A Thousand Little Blessings by Claire Sanders Read Free Book Online Page A

stalls.” She rested a hand on the stallion’s hip and the horse nickered softly. “The truth is, I’m not going to have as much free time as I did before. Any help you can give us is greatly appreciated.”
    Gabriel took a step toward her. “Tell you what. I’ll come by in the morning and talk to Benito. Between the two of us, we’ll make sure your father’s horses are happy and healthy.”
    “Thank you.” Etta’s gaze was fixed on the pasture until the silence between them became uneasy. Then, the two remaining mares in the pasture neighed loudly. Etta’s lovely smile reappeared. “Chara and Vega are feeling neglected. They’re getting impatient for their dinner.”
    Gabriel made sure his reply was lighthearted. “It’s not smart to keep a lady waiting, especially when she outweighs me.”
    Etta’s gaze flicked to Gabriel, back to the floor, and then the open doorway. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure my father’s settled for the evening.”
    She turned on her heel and strode through the doorway, leaving Gabriel to wonder about the banker’s daughter. His mother had described her as an intelligent businesswoman, but she’d seemed nervous while talking to him.
    He headed back outside to retrieve the remaining horses. Etta’s slight figure disappeared over the rise of a hill and a blessed tranquility filled Gabriel’s irritable soul. There was something about Henrietta Davis that soothed his prickly nature. He could do with more of that in his life.
     
     
     
     

3
     
    Etta took a deep breath before opening the heavy doors of Davis Bank and Trust, but her stomach refused to relax. The granite floors and brass lamps gleamed in the morning sunlight, and a hum of activity vibrated through the dignified building. Both of the teller cages were manned, Etta noticed with approval, and several clients sat with account managers in the smaller offices. Business had carried on in her father’s absence.
    Etta smoothed her charcoal gray jacket over the matching skirt. When she’d first started working at the bank, her father had advised conservative dress, but that hadn’t stopped her from wearing lace blouses beneath the drab jackets or from pinning silk flowers to her hats.
    “Good morning, Miss Davis.”
    As she climbed the stairs to her father’s office, Etta smiled at James Walters, the young teller Uncle Carl had hired last month. James was getting married soon. Without her mother to take care of social obligations, it was up to Etta to send a suitable gift to the bride.
    “Good to have you back, Miss Davis,” Arthur Lewis said.
    Etta nodded to the recently hired manager of the loan department. He’d been with the bank for almost two months, but her father had spoken well of Arthur’s good judgment and business acumen.
    Etta walked into her father’s outer office and set her briefcase on her desk. Through the frosted glass door that led to her father’s private office, a dark shape moved from one side of the room to the other. No one had the key except her father, herself, and Carolina Swanson, the head teller.
    Before Etta could make it to the office door, Carolina walked into the room with a handful of mail. “Glad to see you’re back. How’s your father doing?”
    Etta put a note of optimism in her voice. “He’ll be back before you know it.” She removed her hat and gloves and took the letters. “Do you know who’s in his office?”
    “Your uncle.” Carolina’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “He’s been in there almost every day since you and your father left.”
    “You gave him the key?”
    “I told him I wasn’t allowed to give it to anyone, but he just laughed and snatched it out of my hand. What was I supposed to do?”
    “Did he return it?”
    “Yes, but he must have made a copy. I make sure the office door is locked every day before I leave, but Carl goes in and out of there as if it was his own.” She raised her eyebrows and walked away.
    The