A Man With a Pure Heart Read online

  Samuel shared his slow almost-smile. “Well, then, you’re in luck. I know the perfect place. If you wouldn’t mind the company, I can take you to the Ladies’ Village Emporium. I happen to know the owners, and they have everything you might need, from hand-stitched bedding to fresh baked bread.”

  A few minutes later, she was seated in the motorcar. “So tell me about this Emporium. You say you know the owners?”

  Samuel smiled, “Well, it’s quite a story, but the long and short of it is that my sister opened a home for women who need a little help. She makes sure they get an education and are trained in some sort of skill that can help them earn a living. They sell their crafts, canned goods, and fresh vegetables in the Emporium and can earn a wage that way.”

  “How kind of her. Samuel, I must know. Do you have any new information for me? Are you any closer to finding my sister’s killer?”

  Samuel was sorry to see the smile had left her face. He accepted that he enjoyed seeing that smile, and he wanted to be the one to bring it back. He reached out and covered her hand with his, where it rested on the seat between them.

  “No, Kathleen, I’m sorry. There is no news, but I promise you, it is only a matter of time. I will not give up.” He squeezed her hand. “The minute I know something, I will let you know, but until then, you need to put it aside and allow yourself a rest from your grief. We fix those things we can, and then we’d best let the Lord handle the rest.”

  Kathleen looked into those golden eyes, filled with compassion, and wondered how a man this sensitive could perform the job he was engaged in. She gave him a weak smile. “Good advice. I am a believer in the power of prayer, but sometimes I need to pray for patience.”

  Samuel chuckled. “Well that certainly makes you human. I don’t think there’s a person amongst us who doesn’t try to pressure the Lord sometimes.”

  Samuel was nosing the motorcar off the road in front of a well-kept store with a large window. Kathleen could see mannequins of all sizes in the window. Samuel opened the door and took her hand as she stepped from the car. He smiled. “Welcome to the Emporium.”

  As soon as they stepped inside, the aroma of fresh-baked bread enveloped them. Kathleen observed shelves lined with jars of canned fruits and vegetables on one side, and racks of brightly colored clothing of all sizes on the opposite wall. There were groups of kitchen utensils, bed linens, handmade baskets, and endless other craft items on display in the center aisles. Everything was sparkling clean and well organized.

  There was a shout, and then a blond-haired imp about ten years old flew around a display. The whirlwind threw himself at Samuel’s legs. Samuel reached down, grabbed the imp, and hung him upside down for a few seconds before returning the now giggling bundle to the floor.

  “Did you make me something, huh, Uncle Samuel, did you bring me a new horse, huh, did you?” The little blond boy was jumping from one foot to the other when a smiling woman grabbed him by the collar and turned to them.

  “Good day, miss. Welcome to the Emporium. Samuel, you can explain to this young lady why my child is behavin’ like a heathen in public. Jimmy, stop making a spectacle of yourself, and let them at least get in the door.”

  “Good mornin’, Emma. How’s business today?” Samuel turned to Kathleen. “Kathleen, this is Emma Rogers. She manages the Emporium, and this young man is her son, Jimmy. He manages to stay out of trouble for the most part. Emma, this is Miss Kathleen Campbell. She is taking over the primary school for the rest of the school year.”

  Emma immediately sobered. This must be the sister of the young woman who was killed. She took Kathleen’s extended hand. “Miss, your sister was a lovely girl. She shopped here often. If there is anything we can do, or anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  Kathleen’s eyes filled as she nodded, and Emma could see she was struggling to hold back the pain. “Well, miss, I’ll leave you to your shopping, and I’ll just take this young’un off your hands. Samuel, if you need anything, let me know.”

  Young Jimmy struggled for only a moment as his mother led him away by the ear. Samuel grinned. Jimmy was a good boy. He’d had a rough start in life. His mother had come to Mae’s village when he was only four years old. Both of them had been covered in bruises and looked half starved. They had barely begun to recover when the man they’d run from had come looking for them. He’d come to drag them back, and Mae had stopped him. She had sent him on his way with a bullet in the arm and a warning to never come back. They had always suspected he’d been the one to burn down the lumber storage yard for the village.

  Kathleen turned to Samuel and caught the fond smile on his face. “So you are his uncle?”

  “No, I was just the first man to ever be kind to him, and he just sort of latched onto me, him and about a dozen more.”

  She smiled. “So you like children? Do you have any of your own?”

  Samuel looked into those green eyes and considered a moment before answering. “I’ve always known marriage and a family are in my future. I just haven’t had reason to think much about it before now.”

  Kathleen had to drag her gaze away from his compelling eyes. She could feel the heat of her blush. “Well, I had better start shopping. I’m taking up way too much of your day, sir.”

  She picked up a basket and headed for the produce at the back of the store. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her. It was the truth; he hadn’t given much thought to the future. He’d always known that the Lord would send him a mate when the time was right. He was twenty-four, he had a good job, and he loved kids. He grinned to himself. Heck, maybe the time was right now.

  They loaded Kathleen’s supplies and were leaving the parking area when Samuel spoke. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to run by Taylor’s and pick up my stepmother. She only works a half day on Saturday, so I drove her in this morning and will be taking her home.”

  “Please, you have been so kind, you do what you need to do, and I’ll be fine.”

  Samuel smiled. “You’ll love Eleanor; everyone does. She is the second best thing that ever happened to my father, and we all love her dearly.”

  Kathleen was surprised when they stopped in front of Taylor’s. This was the kind of establishment she would expect to see in a place like Boston.

  Samuel stepped around the motorcar and opened her door as he smiled down at her. “Come on, you know you want to see the inside. All those woman things are just calling your name.”

  Kathleen laughed at his foolishness, and the sound warmed his insides.

  The little bell over the door announced their presence, and a soft voice called out, “Be with you in just a moment.”

  The beautiful fabrics and hats on display overwhelmed Kathleen. She had yet to find a hat that could tame her wild mane of curls, but she so enjoyed searching for one.

  Eleanor came bustling through the curtain hiding the dressing rooms. She stopped short at the sight of the beautiful woman looking at the hats. She looked at Samuel with an eyebrow raised in question. He smiled broadly.

  “Are you about finished for the day?”

  Kathleen turned when he spoke. She was facing a lovely, small woman, with red-gold hair that had just the beginnings of white at the temples. She couldn’t have been much more than five feet tall and was immaculately dressed in a beautiful, peach-colored blouse and dark brown skirt.

  Samuel smiled at the unspoken curiosity in Eleanor’s eyes. “Eleanor, this is Kathleen Campbell. She will be the primary school teacher for the remainder of this year. Kathleen, this is Eleanor Hinton, my much-loved stepmother.”

  Eleanor turned a lovely shade of pink. “Oh, hush, you silly goose. It’s nice to meet you, dear. Please excuse Samuel. He loves to tease me.”

  “Kathleen just got into town day before yesterday and needed a few things, so I offered to take her to the Emporium. We’ll be dropping her off on our way home.”

  Kathleen could plainly see the love between these two. It warmed her heart but sadden
ed her at the same time. As a child, she had often wished her family had been more open in their feelings for each other. As a grown woman, she had wondered if this lack of intimacy was what had led her sister to leave home at an early age. Mary Elizabeth had left immediately after receiving her teaching degree. She had signed on as a relief teacher and had been in several states in the past five years. As Mary Elizabeth moved into each new position, their mother would say, “Maybe this time she will find a man and settle down.” But Kathleen had never believed it. Her sister had been perfectly content with the solitary life.

  Kathleen listened to the banter between Eleanor and Samuel as they drove. They spoke of a Cyrus and his garden, a Mae and a Charlotte, and how Charlotte had charmed her father into a puppy for her birthday. They were describing the kind of loving family she had always dreamed of having one day.

  They made a short stop at the icehouse and then proceeded to the cottage. When Samuel stopped the motorcar, Eleanor turned to Kathleen.

  “Dear, if you don’t have any plans for this afternoon, why don’t you come home with us and share supper? It is a family gathering, and there’s always room for one more. We would love to have you.”

  “That’s very kind of you, but I can’t intrude.” Kathleen was already regretting her answer when Samuel walked round to open her door.

  “Well, you won’t be intruding, so hand me those baskets. We’ll get them inside, and you can grab a wrap for when it cools off this evening.”

  Eleanor eyed the two as they entered the cottage. She couldn’t wait for Mae to see this. Samuel had been born with a need to protect all women, young and old, but there was something different about this one. She wasn’t just someone to be protected. She might be someone to love.

  Chapter Four

  Cyrus and Patrick were chasing a young goat around the yard when Samuel eased into the circular drive at the front of the manor. A very dirty Charlotte was clapping her hands and giggling uncontrollably.

  Eleanor shook her head. “Kathleen, welcome to our home.”

  Samuel got out and rushed around to open their doors. “Kathleen, make a run for the front door with Eleanor, and I’ll try to keep the goat and the giggling heathen from getting you dirty.”

  Martha Patrick, the head housekeeper, met them in the front hallway. “Saints preserve us! Did I just see a goat chase you in?”

  Eleanor sighed. “Yes, you did. It seems Charlotte has been up to mischief again.” She turned to Kathleen. “Charlotte is Mae and Edward’s daughter. She loves to turn the animals loose and then be entertained by her uncles trying to catch them.”

  Martha shook her head. “Here, miss, let me take your wrap. I have tea on, and Cook has some lovely-looking tarts cooling in the kitchen.”

  “That sounds wonderful, Martha. Is Mae in the back parlor?” Eleanor asked.

  “Yes, ma’am. The doctor told her to go rest, just before he drove out to the village to check on the new little one.”

  Eleanor smiled at Kathleen. “Come along, dear. We will have a few minutes’ peace and quiet before Samuel has Charlotte presentable and brings her in.”

  Kathleen followed Eleanor through the wide hall. The manor was much larger than she had expected. It seemed such a grand place, and it had been a little disconcerting to see young men chasing animals on the front lawn. This family was certainly a lively bunch.

  They entered a large sitting room at the rear of the house, and Kathleen’s gaze was immediately drawn to the stately piano at the back of the room. It was a beautiful piece. It was only after taking it in that she noticed the dark-haired woman reclining on a sofa.

  Eleanor stopped beside the sofa and spoke softly. “Mae, are you asleep, dear?”

  “No, just enjoying the peace and quiet.” The woman sat up and smiled. Then she caught sight of Kathleen. “Good golly Moses, why didn’t you tell me we had company?”

  Kathleen smiled. “Please, don’t get up on my account.” It was plain to see the woman was pregnant.

  Mae shot a questioning look at Eleanor. “Mae, this is Kathleen Campbell. She is a friend of Samuel’s.”

  Now she had Mae’s full attention.

  “Oh, no, we’re not friends, I mean…we are…I mean, we just met.” By now Mae was really interested. The woman was blushing a very becoming pink and seemed to have run out of words.

  Eleanor took pity on Kathleen. “Kathleen’s sister was our schoolteacher, dear. She is going to finish out the year for us. Samuel took her shopping at the Emporium today, and I find no reason for her to be sitting in the cottage alone all day, when she could come and be entertained by goat-chasing farmers and curly-haired heathens.”

  “Oh, no!” Mae exclaimed. “Did Charlotte turn the goat loose again?”

  Martha answered from the doorway as she entered with the teacart. “She most certainly did. Her favorite uncle has her in the kitchen right now, lecturing her on what is and is not acceptable behavior for a little lady, all while he is attempting to wash a half acre of dirt from her hands and face.”

  Eleanor was trying to hide a smile. “Kathleen, please have a seat. The show has only just begun.”

  Mae nodded her agreement. “I could probably call this a circus and sell tickets.” She grinned ruefully.

  “Kathleen, as you can see, we are very informal. Please help yourself to a cup of tea and a fruit tart. Cook makes the best mayhaw tarts for fifty miles in any direction,” Eleanor said. She passed a cup of tea and a tart to Mae.

  Mae waited until Kathleen had tea and tart in hand before she asked, “Kathleen, have you been a teacher long?”

  “No, I graduated from Simmons College for Women two years ago. My sister, Mary Elizabeth, left home almost five years ago now, and our mother had a very hard time accepting that. So once I graduated, in order to stay closer to home I took a position as tutor to the daughters of a vice president of the Porter Motor Company. They were sweet girls. This past September, I escorted them to New York, where they will be attending the Finch School. It is a finishing school for young women. Their father wanted them to be prepared properly for marrying into society. I had only been home from New York City a couple of weeks when we received word of Mary Elizabeth’s death.”

  “Your sister was a dear woman. I spoke with her at length one afternoon when she was shopping in the Emporium. I was working on convincing her to come visit with my girls, at the village. I was hoping to have her come out every other Saturday and teach history.” Mae took a sip of her tea.

  “History and geography were her favorite subjects. She loved tracing the roots of different areas; how they were settled, and by whom.”

  Before Kathleen could continue, a now almost-clean Charlotte burst through the parlor door.

  “Mama, I clean now. Can I have a tart and milk? Please, please, Mama?”

  A grinning Samuel was right behind her. He had a smudge of dirt on his left jaw and another on his shirt pocket.

  “I did the best I could. At least her hands and face are passable, now.”

  Charlotte ran to the sideboard and took out a linen tablecloth. She returned to her mother’s chair and spread the cloth on the floor.

  “See, Mama?” She smiled sweetly. “I be careful. No tart on the chair.” She promptly sat on the cloth, crossed her legs, and smoothed her dress over her scuffed knees before folding her hands and waiting patiently for someone to serve her.

  Mae rose from her chair and handed Charlotte a tart and the glass of milk that Martha had included on the cart. “All right, little missy, you know the rules. You must stay on the cloth, do not interrupt the grownups, and clean up after yourself. Understood?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” was the sweet answer, and the child stuffed a piece of tart into her mouth as soon as the words were out.

  Samuel had taken the seat beside Kathleen. “I promised you would not be intruding. When I’ve finished my tea, I’ll show you around. I assure you the goat has been secured.”

  Samuel turned to Mae and asked
about Cyrus’s plans for next year’s garden. As they spoke, Kathleen was free to look around the parlor. Her eyes kept straying to the piano in the corner. It looked like an early Baldwin model. She had learned to play on one of those. She was so intent on the instrument that it took her a moment to realize Samuel had spoken to her.

  “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

  “I said do you play the piano?”

  “Yes.” She smiled tentatively. “I’ve had some training.”

  He smiled broadly. “Then you will have to play for us after supper.” He drained his teacup and stood. He held out his hand and smiled down at her. “Come, we’ll take a walk around the grounds. You can tell me about Boston.”

  Charlotte jumped up, knocking over her glass that, fortunately, she had drained. “Wait for me, Unc’ Samuel!”

  Mae grabbed her as she darted by. “Oh, no, little missy, you have to have a real bath, and a nap, before your papa gets home, or else you won’t be able to sit in his lap when he reads to you.”

  Charlotte loved her uncle, but she adored her papa.

  “Yes, Mama, I needs a bath.”

  Samuel presented Kathleen with the sweater she had given over to Martha earlier. Eleanor and Mae exchanged a look.

  “I may take Kathleen over to see the village. We’ll be back by suppertime.”

  Samuel opened one of the French doors and led Kathleen out toward the lake.

  “So.” Eleanor grinned. “What do you think of that?”

  Mae shook her head slowly. “I’m not sure what to think. Is that my same brother who left here this morning? That is the most talkative I’ve ever seen him.”

  “I couldn’t believe it when they showed up at the shop. And then when we got her home, he refused to let her decline the invitation to supper. I think our Samuel is very interested.”

  Mae shook her head in wonder. “She is a beauty and seems very nice. Oh! My gosh! I forgot all about it,” Mae exclaimed.

  “About what?”

  Mae turned to Eleanor with a look of disbelief on her face. “The dream,” she said. “I dreamed Samuel was sitting on the front porch of a little house. He was holding a beautiful little girl with the curliest red hair I had ever seen.”