Chapter Thirty-Eight

The next morning, Shiloh started the rehearsal, then left Edwin and her principles in charge while she went to place her bid. She didn't feel she had to spend time with the orchestra. She had heard everything multiple times and Monsieur Rousset had asked her to be prepared to sing the following day. She rushed back to her hotel room and began going through her closet looking for the perfect dress. She had thought she would need a more business-like ensemble, but after her session with Adam last night, she decided that her femininity would be her edge. She picked out a light yellow, frilly dress decorated with small purple and white flowers. The neckline was tastefully low, and the matching hat was understated when sitting on top of the dark, auburn curls she had swept up on her head. She had just pinched her cheeks when Adam knocked at the door. "Adam, I'm almost ready. I just have to get my portfolio."

Adam watched her as she ran around the sitting room looking for the portfolio, and a slow smile crept over his lips. When she returned to the door, he stood smiling at her, making her blush. "What?" she asked timidly.

"You look so…sweet," he answered. What he wanted to say was that she was the image of an angel, with her rosy cheeks, her radiant smile and her innocent air. He remembered how comfortable he felt with her last evening, and now, standing in front of her again looking like she did, he began to question what he was really feeling.

They shared a carriage to the sellers' attorney's office, having appointments close together. Adam was called into the office first and stayed for a half hour. He was followed by another waiting gentleman, who only stayed a few minutes. Shiloh's name was called next. When she entered the office, she was guided into another office where she was introduced to the land owner's representative, a Mr. Frederick Stanton, who got directly down to business.

"Miss Whitney, I have to tell you that I almost cancelled your appointment for this bid. I really don't see you winning it and thought this would be a waste of time for both of us."

"What changed your mind, Mr. Stanton?"

"Let's just say I was intrigued. You are representing the Flying W Ranch. Are you the daughter of Amos Whitney?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am."

"Well, I've purchased several horses from your father. Fine animals. You have my sincerest sympathy, my dear."

"Thank you, Mr. Stanton. The Flying W continues to breed and train in the same tradition as my father."

"Your father mentioned he had a daughter back East in college. So you've come home to continue your father's business?"

"Yes sir."

"I remember a specific horse; a tall, black stallion Amos was training."

"That would be Maximilian. Max is still there."

"Beautiful animal," he said, studying her for a moment. "You look familiar, young lady. Have we met?"

"No, sir, I don't believe we have."

He continued to study her and stood up. "I believe I have been introduced to you…on a stage in Boston." Shiloh stiffened in her chair, but said nothing. "You're not in San Francisco just for this bid, are you Miss Whitney?" She looked down at her hands. Mr. Stanton seated himself again. "Well, I never imagined that I would ever have the opportunity to have a conversation with Isabella Whitney."

"Mr. Stanton, I'm not here as Isabella Whitney. I'm here as a ranch owner who is interested in purchasing land." She handed him her portfolio. "I'm too young to have much practical business experience, however, Miss Anderson, the Headmistress at Vassar and my mentor, ensured that my business education was as thorough as any man's, if not more so because I am a woman. If you'll look at my proposal, the introduction shows how I determined those figures." Shiloh rose and went to the desk, leaning toward him as she went through the bid. "So Mr. Stanton, my initial bid is lower. However, with the seller receiving fifty percent of the first five timber contracts minus the cost to cut and move it, he will more than make up for the lower initial bid. As for the risks, I'm a quick study, and I have the resources to find whatever help I'll need. That should outweigh the normal ten to twenty-five percent you would receive on fewer timber contracts in any of the other bids. The only difference that remains is whether you decide to trust me." She leaned back away from him, giving him her sweetest smile.

Mr. Stanton leaned back in his chair, removing his glasses and holding the end of one sidearm in his mouth. "Miss Whitney, I'm impressed. You've obviously done your homework."

"Thank you, Mr. Stanton," she said, smiling.

Standing, Mr. Stanton said, "I believe I have everything I need. If I have any questions, where may I contact you?" Shiloh stood with him and told him where she was staying as she made her way to the door.

"Oh, and Mr. Stanton, I would like to invite you to my closing performance at Maguire's. I'll have a pair of tickets waiting for you at the opera hall." Not wanting this to sound like a bribe, she added, "Whether I win this bid or not."

When Shiloh left Mr. Stanton's office, she and Adam took a carriage back to the hotel. "It's almost lunch time. Would you like to have lunch with me?" asked Adam.

"I really need to get back to rehearsal."

Adam took her hand and guided her toward the restaurant at the hotel. "What you need is to eat. You can't keep up that pace if you don't eat."

She stopped and crossed her arms. "Adam, I don't need a nursemaid."

He stood in front of her, looking into her eyes, imploring her, "Please," he said, smiling slightly. When Shiloh saw the look in his eyes her tenacity left her. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Adam smiled warmly and gestured for her hand. She complied, and he led her into the restaurant.

"I think I'll just have a sandwich…with some potato salad," she said.

"I'll order two."

When their food arrived, Shiloh immediately bit into the sandwich. "Adam, I don't want to appear rude, but I do need to get back to rehearsal."

"I understand." He watched her for a moment. "You stayed in Mr. Stanton's office a long time. How'd it go?" Shiloh ignored the question hoping he'd move on and took another bite. "Shiloh, the bid; how'd it go?"

She paused and took a drink. "I think it went fine. He knew my father. He had purchased horses from him."

"You talked about horses?"

"Some. But I went through my proposal with him line by line."

"What'd he say?"

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, looking down at his untouched sandwich then back up at him. "He said he was impressed, that he thought that I had done my homework and that he'd be in touch. What did he say to you?"

"Well, he knew the Cartwright name and the Ponderosa, and he knew that we have experience with timber. It seemed like he was hinting that the land was ours."

"Really?" she asked, smiling.

With lunch finished they went their separate ways. Shiloh changed and went to rehearsal. Adam went to the telegraph office.