Chapter 17

17

2023

Janelle grabbed her empty shopping bags and took her list off the counter. She needed to go to the store to pick up a few items for the dinner she was making for Jonas that evening. She smiled, remembering how her invitation had surprised him. Then his expression had changed to a look of pure pleasure. He'd offered to bring dessert, and she'd gladly accepted.

Cooking was not one of her best skills, but she'd watched the video explaining how to make chicken piccata, then made a list of all the ingredients she'd need. She lifted her keys off the hook by the door and stepped out to the landing.

The door to Maggie and Dan's flat opened, and Maggie looked out. "Where are you going?" she whispered.

"I'm headed to the supermarket. Can I pick up anything for you?"

Maggie's eyes widened. "I'm coming with you." She leaned back into her flat. "Dan, I'm going to the supermarket with Janelle. I'll be back in a while."

"Okay," Dan called over the sound of the boys shouting in the background.

Maggie quickly pulled the door closed.

"Need a break?" Janelle asked with a grin.

"Definitely."

"Let's take the stairs. I need the exercise." Janelle pushed open the heavy metal door and trotted down the steps.

Maggie followed. "I was wondering ... have you had a chance to talk to Olivia?"

Janelle had put off telling Maggie about that conversation since it only seemed to irritate Olivia. "I tried. I took her to lunch, hoping to build more of a connection."

"How did it go? Did she tell you anything I need to know?"

They reached the main floor, and Janelle opened the door to the lobby. "I asked her about Tony, and she said they met online playing a game called League of Legends . Then they connected on Instagram."

Maggie groaned as they crossed the lobby. "I was hoping he was someone from her school. At least she'd know a little more about him."

Janelle held the door for Maggie and then followed her outside. "Olivia said they have a lot in common. She seems convinced he's Mr. Wonderful."

Maggie shook her head as they started down the street in the direction of the supermarket. "Why aren't his parents taking his phone away at night? That's so irresponsible to let him phone a girl at two in the morning!"

"They probably don't know."

Maggie lifted her hands. "Great! They're clueless. That makes me even more sure he's not the kind of boy we want calling her. I hope he doesn't show up at our door, hoping to see her."

"She said he doesn't live in London, so it sounds like it's just an online friendship." They reached the corner, and Janelle pushed the crossing button.

"I hope so." Maggie tapped her foot as she watched the traffic and waited for the light to change. "Tomorrow night is our anniversary. Our regular babysitter was scheduled to come over, but she canceled. Now Dan wants to leave Olivia in charge of the boys, but I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Janelle shot Maggie a questioning glance. Leaving Olivia in charge of Cole and Caleb, especially when she'd ignored Dan and Maggie's rules about her phone, didn't seem like a good idea. She pulled in a deep breath. "I could come over and spend the evening with Olivia and the boys."

Maggie turned toward her. "Would you? Oh, that would be great!"

"Sure. I don't mind. You and Dan deserve a night out by yourselves."

Maggie hugged her. "Thank you, Janelle. I owe you big time for this!"

Janelle returned the hug, along with a pat on the back. "You don't owe me anything. I'm glad to stay with the kids." The light changed, and they crossed the road.

Maggie's steps seemed lighter, and she wore a more hopeful expression as they entered their neighborhood supermarket. "Maybe I'll get some strawberries and ice cream. The kids would love that." She grabbed a container of berries and placed them in her basket. "What do you need?"

Janelle checked the list on her phone. "Chicken breasts, garlic, lemons, parmesan cheese, some crusty bread, and capers."

"Capers? Wow, that sounds special. What are you making?"

Janelle tossed three lemons in her basket. "Chicken piccata. Jonas is coming over for dinner."

Maggie gasped. "Jonas—handsome filmmaker Jonas?"

Janelle couldn't hold back her smile. "Yes, that Jonas."

"Oh, that's great! What are you going to wear?"

Janelle's grin faded. "I don't know."

"Oh, you have to wear something special." Maggie thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "I know, how about that pretty blue dress you wore to Marie's engagement party? It looks great on you, and it makes your eyes stand out. That's sure to set the mood for a romantic evening."

Heat rushed into Janelle's face, and she waved off Maggie's words. "It's just dinner."

"Then why are you blushing?"

Janelle picked up her pace. "I'm not blushing!"

"Yes, your cheeks are all rosy."

"Well ... I don't want to lure Jonas into a romance by the way I dress."

Maggie shoved her arm. "Girl, there is nothing wrong with dressing up and setting the mood. It shows you think he's special ... and that's how you feel, right?"

Janelle added two heads of garlic to her basket. "I like Jonas. He's smart and creative, and his faith is important to him."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm worried what he'll think."

Maggie sent her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"Inviting him over was my idea, but now I'm second-guessing myself. I'm not sure if I'm ready to jump into a relationship again after what happened with Marcus." Her voice faded off as the wave of painful memories returned.

"Forget about Marcus. He doesn't deserve one more minute of your thoughts."

Janelle nodded. "You're right."

"Inviting Jonas over for dinner and making it a special evening is not jumping into a relationship. It just says you want to get to know him."

"Right. That's what it means." But she couldn't deny the nervous fluttering in her stomach. She pulled in a deep breath and lifted her chin. She'd made the invitation, and he'd accepted. There was no turning back. "I can do this."

"Yes, you can. And it's going to be a wonderful evening."

Janelle picked up a package of chicken breasts and placed it into her basket. She needed to listen to her friend and put Marcus out of her mind. He had betrayed her and broken her heart, but that didn't mean Jonas would do the same. This was a new friendship with a different person. She could take what she'd learned from her past mistakes and make new and better choices this time. She'd give herself time to get to know him and make sure he was trustworthy before she gave away her heart.

Jonas smoothed his hand down the front of his shirt, then rang Janelle's doorbell. Her invitation to come over for dinner had been a pleasant surprise. He'd invited her out to dinner twice, but those had been casual takeout meals they'd shared at the park, not real dates. He'd enjoyed those conversations and their time together, and he hoped for more. But he'd sensed she was hesitant to respond to his interest for some reason.

Since their visit to the London Metropolitan Archives, she seemed to be softening toward him. Then she'd invited him to come over for a homemade meal, raising his hopes. Now, if he could just handle the evening well, it might open the door for a closer relationship.

He glanced down at the container holding the banoffee pie. It was one of his family's favorites. He'd called his mum that morning to ask for her recipe, then he dashed out to the shop to buy what was needed. Back at his flat, he'd taken more than two hours to prepare the pie. It didn't look quite as nice as those his mum made for special dinners, but he hoped Janelle would like it.

The door opened, and Janelle greeted him with a warm smile and shining blue eyes. She wore a light blue dress that flowed over her feminine curves in an appealing fashion. "Wow, you look nice."

"Thanks." She glanced away, seeming a little embarrassed by his compliment, then pulled the door open wider. "Please, come in."

He walked into her flat and glanced around the living room. Tall windows to the left let in golden light from the sunset. A navy blue couch and loveseat sat opposite each other with a fireplace and built-in bookshelves filling the far wall. Plants, pillows, and lots of books gave the room a homey, comfortable feeling. "I like your place. It looks like you."

She smiled. "Thanks. I've had fun decorating. Most of the pieces are from estate sales or charity shops. A few things are new, like the coffee table and the lamps."

He nodded. She was thrifty, but she also had an eye for style and beauty. More to appreciate about her. He held out the pie. "I hope you like banoffee pie. My mum always serves it on special occasions, so I thought I'd give it a try."

Janelle's eyebrows rose. "You made the pie?"

He grinned. "I did. You said you were making chicken piccata, so I wanted to make something special to go with it."

She accepted the pie. "Well, I'm impressed."

He chuckled. "You better wait until you taste it before you offer more compliments."

She led him into the kitchen and placed the pie on the counter. Then she lifted the lid on a pan and checked on the chicken. They shared lighthearted conversation while he set the table, and she chopped vegetables to add to the salad. When the food was ready, they took seats at the small dining table, and he offered a prayer over the meal.

She looked up and sent him a warm smile. "Thank you. Please help yourself."

He spooned rice on his plate, then topped it with the chicken and a good helping of sauce.

She watched expectantly as he took his first bite.

The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the sauce was creamy with a hint of parmesan. The lemon and garlic burst on his tongue. "Wow, this is really good," he said.

A look of relief crossed her face. "I'm so glad. I've never made it before."

"Really? Well, I'd say you definitely mastered the recipe."

She took a bite, looking pleased, then said, "Tell me about your family."

He explained he was the oldest, with two younger brothers and a sister, and that he'd always taken on a protective role with his siblings. She asked him a few more questions about his parents and where his family had lived. He spent the next few minutes telling her about his younger years in Berkshire.

"How about you?" he asked. "Do you have brothers and sisters?"

She hesitated and glanced away. "I've thought of looking online to see what I could learn about my birth family, but something holds me back."

He stifled a groan. How could he have forgotten she'd told him she'd been raised by a foster family? "I'm sorry. That was ... insensitive of me."

"No, it's all right." But he could tell it was still a point of pain or at least discomfort for her.

He shifted to a new subject and asked her about her time at university and then about her hobbies and interests away from work. She relaxed and was soon smiling again as she talked about how she loved to visit antique shops and tour properties held by the National Trust. She collected classic books with beautiful bindings, and she grew an assortment of herbs and flowers on her balcony.

After they'd finished eating, he helped clear the table and volunteered to dry the dishes while she washed. "I've always thought the person who cooked shouldn't have to clean up alone."

She squirted washing up liquid into the sink. "I don't mind."

"I'd rather help because the sooner we finish washing up, the sooner we can try my pie."

She laughed, then handed him a tea towel. "All right. Here you go."

Ten minutes later, she sliced the pie and dished up a piece for him. "Let's sit out in the living room."

He carried his pie and cup of tea out of the kitchen and took a seat on the couch. She sat next to him—not too close, but not too far away either. He nodded to her. "You go first."

She dipped her fork into the pie and then brought it to her mouth. Closing her eyes, she tasted the first bite. Her eyes popped open. "Mmm, this is delicious!"

"Glad you like it. I'll be sure to tell my mum." He scooped up a bite and let the sweet caramel and whipped cream melt in his mouth. The soft slices of banana and sweet biscuit crumb crust added just the right contrast.

He took a sip of tea, hoping what he was going to say next wouldn't dampen the growing closeness he'd sensed that evening. "I checked my email before I left home, and I saw a message from Martha Fitzgerald at the archives. She emailed both of us."

Janelle's eyes widened. "Really? What did she say?"

"I didn't read it yet. I thought I'd wait so we could look at it together."

"Okay. I'll get my laptop." She rose, walked down the hall, and disappeared into a room on the right. A few seconds later, she returned and sat beside him, closer this time.

She opened her email and scrolled to the message. Skipping the greeting, she read aloud, "‘We found more information about the series The Maiden Tribute to Modern Babylon , published in the Pall Mall Gazette . The entire series has six articles and was published in a booklet later that year. A copy is avail able for you to view at the British Library. Charles Knowles is still looking for information that might connect the Foundling Hospital and the articles above. He's particularly looking into the identities of the girls mentioned in the series. He hopes to have more information for you soon. I trust you'll find the booklet helpful. I wish you the best in your search. Sincerely, Martha Fitzgerald, the London Metropolitan Archives.'" Janelle looked up and met his gaze. "It sounds like we need to pay a visit to the British Library."

"Do you think they're open on Sunday?"

"Maybe. Let me check."

She typed the British Library into the search bar and scrolled down to view their open hours. "They're open from eleven to five tomorrow."

He nodded, considering his plans for the following day.

She looked his way. "I'm going to church at St. Mark's tomorrow morning, but I'm free in the afternoon."

He usually attended Hope Church in Soho on Sunday mornings, but he'd be glad to change his plans if it meant he could share the day with Janelle. "Why don't I join you for church in the morning. After, we can go to lunch and then the library. How does that sound?"

Her eyes lit up. "I'd like that."

A rush of hope flowed through him. Attending church, sharing lunch, and teaming up to continue their research at the library would give him another chance to show Janelle how much he enjoyed spending time with her.