A Daughter's Return

by Janet Lee Barton

  “Oh, I have no doubt He’ll get your attention when the time comes.”

  Rebecca hoped so, for as Ben and Jenny made their way back to where she and her mother sat, his smile made her catch her breath and for just that moment she let herself hope that Ben might be in that plan.

  * * *

  They’d only been back at Heaton House long enough to change for supper and gather in the parlor—with Jenny going to help in the kitchen as usual—when a knock came on the door.

  Rebecca hurried to answer it to find Sarah and Molly both standing there. Sarah had a small carpetbag in her hand. “Oh, Rebecca, I’m so glad you came to the door.”

  “So am I,” Molly said. “I had a hard time talking her into coming here.”

  “Come in, please. Follow me to the back parlor and we’ll find out what we can do for you, Sarah.”

  Rebecca hurried them out of the foyer before the other boarders came out and asked questions. Once they were in the parlor, she turned to them. “Please, take a seat and tell me what’s happened.”

  “I told Shaun about the baby.” Sarah shook her head and closed her eyes. “He...was upset and I haven’t heard from him in two days.”

  “Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry.” Rebecca reached over and gathered her hands in her own. “And then...did you tell your mother?”

  The younger woman nodded, tears flowing down her cheeks. “This afternoon. She told me I’d brought shame on the family and said I need to get out of her sight. Then she ran to her room crying.”

  Sarah began to sob and Rebecca wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, Sarah, I’m sure she didn’t mean it. She loves you. She’s just hurting right now. But you have a place to stay. Molly can let your mother know where you are—because she’s bound to worry and I’m sure she’ll change her mind.”

  Sarah shook her head once more. “I’m not so sure, but I do thank you for offering me a place to stay for now. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  “You don’t have to make up your mind right now, child,” Rebecca’s mother said from the doorway. “Come, we’ll show you to a room, and you and your friend can have supper with us or I’ll have something sent up to you.”

  “Oh, I don’t think I could eat anything,” Sarah said.

  “And I need to be getting home,” Molly said. “I just wanted to make sure she got here safely. But I’ll come check on you, Sarah, I promise.”

  “Thank you, Molly.” Sarah picked up her bag.

  “I’ll see Molly out and then come upstairs,” Rebecca said.

  Her mother put an arm around Sarah’s shoulders, “Come this way, dear. It’s going to be all right. You’ll see.”

  Rebecca hoped her mother was right. But at least they would do what they could to help Sarah and if she knew her mother as well as she thought she did, Rebecca was certain she’d do all she could to reunite Sarah with her mother.

  “Thank you so much for getting her here, Molly.”

  “Oh, thank you for taking her in. She knew you would, still, she was hesitant to come, but I insisted.”

  “I’m glad you did. You come over anytime and see her, all right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I will. I’m going to have a talk with Shaun, too. I think he’s just scared. At least I hope that’s all it is.”

  “Yes, so do I. Do you have money for the trolley?”

  “I do. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Good night, Molly.” Rebecca shut the door and turned to see Ben coming down the hall. He must have just come up from downstairs.

  “Was that Molly I saw just leaving?”

  “Yes.” Rebecca lowered her voice. “She brought Sarah over. Mama is getting her settled upstairs. I’m going to check on her but will fill you in after supper.”

  Ben nodded, but his brow was furrowed and she knew he was as concerned about Sarah as she was. She hurried up the stairs, praying all the way for things to work out for the young woman.

  She met her mother on the landing.

  “I think Sarah wants a little time to herself, dear. She started crying when she saw her room—said it was too nice and she couldn’t pay anything right now. I told her about our temporaries and ran her a bath. Said I’d have a tray sent up and you’d come up to see her later.”

  “Are you sure we should leave her be, Mama?”

  “Yes. Let’s go down and have supper and we’ll check on her in a little while. Do you have her home address? I think I’d like to pay her mother a visit.”

  “Ben might have it. If not, I’m sure he can get it for you.”

  Her mother nodded. “Good. And Rebecca, I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you. Of what I heard you say to her in the parlor.”

  “I only advised her with what I wish I’d done and known, Mama.”

  “I know, dear.” They’d reached the foyer and her mother turned to hug her. “I know. I’d better tell Gretchen we’re ready for supper. Will you call the others in?”

  “I will. Mama?”

  “Yes, dear?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Then her mother gave a short nod and headed toward the kitchen.

  Rebecca entered the parlor. “Mama says supper is ready.”

  Everyone moved toward the dining room and took their places just as Gretchen came in with their first course of turtle soup.

  After Matt said the blessing, Millicent asked, “Did one of the new boarders arrive?”

  “We have a new temporary boarder,” Rebecca’s mother said. “She’s one of Ben’s students and she needs a place to stay for a bit.”

  “Oh, will she be joining us for supper?” Julia took the basket of rolls, chose one and passed it on.

  “Not tonight. She’s rather tired and will take supper in her room. You’ll all get to meet her tomorrow, I’m sure.”

  Rebecca tried to pay attention to the dinner conversation, but her thoughts were on Sarah and how she must be feeling. When Jenny began to yawn, she immediately saw an opportunity to get away to check on the young woman.

  “I think Jenny’s weekend has caught up with her. I’m going to put her to bed early tonight. I’ll be back down in a bit.” She glanced at Ben and, from his slight nod, she knew he’d be waiting to hear what she had to tell him about Sarah when she came back down.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ben joined the others in the parlor while he waited for Rebecca to come back. Evidently things hadn’t turned out well for Sarah after she’d told her young man about the baby, or she wouldn’t be here now.

  He could only imagine how she must be feeling right now. The news about Sarah had managed to push thoughts of the conversation he’d had with Mrs. Butler from his mind. But as he waited, it all came back to him and he still wasn’t sure whether or not to believe what she’d told him. He wasn’t ready to process any of it yet.

  He tried to pay attention to the conversations going on around him, but it was near impossible with his thoughts flitting from his conversation that afternoon to Sarah and all that she was dealing with. He’d nearly decided Rebecca wasn’t coming back down when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He went out to meet her and found both Rebecca and her mother on their way down.

  “Let’s go to Mama’s study,” Rebecca suggested. “We’ll fill you in there.”

  Ben followed them down the hall and took a seat once both women had sat down. “How is she?”

  “She’s better now than when she arrived,” Rebecca said. “Evidently, her young man is running scared and her mother is furious with her. Told her to get out of her sight.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean it,” Mrs. Heaton said. “But I’m going to find out for sure and do some plain talking while I’m at it.”

&n
bsp; “Do you have her address?” Rebecca turned to Ben.

  “I’m sure it’s in my files. I’ll find it for you. I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re giving her a place to stay. What would she have done if not for you two?” Ben shook his head.

  “But she is here now, Ben. And you could have brought her here at any time, should you have needed to,” Mrs. Heaton said.

  “I know you would have taken her in, Mrs. Heaton. But—” He shook his head. “As a teacher of young woman at the Y, I’ve had to be very careful not to give any of them the wrong impression. Had I been the one to bring her here, where I live, there might have been talk and she’d have more to deal with than she does already.”

  “I can see how that might happen. But that wouldn’t be your fault, Ben, only the fault of those who have nothing better to do than stir up trouble.”

  “There might still be, if word gets around she’s here,” Rebecca said. “But we can’t be worrying about it.”

  “That’s true. This is the best possible place for her right now.”

  “It is,” Rebecca said. “And Molly and I will nip any gossip in the bud should we hear any, but I really don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “I wish I knew where that young man lived. I’d—”

  “No, Ben. You might make things worse,” Rebecca said. “Molly said she was going to speak to him. All we really can do now is be here for Sarah and pray and wait. The Lord knows what is needed and He’ll give her the answer...in His time.”

  “Would you two like some tea? I think I’ll have Gretchen make a pot,” Mrs. Heaton said.

  “I would, thank you, Mama,” Rebecca said.

  “And I’d love to have a cup, also, Mrs. Heaton.”

  “Coming up.”

  Mrs. Heaton left the room and Ben looked over at Rebecca. “I can’t thank you enough for being available when Sarah needed to talk.”

  “Oh, Ben, I’m glad I was too. There’s no need to thank me.” Rebecca smiled at him, sending his pulse shooting through his veins as she continued, “You’re the one who convinced me to help if I could. And I’m glad you did. At least she’s here at Heaton House tonight instead of wandering the streets. Would she have tried to seek shelter at the Y?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps. But I’m still glad she came here.”

  “So am I.”

  They both sighed and then Ben said, “I, ah, wanted to tell you...I had a call from Mrs. Butler at the orphanage today.”

  “Oh? Is someone there needing your help?”

  “Not this time. She had a telegram from a woman claiming to be my aunt and she asked Mrs. Butler to arrange a meeting.”

  “Oh, Ben. Your aunt? What...how do you feel about all of this?”

  “I honestly don’t know. On one hand, I want to know if she truly is my aunt and if she can answer the questions I have about my mother. And why she’s coming instead of my mother. Then, on the other hand, I—” He shrugged. “I’m not sure how I feel, Rebecca.”

  “I’ll be praying it goes well. When is she coming?”

  “She’ll be there tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow? Oh, that is soon.”

  “Yes, I—”

  “I’m sorry it took so long,” Mrs. Heaton said, coming into the room with a loaded tray and interrupting what Ben had been about to say. He rose to take it from her. “I sent Gretchen up with a pot of tea for Sarah. I thought it might help her sleep.”

  “That was nice of you, Mama. Hopefully it will.” Rebecca glanced at Ben and, from the expression in her eyes, he had a feeling she wanted to apologize for her mother’s timing.

  He smiled at her to let her know he wasn’t upset at the interruption, but he wasn’t going to say more in Mrs. Heaton’s company. For some reason, Rebecca was the only one he felt comfortable talking to about his past.

  She was the only one he’d ever told about being abandoned by his mother, and now he realized he’d waited all evening to share this latest news with her. He was comforted to know that she’d be praying it went well and that she’d be there to listen when he came home the next day. This woman was becoming more and more important to him with each passing day and he could no longer deny it. But what was he going to do about it?

  * * *

  The next day was more than busy at Heaton House with making sure the new boarders’ rooms were all ready for them to move into that afternoon and checking in on Sarah from time to time. Rebecca prayed continually that Sarah’s mother and the young man would come to their senses and be there for her—and, especially, that all went well for Ben.

  Several of the boarders had made arrangements to have their things brought over that morning before they went to work, and Rebecca helped her mother, Gretchen and Maida get the boxes and carpetbags to the rooms they’d been assigned. It would be up to the boarders to unpack and put their personal effects where they wanted them.

  Rebecca and her mother had prayed with Sarah that morning and she appeared to be in better spirits when she came down to lunch, although there was no doubting the sadness in her eyes. “I think I’ll go for a walk.”

  “All right, dear. But remember my rules are that the young women living in my home cannot be out after dark without an escort or in a group.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I won’t be gone that long.”

  Rebecca’s mother went out to do a few errands shortly after Sarah left and Rebecca had a feeling one of them would be to pay a visit to Mrs. Jarvis. If anyone could help the woman change her mind, she knew it would be her mother. At the very least, she’d give Sarah’s mother much to think about.

  And, hopefully, Molly would be able to talk to Shaun and make him think long and hard about the responsibilities he needed to take hold of.

  Her mother came back around teatime, and said she’d visited with Mrs. Jarvis, but she and Rebecca didn’t speak any more about it until Jenny headed off to the kitchen with Gretchen as she usually did after tea.

  Once they were alone, her mother let out a sigh. “I have no idea what Mrs. Jarvis will do. She did seem relieved to know Sarah was safe and not on the streets. And she cried when I told her she’d regret sending her daughter away if she didn’t make an effort to mend their relationship.” She took a sip of tea and shook her head. “She said she needed time. I know she’s hurting, and that’s understandable. But I think—I pray—she’ll come around soon.”

  “You did what you could, Mama. Now we need to pray and give it over to the Lord.”

  “When did you get so wise, Rebecca?”

  “I suppose, from watching and learning from you. And from making some wrong decisions in my life, but finally realizing that the Lord was with me, helping me through it all. And that I have a mother who loved me enough to come look for me, even though I didn’t know it at the time. I pray Sarah’s mama loves her that much, too.”

  Her mother wiped her eyes and stood up. “So do I. I suppose I’d better check and see how the dinner preparations are going—with four more people at the table now, I’m thinking I ought to hire someone else to help around here. I don’t want to wear Gretchen and Maida out.”

  “I can help,” Rebecca said.

  “We’ll both help, if needed, but we’ll see how it goes. It won’t hurt to bring someone else in. No matter what Gretchen and Maida say, they’ll find husbands one day.”

  “I’m sure they will.” Rebecca wished that was a dream she felt would come true for her, but—

  The doorbell rang and her mother went to answer it. Miss Jordan was the first new boarder to show up.

  “You wanted to check on how dinner is coming along, Mama. I’ll be glad to take Miss Jordan up.”

  “Why that would be a big help, dear. Just follow Rebecca, Emily. Dinner is at seven this evening to give everyone time to get settled. There is no need to
feel you must dress up—regular work clothes will suffice during the week. We do dress up a little more on the weekends, but your Sunday best will suffice.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

  “And we’re all looking forward to getting to know you. Go on up and settle in and when you are ready to come down, everyone meets in the parlor before dinner.” With that, Rebecca’s mother headed toward the kitchen.

  “Come on, Emily. You’ll feel at home here in no time.” Rebecca led the way to Emily’s room.

  “I’m sure I will.” She was delighted with her room and didn’t seem to think it was small at all. “I’ve been thinking about this room ever since your mother showed it to me. It does remind me of my room at home and I love the colors.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy with it. I’ll just leave you to put your things up where you want them. Come down and join the others when you’re ready.”

  Rebecca got downstairs just as Sarah came in, and she told her about the new boarder on the third floor. “Emily seems very nice and you’ll meet her at dinner.”

  “I’m still feeling a bit queasy, Rebecca. Would it be all right to eat in my room again this evening? I—”

  Her eyes were swimming with unshed tears and Rebecca didn’t have the heart to tell her no. “Of course. I’ll tell Mama and we’ll have a tray sent up.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca.”

  “You’re welcome.” She hugged Sarah and turned to go. “I’ll check on you later.”

  Her heart was heavy as she headed back downstairs.

  * * *

  When Ben arrived at the orphanage, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Mrs. Butler greeted him and told him that the woman claiming to be his aunt was in her office.

  “She does know the date your mother brought you here and the things your mother had packed for you—even the wording of the note she left. I do believe she is who she says she is, Ben.”

  His chest tightened at the realization that he might actually have a family of his own.