Love Finds a Home (Love Comes Softly Series #8) (22 page)

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woman. Instead, she thought about the wonder of their finding each other in Boston. She was reveling in the fact that they were able to enjoy each other's company. She relived the moments spent together and looked forward to many such happy times in the future.

And then Belinda remembered her plans for going home, and her heart sank within her. It was obvious to her that Drew planned to stay on in Boston. He had a promising future with an established law firm. He would be foolish to give up all that for. . . for a hometown girl.

Belinda suddenly shivered. There seemed to be more than a hint of
fall
in the air. A strange silence fell between the two sharing the carriage.

"I have discovered several ways that we can go," Mr. Keats began on Belinda's next visit. "But in each case it will involve setting up a trust and administrators."

Belinda nodded.

"The main issue is what kind of trust you wish to set up." "What choices do I have?" asked Belinda.

"Well, we could set it up under the city administration. They do have a concern committee to care for the homeless. Your proposal might fit into their program."

Belinda considered that.

"Or," Mr. Keats went on, "we could set it up under a church. They have contacts with the needy and could administer it as they see fit."

Belinda spent another period of time thinking of that possibility.

"Or," continued the attorney, "we could set it up independently A board quite apart from either of those. Self-governed and self-controlled."

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Belinda thought some more. "I favor that idea," she finally said.

The man nodded. "One needs to be very careful about choosing the administrators," he cautioned.

"How about an attorney, a banker, a member from the city council, and a church official?" suggested Belinda a bit timidly.

The man nodded. "Good choices," he said, looking surprised. "I would recommend a few more."

"Would you serve on my board?" Belinda dared to ask. Mr. Keats was obviously flattered. "Well, I . . . I would be honored," he replied.

Belinda felt they had finally made a significant step. The rest of the appointment time was spent in discussing possible board members, and when Belinda left, Mr. Keats had her instructions to make the contacts.

Belinda was hoping she might run into Drew. She, wanted to share her good news. And then she remembered that her good news was also bad news . . . at least to her way of thinking. Once the manor affairs were settled, she would have no reason to linger in Boston. She would be saying good-bye to Drew again . . . and this time there was little likelihood that their paths would cross.

I could stay right here and run the manor,
Belinda thought.
No one would ask me to leave.

But in her heart Belinda knew that was out of the question. She needed, desperately needed, to touch base with her roots again--to discover the real Belinda Davis. She had been living in another world--in many ways a fantasy world--for too long. She didn't belong there, and she wasn't even truly happy in that lifestyle. She hadn't been raised to be a parlor pansy in some magnificent Boston home. She was a simple person at heart. She had learned from her parents to think of others--to seek direction from God as to how she could serve.

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I definitely have to go home. And Drew will be staying on in Boston. There's no use encouraging anything more than friendship. At least I will say my farewell with some kind of dignity,
she determined.

In spite of the resolves made on both sides, Drew continued to call Belinda for engagements, and she continued to say yes to each invitation. They attended Drew's small mission church, as previously planned. Belinda was enthralled. It reminded her so much of the small community church back home. The people were openly friendly, the singing so enthusiastic, and the Gospel presented in such a simple but easy-to-understand fashion. Belinda felt right at home. She told Drew her impressions, and he nodded and smiled, looking pleased that she had enjoyed the church.

She didn't find any elderly in need, though she did ask Drew to keep his eyes and ears open.

They attended another concert, enjoyed a Saturday picnic at the park, visited some local museums, and took long walks. And during the time they spent together they were each silently telling themselves that they were enjoying a simple friendship--nothing more--because the circumstances would not allow for anything else. But within each heart, the feelings were growing more and more intense.

Things can't drag on like this,
Belinda told herself as the first snowfall of the year swirled about the manor. I
must get things settled here once and for all and be offfor home.

She spent the morning on the telephone, and by the time she was through, five residents had been secured for the manor. The big house would soon be filled with activity.

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I still need help for Mrs. Potter,
Belinda reminded herself.
Mrs. Simpson!
she thought suddenly in a flash of inspiration.
Drew would be happy to have his mother here,
Belinda reasoned.
She could help in the house and Sid could go to school.
It seemed like a fine plan to Belinda, and she couldn't wait to discuss it with Drew.

When he phoned that evening, Belinda was quick to put her idea to him. At first he seemed a bit hesitant, but the more Belinda talked, the more he seemed to agree.

"Do you think she would consider it?" Belinda asked. "I'm sure she would," Drew admitted. "She has wanted to return to the city for a long time."

"But would she mind. . . mind working with Mrs. Potter?"

"Mother was never afraid of hard work," Drew answered. He thought for a moment and then said, "We might even be able to find something for Sid."

"I thought he should be in school," Belinda told Drew. "He could help part-time here at the manor with some of the extra chores and take classes at one of the local universities."

"You have thought of everything, haven't you?" Drew chuckled.

"You think it will work, then?" asked Belinda.

"I think Mother would be delighted," Drew said honestly.

So Belinda sent off a letter with two train tickets and an advance of cash enclosed and held her breath until she received the reply. Mrs. Simpson and Sid would be arriving on the twenty-fifth of November. With a great feeling of excitement she called Drew.

It was a cold, wintry day when Belinda prepared to meet the incoming train. She had first thought she would send Windsor on his own but then realized the Simpsons might be more comfortable being met by someone they knew. Drew had

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offered to meet the train, but Belinda insisted she had more time for that than he did. "Come in the morning to see them," she invited.

Belinda was glad she had decided to meet the Simpsons herself. Both mother and son seemed somewhat uncomfortable and nervous. Windsor saw to the baggage, and Belinda led the two travelers to the waiting carriage.

"It's cold tonight," she told them. "Be sure to wrap the blankets around you." She passed them two of the heavy blankets Windsor had placed in the carriage and proceeded to bundle herself carefully in her own blanket. The two passengers followed her lead.

She chatted about their hometown and drew bits of information from Sid. He had grown up since Belinda had last seen him, and she was impressed. He had turned out to be a fine- looking young man. Mrs. Simpson was her usual quiet self, although she did answer Belinda's questions.

When they arrived at the manor, both of the tired travelers seemed to come to life in fascination with their new abode. Even Mrs. Simpson made some comments about its beauty.

Belinda knew that the rules had now changed. Potter was the administrator of the manor and as such would need to make all the decisions concerning the staff. And the Simpsons were
staff,
even though Belinda would like to have treated them as her guests. So Belinda wisely turned the two weary newcomers over to Potter, knowing they would be served refreshments and shown to their rooms.

Tiredly, Belinda climbed the stairs to her own rooms. She was anxious for a hot bath and a good rest. Drew would be coming in the morning to greet his mother and brother. Belinda could foresee another heart-wrenching day--the emotional trap to keep her here in Boston at odds with her desire to return to her roots.

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TWENTY-ONE
Final Preparations

Belinda had hoped to have all the arrangements concerning the manor finished by Christmastime, but as time went by she began to realize that it would be impossible. She eventually gave up on the idea and started to make plans for Christmas in Boston.

Perhaps it is better this way,
she thought.
Potter may need my help during her first Christmas as administrator.
But Belinda secretly wondered if another reason for staying on was to delay saying farewell to Drew.

Mrs. Simpson settled quickly and efficiently into her role as housekeeper. She had several staff under her, including cleaning and laundry services. There would be plenty to do once the manor had all its residents in place.

On December 6 the first two occupants moved in. Mrs. Simpson had their rooms
all
ready for them in accordance with Potter's instructions, and the two ladies were settled into their rooms and then given a grand tour of the house.

One of the new guests had been a piano teacher in the past, and she was delighted to find a music room and an instrument. The other was very impressed with the library. Belinda found the two women delightful and wished she could ask each one for the complete story of her life.

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They deserve their privacy,
she reminded herself.
They will tell what they wish when they wish.

And so it happened. Little by little bits of information came to life as the ladies sat in the north parlor at teatime or before the open fire with their handwork or a book.

Mrs. Bailey was a widow. At one time she, with her husband and three children, lived in a modest home on Boston's south side. Her husband was a drayman until a back injury ended his working days. Mrs. Bailey took on the support of the family by taking in laundry, selling baked goods, and sewing. Then even worse tragedy struck. The youngest child fell into the Charles River and the older one tried to save him. Both children drowned. A number of years later, tuberculosis took the life of their remaining daughter. Then the woman's crippled husband passed away, as well.

Belinda found it hard to believe that one person could endure so much personal tragedy. Yet the woman was still able to smile and to thank God for seeing her through all the difficulties. "And now the Lord has given me time to read and a whole library full of books," she rejoiced, waving a favorite title.

The second woman, Miss Mitton, had never married and had taught piano for many years to support herself. But when the number of students dwindled, she had to move from her neat little apartment to a shoddy tenement in the poorest section of town. The move made her bitter and cynical. Why should one in her position and education be forced to live in such abject poverty? Struggling against her situation, her burden grew even greater.

With a feeling of justice finally being given her, Miss Mitton took up her residence at the manor. She held her chin high to let it be known that she really belonged in this class. Though the woman had never lived in such surroundings in

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her entire life, she was accepted without judgment. Belinda smiled and humored her. She felt sorry for the little woman who tried so hard to be something she was not.

"I should not be forced to accept charity," Miss Mitton insisted one day as she struggled to hold her teacup daintily in shaky hands. "Fate has handed me some evil turns . . . but I really was born and bred in gentility."

"You were very blessed," Belinda said softly. "Like many of us here, I was not. My home was ordinary, though most adequate. We had love and understanding and proper food and clothing. I guess I learned early that velvets and porcelains are not what constitute a 'good' life.

"But please, let us make one thing clear from the beginning. No one at Marshall Manor is accepting charity. This is
home
for you and each resident. We have invited you to live with us because we want you here. A house is lonely if it does not have family. We are now a family."

Miss Mitton's chin lifted a bit higher, but Mrs. Bailey brushed tears from her eyes.

Belinda made another trip to see Mr. Keats, hoping that things were finally in order. He met her at the door with a broad smile. She took that as a good omen.

"Things have progressed satisfactorily?" she asked.

"Yes, quite," he answered, still beaming at his achievement. "Your board is all in order. They've had their first meeting and have established their directives. The banker and I will handle the paying of accounts--with board approval, of course. The minister and two of the other board members will see to finding the residents as needed. By Christmas the manor should be filled, and you should be free to carry on with your other plans--whatever they might be."

Belinda nodded. The long process was finally drawing to a close.