the children, I’ll bring them here, as well. The children may have to start out sleeping on the floor, but at least they will have a roof over their heads. And I’m sure the children will help clean up the place. I’ll see that the windows get boarded up for now and replaced soon.”
Abigail suddenly hugged her. “Thank you. This is the answer to all of my prayers, a place to live and meaningful work where I can keep Harry with me.” Tears trickled down her face.
“This answers my prayers, too, for those children. How soon can you move in?”
“We don’t have much anymore. With some help to move the beds and bureaus and kitchen table, we could be packed and moved in a day.”
“That will be perfect. The children will have a place to live for Thanksgiving. I’ll take you home to pack and make arrangements for the furniture.”
Vivian left Abigail and Harry at their house to begin packing and headed to the beach. She sat there for half an hour before Betsy came with Peter.
“Where are the others?”
Peter held his hands in his armpits to keep them warm. “George is working. Sam and Tommy went up the beach.”
She handed Peter the blue mittens she’d knitted. “I made these myself.”
“Gee, thanks.” Peter put them on.
“Betsy, I’ll make your pair next.”
Betsy nodded as she held a thin blanket tight around herself. “I’ll see to it the others get the food you brought for them.”
These poor, freezing children. She’d gotten the home just in time.
Peter stared at her basket. “Are we gonna pray or what?”
The three of them recit
ed the short prayer, and she handed out the food. “How would you like to live in a house?”
“Don’t got one,” Peter said with crumbs tumbling from his mouth. He tried to catch them and eat them off his mitten.
“Would you like to live in one?”
“Your house? I know’d what it looks like on account of George took me there. He said a rich lady like you wouldn’t never want a poor boy like me.”
Her heart ached for these unwanted children. “I’m going to open a children’s home, and all of you are invited to live there.”
“You mean an orphanage?” Betsy asked.
She nodded.
“Are you going to be there?” Peter asked.
“No, but I found a really nice lady to take care of all of you.”
“I don’t like no orphanage ladies.” Peter shoved his hands, mittens and all, into his pockets.
“Why? Have you lived in an orphanage before?”
“Nope, but George told me all about mean people at orphanages. I don’t want to be chained in the root cellar with the rats and fed only bread and water if they remember to feed me at all.”
Apparently, quiet George was quite the storyteller. “Mrs. Parker isn’t like that. She’s very kind. I promise she won’t chain you in the cellar. She may make you scrub behind your ears.”
Peter scrunched up his face.
“She has a son just about your age.”
He widened his big brown eyes in interest.
These children needed more, so much more than just a roof over their heads.
Conner felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned from his customer to Martin.
“I’ll help Mr. Fink. You’re needed over there.” Martin thumbed toward the front of the store.
Vivian stood with a young girl of about ten with a dirt-smudged face and dressed in ragged clothes. He recognized her as one of the children who had come to get food from his back porch on occasion and walked over to them. “Who is this lovely lady?”
The girl looked away, turning pink in the cheeks.