Chapter Seven
Jarrod stood outside the dress shop where Vivian had been hired as the dressmaker's assistant. Ever since the Bowmans had come to dinner, Jarrod had been thinking about Vivian, the fact that she'd held a very intellectual conversation with him and his family and the way she'd been with the children. His mind then turned to the visit he'd made just that morning to her parent's home on account of some business the bank manager had asked him to go over with her father.
"This should do it." Jarrod put the papers Mr. Bowman had signed back into the briefcase Jarrod always carried with him when on legal errand. Mrs. Bowman offered him a drink just as he closed the lid.
"I wanted to thank you again for having us over for dinner." Mrs. Bowman said, as she handed Jarrod the drink she'd offered him. "Not only did we have a good time, but it was nice to see Vivian enjoying herself as well."
Jarrod wondered at the mixed message that appeared in Mr. Bowman's eyes when Mrs. Bowman spoke; it seemed to be one of both hope and condemnation at the same time. "It was nothing. We didn't mind it at all." He picked up his briefcase and then, after thinking about it for a second, asked, "Has your daughter ever done any secretarial work before? My secretary is getting married and moving away. I'm looking for a replacement." He wasn't about to say he was making the offer as a way to get to know Vivian better. Again, he was perplexed by the way Mr. Bowman stiffened ever so slightly as the same look Jarrod had seen before appeared in the man's eyes.
"That would be her place to say, not ours." Mr. Bowman answered in an uptight tone.
On the other hand, Mrs. Bowman's eyes filled with both hope and concern. "She's…she's done a few things in her life, Mr. Barkley. She's a hard worker and willing to learn new things. However, she's more than of legal age, so I'll have to agree with my husband. You will need to talk to her about that."
Jarrod shook his head. It didn't take a genius to figure out the young woman had apparently done something that was unacceptable in her parents eyes. Still, he couldn't understand why the Bowmans felt as if they couldn't answer his question. It wasn't like he was asking for any information that would qualify as personal information. As the wind blew across his face, Jarrod's attention was brought back to the present. He reached out, opened the door to the dress shop and stepped inside. He looked around as he did so.
The room wasn't overly large; maybe ten by twelve. Still, it was large enough for two sewing machines, shelves full of clothes and a small counter that sat off to his left. He could see an opening that stood in the far upright corner of the room. From previous visits, he knew the opening led to the back of the dress shop. "Widow Carlson? Miss Bowman?" He called out. The moment he called out, he heard footsteps; seconds later Vivian was walking into the main room and heading for the sewing machine that he was standing in front of.
"Why hello, Mr. Barkley; I didn't expect to see you. May I help you?" Vivian asked as she sat down behind the sewing machine, apologizing for not remaining standing. "I'm a bit behind schedule; forgive me if I'm being rude or anything. It's not my intention."
Jarrod smiled and assured her he understood. He then told her about his secretary. "The name is Jarrod, and I was hoping you had some skills in that area as well. I need a secretary part time at least and I heard you tell the reverend yesterday you could use another part time job."
"Thanks for thinking about me, but I'm afraid dress making is all I've done for years." Vivian looked around the room at the dresses. "I'll get by without the second job."
Jarrod wasn't fooled. He heard the wistful sound in her voice and had seen it in her eyes. In that moment all he could see was her father's attitude, when the Bowmans ate in the Barkley home, and hear the conversation he'd just had with her mother. He wondered-in spite of what Mrs. Bowman, if Vivian had been led to believe it was only acceptable for Mr. Bowman saw as 'fit' for her. He would just have to work on changing that train of thought. Of course, that meant finding a way to make it so their paths crossed more often. Just as he asked himself as he was going to do that, Jarrod had the answer. "You could always learn as you go."
A part of Vivian wanted to grab the chance to work in a law office. Unfortunately, a larger portion feared someone from her past would show up and cause a scene that would be more than embarrassing for her and for Jarrod. She did not want that for him. "Thanks, but I think you best find someone else."
Jarrod smiled and tried another avenue. "Well, if I can't get you to take the job as my secretary; maybe, I can get you to accept a part time job-one that would only take up four hours of your week."
For a split second Vivian found herself more than skeptical, only to chastise herself once more. Jarrod's reputation was solid and his integrity impeccable-the one four hour job couldn't be anything improper. "Just what is that?" She asked as she rested her hands on the sewing machine table.
"Watch Hope for me and mother for me once a week," Jarrod answered and then explained that, yes, Hope's aunts and uncles helped out tremendously when he was at work only even they needed a break. "She and Tommy have been talking about you all week." It was the truth, and it had impressed himself and all his family-especially the two children had a knack of 'picking the good ones'.
Vivian was more than flattered to hear that the two children whom she had instantly fallen in love with liked her as well. Still, with the words of so many judgmental people still ringing in her ears, she was sure Jarrod wouldn't be offering her any job if he knew the truth. "I appreciate the offer Mr. Barkley and I do adore the children, but…." she hesitated as she looked at the dress patterns in front of her.
Thinking back to the look in her father's eyes and the concern in her mother's as she stressed that her daughter was a good woman, Jarrod knew he had to be right; there was something in Vivian's past that many people had held against her. "I told you, the name is Jarrod." He then took a chance. After telling her about the visit he had with her parents, he said, "They didn't tell me anything outright, only I can put two and two together." He wasn't surprised to see Vivian stiffen. "I may not know exactly what has taken place in your past, but it doesn't matter. When one is struggling to move forward, no one has the right to hold the past against them or to throw stones at them per say. Yes, many do only they are very much in the wrong…" he paused as he gave her a sympathetic smile and then said kindly, "I once told Heath, I was no saint only you know what? I've recently heard that a saint is only a sinner who has kept, or keeps, on trying. Now, Miss Bowman, would you consider taking at least the part time job? It would make Hope's day; I know it would."
For the first time in years, Vivian felt as if someone had just lifted her up onto a nice, fluffy white cloud. It felt good to have someone besides her mother and other family members who had truly forgiven her of her past speak in such a manner. So, while she still held onto some deep rooted concerns, she smiled wide and replied, "The name is Vivian, and I'd be more than delighted to help you with Hope. That is," she took a deep breath, doing her best to calm her nerves, and said, "if you'll listen to what I have to say and then decide you still want my help."
Jarrod walked to the other side of the room, grabbed a chair and-after carrying back to where she sat, sat down himself and told her he'd listen.
