A Daughter’s Return - Janet Barton Lee

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      That was not something Rebecca wanted to talk about at all, and she was relieved that they’d arrived at the butcher shop so she didn’t have to comment. But she had a feeling her mother would be bringing the subject up at another time.

      They entered the shop and Rebecca was introduced to Mr. Kelly. He was behind the meat counter and she wondered how he kept his white apron so pristine.

      “Nice to meet the daughter of one of my best customers,” Mr. Kelly said. “She is also one of my most demanding. Nothing but the best for her boarders, she always says.”

      Rebecca smiled, then stood back and made notes as her mother tried to get the very best deal she could on the meat she ordered to be delivered on different days that week.

      “And you know I want the freshest you have on the day it gets to Heaton House.” Her mother smiled at the butcher.

      He smiled back with a twinkle in his eye. “I do know that, Mrs. Heaton. And I know that if I don’t deliver what I promise, you’ll be back in here with it, demanding your money back.”

      “You’re certainly right about that, Mr. Kelly,” her mother agreed.

      “Your word of mouth has gotten me many a new customer over the years, Mrs. Heaton. I’ll not be disappointing you.”

      “Thank you. I think you are the best butcher in the neighborhood and you haven’t let me down yet.”

      “Nor do I intend to. You ladies have a nice day.”

      “The same to you,” Rebecca’s mother said.

      They walked out and Rebecca linked arms with her mother. “You certainly know how to do business with these people, Mama. I have much to learn.”

      “You’ll do fine. You catch on quickly. Ben told me you’ll be ready for advanced bookkeeping in no time at all.”

      “He did?”

      “Yes, he did.”

      The fact that Ben truly did think she was intelligent made Rebecca feel she could learn whatever she needed to so that she could find a good position when the time was right. For right now, she was enjoying learning again and spending time with her mother. And she found herself looking forward to attending class at the Y the next evening.

      “I’ve been wanting to ask you more about the class last night. Were the other women there nice?”

      “They seem to be. I’ll get to know them better over time, I’m sure. Ben seems to think I can be an encouragement to them—the fact that I lived in the tenements and all, but I’m not sure—”

      “I agree with Ben. I believe you will be an asset to the class just as he suggested, dear. Many times people just need to realize there are others who’ve walked down a similar path, to give them hope and belief that they can get through their trials, too.”

      “I did tell him I’d do what I can to help.”

      “I’m so glad you did, Becca, dear.”

      Rebecca still wasn’t certain she’d be able to help anyone, but she suddenly realized she wanted to very much. Without Kathleen’s assistance, she’d never have been united with her family. She had to do what she could.

       Chapter Five

      Rebecca and her mother arrived back at Violet’s to find that she had lunch waiting for them.

      “Mama, Granma! Guess what? We’re eating with Aunt Vi!”

      “We are?” Rebecca loved seeing her daughter so excited and happy.

      “Uh-huh. She said it was the least she could do with all the help I gave her with baby Marcus!”

      “I telephoned Heaton House and told Gretchen not to expect you all home for lunch,” Violet said. “I hope it’s all right, Mother Heaton.”

      “Of course it is, dear,” Rebecca’s mother said. “That was very nice of you and it will be good to spend more time with you.”

      Hilda—Violet and Michael’s housekeeper and Gretchen and Maida’s younger sister—had made them creamed chicken with crusty rolls.

      “This is wonderful, Hilda,” said Mrs. Heaton when the young woman cleared their places and brought in warm gingerbread for dessert.

      “Thank you, ma’am. I’m glad you like it. I used Gretchen’s recipe.” Hilda flashed a dimple when she smiled and headed toward the kitchen.

      “We are so fortunate to have those sisters in our employment,” Rebecca’s mother said.

      “Oh, I agree,” Violet said. “I don’t know what I’d do without her, especially now that we have Marcus. Michael gave her a raise and said she was worth every penny.”

      Rebecca’s mother lowered her voice, “That’s why I want to give Gretchen and Maida a sitting room of their own. They work long hours for me and it just doesn’t seem right for them not to have any place to relax in their free time.”

      “I know they’re going to love it, Mama.”

      “I’m so excited that work on it will be starting soon. They’re sharing a room for now, thinking I just want to spruce up all the others, and they don’t know what I’m doing for them.”

      “They’ll be thrilled,” Violet said. “All this remodeling, and Kathleen and Elizabeth moving into their own homes and decorating them is very exciting. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done to their homes.”

      “I’m going over this afternoon to see if I can help Kathleen get ready for her party,” Rebecca said. “I can’t wait to see her.”

      “She and Luke stopped over to see how much Marcus had grown last night. They both seem very happy,” Violet said. “I believe you ought to go into the matchmaking business, Mother Heaton,” Violet added.

      “I think she should, too,” Rebecca said.

      “What’s matchmaking, Mama?” Jenny asked. “I’m not supposed to play with matches.”

      “No, you aren’t. But matchmaking the way we’re talking about is getting a man and a woman together so that they can fall in love and get married.”

      “Oh! That sounds like fun,” Jenny said.

      “Well, I haven’t done anything except take in boarders so far and it has been fun watching them fall in love, Jenny. Sometimes it takes a while before they realize what’s happening and it seems everyone else knows before they do. Only bad thing about it is I keep losing boarders and have to get new ones.”

      “Wonder what new boarders you’ll have next? Maybe you can matchmake them,” Jenny said.

      Her grandmother chuckled. “Maybe. Or just let the Lord do the matchmaking. So far He’s done a wonderful job of it. I just furnish the place for them to get to know each other and watch what happens.”

      “It is fun,” Violet said. “Michael and I knew Luke and Kathleen were falling in love long before they did. And everyone knew that John and Elizabeth’s sparring was in denial of the attraction they felt for each other.”

      “But they’re all married now,” Rebecca’s mother said. “I have begun to wonder about Millicent and Mathew, but I’m not sure about them. He loves working on those tall buildings and she’s afraid of heights.”

      “And of him getting hurt, I think,” Rebecca said. “But there does seem to be something between them—although I haven’t lived there long enough to know if it is attraction for one another or just that they are so opposite that makes the sparks fly.”

      “You know, I’ve never sensed that Ben and Julia were attracted to one another,” Violet

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