one of the office windows overlooking the brickyard. She looked up from her knitting when Laura and Ewan entered the frame building. “Good morning, Mr. McKay. I know you’re a trustworthy young man, but I thought I should come along to act as Laura’s chaperone. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.”
Ewan grinned. Laura must have mentioned Winston’s comment at the hotel several days ago. “I’m happy to have you join us, Mrs. Woodfield. I’ll do my best to learn quickly.”
“Laura didn’t want to move all of the papers and books to the house, but if I grow weary, I fear you’ll have to humor me. Unlike my daughter, I’ve never enjoyed being out here. I much prefer my home.”
Several hours later, Ewan’s shoulders ached from bending over the books. He stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair. “It’s a good method you have, but I’m not as quick with figures as you.”
She chuckled. “In time, it will become easier; it takes practice.”
The click of Mrs. Woodfield’s knitting needles ceased. “If you’re going to continue working, I suggest we go back to the house. It’s nearly time for lunch. Catherine will be worried if we don’t return soon.”
Laura sighed. “You could return home, have lunch, and ask Catherine to pack a basket for us. I’d like to finish today, Mother. The only person who might come here would be someone looking for work. As I said earlier, I don’t think you need to worry about maintaining social mores out here in the brickyard. There were many days when I worked alone in this office while Father was off negotiating contracts.”
“Well . . .” Wrinkles creased the older woman’s forehead. “I suppose you’re right. Though I don’t want to shirk my duty as a mother, I do want to go home for a while.” She packed her yarn and knitting needles into a cloth bag. “If I decide I’m too tired to return, I’ll have Zeke bring a basket lunch out, and he can stay here for the afternoon.”
Laura stood, kissed her mother’s cheek, and walked her to the door. “Whatever you think best, Mother.”
Watching the love and friendship between the two women was a lovely thing, but as they bid each other good-bye, Ewan was struck with an undeniable longing for his three sisters. Leaving them in Ireland had been the most difficult decision of his life. Had his uncle not promised to bring the girls to America as soon as possible, he would have remained in Ireland. His sisters needed him. And he needed them.
“You appear to be pondering something significant. Is it my fractions, or has something else captured your thoughts? Something regarding your uncle, perhaps?”
Ewan forced himself back to the present. He didn’t want to admit the fact that his thoughts had nothing to do with the business. She’d think him as indifferent as Uncle Hugh. “There is another matter you might help with. My uncle is still unhappy there is only one VerValen machine. He’s determined to have at least two. I believe it’s a matter of pride. He wants to have more and better machinery than other brickyards. I’ve convinced him to wait until we’ve secured orders, but he wants to move forward so the money is available once there’s a need. He doesn’t want a delay down the road. Earlier, Mr. Hawkins mentioned he wouldhelp with a loan, but when my uncle mentioned it to him, he said we should wait. Is there someone else who might help?”
“I feel sure Winston will reconsider and change his mind. He’s on the board of the Bartlett National Bank. Since he’s familiar with the sale of the brickworks and your uncle’s financial status, there should be no problem. I’d be happy to speak to him. I’m sure he’ll change his mind.”
Ewan didn’t like the idea of asking for Winston’s help, but he’d ask for her recommendation. He could hardly ask for another without giving a good reason. He could say he didn’t like Winston because he feared the man was
Ewan grinned. Laura must have mentioned Winston’s comment at the hotel several days ago. “I’m happy to have you join us, Mrs. Woodfield. I’ll do my best to learn quickly.”
“Laura didn’t want to move all of the papers and books to the house, but if I grow weary, I fear you’ll have to humor me. Unlike my daughter, I’ve never enjoyed being out here. I much prefer my home.”
Several hours later, Ewan’s shoulders ached from bending over the books. He stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair. “It’s a good method you have, but I’m not as quick with figures as you.”
She chuckled. “In time, it will become easier; it takes practice.”
The click of Mrs. Woodfield’s knitting needles ceased. “If you’re going to continue working, I suggest we go back to the house. It’s nearly time for lunch. Catherine will be worried if we don’t return soon.”
Laura sighed. “You could return home, have lunch, and ask Catherine to pack a basket for us. I’d like to finish today, Mother. The only person who might come here would be someone looking for work. As I said earlier, I don’t think you need to worry about maintaining social mores out here in the brickyard. There were many days when I worked alone in this office while Father was off negotiating contracts.”
“Well . . .” Wrinkles creased the older woman’s forehead. “I suppose you’re right. Though I don’t want to shirk my duty as a mother, I do want to go home for a while.” She packed her yarn and knitting needles into a cloth bag. “If I decide I’m too tired to return, I’ll have Zeke bring a basket lunch out, and he can stay here for the afternoon.”
Laura stood, kissed her mother’s cheek, and walked her to the door. “Whatever you think best, Mother.”
Watching the love and friendship between the two women was a lovely thing, but as they bid each other good-bye, Ewan was struck with an undeniable longing for his three sisters. Leaving them in Ireland had been the most difficult decision of his life. Had his uncle not promised to bring the girls to America as soon as possible, he would have remained in Ireland. His sisters needed him. And he needed them.
“You appear to be pondering something significant. Is it my fractions, or has something else captured your thoughts? Something regarding your uncle, perhaps?”
Ewan forced himself back to the present. He didn’t want to admit the fact that his thoughts had nothing to do with the business. She’d think him as indifferent as Uncle Hugh. “There is another matter you might help with. My uncle is still unhappy there is only one VerValen machine. He’s determined to have at least two. I believe it’s a matter of pride. He wants to have more and better machinery than other brickyards. I’ve convinced him to wait until we’ve secured orders, but he wants to move forward so the money is available once there’s a need. He doesn’t want a delay down the road. Earlier, Mr. Hawkins mentioned he wouldhelp with a loan, but when my uncle mentioned it to him, he said we should wait. Is there someone else who might help?”
“I feel sure Winston will reconsider and change his mind. He’s on the board of the Bartlett National Bank. Since he’s familiar with the sale of the brickworks and your uncle’s financial status, there should be no problem. I’d be happy to speak to him. I’m sure he’ll change his mind.”
Ewan didn’t like the idea of asking for Winston’s help, but he’d ask for her recommendation. He could hardly ask for another without giving a good reason. He could say he didn’t like Winston because he feared the man was
Similar Books
