Change of Heart (9 page)

Ruth's lips trembled. “I agree. We are no match for a woman like Gertrude if she became violent.”

Becca glanced at the bruises on his back and then put her hands on the child's cheeks. “We're happy to have you here with us. Tomorrow, we'll go shopping and buy clothes, books, and toys to decorate your shelves. If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?”

He tapped his lip with his finger. “A new fluffy toy dog.”

“I'm sure we can find one.”

What had happened in this boy's life to cause him to trust two people he barely knew? He had accepted her and Ruth without hesitation.

She wanted him to relax and find comfort here. Maybe if he put his belongings in drawers it would give him a sense of permanence. “Let's go to your room and put the clothes Dorothy bought you in your drawers.” She handed him the new clothes first. She opened the bag Gertrude had given her and lifted the dirty tattered shirt. How pitiful. She wadded the bag with the shirt inside and set it aside. Later, she would throw it away.

He tucked the clothes in the drawer and shut it. He eyed his dirty stuffed dog on the bed, where Becca had put it earlier. He left it there.

What were his thoughts? He had asked for a new toy dog. Did his old one remind him of his life in the saloon? “We need to feed you and then you need a bath.”

Ruth tousled his hair. “How would you like an egg sandwich and fried potatoes?”

Benjamin rubbed his stomach. “It sounds good to me. Do you have any cookies?”

“We'll make cookies before we feed you and give you a bath. Would you like to join us?”

Benjamin tugged at her apron. “I don't know how to make cookies.”

“Ruth and I will show you. You will love it.” Becca laughed as he followed her sister's instructions as to what and where to get the ingredients. She waited until her sister and Benjamin began stirring the mixture, then she dipped her hand in the flour bin and threw the white powder on Ruth. Handing him the flour bin, she winked.

He plunged his hand in the white mixture, grabbed a handful, and tossed it on her as he squealed with pleasure.

Becca plopped in a chair. Flour coated her kapp, Ruth and Benjamin's hair, and their clothes.

Benjamin giggled until tears stained his powdered face.

Ruth sat and pulled him on her lap. “You are adorable.”

“I want to make a mess with flour again sometime.”

Becca glanced at Ruth and stood. “We will do it again on another day, but this dirty kitchen reminds me why we don't want to do it too often.”

She and Benjamin cleaned the kitchen while Ruth fried eggs for sandwiches. Before sitting at the table, she pumped water in two large pots and warmed them on the hot stove.

When supper was ready, Becca and Ruth joined Benjamin at the table. She loved his laughter ringing in her ears and the sparkle in his eyes. He seemed like he didn't have a care in the world as he babbled on about what fun it was to make the cookies. She finished her meal. “It's time for your bath, young man.”

Becca carried the pots to the tub and poured the warm water in. She passed Benjamin soap and a rag. The bruises were many on his back. What kind of problems would she and her sister experience with this child? She hoped they were able to deal with whatever came their way. She helped him wash, dried him off, and handed him his new bedclothes. She kissed his cheek. “You smell much better.”

He dressed and hugged her. “May I please have a cookie?”

“Yes, you may.”

He hopped on one leg out of the room to join Ruth in the kitchen.

Becca entered. Ruth handed Benjamin two cookies.

She giggled, as he waited a moment after each bite. “Someone is putting off going to bed.”

He laughed then plopped the last bite of his cookie in his mouth. He swallowed it and stood. He held out his palms. “Oh no, my cookies are all gone.”

“No more cookies for you, young man. It's time to get you to bed.” She tickled him and found his giggle infectious.

Ruth laughed at them and removed his empty plate. “You find your book, and I will read it to you before I tuck you in.”

Becca cleaned the dishes and made hot tea, while Ruth read to Benjamin in his room. She set a cup on the table for Ruth. The little boy had already added joy to their lives, and he had only been with them a few hours.

Ruth returned. “He fell asleep when I finished reading the third page of his animal book.”

“Life brings such surprises. Yesterday we had no idea he would be in our lives today.”

“I am thrilled he is, but you had no business going to the saloon alone. Matt must have been furious with you.”

“Yes, he was, but he calmed when he saw I was all right. He had planned on talking to Gertrude after our last patient of the day, but I couldn't stand the thought of Benjamin going back there. Living in a community where mamms love their children has sheltered me from women like Gertrude.”

Benjamin cried out and startled them. “Please, don't hit me. Stop it. Mama, stop. It hurts. I promise I'll be good.”

The two sisters ran to his room.

Becca sat on the edge of his bed and held him. She turned up the lantern. “Wake up, Benjamin. You're having a bad dream.”

He opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He blinked and focused on Becca and Ruth then glanced around his room. He wrapped his arms around Becca. “I dreamed about Mama. She wouldn't stop hitting me. I'm scared. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

She held him and rocked him. “Yes, of course. You're safe. She's not here. Go back to sleep.”

Ruth rubbed his arm. “Relax.”

He drifted off to sleep, and Becca lowered him on the bed and turned down the lantern. She and Ruth tiptoed out the door.

Ruth followed Becca to the next room. “What if Gertrude wants him back one day? How will we protect him?”

Becca quaked. The saloon was too close for comfort. Gertrude could walk to their house. She didn't want to ever come across Gertrude Evans again. “I have no idea.” She reached for Ruth's hand. “We'll pray for guidance and take one day at a time.”

Six weeks later, Becca strolled to Ruth's shop after work. What would she and Ruth do without Margaret? She was a jewel to offer to take Benjamin to school today and watch him at the shop afterward. Maybe they did the wrong thing letting Benjamin stay out of school for five weeks. It broke her heart to know he cried every day this week at school. How much longer would the teacher tolerate Benjamin not participating in class?

What were they going to do? He had to go to school. She hoped Margaret was able to get him to stop crying when she escorted him this morning. The child listened to and obeyed her.

Becca pushed the door open and the bell clanged. Margaret and Benjamin were playing tiddledywinks and waved to her.

Ruth pulled her aside. “Margaret walked with him to school, sat with him at dinner, and introduced him to other boys during playtime. He told her she could go home an hour later. For his reward for being a good boy, she is giving him a pocket quilt for his bed. She promised to write and read him a letter from her that he could tuck in the pocket and it would be their secret. Our keepsake tradition has become popular in this family.”

Becca covered her mouth. “What would we do without Margaret? She can get through to him when we can't. I'm touched Margaret wants to pass on our keepsake idea to Benjamin.”

“I love her. She is a wise and loving woman. We should have asked her to take him earlier. I hope she is with us for a long time.” Ruth yawned and hung her
CLOSED
sign in the window. “It is time to close the shop.”

They walked outside with Margaret and bid her farewell. Becca and Ruth listened to Benjamin chat about his new friends at school as they held his hands on the way home. They stepped inside the house.

Becca put on her apron and pulled leftover chicken noodle soup from the icebox, placed it in a pan, and lit the wood in the stove. She set the table while she waited for the food to heat.

Benjamin wandered into the kitchen and climbed in a chair. “What are you cooking?”

“I'm warming up chicken and noodles. It will be a little while before it's ready. You can play with your train until I call for you.”

He jumped like a frog to his room.

Ruth entered and plucked an apple from the fruit bowl. “He would rather spend time in his room than anywhere else, and the simplest things make him happy. By the way, the drawer where he stuffed his tattered toy dog was empty yesterday. I found it in the trash. He hasn't said a word about it, and neither have I.”

“He sleeps with his new toy dog every night. I'm not going to say anything about his old dog either. I don't want to remind him of any unpleasant memories of his past life. His nightmares are less frequent. If we say anything about the past, he might start having them more often.”

“I worry his mother will show up and ruin his life and ours. I could not stand to lose him. You should ask Matt to visit the saloon and inquire about Gertrude. Maybe she is gone. I would rest a little easier if she was.”

Becca bit the inside of her cheek. “I don't want to remind her we have Benjamin. If Matt inquires, she may want to see him.”

“Please ask Matt to find out if she is working at the saloon. If she is not, we can all relax.”

Chapter Eight

Matt noticed the frown on Becca's face when she came to work. “You look upset.”

“I'm worried about Gertrude. I'm afraid she will show up on our porch one day. Would you mind visiting the saloon and finding out if she is in town? I would rest easier if I knew she was no longer in Massillon.”

He rubbed his forehead. “I will head over there. If any patients come in, tell them I will be right back.”

Matt kissed her cheek and headed for the popular drinking establishment. He walked across the boardwalk and pushed through the doors. It was early for loud piano music. The men in dusty cowboy hats with tobacco wads in their mouths who sat at the bar did not seem to think so. He stood in the open doorway. Several men played cards. He liked their suits and black bowler hats. He eyed their spit-shined boots. Nice. He surveyed the room. Women in tight, revealing dresses hung on several of the men. There was no sign of Gertrude.

The bartender sat an empty glass on the bar. “What's your poison? Aren't you the doc in town?”

“Yes, I am the doctor in town. No thank you to the drink. I need to speak with Gertrude Evans.” Matt spoke in a direct tone to discourage small talk. “Is she here?”

The bartender put the glass on the wooden shelf. “No, she left a few days ago. Left a note sayin' she was leavin' town and gettin' married. If you want company, one of the other ladies would be happy to oblige.”

“No. I am here for information. Where did she go?”

“I got no idea, and I don't care.” The bartender spit in a spittoon on top of the bar. “Gertrude's got a heart of stone, and I'm better off without her. She didn't get along with the other women, had a temper, and got drunk too often.”

Matt raked a hand through his hair. He ignored the come-hither stares and whistles from the women and scowls from the men at the bar. “Thanks for your help.” Matt strode out and returned to the office.

Becca stopped stocking supplies. “What did you find out?”

“I have good news. She is no longer working at the saloon and has left town.”

Becca clapped. “What a relief. Where did she go?”

“The bartender told me she wrote she was getting married and moving away.”

Becca leaned against the table. “What a relief.”

Matt pulled Becca into his arms. Benjamin's mother was gone. The boy had adjusted to school, and his nightmares were less frequent. It was time to focus on them. “We have reason to celebrate. Let me cook supper for you tonight. Will you come to my house?”

“I didn't know you could cook. I'm impressed. Of course I'll come.”

 

 

Six hours later, Matt glimpsed at his watch. The day had passed quickly. With Becca's help, he had treated twice as many patients in a day than his normal load. His shirt was wet with perspiration and his back ached from standing.

Becca latched the door. “I'm exhausted.”

Matt laughed and grabbed a towel. “What a day, but I am still going to cook supper for us. You have not changed your mind about joining me, have you?”

“Not a bit. I'm looking forward to it.”

He left right after she did to go home and prepare their meal. At six he collected Becca at her home and brought her to his house. “Make yourself comfortable.” He eyed her surveying the living room and books lined on shelves. He liked having her in his house.

He lit the fire in the stove then checked the venison and potatoes he had cooked before he left. It should not take too long to heat up. He set the table and lit candles. “Come and have a seat.”

She obliged and smoothed her napkin on her lap. “Candles are a nice touch.”

“I was afraid you would be insulted when I asked you to come alone to my house.”

She blushed. “I shouldn't be here without someone else present, but I trust you and wanted to have time by ourselves.”

His spine tingled at the sight of her. “We deserve a nice quiet dinner after the overwhelming number of patients we have treated this week. Besides, I would like to talk to you in private about my parents. I put off taking you to visit them because Benjamin needed our attention and they have been traveling. Since he is settled and they are in town for a while, I would like us to spend time with them.”

Becca sprinkled her potatoes with salt. “Do you have a particular date in mind?”

He sensed her hesitation. “I do. My parents are hosting a party this Saturday at their home. Will you come with me?”

“Your mamm didn't approve of me the first time we met in your office. It was obvious by the frown on her face. I'm nervous about meeting her again.”

Matt moved the candle to the side and leaned forward. He hoped his mother would be kind to Becca from now on. He had told her if she was not nice to Becca this time, he would not be a part of their lives. He would be surprised if his father was unkind, because he seldom expressed prejudice against anyone. “My father will be a gentleman. As far as my mother goes, I told her I expected her to treat you with respect. I would appreciate it if you would come with me to the party.”

She sipped her water. “I fear I'm not sophisticated enough for your mamm. I may embarrass her by coming in my plain clothes.”

He needed a few minutes to ponder his thoughts. He rose and served the food then sat.

Leaning in, he met her gaze. “You are a beautiful woman, and I will be proud to have you on my arm in any dress you choose to wear. My mother's idea of what is proper attire for you to wear to this party makes no difference to me.”

She toyed with her spoon. “Maybe we should have dinner with them by ourselves, instead of with a lot of other people.”

“My friends will be there. I would like to introduce you to them.”

“I can see how important it is to you, so yes, I'll go with you.”

They chatted through dinner and then pushed their plates aside.

The candlelight caught the glimmer in her eyes. He wanted to hold her. The party would include dancing. Maybe he should teach her a few steps. “We will have a good time. It will be fun for me to show you the house where I spent my childhood.” He rose and offered her his hand. “Miss Yost, may I have this dance?”

She giggled and rose. “I don't know how to dance, and we don't have any music.”

“I will teach you and hum a tune.”

“I'll step all over your feet.”

“If you do, I promise not to complain.”

He showed her where to put her hands and counted each step. As he hummed, she followed his lead and caught on fast.

“I get lost in the soft hum of your voice.”

“I like having you close.”

He whirled her around. Faces close, eyes locked, he leaned into her and pressed his lips to hers. Her mouth was soft, moist, and welcoming. Her eyes gleamed.

His heart quickened. “I am blessed to have you in my life.”

“I feel the same way.”

His heart soared at her words. She had been responsive and sweet. He had the urge to kiss her again but would not push his luck. She had come alone and been comfortable. Now he would break the rest of his news to her. “Come with me to the living room.”

She sat quietly beside him on the sofa.

“I showed you a few easy steps, because I wanted to dance with you at the party my parents are hosting. Mother is hiring a piano player and clearing a room for guests to dance. I thought you might enjoy it.”

“You were right. I enjoyed it.”

“Good.” He checked his timepiece. “It is after nine. I better take you home.”

He went to the barn and hitched his horse to his buggy and brought it to the front of the house.

Already outside, she climbed in. “The moon's full tonight.”

“Like you, it is beautiful.”

“It's been a wonderful evening, and one I won't forget.”

They chatted along the way about patients. He arrived at Ruth's, secured his horse to the front post, and walked Becca to the door. “I enjoyed tonight too. It was nice having time alone together.” He kissed her and left.

Matt reminisced about the time he spent with Becca. Their kisses filled his mind. Her lips were soft and full. Her melodious voice, sunny personality, and the way she trusted him made her the perfect woman for him.

Dark clouds rolled in overhead and covered the brilliant glow of the moon. Her meeting his parents was important. He hoped they would not disappoint him and make her feel uncomfortable. Maybe in a social setting, with other dignitaries present, his mother would at least be cordial to Becca.

 

 

Becca closed the door and curled up on the sofa. “Matt wants me to meet his parents Saturday at a party they're hosting. A number of important people will be attending. I suggested we meet his parents when there weren't other people present. I'm not sure how Mrs. Carrington will treat me in front of others. She might embarrass me.” Taught not to squabble, she wasn't sure how to handle Mrs. Carrington if she was confronted by her. She shouldn't fret. Matt would intervene if necessary.

“You have to meet them sometime. It may as well be at a party. At least with other people around, she will have to be somewhat nice to you.”

“I'm almost certain she'll not approve of my plain clothes and prayer kapp.”

“You and I need to root through my closet and choose some of my dresses for you to try on. I have three fancy ones you might like. You would be more comfortable and confident at the party if you were wearing an elegant gown.”

Becca followed Ruth to her bedroom and waited while Ruth pulled one dress after another from her closet and set them on the bed. She held one in front of herself and looked in the mirror. It was a soft cream color with a pink sash and covered silk buttons from neck to waist in front.

She had chosen to live in the outside world, but she still wore her Amish clothes. She hugged herself. Her plain clothes provided a sense of security. Once she made the change from plain clothes to English ones, there would be no reason to wear them again. “To step out of my Amish clothes and wear an English dress for the first time and meet Matt's parents might be too much. I don't know what to do.”

Becca smoothed her skirt. “I planned to start out simple and someplace familiar, like work.” She moaned and held the same cream-colored dress up to the mirror again. “Not a public event where I'll be nervous anyway.”

Ruth smacked her lips with obvious disapproval. “I have said all I am going to on the matter. The choice is yours.”

 

 

Three days later on Saturday at three, Becca answered the door. Matt stood dressed in a handsome black suit and white shirt with a red ascot. She dreaded the party even more. She fretted her plain clothes would embarrass him. “You look handsome.”

“Why thank you, miss, and you are as beautiful as ever.”

Matt's eyes assured her he meant it. She straightened a loose pin on her plain dark blue Amish dress and tied the strings on her prayer kapp.

He held out his arm and escorted her to the buggy. Becca climbed in. She pressed her hand to her rumbling stomach.

Matt chatted about patients they had treated the past week.

Becca listened and commented when appropriate but couldn't relax. She couldn't push from her mind Mrs. Carrington's disapproving face the day she first met her. She didn't want her nervousness to dampen his happy mood. He was anxious to show her his childhood home and introduce her to his family and friends. She would do her best to win his parents over and enjoy the party.

As Matt steered the horses down a long lane, she viewed the ornate buggies with horses heading for the large, four-pillared house. Several cars were parked in the yard. What would it be like to ride in one?

A porch wrapped around the big white house. Plentiful pots overflowed with hyacinth. Women in elegant long dresses and handsomely garbed men headed for the front door.

Matt pulled in front of the house and handed the reins to the stableman. He climbed out, assisted Becca, and escorted her to the front door.

The butler waved them in. “Master Carrington, it is a pleasure to see you. Come in.”

Matt introduced Becca to friends then showed her each room. “I love this place. I have such fond memories of growing up here.”

Becca leaned into him. “Your mamm is an excellent decorator. The carpets, furniture, and paintings are divine.”

“I must admit, she does have an eye for decorating.” He pointed to a painting of an older couple. “They are my grandparents on my father's side. I admire this picture of them. They were kind to others and loved each other very much.”

She stared at them. The man and woman in the picture had rather sour faces and didn't reflect Matt's words. Was there anything positive she could say about this picture? Nothing came to mind. She strolled away from it. “What about your mamm's parents. Were you close to them?”

“No. They died before I was born. They owned a restaurant serving casual fare in Columbus where my mother worked and first met my father. She was an only child. Her answers to my questions about her parents have always been short. I do know her parents lived comfortably, but they were far from wealthy.”

Mrs. Carrington worked in a restaurant? She had assumed the woman came from money the way she turned her nose up at those less fortunate than herself.

Matt gestured to a man who resembled him. “My father is standing in the library entryway. Come with me, and I will introduce you.” He clasped her hand and moved to Dr. Horace Carrington. “Father, please meet Becca Yost. The woman I have been telling you about.”