Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
By the time Ivy reached the apartment building, her fingers were numb and her head was full.
Teddy walked beside her, carrying a small bundle wrapped in what looked like an old flour sack tied with twine.
She didn’t complain about the cold, nor did she comment on the neighborhood.
Teddy simply followed, eyes alert. She’d been waiting for Ivy on the corner of her block.
She never went into the building to knock on Ivy’s door.
“This is it,” Ivy said, stopping in front of the brick building. “Third floor.”
Teddy tipped her head back and studied the windows. “Looks sturdy.”
“It is.” Ivy unlocked the front door and ushered Teddy inside.
The stairwell smelled faintly of boiled cabbage and coal smoke. Ivy was halfway up the first flight before she realized Teddy had paused behind her. “You all right?” Ivy asked.
Teddy nodded. “Just makin’ sure I remember how many steps there are.”
Ivy didn’t ask why.
When they reached the third floor, Ivy hesitated at her door. Not because she doubted her grandmother’s kindness, but because bringing Teddy home with her felt like crossing some invisible line. One that couldn’t be uncrossed. She unlocked the door and stepped inside.
“Ivy?” Grandma Evie called. “Is that you, dear?”
“Yes, Grandma.”
The door opened to the familiar scent of stew. Grandma stood at the stove in her shawl, spectacles perched on her nose, white hair pinned neatly back. Her gaze moved from Ivy to Teddy and sharpened. “And who might this be?”
“This is Teddy Mae Winslow,” Ivy said quickly. “She… well, she’s staying with us for a bit. If that’s all right.”
Teddy shifted and gave Grandma Evie a nod. “Ma’am.”
Grandma studied her for a moment, then stepped away from the stove. “Well, don’t just stand in the hall. Come in before the heat escapes.”
Ivy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding and moved forward. Once inside, Teddy stopped short.
The apartment wasn’t large, but it was clean and orderly.
The settee near the windows overlooked the street.
There was Grandma’s chair. A small table with two chairs, and the stove.
A kettle sat on top beside the pot of stew.
Everything had its place. Judging by Teddy’s expression, she was trying to figure out where she fit.
“You can set your things there,” Ivy said, pointing to the settee.
Teddy set the bundle down slowly, her gaze still roaming.
Grandma Evie pulled off her spectacles. “You look half frozen. Sit. Ivy, fetch another cup. Some hot tea will do you both good.”
“Yes, ma’am.” As Ivy poured the tea, she watched Teddy from the corner of her eye. She sat stiffly, hands folded, eyes darting around the room.
“You hungry?” Grandma asked.
Teddy blinked. “I… well…”
“Yes,” Ivy said. “She is.”
“Well then,” Grandma said. “We’ll fix that.”
Teddy opened her mouth, then closed it again.
While Grandma Evie fussed with bowls, Ivy brought Teddy her cup of tea. “You’re safe here,” she said quietly.
Teddy didn’t look at her. “I know.” Her shoulders eased a fraction.
They ate in near silence. The meal was meager, but warm. Grandma didn’t ask as many questions as Ivy expected, and Ivy was grateful. When they finished, she stood, more nervous than she cared to admit. “All right. A bath.”
Teddy’s head snapped up. “Now?”
“Yes.” Ivy said. “While the water’s hot. It runs out quick if too many folks decide tonight’s a good night to be clean.”
Grandma smiled knowingly. “Ivy’s right.” She took in Teddy’s clothes. “Best get in there now.”
Ivy gathered what they needed and ushered Teddy into the hall. “You sure your grandma’s all right with this?” she asked.
“She is,” Ivy said. “Now come on.”
The washroom was small, but the tub was deep. Ivy filled it while Teddy hovered nearby, clearly unsure what to do with herself.
“You can take your time,” Ivy said. “No one’s lining up. I’ll be right outside.”
Teddy nodded but didn’t move.
Ivy hesitated, then reached for the small bar of soap she’d picked up on the way home and set it on the edge of the tub. “This is yours.”
Teddy stared at it. “You mean… all mine?”
“Yes.”
Something in Teddy’s face shifted. Not gratitude exactly. Something more fragile. She cleared her throat. “All right then.”
When the door closed, Ivy leaned against it, her heart thudding. She hadn’t realized how much tension she’d been carrying until it finally eased.
“You did the right thing,” Grandma Evie said in a loud whisper as she shuffled down the hall.
“I hope so,” Ivy whispered back.
Her grandmother patted her hand. “Hope is enough for tonight. I can only imagine what that poor girl has been through.”
Ivy nodded. Grandma had no idea. But she’d tell her later or let Teddy tell her herself.
When Teddy finally emerged, her hair damp and loosely braided, she looked different. Still sharp-eyed Teddy, but softer around the edges now that she was clean. She stopped short when she caught Ivy watching. “What?”
“Nothing,” Ivy said. “Just… you look good.”
Teddy swallowed. “Well,” she said gruffly. “Don’t get too excited. It’s just me under all that dirt.”
Ivy smiled. “You should wear clean more often. It suits you.”
“Trust me, I would if I could. But there’s something to be said for wearin’ dirt like a coat.” Teddy headed down the hall.
Ivy stared after her, puzzling over the words, then followed.
Once Teddy was settled on a small cot Ivy borrowed from a neighbor, Ivy lay awake in her own bed, staring at the ceiling.
Caleb’s face pushed into her thoughts uninvited.
His voice. The way he’d looked at her when he handed her the money.
She rolled onto her side, careful not to disturb her grandmother.
Tomorrow would bring questions from the sisters, and definitely a few from Caleb. Ivy hoped they wouldn’t overwhelm Teddy. Should she take her to work, or leave her with Grandma Evie?
Ivy didn’t want to think about it. Tonight, she’d done what she could. Tomorrow, she’d decide where Teddy should spend the day.
Mr. Grimsby arrived the next morning with his mouth already set in a thin line.
Ivy knew that look.
She’d barely finished clearing the breakfast things when the knock came.
Sharp and decisive. When she opened the door, Mr. Grimsby stood in the hallway, coat buttoned, a ledger tucked under one arm.
His eyes flicked past her shoulder into the apartment.
“Miss Goodhart,” he said briskly. “May I come in?”
“Of course,” Ivy replied, stepping aside.
His gaze swept the sitting area, the cot near the settee, the extra blanket folded at its foot. He sniffed. “I was informed there’s an additional occupant.”
Ivy’s spine stiffened. “Yes, sir. Temporarily.”
“Mm.” He stepped inside. “That changes things.”
Grandma Evie wiped her hands on her apron. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Mrs. Goodhart,” he said, inclining his head. “What’s the matter, didn’t expect to see me so early?”
Before either of them could answer, Teddy entered from the hall, slipping past him to get inside. She’d gone to wash her face and tidy her hair, now neatly braided, her borrowed dress pressed as well as it could be.
She took one look at Mr. Grimsby and smiled. “Ya must be the landlord.”
Mr. Grimsby blinked, clearly unprepared to be addressed directly. “I am.”
“Teddy Mae Winslow,” she said, holding out a hand.
He didn’t take it. “I’m afraid the rent agreement specifies two occupants,” he said, turning back to Ivy. “An additional person constitutes…”
“…a higher rate,” Teddy finished. “Yeah. Any dimwit could guess that.”
Ivy’s heart sank.
Mr. Grimsby adjusted his ledger. “Given the circumstances, I’ll need to raise the rent effective immediately.”
“That don’t seem fair,” Grandma huffed.
“It’s standard,” he replied. “And I’ll also need the balance of last month’s rent, which…”
“We have it,” Teddy said calmly.
That got his attention. His eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline. “You do?”
“Yes, sir.” She crossed the room to the bundle containing her things.
Ivy’s breath caught. “Teddy…”
“And you have the rest, don’t ya, Ivy.” Teddy’s gaze flicked to Ivy’s reticule on the table.
Did she mean the money Caleb gave them? Did she dare? Ivy went to the table and pulled it out. Grandma’s eyes widened. “Ivy, honey…”
“I’ll explain later,” Ivy said softly. She turned to Mr. Grimsby. “Here’s last month’s rent.” She counted it out. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.”
Mr. Grimsby’s brows climbed even higher.
“And seven more,” Teddy added, placing her money beside Ivy’s.
Silence filled the room.
“That settles us through the end of the month,” Teddy said. “You’ll get next month’s rent on time, too.”
Mr. Grimsby stared at the money. Then at Teddy. “And you are…?”
“Temporary,” Teddy said. “Like Ivy said. For all I know, I’ll only be here another night.”
Ivy swallowed. “Teddy, you don’t have to…”
“Yes, I do,” Teddy said, still calm. “I ain’t stayin’ anywhere I don’t pay my way.”
Mr. Grimsby cleared his throat. “Well.” He gathered the money, clearly regrouping. “That resolves the immediate concern.”
“And the increase?” Grandma asked.
Mr. Grimsby hesitated. “Given that the rent is now current, we can revisit it later.”
“No need,” Teddy said. “I won’t be permanent.”
His eyes flicked to Ivy. “Very well.” He tucked the bills into his ledger. “Good day.”
When the door shut behind him, Ivy stood frozen. “Well, that could’ve gone worse.” She turned to Teddy. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.” Teddy shrugged. “But I wanted to.”
Grandma studied her. “Was that all your money?”
“Most of it,” Teddy said. “I kept a few dollars. And Ivy’s got a little left, too. That’ll feed us for a spell.”
“Oh, Teddy…” Ivy wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Teddy huffed a laugh. “Let’s face it. It could take a while to get me presentable enough to marry me off.”
Ivy laughed, then pressed a hand to her mouth as emotion surged up fast and unexpected. How was she going to pay her back? “You shouldn’t have to do this.”
Teddy met her gaze. “You opened your door. This is me returnin’ the favor.”
Grandma Evie placed a gentle hand on Teddy’s arm. “You’re welcome here. And you won’t starve under my roof.”
Teddy’s jaw tightened, just for a moment, before she nodded. “Well,” she said gruffly. “That’s good to hear.”
Ivy drew a steadying breath. In the space of a single morning, everything had changed. And for the first time since inviting Teddy to stay, she realized she wasn’t worried about carrying her.
She was standing beside her.