When Love Calls (24 page)

“Sure, Tessa. Good night.”

He slammed the phone back on the hook. Surely Hannah wouldn’t take a chance like walking home in the dark alone.

Or would she?

A dog growled.

Hannah halted and scanned the street for the animal. Her gaze fell on the massive beast lurking half a block before her.

Fingers of fear spread down her neck.

Don’t be silly. You’ve dealt with dogs before. Show him who is boss.

She took a step forward.

Another low, menacing growl.

Maybe this dog already knew who was boss—him.

Perhaps she could retrace her steps and go around the block. It would take longer, but she’d get home with all her parts intact.

Backing away from the dog, she sent a prayer heavenward, asking God to clamp the mouth of the dog like he had those of the lions for Daniel.

The dog rumbled another threat and advanced. She froze. What was she going to do? She couldn’t stand here until daybreak.

The sound of an automobile nearing made her pulse thunder. She swallowed. Who would be out driving this late at night? She’d heard about dandy young men out and about, up to no good. What if the driver was one of them? Which was a worse threat? The dog or the driver?

The dog charged forward. Her blood ran cold. She fisted her skirt and turned to run. Feet pounding against the street, she raced toward the gas lamps of the oncoming automobile. Her foot slipped on the wet paving bricks, and she stumbled. The automobile swerved and stopped.

“Hannah!”

Lincoln? She whirled and bolted for the Reo. She jumped onto the running board, but the forward momentum thrust her over the side of the seat and halfway into the automobile. Her hands met the leather seat. The dog yanked on her skirt, and she cringed at the sound of ripping fabric. Lincoln hurled something at the dog, and it yelped and ran away.

Safe at last, she released a puff of breath, but her heart continued to hammer beneath her corset. With her backside pointed toward the moon, she looked up at him. “Would you mind helping me right myself?”

“Actually, I’ve a good mind to take advantage of your current position and give you the paddling you deserve.”

She squirmed, trying to get up on her own. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He exited the Reo, rounded the back, and placed his hands on her waist. “Are you sure about that, Miss Risk Taker?”

 26 

Hannah tensed, but Lincoln didn’t throttle her. Instead he drew her waist toward him until she could feel her backside against his body. Once she was upright, he stepped back and let her climb down from the running board on her own.

Anger poured off him like steam from a teakettle. Why would he be mad? Was he worried about her ungraceful arrival scratching his precious automobile?

She adjusted her shirtwaist and skirt. “Are you upset with me?”

“Get in.”

When she was properly seated in the Reo, she stuck her finger through the slobber-covered hole in her skirt. Would a patch be noticeable?

“It was a good thing you showed up when you did. For some reason, that dog considered me his midnight snack.” She laughed, but it came out forced and nervous.

“It’s not funny, Hannah.” Lincoln shifted the foot pedal, then jammed the throttle lever upward. The automobile roared to life and took off.

When he turned toward her home, she gasped. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m taking you home.”

“You can’t do that!”

“You’d prefer to be escorted by Fido?”

“But Lincoln, it’s not proper. Our neighbors will hear the automobile, and they won’t understand why I’m out in the middle of the night with you.”

He pulled the car to the side of the street, beside an empty lot, and shut it off. He gripped the steering wheel with both gloved hands. “Why?”

“I told you. It’s not proper. What would people think?”

“No.” He turned toward her. “I mean why didn’t you tell me your hours changed? Why didn’t you tell me you needed someone to take you home? Why didn’t you ask me for help?”

“I couldn’t.”

“No, Hannah. You could, but you wouldn’t.” His chest heaved. “Get out.”

Her heart thudded to a stop. Was it over between them? “I’m sorry. I just didn’t see a way you could help.”

He marched to her side of the Reo. “I said get out.”

Easing off the seat, she stepped onto the running board. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her to the ground but didn’t release her. “You didn’t think I could figure something out so the woman I care about doesn’t have to walk home in the dark, running from wild dogs? You didn’t think I could manage to arrange that and still maintain your honor?”

He smelled like Diamond C soap and something woodsy, and his nearness was intoxicating. She splayed her hands on his chest and could feel it heave beneath her palms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Hannah, I’m not offended.” He cupped her cheek with one hand. “You scared me senseless.”

“I scared you?”

“Yes, and I’d tell you never to do it again, but I think that would be a wasted effort.” He traced her lips with the pad of his thumb. “And right now, I have something else I’d much rather put my effort into.”

His hand slipped around the back of her neck, sending shivers coursing through her. She held her breath as he lowered his head until his lips touched hers in the sweetest of kisses.

As if he’d struck a match within her, warmth spread in her soul like wildfire. Never before had she felt a rush like this. She leaned into his touch, savoring the moment. All too quickly the kiss was over, and disappointment flooded through her.

“Now, I’m going to walk you home, and you’re going to let me. And tomorrow night I’ll make sure you’re not walking home alone, and you’re going to trust me to take care of that. Understand?”

She simply nodded, because for the first time in her life, she was speechless.

Wearing a snow-white muslin dress remade from one of their mother’s, Charlotte walked down the aisle toward the front of the auditorium, and Hannah’s heart swelled with pride. As one of the nearly 250 greater Des Moines graduates in the auditorium, Charlotte might have been easy to lose in the crowd if not for her maple-syrup-colored hair set off by a white silk ribbon.

“Charlotte Gregory.” The school superintendent’s voice rang out.

With great poise, she crossed the stage, and the school board president presented her with a diploma. Hannah swiped a tear from the corner of her eye, and Lincoln squeezed her hand. Thank goodness she’d been able to change with one of the other Hello Girls, or she would have missed this. She’d never have forgiven herself if that had happened. This graduation had stirred everyone’s grief, but especially Charlotte’s.

It was at times like this that Hannah struggled the most. It never seemed fair. Their parents should have been present for this day.

After the ceremony, Charlotte hurried over to them, and after a round of congratulatory hugs, Lincoln announced they were going to his home to celebrate.

“Your place?” Charlotte’s eyes widened.

“I asked my housekeeper to prepare a special dinner. She’s an excellent cook.” He tapped Charlotte’s nose. “Not as good as you, but I think you’ll find her food more than palatable.”

Charlotte looked at Hannah for confirmation, and Hannah laughed. “Don’t look so shocked. He asked if he could do this for you, and I agreed.”

“Do I get to go too?” Tessa asked.

Lincoln’s eyes crinkled. “I don’t know, Hannah. What do you think?”

“Hmm. Maybe we could squeeze her in if she promises to keep her headlines to herself.”

“I will. I promise.” She whipped off her gloves and fell in step beside them. “But I have to tell you all about the earthworms I’ve been reading about. They’re amazing. Did you know—”

Hannah moaned.

“She’s your sister.” Charlotte laughed. “As the eldest, it’s your job to educate her.”

“Uh-uh-uh.” Hannah wagged her finger. “Now that you’re a graduate, I think we should share the burden equally. It’s going to take both of us to make Tessa into a lady.”

“A lady?” Tessa ran ahead, then turned and walked backward so she could face them. “I want to be a newspaperwoman or a horticulturalist, or maybe I’ll race cars like Mr. Vanderbilt.”

Hannah shot a mock glare at Lincoln as if the last part was his fault, then hooked her arm with Charlotte’s. “On second thought, Charlotte, she’s all yours.”

 27 

Lincoln stared at Pete. How could the man let his wife use one of those electrical home treatment machines for her melancholy? Sure, the makers claimed it was a safe curative, but Lincoln found that hard to imagine.

Leaning forward, Pete placed his folded hands on top of his desk. “Elise has used it for three days now and says it’s helping.”

“I’m shocked.”

Pete chuckled. “So is she—literally—twice a day.”

“May I ask how much the little apparatus cost you?”

“Five whole dollars. I know it’s probably quackery, but if it helps her spirits, it’s worth every penny.” He leaned back in his chair, and it squeaked beneath his weight. “The worst part is she wants me to use the special electrical comb attachment. It’s supposed to stimulate hair follicles.”

“You are getting a little thin up top.” Lincoln patted the top of his own head to indicate Pete’s thinning area.

He frowned. “Your day will come soon enough.”

“Not for a long time.” He chuckled. “So what does this contraption look like?”

“You can see it for yourself on Friday. She’s feeling so well she’s having a dinner party, and she wants you and Miss Gregory to come.”

Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure if Hannah can make it. Her hours have changed at the telephone company.”

It had been two weeks since she’d been transferred, and Hannah’s supervisor had yet to tell her she was going back to days. Although Lincoln had made arrangements for a hansom cab to bring her home each night, he still worried about her being out so late. Not only were these hours difficult on her physically and emotionally, they were also hard on her sisters. Tessa and Charlotte needed her, and they’d already grown tired of her absence.

Most of all, the evening shift was hard on the time he and Hannah had together. In order to see one another, it had to be during the daytime, and most of his days were filled with work at the law practice. Sneaking in a research trip or a quick lunch was not giving him the quality time with Hannah he so wanted to have during the week. Although he’d prayed for a solution to the problem, so far none had come his way, and he wasn’t sure she’d let him help out even if he discovered the perfect answer.

“Well, I hope you can persuade her to come Friday,” Pete said. “I thought that meeting her might convince Charles to let you continue the pro bono case with the Calloway fellow.”

Lincoln stiffened. “Has he been fighting you about that again?”

“He has a point, Lincoln. Two fire insurance companies are interested in retaining us, but they won’t if we’re representing an arsonist. I understand your position, so I’ve been able to keep Charles from doing anything rash.” Pete rapped on his desk. “But I can assure you Cedric is doing everything he can to stir things up. I believe it would be harder for Charles to force the point if he met Miss Gregory, so I do hope you’ll try to persuade her.”

“I’ll certainly do my best.” He pushed to his feet. “I’m off to meet her now. We’re headed to the state law library.”

“Ah, a research trip with a pretty lady.”

“We will be working,” Lincoln assured him.

“Well, I certainly hope it won’t be all work, or I’ll have to admit failure as a mentor.”

Lincoln bid Pete goodbye and headed for the courthouse. After
delivering the affidavit he needed filed, he hurried down the marble steps toward the door. He glanced toward his right and paused. The door to the building’s switchboard was open, and Josephina Beecher, the operator, sat inside. He’d never given her much thought before, but could she be the answer to his prayers?

Charlotte thrust pancakes in Hannah’s direction. “It’s not fair. You think it’s fine for Lincoln to bring you home in the middle of the night, and yet you won’t let me see George without Rosie’s mother hovering over us.”

Using the edge of her fork, Hannah cut off a bite of pancake. How could she make Charlotte understand? “I explained to you what happened with Lincoln that first night, and since then, he’s sent a hansom cab to pick me up instead of coming himself. Besides, Lincoln and I are much older than you and George.”

Tessa bounced into the room. “Morning glories.”

“Good morning, Tessa.” Hannah patted the chair next to her. “Come tell me your plans for the day.”

Tessa slid into place and drenched her pancakes with syrup.

“Don’t you dare change the subject.” Charlotte sat down in her chair and glared at Hannah. “What do George and I have to do in order for you to trust us?”

“I trust you. It’s George I don’t trust.”

“You don’t even know him.”

Hannah bit back the words forming in her mind and prayed for wisdom. She took a sip of hot coffee and let it help settle her. “You’re right, Charlotte. We don’t know him. Why don’t you invite him over next Sunday? I’ll invite Lincoln too, so George doesn’t feel surrounded by women.”

Charlotte grinned. “Really? You’ll give him a chance?”

Hannah nodded.

“Well, that’s proof.” Tessa waved a forked bite of pancake in the air.

“Proof of what?” Hannah took a sip of coffee.

“That love makes you stupid.” Tessa shook her head. “First Charlotte, and now you.”

Hannah sputtered coffee across the table. “I’m not in—we’re not in—”

Tessa rolled her eyes and stood up. “Like I said, love makes you stupid.”

By the time Tessa and Charlotte left for the local girls’ club, Hannah needed a second cup of coffee. She hastily downed it and washed the grounds out of the bottom of the cup.

Lincoln arrived on time and greeted her with a smile at the door. “Ready?”

“I am.” She pulled the door shut behind her. “I was just praying we’d find something we can use on Walt’s defense.”

“If we can’t find something at the state law library, then we won’t find it anywhere.”

The drive to the Iowa State Capitol seemed much shorter than Hannah expected. She caught the glint of the morning sun off the gold-leaf dome when they turned the corner, and her pulse quickened. Of course she’d seen the exterior of the ornate capitol building often, but she’d never ventured beyond the doors.

“I can’t wait to show you the law library.” Lincoln pulled his car to the side of the street and parked. “And even though we’re here to work, I think we can take a peek into the other wings as well. I want to show you where my dad once worked.”

After Lincoln helped her from the Reo, Hannah fell in step beside him. They mounted the numerous steps leading to the front door and finally entered. Hannah stepped inside the rotunda and gasped. A plethora of marble, wood, tile, and stencil patterns greeted her. “It’s stunning.”

“Most of the artwork in here is new, and some is still being added.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let me show you my favorite.”

They climbed the grand staircase, and he pointed to a mural depicting settlers on the third floor. “It’s called
Westward
. The mosaics above are from Italy, and they’re made of glass tiles.”

Hannah itched to touch the lifelike figures.

He led her to the circular railing and held her shoulders. “Look up.”

Gilded trim work surrounded fluffy clouds painted on a blue sky. “Is that the inside of the dome?”

“Sort of. It’s the dome inside the dome.”

She turned to face him. “Where did your father work?”

“The senate. It’s in the south wing.”

Several minutes later, Lincoln eased open heavy doors. Hannah put her hand on his arm to stop him. “What if we’re interrupting?”

“The session concluded in April.”

They stepped inside the enormous chamber, and instantly Hannah felt small. A couple of workers looked up, smiled, and continued to polish the marble wainscot.

Brass chandeliers sparkled overhead, and Lincoln told her each weighed over five hundred pounds. She touched a rose-colored marble pillar. “I’ve never seen marble like this.”

“My father told me it’s scagliola, an imitation marble made of finely ground gypsum and glue.”

“Remarkable.” She approached the mahogany desks and pressed her hand to the leather blotter. “You can almost feel the history made here in the last twenty years. I can understand why you want to be in politics.”

“It’s what I’ve thought about for years, but it’ll be a while before I can run for a senate seat.”

“But you’re twenty-five. Isn’t that old enough?”

“Legally, yes.” He grinned. “But most senators are a bit more mature. Let me show you where my father sat.”

Lincoln led her to the spot, and she didn’t miss the way he trailed his hand along the back of the chair as if he could sense his father’s presence.

“When I’m here,” Lincoln said, “it doesn’t feel like he’s been gone so long.”

“How often did he bring you to the capitol with him?”

“At least once a week starting when I was ten or so.” He approached the front of the room and turned to face her. “I’d sit in
the gallery and watch him speak to the other senators. When he spoke, everyone listened. He just had a way about him.”

“And you do too.” Her chest warmed at the sight of him, so poised and comfortable in this austere room. How easily Lincoln could slip into this world. It was a second home to him, and if she allowed this relationship to continue, she needed to understand she was possibly agreeing to life as a politician’s wife.

He returned to her and offered his elbow. “Ready to see the law library?”

She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “If it’s as beautiful as this, I might faint.”

“Then I guess I’ll simply have to enjoy catching you.”