Free An Unexpected Suitor by Anna Schmidt Page B

Nola, that the Devil often waits for just such coincidence. It is a form of pure temptation, putting you in circumstances of distress and then seeming to offer the perfect solution when in fact you are putting not only your position in the community but perhaps your very soul in peril.”
    The other two women rearranged their features to support this position, frowning at Nola as they nodded in agreement with their leader’s point of view.
    Nola was well aware that Mrs. Gillenwater believed every word of her sermon. This was hardly the first time she had felt compelled to deliver similar warnings. But outside the closed parlor doors, Nola could hear the sounds of sterling on fine china, accompanied by quiet conversation and the soft underpinnings of a Viennese waltz. Experience told her the tearoom was filled for the first time in months and she believed she knew why. Rose and her companions were notthe only ones who were curious about Nola’s decision to staff the tearoom with traveling entertainers. If she stepped across the hall she suspected she would see her tables filled with locals.
    “It appears that business is quite good for this early in the season,” she noted.
    Rose waved a dismissive hand. “We are all well aware that what you have attracted are curiosity seekers. They will not return. And so, my dear, although one does not like to broach the subject of finances,” Rose continued, “your mother was a dear friend and I would be remiss were I not to keep an eye out for your well-being—a task I might add that has been unnecessary until now. Still, if you have had to resort to hiring unsuitable staff, I can only assume…”
    “I do not need money,” Nola said softly, even as she clenched her fists against the sides of her skirt. “Money is not the issue. After all, one cannot serve customers with dollars and cents. It takes actual people to pour and serve and clean up after.”
    Rose’s eyes widened and the shocked expressions of her companions told Nola that she had crossed a line in daring to challenge the matriarch. She smiled apologetically and added, “But I appreciate your concern, Rose. Mama always said that I could count on you to watch over me.”
    Actually what Mama said was that Rose would watch my every move, expecting me to fail. But Nola had spent many long hours making sure that she did everything by the book, from raising her siblings to running her business, so that she found favor with people like Rose Gillenwater. Now she was surprised to feel a bubble of rebellion rising from within. She had worked hard and proved herself first as the sole support of her family after their parents had passed and then as a successful businesswoman. She was no longer the girl she had been when she took on such responsibility. She was a grown woman and had long since earned the right to the respect of these women.
    She was on the verge of saying just that when her pragmatic side prevailed. “Forgive me,” she said. “It’s been a stressful time as you’ve so rightly observed. Please understand that this arrangement is temporary. Surely you can see that I must be able to keep the tearoom open while I seek the proper staffing. By the time the season is fully underway, I have little doubt that everything will once again be quite back to normal.”
    Somewhat mollified, Rose stretched the fingers of her gloves more tightly over her stubby fingers. “It’s just that appearances, especially for a woman alone like yourself, simply cannot be underestimated.”
    “Absolutely, and thank you so much for your concern.” Nola made a move toward herding the three toward the door, but Rose headed off in the opposite direction toward the window.
    “And speaking of appearances, Nola dear, there’s the matter of Harrison Starbuck.”
    Nola opened her mouth to protest, but Rose held up a restraining hand. “He has been reported calling here with some frequency in recent days. Mrs. Dobbs observed a most