Lifting her head, she brought her glass to her nose and sniffed the fruity bouquet of her port. Her voice strong, she said with certainty, “Josie is what’s wrong.”
“Did you say Josie?”
“Yes, I did. I have good sense about people. I think we better call her in and have a talk. She’s not working out.”
“Because she told on Maizie’s skin color? You do know, Mary, that you favor that girl? Josie is just jealous.”
“Josie is twenty-two years old. She’s not a child, nor should she act like one. Maizie is young and naïve. Her life before Glidewell was hard. She has no family. She needs someone to look out for her.”
“There you go again, favoring Maizie. Maybe Josie needs someone to understand her. Maybe she has no family.”
“Josie is a woman, not a child.”
“That’s true, but twenty-two isn’t all grown up.”
“I do favor Maizie. I admit it. I want to guide and educate her. I want to give her a life. I want…”
“Mary, dear. I’m hesitant to suggest…”
“Suggest what?”
“Do you think you want all these things for Maizie because… well, because we never had our own child? I mean your interest in this young lady is noble and kind, but I worry that your feelings are starting to run this household rather than your sharp business mind.”
Mary looked up. James could see tears well in Mary’s eyes. She said nothing, nor did she need to. James understood and felt bad for having brought up the subject.
The evening with the Wembleys was filled with talk about their trip to the yearling auction. James hung on everything Capp and Wil said. The three men, all excited about the prospects of raising and breeding thoroughbreds, paid little mind to Mary’s sullenness.
After dinner, Leon served coffee and macarons by the fireplace in the grand hall. James had waited long enough to bring up the problem that was weighing heavily in the air.
“Mary and I were wondering if there was a problem down at the backside.” James took a sip of coffee before he continued: “Discord among employees, perhaps? We sure would like to nip it in the bud, if there is. You can’t run a fine horse ranch or any organization when the employees are unhappy.” Wil Wembley, a man of few words but as honest as the day was long, put his fork down and then leaned toward James.
“We put a stop to it,” said Wil. “Don’t think it made folks unhappy though.”
“It didn’t? Then why did you stop it, Wil?” asked James, challenging his manager. “This sounds curious. Can you elaborate?”
“Seems we got a girl down there thinking she needed to make more money,” Wil explained. “But like I said, I put a stop to it.”
James nodded. Capp shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Mary seemed confused.
“Wil, forgive me, what are we talking about?”
“I just don’t feel comfortable talkin’ about it with a fine lady here,” said Wil.
Mary rolled her eyes. “Tell us, this is our business. Our employees are important to us.”
“Well, we had a time when one of the girls was playin’ with the boys. They’d pay her. I told her to stop it. And she did.”
Capp cleared his throat, dropping his macaron. He immediately jumped up and retrieved it from the wood floor.
“Who was it?” James asked.
“Josie, the bunkhouse maid.”
“I’m not surprised.” Mary looked directly at James.
“You are sure she has changed her ways?” asked James.
“I believe so. Ain’t seen no evidence that she’s using the stalls or tack room anymore.”
“Capp, you knew about this?” asked Mary.
Capp looked at his father. “No, Mrs. Glidewell. Didn’t hear it.” He coughed softly and took a drink of water.
“Come on, Capp. Surely you did,” said Mary.
“Wil, you didn’t tell Capp about it?” questioned James.
“No, I didn’t. Didn’t want to involve him,” said Wil.
Capp wiped his mouth with his linen napkin and cleared his throat again. “Well maybe I heard a little. Some of the guys would tease about it.”
“Weren’t you curious, Capp? Seems this would be a big thing going on,” asked Mary.
Just then Maizie walked into the dining room, carrying a container, smiling. “More coffee?” Wil nodded, and Maizie poured the hot brew into his cup. “Capp, coffee?” Capp shook his head, as did James and Mary. Maizie retreated to the kitchen.
Capp stood and asked to be excused. “Sure Capp, take your time,” said James.
Maizie was wiping down the cabinet fronts when Capp walked in. “Maizie, can we talk?”
“Sure. Did you lose your Stetson again?” she teased. Looking at Capp, she saw there was no smile; his eyes were serious.
“No, but I want to talk with you about that.” Capp pulled her out the back of the kitchen onto the dining porch. He sat on the railing with his back to the lane that led to the horse barns, paddocks, and track.
“Maizie, I accidentally left my hat ’cause I was visiting a girl in the alcove. A lot of the boys do it down at the backside. No one means anything bad about it. It’s just for fun. I figured you’d be hearing about it soon. Wanted you to know it didn’t mean nothing.” Capp reached for her hand before he continued: “Look, Maizie, I still want to be friends with you. I want to give you riding lessons and teach you about the horses. Have you help train that new colt. I feel terrible that you will think less of me ’cause of what happened in there.”
“It’s all right, Capp. It was just small favors is all. I know about those.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mama done them, when we were real hungry and had no money.”
“Your mama fooled with men?”
“Fooled? I don’t know. My mama would say, ‘Maizie, you watch for me while I do a small favor. Anyone come around the corner, you cry out real loud. Like you is lost. And I’ll come runnin’.’ So I did my job, while Mama did hers.” Maizie put her hands on the rail
