Ed looked her straight in the eyes for the first time since she’d arrived. His attention locked onto her like he dug deep inside her soul to find something. “I won’t let that happen to you again. I’ll find you a man who can care for you.”
She wanted to mention that he could be that man, but even if she did want to marry him, he wouldn’t take her as his wife. He’d only marry for money, and never to an Irish girl who reminded him of his past.
The carriage slowed to a stop. Ghost appeared and opened their door. “Good morning, Miss McKinnie.”
He held his head up this time, as if he’d earned the right after rescuing her from the hands of Mr. Grous. Cora stepped down with Ed’s assistance, fixed her skirts, stood on her toes, and planted a kiss on Ghost’s scarred cheek. “I never properly thanked you for helping me.”
He shuffled between boots. “It’s nothin’, ma’am.”
“It was his duty.” Ed snapped, his jaw tight and his nose crinkled. “Speaking of, don’t you have some important business to attend to?”
“Yes, sir.” Ghost shut the carriage door and scooted away.
Ed leaned down and spoke low and controlled. “You shouldn’t do things like that. People will talk.”
“Why Mr. Neal, are you jealous?” She swatted at his chest and then sauntered ahead to the warehouse door, making sure her skirts swished side to side the way her mama had shown her before her first ball.
He snagged her by the elbow and ushered her into the large building. She didn’t like remaining hidden, as if he was embarrassed by her, but that was an argument for another day.
In a damp office with windows overlooking the bay, she sat by Ed and looked over the inventory lists. “There isn’t anything in here but machinery on today’s manifest.”
Ed lifted another binder and opened it. “This one. I thought on Mondays we receive store supplies. I’ll have to see the store owners and inform them there’s a delay in their shipment. They won’t be happy and it can hurt my business, but it’s the only option. Once we receive the funds, I can buy supplies from a competitor the next week to cover the loss. We’ll need to do this discretely so we don’t call attention to my situation. If I did, someone could take advantage and put me out of business.”
“Understood.” Cora realized in that moment how dangerous a game they were really playing. If they didn’t succeed, he’d be out of money and she could be involved in a scandal. She pushed the wayward thought from her head and focused on the food list. To her delight, there would be plenty to work with.
Ed tossed down the folder. “Even with these supplies, I can’t expect Cook to make all the food. I’d usually bring it in, but there’s no way I can cover that cost.”
Cora thought back to the people she’d met on the street. There were so many who needed work, and she had no doubt they possessed the skills to help in the kitchen. But she knew Ed would never approve. “Leave that problem to me. I’ll cover it.”
“You can’t be in the kitchen or serving. You’ll be expected to attend, and you’ll never find a husband worthy of you if you’re working.”
“I won’t. I’ll be engaged in securing investments with you.” She tried to deter the subject of marriage again. Despite her knowing it would be inevitable.
“How will you manage that? Finding a husband should be your most important priority.”
His words stung. She tossed the list onto the desk and stood, ready to leave. “You get the right people to the party, and I’ll make sure it’s an event everyone remembers.”
He glanced down at her gown again. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Cora watched Ed through the window looking out into the main warehouse. He spoke to a man, pointing at various areas of the stacks of inventory, and then returned. “I promise once we secure the funds, I’ll buy you all the dresses in the city, but for now I thought perhaps you could use your gift of creating dresses of your own. I already sent Grace to purchase a night jacket and some unmentionables for you.”
A few men entered with large bundles of fabrics in all colors. “Pick anything you want. It’s from a shipment that arrived earlier this week. I’d called over to have them put these aside.”
She ran her hand over the softest fabric that glistened under the natural light through the bayside windows. “I won’t have to try too hard to create something out of these.”
“Perfect.” Ed adjusted his tie. “I’m glad you’re pleased. The men are packaging up some lace and other adornments, which Ghost will be delivering to the house.”
One of the workers knocked on the door, and Ed waved him in.
“Sir, there are some discrepancies on these manifests.”
Ed bolted to the man and snagged the papers from him. He looked up at her with a furrowed brow. “Stay here. Do not leave this room.”
“Yes, sir.” She saluted like a good soldier to keep herself from smacking him in the back of the head like she used to do to her little brother when he angered her.
She sat down and created a meal plan but worried she didn’t know what the rich of San Francisco enjoyed. There wasn’t much time left, but she jotted down all the imported items and began to see gaps in the menu she thought would be a problem. She’d take this to Cook and consult with her.
Still, had she overpromised Ed what she could do? No, she’d longed for a purpose, and God had given her one. If only for a short time, she could focus on something besides her past and all of her losses. She would help Ed with his party and find a husband so she could have a good life. It’s what any woman should want.
