The Harvey Girl - Part 7

LINKS: Start Here, Last Part (#6), Harvey Girl Page

Recap: Willa’s new roommate, Dori, walked in on her studying the treasure map. Hiding it was impossible, because Dori immediately knew what it was and that it hid even more surprises than Willa imagined.

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Short on time? Scan the story and just read the Bold parts to get the gist of the story. Then come back later and read the whole thing!

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“Oooh, your treasure map is marvelous!”

My new roommate, the overeager, bright-eyed Dori Childress, pointed at the map I’d found in my father’s secret second home—a map that I wanted to keep private.

“Not another word,” I admonished her.

Dori stepped back, finally noticing my face. I assumed it looked as mortified as I felt. It had to be red. I could feel the heat. The last thing I needed was a chatterbox for a roommate. Especially since I was so careless as to expose my biggest, darkest secret—the treasure map. “It’s an ordinary map,” I said, “and no one needs to know about it. Understand?”

The girl blinked quickly; I couldn’t tell if my forceful words had elicited tears or a moment to compose herself. A pang of guilt hit me as Dori went from starry-eyed newcomer to reprimanded roommate. I’d done that, and it didn’t feel good. The poor girl seemed to have lost her ability to talk, although that might serve her well at the Harvey House. Still, I felt like the worst lug-head.

A bell sounded. Hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, and I knew we had less than ten minutes to return to the dining room and put on our best smiles. It was our first gift to the train passengers—a genuine welcoming greeting. I might have to force mine this time.

Dori’s head jerked to the door. “What’s that?”

“It’s our cue to head downstairs,” I said, pointing at the uniform she’d dropped with her luggage. “Put that on and come down unless Mrs. Downs told you otherwise.”

Perplexed, Dori shrugged one shoulder. “No one has told me anything.”

I moved toward the door, knowing Dori could be late on her first day, but I could not. “Change and come down to the dining room. You know where that is, I take it?”

She nodded yes.

“Change and come down.” I sighed, wondering how many times I’d have to repeat myself.

Dori looked like lightning struck her, movements jerky and steam escaping from the top of her head. Well… I imagined the steam, but it wasn’t a stretch.

“And don’t tell anyone about that map!” I hissed, leaving and hoping she’d regain her composure in a timely manner.

I was the last to arrive downstairs, but I slid into my spot before the first train passenger rushed into the dining room. Mrs. Downs raised an eyebrow at me, and I gave her a quick nod, hoping she’d take it as confirmation that I was ready to serve. She had to know about Dori’s arrival and probably expected me to help her acclimate.

Focusing on Shirley’s hand signals, I moved with grace and speed, flawlessly delivering each dish. She winked at me, which I took as high praise. Shirley steered clear of compliments and saved all her positivity for the passengers. I accepted her demeanor amicably, in spite of an inquisitive nature that made me wonder if her stoic nature hid heartache. Something had surely sapped away her emotions. However, that mystery would have to wait.

When I finally returned to my room, it was with some trepidation. I hadn’t a moment to think about what I could or should say to Dori. While I had come down on her somewhat hard, it felt necessary in the moment. She’d startled me with her arrival and keen eyes. I still had no idea how she had gleaned the nature of my map. 

Part of me wanted to share my quest. She could be helpful. She could also as quickly rat me out to Mrs. Downs. I had no delusions about how our watchdog matron would react—with a reprimand and a dismissal! While I’d discovered a soft side, the dragon lady had a job to do, and treasure hunting would be frowned upon. It was rather unseemly for the high standards of a Harvey House Girl. Well… it would not be a welcome endeavor for anyone in polite society. It was the very reason I’d kept my journey a secret from Mother.

A tepid knock tapped at the bedroom door. Before I could move, it opened, and Dori poked her head inside. “It’s me,” she said, as cheerful as ever.

I wondered if even a full day in the dining room would dampen her sparkle. She had an indomitable spirit. One to be admired. 

“You don’t have to knock,” I said, motioning her to enter.

“I didn’t want to startle you twice in one day.” She came in and shut the door behind her. With a glance at the knob, she frowned. “No lock. You might want to prop a chair under the knob the next time you need to study your M-A-P.” She winked knowingly.

The girl had a point, although spelling out the thing she shouldn’t talk about was puzzling. Did she think we were hiding it from a child?

“I apologize,” I said, not really wanting to list my errors, even if it helped make amends.

Dori clucked her tongue. “Never you mind. I’m far too nosey. It’s you that should forgive me. Please be assured, I shall take the knowledge of your… item—and what it might or might not be—to my grave.” She crossed a finger back and forth over her heart, then kissed it.

While I appreciated the gesture, it was a tad dramatic. I sighed. “You can not unsee what you have seen. While we are alone together, you may speak freely.” 

Plopping onto the edge of her bed, Dori made the springs groan with the sudden weight. “Oh! I would certainly aid you in any way I may, in the most discreet manner.”

She was like a little kid with a new toy. Or a puppy who discovered its tail.

“How do you know so much about maps?” I would possibly regret it later, but I decided to use Dori’s knowledge to help plot my next move.

“We have a long line of professors in my family,” Dori admitted.

She did not elaborate. I stared at her for a moment.

“Oh!” Dori finally got my meaning. “Silly me. My family are history professors, and cartography is vital for historians. I have personally been drawn to bygone maps. They are works of art, don’t you know? It piqued my interest even more when I learned how the artistic flourishes disguise hidden information. Isn’t history interesting?”

I nodded. Pulling the map from under my mattress, I flattened it on my bed. “Very interesting,” I said. “Even more remarkable if you can point out the ones you see on the map.”

Dori came over to my bed and knelt down beside it. She studied the map’s designs. After a moment, she pointed at each corner in turn. They all contained a detailed design of flourishes, foliage, and forest animals. “Each area holds a clue to find another part of the map.”

“More of the map?” I shook my head. The map was in perfect condition. No part of it appeared to be missing.

“I believe there are four overlays,” Dori said. “Find the missing pieces, lay them over the map, and the treasure shall be revealed.”

The girl was brilliant! Indeed, an angel sent her to help me. At the very least, I had Fred Harvey to thank. His high standards brought in the most clever girls. Dori had proved she’d been taught well and encouraged in ways most women were not. It struck me that she was worthy of being a professor if allowed. She should have been at university, studying her beloved history. Instead, her brilliance would only benefit me.

Dumbfounded by the map’s complexity, I sat back on my heels. Crouching to study it made my thighs ache, and hearing that I was missing four parts made my head ache. It was the worst news, meaning my father did not possess the whole map. Was he trying to find the missing pieces? According to Dori, he could not do so without this map.

“How do you know all this?” I asked, hoping she was guessing and had jumped to conclusions.

She tapped an engraving that arched over the top of the map. “It’s Latin and says you need four overlays.”

I sighed. Latin was not a skill I’d mastered. “Dori, I am beholding to you.”

A soft pitter-patter echoed from the window. We both looked over at it. The sound could have been rain against the window pane; however, the sky looked clear. Dori went to the window and peeked out.

“Oh, my!” she gasped.

“What is it?” I asked.

Dori turned to me with a broad smile. “It is a most handsome gentleman.”

Groaning, I went to the window and opened it. Sticking my head out, I frowned at the man. “Fin Morgan, this is most familiar.”

The Pinkerton Man smiled up at me. “I take it you have not been sent home.”

I shushed him. “Please take yourself away, sir; this is not befitting a lady’s honor.”

“When can I call on you?” he asked with a smirk. “I have news.”

Drat the scoundrel! He knew precisely how to weasel his way into a tete-a-tete, and I almost hated him for it. Almost, because Mother always told me that hate should be reserved for the truly despicable. Fin Morgan was only marginally intolerable.

With a huff and a certainty that I’d regret asking the question, I whispered, “What revelation have you brought to my door?”

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