“It may not be the grandeur size of say the Detroit Library, but I’m sure it will please the townsfolk.”
Looking across the yard to where the single-story structure stood on a tiny town lot sandwiched between two taller buildings, he noticed a small crowd of ladies had gathered nearby watching Garrett working in the afternoon sunlight.
“Yes, I can already see the interest.” He grinned.
Jay smirked but chose to ignore the underlining wisecrack even though Ryan knew he was fully aware of the female following the Colby brothers brought, or for that matter, any single man in town, for the town’s female population far outnumbered the men.
“Indeed we appreciate their enthusiasm. Though poor Garrett may not like the attention.”
Ryan chuckled. “To be sure. The man has little understanding of the opposite sex.”
They both shared a laugh, “But there is no denying his skill in carpentry. It came together remarkably fast since I first arrived.”
“He’s very swift and precise.” Jay agreed then turned to look at his youngest brother. “Not that I’m bashing your sudden interest in the expansion of Placid’s latest establishment, but what really is on your mind?”
“Of course I’m interested in what goes on in Placid after all this is my hometown too.”
Jay made a face. “A hometown that doesn’t generally see your face around these parts on a regular basis. Especially for this length of time. Usually, you’ve hightailed it out of here the moment the Francesca sails out of port. So what gives?”
He shrugged. “You’re reading too much into it. I simply have missed my family. I have been gone too long.”
“You’ve been gone longer before.”
Again, he shrugs. “I couldn’t leave. What if Garrett needed my help with the library?”
Jay shot a swift glance toward their older brother. “I’m sure Garrett appreciates your thoughtfulness, but it hardly requires two men to finish a building standing at just under six hundred square feet.”
“Seems to me the job could have been done faster with more hands.” Though he knew that was an excuse, as clearly Garrett didn’t need his help.
“There’s no rush.”
“No rush? Isn’t the Villa overflowing with crates of books waiting for these doors to open?” The Villa was the nickname they had given the large house Erika had been raised in and that the couple both now resided in.
“Yes, but we have yet to hire a Librarian. We’ve had no luck with applicants. As I speak, Erika is writing up an advert for the newspaper in Toronto to expand our search.” He studied his brother. “Again, I’m pleased to see your interest in the goings-on in Placid, but why may I ask?”
“I just want to be useful.”
Jay chuckled. “I’m sure we could have found someone for you to entertain.”
“I’m serious, Jay.”
“Look, it’s not that your help isn’t appreciated but Garrett’s done a fine job overseeing the erection of several new houses in town as well as the northern pier extension. He’s quite capable of doing the work on his own. He doesn’t need any help. What’s really keeping you home?”
Ryan sighed. “Well, Erika is going to deliver any day now. I don’t want to miss the birth of my first niece or nephew.”
“I would have left word with your captain.”
Ryan made a face. “If I didn’t know any better, I swear you were trying to get rid of me.”
Jay laughed. “Just trying to learn what’s going on with you.”
“Nothing is going on. I just wasn’t ready to leave.”
“And now?”
He exhaled wearily. “The Francesca is due back in port in four days. When she leaves, I plan on being on her.”
“Ah, your wandering feet have finally gotten itchy.”
“No, actually. There is somewhere I promised to be.”
“And yet you don’t sound enthusiastic about the idea. Do you mind telling me why?”
“Yes.” He stared at Garrett a moment longer before turning to pierce Jay with a warning look. “I do mind.”
Jay raised his chin and stared down at his already shorter brother. “It won’t help to let it fester, whatever it is.”
“Perhaps not, but I’m not ready to share”
“Fair enough. When you are ready, I’ll be happy to listen.”
“I know.” He placed his hand on Jay’s shoulder. “
“You know I’ve not always been a supporter of your wandering lifestyle, however, if there is one thing I’ve learned from my near-death experience is life is too short. Follow your heart and make the most of every opportunity. Don’t be afraid to take chances. You just might be surprised at where they will take you.”
“Sage advice I’m sure but what are you getting at?”
He looked as if he was briefly contemplating telling him something, then exhaling slightly he said, “A freight ship came into port this morning. I had never seen it before in our harbor. One of the reasons we decided to expand the docks was to welcome these large clippers that wouldn’t normally stop at our ports because of the lack of room.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that. Wise thinking on your part.” And one of the reasons why the town elected him mayor. Jay was fully invested in Placid and sincerely wanted to see it not only bloom but succeed as well.
He paused then said, “Your leaving has always been tough on mother, though she puts on a brave face, I know she worries and misses you daily.”
Ryan frowned. “What are you leading to, Jay?”
“The clipper is from Duluth, Minnesota on route to Boston. I got talking to the captain when he approached me down on the docks. He tells me they picked up sixteen hundred railway ties up in the Soo but didn’t realize they were badly soaked causing them too difficult to maneuver on the ship’s deck. He was asking around for extra deck hands and wanted to know if I would be interested. Presumably, he mistook me for a sailor.”
“Or more likely your size.” Ryan chuckled.
“Possibly,” Jay smirked.
“Does he want to unburden his load?” It surprised Ryan that a captain would unload his cargo before reaching his destination.
“No,” Jay corrected him. “He wanted to know if I would be interested in joining the crew for the rest of the expedition as they will need the help unloading them once they reach their destination.”
Ryan jerked his chin sharply up. “To Boston?”
“Yes. They have a couple of stops in Toledo, Buffalo, and Montreal before they sail north—”
“Up the St. Lawrence River.” Ryan cut him short, knowing only too well the route as he had dreamt of nothing more all his life. For years, he had asked around at various ports inquiring if any of the steamers heading upstream needed an extra deckhand but always received a disheartening no.
“That’s right. Their last stop will be somewhere along the Gulf of St. Lawrence before they head out into the Atlantic Ocean. I declined naturally but thought of you. I know you’ve always wanted to sail the ocean and this just might be your opportunity.”
“I’ve wanted nothing else.” He briefly thought of Evelina then quickly stomped thoughts of her out of his head. Aside from nearly winning a boat of his own and sailing up the St. Lawrence River, an opportunity like this never came his way. He would be a fool to pass on it.
“I thought you just might be interested.”
“Did you get the captain’s name?”
“Yes, it’s Les Simmons. He says he’ll be in port for only a couple more days.”
“And before the Francesca returns.” He half whispered to himself, suddenly finding himself with a conundrum.
“Most likely.”
Ryan felt his spirits plummet. He had made a promise to Evelina and he wanted to keep it, however, he didn’t know when an opportunity like this would ever arise again.
Jay must have read the conflict on his face for he said, “Looks like you have some deciding to do.”
“No.” He shook his
head. “No, I don’t. There’s really no choice to make. I know exactly what to do.”
* * *
Later that evening, Ryan prepared for dinner at his parents’ home. Jay and Erika were joining them, which Ryan was glad. This could be one of his last nights at home and he wanted to inform his family that he was leaving. He had gone down to the docks and talked to Captain Simmons who was eager to have Ryan join his crew.
Dinner, unfortunately, was not to be a quiet family gathering as he had hoped. Erika had invited her two closest friends, Trista and Rosalee, which Ryan presumed was an attempt in matchmaking. The girls were pretty enough, however, Ryan had no interest in either of them.
And from the look of uneasiness on Garrett’s face, neither was he.
Ryan grimaced in humor at his oldest brother but instead of helping him out, he got up and headed for the kitchen to fetch himself a cup of coffee. Inside the kitchen, he is surprised to find Erika working away spreading biscuits on a baking sheet. He still found it odd to see her being so domestic. But, he admitted, it definitely suited her.
Just as he entered, her face grimaced slightly in pain before turning to slide the biscuits into the oven.
“Are you all right?” He quickly went to her side to assist.
She smiled thankfully and reassured him. “Of course. It’s just this baby has gotten so big in the last couple of weeks, there can’t possibly be any more room in there for him to turn around. He so much as wiggles a toe and my ribcage feels like it is being punched.”
“Him?”
“I have a feeling this child is taking after his father and will be the size of an ox.”
“I wish I could be here when he arrives.”
“You’re leaving?”
He nodded. “I intended to inform the family at dinner.”
She looked slightly disappointed but offered him an understanding smile. “I figured as much when Jay told me about the clipper.”
He still struggled internally with this decision. “It’s an opportunity I can’t pass on.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Months.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. You’ve wanted nothing more ever since I can remember.”
He thought of Evelina.
“We will miss you terribly.”
He smiled. “I’ll miss you as well. All of you. If I could I’d have you all come away with me.”
She smiled in return, patting her belly. “I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. But if you had asked me a year ago, that would have been a different story.”
“A sailor does not make for good husband material.”
She turned to look at him. “Being a sailor had nothing to do with it. I had thought I wanted to sail off with you and live a life of adventure, but it turned out what I really wanted was right here in Placid.”
“Jay.”
She smiled softly. “Yes. And this town itself. It was my grandfather’s legacy. It is a part of who I am.”
“You were lucky to find both.”
“I nearly didn’t. I nearly lost Jay. I had to make the most difficult decision of my life.”
“Whether to have him operated on or not?” He recalled that day and that the decision could not have been easy. Jay was on death’s door and the decision to operate had to be made quickly. It couldn’t have been an easy decision. He admired his sister-in-law and the sacrifice she made for his brother that day. She had given up her own chance of happiness to save Jay’s life. Thankfully, however, one of the biggest miracles ever to come out of the town of Placid and would forever be told from generation down to generation. An entire town’s acts of kindness ensured Jay and Erika got their happy ever after.
“It could have easily gone completely wrong.” Her voice caught and she paused to collect herself. “But it was not his time yet. And I’ll be eternally grateful that it wasn’t.”
“You’re the bravest woman I know, Erika.”
She chuckled. “Bravery had nothing to do with it. I was petrified of losing him. There really was no decision. Just a lot of faith. Sometimes in life, that’s all there is. You either take a chance or not. But you never know if you never try.”
Ryan felt something troublesome nag his conscience. “Let the cards fall where they may.”
“There’s no reason you can’t have it all either, Ryan. Just think, you are about to fulfill your biggest dream.”
“I’m not an idealist. No lady wants a drifting husband who is constantly away from home.”
“I know two very available young ladies in the other room that would be very happy to have a warm dinner waiting for you when you returned.” She smiled then rubbed her belly. “And perhaps a bun in the oven as well someday.”
He unexpectedly thought of Evelina sporting a rounded belly of her own bearing his child. A warm feeling unexpectedly came over him. Confused, he quickly smothered the image.
“I think they have eyes only for Garrett.”
“Perhaps but someone is out there for you, Ryan. I know there is.”
He smiled but didn’t respond.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” Erika said, “Would you kindly collect my darling husband and inform him that I’ve gone into labor?”
Ryan blinked. “What? Are you serious?”
She chuckled, “It’s all right, Ryan, I didn’t want to alarm you but I’d greatly appreciate you fetching Jay for me.”
“Oh my Lord, of course, just hold on.” He felt all at once clumsy and couldn’t recall which direction the dining room was but then thankfully remembered and rushed out to collect his brother.
“Jay, come quickly. Erika has gone into labor.”
Jay’s reaction was just the same as Ryan’s. He blinked first then reality entered his eyes at the same moment he flew out of his seat.
Erika wobbled into the room at that exact moment. “No need to rush, It’s just the beginning—ohhhh!”
Jay caught her just as her knees buckled. “What’s wrong, what’s happening?”
His mother was by their side in a flash. “Relax, Jay, she’s just in labor. And from the looks of it, has probably dilated rather quickly. When did you first start to feel contractions?”
“About an hour ago, but they were so small barely noticeable—arghhh!”
“Well, they are obviously noticeable now. Trista,” His mother turned to her girlfriends nearby. “Run upstairs and prepare Jay’s old bedroom for delivery. Rosalee, I need you to boil some water.”
“Wait, I can’t be delivering yet. I’ve got so much to do.”
“Doesn’t look like you have a say in the matter.”
She appeared slightly frazzled before pulling herself together. “Jay, can you run home and—”
“Pack you an overnight bag? I’m on my way. Don’t start without me.”
She laughed then turned to the oldest Colby brother. “Garrett, I need you to go with Jay and collect an advert from my grandfather’s den that I prepared for the Librarian post. I need you to send it to The Globe newspaper in Toronto. We need it in the next available edition as soon as possible.”
“I’m on it.”
“Ryan!” Erika turned to him next. He stepped eagerly forward, more than willing to fulfill whatever instruction she gave him. “I need you—no, I want you to get on that ship and go sail that ocean.”
“What—no, I’m not leaving now—”
“I knew you would say that, hence why I was not letting on about my contractions.” She sighed. “Go, Ryan. Don’t miss this opportunity on account of me. Follow your heart.”
Thing was, Ryan wasn’t entirely sure which direction his heart was trying to lead him.
Chapter 13
Evelina stood at the end of the walkway outside her house clutching the yard’s blue gate and looking down the street toward the docks. It was a marvel she was outside at all let alone standing such distance from the security of her home. That wasn’t to say she wasn’t internally battling the urge t
o rush back to the shelter of her home. Already she had received a few curious glances from folks passing by the house wondering what was so fascinating down at the harbor to which she stared. She fretted ridiculously about what they were thinking of her. That old familiar feeling of apprehension gnawed at her insides, but Dr. Leonard had instructed her to fight those phobias claiming they were nothing but a manifestation of her own mind.
It had been nearly three weeks since she announced to her parents that she was ready to see a psychiatrist. After her humiliation at Victoria’s engagement party, she knew she couldn’t go on living like that. She was tired of being ridiculed, whether of her own doing or not. She wanted to rid herself of the anxieties that had plagued her for so many years.
She didn’t doubt wanting to change Ryan Colby’s opinion of her had something to do with this decision as well. Though it was risky to allow her thoughts to drift too dangerously into this train of thought, there was no doubt his disapproval of her behavior had troubled her from the moment they met. She wondered if she had come across as a self-assured woman, he would have eagerly taken her on as a potential wife.
She sighed and looked out past the tall grass and swaying willows to where Detroit’s busy marina was overflowing with boats and ships entering and leaving the harbor. However, out of all those boats, none of them was the Francesca.
Today was Victoria’s wedding and Ryan had not returned to Detroit. He had broken his promise.
She briefly squeezed her lids shut tight from the sudden pain burning behind her eyes before turning away and glancing in the opposite direction upriver. Somewhere far beyond her view was a small coastal town that detained Ryan’s affection more.
Someone from inside the house called her name. She glanced back and saw her mother wave for her to come inside. “What are you doing out here? Hurry, it’s time you got ready for the wedding.”
With one last disheartening glance toward the harbor, she exhaled heavily then turned back toward the house. “Coming.”
Inside the home, the house was a flutter of activity. Lacy taffeta swished the polished wood floors as her sisters hurried about in their beautiful Sunday best. Amongst them all, Victoria looked stunning in her wedding dress. A feeling of envy tugged at Evelina’s heart. She didn’t want to feel this way, but she couldn’t help herself. Before Ryan, she would never had cared.
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