Janet Barton - A Home for Her Heart

He nodded. “Yes, we are. I—”

“Elizabeth and John, you’re back. Did you find out anything about who owns the buildings?” Kathleen hurried down the stairs, eager expectation on her face.

“No,” John said. “It seems that the landlords of the buildings of disrepair don’t even want to live in them. The tenants see little to nothing of them unless they are collecting the rent. But don’t worry. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. We’re going to find out who owns these buildings.”

“I’m so glad I asked you two to help with this. I was getting more discouraged by the day. But I know that between all of us, we’ll make a difference.”

“I wish I had as much confidence in us as you do, Kathleen,” Elizabeth replied.

Her friend put an arm around her shoulders. “I know it is difficult to see the bad conditions. But my family and I are proof that one doesn’t have to live in the tenements forever. And we’re going to do all we can to help those who can’t leave right now have better living conditions while we help to show them they can get out, too.”

“My admiration for you and Colleen grows each day, Kathleen,” Elizabeth said. “And I’ll do all I can to help.”

“So will I,” John added. “You’ve given us a challenge I don’t think either of us will back down from.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I know you’ll both give it your best. Now let’s go freshen up for that delicious dinner Mrs. Heaton has in store for us. And maybe we can get some wedding planning in this evening, if you have time, Elizabeth? I’d like to go over to Colleen’s and get her input, too, if you don’t mind.”

“I’ll make time, Kathleen. And I don’t mind going to Colleen’s at all. I haven’t seen her or those sweet nephews of yours in a while.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

“And I’ll leave all that planning to you two ladies. See you both at dinner.” John grinned and took the staircase down to the ground floor while the two women headed up to their rooms.

Helping Kathleen plan her wedding sounded wonderfully refreshing after spending the afternoon in the tenements. And Elizabeth could think of no one she’d rather help right now than Kathleen.

* * *

As it was still light after dinner, Elizabeth and Kathleen took the short walk to Colleen’s by themselves, with Luke promising to come get them if they weren’t home before dark.

“Luke didn’t seem too upset by not having your company tonight,” Elizabeth said.

Kathleen chuckled. “Well, he has a new deadline and he wants to get his book edits finished before the wedding, so it should be a little easier to have a planning session now and again.”

Luke made his living as a dime novelist, but because of Kathleen and what her family had endured in the tenements, he’d written a novel that he wanted to bring light to the problems there and at the same time give hope that others could make it out as Kathleen and her family had. It was to be on the shelves before Thanksgiving.

“I still can’t believe we’re getting married,” Kathleen said. “I never thought I could be this much in love or this happy.”

Elizabeth was truly happy for her friend, but she was surprised by the sudden surge of longing to experience that kind of happiness for herself—even though she had no intention of letting herself fall in love again. She’d already experienced betrayal in her lifetime and she didn’t intend to let it happen again.

“You deserve all the happiness you can get, Kathleen. You and Luke are perfect for each other.” And they were. Neither of them could ever be accused of marrying for any reason other than love. But for Elizabeth—there was no real way to know if that was the case. It wasn’t worth the heartache that came with finding out a man’s interest was only in her wealth and not her.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. You deserve the same, you know. And it will happen one day. I’m sure of it.”

Elizabeth only shrugged. She couldn’t go into how she felt, as Kathleen didn’t know who she really was—something that weighed on her mind more and more each day. This woman was her best friend. How would she feel if Elizabeth told her the truth? Would she feel betrayed?

“How is it working with John? I hope I haven’t asked too much of you.... I know he can irritate you at times.”

“So far it’s okay. And it is for a good cause so we’ll make it work.”

“Thank you for agreeing to it, Elizabeth. I truly appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s talk about your wedding. Have you decided on the wedding dress you want?”

“I have narrowed it down to three. I wanted Colleen’s opinion on them also. Violet has offered to make it for me, isn’t that nice of her?”

“It is. She is a wonderful seamstress and I’m sure Butterick is going to hate to lose her. Has she given notice, do you know?”

“I think so. But she’s going to work a few more months until they can find someone to replace her.”

“Mrs. Heaton is thrilled. To have her daughter back with a grandchild she didn’t know she had, and a new one on the way with Violet and Michael. I think I’m happiest of all for her.”

“So am I.” Kathleen sighed. “I don’t know what Colleen and I would have done without her help and yours and the others at Heaton House.”

“And it continues with you and Colleen. How is she liking being in charge of a Ladies’ Aide day-care home?”

“She loves it. The boys love it. It’s been a blessing to be sure.”

“And is Officer O’Malley still calling on her?”

“He is. After all she’s been through it’s hard for me to believe she might trust another man with her heart, but it appears she might be ready to.”

Elizabeth wondered how she could, too—Colleen’s husband had tried to kill her after all! But she hoped she would find happiness. “He seems to be a good man.”

“He does. And Luke says he’ll treat her with care and won’t make a move until she’s ready, but it won’t surprise me if he asks her to marry him soon.”

All this talk of marriage and love had Elizabeth wondering if she was going to make it through all the wedding planning. It left her with conflicting feelings—happy for her friends but longing for something she’d never have. She’d have to get over it. She’d promised Kathleen she’d help her in any way and she intended to keep that promise, no matter how much it brought long-buried dreams to life again. She sent up a silent prayer asking the Lord to give her peace about her future and she prayed to be able to concentrate on helping her friend.

But she was more than a little relieved to arrive at Colleen’s. She’d let her boys stay up a little later so they could see their aunt Kathleen and their happiness at the change in their lives was contagious. So much so, that after they were put to bed and the women began their wedding planning, she found she could concentrate on Kathleen’s happiness and trust hers to the Lord.

* * *

When Luke came to escort them home, Elizabeth was more than a little surprised to find John with him. She figured he was hard at work on a new article.

“Two escorts? What a pleasant surprise,” Kathleen said, taking her fiancé’s arm.

“It’s such a nice night, we thought you two might like to stop at the Bailey’s Soda Shop before going home,” Luke said. “Sound good to you?”

“It does,” Kathleen said.

“What about you, Elizabeth? Want to have a soda?” John asked. “You deserve one after this afternoon.”

“Yes, I think I would.”

“Good.” He offered his arm to Elizabeth and she hesitated only a moment before taking it. She never used to think about taking his arm and wasn’t sure why she did now, or why her pulse began to race when she did.