Enduring Dreams by Sandra Ardoin

Author:Sandra Ardoin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Miscarriage in Fiction, Polish characters in fiction, Strong Heroine, Grieving, Midwestern Fiction, Gilded Age, Heartwarming Romance, home design in fiction, Dog Characters
Publisher: Corner Room Books
Published: 2020-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

On Sunday, Claire arrived at Verbenia’s house at the same time as Phoebe. They paused on the walkway before approaching the door.

Claire smiled at her friend. “I haven’t seen you in the store lately.”

“I’ve taken on a number of new piano students and been invited to perform a concert at the theater on Independence Day.”

“A concert? How wonderful!”

Phoebe would return to the stage where she belonged, once more realizing her potential. Claire was happy for her friend. But she also wanted to ask why. Why was the exercise of Phoebe’s gift acceptable to society and Claire’s discouraged?

“It’s a tremendous opportunity and a lot of preparation in a short time. Fortunately, Spence has allowed me to use his grand piano to practice.” Phoebe laughed. “If he had his way, he’d move it to my house. Can you imagine a piano of that size in my small sitting room? I wouldn’t be able to use the room for anything else.”

“There’s not much sense in moving it when you’ll soon be moving your things into his house.” When Phoebe’s face grew pink, Claire added, “Don’t be coy. It won’t be long before he proposes.”

Phoebe’s head dipped. “Wishful thinking on your part.”

Claire laughed. “Not nearly as wishful as you claim, and we both know it.”

Phoebe’s grin gave her away.

“I’ll plan to attend your concert.”

“And I’ll spend more time practicing. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“I’ve heard you play, remember? Your talent brought many customers into the store during the Christmas season. You are incapable of disappointing anyone in the audience.”

From what Claire had heard, there was a time when Phoebe filled concert halls all over the Midwest. She was billed as “The Darling of the Ivories.” That came before her unfortunate experience with her daughter’s father.

The front door opened and Verbenia said, “Come in, you two. We’re ready to start.”

After they took their seats in the parlor, their time together began with prayer, followed by the reading of scripture. Each Sunday, they took turns leading a short scripture lesson. Today, Mavis addressed them and, as usual, she ran longer than normal. Sweet Mavis did enjoy talking.

During much of the time, Claire fought to focus on what was being said. Her mind continually drifted to yesterday and Mark’s desire to kiss her—a real kiss, not merely one on the cheek. As had happened then, her stomach dropped with the surprise, the anticipation, and the failure of her previous efforts to keep him at arm’s length.

Relief over the puppy’s welfare had elevated their emotions and prompted her reaction to him. A simple explanation for her response. Too simple, perhaps.

For once, she’d appreciated Mrs. Grzegorczyk’s intervention.

Afterward, she had retreated, but Mark’s hazel gaze bore into hers, the amber flecks shining like polished gold.

“My arms are open. Whenever you’re ready to walk into them for all time, they’ll be open.”

Those words had amazed, invigorated, and alarmed Claire all in one suspension of time. They exhorted her to do something she hadn’t thought possible—to imagine a life with someone who wasn’t Richard Kingsley.

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