His father was sixty-three when Eli joined the militia and went to train. Oliver had left the previous year. His father didn’t live to see his sixty-fourth birthday. The doctor said it was a heart attack, not uncommon for someone his age. Working the farm was too much for him. Eli came home to a run-down farm, and through thrifty financial deals, he managed to make a small fortune. The soldiers needed to eat, and the farmers rushed to fill the contracts for pork, beef and other meat. The demands provided farmers with cash income. Eli was happy to meet those demands. As a result, his family farm is thriving.
Spring will be spent planting corn, cultivating, and harvesting, not to mention weeding. April through May is planting season. Where once the farm required his constant attention, he has a crew of workers includes, live-in farm hands. The beginning of Summer will be spent dodging storms and getting the first cuts of hay out of the fields and into the barn.
“Fine mornin’, Eli,” his Farm Manager, Rooster calls when he rides into the barn.
“True, a fine morning for harvesting. Are we ready?”
“We are. Crews are waiting for the order.”
“How many did you hire?” They ride back to the barn as they discuss the details of today’s harvest. “Forty, or so.”
“Excellent. I’ll be back tonight to check in. I have a meeting in town.”
Rooster was his Father’s best friend and most trusted employee. “Anything I need to worry about?”
“Not yet. Let me know if you have any concerns. Make sure to send a few workers to the house. I need the family beds weeded today, or Mother will try to do it again.”
Rooster grins, “I imagine so, she loves her gardens.”
“That she does. Thanks again.” Eli sighs as he rides back to the main barn. He tries to still the anger growing in his heart. His mother is fragile since his father passed. Today she insisted on going with him to meet this woman, “Savannah Ward,” he grumbles. “Let’s get this over with.”
The Black Eagle Hotel is stunning. The moment Savannah steps inside the lobby her week spent traveling is forgotten. From the outside, the eleven-story terra cotta building does nothing to suggest such opulence awaits. A large jaw-dropping domed atrium, flooded with light and gorgeous rod iron handrails, draw the eyes up the white staircase and over a second story ledge.
Savannah strolls into the lobby, carrying two worn, brown, canvas bags and stops for a moment to take it all in. “I should have brought my camera,” she whispers.
“Miss Ward?”
Savanna whirls around and smiles at the older woman in front of her.
“Yes, I’m Miss Ward,” Savannah says, and neither one of them move for a moment.
“Forgive me. You’re not what I was expecting. I’m Mrs. Irwin.”
“I get that a lot,” Savannah teases and falls silent for a moment, glancing closely at the elegantly dressed white-haired woman. “Of course, I see the resemblance, Oliver had your eyes.”
“Oh,” she whispers and struggles not to weep. “I told you, Eli!” Savannah’s eyes fill with tears when Oliver’s mother grabs her in a quick hug. “You must call me Felicia. We took the liberty of securing a table in the hotel restaurant for lunch. Please meet my son, and Oliver’s brother, Eli Irwin.”
Eli watches the interaction with a frown. Miss Ward glows like a burst of sunshine. Her colonial blue day dress with white piping is a sharp contrast to her shocking red hair. It makes her intense blue eyes that much more striking when they glance up at him.
“Miss Ward,” he tips his head at her with a nod.
Savannah is not surprised by his coloring, dark-haired, tan skin, muscular body, he resembles Oliver, but the anger in his eyes is unexpected. He waits for the blush faltering speech of a young woman but is surprised when she stares straight at him with a welcoming smile. “It’s lovely to meet you both.” She turns back to his Mother. “Thank you, Mrs. Irwin, for thinking of lunch. I’m famished.”
“Eli take her bags,” Mrs. Irwin suggests.
“That’s not necessary.” Savannah grips the handles tightly and steps back from them. “I can carry them.”
“What’s wrong, Miss Ward. Do you have something to hide?” Eli demands.
Savannah turns and stares at the handsome man refusing to budge when he steps closer to her. If he thinks to intimidate her by stepping into her space, he will be sorely mistaken. Though not nearly as tall as her brother Glenn, it doesn’t take much to tower over her height. At five foot two most men look down on her, but Savannah makes up for it in spirit.
“Eli!” His mother hisses.
“No, that’s quite alright, Mrs. Irwin. I understand.” Savannah stares up at Eli and tries to calm the beating of her heart. She’s dealt with angry men before. Her blue eyes flash, “I didn’t intend to insult you, Mr. Irwin, but I’ve carried these for the past few years, and you’ve yet to prove to me whether you can be entrusted with them.”
“You are the one who insisted on giving us Oliver’s things. Let’s get this over with, so we can all get back to our lives,” Eli snaps.
Hurt registers before anger and Savannah’s thankful when his mother jerks him away from her. “Excuse us for a moment.” She angrily whispers at him while Savannah watches. After a moment or two, they walk back over.
“I’m sure you can appreciate how hard this is for us, Miss Ward. You’ll have to forgive Eli. I insist you call me Felicia,” she links her arm through Savannah’s before Eli can respond and
