Hearts in Hiding

by Patty Smith Hall

  “Vaguely,” Beau replied.

  “He’s assistant dean over at the medical school. Anyway, he heard about the work you did during the recent polio outbreak and would like to talk to you about a scholarship.” The doctor gave them a thoughtful smile. “He thinks he may have an opening in the upcoming class.”

  “Beau!” Edie pressed her face into his neck, her arms wrapping around him.

  “Thank You, Lord,” he whispered into her hair.

  Edie smiled. Yes, thank You, Lord, for this Godly man.

  “We’re going to need more doctors to accommodate the county’s growth,” Lovinggood continued. “Even the mayor is talking about building a new hospital, one that can provide for all our new citizens.”

  Not surprising when Edie had given the mayor her drawings for a larger hospital herself. She turned her head toward the doctor. “Will it have more beds for the Negro population?”

  Lovinggood exchanged a look with Beau, then shrugged. “I don’t know, Edie, but with Beau in medical school and intending to practice here, he’ll have a say in the matter.”

  She glanced up at Beau who gave her a slight nod. This would have to be a battle for another day.

  “Dr. Lovinggood,” Beau said, extending his free hand to the man, “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  The man took Beau’s hand in his grasp and shook it. “Just be the kind of physician I know you’re capable of being.” He tipped his hat to Edie. “See you this afternoon.”

  The doctor was barely halfway down the front walk when Beau pulled her into his arms, his laughter rumbling beneath her fingertips. “This has turned out to be a wonderful day!”

  Smiling up at him, Edie laced her arms around his neck. “I can’t wait to marry you, Beau Daniels.”

  He leaned toward her, resting his forehead on hers, his usually pale green eyes darkened by love and longing. “Soon.”

  How could one small word hold such promise of the future lifetime? But questions ceased to exist when he leaned forward to claim her lips. She returned his kiss, knowing Beau was only the beginning of the family they would build together in the years to come.

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed Patty Smith Hall’s book,

  be sure to check out the other books this month

  from Love Inspired Historical!

  Keep reading for an excerpt of A Baby Between Them by Winnie Griggs!

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for joining me for another story set in World War II Georgia, and Merrilee Davenport’s boardinghouse. Edie Michaels caught my attention as WASP Maggie Daniels’s friend in Hearts in Flight. I hope you enjoyed reading how Edie found healing from her father’s betrayal in God’s love for her, and in Beau and Edie’s blossoming love for each other.

  Blessings,

  Patty Smith Hall

  Questions for Discussion

  We first meet Beau Daniels climbing in the front window of his aunt’s house because she always provided a safe haven after one of James Daniels’s beatings. Have you ever encountered a child in an abusive situation? How did you react? Were you willing to open your home to this child, knowing the possible dangers?

  Edie makes a snap judgment about Beau based on his father’s recent arrest. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? How would you have reacted?

  Beau reveals a secretive nature when he finds a letter from Edie’s German grandmother and hides it rather than question her about it. Is he being protective of his aunt and cousin? Or should he have confronted Edie about the letter immediately? How much do you believe his abusive past played a part in his decision to investigate Edie privately?

  Edie is concerned about Claire Davenport’s obsession with the father she’d never known. How would you handle someone’s questions about a subject you found uncomfortable? Who do you believe made the correct choice—Edie for voicing her concern about Claire’s questions, or Beau for encouraging his cousin’s inquiries about her father?

  Edie works as an architect in a time when men dominate the field. What do you think gave her the self-confidence to make such a bold career choice?

  Both Beau and Edie hide their friendships with the Stephenses, an African-American family, because of the racial barriers at the time. Have you ever had to hide a friendship out of fear of what others would say or do? How do you think the other person in the relationship felt about being kept secret? How would you feel?

  Edie’s father is active in the German movement in the United States and is determined to ship his daughter to Germany to further Hitler’s cause. Yet Edie still loves and prays for him every day. Have you been faced with loving someone despite a sin they continue to commit in their life? How did you react?

  Edie has to hide her father’s secret, yet she judged Beau based on his father’s past behavior. Do you find her actions hypocritical? Or was she merely protecting herself and the other residents in the house she’d grown to love? If you believe neither is true, what do you think caused her to behave this way?

  Beau worries that the townsfolk will think he is just like his reprobate father, and is determined to prove himself as a better person. In what ways, good and bad, are you like your parents? What one trait would you change? Write out a plan of action.

  Edie’s feelings for Beau begin to change when she hears Beau pray. What can you learn about a person by praying with them? How important is prayer to a relationship?

  Beau feels the need to thank Pastor Williams for preaching God’s word, which set the foundation for Beau’s faith. Who would you thank for helping you grow your faith if you had the opportunity? What can you do to show your appreciation for their following God’s calling?

  Pastor Williams tells Beau he sometimes dealt with discouragement when trying to reach people for God. Have you ever felt discouraged in a ministry you’re working with? What helps you work through your discouragement? A kind word? Certain Bible verses?

  Beau is shocked to learn he didn’t play a part in George’s decision to leave home. Have you ever taken responsibility for someone else’s choices? How did it affect you? How did it affect your relationship with the other person?

  Beau and Edie find letters James Daniels had stolen from Merrilee and John, letters that could have saved their marriage. What would you do with the letters if you were in Edie and Beau’s place? Would you forward them to John? Or return them to Merrilee? Why?

  Edie’s decision to forgive Beau, after he confesses to keeping her grandmother’s letter and investigating her, surprises Beau. Do you think Beau has a problem with the concept of forgiveness because of his abused past? Name a time in your life when someone extended unexpected forgiveness to you.

  Edie and Beau both have issues with their parents that could influence the way they handle their relationships with each other and their children in the future. What Bible verses could the couple study and memorize to help them in raising their family in the years to come?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Historical title.

  You find illumination in days gone by. Love Inspired Historical stories lift the spirit as heroines tackle the challenges of life in another era with hope, faith and a focus on family.

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  Chapter One

  Faith Glen, Massachusetts, August 1850

  Nora Murphy looked at her two younger sisters across the room and tamped down the pinprick of jealousy that tried to intrude on her joy at their good fortune.

  After all, this was her sister Bridget’s wedding day to Will Black, a good and honorable man who loved her dearly. Everyone in town w
as gathered to celebrate here at Will’s home—Bridget’s home now, too. It was a joyous occasion and it would be selfish to put her own feelings above her sister’s.

  So what if just a scant month ago Maeve, the youngest, had also married a wonderful man? No matter how it felt, Nora assured herself, it wasn’t truly pitiable to be the oldest and the only one still single and with no marriage prospects. After all, at twenty-five she had a few years left to her before she’d have to don her spinster cap.

  Strange how in just a little over two months—a seeming eyeblink of time—her whole world had changed. Back then they’d lived in Ireland amidst the terrible burdens of the potato famine and the sickness that had taken so many of their friends and neighbors, and finally their beloved da. Suddenly orphaned and facing eviction, they’d been left all but destitute and desperate. The startling discovery of a possible inheritance across the ocean in America from an old suitor of their mother’s had been an answered prayer. She, Bridget and Maeve had left their homeland, headed for the land of promise with only their faith and the hope of finding a new home in the small town of Faith Glen, Massachusetts, to keep their spirits up.

  They’d all taken jobs aboard the ship the Annie McGee to replenish their drained savings after purchasing their passage. Maeve, the youngest, had fallen in love with and married the ship’s well-to-do doctor, Flynn Gallagher, before they’d even set foot in America.

  And now Bridget, the middle sister, had married Will Black, a mill owner and Faith Glen’s wealthiest citizen.

  How wonderful that her sisters had found good, honorable men who loved them deeply and who could care for them extravagantly. It was surely a blessing from the Good Lord Himself. And she was certain the Good Lord had plans for her, as well. Whether or not those plans included marriage was another question altogether.

  Father Almighty, I really do want to be obedient to You and to patiently await Your will for my life. But please be patient with me when I try to get ahead of You. I am prideful and too often try to control my circumstances.

  “I brought you a glass of punch.”

  Pulled out of her musings, Nora found Sheriff Cameron Long, the man who employed her as housekeeper and cook, standing in front of her. He had a cup in each hand and was holding one out to her. His always-ready, lopsided smile was in evidence, giving him a boyish look despite his imposing size. Really, the sheriff could be so considerate.

  When he wasn’t being so maddeningly stubborn.

  She looked up, meeting his gaze. Unlike her sisters, she had more of her father than her mother in her and had been the tallest of the three siblings. But Sheriff Long still towered over her, which was an uncommon but not entirely unpleasant experience.

  “Thank you.” She accepted the cup and took a quick sip. “’Twas kind of you to bring it to me.”

  He took a drink from his own cup. “If you don’t mind my asking, what are you doing over here by yourself? As a sister of the bride I would think you’d want to be in the thick of things.”

  Nora waved toward the cradle that held her infant ward. “I’ll rejoin them shortly. I just put Grace down for her nap.”

  She still found it hard to believe that no one had come forward to claim the newborn foundling who’d been abandoned during their voyage. Perhaps, for some reason, the child’s family members couldn’t reveal themselves. But whatever the case, Nora was guiltily glad they hadn’t. The idea of giving Grace up now was too painful to consider.

  As usual, the sheriff avoided more than a quick look Grace’s way and merely nodded, then changed the subject. “I understand you made most of the cakes for this little gathering.”

  “It was my gift to Bridget and Will.”

  His smile broadened and his heather-blue eyes regarded her in that teasing way he had. Didn’t he realize there should be a certain formality between an employer and his hired help?

  “And a mighty tasty gift it was,” he said, saluting her with his cup. “That was as fine a use of the Huntley-Black chocolate as I can remember. Most everyone is saying how good the desserts are and I saw several guests sneak back around for seconds.”

  Bridget’s new husband owned and operated the Huntley-Black Chocolate Mill, a business that employed a large number of the town’s citizens. It had given Nora a great deal of satisfaction to devise a recipe using Will’s product for this reception. “I enjoy cooking and baking. I’m just pleased others take pleasure in the results of my efforts.”

  “And I’m pleased I get to enjoy them on a regular basis.”

  Her cheeks warmed at the more personal compliment. “Thank you. As I said, I enjoy cooking.”

  He finished his punch and she expected him to drift away, but instead he nodded toward the other side of the room. “They make a fine picture, don’t they?”

  Bridget had stooped down to say something to Will’s three-year-old twins—her new stepchildren—and the youngsters were giggling. Will stood next to his bride, looking on with a besotted smile.

  Nora nodded. “They do indeed. They are all blessed to have found each other.”

  “Do your Maeve and Flynn plan to stay here for a while?”

  She followed his glance toward her other sister and brother-in-law. “No, I’m sorry to say. They’ll be returning to Boston as soon as they see Bridget and Will off. Flynn has some patients to look in on tomorrow.”

  “Well, they can’t get their new home built soon enough. The folks in these parts are really looking forward to having their own doctor right here in Faith Glen.” Cam turned back to her. “And I’m sure you’ll be glad to have your other sister close by.”

  “It will be good to have the three of us close together again.” Maeve and Flynn were having a home built here in Faith Glen but it wasn’t finished yet so they were currently living in Flynn’s family home in Boston.

  Nora cast a quick glance back over her shoulder to make certain Grace was all right. She smiled at the sweet picture the babe made as she slept.

  “Speaking of your sisters,” Sheriff Long said, “it looks as if they’re headed this way.”

  Nora turned back around and sure enough, Bridget and Maeve were crossing the room toward her, arms linked and skirts swishing as they walked.

  “Ladies.” The sheriff gave a short bow as Nora’s sisters halted in front of them. He smiled at Bridget. “I’ve already told Will more than once what a mighty lucky fellow he is.”

  Bridget smiled in return. “Thank you, but I feel like I’m the one who’s been blessed.”

  Cam widened his gaze to include all three of them. “I must say, all of the Murphy sisters are looking especially fetching today.”

  Did his gaze linger on her just a heartbeat longer than her sisters? Nora pushed that ridiculous thought away. While she was honest enough to know she wasn’t plain, she also knew she couldn’t hold a candle to her sisters. Maeve was petite with beautiful curly red hair and the exquisite features of a porcelain doll. And Bridget was delicate, soft and dreamy-eyed with untamable hair that always gave her an ethereal look. Nora knew herself to be tall and rather thin, with hair that was plain brown and features that were pleasant enough but nothing out of the ordinary.

  The sheriff held his hand out toward her and it took her a moment to realize he was offering to take her now-empty cup. Feeling her cheeks warm, she thrust the cup at him with a bit more force than necessary.

  He raised a brow, but accepted the cup graciously enough. “I’ll take care of putting this away for you and let you ladies talk.”

  “Must be nice having him pick up after you for a change.”

  Nora frowned at Maeve’s words. “The sheriff is a good man and a fair employer.”

  Maeve raised her hand, palm out. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I just meant that after cleaning up after him all week I would imagine it would be a pleasant change to have him return the favor.”

  Nora merely nodded, then turned to her other sister. “Will you and your new husband be off soon then?”
<
br />   Bridget’s cheeks pinkened becomingly as she reached for her sisters’ hands. “Yes. But before we leave for Boston, I wanted to thank both of you again for all you did to help make my wedding day so special.”

  Maeve, who’d supplied the beautiful gown Bridget wore, gave their sister a hug. “It was my pleasure. But, to be sure, your smile is the most beautiful thing you’re wearing today.”

  Nora nodded her agreement before hugging her, as well. “And your joy is sweeter than my baking.” She stepped back, taking both of Bridget’s hands in hers. “I only wish Mother and Da could’ve been here to see you today.”

  Romantically minded Bridget gave her a watery smile. “I do, too. Though I felt very close to them all through the ceremony.”

  Maeve patted her arm. “They would have been very proud of you.”

  Nora was certain of that, as well. She hoped their parents would also be proud of her. She’d done her best to hold their household together after their dear mother passed on ten years ago. But with Maeve and Bridget married now, the caretaker part of her life was over, at least as far as her sisters were concerned. She’d always thought she’d feel freer when this day came, not consumed by this sense of loneliness.

  Of course she wasn’t completely alone. While her sisters had new husbands and lives apart from hers now, the Good Lord had provided her with companionship of a different sort. Nora glanced back toward the cradle and smiled. Her sisters had husbands but she had this sweet, sweet babe.

  “I see Grace is taking a nap.”

  At Maeve’s comment, Nora refocused on her sisters. They had linked arms again and were facing her with identical determined looks on their faces. What were they up to? “Yes. Poor wee babe is worn out from being around so many people today. I should be getting her home soon.”

  Home. Such a small word for such a wonderful, wonderful thing. For the first time in her life, she finally had a place to call her own that no landlord could remove her from.

  Bridget cleared her throat. “We have something to say to you before Will and I leave for Boston. And we want you to hear us out before you say anything.”