Polka With Pauline by Caroline Clemmons

Author:Caroline Clemmons [Clemmons, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Creighton thought Mr. Brubaker would seek him out before the man returned to Denver. Clearly, her father had planned for Pauline to marry Jasper Taggart and live in Denver. If she were Creighton’s daughter, he’d no doubt feel the same—but only because her father didn’t know Taggart as well as he thought he did.

He wasn’t surprised when there was a knock at his workshop door the following afternoon. As he’d expected, Fred Brubaker was his guest.

Creighton stood aside to allow the man to enter. “Good afternoon, Mr. Brubaker.”

The visitor scanned the surroundings. “You don’t act surprised to see me.”

“I suspected you’d talk to me privately before you went back to Denver.”

Mr. Brubaker examined the completed furniture against the wall. “You do exceptional work. I’ll give you that.”

“Thank you. I invest thought and skill into each piece I create. Those are speculation samples. Most of my sales are for customers who want something specific designed for them, something unique.”

“You can’t possibly make much money because of the time that must take.”

Creighton ran his fingers over the table he’d created for his new home. “I do all right. I’ll never be wealthy by your standards, but I make enough to be secure and live comfortably. In fact, as I mentioned I’m looking for an apprentice or two to train so I can produce more.”

“I see.” Mr. Brubaker gestured around the workshop. “You plan to remain here for the near future?”

“No, eventually I’ll be customizing a new workshop with more space. Not a lot more, but I can arrange it so that the work area is more efficient.”

“You’ll have to move your living quarters, won’t you?”

Creighton debated telling his future father-in-law his full plans. Pauline had suggested he wait. He wouldn’t lie, though, and Mr. Brubaker had asked him a direct question.

Mr. Brubaker snapped, “Well, had that occurred to you?”

“It had and I plan to move to another place.”

Mr. Brubaker gestured with a sweeping swing of his arm. “I hope it will be in a better area than this. You’re close to decent homes but this hardly qualifies.”

He gestured around the workshop. “When I moved here, this was the only space available that fit my requirements. I never intended this to be permanent. Did you begin with a large department store?”

Shock spread across his visitor’s face. “Uh… well, no. As a matter of fact, I rented a space and took over the stock of a small dry goods store. Since then, I’ve worked long hours and built a chain of four department stores.”

“Pauline explained that. She’s proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.”

Mr. Brubaker’s features relaxed and he smiled. “Hearing that is a relief. I’ve been afraid she might resent me working late so often.”

His smile disappeared and he waved dismissively. “See here, I didn’t come to talk about me. I came to negotiate a deal with you.”

“What is that?” Creighton couldn’t think of anything he had that this man would want.

Mr. Brubaker took something from his inside jacket pocket. “I’ve made this check out to you for the sum of five thousand dollars.

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