Reverie (Hollow Hearts Book 1) (4 page)

Hetty could see how uncomfortable he was. He didn’t want her as his housekeeper. His tone was clear enough. It wasn’t that she was eager to go...she still had ten days, but to be so quickly dismissed caused an ache she didn’t expect.
Just as well
, she thought.
I’m sure something else will come along.
It was just another experience to teach her that a real home didn’t exist—even one she could make in a place of employment.

“Nonsense! Boy, I know your mother and I don’t doubt that she would love Hetty and her company. You know how picky I am about those I let work in my home. I’m much harder on my employees than your mother could ever be. I think this is going to work out fine. Besides, weren’t you going to inquire at the mercantile for someone? I’ve just saved you the trip. You should be thanking me, boy.”

Isaac tried to regain his shocked composure. “Mrs. Calhoun, while I appreciate you—”

“You’re welcome. Now, escort Hetty onto the porch so you two can work out the details. I appreciate your visit today. Give your mother my best. Goodbye.” With that, Mrs. Calhoun pulled her girth from the chair and sashayed out of the room, leaving Hetty and Isaac to stare at one another.

Hetty and Isaac stood on the porch in complete silence, her arms crossed as if she were warding off a chill and him leaning against the rail in what could only be described as a stance of defeat. The sky returned to a dark gray and the rain began in earnest.

Hetty was furious at Mrs. Calhoun for putting her in this situation and she became determined not to speak first. She could stand there all afternoon. She already knew he didn’t want her to work for his mother, so she let him find a polite way to get out of the awkward moment. But the moment he said anything she would put him and Mrs. Calhoun’s ridiculous idea to rest.

Isaac smiled to himself, taking solace in the fact that she looked as uncomfortable as he did. While he didn’t want to encourage this ridiculous arrangement, he didn’t want her to feel awkward any longer than necessary.

“Miss, I’m—”

“Mr. Wheeler, while I appreciate whatever it is Mrs. Calhoun was trying to accomplish, it isn’t necessary for you to keep up the charade. I am perfectly capable of finding other employment upon Mrs. Calhoun’s departure. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm, startling her and causing her to lose her balance. Isaac quickly wrapped his arms around her waist to steady her on her feet. She looked directly in his eyes, almost frightened by the tingle in her stomach that chose this particular moment to return.
Why did it feel so right to have his hands holding the curves of her waist?
He smiled to himself and let out a soft whisper. “Might you allow me a moment to finish what I was going to say?”

Hetty pushed back, steadied herself, and looked Isaac directly in the eyes, waiting to see what he could possibly say.

“Miss Hetty, first I want to apologize.”

“You do?” she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.

“Of course. I just came to deliver a chair and somehow both of us ended up feeling...well, taken advantage of, I guess, is the best way to put it.” He noticed her body instantly relax. “If I offended you in some way it was not my intention. Please understand that I’m just as surprised by this as you seem to be.”

“Thank you for the apology, Mr. Wheeler.”

“Please call me Isaac.”

“I’m not sure that would be appropriate.”

He couldn’t help but notice how lonely she seemed. Was that disappointment he felt when she wouldn’t use his first name? No! Obviously he just felt bad for the awkward situation the two of them had been placed in. Thanks to the meddling ways of Mrs. Calhoun. But something about the sadness in her eyes tugged at his heart and he instantly wanted to take it away.

“How is it I’ve never met you before? I’ve been making furniture for Mrs. Calhoun for years. Surely our paths would have crossed once or twice.”

“I don’t usually answer the door. Sol tends to be the social one. I imagine I was out or busy on the few occasions you’ve come by. Why do you ask?” Hetty averted her eyes.

“No reason. Just curious why we haven’t met before. Hollow isn’t exactly a large town.” Isaac paused before continuing. “Her idea isn’t so ridiculous though.” Isaac said before he could stop himself. Was he really going to offer her a job? Could he really handle having such a lovely woman working in his home every single day? He pushed the thought away. Having her work for his mother would solve the problem of her needing help. And it wasn’t as if a pretty face could crack the icy layer of his heart. He could do this. For his mother he had to do this.

“I am looking for someone to help my mother and you do need to find other employment,” he said.

Hetty didn’t sense pity in his words. Just truth. Maybe he wasn’t turning her away. Maybe he was genuinely interested in her as an employee. She sighed. “Mr. Wheeler, I will admit that the way this all came about is a bit unusual. And I did just learn of Mrs. Calhoun’s plans earlier today. It’s all a bit overwhelming. But you are correct. I will need to find other employment before she departs for Philadelphia.”

“Well perhaps you’ll consider working on our ranch.” He smiled, hoping to ease more of the tension existing between them. “If you have time now I’d be happy to tell you a bit about the job. Then you can consider your options having all of the information.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

Before she knew it she was inviting him into the kitchen for tea. Sol made sure they had refreshments before he disappeared under the guise of needing to check on his garden. They found themselves alone in the warmth of the kitchen. Hetty was very aware of his presence. Despite the size of the room, he seemed to engulf it just by sitting at the table. His large hands held the dainty teacup, and for a moment Hetty wondered if his strength would crush the cup. She moved her eyes away, ignoring the warmth that crept along her neck. Isaac saw how her skin flushed, and he found himself enjoying the fact a little too much. But he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable again, so he immediately launched into explaining the job.

Within minutes he explained to her how an illness had left his mother quite weak and unable to manage the work and care of him, his brother, and his niece. Ranch life was hard. He didn’t hide this fact, but he wanted her to understand what her role would be. Their small ranch covered nearly 200 acres, and each year they were trying to increase its size. He shared the main farmhouse with his brother, mother, and niece while the ranch crew were housed in a bunkhouse farther back on the property during the height of cattle season. While the ranch hands took care of their own needs, he told her about the cooking, laundry, and cleaning that would be required as well as assistance with preparations for winter. His mother would be helping with tasks when she felt up to it, but it was entirely possible that she would handle most of the house on her own each day, and an even greater possibility that she’d be doing it with a three-year-old underfoot. The work started early each day and could run late depending on what needed to be done. Isaac explained the job’s pay and offered Sunday as her one day off each week. Of course he would want her to meet his mother before making any final commitments, but he assured her that Mrs. Calhoun was right—she and his mother would get along just fine.

Hetty absorbed all the information. The work wasn’t much different from the variety of tasks she’d done in her years at the orphanage. And cooking and cleaning for four people was much easier than caring for the 30 children at the orphanage who were under Catherine’s care. But she was troubled with one aspect of the job. Where would she live? It was too far to drive to the ranch each day and home in the evening. And even if she could drive each day, she didn’t own a wagon or a horse. She couldn’t expect her employer to pick her up and return her in the evenings—the work on the ranch wouldn’t allow for him to be gone several hours each day. Perhaps she could come out to the ranch a couple days a week to help Isaac’s mother and find steadier work in town. Hetty looked at Mr. Wheeler and noticed the worry in his face. She could tell he genuinely wanted someone there to help his mother and she knew she would be good at the job. The thought of handling the day-to-day tasks of a house...a family’s home...almost made it feel like she would be gaining a home as well. She knew, of course, that this was not the case. As an employee she knew she would eat separately and her interactions with them would be limited. As required by Catherine, she would be seen but not heard. Hetty felt the meekness return. It wouldn’t be her home. It wouldn’t be her kitchen and she wouldn’t be mending clothing for her family. The opportunity was a good one, only it reinforced her longing for her own family to care for.

Hetty found her voice. “Mr. Wheeler, it sounds like a wonderful opportunity and I can certainly handle the tasks you’ve described. But, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline.”

Isaac didn’t expect her to turn down the job. He’d seen her face light up when he’d shared information about the ranch and his family. What was keeping her from accepting? Was she just humoring him? Had she intended to turn it down all along? And why on earth did he care? It would be easy enough though not as quick to find someone else to take the position. But something plagued him and he couldn’t let her off the hook so easily.

“Can I ask why you won’t take the position? Is it the pay?”

“Oh, no!” Hetty didn’t want him to think this was based on greed. She didn’t care a bit about the money. “It’s because I do not have the resources to travel to and from the ranch each day. The drive from town would have me leaving here before the sun rose and returning long after it retired for the day. I’m not sure that is safe.”

Isaac laughed and placed his palm on his forehead. Of course he’d failed to mention she’d need to live on the farm.
In my house.
The words rang in his ears as he realized what that would mean. He would see her every morning. She would be in his home every evening. She would sleep just below his room.

“Hetty, you’ll have to forgive me. I’ve never hired a housekeeper before and it appears I failed to mention that you would need to live at the ranch. Room and board come with the position.”

“Live at the ranch?”

“Yes. You are right that it is too far and too dangerous for you to come and go each day. In order to help my mother you would need to be available as much as possible.” Isaac felt a knot form in his stomach. How had he gone from avoiding women completely to asking one to share his home? He pictured her moving effortlessly around the kitchen, baking bread, preparing meals. He imagined her lovely features surrounded by candlelight as she sewed in the evenings, blending seamlessly with his family.
She would be an employee
he told himself.
Nothing more.
“There is a small bedroom behind the kitchen that would be yours. My brother and I as well as my niece and my mother all sleep upstairs.”

“It wouldn’t be seen as inappropriate?” Hetty didn’t want to put herself in any situation that might make her seem less than a proper Christian woman.
Living in a home with two men?

“
I don’t see why it would
.
My mother wouldn’t allow anything inappropriate under her roof. And I’m sure my brother and I could sleep in the bunkhouse if necessary. Though I doubt Elias would appreciate being away from Lottie.” Had he just offered to vacate his home? What was happening? Inviting a woman to live in his home and then being willing to leave it just to make her comfortable? Isaac felt his control slipping and he immediately tried to rein it back.

“The choice is yours, Hetty. But if you are not sure please let me know now so that I may continue with my day and begin looking for someone to fill the position.”

Where had the firmness come from
? Hetty wondered.
Was asking about living arrangements the wrong thing to do? Have I irritated him in some way?
She felt like she was at a crossroads. She could turn down the position, begin searching for something else, and perhaps she could save up and afford a small home in the next few years. Or, she could take this position, do her work well, and enjoy the benefits of at least working for a family. “I’ll take it,” she whispered.

Relief washed over Isaac and he instantly felt grateful that his mother would have help. He could handle having Hetty in his home and on the ranch. He had to. Taking care of his mother was top priority and no woman, no matter how beautiful, would distract him from this fact.