To Have and To Hold by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller Page A

he’s already arrived to take over the cooking and laundry duties for the workers.” Mr. Fenton grinned and spooned a dollop of jelly onto the other half of his biscuit. “Now I won’t have to listen to any more bellyaching from the men we already got living in the slave quarters.”
    Audrey was pleased, as well, for there had been daily reports of discontent over the men having to cook their own food, while the supervisors enjoyed fine meals at Bridal Fair. Although she’d been willing to make grocery purchases for the workers when she did her weekly shopping in Biscayne, she didn’t have the time or desire to take on cooking and laundry for all the men.
    â€œOnce we get all the workers we need, that cook is gonna need several assistants to help him, but it’s a good start.” Mr. Parks spooned up another helping of eggs. “It’s gonna take a strong hand to keep those men in line, but once they understand the rules , they’ll do fine.”
    Audrey didn’t miss the supervisor’s emphasis when he mentioned rules. She offered him a bright smile. “If you’d like, I’d be happy to help you compose a list that you can post in their quarters right away. I believe it’s easier to have rules in place sooner rather than later, don’t you?”
    â€œExactly!” They all turned toward Victor Morley as he added his agreement. “You do that, Audrey—help Jim get a list of regulations together and post them in several places where the men will be sure to see them. Wouldn’t hurt to read them aloud as soon as the men are assigned to their sleeping quarters, too. If we’re going to meet deadlines, the men need to know that they’re here to work and we’ll not tolerate bad behavior.”
    From the look in Mr. Parks’s eyes, Audrey wasn’t sure whether he was pleased with the idea of reading or posting rules, but she knew he wouldn’t challenge Mr. Morley. “So all the positions are now filled?”
    Strands of Mr. Parks’s still damp hair drooped forward. “Oh, we’re still gonna need more laborers as the work progresses, but you should have a full house here at Bridal Fair real soon.” He grinned at Audrey.
    His final comment set Audrey’s teeth on edge. That wasn’t what she’d expected or wanted to hear. “Having a bedroom or two available for visitors would be much preferred, Mr. Parks. We didn’t plan to have all of the rooms filled with supervisors.”
    â€œWe didn’t?” Her father tipped his head to one side and stared at her as though she’d lost her senses. “You’re the one who told me—”
    â€œIf we fill all the rooms, where will Mr. Morley and the other investors stay when they come down here to check on the progress?” She hoped the idea would give Mr. Morley pause before he hired Marshall Graham.
    Mr. Parks picked up the cream pitcher and poured a dollop into his coffee. “That’s not a problem, Miss Audrey. I’d be glad to go down to the other quarters when the investors come for a few days.” Mr. Parks nudged Mr. Fenton. “You’d be glad to do the same, wouldn’t you, Harry?”
    Mr. Fenton’s Adam’s apple danced up and down as he swallowed a bite of buttered biscuit. “Wouldn’t mind at all.” He waved the remaining piece of biscuit in the air. “Just as long as I get to come back up here to the house for my meals. I doubt that fellow you hired to cook in the slave quarters will compare with Miss Audrey.”
    Audrey offered a feeble smile. Under normal circumstances, Mr. Fenton’s praise would have pleased her, but not today. If she was going to prevent Marshall Graham’s employment, she’d need another plan. Right now, she had no idea what that might be, but with the proper encouragement, perhaps Aunt Thora would come up with a scheme.
    The minute the platter