He cleared his throat. “But that’s not why I’m here. The fact is that circumstances have put me in a difficult situation.” His gaze wandered to the samplers on the wall. “I—that is, we—plan to move to a house. The children and I.”
“I see.” Though she didn’t. Why did this involve her, unless he was going to propose a marriage of convenience?
“Roland and I have managed the cooking and cleaning since, well...you know.”
She drew in a sharp breath and captured his attention. Heat flooded her face. Was he going to ask the impossible? Her mouth grew dry, and she wished for one swallow of that unpalatable tea.
He looked down at his cap again. “Yes, well, once my brother marries, he’ll be, uh, preoccupied. So I thought it best that the children and I move. I’ll ask for a house when I accept the position as chief shipwright for the schooner Mr. Stockton is having built.”
“Congratulations.”
He nodded. “It’s not all settled yet. I have to meet Mr. Stockton in a few minutes. So that’s why I, uh...”
Amanda waited.
His lips began to form words before backing off. He twirled the cap again and heaved a tortured sigh. “There’s no way around it. I—that is, we—will need a housekeeper.”
A housekeeper! No wonder Fiona had stormed out of the parlor.
Though disappointed, Amanda couldn’t afford to pick and choose. She needed an income. Garrett was offering a position, doubtless one that paid enough for her to afford a room. Moreover, keeping house meant she could take care of Sadie and Isaac. It wasn’t marriage, but it would keep her in Singapore.
“Do the children know they will be moving?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I didn’t want to tell them until everything is set. I need to speak to Mr. Stockton in—” he glanced at the clock “—in ten minutes. I’d be much obliged if you would consider the position. I will pay you, of course.”
God did answer prayer, though certainly not in the way Amanda had hoped. She needed a paying job, and Garrett was offering just that.
“I accept.”
“You do?”
Was that hope she saw in his eyes?
“We should go over the details. For instance, when would you expect me to work? I can’t live at the house, naturally.” Her cheeks must be as red as a summer sunset.
“Of course not.” His expression confirmed that had never been his intent. “I assume you’d stay here and, uh, keep house and whatnot during the day.”
“I help out at the school.”
“That’s right. I forgot.” He scrubbed his auburn locks. “On weekdays, you can clean after the school day ends, but I’ll need you every day to take care of my son and daughter. Make supper.”
Make supper? Amanda gulped. She had no idea how to cook. Maybe Mrs. Calloway or Pearl could give her lessons before she began. “When would you need me to start?”
“Monday, if all goes as planned.”
That gave her the weekend to learn how to cook. “So soon?”
His mouth ticked. “I want to move out early to give Pearl time to set up the upstairs lodging the way she prefers.”
“That’s very considerate.” That took away her idea of asking Pearl to teach her to cook. She’d have to ask Mrs. Calloway. “You will have the house ready by then?”
“We’ll move the furniture this weekend. I was hoping you could help with the cleaning.”
“Now?”
“Next week would be fine.” Finally, his gaze landed on her, filled with such gratitude that her heart nearly stopped. “Thank you. This is a big help.”
It wasn’t marriage or even courting, but it would give her more time with Sadie and Isaac. Perhaps time would change their father’s mind.
Amanda stood. “I love spending time with Sadie and Isaac.”
This time Garrett gazed right into her eyes.
Her breath caught. Did she see a flicker of affection or was it simply gratitude?
He backed away and nodded curtly. “Thank you, again, Miss Porter. I must be on my way to the hotel for my meeting.”
“I hope it goes as you anticipate.”
He shoved the cap on his head. “I’m sure it will.”
They walked to the front door, where she saw him out. This time the frosty morning air didn’t bother her. She would not have to say farewell to Isaac and Sadie, after all. She would see them each and every day. Who knew where this might lead? Perhaps straight to Garrett Decker’s heart.
Garrett paused on the porch to don his cap. “I see Mr. Elder’s at the mercantile. Probably heard that the mail came in.”
The mail!
Oh, no. Her letter begging a position with the Chatsworths was on its way to New York, and she could do nothing to stop it.
Garrett surveyed the Cherry Street house the following morning. It didn’t take long to see why Stockton had readily agreed to include use of the house as part of Garrett’s compensation for taking the lead building the new ship. His excitement over putting to use skills he’d honed years ago in a Chicago shipyard waned in light of all the work that needed to be done on the house.
“The roof leaks in at least four places.” He pointed each one out to his brother. “Right next to the kitchen stove and over the table. Look how warped the tabletop is.”
“If anyone can fix it, you can.”
“I wanted to move in today.”
Roland shrugged. “You don’t need to move for a couple weeks. Why not fix what needs fixing first? It’s a lot warmer today. We could tackle the roof.”
“You?” Garrett had a tough time imagining his brother picking up a hammer, much less using it. “You couldn’t fix a crooked picture.”
He moved into the first bedroom before his brother could reply. Naturally, Roland followed.
“Another leak, over the bed,” Garrett pointed out.
“We’ll get the men from the mill to lend a hand and have it fixed by the end of the day.”
Roland was right, but Garrett hated to admit that he’d made this deal without checking out the house first. Thankfully, Roland didn’t point out that error.
“What
