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soft bread nearly melted in her mouth.
    Miss Hampton passed over a small plate of sliced fruit and another of cookies. Elizabeth felt decadent, almost as if she were on a church picnic. She glanced over and caught Mr. Brody gazing at her, but he quickly averted his eyes.
    She wasn’t sure what to make of Mr. Brody. His moods seemed so variable, he couldn’t be predicted. She found him kind, but in other moments, he was stern. She supposed this type of combination was best in a businessman, but she would have liked to know what to expect from him. Perhaps the longer they worked together, the more she’d come to understand his moods. One thing she sensed innately, however—while he might be changeable, he would never be like her husband. She simply could not picture him striking a woman in anger. Then she wondered why she was even comparing the two.
    They had just finished their meal and Miss Hampton was placing the last dish in the basket when a young lady, satchel in hand, approached the hotel. “Good afternoon!” she called out gaily. “Please, don’t let me interrupt.”
    Mr. Brody stood and nodded. “Hello. I’m Adam Brody.”
    “And I’m Harriet Martin. You’re just the man I came to see, Mr. Brody.” She stuck out a frank hand, and Mr. Brody took it after a moment’s hesitation. Elizabeth was taken aback at the girl’s openness, but she also had to admit that she found it refreshing. “I do hope you’re still looking for help. I’ve come quite a distance, and I’m not prepared to go back.”
    The girl had a faint accent, and Elizabeth wondered where she was from. Mr. Brody must have wondered the same thing, for he asked, “How far have you come, Miss Martin?”
    “All the way from Atlanta, Georgia. I admit, however, that I didn’t see your advertisement until I reached Kansas, so I can’t say that I came here entirely on your account.” She laughed merrily, and Mr. Brody joined in. She had beautiful auburn hair and green eyes, and Elizabeth instantly felt plain.
    “What did bring you here, then?” Mr. Brody asked, leaning on the fence post nearest him.
    Miss Martin set her bag down at her feet. “That’s a difficult question to answer. We’ll just say that the South was a dangerous place a decade ago, and it’s still a dangerous place today, but for different reasons.”
    He nodded. “That’s a fair explanation. Do you have any job skills?”
    “Mr. Brody, I’ll be completely honest with you. I’ve never had a job a day in my life, but I’m ready to learn anything you can teach me.”
    Mr. Brody flicked his eyes over at Miss Hampton. She looked anything but pleased. Elizabeth suddenly felt as though she didn’t belong in this conversation and should leave, but at the same time, it was utterly fascinating, and she’d stay as long as she was allowed. She took a step back, hoping she wouldn’t be noticed.
    “Miss Martin, we would prefer to hire young ladies with more experience, but I’ll match you truth for truth. We need help, and we need it badly. I’ll hire you on a trial basis, and my aunt, Miss Hampton, will teach you what you need to know.”
    Miss Martin clasped her hands together, reminding Elizabeth of a schoolgirl. “Oh, I’d be delighted to give it a try, Mr. Brody. Thank you.”
    He turned to Miss Hampton. “Aunt Caroline, how close are the staff rooms to being ready? Miss Martin will need a place to stay.”
    Miss Hampton gave him an incredulous look. “Adam, we’ve been working on the first floor. I’ve only taken down the draperies in the guest rooms—that’s all, as of yet, and nothing in the staff quarters.”
    Adam nodded, then looked around. His eyes landed on Elizabeth. “Ah, there you are, Miss Caldwell. Would you please take Miss Martin upstairs and show her the ladies’ dormitory, and then the two of you can clean it up as your next task?”
    Elizabeth nodded. “Certainly.” She paused, then flicked her eyes to Miss Hampton. “Where is the