July 4, 1904
L illian joined Lizzie’s family on their overnight trip to the World’s Fair for the fourth of July. They’d even talked Father into letting them spend the afternoon with Lillian’s male suitor, who happened to be Jeremiah’s friend, Thomas.
Lizzie hadn’t known any other blind dates to work out before, but Thomas and Lillian were suited for each other. His wide-eyed innocence and boisterous enthusiasm mirrored Lizzie’s personality. With the two of them dating for the past month, made it easier for Lizzie to see Jeremiah.
Although, once Father realized that Thomas was Jeremiah’s friend, he gave Lizzie a disapproving look. More than a hundred years later, fathers would still be giving their children those looks, but it wouldn’t be as affective. Which is why Lizzie so easily shirked it off. Her great-great-grandmother’s happiness could be at stake, but how would that change her future? If she never made it back, she’d be doomed to live out this life—which became less and less gloomy every day.
She squeezed the small wrapped box in her right hand as she and Lillian headed down to the hotel lobby to meet Jeremiah and Thomas. Jeremiah turned twenty-three today. His birthday was what motivated her a few weeks ago to beg Father to go to the fair for the holiday. The promise of a wonderful fireworks display was all it took to convince Mary Margaret and Olivia to help persuade him. Lizzie waited nearly a week after Father had agreed to suggest that Lillian come along. Mother had been so happy that the girls were spending time again, she petitioned Father to give in—even though this was supposed to be a family trip.
“There they are,” Lillian practically squealed. “Thomas is so handsome.”
Thomas and Jeremiah were both dressed in charcoal gray suits, something Lizzie had grown accustomed to. She wished she had the ability to make or buy Jeremiah a pair of blue jeans. He would have been more comfortable than wearing a suit all day in the heat—not that she enjoyed wearing a long dress either, although the navy-blue dress with white lace was fitting for the holiday. She’d pared it with a small red reticule, making her ensemble even more patriotic.
“Hello,” Jeremiah was the first to speak. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, then smiled and put his hands in his trousers. “How are both of you today?”
Lizzie’s face warmed. She couldn’t help smiling like a silly school girl. Her hand with the present darted out awkwardly. “Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you.” Jeremiah accepted the present and hugged her.
“That’s right,” Thomas said. “How could I forget it was your birthday? It’s not like thousands of people have come here to celebrate with you at the fair.”
Everyone chuckled.
“And instead of birthday candles, you’ll have fireworks.” Lizzie wished she could have made Jeremiah a cake. Perhaps they’d stumble across a place that sold cupcakes today.
“Open your present.” Lillian beamed. You would have thought the gift was for her.
Lizzie had fun keeping the actual gift a secret, refusing to give Lillian any hints, or tell her unless she guessed the right answer. The closest she’d come to guessing was to suggest it was cufflinks.
Thomas and Lillian stared intently as Jeremiah carefully removed the blue and white wrapping paper from the box. The wide-eyed enthusiasm and innocence of her friends was endearing.
Jeremiah’s jaw dropped, and his eyes widened when he took the lid off the box. He pulled out the silver pocket watch she’d given him.
“I don’t know what to say… It’s incredible.” Warmth filled his eyes. “Thank you.”
For a moment time stood still as their gazes locked. She saw love in his eyes, the same love she felt in her heart. In the past three months, they’d transitioned from total strangers on a train, to falling in love. It wasn’t something she meant to happen, but it did.
If she were honest with herself, she’d admit that her only desire to work on the quilt any more was to have adventures to go on with Jeremiah in search of their conquest for the other fabrics. She enjoyed her time with Lillian as they each worked on their own sewing project. Lillian hoped to win the contest at the World’s Fair. Lizzie’s original intent was to get back home. Now—she didn’t know.
Jeremiah smiled as he inspected his gift, running his thumb over the intricate engraved detailing.
“I’d noticed your other pocket watch was older and the glass had a small crack.” Lizzie’s voice trembled.
“Thank you for the very thoughtful gift.” Jeremiah tipped her chin up to look at her. “If we were alone, I would kiss you.”
Lizzie smiled. “I wish we were.”
Jeremiah leaned closer. “Such talk from a lady.”
His cheeks would turn red if he knew how deeply she longed to kiss him. “We’d best get going. Father said it’s close to seven blocks to the fairgrounds.”
“I wish we could walk barefooted,” Lillian said.
If Lillian saw the future, she would faint. While she’d love to walk barefooted, or wear cute sandals and tennis shoes, Lillian would gasp at how revealing clothing had become. Lizzie chuckled envisioning Lillian dressed in bikini or short shorts, her hands scurrying to cover her exposed flesh. “It won’t be so bad if we talk while we walk.”
The walk to the fair turned out to not be bad at all, compared to all the exhibits they visited. Lizzie couldn’t believe she actually got to see and touch the Liberty Bell. There were too many exhibits to visit in a day, or even a week.
For dinner, they promised to meet Lizzie’s family at Jeremiah’s aunt’s restaurant. Lizzie’s stomach grumbled as they headed to meet her family. She enjoyed looping her arms around his as they walk. It was old-fashioned and cute. She smiled at Lillian and Thomas walking the same way in front of them, Thomas’ arm bent, and his elbow extended for Lillian to hold too.
“I wish Father could meet your parents,” Lizzie said.
“So, do I.” Jeremiah’s breath expelled slowly. “But if your father doesn’t approve of my position, he may not approve of my father being a miner.”
Lizzie’s lips pursed. Her grip on Jeremiah’s arm tightened a fraction. “I promise I’ll try to talk to him again and get him to see that it doesn’t matter what type of work a person does as long as they’re providing for their family.”
Jeremiah snickered. “Your father expects more. I can tell by the way he looks at me.”
“Well, I don’t care what he thinks.” Lizzie’s nose jutted a fraction. “It’s not like we’ve even discussed a future together, and if we did, it’s nobody’s business but ours.”
When they arrived at the restaurant, Lizzie’s parents and sisters were already seated at a table. Jeremiah and Thomas greeted her mother before shaking her father’s hand. Then the boys pulled another table over so that they could all sit together. Mother insisted that Lizzie sit next to her so that she could show Lizzie a swatch of the fabric that she was having curtains made from.
Jeremiah held the seat out for Lizzie and scooted it in as she sat—a chivalrous act she silently enjoyed.
“Why don’t you sit next to me, Jeremiah?” Father said before Jeremiah could take the seat next to Lizzie.
She exchanged a brief glance with Jeremiah before he did as her father instructed.
A waitress came to their table and took their order. Mother was about to pull out her sample of fabric when Jeremiah’s aunt approached the table.
His aunt said hello to Jeremiah and introduced herself to Lizzie’s parents before coming to hug Lizzie’s neck. “You’ve got a mighty fine daughter,” his aunt said. “I’ve enjoyed getting to spend some time with her the last couple of months.”
Father’s eyebrow arched as he looked quizzically at Lizzie.
She met his gaze. Part of her wanted to sink beneath the table, the obstinate part of her screamed, I’m an adult and can do what I want to do.
“I’m hopeful my daughter has set a good example,” Father said.
“She’s a pure delight.” Jeremiah’s aunt smiled. “I best be getting back to the kitchen to get your supper ready.”
“Thank you,” Father said. His attention turned to Jeremiah.
Lizzie held her breath a moment but realized there was nothing she could do and nowhere to hide. As her grandmother always said, “let the chips fall where they may.” She would deal with that fallout later.
“Don’t you just love this fabric?” Mother’s voice broke through Lizzie’s thoughts. “I’m going to have curtains made for the sitting room and maybe a couple pillows for the sofa.”
Gasping, Lizzie grabbed the swatch from her mother’s hand. “That’s it.
A light cream background, with what reminded Lizzie of a paisley design. There were multiple shades of green swirling leaves with burgundy, orange and a mustard color flowers—a very outdated design. The fabric was thicker than the other fabrics she was using to make the quilt.
She smiled as she rubbed the fabric between her fingers. “I need a yard of this for the quilt.”
“I guess we could stop back by the shop after dinner,” Mother said.
“Thank you, Mother.” Lizzie hugged her. “I can’t wait to get back home and start cutting out this fabric. Then I’ll only have one more fabric I need. Maybe they’ll have that at the shop you got this from too?”
Mother’s face looked downcast. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait awhile around six weeks.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened. “Six weeks?”
“I’m sorry, sweetie, and I have more bad news.” Mother gently stroked Lizzie head with her hand. “The whole reason I went into that store was to look for the fabric you told me about, the one that woman’s dress was made from. They didn’t have it.” Mother offered an apologetic smile. “Since we were already looking at fabric, I saw this one and decided to have curtains made.”
“It’s all right,” Lizzie said. “If you hadn’t of looked for me, you wouldn’t have found this one. So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, dear.”
Mother was thoughtful, but Lizzie still couldn’t get over the fact that it would take six weeks to get the fabric. That meant it wouldn’t arrive until mid-August, and she still had to finish making the quilt which was taking longer than she expected.