A Heart Renewed (31 page)

Sometime later, Thomas woke.  He felt terrible.  His right arm was stiff and burning with pain.  He lifted his head slightly which sent a wave of dizziness over him.  Glancing down at his right arm, he was relieved to see it was still there and wrapped in bandages.  The dizziness was too much, so he laid his head back down.

Again Thomas woke, this time to voices.  When he tried to sit up, one voice called him Sergeant Anderson and instructed him to lay still.  He complied.  The same voice, while distant, was talking to him.  He focused in on the words.

“Sergeant, you took a pretty nasty hit to your arm, but we got the bullet out.  You need to rest.”

“But I have to get the message to Major General Smith.”

“You already delivered the message, Sergeant.  Thanks to you we cut the rebel’s line in half and they are retreating as we speak.  You did your job, now rest.”

Thomas took their word for it.  Closing his eyes, he succumbed.

Chapter 24

Colter Ranch

December 26, 1864

The sun barely tinged the sky light pink when Julia fastened her carpet bag closed.  Turning down the oil lamp, she left the small bedroom at the ranch house for the last time.  She was both nervous and excited about what the day held.  Entering the living area, she took a deep breath.  Both Hannah and Will were up, ready to wish her farewell.

Yesterday, Christmas Day, had been strained when Will tried to convince her to abandon the idea of moving.  But, she remained steadfast.  Hannah was back in good health.  The daily reminder of her past life continued to propel her forward to her new life in town.  There was too much pain to stay.

“I made some bread and packed some of Snake’s delicious jerky for you,” Hannah said, handing her a small bundle.  As soon as it was transferred to her hand, Hannah wrapped her in a hug.  “I will miss you, sister.  Please come back to visit on a day off soon.”

When Julia pulled back from the embrace, she saw the moisture in Hannah’s eyes as she choked back her own tears.  In the short time she lived on Colter Ranch, Hannah made her feel at home.  She was becoming a good friend.  Julia would miss her, too.  She would say as much, if it weren’t for the large lump clogging her throat.

Will cleared his throat.  “I wish you’d reconsider.”  At the shake of her head, he stopped short.  Instead, he leaned down to hug her.  She stiffened and reminded herself this was Will. 

When he stepped back, he said, “Well, when you miss riding, come back and we’ll go out for the day.”

Julia nodded as Adam knocked on the door.  She followed him out to the waiting wagon, handing him her small bag.  He helped her up to the seat then joined her.  She gave a final wave to Hannah and Will standing in the doorway, illuminated by the oil lamp burning on the table inside.

Swallowing back her tears, she willed herself not to cry.  She was a strong woman.  This was the best option for her to support herself.  She needed the independence.  The job at the Juniper House would provide that in a safe, respectable place.

They covered the distance to town quickly, albeit in silence.  Other than a brief greeting this morning, Adam said nothing.  She sensed he had something on his mind, yet he kept to himself.

Pulling the wagon up to the hotel, he set the brake.  Then he came around and assisted her down, his hand lingering on hers for just a moment.  She looked into his sad eyes wondering what would cause such concern.  He leaned over the side of the wagon to retrieve her lone bag.  When he handed it to her, he stopped and stared at her.

“Julia,” he said, taking her empty hand, standing very close.  “I…” He stopped abruptly, as if changing his mind.

She stood there for a moment, unable to move.  Her heart beat wildly, anticipating what he was going to say.  Suddenly, Adam reached up and tucked a stray strand of her hair under her bonnet, before trailing his fingers down the side of her face, leaving warmth behind.  She didn’t know which was more disconcerting, his action or her reaction.

Taking a step back, he offered his arm and she took it.  Just before opening the door of the hotel, he stopped and turned toward her again.

“I hope you find what you are looking for,” he said.  “Know that you will be missed greatly.”

She heard the unsaid message—that
he
would miss her.  Growing uncomfortable with his strange behavior, she tried to make the moment less serious.

“I’ll be right here in Prescott.  It’s not like I’m half the country away.  Come visit when you’re in town,” she said with a smile.

“I will do that.”

Still, he made no move to leave.  His gaze was intense.  Julia, cognizant of the time, reached for the door at the same time he did.  His fingers covered hers.  He let them linger for a moment.  She pulled her hand away, allowing him to open the door for her.

“Goodbye, Adam,” she said trying not to show how much his touch affected her.

“Goodbye, Julia,” he whispered.  The click of the door latching behind her added a finality to his words.

Squaring her shoulders and taking a deep breath, she turned and walked into the Juniper House, to her new life.  Mr. Hamilton was waiting at the front desk, as she expected.

“Miss Colter, welcome to the Juniper House.  I trust your trip was pleasant?”

“Yes, Mr. Hamilton, it was.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.  May I?” Mr. Hamilton asked gesturing towards her bag.  She handed it over and followed behind him as he led her down a narrow, nondescript corridor.

“This,” he said, “is the employee quarters.”  Stopping in front of the door at the end of the hall, he opened it.  “This is your private room.  Please take a few minutes to get settled.  Then join me at front desk for the grand tour.”

Mr. Hamilton stepped from the room closing the door behind him.  Julia looked around the small quarters.  There was a bed in the center of the room, a stand next to the bed, a small chest of drawers along one wall and a small table with a chair on the opposite wall.  The room was barely large enough for her to move around all of the furniture.

She stowed her clothing in the chest of drawers.  Placing her Bible on the night stand next to the oil lamp, she sat on the edge of the bed.  She supposed she would not be spending much time here.  Standing, she slid the empty carpet bag under the bed.  She noticed a few hooks along the wall behind the door, so she took off her bonnet and hung it there, along with her shawl.

She checked her appearance in the mirror hanging above the dresser.  She looked tired with dark half-moons resting under her eyes.  Standing straighter, she lifted her head slightly hoping to project more confidence than she felt.  Closing the door behind her, Julia made her way down the hall and back to the front desk.

Mr. Hamilton smiled as she approached.  He led her through the lobby, explaining the layout of the hotel.  “Down this wing is the restaurant and kitchen.  Most of our guests take their breakfast and dinner here.  While the chef tries to keep the menu consistent, it’s often dependent on supplies and whether or not fresh game is readily available.  We do have a steady supply of beef from a local rancher, your brother, I believe.”

Waving his hand towards the dining room, he continued, “If we are busy in the restaurant, you may be required to assist with taking orders or delivering food.”

Weaving through the empty tables, Mr. Hamilton led her back to the kitchen.  “This is the chef’s domain.”  Julia heard muttering coming from the back pantry area.  Mr. Hamilton seemed a bit nervous and turned her around the other way.  “You can meet Chef later.”

Walking back through the dining room to the front lobby, he led her down another wing.  “These are the guest rooms on the first floor.  We have additional guest rooms on the second floor, with the stairs at the end of the hall.”

Opening one of the rooms with the key he picked up from the front desk, he motioned for her to enter.  Once inside, he left the door open.  “All of the rooms are laid out similarly.  Each room has a window along the outside wall, then a dresser, bed, night stand, mirror, and wash stand.  At the end of each floor we have a washroom and other facilities are available outside.  Not quite the luxury of some hotels in, well, less primitive places, but we have the best accommodations available in the young capital.”

“Will I have to clean the rooms?”

“Goodness, no,” Mr. Hamilton replied.  “We have a young woman who cleans the rooms and handles all of the laundry.  You are not expected to help with any of those sorts of chores.”

He led her from the room and locked it.  Then he led her down the hall, pointing out the washroom he mentioned earlier.  Next, he took her upstairs to show her that the rooms were identical to the downstairs.  Once the tour was complete, he led her back to the lobby.

“Mr. Barnard is quite particular about greeting each and every guest by name.  When anyone enters the building, if you have not yet learned their names, introduce yourself and ask how you may help them.  If you encounter a situation you are unsure of, my office is across the hall from Mr. Barnard’s.  Just ask and I will be happy to assist you.”

Pointing to the ledger on the front desk, he continued, “This is the guest book and ledger.  We keep track of reservations and guests here.  If someone comes to rent a room and they have not reserved a room, just look here and choose a room that is empty.  There,” he said, opening a cabinet door under the desk, “is where all of the room keys are kept.  We have a second copy in Mr. Barnard’s office should the need arise.”

Mr. Hamilton paused, tapping his finger on his chin as if he was trying to recall something.  “Oh, yes.  You will work from eight until six or seven each day.  You will have a break in the early afternoon for dinner and then you may eat supper after the end of your shift.  Food is provided in the restaurant and you may have anything the chef is preparing for the day.  However, we expect that you will eat in the kitchen out of the sight of our guests.  You are expected to have eaten breakfast prior to arriving at the front desk in the morning.”

Julia hoped she would remember the long list of instructions.  It seemed daunting.  Her concern must have shown.

“Do not fret, Miss Colter.  Just be your charming self and you shall be fine.  I’ll be in my office if you need my assistance.”  He paused before taking his leave.  “Oh, I almost forgot, you will get one day off per week to do as you wish.  And, if any, um, uncouth individuals enter the premises, please seek my assistance immediately.”

At Julia’s nod, he turned and left.

She was still mentally reviewing the list of duties when a young gentleman entered the lobby from the guest wing.  Remembering what Mr. Hamilton said, she smiled.

“Good morning, sir.  How might I assist you this morning?”

“And who might you be?” he asked, grinning broadly, dark eyes sparkling in amusement.

“Miss Julia Colter.  And you, sir?”

“Mr. Maxwell Brighton.  A pleasure to meet you, Miss Colter,” he said.  Taking her hand, he placed a kiss on top.

She was taken aback by the gentlemanly gesture.  She had not expected social graces to apply to her position.  She might discuss what to expect with Mr. Hamilton later.

“How may I assist you?” She repeated not certain what she should do next.

“I have several gentlemen joining me this evening for a business discussion.  I wondered if you might be able to reserve a private table for four at six.”

“It would be my pleasure to see to the details, Mr. Brighton.  Are there any special requests?” she asked, improvising—wanting to make sure she covered everything.

“That will be all,” he said turning toward the door.

“I hope your day is pleasant, Mr. Brighton.”

“Ah, you have already made it so, Miss Colter.”

Julia blushed as the suave young man left.  She jotted a note down to ask Mr. Hamilton what she should do to see to the dinner reservations.

Several more men entered the lobby and stopped short upon seeing her.  She started to wonder if this was the best place for her.  If every man gave her such intense scrutiny, she was not certain she would like it.  Each of the gentlemen changed their course from the dining room to the front desk, smiling at her.

“Gentlemen, good morning.  Can I assist you with anything?”

One of the men jabbed his companion in the ribs.  “I think I have lost my heart,” he said.  “Might you help me find it?”

Her face heated.  “Hardly.  I am but a humble hotel clerk,” she said, drawing from her years of verbal sparring with two older brothers and a ranch full of cowboys.  “And most certainly not Cupid.”

He chuckled at her response.  She hoped he would leave it at that.

The man he jabbed earlier returned the favor.  “Hobbs, it looks as if the lady has put you in your place.  Perhaps you will weigh your words more carefully in the future?”

“Ah, indeed she has.” His gold eyes crinkled with silent laughter.  “Miss?”

“Miss Colter.  And you are?”

“Mr. Hobbs.  This is my associate, Mr. Franklin.  The other fellow over there is Mr. Hardy.”

“Pleased to meet you gentlemen,” Julia said, mentally rehearsing their names.  Mr. Hobbs had the gold eyes.  That would be how she would remember his name.  Mr. Franklin was a bit rotund and had a bit of a curl in his beard.  Mr. Hardy looked tired.  She was sure she would remember their names.