Wanted: Innkeeper: Silverpines Series (Book 6) Read online

  Love to all,

  Daniel and Cassandra

  Michael dropped the letter on the desk and did his best to bite back the anger that was building in his chest. Daniel had promised to come home after school and take over the hotel for his father and allow Michael to go on with his dreams of heading West to seek his own future. Now, it seems that his brother and his father will both want him to remain behind the desk of the hotel for the rest of his life. He turned to throw the pen he was holding but saw the local newspaper. Perhaps reading was a better idea than scattering ink across the pristine lobby. He picked it up, and a separate sheet of news fell out onto the floor. Michael went over and picked up a copy of the Grooms Gazette. He laughed out loud when he read a few of the ads placed by men seeking brides to head West and start families on their farms or ranches. He knew several women in his town had been mail-order brides, but that was nearly twenty years ago. Did they still do that sort of thing?

  One ad caught his eye. It read, “Innkeeper Husband Wanted” but that seemed a little odd in a newspaper full of men seeking brides. He decided he’d go ahead and read it since it might offer him another smile which he desperately needed after reading his brother’s letter. A young woman in Oregon was not only seeking a husband but someone who could help her run the Inn in her hometown and possibly purchase the Inn. The town had recently been devastated by two earthquakes and a landslide. Most of the men in town were killed as was her employer. Michael vaguely remembered reading about a small town in Oregon that suffered a similar tragedy. Could it be the same town? The ad stated that the young lady also was looking to marry the Innkeeper and continue helping to run the Inn. Interested parties should send a response to Box 423 in care of the Gazette. It seemed like just the thing Michael was looking for, and he decided he was going to answer the letter immediately. He could leave for Oregon as soon as possible. Whether or not he married the young woman was still in doubt, but he knew he could run an Inn, and he also knew he had enough in savings that he could buy it.

  He wrote a quick answer to the ad and stepped across the street to mail it at the post office before returning to explain to his father what he planned on doing. He knew his parents wouldn’t be happy, but Michael needed to follow his dreams just as Daniel, and their older sister had when they followed theirs.

  Less than two weeks later, Michael noticed a letter addressed to him in the mail sent to the hotel. The beautiful script on the front of the letter could only have been written by a woman. Turning the letter over, he saw the return address was the Silverpines Inn, Silverpines, Oregon. Yes, he thought, that sounded like the name he remembered from the newspaper article. He quickly tore open the envelope and read:

  Dear Mr. Karson,

  Thank you for responding to my ad in the Grooms Gazette. My name is Ella Grace Mulvaney. I am twenty-two years old and currently run the Silverpines Inn. Our town recently suffered a double tragedy. Two earthquakes a day apart caused the collapse of the silver mine and a landslide at the lumber operation outside town. My employer, Mr. Bastion, died during the rescue effort. His last words to me before he left was to take care of the Inn. I have done so faithfully each day.

  Mr. Bastion’s son inherited the Inn but has no desire to run it. I am looking for a husband that will also help me keep my promise to Mr. Bastion and keep the Inn running the way he preferred. If I can accomplish that, his son will not sell the Inn to investors back East who do not share the vision Mr. Bastion had for the Inn and the town.

  I should tell you a bit about myself. I am an orphan and live in town with my guardians and seven orphan sisters. I have auburn hair and brown eyes. I am a God-fearing woman and sincerely hope you are also a God-fearing man as I could not imagine life with anyone who was not. Not only am I capable of running the Inn since I have done so as Mr. Bastion’s assistant for over two years, but I am also competent in all household duties. I do not wish to brag, but time is of the essence, and I do not wish to take additional time sending letters back and forth with bits of information in each.

  If you find that I would meet your idea of a wife and work partner, please respond and travel to Silverpines as soon as is convenient.

  Sincerely,

  Ella Grace Mulvaney

  Michael liked the young woman’s direct nature and smiled when he read her postscript.

  As I mentioned, Dexter Bastion has no desire to run the Inn, and I worry he will soon sell it to the first bidder even though he has promised me three months before he sells. I prefer to find someone who would love to run the Inn the way it was meant to be run in a small but growing Oregon town. The best of all possible outcomes would be if you would also purchase the Inn. If you do not see yourself in that position, please advise me immediately so that I may look elsewhere.

  Miss Mulvaney certainly left no room for doubt about what she expected. It was time to tell his father that he was leaving on the next train. The last time they spoke, his father just smiled and slapped him on the back saying, “The hotel business is in your blood. What else would you do?” His father was right, it was in his blood, but he could live that life in Oregon. He’d head out West the way he dreamed.

  Michael asked his assistant to take over his duties for an hour or so while he ran a few errands. First, he needed to find out when he could get a train to Silverpines and when he would expect to arrive. Second, he would send a telegram to Miss Mulvaney at the Silverpines Inn and tell her of his arrival plans. Third and most difficult, he would walk to his parent’s home and tell them of his decision. He was prepared for his father’s wrath and his mother’s tears. In all his twenty-six years, he’d never stood up to his father. His father wasn’t a cruel man, but he did expect his wishes to be respected. Today, Michael’s plans would finally come first.

  Chapter Ten

  Two days later, Michael sat on a Westbound train watching the trees fly past. The conductor informed him they were an hour out of Silverpines. His mind wandered back to his conversation with his parents. His mother cried, and his father stood stoically staring out the window.

  Assuring his mother that she could visit him and promising to return often did nothing to assuage her tears. When she asked him why he had to leave and marry someone so far away that she’d never see her grandchildren, he didn’t have the heart to tell her he wasn’t sure if he wanted to marry Ella Grace Mulvaney. He saw this as an excellent opportunity to head West and still use his knowledge of running a hotel. His father mumbled that Michael was deserting his family and Michael tried to convince his father that his assistant at the hotel could easily step into his position and his father could always hire another manager.

  He had left his parent’s house carrying a large load on his shoulders and nearly returned to tell them he’d stay, but he couldn’t. He wanted to live his dream. The morning he left, his parents were waiting on the platform to bid him farewell. His mother had stopped crying, but her eyes were still red. His father shook his hand and told him if things didn’t work out he could return. That was the closest he was going to receive in best wishes, and his parents left before the train pulled out of the station. The train’s whistle brought him out of his musings, and he knew his future was only a few minutes away.

  Michael’s excitement gave way to guilt. Miss Mulvaney posted her ad in good faith, and he answered her with the idea of purchasing the Inn but not necessarily marrying her. Could he do that? She believed he was coming to be her husband and save the Inn. His parents believed he was going to marry her. His plan seemed to be perfect until that very minute. How could he look at the young woman and lie to her face? No, it would be better to meet her and then tell her that the arrangement wouldn’t work, and he would move on. Perhaps to California. There would be more opportunity in California.

  The train’s brakes screeched, and Michael felt the train lurch and begin to slow. The platform came into view, and Michael saw a young woman in a green skirt and white blouse standing with two older women dressed in black both carryin
g black parasols. The young woman wore some sort of floppy black hat, but the face showing below the hat made his heart skip a beat. Could that be Miss Mulvaney? She mentioned guardians. If it were, he would have to rethink leaving Silverpines. One look at that beautiful face and she owned a piece of his heart. Was that possible? Wasn’t love at first sight some sort of fairy tale shared by silly girls? He’d find out in a moment or two.

  Michael wanted to rush out and meet the beautiful young woman but paid attention to the manners his mother taught him and allowed two women to exit the train first. There were also a few men waiting to exit the car most likely meeting brides. The man in front of him spoke to him, but Michael was too caught up in the vision he saw waiting that he stared at the man but barely mumbled a response. It gave him time to adjust his shirt and pull down the jacket of his new gray suit. As ready as he was going to be, Michael ambled toward the beautiful woman he had seen from the train. “Are you Miss Mulvaney?”

  “Yes, I am, Mr. Karson,” Ella Grace responded offering her hand. “And these are my guardians Miss Edie and Miss Ethel Howard.”

  Michael glanced past Ella Grace and saw two nearly identical faces except for their expressions. Miss Edie, who he had yet to meet, wore a smile that rivaled the sun while Miss Ethel, still a stranger to Michael, glared at him as if she’d just seen his face on a wanted poster.

  “Pleased to meet you both,” Michael stammered.

  Miss Edie shook his hand for nearly a half-minute while she gushed how pleased she was to meet Ella Grace’s future husband. Miss Ethel gave Michael’s hand a quick shake and said, “Mr. Karson,” before pulling her hand away.

  Michael was trying to find a way to respond to the ladies when Ella Grace said, “You must be tired. The Inn isn’t far, and Mrs. Donlinson has a hot meal waiting for you. She’s our cook, and her husband is the handyman. They both do an excellent job.”

  “Just let me get my luggage, and I’ll follow you.”

  “Tell the station master that the Inn will gather your things shortly. There’s no need to lug it all. It’s part of what we do,” she said smiling, and Michael forgot how to speak. He just nodded and walked toward the ticket office. Two minutes later he joined her again deciding that Silverpines was the ideal place to live and marrying Ella Grace Mulvaney was an added bonus.

  Michael offered his arm, and Ella Grace accepted and smiled as Miss Ethel continued to scowl and Miss Edie was nearly delirious with glee. Ella Grace and Michael strolled down 3rd Street, turned onto Main Street, and stopped at the doors of the Inn.

  “Here we are,” Ella Grace said not sure what else to say. Michael nodded and held the door open for her and the Howard sisters to enter. Miss Edie waved her fingers at him, and Miss Ethel squinted her eyes without a hint of a smile. If not for Ella Grace’s beauty, Michael might have run back to the train. He needed to get to know her better regardless of the apparent displeasure of one of her guardians.

  Ella Grace stopped at the front desk and told Mr. Donlinson that he could get back to whatever he was doing when she asked him to fill in for her. She introduced him to Michael and the two men shook hands. Mrs. Donlinson was peeking out of the kitchen door, and Ella Grace waved her over. Her broad smile made Michael feel welcome, but he didn’t know she was looking at him as a potential groom for Ella Grace and not her future boss.

  “She seems to be a pleasant woman,” Michael commented.

  “She is, and she makes the best desserts. You’ll enjoy your meals here. I can offer you a standard room on the second floor or one of the larger rooms on the third floor. Until you decide you wish to purchase the Inn, I can’t allow you access to Mr. Bastion’s suite. I hope you understand,” Ella Grace explained.

  “Of course, and a room on the second floor will suit me just fine. Also, I’m not sure what you planned for the arrangements, but until we talk and decide if we suit and want to make a permanent understanding, I insist on paying for the room.”

  Ella Grace smiled, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Everyone in town knows you responded to my ad, but I still prefer to keep this a business arrangement. My reputation is important to me, and Miss Ethel will ensure you act in a gentlemanly manner.”

  Michael laughed, “I understand. If my mother were here, she’d act the same way. Are you sure Miss Ethel won’t bite me? She keeps glaring.”

  “It’s just her way. You’ll be all right, I hope.”

  Michael shook his head, and Miss Edie spoke to him, “Michael dear, we’d like you to have dinner with us tonight. Ella Grace will show you where we live.”

  “Thank you, I would enjoy that.”

  “Just don’t be late,” Miss Ethel answered. “If you aren’t there on time, I will not guarantee that you will find a seat at our table. Come along, Sister.” She spun on her heel and walked out of the hotel.

  Once outside the hotel, Edie stopped her sister. “Ethel, what’s gotten into you. You were absolutely rude to that young man, and we don’t even know him yet.”

  “That’s the point. Ella Grace made a dangerous decision. We don’t know that young man at all. He could be a criminal looking for a place to hide. After everything that’s gone on in Silverpines, none of us can be too careful. Before I allow Ella Grace to marry him, I plan to learn all I can about him. I may even ask Marshal Sewell to investigate his background for us. She’s our first girl to want to marry. With Edward gone, we need to be more vigilant.”

  “I never thought of that,” Edie admitted as they began walking down the boardwalk toward Adams Street. “We will do everything we can to be sure Ella Grace is safe. I think we should start at dinner tonight. We can ask him questions, and when the marshal inquires about him, we can make sure the answers are true.”

  Ethel smiled at her sister, “You are beginning to think the way I do, and that’s a good thing. You are too soft-hearted, but that will also help us. You stay your sweet self and win Mr. Karson over. Between us, we may be able to discover if he is who he says he is.”

  Miss Edie nodded happily knowing that she might be useful in her sister’s plan.

  Chapter Eleven

  Michael watched the guardians leave wondering once again how he would win them over since the more time he spent just looking at Ella Grace, he knew she was special. He did his best to smile at her and asked, “Which room do you want me to take?”

  “We have two available on the second floor. One is just at the top of the stairs where you will most likely hear any commotion that may occur on the main floor or one in the back which is much quieter.”

  “I’d prefer to know what’s going on. I’ll just take the first room.”

  Ella Grace handed him the key, “It’s just at the top of the stairs. If you want to rest for a bit, I’ll have your luggage brought up as soon as it arrives.”

  “I think I’ll just drop off this bag and return to get to know the Inn. I have a feeling your guardians will take me to task if I don’t pull my weight from this moment on,” Michael shrugged and headed for the stairs.

  “They really are dear ladies. They are just cautious and worried about me.”

  Michael stopped and looked into her eyes, “I can understand that. I just met you, and I already want to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

  Ella Grace’s heart beat rapidly in her chest as she watched Michael walk up the stairs. He already worried about her. Did he maybe care for her a little? She prayed he did because she felt lost every time she looked into his deep brown eyes. She didn’t have time to slow her heart down before Michael hurried back down the stairs and walked up next to her.

  “The room is more than acceptable. I’m impressed by my first observations. Do you want to give me a tour or should I just wander around?”

  Ella Grace bit her lip. “I think Mr. Donlinson will give you a tour. He knows as much about the Inn as I do and can answer all your questions. For propriety sake, I shouldn’t be the one showing you our newly decorated rooms.”

  Michael winked. “I unde
rstand. We wouldn’t want people to get the wrong idea.”

  Ella Grace blushed and stammered, “Umm, yes, wait here. I’ll find Mr. Donlinson.”

  She spun on her heel and nearly tripped. Michael grabbed her by the elbow and said, “Be careful.”

  “Sorry,” Ella Grace mumbled. “I can be a bit clumsy at times.”

  Michael watched her hurry down the hall. She could be clumsy all the time if it meant she would fall into his arms. He looked around the lobby of the Inn. It was as fine as any he’d seen in the larger cities near home. If the rest of the Inn was as well built and furnished as the lobby and his room upstairs, it would make an ideal investment. He’d stop by the bank tomorrow and inquire about the asking price. He doubted it would be outrageous seeing as how the town was nearly destroyed. With his grandfather’s inheritance, he didn’t worry about the cost. If the Inn made a profit and Ella Grace married him, he would be quite content.

  Ella Grace returned a few minutes later with Mr. Donlinson. After the introductions, the men went off to inspect the Inn, and Ella Grace breathed a sigh of relief. Every time she was near Michael, she seemed to lose the ability to think straight.

  “He is an attractive man,” Clara said making Ella Grace jump. “Sorry, I thought you saw me.”

  “That’s all right, I was woolgathering.”

  “I would, too if I was going to be able to marry a man that looks likes Mr. Karson. Tall, dark hair, deep brown eyes, and a smile that melts your heart…what more could a woman want in a man?” Clara sighed.