Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical)

by Janet Lee Barton

  “But it’s expensive, Michael—”

  “No buts. I may not be able to afford a mansion on Fifth Avenue, but I think I can manage to take us to Delmonico’s. We’re going.”

  Violet wasn’t quite sure how she felt about it, but Mrs. Heaton seemed quite pleased, and she didn’t have the heart to object and take the smile from her face.

  Once at the elegant restaurant, they were shown to a table and given menus. Thankfully, the interior was dimly lit, because while a few other female diners were dressed in the manner that she and Mrs. Heaton were, most were dressed in gowns the likes of which Violet had never even dreamed of owning.

  She felt a bit out of place, but if Mrs. Heaton did, it never showed, and Violet tried to relax and enjoy herself. There were so many offerings on the menu, both in English and French, Violet wasn’t sure what to order and asked Michael to choose. He chose lobster bisque to begin the meal of the Delmonico steak with asparagus and creamed potatoes.

  Violet had never seen the evidence of so much wealth in her life from both the sights she’d seen on Fifth Avenue to the clientele of Delmonico’s. Once the waiter left them alone, she said so.

  “There is a lot of wealth in New York City, to be sure. But there is also great poverty. You just can’t see it from here,” Michael said. “You will, though. You can’t live in the city for long and not become aware of it.”

  “That’s true,” Mrs. Heaton agreed. “It is a shame, but a fact that cannot be disputed.”

  “I think I’m glad I belong to neither group...although if I don’t find work soon, I could certainly become one of the impoverished,” Violet said.

  “That isn’t going to happen, dear. Neither Michael nor I would see you turned out on the streets.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mean... I know I have a place to stay and I’ll find work. What I meant was that I’m a lot closer to being poor than I am to being rich, and I don’t think I’d like to be either.”

  Michael said, “I understand, and I must admit it is a great comfort to know that I have enough to enjoy my life, but not so much that someone would want to take it from me—or so little I’d want to take it from someone else.”

  “Michael! You’d never do that.”

  “I would not, Mother. But in this city, many do just that. I own a detective agency, Violet, and I’ve seen it all. Many who are poor will do most anything to survive, and some of the rich will do most anything to keep what they have.”

  * * *

  On the ride home Violet couldn’t remember ever having enjoyed a day more. The meal had been excellent, although she didn’t want to even think of how much it must have cost Michael to indulge in that way.

  “Thank you for such a wonderful day. I only wish my mother could have been here to take it all in.”

  “Oh, so do I, my dear,” Mrs. Heaton said. “She would have loved being here with us all.”

  “Yes, she would have.”

  Violet’s mother had told her that Mr. Heaton had left his wife and son fairly well off when he passed away. They weren’t wealthy like the Astors and the Vanderbilts she was learning so much about, but she had a feeling they could have been living in a style above that of running a boardinghouse. Mrs. Heaton still didn’t know what had happened to her daughter or even if she was still alive. And yet, she’d chosen to come to this city and reach out to others. That Mrs. Heaton chose to do that, to be there for young women who needed a place to feel safe, and that her son chose to support her in that endeavor, was proof enough for Violet that her sweet landlady sought to do the Lord’s will in her life. And Michael seemed to do the same.

  All she knew about Rebecca’s disappearance was what her mother had told her. According to her, Rebecca had been talking about going to New York City for months before she actually did. Mrs. Heaton hadn’t been happy about it, but Becca was determined and of age and there wasn’t anything she could really do stop her from going. She’d evidently written to tell her mother that she was settled in a boardinghouse and would keep in touch. But that was the last they had heard from her. Finally after a couple of months with no answers from Rebecca, Mrs. Heaton received a packet with all her letters returned to her unopened with a note from the landlady saying that Rebecca hadn’t lived there in over a month. Violet couldn’t even imagine coming to this city without knowing anyone as Rebecca Heaton had done, and she was very thankful that the Heatons were here for her now.

  Michael took his mother and Violet back to the boardinghouse before taking the surrey back to the livery and then walking back home. He helped his mother out first and then gave a hand to Violet to help her.

  “I hope you enjoyed your day, Violet.”

  “Oh, I enjoyed every minute. Thank you for dinner, Michael. It was wonderful.”

  “I enjoyed it, too.” He stood there looking down at her for a moment before clearing his throat and taking a step back. “I’ll be back home soon.”

  But he watched her and his mother get to the front door before taking up the reins and heading out.

  When she and Mrs. Heaton entered the house, Violet realized that if it didn’t feel like home yet, it was beginning to feel very close to it. And once she thought about being alone back in Ashland, it felt even better to be here.

  Several of the boarders were in the front parlor, including Lila. She didn’t look the least bit happy, and Violet wondered if it was only her Lila wasn’t happy to see.

  “We were getting a bit worried about the three of you, Mrs. Heaton,” Lila said. “It isn’t like you to miss Sunday night supper.”

  “I know, Lila. I’m sorry to have caused you concern, but Michael convinced me that Maida was perfectly capable of taking care of you all.”

  “Oh? And where is Michael?”

  “He’s gone back to the livery. He’ll be along shortly,” Mrs. Heaton answered. “We had a treat this evening. Michael took us to Delmonico’s for dinner.”

  “Oh, my, Delmonico’s?” Julia said. “What’s it like? Who all did you see there?”

  Violet found an empty chair and let Mrs. Heaton describe their outing. “Well, it is very dim in there so I can’t be sure, but I think I saw Mr. and Mrs. William Waldorf Astor along with the Carnegies.” She named several other people that Violet had never heard of, but the others in the room seemed to know exactly whom she was talking about.

  More and more questions were asked, and Mrs. Heaton glowed recounting the people she thought she’d seen and the meals they’d ordered. Michael slipped into the room and listened to his mother’s account of dining and grinned. Catching Violet’s eye, he gave her smile. It was obvious that he was pleased his mother enjoyed herself so much. He was a good son.

  Mrs. Heaton held everyone’s attention from the beginning to the end of her report. “I hope you all get a chance to go there at least once. The interior was so elegant, and the food was truly delicious. I’m sure I’ll not forget this day anytime soon.”

  “From your wonderful description, Mrs. Heaton, I feel I’ve just been there. I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself,” Elizabeth said.

  “Thank you, dear. I wish you all could have been there. It certainly wasn’t something we planned.”

  “No, it was not,” Michael said. “But if I’d known you would like it this much, I’d have taken you long before now.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Mrs. Heaton,” Lila said. But the look she shot Violet seemed to say that she wasn’t happy that Violet had been there with her.

  Julia came to sit beside Violet. “I’m so glad you had a great day. How did you like Central Park?”

  “It was wonderful. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. I look forward to spending more time there soon. I hope you had a good time with your family.”

  “Oh, I did, thank you. I told Mama about you and she said you must come with me next time.” She glanced over at Lila, who had made her way over to Michael and was talking to him. “I think Lila would rather have been with the Heatons and had you go with me.”


  Violet looked at the couple. Lila was leaning toward Michael and talking to him in earnest. Maybe there was more between them than she’d first thought. “Oh? Are they courting? I mean—”

  “Not that I know of.” Julia chuckled. “Lila might wish for that, but as far as I know Michael has never given her any reason to think that he might want to court her. He is very conscious of the fact that his mother runs this boardinghouse, and he behaves with the utmost propriety toward all of us.”

  Violet felt a relief she didn’t quite understand. She had no claim on Michael Heaton. And she was determined not to let herself care about any man. Although Michael didn’t know it, she’d had a childhood crush on him and he had broken her young heart when he got engaged to Amanda Cabot before his sister disappeared. Then there was Nick—she’d really thought he might become a beau, but when her mother had her stroke, he took off in a hurry, leaving her alone when she needed someone to turn to the most. Then there was Harlan, who tried to blackmail her into marriage. She saw no reason to trust any man with her heart.

  Still, she was glad Michael wasn’t considered taken by anyone. Especially Lila. But as she watched Lila bat those eyelashes at him from across the room, she knew the girl was trying as hard as she could to change that status.

  “I just wondered.”

  Julia laughed. “It’s quite understandable. We’ve all wondered the same thing.”

  “It is none of my business, really.” And she wasn’t sure why it seemed to matter so much, but it did.

  Julia shrugged. “One can’t help but wonder these things. Michael would be quite a catch. I don’t think many women would turn his attentions aside.”

  “No. I don’t think they would. He’s very nice.”

  “Has he always been that way?”

  Violet thought back to before he and his mother had left Ashland. Because Michael was older than her, they hadn’t traveled in the same circles, but she had seen him and talked to him on many occasions. Although she’d been infatuated with him, he’d always been kind in a big-brotherly, teasing way, and if she were totally honest she’d missed running into him after he’d moved away. “Yes, I believe he always has.”

  “Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. I think I’ll call it a night. I hope you find a position you’ll love tomorrow. And I’ll say a prayer that you do.”

  “Thank you, Julia. I hope to have good news tomorrow evening.”

  “I look forward to hearing it.” Julia stood and left the room after saying good-night to everyone.

  Violet decided it was time to turn in, too. She wanted to be fresh for her interviews the next morning. She thought to slip out of the room unnoticed, but Michael called to her just as she got to the foyer.

  She turned to him. “Yes?”

  He quickly joined her in the foyer. “I hope you have a better feel for the city after yesterday and today.”

  “Oh, I do. And I thank you again for taking the time to show me around and the delicious dinner.”

  “It was my pleasure. I’ll have a hack here to take you and Mother around to Butterick and the other places you’d like to apply at in the morning. What time do you wish to leave here?”

  “Butterick’s advertisement said to apply from eight to four. I’d like to be there by around nine anyway, if it isn’t too much trouble and if the time is all right with your mother.”

  “If what is all right with me?” Mrs. Heaton joined them at the bottom of the stairs.

  “To leave here about eight-thirty so that Violet can apply at Butterick first thing.”

  “Of course. I’ll be ready.”

  “I’m sure that if I can hire a driver, I’ll be fine. You don’t have to go with me, Mrs.—”

  “Oh, I want to. If we have time, maybe we can stop at a shop or two along Ladies’ Mile after you make your applications. Besides, I want to celebrate with you when you get a position.”

  “I’d be glad to have someone to celebrate with, Mrs. Heaton, and I hope we’ll be able to. I can’t thank you and Michael enough for all the help you’re giving me.”

  “Oh, my dear, seeing this city through your eyes is enough, thank you. It’s like seeing it again for the first time. I can’t remember when I’ve had a better time than I’ve had today. It has been a very long time.”

  Violet’s heart swelled with gratitude that this woman had invited her to New York City and that she and her son had been so kind and willing to help her. Much as she missed her mother and her home, she felt blessed to have friends like these.

  “I—”

  “Violet, wait.” Lila caught her attention as she sashayed across the foyer and joined her and the Heatons. “I just wanted to wish you well tomorrow. You’ll probably be meeting with Mr. Pollard or Mr. Wilder. They are both very nice men and I’m sure either of them will give your application good consideration. You can give me as a reference if you like.”

  Violet wondered if she looked as surprised as she felt at Lila’s sudden change in attitude. “Why, thank you, Lila. That is very nice of you.”

  “Yes, well, I hope you come home with good news tomorrow.”

  “Thank you. So do I.”

  “I think I’ll turn in now,” Lila said with a big smile. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” Violet watched Lila head up the stairs. She couldn’t help but wonder if Lila was putting on an act for Michael and his mother. Then she felt guilty for thinking such a thought. She shouldn’t be so judgmental.

  “Well, I—that Lila never fails to surprise me,” Mrs. Heaton said as Lila disappeared at the landing.

  Violet felt a little better that Mrs. Heaton seemed as surprised as she was at Lila’s change in attitude. But Michael’s expression was unreadable, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking about the other woman.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Violet dressed to apply for work in a blue serge skirt and white shirtwaist. She thought back over the evening before as she twisted her hair up into a knot and pinned it at the back of her head. She was still a little stunned at Lila’s offer to help her get a position. The young woman’s whole attitude toward her seemed to have changed so suddenly. One moment Violet thought Lila was glaring at her, and the next she was wishing Violet well and acting as if she would be pleased if they were coworkers. Acting. That’s what it all seemed like. For, deep down, Violet still felt that the other woman didn’t like her at all.

  She pinned her mother’s cameo to her shirtwaist. But what if she was wrong? Perhaps she had misjudged Lila. If so, she needed to pray about it and ask the Lord’s forgiveness. It would be nice if she and Lila could become friends, perhaps not best friends, but good enough that Violet could think the other girl didn’t dislike her as she’d been doing the past few days.

  She took one last look in the mirror and said a silent prayer that she’d get a position today—and asking for forgiveness if she’d been wrong about Lila. Leaving it in the Lord’s hands, she left her room and hurried downstairs. Most of the boarders had left for work, and Mr. Talbot was just getting up from his place at the table when Violet entered the dining room.

  “Good morning, Miss Burton. I hope you have good results from your job hunt this morning.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Talbot. I hope so, too.” Violet smiled at the man. “I hope you have a good day.”

  “Thank you.” He slid his chair back under the table and left the room.

  Violet fixed herself a plate of strawberries and pancakes, with a small slice of ham on the side. Just as she set her plate on the table, Gretchen came in the room.

  “Good morning, Miss Burton. Did you have a good weekend?”

  “I did, Gretchen. I hope you did, also.”

  “May I get you some juice or tea or coffee?”

  “Tea, please.”

  “Mrs. Heaton said she’d be taking you around to put in applications today and that you’ll be eating lunch out. I wish you well with your interviews.” Gretchen poured her tea and brought it to her.<
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  “Thank you. I am hopeful that I’ll have good news to share this evening.”

  Gretchen bobbed her head up and down, her curls bouncing out from under her cap. “I’ll pray that you do.”

  “I appreciate your prayers on my behalf. I know that is the best help I can have.”

  Just as Gretchen left the room, Mrs. Heaton entered from the foyer. “Violet, dear, I trust you slept well.”

  “I did, thank you. I didn’t think I would, thinking about today. But the Lord saw to it that I slept like a baby and I didn’t lie awake worrying about what today would bring.”

  “I’m hopeful it’s going to bring you a job.” Mrs. Heaton laid the folded paper down beside Violet’s plate. “The Butterick position is still open, and there are a few more I’ve circled that might be of interest to you.”

  Violet skimmed the classifieds while Mrs. Heaton filled her plate and brought it to the table. Along with the Butterick opening, there was also a new opening for a typist that Mrs. Heaton had circled and one for a receptionist at a bank.

  The older woman poured her tea and brought the pot to the table, warming up Violet’s cup. “What do you think?”

  “Well, I don’t know how to type—”

  “Oh, that might make a difference. But should you wish to learn, typing, along with other clerical skills, is offered at the YWCA and several business schools in the area.”

  “Really? That’s very good to know.”

  “Yes. There are so many positions opening up in that field of work that the YWCA felt it was a need they could fill.”

  “Should I not be able to find employment this week, that might be something I’ll consider looking into.”

  “Hopefully you’ll find something today. But if not, we can find out more about what the YWCA offers.” Mrs. Heaton pulled an envelope out of her pocket and slid it to Violet. “This is a letter of recommendation, Violet. It may not be needed, but just in case.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Heaton. I—”

  Mrs. Heaton held up her hand in a manner that Violet had come to realize meant “say no more.” “You’re more than welcome, dear. I just want to help in any way I can. But we must hurry with our breakfast. The hack driver will be here soon.”