Page 37 of Princess and the Ox (The Colby Brothers 1)

Another beautiful day brought Erika down to the shore to see the lake finally being released from its frozen prison. The sandy beach was still hard from the long winter so she had no difficulties strolling along it in her sensible low-heeled leather boots. She had just passed the docks where the Francesca still sat in port and turned to head south. In three days’ time, Erika knew the ship would be taking sail once again. But this time she would be gone for nearly two months.

She had been devastated when Ryan told her this latest news the night prior. The separation was insufferable and Erika didn’t know how much more misery she could take. Once and for all, she had to contemplate what it was she truly wanted. The answer came easily. She wanted to board that ship and leave with him.

Her mindless wandering found her heading toward her grandfather’s work site. It was not her intention to visit, as she had been frequently advised it was not a proper place for a lady, so she stopped

to look at it from her distance.

As her grandfather had said, the framework was indeed behind schedule and had nowhere near begun on the third floor. Many men worked busily around the structure and Erika was amazed at how many there actually were, and wondered why her grandfather was so angered that Jay refused to help. It certainly didn’t look as if he needed the additional hands.

Turning to go, she nearly collided with a young man pushing a cart full of bricks. Her unexpected movement caught him unaware as he swerved out of the way just in time so as not to collide with her. The quick movement, however, forced the cart to tilt and the pile of bricks to come tumbling off and onto the beach.

“I’m terribly sorry,” she declared and immediately went to help pick them up.

“My mistake, miss,” he said, and Erika looked up surprised.

She realized she had been wrong when she thought him a man. Instead, he was that of a boy. In fact, a boy who looked no older than twelve years of age. Taken aback, she nevertheless aided him with the bricks, which he rewarded her with a whole-hearted grin before rushing off toward the resort’s construction site.

Frowning, Erika followed him, wondering what on earth a young boy was doing on a dangerous work site. She was led to an area overflowing with male laborers tirelessly at work. So engrossed in their work they hadn’t even noticed her appearance, so she was able to climb up on a makeshift platform fixed high above them and observe freely. What she saw left her dumbfounded. Among the hundred or so men, a third of them were boys.

“Excuse me, miss,” someone said behind her and drew her attention around. “Shouldn’t really be here. It isn’t rightfully safe for a lady.”

A gruff but scrawny man stood at the foot of the platform looking up at her with curiosity.

“Hardly safe for a child either.”

This drew the attention of a worker next to him, who quickly removed his hat at seeing Erika standing there looking down at them.

“Morning, Miss Snowden.”

She nodded to the man she recognized as her grandfather’s foreman and offered a small smile at his mistake. “Afternoon, Mr. Reynolds.”

“Is it that time already, miss?” He looked a bit embarrassed before glancing over at the confused man next to him and offered, “Take off your hat, ya knucklehead. This here is the boss’s granddaughter.”

His hat came off quickly and he offered a brief bow. “My apologies for not recognizing ya, Miss Snowden.”

She gave him a brief nod, and then turned her attention back to the other man. “Who hired all these boys?”

“Why, I did, miss.” He admitted, but looked slightly sheepish. “Getting far behind on schedule and needed the extra man power.”

“I hardly think a boy of twelve can be of much help.” She turned and climbed down off the platform. “Release them immediately of their duties.”

The men exchanged looks before Mr. Reynolds said, “I’m afraid I can’t do that, miss.”

“Why not?”

“I could risk my job.”

She gave a wave of her hand. “Nonsense, once my grandfather hears about this, he will demand they be discharged.”

“Miss?” He looked somewhat funny at her. “It was upon your grandfather’s orders I was to hire ‘em.”

Stunned, she looked at him feeling a sense of numbness. “You are mistaken, Mr. Reynolds. Perhaps you are thinking of one of the other gentlemen on my grandfather’s board of directors.”

However, Mr. Reynolds simply shook his head and Erika felt humiliation sweep over her, not to mention a wave of disappointment. However, years of thinking her grandfather faultless had her quickly shaking her head in disbelief. Surely, there was some mistake.

Bidding them farewell, she turned and headed back toward the beach and the main road that led up the bluff and into town square. Her grandfather’s bank sat on the bottom floor of the four-story building at the west end of town looking out toward the lake, and his offices were located on the floors above it.

On the main floor, she greeted the employees who worked the bank and loan department with a brief exchange of pleasantries before she headed toward the back stairwell that led to the upper floors. The corridors on that level were lined in deep rich shades of paneling and elaborate moldings with baseboards twelve inches thick. Several doors along the corridor led into the private offices of the directors and accountants under her grandfather’s employ. However, it was the door at the far end of the corridor which she headed.

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