Read Online The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Judith Miller
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animals?”
“Zeke, do we still have those horses Mr. Woodfield used down at the brickyard?”
Zeke jerked and hit his head on the window frame. “Sure do.” He rubbed his head. “Them are some mighty fine horses, Mr. McKay. Percherons. That’s the only kind Mr. Woodfield ever used in the yard. He said that breed was hard workers. And they is. Charlie’s good-natured all the time. Jack can sometimes be stubborn, but once you convince him who’s boss, he’ll give you a better day’s work than any other horse you harness up to turn a pug mill.”
“I was wondering if the horses were included in the sale, Mrs. Woodfield. I did not read the contract.”
“Truly?” She arched her brows. “In the future, you may find it isn’t wise to settle upon a contract without full knowledge, Mr. McKay.”
“Aye, that’s wise counsel, Mrs. Woodfield, but since my uncle was the one signing the agreement and paying the money, he did not believe there was any need for me to read the contents.”
“But I thought you and your uncle were partners. Did I misunderstand?”
“We will become partners once I’ve earned my share in the company. My uncle expects me to oversee operations at the brickyard.”
“I see.” Her lips curved in a gentle smile. “I think it would be better for you to be the one acquiring contracts for the company, Mr. McKay. Unfortunately, your uncle’s demeanor doesn’t create a sense of trust. My husband always said that trust and dependability were the greatest assets a company could offer its customers. Perhaps your uncle should oversee daily operations, and you should travel to Wheeling and Pittsburgh to meet with building contractors.” She tucked a wisp of her graying hair beneath her shirred russet bonnet. “Think about what I’ve said.”
Ewan nodded. “Aye, that I will, but I do not think my uncle will be so quick to listen.”
“Does he understand the operation of a brickyard, Mr. McKay?” Mrs. Woodfield asked, arching her brows.
“He does, but he’s not keen on the idea of hard work now that he’s got a bit of money in his pockets.”
“Then maybe a visit with me will help. I think I may be able to convince him that my suggestions will benefit him.”
Ewan didn’t want to argue with the woman, but she’d not soon convince Hugh Crothers of any such thing. Uncle Hugh might take a stroll through the yard from time to time, but his plans didn’t include overseeing the digging of clay or the moldingof bricks. That’s the reason he’d brought Ewan along. But if they failed to win contracts because of his uncle’s abrasive behavior, there would be no need to burn bricks.
Mrs. Woodfield continued the tour, leading him from the dining room into a small library and an informal parlor. “Tell your uncle he should pay me a call.” She hesitated for a moment. “Add that I have some helpful information to share with him.” She gestured toward the hallway. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“I am still wondering about those horses, Mrs. Woodfield.”
She chuckled. “Yes, of course.” She strode toward the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. “Zeke, do we have a need for those two workhorses any longer?”
Zeke’s work boots clomped on the floor as he crossed the room. Ewan bent forward, eager to hear the response.
“I don’t reckon we do, Mrs. Woodfield. They’s been doing nothing but grazing and getting lazy since the brickyard shut down. Might take a bit of urging to get ’em back in working form. I told you last winter you should sell the both of ’em.”
“I’m sure you did, but since we still have them, they’ll be of use to Mr. Crothers and Mr. McKay.” She turned and met Ewan’s gaze. “When you tell your uncle I have some information for him, tell him I also have two good Percherons that are trained for the pug mill.”
Ewan nodded. Mrs. Woodfield’s behavior surprised him. She seemed to possess more familiarity with business affairs than he’d first
“Zeke, do we still have those horses Mr. Woodfield used down at the brickyard?”
Zeke jerked and hit his head on the window frame. “Sure do.” He rubbed his head. “Them are some mighty fine horses, Mr. McKay. Percherons. That’s the only kind Mr. Woodfield ever used in the yard. He said that breed was hard workers. And they is. Charlie’s good-natured all the time. Jack can sometimes be stubborn, but once you convince him who’s boss, he’ll give you a better day’s work than any other horse you harness up to turn a pug mill.”
“I was wondering if the horses were included in the sale, Mrs. Woodfield. I did not read the contract.”
“Truly?” She arched her brows. “In the future, you may find it isn’t wise to settle upon a contract without full knowledge, Mr. McKay.”
“Aye, that’s wise counsel, Mrs. Woodfield, but since my uncle was the one signing the agreement and paying the money, he did not believe there was any need for me to read the contents.”
“But I thought you and your uncle were partners. Did I misunderstand?”
“We will become partners once I’ve earned my share in the company. My uncle expects me to oversee operations at the brickyard.”
“I see.” Her lips curved in a gentle smile. “I think it would be better for you to be the one acquiring contracts for the company, Mr. McKay. Unfortunately, your uncle’s demeanor doesn’t create a sense of trust. My husband always said that trust and dependability were the greatest assets a company could offer its customers. Perhaps your uncle should oversee daily operations, and you should travel to Wheeling and Pittsburgh to meet with building contractors.” She tucked a wisp of her graying hair beneath her shirred russet bonnet. “Think about what I’ve said.”
Ewan nodded. “Aye, that I will, but I do not think my uncle will be so quick to listen.”
“Does he understand the operation of a brickyard, Mr. McKay?” Mrs. Woodfield asked, arching her brows.
“He does, but he’s not keen on the idea of hard work now that he’s got a bit of money in his pockets.”
“Then maybe a visit with me will help. I think I may be able to convince him that my suggestions will benefit him.”
Ewan didn’t want to argue with the woman, but she’d not soon convince Hugh Crothers of any such thing. Uncle Hugh might take a stroll through the yard from time to time, but his plans didn’t include overseeing the digging of clay or the moldingof bricks. That’s the reason he’d brought Ewan along. But if they failed to win contracts because of his uncle’s abrasive behavior, there would be no need to burn bricks.
Mrs. Woodfield continued the tour, leading him from the dining room into a small library and an informal parlor. “Tell your uncle he should pay me a call.” She hesitated for a moment. “Add that I have some helpful information to share with him.” She gestured toward the hallway. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“I am still wondering about those horses, Mrs. Woodfield.”
She chuckled. “Yes, of course.” She strode toward the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. “Zeke, do we have a need for those two workhorses any longer?”
Zeke’s work boots clomped on the floor as he crossed the room. Ewan bent forward, eager to hear the response.
“I don’t reckon we do, Mrs. Woodfield. They’s been doing nothing but grazing and getting lazy since the brickyard shut down. Might take a bit of urging to get ’em back in working form. I told you last winter you should sell the both of ’em.”
“I’m sure you did, but since we still have them, they’ll be of use to Mr. Crothers and Mr. McKay.” She turned and met Ewan’s gaze. “When you tell your uncle I have some information for him, tell him I also have two good Percherons that are trained for the pug mill.”
Ewan nodded. Mrs. Woodfield’s behavior surprised him. She seemed to possess more familiarity with business affairs than he’d first
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