Rumors and Promises (33 page)

When she walked from the cool spring air outside into the stuffy little post office, she nearly ran right smack into Helena Blanding, with Cecilia close behind. Sophie sighed. There would be no escaping them, so she lifted her chin and nodded at them. “Good afternoon, Miss Neuberger, Miss Blanding.”

“Why, look who’s here, it’s Miss Biddle. How delightful to see you.” Helena wore a stylish mauve hat, perched atop her medium brown hair. Her mouth curved into a smile, a gesture that accentuated her large, slightly protruding teeth. The girl did have pretty blue eyes, though. She must give her that.

“I didn’t mean to slight you, by the way, not inviting you to our usual Welcome Spring event. I always think you have so much on your plate, taking care of your little
sister
and being employed as a maid at the boardinghouse. Why, you wouldn’t have time for such frivolity, would you?” Helena glanced at her sleeve and picked some imaginary form of lint from her elegant lace cuff.

“No offense taken. I am quite busy.” Sophie attempted to step around them, but Cecilia blocked her path.

“It was the most beautiful party ever. We had a lovely, delicious punch and sandwiches made with the flakiest croissants, besides appetizers and the desserts. I wish you could have seen them.” Cecilia tittered like an annoying little bird, bent on stealing the attention.

“And my brother, Malcolm, brought home a couple of his friends from the University of Michigan. One of them, Peter Morgan—”

“Is so handsome,” Cecilia interrupted her friend. “Why, his father is president of a bank and Peter has eyes only for Helena.”

“Don’t be silly. He hasn’t even asked whether he can court me yet.” Helena waved away the comment.

“I’m sure the whole affair was elegant indeed.” Sophie smiled in spite of herself. They didn’t know of her past, how many social events she’d attended, where the guests were waited on by maids and ate off fine bone china plates and drank lemonade from crystal goblets. She hadn’t given them the crestfallen reaction they had hoped for.

“Of course, there’s always next year.” Helena patted Sophie on the arm like she was some bedraggled mutt looking for a handout.

“Yes, next year. I’m sure it would be lovely.” Sophie squeezed the girl’s hand as though her social equal. Helena’s eyebrows rose as she moved away, seeming uncomfortable.

“Good day, Miss Biddle.” She and Cecilia finally let Sophie pass as they headed toward the door, whispering to one another.

Sophie was relieved to see Nora was finishing up at the counter as she turned to greet her with a smile. “Don’t pay them any mind.” So she’d heard the whole miserable conversation.

“Hello, Nora. It’s good to see you.” Yet Sophie was a bit embarrassed, knowing the other two girls thought of her as nothing more than a disreputable maid.

“I was there. The party wasn’t as lovely as they like to make it sound. Aunt Gert made me go, said I needed to get out and socialize with decent folk. But they’re not really my type. I’m just a poor farmer’s daughter, remember.” Nora grinned. “I sat in the corner with my cup of punch. The girls all had their noses in the air, and the college boys were positively boring. And the croissants tasted stale.” She scrunched her nose and stuck out her tongue.

“I’m sorry you didn’t have a good time. Really, it’s all right they didn’t invite me. I’ve had enough of that kind of thing.” Then Sophie became concerned Nora might realize she was referring to her past. “I mean, I’ve had enough of their snubbing me. Thanks for helping me feel better. If you wait for me to post my mail order, perhaps we can talk a little more.”

“Of course.” Nora nodded.

They would have to be discreet and walk down a side street, rather than Main, but Sophie knew she had the best qualities of a friend in Nora, not to mention Maggie, Gloria, and Esther. Now she would feel out of place at such a young person’s event like the Welcome Spring Social. With the responsibility of being a mother and her past courtship turning disastrous, Sophie couldn’t relate to the other young women. There was more to life than dressing up
and sipping lemonade while she batted her eyelashes at prospective suitors. She was happy to welcome spring in her heart.

The following Sunday evening Sophie played the piano at Nora’s urging. She finished the postlude before Ian stood to make an announcement. He cleared his throat. “As I reminded all of you earlier, there will be a congregational meeting following the service. If anyone would like to stay and hear my plans of hope for a future ministry of the church, you are welcome. There will be a light meal to follow.”

As the congregation stood and mingled after he gave the blessing to dismiss them, Ian strode toward her. His eyes shone with mischief as he grinned. “You were my first choice for the position. Nora’s done a fine job, but don’t ever forget that you’re irreplaceable, Sophie.” Ian’s expression softened and grew more serious. His gaze sought to connect with hers, his eyes probing.

It seemed he knew the very thoughts of her heart. The warming of her face betrayed her. Sophie found she couldn’t look away. The reassurance soothed the insecurities that sometimes overwhelmed her. “Thank you.” To know that she would have the hope of serving and being near Ian for a while was enough for the present.

Elder Whitworth cleared his throat as he stood near Ian’s side. “Perhaps I should call the meeting to order now, Reverend.”

“There are a few more details I wanted to go over with you, Elisha.” Ian turned to Sophie for a moment. “Excuse me,” he said, his tone apologetic, before he left her.

Sophie nodded. Standing by herself, she held her breath and searched for the busy Caira. Her daughter traipsed after Philip. Maggie watched them both. Sophie exhaled. She had nothing to worry about. Gratefulness for the support filled her until an ill wind interrupted her thoughts.

Gertrude Wringer marched toward her with Nora in tow. “I hope you’re happy now that my niece has allowed you to help her shoulder the music ministry. Not that she needs any assistance, but she has better things to do with her time.” The woman sniffed, lifting her nose in the air as if offended by a putrid odor. An egret plume, the newest addition to the ugly brown hat, flopped forward in front of her face.

Sophie pressed her lips together, looking at Nora, whom she could tell by the sparkle in her eyes, also tried not to laugh. Mrs. Wringer grasped at the feather, attempting to tuck it back into place. Her eyebrows knitted together in consternation. “Don’t expect such good fortune to last forever. Come along, Nora.”

Sophie bristled. That woman would stop at nothing, even though sharing the job had been Nora’s idea.

Nora put a hand on her aunt’s arm. “Aunt Gertie, I need to speak with Sophie … a-about music.” She looked down as if in deference.

“She doesn’t deserve your help, but very well. Headstrong girl. I have business to take care of myself. Edmund!” she screeched after her husband.

“Your music was so lovely. I’ve never heard anyone play hymns so beautifully,” Nora said, once her aunt was out of earshot.

“Thank you.” Sophie reached out, wanting to take one of her friend’s hands in her own, but thought better of it around Gertrude and clasped her fingers behind her back.

“I get so nervous being in front of this many people. I make so many mistakes and could learn so much from you.” Nora wrung her hands.

“You’ve always covered them nicely. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“So did you inherit your talent?” Nora grinned and tilted her head.

Sophie motioned her to follow as she walked back toward her pew. “It’s not important.” She shrugged. “Let’s just say practice makes perfect, and God gifted me with a love for music, which helped.” Bittersweet memories of singing with her mother and brother, taking turns at accompanying on the piano, the smiles they shared and the joy, which had welled up in her at those times, warmed her. Even when she’d been tired and she asked her parents if they had to perform at a church, by the end of the service her heart had filled with happiness from the worship.

“There’s something else I would like to talk to you about.” Nora bit her bottom lip, glancing sideways at Sophie.

“Go on.”

“Tell me something about James Cooper.” Her pale face deepened to the sunset pink Sophie had observed a couple of weeks before in the boardinghouse kitchen.

“James?” The thought of someone being interested in James as more than a friend made her chuckle. “He does remind me of my brother.”

“Surely there must be more to him than that,” Nora commented as they walked together and she drew closer. “He seems like such a gentleman. His mustache is adorable.”

Sophie resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. “He’s a copywriter and part-time reporter at the local paper, with aspirations to become a full-fledged journalist.”

“How exciting! Is he here today? I haven’t seen him.”

“If he’s gotten wind of the Reverend’s announcement, James will show up for it. He’s always looking for a story to prove himself.” Sophie paused. “He is a kind fellow.”
Though a bit immature.
However, there was no reason to portray him as anything less than thoughtful, so she kept the extra thought to herself.

“I hope I see him.” Nora patted her blonde hair as though she were trying to make sure every strand was in place.

“Either way, I’ll tell him Miss Armstrong sends her regards when I see him at the house.” Sophie grinned at her friend.

Nora’s eyebrows went up as she stepped back. “You’re positively scandalous.”

Elder Whitworth’s voice boomed over the hum of conversation in the sanctuary. “Those of you who are staying for the congregational meeting, please be seated now.” He took his place on the platform, a few paces to the side of the pulpit.

“I suppose I should return to my seat next to Aunt Gert.” Nora patted Sophie’s arm. “Thank you for the information about you-know-who. Maybe I’ll see you later this week.” She gave Sophie a hopeful smile before going to seek out her aunt and uncle.

Sophie scooted into the pew, sitting next to Maggie, who held Caira on her lap. The toddler rubbed her eyes and yawned, reaching out to her mother. “Soffie.”

“Sh.” Sophie took Caira into her arms, holding her close so that she rested her head on Sophie’s shoulder. She stroked Caira’s baby-soft hair and rocked her a bit.

James Cooper slid into the seat beside her. He took his hat off, fussing with its brim. “Did I miss anything important?”

“Only the entire church service.” Maggie peeked around Sophie to give James an accusatory look.

“I was in the back, Mrs. Galloway.”

“And I assume quite late.” Maggie’s eyebrow went up.

“Ah, yes. I … I had some work to do this morning.” James smoothed the pencil-thin line of facial hair he called a mustache. “What about the announcement Reverend McCormick said he was going to make?”

“You didn’t miss that.” Sophie rolled her eyes in disgust, but then she saw that Nora stole a glance at the young boarder. The sunset pink hadn’t left her face.

Could Nora be truly smitten with the copywriter? Although she had thought Nora would have been a better choice for the minister
to court, it comforted her that neither seemed too interested in the other. Yet she felt badly that the sweet young woman would be infatuated with such a silly, immature boy as James, especially with his lack of devotion to God. Nora deserved someone far superior in character.

Sophie wondered where she stood in the game of romance with Ian. Somehow, the impossible was beginning to seem possible. No. She shook her head. She must be stronger for all of their sakes.
God, I love Ian, but I know he deserves better. Please help me to think of him as a brother. Please bring him a truly good woman and help me to let go of any other thoughts of him.
The heaviness in her chest made her think that her prayer wasn’t as sincere as it needed to be.

Ian took the pulpit once again and a hush fell over those in attendance. “I want to thank you for staying a bit longer this evening.

“Elder Whitworth and I have visited a … maternity home, the Florence Crittenton Mission in Detroit. We are impressed with their work and as such would like to propose something on a smaller scale in Stone Creek.” As Ian continued, he quoted several scriptures, which described the need to care for those less fortunate, and particularly the command to care for widows and orphans in the book of James. “And so we are hoping to raise funds to start a ministry to house a few young fallen women who find themselves in a compromising situation.” He paused. Was Ian averting his gaze from her? “We want to give them a chance to begin life anew, knowing that Jesus loves them and has died for them. Or perhaps some need to renew faith in their Savior. After all, He is the God of second chances.” Ian mentioned the woman at the well and the lost sheep. “And for those who can’t care for their babies for whatever reason, we would like to begin a home for foundlings, as well.”