Page 24 of May I Kiss the Bride
“Viola dear, stay and think this over. You’ve given us quite the shock. We have some time to work through things and maybe—”
Her mother’s voice sounded like it was about to break, and Viola knew if she didn’t keep moving, she’d give in and stay longer. But her father’s words had been plain and final.
“Genevieve,” Father’s voice rumbled. “We aren’t groveling to make her stay. She has made up her mind.”
We can both be stubborn, Viola thought as a tear escaped anyway. She’d reached the door. With jerky movements, she tugged the door open. She was grateful she’d told the carriage driver to wait for her, even if that knowledge didn’t make her happy.
What did she expect? This. Yet the ache was deep and painful.
“If they don’t support your plan, you come back here,” Aunt Beth had told her. “We’ll send out applications to every nursing school you’re interested in. There’s no rush on anything, but there’s no harm in getting started.”
Viola swiped at the tears on her cheeks and approached the driver of the carriage. “Thanks for waiting. Can you take me to back to the hotel?”
The hotel was close to the nursing school on California Street and Maple. Viola didn’t have unlimited funds, just what she’d earned at the bakery, plus the money she’d traveled with—which she’d spent on the return ticket.
“Sure thing, ma’am,” the driver said.
Riding through the streets this time was a different feeling. Gone were the hope and anticipation of the hour before. Now those feelings were replaced by dejection … so she’d allow herself a few tears right now. Once she reached the nursing school, she’d need to push forward with the next part of her plan.
She was an independent woman now, no longer under the umbrella of her parents’ control. This was what she wanted, right?
After the carriage pulled up to the hotel and Viola had checked into her room, she paused in front of the bedroom mirror. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks blotchy. Butshe didn’t want to delay her visit to the nursing school. If they didn’t have an opening, she’d have to make other plans.
The nursing school was a short walk from the hotel, and when Viola entered the front door of the building, she was surprised to see the place empty save for one woman sitting at a reception desk.
“Oh, hello,” Viola said.
The woman rose to her feet and adjusted her spectacles. Viola guessed her to be in her mid-thirties. The nameplate on her desk said Miss Barnwell. “Did you have an appointment? I’m afraid that today is a field day, so the director isn’t here.”
Viola wasn’t sure what a field day was. “I don’t have an appointment. My name is Viola Delany, and I’m here to inquire about an application and possible availability to the school.”
“Ah.” Miss Barnwell’s brown eyes narrowed. “Who sent you? We don’t open enrollment until the beginning of next year.”
“January?” It was the end of July, so that wasn’t helpful at all. “I didn’t realize. I …” Her voice quivered. That would not do at all. She drew in a steadying breath. “I should have done my research better.”
Viola should have spent more time in her hotel room, working through her emotions, because to her horror, she began to cry. She tried to sniffle back the tears and keep her body from trembling, but it was no use.
“Oh, you poor woman, have a seat.” Miss Barnwell came around her desk and offered Viola a chair.
She sank into it gratefully and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe at her face “I’m sorry. It’s been a difficult couple of days. I guess I’m at the end of my rope.”
“Where are you from?” Miss Barnwell asked, her voice gentle, as she sat across from Viola.
The entire story spilled out. From Viola’s broken engagement to working at the bakery in Mayfair to the row with her parents.
Miss Barnwell listened to every word, offering sympathy as Viola talked.
“I’m so sorry to dump my life story on you,” Viola said, wiping at her face again although it did little good. The tears kept coming.
“I knew there was a reason I stayed in the office today,” Miss Barnwell said. “If you’d like, I can speak to the director tomorrow. Maybe there will be an exception. Once in a while a student has to drop out for one reason or another.”
Viola felt a spark of hope ignite. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”
“Oh, my dear, you won’t be. In fact, you can take the assessment if you have time right now. It’s about an hour-long test, and it would be good to have that in hand when I speak to the director.”
Viola stared at Miss Barnwell. “I could do that right now?”
“If you have time?”
