Reverie (Hollow Hearts Book 1) (3 page)

“I think we need a housekeeper. Someone to help full time until Mother gets her strength back. Maybe by next spring she’ll be more like her old self.”

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to give her an extra set of hands, and it might be nice for Lottie to have another woman around. Maybe it would be good for you, too.” Elias nudged his brother’s shoulder and smiled.

“A housekeeper is plenty. Don’t get that look in your eye. The last thing either of us needs is the trouble of a woman.” Isaac rose and began to walk out of the barn. Elias was quickly on his heels.

“I don’t see where your aversion to marriage comes from. I’ve been married. It’s actually quite enjoyable. I wouldn’t mind marrying again someday. The winter nights get cold around here.” Elias put his arm around his brother. “You could do with a few warm nights yourself.”

Isaac tensed. Of course Elias didn’t know why he was so against marriage. He would never know the reason he avoided interactions with most women.  Isaac couldn’t bear to break his brother’s heart a second time. When he lost his wife six months after Lottie was born Isaac was afraid his brother would never recover. Somehow he’d found the strength to carry on - for the sake of his daughter. Isaac could keep his secrets. He had to. It would break Elias’s heart all over again to know his marriage to Rachel was distorted and dishonest. And Isaac was part of the reason.

Isaac pulled the wagon to a stop outside the home of Mrs. Calhoun just as the rain stopped. He checked to see that the chair was still secure and covered from the harsh elements. When he was sure the chair had sustained no damage in the ride to town, he hopped down from the wagon and made his way up the path. It never ceased to amaze him how grand the house was—looming over the rest of the street. With its close proximity to town Isaac dreamed of someday having a place just like this—a house where he could run his furniture business from the ground floor and live quietly above. He originally planned to share such a home with a special woman and maybe even a few children. But Rachel taught him none of it was worth it. Love? Marriage? It was all just a dishonest ceremony. As he reached the porch he placed his hand on the brass knocker, gave it three loud bangs, and stepped back to wait.

After a few moments passed the door opened slightly and he gazed upon the most incredible blue eyes.

“May I help you?” Such a sweet voice—soft, innocent.

Isaac fumbled for words. He’d expected the face of Sol—even Mrs. Calhoun herself—not a
young beauty.
“Yes, um, my name is Isaac Wheeler, Miss.”

She opened the door a bit more and stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her. “I apologize, Mr. Wheeler. Mrs. Calhoun is resting and I don’t wish to disturb her.”

As Isaac took in the full picture of this young woman his breath caught in his throat. Her features were so delicate with the exception of her lips—so full and pink. Her hair held the same color and softness he saw almost nightly in a ranch sunset. And those eyes! He couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen such a rich blue repeated anywhere in the world. Her dress was modest and mostly covered by a crisp white apron, but he couldn’t help but notice the ease of her curves.
Who was this girl?

Hetty kept her hand on the doorknob unsure of the stranger in front of her. She’d never seen him in town before—surely she would have remembered such a rugged man. His face, covered in dark stubble, was chiseled perfection. His raven hair, though cut rather clean, held waves that begged her hands to touch. She glanced at his attire, unable to turn away from the way his pants hugged his muscles. His arms were tan and showed the effects of pure physical labor. She looked up and met his eyes—their intense darkness almost frightening, yet strangely appealing to the parts that made her a woman.

“My name is Hetty. I’m Mrs. Calhoun’s companion. Is there something I can help you with?” Her hand reached softly over the folds of her apron. Instantly she noticed the butterflies that seemed to be dancing in her stomach.

Isaac reached out with his calloused hand and gently swept his thumb across her cheek. Her eyes stood wide, like a doe in the woods. “Flour,” he said.

“Excuse me?” Her voice squeaked.

“You have flour on your face.”

Her hand rushed to her face, pushing his away in the process. “Oh, goodness. I’m so sorry. I’ve been helping Sol in the kitchen this afternoon.”

He noticed how quickly her cheeks blushed and her eyes darted from his. She almost looked as if she’d been crying. He stepped back, unwilling to cause her even the slightest discomfort.

“Mrs. Calhoun ordered a chair from me. I recently finished it and decided to deliver it while I was in town today.”

“Of course. Please bring it in. I’ll see if Mrs. Calhoun is awake. No doubt she’ll need to look over the piece.” Hetty quickly disappeared behind the door and left him alone on the porch.

Without further instruction he returned to the wagon, removed the chair, and brought it to the front porch. The door was left slightly ajar so he quietly entered the foyer. Just as he set the chair off to the side he heard the thunderous voice.

“Isaac Wheeler, if you think you’re going to sneak off without seeing me, you’re in for a rude awakening.”

Isaac peaked around the corner into the sitting room and found Mrs. Calhoun seated in her usual chair with her usual scowl. Hetty was noticeably absent from the room. He walked over, reached for Mrs. Calhoun’s hand, and placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Calhoun. You’re looking well.”

“You can stop the flirting, boy,” she said with the slightest smile peaking through. “Have you brought my chair?”

“I did. It’s in the foyer. Would you like me to show you?”

“I’d expect nothing less. You know I won’t give you a single penny unless I’m completely satisfied.”

Isaac returned to the foyer, picked up the chair, and brought it directly in front of Mrs. Calhoun to be inspected. He didn’t doubt the quality of work. He’d built many things for her over the last few years, and he’d learned that she liked to put on a show of displeasure but had never once been unhappy with his work. Each piece was given equal attention and he took pride in his work. No matter how simple or ornate the design, each piece received the same attention.

Her eyes narrowed and she examined the intricate design of the chair. “That is some fine work, my boy. Fine work, indeed.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Calhoun. Would you like me to place this in the dining room? I believe this last piece gives you a full set.”

“Yes, please. And when you’re done you can come right back here to have a nice long visit with me.”

Isaac hadn’t planned to stay for a visit, but Mrs. Calhoun never let anyone out of her grasp before she was good and ready for him or her to go. As he placed the final chair at the head of the dining table he eyed his work with satisfaction. The entire dining room had been furnished by his craftsmanship. It gave him a sense of pride to see each piece having a home in such a beautiful house. He let the feeling settle as he returned to the sitting room to join Mrs. Calhoun for tea.

While others tended to shy away from the brash nature of Mrs. Calhoun, he didn’t mind her company. He’d been visiting with her since he was a young boy. His mother would often bring him and his brother on her social calls, forcing them to put her lessons in manners to good use. He’d sat in this room more times than he could count over the years, less so since he’d started his furniture business. But he could certainly spare a few minutes to exchange pleasantries. And maybe steal another glance at the young woman. How had he never seen her before?

“Tell me, Isaac, how is your mother? I have not seen her at the orphanage in ages.” Mrs. Calhoun asked.

“I’m afraid she’s not quite well. Her illness this past spring has made it a slow process to regain her full strength.”

“I’ve always said that woman works too hard. I don’t think she’s taken a moment of rest in all the years she’s been caring for you boys and that ranch or volunteering around town with different projects. I imagine it’s even worse since your father passed.”

“She loves the work and you know it.” Isaac smiled.

“Sassy boy! That may be so, but the poor woman shouldn’t work herself to death. You and your brother are grown. You should have families of your own and let your mother live out her days in relative peace.” Mrs. Calhoun brought the cup to her lips and sipped her tea loudly.

“You know very well that Elias has a family. He’s quite a good father to Lottie.”

A slight growl escaped her lips. “Even so, it’s high time he remarried and it’s past time you settle yourself with a family. Who is going to run that ranch someday if you don’t bring a couple strapping boys into the brood?”

This was not a subject Isaac felt comfortable discussing with Mrs. Calhoun. He knew his brother might someday remarry. He was young and had plenty of years to bring a son or two along to carry on the ranch his father started. But his future was sealed. Isaac had no intention of settling with anyone. He couldn’t. His past sins were too great, and his heart wasn’t likely to trust anyone.

“I hope it will please you to know that Elias and I have decided to hire a housekeeper to give Mother a hand.” Changing the subject was the best he could do at the moment to deter Mrs. Calhoun from discussing his non-existent love life. “I’m actually headed over to the mercantile once I leave here to see if Mr. Davis knows of someone who might be in need of a job.”

“Silly boy! You don’t need to talk to Mr. Davis! He doesn’t know anything unless someone else tells him. That man is about as aware of what’s happening in this town as a piece of bread is with a pat of butter.”

Isaac couldn’t help but laugh. He knew Mr. Davis only knew what he overheard from his customers and his poor hearing couldn’t guarantee that he’d heard anything correctly at all. “Well, Elias and I want to find someone soon so that there is someone to help Mother with the winter preparations.”

In that moment Mrs. Calhoun thundered her voice with a shout. “Hetty, get in here!”

Isaac was surprised Mrs. Calhoun would yell so aggressively. Sure, she was a bit harsh, but he couldn’t help thinking that her tone would scare the sweet girl to death. As quick as she yelled, though, Hetty appeared in the doorway rather calm.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Come sit, please.”

Hetty quickly moved into the room. She eyed the spot of the sofa next to Isaac but quickly chose to sit in a chair next to Mrs. Calhoun—far enough away from the man who minutes earlier had caused her stomach to turn to knots.

“Hetty, I assume you met Mr. Wheeler when he arrived.”

“I did.” She kept her eyes firmly on her employer, much to Isaac’s disappointment.

Why won’t she look at me?
he thought.
Just as well. Pretty or not, I don’t need the attention of any woman. 

“I’ve just been informed that Mr. Wheeler is seeking a housekeeper to help his mother. You don’t know Mrs. Wheeler, but she’s been a friend of mine for years. She helped Catherine with fundraisers for the orphanage many times. You had many a hot meal because of her generosity.”

“Oh.” The surprise on her face couldn’t be hidden.

“I’ll skip the pleasantries. Mr. Wheeler, I am planning to relocate to Philadelphia in the next ten days. My sister is ill and I must be there. Unfortunately, Hetty will not be accompanying me on the trip. I do not know how long I will be gone, and this puts her in the unexpected position of needing to acquire other employment. Hetty, I’ve known Mr. Wheeler and his family for many years. They are good people. They are a little too prone to hard work for my taste, but good people. I think working as their housekeeper would give you a solid income until my return and the resumption of our arrangement.”

Both Isaac and Hetty sat there stunned. How had one woman managed to put them in such an uncomfortable position so quickly? Isaac looked over at Hetty, attempting to give her a look that indicated that he was not responsible for this awkward moment. Hetty glanced quickly at him, but turned her attention immediately back to Mrs. Calhoun.

“Um, I can’t…I mean I didn’t realize...”

“Oh, don’t fumble, child. You have a situation and I’ve found the solution. Mr. Wheeler, I assure you that Hetty is a hard worker. While her work here has been much different from what she did at the orphanage, I can attest to the fact that you will not be disappointed.”

“I doubt I will, Mrs. Calhoun, but I think I should discuss this with my mother and my brother before I make any commitments.” Could he really have such a lovely woman working on the ranch? Every single day? He didn’t doubt she would do fine at the job and make his mother’s life a bit easier. But she stirred things in him he didn’t want brought to the surface. She was beautiful—he couldn’t help but notice. And so sweet...No! He shut down the thoughts immediately.