"Austin." Mr. Lawrence offered a handshake. "It's good to see you are not only punctual, but you are early as well."
"It is my intention to impress you with everything I do, sir." Austin accepted his hand and gripped it firmly as he shook.
"Do I denote a hint of arrogance?"
"Only confidence in my ability to give what you expect of me."
"Very good, then." Mr. Lawrence walked to the desk and motioned for Austin to sit down. "Please make yourself comfortable. Not every employee is on a schedule, but as soon as Ben Clarke arrives, he will show you what your job will entail."
Austin smiled nervously and nodded as he walked to the desk and hesitantly sat down. "Sir, again I would like to thank-"
Mr. Lawrence slapped him lightly on the shoulder as Austin jumped slightly. "There is no need to thank me. I need you as much as you need me. Good help is hard to find, though I do find it interesting that you would come to me for employment."
"I desire to work for someone I respect and there is no one I respect more than you, sir." Austin said confidently.
"Please, Austin, do not call me "sir." "Mr. Lawrence"
will be just fine for the office."
"May I ask where your desk is?"
"I have no need for a desk."
"Yes, of course, not all wealthy men sit around counting their money."
Mr. Lawrence chuckled. "I do prefer to occupy myself with manual labor."
"Mr. Lawrence, I think it is wonderful." Austin rose from the chair. "It is exactly what I want to do."
"Pardon me."
"Please don't misunderstand me. I appreciate the job, but I would prefer to work hard-I mean-working with you instead of for you."
"Why didn't you say so?"
Mr. Clarke walked in the room. "Cedric, is this the lad you were telling me about?" His smile was bright.
"No, no. This is our new shipmate." Mr. Clarke extended his hand to Austin, and they shook as they grinned at each other.
_ _
"Maddie" Hayley called from the foyer.
Maddie descended the stairway. "Yes."
"I am going out for awhile."
"Where are you going and with whom?"
"Mr. Jackson is stopping by Mrs. Stephens's house with some rose bulbs, and I'm going to ride with him. He told me they have a new foal."