Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) (20 page)

Mrs. Heaton turned the paper over and looked at Michael and Violet. “That’s it. She stopped in midsentence.” She handed the letter to Violet.

“Maybe she got interrupted or just didn’t have the energy to finish right then. She never told me about it and it’s dated only a few days before her stroke.” Violet handed the short note to Michael. His mother opened the envelope containing Becca’s letter and began to read. “‘Dear Mrs. Burton, I know I’ve been gone a long time without being in contact. But I wanted to write and ask you to let my mother know that I am all right. I’ve heard she and Michael moved, but I don’t know where they are. I hope that you do, so that you can forward this to her. But I do not want her to know where I am because she never wanted me to move away, and, well, I fear seeing me now would bring her more heartache. I just want her to know that I am all right. Please tell her I love her. Sincerely, Rebecca Heaton.’”

Michael’s mother looked up at him, her eyes swimming in tears. “Oh, Michael, this means our Becca is alive. She’s really alive.”

Violet brushed at her own eyes as she watched Michael hug his mother, unshed tears making his eyes bright.

“I know this doesn’t mean we’ll ever find her, Michael, but—”

“I’ll try to renew the search, Mother, I—”

Mrs. Heaton shook her head. “No, son. You’ve done all you can to that end. Follow leads if you get them, but I don’t want you to feel you can’t have a life until you find Becca. I can rest easier just knowing she’s alive, and I know that if we’re meant to find your sister, the Lord will see to it that we do.”

Michael nodded. “I’ll continue to pray that we do, Mother. And you know I’ll never give up looking for her.”

“I do. But I want you to have a life of your own. You gave that up once. I don’t want to see you do it again.” Mrs. Heaton held the letter close to her heart. “I believe I’ll turn in now. I’m ready to go home.”

Chapter Twenty

M
ichael opened the door for his mother to go back inside and then turned to Violet. “I can’t begin to tell you how much the letter you found means to Mother and me. It’s given us hope that Becca is alive and that one day we
will
find her. Or she’ll find us.”

“You really aren’t going to give up just because that letter said she didn’t want to be found, are you?” Violet asked.

“No, of course not. But—”

“But what?”

“I won’t let the search for her turn into the obsession it was at the beginning. Mother is right. I did do that once, although I know now that it worked out for the best.”

“What do you mean? Are you talking about your engagement to Amanda?”

“I am. She wasn’t willing to support my search for my sister in any way and she called off the engagement when I decided to move to New York City.”

“I knew the wedding had been called off, but I didn’t know why. I’m sorry, Michael.”

“I’m not. At least not now.” He’d never loved Amanda the way he loved Violet. What he’d felt for Amanda had been more of an infatuation, until he’d realized what kind of woman she was. “I decided a long time ago that if I ever gave my heart to another woman, it would be one who supported my need to try to find my sister. But it would also be someone I loved so much that I would make sure that whatever I was working on would come second to her needs. I didn’t feel that way about Amanda and she didn’t feel that way about me, or what I had to do. Maybe I was too fixated with finding Becca, but—”

“She’s your sister. I can’t believe that Amanda couldn’t understand that you had to search for Becca. I’d do anything I could to help you find her.”

And she would. Michael knew it as sure as he knew he loved her. This was the one woman who could and would stand by his side no matter what—if he was blessed to have her return the love he felt for her. But this was her home and she just had it returned to her. He had to ask.

“Violet, now that you have your home free and clear and an inheritance—do you know what you’re going to do? Are you going to move back here?”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I can’t leave my position at Butterick without giving notice so that they can name someone to replace me. And I’m just not sure...” She shook her head. “I’ve got a lot of thinking and praying to do, Michael.”

He joined her on the swing and put it into motion. “The decision must be yours. But just so you know—” he reached out and cupped the side of her face with his hand “—while you’re praying, I hope you stay in the city.”

He heard her catch her breath and he dipped his head, his lips touching hers for a brief moment—only until she responded and then he deepened the kiss. He loved this woman.
Please, dear Lord, let her decide to stay in New York City.

He raised his head and looked into her eyes, wanting to tell her how he felt, wanting to ask her to marry him. But she looked exhausted and his head had begun to throb. Now wasn’t the time to press. It could wait until they got back home. Maybe that was the place to tell her how he felt. At least she was going back with them. He’d be thankful for that.

“Please just think about it, and we’ll talk when we get back to the city?”

She nodded. “It’s been a long day and you need to get some rest. Can I get you some ice or a cool rag to put on your eye?”

“No, I’ll get it when I go in. I’m just going to sit here for a while, though.”

She got up from the swing. “All right. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

“Night, Violet.”

“Good night, Michael.”

* * *

Violet tossed and turned most of the night. What was she going to do? Move back here or stay in the city? She loved Michael with all her heart—and he’d fought Harlan for her. But did that mean he loved her, too? He’d kissed her and said he wanted her to stay, but was it for his mother’s sake or his own?

She pounded her pillow and turned over.
Dear Lord, please help me to know what to do. Help me to know how he feels about me. I don’t know if I can stay in the city only for Mrs. Heaton’s sake, much as I love her. If Michael doesn’t love me, I don’t think I’d be able to continue living at Heaton House. Please show me what to do.

Finally, once she heard Michael come inside and shut the door, she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning they joined the Edwardses at church. Michael seemed to sport his black eye with pride. All Violet knew was that she was extremely proud of him.

Then, after a wonderful dinner with Beth and her family, Mr. and Mrs. Atwood, the judge and his family, Violet waved goodbye to her friends as she and Michael and Mrs. Heaton boarded the train to go back to New York City.

They took their seats on the train, Michael beside her, and Mrs. Heaton sitting across from them, talking to an old friend across the aisle who was going to visit her son’s family in the city.

Now, as the locomotive began to move, Michael smiled down at her and said quietly, “Are you all right? Sure you want to return to the city?”

“I’m fine now. And I’m happy to be going back. I have a job to return to. And I’ve realized that with no family in Ashland, there really is nothing holding me here now. Beth will be more than happy to come visit me in the city.”

Michael’s dimples deepened. “I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if you were feeling sad to leave.”

“No. I’m better than I’ve been in months. I know that what I suspected about Harlan was true and I’m relieved to know that he’s going to pay for his deeds. I can’t thank you enough for being the reason for that, Michael.” His eye was black and blue and purple now. Just looking at it made her hurt for him. She wanted to say so much more, but now wasn’t the time or place.

Mrs. Heaton’s conversation with her friend ended and she turned her attention back to them.

“I still can’t believe Lila was working with Black, giving him information about Violet. How did she know about him anyway?”

“I don’t know.” Michael rubbed his temple.

“I ran into her in the hall coming out of your study one night. I have to admit I wondered if she might be eavesdropping, then I felt bad for thinking it. But it was the night we talked about Harlan.”

“Now that you mention it, I caught her coming out of your room one night. She said she’d been returning a shirtwaist you’d loaned her. I believe it was right after your sewing machine arrived.”

Violet inhaled quickly. “The letter Beth sent—when I went up to read it later that night, it was on the floor. I just assumed I’d knocked it off the bedside table, but—”

“Most probably, at least at one or the other time, and maybe in both instances, Lila found out enough to contact Black. I knew she was a scheming young woman, but I never thought she’d turn on someone living in our home,” Michael said.

“I am so sorry, Violet. I knew she was jealous of you, but she was always envious of anyone getting more attention than she was.” Mrs. Heaton shook her head. “If I’d had any idea that she would turn on you, try to put you in harm’s way, I would have told her to leave.”

“Oh, Mrs. Heaton, please don’t blame yourself. I knew Lila didn’t like me, but I never suspected she’d go to such lengths to get rid of me.” Her heart filled with love for Michael and his mother. “I’m sorry I’ve caused you so much trouble.”

“You’ve given us much joy, Violet. The only ones who’ve caused problems are Black and Lila. We’ve taken care of one, and the other will be taken care of as soon as we get home. It’s time Lila learned her actions have consequences,” Michael said.

Violet looked at Michael’s bruised face and shuddered. He could have been killed. He was right. She just wished Lila had taken a different path in her life.

* * *

Violet could feel the tension radiating off Michael as he opened the door of his mother’s home that afternoon. Gretchen met them just inside, as if she’d been on the lookout for them. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, Michael said, “Gretchen, please tell Lila I want to see her in Mother’s study right away.”

Gretchen began wringing her hands and shaking her head. “She’s not here, Mr. Heaton. She’s gone.”

“Where is she, do you know? Is she with some of the other boarders?”

“No, sir. She must have moved out all of her things in the middle of the night. When she didn’t come down for Sunday dinner, Elizabeth went to check on her and there was nothing in her room except for a letter to Mrs. Heaton and one addressed to Butterick. Nothing else. We don’t know where she went.”

By then Elizabeth, Julia, Luke and John had joined them in the foyer.

“I’m so glad you’re home, Mrs. Heaton.” Elizabeth had several letters in her hand and handed them to the older woman. “Lila started acting odd as soon as she found out you all had gone to Virginia on Friday, and she was jumpy as a cat all day yesterday, but we couldn’t get her to tell us what was wrong and she went to bed early last night.”

“We don’t know when she left,” Luke added. “Our best guess is that it was after everyone went to bed last night or first thing this morning before anyone was up.”

“Let me read her letter,” Mrs. Heaton said. “Maybe it will shed some light on why she left. If not, I believe we can. Let’s go into the parlor.”

Violet sat down on one side of Mrs. Heaton and Michael sat on the other while she silently skimmed Lila’s script. Then she handed it to Michael. “You tell them, son.”

Michael nodded and began to read: “‘Dear Mrs. Heaton. I’ve been called home suddenly and couldn’t wait until you returned from your trip. I don’t know when I will be able to return, so I must resign from Butterick. Please have Violet give them the letter I’ve addressed to them. I thank you for your kindness to me and I ask you to give Michael my regards. Please tell everyone else goodbye for me. Lila’”

Michael sighed and looked at Violet. “Obviously she had a feeling we’d find out what she’d done and got out of town before we could confront her with it. I think I’ll send one of my men to her hometown, but I don’t think she’s been called home suddenly.”

“No, neither do I,” Luke said.

“What is it? What has Lila done?” Elizabeth asked.

By the time they’d explained everything to the boarders, Gretchen was there to tell them dinner was ready and they moved from the parlor to the dining room.

Violet could understand that Elizabeth and the other women might miss Lila, but when she voiced as much, Elizabeth put that thought to rest.

“Well, much as I hate to admit it, it took a lot of energy to be polite to Lila most days. It wasn’t easy to be a friend to her,” Elizabeth said. “I’m sorry she betrayed you after all you’ve tried to do for her, Violet. I can’t say I’m sorry to see her go.”

“True,” Julia added. “I knew she resented Violet, but I never thought she would go so far as to try to put her in danger. I admit I’m glad she’s gone, too.”

“It will be a lot more peaceful around here,” Luke said. “Lila liked to stir things up on a daily basis. It’s a shame she couldn’t appreciate the friendship you ladies tried to show her.”

Angry as Violet was at Lila, she pitied her at the same time. Now she could only pray that the woman would find the Lord and turn her life around.

* * *

It was later that evening before Violet and Michael had a chance to talk to one another in private. So much had happened so quickly that Violet’s head was still spinning. Coming home to the city was part of it. Violet had known that she was glad to be coming back, but when she had walked through the doors of Mrs. Heaton’s boardinghouse, there was no longer any feeling as if it was
almost
home. Now it
was
home to her, and when the boarders welcomed them back she knew that she was in New York City to stay. She might not stay in this house, depending on how Michael felt about her, but she didn’t want to move back to Ashland.

Michael had asked if he could speak to her after dinner and visiting with the boarders, telling them about all that had happened and Lila’s part in it. Violet was more than happy to oblige. She had much to thank him for. And she secretly hoped that they might have that talk about them, the one that Michael had said they would have “one day.”

When the gathering began to break up, Violet went to Mrs. Heaton’s study where Michael had asked to meet her. She was a little surprised to see Luke there, too. But Michael smiled at her and motioned her to come in.

“Luke is blaming himself for not keeping Lila here.”

“I’m so sorry about Lila’s part in all this, Violet,” Luke said. “If I’d had any idea I would have watched her closer.”

“Why, Luke, it’s not your fault. None of us suspected she even knew who Harlan was.”

“Still—”

“Luke, I should have called home that night. It’s my fault that she left before we got here,” Michael said. “I thought she’d be here when we returned.”

“Well, if you haven’t decided who to send to her hometown, I’d sure like to go,” Luke said. “Maybe she’d just think I came looking for her as a friend. She doesn’t know I work for you.”

“I was going to ask you to do just that. But I don’t think she went home.”

“I’m sure she didn’t. But I’d like the chance to find out what I can.”

Michael nodded. “You have it.”

“Just be careful, Luke,” Violet said. “She’s not to be trusted.”

“I know. I’ll be careful. Now, a bit of advice to the two of you.”

“Oh? What advice is that?” Michael asked.

“Quit wasting time and tell each other what everyone else in this house already knows.”

Michael raised an eyebrow and smiled. “And that would be?”

“That you are in love with each other. It’s pretty obvious to everyone but the two of you.”

Violet could feel her face flush as she and Michael glanced at each other.

“I’ll leave you to do that in private,” Luke said.

“That’d be nice of you.” Michael grinned.

Luke chuckled on his way out the door, and Michael’s arms encircled Violet before it clicked shut.

His cheek had been changing colors by the hour and Violet couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to touch his face now that they were alone. But, afraid that her touch would hurt, she quickly pulled her hand back. “I’m so sorry you got hurt. But you saved my life, you know, in more ways than one.”