Page 56 of Valley of Dreams

“Would I still come up short of what I need?” Eliza asked.

Joseph nodded. “I can’t put up all the funds. It wouldn’t be prudent.”

She sat there, a look of pondering on her face. Joseph waited patiently. Patrick sat beside her, wishing he knew more about business matters and could offer thoughts and information and reassurance.

“I don’t know that I want to provide free accommodations to the stage company forever,” she said after a long moment. “But I might not have a choice. I can’t imagine anyone else hereabouts with money to invest or an interest in doing so.”

“You might ask Jeremiah Johnson, the mercantile owner,” Joseph suggested. “He’s likely in a position to provide you with food and other supplies, which would give him some increased profits over time. And if the road leading past here becomes better and more easily traveled, that will improve his supply line. He may be willing to invest for those benefits.”

She wrote that down. “If Mr. Johnson invests, would I have enough?”

“Enough to build, I believe. Furnishing the rooms and filling your larder would require additional funds.”

Eliza looked to Patrick. “Would building an empty inn be worth it, do you think?”

A good question. “Nothing can happen without the inn being built,” Patrick said. “If I were making the decision, I’d build. And while that was being seen to, I’d work on sorting out the rest.”

Another deep, lung-emptying breath. “Do you really think I can manage something this complicated? I may be taking on a taller task than I’m able to do.”

“You lived your life in an inn. You know more about what running an inn requires than any of us. And the bits you have to learn—well, I suspect you’ll be a quick study.”

She nodded. “I can do this. Surely I can. It’s my dream.”

Patrick looked to Joseph. “How soon do you think we could have building materials delivered, assuming Johnson agrees to invest?”

“His son makes regular trips to the train depot,” Joseph said. “I’m certain he’d travel there on very little notice to bring back lumber and nails and whatever else you need.”

“I’ll make a list of needed building supplies,” Patrick said to both of them.

Katie Archer poked her head into the room. “You’ve a visitor, Joseph.”

He looked to Eliza. “If you have more questions, I’ll ask the new arrival to wait.”

“I think I know how to proceed.” She stood; Joseph and Patrick did as well. “I’ll try not to bother you with too many questions as I move ahead.”

“Ask whatever you need to,” Joseph said.

“I will. Thank you.” She wasn’t as at ease with Joseph as she was with anyone else, but she seemed less intimidated than before.

Joseph turned to Katie. “You can send in whoever’s come to call.”

“I will,” she said.

A mere moment later, a familiar Irish voice filled the momentary silence. “Sorry to burst in on you, Joseph.”

Ian.

Patrick stiffened. He’d not really talked with his brother since the day he’d repaired Biddy’s roof. They’d awkwardly stepped around each other, keeping to opposite sides of the house during family gatherings, and opposite sides of the crowd duringcéilís.There’d be no avoiding this encounter.

“What brings you around?” Joseph asked.

“I have a door that’s sticking. Could I borrow your jack plane?”

“Of course. We’ll ask Finbarr where it is; he has that barn memorized.”

Patrick, fool that he was, tossed himself into the discussion. “I’ve planed hundreds of doors. I’ll do it for you.”

“I don’t need you to,” Ian didn’t even look at him.

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