Reed had authority over Audra’s employment.
She noticed.
It bothered her.
One evening she said:
“We cannot keep this unless we change something.”
Reed’s face fell.
“You want stop?”
“No.”
“But I work for you.”
He understood.
“You think I might use that.”
“I don't think you would intentionally.”
“That isn't same as power not existing.”
Reed was silent.
Audra continued.
“If we quarrel, you still control my wages and room.”
“That makes saying no different.”
Reed sat.
“What do you want?”
“Written contract.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“Six-month guaranteed employment unless theft, violence, or gross neglect.”
“Room included.”
“Wages fixed.”
“No dismissal tied to personal relationship.”
Reed stared.
Audra crossed arms.
“Romance apparently requires paperwork.”
A slow smile.
“You're serious.”
“Entirely.”
They wrote contract.
Jasper witnessed.
He enjoyed far too much.
Audra kept copy.
Reed never complained.
That made her trust him more.
Summer brought opportunity.
A hotel in Victoria offered Audra head cook position.
Fifty-five dollars monthly.
Kitchen staff of four.
Private room.
City.
Security.
Her dream close enough to touch.
She told Reed at night.
He went still.
“Do you want it?”
“I don't know.”
He nodded.
No protest.
No guilt.
That irritated her.
“You could say something.”
“What?”
“That you want me to stay.”
“I do.”
“Then say it.”
“I want you to stay.”
Her eyes filled.
“But?”
“But if you stay because I asked and resent me later, I lose anyway.”
Audra looked away.
“I hate reasonable men.”
“I can become worse.”
“You have talent.”
They spent week not deciding.
Audra imagined Victoria.
Restaurants.
Markets.
A proper oven.
Women friends.
A life not surrounded by ten muddy men.
She imagined Blackwater.
Reed.
Jasper.
Saul.
Even Boyd.
Mountains.
Kitchen she had transformed.
Then she realized choice was not between ambition and love necessarily.
She wrote hotel.
Asked whether position could start after winter.
They declined.
Immediate need.
Audra declined offer.
Not for Reed alone.
Because she had another idea.
She showed Reed.
“A dining lodge.”
He frowned.
“What?”
“Blackwater road will connect to rail spur in two years.”
“Maybe.”
“Surveyors come.”
“Freight teams.”
“Hunters.”