As Jonathon stalked past the secretaries in the large open office, he decided on one thing. Before the meeting was over, he'd make sure Jenkins knew he'd overstepped his position by scheduling it without asking permission from Jonathon first.

Walking into the conference room, he was surprised at how crowded it was. Not just the heads of each department were there, several higher ups were attending as well.

Seeing him, the ones who were already seated stood while many of them exclaimed, "Johnny!".

"Gentlemen," he said with a nod as he went to the head of the table.

Jenkins was standing next to his father's chair, but stepped back as Jonathon approached. "Johnny! I'm glad you could make it to the meeting!"

"So am I," Jonathon said through his teeth, glaring at the man. "Especially since no one bothered to tell me about it."

"We weren't sure when you'd be back to work," Jenkins replied easily.

Jonathon was momentarily speechless. Did Jenkins think he was too weak after his father's death, or too much of an idiot to know he needed to get back work and take care of the business? Jenkins kept his eyes steadily on Jonathon's. It felt like a challenge, and Jonathon knew now was the time to be decisive.

"We're all busy," he said, taking his father's seat. "It's time to get this started."

"Indeed it is," Jenkins said, sitting on his right. The sound of chairs scraping on the wood floor filled the room as the rest of them followed.

Jenkins clasped his hands on the table in front of him, looking around the room, and Jonathon waited. Let him tip his hand first.

"First, I'd like to say how sorry we all are about your father, Johnny," he said, his eyes finally resting on Jonathon. "He was a great man. He steered this company through the darkest times this country has faced in decades. The business is thriving today because of him, and we're going to miss his leadership."

"Thank you," Jonathon said with a curt nod while others murmured, "Here, here."

"It seems the economy may be starting to turn around," he continued. "With war raging across Europe, demand for iron is likely to remain high." Jenkins shook his head with a grim expression. "But these are still uncertain times. No one can predict if the markets are going to continue to rise. We can't afford to let anything stall or halt production. If we don't meet our orders, we're going to lose out to our competitors."

Jonathon stayed silent, looking at the men seated around the table. Only Kitty's father and a few others would meet his gaze.

"As head of shipping, I can assure each of you that I'll keep my end running smoothly, but there are steps along the way that could break down. Someone needs to oversee the entire operation to make sure each department is able to meet its quotas. If not, the whole operation could run off the rails. Now I propose-"

"You won't need to worry about that," Jonathon said loudly, cutting him off. "I'll be the one making sure that every part of the business is operating at one hundred percent."

Jenkins stared at him with shock, but Jonathon was almost certain it was a show he was putting on for the benefit of the others. "How do you plan to do that?"

"The same way my father did," Jonathon said levelly.

Jenkins spread his hands out. "I don't want to argue with you, Johnny, but you're only nineteen. You're hardly old enough to run a business of this size."

"My age doesn't have anything to do with this!" Jonathon said forcefully, but he could feel his face flush, betraying his embarrassment. "I've been working alongside my father at this mine longer than some of you have been here. There isn't any part of the operation that I don't know like the back of my hand!"

"You're not being reasonable!" Jenkins said, his voice rising. "It takes maturity and wisdom gained from years of working in this business to keep things going when a crisis hits." He pointed to the tall windows overlooking the pit. "With your father gone, our jobs, and the jobs of all those men out there are hanging in the balance!"

"Please, Johnny!" Schroeder, one of the scientists pleaded. "Think about what Jenkins is saying!"

Jonathon slammed his fist on the table. "First of all, my name isn't Johnny!" he roared.

There was a shocked silence in the room, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jenkins smug grin before he managed to hide it. He had to be careful how he handled this.

"I'm the head of Blackwell Iron and Mining now," he said with a lower voice, looking each of them in the eye. "And I will run it the same way my father would have. If you don't want to work for me, you can clean out your desk and leave a letter of resignation with my secretary on your way out."

The men at the table looked at each other with surprise.

"For those of you who choose to stay, I expect you to carry out your duties as you always have. And from now on, I will be addressed as 'Sir' or Mr. Blackwell. Do I make myself clear?" he said directly to Jenkins.

It was now Jenkins' face that flushed red. He gave a single nod. "Yes - Mr. Blackwell."

Jonathon stood. "I have a lot to do today, gentlemen. I expect all of you do as well. I'll be seeing each of you shortly when I make my rounds, and I'll want a thorough report when I do. Mrs. Gibson?" He held his arm out, and she headed for the door. He followed, leaving the silent conference room.

Once they were in his father's office, Mrs. Gibson closed the door, and then turned around. "You did a magnificent job, Mr. Blackwell! Your father would be so proud."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gibson," he said. "Uh, I think I'd like some coffee."

"Yes, sir. I'll make a fresh pot."

When she closed the door, Jonathon let out a deep breath and went to the window. He'd almost lost control over his family's business. If it wasn't for his sheer determination and force of will, Jenkins would have wrestled it away from him. It was becoming clear to him now. What he'd already known was a difficult job was going to be much harder than he'd ever imagined.

Down in the pit, steam shovels dropped heavy loads of gravel into dump trucks. If the men in the office didn't trust his leadership because they thought he was too young, what were those men in the pit thinking, Jonathon wondered. The ones who'd been hardened by difficult and dangerous work?

He left the window and went to his father's desk. He didn't dare relax for one second, he realized. Not only did he have to make sure he oversaw every bit of the operation, he was going to have to watch his back from now on too.

~~

Jonathon settled into the leather bench seat of the Duesenberg with his back aching and his feet hurting. It had been the longest day he'd ever remembered working. He'd been all through the office and down in the pit, checking with the rail men and those running the large equipment. There wasn't a single department or person on site he hadn't talked to that day. It hadn't been easy, but he had to do it. He had to make sure no one doubted he was in charge.

He wiped sweat off the back of his neck with his handkerchief. Maybe he'd put off bathing until after dinner. Then he could have long soak in his tub before he went to bed.

"How'd that meeting go, Johnny?" Billy asked.

"Oh, uh." He sat up straighter while Billy waited expectantly. "It was fine, just the usual stuff." He didn't want to alarm his brother. Billy was already dealing with enough without having to worry Jonathon might lose control of the business.

"That's good," he said, and gave Jonathon a relaxed smile.

"How'd it go for you in the bookkeeping department?" Jonathon asked.

"It's a swell place!" Billy said, his eyes lighting up. "They had me record expenses, and then they taught me how to use the adding machine. They said they hadn't seen anyone learn it so easily!"

"That's great. I guess you like working with numbers, huh?"

"I love it! I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but there's something about it that's - I don't know, satisfying. You have to make sure each expense you record is put in the right category, and then you have to make sure they all add up correctly, and when they do... Awe gee, Johnny," he said, waving his hand as he blushed with embarrassment. "I bet you do think I'm crazy."

"No, I don't. It's good to see you finally excited about working at the mine!"

As his brother continued on about the details of what he'd done, Jonathon's thoughts returned to the meeting. If Billy was the oldest brother, would he have been able to handle Jenkins and the rest of the men? Probably not, Jonathon decided grimly. His brother was too soft.

It seemed Billy had a head for numbers, and that was good, but Jonathon was going to have to make sure he learned about the rest of the business. And he'd have to find a way to help his little brother toughen up. No one knew what the future held. If he outlived Jonathon, he'd need to seamlessly step into Jonathon's shoes and take charge.

Once they were home, Jonathon was opening the closet door to put away his fedora, when Ingrid bustled down the hallway.

"Master Johnny!" she said breathlessly. "Your mother, she is not getting out of bed today!"

"What?"

"She is not eating!" Ingrid added, wringing her hands while tears filled her eyes. "I try and try, but she vill not take a bite for me!"

She took out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, and Jonathon noticed Billy's excitement and happiness from earlier had vanished. He looked like he was about to cry too.

"I'll talk to her," Jonathon said, fighting back his own emotions. "Bring up something for her to eat. Maybe she's hungry now."

She turned to hurry back to the kitchen. Billy wiped his reddening eyes with the heal of his hand, and Jonathon put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll convince her to eat."

Billy nodded, unable to speak.

"You get washed up and eat in the kitchen with Ingrid. I'll get something later."

"Okay, Johnny," Billy mumbled, and headed down the hallway with his head hanging.

As Jonathon climbed the stairs, a heaviness descended over him. His mind and body were worn out, exhausted from the long day at the mine. But instead of being able to rest, he now had a new crisis at home to deal with.

He knocked on his mother's door, and waited. When she didn't answer, he opened the door, and peeked in. The shades were drawn, and in the little light that seeped into the room, he saw his mother's form under her covers.

"Mother?"

She stirred, and then rolled towards him. "Jonathon?"

"Why are you still in bed?" he asked, closing the door and crossing the room. "Ingrid said you wouldn't eat today."

"I wasn't hungry," she said in a faint voice while he went to the nearest window and pulled up the shade. "Don't do that!" she said, turning away from the light. "It gives me a headache."

"Okay." He pulled it down, but left a gap of a few inches so he could see his way to the bed. "Why didn't you get up today?" he asked gently, sitting next to her.

"I didn't feel up to it." There was a soft knock on the door, and she put her arm over her eyes. "Tell them to go away. I don't want to talk to anyone," she whimpered.

"I asked Ingrid to bring you something to eat."

"I told you I'm not hungry," she said as he walked to the door.

Ingrid had a tray with a small glass of tomato juice, a bowl of clear broth, and toast. He took it from her and brought it back to the bed, but when he set next to his mother, she turned her head away.

"Mother, you have to eat. You have to keep your strength up."

"I don't want to," she said with her voice cracking, and a tear ran down the side of her face. "I miss him so much it hurts."

He sighed. "I know."

"He was my whole world since I was seventeen years old," she said as more tears fell. " I don't know what I'm going to do without him."

"You still have me and Billy," he insisted.

"You don't need me! You're a man now, and William will be grown in two years. No one needs me!" She let out a sob.

"That's not true. I still need you," he said while she covered her face with her hands.

Listening to her cry, he swallowed against the lump in his throat. He did need her. He needed her to comfort and support him - because all of this was too much for him. Her and Billy's well-being, running the business, it was all on his shoulders, and he felt like it was crushing him.

But what could he do, he thought bitterly. His father was gone, and everyone was relying on him. If he failed, his family would lose everything.

"Mother, you have to eat something," he said loudly over her crying. He took her handkerchief on her bedside table. "I want you dry your tears and sit up."

His more commanding tone got her attention. She took the handkerchief and dried her face, then he helped arrange her pillows to prop her up. He put the tray on her lap, but she only looked at it. He picked up the spoon. "If you don't eat, I'm going to have to feed you."

"I'm not hungry," she said plaintively, tears welling in her eyes again.

"You have to do it." He dipped the spoon into the soup and brought up. After a hesitation, she opened her mouth for him. "Tomorrow, I don't want to hear from Ingrid you've stayed in bed all day," he said as he spoon fed her. "And I want you to eat even if you're not hungry. Billy and I need you, and you have to take care of yourself." She finally took the spoon from him so she could feed herself, and he took it as a good sign.

"Why don't you call your friends? Go out for lunch or something."

"I don't want people in town to see me like this," she said with a sniff, pushing her hair off her forehead. "And besides, my friends are busy with their own families," she said, her voice becoming more tremulous.

Watching her wipe away fresh tears, Jonathon couldn't help thinking again that if he had a child on the way, it would help pull his mother out of her sadness. A new baby in the home would be just the thing to give her life a new meaning, give her a reason to get up every day. But only if he could convince her to accept a marriage with Helen.

While his mother nibbled halfheartedly on a piece of toast, he debated bringing it up. If he waited until she was stronger, wouldn't that make it more likely she would dismiss the idea out of hand like she had before? Perhaps her need for a new grandchild would be greater than her objection to Helen now. And if he got her to agree, he'd finally have Helen in his life. She'd be there to take care of him, while he was taking care of everyone else.

"Mother, there is something that might make you feel better," he started, watching her carefully. "If I were to get married, I could start a family right away. Wouldn't you like to have a grandchild?"

She stared at him, her eyes showing a trace of excitement and hope, and then it vanished. "You're talking about that Anderson girl aren't you?" she muttered.

His heart sank. "Yes."

"What is it about that girl?" she demanded.

"My feelings for her haven't changed."

She shook her head. "That girl has bewitched you somehow. How else can you explain the hold she's got on you?"

"Please don't say that about her, Mother. I simply fell in love with her."

"I can't believe you're bringing her up now, after your father is gone!" she said, her voice rising. "You're in charge of one of the biggest companies in this state! It's more important than ever you have the right kind of wife, one with good breeding."

"I don't think that should matter!"

"How do you expect a failed farmer's daughter to run this household?" she said, spreading her hands out to indicate the room. "What does she know about having servants, or keeping a budget? Didn't you see that Barbara Stanwyck picture, Stella Dallas? Do you want your marriage to end up in scandal and divorce?"

"That's just a movie, it's not real life!"

"Rich men have no business marrying poor girls. I guarantee it will ruin you - and this family! I won't have it, Jonathon! I won't let you throw everything away."

She crossed her arms over her chest, and he slumped. He knew he'd lost for the last time. She was never going to change her mind.

"Please take this away. I can't eat another bite," she said, pushing the tray towards him.

"Alright," he said with a sigh.

As he stood, she slid back under her covers and turned away from him without saying a word, but that was just as well. He was struggling to keep his grief in check. Leaving his mother in her darkened bedroom, he slowly walked down the stairs with the tray, thinking he'd never felt so alone in his life.

****

Important News! I'm now actively posting new items related to this story every few days on my author Facebook page. If you want to see cool period pictures, links to interesting websites, and hear what I'm listening to as I research and prepare each chapter, click on the external link on this chapter, then 1. 'Like' my page, 2. Choose 'Get Notifications', 3. Choose 'Default' or 'See posts at the top of the timeline', whichever you prefer.

Now back to this chapter and poor Jonathon. He's had so much responsibility thrust on him. As some of you guessed, you got to see the beginning of the Uncle Jonathon from The Boy in the Woods come out during the meeting. And you also wondered how that was going to impact his ability to continue to see Helen. But in any case, his mother is adamantly opposed to him marrying her. So how did Jonathon and Helen get together? Stay tuned! There's lots more to come!

Thank you so much for reading!

Cheers!

Katherine