Rhode Island Bride

by Lynn Donovan

  “Guides?” Louise gasped. “Guides to where?”

  “Oh, Louise!” L.J. turned to William. “You know. Through the harbor, to Fort Adams, Providence, or wherever they need to go without getting lost or turned around. Us local boys know our way and they’re gonna pay us two dollars a day to be their guides.”

  “Two dollars!” Louise just stared at her brother. “No. Momma will forbid this! You need to be in school, L.J.!”

  “Not if you talk to her about it.” He turned pleading eyes toward William. “Please! You can convince Momma it’s all right, can’t you, William?”

  “Well…” he shifted his gaze to his own mother and then his wife. “Actually, it wouldn’t hurt for L.J. to miss a few days of school. And the pay could be a lesson— to teach him how to handle money.”

  Louise glared at William. “You really think this will be all right?”

  William paused. “Yeah, I do.”

  She turned back to her brother, who anxiously shifted from one foot to the other. He looked ready to run the minute she gave him her approval. He winced his face and smiled, pleading with varying expressions, but remained silent. He knew his sister well.

  Finally she exhaled. “I guess so. But—”

  He dashed a few steps away, and turned back. “What?”

  “You be careful! If anything happens to you, it’ll be my fault for letting you go!”

  “Nothing’s gonna happen, I know my way around these waters!” He laughed as he ran away as fast as his feet would carry him.

  Louise sighed. She prayed he was right. Momma would never forgive her if he got hurt, or worse… killed. She placed her palm against her heart. Let him be safe, she prayed. William’s hand settled across her shoulder. “He’ll be all right.”

  “I hope so.” Louise couldn’t take her eyes off the dust cloud that followed L.J. toward the recruiting office. “Come on. Let’s get to the rowboat.”

  “Don’t worry so, Louise.” William’s mother spoke, surprising Louise. She’d forgotten the woman still stood on the porch with them. “It’s not good for—”

  Louise spun around to peer at the woman. “Not good for what?”

  “Nothing dear. It’s just not good for you to worry. It’ll cause creases in your pretty face.”

  Louise glared at her husband. What had he told his mother? Did she mean not to worry because it wouldn’t be good for a potential baby? Had William told his mother they were no longer a chaste couple? Louise rolled her eyes and shook her head. Was anything sacred in her life? Everybody knew every little secret she treasured. “Let’s get going.”

  “Goodbye, Mom.” William hugged her and hobbled down the steps to catch up with Louise. She didn’t slow down for him. All she wanted right now was to get to the boat, gather the twins, and get home, where she could keep an eye on the harbor. This time of year, a storm could come from nowhere and cause a lot of grief for those unsuspecting travelers trying to cross to the Fort or west to Providence. Anxiety fluttered in her tummy, despite the blue, cloudless sky.

  

  “I don’t like the looks of those clouds, William.” Louise stood at the window next to the lighthouse lamp. She had trimmed the wick and filled the oil reservoir, ready to light it before sunset because a storm was definitely brewing to the south. The work gave her the excuse she needed to keep an eye on Newport Harbor. Two boats had crossed it on their way to Fort Adams. A third lagged behind. Did any of them have her brother in the bow? She could identify three to four figures with one at the front guiding the soldiers through the safest route, avoiding treacherous undercurrents, but she couldn’t determine if L.J. was the one at point.

  Wind whipped against the window, whistling a high pitched sound. Just then a huge bolt of lightning snapped out of the clouds, like a bull whip popping hard and fast against the water. An ear-splitting boom shook the lighthouse as if it were a dollhouse made of paper. Louise gasped, jerking back from the window. Rain suddenly fell as if a floodgate had been yanked opened, and the harbor turned into a rough, unrelenting washboard of white caps and danger.

  Louise stared at the last boat. The waves tossed it to and fro, the soldiers struggled with the oars and the officer clung to the aft seat, while a boy pointed toward the island that held Fort Adams. Something about the boy, made her heart leap with fear. Although she couldn’t see him well enough to be certain, she just knew it was her little brother, Lewis Junior.

  “William!” Louise cried out. William hopped to the stairs to where she stood.

  “What’s happening?”

  “That boat. I think it’s L.J.’s.” They stood near the glass, watching the boat bounce against the waves.

  “I think you’re right.” William put his hand on the frame. “They shouldn’t be out there.”

  “Let’s light the lamp and… and maybe signal them to turn back.” Louise scrambled for the lighting flint.

  William hopped out of her way while she set the wick on fire and closed the lens. “Ah, oh.” William fell against the glass. “It’s… going over.”

  Louise jerked her gaze toward the harbor just as the boat went bow first straight up against a huge wave, the man in the aft seat tumbled into the water, the two in the middle fell to the aft, and the boy at the bow flew like a trebuchet had flung him from his bench. He swirled his arms like a windmill before he hit the water. The boat came down on top of all four men who were now in the water.

  Louise gasped and ran down the stairs. “Wait!” William called after her. She ignored him and ran to her rowboat. William hopped down the stairs as fast as he could. “Louise, wait!”

  “Why? I’ve got to save them!” She yelled against the blowing rain.

  “I know, but let me help!” William hobbled with his crutch as quickly as he could and the two hurried to get her rowboat into the water. She rowed out to the capsized vessel, while William hung onto the bow, looking for the swimmers. He spied one man, bent over the side, hooked his one foot under the bench to hold himself firmly in the boat and pulled the man in. He coughed and flailed on the deck like a fish. William turned back to the harbor water, looking for the other three. Louise pulled a soldier over the opposite side. Now there were two.

  William looked frantically in the churning water. Something slapped against the side of the boat, William turned to see L.J. struggling to keep his head above the wave. He was being tossed like debris against their boat. A wave folded over him as if the hand of Poseidon had scooped him into his palm and pulled him under.

  Louise pulled another man into the boat. Only the boy was left. William pushed himself up on one leg, fought for balance and searched for L.J., but he couldn’t be seen. Then a body rolled in the tossing wave. It was him!

  “I see him!” William cried through the wind and rain, then dove into the water. Under the turmoil of churning waves, the water was nearly silent. Only a gurgling sound met his ears as he moved his limbs. Contrasting the chaos above, this seemed calm, peaceful. William jerked his head, searching for the boy. A stream tugged on William’s body, pulling him further away from Louise’s boat. He kicked against the demanding stream, trying to control his position.

  He spotted L.J.’s limp body hovering like a balloon and swam with all his might toward him. His developed upper body strength compensated for only having one full leg to propel himself through the water. He grabbed L.J. and looped his arm around his chest and under his arm. William bunched up his leg to reverse his trajectory and swam toward the surface of the water, hoisting L.J. along with him toward the life-giving air.

  Breaking through the surface, William pushed L.J. out of the water and looked for Louise’s boat. Lightning flashed, illuminating the entire harbor. Spotting the boat before the light faded, he kicked his good leg and worked the partial leg like a rutter, while drawing himself forward with one arm, the other holding L.J. up enough that the unconscious boy could breath. At least he hoped he could breath.

  The boat seemed to be moving away and the harder the
tried to swim toward it, the farther it seemed to be pushed away. The effort was useless, but he could not give up. William kicked with all his might to lift himself out of the water, and screamed, “Louise!”

  She spun around, spotted him, and crammed the oars into the water to manipulate the boat toward them. William clung to L.J. as he fought to keep him above the water. Even though his efforts to save L.J. caused himself to sink under the rolling waves that constantly slapped him in the face. He sputtered and gulped air when he could. Louise pulled up next to them and stood. William kicked to shove himself toward the boat, hoping someone would take L.J., just as Louise’s face popped over the side.

  She grabbed at L.J.’s shoulders, taking him from William and pulled him into the boat. Exhaustion burned in William’s limbs. He kicked and pulled with his arms to keep his face above the assaulting waves. Lightning flashed, William squeezed his eyes closed against the blinding light reflecting so startling against the water. An undercurrent whipped past him, pulling him with it. He kicked and fought with both arms, to keep from being taken away from her boat.

  “Louise!” He yelled, but the wind carried his voice over his head and away from her ears. He fought with all his might, two arms, one leg, and a thigh, he struggled to keep beside the boat. But a wave rolled over his head, making him tumble into the undertow. The bottom of the boat moved further from him. “No!” He yelled underwater, his voice escaping in bubbles.

  Then, a dark mass and bubbles fell into the water beside him. It was Louise. He pulled his arms through the water, as she pushed him at the waist. He kicked and she kicked. The bottom of the boat came closer, and an arm jutted into the water, taking a hold of William, but he refused to be lifted out, without Louise going first.

  He fought the arm that tried to help, pushing Louise out of the water instead. The arm grabbed her, pulled her into the boat and then reached again for him. He let them pull him in and flopped onto the floor, exhausted and choking. He vomited water and then gasped for air. Pushing himself up to look for his wife, he coughed and gagged. The sea still burned in his throat.

  She sat beside him, heaving for air also. Turning his head, to see who had pulled them into the boat, he saw Captain Buck Russell, the man who made sure William and Louise got married before he left for the battle at Fort Donaldson. “Sir!” William choked as he shoved his hand toward the officer. “Thank you… again.”

  “Think nothing of it, Corporal. This is the second time this little woman saved our lives.” The captain chuckled. He seemed out of breath, too, and cleared his throat several times. Thank God he had enough breath in him to pull Louise and William into the boat. Louise took her place at the oars, breathing heavily, she reared back and rowed them to Lime Rock.

  Momma stood in the rain with blankets. The twins stood at her sides with more. They watched and waited for Louise to bump the dock. The captain helped offload his men and Louise. Then he gestured to William to step out, but William shook his head. He took the captain’s elbow and helped push him out, then took the officer’s hand and let him pull William out. Louise tied off the boat, and William hoisted it out of the water. The captain lifted L.J. and carried him. The boy was conscious but exhausted.

  Momma and the twins tossed the blankets over the men’s shoulders and assisted them all up to the house. The rain saturated everything by the time they entered the protection of the home. Once inside they removed the wet blankets. Momma and the twins were ready with dry ones. The men huddled around the fire hearth and thanked their blessings that Louise had been watching the harbor.

  Louise smiled at William. He had saved her brother’s life. How could she ever repay such a debt? Her heart filled with so much emotion, all she could do was snuggle next to her husband and hold him close. The fire felt good.

  9

  A week later…

  A knock sounded at the front door. Louise turned to her Momma, startled. “Who could that be?”

  Momma’s answer came with lifted brows. “No one ever comes to our island.”

  Louise put down her mending and opened the door. “Missus McLaughlin!”

  “I hope I’m not disturbing you, Louise.” Her mother-in-law held up a basket. “I brought your momma some biscuits and homemade jam.”

  “Oh.” Momma rushed to the door. “Madeline. How thoughtful! Please come in.” She looked past the woman. “How did you get out here to our little island?”

  “Captain Buck Russell. He has something for the kids.” Mrs. McLaughlin turned to look toward the dock. Louise followed her gaze. Sure enough the captain and another officer were walking toward the house. “I asked them to bring me. It’s high time I paid you a visit, Ida.”

  “Well.” Louise’s momma smiled. “It certainly is. Thank you.” She took Mrs. McLaughlin’s arm and walked her into the kitchen. “Let’s have some tea with those biscuits.”

  “Wonderful.” Mrs. McLaughlin sat down at the table while Momma put on the tea pot.

  Louise turned back to the door as Captain Russell and the officer stood at the stoop. “Mrs. Wiley.” The captain removed his hat and put it under his arm. “Um, Louise, this is Colonel Gates, I told him about you rescuing me and my men from Newport Harbor, not once, but twice, and he would like to present you with a token of the Army’s appreciation.”

  “Oh, my.” Louise stepped back to allow the officers into her family home. William hobbled down the stairs with wide eyes toward the front door. “What’s all this?” He spotted his captain and drew himself up at attention. “Sir!”

  “At ease, Corporal.” Captain Russell commanded. “We are here to thank your wife for her heroism.” He turned to Louise. “The men at Fort Adams passed a hat and collected this as show of appreciation to you, Mrs. McLaughlin, for always keeping an eye on the harbor and rowing out when we need help, no matter what the weather.” He handed her an envelope.

  “Goodness.” Louise exclaimed as she turned to catch her momma’s eye. “You didn’t have to do this…” she opened the envelope. Several Union bills were neatly stacked inside. “Oh my!” Louise didn’t count the money, but guessed there was more than a hundred dollars. “Thank you!”

  “No.” Colonel Gates stepped forward and shook her hand. “Thank you, Mrs. McLaughlin.”

  Captain Russell turned to William. “And you, Corporal. Even though you were medically discharged, the colonel has, ahem, commandeered this medal of honor for your bravery.”

  The colonel stepped up to William and saluted him. William saluted back. “For bravery in the face of physical limitations, for valor beyond expectations, I award you this Medal of Valor and reinstate your military pay for the rest of your natural life.”

  “Uh, thank you, Sir.” William’s lip trembled.

  “And for you, little lady.” The Colonel turned to Louise. “The Union Army thanks you for your due diligence manning this lighthouse and overseeing the safety of the people who traverse these waters, I issue you a stipend.” He handed her a certificate stating the amount per month. “For the remainder of your natural life.”

  Louise stared at the certificate as the colonel shook her hand. She had no words. Not even thank you would come out of her mouth.

  “Well.” The captain chuckled. “That’s what we came here for.” He lifted his eyes to Mrs. McLaughlin at the kitchen table. “We will take our leave, now. But I’ll send a boat back to get you, in… say two hours?”

  Mrs. McLaughlin nodded her approval and turned her attention back to Louise’s momma.

  William wrapped his arm around his wife and stood on the stoop to watch the officers walk back to the doc. Louise laid her head on his shoulder. “William?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Who knew all this would happen that day you kissed me?”

  “Certainly not me.” He turned to face her. His eyes penetrated hers.

  She smiled. “I love you.”

  He glanced out at the officers climbing into their boat. He lifted his free arm to wave goodbye to them, the
n turned back to her. “Not as much as I love you.”

  She laughed. “Oh you!”

  He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him closer into the kiss. Passion exploded between them. Louise pulled back, heaving for breath. She whispered. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  He nodded, a mischievous grin donning his face. “Last one there’s a rotten egg.”

  She giggled and turned from him. Running toward the stairs. “William and I need to… uh, take care of… some important letters… in our room.” She hollered as she ran upstairs.

  He hobbled behind her, hurrying as much as possible. “Yeah. Important letters.”

  “Um hum.” Ida replied. He heard the mothers giggle as he made it to the landing and rushed down the hall to the tiny bedroom. They weren’t fooling their mothers, but he didn’t care. He was in love with Louise and she with him. Their life attending the lighthouse was a good life and now, with the Army’s compensation for the rest of their days, they would be without worry. His mom had made a big gesture, coming to visit with Ida Wiley. Now she would not be so isolated out here on Lime Rock.

  He opened the door. Louise waited for him under the covers. He hobbled in and tossed aside his crutch. “You make me the happiest man alive.”

  “Come here, my husband. Let’s see what we can do about making that baby.”

  “Great idea.” He closed the door behind him.

  Even though the nation was at war, he knew with Louise at his side, they could get through anything, no matter the danger. By the grace of God, he had married the best Rhode Island bride.

  The End

  

  Personal Note from the Author

  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for buying my book. The Belles of Wyoming Series is so much fun to write and we authors hope that you are enjoying reading it as much as we enjoyed planning and writing it for you. I especially hope you enjoyed Nellies and Timothy’s tale. Love conquers all, doesn’t it?