Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical)

by Janet Lee Barton

  Violet’s breath caught in her throat. “But why? I’ve kept up my payments and—”

  “He doesn’t want your payments, Violet. He wants your property. Mostly, though, from what you’ve told us and from what your friend has said, I think he wants you. But try not to worry. The man he’s thinking of sending is the agent I sent to find out what he was up to. He went into town as a former Pinkerton agent who was interested in opening his own agency. Black went to him a few days ago and hired him to try to find you. But with my man working for him, it gives us time to come up with a plan to prove Black is up to no good.”

  “But how are we going to prove anything? Mr. Atwood isn’t there and—”

  “The good news is my man gave me an address for Mr. Atwood. And I’m sending another man out West to meet with him.”

  “Wonderful, Michael. I’m sure Mr. Atwood can shed some light on all of this,” Mrs. Heaton said. “He must know what is going on.”

  “I am so glad you know where he is.” Violet breathed a sigh of relief. “Surely he’ll know how our finances were before he left.”

  “I believe he will. I just need your approval to talk to him about your situation.”

  “Of course you have it, Michael. Do you really think he can help us?”

  “I do. I think he’s the only one who really knows what your mother’s finances were before he left town. And I believe he might know what Black is up to and why.”

  “Thank you for trying to get to the bottom of it all.”

  “I think it’s very good news,” Mrs. Heaton said. “And I believe the Lord is at work in that Black hired Michael’s man to find you.”

  Violet was sure it must be. She prayed it was.

  “I’m going to leave you two to talk it over. Thank you for including me and letting me know what’s going on. I’ve got to talk to Gretchen about tomorrow’s menu, but I’ll peek in on the charade game so our boarders won’t become too curious about my calling Violet out.”

  Michael took her place in the chair next to Violet. He took one of her hands in his. “I’m sure this news has upset you, Violet, and I’m sorry. But I felt you needed to know the latest developments.”

  “I’m glad you told me, Michael. My only worry is, what if you can’t find Mr. Atwood? What if he’s gone somewhere else?”

  Michael looked her in the eye. “Violet, please try not to worry. I am not going to let Black get to you. I’m not going to let him hurt you. I just wanted you to know what’s going on and assure you we are going to get to the bottom of it all.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you, Michael. I’ll try not to worry, and I will pray about it. I know you’ll do all you can to help me. But I don’t want you or any of your men hurt either. Harlan Black has always given me the shivers. I don’t like him, I don’t trust him and I—”

  Michael’s fingertips on her lips silenced her. His touch was light and gentle. Her breath seemed to be lodged in her throat. “Don’t worry, Violet. I won’t let Black hurt you. I promise.”

  His touch had her wanting him to pull her into his arms, and Violet forced herself to put some distance between them. She got up from her chair and walked over to the window. “I’m not so afraid of him as I am sickened by him, Michael.” She could still see the look in Harlan’s eyes when he’d grabbed her arm and pulled her close, demanding that she marry him. The repulsion she felt was as strong now as it had been then. She shook her head to get rid of the vision. “I just hope we can settle things so he won’t foreclose on the loan Mama took out.”

  Michael came to stand beside her. He tipped her face up toward him and looked into her eyes. Violet couldn’t help but compare the two men. While one left her cold, this one took her breath away with his nearness.

  Michael’s large hand cupped her cheek. “Oh, he’s not going to foreclose, Violet. We’ll come up with something. Don’t worry. Harlan Black isn’t taking your home away. He’s not taking anything that belongs to you. I’ll see to it.”

  Michael’s gaze settled on her lips, and Violet found herself wishing he would kiss her. The thought alone shocked her. She’d never felt that way about any man, but right now, at this moment, she wanted to feel his lips on hers.

  As if he had read her mind, his head dipped down and his lips captured hers, softly, gently...and she responded....

  A soft knock came at the door but Violet reacted as if a cannon had gone off, jumping back and putting a hand to her lips. Had he really kissed her or had she imagined it?

  The door opened before Michael got to it and when his mother entered, Violet breathed a sigh of relief it was only her and not Lila or one of the other boarders.

  “The boarders asked for hot chocolate of all things this time of year. Gretchen is making it now, but I thought I’d see if you two might want some, too.”

  “I don’t,” Michael said. “Isn’t it a little warm for cocoa?”

  “I think so, but that’s what they asked for. What about you, Violet?”

  “No, thank you. I think I’ll pass this time. I’m going to turn in. I’ll see you both in the morning.” She turned back to Michael. “Thank you for letting me know what you found out.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll update you again after I’ve met with Jim Moore. Sleep well.”

  “Thank you. Good night.” The intensity in his eyes when their gaze met sent another warm flush up her neck as she hurried out the door.

  If Mrs. Heaton noticed anything different about her, she didn’t say anything. But Violet knew something had changed in the past few moments, and she was certain it was written all over her face.

  * * *

  “Violet seemed a bit flustered, son. Is she all right?”

  Michael didn’t think she could be any more flustered than he was and he hoped his mother didn’t pick up on that fact. “I think so.”

  He hoped so—if he hadn’t put panic in her heart by kissing her. But she had responded, he was sure of it.

  “Are you all right, Michael?”

  His mother looked at him closely. The last thing he wanted was for her to start asking questions he didn’t want to answer. “I just want to make sure she’s safe from Black. I’m going to put a man out to follow her, just to make sure she is.”

  “Did you tell her?”

  “No, not yet. I’ve got to write Atwood and get someone on the earliest train I can tomorrow. I hope he’ll have some answers for us.”

  “So do I. I am certain Violet’s father had provided for them. I just don’t see how it could be possible a mortgage would have had to be taken out on the house. It doesn’t make any sense to me. I do hope once everything is settled in her favor, as I’m sure it will be, Violet will decide not to go back.”

  Michael’s heart twisted at the very thought she might decide to and he knew he’d do whatever he could to keep her in New York now.

  “She seems happy here, Mother.” At least she had—if he hadn’t ruined things tonight. “Surely she won’t want to go back. But if she thinks she does, we’ll just have to persuade her to stay.”

  His mother smiled at him. “I was hoping that’s what you were going to say. You know, Michael, it’s about time you thought about starting a family of your own. I wouldn’t object if you made Violet part of this family one day.”

  “Mother—”

  “Oh, dear, I think I hear Lila calling me,” his mother said as she hurried out the door.

  Michael had a feeling she didn’t want to hear what he’d been about to say and he was relieved he didn’t have to say anything at the moment. Because if he hadn’t been thinking about marriage before, he certainly was now.

  Violet’s goal was to get her home back free and clear and then go back to Virginia. And he couldn’t go back there to live. The only hope he had of finding his sister was here in the city. Amanda hadn’t understood his need to be here—he wasn’t sure any woman could—and he didn’t need any more heartache. So any thoughts of marriage needed to be done away with
. His life was here now.

  He’d go find Luke. He needed to fill him in on what was happening with Harlan Black. Michael was glad he’d let Luke in on what was going on. With Black, one never knew what he might decide to do next. It helped to have Luke around to talk to and know he could count on, should Black show up here. Michael would sure like to have all of this settled as soon as possible—for all kinds of reasons.

  * * *

  Violet hurried up the stairs, hoping not to run into Lila or any of the boarders. She needed time to herself—time to think about what Michael had told her about Harlan Black and what might happen because of it.

  But first and foremost in her mind was what had happened in those last few minutes in the study. The kiss they’d shared. And how she felt about it. Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it in her ears, and her fingers were trembling so badly she could barely unlock her door. Once inside, her legs seemed to turn to jelly before she reached her settee and sank down on it.

  She leaned her head back and let out a sigh. Michael had taken her by surprise. Now she didn’t know what, if anything, to do about it. She’d never thought to have strong feelings for Michael or any other man at this point in her life. Her goal was to get her home back, not give her heart away. After Nick and Harlan, she’d had enough disillusionment. The best thing for her to do was to concentrate on the reason she’d come to the city in the first place. And it wasn’t to fall in love. And in fact she was enjoying the feeling of independence living here in New York City gave her. But somehow this man she’d known all her life as a friend seemed to be quickly working his way right into her heart as something more.

  How did it happen? Violet forced herself off the settee and hurried into the bathroom to get ready for bed before Elizabeth came up and needed it. She tried to put the earlier events out of her mind, but as she looked in the mirror, the pink of her cheeks and the glow in her eyes brought the touch of his lips to mind once more and she splashed her face with water, trying to erase the telltale signs of how much she’d been affected by those few moments.

  All she did know was the last few minutes in the study had become much more important to her than what Michael had called her into the study to talk about. She wasn’t really worried about Harlan Black. Not after Michael’s promise to protect her.

  But she was concerned that somehow she’d never get her home back, and that remained of utmost importance to her. Her father had worked hard for what they had...sometimes to the extent of leaving too much for her mother to take care of, to Violet’s way of thinking. Still, they had a nice home and her mother had loved every inch of it. The last person she wanted to have it was Harlan Black.

  Violet finished her toilette and went back to her room. She turned her bed down, thinking about her home. While Mrs. Heaton’s house now felt like home to her, the one she was raised in was full of her childhood memories.

  After her mother had passed away and Violet found her mother had taken a mortgage out on it, she’d blamed her father, wondering what he’d done with the money. But if what Mrs. Heaton thought was true, then maybe he had provided well for them. If so, Violet had been wrong to blame him.

  Her head still reeling from the events of the evening, Violet sighed and opened her Bible to Proverbs. Tonight it seemed to speak to her confusion. In chapter three, verses five through six, it said, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”

  Well, she understood nothing tonight. Not how it happened that Michael had kissed her. Not what would happen if Harlan Black came to New York, nor if she’d ever return to her family home. And she was beginning to wonder if she’d misjudged her own father.

  Violet slid to her knees and prayed. “Dear Father, please help me to understand what is or isn’t happening between Michael and me. To know what You would have me do about my family home. Please direct my path and help me to do only Your will. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.”

  She put her Bible up and slipped beneath the covers, feeling at peace. She might not know what the next day would bring, but the Lord did and she’d rely on Him to guide her through it.

  * * *

  With thoughts of the kiss he and Violet had shared fresh in his mind, Michael lost no time writing a letter to Mr. Atwood the very next morning and assigning a man to get it to him. It was imperative that he contact the attorney as soon as possible because they’d only be able to put Harlan Black off for so long.

  If Black was sending someone to find Violet, he must be afraid Atwood knew things Violet didn’t. At least Michael was hoping that was it and that her home really was free and clear of debt.

  Once that was done, he went to Grand Central to meet Jim’s train. At some point, Jim would have to let Black know he’d found Violet, and when he did, Michael was sure Black would act on the news. It was entirely possible he would show up at the boardinghouse.

  When the younger man got off the train, they shook hands and went to pick up his luggage.

  “It’s good to be home,” Jim said. “I don’t think I like small-town living much. And I don’t like working for a man like Harlan Black, even if I’m only pretending to. Half the town seems to owe him something and he doesn’t let them forget it. He’s not a good man, Michael.”

  “I know. Thankfully I didn’t have any dealings with him, but I know many of the people in town think he should be run out of the state.”

  They stopped for lunch at a café just down from Michael’s office so Jim could go into more detail about what he’d found out. The restaurant was full of men who worked in the area. After they’d given their order for the day’s special of beef and fried potatoes, Jim filled him in. “The man seems to make a practice of keeping his clients in debt in one way or another. Once they’re late on a payment, he adds so much interest over time that it becomes near impossible for them to catch up. And he uses the fact that they owe him to get them to do things for him, tell him things about other clients.”

  “You think that’s how he found out Miss Burton might be here?”

  “I only know it could be.”

  “Any idea why he hadn’t already hired someone to come find Violet?”

  Jim shook his head. “He tries very hard to act as if he is a benefactor instead of a crooked banker, and even though most people know what he is, they don’t know exactly what he’s up to. He appears to be an upstanding citizen and makes sure he’s in church every Sunday, but I think it’s all for show. You should hear the language he uses when he is angry. Just as we figured, he didn’t want to go to anyone in town and that’s why he came to me.”

  “Did he give you any timetable to get back to him?”

  “He wants results as quickly as possible.”

  “And you are to collect money from Miss Burton?”

  “No. He just wants me to make sure she is here. In fact he told me not to let her know anything. He just wants to know her whereabouts for now. He seems almost obsessed with finding her.”

  “From what I know of him, I’m not surprised.”

  “I didn’t figure you wanted me to argue with him, boss.”

  “You’re right. I don’t want him getting suspicious of you. How did you come up with an address for Mr. Atwood?”

  “It was pretty easy. I asked around town for the names of good lawyers and was told Atwood was the best and that even though his office is closed now, he will be returning in a few months. One of his good friends said I could write him if it was important and gave me the address.” Jim grinned at him. “Don’t worry, boss. Harlan Black doesn’t know I was asking about him.”

  Michael certainly hoped not. The last thing they needed was for Black to get suspicious. “That’s good to know. I’ll keep you here as long as I can, but I’m assuming Black is wanting you to telegraph him with what you find out.”

  “Yes, he does. I’ll try to put him off as long as I can.”

  “We’ll figur
e out what to do. Where are you staying?”

  “He thinks I’m staying in some fleabag hotel, if the traveling money he gave me is any indication. But I’m staying at my apartment.”

  “Good,” Michael said. “I’ll know where to find you.”

  “I’m glad I don’t have to work for Black...not for real anyway and not much longer, I hope.”

  “I’ll get you back here to stay soon as I can.” Michael wanted things with Black settled. The sooner the better.

  * * *

  Violet was glad to see Monday come. She hoped keeping busy would take her mind off Michael and what to do about her growing feelings for him. If she could quit thinking about him and his kiss, that would be even better, Violet thought as she worked the pedal on the sewing machine. He’d only meant to comfort her, she was sure of it. The kiss wasn’t because he cared for her in any romantic way. And she couldn’t let herself begin to think that he might. It would only lead to heartache.

  She sighed in exasperation and tried to put all thoughts of him out of her mind as she worked on one of the bicycling costumes. If it turned out well, she might make one for herself. It’d be nice to go cycling in Central Park one day.

  “Violet,” Harriet, the girl working on her left, called to her. “Did you hear?”

  “Hear what?”

  “One of the girls just got engaged!”

  Apparently it was true, because by midmorning all the talk at Butterick was about another seamstress who had announced her engagement and impending marriage. As soon as Violet heard the news, she hurried to talk to Mrs. Waters about Lila having learned to sew.

  “But do you think she’s talented enough to work in the sewing room, Violet?”

  “Well, I think so. I taught her, and while I wouldn’t say she loves it, she is quite adept at it. I believe she would love to work up here.”

  “She has been with us for a while. I suppose we could promote her and see how she does, since you recommend her. I’ll talk to Mr. Wilder and Mr. Pollard about it.”

  “Thank you.” Violet was glad to have the decision out of her hands. She’d taught Lila to sew and asked Mrs. Waters to give her a chance. Now it was all in the Lord’s hands and whatever happened, she hoped she could quit feeling guilty that Lila hadn’t been promoted before.