Read Online A New Beginning by Amelia C. Adams - Free Book Online

window to see what she was talking about. Miss Hampton had cornered Mr. Brody just inside the front gate and was gesturing up toward the hotel, most likely telling him of the new sleeping arrangements. Elizabeth’s heart raced when she saw him. He wore a suitcoat that morning, most likely to look nice for his meeting with the station manager, and she had always liked a man in a suitcoat. But really, she shouldn’t be thinking this way. She should stop it immediately. Why wasn’t she listening to herself?
    “I wonder what they’re talking about,” Harriet mused.
    “I might know,” Elizabeth said, turning away from the window. She wasn’t sure how to tell Harriet this, but decided it might be best coming from her than someone else. “You and Miss Hampton are going to move into your new quarters at the hotel tonight, along with Abigail and Jeanette. Won’t it be nice to get settled in?”
    Harriet fixed her with a look. “Your voice is a little too bright, Elizabeth. What are you hiding?”
    “I’m not hiding anything,” Elizabeth said, not meeting the other girl’s eye. She glanced over at Abigail and Jeanette, who were watching curiously. She supposed they must be wondering what on earth was going on. “Tom will stay in Mr. Brody’s room and keep an eye on things until Mr. Brody can move in.” She spoke very quickly, hoping Harriet wouldn’t actually hear what she’d said.
    But Harriet’s cheeks turned as red as her hair, and she inhaled sharply. “I don’t think he’s the proper protection for us,” she said, her words measured. She glanced over at the Peterson sisters and then lowered her voice as she leaned toward Elizabeth. “He grabbed me by the water pump, if you’ll recall.”
    “I do recall, and I can’t help but wonder what the water pump has to do with it. If he’d grabbed you anywhere else, would you still be this upset?” Elizabeth whispered back.
    Harriet’s lips twitched into a smile. “Silly girl, the pump is not at fault here. It’s entirely Mr. White’s responsibility, and I think he should be kept as far away from the main building as possible. Yes, he apologized, and I do remember that, but the fact is, he’s a little too eager with his arms and his lips, and I don’t think we need that type of person around in the night.”
    Elizabeth heard steps on the porch, and then Mr. Brody and Miss Hampton entered.
    “Oh, good. Lunch is here. Let’s take a break and eat,” Miss Hampton said.
    Mr. Brody’s eyes flicked around the room until they settled on Elizabeth. She could have been imagining it, but it seemed that his gaze became warmer when he looked at her. “How is your mother today, Miss Caldwell?”
    “She’s doing well, thank you, sir.”
    “Please give her my best.” Too soon, he looked away, and spoke to the Peterson sisters.
    “Well now, that’s an interesting development,” Harriet whispered in Elizabeth’s ear.
    “Hmm? What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked, her cheeks flaming.
    “You know perfectly well what I mean. But before we discuss it, I need to find the right opportunity to speak with Miss Hampton about a certain handyman.”
    Harriet got her chance as they cleaned up lunch. “Miss Hampton, might I have a word?”
    “Of course.” She stepped off to the side with Harriet, who motioned frantically for Elizabeth to join them. Elizabeth hoped Miss Hampton wouldn’t mention that this whole thing had been her idea—that would make things even more awkward.
    Miss Hampton listened to Harriet’s concerns without saying anything. She simply waited until the girl had run out of steam and then said, “Did you notice the location of my bedroom, Miss Martin?”
    “I did. It’s at the base of the stairs.”
    “It might also interest you to know that I sleep with a Colt in my nightstand drawer, and I’m a crack shot. Anyone desiring to get to you would have to go through me, and I guarantee you, I’d make it very difficult for them.”
    Harriet’s