More Precious Than Gold

by Merry Farmer

  When Louisa turned and saw him, her eyes widened in shock. An instant later, her cheeks flared a bright shade of red. She was far and away the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

  “Andrew, you’re back,” she exclaimed, a smile spreading into her eyes.

  His heart burst in his chest.

  “We just got back about an hour ago.”

  Everything was going to be all right. He didn’t know how he knew, but as Louisa stepped away from the counter—pencil and paper still in hand—and met him in the middle of the shop to give him a brief hug, he knew that she was his. All he had to do was not mess everything up twice.

  “So,” she went on, walking him over to the counter where the soda jerk waited, “I hope that your trip was a success, because I’ve been making all sorts of plans for a christening party. Jamie asked me to help plan it. Did he tell you?”

  “He did.” Andrew slipped into one of the stools at the counter.

  His legs were more than a little wobbly, as was his heart to see Louisa so full of life and energy. What had happened to her in the week while he was gone? What had Jamie said to her?

  “Our trip was a resounding success,” he went on. “Jamie is negotiating a price for our catch right now.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Her smile glowed through her. Andrew could hardly believe it. He had made a comment that involved money, and she had still smiled. “I’ve been as frugal as I can be arranging this party, but a few extra dollars wouldn’t hurt. Clarence here is going to let us have several bottles of soda water and syrup at cost.”

  “Ten percent above cost,” Clarence corrected. Andrew caught the subtle way his expression hardened from the sweet smile he had worn while talking to Louisa alone.

  “And C.J. Wick has secured his father’s yacht for the event,” she continued.

  Andrew grinned. Louisa had no idea that the industrious young soda jerk had been making eyes at her. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t know why every man in town wasn’t making eyes at her.

  “We’ve already got two schooners.” He tried to focus on what Louisa was saying instead of getting lost in the sight of her.

  “But Jamie said that he wanted to invite your crew along as well, and possibly give a demonstration. I figured the party guests would just be in the way of that. Besides, C.J. offered as soon as he heard what we’re planning.”

  “I missed you, Louisa,” he blurted out before he could think better of it.

  Louisa stopped as she opened her mouth to divulge more of her plans and lowered her head with a bashful smile.

  “You missed me?”

  Clarence tossed his towel over his shoulder and scooted away, shaking his head.

  “I missed seeing you like this,” Andrew attempted to explain without spilling his whole heart and soul on the floor in a torrent of untimely emotion.

  “Like what?” She glanced up at him out of the corner of her eyes.

  “Happy.” He smiled, leaning an elbow on the countertop. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you happy like this.” He wished that it were because of him, but logic told him there had to be more to it.

  Louisa sat in the stool next to him, her smile growing wider.

  “I might not have to move to England,” she revealed in an excited whisper.

  Andrew’s heart thundered with hope, and he straightened. “What? Why? What’s happened?”

  She shrugged and set her paper and pencil down, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose in that gesture that he adored.

  “I guess I simply started to see things in a different light. I spoke to my mother about everything that we’ve been going through. I was honest with her. Just like someone I know told me I should have been in the first place.”

  The coy smile she sent him came close to making him lose all control and drop to one knee to propose again right there in the middle of the soda shop.

  “And so I’ve been looking for alternatives,” she went on. “Maybe I can find one or two other women who want to share an apartment or a family that needs help caring for their children.”

  Or maybe you could marry me and make a home and a life with me, he thought, praying that his thoughts weren’t splashed all over his face.

  “Those both sound like wonderful ideas,” he said instead. “Any nibbles so far?”

  “There is one other young woman who works for Mrs. Hellickson, the seamstress that Mother and I both work for, who may be interested in a new situation. But that would mean moving to Salem. I’m not sure I want to move that far away from Cape Ann, but I’ll do what I have to do.” She brushed aside the worry with a wave of her hand. “But for the moment I’ve been far too busy planning this party for Jamie, and for you.”

  He nodded. “Jamie has sent me to help you. He figures you need my help here more than he needs my help at the distributor.”

  “Really?” She raised a suspicious eyebrow. “How very thoughtful of him.” Her words were flat enough that he could tell she was fully aware Jamie was up to some sort of trick. “I’ve been working at it all morning—well, once I finished some work at home—and I only have one more errand left to run.”

  The mischievous grin on her face made him want to run to the end of the world and back for her.

  “What errand is that?”

  “I have to visit a very special baker and pastry chef and put in an order for several dozen cookies, cakes, tarts, and sweets.”

  “Wren.”

  “Exactly.”

  They laughed together. Louisa swiped her pencil and paper from the counter again.

  “So, Mr. Andrew McBride, fishing magnate, would you like to come home with me?”

  He knew that she meant the question to be completely innocent, that she had no idea how those words could be taken, but nonetheless he answered with a hearty, “Yes.”

  “Come on then. We have work to do.”

  She hopped off of her stool and started for the door. Andrew got up and followed like a puppy, laughing at himself and shaking his head as he did. He could tell from the spring in her step and the angle of her head as she glanced back over her shoulder at him that Louisa wouldn’t fall easily into his arms. Jamie was right. He was going to have to win her. But at least it looked like she would let him.

  They stepped down the stairs into the sunlit street, and she hopped over to retrieve her bicycle. As she wheeled it toward the street she raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Do you need a ride on my handlebars?” she asked.

  Resisting the urge to ask her to marry him, to spend the rest of eternity with him, right then and there was the hardest thing he had ever done.

  “Thank you, sweet lady,” he bowed dramatically, “but I have my own conveyance right around the corner.”

  He hopped past her, and just before disappearing around the corner to where his bicycle was parked he said, “Besides, I think I might just be a little too much for you to handle.”

  “Oh you think so, do you?” She tilted her head and planted a hand on her hip.

  That was the Louisa who could challenge him to a game of badminton, who could zip through the streets at top speed on his handlebars, who took his breath away with a single smile. He didn’t trust himself to speak, only to wiggle his eyebrows at her before popping around the corner to retrieve his bicycle. He could have sworn he heard her laugh behind him. Maybe winning her back would be the best part of his summer, successful new business and all.

  His bicycle was secured exactly where he had left it, and it took all of five seconds to free it and wheel it back around to the front of the shop. Louisa had already mounted her bicycle, and before he could say a word, she started off, a mischievous grin on her face. He laughed and pedaled to catch up with her as she sailed down the hill toward the curving road that lead out toward Cliff House. He was able to reach her side as soon as they passed the last row of tall buildings and the road widened. As they rode close to the marina his glance drifted off to the tops of ships’ ma
sts peeking above the buildings. He wondered if Jamie had had a chance to price their catch yet.

  “How well did you do?” Louisa matched his pace and asked when she saw his focus drift.

  “We did very well for a test voyage,” he told her as he settled more comfortably into his seat. “We could always do better, once we all get a feel for the boats and nets. But what we were able to bring in will impress Erickson, the man we’ve worked out a distribution deal with.”

  There was something in the pride of her smile as he explained their good fortune that made him feel like the man he was trying so hard to be.

  “I guess congratulations are in order then.” She nodded. “It’s too bad you missed the meeting about the Church last week though.”

  “Oh?” He glanced at her as he steered around a corner. She had lost some of the light in her smile. “What was said?”

  “A lot of things were said.” She sighed. “And I think they’re right: the split is inevitable at this point. It’s going to happen whether we like it or not.”

  He frowned. It wasn’t the news he wanted to hear.

  “But on the bright side, Rev. McBride is determined that any fracture in the Church at large won’t bring our society down.”

  He was relieved to hear it, but continued to frown.

  “If anything can pull us through, it’s Papa’s determination.”

  They reached the stretch of road that paralleled the coast, and Andrew pushed the gloomy thoughts of the state of the Church out of his head. Instead he told Louisa about the sunrise they had seen last week after the rain had finally ended. She listened eagerly as he struggled to find words to truly paint the picture of the rainbow around the rising sun that had taken his breath away. More than ever, he wished she had been there.

  It was almost a disappointment when they reached the drive leading up to Cliff House. He had never been disappointed to return home before. For the first time in his life he wondered if Cliff House was truly his home.

  They parked their bicycles against the side of the kitchen as usual and exchanged a knowing grin before walking through the kitchen door as if they belonged there.

  “Well look what the tide washed in,” Mrs. McBride exclaimed as she glanced up from the table where she was stuffing a chicken, with the help of Rebecca and little Hannah. She stopped what she was doing and held her sticky hands out as Andrew walked over to give her a hug.

  “Well?” she asked, eyes alight with anticipation. When her gaze drifted past Andrew to Louisa for a moment, Andrew wondered if his mother was hoping for news of the fishing trip or news that Louisa had finally accepted his proposal.

  “It was a resounding success,” he answered her with a nod and a wink.

  She appeared to understand that he meant more than just the trip. “Good for you.”

  “Is Wren at home?” Louisa asked, stepping forward and nearly up to his side.

  His mother tried hard to hide her grin.

  “She and Gayle took yet another basket of goodies out to the construction site.” His mother exchanged a glance with Louisa. “They all but finished clearing away the old, useless section of the lighthouse while you were gone,” she nodded to him. “You should see it.”

  He turned and raised his eyebrows at Louisa. “What do you think? Should we go take a look?”

  “Absolutely,” she agreed.

  They turned to head back outside to their waiting bicycles. Andrew winked at his mother as he passed her and she gave him an encouraging smile in return. Louisa was ready and waiting by the time he hopped down the kitchen steps. They set off down the drive, turning and riding along the road to the construction site.

  “There was a sudden push for people to help build the new chapel after the meeting last week,” she told him as they raced along the road. “Your father managed to encourage people to devote themselves to building our society in spite of the larger troubles. I haven’t been out to the site since then, but Wren tells me they should be able to start the new construction any day now.”

  “There wasn’t a whole lot left to do when I went out to sea,” Andrew shrugged, unsurprised.

  “I think your father is planning to have a short service in a week or two to bless the foundation stone. They saved a great big stone from the old house to use as the cornerstone of the new church.”

  She took her eyes off of the road for a moment to glance at him. The wind rippled the ribbons of her hat and she smiled before watching the road again.

  “I think it’s fittingly symbolic to everything the New Church represents. The new church building being constructed using the foundations of the old church.”

  “Let me guess,” he grinned. “That was Rowan’s idea.”

  Her smile and laughter was all the answer he needed. As they approached the construction site, he easily picked out his sister, tall and handsome in a blue dress and wide-brimmed hat, and Gayle, dressed as if going to a garden party, as usual. They were circled by a small crowd of volunteer workers, but turned to wave vigorously to them as they approached. He nodded to Louisa to park her bicycle well away from the sharp rocks and nails of the construction site, then waited for her before walking by her side to join the others.

  “Andrew, you’re back,” Wren exclaimed and ran forward to hug him. “And you found Louisa,” she whispered in his ear, then sent him a secret grin as she backed away. “Are you thirsty?” she added innocently. “We brought plenty of lemonade.”

  “Save it for the men who really deserve it.”

  He waved her off, but the men who had come to work were already returning to their jobs or gathering their things to head home. Wren turned to the table and snatched one of the jugs, thrusting it into his hands. He nearly fumbled it as he looked past her to the lighthouse itself.

  The area where the house had been was now mostly clear of rubble. The solid concrete foundation of the old house had been swept clean, and a new, larger foundation was marked out.

  “All we need to do is level the area around the existing foundation and pour the new, setting the cornerstone.” Rowan walked up to his side and informed him.

  Andrew tipped his cap to his brother and shook his hand before being drawn into a brotherly embrace. “You’ve done so much, Rowan.”

  “It isn’t me.” Rowan shrugged. “‘Except the Lord build the house, he labors in vain who builds it…’” he quoted.

  “He managed to clear away the old to make way for the new in just six and a half weeks.” Gayle jumped to support him, sliding up to Rowan’s side.

  “The credit is hardly mine,” Rowan smiled down at her.

  The simple gesture spoke volumes to anyone who knew Rowan the way Andrew did. He recognized the steady gaze of a man who knew his heart’s desire. It made him want to reach out and circle his arm around Louisa’s waist, drawing her close to him. He was barely able to resist the urge.

  Rowan went on. “We had to make sure this phase of the construction was completed before mid-August. I’m leaving for Philadelphia early. Next week, in fact.”

  Gayle’s joyful smile dropped. Wren frowned in curiosity, and even Louisa blinked with concern.

  “What’s this?” Andrew asked.

  Rowan hesitated. “I’ve been offered an opportunity to assist in Bishop Pendleton’s office while in theological school, but to take up the offer I need to be in Philadelphia early.” He turned to Gayle as if explaining directly to her. “It’s a golden opportunity.”

  Andrew was used to seeing Gayle’s pretty face fall into a pout when she didn’t get her way about something, but this time she dropped her eyes and pursed her lips, staring off at the lighthouse and the sea beyond instead of replying.

  “It sounds like congratulations are in order for both of us then,” Andrew said to break through the sudden tension that had invaded their small group.

  Rowan tore his eyes away from the back of Gayle’s head and nodded at him.

  “I take it the mission was a success then?”


  “Very much so,” Andrew said. He turned and spoke to Wren as well. “We’re in business.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Wren rushed to give him another hug, although her words were strained, and she glanced at Gayle for a moment as she backed away.

  “We’re having a party to celebrate the dawn of our business.”

  “Yes, I know.” Wren’s grin turned genuine and Gayle shifted to pay attention once more. “Louisa told us she has been recruited to help plan the event.”

  “So I understand.”

  Andrew exchanged a quick grin with Louisa. When he looked back, Wren, Gayle, and Rowan were all trying and failing miserably to hide their pleasure at everything they thought the information revealed. He chose to leave them hanging, and sped right on with, “We can make it a celebration of Rowan’s good fortune too.”

  “What a splendid idea,” Louisa agreed. “I don’t think Jamie would mind, do you?”

  He shook his head. Gayle’s expression had gone carefully blank again and something had brought a frown to Wren’s face as well. Try as he might, Andrew would never understand women and their moods. Rowan stood stiff, staring at his feet as though he had done something wrong, though Rowan never did anything wrong.

  Andrew took a deep breath. “Have you decided on a day for this fantastic party yet?” he asked Louisa, the only truly happy person there, besides him.

  “I was waiting to see when you got back.”

  He nodded. “How about we have the party Friday evening?”

  No one made any immediate objections.

  Louisa nodded. “I’ll ask C.J. if he will be able to use his father’s yacht. Will Jamie be all right with this? Will your boats be ready by then?”

  “I’m sure the boats will be cleaned up in a day or two, and Jamie won’t mind at all.”

  The two of them exchanged worried glances as the conversation ground to a halt. Louisa’s mood may have improved by leaps and bounds while he was gone, but now it seemed as though melancholy had latched onto Wren and Gayle and Rowan. He turned to Louisa and shrugged.