A Daughter's Return

by Janet Lee Barton

  Julia chuckled. “Oh, I’m not that close to moving yet. I have to decide where I’ll go first. I’m sure Heaton House will be full once more before I do anything.”

  Rebecca breathed a sigh of relief for her mother’s sake. These boarders were family to her and so far they’d all stayed nearby. For one of them to move so far away would probably concern her mother as much as it did Julia’s parents.

  Millicent joined them. “Am I the only one who is envious of Kathleen, Elizabeth and Violet? Not to mention Colleen. I certainly hope your mother brings in a few new male boarders, Rebecca. I’d like to fall in love with one.”

  Julia raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you sweet on one already? What about Matt?”

  “Mathew? He doesn’t approve of anything about me. He thinks I’m much too independent, wanting to have my own photography business, and that I should have no interest at all in the women’s movement. He wants a woman who agrees with him on every level and that’s not me. No. Mathew and I are not matchmaking material. At all.”

  “I think you may be protesting a bit much,” Julia said.

  “No, I’m not.” Millicent shook her head.

  “Well, if Mathew really feels that way, he probably isn’t the man for you,” Rebecca said.

  “Rebecca’s right about that,” Julia agreed.

  “I know,” Millicent said.

  But her gaze sought the man in question and Julia and Rebecca exchanged glances. It appeared hearing their mutual agreement was the last thing Millicent wanted to hear.

  Rebecca took some comfort in knowing she wasn’t the only one who longed for true love. But she was almost certain the other two women had more chance of finding it than she did.

  “I think I’ll go check on the children.” Rebecca turned and wove her way through the others to the kitchen.

  She heard laughter, not just children’s giggling, but a deep male laugh joining in. She reached the kitchen and pulled up short, totally surprised to find Ben talking to Jenny, Colin and Brody. Rebecca quickly backed around the corner of the doorway, peeking in to watch for a few minutes as his back was to her and he blocked the children’s view of her.

  They were all listening raptly to him as he told them how he’d first learned to skate. “It wasn’t easy. I didn’t have an adult to teach me, but a boy two years older than I was took me under his wing after some of the other boys from school teased me about not being able to skate. He took me to practice until I could fly across the lake on my own just as well as he did.”

  “You can fly across a lake?” Jenny asked.

  Ben chuckled. “It kind of feels like flying when you can skate without falling down. But you just have to fall down and learn to get back up in the beginning.”

  “I want to fly across the lake!” Jenny said.

  “So do I,” Colin added.

  “Me, too!” Brody’s voice was full of excitement.

  “Well, hopefully you’ll all be able to one day. Just don’t get too impatient and don’t give up.”

  “What happened after you learned? Did those boys still make fun of you?” Colin asked.

  “Not for long. Once my friend decided I’d learned to skate as well as he did, we went back to the lake where that group hung out. As usual, they teased me before I ever got my skates on. But then I got out on the ice and skated across the lake, through the middle of it and around again. They never teased me after that.”

  “And you’re going to teach me to skate like that, aren’t you, Mr. Ben?” Jenny asked.

  “I sure am, Jenny.”

  “I can skate,” Colin said proudly. “And I’m going to teach Brody.”

  “That’s wonderful, Colin,” Ben said. “I look forward to skating with you boys.”

  He moved just then and she could see the expressions on their faces. The man should have children. He was a born teacher and had a heart for little ones.

  Jenny spotted her first. “Mama! Mr. Ben was talking to us about skating. I can’t wait until tomorrow!”

  Rebecca crossed the room and gave her a hug. “I know you can’t. I just thought I’d check on you, but I see you’re all in good hands.” She smiled at Ben. “I think we’re all going to have a wonderful time tomorrow.”

  His answering smile warmed her heart. “I think so, too.”

  * * *

  Everyone gathered in the foyer the next afternoon—all the present boarders and the couples who’d once lived there. Michael and Violet had entrusted baby Marcus to their maid, Hilda, for the day, but she’d come to stay at Heaton House to visit with her sisters, Gretchen and Maida.

  Everyone was excited, but no one more than Jenny. She was jumping from one foot to the other and her eyes shone with excitement. Ben hoped the day went as she dreamed it would.

  It was a beautiful day. Cold but sunny, and the light on the snow that had fallen late the night before made everything sparkle. He’d gone out right after breakfast to check the ice and had spotted the red ball at Central Park and several smaller lakes. He’d gone back to Heaton House to tell everyone the party was on.

  The omnibus Mrs. Heaton had ordered arrived, and Ben and the other men helped carry the blankets and baskets she’d put together for them. Once they were ready to go, everyone gathered their skates and headed outside to pile into the bus. They stopped to pick up Colleen and her boys and Ben grinned as he watched excitement grow as the three children chattered amongst themselves.

  He didn’t know exactly how he’d ended up sitting by Rebecca, but she welcomed him with a warm smile and he began to hope that whatever the awkwardness was between them only a few days before had vanished.

  “Jenny is beyond excited,” Rebecca said. “I thought she’d never go to sleep last night. All she talked about was how you are going to teach her to fly across the lake.”

  Ben chuckled. “Well, there must still be some kid left in me, because I thought I’d never go to sleep last night, either.” He wasn’t about to tell her it was because he’d been thinking about how pretty she had looked at Luke and Kathleen’s when she’d joined him and the children in the kitchen.

  She’d had on a deep blue gown that looked wonderful with her blue eyes and that reddish-blond hair. And she looked beautiful now as she nodded. “I must admit it took me a while to go to sleep last night, too.”

  “Even your mother seems excited.” Ben nodded toward Mrs. Heaton, who was talking to Violet.

  “She is. It’s been a very long time since she’s skated. I do hope she doesn’t fall.”

  “So do I,” Ben said. Or anyone else. It’d been his idea to come today, after all. He sent up a prayer that they’d all return to Heaton House in one piece, then turned his attention back to Rebecca. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and her eyes were sparkling with excitement. She looked lovely and he hoped he’d get a chance to skate with her before the day was over.

  Chapter Eight

  As they neared Central Park, traffic picked up and it became apparent they weren’t the only ones wanting to take advantage of the beautiful day and the iced-over lake.

  Ben was glad the omnibus stopped at a place where there were benches near the lake. He and the other men helped unload the blankets and snacks Mrs. Heaton had thought to bring.

  It didn’t take long for everyone to skate up and Ben helped Jenny with hers while Rebecca put hers on. They watched other skaters for a few moments and then Ben turned to Jenny.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Oh, yes!” the child said.

  “Good. Let me go warm up and get a feel of the ice first, then we’ll begin.”

  Jenny grinned and nodded as if to say hurry up!

  He stepped out onto the ice and began skating, praying he wouldn’t fall on his face in front of Jenny and Rebecca. It’d been a while since he’d skated
, but he knew it would come back to him and it did. He skated out a ways and back, gliding across the ice, feeling as if he were flying as he’d tried to describe the night before. Then he turned and went back to get Jenny.

  “Want to join us?” he asked Rebecca.

  She shook her head. “Not until you teach Jenny how to stand up on ice and I get out there and make sure I still can skate.”

  He chuckled. “It’ll come back to you. In the meantime, let’s see if we can keep you standing, Miss Jenny.” He held out his hand and Jenny slipped her small one into it, her eyes shining with excitement. The trust she showed him had Ben praying that she didn’t get hurt today.

  He walked her out to the side of the pond and then pulled her out in front of him, bending down and placing his hands on her rib cage. “We’re going to slide for a few minutes so you can get the feel of the ice and then I’m going to teach you how to stand up on it by yourself and then how to walk on it, okay?”

  Jenny nodded as they moved across the ice for a few yards, turned and came back to the edge where they’d begun.

  By then Rebecca had her skates on and had come out the edge of the lake to meet them. “How did you like being on the ice, Jenny?”

  “I love it, Mama!”

  Rebecca smiled, then motioned to Ben to come nearer as she leaned toward him. He bent down while she whispered in his ear, “Jenny is excited, but I think I’m just plain afraid.”

  “I’ll be glad to go out on the ice with you the first time. Jenny will need to rest in a bit.”

  “I’ll see if I can get up my courage while you’re with her. If not, I may have to take you up on your offer.”

  Ben bent down toward Jenny. “You ready?”

  “Uh-huh. Let’s go.”

  He laughed as he led her back out onto the lake and then got on his knees, his hands on her waist. “Now stand as still as you can and then I’m going to let go. If you fall, I’ll help you get up.”

  She stood and let out a deep breath. He took one hand away and then the other and grinned at her. “You are standing on ice. All by yourself.”

  “Can I move now?” she asked.

  “You can’t try to skate yet. Just try to take a small step forward and then another. I’m right here with you.”

  Jenny nodded and took that first step. And then another. And then she fell.

  “Oops!” She grinned at him and was up before he could give her a hand. The child was nothing if not determined.

  It only took a couple more tries before she was taking small but confident steps. He slid alongside her, but he could tell from the expression on her face, she wanted to do it herself.

  “You’re doing great, Jenny. Let’s go back nearer the bank and I’ll show you how to work your heel and toes. Then we’ll try to let you actually skate, but it might take several times before you feel like you’re flying.”

  She smiled up at him. “Will you come with me?”

  “I sure will, if your mother agrees,” he said as they reached the bank where Rebecca stood watching them.

  “We’re going to do a few lessons on heel and toe placement—want to practice with us?” Ben asked.

  “I probably should,” Rebecca said, stepping out onto the ice.

  “Take a deep breath, Mama. And just stand for a minute,” Jenny instructed.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Rebecca said.

  He couldn’t contain his smile as she took the instructions from Jenny.

  They both looked up at him.

  “Now what?”

  “Heels.” He stood and showed them how to move their heels together, slide them apart and repeat it. They both followed his lead perfectly.

  “Okay. Now, let’s do our toes. Like this.” Ben brought the big toes of his skates together, sliding them apart and repeating it, and watched as Rebecca and Jenny did the same. They did both exercises over and over again. Finally he looked down at Jenny. “Ready for your first skate?”

  “I thought I’d never get to!” She put both hands on her hips and stood still on the ice.

  Ben and Rebecca both laughed. “I think she might be a born skater.”

  “Well, I don’t think she got it from me, but perhaps from Mama.” Rebecca pointed across the way to where her mother was skating with Michael.

  “I’m sure you’ll surprise yourself once you get started.”

  Jenny tugged on Ben’s hand. “Are we going skating now, Mr. Ben?”

  “We are.” He turned to Rebecca. “You coming with us?”

  “I think I’ll watch for now. I might join you soon.”

  Ben chuckled. He’d have to make sure she got on that ice and skated before the day was over. He kept his arm around Jenny and bent down, barely moving on the ice while he coached the child on how to slide, stop and turn over and over again until he felt confident she knew what to do.

  Then he took her hand and they slowly made it back to the bank together. By then Mrs. Heaton was standing by Rebecca’s side watching.

  “Did you see, Granma?” Jenny asked. “I skated!”

  “I did see. You did wonderful.”

  “You didn’t do too bad yourself, Mama,” Rebecca said. “I haven’t been out yet and have to admit I’m a little nervous.”

  “No need to be. You skated very well back home.”

  Rebecca turned to Jenny. “I think you take after your grandma, Jenny. Are you tired?”

  Jenny nodded. “A little. And hungry, too.”

  Rebecca’s mother smiled and turned to Jenny. “Jenny, Uncle Michael went to get some hot chocolate from that stand over there.” She pointed across the way. “Let’s go help him bring it back. And I have the cookies Gretchen made this morning. Maybe Ben can take your mama out on the ice and get her past her skittishness. She hasn’t skated yet.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to take up more of Ben’s—”

  “You aren’t taking up my time,” Ben said. “I’m giving it to you.”

  “Go on, Mama. Mr. Ben will hold you up!” Jenny said, waving as she and Mrs. Heaton walked away.

  “Jenny’s right. I promise I won’t let you fall.” Ben grinned at Rebecca and held out a hand. When she hesitated, he whispered, “If we go while they’re gone, no one will see if you do fall.”

  Her raised eyebrow and the spark in her eye told him she’d take his challenge.

  “All right. Let’s go.” She took his hand and they headed back out on the ice.

  * * *

  Rebecca felt the color rise up her neck and flood her cheeks as she took hold of Ben’s gloved hand. It felt warm and strong and—

  “Relax, Rebecca, you can do this. Just take a deep breath and glide with me.” He put his right hand on her waist and took her right hand with his left, holding her lightly but firmly as they stepped onto the ice.

  Her heart began to slam against her chest as Ben slowly pulled her around with him.

  “Take a deep breath and skate,” Ben said in her ear.

  His nearness had her taking that deep breath and releasing it, trying to get her pulse to slow down. He was only helping her skate, much as he’d done with her daughter. He wasn’t holding her close for any other reason.

  Rebecca forced her thoughts away from how nice he smelled and how warm it felt to be so close to him and tried to concentrate on moving her feet. At first she didn’t even realize she was skating faster, keeping up with Ben. When it dawned on her, she looked up to find him grinning down at her.

  “See, you haven’t forgotten.” Ben let go of her waist but held her hand and they began skating in the opposite direction.

  Rebecca felt freer than she had in a very long time, gliding across the ice with the rush of air hitting her face. She could skate. And she could do it by herself. They reached the edge of the ice and she
pulled her hand from Ben’s. “I think I’ll try it on my own now. But thank you. I’m not sure I would have gotten up enough nerve to try if you hadn’t helped.”

  “You’re welcome, I enjoyed it. Looks like Jenny is through with her hot chocolate. I’ll take her out again.”

  Jenny ran up to them. “I saw you, Mama. You skate really good.”

  “Thank you, Jenny. I’m going out by myself this time, but Mr. Ben says he’s going to take you out again.”

  Jenny grinned from ear to ear. “He says I have to practice if I want to skate by myself.”

  “And he’s right. I’ll be watching.”

  They were already back on the ice by then and Rebecca’s heart twinged—with what, she didn’t know. If onlys? Or what-ifs? Her daughter longed for a father, and Ben...should be one. Tall and tiny, they slid on the ice together, making Rebecca long for a future she couldn’t have.

  She turned and took off, skating from memory now, willing away thoughts of the past and dreams of the future, leaving only the moment. She skated around the lake, thinking about nothing but how good it felt to glide across the ice and enjoy the beautiful frozen landscape.

  From behind her, she heard Jenny say, “Look, Mr. Ben, Mama is flying!” Rebecca turned too quickly, lost her balance and in trying to catch herself, she came down hard—twisting her ankle in the process. Pain, hot and sharp, shot up her left leg.

  She heard a frantic “Mama!”

  “I’m all right, Jenny. Don’t worry,” she called out.

  But before she could try to get up and show her daughter she was, strong arms reached down to help her. She caught her breath at the pain the movement caused.

  “Are you all right, Rebecca?” Ben asked gently.

  “I think I twisted my ankle.”

  “Can you put any weight on it?”

  Putting most of her weight on her good foot, Rebecca tried to stand, but as she put her other foot down and tried to stand on both feet, her leg buckled beneath her. She caught her breath at the pain. Ben kept her from falling once more and held her against his side.

  “Looks like at the very least you have a bad sprain, and it could be broken. I know movement is going to hurt, but take a deep breath. I’ve got to get you off the ice and we need a doctor to look at you. Can you put your left arm around my neck?”