“My heart breaks for you,” Holly confided. “That is much worse than what happened with Matthew. I feel terrible feeling sorry for myself.”
“Nonsense, we all have feelings and get hurt by the people we care about. Losing him was terrible, but I knew he loved me. Your heart was broken.”
Holly smiled, “Maybe not as broken as I thought when he left me on the road, but I think he dented it, but I will heal.”
“I’m sure you will. Now, let me explain why you’d help me by working here. When I married, Joseph started this café. It wasn’t in this building, but another small one down the road near the end of town, but it grew. He’s a wonderful cook and two years ago bought this building. When my husband died, Joseph worried about me living away from town even if it just two miles and insisted I move into our parents’ home, and he’d live in the quarters here over the cafe. The ranch wasn’t mortgaged, and I sold all the horses, so I have enough money for quite some time. Joseph insisted we keep the ranch in case my son wants it when he’s grown. The café isn’t open on Sunday, and we go out to the ranch every other week to check things out and repair what’s needed.”
Holly finished the last of her pie as she listened to Charity and then remarked. “Joseph seems like a kind man, and I suppose I need to work somewhere. Perhaps I can help here and do some sewing.”
Charity reached for Holly’s hand and said, “It will work out well, and I think we will become good friends. I’m sure Joseph will agree.”
“Agree to what?” Joseph asked as he entered the dining area. He nodded as Charity explained and agreed that it was a good idea.
“I’ll take Miss Martin’s things to the hotel, and she can come back tomorrow mid-morning. She’ll miss the rush, and it’ll give me time to explain things to her without much interruption,” Joseph said.
Charity hugged Holly and whispered, “You’ll be all right. You have friends and a job. The people in town will embrace you, and you can put your fears and worries of that tyrant from Chicago behind you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As Holly followed Joseph to the hotel, she felt more secure than she had in days.
Chapter Three
Holly woke to bright sunshine coming into her hotel window. She stretched and smiled happy to see the sun and sent a prayer of thanksgiving that not only did she arrive safely in Belle, but she had made a new friend and found employment. Helping at the café may not be her first choice of employment, but it would give her a chance to meet the people of Belle and perhaps start a small seamstress shop of our own. If not, maybe she could help the Widow Baker to help ease the burden on the elderly woman.
Holly slipped out of bed and dressed quickly in one of her simple day dresses. It would work well while she helped at the café. She chose the green one because it was bright, and she hoped it would add a cheerful nature to her day especially if she had to apologize for spilling a customer’s coffee.
When Holly had her hair pinned in place the way she wanted it, she slipped on her shoes and picked up her coat. The hotel offered breakfast, but she promised Charity she’d come in a little bit early and have something to eat with her before she began training. Charity assured her that all Joseph meant by training was that she knew how to write down a customer’s order and tell Joseph what it was. Carrying plates was a bit trickier, but with practice, she’d learn to carry more than one and a cup of coffee to a table. Holly hoped Charity was right. She had a terrible image in her head of dumping a plate of food onto someone’s lap instead of setting it on a table.
Holly shrugged and thought she was home now in her new town and would do her best. If she made mistakes, she would apologize and smile. Perhaps no one would yell at her. Holly walked down the stairs towards the lobby and greeted the clerk behind the counter.
“Good morning, Miss Martin,” the clerk behind the desk answered. “Are you headed out or will you be staying for breakfast?”
“I’m headed to the café and will have breakfast there. I’ll be working there for a few hours each day helping Charity and Mister Shields.” Holly slipped on her coat, smiled at the desk clerk, and hurried out into the cold. It was a short walk to the café, but Holly felt chilled before she reached the door.
Opening the door, she hurried inside before she brought the cold with her and saw Joseph and three other men sitting at a table having coffee. They all looked up when she entered. Joseph smiled and said something to the men as Holly hurried into the kitchen to find Charity.
“Good morning, Holly,” Charity greeted her as Holly walked into the kitchen. “Your timing is perfect. Joseph is having coffee with a few of the town’s men. We can have some tea, and you can eat breakfast. I made hotcakes and bacon this morning. Are you hungry?”
“I am, but I can make breakfast. I do know how to cook. I just never worked in a café before,” Holly explained.
Charity waved her down. “Sit and relax. I just need to flip the hotcakes. I put them on when I saw you come in. They’re about ready, and the bacon
