by Linda Ford
She’d chosen a brown skirt with pleated ruffles on each side, a green-and-brown bodice trimmed in green ribbon and a short green jacket to complete the outfit.
“Millicent, you’re all dressed up. Are you going out?” Emily asked.
“Yes, I am. Remember, I’m going to the Talbots’ tonight.”
“Oh, that’s right. We’ll miss your company,” Stephen said. “Do you need an escort?”
“No she doesn’t,” Matt answered from behind her, something in his tone sending her heart pounding. “I’m escorting Millicent tonight, as I’ve been invited to dinner, too.”
He looked quite striking in a brown suit, cream shirt and brown-and-cream tie. Matt worked as a foreman on a high-rise building that once finished would be the tallest in the city. Normally he hurried home in his work clothes to change into nicer pants and a clean shirt. That attire always seemed to emphasize the broadness of his shoulders—but in his Sunday suit, they seemed wider still, and Millicent fought down the fluttery feeling his presence quite often brought her.
“You ready to go, Millie?”
She’d let him know the first time he ever shortened her name that she wanted to be called Millicent only. But it hadn’t stopped him. In fact, she was certain he did it just to get a reaction out of her.
“I’ve been ready and waiting for several minutes.”
He grinned, as if he knew she was irritated with him, but he didn’t apologize, only crooked his arm and said, “Then let’s get going. We don’t want to be late, do we?”
She fought to keep from showing her vexation. That was exactly what he wanted her to do, and she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction—not here in front of the new boarders. She took his arm and gave him a smile. “Of course not. Let’s be on our way.”
But as soon as they were out of sight from any of the boardinghouse windows, she disengaged her hand and looked straight ahead as they made their way to the trolley stop.
“Did I say something to upset you, Millie?”
“Why, no, Matty, whatever would make you think that?”
He threw back his head and laughed, causing her to expel a breath of frustration. But his laughter was contagious and Millicent giggled in spite of herself—frustrating her to no end. They had the oddest relationship ever. One minute he had her laughing with him, the next he said something that tempted her to wallop him over the head with her parasol—or anything else within range. They reached their stop a few minutes early and she hoped they could make it through the evening without him irritating her to that point.
Their trolley arrived and Matt motioned Millicent on first, then followed her up the aisle, taking a seat beside her once she’d slid over by the window. She pretended to be looking at the scenery outside while trying to relax before they arrived at the Talbots’. It did no good to let Matt get under her skin—doing so only served to frustrate her further.
It was a beautiful September evening. Not too cool yet, with only a light breeze, making her glad she had a jacket on. If she didn’t already know she and Matt were totally wrong for each other, she’d be thrilled with the opportunity to spend this time with him without the others around.
“How is the quest to open your business going?” Matt asked.
His question surprised her. Matt rarely showed any interest in her profession, and she wasn’t going to pass up the chance to talk about it. She loved being a photographer.
“Actually, quite well. After taking wedding photographs of Luke and Kathleen, John and Elizabeth, and Ben and Rebecca, word is getting around, and I have several weddings booked this month. I’m thankful my business is growing. I’m hoping to find the right place for a studio before long.”
“That’s good news, I suppose. You do take very good pictures.”
What was going on with him? He’d never complimented her about her photographs or anything else she did. “Why, thank you, Matt. It’s something I love to do. I’d be taking photographs even if I never got paid for it.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I would. But since I do need to support myself, I might as well be in charge instead of working at a position I don’t like.”
He gave a little nod. “I suppose I can understand that. It’d be awful to have to work at a job I hated.”
“Are you saying we might have something in common after all, Matt?”
Matt laughed. “Oddly enough, I think we might.”
Their trolley came to a stop and they hurried out into the aisle, Matt blocking the people from behind until Millicent made it out in front of him.
He crooked his arm once more and raised an eyebrow as if challenging her to take it. The way she’d felt when they first got on the streetcar would have her ignoring the polite custom, but there was no need to start their visit with friends on bad terms. She took his arm and they headed down the residential street to the Talbots’.
John opened the door wide for them to enter. “Come in, you two. We’ve been watching for you.”
“I hope we aren’t late,” Matt said. “If so, it’s entirely my fault.”
“No, you aren’t late,” Elizabeth said from behind her husband. “You’re right on time. It’s wonderful to see you both.”
She led them into the parlor and Millicent noticed the brass bowl the boarders all had chipped in to buy their friends for their housewarming party. It held a nice fern and sat in the bay window. “Your home is as cozy as Heaton House, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. “I must say I admire how Mrs. Heaton makes it feel like a true home for all who live there. Much of my decorating skills, such that they are, came from seeing how she arranged things and the little touches she added. Let me just go dish things up and we’ll be ready to eat very soon. Come keep me company, Millicent. John, you and Matt can take your seats now if you wish.”
The ladies soon returned and began placing dishes in the dining room.
“We took the table’s leaves out to make it a bit smaller, so that it has a more intimate feel when we’re dining with only a few guests. Most nights John and I take our meals in the kitchen, so it feels like a real event when we eat in here,” Elizabeth said as she took her seat at the end of the table nearest the kitchen. John seated his wife while Matt pulled out a chair for Millicent before taking the one across from her.
John said the blessing and began serving the roast chicken his wife had prepared. Once they were all served, Matt turned to John. “Now tell us, what it is you want to discuss with Milli—cent and me?”
Millicent was surprised at his effort not to call her Millie. Lately he’d begun to use it even more, and she appreciated his restraint at the moment.
“As you know there’s been a couple of near-fatal accidents to others working on your building in the last few months.”
Millicent’s stomach clenched. Matt never mentioned anything about those accidents—at least not in her presence.
“I do. And there were several less serious ones last week. Thankfully, no one was badly hurt, although it could have been disastrous if their harnesses hadn’t held them. Are you doing an article about the accidents for the Tribune?”
Because of the articles he and Elizabeth worked on, him for the New York Tribune and her for the popular ladies magazine the Delineator, describing the appalling conditions of the tenements, John had recently become one of the paper’s top reporters. He shook his head. “Not an investigative piece so much as informative one. Many people aren’t aware of how dangerous it is to build those sky-touching buildings you love to work on. I’m hoping my boss will get your supervisor’s permission for me to do a series of articles on the building. He wants me to write about how these high-rises are built and the danger in working on them. It’d be great publicity.”
“So what is it you’re thinking of doing?”
“I’d like to be able to go floor to floor and interview the workers, see for myself how dangerous it is and—”
“Elizabeth, aren’t you worried a
bout that?” Millicent found herself interrupting.
“About John going up so high? Not really. I feel if they get behind the article, they’ll keep him away from the really dangerous areas.”
“I’m sure we would,” Matt said. “But what do you need me to do? I’m not the boss. I can’t give you permission.”
“I know. But should he bring it up to you, should he want to know what you and the men under you think about it, I’d like you to give me a good word.”
“You’ll have it.”
John nodded. “I appreciate it.”
“But how does any of this have anything to do with me?” Millicent asked. “Or is there something different you want to talk to me about?”
“Not really different,” Elizabeth said. “You take such wonderful photographs—you tell her, John.”
“My editor at the paper asked if we could talk you into being the official photographer for the articles. Elizabeth is going to do a different take for her articles for the Delineator—more of a human-interest piece on what the families of these men think about the work they do. Our articles about the tenements were received so well, our editors love the idea of doing the different kinds of views of the Park Row Building and we’re really excited about it.”
“What kind of photographs will you be wanting me to take?”
“You’d need to take the ones you feel would best illustrate the stories we want to write.”
“What do you think, Millicent?” John asked. “We know you don’t like heights, but you are the best photographer we know and we didn’t even have to bring your name up. You’ve been asked to come in with us. Will you do it?”
Millicent let out a deep breath. There was no doubt in her mind this could be the opportunity she’d been waiting for. But why did the chance of a lifetime have to involve her going to the top of what would be the tallest building in the city—the very thing that paralyzed her with fear?
“Even if you get permission to go up, John, I’m not sure my supervisor would ever agree to letting Elizabeth and Millicent up where the men are working. And with Millicent’s aversion to heights—”
“Oh, surely when he knows she’s the one the Tribune trusts to do the job—”
Matt shrugged.
“We won’t know until he’s asked. I’ll make my decision then,” Millicent said decisively. “At least I have time to think it over.”
“The color drained out of your face at the thought of it now.” Matt glanced over at John. “There’s no need to put her through—”
“It’s Millicent’s decision to make, don’t you think, Matt?” John asked.
“Of course it is.” Matt shrugged again. “It may be a moot point anyway. I just don’t see how having a woman on the job is going to happen.”
Not if he had any say about it, Millicent was sure of that. And that attitude irritated her. If the opportunity to do this photo shoot came about, she’d pray and ask the Lord to ease her fear, at least long enough to get the job done. One thing she knew for sure. She certainly wasn’t going to let Matt’s opinion keep her from trying.
Chapter Two
By the time Millicent and Matt left Elizabeth and John’s, she had a raging headache. After their friends told them they’d be in touch once John’s editor gave them the go-ahead on the articles, they’d played a few games of charades after dinner. But Millicent could think of little else than what she would do if Matt’s supervisor said yes. Now on the trolley back home, she rubbed her temple and closed her eyes.
“You know,” Matt began, “you don’t have to say yes to this, Millicent. I realize it’s a good opportunity, but I also know how emphatic you’ve been about your fear of heights. If you don’t want to—”
“Matt, John’s articles are probably going to make the front page, and the exposure of my photos could bring in enough business that I could finally open my shop.”
“What if you agree and then find you can’t…do it? What will that do for your reputation?”
“Thanks for your vote of confidence in me.”
“Now, Millie, you know I—”
“I’m hoping no one but you and the Talbots will know that I fear heights. I’m pretty sure John wouldn’t splash that information all across the front page.”
“No. Of course he wouldn’t. But—” Matt shook his head and sighed. “The decision is yours.”
“I’m not pretending this will be an easy choice. I’ll need to think things over and pray about it. And I don’t know if I will accept the offer or not. That’s so high up.”
“You might not want to look down.”
“But isn’t the view the best part?”
“It is for me, seeing the city laid out below, but it might not be for you. You’d probably get dizzy.”
Was he trying to talk her out of even contemplating taking the job? Millicent felt a little queasy just thinking about looking down at the streets below, but she certainly wasn’t going to let Matt know. “I’m sure it’s a sight to see.”
“It is.”
Their trolley stopped and Millicent was thankful for the break in conversation as they got off and hurried to Heaton House. The night air was cooling quickly and she was glad to be inside once more. The boarders were in the parlor with Julia playing the piano as she often did. But she stopped playing as Millicent and Matt joined them, and one of the maids brought in tea for everyone.
“You must be a mind reader, Maida,” Matt said.
“No, sir, I just heard the front door open and knew that at this time of night, you and Miss Millicent must be getting home.”
“How nice of you, Maida.” Millicent took a cup from her and took a sip. She loved living at Heaton House. It’d become home in a short time. And even having boarders come and go hadn’t changed that feeling. For one thing, they still saw all those who’d moved out fairly often, and though there’d been a period of time when Mrs. Heaton’s table felt a bit empty, she’d managed to fill it back up with new people in no time.
As Millicent looked over at Matt, she found his piercing blue gaze on her, and her pulse began to race as it had the first time she saw him. He was very handsome, that lock of dark hair falling over his forehead and with well-cut lips that seemed to want to smile at her, but didn’t. What was he thinking? Probably how to keep her from bothering him and his workmen.
She smiled at him, daring him to smile back, but not prepared when he did. Her heart seemed to dip into her stomach—a reaction she didn’t even want to think about. For while there was much to like about Mathew Sterling, his views were so opposite from hers on so many levels and—
“Millicent?”
She heard Julia call her name and broke her gaze. “I’m sorry. Did you say something, Julia?”
“I asked how dinner with Elizabeth and John went.”
“Very well. She’s a very good cook.”
Julia and Elizabeth were boarders at Heaton House together for several years until Elizabeth and John married. “They wanted to speak to Matt and me about a chance they might have to do some articles on the building he’s working on. They want me to take photos.”
“Oh, I did wonder why they asked just the two of you,” Julia said.
Millicent was glad she’d told her why they’d been invited and that Julia’s feelings hadn’t been hurt. “I’m not sure Matt’s boss will be agreeable to it, but they wanted us to know about the possibility.”
“Would you have to go up high to take your photos?” Julia lowered her voice.
“Yes. But the Tribune editor asked for me specifically and I don’t think I can refuse this kind of exposure.”
“Oh, that is an opportunity, isn’t it?”
Millicent nodded. “One I don’t want to turn down. Nor do I want to accept and not be able to carry through. I’ll be praying for the Lord to guide me in this decision.”
“I’ll pray, too,” Julia said.
“So will I,” Emily added.
“Please do, for I truly am not
sure what to do.” She could only hope the Lord would let her know sooner rather than later.
*
The next afternoon at quitting time, Matt stretched and gazed out at the view. The taller this building became, the more of the city and surrounding area he could see. He loved looking out to the ocean and the ships that moved in and docked, or eased out into the Atlantic. He turned and picked out Macy’s, where Emily worked, and the huge Siegel-Cooper company on Sixth Avenue where Stephen was employed. He knew right where to look to see the top of Heaton House in Gramercy Park. He loved looking up at the sky and feeling closer to the Lord somehow.
But much as he enjoyed working up here, he couldn’t help remember the fear he’d seen in Millicent’s eyes and the trepidation he’d heard in her voice. But she was also one of the most independent, stubborn women he’d ever met, and he wouldn’t be surprised at all if she took the offer—if it came about.
“Hey, boss.” Burl Callaway, the man Matt counted on to train the newer men on the job, came up to him. “Looks like we’ve almost caught up where we ought to be after Jim and Ned got hurt. Have you heard how they’re doing?”
“I checked in on them Sunday afternoon and they should be back next week,” Matt said.
“That’s good to know.”
“Yeah, it is. How’s that new guy…Ed…doing?”
“He’s a hard worker, just needs to learn a few more things.”
Matt nodded. The kid was young, but they needed the help. “Just make sure he puts his tools where they’re supposed to go. And we need to tie down the tarp over there,” Matt motioned to a tarp flapping in the breeze.
“I’ll see to it.”
Matt watched as Jack Dennison and Tom O’Riley, two of his best workers, finished making sure the area they’d been working in was cleaned up and in order before waving good-night.
Matt waved goodbye to some of his other men as they called it a day, and then made sure everything was secured for the night. As foreman, it was his responsibility and he didn’t take it lightly. Once he was satisfied nothing was amiss, he looked out over the city one more time before calling it a day and heading to the freight elevator that would take him down to street level. He was taking off his work belt to hang in the locker room when he heard footsteps. He turned to see his supervisor approaching.