I hoped she didn’t think Lewis was here to court me. He had been stopping by a lot more often, but it was only to help me. At least, that’s what I wanted to believe.
We made small talk for a few minutes before Alice appeared, her suitcase in hand. Her face was still pale, and her eyes were red, as if she’d been crying.
“My dear,” Mother said as she reached for Alice’s hand. “Don’t be afraid. God has gone before you, and He will take care of all your needs. He has a plan, I promise.”
Alice lowered her suitcase and placed her free hand over Mother’s. “Thank you so much for everything.” She looked down at their hands. “I confess, these tears are not from fear, but because I’ll miss you. When I came here—” She swallowed, and I held my breath. When she lifted her gaze, there was something soft and tender in her sad expression. “You’ve been so kind. I don’t knowwhat I would have done without you. You’ve shown me the meaning of real Christianity, and it’s impacted me deeply.”
“You’re so very welcome.” Mother gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Write to us, dear, and let us know how you’re getting along with your aunt.”
Alice wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a mother. Thank you. I hope I can be as kind and loving as you to my own child one day.”
My lips parted in surprise at Alice’s genuine affection for my mother.
Lewis gave me anI told you solook.
Father also stood and said his goodbyes before Alice turned to me.
“Thank you,” she said.
I nodded, though she had nothing to thank me for—except, perhaps, that I hadn’t told my parents her real identity. If it had been up to me, I wouldn’t have let her move in with us for the past two weeks. But my parents’ generosity toward Alice had also impacted me. Maybe I had been wrong about Alice and all she needed was a little help to pick herself back up.
Thomas said goodbye to everyone, and then he escorted Alice out of the house.
Mother, Father, Lewis, and I looked at one another and then Lewis said, “Do you mind if I stay?”
“Of course not.” Mother grinned. “Have a seat. I’ll get some refreshments.” She left the room, humming contentedly as Father turned up the sound on the radio to listen to the news.
I lowered myself onto the sofa, and Lewis joined me.
“You don’t mind if I stay, do you?” he asked.
I slowly shook my head, but a new worry began to grow.
Perhaps Lewis hadn’t come to tell me about Annie, but to court me after all.
The evening wore on, and Lewis made no attempt to leave. Outside, a storm blew with intensity, bringing more lightning and thunder. Wind rattled the windowpanes, and the rain slashed against the siding.
After the news ended, Father went on and on about the plans he was making for the tent revival that would coincide with Lindbergh’s visit. Lewis listened with polite attention.
Mother’s smile was fixed as she watched Lewis and me together. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I wasn’t interested in Lewis romantically, but perhaps things wouldn’t come to that. If Lewis was interested in courting me, and he made any hint in that direction, I would tell him how I felt.
At nine o’clock, I could see both of my parents fighting fatigue. My mother lifted her handkerchief to hide a yawn, and Father’s eyes kept drooping closed before he blinked a few times and nodded.
They were usually in bed by now, but Lewis didn’t seem ready to leave.
“Well,” Father finally said as he set his hands on his thighs. “I suppose Mother and I will retire for the night. Caroline, you’ll show Lewis out?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Goodnight,” Lewis said as he rose to shake Father’s hand and nod at Mother. “Thank you for your hospitality.” But he didn’t move toward the door to leave. Instead, he remained next to the sofa.
“Goodnight,” my parents said.
For the first time that evening, Mother looked more concerned than happy. They’d never left me alone with a young man in the parlor. I couldn’t imagine what they’d think if they knew I’d visited Lewis in his home.
Or that I was a captive on a pirate ship in 1727, sharing a cabin with a handsome quartermaster.
As soon as my parents were out of the parlor, Lewis resumed his spot next to me. He picked upRobinson Crusoe, which hadfallen in the cushion crack, and shook his head. “Still wasting your time and filling your head with fantasies?”
