to our community. I am sure Randall Northam is happy at your safe arrival.” He reminded her of the businessmen she’d seen at church back in Boston. Like some of them, he possessed plain patrician features that became more attractive when he smiled. “Please forgive my forwardness. I am Nolan Means, and I have come to escort my sister home.”
It was Marybeth’s turn to lose her composure. This was the banker Rand had mentioned. Thank You, Lord! Before she blurted out her amazement, along with a plea for a situation in his bank, her schooling in deportment took control. “How do you do, Mr. Means? Please come in. Anna is a charming child, and I believe her lesson is almost complete.”
A sociable look lit his brown eyes as he entered the front hallway. “You have met her?” He chuckled. “How did she do today?”
Marybeth gave him a reserved smile. “I haven’t met her yet, only observed her. I do look forward to making her acquaintance.” How could she turn this conversation into a request to work at his bank? “She seems to be a delightful child who knows her own mind.”
He chuckled again. “That is my sister, all right. And you are gracious to say it that way. Her schoolteachers have never known quite what to do with her.”
The waltz ended with a poorly done arpeggio, and Mr. Means grimaced. “Am I wasting my money and Mrs. Foster’s time?” he whispered.
She shook her head and leaned toward him with a confidential air. “I resisted my lessons at first, but my mother’s persistence paid off in the end. Now I love to play. Give her a little more time.”
“Would you be so kind as to tell Anna that? Perhaps it would encourage her to continue.” He regarded Marybeth with a friendly gaze. “Are you a music teacher, too?”
She swallowed a giddy laugh. The Lord had surely arranged this opening. “Why, yes, but only as my second occupation. I recently completed secretarial training and hope to find employment.” His arched eyebrows foreshadowed the question she didn’t want to answer. “Rand and I haven’t set a wedding date, and I do want to keep busy.”
“Ah. I see.” His changing expression revealed myriad thoughts: surprise, speculation, perhaps even interest. Yet his brief intense look stirred no emotion within her as Rand’s had. In fact, she was relieved when his face took on a businesslike aspect. “Secretarial training, you say? Perhaps our meeting is fortuitous, Miss O’Brien. I have need of a new employee at my bank. Did you also study accounting?”
Somehow Marybeth managed to control her smile. “I did, sir.” She assumed the professional posture her teachers had taught her. “As well as typing.”
“Typing?” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This is indeed a fortuitous meeting. I have obtained one of those Remington Sholes and Glidden typewriters for sending out business correspondence, but I have not found anyone to hire who can manage a letter without errors. Perhaps you can help.”
She gave him a slight bow. “If you’re speaking of the improved 1878 model, I learned on that very machine.”
“Well, then, Miss O’Brien.” He reached out to shake her hand and she responded in kind. “If you will come to the bank at nine o’clock on Monday morning, we can discuss your employment. That is, if you are interested.”
“Nolly!” Anna dashed into the front hall and flung her arms around her brother’s waist. “Oh, do say I don’t have to take lessons anymore.” The sob that accompanied her plea sounded a bit artificial to Marybeth.
Wringing her hands, Mrs. Foster appeared behind her student. In that moment Marybeth realized the dear lady needed the income from these lessons. Losing a student might create a serious problem for her. All the more reason for her to secure the job at the bank so she could pay for her room and board. She could not remain this dear lady’s guest forever.
“Now, now, Anna.” To his credit, Mr. Means seemed not to notice Mrs. Foster’s anxiety. Nor did he appear embarrassed by his sister’s behavior. “We will talk about it later.” He questioned Marybeth with one arched eyebrow. “As well as what you and I discussed, Miss O’Brien?”
She returned a nod, assuming he meant both Anna’s lessons and the situation at the bank. Even if he decided she wouldn’t do for the job, she would be glad to encourage the child to continue. That would be a small repayment to Mrs. Foster for her hospitality.
They took their leave and Marybeth turned to her hostess. “May I help you prepare supper?” She must keep busy until Monday to make the time pass quickly.
Mrs. Foster appeared to have recovered from her alarm, for she gave Marybeth a bemused look. “Nolan seems quite taken with you.”
Marybeth coughed out a nervous laugh. She’d thought her demeanor was entirely proper. “Oh, I certainly hope not.”
Mrs. Foster seemed satisfied with her answer. “Very well. Shall we get busy with supper? I thought chicken and dumplings would be nice.” She beckoned to Marybeth then proceeded down the center hallway.
“That sounds wonderful.” Grinning to herself, Marybeth complied. She couldn’t wait to tell Rand about having the same supper dish Miss Pam had served them for dinner. The cooking rivalry between these two ladies clearly amused him, but following his example, she would praise her hostess’s dish as nothing short of perfection.
Why had she so quickly thought of sharing such a thing with Rand? Perhaps because he’d been in her thoughts since last January and she’d often practiced what she would talk about with him. Even though she’d been uncertain about the marriage, she’d looked forward to making his acquaintance, perhaps even gaining his friendship. Now that she knew his true character, those goals seemed less appealing. What would he say when she told him she had found a job? What would he do?
* * *
Guilt and nervousness vied for control of Rand’s thoughts as he drove toward town. Nate and Tolley had insisted they would take care of today’s chores, but he still felt responsible for doing his share. It was all Susanna’s fault. She and Nate were staying in the big house while his parents and sister were back East, and his sweet little sister-in-law had wheedled the truth out of him about Marybeth’s reticence to marry right away. She’d insisted he must get busy courting.
“If Lizzy were feeling better, I’d say bring Marybeth out here today,” she’d told him over breakfast. Rand’s two-year-old niece had come down with a cold and had clung to her mother while she ate. “First thing next week, you have to do that.” She’d encouraged her fussy baby to take a bite of toast, but Lizzy had refused. “How about a picnic? Today isn’t too soon. Nate and I went on a picnic my second day here. His courage in facing down those Indians made him a hero in my eyes and went a long way toward winning my heart.”
Nate had beamed at his bride’s praise as he’d nudged Rand’s arm. “Go ahead, brother. Rita can pack a basket while you get old Sam hitched up to the buggy. You can drive into town and surprise Marybeth. Ladies like to be surprised, don’t they, sweetheart?”
Susanna had batted her eyelashes at Nate as if they were still courting. Rand admitted to himself that he’d like to have Marybeth look at him that way. Seated across the table, Tolley had just groaned.
“Sí, Senor Rand.” Rita, the family cook, had a little courting going on herself with one of the cowhands. “I’ll have everything ready in fifteen minutes.”
“Well,”
