Twilight's Serenade

by Tracie Peterson

  She nodded and felt her strength give out. But even as she felt overcome by her own weakness, Britta felt a warmth of hope stir deep within. Maybe in giving up her own fight—giving up trying to face this on her own—maybe only then could God step in and heal their hurt.

  Please let it be so, she prayed. I cannot bear this sorrow any longer.

  Chapter 26

  December 1906

  Despite the stomach discomfort he’d been suffering since Cyrus Redley’s announcement, Marston decided the best thing he could do would be to return to Sitka and explain himself to Dalton. He’d simply arrive and tell Dalton that it was all a terrible misunderstanding—that the young clerk had thought Marston wanted to withdraw money rather than deposit. He hated the idea of making the trip to Sitka, but he figured a face-to-face explanation would go a long way to prove his sincerity. After all, who would expect him to show up and face his accusers?

  Marston downed a large spoonful of laudanum and waited for the medicine to ease his pain. The doctors had to be wrong about the diagnosis. He simply didn’t believe he had cancer— this was surely nothing more than an ulcer. His own father had suffered with such ulcers, so why should he be any different?

  The clock struck one and with the chime came a knock upon the door. It was Cyrus Redley, whom Marston had summoned. The man seemed relieved to have Marston’s attention once again.

  “I feared perhaps you would be unhappy with me because I was unable to get approval for your transaction.”

  “Nonsense,” Marston assured him. “I realize that you are only one man. You can hardly take responsibility for everything that happens at the bank. I was hopeful you could have canceled the telegram to my brother, but it’s of no concern. I’ve decided to go to Sitka myself and explain the situation. I will arrange for Dalton to return with me or send his written approval, and that way, we can expedite my transaction.”

  “That would be a perfect solution,” Redley assured him. “With your brother here, there would be no doubt of his intentions.”

  “Exactly,” Marston agreed. “I’m hopeful you won’t mind driving me to the docks. I have just enough time to get there before my ship departs.”

  “Of course,” Redley said. “I would even accompany you, if you wished.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’ll return before you know it. In the meanwhile, keep your job at the bank. It will allow you to keep an eye on my money.”

  Redley nodded and went to retrieve Marston’s suitcase. “I am happy to do so.”

  Nearly two months had passed since Darya’s death and Britta was finding the days a little easier to get through. The nights were still difficult, but Yuri faithfully helped her endure the nightmares. He was also considerate of her fears and didn’t try to impose himself or his affections upon her, for which Britta was grateful.

  Now, as they celebrated Laura’s fourth birthday, Britta realized that life would continue just as it had before the baby’s passing. Funny, but she had thought at one point that her entire world would end—that she would never be able to surface above the pain. Little by little, however, Britta was finding things to focus on that didn’t have anything to do with Darya’s death.

  Still, Britta couldn’t shake the sadness sometimes. There were moments, even here at her parents’ home, where she had first brought Darya and Laura, that Britta couldn’t help but feel the emptiness threaten to engulf her once again. She could almost hear Darya crying and remember how it felt to drag herself out of bed at night to see to the baby’s needs.

  “Look, Mama,” Laura said, breaking through Britta’s memories. “Aunt Kay and Uncle Ted gave me a new dolly.”

  Britta smiled at the excitement on Laura’s face. “That is a wonderful present.”

  “I’m going to call her Darya after my sister in heaven.” Laura danced away to show her grandmother the doll, and Britta turned so that they wouldn’t see her face.

  “Look, Grandmother.”

  Britta took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She would be fine. She could face this and endure. Yuri immediately came to her side. He didn’t say a word; he didn’t need to. He laced his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand. It was funny, but over the last few weeks, they had grown closer than Britta had ever imagined possible. Despite the lack of physical intimacy, she had yielded to Yuri many long hours of conversation and dreaming. It was the start of a new future for them.

  “We have an announcement to make,” Kay said, pulling Ted to the center of the room. “This is such a wonderful occasion, and we can’t help sharing our news with you.”

  “Do tell!” Phoebe said, laughing. “You and Ted have been so full of secrets lately. I for one would like to know what’s going on.”

  Kay giggled. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  Phoebe’s mother and Lydia gave gasps of delight. “What wonderful news!”

  Laura stopped in the middle of her doll presentation and joined in. “We need to have another baby, too. I want another sister.”

  The room went quiet and all gazes turned to Britta and Yuri. Britta froze the expression of surprise on her face, knowing that would be more acceptable than one of terror. Yuri tightened his hold on her hand.

  “I think babies are wonderful,” Britta’s mother said, putting her hand on Laura’s shoulder. “They are gifts from God.”

  “Oh, look Laura,” Phoebe announced, “you have another present to open.”

  Britta was grateful for the distraction they’d created and slipped from Yuri’s hold. “I’ll be right back. I need to get something from the cabin.” She tried to speak loud enough that everyone could hear.

  She wasn’t but a few steps from the house when she heard the door open, and Yuri called after her. Deciding she might as well wait for him, Britta stopped and turned.

  He went to her and reached out to cup her chin. “I know that was hard for you. I’m sorry.”

  She shrugged. “It’s bound to happen from time to time. I’m sorry, too.”

  He nodded and offered her his arm. They walked toward the cabin. “I think it’s time for a change.”

  Britta bit her lip to keep from asking what kind of change. What if Yuri asked more from her than she could give? Instead, she waited for him to continue. When they reached the porch of the cabin, Yuri drew her with him to the bench.

  “I think it’s time we moved. We have lived on your mother and father’s land long enough. I want to provide us with our own home.”

  Britta let out the breath she’d been holding. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I was just thinking of how there are so many memories here, and while that can be good, it can also be painful.”

  He nodded. “I know. I’ve been working on a plan, but it will take a little time. I hope you won’t mind waiting a bit longer.”

  She met his gaze. “When it comes to you, waiting is the one thing I’ve grown very good at.”

  Dalton was surprised to look up and see his older brother standing in front of him. “Marston? When did you return?” A multitude of questions coursed through his mind, but Dalton held them at bay.

  “I just came ashore this morning. I felt it important to come and explain some things to you—just in case you were misinformed.” Marston’s countenance bore a look of exhaustion. His complexion was pasty and pale, and he looked thinner than before.

  Leaning back in his chair, Dalton crossed his arms. “What type of things?”

  “Well, I suppose you received the telegram from Seattle?”

  “No, there have been no telegrams. They have had difficulty with the cable and service has been sporadic. What kind of telegram should I have received?”

  Marston appeared quite uncomfortable. “Might I sit?”

  “Of course. By all means.” Dalton waved him to the chair. “I’m sorry I didn’t suggest it at first, it’s just that your appearance here has taken me by surprise.”

  Marston smiled and eased into the chair. “I’m sure it has, and for th
at I do apologize. It’s just that I was mortified when I learned the truth of what had happened.”

  “And what was that?”

  “I went to the bank in order to arrange a transfer into our joint account. I wanted to transfer money from a couple of my other banks and somehow the instructions were confused and the teller thought I wanted to withdraw money. They told me I wasn’t allowed to withdraw without your approval and that they had wired you. I assured them that some mistake had been made. I was only trying to transfer funds to your account, not withdraw them.”

  “I see.” Dalton tried to maintain his calm, though all he could think of was that Marston and Mitchell were wanted by the law.

  “Well, it was simply a misunderstanding, but all I could think of was the lack of trust we had in the past. I knew you would assume the worst, and I wanted to prove my innocence by coming here in person.”

  Dalton wasn’t sure what to say. It was clear that Marston was upset by the matter, but whether it was for the good purpose of setting the record straight or the less honorable one of cleaning up after the mess he’d made, Dalton couldn’t be certain.

  “It doesn’t appear that any harm was done,” Dalton said casually. “How are you feeling?”

  “Oh, my stomach is giving me fits, but I seriously doubt the doctors know what they’re talking about. Our father had ulcers for many years. His stomach often grieved him. You probably have endured such things yourself.”

  “No, actually I haven’t. I thought the doctor felt it was cancer—that you didn’t have long to live.” Dalton knew his statement sounded hard and impersonal, but he continued. “I thought that was the reason you’d come here in the first place.”

  “That was then. I was worried about my health. I’d just received the news, and it weighed heavily on my mind.”

  “We had a letter from Jeannette.” Dalton’s words hung in the air for a full minute.

  “I suppose . . . she was worried. She knew I’d been ill while in Kansas City. The doctor was probably frank with her about my condition.”

  “She did mention you had been ill, and that you had left Kansas City without a word to anyone.”

  Marston eyed him for a moment and nodded. “I suppose she told you also of the false accusations brought against Mitchell and me.”

  “She did mention some sort of legal trouble.”

  “It’s all utter nonsense.” Marston twisted the rim of his hat. “I can’t say it was a surprise. When people are jealous of one’s success, they tend to go out of their way to put an end to it. Mitchell and I were simply pawns in their game. However, we did nothing illegal.”

  “Another misunderstanding?” Dalton asked, a bit more sarcastically than he’d intended.

  Marston frowned. “You don’t have to believe me.”

  “That much is true,” Dalton agreed. “The authorities are the only ones who have to be convinced. I understand that Mitchell has gone missing, as well.”

  “I’m hardly missing, Dalton. After all, you know perfectly well where I am, and where I’ve been. I’m not trying to hide, if that’s what you’re implying. I’m simply giving my lawyer time to work out the misunderstanding without my involvement. I have no desire to be at the center of a public display of grievances and nonsensical accusations.”

  Dalton realized his brother was lying, but to press the issue now seemed pointless. He would instead notify the authorities at his first opportunity and inform them that Marston Gray was in town.

  Marston grimaced and clutched at his stomach. “I’m afraid I should leave you for now. I need to take some medicine and rest.”

  “Would you like me to send the doctor to you?”

  Getting to his feet, Marston shook his head. “I’ll be fine. I just couldn’t take my ease without knowing that things were settled between us.”

  Dalton rose and came around the desk. “As far as I’m concerned, things are settled.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I’ll be in touch. Perhaps you would allow me to take you to dinner one night.”

  “It will depend, of course, on your health,” Dalton replied. He could see that Marston’s pain was quite intense. The man had grown pale and sweat had formed on his brow even though the day was cold.

  Marston took his leave, and Dalton wondered what he should do first. He needed to let his mother know that the man was back in town. Evie too. The last thing he wanted was for the women in his family to be further distressed by this man. After that, he would have to let the authorities know of his brother’s location.

  Taking up his hat, Dalton went to the workshop to inform Yuri of Marston’s unexpected return. “I’m leaving now, but I shouldn’t be long. I just need to let Mother know about my brother.”

  Feeling time was of the essence, Dalton took the wagon and drove out to the homestead. He knew his mother and father were probably both hard at work making gifts for Christmas, as was their way. His father generally made wonderful pieces of furniture for each household, as well as toys for the children. His mother created cushions and quilts, along with clothes for the smaller children and the girls’ dolls.

  He prayed, silently asking God to give his mother peace about the situation. He knew she would be upset to know her stepson was back in town, but there was nothing to be done about it now. He would explain the reason Marston had come, weak though it was.

  “What does he hope to gain?” Dalton questioned, urging the horse to pick up his speed.

  The turnoff for the house soon came into view, and Dalton pulled the horse hard to the left. Experience told him Marston did nothing by chance. There was a reason he had come back to Sitka. Perhaps the explanation was valid, but Dalton seriously doubted that was all there was to the circumstance.

  He secured the brake on the wagon and jumped down. He was just about to bound up the steps of the porch when his mother opened the door in greeting.

  “Well, this certainly is a surprise. I never expect to see you on a weekday afternoon.”

  Dalton drew a deep breath. “I needed to come tell you something.”

  Worry immediately etched her face. “Bad news?”

  “Depends.” Dalton came into the house, pulling her along with him. “Marston Gray is back in Sitka.”

  “But why?”

  “He claims to have come to clear up a misunderstanding he caused at the bank in Seattle.”

  “What kind of misunderstanding?”

  Dalton explained the details and waited for his mother to comment. Instead, she moved to the kitchen and held up the coffeepot. “Would you like a cup?”

  “Yes, please. The wind has a real bite to it today. That dampness just soaks through to the bone.”

  He knew she would eventually say something about the situation with Marston, so Dalton took a seat at the table and waited. Mother brought the black coffee and placed the mug in front of him. She then returned to the counter and pulled back a dish towel from a tray of cookies. “Would you like some of these?”

  Dalton laughed. “You know very well that I could eat the entire plateful. Your cookies are some of the best around.”

  “I doubt they’re as good as Phoebe’s.”

  She put the plate on the table in front of him, then went back to retrieve the mug of coffee she’d poured for herself. Dalton took up one of the gingersnaps. “These are my favorites.”

  Mother took a seat across from him and folded her hands together. “I’m glad you told me about Marston. I would have hated to run into him in town, not knowing that he’d returned. Well, truth be told, I’d hate to run across him under any circumstance.”

  “I knew you would—that’s why I felt it was important to come here as soon as he headed back to the hotel.”

  “How long will he be here?”

  “He didn’t say,” Dalton told her. “I know the holidays are coming right up, but I don’t want you fretting over that, either. I will make it clear to Marston that if he needs any holiday cheering, he can spend some time with me. I w
on’t allow him to ruin Christmas for you.”

  She smiled and reached out to clasp his hand. “I appreciate you so. I know that you understand the pain that man has caused me.”

  “I do.” He drank down the coffee and grabbed another cookie. “I can’t stay. I still have a great deal to get done. Tell Father I said hello.”

  “He’ll be sorry to have missed you. He’s off trading for some cedar. He wants to make your Rachel a hope chest.”

  Dalton laughed. “She’s only twelve.”

  “Exactly. She’ll probably marry in another six years. She needs to start making things for her own home and saving them. It takes a good many years to fill a hope chest. It will keep her busy.”

  Dalton didn’t like to think of his daughter growing up so quickly. The very idea that she could be married off in another six years didn’t set well with him at all.

  “Maybe I’ll just lock her in the cache,” he said with a grin. “Until she’s thirty.”

  Mother laughed. “I somehow doubt that will work.”

  Dalton was back home before he remembered he’d need to let Evie know about Marston. He was just starting to turn the horse around when Phoebe came bounding down the walk. Gordon was just behind her.

  “Your sister is here,” Phoebe told him. “Come quickly.”

  Dalton jumped down from the wagon and motioned to his son. “Will you see to this?”

  Gordon quickly took his father’s place on the wagon seat, clearly enjoying the opportunity to drive the wagon. Dalton had once felt the same enthusiasm. He guessed it wouldn’t be long before Gordon would ask to borrow their carriage for courting.

  “I feel old,” Dalton muttered.

  Inside the house, Evie was waiting for him. She looked upset, and Dalton knew that she must have had a runin with Marston.

  “So you know?”

  She looked at him oddly. “About what?”

  “Marston being here.”

  Evie nodded. “I didn’t realize you knew.”