By this time even Esmeralda had gotten to her feet to edge her way closer to the trio. Rachel glanced up to see all gazes turned toward them. Jeffery apparently saw this, too, for he reached out and took hold of Rachel's elbow.
“I would like for us to adjourn to your office, Miss Taylor. There is much to be discussed regarding the resort and the grand opening.”
Rachel nodded. “That would be perfectly acceptable, Mr. O'Donnell. Allow me to meet you both there. I need to see to my girls and make certain they know their duties.”
Jeffery dropped his hold. “Very well. Mr. Parker and I will meet you in your office.”
Rachel refused to look at the men as they departed. Instead, she went immediately to Gwen. “You shall be in charge, Miss Carson. I will expect each station to be spotless when I return.”
Gwen nodded and her gaze seemed to express sympathy. Perhaps she had some instinctive idea what Rachel was about to face.
“Ladies, I will expect you to give Miss Carson your utmost respect and attention. I will be inspecting your stations upon the conclusion of my meeting.”
With that, she left them to talk amongst themselves about what they'd just witnessed. She hated being the subject of gossip and speculation. Hadn't she suffered enough from the suppositions of others?
She thought to follow Jeffery and Braeden's path by exiting the dining room into the lobby, then changed her mind. Her office actually contained three doors. One entrance from the lobby, one exiting door into her private living quarters, and one door that entered in from the dormitory hall. It was the latter that she chose to make her entrance. It afforded her a few more moments of calming distance. Plus, she reasoned that Jeffery and Braeden would be expecting her to appear from the lobby entrance. She smiled, thinking that this arrangement would allow her the upper hand. She would keep Braeden off-center by taking unexpected actions, and in doing so, she would safeguard herself against his plansâwhatever they might be.
She hurried through the kitchen, ignoring Reginald Worthington as she passed. He appeared somewhat concerned, as if someone might have explained the scene to him, but she refused to stop and tell him of her situation. Reginald was just one more Harvey employee as far as she was concerned. They'd certainly not had enough time to become the kind of friends who shared confidences.
She entered the parlor and closed the door behind her, leaning against it heavily for a moment. Seeing Braeden had robbed her of all strength.
Dear Lord
, she prayed,
why in the world has he come back into my life?
She looked to the ceiling, as if expecting God to be there smiling down. For as long as she could remember, she'd looked upward in anticipation of some visible sign of God. And for just as long, she'd not received anything to bless her sight ⦠but much to bless her heart.
“Weren't things difficult enough here?” she questioned aloud. “I don't know how to deal with this. The man is to be my partner here at the hotel. How in the world am I suppose to manage this?”
She tried to regulate her breathing before pushing on toward the hallway. She stared down the long, well-lit corridor at her closed office door. The glow from electric lights, a real novelty in rural New Mexico and a feature that was bound to attract eastern visitors for the sense of convenience, reflected on the polished wood floors. They seemed to beckon Rachel forward. He was there. Just beyond that closed door sat the object of her longing and affection. Her heart ached at the thought.
“I can do this,” she told herself. “It's been six years, and everything is settled between us. I can simply deal with this as a business arrangement.” But in her heart she understood the irony of her statement. Who was she trying to fool? If she couldn't be honest with herself, then she might as well pack up her things and leave now.
She still loved him. That had never changed.
The tightness in her chest seemed to increase. How could she look into his eyes again and not tell him everything? How could she sit there calmly discussing Casa Grande affairs and not beg him to understand that she had never stopped caring for himâthat every day her thoughts somehow always found their way back to him?
She reached out for the handle of her office door and bit her lip. Six years. It should have been enough time to prepare her for this moment. But somehow it had failed miserably, and Rachel knew that if it had been twenty years instead of six, she'd still feel the same way.
She opened the door without any announcement or regard for where Jeffery and Braeden had positioned themselves. She refused to even look at the men until she had taken a seat at her desk.
“Gentlemen,” she said, finally glancing up to where they had risen to their feet. “Shall we continue?”
Jeffery nodded and closed the lobby door, while Braeden took his seat. He looked at her as though he wished he could say something.
Rachel thought it might be her imagination, but she would have sworn his expression was almost apologetic. The look softened her resolve.
“I'm sorry, Mr. O'Donnell,” she began, deciding that directing her apology to Jeffery would be easier than dealing with Braeden. “Your actions took me by surprise. I realize that's no excuse, howeverâ” “Rachel,” Jeffery said rather sternly, “would you please explain what's going on here? Apparently you both know each other well enough to share a feeling of animosity, and I would very much like to know what it's all about. Mr. Parker refuses to speak on the matter, suggesting that I consult you.”
Rachel bowed her head. “It isn't important, Jeffery. I assure you it won't affect the affairs of Casa Grande. It simply startled me.” She looked back up, giving Jeffery a pleading glance. At least she hoped her expression appeared pleading, for she sincerely wanted him to drop this subject.
To her absolute horror, Braeden seemed to take up a protective response. “Miss Taylor was once a dear friend. We were unable to keep up correspondence with one another and had no idea where the other had taken themselves off to. I do apologize for my part in this.”
Jeffery studied them both for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to pursue the matter or leave it be. He ran a hand back through his brown hair, pursed his lips together for a moment, then nodded. “Very well.” He took his seat and waited for a moment before continuing. “Since you two know each other, I suppose we can do away with the formalities of detailed introductions. Mr. Parker came to us highly recommended by another railroad company in Chicago, and with his accounting background, I believe he will be the perfect man to run the hotel portion of this resort.”
Rachel nodded, forcing herself to listen and say nothing. She felt almost sick to her stomach and wondered if she'd end up making a scene before it was all said and done. She glanced quickly at the door to her living quarters, grateful that she'd remembered to close it this morning before heading out to oversee the dining room progress.
“Casa Grande, as you know, is only one of two resorts of this type. The other, located near Las Vegas, has been hindered by many problems, including the fact that the place has burned down twice. Some folks believe it to be cursed, but of course we don't hold with that theory. Financially speaking, we believe it to be simply based on logical conclusions. Namely, there is very little to entice a person to stay more than one night in Las Vegas, unless they are there to take advantage of the curative waters and hospital facilities available. So while the place does quite well for itself at times, we hoped for better.
“Casa Grande, however, is positioned closer to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Also, the scenery is more enchanting with the mountains in the background, and our own hot springs and baths offer the same advantage and curative features.”
“I understand that nearly every type of diversion is offered here for the entertainment of our guests,” Braeden interjected.
Rachel heard the rich timbre of his voice and immediately felt light-headed.
This is ridiculous
, she told herself.
I'm not a schoolgirl, all swooney and silly
. But it did little good to argue with her heart.
“Casa Grande will offer it all. Later, during our tour of the grounds, you will see for yourself,” Jeffery replied. “But for now, let me tell you some of what you can expect. We have a theatre room with seating for two hundred. This will be available for concerts, operas, plays, or even lectures. There is a ballroom more grand and glorious than any New York has ever seen. The chandeliers were shipped from Tiffany's, and the decor will enchant even the most hardened heart.”
Rachel thought this a rather poignant expression. Against her will she glanced at Braeden and felt a small amount of relief to find his gaze fixed upon Jeffery.
“There are also sun porches and gardens,” Jeffery continued. “You will find because of Mrs. Needlemeier's meticulous attention that the gardens on the east side are as much an oasis as any desert could boast.”
“Mrs. Needlemeier?” Braeden questioned.
“She was the elderly woman in the dining room,” Jeffery replied. “The one who maneuvered herself closer in order to better understand your reunion with Rachel.”
Rachel felt the wind catch in her throat. Why couldn't this meeting just be over with so that she could go to her room and rest? She desperately needed to think about all that had happened, but Jeffery didn't seem at all concerned.
Braeden was smiling and nodding, while it was all she could do to remain seated. “I do recall her. Done up in widow's garb and armed with that silver-headed cane.”
Jeffery laughed. “Yes, armed is a good way to think of it. The woman is fanatical about this town and about issuing her opinion. Nevertheless, she has maintained a lovely ten-acre garden and is graciously allowing us to share it for the benefit of our guests. Her mansion adjoins the gardens on the other side.”
“I see.”
“The hot springs and bathing pools and houses are to the north of the hotel. There are separate facilities for men and women, as well as a lovely common pool for all to enjoy. The resort maintains very conservative bathing apparel for the guests, and as a staff member, you are also welcome to enjoy this refreshment when duty does not require you to be elsewhere. Besides this, we have stables for riding, croquet, lawn bowling, badminton, and a bandstand where musicians will perform periodically throughout the day and evening hours. Indoors we have a wonderful library with writing desks and quiet nooks for those who would rather remain inside, and as you were already told, we are fortunate enough to have electricity. The powerhouse is just across the front drive, positioned at the base of Morita Falls.”
“I must say, I'm impressed,” Braeden said, considering all he'd been told. “And how many rooms are available for hotel guests?”
“At this point, seventy. There are ways to allow for additional rooms, but for now this seems sufficient.” Jeffery passed his gaze to Rachel. “As you've already been told, Miss Taylor is house manager over the Harvey House Restaurant. She has absolute charge of twentyfive girls, most of whom you saw there in the dining room. She also has final authority over the kitchen staff, including the chef. She will be responsible for ordering all food items and arranging with the local citizens to provide what Fred Harvey does not ship in.”
“She was always very capable,” Braeden stated matter-of-factly.
“She has proven so for the Santa Fe as well,” Jeffery confirmed. “Rachel has been a longtime favorite of mine. She was responsible for training other Harvey Girls during her time in Topeka and has worked her way up the ranks over the lastâ” he paused and looked at Rachel. “What has it been? Five ⦠six years?”
“Six.” The words came from Braeden before Rachel could even open her mouth.
She could only nod.
“Well, for what it's worth,” Jeffery continued, “it is hoped Casa Grande will offer the Santa Fe a bit of salvation from its economic woes. Kansas farmers suffered a horrible crop last year, and that, along with poor investments, has brought problems upon the railroad. Casa Grande is seen as a true oasis for the line, as well as for its passengers. And with Mrs. Needlemeier's enthusiastic support and promotion, we perceive the possibility of something very, very big here.”
“And my duties will be to oversee the hotel portion of the resort, while Miss Taylor operates the restaurant and other food services for the guests?”
Rachel felt her mouth grow increasingly dry. She twisted her hands together in her lap, grateful that the desktop hid them from view.
“That's exactly right. You will have a hotel staff,” Jeffery replied.
“Many of the staff are native to the area. They were chosen because they had good reputations with Mrs. Needlemeier or other impeccable references. Positions that could not be filled with local people were advertised back East, and people were brought in from elsewhere. Your head housekeeper, in fact, was hired from Kansas City. You'll have a chance to get together with your staff later tomorrow. I'll give you a brief tour of the grounds todayâshow you where your office and living quarters areâthen tomorrow we will arrange for your job to begin in earnest.”
Braeden shifted in his seat and looked quite seriously at Jeffery.
“What might we expect from the grand opening? I understand it will be mostly dignitaries and Santa Fe board officials.”
Jeffery smiled. “Rumors do fly when you're about new business.
But to answer your question, yes. The grand opening will be in just under two weeks, and there are all manner of activities planned for the celebration. Besides the band hired to perform here full time, there will be two other musical ensembles on the train to Morita. Miss Lucretia Collins, the renowned opera singer, will perform opening night, and a grand ball of such enormous proportions that even my head tends to spin a bit at the thought, is to be held on the third night. Both you and Miss Taylor will find yourselves very busy, and working together will be of the utmost importance. I want to know that I can count on you both to organize and maintain this resort in perfect order.”