Free A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson Page A

that way. It gave them a sort of edge—a pretense of control.
    But that was all it was, Jake assured himself. A pretense. Nothing more. These men did not own him, even though he was greatly indebted to them. There wasn’t a single thing they had offered him that he couldn’t walk away from. And while they didn’t know his real purpose in accepting the high-paying job, Jake felt no remorse.
    I’m only here as long as it takes to put aside enough money for a ranch. No longer. Texas is my home, and that is where I’m bound to return.

    Marty smiled at the sour-faced woman. “Well, Mrs. Sales, it would seem your references are in order. I appreciate your taking the time to speak with me today.”
    â€œYes, madam.”
    Uncertain what else to do, Marty looked to Mrs. Landry for help. “If you’ll come this way, Mrs. Sales, I will see you to the door. Mrs. Wythe will notify the agency if she wishes to retain your services.” Mrs. Landry led the way and the seemingly unhappy woman followed. She was the fifth woman sent over by the agency, and Marty liked her no better than the first four. Most were quite dour and rigid. All had worked for numerous years as ladies’ maids and were well versed in their duties, even if Marty wasn’t. They impressed Marty as women who would impose their will upon her rather than take instruction.
    Mrs. Landry returned. “There’s one final applicant.”
    Marty sighed and looked beyond the housekeeper to wherea young woman stood with her face turned slightly to the right. She was staring at the floor, as if too shy to meet anyone.
    â€œMiss Alice Chesterfield,” Mrs. Landry announced. She turned to the girl. “Give Mrs. Wythe your references.”
    Alice stepped forward, but her gloved hands were empty. Marty could see that the small woman couldn’t be very old.
    â€œI’m pleased to meet you. May I call you Alice?”
    The girl nodded, but still refused to lift her head. “I wanted to apply for the job, but . . . well . . . I have no references.”
    â€œWhy would the agency send her to interview for this position?” Mrs. Landry interjected. “I’ll turn her away and send a letter of reprimand to the employment official.”
    â€œNo,” Marty declared, seeing something in the girl that touched her heart. “That won’t be necessary. Alice, have a seat.”
    The girl looked up in surprise. It was then that Marty caught sight of the scar that ran down the right side of her face. The nasty pink scar was evidence that the wound had not healed that long ago.
    â€œPlease sit, Alice. I’d very much like to talk to you.”
    Mrs. Landry was less than pleased, but instead of saying anything, she positioned herself in a chair by the archway and waited for Marty to continue. Alice took the offered chair and licked her lips in a nervous fashion. Her dress was too short for her and rose to reveal tattered boots, but Marty pretended not to notice.
    â€œSo tell me about yourself, Alice.” Marty smiled, hoping it would relieve the girl’s fear.
    â€œI want to say that I know it was wrong of me to come here. The agency . . . they didn’t send me. I was there and heard some of the other women getting their instructions to come.I . . . well . . . I need to work, and I thought I would . . . apply, as well.” She straightened her shoulders and fixed Marty with her gaze. “I know that wasn’t right, but I need this job.”
    â€œWell, Alice, why don’t you tell me about yourself.” Marty noted her clothes were frayed and far from the latest fashion. They were, in fact, too immature for the young woman, but Marty supposed they were all she had. “I’d like to know about you and why you want to work as a lady’s maid.”
    â€œI . . . well . . .” She cleared her throat