“Hurry inside Lizzie.” Mother gave Lizzie a knowing look. “Mrs. Adams and Henry will be sitting with us in church.”
Lizzie nodded, and her parents continued heading into church, Mother holding each of the girls’ hands.
“Henry?” Lillian’s eyes widened. “Who’s that?”
“He’s Mrs. Adams grandson.” Lizzie let out an exasperated sigh. “Mother made me agree to keep him company this week since he doesn’t know anybody here, other than his grandmother. In exchange, she’s willing to talk to Father about Jeremiah coming to lunch.”
“How old is Henry?” A frown creased Lillian’s brow.
“He a couple years older than you are.” It was still hard for Lizzie to think of herself as only twenty-one, when she was twenty-eight in her real life. A life that seemed to be slipping further and further away.
“Jeremiah’s not going to be happy because—” Lillian’s eyes widened.
“Because what?”
Lillian’s lips were pursed. Her eyes narrowed. “He’s going to get the same impression that I am. Your parents are trying to arrange a match with you and Henry.”
Lizzie chuckled. “That’s silly.”
“Oh, really?” Lillian rolled her eyes at Lizzie. “Says the girl who is going to ditch her beau this week to keep another man company.”
“It’s okay for people to be friends,” Lizzie heard defensiveness in her own voice, but carried on, “it doesn’t mean they’re courting or dating. Whatever you all want to call it.”
“Honestly, Lizzie, sometimes you act like you’re not from around here.”
It was Lizzie’s turn for her lips to press together. She’d never told Lillian about her past life. Only Jeremiah knew the truth. She didn’t want anyone else thinking she was crazy—like her family did the day she suddenly ended up in the past.
She shrugged. “I just think you’re blowing things out of proportion and I hope you won’t even suggest that my parents are fixing me up with Henry to Jeremiah. I don’t need him upset with me when he has nothing to worry about.”
“I won’t say a word, but mind you Lizzie, you be careful because of your parents’ intentions.” Lillian hugged her. “I’ve always dreamed of me marrying Thomas and you marrying Jeremiah and us all being the best of friends for the rest of our lives.”
Lizzie laughed, even though her head felt woozy. She’d never really thought about getting married. Besides, how could she? Her life was in the future.
“I need to go inside,” she told Lillian. As she walked inside in a daze, Jeremiah’s warm brown eyes and sweet smile haunted her thoughts. Being with Jeremiah would make her happy. He was undoubtedly the reason she hadn’t been hard pressed to finish the quilt.
She found herself smiling as she slipped into the pew past her parents, not realizing until after she sat down that Olivia and Mary Margaret were seated between them, instead of on the other side of mother.
“This is Henry Adams,” Mother said.
Lizzie turned to follow her gaze, realizing that she was seated next to him.
Henry looked slender and well dressed in an expensive pinstriped suit with a medium-blue bowtie that almost made Lizzie chuckle. He had blond hair and blue eyes. His chiseled jaw and dimple in his chin would have made most women swoon. But Lizzie wasn’t most women.
“How do you do?” Henry smiled wide and took her hand in his, kissing the back of it. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”
A giggle erupted. “I’m sorry.” Lizzie’s cheeks warmed. She didn’t dare explain that she was laughing about the way he kissed her hand. Hopefully he didn’t mistake it for infatuation. She’d seen Lillian do that all the time when she first started seeing Thomas. “My name’s Lizzie.”
After service, Lizzie noticed that Jeremiah approached Father instead of her. Lizzie assumed Lillian had already told Jeremiah that she had to spend the day with her family. Jeremiah probably noticed Henry and his grandmother. It wouldn’t have escaped her attention if Jeremiah had been sitting with another woman in church. Even though there was nothing for him to worry about, he would have wanted to know what was going on. Lillian undoubtedly told him that Mrs. Adams and her grandson would be joining Lizzie’s family for lunch. Maybe he wanted to see if Father would allow him to spend the day with them?
While their conversation was relatively short, the minutes dragged by slowly, putting Lizzie on edge. When their conversation ended, Jeremiah briskly turned and walked away, not even bothering to look in Lizzie’s direction.
She hurried to speak with Father. “What did Jeremiah want? He looked upset.”
“He asked a question and didn’t get the answer he was hoping for,” Father said. “He’ll be fine.”
“Is that all?” Lizzie wished she had the opportunity to speak with Jeremiah. Texting was one modern convenience she wished were available right now.
“That’s all.” Father’s tone was clipped. “Besides, we need to get back to our guests.”
One week, Lizzie reminded herself. That was Mother’s requirement for Lizzie to get what she wanted. Given Father’s mood and conversation with Jeremiah a few moments ago, she didn’t dare broach the topic with him.
Chapter Sixteen
A fter lunch, Lizzie persuaded Henry to go for a walk. She failed to include her ulterior motives, deciding it best in case Henry happened to mention to her family that they ran into some of Lizzie’s friends on their walk.
Several times Henry had reached toward her, or for her elbow, and Lizzie had carefully moved another step away.
“Are you seeing anyone special back home?” Lizzie asked.
“I wondered if you were nervous.” Henry laughed. “Turns out you were merely jealous, which you needn’t be.” Henry smiled.
He was charming, but he wasn’t Jeremiah. “Actually, if we’re being honest, I have feeling for someone and I’m afraid he may be upset that I’m spending the day with you.”
“I don’t blame him,” Henry said. “If you were my girl, I wouldn’t want to share you with anyone else either.”
Lizzie’s cheeks warmed. “My mother told me I had to keep you company this week if I wanted to have him over for lunch next Sunday.”
Henry nodded, absorbing her words much better than Lizzie expected. “So, what you’re telling me is, I don’t have a chance of winning your heart?”
Smiling at his words, Lizzie gently laid a hand on his bicep. “I’m sorry. You’re very sweet, but I don’t have feelings for you.”
He stopped on the sidewalk, and she did too, turning to look at him. Henry brushed a stray hair from her face. “This man that you care for is very lucky. I find your beautiful brown eyes entrancing and could easily get lost in their depths.”
“You’re making me blush.” Lizzie knew her cheeks had to be warm. “I know it is a lot to ask, but would you mind if we went by his friend’s house to see if he is there?” Lizzie sighed. “I feel bad that I didn’t get to talk to him at church this morning and don’t want him to be upset.”
“I’d be happy to meet the young gentleman who stole your heart.”
She searched Henry’s face for any signs of sarcasm, and only saw sincerity in his eyes and the warmth of his charming smile. “Thank you.”
“For what?” His left eye squinted as he looked at her quizzically.
“For being kind and understanding of my predicament.” Lizzie gave him a brief hug. “You’re a true gentleman.”
“My pleasure,” he said. “But I must admit I am curious about the man who beat me out.”
Lizzie laughed. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Such wise words from such a beautiful lady.” He looked around. “Which direction do we head to see your beau?”
Lizzie pointed. “We need to make a right at the corner and it’s halfway down the block.”
“So, we’re close?”
“Yes.”
He laughed. “I take it we were already headed in this direction to see h
im?”
“I’m sorry.” She felt a little guilty admitting it. “But it was bothering me all through lunch.”
“Come on.” Henry took her hand and headed down the street.
They were nearly to Thomas’ home before Lizzie realized she was still holding Henry’s hand, and tighter than she should have. She released it under the pretense of straightening the fabric of her dress before climbing the steps leading to his front door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked as she slowly expelled the air from her lungs.
Henry waited at the bottom of the stairs, leaning casually against the railing while they waited for someone to answer the door.
Hearing footsteps, Lizzie’s heart began to race.
After a few moments, Thomas opened the door. He didn’t look excited to see her, and his response for Henry was a scowl.
Lizzie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Can I please speak with Jeremiah?”
“He’s not here.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you mean, he’s not here?”
Lillian came to the door, holding a wrapped package and an envelope. “Jeremiah left this for you.”
“Thank you.” She took the items from Lillian. “But where did he go?”
Thomas glanced at Henry, and then back at her. “I assume he went back home.”
“He didn’t have any reason to be jealous.” Lizzie assumed that was why he left. “Can I talk to you—” Lizzie chanced a glance at Thomas before turning her attention back to Lillian, “privately?”
Thomas retreated into the other room and Lillian stepped outside. As she and Lizzie took a seat on the steps, Lizzie asked Henry to please give them some privacy. He nodded, smiled at Lillian, and casually strolled a safe distance away, admiring the surroundings as he hummed.
Lizzie thought it was sweet of him to oblige. Not the most exciting day of his vacation. She would have to make it up to him.
“Please tell me Jeremiah wasn’t jealous,” Lizzie sighed. “Is that why he left?”
“No, Lizzie, that’s not why he left exactly.”
“What do you mean?” Lizzie rubbed her temple. She was getting a headache and her stomach churned.
Tears welled in Lillian’s eyes. “Oh, Lizzie, he was going to ask you to marry him.”
Lizzie’s jaw dropped. She stared at Lillian. Her heart stopped, so did her breathing. This must have been what suspended animation felt like.
“Jeremiah wanted to propose?” Lizzie’s voice sounded like a whisper in her own ears. Her words slowly penetrated her thought pattern. Her eyes widened. “He doesn’t now?” The beating of her heart accelerated. “Was it because he saw me sitting next to Henry?”
“No, Lizzie.” Lillian’s eyes held deep sorrow. “After church, he asked your father for permission and he said no.”
“He what?” Lizzie’s fist clenched, and she clutched the package closer to her chest. “We don’t need Father’s permission to get married.”
“Your father won’t pay for the wedding,” Lillian said.
“We can always elope.” Without having time to realize what her reaction would have been to Jeremiah’s proposal, her heart had already made the decision for her—even if her head would have argued against staying in the past forever. She couldn’t imagine Jeremiah not being a part of her life. “Do you know if Jeremiah will be back tomorrow?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Please tell Jeremiah that I need to speak to him in person.”
Lillian looked at the package in Lizzie’s hands. “You might want to read his letter.”
“Why?” Lizzie didn’t like the sound of Lillian’s voice.
“Let’s sit down on the step, Lizzie,” Lillian said, taking her arm to turn her around.
They sat down.
Lizzie laid the package across her lap and held her breath as she began to open the envelope containing Jeremiah’s letter. Her hands shook. She took the paper out and unfolded it carefully.
Dear Lizzie,
My heart is heavier now than I could ever begin to convey. When I came to church today, I had intended to ask your father to marry you.
I believed that I could convince him how much we were in love. However, he informed me that they had introduced you to someone whom he believed you were better suited for, and that if I loved you as I claimed, I would want the very best for you. I tried to assure him that I believed that you needed me as much as I needed you. He then informed me that he would never give his blessing for us to marry, and that if I continued to try seeing you, he would do everything in his power to see that I never worked for the railroad company again.
My family counts on my income to help them get by, and without this job, I would not be able to afford to support a wife. So, it is with deep regret that I am going away.
I was able to find the fabric that you needed for your quilt. I had debated on giving it to you because I couldn’t bear the thought of your dream being true—and you going away. But now, I truly hope that you are able to go back home. I want you to be happy and pray that one day you will find someone in your future—wherever that future turns out being.
All my love,
Jeremiah
“What’s wrong?” Henry’s voice drew her attention away from the letter. “Why are you crying?”
Lizzie wanted to lash out at him, but it wasn’t Henry’s fault. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep you company this week.”
“Is it because your beau was jealous?” Concern shown in Henry’s eyes.
“No.” She shook her head. “He wanted to marry me, and Father wouldn’t give his blessing. In fact, he threatened him.”
“I’m sorry, Lizzie.” He thrust his hands into his trouser pockets. “I wish I could hug you, or comfort you somehow. I hate to see you cry.”
“I have a feeling I’ll be doing a lot of it for a very long while.”
Chapter Seventeen
“I hate you and I never want to speak to you again,” Lizzie spewed the words out like venom as soon as she walked through the door and stomped to her room. Tossing the gift from Jeremiah on the bed, she sat down and swiped at a tear she felt rolling down her cheek. Opening the envelope, she took out Jeremiah’s letter and read it again.
Mother opened Lizzie’s door.
Anger welled up in Lizzie as her hands tightened on the letter. “You lied to me.”
“Elizabeth Ruth Ambrewster.”
“Peterson, my last name is Peterson,” Lizzie corrected her in a low, gravelly voice. Right now, she didn’t want to be their daughter, or even their great-great-great-granddaughter. Jeremiah was the only one holding her here—to this life. If she couldn’t have him, she wanted to go home—to her real home. “I can’t believe you had the audacity to tell me you were going to ask your husband to allow Jeremiah to come for lunch next Sunday, and all along you knew he was going to tell Jeremiah he wasn’t welcome.”
Mother’s mouth opened in what Lizzie assumed was surprise, or perhaps she was astounded at Lizzie’s outburst.
Maybe she didn’t know, but it didn’t matter, and it certainly didn’t change the situation.
Lizzie wanted to fix things between her and Jeremiah. But how? Cell phones hadn’t been invented yet, and not every home even had a regular phone. Jeremiah’s didn’t. To make matters worse, Lizzie didn’t have a car, so she couldn’t just pick up and go see if he’d gone home.
“I gave you my word,” Mother said. “I fully intended to talk to your father. But it appears you are the one not keeping up your end of the bargain. Poor Henry looks upset. He insisted that his grandmother leave with him immediately.”
“Good.” At least someone had the decency to show some decorum. “You should have never tried to play matchmaker. You knew how I felt about Jeremiah.”
Mother sighed and moved closer. “May I sit down?”
Lizzie scooted over to make room.
Taking a seat, Mother turned and reached a hand out toward Lizzie, but Lizzie moved, and Mother
settled for folding her hands in her lap. “Please tell me what happened after you left? What made you so upset?”
Her throat felt constricted. Instead of telling Mother, Lizzie handed her the letter.
“What dream?” Mother asked. “Were you planning to run away? Or did he think your father would ask you to leave home if you went against his wishes?” Mother’s eyes were wide and intense as she stared at Lizzie.
“You wouldn’t understand.” Which was true. When Lizzie woke that morning back in April, Father threatened to have her committed. Telling either of them the truth wasn’t an option. She needed to find a job, in case she couldn’t get back home. After what Father did, she had no intention of staying in his house any longer than she had to be there. “I need to finish my quilt.”
Mother nodded and walked to the door. Pausing, she turned around and looked at Lizzie, her eyes filled with concern. “You know your father only wants what’s best for you.”
“Then why did he threaten Jeremiah?”
Mother didn’t have an answer for her question.
“Tell me this, did your parents force you to marry Father against your will, or were you truly in love with him?”
“I was in love with him,” Mother said. “We married when we were teenagers.”
“And it had nothing to do with his education or his job?” Lizzie asked.
She shook her head in response to Lizzie’s question.
“Then if you were both allowed to choose each other, why do you insist on interfering in my life? Shouldn’t I be able to choose who I want to marry too?”
“I’m sorry, Lizzie.” Mother closed her eyes a moment and sighed. “I promise to talk about the situation with Father tonight.”
Lizzie stayed up until the wee hours of the morning working on the quilt. She still needed the fabric from Mother’s curtains, which wouldn’t be delivered for another four to six weeks. As the night wore on, her mind became number, clouded with decisions until sleep overtook her. By the time she woke, she realized it was too late to make it to the train station to catch a ride to St. Louis.
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