Free A Home for Her Heart by Janet Lee Barton Page A

worry. I will manage things so I have time to work with you.”
    “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
    John’s words managed to surprise her. One minute she thought he wished he were working on his own and the next she thought he might not mind so much that they were working together. The man could make her laugh one minute and make her steam the next, but most of all, John had just confused her to no end.
    * * *
    The next evening, just as dinner was getting underway, Elizabeth was called to the telephone to find her aunt on the other end.
    “Elizabeth, dear, I wanted to remind you about the Barclays’ masquerade party for charity this coming Friday.”
    “Masquerade party?”
    “Yes, dear. Remember, they want me to be the speaker and you promised to come with me and help take up the collections?”
    Oh, yes, it had been in the planning for months, but Elizabeth had totally forgotten about it.
    Normally Elizabeth was happy to help her aunt, but with how busy she was with the articles, she hated to take time off. Still, she had agreed. And besides, this was the aunt who had always been there for her and made the way easier with Papa. She couldn’t try to get out of it.
    “Of course, Aunt Bea. What time do I need to be there?”
    “You can come here straight after work. I’ll have your costume ready and waiting for you. I found a lovely one and I can’t wait for you to see it. You’ll stay the night, of course.”
    “Of course. But I need to be back here fairly early. We’re all going on a picnic to Central Park.”
    “I’ll make sure you get up early, then. I look forward to seeing you, dear.”
    “I look forward to seeing you, too, Aunt Bea.” Elizabeth hung up the receiver and released a sigh. At least it was a masquerade party. She had no way of knowing if any reporters would be invited, but assumed they would. And it was possible that John could still be assigned to something like this. But she was becoming quite nervous about running into him. She’d seen him at several balls and functions her aunt insisted she attend. She’d always assumed that she could use working for the Delineator as an excuse to be there. And she did almost always write an article for the magazine. But if she were ever introduced as her aunt’s niece in his hearing, she was afraid he’d unravel her secret.
    If she knew he wouldn’t think badly of her, she’d almost be encouraged to make it happen. She was so very tired of keeping who she really was a secret. Perhaps she should have sought the Lord’s guidance before she decided to go by her mother’s maiden name. In the darkened alcove, she bowed her head and silently prayed.
    Dear Lord, please forgive me for not always seeking Your guidance. I went out on my own and made a decision without coming to You about it. And now, I’m living with the consequences of worrying if my friends will hate me once they know I’ve not been totally truthful with them since I came to Heaton House. I am so afraid they will feel betrayed in some way.... But I know the time is coming when I must tell them. Please let me know when the time is right and give me the right words to say. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
    She brushed a tear that ran down her cheek and took a deep breath. She needed to join the others or Mrs. Heaton would send someone after her.
    She hurried to the dining room and slid into her chair beside John.
    “Everything all right?” he asked quietly.
    “Yes, of course. It was my aunt wanting me to come stay with her on Friday evening.”
    “But what about the picnic on Saturday?” Mrs. Heaton asked. “You will still be able to make it, won’t you?”
    “Yes, I’ll be back in plenty of time. I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “Good,” Mrs. Heaton said.
    “I’ve got to cover a society thing that night,” John said. “I hope it isn’t too late getting over with. But I’m looking forward to the picnic, too.”
    Elizabeth caught her breath. Was he covering the Barclay party she was