“We all do,” Roman admitted. “And, had James Ashton not been the heartless deceiver that he is, Father might still be with us today.”
“But he’s not here, and we must accept that and allow God to heal our pain-filled hearts,” Mother declared. “Now let’s eat before our food gets cold. Better you should dwell on the beautiful young woman at his side. Or any other single young lady.”
Everyone dug in, save Mary. She surprised Roman with her next comment. “What of the woman you weren’t watching? The one seated beside Mr. Ashton. Did you notice her?”
Roman wished they’d all just forget the woman. “Of course I did. I believe I met her back east at a fundraiser. Judith Stanford.”
“Yes, that’s her. She’s James Ashton’s granddaughter.”
“What?” The thought of her being related to that wretch soured Roman’s stomach. “I didn’t think he had any family.”
“He has one granddaughter. He asked her to come here so that he might inspect her.”
“Inspect her?” Roman asked. He leaned back in his chair, leaving his meal uneaten. “For what purpose?”
“Becoming his heir. He has no one to inherit his vast fortune. He cut his son off years ago and had nothing to do with his family. Now he’s desperate to ensure that his riches won’t just go to the government or sit doing nothing for years while it’s decided where it should go.”
“And Judith, is she just like him? Does money guide her days?” Roman asked, allowing his distaste for anything associated with Ashton to creep into his tone.
“Surprisingly enough, no. She doesn’t appear to be anything like him. In fact, she was the reason he was at church today. Apparently, she isn’t afraid to stand up to him. Mr. Ashton demanded she remain with him all summer. His doctors have given him only that much time before they believe he’ll die.”
“Good riddance.”
“I agree,” Aunt Mary replied. “However, when Mr. Ashton demanded she stay, she said she would pray about it. She’s a woman of faith, and I heard from Mr. Ashton’s lawyer that she’s been working for a variety of charities since the death of her parents. Mr. Black was sent to Philadelphia to bring her to Minneapolis, but she refused to come. She said she didn’t want the old man’s money.”
Roman found himself liking Judith more and more. “So why is she here?”
“Mr. Ashton sent Mr. Black back with a check for ten thousand dollars. I’m told Judith arranged for it to go to her charities, and then she agreed to come for a visit. When Mr. Ashton demanded she stay the summer, he offered her another ten thousand for her charities and then—” She stopped and looked around as if Ashton himself might overhear her. “And then he upped it, at her demand, to thirty thousand. She said she was going to buildhouses for the war widows. After that, she said she would stay so long as he attended church with her on Sundays. I know I shouldn’t be repeating this. God forgive me for my gossip. Still, I was so shocked that he agreed to go. Judith asked me about a good church, and I couldn’t help but recommend ours.”
“That is quite the tale,” Roman’s mother admitted. “However, I would just as soon we put it aside. You’re quite correct, it is gossip, and our sins are plenty enough.”
Roman said nothing, but his mind churned with thoughts of Judith standing up to her grandfather. He didn’t even know the old man had a granddaughter, much less that she should be the woman Roman had met in Philadelphia. The woman he couldn’t seem to get out of his head.
“I’m sorry that Daniel couldn’t join us today,” Mother said, drawing Roman out of his thoughts.
Claudette shrugged. “He promised his mother he would take her to the cemetery. It’s the first anniversary of his father’s death, and it’s been quite hard on her. She has his older brother and their family, of course, but Daniel knew it was important to her that he come with them to the grave.”
“But of course.” Mother reached out and squeezed Claudette’s hand. “I could have spared you.”
“I know, but I wanted them to have this time as a family. I’ll join them soon enough. I just hope they weren’t caught out in the rain.”
Roman smiled at his sister. She had grown up so fast in the last couple of years. Despite losing their father, she had managed to maintain a hopeful spirit of joy.
He finished eating and then excused himself, knowing his mother would never allow him to help with the dishes. She knew he worked hard, and she always did her best to see that he had free time to himself on Sunday. Once in a while, a patient would show up begging for help, but usually his Sundays were quiet, and he cherished the rest.
He made his way upstairs to his small bedroom. The house was inadequate in many ways, but it was theirs free and clear, and he was very grateful for how God continued to look after them.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Roman removed his shoes, thinking a nap might well be in order. He rid himself of his coat and tie and then stretched out on the bed with a sigh. But when he closed his eyes, Judith’s image appeared once again. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was going to be more than a passing thought in his life. But how could he ever have anything to do with an Ashton?
8
“Where are you and Claudette off to?” Roman asked, seeing that his mother and sister were readying themselves for an afternoon outing.
“We’ve been invited to tea at Mrs. Van Cleve’s. Mrs. Knickerbacker and some other ladies are going to discuss the needs of the orphans and friendless in Minneapolis and St. Paul.”
Roman kissed his mother’s forehead. “I wish we had a carriage, and I would happily drive you.”
“The walk will do us good. Things have dried out nicely after last Sunday’s rain. Goodness, but here it is Friday. Where has the week gone?”
