Lorna Seilstad

by When Love Calls

  Lincoln drew in a deep breath. “Listen, we both care about Hannah, and we both know she’s not going to stop looking for an answer until you’re out of jail. So if you’re willing to work with me, I think we can protect Hannah’s safety and your freedom.”

  “How?”

  Pushing off the back of the chair, Lincoln stood. “You’ll have to tell the police what you know.”

  “Couldn’t you give them Donnelly’s name?”

  “No, it would be hearsay.” He held Walt’s gaze. “If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for her.”

  “You really love her, don’t you?”

  “With all my heart.”

  Walt pressed his hands to his knees and stood. He offered his hand to Lincoln. “I’ll do it—for her.”

  Lincoln clasped his hand and shook it firmly. “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. I can see you love her, and I know she loves you. You’re a lucky man.” Regret flickered in Walt’s eyes.

  Lincoln didn’t blame the man. He’d counted on Walt’s love for Hannah to make this work, and dragging it out would be uncomfortable for both of them. He called for the jailer. “I’ll go speak to the detective, and then we can get this over with.” Outside the cell, he turned back to Walt one final time. “Walt, thanks again.”

  After lining up the shot, Lincoln took a deep breath and drew his golf club back. The lofty drive ended with the ball rolling several yards on the fairway.

  Pete leaned back and patted his round belly. “Well, well, well. Love has improved your game, son.”

  “I’ve never told you I was in love.”

  “You didn’t have to.” Pete’s eyes twinkled. “You aren’t the only one who can read a person’s body. It’s in the way you walk. It’s in the way you talk. And it’s obviously in the way you play.” Pete took his turn positioning himself before the ball. He swung hard. “You found a good woman.”

  “So did you.” Lincoln slipped his club back in his bag. “Speaking of Hannah, I got her friend Walt out of jail. Yesterday he gave us the name of the man he suspects. The detective and fire marshal looked into it, and they arrested Joe Donnelly. They found sticks of dynamite and gasoline in his house. His son is staying with neighbors until I can find him a new home.”

  “You’re finding him a home?”

  Lincoln shrugged. “I figured it’s the least I can do.”

  Pete hiked his bag onto his shoulder and followed Lincoln. “That takes care of the arson cases then. We can all rest a little easier.”

  “Except—”

  “Oh yes, your theory of a second arsonist.” Having reached their golf balls, Pete set down his bag, then leaned against it while Lincoln prepared to chip his ball onto the green. “Did you mention it to the fire marshal?”

  Lincoln took his shot and watched as the ball bounced on the putting green and rolled toward the hole. “He wasn’t interested in my amateur theories.”

  “Guess that settles it then.” Again Pete hefted his bag onto his shoulder.

  “I don’t know about that.” They walked onto the putting green, and Lincoln easily sank the putt. He scooped out his ball and leaned on his club. “You said something the other day that got me thinking. You mentioned the Western Union link was weak on the Grennen fire. Sure, she’s the daughter of a manager, but the other fire was at the home of an actual employee or at a Western Union building. So I decided to look for any other connections.”

  Pete’s nostrils flared. “And you found something?”

  “Of the arson cases, the Grennens and the Western Union manager are both clients of Cedric’s, and he’s trying to get us retained by the fire insurance companies.”

  “Now you’re accusing Cedric?” Pete chuckled. “I know you dislike the man, but I don’t think that’s going to stick.” Pete finished the hole, and they walked on to the next.

  “I don’t think Cedric is the other arsonist, but I think there’s something we’re missing.”

  “Let it go, son. Enjoy the fact you won.” He raised his eyebrows. “And get ready to entertain that aunt of yours. She’ll be here tomorrow, you know.”

  “How could I forget?”

  They finished their game without any more arson discussion, but Lincoln couldn’t shake the niggling feeling that there was still another firebug out there. When he’d tried to mention the complexity of the infernal device and asked Pete if Albert could explain how one would be created, Pete had changed the subject to his aunt’s visit and the upcoming ball at Terrace Hill.

  Maybe Pete was right. He should focus on Hannah and his Aunt Sam. After all, tomorrow the two women he loved most would meet for the first time. Would there be instant fireworks or friendship? With Aunt Sam, anything was possible.

  43

  Steam hissed and brakes squealed as the train pulled into Union Station. Since the train station was directly across from Court House Square, Hannah had no trouble meeting the arrival of the 5:20 train. At Lincoln’s insistence, her sisters had taken the streetcar to join them.

  Now, as she stood beside Lincoln, butterflies the size of bats fluttered in her stomach. What if Aunt Sam didn’t approve of her? After all, she’d not invested all that money in her nephew only to have him marry a working girl like her.

  Jo had told her not to worry about that. Ruth and Boaz were from two different worlds too. She’d said, “God can put together whoever he wants, whenever he wants.”

  Hannah guessed that was true, but she still didn’t feel settled.

  As if he sensed her discomfort, Lincoln took her hand in his and squeezed it. “Remember what I said? Aunt Sam is her own person. Just be yourself, and she’s going to love you.”

  “Yeah,” Tessa said. “We love you despite your flaws.”

  Charlotte swatted her arm with the back of her hand but giggled too.

  The porter stepped down and assisted the first passengers from the train. Would Hannah recognize Aunt Sam when she saw her? She’d probably be wearing a fine traveling outfit. Perhaps she’d even come in the Pullman Palace car at the end of the train.

  “There she is!” Lincoln pulled Hannah toward those exiting the passenger car. The woman on the steps wore a plain, chestnut-brown, tailor-made suit. Wavy gray hair curled around her face and was topped by a modest hat. Despite the wrinkles around her eyes and lips, a youthfulness exuded from her head to her toes.

  Hannah gasped. Oh my. Was she wearing cycling bloomers? Though some people found the attire scandalous even for those who enjoyed cycling, Hannah thought the pantaloons a necessary and intelligent article of clothing for women. How many times had she gotten her own skirt caught in the chain in the last few days? But to travel in?

  With a quick glance, Hannah gauged Tessa’s and Charlotte’s reactions to the traveling apparel. Charlotte’s eyes grew as large as oversized buttons. Hannah stifled a giggle.

  Tessa grinned. “I love her already.”

  Hannah did too.

  Angling both himself and Hannah through the crowd, Lincoln let go of her hand when he reached his aunt. He enveloped the matronly woman in a long hug, then glanced at Hannah.

  “Mrs. Samantha Phillips, this is Miss Hannah Gregory.”

  “Our future attorney.” Aunt Sam pulled Hannah into a hug before she could protest. “Good for you.”

  “I … I’m not pursuing that anymore, Mrs. Phillips.”

  “We’ll see about that.” She linked her arm in Hannah’s. “And you’re all to call me Aunt Sam. These darlings must be your sisters. Let me guess. You’re Charlotte and you’re Tessa.”

  Hannah’s heart warmed. Not only had Lincoln told his aunt about her, but he’d also told her enough about her sisters for the woman to recognize them on sight.

  “A pleasure to meet you.” Charlotte bobbed in a little curtsy. “Aunt Sam.”

  “Now, what do you ladies say about the four of us going shopping? I hear there’s a ball going to be thrown in my honor and I need something to wear. Besides, I’ve never had any girls to
spoil.” She glanced back at Lincoln. “Sorry, Linc, you can’t come along. Mustn’t see a lady in all her finery before the event.”

  “But you’ve just arrived.” Irritation laced his voice. “What about getting your things and getting you settled? I know you like your privacy, so I booked you a room at the Kirkwood Hotel.”

  “Don’t whine. It’s not polite.” She rolled her eyes in Hannah’s direction. “I did my best with him. Are you sure you want to be saddled with a whiner?”

  “He doesn’t whine very often.” Hannah had to hurry to keep up with the woman.

  “I don’t whine at all.” Lincoln, sounding exasperated, followed behind.

  Aunt Sam winked at her, and Hannah chuckled. The older woman suddenly came to a halt and looked at the watch pinned to her waist. “A new record, I believe. I’ve flummoxed my nephew in less than five minutes.” She turned to him. “And Linc, I’m not staying in some stuffy hotel. I’m staying with you. Maureen will see to my things. She has the address and fare for a hansom cab. So, where is that automobile of yours? I need to freshen up before we take these lovely girls to dinner.”

  “But I thought you said—”

  She glanced at Hannah. “Are you sure you want to put up with this? His mind seems to be slipping already.”

  “Aunt Sam, please, behave yourself.”

  She quirked a smile in his direction. “And where’s the fun in that?”

  After picking Hannah up promptly at nine thirty on Saturday, Lincoln drove her to meet his aunt at Younker Brothers Department Store. Last night, Aunt Sam had decided she’d like separate shopping excursions with each of the girls, and she’d start with Hannah.

  “She said she’d meet you in the dress department. She wants your opinion on a new gown.” Lincoln kissed Hannah’s cheek as he helped her from the Reo. “Thank you for being such a good sport about all this. I know she can be a lot to take when you first meet her. I’ve always said that loving my aunt was like hugging a tornado.”

  “She’s delightful, Lincoln.”

  “Well, I hope you can say that by the time we meet for lunch today.” He held the door to the department store for her. “And Hannah, one more thing. She handles ‘no’ as poorly as you, and she likes to win as much as I do.”

  She flashed him a cheeky grin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “That it’s easier to say yes than argue with her.”

  Inside, Hannah found her way to the dress department. Hearing Aunt Sam’s voice, she headed toward it, only to find herself in the midst of gowns.

  Hannah stopped to stare at the ones on display. An ivory satin gown draped in lace. An ice-blue one with a V-neck—dropped much too low—with stunning dark blue embroidery work. And a charcoal-gray chiffon edged with turquoise silk and bearing a peacock feather motif.

  “There you are!” Aunt Sam, now dressed in a sunny yellow tailor-made suit complete with a narrow skirt, took her hands. “I’ve taken the liberty of selecting the first five for you to try on, but if you don’t like them, there’s plenty more to choose from. If you don’t like any here, we’ll go to the next store.”

  “Ma’am, I thought we were here to pick out your gown.”

  “Nonsense. I have plenty the good folks of Des Moines have never laid eyes on.” She squeezed her hands. “Please, Hannah, don’t take offense. I’ve never had a daughter, and I can’t wait to see Lincoln’s eyes when he sees you in one of these creations.”

  A middle-aged lady in a similar traveling jacket and skirt moved next to Aunt Sam. “Are you ready, miss?”

  “This is my personal maid and dear friend, Maureen. She can do wonders with a needle if any alterations need to be done.” Aunt Sam motioned Hannah toward the dressing room. “Try the peach first. I think it will look lovely with your hair.”

  Hannah slipped into the luxurious fabrics one at a time, with each dress prettier than the last. How would she ever choose? Thankfully, Aunt Sam and Maureen vetoed most of them before she had a chance to seriously consider them. The ivory satin was too traditional. The ice-blue too radical. The charcoal-gray too dramatic.

  “How about this one, miss?” Maureen held up a stunning dress the color of eggplant, with a hand-crocheted lace yoke.

  Hannah sucked in a breath. “It’s gorgeous.”

  Maureen eased it over her head and fastened the waistband. “The button is hidden behind a cluster of lavender rosettes back here. See?” She pointed to the angled mirror the store had set up in the dressing room so patrons could see the front and back of their gowns.

  “I love how the reverse side of the dark purple is lined with the light purple silk that cascades down the back,” Hannah said.

  “And that matching drape in the front is tied at the bottom with rosettes too.” Maureen tugged at the extra fabric at the waist. “It would need to be taken up a wee bit, but that would only take a few minutes.”

  “Let’s go show Aunt Sam.”

  Hannah loved the swish of the skirt and the softness of the velvet and silk. And with no train, the gown was easy to move about in.

  She stood before Aunt Sam, who was seated on the love seat. Aunt Sam motioned for her to spin around. When she faced her again, the woman had tears in her eyes. “My dear girl, do you realize how much joy it will bring me to see you in that dress at the ball? You are a vision to behold, and Linc won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” She motioned for the clerk. “We’ll need all the trappings to match this—shoes, hats, etcetera. And she’ll need a brooch to wear with that collar. Please arrange a selection of all of these items to be brought up here.”

  Hannah blinked. Was she in a dream? How could she accept such extravagance? “Aunt Sam, that’s too much.”

  “Nonsense.” She stood and called to the clerk, “And we’ll need a proper cycling outfit. Have some of those brought over as well.”

  Hannah’s jaw dropped.

  “Well, I can’t very well go riding alone,” Aunt Sam said. “And you can’t keep up in a skirt. It’s all rather selfish of me, you see.”

  By the time they met Lincoln for lunch in the store’s tearoom, not only had Aunt Sam purchased a gown and a cycling outfit for Hannah, but she’d also added two corsets—one of which was modified for cycling—a pair of shoes, a silk hat, earrings, and a brooch to match the dress, and a jewel-studded hair comb that Aunt Sam said Hannah had to have.

  Lincoln kissed his aunt’s cheek, then Hannah’s. “Was the shopping trip successful?”

  “Very.” Aunt Sam spread her napkin over her lap. “And your Hannah has blessed my stockings off.”

  Lincoln glanced at Hannah.

  She averted her eyes. Would he think she’d taken advantage of his aunt’s generosity?

  “Did she now?” He captured Hannah’s hand under the table. “Thank you for making my aunt a happy woman, Hannah. She likes nothing more than to give gifts, and you bless her by being a gracious receiver.”

  “Our heavenly Father lavishes blessings on us. Why should I not do the same for those I love?” She looked directly at Hannah. “And yes, dear, that includes you.” She lifted her menu. “Now, let’s order. I think I’ll have the cucumber sandwiches.”

  Hannah glanced from Aunt Sam to Lincoln. She’d read Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland again a few months ago. If she didn’t know better, she would think she’d stepped into Wonderland, and now she was sitting at a tea party with the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. At any minute, she expected the queen to shout, “Off with her head!”

  But the blow never came. Only pleasant conversation, excellent food, and frequent laughter filled the table. More than anything, Hannah found herself feeling a part of Lincoln’s family. Could she really become Mrs. Lincoln Cole?

  She bit the inside of her lip. Not unless she told him everything.

  “Hello, Courthouse Main. Number, please.” Hannah connected the call and leaned back in her chair. She removed her earpiece and rubbed where the apparatus had chafed.

&n
bsp; The light on her panel lit up, and she inserted the plug. “Hello, Courthouse Main. Number, please.”

  “The only number I want is yours, Miss Gregory.”

  “Lincoln,” she whispered, “you aren’t supposed to call me here.”

  Jo cast her a sidelong glance and mouthed it was fine.

  “Hey, when love calls, you have to answer.” He was quiet for a second. “I hate to admit this, but I’m a little jealous of my aunt. You’ve spent so much time with her, we’ve barely had a moment together.”

  “We’ve been together.”

  “Not alone.”

  How true that was. She’d wanted to tell him about the call she’d overheard, but there’d not been a good time to do so. She missed him, but Aunt Sam would leave soon, and then they’d have all the time in the world.

  She tried to make her voice sound light. “I miss you too.”

  “Then how about I pick you up after work.”

  “I’m going cycling with your aunt. She has a call she wants to make too.”

  “Hannah …” he moaned.

  “You’ll live.” She leaned close to her mouthpiece. “And I’ll see you in my dreams.”

  “If you think that silky voice of yours is helping, you are so wrong. If you’re not careful, I may have to kidnap you.”

  “You’ll have to find me first.” She laughed. “See you tonight. I’ve got to go. Love you.”

  “Love you too. Bye.”

  After connecting the next call, she glanced at the clock. Another half an hour and she’d ride her bicycle to Lincoln’s to meet Aunt Sam. Where should they ride today? Ingersoll Park? Hannah’s cheeks warmed at the memory of Lincoln’s kiss on the bridge.

  On second thought, perhaps they should stick to the streets.

  When Hannah arrived at Lincoln’s house, she took the time to switch into the cycling bloomers she’d brought with her. According to Lincoln, the dark trousers looked quite fetching.

  “I’ll go pick up your sisters while you’re out riding.” He pulled her close and pressed his lips to her ear. “And you and I will sneak away for some quality time tonight.”