A Daughter's Return Read online

  They arranged for them to be gift wrapped and delivered to Heaton House, and then Rebecca and her mother let Jenny browse to her heart’s content. She led them upstairs and back down, looking at one thing after another—children’s toys, of course, but also jewelry, gloves and handbags. And she loved the china, pottery and glass departments, too. In fact there didn’t seem to be anything about Macy’s that Jenny didn’t like. Rebecca couldn’t blame her—she could browse there all day, too.

  But when her mother suggested they lunch at a nearby café, they both readily agreed. This kind of outing was something she and Jenny had never done before being reunited with her family, and it was such a joy to see her daughter so happy.

  They took the trolley home and went straight to the attic to look for skates.

  “I’m sure they’re here somewhere,” her mother said as they rummaged through different boxes and trunks. “We brought everything we didn’t sell from home and—”

  “I found them!” Rebecca began pulling out skates from the trunk she’d opened and her mother and Jenny rushed over to help.

  “I think these might still fit me.” Rebecca put one of the wood-and-metal skates under her shoe and belted it on, feeling as if she’d just found buried treasure. “They do!”

  “Are these yours, too, Mama?” Jenny asked, pulling out a much smaller pair. “Did you wear them when you were little like me?”

  Rebecca took them from her daughter and glanced at her mother. “Oh, Mama, you kept them, too?”

  “I couldn’t bear to get rid of them. Any of them. It’d be like saying we’d never find you...and I could not accept that.”

  Rebecca fought to speak around a knot of unshed tears as she hugged her mother. “I’m so thankful you didn’t give up on me.”

  Her mother patted her back. “So am I, Becca. So am I.”

  “Me too! I wouldn’t have a Granma, if you gave up!” Jenny squeezed in between the two women, hugging them both and lightening the mood so that the unshed tears turned to chuckles. She took the small skates from Rebecca. “Do you think these will fit me, Mama?”

  “Let’s see. I was probably about your age when I first wore them.” Rebecca and her mother attached the skates to Jenny’s shoes and they fit perfectly.

  “Thank you for saving them, Mama. I like the idea of Jenny using my old skates.”

  “So do I.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait till Saturday,” Jenny said. “I’m really going to learn to skate!”

  “Yes, you really are.” Rebecca hugged her daughter.

  “Let’s dig a little longer,” her mother said. “I must have an old pair in there, too. If my granddaughter is going to learn how to skate, I might as well tag along and see if I remember how.”

  Once they’d found her mother’s skates, Rebecca inspected them. “They all seem pretty dull. Do you think we should have them sharpened before Saturday?”

  “Perhaps,” her mother said. “I’ll telephone Michael and ask him where to take them. I think I’m looking forward to Saturday as much as Jenny is.”

  “So am I.” Rebecca said as they took the skates back downstairs.

  By dinnertime the skates were as clean as they could get them and Jenny was beyond excited. Usually quiet at the dinner table, she couldn’t wait to tell Ben her news.

  “I have skates, Mr. Ben!”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, they’re the ones Mama used when she was little like me. And they fit!”

  “That’s wonderful, Jenny.”

  “Uh-huh. We cleaned them all up but Mama says they need to be sharpened, right, Mama?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And I forgot to telephone Michael to see where to take them.”

  “No need to telephone him, Mrs. Heaton. There’s a shop I pass on the way to the college. I can take them in tomorrow and have them sharpened.”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind, Ben?” Mrs. Heaton asked.

  “Of course not. Mine could use some sharpening, too,” he answered. Ben grinned and winked at Jenny. “I want them in good shape for Saturday. We don’t want to be tripping over our own feet, do we, Jenny?”

  She giggled and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  Did Ben have any idea how much Jenny cared for him, Rebecca wondered?

  “We need to pray the cold weather holds and we don’t get a sudden warm-up,” Matt said. “But from what I can see from my building, all the city lakes seem to be frozen solid. And the red balls signaling safe skating are up and easy to spot.”

  “We’ll put you in charge of letting us know if they’re up tomorrow, then,” Rebecca’s mother said. “If they are, surely the lake will be fine on Saturday.”

  Rebecca certainly hoped so. Jenny would be heartbroken if they had to call it off. But then again, she was sure her daughter would take things in stride. She’d been disenchanted more than once in her short lifetime. And because of that, Rebecca sent up a silent prayer that she wouldn’t be disappointed this time.

  Once dinner was over and her mother had Jenny under her wing, Rebecca hurried upstairs to freshen up for class. When she came back down, Ben was waiting for her, talking to Jenny and her mother. He helped her on with her coat as she said, “Thank you, Ben. You be good for Granma, Jenny.”

  “I will, Mama.”

  Rebecca bent down and gave her daughter a hug. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “At least the wind isn’t howling tonight,” her mother said. “The walk to the trolley stop should be a bit easier.”

  “And that’s a blessing.” Rebecca gave her mother a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Mama. See you later.”

  Ben opened the door and they hurried out so as not to let in too much cold air. Rebecca took the arm he offered as they made their way to the trolley stop.

  They didn’t have to wait long and this time the trip seemed shorter since she’d made it once before. When they walked into Ben’s class, many of the women smiled at her and she found an empty seat by Sarah. The young woman gave her a shy smile and Rebecca returned it.

  Hopefully she’d get to know her and the others better over the next few weeks. There was a time in her life when Rebecca might have judged some of the women in this class, but no more. How many of them would look down on her if they knew her past?

  She turned in her homework along with the others this time and then concentrated on the math problems on the blackboard. Just as last time, Ben had everyone’s attention and kept it through the class. That he gave of his time here, when he probably didn’t need the money—and she was sure it wasn’t much, perhaps he did it for free—spoke volumes of the character of the man.

  When class ended Sarah turned to her. “It’s good to see you here again...Rebecca, isn’t it? How do you like Mr. Roth’s class?”

  “Yes, Rebecca is right. I’m enjoying it a lot. It’s easy to learn from a teacher who loves what he’s doing, isn’t it?”

  “It is,” Sarah said. “And Mr. Roth is so kind to all of us. I look forward to the classes.”

  “Yes, I’ve found that I do, too. Mr. Roth said some of you live in the tenements. I used to, also.”

  “Oh? Where?”

  Rebecca told her the address and they found they’d lived on the same street only not in the same building. “I want to get out so badly. And I need to...I—”

  Several others who’d met Rebecca on Tuesday came up just then and Rebecca wished they’d have waited a few minutes longer. She wanted to know more about why Sarah sounded so desperate.

  But the moment was lost and soon Sarah and the others were on their way out of class. She’d heard enough to know some women actually lived at the YWCA, while others came only for the classes. Surely she’d sort them all out soon. And maybe Sarah would o
pen up to her before too long.

  As the last woman left class, Ben smiled at her. “I saw you speaking to Sarah and the others. Thank you for making an effort to get to know them.”

  “They all seem very nice and I look forward to getting to know them better.”

  He helped her on with her coat and took her arm as they headed down the stairs and out to the street. It was cold, but with no wind it wasn’t bad at all.

  As they neared the café, Rebecca’s pulse suddenly sped up. Would Ben suggest they stop for hot chocolate again? Hope that he might warred with fear that he wouldn’t—and confusion on what she should say if he did.

  His steps slowed. “Want to stop for hot chocolate?”

  Oh, yes, she did. But she didn’t dare. She might begin weaving those dreams she’d fought against last time and she dared not let herself do that.

  “Thank you. I’d like to, but it’s been a long day and—”

  “I understand.”

  Did he? The expression in his eyes made her wonder. Had she hurt his feelings? She certainly hoped not.

  “There’s our trolley now,” he said.

  Ben picked up his pace and Rebecca had no choice but to keep up. There was a tone in his voice she’d never heard before and it sounded a lot like disappointment. Even if he was disappointed, he couldn’t possibly be more so than she was. She’d wanted to say yes, but she had a feeling Ben was already becoming too important to her. Rebecca strengthened her resolve. She couldn’t let any man take hold of her heart again. It would only lead to heartache and she’d had more than enough of that in her life.

  She settled back in her seat, but her chest felt tight and she didn’t know what to say. Apparently, neither did Ben.

  Chapter Seven

  Ben had never felt awkward around Rebecca—until now. He didn’t quite know what to say, so he didn’t say anything. And neither did she.

  The trolley stopped and he offered her his arm, which she took, but there was no laughter this time as they hurried down the walk to Heaton House. When they entered the house, he helped Rebecca off with her coat and did receive a smile for his efforts.

  “Thank you, Ben,” she said, before heading to the parlor, where they could hear the boarders had gathered.

  After he said hello to everyone, he’d had every intention of going straight to his room where he hoped to shore up his weakened defenses. But Mrs. Heaton had hot chocolate waiting for them again and he followed Rebecca into the parlor and accepted a cup from his landlady.

  Rebecca took her cup and went to sit by Julia while he stood in front of the fireplace, seeing the flame but not feeling its warmth. It was nothing like standing there with Rebecca a few nights ago. He took a sip of the warm liquid, but it didn’t seem quite as sweet, either.

  “Did Jenny give you any problem going to bed, Mama?” Rebecca asked.

  “None at all. But she is very excited about Saturday. It wouldn’t surprise me if she’s still awake when you go up.”

  Ben turned to face the group. He couldn’t help but smile that Jenny was still thrilled about learning to skate.

  “I probably should go see if she is,” Rebecca said. Then she clapped a hand on her cheek. “Oh, I forgot! I’ll run up and get our skates, if you’re still willing to take them to be sharpened, Ben?”

  Her smile shot straight to his heart and his mood lightened. It was then that Ben knew he was in trouble. If this woman could change his disposition with a smile, she was beginning to mean way too much to him.

  “Of course I am.”

  “I’ll go get them then.” Rebecca put her cup down and hurried out of the room.

  “Anyone else need me to take their skates in?” Ben asked.

  “No, mine are fine,” Julia answered.

  “I think mine are, too,” Millicent said.

  “I’m going to have to buy a pair on my way home tomorrow,” Mathew said.

  “You do know how to skate, don’t you?” Millicent asked, raising an eyebrow at the man.

  “I do, Millie. I just didn’t bring skates with me when I moved here. Never thought I’d need them. I’m sure looking forward to this outing,” Mathew said.

  Uh-oh, Millicent hated having her name shortened. Ben watched to see what kind of comeback she had for Mathew, but Mrs. Heaton spoke before she had a chance to say anything more.

  “I do hope Kathleen and Luke and John and Elizabeth can join us,” Mrs. Heaton said.

  “Oh, I hope so, too,” Julia said. “I’ve missed them all so much.”

  Rebecca returned just then with a bag containing the skates and handed it to Ben. “Jenny was asleep when I checked on her and she had the sweetest smile on her face. I’m sure she was dreaming about skating for the first time.”

  Their fingers brushed when Ben took the bag from her. An electric current sped up his arm and Rebecca quickly jerked her hand away. Had she felt it, too? “I’m looking forward to teaching her.”

  He took one last sip of his hot chocolate and said, “I’m heading for bed. See you all tomorrow.”

  But Rebecca followed him out of the room. “Ben, if you know how much it will be to have the skates sharpened, I can pay you now.”

  “No need. It won’t be much.” He saw a look of determination on her face and quickly added, “You can pay me when I bring them home.”

  Only then did she seem to relax. “All right. Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  Ben hurried downstairs to his room and set the bag by the door so as not to forget it the next day. He dropped down into his easy chair and let out a big sigh. Things still seemed strained between him and Rebecca, and Ben knew exactly the moment it had happened. He should have known better than to ask if she wanted to stop for hot chocolate again.

  Just because she had the night it was so very cold didn’t mean she wanted to make a habit of it—even if he liked the idea. And it was all for the best anyway. He had no business spending more time with her. She took up way too many of his thoughts lately as it was. He was attracted to her and there was no denying it. But he wasn’t about to act on it.

  She’d only refused to stop for hot chocolate this evening—but in that moment, it’d felt like a rejection of him. It had come on strong and swift. Had it been because of all he’d told her the other night?

  He’d never shared any of his past before and although he’d felt glad that he did until this evening, he wasn’t so sure about it now.

  Surely that hadn’t been her reason for not wanting to spend more time in his company tonight. Rebecca had been very encouraging about it and had treated him the same afterward and ever since. Maybe he was putting too much emphasis on her not wanting to stop at the café tonight.

  Ben sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair. All he really knew right now was that he had to be careful not to let himself care too much for this woman. But he feared he was on a slippery slope where his feelings for her were concerned.

  He needed to take a step back and reinforce the fact they all they could ever be was friends. Only how could he step back when they lived in the same house and her daughter already claimed a place in his heart?

  How did he keep her mother from doing the same thing?

  * * *

  Kathleen and Luke’s housewarming was a great success the next night. Their small house was filled to the brim with people who wanted to warm their home with love.

  It was wonderful to have everyone together again and Rebecca loved seeing her mother so happy to be with them all once more.

  Kathleen’s sister Colleen was there with her beau and her boys, whom Jenny followed around from the moment they arrived. Colin and Brody seemed quite happy with her company, as well. They were all very well behaved, and were content to settle at the kitchen table with their dess
ert and a jigsaw puzzle Colleen had brought with her.

  Michael and Violet, along with Elizabeth and John, were there, rounding out the matches made at Heaton House and they all looked as happy as Kathleen and Luke. And everyone seemed sure Colleen and her beau, Officer O’Malley, would be engaged any day now. Rebecca tried not to feel envious, but it wasn’t easy.

  She tried to concentrate on how happy she was for them all and not think about how she longed to have what they did. She stayed close to those single boarders at Heaton House who she thought might feel the way she did. As far as she knew, Julia didn’t have a beau; nor did Millicent, although she’d often wondered about her and Mathew. Could they be the next couple coming out of Heaton House?

  “I don’t think I’ll ever have a home of my own unless I buy one for myself,” Julia whispered. “And I believe I may have to move away to do that.”

  “Are you really thinking of going out west, Julia?”

  “I am. Mama and Papa don’t want me talking about it, and I understand their concern, but I truly want to see more of this country than New York City. They won’t keep me from going—they know I’m independent and have a mind of my own. Perhaps they’ll join me one day. Or maybe I’ll come back.”

  “I certainly can understand the call of adventure.” Rebecca said. And she did. She only hoped Julia’s call had a better outcome than hers had. But Julia was a grown woman, not a starry-eyed youth, and she’d given a lot of thought to what she wanted to do. “I wish you the very best and will pray you have a grand adventure.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca. I’ve heard it’s not uncommon for a woman to own property out west and I would so love to have a place of my own. I’ve been thinking of moving to Oklahoma where Mrs. Heaton’s cousin is, or out to New Mexico. But one of the women I used to work with moved to Galveston, and it sounds really nice, too. With the port there, I’m sure I could get a job.”

  “Oh, Julia, please don’t move until Mother gets more boarders. You were her first and she would miss you so much,” Rebecca said.