“Mother, I am sorry for your circumstances. I am sorry that Father was taken in by that deplorable man. I’m even sorrier that he wouldn’t listen to his brother and others he supposedly respected, because had he listened, none of this would have happened.” Susanna took another long sip from the iced tea, hoping—praying, really—that her mother would calm down and see the truth of the situation. “I cannot and will not give you money left to me by my husband for my future. It is invested, and I cannot take it out, even if I wanted to. My father-in-law is handling it for me.”
“Your father could manage it better. He should be the one managing your affairs.”
Susanna shook her head. “Mother, you and Father have got to see the truth. I love you both very much, but this is not going to be easily resolved. Father has to see that he is not good with investments. He doesn’t have the same skills as Uncle Harrison. He needs to understand that truth. You do too. You are not a grand society dame, and even those who tolerated you because of your association to the Ragsdale fortune have never treated you with respect. You are better off without them.”
“This is deplorable. Your uncle has convinced you of something that simply isn’t true. You must help us now. You are our daughter, and you owe it to us.”
Susanna looked at her mother’s hopeful expression and shook her head. It was all just too sad. Her parents could not bring themselves to see the truth. What if they were never able to see it? What would happen to them?
Her appetite was gone, and Susanna got to her feet. “I am not giving you and father any more money. I’ve paid for this house and for Lia’s salary. That’s all. Father earns a salary for his work with the hotel, and you two must make your life on that salary. I’m sorry.”
She headed for the door, but her mother was there before her. Never had Susanna seen her move so quickly.
“You have to help us. You have to. You will be no daughter to me at all unless you make this right. I have been shamed and humiliated and will be mortified should anyone else learn of my condition. I demand it of you. If you love me even a little, you will help us. If you are unwilling to help . . . I will never speak to you again. You will be dead to me.”
Susanna felt tears come to her eyes. She had never expected this from her mother. In all her years of melodramatics, Mother had never issued such a threat.
“Then I am dead,” she whispered and walked out the door.
Owen arrived at the hotel anxious to see Susanna and invite her to another picnic on Sunday. He’d been thinking of it all day and figured he might as well go ahead and ask her. When he came into the lobby, however, there was a man standing by the desk and no sign of anyone else.
“They aren’t here. The sign says they’ll return at six-thirty. This is an appalling business practice. I can scarcely believe they manage a hotel this way,” the stranger said.
Owen shrugged. “There must have been some sort of problem that took them from the hotel. Usually they have a young man stand in for them during the supper hour.”
“It’s completely unacceptable,” the man countered. “I paid good money for my room, and I demand proper attention.”
Just then Susanna came through the front door. Owen couldn’t be certain, but it looked as though she’d been crying. She came to the front desk and moved aside the sign that said she’d return at six-thirty.
“May I help you?” she asked.
“I should hope so. Where have you been? I’ve had need, and you’ve been elsewhere.”
She pointed to the sign. “It says I’ll return at half-past six, and here it is only a quarter after. I’m early.” She smiled at him. “So how may I help you?”
“You can start by discounting my room for your lack of attention to the needs of your guests.”
“I’m sorry. I’m unable to refund or discount the rooms. What other thing might I help you with?”
“Nothing. Nothing at all. I’ll take my things and go. I will, however, be reporting this to each and every person I can. I will tell them the Grand Hotel is not worth their time or effort. Unless, of course, you want to reconsider and discount my room.”
Susanna shook her head. “I’m sorry. I am unable to do that.”
The man stormed off, muttering to himself all the way up the stairs.
Susanna watched him go, then turned to Owen. “Well, this day just gets better and better.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’ve had an argument with my parents.” She looked down at the hotel registry. “And now with Mr. Corders.”
“I think he’s just looking for a free room. Some people are like that. They go around complaining until they get free stuff.”
Susanna nodded. “I suppose so.”
Mr. Corders came barreling back down the stairs, suitcase in hand. “It’s most unfortunate that you care so little for your guests. The hotel will be an abominable failure at this rate.”
He left without bothering to stop at the desk, and Owen watched as Susanna stared after him. She looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. He couldn’t help but wonder what she’d argued about with her family.
“What can I do for you, Owen?” she asked.
“Maybe it’s what I can do for you. Why don’t you put the sign back up and come walk with me? You look really upset.”
“I am.” She shook her head and reached for the sign. “But it says I’ll return at six-thirty, and I’m not sure once I leave that I’ll come back.”
Owen smiled. “I’ll see to it that you do . . . eventually.”
Susanna put the sign on the desk and came around to join Owen. “All right, Mr. Turner. Take me for a walk.”
Owen laughed and took her arm. He escorted her onto the street and looked down the dirt road first one way and then the other. “I have an idea. Have you been to La Plaza Vieja—Old Town?”
She shook her head. “That area farther up the hill? I’ve heard of it but not been there.”
“Good. We’ll take a walk there. It’s up away from the river on the rise. It’s where many of the Mexicans settled. They knew about the river’s tendency to flood.”
“And the railroad company did not?”
“The railroad needed to be near the water. The railroad company’s counting on the embankment they’ve put in to keep them safe. The land has seen a flood or two, but so far it hasn’t been all that bad, and they’re hoping to keep it that way.”
They walked past the post office and then the school. Owen pointed out the new swings. “The children have already been trying those out. Some of the railroad workers put them in. There’s going to be a couple of teeter-totters too.”
“I’m sure they’ll enjoy them.”
“The men?” He chuckled. “I’m betting they’ll try them out before turning them over to the kids.”
She smiled at this as they continued past the Methodist church.
Owen let go of her arm. “So what has you so upset?”
“My father and mother found out that I have money.”
“Money?” He shook his head. “Their money?”