A Place of Refuge

“That’s all right, miss. You’re paid for,” the driver said.

Luke wasn’t sure how she would take him paying for her but it didn’t take long to find out. He found empty seats for them and motioned for her to take the one by the window.

As soon as they both had sat down, she turned to him, her eyes flashing. “Thank you for getting my fare for me, Mr. Patterson. But I have a job and I don’t expect you or anyone else to pay my way.”

“Please don’t be upset with me, Miss O’Bryan.” He smiled down at her. “I know you haven’t worked this week and I don’t want you to go short until you get your next pay. Forgive me if I’ve insulted you.”

Kathleen closed her eyes and gave a little shake to her head before releasing a sigh. “I’m sorry if I’ve insulted you after all you’ve done for me, Mr. Patterson. You and Mrs. Heaton know I didn’t arrive with much and I realize you are only trying to help me. Please forgive me for being so prideful.”

His heart twisted in his chest. This woman... “There is nothing to forgive you for, Kathleen. Not a thing. And if you want to pay me back, you can—after you get paid again.”

Then she smiled at him and said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The tightness in his chest eased somewhat but he felt awful for injuring her pride. He’d have to be more careful from now on.

“Mrs. Heaton told me you write dime novels.”

He was relieved that she’d changed the subject. “I do. Do you like to read?”

“Yes, although I haven’t done much of it in a while. Where do you usually set your stories?”

“Oh, all over. Out West at first, but lately, I’ve been setting them closer to home.”

“Does Mrs. Heaton have any copies in her library?”

“I believe I gave her some.”

“Then I’ll have to borrow one.”

He wanted to tell her he could give her copies of her own, but he didn’t want to upset her again. “Let me know what you think. Not everyone likes dime novels.”

“I look forward to reading your work.”

“I hope you enjoy it.” Luke felt nervous—would she like his writing? He hoped so.

They’d arrived at the stop right outside the museum and he stepped into the aisle to let Kathleen out. Once out of the trolley, the group gathered to go inside. He hoped Kathleen liked the museum as much as he did.

As they toured the museum, Luke saw again why the Metropolitan was one of his favorite places. Though it was full of all kinds of art, the paintings interested him the most. With the special Michelangelo collection on exhibit, they spent most of their time looking at these works.

From the look on Kathleen’s face, he was sure she was as enthralled with the paintings as he was.

He knew she was when she whispered, “I’ve never seen anything like this. The Lord certainly gave him a talent, didn’t He?”

“He did. I think I could spend several days straight, right here, looking at his work.”

“I’m so sorry we aren’t going to see everything in the museum today. Now I know why Ben wanted to get an earlier start.”

“Oh, we’d never be able to see it all in a day, Kathleen,” Elizabeth said from behind them.

“And I might not have been able to come if I hadn’t had a chance to get some writing in. Besides, it gives us a reason to keep coming back.”

“Oh, I would love to come back.”

“You will.” Luke smiled down at Kathleen. He’d certainly like to bring her again.

Hours later when they decided to call it a day, they went outside to find the weather had turned much cooler.

“Why don’t we go to the nearest drugstore soda fountain and get some hot cocoa?” Ben asked. “It’ll warm us up for the ride home.”

Everyone agreed and before long they were all sitting at a round table sipping the sweet chocolaty drink. He watched as Kathleen interacted with the others. She seemed to be enjoying herself and so was Luke. He couldn’t remember when he’d had such a good time on one of their outings.

* * *

Kathleen had never had an outing quite like the one that day, with men and women going together as a group. Everyone she knew was too tired to do much more on a weekend than get ready for the next workweek.

Which was what she proceeded to do when they got back to Heaton House. But she’d been surprised to find that her laundry had been done for her. She’d hurried downstairs in search of Mrs. Heaton. They hadn’t discussed her rent yet, but Kathleen knew she couldn’t afford to have someone do her laundry and she needed to let Mrs. Heaton know.

Kathleen found her in her study, sitting in front of the fireplace. “May I speak to you, Mrs. Heaton?”

“Of course you may. Come in, dear.” She motioned for her to take the empty chair next to hers. “Did you have a nice time at the museum?”

Kathleen sat down. “Yes, ma’am, I did, thank you. But, Mrs. Heaton, I must speak to you about my laundry. I’m not sure I can afford to—”

“Kathleen, dear, don’t worry. It’s included in the rent.”

“Yes, well, that’s something we haven’t talked about. I need to know what it is, please.”

Mrs. Heaton quoted her a figure that seemed much too low. “Oh, Mrs. Heaton, that can’t be right. I was paying my sister more than that for living with her and Clancy. I insist on paying you the regular amount.”

“That is what I’m charging you, Kathleen, dear. I didn’t start this boardinghouse to make money, but to help young women have a safe place to call home. And I set the rent accordingly.” With that Mrs. Heaton put up a hand as if to end the conversation.

Kathleen didn’t know what to say next.

Mrs. Heaton reached out and patted her on the hand. “If it makes you feel any better, there are those in need who spend a night or two here occasionally, just as you did that one time. I call them my temporaries and I don’t charge them at all for the time they spend with me.”

“But, Mrs. Heaton, I’m not a temporary now and I don’t feel right paying so little, and then to have you feed me and do my laundry on top of it?” She shook her head.

“Kathleen, food and laundry are part of the board you pay.”

“But you’re barely charging enough for the room, Mrs. Heaton.”

“Kathleen, this is my boardinghouse and I charge what I want. I want to help you, not make life harder for you. I know you worry about your sister and her boys. If you have enough left at the end of a week, send a bit to them.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Oh, child, it gives me comfort to know that I’m providing a safe home for you and the others. That is all the thanks I want.”

Remembering what Elizabeth had told her about Mrs. Heaton’s daughter brought tears to her eyes and all Kathleen could do was hug the woman and hurry out of the room before she saw them.