Following Mr. Walker to an area set behind their house for target practice, she listened intently to his instructions. Keeping it simple and to the point, his actions and words were economical, like the man. No fripperies or pretense, Mr. Walker was the opposite of suitors who made life miserable in Boston. He didn’t treat her like a helpless woman needing a man’s assistance to cross the street. If he’d been any other man being that close physically, it would have felt awkward, but she trusted him. Samuel taught her how to shoot a pistol, but the rifle was a firearm with a mean kick and lethal bark. She and the girls needed to come up with a way to repay him for all the unselfish things he’d done to help.<br/><br/>Olivia excused herself to get ready for dinner, giving time for the girls come up to Jed. "Mr. Walker, I think Auntie likes you. We would not mind if you would come a calling on her." they smiled conspiratorially. "We don't think she would mind either." Dumbstruck with embarrassment in overhearing the conversation, she pretended not to have heard and resolved to speak with the girls later. She hoped their scheming didn’t spoil the friendship with Mr. Walker. They walked together to the hotel, predicting what would be the next drama in the dining room. Mabel waved them to the farthest table, reserved, set, and ready for them. Letting the others walk ahead, Olivia asked Mabel if she could help in the kitchen, learning the basics of cooking. Already overworked and underpaid the woman snapped, refusing her request. “Mabel,” desperate, Olivia tried to negotiate, “how about I pay you fairly for your efforts?” Her offer stopped the frazzled woman mid-rant. “If you pay me a reasonable salary, I would come to your home to teach you to cook.” Striking a deal, they both parted, feeling better about the encounter.