Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) (14 page)

When the younger man got off the train, they shook hands and went to pick up his luggage.

“It’s good to be home,” Jim said. “I don’t think I like small-town living much. And I don’t like working for a man like Harlan Black, even if I’m only pretending to. Half the town seems to owe him something and he doesn’t let them forget it. He’s not a good man, Michael.”

“I know. Thankfully I didn’t have any dealings with him, but I know many of the people in town think he should be run out of the state.”

They stopped for lunch at a café just down from Michael’s office so Jim could go into more detail about what he’d found out. The restaurant was full of men who worked in the area. After they’d given their order for the day’s special of beef and fried potatoes, Jim filled him in. “The man seems to make a practice of keeping his clients in debt in one way or another. Once they’re late on a payment, he adds so much interest over time that it becomes near impossible for them to catch up. And he uses the fact that they owe him to get them to do things for him, tell him things about other clients.”

“You think that’s how he found out Miss Burton might be here?”

“I only know it could be.”

“Any idea why he hadn’t already hired someone to come find Violet?”

Jim shook his head. “He tries very hard to act as if he is a benefactor instead of a crooked banker, and even though most people know what he is, they don’t know exactly what he’s up to. He appears to be an upstanding citizen and makes sure he’s in church every Sunday, but I think it’s all for show. You should hear the language he uses when he is angry. Just as we figured, he didn’t want to go to anyone in town and that’s why he came to me.”

“Did he give you any timetable to get back to him?”

“He wants results as quickly as possible.”

“And you are to collect money from Miss Burton?”

“No. He just wants me to make sure she is here. In fact he told me not to let her know anything. He just wants to know her whereabouts for now. He seems almost obsessed with finding her.”

“From what I know of him, I’m not surprised.”

“I didn’t figure you wanted me to argue with him, boss.”

“You’re right. I don’t want him getting suspicious of you. How did you come up with an address for Mr. Atwood?”

“It was pretty easy. I asked around town for the names of good lawyers and was told Atwood was the best and that even though his office is closed now, he will be returning in a few months. One of his good friends said I could write him if it was important and gave me the address.” Jim grinned at him. “Don’t worry, boss. Harlan Black doesn’t know I was asking about him.”

Michael certainly hoped not. The last thing they needed was for Black to get suspicious. “That’s good to know. I’ll keep you here as long as I can, but I’m assuming Black is wanting you to telegraph him with what you find out.”

“Yes, he does. I’ll try to put him off as long as I can.”

“We’ll figure out what to do. Where are you staying?”

“He thinks I’m staying in some fleabag hotel, if the traveling money he gave me is any indication. But I’m staying at my apartment.”

“Good,” Michael said. “I’ll know where to find you.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to work for Black...not for real anyway and not much longer, I hope.”

“I’ll get you back here to stay soon as I can.” Michael wanted things with Black settled. The sooner the better.

* * *

Violet was glad to see Monday come. She hoped keeping busy would take her mind off Michael and what to do about her growing feelings for him. If she could quit thinking about him and his kiss, that would be even better, Violet thought as she worked the pedal on the sewing machine. He’d only meant to comfort her, she was sure of it. The kiss wasn’t because he cared for her in any romantic way. And she couldn’t let herself begin to think that he might. It would only lead to heartache.

She sighed in exasperation and tried to put all thoughts of him out of her mind as she worked on one of the bicycling costumes. If it turned out well, she might make one for herself. It’d be nice to go cycling in Central Park one day.

“Violet,” Harriet, the girl working on her left, called to her. “Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“One of the girls just got engaged!”

Apparently it was true, because by midmorning all the talk at Butterick was about another seamstress who had announced her engagement and impending marriage. As soon as Violet heard the news, she hurried to talk to Mrs. Waters about Lila having learned to sew.

“But do you think she’s talented enough to work in the sewing room, Violet?”

“Well, I think so. I taught her, and while I wouldn’t say she loves it, she is quite adept at it. I believe she would love to work up here.”

“She has been with us for a while. I suppose we could promote her and see how she does, since you recommend her. I’ll talk to Mr. Wilder and Mr. Pollard about it.”

“Thank you.” Violet was glad to have the decision out of her hands. She’d taught Lila to sew and asked Mrs. Waters to give her a chance. Now it was all in the Lord’s hands and whatever happened, she hoped she could quit feeling guilty that Lila hadn’t been promoted before.

By midafternoon, Lila was being shown around the sewing room and told to think about whether or not she wanted to make the move.

“One does have more freedom to talk in the pattern-making room,” Mrs. Waters said. “Up here, it’s mostly the sound of the sewing machines you’ll be hearing. But there’s a feeling of accomplishment in seeing a beautifully finished garment.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’m know there is. And folding patterns can get quite boring after a while,” Lila said. “I really don’t think I need time to think about it. I would love to work up here.”

Mrs. Waters smiled. “I’m sure you will. We all do. Still, I’ll give you this evening to think about it. If you are still sure about it tomorrow morning, the position is yours and you’ll start this coming Monday.”

“Oh, thank you, ma’am,” Lila said.

“It is Violet you need to thank. She’s the one who recommended you.”

Lila turned to Violet and her smile looked almost genuine. “Thank you, Violet.”

“You’re welcome. I think you’ll like working up here.”

“Oh, I’m sure I will.”

Violet had no doubt that Lila would like the pay and being out of the pattern room. What she wasn’t so sure of was how they’d both like working in such close proximity to one another. She wasn’t sure about that at all.

* * *

The next night, as she did for all her boarders, Mrs. Heaton had a special meal prepared for Lila in honor of her promotion. She’d made her favorite meal of ham and mashed potatoes and peas, along with coconut cream pie for dessert.

Lila seemed genuinely happy for the first time since Violet had come to stay. For once everyone’s attention was on her.

“We’re all so happy for you, Lila. I hope you like it in the sewing room,” Julia said.

“I like the pay much better, I know that much. And truthfully, folding patterns is a very boring job.”

“I imagine it would be. It was so nice of Violet to teach you how to sew so that you could qualify for this new position,” Elizabeth said.

Lila glanced over at Violet and smiled. “Yes, it was. I can’t thank Violet enough for recommending me for the position.”

“You are welcome, Lila. It helped that you wanted to learn. And I think Butterick likes to promote from within, if they can. I’m just glad that you wanted to learn so that you could apply for the position when it came along.”

“All the women down in pattern folding are very envious that I was promoted,” Lila said. “I’ll miss a few of them, but I won’t miss that position at all.”

“Maybe you could teach one or two of them to sew, like Violet taught you,” Mrs. Heaton suggested.

“Perhaps,” Lila said, but she didn’t seem very enthused to Violet.

“That would be nice.” Michael smiled at her. “I’m sure it is very rewarding to help someone move up at their workplace.”

Violet was glad that Lila had been moved up, but she still wasn’t sure how well she would like having her in the same department. Hopefully it would all work out fine.

She had a feeling that while Lila was thankful that she’d learned to sew, she wished anyone but Violet had taught her. Oh, she’d thanked her on the way home and again at dinner, but her manner had been a bit stiff and forced.

Other than that, they hadn’t talked any more about it. Lila had burst into the house and announced to one and all that she had finally been promoted to seamstress, as if it were a position she’d been qualified to have for a very long time.

Of course, anyone living at Mrs. Heaton’s boardinghouse knew that it’d only been a short while since she’d learned to sew, but Lila seemed to have forgotten that part of it all. No matter—Violet could quit feeling guilty because she’d been given the seamstress position right off. She’d done what she could to help Lila and now that they were both on equal footing at Butterick, hopefully, Lila would be easier to be around from now on.

She had been nicer overall since Violet had taught her to sew, but that wasn’t saying a lot. Still, anything was an improvement on the outright distaste she’d shown to Violet since she’d first come to live at Mrs. Heaton’s.

Violet was still convinced that Lila’s dislike of her was because she was an old friend of Michael’s. As she watched Lila trying to capture his attention this evening, she was even more certain that the woman wanted Michael for herself. And deep down, Violet knew that what bothered her most of all was not really knowing how Michael felt about Lila.

Chapter Fourteen

O
nce dinner was over, Michael knew he’d need to move quickly before Violet went upstairs or joined the others in the parlor. “Violet, may I speak to you a moment?”

“Of course,” Violet answered.

Michael could see that Lila wanted to hang back, but he turned his back to her so that she wouldn’t hear what he was saying and bent down to whisper in Violet’s ear. “Would you like to take a walk in Gramercy Park?”

Her eyes seemed to light up as she smiled at him. “That would be very nice. Thank you.”

“I’ll let Mother know where we’re going and meet you back here in ten minutes, all right?”

She nodded and hurried up the staircase while he went in search of his mother. He made it back to the foyer just as Violet came back down, and he swept her out the door fast as he could so as not to draw notice that they were leaving.

“I feel like a kid trying to slip out of the house without letting anyone know,” he said as he took Violet’s elbow and steered her down the walk. It wouldn’t surprise him if Lila called out the door for them to wait for her. She was getting increasingly hard to avoid.

“Has something happened with Harlan that you need to talk to me about?” Violet asked as he unlocked the gate to the park.

“No. You just looked a little frazzled and I thought you might enjoy some quiet time in the park.”

“You read me almost as well as your mother does, Michael. This is just what I need.”

“Good.” He drew her hand through his arm as they strolled through the garden. He loved coming here. There were always others from the neighborhood, but not too many at one time, and there were areas where one could find a quiet spot and sit and relax. Being here with Violet, knowing she loved it as much as he did, made it even more special, and he knew he’d never be able to come by himself again without thinking about her. He led her to the bench they’d sat on when he’d shown her the park for the first time.

“It’s beautiful out this evening,” Violet said. “I love the way lights in the houses around the park come on one at a time here and there this time of day. The lights shining down make me feel safe.”

Michael wanted to be the one who made her feel safe. Had he failed in that respect? “Violet, are you worried about Harlan coming after you?”

“Not really. But I don’t know what he’s going to do as time goes on.”

Michael turned to her and tipped her chin up with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m not going to let him get to you here. We’re going to get to the bottom of everything and take care of Harlan for you.”

“I know. I just wish we could get word soon.”

“So do I. And I feel that we will but I know the waiting isn’t easy.”

“At least my job keeps me busy.”

“How do you think it will be working with Lila in the same department?”

Violet gave a little chuckle and shook her head. “That I don’t know. But at least I don’t feel guilty for being given a seamstress job before her.”

“You had no reason to feel guilty. And you taught her to sew so that she’d get this job.”

“I’m glad she did. Hopefully it will make life easier on all of us.”

Michael didn’t have the heart to tell her that their home had been full of tension from Lila for one reason or another ever since she’d moved in. He didn’t have much hope that it would change just because she got promoted. Maybe for a day or two, but then it would be something else she’d be upset about.

“Well, if it doesn’t, it won’t be your fault. It seems that Lila brings a lot of her distress on herself.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is. I just don’t want you worrying about her. You’ve done a lot for her even if she doesn’t appreciate it.”

“Thank you, Michael. And thank you for bringing me here tonight. It’s just what I needed.”

Michael was glad, but not only for Violet’s sake. Sitting here with her made him realize just how much he’d needed to have even a few minutes with her just to himself. He was beginning to think of this park as their special place.

* * *

On Wednesday morning, Michael was pleased to have a letter from Mr. Atwood, saying he wanted to meet with Michael at his earliest convenience to discuss Violet’s predicament with Harlan Black and discuss what could be done about him. He planned on coming to New York City before going home to Virginia for that very purpose and would be arriving on Friday.

At last it seemed that they’d be able to find out what Black was up to. From reading between the lines of Mr. Atwood’s letter, Michael was pretty sure his opinion of Black wasn’t much better than Michael’s.

He met with Jim Moore that afternoon and found that Black was pressing to know what he’d found out.

“I’ve tried to stall as much as I can. I told Black that I haven’t been able to see Miss Burton going in or coming out of the boardinghouse and finally had to remind him that he had told me to make certain that I didn’t make anyone suspicious about his trying to find her.”

“What did he say to that?”

“He gave me more time.”

Michael nodded. “Good. Hopefully, he won’t insist that you return to Virginia until after we’ve heard what Mr. Atwood has to say. I’m counting on whatever information Atwood has will help us come up with a plan to help Miss Burton keep her home.”

“She’s very well thought of in Ashland. I’ve met her neighbors and they all want her to come home.”

“How’d you find that out?”

“I said I was interested in her house—asked if they knew if it was for sale or not. Every one of them said they hoped she came home soon.”

Violet going back home was the last thing Michael wanted, and he prayed that she felt the same way. Oh, maybe she’d want to go home for visits, but he hoped that she thought of New York as her home now. At least he knew she did love some things about the city. The thought of living in this city without Violet here too was almost enough to make him think of moving back to Virginia. But he couldn’t just up and leave his mother here to do the work she did by herself either.

And that was another problem. Violet had given his mother a new outlook on life. It was as if she’d helped to fill that hole in her heart from the loss of Becca. Not that Violet would ever take his sister’s place in his mother’s heart. But she’d made a place of her own there and his mother would miss her terribly if she left.

“Miss Burton is a wonderful woman. I can see how they would feel that way. She’s been a real boost for my mother. I hope she decides to make the city her home and just keep the place in Virginia for visits or maybe even sell it.”

“Maybe after this is all settled, she’ll be free to make a decision,” Jim said.

“Hopefully so.” Who was he trying to fool? There was only one decision Michael wanted Violet to make—and that was to stay here. And it had nothing to do with the good she could do in the city, or even how much his mother cared for her. Deep down, Michael knew that wanting Violet to stay here had much more to do with the place she was claiming in
his
heart than anything else.

* * *

Over the next couple days, Violet tried not to think about Harlan Black or what might happen if he showed up. That was the last thing she wanted. If anything bad happened to Michael or his mother or anyone else in this house because of her, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

“Why don’t we plan a visit to the Ladies’ Mile this weekend?” Julia asked as she passed the breadbasket.

Her idea was a welcome interruption of Violet’s thoughts. “Oh, I’d love to. I’ve been wanting to see more of the shops.”

“We haven’t been back down there, have we?” Mrs. Heaton asked. “We’ve been quite busy, though.”

“Yes, we have.” Violet could hardly believe she’d been living in the city for over two months now. Time had sped by, with learning a new job, teaching the girls to sew and trying to learn her way around.

“Well, let’s go this Saturday. We can go right after breakfast and have lunch at one of the restaurants down there,” Mrs. Heaton said.

“What are we doing to do?” Ben asked. “I don’t think I want to go shopping.”

“Ben, you men can surely entertain yourselves for a day,” Julia said. “I mean, we do know you don’t always consult us when you want to do ‘men’ things.”

“That is true. I’ve wanted to check out a new exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. Any of you want to go with me?” Luke asked.

“I might,” Ben said.

“I’m not sure what my plans are yet,” Michael said. “I’m hoping to meet with someone from out of town on Friday, but I don’t know exactly when we’ll finish our business.”

Violet wondered if it could be Mr. Atwood that Michael was meeting with. Oh, she hoped that was the case. And if it was, she was sure that he would let her know. The thought that he might ask for her to come to his mother’s study again brought thoughts of the last time they were together there and the breath caught in her throat. She had to stop thinking about that night and the kiss they’d shared. She had to. He’d only meant to comfort her, she was sure of that. But he’d done much more. He’d made her want him to kiss her again, and she didn’t have any idea what to do about it.

“You men can do whatever you wish,” Mrs. Heaton said. “We’ll be back for dinner, but we’re going to have a great time showing Violet all that the Ladies’ Mile has to offer.”

Luke gave a mock shiver. “How you can all stand to spend hours looking at the latest frippery is beyond me, but I hope you all enjoy the day.”

“Oh, never fear. We’ll enjoy ourselves,” Elizabeth said. “It’s been quite a while since we had an outing like this. And it will be even more fun showing it all to Violet.”

“I can’t wait. Michael and I only went to Macy’s the day we celebrated my getting hired at Butterick.”

“We won’t get to see it all even in a whole day,” Mrs. Heaton said. “But you’ll certainly find out why there is such an attraction of the mile.”

Violet remembered so many things about the day she and Michael celebrated her new job at Butterick. The lunch and getting to know each other better were highlights of the day. But what she remembered most was running upon the tenements and those two little boys who looked at them so wistfully—the same ones they’d seen at the park. To go shopping after that had been a stark reminder of the differences in society, and it’d been almost overwhelming to Violet.

She hoped she could enjoy the outing on Saturday, but after all that had happened at the park, she thought those differences might be more glaring than ever.

* * *

Michael was glad everyone had plans for the day, for he was to meet with Mr. Atwood at noontime. He’d arrived the evening before, but asked to have a good night’s sleep before they met—unless the need was urgent. Michael was relieved to be able to tell him that as far as he knew nothing was urgent at the moment.

Now, as he picked up the older man at his hotel and they took a rented hack back to the boardinghouse, Michael could tell that his illness and the trip had been hard on him. “Mr. Atwood, sir, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to help Miss Burton out.”

The man might look frail, but his handshake was that of a much younger man, firm and strong. “No need to thank me, Michael—if I may call you by your first name. And, please, call me Nigel. I’ve felt guilty for getting sick and not being there to take care of the Burtons’ business when I heard Mrs. Burton passed away. I didn’t even know she had until a month or so ago. It was then that I knew I needed to get back to work.”

“Still, I know it wasn’t easy to go out of your way to come up here.”

“Better than for Black to see us together. He’d be sure to put two and two together and I fear that could cause even more problems for Miss Burton.”

“That is the last thing I want for Violet.”

“I feel the same way. How is your mother doing?”

“She’s doing quite well. She’ll be pleased to have you to dinner this evening. She and the women boarders have gone on an outing—which worked out very well for us today. The men took off in different directions and we won’t have to worry about interruptions. I think you’ll be more comfortable at my home than you would be in my office.”

“I’ve learned to try to be comfortable in most situations and places, Michael. But I’ll take you up on your hospitality.”

“Good. I’ve asked our housekeeper to make us a nice lunch and my agent, Jim Moore, will be joining us. That way, we’ll all have the same information to assimilate.”

“That makes good sense,” Mr. Atwood said. “I’m sure we can come up with a plan to put an end to Black’s dishonest dealings. It’s about time he was found out.”

“That is what I think, too.”

They’d no more arrived at the boardinghouse than Jim Moore showed up. Michael made introductions as he led them to the dining room where Maida had set the table for three and was ready to serve them as soon as they were seated.

Michael waited until she served them lunch before getting down to business. “So, you have knowledge of Black’s underhandedness?”

“I believe I do. At least where it concerns the Burtons. I know that there should have been no reason at all for Mrs. Burton to take out a loan on her home.”

“Then my mother was right. She said she was certain that Mr. Burton left Violet and her mother well enough off to live the life they’d been accustomed to. Not that it was one of luxury, but they should have been able to live debt free.”

“Your mother is exactly right. Mr. Burton worked long and hard to provide for his family, and he was very determined to leave them a good inheritance. His place had been paid for long ago. And there was ample money in the bank to take care of their needs and more. Even Mrs. Burton’s illness.”

“Then what do you think happened? How could things have turned so bad?”

“I don’t believe they did. I think that Harlan Black saw an opportunity to pull the wool over their eyes, and once I was gone and Mrs. Burton got sick, he did just that.”

“So how do we prove it?” Michael handed a basket of crusty rolls to Mr. Atwood.

“I know a judge that will make sure we can go through the bank records, once I give him my records and documentation.” He took a roll and buttered it as he continued, “Mrs. Burton’s doctor will help, too. I know there is no way Doc Malone would have charged her so much that she’d have had to put her place up for a loan. Did Violet say if she asked the doctor about his charges?”