A Home for Her Heart (5 page)

At exactly noon, John breezed through the doors and grinned when he spotted her.

“I knew you’d be ready. Out of all the women at Heaton House, you are the most punctual one.”

“And you’re right on time, too. I truly don’t like to keep people waiting, but it was also taught to me that it was bad manners to do so from an early age.”

“Well, I’m glad. Are you ready for lunch? I’m starving.”

He crooked his arm for her to take and Elizabeth never thought much about it. He and the other men from Heaton House always did the same thing when escorting any of the women. It didn’t mean anything. Only suddenly it had her remembering how it’d felt that day she’d barreled into him and he’d reached out to steady her in such a protective way. She gave a little shake to her head to clear her mind of the thought. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a little café not far from here. I’ve eaten at it several times. It’s got a good mix of men and women who come in to eat and I thought you might be more comfortable there than some of the places I usually eat lunch at. They mostly cater to reporters.”

And obviously he didn’t consider her a real reporter. Her stuff was fluff, after all. She felt her face begin to flush. “I see. And you don’t think—”

“Elizabeth, don’t even finish the thought.” John stopped them in their tracks and turned her to look at him. “I didn’t think either of us would want other reporters to overhear what we’re working on. My boss is very enthused about doing a series of articles and, obviously, since you were able to meet me, your editor likes the idea, too.”

Elizabeth felt a flush of embarrassment flood her cheeks. Why was it she always assumed he thought the worst of her? “You’re right. Of course I don’t want any other reporters overhearing us. And yes, Mr. Dwyer likes the idea very much. He even wishes we were a daily publication.”

“That’s wonderful. Did you bring your camera with you, by any chance?” John asked. “Just in case we need more pictures?”

“I did bring it. Mr. Dwyer wants to use the photos I brought in, so that will be some income for Millicent. He was quite complimentary about her talent. I thought you might have asked her to come along today, as well.”

“She took so many good ones that I didn’t think about needing any more right away. But I’m glad you brought your camera, just in case we run into anything we feel we need a photo of.”

Elizabeth was glad she’d brought it, too. But she did feel bad that she hadn’t made a point to ask if they should bring Millicent along, too—or that she hadn’t mentioned it to the other girl on her own.

They took off again and walked the few blocks to the café John had in mind. It was busy this time of day, but they managed to find a table near the back of the room. A waitress hurried up to them, set water on their table and handed them a handwritten menu.

“The menu changes every day, but I’ve had most of what’s here. The roast beef sandwiches are very good, if a little messy. And the turtle soup is great.”

Elizabeth chose the soup and John decided on the sandwich. The waitress took their order and while they waited, John handed her a new address Kathleen had given him that morning.

“Maybe we can go to this one and the one we didn’t get to the other day and see what we can find out. Kathleen says they are both in bad shape and the landlords are rarely there. Hopefully we can get some answers from the tenants without them being afraid of talking to us.”

“I hope so. We need one or two who are willing to give us the truth about the conditions they’re living in. I know it’s not always easy for people to reveal what they know when they’re afraid of the consequences if they are found out. But I don’t know how we are going to be able to help any of them, if no one tells us who owns the buildings.”

“We’ll discover who does. It will just take longer if we don’t get the information from someone on the premises. I’ll have to go to city hall and do some research. It’s long and tedious work and sometimes people have been paid to hide records. But we’ll unearth the owner.” John seemed determined and excited all at once.

“I hope so.” She also hoped he’d share his findings with her. “I’ve never had to do that kind of research.”

“And you don’t have to now. I’ll do it and let you know what I learn.”

“Why, thank you, John.”

“You sound surprised.”

“Do I? I didn’t mean to.” Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief that she was able to tell the truth, even though she did wonder if he really would share his findings with her. Then she felt bad for doubting that he would. He might not like working with her, and it might be his career he was thinking about, but he usually kept his word and she truly had no reason to doubt that he wouldn’t do so now. “I imagine it’s a lot of work.”

John shrugged. “It can be. But sometimes the only way to find the truth is to dig for it and that’s just part of a reporter’s job.”

Elizabeth’s heart did a little twist as she once again regretted hiding her true identity from John and the other boarders. Was it time to tell them?

The waitress brought their order just then and Elizabeth was glad for the interruption. She wasn’t ready to make that decision just yet. The thought of disappointing those she cared about was something she didn’t want to face, but she knew the time was coming that she’d have to—just not today.

Chapter Five

J
ohn wondered at the look in Elizabeth’s eyes just as the waitress brought their meal. Not for the first time, he had a feeling there was more to the woman sitting across from him than what he knew.

There was something about her that set her apart from everyone else, even as she was the same—working for a living and making a life for herself in this huge city.

But what about the aunt she visited so often? And what kind of life did Elizabeth live when she visited her? All he really knew about Elizabeth was what he saw at Heaton House. He did know that she was from Boston, but many young women from other places came to the city to work. That wasn’t unusual.

“This turtle soup is delicious, John. Thanks for recommending it.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

She nodded. “It was a favorite of my mother’s, too. I remember having it quite often before she passed away. Funny how some memories stay with you, isn’t it?”

“It is. I don’t have many of my mother, though. I was only five when she passed. I don’t remember special meals or anything like that. Just the warm feeling I have thinking about her reading to me, listening to my prayers and tucking me into bed at night.”

“Oh, John, I’m so sorry you lost her so young.”

“Thank you. There is a certain scent I connect with her, too”

“Oh? Some kind of toilet water? Lavender, maybe?”

He shook his head. “No. It’s more like a combination of lilac and...now, don’t laugh, but baking bread. Either one triggers what few memories I have.”

The look in Elizabeth’s eyes softened and she smiled, but she didn’t laugh. “I love the scent of lilacs. We had several bushes around our house in Boston and Mother always filled vases with them in the spring.”

“How old were you when your mother passed away?” John asked, and then regretted doing so as the expression in Elizabeth’s eyes saddened.

“I was twelve.”

“That had to be tough.” He reached across the table and touched her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up sad memories. I shouldn’t have asked.” As usual his timing was awful.

She pulled her hand back and shook her head. “No need to be sorry. I love remembering her. I just wished I had her longer, but you... I wish you’d had your mother longer, too.”

It saddened John that they’d both suffered similar losses. At the same time, knowing that they’d both experienced the same kind of pain seemed to have created a bond of sorts—at least for him. Was it possible Elizabeth felt the same way?

* * *

By the time Elizabeth and John started back to Heaton House, they were both frustrated. Even on a Monday afternoon, the managers of both buildings they checked into were nowhere to be found and the tenants they were able to speak to didn’t know who owned the buildings.

The conditions in both were every bit as bad—if not worse—than the building they saw on Saturday. Rickety staircases, no air ventilation, filth built up in the corners—one could see which tenants tried to keep their places clean—but there seemed to be no care of the area the landlord would be responsible for. Elizabeth took photos of it all, but was sure none of them would be the same quality of Millicent’s.

When she mentioned as much to John, he shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I just realized we need to have proof of the condition of the buildings when we find the owners. If they don’t do anything once they are notified, the city will need proof to go into action.”

“That’s true.”

“I’m sure whatever you have will be fine. We just need to keep good records as to which buildings the photos come from, no matter who takes them.”

“If you’re going to do the research on who owns the buildings, I can at least keep a record of where the photos were taken.”

John surprised her by agreeing readily. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

“I’m still having trouble with what some of the tenants told us about hardly ever seeing the managers except during the week the rent is due.”

“I know. Even though they have apartments in the building, I wonder if they live somewhere else.”

“Which means there is no one in charge, if a fire breaks out or something else awful happens,” Elizabeth said, her heart heavy just thinking of the squalor the children lived in—playing in trash-filled streets, dark stairwells and hallways.

Her long sigh must have alerted John to her feelings as they got off the trolley and began walking down the clean streets of Gramercy Park. “I know. It’s hard to accept that people have to live in those conditions.”

“It’s awful. It breaks my heart to see children trying to make the best of things.”

“I don’t think they know any better.”

“To be born there and never leave— Oh, John! Hopefully our articles will do some good.”

“I think they will.”

“Oh, I do hope so.” Seeing the surroundings so many lived in made her feel guilty for being born into a well-to-do family. She’d never had to worry about a roof over her head, much less the condition of it. Never had to worry about dust building up anywhere for that matter. And she’d never had to wonder about having enough to eat.

As they entered Heaton House and were greeted by the tantalizing aromas wafting in from the kitchen, tears sprung to Elizabeth’s eyes remembering several children they’d seen who were much too thin.
Dear Lord, please help our articles serve to help those in the tenements. Please help us to find the owners of these buildings who have let them fall into such disrepair.

“Are you all right, Elizabeth?” John asked, as she stood in the foyer, her head bowed.

“I’m fine. Just thinking how blessed we are to have Heaton House to come to at the end of a day.”

He nodded. “Yes, we are. I—”

“Elizabeth and John, you’re back. Did you find out anything about who owns the buildings?” Kathleen hurried down the stairs, eager expectation on her face.

“No,” John said. “It seems that the landlords of the buildings of disrepair don’t even want to live in them. The tenants see little to nothing of them unless they are collecting the rent. But don’t worry. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. We’re going to find out who owns these buildings.”

“I’m so glad I asked you two to help with this. I was getting more discouraged by the day. But I know that between all of us, we’ll make a difference.”

“I wish I had as much confidence in us as you do, Kathleen,” Elizabeth replied.

Her friend put an arm around her shoulders. “I know it is difficult to see the bad conditions. But my family and I are proof that one doesn’t have to live in the tenements forever. And we’re going to do all we can to help those who can’t leave right now have better living conditions while we help to show them they can get out, too.”

“My admiration for you and Colleen grows each day, Kathleen,” Elizabeth said. “And I’ll do all I can to help.”

“So will I,” John added. “You’ve given us a challenge I don’t think either of us will back down from.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I know you’ll both give it your best. Now let’s go freshen up for that delicious dinner Mrs. Heaton has in store for us. And maybe we can get some wedding planning in this evening, if you have time, Elizabeth? I’d like to go over to Colleen’s and get her input, too, if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll make time, Kathleen. And I don’t mind going to Colleen’s at all. I haven’t seen her or those sweet nephews of yours in a while.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

“And I’ll leave all that planning to you two ladies. See you both at dinner.” John grinned and took the staircase down to the ground floor while the two women headed up to their rooms.

Helping Kathleen plan her wedding sounded wonderfully refreshing after spending the afternoon in the tenements. And Elizabeth could think of no one she’d rather help right now than Kathleen.

* * *

As it was still light after dinner, Elizabeth and Kathleen took the short walk to Colleen’s by themselves, with Luke promising to come get them if they weren’t home before dark.

“Luke didn’t seem too upset by not having your company tonight,” Elizabeth said.

Kathleen chuckled. “Well, he has a new deadline and he wants to get his book edits finished before the wedding, so it should be a little easier to have a planning session now and again.”

Luke made his living as a dime novelist, but because of Kathleen and what her family had endured in the tenements, he’d written a novel that he wanted to bring light to the problems there and at the same time give hope that others could make it out as Kathleen and her family had. It was to be on the shelves before Thanksgiving.

“I still can’t believe we’re getting married,” Kathleen said. “I never thought I could be this much in love or this happy.”

Elizabeth was truly happy for her friend, but she was surprised by the sudden surge of longing to experience that kind of happiness for herself—even though she had no intention of letting herself fall in love again. She’d already experienced betrayal in her lifetime and she didn’t intend to let it happen again.

“You deserve all the happiness you can get, Kathleen. You and Luke are perfect for each other.” And they were. Neither of them could ever be accused of marrying for any reason other than love. But for Elizabeth—there was no real way to know if that was the case. It wasn’t worth the heartache that came with finding out a man’s interest was only in her wealth and not her.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. You deserve the same, you know. And it will happen one day. I’m sure of it.”

Elizabeth only shrugged. She couldn’t go into how she felt, as Kathleen didn’t know who she really was—something that weighed on her mind more and more each day. This woman was her best friend. How would she feel if Elizabeth told her the truth? Would she feel betrayed?

“How is it working with John? I hope I haven’t asked too much of you.... I know he can irritate you at times.”

“So far it’s okay. And it is for a good cause so we’ll make it work.”

“Thank you for agreeing to it, Elizabeth. I truly appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s talk about your wedding. Have you decided on the wedding dress you want?”

“I have narrowed it down to three. I wanted Colleen’s opinion on them also. Violet has offered to make it for me, isn’t that nice of her?”

“It is. She is a wonderful seamstress and I’m sure Butterick is going to hate to lose her. Has she given notice, do you know?”

“I think so. But she’s going to work a few more months until they can find someone to replace her.”

“Mrs. Heaton is thrilled. To have her daughter back with a grandchild she didn’t know she had, and a new one on the way with Violet and Michael. I think I’m happiest of all for her.”

“So am I.” Kathleen sighed. “I don’t know what Colleen and I would have done without her help and yours and the others at Heaton House.”

“And it continues with you and Colleen. How is she liking being in charge of a Ladies’ Aide day-care home?”

“She loves it. The boys love it. It’s been a blessing to be sure.”

“And is Officer O’Malley still calling on her?”

“He is. After all she’s been through it’s hard for me to believe she might trust another man with her heart, but it appears she might be ready to.”

Elizabeth wondered how she could, too—Colleen’s husband had tried to kill her after all! But she hoped she would find happiness. “He seems to be a good man.”

“He does. And Luke says he’ll treat her with care and won’t make a move until she’s ready, but it won’t surprise me if he asks her to marry him soon.”

All this talk of marriage and love had Elizabeth wondering if she was going to make it through all the wedding planning. It left her with conflicting feelings—happy for her friends but longing for something she’d never have. She’d have to get over it. She’d promised Kathleen she’d help her in any way and she intended to keep that promise, no matter how much it brought long-buried dreams to life again. She sent up a silent prayer asking the Lord to give her peace about her future and she prayed to be able to concentrate on helping her friend.

But she was more than a little relieved to arrive at Colleen’s. She’d let her boys stay up a little later so they could see their aunt Kathleen and their happiness at the change in their lives was contagious. So much so, that after they were put to bed and the women began their wedding planning, she found she could concentrate on Kathleen’s happiness and trust hers to the Lord.

* * *

When Luke came to escort them home, Elizabeth was more than a little surprised to find John with him. She figured he was hard at work on a new article.

“Two escorts? What a pleasant surprise,” Kathleen said, taking her fiancé’s arm.

“It’s such a nice night, we thought you two might like to stop at the Bailey’s Soda Shop before going home,” Luke said. “Sound good to you?”

“It does,” Kathleen said.

“What about you, Elizabeth? Want to have a soda?” John asked. “You deserve one after this afternoon.”

“Yes, I think I would.”

“Good.” He offered his arm to Elizabeth and she hesitated only a moment before taking it. She never used to think about taking his arm and wasn’t sure why she did now, or why her pulse began to race when she did.

Luke and Kathleen had their heads close together, talking quietly as they took the lead.

“Wonder what those two are whispering about?” John leaned his head down and whispered in her ear, causing her pulse to speed up.

What was going on with her? This was John—a friend at most—and sometimes not. This was the man who thought her writing wasn’t as important as his own. Who irritated her as often as he made her laugh. “Any number of things, I would imagine,” she whispered back. “Did you get your article written?”

“Not all of it. I think we’re going to do one a week to start with. Boss wants to see how it goes over. And since we have no names to investigate yet, that might be the best idea.”

“I meant to give my film to Millicent and ask her to develop it for us. I’ll ask her when we get back to Heaton House, or first thing in the morning.”

“That will be fine. I’m sure she’ll get to it as soon as she can.”