Elizabeth (Widows of Blessings Valley Book 1)

by Maxine Douglas

  The men who slaved away in the mines were proud and worked hard for everything they had by going deep into the ground for the likes of him. They shunned handouts of charity no matter how well intended they were or how low their own lives were.

  After seeing how Elizabeth lived—a nice but small home that was sparse and simply furnished—he was beginning to understand their plight. He began to understand their struggle to put food on the table. Their joy of being together at the end of each day’s end.

  If he could be so fortunate.

  If all the mining families were as proud and self-sufficient as Elizabeth, then Blessings Valley was blessed to have them living here among them.

  The question—the first of many important ones—was how he could be of service to Elizabeth and the town’s folk.

  The meager sewing room wouldn’t be sufficient once it was fully equipped with everything that was needed. And that was the other dilemma; what does a dress shop need? Is it the same as a tailor? He’d only seen the inside of his tailor’s as far as a room to be measured in. What lay behind that was a mystery.

  Then there was the question of how to convince Elizabeth to accept his offer. In truth, what was he offering her other than to remain an employee with increased responsibilities? What kind of an offer was that? One that she would turn down flat and he didn’t blame her if she did.

  He wasn’t sure if it was one he’d take himself, that’s for sure.

  If he could come up with a plan, would Elizabeth agree to a partnership? She’d definitely expressed interest in one day having her own shop and had inquired about how to get a loan.

  Would she be open if he offered her an investment loan? If she really desired her own dress shop, he couldn’t imagine she’d refuse his offer.

  Picking up the pace, Auggie reached the steps of the Grand and took them two at a time. His heart raced with excitement as he strolled through the lobby then into his office. Sitting at his desk he found a blank piece of paper and began drawing the layout of the Grand.

  Turning the page clockwise several times it suddenly struck him. There was enough room at the front of the hotel to build a dress shop. Why hadn’t he seen it before?

  “Raines, you are a genius!” Smiling he placed the drawing in the middle desk drawer for safe keeping.

  Turning out the light, he closed the door then headed for his apartment. He climbed the stairs whistling a gay tune feeling like bricks were lifted off his shoulders.

  He just may have found a way to keep Elizabeth near him for a very long time.

  CHAPTER 14

  Elizabeth decided to go visit Willa. It was her day off, and she’d already done the chores this morning. Maybe Willa could help her make sense of Auggie’s comments last night, because she certainly couldn’t; and she’d tried to do so all night.

  After a restless night’s sleep, she’d gone over the past few days and couldn’t come up with a reason why Auggie would want to dismiss her. Every garment had been repaired with perfection.

  Why the sudden interest in her past? He certainly didn’t need to take her to dinner only to ask about her dressmaking abilities.

  Willa would know—she always seemed to.

  Setting out on the well-travelled path into the heart of Blessings Valley, Elizabeth paused for a moment in front of the church. After several moments, she turned to go when her name drifted out to her.

  Looking back, Fannie stood in the door, a small smile on her face.

  “Good morning, Fannie” Elizabeth called out returning to the bottom of the church steps, still not willing to go inside again. She had once but only because she feared Fannie was hurt or needed help. At least that’s what she kept telling herself each time she paused at God’s House.

  “Hello Elizabeth!” Fannie answered walking to the top of the steps. “He’s a God-fearing man, Elizabeth. One that you need in your life.”

  Elizabeth starred at her, puzzled by Fannie’s odd remark. “Who are you referring to?”

  “Why Mr. Raines of course.” Fannie answered her gaze sending a shiver down Elizabeth’s spine. “Everyone knows he is sweet on you.”

  “No, you are wrong. Mr. Raines is my employer.” Elizabeth insisted shaking her head. “He is not sweet on me, Fannie.”

  “Open your heart and you shall see the truth.” Fannie answered then returned to the hallows of the church.

  “Dear Merciful Lord, please look after Fannie.” Elizabeth prayed quietly continuing on her trek. She envied Fannie for having something she had so much faith in. She did once. Would she again?

  Could she open her heart fully to her faith and to love? She didn’t know if it were possible anymore.

  Reaching Willa’s boardinghouse, Elizabeth was surprised to see her sitting on the porch swing. Was she waiting for her?

  “I was wondering how long before you arrived.” Willa greeted Elizabeth at the top step. “You wish to talk about something? Or someone?”

  “I don’t know how you always know when I’m troubled, but you do.” Elizabeth remarked neither confirming nor denying her question.

  “My dear, all one has to do is look into your face.” Willa stepped aside, “Now come in for a bit of breakfast.”

  Elizabeth nodded then followed her friend and confidant through the rooms of the boardinghouse. All was so quiet that she heard the tick tock of the grandfather clock in the front parlor. Was it a sign her life was ticking away like the second hand of the clock? No, she was only letting her imagination get the best of her.

  “Come Elizabeth and tell me what is on your mind.” Willa stated as they walked into her kitchen. “Did you not have a nice dinner with Auggie?”

  Elizabeth sat in hopes of calming the fear bubbling in her tummy. Had she become the subject of town gossip? From what Fannie said, Elizabeth believed so. Of course, that is if it were true.

  “That’s the problem. Dinner was very—nice. And he is very easy to be with. I rather enjoyed myself and Auggie’s company. That is until Auggie’s questioning took me by surprise.” Elizabeth accepted the cup of coffee and pastry offered. “Thank you.”

  “I would venture to guess he is curious about you.” Willa smiled sitting across from her. “Do you remember what it was like when Steven first started to court you? The many questions he asked about your family, your desires, your plans for the future.”

  “It’s not the same,” Elizabeth whispered, blinking away tears. “Auggie’s questioning was about my skills for dressmaking. Why now after all these months would he suddenly care about my skills. Unless he does only want to increase my duties, as he said. Thankfully he is not interested in me as a love interest. Maybe a friend, but not a love interest.”

  “I don’t believe that, Elizabeth. What I do believe is that he is interested in you as more than an employee.” Willa stirred her coffee then took a sip, slowly. “I know you must know that when a man asks questions that he is thinking about whether or not to court the woman in question.”

  “Fannie said he is sweet on me. I thought I had made it clear to him that I wasn’t interested in having a relationship with another man.” Elizabeth insisted, playing with the pastry crumbs on her saucer. “I lost my husband. The only man I ever gave my heart to. There isn’t anything left for another.”

  “That is something that you will one day have to re-evaluate, Elizabeth.” Willa smiled picking up their soiled plates and placing them in the huge sink.

  “How so?” Elizabeth asked her voice filled with determination. “My life has no room for another. I’ll never marry again; can’t you understand that? I don’t have any idea why I should reconsider anything.”

  “Because you may be throwing away a second chance at happiness and love.” Willa said point blank.

  “I don’t believe in love coming around twice. And I’m not so desperate as to take a man as a husband so he can provide for me. I’m capable of doing that myself now. I’ve proven that.” Elizabeth whispered, tears flowing down her cheeks. “True l
ove comes only once, Willa.”

  Auggie sat in his office contemplating how he was going to explain any construction work on the hotel. He could say he decided to add a men’s smoking lounge, but that could leave the ladies feeling left out. Although there was enough land in the back he owned where a garden could go.

  He would of course keep everything closed off as much as possible from prying eyes and curious minds. He’d send for construction workers and provide them accommodations and meals as partial payment for their work.

  As for the garden, he could hire local so that any suspicion—and there was likely to be some—would be kept at a minimum. Satisfied with the decisions he’d made this morning he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. Before long he drifted away.

  They were racing across his father’s land. Each of them having had maybe one to many drafts that afternoon. Then the bet that Auggie’s new mount wasn’t as fast as he claimed him to be. A wager was made and accepted.

  His horse stumbled. Auggie flew out of the saddle landing against one of the great oak trees. Blood ran down the side of his face and neck. Pain seared through his head. Shouts of concern. Then darkness came.

  A blinding light. Voices. He’d been lucky. Scarred for life. He was alive. It could have been a lot worse.

  Then kind blue eyes smiled at him.

  Auggie woke with a start, his brow moist with sweat. His breathing labored. Panic soared through him. It had been some time since he’d relived that awful day.

  “A dream, just a dream,” he gasped for air until he finally breathed normal. Touching his face he found the scar hidden under the beard.

  He was still safe. Safe from ridicule. Safe from rejection.

  “Coffee. I need coffee.” He said pushing away from the desk. He knew Mary was in the kitchen as he’d heard the clanking of pots echoing not long ago. The aroma of coffee drifting in reached his senses. Breathing deeply he absorbed the rich scent. He definitely needed the coffee.

  It was going to be a quiet day without Elizabeth here to talk with. This was the first time he’d missed, really missed her. He began to realize how much he looked forward to seeing her each day she came to the hotel. And their dinner last night—

  Is that what sparked the dream? His insecurities about how he was beginning to feel. Yet it was those blue eyes in the end that woke him from the recurring nightmare.

  Had Elizabeth’s blue eyes saved him?

  “You look like death warmed over!” Mary exclaimed as he walked into the kitchen. “Did you get any sleep at all?”

  “Some,” Auggie smiled, snatching a muffin from a plate.

  “I hope you got Elizabeth home at a respectable hour.” Mary scolded handing him a cup of coffee.

  “Have no fear. She arrived at her doorstep safe and sound.” Auggie said adding some cream to the brew.

  “And last night?” Mary fished.

  “What about it?” Auggie tensed, sensing she wanted to know every detail of their dinner.

  “For pity sake. Did you have a nice time?” Mary stood hands on her hips waiting for an answer.

  “Yes, I had a very nice time. Dinner was pleasant.” Auggie answered hedging around her question.

  “Pleasant? Is that the best you can do? What did you talk about?” Mary continued not giving up.

  “Is it important?” Auggie asked drinking the coffee. It wasn’t like Mary to ask so many questions, until recently that is. He wondered what she was up to.

  “Yes, to a woman that conversation is very important. It tells her what a man’s intentions are or could be.” Mary enlightened, sitting across the table from him. “Conversation can be the first step to courtship between two unmarried people. Of course, you’ve had plenty of opportunity to strike up a conversation these past few months.”

  “I asked her about her skills as a dressmaker. That I was thinking of expanding her duties.” Auggie said feeling rather proud of himself for asking something personal but not too personal.

  “You did not!” Mary gasped, her hand on her heart in shock. “How could you say such a thing Augustine?”

  Auggie sat stumped. What in blazes had he done wrong? He’d been straightforward and honest. Well mostly.

  “Say what exactly?”

  “Tell her you are considering adding more work onto her already busy day?” Mary spat, pushing away from the table and standing over him. “Do you have any idea what you said?”

  “No, not really.” Auggie replied trying to sort things out. “Why are you so angry? It was a safe and informative conversation.”

  “Informative for who? You told her that you value her work and as a reward you are giving her more to do. And you did it over dinner of all places.” Mary huffed stomping her foot. “You have probably lost your only chance—”

  “Chance at what?” Auggie questioned hoping she wouldn’t say the one thing he had been avoiding by coming out West. Love.

  “Ooooo, never mind!” Mary walked back over to the oven banging around several pots. “Go back to your office Augustine. I can’t talk to you right now.”

  Auggie took his cup of coffee and went back to his office in total confusion. What had he said that was so wrong? He’d thought he handled dinner with Elizabeth perfectly.

  Could she have misunderstood his intention regarding her duties at the Grand? He hadn’t mentioned—oh now he began to understand what Mary had meant.

  Explaining his idea of adding to her duties must have sounded like that’s why he’d taken her out to dinner last night. To soften the blow of being assigned more work.

  Looking down at his sketch he knew what he said was quite different from what he had meant. But he couldn’t tell her that.

  Not yet anyway.

  “Mr. Raines,” Elizabeth marched into Auggie’s office doing her best to remain composed. “I believe we need to discuss your future plans for me here at the Grand.”

  “Elizabeth! I didn’t expect you today, but what a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?” Auggie stammered shoving some papers together. “I thought we were well past being formal with each other.”

  The smile on his face both irritated and excited her. Distracted for a moment, she’d forgotten her reason for the visit.

  “We had, until last night.” Elizabeth answered keeping her resolve firm. She mustn’t show any real emotion, not now. She had to remind him she was a strong, no nonsense woman.

  “Please sit down. Tell me how last night has changed things between us.” Auggie motioned at the empty chair. “Would you like some coffee? I’ll have Stewart get some for you.”

  “No thank you.” Elizabeth sat staring at him across the desk. “I thought we were becoming friends. But after what you said last night, I think I was wrong.”

  “No, you aren’t wrong. We are friends as far as I’m concerned.” Auggie said a certain apprehension in his eyes. “How do you think it has changed?”

  Elizabeth thought it would be easy to confront him. Now she was finding it to be anything but. A sadness she’d not felt before swept over her. One she couldn’t explain even to herself. She didn’t want to leave the Grand. More to the point, she looked forward to coming every day and seeing Stewart, Mary, and the others. Auggie in particular.

  “When you took me to dinner just to tell me you are thinking of giving me more work.” Elizabeth reminded him. Surely, he hadn’t forgotten in less than twenty-four hours what he’d told her. “It was something you could have done here and saved both money and time.”

  “Yes, about that.” Auggie looked away avoiding making eye contact with her.

  “Yes, about that.” Elizabeth repeated a bit sarcastic wondering what lie he was manufacturing. “It is my future you are talking about.”

  Auggie cleared his throat nervously playing with his pencil. He’s hiding something, but what?

  “First let me assure you that your future with the Grand is yours for as long as you like.” Auggie replied annoyingly taping the pencil on the edge of h
is desk. “I am thinking of a few changes. I wanted your assistance, nothing more.”

  “What kind of changes are you considering making?” Elizabeth asked not sure if he was only covering for last night. Or if he really meant that he wanted her help.

  “Would you consider having a late breakfast with me to discuss it?” That twinkle was back in his eye. He was up to something; she could feel it.

  He’d left her with two choices. She could refuse and be left in the dark. Or she could accept his invitation and find out what was going on. She had been leaving the dark behind and had no intention of going back—ever.

  “Yes, I’ll have breakfast with you.” Elizabeth agreed praying she was doing the right thing. If this was a trap, he was laying it out with perfection and she was stepping into it eyes wide open.

  “Great! Give me a few minutes to inform Stewart I’ll be out for a while.” Auggie smiled, rising out of the chair, then paused looking down at her. Warmth spread over her in places reserved for the man she’d loved. “On second thought, let’s go together.”

  “Alright.” Elizabeth stood as he opened the door. As she passed him, he offered up his arm. For a moment she thought of rejecting it, instead she smiled wrapping her hand around it.

  “Stewart,” Auggie said as they stopped at the lobby desk. “Elizabeth and I will be out for a few hours. If you need me, we will be at Millie’s. I’ll let you know when we’ve returned.”

  “Yes, sir.” Stewart nodded a large smile on his face.

  “Do you realize you just referred to me as Elizabeth and not Mrs. Hamilton to Stewart?” Elizabeth said surprised by the slip of the tongue. That’s all it had to be…a slip.

  “I do. It’s about time we let the world know we are friends.” Auggie smiled patting her hand. “Do you agree?”

  “We’ll see after you tell me what’s on your mind whether or not we are still friends.” Elizabeth said a warm cozy feeling covering her heart.

  CHAPTER 15

  Auggie watched Elizabeth’s every expression. Smiling he took a spoonful of the rolled oats with apples and cream.