Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) (12 page)

“Coward,” Michael whispered. He grinned down at her and gave her a wink no one could see but her. It was as if he had read her mind and understood, and her heart turned to mush.

Chapter Twelve

A
fter supper the next evening, Violet was surprised when Gretchen handed her a letter from Beth. “This came in the mail for you today.”

“Thank you, Gretchen.” Violet hurried to her room and slit the envelope open with her mother’s letter opener. She unfolded the stationery and dropped down onto the settee to read it.

Dear Violet,

It was so good to receive your letter! I miss you so much, but I’m so happy you found a good position at Butterick and you are happy at Mrs. Heaton’s boardinghouse. Is Michael still as handsome as ever?

Oh, yes, he was.

Papa and I have already crated up the sewing machine and he’ll put it on the train tomorrow. I’ll be making your payment soon. Papa is going to go with me just to make sure Harlan Black doesn’t give me any problems. He’s been asking about you everywhere. Wants to know where you are and everything. But don’t worry. We aren’t going to tell him.

The very thought of Harlan still made Violet nauseous, even this far away.

I’ve sent you a long letter in with the sewing machine. You answer back soon, okay? Just don’t put your name on the outside of anything. I’ll be sending things to you addressed to Mrs. Heaton, so be sure and tell her. The postal clerk, Mr. Tyler, is a friend of Papa’s and he said Harlan was in there asking if we’d had anything from you.
Take care of yourself, Violet. Much as I miss you, I’m relieved you aren’t here. That man seems obsessed with finding you.
He wants more than your home, Violet. He wants you.

Violet shuddered.

Now don’t you start liking the city so much you don’t ever want to come home. If you have to stay gone too long, I just might have to come see that city for myself.

Violet hated that her friend had to deal with Harlan Black. Maybe after Beth made the next payment, he’d realize she was going to pay off the loan and accept that he wasn’t going to get her home or her.

In the meantime, she needed to let Mrs. Heaton know about the sewing machine coming to her and any letters that might follow.

She found her in her study having a cup of tea. “Why, Violet, dear, how nice to see you. Sit down.” She motioned for Violet to take the other chair in front of the fireplace. “Would you join me for some tea?”

“I’d love to, if you have enough.”

“I always have a big pot and extra cups brought in this time of night. Sometimes Michael joins me and once in a while one of the other boarders.” She poured a cup and handed it to Violet.

“Did you come to chat or is there something on your mind?”

“Well, I just received a letter from Beth Edwards, my best friend back home,” Violet said. “Do you remember her?”

“I remember the Edwardses. They are very good people. What did Beth have to say? I hope she and her family are doing well.”

“They are. She wanted to let me know that she’s sent my sewing machine, and I wanted to let you know to expect it.”

“Oh, good. I’ll be looking for it.”

“She also told me Harlan Black is trying to find out where I am, and that she would be sending things for me addressed to you. I’m glad that when I sent the letter to Beth, I just put your name and address on it and sent it to her mother.”

“That was very clever of you, Violet,” Michael said from the doorway. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

“It’s fine, Michael. You might as well know, too.”

“So Black is trying to find out where you are?”

“It appears so. Beth thinks he’s obsessed with finding me now.”

“He has that type of personality.”

“I thought I should let you know in case he shows up here one day,” Violet said.

Michael shut the study door and leaned against it. “I guess it’s time I told you I sent one of my men to Ashland trying to find out what we can about what your family finances were when your mother passed away.”

“Oh?” Violet wasn’t sure what she thought of that. “Why?”

“Mother has some concerns about your property, and they made sense to me.”

“What concerns, Mrs. Heaton?”

“Violet, dear, I remembered that when your papa died, your mother said you two were fine. That he’d left you with a home paid for and with enough money to live in the manner you’d been accustomed to. And I can’t understand why your mother would have needed to put your home up as collateral for a loan when it sounded as if she had a nice bank account.”

“And we both know how Harlan works. We became concerned he’s been up to something unethical. We just don’t know what yet,” Michael said.

“You know, I wondered the same thing, but then Harlan showed me the papers after Mama passed away.”

“You only then found out about the house being mortgaged—when your mother died? Is that when Harlan came to you about the loan?”

“Yes. And as I told you, he offered to forget it if I would—”

“Marry him.” Michael nodded. “Something isn’t right here, Violet, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. Hopefully before too long. Isn’t Mr. Atwood your family’s attorney?”

“He is, but he’s been ill and I think he went to Arizona because of his asthma.” Violet blew an errant strand of hair off her forehead. “I tried to get an address before I left, but his office was closed and his wife went with him. I should have asked around more, but I was afraid word would get back to Harlan and I didn’t want him to know what I was doing.”

“It’s all right, Violet,” Michael said. “We’ll get to the bottom of it all. My agent is there now. I’ll let him know what you’ve told us and he can go from there and try to get an address for Atwood.”

“I hope you aren’t upset we’ve taken it on our own to find out what is going on, Violet,” Mrs. Heaton said. “It’s just that your mother was my dear friend, and I can’t get rid of the feeling Harlan is up to no good.”

“Oh, no, ma’am. I’m thankful you care and relieved you know what is going on.”

“Good. I’m glad you know what we’ve done,” Michael said. “I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you worrying about Harlan without reason. Now I want you to be on guard at all times. Should Harlan learn where you are, he could well show up here.”

Violet closed her eyes at the very thought. She heard movement in the room and opened them to find Michael sitting on the footstool in front of her. He reached out and touched her chin.

“Violet, rest assured I will
not
let Harlan Black harm you. I won’t.”

She released a shaky sigh. “I don’t want him to bring harm to anyone here. Perhaps I shouldn’t have come to New York.”

“This is exactly where you should be, and it’s where you belong now,” Mrs. Heaton said. “You’re family to us and you’re safe here.”

“I’m glad this is all in the open. I’ll let you know when I hear anything. You be sure to let us know whatever you find out from your friend back home. Agreed?” Michael smiled, bringing out those wonderful dimples.

“Agreed.”

“Good. Now let’s finish this pot of tea and talk about happier things. How are you liking your job?”

By the time the teapot was empty, Violet felt much better. It was a relief to know Michael was aware of what was going on in Virginia. And that he cared enough to send someone there to try to find out what Black was up to. She tried to not to think about the fact that Harlan was trying to find her. But she had to admit she felt safer now that Michael knew, too.

She said her good-nights and took her leave, nearly running over Lila just outside the door. “Oh! I’m sorry, Lila. I didn’t see you. Were you waiting to speak to Mrs. Heaton or Michael? They are both still there.”

“No. I, ah, I was just on my way to the kitchen to see if there was any dessert left over from dinner,” Lila said. “Want to come with me?”

Violet tried not to show how surprised she was at the invitation. “No, thank you. I just had tea with Mrs. Heaton. I think I’ll call it a night.”

“All right. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night.” Violet headed to the staircase, but when she looked back, it was to see Lila still outside the study. Was she waiting for a chance to talk to Michael alone? Was there something going on between the two of them?

* * *

Later that evening, Michael knocked on Luke’s door. He was thankful he had an agent living in the house, even if he worked for him part-time. Just the fact that he was here gave Michael a peace of mind, knowing that his mother could call on him anytime Michael wasn’t around.

“Yes? Who is it?” Luke called out.

“It’s Michael, Luke.”

“Come on in.”

Michael opened the door to find his friend seated at his desk in front of his typewriter. “Looks like you’re writing. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m at a good stopping place.” Luke pecked a couple of keys and turned around. He motioned for Michael to take a seat. “You have my undivided attention.”

Michael quickly explained about Violet and the letter about Harlan Black. “I wanted you to know, in case he should show up here looking for Violet.”

“I’m glad you told me. I’ve always wondered why she couldn’t find work in Ashville. It makes sense now. This Black guy sounds a little...”

“Obsessed?”

Luke nodded. “Yes, that’s the word.”

“I think he is. And that’s what worries me. I’m going to send Jim to Ashland to see what he can find out. I’d send you if it were any other case, but I need you here more. I certainly don’t want to leave Violet and my mother vulnerable at home, where they feel the safest.”

“No, of course you don’t. I wouldn’t either. And you know you can count on me.”

“I do. And I’m thankful for it.”

“But, as far as we know now, Black doesn’t know where Violet is, does he?” Luke asked.

“Not yet. But it may only be a matter of time until he does. He’s asking questions everywhere.”

“Sounds as if he’s determined to find her. I hope Jim can find out more for you soon, and if there is anything at all else I can do, let me know.”

“You know I will.” Michael stood. “I’ll let you get back to it. What’s this story about?”

“Oddly enough, it’s about a banker, a woman and dirty dealings.”

“Doesn’t take place in Ashland, does it?”

Luke laughed. “No, it takes place down in Texas. The sheriff saves the day and gets the girl.”

Both men chuckled.

“That’s the way it should be,” Michael said. “I’m glad it has a good ending.”

“All this will, too. You’ll see.”

“I hope so. Good night.”

“Good night, Michael.”

* * *

Violet’s sewing machine arrived on Thursday and was waiting in the foyer when she and Lila got home from work. As usual, Lila had barely spoken five words to her that day, but one look at the crate and curiosity got the better of her. “My goodness, whatever did you order, Violet?”

Mrs. Heaton joined them in the foyer. “I’ll have Michael or one of the men bring it up soon as one of them gets home, Violet.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Heaton.” She turned to Lila. “I had my sewing machine sent to me.”

“Whatever for? Don’t you sew enough all day at Butterick?”

“Well, I can’t sew for myself there. And...I thought that you might want to let me teach you to sew so that if another opening comes up in the sewing room, you could apply.”

For once, Lila seemed speechless.

“You don’t have to. Some of the others may want to learn—”

“You’d do that for me?” Lila asked as if she couldn’t believe Violet’s offer.

“Why, of course. But you don’t have to decide right this minute. You can think about it.”

“I will. I... Thank you,” Lila said.

As she went on up the stairs, Mrs. Heaton and Violet both stood there watching her. This time, it was Violet who felt speechless. They were still staring up when Michael came in the door.

“Mother, Violet, is something wrong?”

Mrs. Heaton chuckled and Violet giggled.

“I don’t think so. Something out of the ordinary just happened, and I think we’re both wondering if we imagined it,” his mother said.

“Well, if you both witnessed the same thing, then it probably happened. What was it?”

Mrs. Heaton stood on tiptoe to whisper, “Lila thanked Violet for something.”

“She actually said the words?”

“She did,” Violet said.

“What for?”

“Violet has offered to teach her how to sew so that the next time an opening comes up, she’ll be qualified.”

“That is very nice of you, Violet. Especially considering the cold shoulder she’s been turning to you ever since you moved in.”

“Thank you. But I really don’t mind at all. I’ll ask the others if they’d like to learn, too.”

“Can you get the crate upstairs by yourself, Michael? Or would it be easier for you if it were in the little parlor, Violet? That way if someone wants to be sewing they wouldn’t always have to use your room.”

“Oh, that would work better, if you are sure you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all. It isn’t used that much, and when it is, it’s mostly by you girls. Go ahead and put it back there, Michael. I know just the spot for it.”

Ben walked into the foyer just then and heard the last of the conversation. “Need some help?”

“I wouldn’t turn it down.”

Together, they uncrated the sewing machine, and Violet was pleased to see that there wasn’t a scratch on it. The two men easily picked it up and took it to the back parlor where Mrs. Heaton instructed them to put it under a south-facing window where there was plenty of light.

“That is a perfect place for it, Mrs. Heaton. Thank you.”

“You are quite welcome. If you have many wanting to learn, we’ll bring mine in here, too.”

“Do you need anything else?” Michael asked.

“No. Thank you for your help, Michael and Ben,” Violet said.

“You’re quite welcome,” Michael said. “I’ll go get rid of the crate. It’ll make good kindling for the winter.”

“Glad to help. See you at dinner,” Ben said, giving a wave as he walked out the door.

“And speaking of that, I’d best go check on our meal,” Mrs. Heaton said.

Violet stayed in the room for a few minutes. Seeing the machine her mother had taught her to sew on, the one she’d made many of Violet’s clothes with, brought warmth to her heart. Of all her mother’s possessions, it was this sewing machine that held many of Violet’s best memories—it and the sewing box she’d always had with her. She’d kept her pins and buttons and all kinds of trims in it. Violet could remember reading to her mother while she mended a tear or did the hand sewing of trims on her outfits. She wished she’d asked Beth to send it, too.