John struggled to get his leg free so he could kick out. He reached for a loose rock by his head, but before he could bring it up, Driscoll slumped onto him. John lowered him to the ground, then glanced up into Addie’s face. She still held the rock she’d used to strike Driscoll.
“Wicked arm you’ve got there,” he said. He shoved Driscoll off, grabbed the gun, and struggled to his feet.
Addie collapsed into his arms, and Gideon came to nose at his hand. “I’m glad you two are on my side.” He saw lights on the water. “Here comes the cavalry.”
“A little late,” Addie said.
“I don’t think you need the cavalry. You’re strong, my love. And you have a fearless sidekick in Gideon.”
“And I have you,” she whispered.
Addie warmed her hands with a cup of hot cocoa in front of the fire at the Russell home. Gideon lay at her feet with a self-satisfied smile on his doggy face. She’d fed him until he could eat no more as a reward for being such a hero.
Mrs. Russell bustled in with oatmeal cookies, fresh from the oven. “Are you warm enough, my dear? You were shaking so.”
“I’m fine now. It was shock, I think. Is John back yet?”
“I thought I heard his buggy stop outside. Katie went to let him in.” Mrs. Russell put the cookies on a side table. “Katie and I will leave you two to sort things out.”
Katie led John into the room. Addie drank in the sight of him. They’d nearly lost what they had. Her heart swelled at how good God was. He’d seen them through this valley. She waved back at Katie as she disappeared up the steps.
“Addie.” John was at her side in two steps. He knelt and took her cold hands in his warm ones. “I couldn’t wait to get back to you.”
She took comfort from his grip. “What’s happened with Mr. Driscoll?”
“The doctor says he’ll live.”
“He’s in jail?”
John joined her on the sofa, but he kept control of one of her hands. “Yes, but don’t feel sorry for him, love. He nearly killed you. And his own sister.” He released her hand and slipped his arm around her.
She burrowed into the comfort of his embrace. The clean scent of him reassured her. “I’m so glad it’s over. You saved my mother, John.”
He kissed the top of her head. “We did it together.”
“I’m too tired to think,” she said. “I can’t impose on my friends for too long. I’m not sure what to do.”
He tipped her face up and brushed a kiss across her lips. “You’ll marry me, of course. As soon as it can be arranged.”
Her pulse skipped, and she pulled back. “Right away?”
His eyes were smiling and full of love. “I’d marry you tomorrow if we could arrange it that quickly.”
The thought of being a family with him and Edward brought heat rushing to her cheeks. “I’d like that more than anything in the world,” she said.
“Tell me what to do and I’ll arrange it.”
“There are so many things to do, I don’t know where to start,” she said, laughing.
The smile left his face. “When, my love?”
The possessiveness in his voice heated her cheeks even more. “I need at least two weeks. I have to make a dress.”
“I’ll buy you one.”
“I want to make it. I’ll only have one wedding day.”
He released her hair from its combs and plunged his fingers into the mass of curls. As his lips claimed hers, she realized how God had given her every desire of her heart.
EPILOGUE
THE ROAR OF the ocean was music in Addie’s ears. Her white lingerie dress, while simple, was the only wedding dress she needed. John insisted she appear barefoot to take their nuptials. Silly man, but how wonderful to be loved for who she was.
“Kneel there by Gideon. Our hero,” Katie said. She had her Brownie camera on a tripod and was documenting the day. Her dark hair gleamed against the lilac bridesmaid dress Addie had made for her.
Smiling, Addie knelt on the grass with the lighthouse in the background. Gideon crowded close, and she put her arm around him.
“Just a moment. Don’t move,” Katie called.
Addie froze her smile until she heard a click. “Are we done?”
“Done!”
At her friend’s announcement, Addie rose and stretched. Guests in buggies were beginning to arrive. Though Clara’s offer to use the manor house had been generous, Addie belonged here, not in fancy drawing rooms or on manicured lawns. Her true home was by the sea, with the lighthouse winking overhead. The wedding would be at sundown, when the light could be wound.
“I see you watching for John,” Katie said, linking arms. “You’re not supposed to see him before the wedding.”
Addie tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. “Do you think I should have put my hair up? John wanted it down, but it seems almost disrespectful on such a momentous occasion.”
Katie held her at arm’s length and studied her. “I’ve never seen a lovelier bride.”
“You’d say that if I wore a flour sack.”
“It would be true. You are just glowing. I hope a man looks at me someday like John looks at you.”
Addie turned her friend toward the lighthouse. “It will happen.”
“Uh-oh, John is here,” Katie said. She grabbed at Addie when she would have turned toward the road. “Oh no, you don’t. Inside with you, before he sees you.”
“Katie!” Addie protested.
“No bad luck allowed.” Katie steered her to the back door.
“I don’t need luck. God has this all under control.”
“I’d have to agree, after seeing all you’ve gone through.”
The girls stepped into the kitchen. The yeasty scents mixed with cinnamon made Addie’s tummy grumble. She’d been too excited to eat today. The neighbors had pitched in and brought the food. Clara had paid for cake and ice cream to be delivered. Everything was in order.
“Where’s Gideon?” Katie asked as she affixed Addie’s veil to her head, then added flowers.
“With Edward.” Addie clasped her hands together and glanced at the clock. “It’s time.” The butterflies in her stomach took flight.
She peeked out the window. Guests had begun to mill around the yard. The tulle on the bower by the cliff rippled in the breeze. Piano music came to her ears from the instrument John had arranged to be moved to the yard. “The Entertainer” rang out, and she smiled. Who else was lucky enough to have ragtime played at her wedding?
Thomas Carrington poked his head into the kitchen. “Ready?” His eyebrows rose. “You look quite lovely, Addie.”
She pulled her veil over her face and joined him on the back stoop. “Thank you so much for agreeing to give me away.”
His eyes were moist. “I’m honored to be asked.”
“How’s Mama?”
“Excited. Still weak though. I have her on a lawn chair in the front row.”
The music changed to another ragtime tune. Addie tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and stepped into the grass. As the piano music tinkled, she strolled between smiling friends and neighbors toward the bower. The Whittakers smiled and waved as she passed. Clara had taken the children into her house, and Mrs. Whittaker planned to join the children and take over as housekeeper as soon as she was well enough. Mrs. Russell dabbed at her eyes as Addie approached. She waved at Addie from her spot near the front, and John’s father gave a grave nod.
Addie’s eyes met her mother’s for a moment. All the love and pride she’d longed for were in those serene green eyes. Her mother blew her a kiss, and Addie returned the gesture.
Then her gaze locked on the bower, where John awaited her. Dressed in a double-breasted frock coat and tan trousers, his dark eyes under the top hat caught and held hers. Edward stood beside his father, with his hand on Gideon’s head. He tugged at the round collar on his shirt. The knickers he wore already had grass stains on the knees.
All three watched her approa
ch, but she had eyes only for John. A slight smile played at his lips, and the love in his eyes brought moisture rushing to hers.
He stepped out to take her hands.
Lord Carrington stepped between them. “Not yet, son. She’s still mine at the moment.”
John’s hand fell back to his side, and he smiled. “I’ve waited for her all my life, Carrington. No one’s standing between us now.”
Lord Carrington grinned and passed her hand to John’s. His eyes stayed on her through the ceremony, which she barely heard as she repeated her vows. When he slid the ring on her finger, she caught her breath. She had a family. A husband who loved her. A son. God was so good. He’d provided every desire of her heart.
After the ceremony, John led her away from the crush of wellwishers. “I want to talk to you a moment.”
They stood at the base of the lighthouse, which blinked out its warning every three seconds. He embraced her, and she nestled against his chest. His hand crept to her hair, and his fingers entwined in her curls.
“You’re distracting me,” he murmured.
She lifted her head. “Oh? You had something to say beyond telling me how much you adore me?”
“You have no idea how much.” He bent his head to kiss her. His lips nuzzled her jawline and her neck. “Do you still think I’m your Robert Browning?”
Heat seared her cheeks. “You promised never to bring up that book. I shall take great pleasure in watching you jump over the falls.”
He grinned. “I’m taking you with me.”
“That wasn’t part of the arrangement,” she said, somehow managing to keep a straight face.
One eyebrow lifted. “Didn’t you just promise whither so I goest? Or something like that?”
“You might have to remind me of that when we’re at the top of the falls.”
He chuckled, then sobered. “Now, back to what I have to tell you.”
Her skin still tingled from his touch. She pulled away. “I’m listening.”
“I’ve managed to keep Mercy Steamboat out of bankruptcy. The creamery too. Your mother and Clara should be all right financially.”
“Mama has Lord Carrington too.”
He nodded. “But I wanted to do what I could to help Clara and you.” His gaze was troubled. “I need to talk to you about where we will live.”
“We’ll be in San Francisco, won’t we?”
He shook his head. “I resigned my commission, darling. I can’t take you from your mother. You searched for her so valiantly, and she fought for you so hard.”
She swallowed over the constriction in her throat. “You did that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you.”
She kissed him. “You’re a good man, Lieutenant.”
He smiled. “I’m not a lieutenant anymore. I’m a private citizen.”
“Where shall we live, then?”
“There’s a house I want to show you. It’s down the lane and faces the water. I’ll purchase that if you like it.”
“I’ll be by the sea! I know I shall love it.”
He smiled. “I see the wheels turning behind those beautiful eyes. You’re wondering what I’m going to do.”
“You’re going to run the Eaton holdings,” she said.
He inhaled. “How do you do that?”
“Women’s intuition,” she said, brushing a kiss across his lips. “You’re so good at organization. It makes sense.”
“I’ll never be able to keep anything from you.”
“I hope you don’t try.”
He kissed the tip of her nose and exhaled. “I’ll do the best I can with the other businesses. They’re all struggling under Henry’s mismanagement. Things will be tight for a while.”
“We’ll be fine. I’m not a spendthrift. And we have my money.”
“I plan to support my family myself.” His smile was tender. “I’m worried about the people who lost so much in the bank failure.”
Her smile faded. “Me too.”
“I have an idea that might help some. Clara has moved to a smaller place in town that her grandmother left her. The income from the creamery and the steamboat will sustain her. With your permission, I’d like to sell Eaton Hall to a group that wants to turn it into a sanatorium.”
He was such a good man. She clung to him. “Oh, John, I’d like nothing better! But will that be enough to repay the people who lost their savings?”
He shook his head. “I wish it were. But I can repay some of the money at least.”
“I’ve thought of another solution. I wasn’t sure you’d agree, but I’d intended to talk to you about it tonight.”
“What is it?”
“The land. We could sell it to the investors you mentioned. Surely that would be enough to give the bank customers their money.”
His brows rose, and a smile lifted his lips. “Addie, you’d want to do that?”
“Of course. Would it be enough?”
“I believe it would,” he said, pulling her close. “You are a remarkable woman. But I’ve also gotten an offer from a group who wants to turn it into a park area. It’s nearly as much money.”
“John, how wonderful! Let’s do that.”
“We’ll have no resources to fall back on though.”
“We have God. He’ll see to anything we need. He always has.”
Day-to-day dependence on God was all she needed to flourish. She laid her head against her husband’s chest and listened to his heartbeat. Together, they formed a strong cord of three strands. There was nothing brighter in her future than that reality.
“Let’s go home,” she whispered.
DEAR READER
I HOPE YOU’VE enjoyed this book as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Though writing a historical novel was a bit of a departure for me, I think you’ll agree it’s also my trademark mystery and romance, blended together and flavored with a strong sense of place. That place just happens to be Northern California in 1907. We stayed at a wonderful hotel/bed-and-breakfast in Ferndale, the inspiration for Mercy Falls. The Victorian Inn made me feel like I’d stepped back in time. If you get into that area, check it out at http://www.victorianvillageinn.com/.
I sharpened my writing pencil on historical romance, and it’s been a fun experience for me to go back to my roots—with the addition of the mystery thread I so love to write. I’m a nut about lighthouses and the Gilded Age (I live in a house built in 1895), so all those elements found their way into The Lightkeeper’s Daughter. I studied the Painted Ladies, houses of this era that were embellished with gingerbread trim and painted many colors to bring out their beauty. Dave and I turned our own home into the middle-class version, and it was featured in the October 2008 edition of Victorian Homes.
If you enjoyed this book, drop me an e-mail. I love to hear from readers! Contact me at
[email protected], and check out my Web site at www.colleencoble.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/colleencoble, and I’m on Facebook as well. Thank you all for giving up your most precious commodity—time—to spend it with me and my stories.
Much affection,
Colleen Coble
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IT IS SUCH a privilege to do another project with my wonderful Thomas Nelson family. Publisher Allen Arnold (I call him Superman) is so passionate about fiction, and he lights up a room when he enters it. Senior acquisitions editor Ami McConnell (my friend and cheerleader) has an eye for character and theme like no one I know. I crave her analytical eye! It was her influence that encouraged me to write a historical romantic mystery, and I’m glad she pushed me a bit! Marketing manager Jennifer Deshler brings both friendship and fabulous marketing ideas to the table. Publicist Katie Bond is always willing to listen to my harebrained ideas. Fabulous cover guru Kristen Vasgaard (you so rock!) works hard to create the perfect cover—and does it. And of course I can’t forget my other friends who are all part of my amazing fiction family: Natalie Hanemann, Amanda Bostic, Becky Monds, Ashley Schn
eider, Heather McCulloch, Chris Long, and Kathy Carabajal. I wish I could name all the great folks who work on selling my books through different venues at Thomas Nelson. You are my dream team! Hearing “Well done” from you all is my motivation every day.
My agent, Karen Solem, has helped shape my career in many ways, and that includes kicking an idea to the curb when necessary. Thanks, Karen, you’re the best!
Erin Healy is the best freelance editor in the business, bar none. She sees details the rest of us miss, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s an amazing suspense writer. Thanks, Erin! I couldn’t do it without you.
Writing can be a lonely business, but God has blessed me with great writing friends and critique partners. Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter make up the Girls Write Out squad (www.GirlsWriteOut.blogspot.com). I couldn’t make it through a day without my peeps! And another one of those is Robin Miller, conference director of ACFW (www.acfw.com), who spots inconsistencies in a suspense plot with an eagle eye. Thanks to all of you for the work you do on my behalf, and for your friendship.
I’m so grateful for my husband, Dave, who carts me around from city to city, washes towels, and chases down dinner without complaint. Thanks, honey! I couldn’t do anything without you. My kids—Dave, Kara (and now Donna and Mark)—and my grandsons, James and Jorden Packer, love and support me in every way possible. Love you guys! Donna and Dave brought me the delight of my life—our little granddaughter, Alexa! It’s hard to write when all I want to do is kiss those darling, pudgy feet. She is the most beautiful baby ever!
Most importantly I give my thanks to God, who has opened such amazing doors for me and makes the journey a golden one.
READING GROUP GUIDE
1. Addie desperately wanted to belong to a family. How easy is it to change who you are to gain approval?
2. How do you gauge your self worth? How should it be gauged?