When Love Calls (27 page)

“Did you write the apology notes?” Hannah asked Tessa.

“Do I really have to do that?”

“What do you think?”

Tessa stomped away, and Hannah sighed. Had she been too hard on the girl? But Tessa needed to learn there were boundaries—and so did Lincoln.

His downcast face came to the forefront of her thoughts. Had she been too rough on him? He’d only been trying to help, and it was thanks to him she was now able to be home again.

Maybe Tessa wasn’t the only one who needed to write an apology note.

 32 

After rapping on the doorjamb, Hannah waited for her new supervisor to turn toward her. “Mrs. Beecher, I’m Hannah Gregory.”

Squeezed into what was once the handyman’s workroom, the courthouse switchboard was a far cry from the central exchange. Hannah eyed the two panels, which served 140 phone lines on the exchange.

Mrs. Beecher smiled broadly. “Do come in, dear.”

Hannah turned the knob on the lower half of the Dutch door and entered. She closed the door behind her and waited until Mrs. Beecher completed the call she was connecting.

Mrs. Beecher stood and gripped Hannah’s hands. “Dear, you are an answer to my prayers. Mr. Bradford telephoned me late yesterday to say you’d be here in the morning.”

Hannah’s mouth gaped. Miss Frogge would never greet anyone in such a familiar manner.

“Come, let’s get you settled.”

“What about the callers?” Hannah asked.

“They can wait a few minutes.” Mrs. Beecher led her to the adjacent smaller room. It had been fitted with a small table and two straight-back chairs. “You may hang your wraps on the hooks there. It isn’t much compared to the parlor at the telephone company, but it’s a nice place to relax if you get a moment or two to eat your lunch.” She moved to the other side of the room and placed
her hand on a tall brass item with a glass globe. “And this is our fountain of joy.”

Hannah eyed the brass pot mounted on a solid base. It had a metal tube that appeared to come through its center. Beneath the pot, a tiny flame flickered over an alcohol burner. The glass contained a familiar dark liquid. Realization brought a smile to Hannah’s face. A table coffee machine. Could she really be this lucky? She’d heard of these but hadn’t seen one in person.

“If you tell me that’s a Sternau coffee percolator, I just might kiss you.”

“I knew I liked you.” Mrs. Beecher poured a cup from the spigot and passed it to Hannah, then she poured one for herself. “I guess we’d better get to work. I’ll explain everything as we go. If I go too fast, please tell me to slow down. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable in any way. We’re going to have great fun.”

From that moment on, Hannah couldn’t stop smiling. She might have to consider forgiving Lincoln for his interference. While Miss Frogge made Hannah feel ill at ease, Mrs. Beecher’s inherent warmth welcomed Hannah as if she were at home.

When they returned to the board, the lights were lit up like fireflies on a dark night. Mrs. Beecher’s fingers flew as she made the connections. Hannah could scarcely believe the older woman’s speed. In minutes the switchboard’s front was crisscrossed with red cords.

After Mrs. Beecher had caught up on her connections, she turned to introduce all of the numbers and the area or patrons they represented. The exchange served not only the Polk County Courthouse but also the Federal Courthouse across the street. Mrs. Beecher passed Hannah a simple listing she’d made for easy reference until she could memorize all of the connections.

“I don’t know if Mr. Bradford told you, but the hours here are a bit different than the regular switchboard. You’ll arrive at seven thirty and leave at four. You’ll have an hour lunch and a half-hour break. We’ll have to adjust our lunches so the board is covered, but that shouldn’t be too hard. You can either stay here and eat . . .”
Her blue eyes crinkled. “Or you might choose to take your lunch with a certain attorney who spoke to me yesterday.”

Hannah stiffened. “I am qualified. I was in law school before my parents passed, so I’m familiar with the work done here.”

Mrs. Beecher held up her hand to silence Hannah. “Dear, I have no doubt you’re qualified, and I also have no doubt Mr. Cole is smitten with you. Both are fine with me.” She paused and answered a call from the Federal Courthouse, immediately followed by one to the court recorder. She turned to Hannah. “Now, where was I?”

“The rules, perhaps?”

She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “I’m not a stickler for all those silly rules like never crossing your legs or blowing your nose, but I am a stickler about one thing.” Mrs. Beecher looked Hannah straight in the eye. “You will hear a great deal of information here—by accident, of course, but you’ll hear it all the same. It’s important you keep it in the strictest confidence. Don’t even share it with me. Is that clear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Beecher pointed to the other headset and smiled. “Then let’s get started, shall we?”

By midmorning things began to slow down a bit. Hannah rubbed a spot beneath her ear where the receiver irritated the skin, then offered to refill Mrs. Beecher’s cup. After she returned, she pulled the apology note out of her pocket and fingered it absently while staring at her board.

“Something on your mind?” Mrs. Beecher asked.

Hannah turned, surprised her supervisor initiated conversation.

Mrs. Beecher laughed. “Dear, I told you I’m not a stickler for the rules. There’s no harm in the two of us talking between calls. This room is so small, we can’t possibly miss a light on our board.” She pointed to the envelope. “Did you need to go post that?”

“No.” Hannah shook her head. “It’s for—”

“A sweet note for your fellow, Mr. Cole.”

“An apology, actually.”

Mrs. Beecher connected another call and turned back to Hannah.
She didn’t ask about the note again, but in between calls, she did ask Hannah other questions. They weren’t nosy ones but were filled with genuine interest. Before long, Hannah had told Mrs. Beecher about the death of her parents from influenza, how she’d dropped out of law school to raise her sisters, and even how Mr. Cole had come to take their farm.

“And then he came to help us move.” Hannah’s insides seemed to glow as she remembered him with his sleeves rolled up, carrying boxes and taking down the beds. “He was a hard man to shake.”

Mrs. Beecher chuckled. “From what I’ve seen, I don’t know why you’d even want to.”

Hannah grinned, and they shared a laugh. “I know I just met you, Mrs. Beecher, but it’s odd, I feel like I’ve known you for years.”

“Dear, call me Jo, and I feel the same way.” She squeezed Hannah’s arm. “The Lord heard my prayers and sent me a friend.”

“Then you must call me Hannah.”

“All right, Hannah, my new friend, why don’t you tell me why you’ve been holding that envelope for the last half hour?” Her gaze settled on the sealed envelope.

Hannah sighed. She needed to talk to someone about Lincoln, and right now, Jo seemed like the best option. But what would her new supervisor think if she knew the whole story?

Drawing in a deep breath, Hannah plunged in. Jo deserved to know how she came to get this job. In between calls, she told the whole story from her miserable failure at the main exchange, to her move to the evening shift, to Lincoln’s visit to Mr. Bradford. She even added her own frustration over the matter.

“Are you a Christian, Hannah?” Jo sipped from her cup.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good, then you’re probably familiar with the story of Ruth and Naomi.”

Hannah nodded. “After her husband died, Ruth left her homeland and went with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to her country. She gleaned from the fields there and finally met Boaz.”

“That’s the gist of it.” Jo smiled. “Have you ever thought about how much you’re like Ruth?”

“Me?” Hannah hated to wait for the answer, but she had to connect a call. When she turned back to Jo, the woman appeared to have forgotten the conversation. “You were saying?”

“Oh yes. Ruth left what she loved to care for her family. You left law school and the farm to come into town and care for your sisters. You might not have gleaned in a field, but you took a job beneath you in order to meet their needs. And then your Boaz noticed the love and kindness you showed your sisters.”

“My Boaz?”

Jo nodded. “He couldn’t tell the workers to leave you extra grain, but he came to me, and then he spoke to Mr. Bradford. He saw how hard you worked and wanted to make your life easier.”

Lincoln was her Boaz? She’d never considered him going to Mr. Bradford as an act of kindness. Had she read the situation entirely wrong?

After answering a few more calls, Jo touched Hannah’s hand. “Do you remember what Ruth did next?”

Hannah held up both hands. “I’m not going to lie at his feet, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

Jo laughed. “No, but Ruth asked Boaz to cover her. A godly man who loves a woman will want to cover her, protect her, and provide for her, but dear, you first have to accept the edge of his robe.”

“First of all, I didn’t ask, and second, he doesn’t cover. He smothers.”

“Therein lies the age-old problem.”

“What? No advice?”

Jo glanced over her head. “Why, Mr. Cole, you’re just in time to take Ruth to lunch.”

Hannah whirled toward the door to see Lincoln quirking an eyebrow at her. “Ruth?”

“Oh, did I say Ruth?” Jo grinned knowingly at Hannah. “I meant Hannah. Have a good lunch, dear.”

 33 

Every time Lincoln came to Hannah’s home, neighbors poured out of their houses like bees from a hive to ogle Lincoln’s automobile. This evening, while he spoke to them, she remained inside, delighted Rosie had arrived to help her get ready for the dinner at the Williamses’.

Since they’d worked out their differences earlier in the week, she and Lincoln had come to an understanding, and Hannah was beginning to consider what a future with Lincoln could hold. Tonight, the dinner at Pete and Elise’s house would be a test. But why Lincoln had arrived so early puzzled her.

“That’s him?” Rosie pushed aside the curtains at the bedroom window and whistled. “I don’t think your description did the man justice.”

Hannah grinned and laid her ivy-green tailored suit on her bed. She then placed her rose evening gown beside it. She’d remade the rose gown this winter with a higher waist and narrower skirt. It was now fashionable and appropriate for evening, but it also had a lower neckline. She reached for the suit.

Rosie relieved her of the suit and pointed to the rose gown. “This is a special night. You have to wear that one. You’ll be stunning with all the ivory lace on the bodice. Hurry and dress, and I’ll do your hair.”

With expert precision, Rosie swept part of Hannah’s hair on top
of her head but let the rest remain loose. “Your hair is like the color of honey with a mere hint of cherries, and with all these perfect waves, Lincoln won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Hannah pulled on her gloves. “Let’s pray I don’t make him regret inviting me.”

“You’ll be great.” Rosie grinned and passed Hannah her layered cloak. “I’ll go tell him you’re ready, and I’ll drag Tessa away from him if I have to.” She patted Hannah’s arm. “No frowning. Enjoy yourself. Try not to act like an old lady in need of some prune juice.”

Hannah laughed and watched her friend leave the room. She pressed a gloved hand to her exposed neck. Maybe she should slip into the ready-made suit after all.

The door flew open, and Tessa stuck her head in. “Come on, Hannah banana! Mr. Cole is waiting.”

Charlotte entered and sighed. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you.” Hannah adjusted the pins in her hair.

“Lincoln’s been waiting a while. Don’t you need to hurry? What if you upset him?”

“He’ll be fine.” Hannah pinched her cheeks and flashed her sisters a cheeky grin. “And a girl should realize she’s worth waiting for.”

She descended the stairs, and Lincoln turned. A smile lit his eyes, but he said nothing. For a moment, a surge of panic threatened. Was she overdressed or underdressed?

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You take my breath away.”

Heat pooled in her stomach. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?” He offered her his arm, and she slipped her hand in place. “Ladies, I promise to bring her home before midnight, because we all have a big day tomorrow.”

To her delight, Lincoln had the top up on the Reo. Once she was seated, she adjusted her skirt about her ankles and looked over the hood at Lincoln. “Tomorrow?”

“I thought maybe you and the girls would like to take in the Memorial Day celebration at the state fairgrounds.” He cranked the engine and got in. “I hope it’s okay, but I told Charlotte to
invite George to come along with us instead of coming for dinner on Sunday. I thought he might be more at ease doing something rather than simply sitting at the table with all of us staring at him.”

“That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”

He grinned and began to drive. “My pleasure.”

On the way, Hannah persuaded Lincoln to tell her more about Pete and Elise. She learned Elise sometimes suffered from bouts of melancholy, but Pete was one of the jolliest men on the planet. Lincoln told her how Pete had helped him stick it out when he lost his first three court cases and wanted to quit. In many ways, Pete had become the father Lincoln needed, and his admiration for the man was boundless.

Hannah gasped when they pulled up in front of the Williamses’ home, but Lincoln allayed her fears. “They’re going to love you as much as I do.”

Inside, she tried not to gawk at the shimmering crystal chandelier in the foyer.

“Lincoln, this must be your Miss Gregory.” Elise grasped Hannah’s hands. “She’s a beauty. Shame on you for not bringing her over sooner.”

Pete joined his wife. “Miss Gregory, our boy here is quite smitten with you. You aren’t planning on breaking his heart, are you?”

“Peter, behave yourself.” Elise fired a mock glare at her husband. “Come, now. Let’s introduce Miss Gregory to our other guests.”

After insisting they all call her Hannah, she was swept away into the front parlor, where Pete made the introductions. “Miss Gregory, may I present our son, Albert.”

About the same age as she, Albert had neither his father’s obvious zest for life nor his mother’s outgoing personality. He pushed up his wire-rimmed spectacles and nodded first to Lincoln, then to her.

Lincoln greeted the young man warmly. If Pete was like a father to Lincoln, then Albert must be like a brother.

“And Miss Gregory, this is the other senior partner in the law firm, Mr. Charles Harlington, and his lovely wife, Susan.”

She nodded to them. “A pleasure to meet you both.”

“And to your right is our other junior partner, Cedric Knox.”

“We’ve already met, but under decidedly different circumstances,” Cedric said. “Right, Miss Gregory?”

Before she had a chance to answer, Elise linked their arms and announced, “Now, before any of you can start a barrage of questions for Hannah, let’s feed the poor girl.”

Beside her, Charles clamped a hand on Lincoln’s shoulder. “I can see why you want to make her happy.”

“That I do, Charles. In every way.”

When in good spirits, Elise never failed to set a fine table. Lincoln discovered today was no exception. Despite Hannah’s claims of being unfamiliar in these types of social settings, she handled everything from the four different forks to the collection of stemware to the right of her plate with grace and proficiency. Someone at Drake had taught her well.

He caught a whiff of mint as the lamb was passed. The creamed carrots were more to his liking, but he found Elise’s asparagus salad with champagne-saffron vinaigrette something delightfully new. Hannah seemed to enjoy every bite.

They hadn’t finished their first course before Susan asked Albert about his plans to return to Yale. The brilliant young man explained that his vacation in Germany had done him wonders, and he was looking forward to tackling his rigorous course work this fall.

“What are you studying?” Hannah asked.

“Science,” Albert answered. “I’m interested in electrical research.”

As the conversation turned to current topics like prohibition, Hannah leaned close to tell Lincoln how much Charlotte would enjoy this dinner, and an odd empty feeling came over him. Why did he suddenly miss Hannah’s two sisters?

Lost in his own thoughts, he missed Cedric addressing Hannah until she stiffened beside him. When had the topic shifted to suffrage?

Cedric’s voice rose. “All this whining from women first about
prohibition and then about suffrage is annoying. What’s the big deal?”

Lincoln cleared his throat, trying to warn Hannah that Cedric was goading her.

“So, you believe half the population should be without representation, Mr. Knox?” Her tone was sweet, but Lincoln could hear the annoyance lacing it. “I believe our own constitution says there should be no taxation without representation. If that is the case, then women should not have to pay taxes.”

Lincoln caught the amused glances of Pete and Charles. Their wives, however, shifted uncomfortably, frowns marring their faces. Whether they were upset with Cedric for his questions or Hannah for her answers, he didn’t know.

Cedric pointed at her with his fork. “But even you must admit, women are simply too emotional for the responsibility of voting for our elected offices.”

“There are some who would agree with you.” She cut a piece of asparagus with her knife. “They say men are the superior species because of their ability to not respond emotionally to stimulus.”

She dropped her gaze to her plate, ending the subject.

“That’s all?” Cedric pushed. “What about you? Don’t you have a thought of your own on the matter? Don’t you want to give us your opinion?”

She met his gaze and held it. “If you honestly cared about my opinion, I would express it.”

Smiles broke on Elise’s and Susan’s faces.

Hannah sipped from her water goblet but said nothing more.

Cedric’s face reddened. “So now you’re going to sulk and give me the silent treatment? You make my point, Miss Gregory. Women are too emotional.”

“That’s enough, Cedric.” Lincoln balled up his napkin and tossed it beside his plate. “I’ll not have you badgering her.”

“Gentlemen.” Charles eyed Hannah and chuckled. “And who is acting emotional now?” He turned to Hannah. “You, Miss Gregory, are a genius. I believe you made your point without even opening
your mouth.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to Miss Gregory, whose courtroom skills appear to outshine even those of our very own Cedric.”

Pushing away from the table, Cedric placed his napkin beside his plate. “I think I shall take my leave early. Dinner is not sitting well with me.”

“Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport. Sit down and eat dessert.” Pete patted his belly.

Obliging his host, Cedric sat back down, but his glare cut right to Hannah.

Lincoln’s jaw muscles clenched. Apparently, he was no longer alone on Cedric’s “least favorite people” list.

Catching Hannah’s hand beneath the table, Lincoln pressed his lips to her ear. “Well done, counselor. Well done.”

Seated in the Williamses’ front parlor, Hannah tried not to stare at the pieces of artwork and the Tiffany lamp. She guessed Pete spared no expense in making his wife happy.

The men returned from their after-dinner reprieve to the study, and to Hannah’s relief, she noticed Cedric had departed.

“I have something I must show you all.” Elise clasped her hands together, then beckoned a servant to fetch the electrical home machine.

While Lincoln took his place behind Hannah, the servant set the wooden case on the table.

“You may have seen the old magnetoelectric machines, but this one is a scientific breakthrough and a miracle cure.” Elise undid the latch and opened the box. “All you have to do is press one of these brass electrodes to the part of the body you need healed and hold the other in your hand while someone else turns this crank.” She pointed to the writing inside the lid. “It says right here it treats rheumatism, poor circulation, headaches, tonsillitis, catarrh, asthma, earaches, lumbago, aches, and nervousness.” She looked at her husband. “There’s even a special comb to use to treat dandruff and stimulate hair follicles.”