by Linda Ford
Millicent gently took hold of his good arm and led him up the steps. “Do you want to go lie down for a while or—”
“I’m not sure…”
“Why don’t you take a seat in the parlor and put your feet up, Matt?” Mrs. Heaton asked. “You can nap until dinner if you want. Do you think you’ll feel like eating anything? Or Joe can get you to your room and I’ll bring you a tray if you’d rather lie down there.”
“I—think I’d like to clean up a bit before dinner.”
“I’ll help him down and back up,” Joe said. “He’s probably a bit wobbly from the medicine they gave him.”
“All right. But if you don’t feel like coming back up, let Joe know and I’ll bring a tray down for you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Heaton.” He turned to Millicent. “And thank you for being with me. I’m not sure how you happened to be in the area, but I believe the Lord must have sent you. I’ll be back up in a bit.”
Millicent swallowed around the lump in her throat as she nodded. She believed He had, too.
*
Matt did make it back up for dinner, with Joe right behind him to make sure he didn’t get off balance. Concern filled Millicent’s eyes once more when she asked, “You look like you’re hurting. Do you need one of the pills the doctor sent home?”
“Not yet. Pain isn’t too bad. I don’t like those things but I’ll take one before I go to bed. Quit worrying, Millie. I’ll be fine. And I get a break from work. Who’d be upset about that?” His grin did manage to make her smile.
“But will you get paid?” Joe asked as he pulled out Matt’s chair.
“I think so.” Matt didn’t bother to tell him it didn’t matter. He’d not told anyone that he’d come to the city with a nice inheritance from his grandfather. He’d been careful not to dip into it, because if he ever did decide to start his own company, get married, get on with his life in a different way, he’d need it. Maybe now that he couldn’t work, he’d figure out exactly what it was he should do. He knew what he wanted, but he wasn’t sure he’d ever have it.
Over the past few months, his feelings for Millicent had grown to the point where he could no longer fight them. But he didn’t have any real idea how she felt. Blushing when he looked at her didn’t tell him what he needed to know. Did he have a chance to earn her love?
“His supervisor was very nice and said they would take care of everything,” Millicent said.
Matt chuckled. “I thought he said that, but I was a bit woozy. I’m glad you were there.”
Millicent looked him in the eye. “So am I. Do you need help cutting your meat?”
Matt’s first instinct was to say no, but he didn’t want to sling meat across the table trying to cut with only one hand. “Would you mind?”
“You know I wouldn’t have offered if I did.” She took his plate and quickly cut his slice of roast beef into bite-size pieces, then set the plate in front of him once more.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Next time, I’ll have it cut up for you ahead of time, Matt. I should have thought of it before now,” Mrs. Heaton said. “I really didn’t think you’d make it back up here tonight.”
He chuckled. “The thought of being down there by myself helped send me back up. I figured being with all of you would take my mind off any pain I might have.” He knew it wouldn’t take his mind off Millicent. She seemed to fill his thoughts more each day. But it would be the same in his room or up here. And he’d rather be here, beside her.
“Well, I can tell you that once we heard the bells of the ambulance making its way to your building, Millicent took off in a run I could barely keep up with.”
“I could only think of what happened to Mr. O’Riley. And fear that the same thing had happened to you, or one of your men…”
Matt reached out with his free hand and touched her wrist. “I understand. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’m just thankful you’ll be all right and no one fell over the side.”
He nodded. “So am I.”
“Yes, we all are,” Mrs. Heaton said. “Can you tell us how the accident happened?”
“I don’t remember much, but apparently, I was in the way of a runaway beam.”
“Burl said the crane’s cable broke and the beam hit you. It could have been—”
“But it didn’t,” Matt said. “And no one else was hurt that I know of.”
Millicent nodded and smiled at him. “Answered prayer. But your shoulder looked odd on the way to the hospital, too.”
“I’m sure it did. Besides the gash, I was told my shoulder dislocated when I fell.”
“Well, Stephen and I will be around to help you get up and down the stairs until you find your balance,” Joe said. “I imagine having that shoulder set hurt more than sewing up the arm.”
“I wouldn’t know.” Matt chuckled. “The doctor told me I passed out when they reset it and he went right to work on the arm while I was out.”
“Good thinking.”
Matt glanced around the table and saw that the women looked a little pale. “I think we should change the subject. This isn’t turning out to be good dinner conversation material. I’m going to be fine and I thank you all for your concern and care. But let’s talk about something a little more entertaining.”
“How about what you’re going to do while you’re convalescing?”
“I have a feeling I’m going to be a real pest to the women of Heaton House, being underfoot most of the day.”
“No, you won’t. You might not be able to work, but with Christmas coming we’ll find things for you to do,” Millicent said. “I have several family photo shoots lined up later in the week. You can carry my camera bag with your good hand.”
“Won’t that make him more off balance?” Joe asked.
“Not if I’m holding on to the arm in the sling to keep him steady,” Millicent replied.
“Sounds like an idea to me,” Matt said. He certainly wasn’t going to turn down a chance to spend time with Millicent. Not now. Not ever.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning, when Millicent came down to breakfast, she wondered what she’d been thinking. Exactly how did inviting Matt to go with her to her photo shoots fit into her distancing herself from him? She’d tossed and turned all night waking from a nightmare of Matt getting hurt even worse than he had, and then drifting back off to dream sweet, sweet dreams about him…then suddenly the nightmare again.
It was a relief when she saw slivers of sunlight coming in through her window so that she could get up and put them both behind her.
Matt was in the dining room when she got there and his smile shot straight to her heart. Thank you, Lord, for keeping him from being hurt worse. She smiled back. “Good morning. You made it up!”
“I did. Joe came up behind me in case I lost balance and fell backward, but the handrail saw me through.”
“He did fine,” Joe added. “A little wobbly at first but he got the hang of it before we reached the top.”
“Want me to get you anything else?” Millicent asked as she filled her plate.
“I’m good, thanks.”
“How’d you sleep?”
“Like a log after I took that pill the doc sent with me. Don’t think I’ll take one again, though. I had weird dreams all night.”
Millicent laughed. “I did, too, so don’t be too quick to blame your medicine. Are you in pain now?”
“A little. But nothing I can’t handle.”
He wouldn’t admit it if he couldn’t. She knew that. “That’s good. But we’re here to help if you need something.”
“I think you’re in good hands, Matt,” Joe said. “I’ll be off to work. Try not to get too rambunctious.”
“Oh, we’ll make sure he doesn’t,” Millicent said.
“I’ve got to be going, too,” Emily said. “Hope you feel better soon, Matt.”
There was a sudden flurry of ac
tivity while the boarders who had to go to work said their goodbyes and hurried out. Then Maida came in to freshen everyone’s coffee or tea.
“I believe I’ll start addressing my Christmas cards today,” Mrs. Heaton said. “Millicent, Georgia, would you like to join me this afternoon? I have so many, I need to get an early start.”
“I’d love to join you,” Millicent said. “I need to go pick up some cards first, though. I don’t have many to address, mostly family and friends back home and here. A box or two should be plenty.”
“I don’t think I’ll need any more than that, either,” Georgia said. “But I’d love to join you. We could go pick up some cards after breakfast.”
“I’ve never sent out Christmas cards,” Matt said. “But I’ll join you all and help if I can. My right hand works and I could help address some for you, Mrs. Heaton.”
“Why, Matt, that’s very nice of you. I’ll take you up on your offer, if you’re sure you don’t mind. I know so many people now—it’s a bit of a task to get them all done. Your help will be greatly appreciated.”
“I need something to do. I’m not used to twiddling my thumbs.”
“It’s settled, then,” Millicent said. “Georgia and I can go pick up our cards—do you need us to get anything for you, Mrs. Heaton?”
“Perhaps a couple of boxes more, just in case.”
“We’ll be glad to. Matt, do you want to come along with us, or—”
“I thought you’d never ask. I would like to come. And why don’t you telephone about the other two buildings you wanted to look at. Perhaps we could check them out? Then you could get my and Georgia’s opinions on them.”
“Are you sure you’re up to that?”
“I think so. I can manage stairs as long as there’s a handrail and you two will be there with me.”
“All right. I’ll go make those calls now.” Millicent began to slide out her chair, hoping to keep Matt from jostling his bad arm in any way, but he was faster than her and pulled hers out easily with his right hand.
“I’ll let you know what I find out.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Matt said as he sat back down.
Millicent hurried to the phone alcove and had the operator ring through to the first number. It only took a few minutes to get appointments to see both of the other buildings that morning. She hurried back to the dining room with the news.
“We’d better get ready, then,” Georgia said. “Meet you back down here.” She pushed back her own chair and rushed out of the room.
“We won’t be long.” Millicent smiled at Matt and Mrs. Heaton. She was glad they’d be doing something Matt could help with that wouldn’t put a strain on his bad arm. Keeping busy would help pass the day for him. And she was happy he wanted to come along and look at the buildings with her.
When she came back down a few minutes later, it was to find Matt in the foyer struggling to get on his coat. With his arm in that sling, he was trying to get that side over his shoulder.
Millicent quickly went to help. “Here, let me do that.” She pulled the coat over his shoulder and arm, and began to button it up for him, looking up at his face as she reached the one at the top.
He smiled down at her. “I feel sort of like a half mummy or something similar. At least one arm is free.”
“And it’s your right arm. That should help a bit.”
“It does. Thank you for inviting me to tag along with you and Georgia. I didn’t know what I was going to do today.”
“I’m glad you suggested looking at those two buildings. Although I must say, I really am hoping the broker for the first one gets back in touch before long. I really want to see it.”
“I know you do. But it never hurts to see everything that’s available. Then you’ll know better if it’s what you want when you get to see it.”
“True.”
Georgia came back down just then and they headed outside. It was quite cool, but the sun was shining and there was no wind. They took off down the walk with Millicent on one side of Matt and Georgia on the other.
Millicent slipped her hand through Matt’s arm and he looked down at her. “Going to keep me upright if I bobble?”
“I’m going to try.” Millicent smiled back. It promised to be a great day.
*
Matt was very aware of Millicent by his side. Something about this woman had turned his world upside down and he needed to find a way to get it right side up again. He knew what he wanted. Knew he was falling in love with her more each day and he believed she cared about him, too, but what if she didn’t?
Anguish seared his heart at the very thought. It was possible that Millicent didn’t feel about him the same way he felt about her. He knew that. But should it stop him from pursuing her, from convincing her that he loved her as she was?
Yes, she was independent—more so than any other woman he’d known. But not so much so that she didn’t look to someone else when she needed advice. She seemed to count on his opinion in looking for a building. And as for the business she wanted to build—she’d said point-blank that her family would come first if she did ever marry.
From what she’d said, Matt thought that Baxter person had made her believe that no man would accept her as she was and he now knew, without a doubt, that the man was wrong. Millicent was a woman worth pursuing. She’d been there for him more than once, and to win her love, well, that was worth taking a chance on—even if he came away with a broken heart, he’d trust the Lord to get him through it. He had to try. But where did he start?
Millicent suddenly came to a stop and Matt looked up to see that they’d arrived at the first building they would look at. The owner was there and opened the door so that they could come inside. But it didn’t take long to realize a lot of work would be needed to turn it into a shop and home for Millicent. Not to mention money. It’d only been used as an office building and not taken care of. No wonder it was empty now.
They thanked the gentleman and made their way to the next. Matt couldn’t bring himself to be disappointed about it and Millicent didn’t seem upset that the building wouldn’t work, either. She and Georgia chattered about all the reasons it would not be a good choice until they reached the next structure. But it was in worse condition than the first one and they didn’t even go upstairs. Millicent quickly told the owner it wasn’t what she was looking for.
They stopped for a bite to eat at Macy’s lunch counter before shopping for Christmas cards, and as they waited for their meals, Matt turned to Millicent. “I don’t think you’re upset about either of these buildings being wrong—you’ve got your heart set on the first one we saw on Thanksgiving, don’t you?”
“I have to admit I want to see it. It sounds perfect. On the other hand, I’m not sure I’m ready to…” she stopped and shook her head. “Being on my own in the city, living at Heaton House and having all the boarders around is one thing. But living by myself—as independent as I like to think I am—I’m not sure I’m ready for it yet. And I do doubt the owner would only let me rent or lease the first floor. But I don’t think I can afford to buy a building and live at Heaton House, too.”
It appeared Millicent had done more thinking about her future then he’d thought. “You could ask when we do get to look. Or if the owner won’t do that, then maybe just start looking for a space to rent for a shop. That would be one way to know for sure what you want to do.”
“I don’t know why I’m so unsettled about it! I’ve dreamed of this most of my life. But now—” Millicent broke off and sighed deeply. “I just don’t know.”
“Dreams can change,” Georgia offered. “And the Lord has plans for us that we don’t always see when we’re planning out our lives. I’m beginning to think I’m not meant to get a position as a teacher. If I don’t find something soon, I’m going to have to find something else.”
“Hey, don’t feel bad, ladies. We all have to rethink things at times. And I believe Georgia has something there about lettin
g the Lord guide us.”
He’d certainly been guilty of going out ahead of the Lord—not asking for guidance—but lately he seemed to be turning to Him more and more. And now Matt believed that the Lord had shown him what he should do. And it was time he began to act on it.
*
They arrived back at Heaton House in time to freshen up and come back to the dining room just as Mrs. Heaton was setting out her cards and list. She’d also set pens out for them.
Millicent handed her landlady the boxes of cards she’d picked out. “I hope these will work, Mrs. Heaton.”
“Oh, they’re lovely, Millicent. I do love Louis Prang’s cards.”
Millicent had chosen card scenes of people gathering around the hearth or decorating their Christmas scenes for herself, but for Mrs. Heaton, she’d picked ones with beautiful children on the front. Matt had decided to send a few cards himself and bought a box of a people sledding in Central Park, and Georgia had selected country scenes.
They began at the same time, but before teatime, they were all helping Mrs. Heaton. They addressed her cards while she wrote personal notes in each one.
When Gretchen came in with iced cakes and tea for the ladies, coffee for Matt, they all sat back in their chairs with a big sigh, ready for a break.
“I can’t thank you all enough. It usually takes me several days to get that done and now it’s all finished!” She fairly beamed with happiness. “Tomorrow I can turn my attention to decorating the house. I’ll start putting up greenery this week.”
“When do you put up your tree, Mrs. Heaton?” Georgia asked.
“On Christmas Eve. Michael and Rebecca and their families will be here for dinner that night. I’m sure they’ll want to get home to decorate their own, too. But they’ve insisted they want to be here that night and I’m certainly not going to try to talk them out of it. Actually, the Pattersons and Talbots have asked if they might drop by on Christmas Eve, too, so I invited them to dinner that night. It will be great to have everyone together again. I know it won’t be possible every Christmas, but I’ll enjoy it when it is.”
