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Benjamin placed his feet with his two-toned brown and tan oxfords on the walnut desk’s edge, covering the stain worn from years of propping his shoes just there. While Monday’s workday neared the end, he’d earned time to catch up on the weekend news. Unfolding Friday’s Hub City Times newspaper, he read the caption under the date June 16, 1933—“FDR Signs into Law Banking Recovery Act.” Most everyone agreed having banks insured eliminated the conflict of interest between investment and commercial banking, a protection that should have happened long ago. With all the rehashing news from four years ago, his father inadvertently revealed this morning he’d lost some money in twenty-nine due to the crash but wouldn’t share any further details. Benjamin had been sworn to secrecy since divulging the information even now could cause unwarranted concern for the family and Father wouldn’t let that happen.
“You’re looking quite comfortable.”
He peered over the top of the paper at his sister. Eva’s black-framed glasses hung near the end of her nose. A pair of white sleeve protectors established her position as a bookkeeper against her dark suit jacket. But her thin pressed lips set off alarm bells.
Eva zipped into the room. “Walter might be stopping in your office.”
Benjamin dropped his feet to the floor and his chair sprang him forward. “He’s here?”
“Yes, he just went into Father’s office.”
He pitched the newspaper on the desk. “This can’t be good. I thought Vivian’s parents confronting ours in the vestibule at yesterday’s church gathering would have sufficed.”
“Are you fantasizing?” Eva’s hands flew up in presumed disbelief. “There’s no way a brief exchange at services would be the end. Especially since Walter dragged Deloris away hollering. That, my dear brother, is the calm before the storm.”
“I can’t change what happened at the restaurant nor how we’ve grown apart.” Vivian should have understood. He’d wanted the chance to explain and an opportunity to soothe her afterward. Instead, she’d ignited like steel on flint. “My hopes are Vivian and her mother will settle down as the months continue. As for Walter, Father said it would be best if he managed the situation.”
“You can daydream all you want.” Eva placed her hand on the back of the guest’s chair. “But the reality is Vivian and her mother spread news faster than a declining balance. I’m sure however they tell their version of the story, you will be the ass.”
Benjamin rubbed his jaw. “I know you’re only watching out for me and perhaps you’re right that there is more to come. After I told Vivian how I felt, I never saw her at such a loss for words nor has she ever given up so easily. Father and I will do whatever we can to protect the business. All I can do now is be apologetic for the public display of humiliation I caused. And if I’m branded the ass, I’ll deal with the consequences. I knew my decision wouldn’t be without complications.”
Eva sidestepped around the chair and approached the desk. Her voice lowered. “If you want to avoid Walter, you could make a trip to the post office for me. I have payments that can’t wait another day.” She held a stack of envelopes in her hand. “It’s a good excuse to leave since the mail needs to be there by four.”
Benjamin picked up the square cast iron paperweight and grabbed the envelope beneath it. “Set them here on the desk with this apology letter I wrote Vivian. Hopefully, she’ll forgive me.” He put the paperweight down and reached into his jacket, opening his watch. “I’ll leave shortly.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it, and let’s hope your letter calms Vivian.” Eva placed the mail in front of him. “Mother’s expecting me home soon anyway and I have a few entries to finish in the books before I’m done.”
A train whistle blew, a thunderous clash of metal, and a long-drawn-out screech echoed in his ears. The walls shook against the filing cabinet. The floorboards vibrated under his feet. “The train’s derailing into the building!” Adrenaline shot through his tensed muscles. He dashed off the chair and grabbed Eva, shoving her out toward the hall. “Come on, we’ve got to get out of here!”
“Holy crap!”
Benjamin tugged on her hand. “Outside, now!” Eva’s fingers slipped away. He took her by the arm. “You have to stay with me.” They ran past the flour sacks piled half-way to the rafters, the pallets lining the wall, and out the side door into the parking lot before the screeching died away. The cars on the side-street were at a standstill. A crowd was gathering along the sidewalk. Chaos stirred among the onlookers as he approached a man in a brown derby hat and matching suit. “Can you tell me what’s going on?”
The man pointed at the temporarily incapacitated train. “Another foolish one thought they could beat the steam engine. When will they ever learn?”
“Is everyone all right?”
“I presume. The fool got out of the car, waddling like he was on a good bender.” The derby hat man stumbled and flailed his arms in demonstration. “I would imagine he couldn’t help it after he spun around the way he did when the front end got clipped.”
Metal pieces were scattered about. The cars’ engine appeared pushed off to one side with smoke billowing off the radiator. The mess would probably take hours to clean up. “He’s quite the fortunate fellow.”
“Indeed.” The derby hat man sauntered away into the mass of people.
Eva touched Benjamin’s arm. “The danger appears to be over and the building is unscathed. I’ll go in and get the mail and meet you at the car.”
Benjamin followed Eva until she climbed the steps and he continued around the corner. The train stretched past the next intersection, blocking the exit onto the street. He would need to go another route several blocks out of the way. If he took the square around the park by Lily’s place, there would be less congestion and he might make it in time to the post office.
Benjamin took long strides toward his car. Lily was consistently on his mind. He struggled with the idea of checking on her. Emmett had kept him updated with as much information as he could share about her these past few days. But, until now, he hadn’t been in the right emotional state. His desire to see her grew stronger. He put his hand on the door handle and a pat on his back caused him to turn around.
“Here’s the mail.” Eva placed the envelopes in the palm of his hand. “I hope you have time to make it.”
“I’ve got a plan. The timing will be close, so I’d better be going.” He slid in, pulled on the emergency brake, advanced the throttle lever on the right of the steering wheel, and pushed the spark lever upward on the left side. Then he opened the gas valve under the dash, turned the ignition key, rotated the choke clockwise, pulled back the choke rod, and depressed the start button on the floor. The engine sputtered as he adjusted the choke. “See you at home later.” He let out the clutch and waved through the window.
As he pulled onto the road, the smell of fresh bread drifted through the air from Becker’s Bakery on the corner. He downshifted before the next intersection, stopping a few feet from the yellow stop sign. The street had cars lined up for several blocks to his left. On the next block, homes occupied one side while the opposite was inhabited by the park. Lily’s place stood halfway down on the right.
He proceeded to cross the congested road straight onto Chestnut. He accelerated after the intersection. An object struck his windshield. He stomped on the brake and hit the horn.
Ahooga!
He veered toward the edge of the road, coming to a halt while a small dark-haired boy raced toward him on the sidewalk. On top of his hood lay a wooden airplane. He lowered the door latch, the hinge opened, and he reached for the toy. “Is this yours?”
The boy stood still, glaring at his feet. “Yes, sir.”
He shut the door, scooting around the front of the car and onto the sidewalk. “What’s your name?”
“Frankie.”
“Well, Frankie—here is your airplane.” He handed him the toy.
Frankie’s chin trembled. “Thank you, sir.” A small tear rolled down his cheek.
Benjamin crouched to the boy’s eye level and patted his back. “You’ll be all right. The plane isn’t broken.”
“It’s my favorite.” Frankie wiped his arm across his face. “I don’t know what I’d do—”
“Excuse me, what’s going on here?”
Benjamin craned upward. A face blocked out the sun and the glow shined around her like an angel, if his faith would allow him to believe such a presence. “Lily!” His heart palpitated rapidly, spreading a warm sensation throughout his chest. “What a surprise.”
“It certainly is.” Lily placed her hand on Frankie’s shoulder. A radiant grin stretched across her lovely pink lips. “I see you’ve met my little brother. What kind of trouble has he gotten into now?”
Benjamin caught an aroma of her flowery perfume through the slight breeze. “No trouble.” He stood. “The airplane caught in the wind, blowing it onto my car. Everything is fine. Right, Frankie?”
“Yes, sir.”
Benjamin grinned. “Your brother’s a nice young man.”
Lily ran her fingers through her brother’s tousled hair. “What brings you by this way?”
“I’m on an errand.” Benjamin unclasped the lid on his pocket watch. “It’s getting late. I need to be going.”
“I won’t hold you up.” Lily took Frankie’s hand. “Come, we’re going home.”
Benjamin couldn’t let this angelic woman dash away. Now was his chance, especially when she seemed to appear from above. “Go for a ride with me.” He held out his arm.
Lily peeked over her shoulder. “I thought you were in a hurry.” Her voice bubbled with hopefulness.
“I am, but it’s a short trip to the post office. We can go for a longer ride afterward.” Benjamin took a couple steps forward. “Please accompany me.”
Frankie tugged on her arm. “I’m big enough to walk home by myself.”
“It seems like I have no choice.” Lily let go of Frankie’s hand and wrapped her arm in the crook of Benjamin’s. “I’ll allow you to be my escort.”
The sun above seemed to shine brighter and Benjamin had a hard time containing the smile spreading across his face. He opened the backdoor for Lily. As she beamed at him, her blue eyes glistened like the dew on a cool morning. Short wisps of light golden-brown hair curled along the edge of a tight-fitting hat. He closed the door and leaned into the open window. Her perfect mouth curved slightly at the edges. “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
“All right, we better get going.” He dashed around the car, moved a few levers, and pulled into the street. “Ever since I’ve been trying to make it to the post office, one thing after another has delayed me. First, it was the train—”
“I heard the racket and the squeal. What happened?”
“Someone didn’t stop soon enough and hit the train, but I heard he’s okay.”
“I’m glad no one got hurt.”
“Everyone got lucky.” He put his arm out the window, pointing toward the ground and signaling left. “I was in my office with my sister. The noise and shaking were terrible. I thought the train derailed and was headed into the building.”
“Your office is right next to the tracks.” She situated herself in between the front two seats. “What did you do?”
“My sister and I ran out into the parking lot.” He turned left, honking through the uncontrolled intersection. “If the train hit, our escape would’ve been too late.”
“Thank the Lord you’re both safe. If anything happened to you, it would have been a tragedy.”
She made the hope in his heart ascend like mercury in a thermometer on a hot summer day. He parked in front of the post office. “Do you mind waiting here? It shouldn’t take long.”
“No, go ahead. I’ll wait.”
He dashed around the car and up the stairs. As soon as he mailed these payments, he could be back with Lily. He couldn’t wait to find out if she shared the same feelings now that they were at liberty to choose each other. Both of the lines in front of the long counter had people waiting. He chose the shortest line.
The woman in front of him appeared to be finished. He moved up behind her. The woman backed into him and his envelopes fell to the floor. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you.” The woman glared at him before she tromped away.
Benjamin bent down, gathered each piece of mail and stacked them together. As he handed them to the clerk, his eyes narrowed on the payment envelope with Walter DuCate’s address. “Is it possible to have these go out today?”
The clerk pulled out his watch. “They’re late.” And pointed at the time.
“I know.” Benjamin slid in closer whispering, “Please. I’m certain you don’t want to hear any excuses as to why I’m a few minutes past four. All of my envelopes are ready to go with the stamps on them.”
The clerk scrutinized each piece of mail.
“I’d be grateful.”
“Wait here. Let me see what I can do.”
Benjamin stepped back from the counter, turning toward the large window. At this angle, he couldn’t see Lily or his car. He wandered closer and peeked through the pane until her figure appeared in the backseat. His average day had gotten better. In a few moments, they would drive the hill past the hospital and into the open field overlooking the city. The view there had to be the best spot, except for the proximity to the cemetery.
“Mister.”
Benjamin twisted around, stepping back toward the counter.
The clerk’s fingers rapidly tapped a pen against the wooden countertop with a hurry-the-hell-up beat. “I was able to catch the truck for your out-of-town mail.”
“Wonderful, thank you.” Benjamin strode toward the exit. After the last delay with Lily’s brother and the airplane, he hadn’t held out much hope in the timeliness of the payments. However, his luck sure seemed to change with the sweetest woman he’d ever met waiting for him.
He pushed the handle down on the front car door and slid onto the seat. “It took a little longer than expected.” He pivoted toward the back. “I thought we could take a drive to overlook the city. Would you care to see it?”
“Sounds lovely.” Her eyes widened. “The last time you brought me home, I don’t think I properly thanked you. I do appreciate everything you did for me that day. You’re a kind man.”
“That’s nice of you to say, but you certainly make it easy to be with you.” Benjamin hoped she could sense how much he wanted to be with her. He put the car into gear and pulled onto the street. The last two drives involved him taking her to see her fiancé. Ira’s disability, unfortunate as it was for the man, opened up the possible chance of a future for them. One thing for certain, Ira’s situation reinforced the meaning of his watch inscription. He had every intention of wisely spending all the time he could with her if she’d let him. He glimpsed at Lily in the rearview mirror. “How have you been doing?”
“Better now, thank you for asking.” She gave him a soft smile. “I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy on the way to my house last week. I only said a few words to you during the whole ride.”
“Completely understandable after such a shocking experience.” He shifted into a higher gear. “I would have done anything to help you, but I could tell you weren’t ready for a conversation. However, if I can do anything for you now, I gladly will.”
“I think you can.”
Benjamin’s heart leaped blissfully. “How?” He viewed the mirror again.
Lily’s eyebrows rose into a curious arch. “You can tell me what happened when you went upstairs to see Ira.” She scooted forward on the seat.
That’s one piece of news he needed to proceed on carefully. “Mostly, he talked about how much his illness changed his life.” Benjamin shifted gears and a grinding noise rattled into the car. He should be able to double-clutch properly without conscious thought. “And how his current situation forced him to decide to break the engagement.” But he hated speaking about the situation that had to be painful for her. “I’m sorry it ended that way.”
She rested her hand on the back of Benjamin’s seat near his shoulder. “I’ve come to realize the relationship wasn’t good for me...or him.”
Her alluring scent pleased his senses. “I see.” Maybe Vivian would conclude the same about them someday. As he approached the incline, he pressed down on the accelerator pedal. “The spot I want you to see is just over the crest of this hill.” The remaining part of the conversation he’d had with Ira, Lily should hear from him face to face. She deserved the courtesy. Especially if there would be any hope for her to understand his position. He put his arm out the window, bent his elbow ninety degrees, and put his hand up in the air making the right-hand signal. “Have you ever been here before?”
“Not here exactly, but I visited some relatives at the cemetery across the street.”
“Aah...the departed have quite the view of the city from up here.”
Lily laughed.
Benjamin pulled up near the edge of the hill, set the brake, and shut down the engine. “We can see better from outside.” He closed his door, opened hers, and offered his hand. “I think you’ll like it here.” They strolled to the front of the car. He swept his arm wide from the left to the right. “This is such a peaceful place to think.”
“Yes, it is and a beautiful sight of the city.” She stepped near the edge of the cliff. “It’s much quieter here than where I go.”
“Where is your place?”
“On the rooftop above Livingston’s.” Lily backed away from the edge, rotating on her heel. “I can’t see all this the way you do, but I truly enjoy the moments I’ve had there.” She placed a hand on her hip. “I’m assuming you brought me to this tranquil site to tell me something I may not like.”
“You certainly are perceptive.” He tapped his palm on the hood of the car. “Would you like to have a seat?”
“I’ll stand.” She ambled next to him, facing out toward the cityscape.
Benjamin leaned his thigh against the car. “There is no easy way for me to say this, so please bear with me while I try to explain the best I can.” Lily’s face already had a wary appearance. “When Ira spoke with me, I think he wanted a clear conscience for the decision he’d made in letting you go.”
Lily twisted and turned her fingers together.
He sensed her nervousness at the conversation. “I’m quite certain Ira observed how affected I’d been when I met you the day of the wedding. In case you hadn’t noticed, I was at a loss for words.” He had her attention by the steady gaze in her stunning eyes. “I could tell you were someone special from the moment we met.” He cautiously awaited a reaction from her, but she performed as well as he did when playing poker. “And I think I sensed you were attracted to me too.” He licked his lips with cautious hope. Damn. Had he read her wrong? Dryness tickled the back of his throat. He coughed. “Anyway, Ira must have noticed something too because he asked me for a favor when I saw him last.”
She raised her brow.
Benjamin swallowed and took a deep breath. “He wanted me to promise to take care of you.”
Both of Lily’s hands clasped her hips. “I can take care of myself,” she huffed. “It’s not his place to pass me off to the next man that comes along.”
“I’m certain—”
“Certain the two of you get to decide my fate, huh?”
“No, it’s not like that.”
“And I have no choice in the matter? Let me tell you this, I don’t need a man. As a matter of fact, I’m moving to Milwaukee as soon as I have enough money saved. That doesn’t sound like a woman who needs a man to look after her, does it?”’
He shook his head. Where had the conversation gone so wrong? Should he try to have her understand or would it be best for him to keep quiet? He hadn’t done so well with Vivian either.
“Besides, you’re engaged. I’m not going to be the cause of someone’s relationship dissolving. I have too much integrity.”
“I’m not anymore. Our engagement is over.”
“What?” Lily gasped.
Every ticking microsecond her facial expressions transformed from hopeful to dreamy to joyous until they were doubtful and wary and hopeless. His stomach sank like a boulder in quicksand.
“All this seems way too convenient for both of us.” Her hands fell to the sides. “Don’t you agree?”
Benjamin touched her arm and traced his fingers down to her palm. “I don’t want to waste any time.” He gently squeezed her hand.
Lily’s eyes closed as she took a few deep breaths. “I’m not certain if I can carry another heavy burden knowing what this could do to your ex-fiancée.”
“We’ve been given an opportunity.” Benjamin’s heart fluttered. “The circumstances, for the most part, were beyond our control. A relationship takes two people who are devoted to their love. Neither of us had that in the people we were with.” She had to know he spoke the truth even though it may sound harsh. “Shouldn’t we at least figure this out together?” He raised her hand, placing a tender kiss on her ivory skin.
Lily pulled her hand away. “This is all way too fast.” She placed her palm out in between them. “Please stop, I want you to take me home.”