Free To Honor and Trust by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller Page B

supporting me. I may not find a job that he will think praiseworthy, but I won’t look to him for support.”
    â€œPromise you won’t do anything rash, Wes. Just give me time to speak to him.”
    Wes shook his head. “Please don’t, Mother. I don’t want either of you to concern yourselves about my future.” He smiled at her. “I have an education and good health, and I know that with God’s help, I’ll find the answers for my future.”

    Callie waited alongside Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport in the foyer outside the dining room of the clubhouse. “I do wish wecould have secured early seating for the season. They always give preference to those living in the clubhouse, and most of them don’t have children. I doubt there will be many evenings when Lottie and Daisy can join us. They’ll fall asleep before dessert. Of course, Thomas would have no problem, but he dislikes having to dress for dinner every night and will use any excuse to avoid eating in the clubhouse.”
    â€œPerhaps I could have the girls take a nap in the afternoon if there are evenings when you want to bring them along,” Callie suggested.
    The headwaiter, Mr. Hall, approached with a broad smile. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport, Miss Deboyer.” He bobbed his head. “It is always a pleasure to have you dine with us. Please follow me.”
    Mr. Hall turned on his heel and came nose-to-nose with a group of departing guests. “Excuse me, Mr. Townsend, I didn’t realize you were approaching. Are you acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport?”
    â€œI don’t believe I am.” Mr. Townsend extended his hand to Mr. Bridgeport, and the men exchanged pleasantries. “I hope you’ll have an opportunity to meet my wife, Mrs. Bridgeport. She had to leave dinner early this evening, but I’m sure you’ll see her at some of the social events you ladies share at the clubhouse. We have another son, but he departed earlier, as well. It’s a pleasure to meet you folks.” He clapped Mr. Bridgeport on the shoulder. “If you have any desire to extend your investments, I’m always interested in gaining the right investors for our woolen mill expansion.”
    â€œI’ll give it some thought.” Mr. Bridgeport glanced toward the waiter. “I believe we’re holding up dinner seating. Nice to meet you, Mr. Townsend.”
    â€œThey were quite a lively group, weren’t they?” Mrs. Bridgeport commented as she took her seat between her husband and Callie. “Did you notice the necklace the daughter, Helena, was wearing? That must have cost a fortune.”
    Callie hadn’t noticed the necklace. She had been too preoccupied with watching Mr. Hall dance from foot to foot while he waited for the conversation to end. She was certain he had immediately regretted asking if the Bridgeports knew the Townsends.
    Mrs. Bridgeport nodded toward the next table. “Do look at the dress Mrs. Wilson is wearing, Callie. That is absolutely beautiful. I wonder if she had it made when they were in Europe this summer. And her brooch is stunning. Perfect with her dress, don’t you think?”
    Callie nodded. “It’s quite lovely.”
    â€œI don’t know if I mentioned this earlier, Callie, but when I wrote to enroll Thomas in his golf and tennis lessons, I signed you up, as well.”
    Callie’s mouth gaped open. She’d never before taken lessons with the children. She’d made certain they arrived on time and waited until they finished, but she’d not previously been included. “How generous of you, Mrs. Bridgeport. Though I wouldn’t say my athletic abilities will match those of Thomas, I may discover some untapped talents.”
    Mrs. Bridgeport gazed toward another table before shifting her attention back to Callie. “I’m sure you will prove an excellent student.”
    â€œBut who will care