Free A Life Worth Living by Irene Brand

minutes before he had the courage to knock. For all he knew, she might be on a tour of Europe or traveling in the United States, and he would have made the trip for nothing. He heard footsteps approaching and didn’t realize he was holding his breath until a woman he’d never seen opened the door. At first he thought he must have the wrong apartment, but noting that the woman wore a navy blue uniform, he assumed she was a servant.
    “I’m looking for Dora Porter. Do I have the right apartment?”
    The maid looked him over from head to toe before she said, “Do you have a calling card?”
    Realizing more than ever that he was a fish out of water, Allen shook his head. He didn’t even know what a calling card was.
    “Just a moment, please.”
    The woman didn’t invite him in and started to close the door when he heard soft footsteps approaching and Dora’s voice saying, “Who is it?”
    She reached the door, and for a moment a stunned expression covered her face before she gave a tiny squeal, pushed past the maid, and threw her arms around him.
    “Oh Allen,” she said. “I’ve missed seeing you.”
    Momentarily speechless, Allen stood like a man turned to stone before his emotions surfaced and he drew her into a tight embrace.
    “I almost turned back before I rang the bell,” he mur-mured, “not knowing whether you’d want to see me, but it can’t get much better than this. I believe you’re happy to see me, so that’s worth the long trip up here.”
    Allen glanced at the maid and almost laughed at her scandalized expression. She shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
    “Oh Allen,” Dora murmured. “I am happy to see you. Come on in. I’m not conceited enough to believe that you came all the way to New York just to see me, so I suppose there’s trouble at the mill. Just let me get used to the fact that you’re really here before you unload any bad news.”
    He knew now that he had missed her and had come to New York primarily to see Dora, although he couldn’t admit it to her. He’d not wanted to love Dora, but there wasn’t any doubt in his mind now that he did love her and that he’d made the long trip to see her more than to warn her about problems at the mill. He could have sent that warning by letter. Why was he so foolish to love a woman who was as far out of his reach as the sun and the moon? Well, he was here now, so he might as well enjoy a taste of paradise for a few days.
    ❧
    With her arm around his waist, Dora led Allen into the living room, where Lester Holdredge was still sitting. She’d forgotten all about the man, and she wondered how she could explain his presence to Allen and vice versa. From where he sat, Lester could have seen her embrace Allen.
    She felt her face flushing and, fearful that she had a guilty look, she took Allen’s hand and drew him into the room. “Let me introduce you to Lester Holdredge, a friend of the family. Lester, this is my friend, Allen Bolden, who is looking after the affairs of the family’s textile mill in North Carolina.”
    “I can come back later,” Allen said.
    “Oh no,” Dora said.
    Standing, Lester shook hands with Allen. “That isn’t necessary. I was just preparing to leave.”
    Dora walked to the door with him, trying not to show how eager she was for him to leave. Why had Allen come to New York? Whatever the reason, she was delighted to see him.
    ❧
    Allen stood at the wide window overlooking the park, Dora at his side. He’d always known that his world and Dora’s were eons apart, but if he’d needed more proof, the location of this apartment made it evident. Even in the mountains, he’d heard of Central Park and the expensive dwellings and businesses around the area.
    He heard footsteps behind them, and Dora turned. Maude had entered the room with a tray and greeted Allen graciously before she set several items on a long table in front of the davenport. “It’s good to have you visit, Mr. Bolden. Do you want me to