Change of Heart (21 page)

“I need all the help I can get.” She shifted to get into a comfortable position. “My bruises will heal. My heart is another matter.” Mrs. Carrington had expressed genuine appreciation for what she had done for her during the robbery. Maybe by helping her during the robbery, Mrs. Carrington had gotten a glimpse of her character. If the robbery could bring them together, it was worth it. She better not get her hopes up yet. Once the woman healed, she might return to her arrogant self.

Chapter Eighteen

The next morning, Matt mixed batter for pancakes. Eggs crackled in the cast iron skillet on the stove. He placed bread and butter on the table and pulled milk out of the icebox. “How is the pain?” His mother entered the kitchen with one hand on her shoulder.

She gingerly sat. “I am sore all over, but the pain in my shoulder is diminishing. The whole ordeal was rather frightening. I am glad we are all safe.”

He served her, then poured milk in their glasses. He had tossed and turned all night wondering what she said to Becca before the robbery. He was sure his mother had been unkind, given her history with Becca. Whatever she said to Ruth could not have been positive either, considering Ruth's stern face when they left. His mother was in pain, but it did not excuse her behavior. He could not wait any longer to find out what happened during her stay with Becca's sister. “I was surprised Ruth spoke in a harsh tone to you when we left. Did you say something to upset her?”

His mother drank her milk and wiped her mouth. “Becca had confided in her about our conversations. She is angry I do not approve of you and Becca courting.”

He slammed the bottle of milk on the table. “I am too. Mother, if you do not do everything in your power to convince Becca you would be blessed to have her for a daughter-in-law after all she has done for you, I will never speak to you again. I would not want to be associated with such an ungenerous person.”

“I am appreciative for all she did for me during the robbery, but it does not mean she is the right woman for you. All my concerns about her being a suitable wife for you remain true.”

Matt raked his hand through his hair and grunted. “You make it hard for me to love you sometimes, and this is one of those times. You could have risked your life for hers, but you did not. You measure someone's worth by how much money they have acquired and not by their integrity, their honor, and how they treat others. Did you think only of yourself during the robbery? How important was your money when you thought your life would end? Becca offered to sacrifice her life for yours. Would you have done the same for her? No, I think not.”

“You remind me of my father. People took advantage of his goodness too. He gave money to his friends when they were in need, even when our family was struggling and could not spare it. He could have worked as an accountant for a big company and made a lot more money, but he did not like the way they shunned the middle class. He said the worth of a man was not how much money he had acquired but his honor and integrity. My mother tried to coax him to no avail. He should have listened to her, and we would have had a better life.”

She grasped his hand. “Again, I appreciate what Becca did for me. I admire her courage and admit I misjudged her. I panicked and could not think straight. She did. Like it or not, money is what bought the nice house you were raised in and the clothes you wore and paid for your education.”

He jerked his hand away and stiffened. “You are shallow and selfish. Money and status are too important to you. They will not bring you happiness and have blinded you to what is important in life. Love and family are what should matter. You care about your needs ahead of everyone else's. I cannot be in the same room with you. Eat your breakfast while I go to the living room and read. When you are finished, I will take you home.”

“Your father and I provided a good life and education for you. We continue to involve you with influential people to further your research with your father and open your world to other opportunities.” She touched her shoulder, then rested her hand in her lap. “You are the selfish one. You want to add Becca to our family, but you have not thought about how unhappy she might be in our world. Maybe she would be miserable planning dinner parties, mingling with our friends, and forcing herself to speak properly.”

Matt flared his nostrils. “You have pointed out these same concerns over and over again to me about Becca. I am sick of it. You need to shut your mouth. Do not mention Becca's name again. You are not half the woman she is and could learn a lesson in kindness by observing how she treats others. I do not care about the things you mentioned.” Dispirited, he shook his head. “You are going to live a lonely life if you do not change your attitude. I suspect your friendships are shallow and meaningless. If you lost your money and status tomorrow, those high society friends of yours would dwindle away. You can choose to be a better person. Do it for yourself, for Father, for me, and for Becca.” He strode out of the room.

A few minutes later, his mother passed him, selected a book from the shelf behind him,
Virginia of Virginia
by Amélie Rives, and glared at him. “I am going upstairs to read until after one when your father should be home.”

He moved his eyes to the medical journal he was reading. He had nothing more to say to her.
Go upstairs.
Out of sight would be good. He flipped through the pages and his eyes got heavy. He settled in the chair and closed his eyes.

A hand on his shoulder wakened him. He opened his eyes and straightened. His journal slid off his lap and slapped the floor. “Mother, what's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong. The time is after two. Your father should be home by now. I am ready to go.”

Her stern face and direct tone set his teeth on edge. Rest must have provided her with energy. She was not bent over and her wincing in pain had ceased. No doubt, she was a tough woman. He would give her that.

He walked outside to the barn, readied his horse and buggy, and guided it to the front of his house. He helped her into the buggy. “Once I have delivered you to your front door, do not visit my home or office. Do not bother sending me invitations to dinner in the mail or any other correspondence.” He focused on the dirt road ahead. She had no retort.
Good.

Matt stopped the horses in front of his parents' house and handed the reins to the stable hand. He must have seen them coming. He thanked the stable hand. His father approached them. The horse's neighs and squeak of buggy wheels outside the house must have alerted his father they had arrived.

Horace Carrington helped his wife out of the buggy. “Eloise, what happened to your arm?”

His mother fell against her husband's chest. Stroking her hair, his father held her with his other arm. “Please talk to me, what happened?”

“Walk me inside. I would like tea. I will tell you the whole awful story.”

Dr. Carrington Senior gestured to Matt. “Come in, son.”

Matt paused. He would oblige. He wanted to hear what his mother would tell his father. Would she admit Becca had saved her life? What would his father's reaction be?
Yes,
he would not miss this conversation for anything. He followed his parents inside and sat across from them.

Iris entered the room. She carried a tray of teacups to Matt and offered him one. “Thank you.”

Iris passed Eloise and Horace Carrington cups of tea.

Horace waved a dismissive hand. “None for me, Iris.”

She bowed to him.

Eloise sipped her tea. “Iris, this is not hot enough. You bumbling simpleton, bring me another cup.”

“Yes, Mrs. Carrington. Right away, Mrs. Carrington.”

She reached for Matt's cup.

He shook his head. “Thank you, but my tea is fine.” His mother treated the house staff terribly. “Mother, be kind to your housemaid. You scare her with your direct tone.”

“How I treat Iris is none of your business. I pay her to do her job well. If I am not strict with her, she will become lazy.”

“I doubt you are right. When you treat people with respect, they want to do a good job for you.”

Iris hurried into the room and passed his mother a cup of tea. She waited for Mrs. Carrington to sip it.

“This is much better, Iris. You may go.”

Iris bowed and left the room.

“Mother, do you ever thank your staff or praise them for a job well done? I have witnessed your softer side. I suggest you show it to us and others once in a while.”

Mrs. Carrington huffed. “Horace, are you going to sit there and stay silent? Why are you letting our son talk to me this way?”

Horace Carrington cleared his throat. “Enough, you two. Eloise, I want to know this instant. What happened to your arm?”

Eloise recounted the stagecoach robbery, murder, and kidnapping story. “The robber shot me. Becca turned her body to shield me, but the bullet hit my shoulder. The robbers insisted on taking Becca and me with them. She talked them into taking just her. The bandits agreed and left me in the stagecoach. Becca risked her life for me several times during the horrible ordeal. I feel terrible for treating her so mean.” She wiped a tear.

Horace circled his arm around her shoulders. “I am thankful you are all right. Is there anything I can do for you?”

Eloise shook her head. “No, Matt took care of my shoulder. I'm fine.”

Matt scratched his head and leaned forward. Had his mother had a change of heart toward Becca since their talk at his house? “Mother, have you reconsidered your opinion of Becca? From what you have told me earlier and now your words to Father, I cannot tell where you stand on Becca.”

Eloise rubbed the back of her neck. “I have mixed emotions. I'm grateful for what Becca did for me, but she is not the right woman for you.”

Matt held up his palm and stood. “Stop talking. I have heard enough. Under the circumstances, I find it appalling. I am going to do everything in my power to convince her to marry me. What I said before the robbery about not communicating with you has not changed. Please honor my request.”

His father rose and faced Matt. “I will visit you soon. We need to have a heart-to-heart talk in light of what has happened.” He frowned and rested his hand on Matt's shoulder.

Matt's shoulders straightened. “Do not bother me with further rebuffs about how I should not marry Becca. I have had it with both of you.” He turned on his heel and left.

 

 

Becca woke early. Whose dog was barking? She nestled in the covers. She would sleep for a few more minutes. The dog barked louder. She threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. She took a deep breath. Ruth must be frying bacon.
Yummy, it smells good
. She dressed and ambled to the kitchen. “I'm starving this morning.” She plucked off a piece and chewed it slowly. She edged her body into a chair and winced.

Ruth cut a hefty piece of cinnamon bread and dropped it on her plate. “What is your plan for today? I am going to stay home and spend time with you. I will cook for you, and we can chat about everything but the robbery.”

She licked her fingers and grimaced. “You're sweet. Although sore, I'm doing well. I slept through the night. Do stay home but not to take care of me. Let's take Benjamin to Lizzie's for dinner later. I'm craving her famous shepherd's pie.”

Ruth poured her a cup of coffee. “After we go to Lizzie's, I will bring Benjamin home with me. You should go and thank Matt again. The man risked his life to rescue you. It is the least you should do. By the way, when I went to the barn to do the milking, our buggy and horse were in the barn. Matt must have stopped by very early this morning.”

“Matt can walk to his office from here. I suspect he stopped by the sheriff's office on the way to work and asked him for a ride home at the end of the day. The sheriff's office is close to the medical office and his house is close to Matt's. He and the sheriff are good about helping each other.”

Her body tensed. She should express her appreciation again to him for putting his life in danger to rescue her. Her head told her to stay away. Her heart told her to take whatever Mrs. Carrington threw her way and be with Matt. “I will talk to him about it in a few days.”

“Matt deserves to hear from you today.”

The fire in the stove crackled. Becca poked it with a long piece of wood. “I'm anxious but afraid to hear what his mother had to say to him after they left here. I hope she will want to start fresh and want to know me, but we both know she might stand firm in her negative opinion of me as a potential wife for Matt.” Ruth's account of her conversation with Eloise while she cared for her broke her heart. She had hoped Matt's mamm had softened toward her with all they had been through during the robbery.

“You need to fall into Matt's arms, tell him you love him, and ignore Eloise Carrington. I will get dressed. We have time to sew on our keepsake pocket quilt tops before Hattie brings Benjamin home. I cannot keep enough in stock. Our keepsake pocket quilts are my best-selling item. Gather your needles and thread, and I'll join you in the sitting room in a few minutes.”

Becca went to her room to change clothes. Spending time in front of the fire and with her sister and Benjamin this afternoon sounded good. After she was dressed, she joined Ruth in the sitting room and dug out her needle and thread from her quilting bag. She enjoyed laughing and chatting with her sister. It was nice to forget her woes for a few hours.

Benjamin arrived. He wrapped his arms around Becca's waist. “I asked Hattie where you were. She said you'd been taken by robbers. We prayed you'd be all right. I cried and cried.”

She kissed the top of his head. “I'm fine, but your hugs make me even better.” He was even more precious than she remembered.

Hattie Roll hung her head. She wrinkled her weathered face. “I could not lie. Too many people knew the truth.”

“You were right to tell him the truth, and thank you for taking such good care of him.”

“He takes care of me. He is a well-behaved little gentleman. He beat me and my nephew at tiddledywinks a dozen times. My brother and his wife took my nephew back to Canton, Ohio, on the early train this morning. We had a good time.”