Wanted- Developer Read online

  After a few hours of Belle calling her boss Mr. Hughes, he’d asked her to call him by his given name. She’d blushed and gave him permission to refer to her by Belle.

  When they’d found the plat of the town, they realized it not only hadn’t been updated since Silverpines was laid out, but it was also inaccurate to what had been there before the fire.

  The drafting table was simply a table set on blocks to make it higher. Denver hoped to order a true drafting table after the meeting of the city council this afternoon. At the moment they were plotting the downtown with the proposed rebuilds that they knew were going to happen as well as buildings Denver wanted added as city services.

  The drawing was different than any map Belle had seen before. It had multiple colors depicting various things Denver wanted to highlight. Roads and street names were all in black, as were buildings not destroyed by the fire. Businesses that were going to be rebuilt where they were before were in blue. Lots that they hadn’t spoken with the owners about were left blank. Proposed new structures were in red. Denver drew the road and squares, with Belle writing in the names. All were marked in pencil so they could be changed. Once everything was decided and approved by all involved, the map would be printed in black and white.

  “Is that the last of what we know at the moment?” Denver straightened and pressed a hand to his lower back. “I certainly hope the council approves of a true drafting table. It will help with all the diagrams we’ll need to make.”

  “Isn’t this the only one we need?” Belle finished writing in the box that held the clinic and apothecary.

  “Not by a long shot. With the pipes for water and waste, possibly burying the electrical lines, gas lines, and telephone lines, we’ll need to draw maps for each of those separately and also all on one map. Once we have the initial installations done, we’ll make sure there are several copies of each so in the future, whoever needs to do renovations will have good maps. They’ll need to be updated whenever a new business comes in or hooks up with the services.”

  “My, this is more involved than I thought.” Belle thought for a moment. “If you are burying all those pipes and things, it will tear up the streets, won’t it?”

  “Um huh.” Denver was looking over a list and not paying much attention to her.

  “That won’t make people happy. They are dirt and mud now, but having them torn up will be worse.” She saw the pencils they’d been drawing with were lined up in order of color next to each other and even on the ends. He always did that, even while they worked. Belle carefully moved one pencil down slightly so it wasn’t in line with the rest. She wanted to see how long it would take him to notice. She quirked her lips into a small grin.

  “It won’t be long. We’ll do each block separately so it will disrupt as little as possible at a time. As soon as we get several blocks finished we’ll have the cobbling done and the sidewalks placed. People will appreciate that. Besides, there won’t be much business bringing people downtown.” Denver set the list down. He studied the desk, frowned and moved the pencil back in line with the rest.

  Belle pinched her lips together to keep from laughing.

  Denver pulled his pocket watch from his vest pocket, checking the time. “It’s about time for the council members to get here. Let’s get this place straightened up.”

  Belle looked around. Nothing seemed out of place to her. She picked up the stack of notes they’d drawn the map from and straightened them. “Do you want these for the meeting?”

  “Not those. I have copies that aren’t all wrinkled on my desk. Will you please get them?” Denver didn’t look at her. He was focused on the position of the map on the table. “Oh, get my jacket, if you would please? And my comb. It’s in the desk drawer.”

  “Yes, sir.” Belle pinched her lips again stifling her laughter.

  ~~~~~

  Denver looked at the people seated around the table. All of the City Council members were there. Most he had met during the week; Mayor Luther Garrison, of course, Clay Cutler the mercantile owner, Joel Richards, who ran the Silverpines State Bank, Dr. Robert Childs, Braylon Watts, who ran the sawmill and was bringing electricity to Silverpines, and Mason Dekum, who owned the gun shop and Smith and Wesson factory being built just outside of town. Marshal Alex Sewell was also present. One he hadn’t met before was Mrs. Flora McMillan. She ran the Lucky Lady Saloon across the railroad tracks down by the river.

  He’d been surprised she was on the city council first, because she was a woman, and second, because of her profession. He’d wondered how a madame and barkeep warranted being in such an important office. Belle had disabused him of that notion quickly, telling of all Miss Flora, as Belle called her, had done for the townsfolk immediately after the earthquakes and mudslide. She’d turned her saloon into an infirmary for those injured, though she was grieving the loss of friends and employees when the mudslide took out Timber Town where she’d had a second saloon.

  Mayor Garrison had opened the meeting then turned it over to Denver. He’d spent some time explaining who he was and his background as a city developer. Now, he was ready to get to the details of his plans.

  “Obviously, the plans I had before I arrived in Silverpines need massive alterations. I’m very sorry this fire happened and I will do all I can to help each business owner to get them going again.

  “Clay and I have talked about setting up a tent in the park for the mercantile to be run from while the building is being rebuilt. We’ve contacted a company in Portland who will be sending a large tent to be used. It will be some days before it arrives.

  “The railroad contacted me. At the moment, temporary repairs will be made to the depot. With the warehouses gone, they would like to move the depot to west of town. They want to add side tracks to allow trains to pass through town while others are being loaded and unloaded. We’ll need to decide if we want one depot along the tracks or have a freight depot and warehouse there and keep the passenger depot where it is. My thought is two depots.”

  At the murmurs he went on to explain. “I’ve got several reasons for the change. First, is the noise and disruption of traffic when the trains stop at the station now. Moving the freight depot west lessens the noise in town and allows people to move more easily across the tracks as the freight trains won’t block passage. I believe the depot where it is stifles business growth across the tracks since they are cut off so many times a day with trains blocking the way.

  “Another reason is that the railroad wants to add the side tracks. This would take the blocks between Second and Third Streets and Main to Birch. Those blocks are prime business lots and worth much more to Silverpines and its growth than the railroad will offer for the property.

  “With the warehouses that previously occupied the blocks now gone, these properties can be available for development. The owners can either sell them or open businesses there.”

  “Where will we put our warehouses then?” Clay Cutler asked.

  “That might depend on where the railroad decides to put the depot. There will be a representative from the railroad here in a couple of weeks. I plan to invite all who are interested to meet with him. I’ll be sure you all know when and where it will be held as soon as the date is set.”

  Several heads nodded.

  “Some of the plans I had for bringing Silverpines up to date with the services common in many growing cities can move forward as planned with some adjustment. Be… Mrs. Stewart, will you please lay out the drawing?”

  Belle unrolled the large paper map they’d spent the majority of their time on the last few days. The council members stood to see it more clearly.

  “As you can see,” Denver began, “with the warehouses gone, there are opportunities to add city services in the downtown area. My proposal is to purchase or trade for the lots where I’d like to put the new city hall, police station, and fire station. The places where businesses are listed are based on where they were before, except for those where the city hall could be
located. I haven’t had time to speak with all the business owners, but most are willing to relocate.”

  “What’s this?” Miss Flora asked, pointing at a spot on the map.

  “One of the major improvements to town will be running water and a modern sewer system. Rather than having water towers on various buildings, we’ll have at least one large one for the town.” Denver went on to explain the other improvements and possibilities he envisioned for Silverpines.

  It was late when the meeting broke up. Darkness had fallen. Marshal Sewell offered to escort Miss Flora to the saloon as the others left.

  “That went well enough, I think,” Luther said. “At least there wasn’t a knockdown drag out fight.” They all chuckled at his statement.

  “Hopefully, things will go forward smoothly in the future too. Building another depot may be the sticking point for some. It’s always been in the center of town.” Belle rolled up the map and slipped it into its cardboard tube.

  “If we could find a business that would bring employment and wanted product or services to town, that might make moving it palatable.” Denver carefully arranged his pens and inkwell on the table. “At least they approved the purchase of the drafting table. My back certainly appreciates that.”

  Luther chuckled. “I’m heading home. You’ll see Belle home, won’t you, Denver?” He slipped his arms into his coat and set his hat on his head.

  “Of course.” Denver glanced at Belle who blushed and studied the floor tiles.

  ~~~~~

  The fingers of Belle’s hand tingled where they sat on Denver’s arm. They were walking up the street to her house. He’d placed her hand on his elbow as soon as they left the office. She hadn’t felt that tingle since the first time Emery held her hand so many years ago. Belle pushed the feelings away, not acknowledging that it was inching its way up her arm.

  They’d chatted about the meeting some as they walked, but had slipped into silence, enjoying the sounds of the frogs singing in the night. She pointed at the walk up to her house and they turned.

  “You haven’t had supper. I’m sure Bama has something prepared for me. Will you join me? I’m sure she and the children would like to meet my boss.”

  “Um…”

  The front door burst open and Neva flew out and down the steps, grabbing Belle around the legs. She was weeping. Belle knelt and pulled her into her arms.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “I thought you were never coming back. You left this morning and didn’t come home for supper.” The words were spoken between hiccupping sobs.

  “Oh, baby.” Belle picked Neva up and carried her into the house. Denver followed.

  Geneva and Connor stood in the foyer. “She got away from me,” Geneva said. Connor’s eyes had a hollow, frightened look fading to relief. He must have been afraid she wasn’t coming home either.

  Belle went into the parlor and sat on the davenport, Neva on her lap. She waved Connor over and he sat beside her. “Remember, I told you there might be some nights I wouldn’t get home until late? This was one of those. I didn’t know the meeting was going to go so long. I’m home now.” She hugged Neva, then Connor.

  Belle looked at Geneva chatting with Denver. “How about I put you to bed now? It’s past your bedtime.” With two small heads nodding, she shooed them off to get in bed. They ran up the stairs, ignoring the tall form of Denver standing nearby.

  “Geneva, this is my boss, Mr. Denver Hughes.” Belle finished the introductions and asked if there was enough supper for both of them. Geneva waved a hand and chuckled. “Of course. You settle the children, and we’ll be in the kitchen when you get back down.”

  When Belle entered the kitchen, Denver was sitting in the spot Emery always sat in. Her heart clenched before releasing its tension. He looked comfortable and was laughing at something Geneva had said.

  “Did the children go down well, dear?” Geneva asked. “I had assured them you were coming home, but they wouldn’t go to bed until you did. Neva was looking out the window and Connor was just running his horse back and forth on the floor.”

  “I’m sorry.” Belle kissed her mother-in-law on the cheek. “I didn’t know the meeting would go that long. Those men can sure enough talk a lot.”

  “When we get telephone service in town, you’ll be able to call home and let them know when you will be late,” Denver said as Geneva placed a plate of food before him.

  “We’re getting telephones in Silverpines?” Geneva’s voice was high with excitement.

  “It’s part of the plan. It won’t be the first thing accomplished, but with the electric poles already up in some areas, the lines will be able to be strung quickly once the company is formed and the equipment installed.”

  “We’re getting fire and police departments too,” Belle said. They continued talking about the things that had been approved at the meeting. Those would be published in the newspaper. Denver was meeting with Scoops, the newspaper reporter in the morning to go over the plans and proposals for the town.

  Belle watched as Denver ate and explained. The animation in his face as he spoke of the plans made him even more attractive. But he was her boss. She wasn’t going to make the mistake of falling for the man. He was handsome and kind. That he was arranging the last of the peas on his plate into a square rather than eating them nearly made her laugh.

  ~~~~~

  Denver heard the door close as he walked down the porch steps. The meal Mrs. Stewart had served him and Belle brought memories of home. His mother was a similar type of cook. Good hearty meals with sweet desserts that made you want seconds.

  He’d been shocked when the door opened and the white-gowned little girl had flown out, latching onto Belle’s legs. At first, he didn’t understand why the girl was so upset with her mother coming home late. Then he’d remembered that her father had left to go to work and not ever returned. Knowing her mother was at work must have brought back memories of that time.

  Neva, she was called. He wondered if it was short for Geneva, her grandmother’s name. The boy had studied him a bit before going to sit with his mother. Cute, but serious, Denver thought of Connor. He had dark hair like his mother, but it was straight. In the dim light of the lamps, he hadn’t been able to see the eye color of either child. Neva had a riot of red-blonde curls. He could see that the curls came from her mother. The light color must have been from her father.

  They seemed to be well mannered, though considering the little interaction he’d had with them it didn’t mean much. Time would tell if that was truly the case.

  He pulled his eyebrows together. Why would he have opportunities to learn more about them? He was here to do a job and Belle was only his employee.

  Then he remembered how right she felt walking with her hand in his elbow. How, when she smiled, his insides tumbled. He pushed the thought aside. She was just his employee.

  Denver pulled on his cuffs to straighten them and lengthened his stride as he walked back to the Silverpines Inn.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Denver and Belle had just finished meeting with Tonya and Braylon Watts about how the city could help with replacing the electric poles that burned and when they thought the town would have electric access by all.

  They were walking back to the office when a shrill voice called, “Mr. Hughes, oh, Mr. Hughes.” Looking toward the sound they saw Mrs. Wallace hurrying down the street.

  “Just great,” Belle mumbled. “A perfect way to ruin the morning.” She opened her parasol causing Denver to lean back to avoid being hit in the face.

  “Mr. Hughes, what’s this I hear about you moving the railroad depot. It’s always been where it is and I don’t think it should be moved.” Mrs. Wallace was shaking her finger at him.

  “Duly noted, Mrs. Wallace. We are considering moving it or building a second depot. Nothing has been decided yet. The city council is looking at options.”

  “Well, I don’t like all these changes you’re proposing. With the
downtown all burned down, we need to make it just the way it was.”

  “Again, duly noted. I’ll be sure to bring your objections to the council. Good day, madame.” Denver grasped Belle by the elbow and directed her across the street.

  When they entered the office building a man was chatting with Luther. He had on a tailored suit. His black hair was slicked back. He stood and reached out to shake Denver’s hand.

  “Denver, this is Mr. Harrison Holt. Mr. Holt, our city developer, Denver Hughes,” Luther said. “Mr. Holt would like to speak with you about supplies needed for rebuilding Silverpines.

  “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Holt. Come back to my office. Belle, will you please get us some coffee, before you join us?” Denver ducked again as Belle closed her parasol right next to his head.

  He led Mr. Holt back to his office and sat behind his desk, offering a chair to the man. “So, what are you looking to supply to help with the reconstruction?”

  “I own a brick yard in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mr. Mallet Thorne wrote to me about the fire and all the businesses needing to be rebuilt. He indicated that you were planning on having them built from brick and stone.”

  “That’s right. The city council passed an ordinance for all downtown buildings to be built using those materials.”

  “I’d like to supply the town with the required bricks.”

  “Harrison Holt. Now, I remember where I know that name from. You’ve got several brick factories back in the East and Midwest. I’ve dealt with your companies before in cities and towns I’ve worked in.”

  Belle entered with a tray of coffee and cookies. Denver introduced her as his assistant while she poured. He also explained what Holt was doing in Silverpines.

  Smiling, she said, “That’s wonderful. I know Mr. Hughes was worried about finding suppliers who could meet the demand of so many bricks needed for the reconstruction and new buildings.”

  Denver watched as she fiddled with her earlobe. A fleeting thought of how it would taste passed through his mind. He pushed it quickly away. “What can I do to help?”