“Yes. Mr. Landry. Did you know he sought me out in Denver?”
“I learned about it after the fact. I hope you don’t think I asked him to do that.”
“Not at all.” Berry added coffee to his cup and took a tentative sip. “Mm. That’s fine coffee.”
“We’ll be serving that in our restaurant.”
Berry chuckled and set his cup down. “You’re not one to miss an opportunity, Miss Morrison.”
“I hope not.”
“Mr. Landry shares that opinion. He had several persuasive arguments as to why the railroad should come this way, but chief among them was you and what you’ve accomplished here. You have advocates. Sam Henderson is also one of them.”
“They’re very kind.”
“I specifically asked Sam not to let you know I was coming. It seemed a better test of how things run if I don’tannounce myself. That was certainly true when I visited the Hammersmith family.”
Laurel wondered what Berry saw at the Hammersmiths’, but it seemed he was not disposed to tell her, and good manners dictated that she not inquire. “We are pleased to have you here anytime. We do what we do, rain or shine, visitors or no.”
“That’s been my observation all along. I’d like to send another surveyor out to look at that route you’re talking about. Property rights will require investigating if we go that way.”
“You should know that I own a fair tract of the land I’m talking about. There’d be some who might think that what I’m suggesting makes it a conflict of interest, but I’d deal with the railroad fairly and expect the same in return. You’d have the same concern with the Hammersmiths when it came time to buy up some of their land.”
Berry didn’t comment on whether he saw a conflict or not. He said, “Do you have time to show me that land now?”
“Yes. Yes, of course. Do you ride, Mr. Berry?”
“Please,” he said. “It’s Alex.”
Laurel could have kicked herself for addressing him as Mr. Berry. He invariably corrected her. She smiled, acknowledging his request, but didn’t respond in kind. “Do you ride? We can take the buckboard but it will be rough going.”
“I ride,” he said.
Laurel wondered if he’d been insulted by her question. There’d been an undercurrent of defensiveness in his brief answer, but she figured he would have plenty of opportunity to prove himself. You never could tell if a city fellow—a government man, to boot—had any horse skills. “Since there’s no stage going through here today for Denver, I’m assuming you’re spending at least one night with us. Do you want me to arrange a room for you at one of the wayside homes in town or would you like to bunk with the men?”
“Actually, Miss Morrison, I was hoping I could rely on your splendid hospitality and that you’d put me up here for the night.”
Berry’s suggestion took Laurel aback. She wondered how much of her surprise showed in her expression. It wasn’t unheard of for her to put up a passenger in her home for a night or two. Desiree had been one who’d stayed in her home. She had even taken in a family on occasion, provided they were willing to accept relatively crowded accommodations. But except for Dr. Singer, who was at the station at her request, she had never made the offer to a man traveling on his own, and no man had ever suggested it. The more she thought about it, the more astonished she was by Alexander Berry’s proposal.
Laurel shot a quick glance around the table. The other diners were finishing their meal. Plates and utensils clattered as they were passed to Mrs. Lancaster along with the gratitude of the passengers. No one was looking her way or showed any curiosity about her conversation with Mr. Berry. She was as sure as she could be that he hadn’t been overheard and doubly relieved that Call was far out of earshot, taking care of the horses.
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible,” she said. She let that stand alone and hoped he wouldn’t make her explain herself.
Berry smiled, nodded. “That was a test,” he said. “You passed beautifully.”
“A test?”
“Yes. Of your moral character. The railroad expressed concerns regarding a woman operating one of their stations on her own. I’m sure you understand.”
Laurel felt herself flinch. “Actually, I don’t. As a test of my moral character, it is deeply insulting.”
“I hope you will accept my apology, Miss Morrison. I am only doing as I was directed.”
For all that he sounded sincere, Laurel didn’t trust that he was following anyone’s direction save for his own. She managed a brief smile. “Of course,” she said, getting toher feet as the other diners began to rise and head for the door. “I’ll speak to Rooster about showing you the property. He knows it as well as I do. I’ll try to join you later after I’ve arranged a room for you at one of the wayside homes. You’ll be more comfortable there than in the bunkhouse.”
Alex Berry came to his feet slowly. He was a full head taller than Laurel, but he had the good sense not to crowd her. “I don’t mind waiting for you,” he said.
Laurel felt trapped. “Very well. Do you have a valise?”
