CHAPTER 24

November 30, 1917

It’s a miracle, Grace! Frank has been granted permission to come home. His commander has allowed him a special leave to visit his family due to his mother’s poor health. He will be home in time for Christmas and will stay until spring. By then, I pray the war is over and he’ll never have to leave me again.

Grace peered out the window of the automobile. “This is it. Number 233.”

Toby guided the automobile to a stop in front of Mrs. Chamberlain’s boardinghouse.

Hours after her conversation with Andrew, Grace had been unable to shake the depression that suffused her soul and, yearning for the comforting presence of her dear friend, had requested Toby’s services to take her there for a visit.

After he set the brake, Toby came around to open Grace’s door and reached in to give her a hand. With Christian on one shoulder and a bag on the other, she appreciated the assistance.

“Thank you.” She struggled to regain her composure. The intense way Toby had been watching her on the way over had unnerved her more than a little.

“I’ll be back in two hours, if that’s enough time for you.” His green eyes were solemn beneath his chauffeur’s cap.

“That would be fine. Thank you.”

“My pleasure, Miss Foley.” He gave a low bow, then rushed to open the small iron gate.

She passed him with a nod of thanks.

Before she reached the steps, the front door flew open and Mrs. Chamberlain rushed out, her dress blowing around her legs.

“I’ve been watching for you ever since you called to say you were coming.” She wrapped her arms around Grace and the baby. “How I’ve missed you, Grace dear.”

“I’ve missed you too.” The woman’s warm embrace felt like coming home. A soothing balm to her bruised soul.

“Let me look at this darlin’ boy. My goodness, how he’s grown since I saw him last.” Mrs. C.’s voice quivered. “When I think of how thin he was when the Eastons took him, I can scarcely believe it’s the same child. Rose would be so proud.”

The tension in Grace’s shoulders eased. It was a relief to be able to talk freely about Rose and not to have to pretend she wasn’t related to Christian.

“Come in and tell me all about that fancy house you’ve been staying in. The tea’s already brewed, and I have warm muffins right from the oven.”

Five minutes later, Grace sat at the kitchen table as though she’d never left, sipping tea from Mrs. C.’s china cups, with Christian content on her landlady’s lap.

“Things must be going well if this boy is any indication.” Mrs. C. nuzzled Christian’s head while deftly making sure he didn’t grab anything off the tabletop.

Grace set down her cup. “I’ll admit the Eastons have turned out to be a surprise. Except for Mr. Easton. He’s as terrifying as Rose described.” She laughed. “But Mrs. Easton and Virginia have both been very kind. And Andrew . . .” She paused, hoping she could speak about him without breaking down. “Family is extremely important to him, which is why he’s taken on the responsibility of raising his brother’s son.”

Mrs. C. eyed her thoughtfully. “He seems to have made quite an impression.”

The dreaded heat climbed into Grace’s cheeks, but she remained silent. There wasn’t anything she could add that wouldn’t get her into trouble.

“Well, now that you know Christian has a family who loves him, what are your plans? Will you keep working for them?”

Grace’s hand stilled on her cup. “Of course. Christian has grown very attached to me. I could never abandon him now.” The mere thought of leaving the precious child made her throat grow tight. “I’ll continue as his nanny for as long as I can.”

For as long as my heart can bear it.

“I see.” Mrs. C. patted Christian’s back, the boy now half asleep on her shoulder. “What about your mother? Won’t she be expecting you home at some point?”

Grace startled, a flood of guilt rushing through her. She’d written to Mum a few times since she arrived, but had asked her not to send any mail to the Eastons, too afraid someone might intercept the letter and determine she was related to Rose. Other than that, she’d tried not to think about her mother much, finding the time away from her caustic tongue a welcome reprieve. “She’s probably upset. But I can’t go home yet.”

“Why not?”

Grace picked at her muffin. “Andrew is seeing a woman. Someone I don’t think will be a good mother to Christian. Until I know for certain what he plans to do, I can’t leave.”

Mrs. C. aimed a shrewd gaze at Grace. “Is it the baby you’re concerned about . . . or Andrew Easton?”

“Christian, of course.” Grace squirmed on her seat, heat blazing in her cheeks. Were her feelings for Andrew so transparent? “Andrew and I are just friends.” She lifted her chin.

Mrs. C. stood up to rock the baby in her arms. His thumb went into his mouth, a sure sign he would soon be asleep. “Speaking of friends, that nice Mr. Miller from the Newcomers group came by the other day with a telegram for one of the boarders. He asked about you. Seemed very disappointed to learn you weren’t living here any longer.”

“Oh dear.” Grace hated that she’d forgotten all about him. “I did say I’d drop by his office sometime. But my day off is Sunday and the telegraph office is closed then.”

Mrs. C. nodded. “Maybe the next time you come to church with us, you’ll see him there and can make plans to get together.”

Grace held back a groan and shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid that would give Mr. Miller the wrong idea. That I’m interested in more than friendship.”

Mrs. C.’s eyes narrowed. “Grace Abernathy. I hope you’re not judging that poor fellow by his looks. He may not be the handsomest of men, but there’s no one finer. He’s a kind, hardworking Christian who would make any girl an excellent husband.”

“That’s just it, Mrs. C. I’m not looking for a husband. My only interest right now is Christian.” The falseness of that statement echoed in Grace’s ears, as her traitorous thoughts flew to the kiss she’d shared with Andrew under the stars. Ever conscious of her friend’s scrutiny, Grace pushed back her chair and busied herself with sweeping the crumbs from the tablecloth.

“I hope you truly mean that, dear, because harboring any illusions about someone like Andrew Easton will only lead to disaster. Remember what happened to Rose when she got involved with one of them.”

“How could I forget?” Grace gathered the dirty dishes and carried them to the sink. Then she turned to look at her sleepy nephew. “I think Christian is ready for a nap. Is there somewhere I can put him down?”

Mrs. C. patted the boy on her shoulder. “I’ll take him. You can read your mail while I’m gone.” She pointed to the envelopes on the counter. “I’ve been saving it until I saw you.”

Grace’s insides twisted as she moved to retrieve the mail. She sat back down at the table, staring at her mother’s familiar script. Finally, she forced herself to open one, bracing herself for whatever she would find inside.

The first letter bore all the anguish of her mother’s grief after learning of Rose’s death. Somehow, in the process of pouring out her anger and sorrow, Mum found a way to indirectly blame Grace.

If you’d have left for Canada when I asked, you might have been in time to save our Rose.

Grace clenched her teeth together. Would her mother’s words ever lose their power to fill her with resentment and guilt?

She broke the seal on the second envelope, written after receiving Grace’s letters. Mum was at least somewhat cheered by the fact that Grace had found Christian, though she was incensed he was living with the Eastons. By the end of the third missive, her harping tone rang through.

What are you waiting for, girl? Hurry up and bring my grandson home. Only the hope of seeing Christian’s face is giving me the will to go on. Don’t wait too long, like you did with Rose. I may not be here when you return.

Grace exhaled and let the paper drop to the table. No matter how disagreeable the woman was, Grace had promised to bring her grandson home. But to keep her word to Mum, she would have to inflict the worst kind of pain on the Easton family. Andrew, Virginia, and especially Mrs. Easton would be devastated. They didn’t deserve to lose any more family members.

But then neither did her mother.

Grace lowered her head to her hands. Lord, grant me your wisdom to deal with this situation. Help me do what’s right for everyone and not lose myself in the process.