The Lightkeeper's Bride

by Colleen Coble

  He grinned. “No, they went of their own volition.” His smile faded. “We have to fetch my brother and the constable. They will try to move the Paradox and I can’t stop them.”

  Katie gasped and shuffled the baby to her other shoulder. “You found it?” She couldn’t keep her eyes off Will. He seemed taller, broader, more handsome than she’d ever seen him. Like a knight in shining armor, he’d come barreling over the railing to save the day.

  His gaze lingered on hers. “Sure did. In a second hidden bay. Hard to find, but it’s there.”

  The finder’s fee. He’d promised half to her. She could pay off Florence. “They mentioned my mother,” she said slowly. “Florence must be involved in this somehow.”

  “Maybe that’s another reason she’s here,” he said.

  Katie’s throat felt tight. For some reason, she felt near tears. Florence’s visit to Mercy Falls had nothing to do with her. She was an afterthought. A convenient way to get more money. Well, she didn’t care.

  Will’s charcoal eyes studied her face. “She’s not worthy of causing you a moment’s pain, sweetheart.”

  The endearment was pleasant to her ears. The tenderness in his eyes made her eyes well, and she turned her gaze before he could see. “We’d better get to Mercy Falls and summon help.” She nearly winced at her frosty tone. Did she want to push him away? Maybe so. If she let him get close, she might be forced into a decision she wasn’t ready to make.

  “Of course.” His tone lost its warmth.

  Retreating to the stern, she found a deck chair and settled in. Her feelings for Will changed nothing even though she wished it would. For just a moment she imagined life as Will’s bride. There would be no placid days where life moved in expected patterns.

  Lady Carrington joined her. “You care about that young man, Katie Russell,” she said. “I saw him kiss you before he dived over the side.”

  “I don’t want to,” Katie forced herself to say. “I plan to marry Bart Foster.”

  “Somehow I doubt that will happen. Love comes when it’s least expected.” The older woman had a faraway look in her eyes.

  Katie shot her a quick glance. “I want to please my parents, to take my place in society as they expect. I don’t want to upset anyone.”

  The older woman’s smile was sad. “I made the wrong choice for the very reasons you mentioned, Katie. I wanted to stay close to my parents, and I wanted my pleasant life to continue to run like a placid stream.”

  “You had a second chance with Lord Carrington,” Katie pointed out.

  “God blessed me with that, but it’s rare we get a second chance.” Lady Carrington’s expression was kind. “The ups and downs in life are good, my dear. They keep us from boredom.”

  Katie captured a stray lock of hair and pinned it back into place.

  “I don’t like surprises.”

  “Do you think God wants you to never grow? Surprises can be both good and bad. You can’t control everything. That’s God’s job.”

  “Surprises can hurt. They come out of nowhere and slam into you like a Pacific storm. Sometimes you never recover.”

  “God is our husbandman. Sometimes he makes a snip there, a cut here. It’s all designed for our good, though it can be painful at the time.”

  Katie tapped her forehead. “My intellect knows you’re quite correct, but I like things to be controlled and expected.”

  Lady Carrington smiled. “Controlled can be quite stifling. Think of how your handsome lightkeeper makes you feel. More alive in his presence than you ever felt?”

  Katie couldn’t deny it so she said nothing at first. Then she said quietly, “What if he drowns saving someone? What if he leaves me?”

  She wanted to add, “Just like my mother left me,” but she clamped her teeth against the admission.

  Lady Carrington’s eyes filled with compassion. “Darling, what if that fear keeps you from really living? Surely ten years or even one year experiencing life to its fullest is better than never knowing what real love is like at all.”

  Katie shook her head. “I’d rather avoid pain.”

  The older woman chuckled. “Life can be quite untidy, can it not?

  You think you have it all mapped out, then God plants a vine next to you, and the next thing you know, everything has changed. Embrace what God has for you. Somehow I don’t think it’s Mr. Foster.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I shall take a nap. The circumstances have exhausted me. But I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, would you?”

  With the woman’s eyes closed, Katie knew no response was necessary but one welled in her throat anyway. “No,” she said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. It was quite . . . exciting.”

  Lady Carrington smiled but didn’t answer, and Katie was left to ponder the admission she’d made. A lack of surprises also meant a lack of excitement. Her fingers crept to her lips again. Though he’d never kissed her, somehow she doubted that Bart’s kiss would affect her the way Will’s had. Suppose she found the courage to change her life’s course. Nothing was set in stone yet. That option dangled in front of her dazzled eyes, but she very much feared the love for the handsome lightkeeper that swelled in her bosom.

  Will tied up the boat and helped the women alight onto the dock. “I’ll telephone the constable,” he said. “I fear the men will be long gone, though,” he told Katie.

  She nodded and said nothing as she walked up the beach to the lighthouse. She’d been distant on the way back. Their earlier closeness seemed as transient as the fog beginning to waft down from the wooded hillsides. As he’d steered the sailboat back to harbor, he’d decided he was going to pursue Miss Katie Russell. He’d convince her he was a far better choice than that dandy from town.

  The roar of the sea was the only sound as they traipsed to the lighthouse. He glanced at his pocket watch. It was only four o’clock, though it felt much later. His job was the lighthouse. Philip would have to pursue the criminals. He stepped into hall. “Now to telephone the constable.”

  “I’ll just call on the switchboard,” Katie said. “It will be faster.” She settled in front of the switchboard and connected the proper jack.

  Will watched her as she told the constable what had happened. Her beautiful face was animated and alive. How did she think she would ever be happy burying herself in a mediocre life with a man she didn’t really love? It wasn’t what she wanted, not deep down.

  Convincing her of that fact would be his goal over the next few weeks. He was a patient man. She couldn’t tell him she had no feelings for him. Her response to his kiss had proven that.

  Katie spun around on the stool. “He’ll meet Philip at the dock.

  He’s quite excited.”

  “He should be. This is a huge break.” He frowned. “You’re sure you’ve never seen those two men before? They seem to be from the area.”

  “I don’t know them. The businessman matches the description of the man who used the telephone at the skating rink to threaten me.”

  “I never would have guessed our pirates would be businessmen.”

  “Nor I. Perhaps the depression has them searching for a way to stay afloat.”

  He nodded. “I need to find Philip before the constable arrives.

  Will you be all right?”

  She tipped up the pointed chin he found so adorable. “We’ll be fine,” she said.

  There was a distance in her gaze he found disconcerting. “What are you planning?”

  She didn’t meet his eyes. “Nothing.”

  Nothing he could do about her mood now. He went in search of Philip. He only found his brother down at the dock after asking around. Philip was aboard a beautiful sailing yacht that looked as though it had fewer than ten hours on it. Pristine condition with white sails and an immaculate deck. Will motioned to his brother. Philip frowned but joined him on the dock.

  “I found the Paradox,” Will said. He told his brother what they’d discovered. “Katie called the constable. You’r
e to meet him in an hour to go out looking.”

  Philip shook his head. “Can’t do it tonight, Will. I have a chance for something big.” He hooked a thumb toward the man in the dapper suit aboard the yacht. “Hudson Masters sent his man to hire me.

  He wants me to track his missing wife. We’ve got a lead on her. We’re about to talk it over on the yacht.”

  “B–but what about this job? You’re so close to wrapping it up and collecting the finder’s fee.” Katie would get her share too. He had to make sure that happened.

  “It’s a minor detail to take the constable out to the ship. Surely you can handle that. This is a huge opportunity for me, Will. If I come through on this, he’ll funnel enough work to me that I’ll be able to afford anything I want.”

  Will struggled to keep the disappointment out of his voice. “This is your job, Philip. Not mine.”

  Philip’s gaze was pleading. “If this comes through, we’re sailing to Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to go.”

  “Fine. I’ll take care of it.” Like always.

  Philip’s smile faltered then he shrugged. “I’ll make it up to you, Will. I’ll have to shove off right away though.”

  “I just don’t understand. Why not see this through first?”

  “Hey, you should be happy! I’m handing off a payday to you. Just be sure to cut me in, all right?” He paused, looked down at the floor, then back to Will. “I’m not like you. I’d rather have some fun and take my pay as it comes. And this job is bound to make the missing Paradox pale in comparison.” He tipped his hat. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  TWENTY-NINE

  THE FOGHORN SOUNDED in the night, and the glow from the light tower added to the last of the sunset. Katie had lit the light early because she had to run to town and Will wasn’t back yet. She pinned on her hat and told Lady Carrington she would return as soon as she could. She wound the light to allow herself a little more time, just in case, then hitched the buggy and went to town.

  It was only seven o’clock, but Mercy Falls was quiet, still in the grip of the smallpox scare though the danger was mostly past. Katie disembarked the buggy outside The Redwood Inn. The gaslights lining the street hissed as they illuminated the decaying neighborhood.

  Katie’s chest was tight as she squared her shoulders and walked up the front steps. The smell of cooking cabbage wafted out the open windows of the café next door and her stomach clenched uneasily. She’d barely managed to get down a mouthful or two of food at supper with this facing her.

  Holding her head high, she marched up the steps to the large building. It was only as the bell tinkled over the door that she realized people might wonder what her business was with Florence. And she had no idea what name the woman was going by this time. She nearly retreated to the buggy but the man behind the reception counter looked up from the ledger.

  “Miss Katie, what brings you to the neighborhood again?” he asked.

  She forced a smile at the grizzled proprietor. “Good afternoon, Mr. Wilson. Is the hotel full these days?”

  He shook his gray head. “Most folks skedaddled at the first sign of the smallpox.”

  She advanced to the desk across the worn red carpet. “Has your household escaped it?”

  “We have indeed. Even the missus has stayed well, though she’s been working at the hospital. I heard your mama was not so lucky. She is doing better?”

  She glanced at his open registry book. “Recovering nicely. Papa too.” When he lifted an expectant expression to her and said nothing more, she cleared her throat. “Um, I’m looking for a woman, but I’m unsure of her name. In her early fifties. Dresses rather indiscreetly.”

  His mouth tugged downward. “Ah, you mean Mrs. Muller.”

  So she still used the same name. “Is she here?”

  “Far as I know. She came in just after lunch, and to my knowledge, hasn’t left. Room ten. Up the stairs and clear to the back on the right.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Wilson. Give your wife my regards.” Ignoring the curiosity in his eyes, she lifted her skirts and went up the wide staircase to the second floor. The red carpet was even more worn on the treads, though clean.

  She marched down the hall. The rose wallpaper was faded but still tightly adhered to the wall. The wide woodwork was battered. She paused outside room ten. Listening, she heard no sound from behind the wooden door. Confronting the woman wasn’t something Katie really wanted to do. She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and then rapped on the door.

  Moments later the door opened, and Florence peered out. “Oh, it’s you.”

  She stepped out of the way to allow Katie to enter. Her green dress showed too much bosom, and her hair was a bit disheveled and loose on her shoulders. Katie stepped into the room. A sweetish odor hung in the air and she couldn’t quite place it. She glanced around. The bed was unmade and discarded clothing lay in a tumbled heap at the foot of it. Toiletries covered the dressing table. A tray of partially eaten food was on the floor by the door.

  Florence shut the door behind her. “Did you bring my money?”

  Katie winced at the rapacious excitement in the woman’s voice. “I told you I have no money to give you.”

  Florence flounced away to sit in a chair by the window. She picked up the hairbrush and tugged it through her unbound hair. “Then why are you here?”

  The deeper she penetrated into the room, the heavier the scent became. It nearly sickened Katie. “What is that odor?”

  Florence smiled and put down the brush. “My happy smoke.”

  Opium. Katie took a step back when she saw the pipe on the table beside Florence. “I know why you’re really in Mercy Falls,” she said.

  “Oh?” Florence picked up the pipe and then put it down again.

  “You helped with the piracy. We found the ship. And some men who know you.”

  Florence coiled her hair around her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Florence shrugged. “You may believe what you wish. Piracy? This isn’t the 1700s, daughter.”

  “I’m not your daughter!”

  “You even look like me.” Florence finished pinning her hair. She rose and touched Katie’s chin. “From your heart-shaped face to the way your eyes tip up. Albert used to call them ‘cat eyes.’”

  Katie loathed the thought of her father whispering to anyone but Mama, yet studying the woman’s face, she knew it was true. “I didn’t come here to speak of my appearance.”

  “Then get on with it and let me get back to what I was doing.”

  Florence glanced at the pipe again with longing in her eyes.

  “I know you have plenty of money. You were surely paid handsomely for your part in stealing the gold from the ship.”

  “A woman can never have too much money, my dear.”

  Katie grew tired of the dance around the truth. “I’m giving you no money so you might as well leave town with what you’ve gained from your piracy. I won’t be blackmailed.”

  Florence smiled. “So it’s quite acceptable for me to pay a visit to Mr. Foster?”

  Katie decided to call her bluff. “Do whatever you like. He won’t pay you anything either.” She retreated to the door. In spite of her bravado, her pulse kicked up. What if the woman did just that—went straight to Bart?

  She twisted the knob on the door. If she ever saw the woman again, it would be too soon.

  “Wait!”

  Katie turned to face Florence again. “We have nothing more to say to each other.”

  The woman rose and approached her. “I regret many things, Katie, but nothing more than the fact I wasn’t allowed to raise you. I quite dislike seeing how much you despise me.”

  Katie’s throat closed. “You always cared more about yourself than you did about me. I remember many nights going to bed to the sound of you laughing with a male visitor. You seldom noticed I was in the room.”

  The softness in Florence’s eyes vanish
ed. “Did you think I didn’t deserve a life too—a little fun?”

  “All I knew was that you never noticed me unless you wanted me to fetch your shoes or something. No child deserves to be cold and lonely.”

  “You were so young. I doubt you can remember much of those days. You always had a vivid imagination.”

  Faced with Florence’s emphatic statement, Katie paused. Was it possible her memories were faulty? But no. The night she ran to the Russells was seared into her mind. No coal for the fire that night. No food in the room. Her mother had promised to bring her back something, but it had been hours. That dreadful man’s appearance had been the final straw.

  “Good-bye, Florence.” She stepped through the door and shut it behind her.

  A crash sounded in the room as though Florence had thrown something at the door. The words Katie heard from the woman would have made a sailor blush. With that much rage, she feared Florence would go straight to Bart. For a moment, Katie almost hoped for such an outcome.

  It would make her path much clearer if marrying into the Foster family was no longer an option.

  The mynah squawked a greeting as Will walked up the hillside to the lighthouse. His steps dragged with fatigue but he was smiling. He’d heard the foghorn while still in the bay and the light had pierced through the haze as well. Since Philip was gone, Katie must have done it. Dear girl. The ship had still been there when he led the constable to the location, but the men were long gone. He’d also placed a call to the owners to let them know it had been recovered. The finder’s fee would be deposited in his account. But his smile faded when he remembered the lives lost could never be recovered.

  He heard the sound of horse hooves and turned to see Katie arriving in the buggy. The sight of her lifted his fatigue. Reversing his direction, he headed to the road to greet her. When he reached the buggy, he realized she’d been crying. Her reddened eyes and stained cheeks made him wince.

  He reached up to help her down and she hurtled into his arms. He embraced her and held her close, resting his chin on top of her head. “What’s happened, love?”