Read Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) Online

Authors: Lena Dooley Nelson

Tags: #Romance, #Christian, #Fiction

Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters) (8 page)

Chapter 7

Arriving at the top of the stairs on the Caine side of the offices on the morning after the party, Charles knocked on the door.

“Come in, come in.” Joshua’s booming voice carried easily through the barrier. More and more over the last few days, Charles realized the advantages of his partnership with Joshua Caine. The man was brilliant, and his ideas dovetailed with the things Charles wanted to accomplish. His partner’s drafting ability transferred to paper just what Charles had envisioned. In addition, Joshua knew skilled craftsmen who could accomplish the remodeling project with the quality they both desired.

Charles opened the door and found his partner’s smiling eyes trained on the opening. “Have a seat, young man.” Joshua rose and followed him to two leather chairs near the windows.

“I enjoyed the party last night, sir. I’m a bit surprised to find you here so early after all the festivities.”

Joshua laughed. “My wife and daughter did all the work. I only had to show up—and pay for it.” He paused, then leaned forward. “Have you had a chance to look over the blueprints and construction quotes I had prepared?”

“Yes, sir. From what I’ve seen, it looks as if we’re ready to start construction.” Trying to appear nonchalant, Charles crossed his legs and settled back.

Joshua thumped the chair arm, excitement gleaming in his eyes. “I think we should open up the two offices first before we start the work downstairs. That way, we won’t have to go outside when we need to talk to each another.”

Charles nodded. The man didn’t miss a single detail. “You’re right.”

Joshua whooshed out a breath. “Now I want to talk to you about something else. Something on a more personal note.” Joshua paused and stared out toward Puget Sound. “I’ll just come right out and tell you. My daughter wants to go to Arkansas to visit her grandmother.”

That was no surprise to Charles, but what did it have to do with him?

“Her aunt Georgia has agreed to accompany her.”

Disappointment settled on Charles. He’d been hoping he could find a way to get to know Georgia better. If she left in the near future, his pursuit could flounder.

Joshua rose and stood by the window, staring at nothing in particular. Then he turned his attention toward Charles and clasped his hands behind his back before rocking up on his toes and back down again. This must be important. Charles had seen him do this whenever he was thinking through a problem.

“I don’t feel right sending two women halfway across the continent without a protector, especially young, attractive women. Too many bad things could happen to them.”

Does this mean we can’t start construction until he gets back?
The disappointment intensified. Once he’d seen the blueprints, he was eager to launch the project.

“I have a very special request for you.” Joshua dropped back into the chair. “My wife is reluctant to undertake such a journey, and of course, I would rather not leave either her or the business behind. So, Charles, I wondered if you would agree to accompany them. My daughter is the most important person in my life besides my wife, and I wouldn’t entrust her care to just anyone. I know you are dependable.”

The way he stared at Charles seemed to call for an answer. “Thank you. But what about the construction project? A journey like that would take quite awhile.”

“Yes, it will. Even with the speed of train travel, you’d have to be gone over four weeks, maybe five.” Joshua’s gaze pierced Charles. “When I was a young man, before I married and settled down, I went from Arkansas to the East Coast. I visited many of the places I’d only read about. What an adventure! Every young man needs the opportunity to travel and broaden his horizons. I’m offering you that, at my expense, of course.”

The idea opened all kinds of possibilities in Charles’s mind. “And the remodeling?”

“We both agreed we’ve hired the best men for the job, but it doesn’t take two of us here to oversee the project. Besides, there will be a lot of mess until they’re finished, so you might be glad to escape the chaos. If I have to contact you for any reason, there’s always the telegraph.”

“That’s a lot to think about.” Charles stood and thrust both hands into his front pockets.

“I’m going downstairs to unpack a shipment of men’s suits due to arrive this morning. Give you privacy for your pondering.” Joshua headed toward the door and pulled it open.

Charles cocked his head to the right. “Just how soon would this journey take place?”

With one hand still on the doorknob, Joshua turned back. “As soon as it can be arranged and the women can get packed. We’d like to fit in the journey before winter arrives.”

When the door shut behind his partner, Charles dropped back into the chair. He hadn’t ever considered taking a long trip before, but it did sound exciting. The short train rides he’d been on wouldn’t compare to one of this magnitude. And he’d be with two women. He’d enjoy being around his childhood friend, but just thinking about spending such a long time in the company of a woman as alluring as Georgia Long awakened a multitude of ideas.

Charles welcomed the opportunity to explore a possible relationship with her. What better way than with a chaperone like Maggie along? And he felt sure she would understand when he gave her aunt more attention. He paced across the office to expend the excitement that continued to build in him. He couldn’t wait for Joshua to come back to the office, so he started toward the stairs to the back room of the store below.

Joshua glanced up when he entered the room. He stood beside a large wooden crate with a crowbar. He smiled. “Have you made your decision already?” Surprise tinged his tone.

“I’d be delighted to accompany the women on their journey.” Charles hoped he didn’t sound as excited as he felt.

With a squeak of iron against wood, the edge of the lid lifted, and Joshua finished pulling it off before turning toward him and clapping him on the shoulder. “You’ve relieved my mind. Why don’t you come to dinner this evening? We can discuss all the details with the women.”

“I’d like that.”

Charles headed out the door and up the stairs to his own office, thoughts of the journey raising his anticipation. He couldn’t get Georgia out of his mind. The dance with her replayed in his thoughts. Every nuance. Each graceful movement. Their conversation. He looked forward to more time with this fascinating and sophisticated woman.

And maybe he could spend a little more time with Maggie. She seemed comfortable around him—relaxed. He wanted to see her and try to find out what was wrong. Perhaps he could help her in some way as he used to when they were younger. He hoped so.

•••

Eighteen.
I’m an adult now.
Maggie knew this was supposed to be true, but she didn’t feel one iota different from what she felt yesterday . . . and the day before that.

She wasn’t ready to face Mother again after the fiasco when the guests were all gone last night. At least she had a good reason to stay in her own bedchamber.
My sanctuary
. Although she awoke early, she pretended to be sleeping so she wouldn’t be disturbed.

When Ingrid came to her door at 10:00 a.m., Maggie asked her to bring up a light breakfast for both of them. Then the maid could help her decide where each gift should be placed, and Maggie could start writing the thank-you notes. This would keep her busy for the day.

A light tap sounded on the door, and Maggie opened it to Aunt Georgia. “Flo and I are going shopping.” Florence’s sister sounded chipper this morning. Maggie was thankful she hadn’t observed the event after the end of the party. “Do you want to come with us?”

Maggie welcomed the news that she could spend most of the day without seeing Florence. She told her aunt her own plans for the day, and Georgia swept out of the room after dropping a kiss on Maggie’s cheek. By the time her blonde maid arrived with their food, the presents were spread across Maggie’s bed. With minimal interruptions, the two young women accomplished a lot during the day.

When the older women arrived back at the house, Aunt Georgia came to Maggie’s room and settled on the edge of her now-empty bed. “Flo and I had lunch at the Brunswick Hotel. I wish you could have been with us.”

Maggie laid down the Waterman fountain pen her father had given for her birthday. Writing with it took much less time than writing with a pen dipped into an inkwell, so she was almost finished with her task. “I would have enjoyed it, I’m sure, but Ingrid helped me get so much accomplished today. Because everyone was generous with gifts at my party, I wanted to thank them promptly. Maybe I’ll come next time.”

“I hope so.” Georgia got up. “Oh, by the way, Flo wanted me to tell you that we’re going to have a guest for dinner this evening.”

Maggie heaved a sigh. She wasn’t ready to entertain anyone yet. “Do you know who it is?”

“Of course I do.” Georgia opened the door and started to leave before peeking back around the edge. “But it’ll just have to be a surprise to you.” She quickly exited and pulled the door shut behind her.

Just what kind of secret was Georgia keeping from Maggie? Her aunt was thirteen years older than her and thirteen years younger than Florence, but sometimes she seemed closer to Maggie’s age. Perhaps one of the young men at the party had caught Georgia’s eye. Maybe that was who was coming.

Maggie often laughed at her aunt’s antics, and today was no exception. Her mood brightened as she glanced through her wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear to dinner. If she knew who was coming, it might make a difference in what she chose. But whatever she wore, it wouldn’t be the green dress she’d loved so much yesterday morning. Now it hung as a dismal reminder of the huge mistake she’d made. And she didn’t know if she would ever don it again.

Pushing her bleak thoughts aside, Maggie dressed quickly, choosing a navy dress with a froth of ecru lace on the bodice. Minutes later, as she descended the stairs, someone knocked. Maybe it was the mystery dinner guest.

Maggie opened the front door and stared into Charles Stanton’s deep brown eyes. The intensity with which he returned her gaze made her heart flutter. She placed one hand on her throat, trying to calm down.

“Come in, Charles.” She pulled the door wider and stepped back. “I knew we were expecting a guest tonight, but I had no idea it was you.”

He stopped beside her. “You look lovely, Maggie.” He glanced over her shoulder. “And where is your aunt Georgia?”

“She’ll be down soon.” She surveyed him, analyzing the cut of his jacket, the tilt of his perfectly groomed head. Charles had changed since he went to university. He had a flair about him that she wasn’t sure she liked. He wasn’t as down-to-earth as she remembered, nor was he the obliging older boy who had looked out for her.

Daddy came down the stairs to greet Charles. He shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder at the same time. “Good to see you, partner. Let’s go into my study.”

Maggie watched the two men walk away, relieved her father would distract Charles. She wasn’t sure how to talk to this newly self-assured young man. She went into the parlor and picked up the
Harper’s Bazar
magazine Florence had left on the table. As she turned the pages, she glanced at the few pictures, but not a word of the text stuck in her mind.

“So this is where you’re hiding.” Georgia came in and took a seat on the couch beside her. “Is that the latest edition?”

Maggie glanced at the cover. “Yes. Do you want to look at it?” She held out the periodical.

“Only if you’re finished with it.”

“I was just killing time until dinner is served.” Maggie thrust the magazine into her aunt’s hands.

“Let’s see what other women are wearing right now.” Georgia eagerly turned the pages, then stopped. “Look at this spiderweb lace with the flowers.”

Maggie bent over the drawing and studied it. Some of its features could work in a design that had been dancing through her thoughts for several days. “I’m going to get my sketchbook. I’ll be right back.”

When she returned, Georgia looked up. “So what are you going to sketch now?”

Maggie used charcoal first. With a few quick strokes, she had the general shape of the dress. Georgia looked over her shoulder. For some reason, Maggie didn’t mind her aunt watching her draw, but she would have been a bundle of nerves if Florence were that close to her while she worked on a dress design.

Other books

Student by David Belbin
Out of Bounds by Val McDermid
The Secret Duke by Beverley, Jo
Stung (Zombie Gentlemen) by Merikan, K.A.
Dawn by V.C. Andrews
The Bounty Hunter: Reckoning by Joseph Anderson