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

served herself.
    “First thing tomorrow morning.”
    Lila surprised Violet once more by saying, “I usually leave at seven-thirty. If you’re ready by then we can go to work together.”
    Maybe there was hope for a friendship with Lila. Her change of heart from the evening before seemed genuine. “Thank you, Lila. I’ll be ready.”
    “That’s nice of you, Lila,” Mrs. Heaton said from the other end of the table.
    “Well, there’s no sense in her going by herself when we can keep each other company on the way.” Lila looked back to Violet. “Did you give me as a reference? If so, I wasn’t asked about you.”
    “They didn’t seem to need any references,” Violet said. “They didn’t even take the nice letter Mrs. Heaton gave me.”
    “Hmm, that’s odd. Who did the interview?”
    “Mr. Wilder and Miss Carter both interviewed me. But Mr. Butterick was there, too, and he seemed to have the final word.”
    “Oh!” Lila seemed a bit surprised as she continued. “Well, how nice. I—”
    “I’m sure it’s a relief to know that you have employment,” Luke interrupted.
    Violet was glad of the interruption. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what Lila was going to say next. “Oh, yes. It is.”
    “We’re all very happy for you, Violet,” Elizabeth said.
    “Thank you. I feel blessed to know I have everyone’s good wishes and prayers.” Looking around the table, Violet realized she was among friends, and she sent up a silent prayer, thanking the Lord above for Mrs. Heaton and her boarders.

Chapter Seven
    M ichael watched as everyone congratulated Violet on finding work. He’d been pleasantly surprised by Lila’s offer to accompany Violet to work, even though he’d been hoping she would. Had she not, he’d been prepared to suggest it.
    What he hadn’t been prepared for was the relief he felt that Violet had gotten the position, which meant that she would be staying with them. She’d never given any indication that she would go back home, but he’d wondered if she might if she didn’t find something right away. Many who came to New York City did just that if they couldn’t find employment quickly. He was glad Violet wouldn’t be one of them, because his mother seemed to have perked up considerably since Violet’s arrival and he wanted to make sure she stayed that way.
    He had to admit he liked having Violet around, too. But he and his mother had to keep in mind that she would be leaving at some point. Her only reason for coming here in the first place was to find a job to be able to pay off her family home and go back to Virginia. And Michael had no intention of moving back to Ashland. His life was here in the city now. If his sister was still alive she was out there somewhere, and he’d never find her if he left. Besides, his mother’s life was here, helping other young women. So he’d best keep reminding himself that Violet’s stay here wouldn’t be permanent. It wouldn’t be wise to let himself become too attached to her.
    “Did you go on other interviews, Violet?” Julia asked.
    “Yes, I did. The first three came up empty, and I was sure Butterick wouldn’t be any different. But I was hired before I left.”
    “Oh! I thought perhaps they’d telephoned you to let you know you had the position.”
    Violet looked lovely—her face was flushed with color and her eyes sparkled. She looked as relieved as Michael felt about her getting the position.
    “Well, actually, you did receive a telephone call this afternoon. Gretchen remembered to tell me just before dinner,” his mother said. “There seemed to be no hurry to let you know, with you getting the position at Butterick. It was the personnel director at Macy’s asking that you come in and have another interview tomorrow. Gretchen told her she’d give you the message.”
    “Thank you for letting me know, but you were right that there needn’t be any hurry to tell me. I’m quite pleased that I was hired by