Since the disappearance of his sister, Michael hadn’t given much thought to his personal life. He’d been more concerned with helping his mother and trying to find his sister. And for propriety’s sake, because of his mother’s business, he’d made a conscious decision not to let himself become interested in any of the women boarding with her.
But Violet Burton could very well be the exception. If the amount of time he spent thinking about her was any indication, she already was. Since the moment he’d first seen Violet all grown up, there had been something about her that drew him to her. He wasn’t comfortable with it, tried to ignore it—to no avail, but there it was. He enjoyed being around her. Already, he looked forward to seeing her each morning and evening.
And yet he had no intention of falling in love with her. Violet was going to return to Virginia when she got the mortgage paid off. She’d said as much. She had no intention of staying in New York City. And just as he wanted to warn his mother not to get too attached to her, he had to tell himself the same thing. Besides, after Amanda broke their engagement, refusing to postpone the wedding until he had a chance to look for his sister, he knew that not many women would accept his commitment to finding his sister or even helping his mother. There was no sense setting himself up for disappointment again.
Still, Violet was a family friend and he wanted to help her in any way he could. And he was curious to know how her day had gone.
Michael made his way down the hall, peeking into his mother’s study only to find it empty. He headed to the kitchen. His mother was icing a three-layer coconut cake, and she looked up with a smile when he entered the room.
“Michael! You’re home early today, son.”
“I am.” He joined her at the worktable and stuck a finger in the icing bowl before bringing it to his mouth. “Mmm. Love coconut cake.”
His mother playfully slapped at his hand when he went for another dip in the icing. “You didn’t know I was making this, so that isn’t why you came home early.”
“You’re right. Actually, I wanted to see how Violet’s first day went.”
His mother chuckled. “I understand. I’ve been a bit nervous for her all day. I’m sure everything has gone well—still I’m anxious for her to get home to find out.”
At the sound of the front door opening, Michael’s heart seemed to do some kind of funny little jump and twist and he decided that anxious described how he felt perfectly. It was all he could do to let his mother hurry to the foyer before him.
“How did your first day go?” his mother asked as soon as she spotted Violet.
Michael didn’t need to hear the answer. He could tell from the look on Violet’s face. A deep sigh of relief left his lungs before she answered.
“It was wonderful. Everyone was so friendly and kind. I’m sure I’m going to like working there.”
“Oh, yes,” Lila said. “Violet is going to fit right in.”
From the conflicting tone in Lila’s voice and the almost smile on her face, Michael couldn’t decide if she was being sarcastic or sincere.
“Lila was very kind to introduce me to everyone she could when we took lunch,” Violet said, turning to smile at the other girl. “Just knowing someone there helped put me at ease.”
Her words went a long way to convincing Michael that Lila was being genuine.
“I’m so glad everything went well,” his mother said. “I was sure it would, but it’s good to hear that I was right to plan a dinner to celebrate your first day. I remembered that coconut cake is one of your favorites and I’d best get back to icing it. You girls have plenty of time to freshen up.”
“I believe I have the beginning of a migraine,” Lila said abruptly. “If I’m not down for dinner, please don’t be concerned. I think I might need to lie down and close my eyes for a bit.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Lila,” Michael’s mother said. “Would you like me to send you up some tea?”
“No, thank you.” Lila turned to the stairs.
“I’ll be sure to save a plate for you and a big slice of cake for later if you don’t come down to dinner.”
Lila said nothing as she began to climb the stairs.
“Is there anything I can get you?” Violet asked. “A cool cloth?”
“No. I just need some quiet and a dark room. I’ll be fine.” Her voice trailed off as she reached the landing.
“I hope she feels better soon. Does she have these headaches often?” Violet asked.
Mrs. Heaton shrugged. “Occasionally. But she usually recovers quickly.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Michael said. Lila had looked more irritated than in pain, and he had a feeling that she didn’t like all the attention Violet was getting. She’d acted much the same way when one of the other girls was getting more attention than she was.
“I hope so. Is there anything I can do to help in the kitchen, Mrs. Heaton?”
“No, dear. Dinner will be in about an hour and a half. You have time to relax and rest.”
“Oh, I don’t think I can rest. My mind is still in a whirl.” Violet gave a light laugh. “There is so much going on at Butterick it’s hard to take it all in. But I have much more appreciation to what goes into making the patterns to make it easier for the home sewer.”
“Maybe you should go sit in the garden for a bit. It’s very relaxing out there this time of day. I’ve got to go finish icing the cake.” She started back to the kitchen and then turned back. “Michael, why don’t you show Violet the garden? It’s a nice place to relax.”
Michael surprised himself by saying, “I’ll be glad to, if you want to see it, Violet?”
“That would be nice,” Violet said as Michael took her elbow and led her through the hall to the doors at the end.
“Mother’s pride and joy is the garden. It is very small, but she’s done a lot of work getting it just the way she likes it.” He opened the door and let Violet go through first.
“Oh, it is beautiful.” The air was sweet smelling from the roses and all the other flowers in bloom. It felt much cooler here than anywhere else she’d been that day.
Michael led her to a small bench and waited until she sat down before joining her. “I’m glad your first day went well.”
“I am, too.” Something about the way he was looking at her had her feeling warm and...fluttery. Michael was such a handsome man and very considerate of others. How could a woman’s heart not beat a little faster when his attention was turned on her?
She told herself that he was just acting as any old friend would, being happy for her, as she continued, “I must admit I was very nervous. I hope I can live up to their expectations. I was so surprised when they offered me a position as a seamstress instead of the pattern folding.”
Michael leaned a little closer and grinned down at her. “What? You’re going to be a seamstress? You aren’t going to be working alongside Lila in the pattern room?”
Violet tried not to think about how deep his dimples were up this close. She shook her head. “No. I don’t think she’s very happy about it, and I can understand how she might not be. I expected to be folding patterns right along with her, but after lunch I was summoned to the office and told that one of the seamstresses was leaving to get married. They asked if I would be interested in taking her place since I was familiar with sewing from their patterns.”
“Violet, that is very good news for you. It pays better than the pattern folding, I’m sure.”
She nodded. “It does, and I’m so glad. I think I’ll be able to make an extra payment to the bank every other month or so. I just feel bad for Lila. And I’m a little apprehensive. I tried to tell them that I am not an excellent seamstress, but they said that since they target the home seamstress, that is exactly who should be making their sample wardrobes.”
“Mother is going to be so excited for you. And so will the other boarders.”
Violet sighed. “All except for Lila. I feel so bad—”
“Don’t wor
ry about Lila. You didn’t seek out the position and, besides, I’m pretty sure Lila doesn’t know how to sew.”
Violet jumped up from the bench as an idea came to her. “Maybe I could offer to teach her to sew, so that next time an opening comes up she could apply for it.”
“That would be nice of you.”
She let out a sigh and shook her head. “But I don’t have my sewing machine with me.”
“I’m sure Mother would loan you hers.”
“Or maybe I could have Beth, my friend from home, send me mine.”
“Either way would work. But don’t be surprised if Lila doesn’t take to your suggestion. She might not really want to learn. Or she might not want to—”
“Learn from me?” Violet finished for him.
Michael shrugged. “One can never tell how Lila is going to react to an idea. But it’s very kind of you to want to make the offer.”
“No, it’s more selfish than anything. I’ll feel better if I do. She was kind enough to introduce me to several coworkers today and, well, I might feel the same way if I’d been at the company first. In fact, I’m sure I would.”
Violet saw no need to mention that Lila had barely spoken to her on the way home—or even on the way to work that morning. She might have known Michael and his mother longer than Lila had, but Lila had been living in their home longer than she. At this point Violet had no idea how close any of them were.
“That’s understandable. Still, if she doesn’t know how to sew, she wouldn’t have gotten the position anyway. Try not to blame yourself for her attitude.”
Violet had to ask, “How long has Lila lived here?”
“She’s only been with us about eleven months.”
“Oh. I thought she’d lived here much longer.”
“No. Although sometimes it feels as if she has been here much longer.”
Violet couldn’t tell how he felt about Lila, and she told herself once more that it wasn’t any of her business anyway. Still, she wished she knew. “I suppose I’d better go freshen up for dinner. Hopefully, Lila will feel better and come down.”
“Mother will send something up if she doesn’t. Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine.”
Violet was sure she would be, but today’s events weren’t going to make it easier for them to become friends. And she might have to accept that they never would be. But it would make living in the same house much easier if they could get along.
They parted at the staircase. Violet had just reached the landing when Julia came out of Lila’s room and hurried to give her a hug. “I heard about your wonderful news,” she whispered. “I am so happy for you.”
“Lila told you?”
Julia steered Violet down the hall away from Lila’s room.
“How is her headache? I feel so bad—”
“Don’t you feel that way for a minute. You thought you were being hired to be a pattern folder. You had no way of knowing they would be in need of a seamstress. But you can sew and Lila can’t. For whatever reason you were asked to take the position, just rejoice and thank the good Lord for the blessing. That’s what I’d do.”
“Oh, thank you, Julia. I needed to hear those words. I do hate that Lila is upset, but I’m so very excited to begin my new position!”
“Good! You should be. Hopefully Lila will get a promotion one day soon. But don’t blame yourself if she doesn’t. Now, let’s freshen up and get downstairs. I can’t wait to see what Mrs. Heaton has prepared for your first-day-at-work celebration—it’s bound to be delicious. She’s so great to make all ‘first days’ special.”
“She’s a wonderful woman. I’m so thankful she suggested I come to New York when I couldn’t find work at home.”
“Well, I’m thankful she did, too. I’m glad you are here, Violet. So is everyone...” She grinned and shrugged. “Well, all except for one, maybe. It’s impossible to please everyone, you know.”
Julia was right. If Lila was determined to dislike her, there was nothing she could do to make her change her mind. Mrs. Heaton had put a lot of effort into this celebration dinner and Violet wasn’t going to let Lila’s attitude ruin it.
* * *
The table was set with the Sunday china, and as Michael pulled out her chair for her, Violet realized how much she was coming to look forward to dinnertime. She loved hearing him say the prayer before meals, and that he thanked the Lord for her quick promotion touched her heart.
As Michael began passing dishes around, there was a family feel to sharing meals with these people she was coming to know. Everyone seemed truly happy about the way her day had gone and wanted to know all about her new position.
“I would think that would be a more interesting position than the one you applied for,” Elizabeth said. “How fortunate that you know how to sew.”
“I am very thankful that I do. And the fact that I’d been using Butterick patterns to make mine and Mother’s clothing the last few years seemed to help.”
“I’m sure it did,” John said. “Any company wants to have an employee who likes what they sell.”
The dinner Mrs. Heaton served was one of Violet’s very favorites and it made her feel even more at home than ever. Had her mother been alive, she would have prepared the exact same thing. Dinner was filet of beef with mushroom sauce, creamed potatoes and peas along with other side dishes. The dessert was a huge coconut layer cake.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Heaton. Everything is delicious.” Violet tried not to think of Lila missing out on it. Was she sulking? Violet sighed inwardly at her thoughts. There she went again—judging others. It was possible the other woman really did feel bad for reasons other than jealousy. She shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions.
“I love it when someone has something to celebrate on a weeknight,” John Talbot said. “It feels like a holiday.”
Elizabeth added, “We’re blessed that Mrs. Heaton considers most pieces of good news a reason to celebrate.”
“So, Violet, how did it come about that you’ve become a seamstress instead of a pattern cutter or folder?” Luke asked.
Violet explained about the young woman she’d be replacing getting married. “Evidently, from what I was told, openings come up quite often in all departments for that reason.”
“They come up often in all businesses. I suppose there are some women who keep their positions once they are married, but I haven’t known many,” Julia said. “And, were I to get married, I don’t think I’d want to work. Of course there are women who must take care of their families for various reasons and I would hope they would be able to find work, should they need it.”
“Times are changing,” Mrs. Heaton said. “There are many more opportunities for employment for women now that were not available when I was young. I was blessed in that I married for love, but I knew young women who weren’t so fortunate. Their fathers arranged marriages for them or they felt forced to marry any available suitor. You have many more choices, particularly in this city. But you must always be aware of the dangers, too.”
“Yes, we know. And we’re all thankful to you, Mrs. Heaton. You’ve given us a safe haven and you watch over us so well,” Elizabeth said.
“Even with my rules about not going out at night alone or without one of our male boarders accompanying you?”
“Even with those,” Julia said. “I think that’s part of why I feel so much at home here. I know you would give me the same advice my mother would. And I have no desire to go out by myself after dark.”
“There’s not one of us who objects to keeping you ladies company any evening.” Luke grinned and winked at Violet.
“That is true,” Michael said, capturing Violet’s gaze. “Anytime.”
The look in his eyes as his gaze met hers had a warm flush creeping up Violet’s neck and cheeks.
“Why don’t we all go to a concert at Carnegie Hall—” All conversation stopped as a loud series of knocks on the front door interrupted Michael.
Maida hur
ried to see who was interrupting their dinnertime. Then Michael and his mother were called to the door. The pocket doors were shut for but a few minutes and then Gretchen was summoned to the foyer. From the looks on the other boarders’ faces, Violet was certain she wasn’t the only one wondering what was going on.
Chapter Nine
Everyone was waiting in silence when Michael opened the pocket doors once more. In fact, no one spoke until he and his mother had taken their seats.
“What is it, Michael? Has there been some kind of trouble?” John Talbot asked.
“No, at least not for any of us. Only for the young woman we’re taking in for a while.” Michael understood the intensity in John’s voice. He wanted a big story to break. One that could get him out of covering those high-society festivities that he disliked so much. If he could break a big story, he could work for any newspaper in the country. But it had to be the right one, and John was always on the lookout. This wasn’t it, unless one took a look at the bigger story—the overcrowding of the tenements, the corruption that couldn’t be completely eradicated.
“I’m sorry about the interruption, everyone,” Mrs. Heaton said. “I knew we were going to gain another temporary boarder, but I wasn’t expecting her quite so soon.”
“A temporary boarder?” Violet asked.
Michael could see the confusion in her eyes as his mother tried to explain.
“Yes. Sometimes we take in someone who needs a safe place to stay just for a while, until they can go back to the home they’ve left or move on to another more permanent place. I give them a room on the third floor. Anyway, Mrs. Clara Driscoll, who lives a few streets over and works for Tiffany Glass, asked her landlady, Mrs. Owens, to see if we could take in one of her girls for a short time, as there was no room at her boardinghouse.”
“And of course you said yes,” Elizabeth said. “That’s one of the things we all love about you, Mrs. Heaton. You are always willing to help out those less fortunate.”
Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) Page 10
