Page 4 of Halstead House

I once again came upon the cheerful tour guide as I dragged my feet through the entrance hall. He was tall and lean, with the look of someone who had been athletic in their youth. His white hair was cut close, his face clean-shaven, his blue eyes warm and bright. This time he did more than offer a friendly smile.

“You seem to be in love with the place,” he greeted. “I’m guessing my face looked just like yours the first time I walked through those doors.”

I nodded, a self-deprecating grin on my face. “You have no idea.”

“Oh, I think I do. After all, I begged them for a job on the spot.”

He gestured for me to enter the front formal parlor to the side of the hall. With nowhere else to be, and a strong desire not to leave this place, I happily shoved down the hunger pangs and walked beside him into the beautifully wallpapered room.

“Did they give you a job right then?” I asked as I took a seat on a bench that had been put in the room for guests to sit on. It was lovely, but definitely not one of the original family pieces.

The man sat next to me. “No, they didn’t. They’re pretty picky around here,” he said with an amused expression. “But I kept coming back, learned all I could about this old place, and finally wore them down. They let me start by helping with maintenance. It didn’t take them long to notice that the house was crumbling because I was too busy answering all the guests’ questions rather than doing my job. They hired a new maintenance man and made me the official tour guide. It’s been a great couple of years here. The house is back in shape, and the tourists are happy.”

I smiled at him. “It seems like everyone came out a winner then. I think working here would be a dream come true.”

“It’s become my second home,” he replied matter-of-factly. “I’d say it’s my first home, but my wife gets all tied up in knots if I don’t at least pretend.” His laugh was soft and gravelly in the large room. My smile grew more natural in response.

He allowed silence to fall, and we sat companionably for a few moments, looking at the beautiful blue and gold wallpaper and the gauzy gold curtains swaying lazily in the coastal breeze, each lost in our own thoughts. I tried to picture Mary, age seven, moving into this big beautiful home with her parents and her older brother, John Edward. The happiness they’d felt here still floated around me, making the house feel alive.

“You know, they’re looking for an assistant event planner.” He broke the silence. “I don’t suppose you have experience with that sort of thing?”

An odd thundering began in my veins as my heart rate picked up. As an exhibit coordinator and fundraiser volunteer, I had spent countless hours organizing events, putting together everything from displays to food, approving invitation designs, and calling sponsors. Every single cell in my body knew, absolutely knew, that I could assistant-event-plan the heck out of this place.

A job here would be the answer to several of my open-ended questions. I could spend all day soaking up Halstead House and getting involved in a way that a simple tourist never could. I’d find a place to stay and extend my car rental, because the money from this job would cover those expenses. I was practically shaking with the possibilities.

While inside I was flipping out, I sat sedately with my hands clasped in my lap to keep them from shaking and looked thoughtfully back at him. “Actually, I do have some experience in that area.”

“Something told me you might.”

Of course, they’d have to know up front that I’d be a temporary employee, which might kick all this opportunity right into the proverbial chum bucket. “I might be interested, but things are kind of complicated.”

His brows raised. “Complicated, you say?”

I nodded.

“Sounds interesting. I’m Steven, by the way.” A glimmer had entered Steven’s eye, as though he saw right through my display to the heart beating for joy inside of me.

“Grace,” I stated, sticking out my hand and grasping his larger one.

“Well, Grace, let’s see if we can’t get you a meeting with Ms. Halstead.” He squeezed my hand lightly before standing up and turning to leave the room.

I scrambled to my feet, caught off guard, and hurried to follow. “Wait, do you mean see her right now?” I definitely wanted the job, but I’d need to apply, prepare a resume, and set an appointment to interview. I needed time to shop for an appropriate outfit and clean up my manicure. I probably needed a breath mint. Aaah!

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded over his shoulder at me. “Right now.”

I’d never had problems with my hearing, but I couldn’t quite believe he meant we were going to meet Ms. Halstead immediately. My heart rate spiked again. I was going to meet Mary’s great-niece, current matron of the family and caretaker of their legacy. I was excited, but I wasn’t prepared.

My heel clicks kept time with my heartbeats as we crossed into the entry hall and up the grand staircase. We passed the open second floor and made our way up the last flight to the private top floor of the mansion.

Steven was annoyingly un-winded when we reached the top of the staircase and entered a large foyer area. He was acting as if this was all routine. “Wait one moment, please.”

Telling me to wait there was totally unnecessary. I couldn’t have walked another step if my life depended on it. A lump rose in my throat as I looked around the private foyer and hallways leading off of it. Mary’s own bedroom had been in this part of the house. Maybe a little of her love still lingered near.

Not five minutes later I found myself sitting in a brown leather chair and facing the mistress of Halstead House. My hungry eyes raked over her, seeing enough resemblance to Mary to make my toes curl. I was truly here, talking to an actual Halstead. Really, it was just too much. My typical reserve was going to crack if things didn’t slow down a bit. This little sheep was about to shed her wool.

Ms. Halstead was looking directly at me, her green eyes an exact match to the tailored blazer she wore. Her short gray hair was styled immaculately and tucked behind each ear, showing off earrings that would have made even Mother take a second glance. I felt frumpy in comparison.

“Steven tells me he found a job candidate touring the home,” she said matter-of-factly.

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