Distant Dreams by Tracie Peterson, Judith Pella

James paused, as if searching for something more to say. “How is Mother?”
    “You know your mother.” Leland relaxed a bit with this topic he knew would be safe from conflict with his son. “She is constantly involved in one good cause or another. Last week she was gathering up food items for the orphan home. This week I believe she is raising funds to decorate the graves of Revolutionary War heroes. At the pace she goes, no doubt she will have all Washington fed, clothed, or put to rest before the end of the week.”
    James chuckled, relaxing too. “Then perhaps my absence wasn’t even noticed.”
    “Oh, it was noticed. You are her only child.” Leland said nothing about whether he had noticed. He was not a man to express his feelings; in fact, he hardly even acknowledged them himself. He felt it was the man’s proper role to treat all aspects of his life in a businesslike manner.
    Just then another knock signaled the arrival of Leland’s wife. Richly adorned in a green organdy summer dress, heavily beruffled, with a matching feathered bonnet and parasol, Edith Baldwin entered the room with all the grace and elegance of a practiced lady.
    “I do declare! James!” She started toward her son.
    James, already on his feet, flowed easily into her motherly embrace. She held nothing back in showing her delight at her son’s presence.
    “How I have missed you, James! And I do believe you have grown.”
    “I think I’m past all that, Mother.”
    “He’s too tall already,” put in Leland.
    “You are still a sight for a mother’s eyes,” Edith said, ignoring her husband’s critical comment and turning to James. “When did you get back?”
    “Only a few minutes ago.”
    “I do wish I would have known about the change in your plans,” she said with a petulant, almost childish pout. “I have next to nothing planned for dinner.”
    “I will be happy with anything you have.”
    “It’s all for the best, I suppose.” Edith took a seat in the chair adjacent to her son’s, and both men also resumed their seats as Edith arranged the flounces of her dress. “Now that you’re here, James, there is a matter—”
    “Mrs. Baldwin,” put in Leland impatiently, “can’t this wait? I was expecting to be at the restaurant. I do have to get back to work today.”
    “What about your fitting at the tailor’s, dear?” she asked, absently smoothing out her voluminous gigot sleeves.
    “Oh yes, that. I think I’ll cancel it. I’m perfectly content with my old formal suit.”
    “But, dear,” cooed Edith in a sweet diminutive tone that nonetheless hinted at inflexibility, “you did promise you would get a new suit. And it is a special occasion.”
    “What occasion is this?” asked James. “I don’t believe there are any birthdays or anniversaries coming up.”
    “I wrote you about it. Don’t you remember?” She looked positively deflated, almost as if she would cry. “The dinner party we are giving in honor of your return. Goodness! If it’s not important to anyone but me—”
    “No, Mother, I remember,” said James quickly.
    Edith brightened. “I do so want this to be special for you, dear. I’ve put a lot of thought into the guest list.”
    “I’m sure the company will be delightful.”
    “I hope it will be more than that.”
    “What do you mean?” James cocked a perplexed brow.
    “Can’t we discuss this over lunch?” asked Leland.
    “It will only take a minute, Mr. Baldwin,” said Edith. “And it is perhaps too delicate a subject to be discussed in public.”
    Leland gave a noisy sigh, clearly registering his disapproval. Nevertheless, as hard a man as he might be, he did know when to appease his delicate wife. “Well, then, let’s get it over with.”
    “I wanted to discuss the guest list. There are several young ladies—”
    “Mother . . .”
    “James, your father and I feel it is high time you settled down and stopped flitting about the country. Now that your education is