She retreated and pulled her hanky from her sleeve then dabbed her eyes with it. “I went to see Florence. She is such a liar. Of course, she claimed to know nothing about the piracy.”
“I think it would take more than that to make you cry,” he said. He stuffed his hands in his pockets to keep from pulling her close again.
She nodded. “She tried to make me think I didn’t remember my childhood clearly. I thought I’d dealt so well with her neglect, but I realized it still hurts to know the woman who bore me cared for me so little.”
A declaration of his love trembled on his tongue, but he reminded himself she seemed set on staying in Mercy Falls. If he followed his dream of a career in weather, there would be no soaring edifice of a house or servants. Still, there would be enough to care for her. He opened his mouth then shut it again. Maybe she would be better off with Foster.
“Did you find the ship?”
“We did. You’ll be getting a nice finder’s fee. You can pay off Florence and keep your secret intact.” He wanted to add for now but clamped his teeth against the words. She already knew his opinion.
“I’m giving her nothing,” Katie said.
His pulse leaped. “You’ve broken it off with Foster?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think Florence will do anything. I called her bluff.”
He swallowed his disappointment. “She might do it to spite you. Then what?”
“Then it was meant to be.”
He offered his arm. “You sound very philosophical about it. I fear your attitude will change if she goes to see Foster.”
“I shall deal with it if I have to.”
Their gazes locked. The glow in her eyes held Will. Her lips parted and he took it as an invitation. His left hand went around her waist and his right drew her close. She closed her eyes and he bent his head.
The taste of her was intoxicating. Sweet and pure. She fit into his arms perfectly, as though made only for him. He chose to believe that was true, despite her seeming reluctance to put Foster aside. They belonged together. Her arms crept up to his neck and he deepened the kiss, savoring her response. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she cared about him.
When she finally pulled away, he was loath to release her. Her right hand stayed on his chest and he covered it with his. “I don’t think you should marry Foster,” he whispered. “Not when there is this emotion between us.”
Pain darted into her eyes. “I have to care for my parents. I fear Papa will go to prison.”
He knew there was a good possibility that would happen. The constable knew Russell had something to do with the piracy. “I’ll take care of your mother,” he said.
“A lightkeeper’s salary wouldn’t pay for the upkeep on the house.”
Her voice rang with sadness.
He could tell her of the money in the bank, but he wanted more than her gratitude. “I love you, Katie. I believe you love me. You wouldn’t kiss me like that if you didn’t.” He willed her to hold his gaze, but her lids shuttered her eyes. She started to withdraw her hand, but he held it place. “Look at me, Katie.”
“I can’t,” she said in a choked voice. “You make me weak. I must be strong.”
“Be strong enough to do what’s right for you. For us. I never thought I’d want to marry, but I can’t see my life without you in it.” Her lids flickered, and he caught a glimpse of their blue depths before she lowered them again. “I know you love me,” he said.
Her eyes opened then, blazing with color and passion. “What difference does it make, Will? It would kill my mother to take her from her home. She’s done everything for me. How can I not sacrifice for her?”
“I understand about duty, darling. It’s driven me my entire life. But duty is a cold companion. You haven’t even talked to your mother about your true feelings. I can’t believe she wouldn’t want to see you happy. I might not have a fortune, but I’m respectable too.”
She bit her lip. “She loves me,” she admitted. “But she thinks she knows what is best for me.”
“I’d like to see her myself.”
“I–I don’t know. I wouldn’t want her to suffer a relapse.”
“I promise not to upset her.”
“Very well.” She tried to withdraw her hand again.
He lifted her fingers and kissed her gloved palm. “I want to hear you say you love me, Katie.”
Her eyes widened. “I–I cannot say it yet, Will. Not until I know if our situation can be resolved. Once words like that are spoken, I can never go back.”
“We can’t go back now.”
“If it’s necessary, I can try,” she said in a barely audible voice.
She tugged again and he let go of her hand. He watched her lift her skirts and run for the lighthouse. She might not have admitted it yet, but he knew love when he saw it. And he wasn’t willing to give it up. He’d woo her with kisses and an outpouring of love that she couldn’t resist.
THIRTY
THE FIRE FLICKERED in the fireplace. The scent of popcorn still lingered in the air. The house felt empty to Katie with Will up in the tower. Jennie played at Katie’s feet with the kitten. The little one grabbed Katie’s skirt and pulled herself up then toddled across the floor to where Lady Carrington sat on the sofa. The baby plopped on the floor and grabbed at the ball of yarn at the older woman’s feet. As her wrist healed, she’d gotten back to knitting a bit.
Lady Carrington glanced at Katie. “You’re very pensive this evening, my dear. Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”
Katie put down the copy of McCall’s Magazine she’d been reading— or not reading—and forced a smile. “Life can be so confusing.”
“Your color was high when you came in this evening. I saw you speaking with Will when you arrived.”
“He wants to speak to my mother. About . . . us.”
Lady Carrington put down her needles. “He’s declared himself?”
Katie nodded. It had been all she could think about since he’d told her he loved her.
“And how did you respond?”
Katie laced her fingers together. “I–I’m not sure what I think.”
“How did you feel when he told you of his intentions?”
“Terrified of making the wrong decision,” Katie admitted.
“You love him, my dear. It’s written all over you.”
Katie lowered her gaze to the floor. If she didn’t admit it, she wouldn’t have to deal with it just yet. “It’s so very difficult to think about disappointing my mother.”
“You are so bound up in meeting your mother’s expectations. And that young Mr. Foster’s, too, I fear.” The older woman glanced at the baby on the floor. “If you were this child’s mother, would you withhold love from her if she didn’t do exactly as you said?”
“Of course not. I adore her.”
“How much more should you become the bride of a man who loves you for yourself and not for some preconceived idea of what a wife should be. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. With a sacrificial love. Can you say that is what Mr. Foster feels for you?”
“No.” Bart liked her looks and thought she would be a good adornment on his arm. When he looked at her, she never felt as though he saw inside to her soul. Not like Will did.
“Will sees the real me,” she said. The baby tugged on Katie’s skirt and she picked her up. Staring at the beloved round cheeks and brown eyes, she prayed this baby would only know total love and acceptance. How had Katie gotten so far off track?
“I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced that kind of love,” she said slowly. “Even Mama has high expectations.”
“God loves you that way.”
Katie nodded. “Of course. I meant human love.” Will loved her that way. No wonder her soul responded to him with such passion. A love like that was most difficult to resist.
“Will you let him speak to your mother?”
Katie nodded. “Would you pray with me tha
t Mama accepts him and sees the goodness in him?”
“You know I will, my dear.” Lady Carrington rose and picked up her yarn. “I believe I shall retire. It’s been a most grueling day.”
“I think that’s an understatement.” Katie smiled as the older woman dropped a kiss on Jennie’s head then exited the room. “It’s about time for bed for you, too, little one,” she told the baby.
“Ah-ah, do-ee,” Jennie said. Using her index finger and thumb like pinchers, Jennie picked up a piece of lint from the floor and started to put it in her mouth before Katie took it away from her. She puckered up her face to howl and Katie picked her up. “How about a bath, sweetheart?” The baby gave a jerky nod and smiled. Katie carried her into the kitchen past Paco, who squawked at them.
“Step away from the cake!” he screeched. “Six feet back.”
She scowled at the bird. Why on earth would someone teach a bird such a ridiculous thing to say? She shook her head and lifted the teakettle from the stove. As she poured the hot water into the sink then pumped in cold water, she thought back over the day. They’d found the ship but the gold was still out there somewhere. The pirates too. She paused. She’d recognize them again, though, and they had to know that.
Would they come after her? They knew who she was because they mentioned her mother. One of them might even have been the one who dared to attack her here, before.
The bay by Wedding Cake Peak should have been one of the places she’d thought of. When Will described the cove where he’d found the boat, she’d remembered it. The passage to it was difficult to find and wasn’t always open this time of year. At least she’d have the money to let her mother keep the house. And what if she turned that money all over to her mother? Then she could marry Will and not fear that her parents would lose their home. But her mother was a spendthrift. What if the money ran out? Her way would be clearer if she could help Will find the missing gold as well. Then there would be plenty of money to do both. Care for her mother and marry Will. But where could the pirates be hiding with it?
She didn’t have long to find out. Hope stirred in her heart. If she could get the money to care for her mother, she would feel freer to follow her heart.
Will watched Katie stir the porridge and lift it from the stove before ladling a bowlful for him. Her hair was still down on her shoulders and the sun lifted the brown to honeyed highlights. He needed to get some sleep this morning after tending the light last night, but he’d rather stay up and watch her. Lady Carrington had fed Jennie then taken the child into the parlor to rock her for a bit, though pieces of bread and jam still littered the linoleum floor. He meant to use these few moments alone to discover if Katie would allow him to speak with her mother today.
He’d never expected it to consume his every thought. As he’d tended to the light last night, he’d spent most of the time thinking about her and how he could convince her to marry him.
Their eyes caught and held when she turned toward the kitchen table. Color rushed to her cheeks. “Don’t look at me like that,” she said.
“Like what?” he asked, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes.
“Like you might . . .” Her blush deepened.
“Do something like this?” He rose and took the bowl of oatmeal from her hands and placed it on the stove. She entered his arms with no resistance. When he broke the kiss, he inhaled the sweet aroma of her breath. “Let’s talk to your mother today.”
“If you wish,” she said softly. She stepped back and picked up the bowl of oatmeal.
He took the bowl from her, then carried it to the table. He’d rather kiss her again. The bird squawked on his perch by the door. “I wish Philip had never gotten that bird,” he muttered.
“Where did he get it? I assumed he’d had it a long time.”
“Did I hear someone mention my name?” Philip walked into the kitchen with his hair uncombed and his tie still askew. He yawned and dished up some oatmeal on the stove then joined them at the table.
“We were talking about your mynah,” Will said.
“Good old Paco. He’s something, isn’t he?”
Will regarded the bird with disfavor. “If you like him so much, why am I stuck with him?” He watched his brother, who flopped into a chair in cocky fashion. “So did your big deal come through?”
Philip flashed a smile his way. “Sure did.”
“Then you can take your bird with you. He loves being on a boat.
We took him out yesterday.”
Philip shoveled a spoonful of porridge into his mouth. “He came from this area, or so I’m told.”
Will frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“I told you this,” he said, glancing at Katie as if he didn’t want to go into it in front of her.
“No you didn’t.”
“Those men yesterday,” Katie said slowly, her eyes widening. “The bird got all excited when they came aboard. He was squawking and fluttering his wings. I just remembered the man in dungarees called him Paco. I assumed he’d been watching us. I didn’t consider Paco might know him.”
“What difference does it make?” Philip’s head was down as he took another spoonful of food.
“Philip, tell me everything you know about this bird.”
Philip shrugged and finally met Will’s gaze. “I won him in a game in San Francisco. The guy was a businessman from this area, or so he said.”
“What did he look like?” Katie put in.
“Description of the man? Do you know his name?”
“Just his first name. Ethan. Dark hair with wings of gray on the side. A mustache he kept waxed. Wore a bowler. Very distinguished and quite a hit with the ladies at the party.”
Will exchanged a glance with Katie. “Sounds like the man, doesn’t it?” She nodded and he stared back at his brother. “Anything else? Why did he put the bird up?”
“He was losing. His man had the bird on his arm and I admired it. He threw it in rather than end the game to go after more money. He lost anyway.” Philip’s voice was pleased.
“What did his partner look like?” Will asked.
“Older than Ethan, maybe in his fifties. Bald. Wore dungarees with suspenders.”
It had to be the same two men. Will sensed Katie’s excitement too. “They said they were from Mercy Falls?”’
Philip frowned. “Now that you mention it, they said they were heading home. I heard one say something about Mercy Falls, so I assumed that’s where home was.”
Katie shook her head. “I know most of the people in town and neither of these men were familiar.”
“Did you get a sense for this Ethan’s profession?” Will asked.
“I thought maybe he was a banker,” Philip said.
Will had been expecting a railroad tycoon or some other kind of high roller. “What made you think that?”
“He said something about ‘my bank’ as though he owned one.”
Will waved his hand in a dismissal. “I’ve said that myself.”
“It was something in his tone. I could be mistaken though.”
“Anything else you can think of?”
Philip shook his head. “Not really. He seemed cut up about losing old Paco here. Asked if he could buy him back. I told him I’d consider it.”
“Did he ever show up again?”
“I left town a little early.”
“Why was that?”
Philip rose and carried his bowl to the sink. “I didn’t like the looks of this man. Something told me he might try to do me harm.”
“And you didn’t say a word about this to me.”
“It’s my investigation, as you’ve been quick to point out,” Philip said.
“I think this bird belongs to the men who took the gold,” Will said.
His brother seemed unconcerned with what Will had just told him.
“Where are you going?” he asked as Philip headed toward the door.
“I have to pack. The boat is pulling out tonight.”
“Tonight? That’s crazy, Philip. I need some help with this case. You’re the one who dragged me into it and it’s about to get wrapped up.”
His brother gave a heavy sigh. “You can finish up the details and collect our money. I’m leaving tonight, Will. If there’s anything I can do in a few hours, I can help out, but that’s it.”
Will pressed his lips together. “I was up all night tending to the light. I need some rest. You could poke around in town. See what the constable found out after he took custody of the ship.”
Philip wrinkled his nose. “I’ll pack, then go to town and ask around.”
Will was tired, cranky, and fed up. “Never mind. Do what you want. That’s all you’ve ever done.”
Philip folded his hands across his chest. “You have no idea who that guy is who hired me for this new job, do you?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters! If I solve this, I’ll have enough work to keep me solvent for ten years. He’s Hudson Masters, who owns the biggest newspaper conglomerate in the country. He’s always digging into dirt.
If I come through for him, I’m set.”
Wide-eyed, Katie glanced from Will to his brother. “So you’re leaving, Philip? Just like that? When your brother needs you?”
Philip laughed. “You two are just alike. All bound up with what others expect of you. Life is too short to live it for duty. Sometimes you have to follow your own dream, not someone else’s.”
“When have you ever followed anyone else’s?” Will demanded. “You don’t know what duty means.”
Philip spread his hands. “I’m grateful you knew your duty, Will. But I’m not like you. I’m never going to fit into the mold you want. I’m not a younger version of you. I’m just not.” Philip threw up his hands. “Oh what’s the use? You never listen.” He stomped out of the room.
Will opened his mouth to call after his brother, then clamped it shut. His brother looked so much like their father that Will had often caught himself expecting him to act the same way Dad did. What did Will himself want from his life? He’d never asked that question. It hadn’t seemed important with his duty before him.