The Lightkeeper's Bride

  The light from the open curtains illuminated her mother’s blotchy, aging skin. She was beautiful to Katie, though. What other woman would have taken her in and loved her so completely? Katie went to the window and struggled to release the heavy drapes from the tiebacks.

  “I’m awake.”

  Katie turned at the sound of her mother’s voice. “I was going to let you sleep.”

  Her mother plumped the pillows and sat up. “I can’t hide in bed forever. How did it go, darling?”

  “Very well. Bart was solicitous and offered to escort me to the hospital, but I declined his offer. I went to check on Papa and then to see about the state of his affairs.”

  Her mother sat up. “How was he?”

  Better for her mother to realize how serious his injury was. “Unconscious. The doctor is doing what he can.”

  Her mother swallowed hard. “He’s strong. I believe he will be fine. I must go to him.” She struggled to sit up.

  Katie pressed her back against the pillow. “Not yet. The nurses told me we must stay away and not tax his strength.”

  “They’ll not keep me from my husband’s side. You must help me to dress and go to him.” Her mother gripped Katie’s hand. “You’re so competent, my dear. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Now tell me about Bart.”

  The springs groaned as Katie sat on the edge of her mother’s bed. “I–I don’t really love Bart, Mama. Am I even ready for marriage?”

  Her mother patted her hand. “Love will come in time, dear girl. This modern-day obsession with love is ridiculous. Respect is what you need for a marriage to flourish. You respect him, do you not?”

  “Oh yes. He’s a good man. Honorable.”

  “And wealthy. There will be no problems he can’t handle with his family’s money and influence behind him.” She put her hand on her forehead. “My head aches quite dreadfully.”

  Katie positioned herself to massage her mother’s head. The weight of responsibility pressed her down. What would it be like to choose a man who seemed somewhat . . . unsuitable? Mr. Jesperson’s brown eyes flashed through her memory, but she told herself not to be ridiculous. He was the last man on earth her mother would accept. A lightkeeper earned a bare pittance. There would be no more pretty dresses and slippers, no more baubles and perfume, let alone a chance for her parents to keep their home and servants. Such things were only important to Katie because they ensured that the people she admired would never know the squalor from which she’d come. A woman had to think of future children and caring for her mother. That was how things were done. Inez had made that clear.

  Her mother’s smile faded. She seemed to gather herself. “Katie, did I dream it or did you say your father had a . . . another child?”

  Katie paused in her ministrations. “Oh Mama, I’d hoped you wouldn’t remember.”

  “Tell me what you know.”

  Unable to watch the pain in her mother’s eyes, Katie plucked at the sheet. “I was at the switchboard. I overheard Papa talking to Eliza Bulmer. She said her child was his responsibility.”

  “Did you ask your father about it?”

  “I did. He admitted to a relationship with Eliza but didn’t believe Jennie was his child.” She dared a peek at her mother and found the older woman stone-faced.

  Her mother shrugged. “Please don’t harbor any pity for me, dear girl. Men find it quite impossible to be faithful. This is something you shall discover one day.”

  “Never,” Katie said under her breath.

  Her mother smiled. “You’re young and idealistic. I was quite happy to run the household and let your father take his pleasure elsewhere. It relieved me of the duty.”

  Duty? There was much about the love relationship Katie didn’t understand. “The Bible says a man is to love his wife as his own flesh.

  Surely it’s not too much to ask that my husband would want only me.” She’d read the Song of Solomon and longed to find true love for herself.

  “Sometimes you’re such a child, Katie.” Her mother closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “Where is this baby? I must see it for myself.”

  “She’s with the new lightkeeper out at Mercy Point. Mr. Jesperson.”

  “How old is she? And why does he have her?”

  “I think she is about a year old. He seems to think she might be his brother’s child.”

  “But you’re not convinced.”

  Katie shook her head. “No, Mama. Not after what I overheard on the phone.”

  “Does she look like your father?”

  “She has dark eyes, but then, so does the new lightkeeper. I would assume his brother does as well.”

  “Oh dear. Such a conundrum. We must get to the bottom of it. But secretly. Tell no one your suspicions. Bring the child to me and let me have a look at her. I’m quite sure I shall be able to tell.” Tears hung on her mother’s lashes. “This is too much for me to bear. You must fix it somehow, Katie.”

  Katie bit back the question, how?, and nodded. “I’ll go out and check on her. It’s the least we should do.”

  “I want to see her.”

  “I can’t do that. What if someone sees me bring her here?” That was assuming Mr. Jesperson even allowed her to take Jennie.

  “You are well known for your acts of charity, my dear. Our neighbors will think you are doing one more good deed.”

  “And if you determine she is Papa’s daughter?”

  Her mother fell back against the pillow. “It’s too much for me to think through. Let’s take one step at a time, shall we?” She plucked at the covers. “Your priority must be to make a suitable marriage. How close is Bart to declaring himself?”

  “I have so little experience with men, Mama.”

  “Has he held your hand with obvious reluctance to release it?”

  Katie nodded. “He did that today.”

  “Has he kissed you?”

  Katie’s cheeks burned. “Of course not, Mama!”

  Her mother’s bark of laughter came. “My dear, there is nothing wrong with allowing the man you want to marry to kiss you. Once you’re sure his intentions are honorable, of course. Bart has not hidden his open admiration for you. He’s been pleased to show you around town, and I suspect he will invite you to come to dinner at his home with his parents very soon.”

  “He may slow down the relationship now,” Katie said. “Now that . . . well, Papa.”

  Her mother’s gaze narrowed. “Is that what you’d like?”

  Katie forced a smile. “I’m just upset, Mama. So much has happened in the last twenty-four hours.”

  Katie saw the fear drain from her mother’s eyes. “I like Bart very much. He’ll be a good husband and a good father.” She swung her legs out of bed. “Now help me dress. I must tend to your papa.”

  TEN

  KATIE STOOD LOOKING at the man in the bed. The murmur of voices from nurses tending to others in the ward faded as she prayed for her father to live. His eyes were closed, and his skin was nearly the color of the sheets. What would they do if he died? She touched his hand. “Papa?” she whispered. “I’ve brought Mama to see you.”

  There was no response. Not even a flutter of his lids. She glanced at her mother seated on the other side of the bed then turned her attention back to her father. The bruise on his forehead was huge and mottled. There were a few cuts on his face, and she saw a lump on the back of his head poking up through his thin hair. Could someone have struck him and thrown him over the falls? She knew she was grasping at straws.

  Her mother leaned closer. “Albert? You must wake up now.” There was no response. “Leave us, Katie. I’ll stay with him. Go see about that child.”

  Katie hesitated then pressed a kiss on his cold cheek and hurried out of the hospital. Out on the sidewalk she strapped on her skates and skated toward the bank. Before she reached it, she saw a familiar horse and buggy. Addie. Her friend was certainly on her way to Katie’s house. Katie waved, and John guided the
horse to the side of the street. He helped his wife alight, and the two young women flew into each other’s arms.

  Katie clung to Addie while John and his son, Edward, stood to the side of the road. Addie’s dog, Gideon, pressed his nose against Katie’s leg as if to comfort her. The dog was well known for being able to sense distress.

  “Katie, I’m so sorry,” Addie whispered. “How is your father? Did you just come from the hospital?”

  Katie nodded. “He’s still unconscious. I–I’m not sure he’ll live, Addie.”

  Addie pressed her hand. “God is in control. When I pray, I feel he is telling me not to worry. That your father will be all right. Be strong.”

  “Let me buy you some lunch,” John said. He stood in front of the café and opened the door, gesturing inside.

  Katie followed him and his family into the café. A waitress seated them at a corner table. They ordered the special roast beef plate.

  Gideon lay at Katie’s feet.

  John sipped his coffee. “If there is anything we can do to help, you have only to tell us, Katie.” Six-year-old Edward tugged at his sleeve and whispered in his father’s ear. “Ah, we’ll be right back. Edward needs to visit the men’s room.” He took the hand of his son, and the two went toward the back of the café. Gideon got up and followed them.

  “How are you really doing?” Addie asked.

  “I’m frightened. Something more than we realize is going on.”

  Katie told her friend about her father’s visit to the lighthouse in search of his pocket watch and about the threatening phone call she received.

  “So you think your father might not have tried to kill himself?”

  Addie asked. “That whoever is responsible for Eliza’s disappearance tried to harm him? I quite dislike bringing this up, Katie. But what if your father suspected? What if he was worried he would be accused and chose to end his life rather than face the dishonor?”

  Katie sipped her tea. “I have considered that, and you could be right.” But it still felt wrong to her. There was something more, something she was missing.

  “How is your mother this morning?”

  “Better. Bart’s call lifted her spirits considerably.”

  “So Bart came to call already,” Addie observed after a short silence. “I wondered if he would come immediately. He seems quite taken with you.”

  “Mama wants me to marry him,” she said. “We–We are in financial straits. My father’s business is on the verge of bankruptcy. A favorable marriage is our only hope of keeping this estate. It would destroy Mama to lose it. She was born here.”

  Addie leaned forward. “Oh Katie, don’t let such a thing sway your decision. Real love is worth waiting on.”

  “Mama says the most important thing in a marriage is respect.”

  “Of course I respect John, but I love him too. More and more I have come to believe that the most important thing is to know that God has a plan for your life. We do well to listen and obey that plan.”

  “I know you’re right, but how do you know?”

  “Jehovah-Shalom,” Addie said. “God, our peace. I see you’re unsettled about Bart. That tells me right there that he isn’t the right man. When we follow in the way God has laid out for us, we have peace.”

  “I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced true peace,” Katie said.

  “It’s because it’s hard for you to let go of control,” her friend said. “You think you have to manage everything. Learn to turn loose of things, Katie. God really does know what he’s doing.”

  “That’s hard to see right now.”

  Addie reached over and patted her hand. “Does your mother know about Eliza?”

  Katie nodded. “I tried to keep it from her, but she overheard me tell the constable.”

  “Have you heard how little Jennie is doing?”

  “I saw her last night at the lighthouse. Mr. Jesperson seems to be very good with her. He was singing to her when I arrived.” Katie smiled at the memory. It had so warmed her heart.

  Addie stared at her. “Why are you smiling so strangely? Are you attracted to the lightkeeper?”

  Katie wiped the smile from her face. “Of course not. I know nothing about him.”

  “I knew nothing about John either, but I was drawn to him from the moment we met. Sometimes it happens that way.”

  “Not in this case,” Katie said with enough emphasis she hoped would convince her friend. She glanced at the dog trotting back toward them on Edward’s heels. “I do believe Gideon exercises peace.”

  Addie laughed. “Nothing ruffles that dog. If we could all be so even tempered.” She glanced back at Katie. “Don’t change the subject, my dear. I saw Mr. Jesperson. He’s quite handsome.”

  “I like blond men,” Katie said. “The lightkeeper appears almost dangerous. Such dark eyes.”

  “I think he is a strong man. Protective. You saw the way he took charge of the baby. What woman wouldn’t respond to that?”

  “Me,” Katie said. “You must put him out of your head. I know nothing about the man and what I do know, I rather dislike. He’s much too overbearing.”

  She almost believed it until she remembered the way she’d heard him singing to the baby. It was most endearing.

  Katie sat in the third pew with her mother. The minister gave a final prayer, and the worshipers began to stand in their pews and greet one another. Several hurried over to ask about her father. She shook their hands as they assured her they were praying for him. He’d regained consciousness but was still incoherent. She looked past her mother to where Bart stood with his parents. Good people. Good friends.

  But would they be so kind if they knew the truth?

  She shook the unpleasant thought away. They would never find out. She escorted her mother outside toward their buggy. Live oaks shaded the green expanse of the yard. Buggies and a few automobiles lined the road. Mr. Jesperson held Jennie facing forward in his arms as he strode across the lawn toward her. Katie glanced toward her mother. Good, she was occupied with a group of ladies. Katie moved to intercept him. This was not the time to allow her mother to inspect the child. Not in front of all their friends.

  “Mr. Jesperson,” she said. “How surprising to see you.”

  He took the hand she offered. “I make a practice of being in God’s house on Sunday.”

  Her heart gave an unwelcome flutter at the touch of his warm fingers. What was the matter with her? Bart was just across the yard with his parents. It was most unseemly for her to even notice the broad span of gray wool on Mr. Jesperson’s chest or the curl in his dark brown hair. “I hope you will understand when I say, please don’t make yourself known to my mother. She’s in no condition to deal with Jennie’s presence.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said.

  The baby reached for her. Katie took the child and kissed her soft curls. She’d always wanted a baby sister. The child smelled clean and fresh as though she’d just been bathed. “You seem to be having no trouble caring for her. She is quite content.”

  “I wish I could say the same for myself. I must find someone to help me.” He scanned the crowd with a hopeful expression. “Is there anyone here you might recommend?”

  Katie opened her mouth to tell him she had no idea who he might hire when Addie joined them. “You remember Mr. Jesperson, don’t you, Addie?” Katie said.

  Addie offered her hand. “Of course. And little Jennie too.”

  Katie ignored the sidelong glance her friend slid her way. She noticed the way Jespserson’s sharp gaze scanned the crowd as though he were looking for someone. Probably still on the hunt for a nanny for the child.

  He held out his arms for Jennie, who pointedly turned her head and clung to Katie’s neck. “Na, na,” she said, shaking her head for emphasis.

  The child’s small hands clutched at Katie’s neck, and a warm sensation settled in the pit of Katie’s stomach. It felt good to be so wanted. She kissed the soft cheek nestled so close and inhal
ed the scent of the toddler. What a blessing it would be to care for this little one every day.

  “Katie, introduce me to your friend.”

  Katie turned to see her mother standing behind her. “Mama,” she faltered. How did she get out of this? An awkward pause ensued.

  Her mother extended her hand. “I’m Inez Russell. You must be Mr. Jesperson.”

  Katie should have known better than to try to hide anything from her mother. “This is Jennie, Mama.” She turned the baby around to face her mother.

  “Hello, sweet pea,” her mother cooed to the baby. “Aren’t you a little bright-eyed girl?” Jennie reached for the older woman and grabbed at a ribbon on her hat. “Will you let me hold you?” The baby held out her arms and Katie transferred her. Her mother’s gaze roamed Jennie’s face.

  “Her eyes are quite dark. Much like yours, Mr. Jesperson.”

  And Papa’s. Katie didn’t say it but she saw the fear in her mother’s eyes. She wanted to point out the way the baby’s hairline differed from her father’s and how Jennie’s eyes varied too. But she held her tongue.

  Her mother liked to come to her own conclusions without coercion.

  Jennie reached for Mr. Jesperson and he took her. She laid her head on his shoulder and began to hum to herself. After a moment, she lifted her head and squawked at the man.

  “She’s tired and wants me to sing to her,” he said, his voice apologetic. “I should take her home.”

  Katie found it impossible to hide her smile. The baby had the man wrapped around her little finger.

  “I would welcome a call from you in a few days,” Katie’s mother said. “There is much to discuss.”

  Katie’s smile faded. Her mother obviously thought she saw some resemblance between the baby and her ailing husband.

  “I should be most pleased to speak with you,” Will said, his eyes flicking between Katie and her mother, clearly understanding the direction of Inez’s thoughts. “Do understand, though, that you have not yet met my brother. If you were to see him, you would know there is no doubt about this child’s parentage.” He nodded to Katie and Addie. “Good day, ladies. I’m sure I’ll see you again quite soon. If you hear of a dependable woman looking for a live-in position as nanny, please send her to me.”