As she tied her apron around her waist and descended the stairs from their living quarters to the bustling restaurant, Olivia pushed aside the guilt that every once in a while still liked to rear its ugly head. Deep down, she knew she was forgiven—but if she read Mama’s precious words, Olivia was afraid it would bring it all back to the surface.
She longed to move forward, and Daniel was pushing her pretty hard to continue to pray about her future. A few weeks ago, she wouldn’t have thought he could ever change her mind, but ever so slowly, she began to yearn for another chance at love and maybe even marriage. The wisdom from her older brother was always ensconced in love. After all their years apart and after losing Mama and Daddy, it was wonderful to have him in her life and with her every day.
When she’d first made it to San Francisco, the thought of staying in this horrid place was repulsive. After being here a couple of months, spending time with Daniel, and reading the journals, she found herself wanting to stay and take on the challenge. Truth be told, she couldn’t think of being anywhere else.
It didn’t help that a certain blond-haired friend had started to wriggle his way into her thoughts. Joseph came every day for their late lunch together and then would stay for the Bible study. The first few days it had just been the three of them gathered in the dining room of the restaurant with their Bibles open. Gradually, a few staff members braved the group. Now, each day they had five or six present. It made Olivia a bit giddy to think about, and not just because today was Joseph’s day to teach.
The thought made a blush rise to her cheeks as she set out to adjust tables on the dining-room floor. Best to focus on work rather than Mr. Sawyer’s fascinating qualities. But as much as she tried not to think of him, he kept coming to mind. What did that mean? She’d never had this happen before.
Shaking her head, Olivia focused on the tables. Many of the red-and-white-checkered tablecloths were askew. She’d raced upstairs to change after the breakfast rush because she’d spilled an entire bowl of gravy when one of the men got too frisky. She must’ve been in too big of a hurry to notice the tables earlier.
Those poor boys who worked here. They were fabulous workers but didn’t understand why it was important for the tablecloths to lie evenly on each table. Maybe it was just a difference between men and women. Every day, she straightened tablecloths, napkins, and silverware. Daniel had started asking for her opinion on decorating the restaurant, which thrilled her because he said that he’d noticed a difference since she’d arrived. She placed her hands on her hips and looked around.
Curtains should be the first thing. Daniel always kept the windows clean, but it sure would spruce up the place to have matching curtains on all the windows.
That’s another thing Daniel had done well—the building was built sturdy and strong, not like most of the ramshackle businesses in the town. He’d also made sure there was plenty of light. With six massive windows down each side of the dining room and twelve glorious windows across the front, it really gave the eating establishment a welcoming, bright, and cheery appeal. The glass alone must have cost Daniel a small fortune. Of course, it didn’t matter to most of the customers what the place looked like. All they really cared about was the food and whether they could get a table. It was the best food in town. No competition there. That’s why they were packed for hours around each meal. But to Olivia, the thought and planning of this large restaurant was a testament to the quality of the establishment and integrity of its owner.
A smile filled her face. She couldn’t help but be proud of her brother and his accomplishments. He’d done things above and beyond, and it kept the customers coming back. She allowed a little chuckle. It also kept them behaving themselves—with the exception of a few here and there who quickly learned their lesson—because no one wanted to lose the privilege of eating at Livingston’s Restaurant.
After the last table was straightened, she stood and gazed at the room again. The lunch crowd would be upon them soon. Then they’d have their own lunch and Bible study. Her heart picked up its pace at the thought. What was wrong with her?
Charlie—an old, crusty man who made it to the restaurant every single day—strode through the front door. He gave her a toothless smile as he approached her. “These are for you, Mrs. Brighton.” He thrust a handful of wildflowers at her.
The gesture made her give him a wide smile. “Why, thank you, Charlie. Where would you like to sit today?”
“Makes no difference to me, as long as you are my waitress.”
She shook her head at him. “I think I can manage that, but you have to promise to behave yourself.”
He straightened his shoulders and held up his right hand. “You have my word.”
Olivia laughed and pointed to a table. “You go on over while I put these in water. I’ll be back to take your order.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The older man winked and hobbled off.
She made her way into the kitchen and found a simple glass bottle that she filled with water for the flowers. An idea struck her as she arranged them in her makeshift vase.
“Livvy, I was hoping I’d find you in here.” Daniel’s voice made her turn.
“Just the person I wanted to see!” She giggled and raised her eyebrows. “I just had a great idea. What if I get one or two of the boys to pick flowers for me every morning? We could put one flower in a small vase on each table. It would freshen things up a bit.”
Her brother crossed him arms over his chest. “Won’t that be a lot of work for you? We just added more tables, and it’s close to fifty now.”
While she knew they had a lot of tables, she hadn’t thought about the actual number. Striding back into the large dining room, she bit her lip and looked around. “I think it would be worth it. Of course, we’d have to order enough vases. And it would only be for the spring and summer months, when we have flowers. In the winter, I’ll have to come up with something else … but you did say that you wanted my help decorating the place.” Tapping her chin with her finger, she glanced around again. “We also need curtains, but I can do those easily myself in the evenings if you’ll purchase the fabric. What do you think?”
His laugh filled the open room. “I think they’re great ideas. As we clean up the city, hopefully we’ll gain more families and married couples. That would certainly be a good way to draw the women in.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “Let’s do it. But where will you find the flowers?”
“I think I can help with that.” Joseph’s voice washed over her, and she turned to see him walking toward them. His brown suit tailored to the height of the day’s fashion accentuated his broad shoulders, and his eyes drew her into their depths. “I know of two fields that are full of wildflowers right now. Perhaps I could show the boys who will be picking them and could even offer my assistance.”
Still caught up in his eyes, she made herself blink several times and then looked away from him to her brother. Gracious, what had come over her? “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
Joseph turned to Daniel. “I know I’m quite early for lunch, but I had a few things that I really needed to discuss with you. Would you have a minute?”
Thankful for the chance to escape, Olivia headed back to the kitchen. Somehow she needed to collect herself during the lunch rush before she sat down to lunch with the men. Which shouldn’t be difficult because she was always so busy. Why was today any different?
She checked the list of lunch offerings one more time before serving their customers. It was important that she knew all the details just in case anyone had a question. With a deep breath, she looked around the kitchen before heading out to the dining room, where hopefully Daniel had taken Joseph off to a corner somewhere so she would be able to concentrate. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Already, he’d come back to mind. Focus. That’s what she needed.
Taking another deep breath, she fixated on the room around her. The smells made her mouth water. Fried pork chops sizzled in cast-iro
n skillets on the stoves. A barrel of pickles was open as another worker pulled them out and sliced them. The spicy scent of cinnamon filled the air—was it baked apples or apple pie? She couldn’t tell. The massive cast-iron stoves were covered in several other pots that steamed and bubbled. The cooks worked together in the rhythm of experience. Daniel had hired the best for everything, which made her smile again. This was her world. It made her feel like her perspective was back in place.
Pushing through the swinging door into the dining room, Olivia lifted her shoulders and headed to Charlie’s table.
After two and a half hours of scurrying back and forth from the kitchen to the dining room and back again, Olivia finally brought a plate to the table to join her brother and Joseph. Both men stood as she approached, and her stomach grumbled loudly. “I’m sorry for making you wait.” Even though she smiled at them, she was too tired and hungry to worry about it or anything else. She needed food. After Daniel prayed for their meal, she dug in without saying a word. The breaded pork chop almost melted in her mouth; it was so tender and juicy. Then the mashed potatoes and gravy! The meal was like heaven. It wasn’t until half her food was gone that she realized the men had been conversing without her. When she lifted her eyes to them, they went silent.
Mirth sparkled in her brother’s eyes. “I take it the food is satisfactory?”
Putting her napkin to her lips, she attempted to hide her smile. “Yes, quite. And yours?”
“Wonderful as usual.” Daniel chuckled. “Please … don’t let us keep you from eating. You’ve definitely earned it.”
She couldn’t help but laugh with him. “My apologies, gentlemen. I guess I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I didn’t mean to neglect your conversation.” Glancing at Joseph, she liked the merriment in his eyes. And his dimples.
There her thoughts went again. What was going on with her? It was better when she was too busy to think about the handsome—yes, she admitted it, very handsome—Joseph Sawyer.
“It’s all right.” The smile he gave her lifted her heart a notch. It was so nice to have him as a friend. God had been good to place her here, even in the midst of all the ugliness. Perhaps her second chance had come.
The first of August was upon them, and Olivia settled into a chair at the table for their daily Bible study. Letting her mind drift for a few moments, she looked around the large, almost-empty dining room, picturing faces and names. She felt quite comfortable among their regulars now, a fact that made her grin. Oh, she didn’t trust the majority of them as far as she could throw them, and she would never venture out of the building to go shopping or visiting by herself, but inside the restaurant, she knew how to handle things, and the customers all knew she wouldn’t put up with any shenanigans.
That didn’t stop them from proposing left and right. No matter how many times she refused the same men, they continued to try. They probably hoped that one day they would wear her down. She shook her head. The tenacity of some of them often made her giggle. They were—for the most part—dishonest and dirty. But when push came to shove, she was pretty sure that most of those men would help in time of need if she asked it of them.
Proving that fact was the petition. She’d been shocked that so many men didn’t simply sign it because she asked. They actually expressed the desire to see changes in their town. It had gone better than she’d ever anticipated. With almost seven thousand signatures, she felt quite proud of herself for taking on the monumental project. Hopefully, Joseph could convince the city council that protection and safety mattered to the people.
She watched Joseph as he led their little Bible study. Seven people had joined them today—three of them young boys who couldn’t be older than twelve. It gave her a little thrill to see them watching and listening with such intent.
Lord, please work in these young boys’ lives. I don’t know their situations, but You do. Show us how we can help them.
Her heart clenched at the thought that they might be living on the streets, but as Daniel had told her last night, they would continue to take it one step at a time. They couldn’t change the whole city overnight, and they certainly couldn’t rescue everyone either. She’d learned so much through their studies the past few weeks that her heart overflowed with excitement every day. It didn’t matter how many people came—they were making a difference.
Joseph’s excitement over the passage of scripture made her look back down at her Bible. “Isn’t it amazing to think that the God of the universe—the Creator of everything—loves us so much that He sacrificed His only Son to pay the debt that we owed?”
One of their young visitors raised his hand.
“Go ahead, Tommy. Do you have a question?” Joseph’s tone was kind and friendly.
“So yer sayin’ that I woulda had to die like that?”
“Yes, Tommy. We all owed that debt for our sin. You have sinned, I have sinned, Mr. Daniel has sinned, and Mrs. Brighton has sinned. The Bible tells us that ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ And ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ That means every single one of us deserved death for our sin, but God paid the price—the penalty—for us so that we can all have His gift, which is eternal life with Him.”
The young boy’s brow furrowed, and he chewed on his lip. He looked at the other two boys next to him, who seemed to wait for what he would say next. Was he the leader of this little troop?
“Could I maybe talk to ya about this private like? Ya know, man to man?”
Olivia tried to keep the smile from her face and watched Joseph for his response.
He nodded and looked at the rest of the group. “Why don’t we dismiss in prayer?”
As his words poured over Olivia, she sent up a little prayer of her own for the hearts of these children. Who knows what horrors they’d faced or how they lived, but she would be forever thankful that they’d had the chance to hear the truth today.
After a hearty “amen,” the boys followed Joseph to a corner table, where he sat down with them.
“That was pretty wonderful, wasn’t it?” Daniel put an arm around her shoulder.
“Yes, it was.”
“Joseph is gifted as a teacher, don’t you think?”
“Yes, he is.” Watching the little group in the corner made her heart swell.
Daniel chuckled. “So I take it that you might like Mr. Sawyer just a little bit?”
“Of course I like him, Daniel, he’s our friend.”
“But you admire him. I can see it on your face.”
She turned to her brother and looked into his gaze. “What are you implying?”
The twinkle in his eye signaled his merriment, but his tone wasn’t teasing. “Well, I was hoping that perhaps you’ve come to care for him.”
His statement took her off guard. Olivia swallowed. “I … I don’t know what to say.” Words seemed stuck in her throat. No matter how much she had tried to deny it the past few weeks, Joseph Sawyer had invaded her thoughts—and her heart—a lot of the time.
“It’s all right, Livvy. Take your time. There’s no rush, and Joseph isn’t going anywhere.”
She covered her mouth for a brief moment as a thought flitted across her mind. Lowering her hand an inch, she leaned closer to her brother and whispered, “You don’t think he suspects anything, do you?”
Daniel tucked his hands into his pockets. “No. He admires you a great deal and respects you as a friend. I think I only noticed it because I’ve seen the change in you the past few weeks. It’s been so good to see you healing and breaking through the grief and walls you had built up around you. You’re my Livvy again.”
While his words encouraged her, she also felt a flood of embarrassment. If her brother noticed her admiration of Joseph, had anyone else? All the doubt she’d had resurfaced. It was too soon. She shouldn’t even be thinking of another man. Shouldn’t be thinking of remarrying. It was all a big mistake.
; “Did I say something wrong?” Daniel lowered his brow.
Olivia shook her head and patted his arm. “No. I’m fine. But I think I’ll slip out the side door for a bit of fresh air.”
“I don’t know if that’s the best idea—”
She held up a hand to cut him off. “Give me a minute, all right?” The words came out harsher than she intended, but prayerfully Daniel would forgive her.
Customers were already heading into the restaurant for the dinner hour, and she needed a moment to regroup and think. She walked across the dining room floor, weaving through tables and people, her voluminous skirt swishing back and forth. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, yes, she’d begun to care for Joseph. Now what did she do with this?
Anxious thoughts riddled her mind, and her heart picked up its pace. Daniel had said it was all right for her to take her time. Time. That’s what she needed more of. Time to understand her feelings. Time to finish grieving. Time to get to know Joseph Sawyer. No one was pushing her into anything. There was no rush. Dread and guilt began to fill her. No. She shouldn’t even entertain the thoughts. Couldn’t.
Oh God, help me. Please. Daniel’s been right—every time I feel like I can move forward, all the negative thoughts and feelings come flooding in. Why can’t I forgive myself?
Fighting off the sting of tears, she opened the side door into the alley, the stench of garbage filling her nose. Fresh air. Ha! What was she thinking? But the blast to her senses helped her to get a handle on her emotions.
Muffled thumps came from behind the door followed by, “No! Stop!” The cry was weak. Olivia stepped into the alley and closed the door to see who was in trouble on the other side. A large man was beating a young boy with his fists. She should have called for help from one of the men inside, but as the door clicked shut, she realized her mistake a second too late. She definitely shouldn’t be out here alone. Prickles of fear shot up her spine. Before she could think it through, she yelled at the man, “Stop it, this instant!”
The Golden Bride Page 11