Just as I Am (7 page)

Daisy glanced at the gathered workers. They all stared at her, expressions of disgust or amusement on their faces. Humiliation filled her. She knelt and began gathering up the spoiled candies while Cassandra skittered from one worker to another, babbling about Daisy’s clumsiness.

A second voice roared over the top of all the other noises. “What is going on here?”

Daisy looked up as Mr. Hightower stormed to the center of the circle. Dread settled like a rock in her stomach. “M-Mr. Hightower, I—”

Cassandra bounded over to the factory manager and clasped her hands beneath her chin while sending him a penitent look. “Mr. Hightower, Daisy—she’s such a graceless thing—tripped over my foot and spilled an entire tray of perfect chocolates!” She shook her head, her lips pooching into a sorrowful pout. “Such a waste! Will you take the lost candies from her pay packet?”

Daisy hung her head, defeated. The employment contract she signed showed her agreement to be financially accountable for loss of candy whether by deliberate or careless means. Her hands had sent the tray over the edge of the table, which made her accountable. She held her breath, waiting
for the manager to flay her with condemnation. But instead, another voice—a familiar voice—intruded.

“Mr. Hightower? Before you take any pay away from Miss Forrester, I’d like to tell you what happened here.”

Chapter 11

D
aisy pushed awkwardly to her feet while Mr. Hightower turned to face Robby. Her heart pounded fiercely in fear. In the past weeks she’d witnessed the manager severely berate workers and even dismiss one for daring to argue. She sent Robby a pleading look, begging him to remain silent. She couldn’t bear it if he was released from his job because of her. But dogged determination showed in the set of Robby’s jaw, shredding Daisy’s sliver of hope.

“Miller, this situation does not concern you.” The manager’s frown was stern enough to silence the most outspoken worker, but Robby opened his mouth as if to speak again.

Cassandra ran across the short expanse of floor to Robby and clung to his arm with both hands. “Yes, Rob, please don’t concern yourself. You’re so gallant, and of course you’d want to protect a girl who hails from the same town as you”—she fired a look of loathing at Daisy before turning her beguiling smile on Robby again—“but really, how will she learn if she isn’t forced to suffer the consequences of her behavior?”

Robby gazed at Cassandra for a few seconds, his brows pinched in an expression of uncertainty. Then he shook his head and peeled her fingers from his arm. “I don’t understand you at all, Cassandra, but if anybody needs to suffer some consequences for ill behavior, I’d say it’s you.”

Cassandra’s jaw dropped, and several workers snickered.

Mr. Hightower waved his arm at the group. “Everyone, back to work! Expect a shortened lunch break for the time you wasted here.”

Some skulking in silence, others muttering, the workers ambled back to their tasks.

Mr. Hightower aimed his frown at Robby. “That goes for you, too, Miller.”

Robby marched toward the manager rather than away. “I’ll get back to work just as soon as I’ve had my say. An’ if you wanna shorten my lunch break, that’s fine. It’s worth it to me.” He sent a tender look at Daisy before facing Mr. Hightower again. “This whole mess is my fault.”

“Rob!” Cassandra gasped.

“Robby!” Daisy exclaimed at the same time, staggering forward three steps.

Robby ignored them both. “I came over to the sorting tables to talk to Daisy.”

Mr. Hightower’s forehead furrowed. “To fraternize?”

Daisy held her breath. Fraternizing during work hours was grounds for dismissal. If Robby confirmed the man’s accusation, he could be signing his own release papers.

“Yes, sir. Then Cassandra—” Robby paused and pulled in a long breath. As he released it, Daisy also blew out her held breath, bidding both Robby’s and her jobs good-bye. Robby hung his head. “I think Cassandra got jealous. Because as soon as I walked away, she pushed Daisy into the table. And that’s when the candies got spilled.” He lifted his head and met the manager’s glowering gaze. “So you see, sir, if I hadn’t come along, none of this would’ve happened. I’ll take responsibility for the loss. Or maybe Cassandra and I should share it.”

Cassandra released another startled gasp.

Robby finished, “But please don’t blame Daisy. She didn’t give me so much as a minute’s attention. She just got caught up in the middle of a skirmish between me an’ Cassandra.”

Mr. Hightower shifted to look at Cassandra. The girl’s face had gone white, and she wrung her hands together. “Do you have anything to add, Miss Hooper?”

Cassandra jerked upright so quickly it seemed someone had hooked her head with a string and given a sharp yank. “Yes, sir, I do. I did push Daisy. And I’d do it again!” Her voice quavered, and red flooded her cheeks as she pointed first at Robby and then Daisy. “Because you needed to know that these two are sweethearts. He’s been sneaking around, looking out for her ever since she hired on. I don’t think they should be allowed to work on the same shift.”

Mr. Hightower set his lips in a grim line and glowered at Daisy, Cassandra, and Robby in turn. Daisy quaked beneath his glare out of worry for Robby and what his standing up for her might cost him. She gazed at him in befuddlement. Why had he done it? He’d risked his job for her. If he lost his job, how would he pay for boarding and meals and the other things he needed? Surprisingly, a prayer formed in the back of her heart.

Don’t let him lose it all because of me, God, please …

The manager whipped a pad of paper and a pencil from his jacket pocket and scratched notes onto the pad while speaking. “Miller, Hooper, and Forrester. The value of the ruined candy will be taken in equal portions from your week’s pay.” He jammed the pad back into his pocket and sent an unsmiling glance across the three of them. “I need to consider whether or not to allow you to keep your positions here at Dinsmore’s. I’ll give you my decision at quitting time this afternoon. Now get back to work, and no more fraternizing, pushing, or spilling.” He turned on his heel and strode away.

Cassandra, apparently cowed by Mr. Hightower’s sternness, worked the rest of the day without even sending a glance in Daisy’s direction. The other girl’s silence suited Daisy. The lack of distraction gave Daisy an opportunity to think. And to pray.

The desire to pray baffled her. No matter how many times Ma and Pa Jonnson had encouraged her to share her concerns with God, Daisy had always resisted, never wanting to accept that a Father far away in heaven would care about her any more than the one she had wandering on the earth somewhere. But during the remainder of Saturday, waiting for Mr. Hightower’s decision, Daisy prayed with a fervency that made her chest feel as though her heart had doubled in size.
Let Robby keep his job here, dear God. Don’t let Mr. Hightower release Robby
 … And, equally baffling, offering the prayer gave her a measure of comfort.

The shift-change buzzer blared at 3:00. Time to hear Mr. Hightower’s verdict concerning their employment. Daisy shot Cassandra a nervous look. Cassandra turned her full lips into a pout and scurried off in the direction of the loft staircase. Daisy started to follow, but she heard Robby call, “Daisy, wait up.” He approached in his usual, unhurried gait as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His casual demeanor removed a small amount of Daisy’s trepidation, but as they walked side by side in their matching strides toward the stairway leading to Mr. Hightower’s loft office, the worry crept back over her until her entire body quivered in apprehension.

At the base of the stairs, Robby touched her hand and offered a reassuring smile. “No worryin’ now, Daisy. Whatever happens, God’ll take care of us. He made a promise in Philippians 4, verse 19—‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ Remember?”

An unexpected mantle of peace settled around Daisy as she recalled the scripture often quoted by Ma Jonnson when things seemed bleak at the asylum. And never, not one time, had the orphans gone without food or adequate shelter. She smiled—a genuine smile—and nodded. “I remember.”

“Then trust,” Robby whispered, and he gestured her up the stairs.

Chapter 12

D
aisy stood in front of Mr. Hightower’s desk between Robby and Cassandra, holding herself as erect as Robby did. Cassandra, apparently robbed of the confidence and disdain she’d displayed from Daisy’s very first day in Sinclair, fidgeted in place and chewed her thumbnail. Daisy almost felt sorry for the girl while they waited for Mr. Hightower to complete whatever notes he was scribbling on a large pad and to acknowledge their presence.

Finally the man slapped the notepad upside down and sent a dissatisfied look across the three waiting workers. “First of all,” he said, leaning back in his chair and linking his fingers over his vest, “I have valid reasons to send you out the door. Without exception, you have broken portions of the employment contract to which you pledged obedience.”

Daisy determinedly kept her eyes fixed on Mr. Hightower’s stern face rather than glancing right or left. Nervousness pulsated from Cassandra, but only calm acceptance seeped from Robby. She unconsciously leaned toward him, appreciative of his quiet strength.

Mr. Hightower aimed his glare at Robby. “Mr. Miller, you’ve been employed here for a year, and I’ve not found cause to criticize you until today’s costly fiasco. It is apparent, despite Miss Forrester’s erroneous claims concerning your status as her beau, that you do harbor feelings of affection for her and, therefore, will undoubtedly continue to seek her attention.”

“Yes, sir, I probably will. She’s my girl, and she always will be.”

Robby’s bold statement sent waves of joy through Daisy’s center. She bit the insides of her cheeks to hold back a smile of delight. He’d called her his girl! Oh, such a glorious reckoning.

“Miss Forrester.”

She gave a jolt and focused on Mr. Hightower, who now glowered at her. “Yes, sir?”

“You’ve been employed here a very short time, but I’ve been watching you.”

He had? She swallowed, disconcerted by this new knowledge.

“You are a consistent worker, never shirking in your duties. I suspect today’s calamity would not have occurred if not for the actions of Mr. Miller and Miss Hooper.” He jammed a pay envelope across his desk toward Daisy. She hugged it to her ribs as the manager said, “Therefore, you may depart with a verbal warning to exercise caution in the future.”

Confused, Daisy remained in place until the manager barked, “I said you may depart!” She gave a brief curtsy of acknowledgment, then scurried to the hallway, but she couldn’t make herself leave until she knew Robby’s and Cassandra’s fates. Sliding onto the bench just outside the door, she tipped her ear to the open doorway and listened, her heart thudding.

“Miss Hooper, I’ve also observed you over your months of employment.” Mr. Hightower’s derisive voice carried clearly to the hall. “To be frank, your work ethic is not as diligent as Mr. Fulton Dinsmore prefers for workers at Dinsmore’s World-Famous Chocolates Factory. I suspect you sought a job here for the sole purpose of landing the affection of one of the male workers. After today’s display of childish jealousy, which resulted in a grievous loss of merchandise for Mr. Dinsmore, I cannot find sound reason to keep you as an employee.”

Daisy sucked in a sharp breath as Mr. Hightower stated over Cassandra’s protesting wails, “Miss Hooper, I have deducted half of today’s loss from your pay, and this will be your final wage from Dinsmore’s. You are hereby released from duty.”

The pounding of feet startled Daisy into jerking upright. Cassandra burst from the office, tears rolling down her face. She sent a brief, scathing look at Daisy before rushing down the stairs, her wails echoing from the enclosed stairway and finally fading away. Daisy gulped and clasped her hands. Would Robby meet the same fate as Cassandra?

“Mr. Miller …”

Daisy held her breath.
Please, God. Please, God …

“I’m loath to lose an employee who, until today, has exhibited an exemplary work ethic. Thus, rather than dismissing you from duty, I am moving you to second shift where your focus can be on your job rather than on your sweetheart.”

Your sweetheart
 … Daisy’s breath eased out on a happy sigh.

“Plan to begin your new shift position on Monday, and your pay envelope today will show a significant deduction as a result of today’s loss.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.” Although his voice was strong, Daisy read relief in Robby’s tone. She rose and met him as he exited the door. The moment he stepped into the hallway, he swept her into a hug. Nothing, ever, had been as welcome as his arms closing around her. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder, content in his embrace.

But then questions filled her mind, forcing her to take a step back and pin a seeking look on him. “Robby … why?”

His tipped his head. “Why what?”

She gathered her courage. “Why did you choose me?” She sent a glance toward the stairway where Cassandra had disappeared, envisioning the girl’s feminine prettiness and dainty form. Did Robby care for her only out of pity? She had to know the truth. “I’ll never be petite or have long, flowing hair. I’ll never be”—she swallowed, pain stabbing anew—“pretty. Are you sure I’m enough?”

A slow smile grew on his dear face. He lifted one hand and traced his finger along Daisy’s jaw. The gentle touch raised the sting of tears. “Silly girl … Haven’t you figured out by now I love you the same way God does—just the way you are? You don’t have to be shorter or have different hair or a prettier face for me to love you. I love you for
you
. I always have. I always will.”

In that moment too many emotions for Daisy to sort rolled through her. Recognitions about God, about Robby, even about Ma and Pa Jonnson clamored for full examination, and she would examine each of them in prayer later. But for now she only wanted to verify one thing.