Suitor by Design

“If not Mr. Cornelius,” Jen said, “then surely Mr. Rothenburg.”

After the sisters had hatched the idea to help each other marry wealthy men, their older sister, Ruth, had literally stumbled into department-store heir Sam Rothenburg and ended up marrying him.

“But Sam didn’t turn out to be any help,” Minnie pointed out. “Instead of owning a business empire, they run the dress shop and live across the hallway.”

“They’re in love. Ruthie says that’s most important of all.”

“I suppose so.” Minnie folded up her hair so it was jaw length. “I just hope Vince likes short hair.”

“Vince?”

“That’s the man’s name.”

“Then you met him.”

“No,” Minnie had to admit. “Peter told me his name. They’re friends.”

“I didn’t know that Peter had any friends from out of town. I mean, this Vince doesn’t look like the kind of guy who would work at an orphanage.”

“I think he did. Peter said something about Vince teaching him carpentry.”

“Huh. Doesn’t look like a carpenter, either, not with a suit like that.”

“I know.” Minnie sighed. “He’s a mystery. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Maybe for you.” Jen snapped the shears again. “So, do you want to make sure he likes short hair before we do this?”

“Stop stalling.” Minnie squared her shoulders and gripped the seat of the battered oak chair. “I’m ready. Do it now.”

Jen grabbed a clump of Minnie’s hair and hacked through it. Fourteen inches of dark blond hair dropped to the floor.

Minnie gasped at the jagged gap and instinctively clapped her hands to her head.

“Are you all right?” Jen asked.

Minnie nodded while trying to stifle the tears. “It’s just that I’ve never had it cut before. Not really. Not like this. It looks so—” she searched for a word that wouldn’t offend Jen “—peculiar.”

“No turning back now, sis.” Jen snapped the shears in front of Minnie’s face. “Unless you want to walk around with a hunk of hair missing. I’ll tell you right now that no guy is going to fall for you looking like this.”

“Oh, no-o-o,” Minnie wailed.

“You want me to stop?”

“No.” Minnie moved her hands from her hair to her eyes. She couldn’t watch. “Cut it all. Now.”

Jen snipped and snipped until Minnie feared she wouldn’t have any hair left at all. What had she been thinking? Jen had cut her own hair so short that Mother had dropped into a chair speechless when she saw it. Now Minnie would look just as bad, and Vince would never notice her. Not in a good way. She’d have to wear a hat until autumn.

“All right.” Jen whisked the towel off Minnie’s shoulders. “I’m done.”

“Do I have anything left?”

“Just enough.”

That didn’t make Minnie feel any better. She peeked through her fingers. “Oh, Jen.” She dropped her hands and jumped to her feet to get a better look. “It’s gorgeous. Absolutely perfect.”

Her head—indeed her whole body—felt lighter, as if she could float off the floor. She cupped the soft ends of her hair where it caressed her jaw. The waves in her hair had turned to loose curls, creating a soft bob. She looked just like the picture on the cover of Photoplay.

Jen tossed the shears onto the dresser. “Glad you like it. Hope your guy likes it, too.”

Minnie grinned. “He’s not my guy yet. But after he sees me, he might be.”

“Oh? He’s still in town?”

“He’ll be back on Saturday.”

“Then you have four days to get used to your new hairstyle,” Jen said as she left the bedroom. “I’m getting a cup of tea. Want one?”

Minnie shook her head.

Four days. She had to wait four whole days. It might as well be an eternity. Between now and then, Minnie would have to clean houses and work her hands raw getting Mrs. Neidecker’s house ready for the Valentine’s Day Ball. Everyone would stare at her at tomorrow night’s church supper or even on the street. Kate would probably make a snide remark.

The waiting would be dreadful, but she could bear it if Vince liked her. Saturday! Between now and then, he might decide not to return at all. She couldn’t wait. Peter said Vince was staying the night. There was only one place to stay in Pearlman—Terchie’s boardinghouse. She could meet him there. But to do that, she would need an excuse. An unmarried girl simply did not go to a boardinghouse alone to talk to a man.

She tapped a finger against her lips and pondered the possibilities. Her gaze wandered over her dresser. Inside the top drawer she’d hidden the face powder and lipstick she’d bought earlier. On top sat the old bottles she’d collected as a child and the talcum powder Mother gave her for Christmas last year. On the wall she’d tacked a calendar that kept track of where she worked each day of the month. Of course! She cleaned houses. She could go to the boardinghouse at breakfast time and ask Mrs. Terchie if she needed help. If Peter’s friend was still there, he’d see her.

She’d make sure of it.

Chapter Three (#ulink_af103a3f-c545-5798-89c9-923133f3edab)

The next morning, Peter left Constance House before the sun rose. Mariah’s reaction to Vince’s appearance still puzzled him. Sleeping on it hadn’t helped, but the icy predawn air cleared his mind. Vince had changed since Mariah knew him. He’d done well and wanted to spread the wealth. Why not accept his generosity? The income would help everyone. He might even be able to take the older boys off Mariah’s hands after school and teach them carpentry. Best of all, Minnie’s eyes would light up when he offered her the job.

The sun rose late this time of year. At seven o’clock, it barely grayed the horizon. Peter jammed his hands into his coat pockets and hunched his shoulders against the bone-deep cold. Each breath rose in a white cloud, illuminated by the lights brightening the windows of the houses and businesses he passed.

Smelled like snow.

Peter had always been able to sense bad weather. A storm was coming, sure enough. After talking to Minnie, he oughta warn Vince. That car of his might cost a fortune, but it could get just as stuck as a rusty old Model T.

By the time Peter passed the drugstore, he couldn’t feel his toes. He needed a new pair of work boots, but they would cost his entire savings. Some things were more important than cold feet. Minnie’s pa, for example. He’d make do with this old pair as long as he could. A couple strips of rubber from an old tire would bolster the thin soles.

“Good morning, Peter,” Pastor Gabe called out as he opened up the church.

“Morning.” Pastor Gabe was Mariah’s brother. That made him some sort of a relation by marriage. Peter liked Pastor Gabe. He wasn’t like most preachers. A regular fellow could understand him, and he didn’t traipse around in fancy robes or put on airs. Most times, he dressed no better than Peter, even though his folks had plenty of money. Gabe said God had blessed his family so they could help others. That was why he and Mariah had given so much time and money to the orphanage in New York. That was why she’d opened the one here in Pearlman. Peter remembered them stopping by the New York orphanage almost every day. That was how she’d met Vince. Maybe Pastor Gabe would remember him, too.

“Hey!” Peter hustled across the street. “Do you have a minute?” Even though he was anxious to catch Minnie, he figured he had a minute or two to spare.

“Sure, come on in.” Gabe held open the door.

“No, thanks. I got a simple question. You remember Vince Galbini?”