“I hope she’s home,” I said. I hadn’t even considered whether Tacy would be there until we were almost at her front door. “I’ll be so disappointed if she’s not.”
“We can come back another time,” Mama reassured me. “Perhaps we’ll need to set up an appointment.”
I hoped we wouldn’t have to wait any longer. Not only was I thirteen days from my birthday, but I had waited months for this meeting.
The cab pulled up to the curb of a beautiful Tudor-influenced home with dark timber framing and cream stucco. A thick, green ivy grew up the side of the elegant two-story house, and the landscaping was expertly groomed with an inviting sidewalk meandering to the wide front porch.
“Shall I wait?” the cabbie asked.
“Just for a moment,” Mama said, handing him his fare. “If the family is at home, I’ll wave you off.”
“Very good.”
I stepped out of the automobile, and Mama followed. I was wearing one of the best day gowns I had brought. It was a pale blue linen dress with blue embroidery and a lace chemisette and cuffs. My oversized hat kept the sun out of my eyes as we walked up the concrete steps and onto the sidewalk. Mama was also dressed well and was so gentle as she encouraged me with a smile. I wanted to make a good impression on Tacy and was much more nervous than I had anticipated.
“Just breathe,” Mama said. “Life is full of twists and turns. We can’t always predict which way it will go, but it’s a magnificent journey when we let it take us where it wants.”
I returned her smile, thankful she was there with me.
When we reached the front door, I took a deep breath andpressed the doorbell. A maid in a black dress and white apron opened the door and greeted us.
“May I help you?” she asked in an Irish accent.
“Is Mrs. Bennet at home?” My voice caught on my nerves.
“May I ask who is calling?”
“Miss Grace Cooper and Dr. Margaret Cooper.”
The maid’s eyes widened. “Grace Cooper, the aviatrix?”
I nodded, surprised she had heard about me.
“Won’t you come in?” She opened the door wider and stepped aside for us to enter the cool receiving hall. Her wide-eyed gaze followed me as Mama waved away the cab driver. “I will tell Mrs. Bennet you’re here.”
“Thank you.”
We waited in the tasteful foyer as the maid disappeared into a room off to the left. My heart was beating hard, and I tried to take another steadying breath.
“She’s here,” I whispered to Mama. “What if she doesn’t want to meet me?”
“She will want to meet you.”
“Is this strange for you?” I asked. “Meeting my other mother?”
Mama’s chuckle was sweet and tender. “What do you think?”
I took her hand and shook my head. “This is a strange existence, isn’t it?”
“It seems to get stranger and stranger. I can’t imagine how Tacy will feel when she learns who you are. It will be a complete shock.”
The door opened again, and a woman entered the hallway. She was beautiful, in her mid-forties, with blond hair and that familiar nose. She resembled Pricilla so much, it took me by surprise—though it shouldn’t have. They were sisters.
“You look like her,” Mama whispered.
Tacy was wearing a simple but elegant house dress of dark plum with a long necklace. She had a pleasant, if somewhat curious, smile on her face.
“Hello,” she said as she extended her hand to Mama first and then to me. “I’m Tacy Bennet. How do you do?”
