Marshall chuckled and bowed from the waist. “Then I will rely upon you and Samson to help me improve my manners, Miss Thora.”
Chapter 8
As the days passed, the work proved more exhausting than she’d imagined, and Audrey longed for help with both the cooking and laundry. In fact, if Marshall Graham would have made another appearance at the washhouse or the clotheslines, she would have gladly accepted his help—even though she hadn’t yet learned to trust him. She still couldn’t believe that Mr. Morley had hired Mr. Graham as project manager. Hopefully her father wouldn’t regret his recommendation of the young man. And hopefully Marshall Graham wouldn’t prove to be a bad influence on her father.
After their discussion with Marshall about his mother being raised in Savannah, Aunt Thora had immediately penned a letter to Delmar Ross, one of her few remaining friends there. Though Delmar’s enlistment as a soldier in the Confederate Army had been refused due to a bad leg, his loyalty to the South had never been questioned. Especially when rumors surfaced that he’d acted as a spy for General Wheeler. Audrey doubted the claims, but Aunt Thora remained convinced and declared that her old friend could unearth the truth about anyone. Delmar had written back, acknowledging that Mr. Graham’s assertion of his Southern roots was true. Aunt Thora had yet to decide if he possessed enough redeeming characteristics to qualify him as a true Southern gentleman, while Audrey remained skeptical of his sobriety.
He’d been the model of discretion since arriving at Bridal Fair, but that wasn’t enough to convince Audrey. Even her father had been able to put aside the bottle for several weeks at a time when necessary to maintain a job or keep up appearances for outsiders.
She glanced up from the sink as her father entered the kitchen and neared her side. “You look to be deep in thought,” he said.
“I’m trying to figure out how to keep ahead of all this work. Without some additional help, it’s soon going to get the best of me. Thora tires quickly, and I can’t expect her to work like a woman half her age.”
“I feel terrible that it’s come to this, Audrey.” Her father massaged his forehead. “Maybe we should reconsider selling. This work is going to make an old woman out of you before your time.” Sadness clouded his deep gray eyes. “My drinking ruined your mother’s life, and now it’s going to ruin yours, as well. If I’d saved my money instead of using it all for drink, we wouldn’t be in this fix.”
Audrey wished she could withdraw her complaint. She didn’t want to burden her father with guilt. Smiling, she dipped a plate into the rinse water. “The past is behind us, Father, and we can’t change anything that happened years ago. Don’t pay any attention to my grumbling; I’m just a little tired today.”
He picked up a dish towel and reached for one of the rinsed plates. “The least I can do is dry these breakfast dishes.”
She laughed as he swiped the towel across the plate. He didn’t have any more ability with a dish towel than she had pounding nails. A knock sounded at the door. “I believe you’re going to be saved from your kitchen duties,” she said. “Why don’t you answer the door while I finish up here.”
He grinned and dropped the towel onto the table. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”
Most folks didn’t call at this time of morning. Audrey hoped the knock didn’t mean more work for her. The door creaked. She quieted her dishwashing and listened as her father greeted their visitor. Dr. Wahler! Finally, he’d come calling. She had stopped at his cabin just after he and his daughters arrived at Bridal Veil, but one of the workers said the doctor had returned to Atlanta and wasn’t expected back for several days. She’d thought his abrupt departure odd, but when she mentioned that fact to Mr. Morley, he’d appeared unconcerned. “Dr. Wahler has business matters that require his attention back in Atlanta. I knew that when I encouraged him to come here.” Mr. Morley hadn’t left the door open for further discussion, so she’d discovered nothing more about the doctor or his unexpected departure.
After swiping her hands down the front of her apron, Audrey untied and removed the protective garment. She gave her hair a slight pat of the hand before hurrying into the parlor to greet Dr. Wahler and his twin daughters. She smiled and nodded at the doctor as her father made a brief introduction, but Audrey’s attention remained fixed on the two young girls. They peered up at her with eyes as blue and as bright as a summer sky.
“So you are Josephine and Julia. What lovely names you have.” She stooped down between them. “I do believe I may have trouble telling the two of you apart.”
The little girl on her left giggled and wrinkled her nose. “We don’t like our names much, so we changed them to Josie and Julie. You can tell us apart because Julie has freckles on her nose.” She pointed to her sister’s nose. “See?”
“Ah, yes. You’re right. That should help. At least when you are close enough for me to see them.”
“We’re both five,” Julie piped up.
“Five! What a wonderful age,” Audrey said. She stood and turned her attention to Dr. Wahler. “Please sit down. I’ve been eager to meet all of you.”
The doctor arched his brows and tipped his head to the side, almost as though he didn’t believe her. “We returned only yesterday, so I’m pleased we didn’t keep you waiting for long.”
“Several of our boarders mentioned your earlier arrival, and I stopped by the cottage to offer a welcome. However, I learned that you had returned to Atlanta.”
“I see. I didn’t realize word of our earlier visit had become common knowledge. When we first arrived, I still had a few patients in Atlanta who hadn’t yet engaged another physician. I promised them one last visit before my final move.” While the two girls examined several photographs on a table across the room, the doctor explained that his wife had died in childbirth two years ago. “It has been difficult for all three of us. And for Sadie—that’s our housekeeper. She came to work for us when my wife and I first married and has been with us ever since. I wasn’t sure she’d want to make the move, but she couldn’t part with the girls.” He glanced at his daughters. “Of course, I think Sadie was hoping the girls would decide they wanted to remain in Atlanta.”
“You mean you would have left them in Atlanta with your housekeeper?”
“Separation from children isn’t the most terrible of things, Miss Cunningham. Many are sent off to boarding school at a young age and survive quite well. However, I did promise them a look at the entire island, and they have now approved their new home.”
Audrey swept a gaze between the two girls as they returned to the sofa. “Since you girls have decided to come here and live, I hope you’ll permit me to show you some of my favorite places when I have some extra time.”
“Oh yes.” Their young voices chorused in perfect harmony.
Julie reached for Audrey’s hand. “What are your favorite places? I can’t swim, so I don’t want to go near the water unless Papa comes with us.”
“I promise to always ask your papa before we go anywhere, but you’ll discover the river is quite peaceful.”
“But the ocean has giant waves that can sweep you underneath and carry you away. Isn’t that right, Papa?” Although Julie’s question bore an expectant tone, fear pinched her tiny features into a frown.
“The girls have a young friend who has told them stories about the perils of the ocean. Once they learn to swim, I believe their fears will subside.”
Josie’s crown of dark curls bobbed about her head as she jumped up and dashed to her father’s side. “I’m not afraid. Only Julie is.”
“As I recall, you were clinging to my hand as tightly as your sister when we stepped off the boat yesterday.”
“That was only because I saw a giant fish,” Josie explained, “and I thought it would jump out of the water and knock me over.”
Audrey clasped her palm against the bodice of her dress. “Dear me! That would have given your father a terrible fright. We’ll have to tell Old Sam to be on the lookout for that
big fish, won’t we?”
Josie quickly agreed, obviously thinking she’d managed to convince them of her story. She moved from her father’s side and took a seat beside Audrey. “Have you ever been to Atlanta? That’s where we used to live.”
“Only once, and that was when I was a little girl.”
Julie edged closer and settled on the other side of Audrey. “Then how did you grow up?”
The doctor chuckled. “My girls think everyone had to grow up in Atlanta.”
“I see.” Audrey turned her attention to the girls. “Instead of growing up in Atlanta, I grew up on this island until we moved away when I was seven years old.” She leaned closer. “And do you know what that means?”
Julie’s eyes opened wide, and she shook her head. “No. What?”
“It means that I know all the very best places to have picnics and to find butterflies and to play hide and seek.”
“Why don’t you take them out and show them the old tree swing, Audrey?” Boyd gestured toward the front door. “And you girls are welcome to come over here anytime and play on the swing or play in our gardens, just as long as your papa gives his permission.”
Josie batted her eyes at Audrey. “You’re too big for a swing.”
Audrey chuckled. “Not for this one. It has a nice big wooden seat, and it’s tied to the thick branches of a live oak tree. When I was a little younger than you girls, my father hung it for me. It’s still one of my favorite places to sit and dream about the future.” Audrey stooped down. “I think you’ll like it very much.”
Julie bounced up from the sofa and tugged on Audrey’s hand. “Do you have a pretty garden? Sadie says our mama had lots of pretty flowers in her garden.”
“My flowers aren’t so lovely. And there aren’t very many of them. I haven’t had time to give them proper attention, so many of them have wilted.” Audrey crooked her finger to resemble a drooping flower.
Dr. Wahler leaned forward and rested his arms across his legs. “Well, I know two little girls who are excellent helpers in the garden. They can water and weed better than almost anyone I know. Isn’t that right, girls?”
The twins giggled and nodded their agreement. “Josie does better with the weeds. Sometimes I pick the flowers by mistake,” Julie said.
“But you water better. Sadie said Julie is always careful to water the ground and not the tops of the plants, but the rain waters them from the top, so I think that’s better. What do you think is the best way to water flowers, Miss Audrey?” Josie stared at Audrey with a glimmer of expectation in her eyes.
Audrey hesitated a moment. She didn’t want to give an incorrect response, but she didn’t want to dampen Josie’s excitement over gardening, either. “I think most flowers and herbs like to be watered from the ground, but there may be a few that enjoy having water sprinkled on their blooms.”
Josie clapped her hands. “I think we should come and help you with your gardens. Don’t you think that would be a good idea, Papa?”
“Indeed, I think it would be a wonderful idea. You girls could plant some flowers and maybe a few herbs for Sadie and Miss Audrey to use when they cook. Perhaps Miss Audrey could help you from time to time.” He flashed a smile in Audrey’s direction. “What do you think, Miss Audrey? Do you think you’d be able to spare an occasional half hour to help supervise such a project?”
There was no denying the doctor’s good looks and Southern charm—he possessed an abundant supply of both. How had such a man been able to resist the charms of Atlanta socialites for the past year? Audrey guessed the single ladies had admired him from afar for at least the first nine to twelve months after his wife’s death, but she couldn’t imagine why they hadn’t descended in great number once the mourning period had passed. Then again, perhaps a doctor wouldn’t bring enough status to the Atlanta social scene. Though her grandmother had moved in wealthy social circles during her lifetime, Audrey had never been privy to an ostentatious way of life. And though she had never longed for such frippery, her means assured she need not worry about a luxurious existence. While Audrey remained deep in thought, Samson strolled into the room. He purred and coiled himself in and out between the two little girls, who leaned down and stroked the cat’s gray fur.
“Look, Daddy.” Josie gathered Samson into her arms and plopped the cat onto her father’s lap. The cat arched and let out a high-pitched meow before jumping to the floor. The irate animal remained only long enough to hiss at Dr. Wahler before running to the kitchen.
“Goodness, I don’t know what’s gotten into Samson. He’s generally quite affectionate, and we’ve always thought him a good judge of character.”
Dr. Wahler leaned back and shook his head. “I’m not fond of cats. I would guess that he senses my dislike of the species. I’ve been told animals are aware of those who aren’t fond of them.”
Audrey nodded. She’d heard similar comments, but she’d never before met anyone who seemed to have such a dislike for cats. “He really is a loving animal. Children can learn much from owning a pet.”
“I think they will learn more from gardening or stitching than from having a pet,” Dr. Wahler said.
Josie rushed to Audrey’s side and pulled on her hand. “Oh please, Miss Audrey! Say you’ll help us with a garden.”
When Julie joined the plea, Audrey knew she’d be unable to resist, but she didn’t know where she’d carve out the time for such a project. She continued to miss the Morley children, and having the twins around would be an absolute delight for her. How could she possibly deny such a request from the two bright-eyed girls—or their charming father?
Chapter 9
Marshall slowed his gait to keep step with Stuart Griggs’s short-legged stride. During the past weeks he and the architect had become better acquainted, and although Marshall didn’t consider himself an expert at land development, Stuart was a capable teacher. His architectural drawings were exacting, and each morning, the two of them met to go over plans for the clubhouse work site, where laborers continued to clear the land in preparation for the construction to begin. Then Stuart would head off to work on his drawings for homes that were to be built for several of the investors. He hoped two of the houses could be completed soon after the clubhouse was finished. Of course, much would depend upon finding additional skilled workers.
Stuart tucked several drawings beneath his arm as they headed toward Bridal Fair. “I hope this meeting won’t take long. It seems like it would have been easier for Victor to meet us at the work site than for the two of us to walk over here.”
Stuart was a loner of sorts and one of the few supervisors who had chosen to reside in an overseer’s cabin rather than live in a room at Bridal Fair. He claimed to like the privacy of his own place as well as his own cooking, though Marshall thought the odors that drifted from the cabin were usually less than appealing.
Marshall hiked a shoulder. “Mr. Morley said there was another supervisor arriving this morning, and he wanted more privacy than the work site provided.”
“Don’t tell me Frank Baker has finally arrived.” Stuart stopped in his tracks. “If it is Frank, you better prepare yourself for trouble—he’s not the easiest fellow to deal with.”
Marshall waved Stuart onward. “Keep moving or we’re going to be late.” He slowed only long enough to let Stuart catch up. “I pride myself on being able to get along with my men. If he’s a seasoned construction supervisor, I don’t think we’ll have a problem finding common ground.”
“You may not, but he will.” Stuart’s boots pounded on the hard dirt as he hurried to keep pace. “He’s been around the construction business, but I’m not sure I’d consider him seasoned—more like lazy, annoying, and underhanded.”
“If he’s all that bad, why would Mr. Morley hire him?” Marshall stopped and trained his gaze on the architect as they stepped onto the front porch of Bridal Fair.
“Maybe you’d better ask Victor that question, because I can’t imagine a good reason why anyone
would hire Frank Baker.” Stuart held the front door open, grinned, and waved his drawing in front of him with a flourish. “After you.”
Marshall stepped into the foyer with Stuart close on his heels. The sound of the door had obviously alerted Mr. Morley, for he immediately called out to them. “We’re in the dining room, gentlemen. Please join us.” He stood as they entered. “Thought it would be easier if we could have the use of a table to spread out the plans.” He waved toward the broad-shouldered, blond-haired man across the table. “Marshall, I’d like you to meet Frank Baker.”
Marshall extended his hand to Baker while Mr. Morley nudged Stuart. “I believe you already know, Frank, don’t you, Stuart?”
“Yes. How are you, Baker?” Stuart didn’t attempt to shake hands with Mr. Baker. Instead, he walked to the opposite side of the table, spread out his drawings, and turned his attention to Mr. Morley. “Did you want to review the changes on the drawings?”
“I do, but first I thought we should have a conversation about assignment of duties and bring Frank up to date on the progress.” Mr. Morley motioned toward the chairs. “Please sit down, gentlemen. I do believe Miss Audrey is going to bring us some coffee as soon as she has a few extra moments.”
Marshall didn’t miss the irritation in Stuart’s eyes. He was obviously eager to complete the meeting and get back to work. And though Marshall wouldn’t say so, he’d much prefer to get back to work, as well. They were behind schedule, and these meetings usually went on far too long. Still, he needed another supervisor, and he couldn’t expect the man to step into a position without some discussion of their plans, progress, and the assignment of duties.
To Have and To Hold Page 9
