Page 34 of In These Hills

“Now that we have shown a bit more of our hand to each other, Mrs. Dunham, please . . .” He gestured for her to proceed.

More at ease, Josephine still chose her words carefully. “My situation here in Lynchburg, Mr. Daniel, while temporary, still demands that I seek employment. You see, I was forced to leave my home after a most . . . unexpected altercation. That unplanned departure, costly in more ways than financial, has left me near destitute.”

“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Dunham.” His voice softened. “Did your husband follow you?”

Her brow lifted.

“It’s not hard puttin’ two and two together, Mrs. Dunham. Even for someone from these hills and hollers.” He winked, then his demeanor sobered. “Especially once you’ve been shown what’s truly in a man. Or some men. Certainly not all.”

The compassion in his gaze made it difficult for her to speak. “No one followed me. I’m certain.” Looking down, she again saw the envelope in her lap. “Mr. Daniel, I am here at Miss Mary’s urging. This note is from her.” Rising slightly, she handed it to him, then hurried to speak before he opened it. She told him the truth. All of it. Including the kitchen disaster.

By the time she finished, his eyes danced with amusement.

“Oh, my dear woman, if there is one person in this town you do not want to lie to, it’s Mrs. Mary Evans Bobo.” He leaned back, laughing. “What I wouldn’t give to have seen that play out. And in her kitchen, of all things. But as you’ve told it, I almost feel like I was there.”

Josephine winced. “It was disastrous. And humiliating. And I deserved every bit of what she gave me. What I didn’t deserve was her kindness in sending me to see you . . . for a job.” She glanced at the unopened envelope. “So, since I obviously will not be getting the job of second cook . . . she suggested you might have need of a bookkeeper.”

He slapped his hand on the desk, and Josephine jumped.

“Might?” He laughed hard. “Come now, Mrs. Dunham, if we are to work together, then I insist you be more plainspoken. I do not pussyfoot around the truth. I value plain talk. Especially from my employees.”

She blinked. “Do you mean—”

“The job is yours, if you want it.”

“Well, yes, of course, I want it. But how do you know I’m capable of—”

“Because I know Miss Mary. She wouldn’t send you if she didn’t believe you could do the job, short and simple. So . . . do you want it or not?”

“Don’t you need to read her note first?”

“My, my . . . You are one for the rule books, aren’t you? Oh, I’ll read it all right.” He slipped the envelope into his coat pocket. “But again, she’d have sent you packing if she hadn’t seen something promising in you. Especially after biscuits like rocks and fires in the oven . . .” He grinned. “At the risk of sounding high and mighty, I have a fairly good sense of reading people as well.”

“So the bookkeeper position is mine?” She could hardly believe it.

“You bet it is. We still need to talk pay.” He reached for a pen. “How does—”

The door to the office opened.

“Hey Jack, I really need to talk to you about—”

Josephine turned, and sat bolt upright.

“Dodge!” Mr. Daniel waved him in. “Come on in and meet my new bookkeeper! Miss Mary sent her my way. Though come to think of it, you two already know each other, don’t you?”

Dodge Coburn’s scowl answered for him. “Mrs. Dunham,” he said quietly, his gaze slowly taking her in. So thoroughly, in fact, she felt a tinge of discomfort.

“Good day to you, Mr. Coburn.”

He removed his hat. “Pleasure’s mine, ma’am,” he answered, sounding anything but pleased.

“I got your note, Dodge.” Mr. Daniel exhaled. “We need to talk, I know. But hang on a second. Me and Mrs. Dunham here are still working out some last details.” He scribbled on a slip of paper and handed it to her.

Josephine stared at the figure, doing her best not to show her surprise.

“That amount sit okay with you, ma’am?” Mr. Daniel asked. “I do payroll every week. Or, you will, from now on.”

“Y-yes, this amount is very generous.”