by Marilyn Turk
“Not at all.” He gestured toward Mr. Prentice. “We were just getting finished.”
“Well, I’m off.” Mr. Prentice gave Russell a mock salute. “Miss Smithfield, I’m still waiting for that game of tennis. The weather is nice enough today if you’re interested in hitting a few balls later.”
Lexie offered a shy smile. “Perhaps I’ll take you up on it sometime, but I don’t know if it’ll be today.”
“Whenever you’re ready, I am.” He spun on his heels and headed down the hall.
“Are you all set to go to the cottage?” Russell looked down at her as she watched Mr. Prentice stride away.
“Yes, if you are.”
“Let’s walk, shall we?” Russell stepped beside her and gestured for her to proceed. “We need to do our patriotic duty to conserve gas.”
“Of course. I’d prefer it, actually.” Perhaps walking was more difficult for him, though, with his foot injury. As they moved along the hall, she glanced at his foot, then his face for any sign of discomfort. “Does it hurt?”
He looked at her, followed her eyes to his foot, and smiled. “Not usually. When it’s cold and damp, though, it reminds me it’s there.”
“I suppose winter isn’t your favorite time of year.”
“Oh, there are trade-offs, though.”
“Such as?” She tilted her head.
“Since winter is our busy season here, there’s a lot to do to keep me distracted from my foot.”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that.” Her heart winced thinking of his pain. “I’m sorry, Russell.”
“Sorry? For what?”
“I’m sorry about your foot. However, you’d never know it bothered you at all, much less interfered with your ability to do anything.”
“It doesn’t, for most things. Just military service.” He gave her a wistful smile. “So looks like I’ll be staying here, protecting the home front.”
Should she let him know she overheard anything? “And you think the home front needs protecting?”
He didn’t answer while they exited the building but took a deep breath of fresh air outside and smiled. “Terrific day for a stroll. Shall we?” He extended his elbow for her to grasp.
Lexie accepted and turned her attention to the cloudless azure sky. It was evident Russell wanted to change the subject, so she didn’t pressure him for more information. But sooner or later, she’d get the truth out of him. Besides, if the news was so serious, wouldn’t they be sharing it with the other people on the island? Why would they keep such things secret?
Lexie was beginning to believe there were too many secrets on the island, including those that involved her. She promised herself she’d discover the truth and trust Russell to help her. Unless he was too busy keeping his own secrets.
Chapter 20
Lexie looked happy for a change, her smile fixed on her face as they strolled together. Maybe it was the nice weather. But she even seemed happy to see him. Or did he imagine that because he wanted to believe it? The more time they spent together, the stronger his feelings were for her, but he had little hope they’d be reciprocated. She was out of his league, and he needed to remember that. Besides, she’d be gone soon, away from the island and probably out of his life. Unless she kept the cottage and came back next season. But even if she did, she might bring a new husband with her.
It was going to be hard to keep his feelings under control though. The way her blonde curls danced as she strolled alongside enchanted him. Especially so today, when she didn’t seem to have a care in the world. If only that were true. Just 500 miles to the north, an American tanker was torpedoed by a German U-boat during the night. There were no survivors. The guys from the Coast Guard told him and Prentice to keep it under wraps for now. If word got out, people on the coast might panic. So how was he supposed to keep everyone on the island safe when he couldn’t tell them what was going on in their own backyard?
The Coast Guard told him they’d increase the beach patrols. Guess that meant sending two guys instead of one. He’d have to solicit extra help from some of his own employees. And yet, he was supposed to do that without arousing suspicion. Sometimes he and Prentice didn’t see things the same way. If the members really were in danger, why not tell them and let them leave if they wanted to? But the club president wanted to keep them there for as long as possible and get more of their money. Sure, they needed the money, but at what risk?
Right after lunch, he’d get on it and round up some guys to serve guard duty. For now, though, the feisty woman next to him had his attention. And that of everyone else, based on the heads that turned as they walked by. The smack of balls hitting each other caused them to glance over at the people lawn bowling. At least this tournament wouldn’t be cancelled, since it was so close.
“Looks like they’re practicing for the tournament this weekend,” he said.
An elderly gentleman in white pants and shirt sporting a beret rolled his ball on the grass.
“I didn’t realize there was a tournament.” Her eyes grew big as saucers and her mouth fell open. “Is that Floyd?”
Russell grinned and nodded as the human scarecrow took his turn. “Yep. Sure is. He hopes to win the Cup this year.”
“I never knew him to play a sport!”
Russell noted the other players, most of whom were twice Floyd’s age.
“He keeps trying to beat out Mr. Gibbs, who wins every year. But Gibbs is getting pretty old and might not be as steady this year.”
Lexie covered her mouth and giggled, her blue eyes sparkling with delight.
“We better move on so you won’t distract him from his game.” Russell took her arm and led her away, his heart melting at her smile.
“Do you play?” Lexie glanced up as she walked beside him.
“I can, but it’s not my favorite sport. I prefer golf when I get a chance. Do you play golf?” Of course she did, as competitive as she was.
“Yes. I played in college and a little since, but I haven’t had much time to play anything since I got out of school.”
He drew back and studied her. “Why not?” As he watched her expression turn solemn, he regretted his question.
“I’ve spent most my time at the hospital where Mother was.”
Did she need to work for the money or did she just want to? It wouldn’t be polite to ask her, but he was curious. Robert had mentioned the finances being tight, but were things that bad? Still, the girl had moxie. Poor kid—having to deal with her crazy mother all these years. Yet she still wanted to work around folks like that. It took a special kind of person for that kind of work. She was special, all right.
“Oh, I see. I didn’t realize you spent so much time there. No time for fun?”
“Not really.”
“So, what are you planning to do? Be a doctor?” He chuckled at the thought of the cute blonde as a doctor.
She stopped and faced him, hands on her hips. “Maybe. Why not? Don’t you think I could be?”
What a look of determination she had. He put his hand on her shoulder and gazed into blue eyes that matched the sky. “Lexie, I believe you can be anything you want to be.”
Her face turned rose-red, adding a pretty blush to her cheeks. She turned away from him and quickened her pace. He hadn’t meant to embarrass her, but she was so cute when she got flustered. Time to change the subject.
“So what are we going to do at the cottage today?”
“I want to go to the third floor, the servants’ quarters. Plus, I’d like to get a good look at the whole place in good light and make a list of what needs to be repaired. Oh, shoot! I forgot to bring something to take notes on.”
He pulled a tablet out of his inside jacket pocket and held it up. “Like this?”
Her face lit up with a wide grin. “Gee, thanks. What would I do without you?”
“Always looking out for you, you see.” Once again, he watched her cheeks turn pink. He really was looking out for her, but his reasons were partl
y selfish, to be honest. He wanted to convince her to keep the cottage, but there might be some people who’d convince her otherwise. Keeping her in sight would prevent her from listening to them. But he had to admit, he enjoyed this part of his job.
He was like having another big brother around. Sort of. On the other hand, the way her heart fluttered when he smiled at her, his green eyes sparkling, was not a typical reaction to a brother. Lexie couldn’t get over how much time had altered their rapport. And his appearance. He was a dapper dresser, his suit and tie impeccable, his hat at just the right angle. She always did admire a man who knew how to dress. His limp was barely noticeable.
She couldn’t shake the image of Floyd Appleton bowling and wanted to laugh out loud. Maybe he wasn’t the most athletic man she knew, but she had to admit she was glad to see him outside and away from his mother. No doubt she was watching him from a rocking chair on the veranda. And if she were, she also saw Lexie walk by with Russell. Lexie quickly glanced over her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Russell looked back to follow her gaze.
“Oh, nothing. Just wondered if anyone was following us.”
“Don’t see anybody. Why would anyone follow us?”
“I don’t know. Guess I’m just a little jumpy.”
Russell placed his hand on her arm and patted it. “Hey, remember I’m here. Who’s gonna bother you with me around, eh?” He held up his arm as if showing off a muscle. Although his jacket covered his arm, Lexie had seen him without it and noticed how strong he looked.
She crossed her hands over her heart. “Ooh, my hero!”
Russell laughed aloud and nodded. “That’s right. Ready to save a damsel in distress.”
Lexie laughed, too, and gave him a little shove. “You shouldn’t overestimate yourself, Russell.”
As they neared the cottage, Lexie noted how far away from the others it was and how close to the woods and marsh. Grandfather’s quest for privacy had resulted in isolating the cottage from the rest of the club. It would be easy for someone to get into the house without being noticed. The sound of a motor drew Lexie’s attention to Jekyll River behind the house where the men from the Coast Guard puttered past after leaving the island dock. Someone could get to the cottage from the water too.
Lexie turned to Russell, whose attention was on the departing boat as well.
“What were those men doing here?” Might as well come right out and ask.
His expression was more serious than normal as he faced her, but he tried to mask it with a smile. She could tell he was worried, even if he wanted her to think he wasn’t.
“They come by occasionally to check on things. Remember, I told you they keep a patrol on the beach?”
“Russell, I think you’re not telling me everything. Please, tell me what’s going on.”
He studied her face a few seconds, his eyes penetrating as if he could see through her. A warm tingle worked its way through her body. What was he thinking?
Sighing, he blew out a breath. “All right. I’ll level with you, but please keep it under wraps.”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone else.” She crossed her heart with her fingers. Besides, she had no one else to tell.
“They came to tell us that a ship was torpedoed off the coast of North Carolina—sunk by a German submarine.”
Her eyes widened. “When?”
“During the night.”
“And the Coast Guard thinks that might happen here?”
“It’s pretty shallow near our coast. But yes, they could be in the deeper water out there.”
“So what should we do? What did they say?”
Russell glanced away. “They think we should end the season here early. Meanwhile, they will increase their guard duty and asked us to keep an eye out as well.”
“But they don’t want anyone to know?”
He focused on her face again. “No. The government doesn’t want people to panic, just be on the lookout.”
“For what? Submarines? Do they think submarines might come in here?” She pointed to the river. “There?”
“I suppose anything is possible. However, I think they’d be seen from the beach side before they got to this side of the island.”
“I can’t imagine a submarine there in the river.”
“No, I don’t think they’d bring a submarine back here. It’d be more likely that they’d launch a raft with a few men that could come into shallow waters.”
“Russell! Destiny is the first cottage they’d come to. Nobody would see if they came ashore behind the cottage!”
Russell grabbed her shoulders and peered into her face. “Lexie, calm down. Nobody’s going to come ashore back here. They’d be seen before they got this far. Besides, I think they’d prefer to sink tankers and hurt our oil supply. That’s what was sunk last night. See, I shouldn’t have told you about it and gotten you upset.”
Lexie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No, I’m glad you told me, Russell. So what will you do about the club members? Will you tell them the season’s been shortened?”
“I’m not sure yet how Mr. Prentice will handle it. He’s already cancelled the golf tournament in March just because so many golfers have joined the war effort, and it just doesn’t seem right to have a major golf tournament during the war. We may still have the tennis tournament, but make it a club tournament instead of a major tournament. I’m sure he’d like you to play in it.”
“I don’t know, Russell. I still don’t know how long I’m staying.”
“If it’s up to me, I’d keep you here as long as possible.”
Lexie’s heart lurched. She cocked her head and stared at him.
“Why?”
“To keep you out of trouble, of course.” The familiar grin appeared, and he winked at her. “Robert would want me to watch out for his kid sister.”
So that was it. She was still just Robert’s kid sister. Some things never changed. Why did she think he meant anything else? She gave him a crooked smile.
“So does that mean you’re not going to let me out of your sight? Shouldn’t you be watching out for Germans instead?”
Russell laughed as they approached the door to the cottage. He withdrew a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
“Never fear. I can do both at once. From now on, you go everywhere with me. No more horseback riding on the beach alone.”
Lexie’s mind flashed back to her horseback ride on the beach where she came upon Abner Jones looking for Germans. Maybe he wasn’t so crazy after all. Or maybe he knew something no one else did.
Chapter 21
Lexie entered the cottage with Russell close behind. Everything looked the same as before, but brighter without the storm. The musty smell still permeated the air, despite the maids’ attempts to clean the house. Must be the old wallpaper, sadly in need of replacing.
She pointed to a stain running from the corner of the ceiling down the side of the wall. “There must be another leak. There’s one upstairs too.”
Russell glanced over and nodded, taking out the pad and making a note.
There were so many things she would do if she was going to stay here again—buy new furniture and curtains, add pictures, replace the mirror over the fireplace—but she wasn’t here to renovate the cottage, just repair it so someone else could make the other changes. It would never be the way it used to be, no matter what she did to it. She squeezed her eyes shut to hush the voices from the past that whispered memories. The past was gone, and she needed to leave it behind.
She rounded the corner and stepped into the kitchen, remembering the last time she’d been there and found Abner Jones inside. An involuntary shudder shook her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” Russell watched her cautiously tread around the room. He walked over to the back door and turned the knob. It opened without hesitation. “Hmmm. Looks like the latch is pulled loose. I know I latched it last time, but the wood is worn. I’ll have someone from maintenance ch
eck on it.” He made another note.
Lexie paused in front of the dumbwaiter.
“Want to climb in and play hide-and-seek?” Russell pulled the creaky horizontal steel door open to reveal the mesh metal cage inside.
“No, I don’t think so. Not sure I would fit now anyway.”
He eyed her up and down. “Sure you could. You’re taller, but still small enough to fold yourself up to fit.”
She shook her head. “It wouldn’t be fun anymore, just uncomfortable.”
“I suppose you’re right. Hard to believe we all used to fit in there, isn’t it?”
Lexie remembered how they used to take turns hiding. She couldn’t imagine tall Russell in there now.
“Let’s go upstairs.” Lexie led the way, anxious to leave the kitchen. She scanned the rooms, then the hall, looking for anything unusual.
The stairs groaned with their weight as she and Russell climbed up. At the top, Lexie surveyed the open landing before proceeding to each room. As she entered her mother and father’s bedroom, she had the urge to open the dresser drawers. When she did, she gasped.
Russell ran over to her. “What is it?”
She pointed to the drawers. “They’re all broken. The bottoms have been broken out.” She turned to Russell. “Why? Why would someone do this?”
He shook his head. “All I can figure is that someone thought something might be hidden in the drawers or under them.” He rubbed his chin. “You didn’t open these last time you were here?”
“No, why?”
“I wonder if the damage would have been noticed by the maids. If so, no one mentioned it to me.”
“Let’s check the other drawers, Russell.”
They went from room to room, checking drawers. Every one of them had been damaged.
“Somebody’s certainly trying to find something,” Lexie said.
“Sure appears that way.” Russell squatted down and examined one of the dressers.
“I wish I knew what they were looking for.”
Russell looked up at her. “Apparently, whoever it is thinks you know.”
“Why would you say that?”
