Inside the hotel, Susanna spoke with Manuel, then asked him to go let her father know he needed to come to the hotel but to say nothing about their visitor. Once Manuel was gone, she glanced at the journal she’d purchased in order to keep track of the hotel guests since the original guestbook had burned. “We have two gentlemen who will be with us through Saturday, checking out Sunday morning. They’re with the Santa Fe offices. Very nice men. Otherwise, the hotel is empty. I’ll set you up in room 101, if you like.”
She led him into the family quarters to show him their progress on the repairs.
Uncle Harrison looked around. “Room 101 will be fine. You should also know that I’m arranging for a fireproof safe to be installed. You will be the only one to know the combination.”
“I don’t think that’s the way to go. Make Father the only one to know. Make a big announcement of it. He will see that he’s the only one who has the information, and he won’t be able to take money from the safe without everyone knowing it must be him.”
“All right. We’ll try it your way. I’m skeptical, however. He had no concern about teaming up with our friend in Kansas City for this new venture. He had to know word would get back to me.”
“Is it a good venture?” She couldn’t keep the hopefulness from her voice.
“It has its possibilities, but I don’t think it will last. I believe they’ll make some good money up front, but then within a few months it will all fall apart.”
“Will you speak to Father about it?”
“No.” Her uncle finished his inspection. “This looks quite nice. I’d like to thank the men who have been doing the work.”
“I can arrange that. If you can stay more than a day, we could have dinner together tomorrow.”
“I can stay. Look, I think I’d like to rest before I meet with your father.” He sounded so weary as they made their way back to the front desk. He was probably just as troubled and disappointed as she was.
She grabbed the key for his room. “Here you go. I doubt Father will hurry over. If he comes at all. We may have to go to him.”
Her uncle nodded and took the key. “Come for me at four, if you would be so kind. Unless, of course, your father shows up before then.”
“I will.”
She watched him go, feeling sorry for the older man. He seemed so dejected. If her father was the one who set the fire and stole the money, Uncle would have to make some very important decisions. And how could it not have been her father? Perhaps that was why Gary was so upset about the whole thing. She would have to catch him after work sometime and see if she could get the truth out of him.
“Hola, Susanna.”
Susanna looked up to find Lia in the lobby. “Is everything all right?”
“I thought I would come by and see how things went at the ladies’ aid meeting.”
“It went well. We’re gathering blankets and quilts for winter to give to some of the poorer families. I wish I knew how to quilt so I could be working on one.”
“Come on over to my house tonight. I’m putting together a tied quilt. It’s much faster. I sewed large simple blocks together, and now I’m using yarn to tie it. It’s a fast way to make a quilt.”
“I’d like to come over, but my uncle is in town.”
Lia’s face sobered. “Is this because of the fire?”
“Yes. He’s here to see my father.” Susanna sighed. “Not that it will do any good.”
“Never lose hope. God has changed people who were even more difficult.” Lia smiled and put her arm around Susanna’s shoulder. “God can work through you to change your parents. You must be strong.”
“I just don’t know that I can endure that long. So many things are wrong.”
“And God can help with all of it.” Lia squeezed Susanna in her embrace, then let go. “You must believe and trust Him for the answers.”
“Uncle Harrison is here,” Susanna told her brother when he came home from work. “He’s come to talk to Father about the fire.”
Gary looked at the floor. “What about it? It happened, and the damage has been repaired.” He glanced back up. “Are you heading over to see the folks now?”
“Yes. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to come with us. It might help you to share in the discussion.”
“The arguing, you mean? No thanks. I’ve had enough of that. I’m going to clean up and go play poker. I have tomorrow off and plan to play all night if the games go on that long.”
