Chapter One
Belle Montgomery pasteda smile on her face as she stepped into the ballroom of the Beckham Hotel.She stepped softly, her feet aching with each movement.There had been parties every night that week on top of her normal duties as a waitress during the day.She was happy for the extra pay, but her entire body felt as if she’d been run over by a buggy!
She served the hors d'oeuvres to the elite for all the parties that were hosted at the hotel.After five years of working there—ever since she was sixteen—she still made the same rate per hour that she had when she’d started.Belle saved every penny she could, even staying in the hotel’s basement.Her room was tiny, and she had to share a water closet with six other women, but she had her own washbasin, which she was very happy for.
While she walked, smiled, and offered guests food from her tray, her mind was off somewhere else, as was her norm.In her mind, she was married with four children, three girls and a boy.She got up early every morning and cooked for her family, enjoying every moment with them she had.
Her husband was a farmer—or rancher or merchant—she wasn’t picky about his occupation.As long as he made enough so she would never have to endure advances from hotel guests again, she didn’t care what he did.Oh, to be free from her work.Free to cook what she wanted and spend her day doing chores for her family—people who would appreciate her.It was all she wanted in life.
She turned to go back to the hotel kitchen to pick up another tray while this one was refilled, and found herself face-to-face with a woman she had seen often at church.Nodding, she smiled a little, knowing better than to greet one of the guests familiarly.She could lose her job for that.Her employer didn’t care if it was her sister she saw.She could never speak first.
“Miss Montgomery, how are you doing this evening?”the blond woman asked.
“I’m doing well, Mrs.Tandy.And you?”
“I’ve been watching you...you do your job well, but your face says your mind is far away.”
Belle blushed.“I wouldn’t say that...”
The older woman laughed softly.“I won’t tell anyone,” she said in a whisper that could barely be heard over the sounds of the party around them.
“I appreciate that.”Belle smiled sweetly—her first genuine smile of the night.
“How long have you worked for the hotel?”
“Five years now.”Belle couldn’t keep the wistful look off her face as she thought about all the places she would rather be.
Elizabeth Tandy pressed a small card into Belle’s hand.“Come see me when you’re ready to do something else with your life.I’m a matchmaker, and I think I know just the man for you.”
Belle’s eyes widened with surprise.“I would enjoy that very much.Is there a good time to come?”
“Just try not to come in the middle of the night, though I’d probably be up with the new baby.”
Belle looked at Mrs.Tandy, noting the circles that were under her eyes.“I won’t come in the middle of the night.You need to take care of yourself.”
Elizabeth Tandy laughed softly.“I think that’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?”
“I suppose it is.”She looked down at her empty tray, noting that her employer was frowning at her.“I must refill this, or I won’t have a job tomorrow.”
“I’m so sorry!Go...but come see me just as soon as you can.”
Hours later, Belle kicked off her shoes in the tiny room in the basement she had called home for the past five years.She was dead tired, and only took the time to braid her long blond hair, wash her face, and change into her nightgown before falling into bed.Thankfully, she had the following day off so she could attend church.All thoughts of the conversation she’d had with Mrs.Tandy were forgotten as she slipped back into the fantasy of the family she longed for.
*****
WHEN BELLE AWOKE THEfollowing morning, she saw the small card Mrs.Tandy had given her and read it over.It gave her address, and Belle knew she would go to see her after church that day.
She thought again about how tired Mrs.Tandy had seemed, and for the first time, she realized that wealthy people got tired as well.It was a strange thought to her because she had always imagined there were people who did everything for the upper class.
She hurriedly dressed for church in a simple blue dress.She only had one dress for her days off, and she always wore it to church.As a little girl, she’d imagined how wonderful it would be to make money, and not have to share it, but now...Oh, now she knew that there would never be enough money to live the life she’d dreamed of.
When she reached the church, her eyes scanned the congregation looking for Mrs.Tandy, but she didn’t see her.Mr.Tandy was there with three children, but Mrs.Tandy seemed to have stayed at home.She wondered for a moment if it would still be all right for her to visit, but she remembered how Mrs.Tandy had just said not to come in the middle of the night.Noon on a Sunday was far from the middle of the night.Besides, if she didn’t see her today, there would be no time for another week.Sundays were her day off, and she needed to take advantage of that fact.
Belle walked the short distance to Rock Creek Road.She stood for a moment, staring at the address on the card and then at the large, beautiful house in front of her.She felt as if she should wash her hands just thinking about going inside.
When she knocked tentatively on the door, it was opened by Mrs.Tandy herself, a baby in her arms.“Oh, I’m so glad you came!The baby is teething, so she’s fussy, but we can chat while I hold her.I may be pacing a lot as that’s the only thing that’s been keeping her happy.”
“Maybe I could hold her while we talk?”Belle felt an ache in her chest as she looked at the baby.Never had she wanted to have one of her own more than that moment.
