Somewhere to Call Home (Love Inspired Historical) by Janet Lee Barton

Michael, seeing a side of him she’d never known. She’d enjoyed lunch and the shopping trip and she’d been surprised at how easy it was to open up to Michael about Harlan and her fears. Maybe it was because she had known him a long time and she trusted him and his mother. After all they’d done for her, how could she not?
    Violet kept busy for the rest of the afternoon, and by the time she started downstairs that evening, she was confident she was ready to start work the next morning. She’d pressed and brushed her clothing, deciding exactly what she would wear each day. She was nervous, to be sure, but excited, too. She looked forward to beginning this new phase of her life more than she’d thought she might.
    Michael asking her if she would be returning to Virginia had given her a lot to think about. She was a bit bothered that the thought of returning home didn’t fill her with joy, but told herself that it was because she had no family living to return to. She did love her home and she wanted to keep it, but she wasn’t quite so certain that she would be happy to leave here when the time came. Violet sighed. Now was not the time to be worrying about it all. She needed to be thankful that she had work and would be able to keep her home.
    “Violet, wait!”
    Violet stopped her descent and turned to see Elizabeth hurrying down the stairs.
    “How did your interviews go today? I’ve been praying off and on all day.”
    “Thank you for asking and especially for praying for me, Elizabeth. The first one didn’t go well at all. The next two said they’d be in touch with me.”
    Elizabeth sighed. “I’m so sorry. I thought for sure that you would have several and come home with a position.”
    “But I did come home with a position.” Violet smiled at her new friend.
    “You did? Oh, I am so happy. Where are you going to work?”
    “The fourth interview was at Butterick. And I got the position. I’m still finding it hard to believe that I start tomorrow. It seems we’ll be coworkers now...just like you and Lila.”
    They were both laughing when they stepped into the parlor.
    “What is so funny?” Ben asked.
    Violet was just about to announce her good news when Michael came into the room and announced, “Mother says dinner is ready, everyone.”
    There seemed to be a mass exit from the room, but Violet stayed put as Michael walked over to her. “Mother was quite pleased that I took you to lunch and shopping, Violet. Thank you for making me the son she can be proud of today.”
    Violet laughed. “She’s proud of you every day, Michael.”
    “That may be, but she was quite pleased and surprised that I’d thought of it.”
    “So was I. It was very nice of you, and it made the day even more special for me.” She took the arm he held out and let him lead her across the foyer and seat her at what had become her place at the table.
    Ben seated Mrs. Heaton. When everyone else had taken their seats, she looked to her son. “Michael, will you say grace, please?”
    Everyone bowed their heads as he thanked the Lord for the day and the food and for Violet’s good news. He’d barely finished with an “Amen” before everyone started asking questions.
    “What good news?” Lila asked from across the table. “You found a job?”
    “Did you find a position?” Luke leaned forward from down the table.
    “I did. I applied at Butterick this morning and it looks like we’ll be working together, Lila.”
    The other girl looked a little stunned, and Elizabeth rushed in to fill the silence. “It appears we have another ‘coworker,’ Lila. Or at least you really will.” Her chuckle drew laughter at the running joke between the two women and even Lila managed a giggle—if it did seem a bit forced.
    Everyone else congratulated her heartily as Michael began serving the main course and Gretchen began to pass the side dishes around.
    “When do you start?” Lila asked as she took the bowl of creamed potatoes and