Louise Gouge - Cowgirl for Keeps

“Father, this hotel business is a complete surprise to me.” Rosamond fidgeted. “You said in your letters I could build my high school this summer.”

A high school? Garrick sat up straighter and eyed the pretty lady beside him. Obviously, she had a concern for the education and welfare of the lower classes, just as her namesake in Jane Eyre did. His esteem for her rose.

“No reason you can’t do both.” The Colonel’s affection for his daughter resonated in his paternal tone and warm gaze. “Plenty of workers around now that this leg of the railroad’s finished.”

“Yes, but—” Her voice was tight, and her smile a grimace. “Surely Mr. Wakefield has made his plans. Why would he need my help?”

The Colonel chuckled indulgently. “The hotel needs a woman’s touch, and your mother has enough to do. That leaves you. Why did I send you to boarding school if you aren’t going to use what you learned? Not only that—” he held up a letter, and Garrick could see the elegant W of Uncle’s seal on the stationery “—Lord Westbourne likes the idea just fine. He has complete trust in you and Garrick to create a fine establishment for European and American tourists alike.”

“Well, then.” Miss Northam clearly didn’t care for the project any more than Garrick, but she at least had her school. Garrick’s future, and Helena’s, depended entirely upon this man’s good opinion and cooperation. “With your approval, sir, we can begin tomorrow.” Against his usual reserved behavior toward young ladies, he offered what he hoped was a charming smile to Rosamond. “Shall we?”

She returned one of her prim looks. “I believe Father said Monday. Tomorrow I’ll help my brothers with cattle branding. Then I’ll take Percy to meet Beryl. And of course the day after, we’ll go to church. Do you attend church, Mr. Wake—Garrick?”

“Rosamond!” Mrs. Northam’s soft voice resounded with shock. “Of course he goes to church.”

Colonel Northam laughed out loud. “At least he will while he’s in this house, won’t you, my boy?”

Heat rushed up Garrick’s neck. Did they mean to insult him, or was this just banter, like the dinner table conversation? He’d choose to believe the latter. “I try never to miss church, sir. Nothing sets the tone of a man’s week like an hour of worship and a stirring sermon.”

“Well spoken. You’ll be glad to know our Reverend Thomas always delivers a thought-provoking message.” The Colonel stood and reached over the desk. Garrick rose and shook his hand. “Now you get a good night of sleep. If you’re interested in watching the cattle branding tomorrow, you’re welcome to come on out. If not, please feel free to use my library.” He indicated the shelves Garrick had perused earlier. “Good night.”

With this clear dismissal, Garrick took his leave of these people who held his future. As he trudged up the elegant front staircase and down the long hallway, he could hear laughter coming from Percy’s room. Through the partially open door, he saw Tolley was paying Percy a visit, as ordered by his father. Apparently the two got along well. Garrick was happy for his cousin. As long as he enjoyed himself, he’d stay in Colorado, where Garrick would need him now more than ever, should things become impossible for him to bear.

* * *

“Now, Rosamond.” Father gave her a rare stern look. “I understand your concerns, but working on both projects will prepare you for your many and varied headmistress duties.”

“Yes, Father.” How could she argue against his faith in her? Didn’t she believe just as strongly in her own ability to manage the school and at the same time teach both boys and girls just a few years younger than herself?

“You can always ask me for ideas.” Mother came around the desk to sit in the chair Garrick had vacated. She grasped Rosamond’s hand. “As a girl, I spent many happy days visiting my grandfather’s hotel in Philadelphia. And, of course, the hotels in Italy cannot be surpassed. I can describe them to you in detail, and I’ll help in any other way you ask.”

“Now, Charlotte, I won’t have you overdoing. You manage the house. That’s enough.” Father’s eyes filled with concern. “In fact, you need more help, and I don’t mean Rosamond. She’ll be busy. I’m going to hire more help for the gardening and other such things.”

“Oh, Frank, don’t coddle me.” Mother gave him an intimate smile, one that made Rosamond ache for the kind of love her parents shared. “I’m fine. Now, enough about me. Let’s hear about Rosamond’s trip home.”

Taking the hint, Rosamond launched into a description of her last days at the academy, the graduation ceremony during which both she and Beryl had received academic awards and their lengthy train travels. They’d already heard about the attempted robbery from Sheriff Lawson, so she brushed past the event. When she almost fell asleep in the middle of her own narrative, her parents ushered her upstairs to the comforting warmth of her bedroom.

Despite her exhaustion, she knelt beside her window as she had as a child to view the sparkling diamonds sprinkled across the velvet black sky. In Boston, with its many streetlamps and lighted buildings, she’d missed the stark beauty of Colorado’s nighttime skies. She’d also missed this window spot, where she’d learned to pray and to leave every concern in the Lord’s hands. Tonight she prayed for Beryl, anticipating their reunion tomorrow. She prayed for her school and her future students and, finally, for willingness to obey Father in helping the Englishman build the hotel.

When she awoke the next day, the sun already shone on the alfalfa field outside her window. In the bright midmorning light, everything seemed possible, even working alongside Garrick. A joyful, giddy feeling swept through her as she dug around in her wardrobe for her split skirt, plaid shirtwaist and riding boots. After donning her comfortable cowgirl garb, she raced down the backstairs to the kitchen. She took care not to sing, even though a song played in her mind, lest Garrick hear her as she entered the kitchen and be offended again.

Her worries were groundless. Only Rita and one of the valets occupied the room. Curiously, the valet had rolled up his sleeves and plunged his hands in the soapy dishpan up to his elbows.

“What would you like for breakfast, Senorita Rosamond?” Rita was preparing sandwiches for the men who were branding the cattle, but she took a moment to stoke the fire under the skillet and lay in some bacon. “Two slices of bacon, two sunny eggs, two biscuits, strawberry jam and coffee?”

“You remember.” Rosamond wasn’t surprised. A mere eighteen years old, Rita already managed the entire household. More proof that Rosamond’s twenty-one years wouldn’t hinder her from completing both of Father’s projects.

“ Sí , senorita. How could I forget?” She poured coffee for Rosamond and set it on the breakfast table.

“May I be of assistance, Rita?” The young valet, Roberts, dried his hands on a tea towel. “I can fix Miss Northam’s breakfast while you finish those sandwiches.”

Rita gave him a sweet smile, and her brown eyes sparkled. “I’d be most grateful, Senor Roberts.”

“Just Roberts, miss.” He winked at her and then turned a more serious face to Rosamond. “I have experience in the kitchen, as that’s where I started in service as a boy. If no one minds, I’d like to help Rita. I’ve very little to do for Mr. Wakefield today, and I like to keep occupied.”

“By all means.” Rosamond sat at the table and sipped her coffee. She could easily fix her own breakfast, but watching a possible romance budding right before her eyes was more enjoyable. “Where’s Richards?” Percy’s valet was somewhat older, perhaps in his thirties.