“No. I didn’t know he was there until I was getting ready to pack up. How did he know I’d gone out?”
“He lives close to the livery. You hired a pack horse, didn’t you?” When Roen nodded, he went on. “I imagine he saw you leave. Truth is, I think he would have been disappointed if I’d had work for him. He was so clearly wanting to be on his waythat he was twitching in his shoes.” Ben speared two carrots. “What is it that you think he can do for you?”
“Pack and carry. Keep the horse settled. Help me sight my marks. Act as a guide, a scout, if you will. The Saunders brothers provided me with good maps, but sometimes what I’m looking for hasn’t been recorded yet. Clay indicated that he knows the area. He could be an asset.”
“Clay would tell you he knows every crater and hillock on the dark side of the moon if he thought it would get him a job with the railroad.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m an independent contractor. He’d be working for me, not Northeast.”
“Close enough.” Ben paused to get Fedora Chen’s attention when she passed through the door from the kitchen to the dining room. He asked her for bread and butter when she reached the table and then spent the next thirty seconds alternately listening to her apology and promising her that her oversight did not mean she would be fired.
“I’m not sure she believes you,” said Roen when she’d finally left, hurrying away as though hungry dogs were nipping at her heels.
“I’m sure she doesn’t. She will, though... eventually.”
They ate in silence for as long as it took the basket of warm bread to arrive accompanied by a small plate of sweet cream butter. It was not Miss Chen, but Ellie who delivered the bread and butter. She placed both on the table and then looked from Ben to Roen and back to Ben. She did not need to set her hands on her hips to communicate that she was aggrieved.
Ellie looked around quickly to make certain she had not attracted notice. Nevertheless, she spoke in a tone not much above a whisper. “What did you say to her?” she asked her son.
“Me? I asked her for bread and butter.”
Ellie turned her head and arched an eyebrow at Roen. “Then what did you say to her?”
Roen was glad he’d set his knife and fork down. He raised his hands, palms out.
Ben said, “Not a word, Ma. He didn’t say a word.”
“Then why is she sobbing into her apron? Mrs. Vandergrift has no patience for her on a good day, and this is not a goodday. The oven’s too hot and the piecrusts aren’t flaky enough to suit her. You know who she’s blaming, don’t you?”
“You?” Ben asked hopefully. He ducked when she swung, but he wasn’t quick enough and she caught him on the back of his head anyway. He was grinning when he straightened. “You have to stop that, Ma.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I’m going to arrest you for assault one of these days.”
“Uh-huh. Behave yourself or I’ll hug you. You decide.” Ellie turned her gaze on Roen. His hands were still raised and she batted them down. She appreciated that he was struggling manfully not to laugh. “I suppose you don’t give your mother reason to cuff you.”
Roen answered with all the gravity he could muster. He did not want this woman doubting his sincerity. “I give her plenty of reason, but I duck and run better than your son.”
Ellie smiled. “Good for you. Now. Tell me what happened. Not you, Ben. I want to hear it from Mr. Shepard.”
“It’s as Ben said. He asked for bread and butter. Miss Chen began to apologize profusely for forgetting to bring it to the table. Your son tried to reassure her that it wasn’t a criticism and no harm was done. Ben promised her that her job was not in jeopardy.”
“Oh, Lord.” Ellie turned back to her son. “Did she mention being fired first or did you bring it up?”
Ben frowned slightly as he went back over the conversation. “I think I said it first. She was so distressed I figured that’s what she was thinking.”
Now Ellie did set her hands on her hips. “The next time you think you know what a woman’s thinking, you remind yourself you have no earthly idea. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said dutifully. “No earthly idea.”
“That’s right. You planted that notion in Fedora’s head.”
“Is there something I can do to make it right?”
Ellie’s hands fell to her sides. “You’re a good man, Ben, but unless you’re willing to escort Mrs. Vandergrift out of here before I have words with her, I’ll take care of everything.” She started to go, stopped, and turned back. “Is your meal satisfactory?”
It was Roen who answered. “Better than satisfactory. Quite as good as any fare I’ve had in Manhattan.”
Ellie’s eyes crinkled at the corners as her smile deepened. “Thank you. There’s something I can tell the cook that she will find most gratifying.”
When she was gone, Ben picked up his fork and waggled it at Roen. “As good as you’ve had in Manhattan? You understand I’m skeptical.”
