Read Online Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

Nightingale.”
    â€œSo now you plan to become a nurse?”
    Abrianna straightened. “If that’s what God wills for me. However I can best help the people is what I want to do. Nevertheless, I will do what I can to see that Mr. Booth remembers you well. Daily—at least if I see him daily—I will endeavor to draw him into conversations that speak of your traits.”
    Lenore giggled. “Tell him only the good things. I’m afraid the bad will speak for itself.”
    â€œYou have no bad traits.” Abrianna plopped into the closest chair. “I’m the one who has all of those.” She heaved a sigh. “I burn more things than I manage to cook. I can sew a straight line, but forget singing or playing the piano. I’m a most uncomely dancer, and my red hair is far too shocking a color to call me fashionable.”
    â€œYou can be fashionable, Abrianna. And I’ve seen you dance. You do quite well. Your hair would fit expectations if you were to pin it up all of the time instead of just on Sunday.”
    â€œI only pin it up then because my aunts insist. I like having the wind in my hair. Not only that—this mess is difficult to keep pinned in place.” She leaned forward. “Sometimes I give serious consideration to cutting it short like a boy.”
    â€œNever do that, Abrianna. My father would forbid us any further meetings if you were to do something so questionable.”
    â€œI know that full well. It is a terrible burden to carry,” Abrianna said with yet another sigh.
    Lenore sat down beside her on the settee. “Abrianna, you could do much to improve the way people see you. I believe you to be one of the kindest and most honest people I’ve ever met. When I look at you, I know that you are authentic through and through. There isn’t even a hint of pretense in your mannerisms.”
    â€œI know I’m supposed to give the impression of being a well-trained young lady, but the things taught here at the school rarely interest me. I love politics and causes. I fear for the Chinese in the days to come. After all, if the mobs would round them up once, they will be inclined to try again. I am troubled by the hatred people have for those who are different. I want homes and warmth for the cold and weary. I pray for food and healing for those who wander the streets of Seattle. If I had a big building like this, I wouldn’t run a bridal school, I’d have a home for the friendless.”
    â€œGoodness, that would be a shocking position for a young single woman to take on. You’d be better to carry on the work of your aunts.”
    â€œI hardly think so. Eventually there will be more than enough women in the West and thus no longer a need for such a place.”
    Lenore folded her hands. “Having young women in town is one thing. Teaching them to be acceptable wives and mothers is an entirely different matter.”
    â€œThen you can train them, and I shall find homes for those who have nowhere to go.” She sat up, realizing this was the very seed of a desire she didn’t even know she had. She had long taken goods to the old seafarers who were too old to go to sea but hadno other place to call home. Abrianna had given blankets to those poor souls on the streets, shared money and food with the street urchins, and had even taken hot soup to ladies of the evening who were suffering maladies. She knew her aunts thought it all very scandalous, but Abrianna knew it to be a calling.
    â€œWe have completely digressed,” Lenore declared. “I want only to know that you will hold up my memory to Mr. Booth and encourage a deeper understanding between us.”
    Abrianna nodded with a weak smile. “I shall endeavor to do my best for you.”

    The Monday following Lenore’s departure, Abrianna hoped to have a chance to help her friend as promised.
    â€œI have cookies and sweet cakes just like you asked.”