Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,2
seeking his favor.
“Well, it was just a thought,” she said. “I know Papa misses his family.”
“Perhaps one day. It won’t take long for her to miss you. I fully expect by fall she’ll be making arrangements for some sort of trip West. That’s another reason I must get all of this done first.” He gave another wave at the top of his desk.
“Well, then, I should be on my way. I’m meeting with Tom later, and I have a great many things to accomplish before I can leave for Oregon.” She kissed him again on the head. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Here, take this.” Her uncle pulled a wallet from his coat pocket. He took out several bills and handed them to her. “I want to make sure you have money, just in case you shop where your aunt doesn’t have an account.”
“I doubt that’s even possible,” Connie said, taking the money. “But thank you. I must find some more serviceable clothes and shoes, not to mention . . .” She smiled. “Well, we won’t mention them.”
He laughed. “I am going to miss you, Connie. You have brought such laughter to our home. What a blessing it has been to have you here all these years.”
She knew that, after losing their youngest two children to sickness and seeing their oldest off to West Point, her aunt and uncle had been eager to have her live with them. Coming East to attend school, in fact, had been their idea, and Connie had thought it a grand adventure. Of course, her parents had been less enthusiastic. How she longed to see them again, and her brother Isaac as well. Seven years was a long time to be away from home and family.
“I’m going to miss you and Aunt Phinny. You’ve been my rock all these years. But for now, I’d best let you get back to work.”
“Are you sure she doesn’t suspect anything?” Mr. Berryton asked.
Thomas Lowell sat back in the leather upholstered chair and casually crossed his legs. He knew it might be considered rude to strike such a pose, but he didn’t care. These people were ruthless in their lack of concern for the people in his life.
“She doesn’t suspect anything other than that I endorsed her for the position.”
“This is critical, Mr. Lowell. This ongoing problem in Oregon must be brought to a halt. Far too many incidents have been instigated, and war is certain to break out if we don’t get to the bottom of this. It’s important you ferret out all of those who are responsible. Even if it includes Miss Browning’s parents, as we suspect.”
“I understand the situation, Mr. Berryton. I believe I understand it so well that I was the one to suggest Miss Browning could be of use to us.”
“You were.” Mr. Berryton took out a handkerchief and mopped his perspiring brow. The heat was still climbing, and Tom knew they’d be lucky if temperatures didn’t hit one hundred degrees. Added to that, the rising humidity suggested a storm might be brewing, and it made the day completely unbearable.
Tom was no more comfortable than Berryton, but he wasn’t about to show it. He simply stared back at the older man and waited for him to speak.
“You will both receive a stipend, and accounts will be set up for you in Salem, where you can expect regular deposits for your work. I have written detailed instructions to go along with the other instructions I gave you last week. The ethnology work is equally important, but obviously not as time sensitive. I will expect regular reports.”
“And you will have them.” Tom smiled and waited to see if there was anything else to discuss. He wanted nothing more than to be out of Berryton’s office and away from these pompous souls who so easily judged Connie’s parents.
“Then I will dismiss you. We should meet again before you leave next week.”
“Perhaps you could host a farewell dinner.” The heat was making Tom feel testy, and he knew his tone was tinged with sarcasm.
“That’s probably a good idea,” Berryton replied. “I’ll check with Mr. Murdoch and see when he might be available.”
Tom got to his feet and extended his hand. “Until then.”
“And you’re sure he wasn’t suspicious?”
Tom gave Connie an incredulous look. “Do you think me so poor an actor that I couldn’t convince that old ninny? He believes I’m using you to get to your folks. He thinks we have the perfect situation in place.”