A Daughter’s Return

Finding her way home

Having fled her privileged upbringing for a failed romance, Rebecca Heaton knows her pride has kept her from returning home. Now at her mother’s boardinghouse in New York City, she’s determined to forge a new life for herself--and her daughter. She just never expects to find a new love in the process…

Ben Roth has always been compelled to help the downtrodden—including single moms like Rebecca. But if the past has taught him one thing it’s that offering his trust can lead to disappointment. Could these two wounded souls make one another whole…and come together as a forever family?

Boardinghouse Betrothals: Hearts taking shelter—and forging new beginnings

“I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”

Ben glanced at her quickly. “You aren’t any trouble. Besides, I feel it’s partly my fault you fell.”

“I wanted to try on my own, remember?”

“But I shouldn’t have let you.”

She chuckled. “I don’t think I gave you a choice. Still, thank you for helping me.”

“You’re welcome.” They were safely down the stairs and he turned to her. “But truly, it’s been my pleasure.”

Rebecca felt color flood her face and she felt all jittery inside as she said, “You can put me down now and I’ll try my crutches.”

Ben eased her to her feet, holding her at the waist to steady her, which did nothing for her flutters. He bent down to whisper in her ear, “You aren’t very good at asking for help, are you?”

“I suppose I did get used to doing things on my own.”

“That is understandable, but you have people more than happy to help you now.”

And he’d been one of them in so many ways. But the more he helped the more she began to see him as the hero her daughter did. And she knew better. She didn’t believe in heroes anymore.

JANET LEE BARTON loves researching and writing heartwarming romances about faith, family, friends and love. She’s written both historical and contemporary novels, and loves writing for Love Inspired Historical. She and her husband live in Oklahoma and have recently downsized to a condo, which they love. When Janet isn’t writing or reading, she loves to cook for family, work in her small garden, travel and sew. You can visit Janet at www.janetleebarton.com.

A Daughter’s Return

Janet Lee Barton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

If we confess our sins, he is faithful

and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

—1 John 1:9

To my readers who love this series as much as I do,

To my family who always encourages me to keep writing, And always, To my Lord and Savior for showing me the way.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Heaton House, New York City, January 1897

After helping her mother take down the last of the Christmas decorations, Rebecca hurried upstairs to check on her napping daughter. It was the Monday after New Year’s, and she still found it hard to believe she and Jenny were finally moved into her mother’s boardinghouse.

The past few months had sped by—reuniting with her family, staying with her brother, Michael, and his wife Violet, to help out with her sweet nephew, who had been born two weeks before Christmas, and the weddings of several of her mother’s boarders.

Here it was, 1897 already—a new year and a whole new life for her and Jenny. What would the Lord have in store for them this year?

Rebecca entered the suite her mother had given them and still couldn’t believe the space they each had. Compared to the tiny apartment in the tenements she’d left only a few months ago, the suite seemed huge and sumptuous. Her room was done in the blues and yellows she loved and the colors in Jenny’s were her favorites—pink and lavender. After living in the colorless tenements, she loved having color around them once again. The two rooms were connected by a bathroom they shared—a real luxury after having to share a bathroom with everyone on one floor of the building they’d lived in.

“What do you think, Jenny? Are you going to like living here at Granma’s?” she’d asked that very morning. Rebecca had smiled, realizing she’d begun to say granma like Jenny did—without the d.

“Oh yes, Mama.” Jenny’s eyes had sparkled. “I love being with Granma every day and I like all the others here, too,” Jenny had said. “And you won’t be so sad anymore. We’re going to have good days now, aren’t we, Mama?”

Rebecca’s breath had caught and her heart twisted in her chest at Jenny’s words. Suddenly, she’d realized her child’s daily moods in the past had been a reflection of her own. O Lord, please forgive me. Again.