Judith felt tears come to her eyes and hurriedly took out her handkerchief to stem the flow. She couldn’t help but feel the need to serve others as this story encouraged. She wanted only to see the needy receive what might help them to survive and thrive. When she thought of the orphanages back in Philadelphia and all of the little ones who had no home, no loved one to care for them, it was heartbreaking. How could good people ignore such things? It made her even more certain that staying with her grandfather in order to receive money for her charities had been the right decision. Whether or not he would make her his heir remained to be seen, but with what he had already shared, Judith was determined to show the deepest love possible.
She put her handkerchief back in her purse, and she noticed a man watching her. He had an odd scowl on his face, and his eyes were narrowed as if in anger. It was then that she realized he wasn’t really looking at her at all, but rather her grandfather.She looked at the older man at her side. He didn’t seem to notice much of anything as he stared straight ahead. Judith glanced back at the younger man, but he was now looking at the reverend. There was something so familiar about him. Then Judith noticed Mrs. Deeters was seated several people away from the man. Perhaps she knew him.
The reverend concluded his sermon by encouraging the congregation to give generously to the various charities sponsored by the church and elsewhere. He also suggested folks consider volunteering their time to worthy causes.
“A person can tithe not only money, but time,” he said before leading them in the benediction. “If you have interest in this, please come and speak to me.”
When the service was over, Judith helped her grandfather to his feet and walked at his side as they exited the church.
“Wait for me in the carriage,” the older man suddenly instructed. “I have someone I need to speak to.”
His exit surprised her, but she supposed he knew most of the people in attendance. Mrs. Deeters had told her this was the church where most of the wealthier people attended.
“I’m Sarah Knickerbacker,” a woman said, approaching Judith. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
Judith smiled. “Judith Stanford. I’m here for the summer to be with my grandfather, James Ashton. I very much enjoyed the reverend’s sermon. I am highly involved in charities back in Philadelphia and would love to contribute while I’m here in Minneapolis.”
“How wonderful. Why don’t you allow me to arrange a gathering of like-minded women and introduce you?”
“I’d appreciate that very much,” Judith agreed.
“I’ll send word to you at your grandfather’s home when I have a date and time.”
“Thank you. I will look forward to it, Mrs. Knickerbacker.”
“Oh, do just call me Sarah.”
“And you must call me Judith. I’ve a feeling we’ll become good friends.”
The slightly older woman smiled and nodded. She clasped Judith’s gloved hands and gave a squeeze before leaving to speak to some other ladies. Judith made her way to the carriage and paused there to glance over at some of the other congregants. Once again, she saw the angry-looking man. He was quite handsome and clean-shaven. His dark-eyed gaze seemed fixed on the back of her grandfather’s head. There was definitely something amiss between them. She wondered what it was that had so infuriated the man. She might have gone to ask him, but his gaze began to move in her direction, and Judith realized her grandfather had come to join her.
“Well, do get into the carriage instead of standing about,” James Ashton ordered her as he might his staff.
“I was enjoying the fresh air.” A rumble of thunder to the south caught her attention. “I suppose, however, it is about to rain.” She let the driver help her into the carriage, but as she took her seat, she couldn’t help but see the man who was watching them. When their gazes met, he seemed momentarily fixed on her, and then just as quickly, he looked away as if embarrassed.
Judith motioned to her grandfather as he took his seat. “Who is that man over there?”
Her grandfather looked up, but not before the man disappeared into the crowd. “What man?” her grandfather asked, tapping the side of the carriage to signal to the driver.
“He’s gone now,” she said as the carriage driver urged the horses forward.
Thunder sounded again, and James Ashton glanced upward. “We should have come in the brougham. Get us home before the rain, Charles,” he commanded the driver.
“He looked so angry at you,” Judith said, unable to stop thinking about the man.
“Probably lost out on some business deal or failed to act when I suggested he do so. There’s always someone disgruntled with me. You’ll learn soon enough that less successful people despise those who have been prosperous.”
“I suppose that is especially true when those prosperous people are less than considerate of the needs of others. Like in the story of the good Samaritan.”
Her grandfather gave a harrumph of disapproval but said nothing more. Judith knew he would never agree with her thoughts on the matter.
They barely made it inside the house before the heavens opened and rain poured from the skies. The valet Judith only knew as Winchell stood ready and waiting to receive his employer.
“I’m rather spent from this ordeal,” her grandfather said, handing his coat and hat to the man. “I’ll take lunch in my room. Have Mrs. Markle prepare a tray.”
“Yes, sir,” Winchell replied, giving his employer a nod.
When her grandfather headed for the stairs, Judith followed suit and walked behind him. She worried that he might have overdone it and feared he could fall. However, they reached the second floor without another word or issue. The old man turned toward his suite of rooms, and Judith went to hers. She still had so many questions about this man.
