Hannah's cat-like eyes widened slightly and she felt herself blush slightly. She could only hope that it was a delicate pink flush to her cheeks, adding the appropriate amount of color and not a full-on raging red flame of embarrassment. Hannah also found herself regretting that Sister Mary Elizabeth had not taught etiquette. How exactly did a sophisticated woman respond in these situations? How should she?
"Thank you, Mr. Wentworth, y-you are very kind," Hannah finally managed to say with only a slight tremor in her voice. But, she had to admit, it was true. Matt Wentworth had been very kind and also a perfect gentleman.
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
"Kindness has nothing to do with it. I'm not one for giving out platitudes. If I think a woman is beautiful, I will tell her. " He raised his glass in a toast, "And you Miss Cory are indeed beautiful. It's a shame that you have to hide it."
After taking a sip of sherry, Matt turned around and saw that the waiter was bringing their meals. Smiling, he returned his gaze to Hannah, "It looks like O'Malley has gone to special lengths today. Maybe it's time I stopped calling him a cook and start calling him a chef."
As he waited for the waiter to place the meals on the table, Matt wondered what the next step would be. Hannah Cory was indeed lovely, and he wouldn't mind getting to know her better. However, there was the problem of why he was truly here. He didn't want to lead Hannah on when there was the possibility of him leaving when his mission for the service was over. With his brothers arriving that decision would now be complicated even further. Did he really want to start something he wouldn't be able to see through all the way?
When the waiter had left them, Matt encouraged Hannah to be the one to take the first bite. "Let me know if you like it or not. As the owner of this establishment, I'm always eager to hear what people think about what we do here."
"Kindness has nothing to do with it. I'm not one for giving out platitudes. If I think a woman is beautiful, I will tell her. And you Miss Cory are indeed beautiful. It's a shame that you have to hide it."
Those words played over and over in Hannah's mind as she followed Matt's request to be the first one to taste their meal. She cut a small piece of the roast beef, dipped in the thick gravy, and took a bite. Her eyes flashed up to Matt's in surprise, "I am going to have to be careful not to attack this roast beef as if it were my last meal. Please give my compliments to your cook. It's amazing."
Hannah paused after a couple of bites and looked at Matt again, "You may call me Hannah. And," she gestured at her clothing, "I don't have to hide in man's clothing. My father has never mandated it. It is just more practical for dealing with the town's miscreants. In fact, I'm not sure the new marshal will keep me on. I'm the first to admit that it's an odd job for a woman. I just seemed to grow into it. Started with filing wanted posters and keeping the office side of things neat and up-to-date. Then, as deputies came and went, I began filling that slot as needed."
Shrugging, Hannah offered Matt a genuinely lovely smile, "Now, I find I like making my own way. Although...." her eyes strayed to a young family that was dining across the room and she sighed, deeming it inappropriate to finish the sentence.
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
Those words played over and over in Hannah's mind as she followed Matt's request to be the first one to taste their meal. She cut a small piece of the roast beef, dipped in the thick gravy, and took a bite. Her eyes flashed up to Matt's in surprise, "I am going to have to be careful not to attack this roast beef as if it were my last meal. Please give my compliments to your cook. It's amazing."
"I'll make sure to tell the cook. He will be pleased to hear that his efforts weren't in vain."
Hannah paused after a couple of bites and looked at Matt again, "You may call me Hannah. And," she gestured at her clothing, "I don't have to hide in man's clothing. My father has never mandated it. It is just more practical for dealing with the town's miscreants. In fact, I'm not sure the new marshal will keep me on. I'm the first to admit that it's an odd job for a woman. I just seemed to grow into it. Started with filing wanted posters and keeping the office side of things neat and up-to-date. Then, as deputies came and went, I began filling that slot as needed."
Shrugging, Hannah offered Matt a genuinely lovely smile, "Now, I find I like making my own way. Although...." her eyes strayed to a young family that was dining across the room and she sighed, deeming it inappropriate to finish the sentence.
Not missing Hannah's glance at the family, Mike smiled reassuringly. Hannah was like any other woman in that she too longed for a family of her own. Whether or not, he was the man was something he didn't want to think about at the moment. For now, he would enjoy a pleasant meal with a beautiful woman. Instead, he opted to ask her about her future plans. "If Marshal Guyer does decide to let you go, have you thought about other employment? I only ask this because if you need any help I will be only too happy to oblige. In fact, after the winter and when I've had more time to learn about the hotel, I may be..."
He put his hand up in order to stop Hannah from replying, "Before I say what I was going to say, I have been thinking about this for a while, so it's not because I feel sorry for you. Far from it. I think you are not only beautiful but intelligent as well. You have to be in order to do a job such as Deputy Marshal. The job I have in mind is as assistant manager but this only a possibility. I haven't quite decided whether or not to hire someone yet. All I ask is that if and when the time comes that you would at least think about it. "
Hannah was sure that her astonishment was mirrored on her face. Far from feeling insulted, she was simply amazed that someone could see her doing work outside that of law enforcement. Helping to manage the Belle-St. Regis would be quite a task and quite intimidating. Hannah did not doubt that she could do it though. That was one thing her father had taught her and encouraged in his daughter, self-confidence and self-worth. The only time she doubted the latter was when it came to her seeming lack of appeal to the opposite sex. Today had made her dwell on that aspect of her life a bit more than she usually did. Hannah put it down to the charming company and focused attention of the handsome Matt Wentworth.
Now, she uttered a low laugh and waved one hand at their surroundings, "The closest I've come to managing anything is when I handle the administrative side of the Marshal's Office. There would be a learning curve should it come to pass. Honestly, Mr. Wentworth, as much as I appreciate the potential offer - if Marshal Guyer decides he is not happy with a female deputy - I will probably seek employment somewhere in the law enforcement field elsewhere even if it means finally leaving Montana."
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
"Well, the offer will stand just in case you change your mind. It would be shame to see you move away." Matt didn't want to tell her that even though Kalispell may have been accepting of a woman deputy, there were many towns and places that wouldn't. Most women were expected to work in stores, banks or as teachers until they married. A single woman in her late twenties looking for work as a deputy would be seen as improper. At least here, she had her father to protect her but out there she would be all alone.
Deciding not to dwell on the subject any further, Matt turned his attention to his meal. Throughout the course of the meal, he made light conversion with Hannah. She had a lot of interesting things to say and from it he learned more about her and about the town.
After the meal, was finished, the waiter came and poured two cups of coffee. He then collected the dishes before heading back to the kitchen. Matt smiled, "Dessert will be out shortly. I hope you like custard pies."
Hannah grinned at Matt's question, "I love custard pies. I can't make one to save my life though." She dipped her head to inhale the intoxicating fragrance of the coffee. Hannah could feel her eyes wanting to glaze over in appreciation. Once she had completely indulged herself with a small sip of the heavenly brew, she turned her attention back to Matt.
"With a meal shared and a tentative job offer in the wings, I feel we must be friends, Mr. Wentworth," Hannah tapped the table with a long finger. Her hands were scrupulously clean as were her slightly long, well-kept nails. She did not forsake all femininity for her job. "Perhaps, I can return the favor in some way? Give you a tour of the surrounding area, introduce you to folks that will bring good business to the hotel?"
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
"Perhaps, I can return the favor in some way? Give you a tour of the surrounding area, introduce you to folks that will bring good business to the hotel?"
Knowing that this was a golden opportunity to meet people and maybe learn something, he was smiled, "Since I haven't had the time to visit people and I must confess I am still trying to find out who I need to know...and since you have asked, I accept your offer. It would be a pleasure having you introduce me to those I need to know. Just name the day and time."
The waiter returned with the custard pies and Matt took a few bites of his before going on. "I have to say that this is the most enjoyable luncheon I've had since coming here. I commend you on being such a wonderful dining companion."
"I have to agree. This is one of the most enjoyable meals I've shared with anyone," Hannah agreed and returned the compliment. "I am off again on Sunday since I switch over to night duty on Monday. It's a tradition around here for people to go a-visitin' after church or Mass. Maybe we could make it to a couple of the ranches or some of the local business owners then?"
It's not a question of who's right. It's a question of what's right.
"Sunday will be fine. I look forward to it." His brothers would be in town by then but they were old enough to look after themselves and besides this would be a good opportunity to get the lay of the land.
After taking another sip of coffee and having a quick look around the dining area where he noted that today's lunch crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves, Matt turned his attention back to Hannah, "Now, Miss Cory what do you have planned for the rest of the day?"