A Home for Her Heart

by Janet Lee Barton

  Now she really had him curious. What had happened? Most probably she didn’t want to talk about it any more than he wanted to talk about his romantic disappointments. At least she wasn’t looking forward to meeting this man her father had in mind. But what if he turned out to be someone she thought attractive and what if—

  John gave himself an inward shake. It wasn’t any of his business anyway. He certainly had no claim on Elizabeth and no right to voice his opinion, much as he might want to.

  “And your father knows all of this?” Mrs. Heaton asked.

  “He does, if only he listened to me on the subject. Please don’t get me wrong,” Elizabeth said. “I do love my father. But after my mother passed away, he seemed to—” She stopped and shook her head. “I’ll not bother everyone with family differences of opinion. I’m sure many of you know what that is like.”

  “Oh, yes, I do,” Millicent said. “I felt smothered back home.”

  “Times have certainly changed and are still changing since I was a young woman,” Mrs. Heaton said. “Some things for the better and some not.”

  “Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time Independence Day. At least I’ll be at my aunt’s and it will be better than going home to Boston.”

  John had to agree with Elizabeth. It’d only be for a few days and then she would be back at Heaton House.

  “Where is it your aunt lives?” Millicent asked.

  “On the other side of the city,” Elizabeth answered.

  So. Even after opening up the way she had tonight, she still wasn’t willing to give out her aunt’s address. Nor should she feel she had to, he supposed. There were all kinds of reasons not to, but the more he found out about Elizabeth, the more he wanted to know. And the more certain he was that there was much more to her than any of them knew.

  Chapter Ten

  At breakfast the next morning, all the talk was centered on John’s second article about the deplorable tenements. It wasn’t on the front page of the Tribune, but was near there, and he thought he’d done a pretty good job with it. He’d tried to give a vivid picture of the tenements’ conditions and several of the photos Millicent and Elizabeth had taken were included. He’d made a point to reinforce the need for more child-care homes by writing about the children, how they lived and the looks on some of their faces as they passed on the streets.

  Elizabeth looked up from the paper. “This is the best article you’ve ever written, John. I know it’s going to go over very well.”

  His chest seemed to expand at her words. “Thank you, Elizabeth. Your opinion means a lot to me.” More than she’d ever know.

  “Elizabeth is right,” Luke said from across the table. “It’s an excellent article and one that should get some response from the city leaders.”

  “I hope you’re right, Luke.”

  “So do I,” Mrs. Heaton said. “I know the Ladies’ Aide Society will be quite pleased with your article, John. I’m very proud of you.”

  John could feel the color flood his face at the compliments he was receiving, as if he were still a schoolboy. But the people in this house and especially Mrs. Heaton’s good opinion warmed his heart. “Thank you. I hope my articles will result in the buildings being better taken care of and that they help bring in some good donations for more homes.”

  And he did. Of course, he truly hoped the articles would serve to advance his career, too. More and more he felt as if that was on the verge of happening. Would he finally feel he could get on with the rest of his life if it did?

  “We’d better get going if we’re going to make it to church this morning,” Elizabeth reminded them, forcing thoughts he was better off not thinking to the background.

  Everyone pushed back their chairs and the women hurried up to grab their Bibles, purses and hats.

  John and the other men took their hats from the rack in the foyer. He picked up the Bible he’d brought up and had put on the side table before going in to breakfast, and waited along with the other men until the ladies returned.

  It was a beautiful day out, not too warm for late June, so they decided to walk the few blocks to church. Still unsettled about the matchmaking business her father was up to, John fell into step with Elizabeth.

  “We’re going to miss you over Independence Day weekend.”

  “I’ll miss everyone as well. But I should probably be relieved that Papa decided to come here instead of insisting I go to Boston.”

  “Yes, well, that is a good thing.” He certainly didn’t want her gone any longer than necessary. But the woman worked for a living and was making her own way, why did her father seem to want to marry her off?

  John took a deep breath. Put yourself in his place, man. He has this lovely daughter living in this city, away from home—

  Perhaps Elizabeth’s father just wanted someone to take care of her so that she didn’t have to work. Maybe he was ill and wanted to make sure things were settled for her before anything happened to him. Or maybe he was just a cantankerous, controlling man.

  “All I know is that I’ll be glad for the weekend to get here and get over with.”

  He couldn’t have said it better himself.

  “I’d much rather—”

  She stopped midsentence and he had a feeling she didn’t want to be disloyal to her father by saying she’d rather spend the holiday with them. He could understand that.

  “Perhaps we can all do something special next weekend—kind of an early celebration.”

  He was rewarded by a huge smile. “That would be wonderful, John.”

  “Maybe we could go to Coney Island. It won’t be near as busy as it will be during the holiday weekend,” Ben said from behind them.

  John had forgotten his friend was there, hearing everything they said. “That might work. But I was thinking we could take in a ball game. The Giants are playing the Bridegrooms again. Then maybe we could go out to dinner that evening. What do you think, Elizabeth?”

  “Either of those ideas sounds good to me,” Elizabeth said. “Maybe we should put it to a vote and see what everyone else thinks when we get back to Heaton House.”

  John nodded. “We can do that.” He’d go along with her suggestion—up to a point. It would be for her after all. She was always willing to go along with what everyone else wanted, but this time she should do the choosing. “Long as you let us know what it is you really want to do.”

  * * *

  All Elizabeth really wanted to do was spend time with John, but she wasn’t about to say so. Didn’t want to admit it even to herself...except she just had. They reached the church and John lightly gripped her elbow as they entered and followed Luke and Kathleen down the aisle. Did he know his touch sent her pulse to racing? Oh, she hoped not.

  Mrs. Heaton slipped into the pew to sit beside her children and grandchild. Luke and Kathleen took the pew behind, and Elizabeth and John took seats beside them. Millicent sat next to Elizabeth, and Matt sat down beside her, leaving Ben to take the last seat on the pew, motioning to them all to move a little nearer to one another to make room for him.

  As Elizabeth’s arm came into contact with John’s, a current of electricity shot all the way to her fingertips. She jumped and caught her breath as she and John exchanged glances. Had he felt the same thing?

  This new emotion she felt for John was different from anything she’d ever experienced. On one hand they were friends. Had been for several years now. But her reaction to his nearness wasn’t what she felt for other male friends and it was totally different from how she’d felt about him several months ago. Elizabeth didn’t know when, or why, things had changed, but there was no denying they had.

  All she knew was she liked John more each day, liked being around him, loved his smile, especially when it was directed toward her. That smile of his could make her feel as if a tho
usand butterflies had been let loose in her stomach. And that’s exactly what she had to fight against—liking him too much, and feeling more than friendship for him. She couldn’t seem to control the racing pulse, or the shots of electricity, but she must fight her growing attraction and reactions to him. She’d vowed never to give her heart to another man and she meant to keep it.

  As the service began and they stood for a song, Elizabeth took a deep breath and raised her voice to sing along with the others. She tried to force her attention away from the man next her and focus it on the Lord.

  * * *

  Mrs. Heaton’s family joined them for Sunday dinner and their presence made the table feel complete. Violet had stayed in the room Kathleen was in now, before she and Michael married, and while she lived there, Elizabeth and Violet had become good friends. Elizabeth had missed her greatly until Kathleen had been brought to Heaton House. Now she’d have to go through all that again, once Kathleen and Luke married and moved out.

  But she knew their friendship would remain and she’d still see them often. That was one of the blessings about living here. The family feel Mrs. Heaton had infused her home with.

  After the blessing had been said, John brought up the ideas for the next Saturday. “Elizabeth suggested we take a vote, but since she won’t be able to spend Independence Day with us, I thought we should just let her choose.”

  “That’s right, she should get to choose,” Kathleen agreed. “What is it to be, Elizabeth? Swimming or baseball?”

  Elizabeth really didn’t have a preference, although as warm as it’d been lately, getting in a swim did sound nice. But she could see how John and the other men’s eyes lit up at the prospect of going to a ball game and sharing their knowledge of the game with the women.

  “Well, I’ve never actually been to a baseball game before, so why don’t we do that?”

  She had to smile at the men’s reaction, especially John’s. His smile was huge as he leaned over and whispered, “Are you sure?”

  “I am.”

  “Better now than later in the summer,” Violet said. “The heat could get worse and it’s not too bad right now. Besides, going swimming later will feel even better—although I won’t be joining you for that. I could sit and watch your antics, however. That would be fun.”

  Elizabeth hadn’t thought about how Violet wouldn’t be able to swim in her condition. And sitting at a ball game might be uncomfortable, too. “Will the ball game be too much for you? If it will, we could—”

  “I think I’ll be fine, Elizabeth.”

  “If it gets to be too much, I can take her home,” Michael said, concern showing in his expression. Evidently he hadn’t thought about the warmer weather possibly effecting Violet until just now, either.

  “We should pray that next Saturday is a nice cool day. If not, we’ll go another time.”

  “You’ll go and I’ll go another time,” Violet said. “No need in ruining everyone’s fun.”

  “It wouldn’t be as much fun without you,” Elizabeth said.

  “No, and neither will Independence Day be without you. But sometimes we don’t have a choice.”

  “So true. And we might as well make it easier by accepting that fact.” Elizabeth certainly didn’t feel she had any choice about the holiday weekend this year. But she’d decided she was going to make the best of it. Her father was showing more interest in her and she didn’t have to do anything more than be polite to the young man he wanted her to meet.

  * * *

  John didn’t much like the turn in the conversation between Elizabeth and Violet. Especially the part about making the best of what one had no choice in. Did that mean Elizabeth would give this man her father wanted her to meet a chance?

  His chest tightened at the very thought that she might become interested in someone. She’d not had a beau that he knew of since she’d moved to Heaton House. Like the rest of the boarders, she mostly spent her free time with other boarders.

  “John?” Elizabeth nudged his arm, bringing his thoughts back to the present. “Want a roll?”

  He looked down to see the basket she held out to him. “Oh, yes, thank you.” He took a roll and handed the basket off to the next person.

  “I thought so. Those are your favorite. You seemed lost in thought.”

  “I was. I’m looking forward to Saturday. I hope you’ll enjoy the game. I’ll explain it to you as best I can.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it, too. But you’ll need to do a lot of explaining. I don’t know much about baseball.”

  He couldn’t help but wonder why her father had never taken her to a baseball game. Surely the man liked the sport. He’d never met one who didn’t. “It will be my pleasure.”

  “And what he gets wrong, I’ll make sure you understand, Elizabeth,” Ben said from across the table. “Rebecca tells me she knows all about the game, so there’ll be no need to explain it to her.”

  “Well, Michael played back home,” Rebecca said with a smile. “It’s hard to have a big brother and not know about baseball.”

  “Rebecca is actually a pretty good pitcher.” Michael chuckled. “Except for that time she hit me in the head. Thanks for the memory, sis.”

  His sister chuckled. “I hadn’t thought of that in a long time, Michael. I am sorry I aimed so high that time.”

  John wondered what it would have been like to have a sibling. He often thought he was missing out by being an only child. Did Elizabeth feel the same way?

  She turned to him just then as if she read his thoughts. “I love seeing those two together. I’m so glad they are all reunited. Seeing them interact sometimes makes me wish I had a brother or sister.”

  “I know that feeling.”

  “Sometimes—” They both chuckled as they said the same thing at the same time.

  “You first.”

  “Well, I sometimes wonder if Papa would quit concentrating on trying to run my life if I had a brother or sister. But I shouldn’t really complain and I feel bad about doing so. I mean...I do have a parent still living. I’m sorry, John. I shouldn’t be so thoughtless.”

  She thought she’d offended him. John shook his head and smiled at her. “No need to be sorry. You have to deal with—” He clamped his mouth shut. What was he thinking? Here he was about to insult her father. She may be frustrated with the man, but it was doubtful she’d want anyone else saying anything bad about him.

  “What do I have to deal with?”

  He shook his head and opened his mouth to try to get out of an awkward moment and was more than a little relieved when Millicent spoke from across the table.

  “Oh, now I’m getting homesick for my brother. You’ve reminded me how nice he is and how I miss being able to have him around to give me advice—even though I totally resented that he expected me to take it.”

  That made everyone at the table laugh and John’s awkward moment passed. Would he ever learn to think before speaking?

  * * *

  Elizabeth let herself into Heaton House the next afternoon, wondering if it would stay nice until Saturday. She truly hoped the weather was good that day; she didn’t want it to be hard for Violet in any way.

  Next month promised to be warmer and she could understand why so many left the city for the summer to spend time along the coast. It sounded wonderful to her and she knew her aunt would like to go. But her life was here at Heaton House, as a regular person, and if she sometimes missed some of the advantages of living the life of a wealthy young woman, she reminded herself of all she didn’t like about that kind of lifestyle. Even at the beach, the wealthy had strict rules to follow. One had to change clothes for every activity during the day, then dress up for dinner each night. It was a day filled with flitting from one place to another, and then back to change again, day in and day out.r />
  No. She didn’t want to live that way again. Not even for a holiday at the seaside. Besides, she’d feel guilty for enjoying a stay at the beach when her friends were stuck in the city.

  She didn’t like spending her time trying to live up to rules that truly had nothing to do with living. Most of the people her father associated with were most concerned with making money and keeping it, with impressing those who were richer only to make their place in society stronger. At least it seemed that way to her.

  Oh, not everyone was like that. Her aunt was very concerned about the less fortunate, but then she hadn’t always been wealthy, nor did she use her wealth to impress others. And if not for her, Elizabeth would still be longing to escape the life she’d lived in Boston.

  Dear Aunt Bea. She should visit her more often. Or even invite her to Heaton House. She’d love it. And if Elizabeth let everyone know who she really was, there would be no need to keep her aunt’s identity secret, either. She was ashamed that she’d put her own desire to be able to live a private life before what would benefit those she loved. She was going to have to let everyone know her true identity soon. If only she knew how to do it. If only she knew how they would all react to the news.

  And who should she tell first? Kathleen or John? Kathleen had become her best friend. And John... Well, they both had to be told.

  But when should she do it? Before Independence Day or after? How would the people who meant so much to her take the news? Would they turn on her? She prayed not, but only the Lord knew.

  Dear Lord, please help me to have the courage to tell everyone, and please help me to know when, and how, and who to tell first. I know I’ve asked this before, but please help me to be quiet and listen and know what You would have me do.

  Almost immediately, she felt awash with peace about it all. She’d have the answers to her prayer, but the timing would be the Lord’s. There was no need to rush. If she left it all in His hands, He would let her know. And His will would be done. Oh, why hadn’t she done that in the first place?