in this decision.”
“I’ll pray, too,” Julia said.
“So will I,” Emily added.
“Please do, for I truly am not sure what to do.” She could only hope the Lord would let her know sooner rather than later.
* * *
The next afternoon at quitting time, Matt stretched and gazed out at the view. The taller this building became, the more of the city and surrounding area he could see. He loved looking out to the ocean and the ships that moved in and docked, or eased out into the Atlantic. He turned and picked out Macy’s, where Emily worked, and the huge Siegel-Cooper company on Sixth Avenue where Stephen was employed. He knew right where to look to see the top of Heaton House in Gramercy Park. He loved looking up at the sky and feeling closer to the Lord somehow.
But much as he enjoyed working up here, he couldn’t help remember the fear he’d seen in Millicent’s eyes and the trepidation he’d heard in her voice. But she was also one of the most independent, stubborn women he’d ever met, and he wouldn’t be surprised at all if she took the offer—if it came about.
“Hey, boss.” Burl Callaway, the man Matt counted on to train the newer men on the job, came up to him. “Looks like we’ve almost caught up where we ought to be after Jim and Ned got hurt. Have you heard how they’re doing?”
“I checked in on them Sunday afternoon and they should be back next week,” Matt said.
“That’s good to know.”
“Yeah, it is. How’s that new guy...Ed...doing?”
“He’s a hard worker, just needs to learn a few more things.”
Matt nodded. The kid was young, but they needed the help. “Just make sure he puts his tools where they’re supposed to go. And we need to tie down the tarp over there,” Matt motioned to a tarp flapping in the breeze.
“I’ll see to it.”
Matt watched as Jack Dennison and Tom O’Riley, two of his best workers, finished making sure the area they’d been working in was cleaned up and in order before waving good-night.
Matt waved goodbye to some of his other men as they called it a day, and then made sure everything was secured for the night. As foreman, it was his responsibility and he didn’t take it lightly. Once he was satisfied nothing was amiss, he looked out over the city one more time before calling it a day and heading to the freight elevator that would take him down to street level. He was taking off his work belt to hang in the locker room when he heard footsteps. He turned to see his supervisor approaching.
“Sterling! You’re just the man I want to see.”
“Oh? What’s up, Mr. Johnson?”
“Well, the boss man just told me he’s agreed to give some reporters and a photographer free access to the building to do a series of articles. Says you might know them.”
“Afraid I do. I was hoping he’d say no.”
Johnson chuckled. “I’m glad to hear you think like I do. But we aren’t the ones who make the decisions. He is and we’ve got to ‘help in any way we can.’”
“Yes, sir.”
“I suppose if you know them, you also know one of the reporters and the photographer are women?”
“I do.” He wasn’t going to tell the man about Millicent being petrified of heights, although he wondered if he should.
“Well, it’s going to be up to you to see that none of them get hurt.”
Matt let out a long sigh. “I can’t say that thrills me, but I’ll do my best to keep them out of harm’s way.” Especially Millicent—he knew John would be watching out for his wife.
“I know you will. Not sure when they’ll begin, but I’ll let you know soon as I know. Or, since you’re friends with them, you can let me know if you find out anything first.” The slap on the back Matt received did nothing to calm the frustration he felt over their boss actually agreeing to the crazy idea. No one needed inexperienced people on a building site like this.
But he didn’t have a say, so he just nodded. “Will do.”
“I know I can count on you, Sterling. See you tomorrow.” With that Johnson gave a wave and walked away.
Matt wondered if Millicent had heard the news yet. It truly was a golden opportunity for her and he could understand why she felt she must accept it. But it wouldn’t be easy on her. He shrugged. It wasn’t going to be easy on him, either.
He was attracted to Millicent—more than he was comfortable with and way more than he should be. And she’d looked so pretty the night before, dressed in a blue-and-white summery outfit that made her eyes appear even bluer and her blond hair lighter.
Even when they disagreed on something—and that was often—he felt more alive around Millie than any other woman he knew. Distancing himself seemed to be the only way to counteract it. And trying to do that was difficult enough living in the same place. How could he manage putting distance between them when it’d be his job to watch over her while she took those photographs?
Matt headed to his trolley stop while silently praying, Dear Lord, I don’t know what Your plan is, but if possible, I’d sure appreciate it if You’d nudge Millie to turn down this offer from the Tribune and give her another opportunity to make a name for herself. Please forgive me if I’m being selfish, but only You know what I’m dealing with here. If it’s Your will that she take the offer, I accept it, but oh, Lord, I sure hope it’s not.
Somehow he wasn’t surprised to see John standing at the trolley stop when he got there—they sometimes rode home together, on their way to their respective homes. His friend grinned from ear to ear, alerting Matt to the fact that John must have heard the news.
“We got the assignment,” he said.
He couldn’t help but be happy for John even as he dreaded the weeks to come. “I just heard. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Matt. This means a lot to me and Elizabeth.”
“I know it does. Has Millicent been told?”
John shook his head. “No. I telephoned Elizabeth, though, and she’s going to get in touch with her.”
Matt nodded.
“I thought we could meet tomorrow evening at the ice cream shop to do some planning on when would be best for your crew for us to come to Park Row.”
“Good idea. I’ll check with Millicent when I get to Heaton House. She might need more time to make a decision.”
“We do need an answer by tomorrow evening.”
“I’m sure she’ll have one for you by then.” She didn’t have any choice.
* * *
Millicent checked on the
