To Have and To Hold

by Tracie Peterson

  Mr. Morley cleared his throat. “Frank has been working on a project in Charleston, but I believe he’s now ready to devote his time to our project here on Bridal Veil. Isn’t that right, Frank?” Mr. Morley’s tone bore an undeniable sharpness.

  Frank’s detached look tightened into a frown. “You knew I was going to be in Charleston, but I’m here and ready to take over. Just show me the plans, and let’s get on with it.”

  Victor settled in the chair opposite Frank. “That’s why I called this meeting, Frank. I wanted to tell you that you won’t be taking charge as project manager. I’ve assigned Marshall to that position. His arrival has proved a boon to us, since he was able to begin work immediately. In fact, he’s had the men excavating the construction site and soon should be able to begin laying the footings. You’ll be working as Marshall’s assistant.”

  Frank jumped up from the table and sent his chair crashing to the floor. “What do you mean, assistant project manager? I was hired to manage this entire project, and now you expect me to come in here as his underling?” He spat the comment in Marshall’s direction.

  “What’s goin’ on in here?” Rolling pin in hand, Thora rushed into the room as if prepared to do battle. Her eyes settled on the upended chair directly behind Frank Baker. Her eyes flashed with fire, and she pointed the tip of her rolling pin in his direction. “This ain’t no barroom where you can brawl and tear up furniture. Pick up that chair and learn to act like a gentleman, or pack yer bags and get out of this house!” Still wielding the rolling pin, she pointed it toward the front door. “And don’t slam the door on your way out of here, or I’ll have to come after ya with my shotgun.” She punched the rolling pin into the air. “Understand?”

  Frank nodded before he leaned down to pick up the chair. “I apologize for letting my anger take hold of me, ma’am. I’d like to remain here at Bridal Fair.”

  He flashed a smile that Marshall figured any woman would consider charming, but the old woman didn’t waver. “You can save that pretty smile for someone else. It don’t mean a thing to me.” She took a step closer and tapped his chest with the end of the rolling pin. “You jest remember that I’ll be keeping my eye on you. If you can’t follow the rules of the house, I’ll jest send you packing.” Before heading back to the kitchen, she turned to Mr. Morley. “Coffee will be ready in a few more minutes. I’ll bring it out. Audrey’s still busy upstairs.”

  Mr. Morley smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Thora. There’s no rush. We have a number of matters to discuss.”

  “See that you do it quietly.” After directing a stern look at Frank, Thora headed off to the kitchen.

  Frank nudged Marshall once Thora was out of earshot. “She’s one feisty old woman, isn’t she?”

  His disrespectful tone set Marshall on edge. “I think you’ll find Miss Thora means every word she says. If I were you, I wouldn’t test her.”

  Frank stiffened his shoulders and dropped to the chair. “I think the first thing we need to get straightened out is the project manager issue.” He folded his fingers into his palm, pointed his thumb toward Marshall, and addressed Mr. Morley. “Do the other investors know you’ve given someone else my job?”

  “I was able to contact a majority of the shareholders, and they all supported my decision. I don’t anticipate any problems with the change. After all, I was the only investor willing to come down here and devote time to this project. And at no additional benefit to myself, I might add.”

  With a grunt, Frank shoved the drawings back a few inches. “If Marshall’s in charge, I don’t know why I need to go over the plans with Stuart.”

  Marshall didn’t like the direction this was going. When Mr. Morley offered him the job, he hadn’t mentioned the possibility that Frank might object to the change. Instead, Marshall had been assured it wouldn’t cause any problem at all. The last thing he wanted was a division of power on the construction site. He’d seen what that could do. None of it was positive—not for the workingmen, the supervisors, or the project. A division of the work force between a project manager and his assistant could cause the ruination of a job. And he didn’t want that to happen.

  Mr. Morley had enticed him to take this position with the promise of future work in Colorado—a huge project, constructing a new town in the foothills, that would permit him to test his abilities in a completely different environment. Long before he’d set foot in Georgia, Marshall had dreamed of traveling west to Colorado. If he did well on this project, his dream could come true. It had been the promise of helping develop a new town in Colorado that had spurred him to accept the job on Bridal Veil. Now he wished he’d asked more questions beforehand. If there were problems, it could prove to be more than he’d bargained for. He could end up losing his good name as well as the opportunity he’d been offered in Colorado.

  “I plan to use your abilities a great deal, Frank, and I want you involved in the project. In order to help, you’re going to need to have a good understanding of the plans.” Marshall hoped his words would encourage Frank to become a part of the team.

  “What about my pay? You give that to him, too?” Frank snarled the question at Mr. Morley.

  “Watch your tone with me, Frank. I’m not going to tolerate a bad attitude from you.” Victor tapped his finger on the drawings. “Right now, we’ll discuss the progress at the work site and your duties. We can talk about your wages when we’re alone.” Frank attempted to argue, but Mr. Morley held up his hand. “If what’s going on here doesn’t please you, feel free to look for work elsewhere.”

  “You know that isn’t possible. I’m expected to be here.” Jaw clenched, Frank slapped his hand on the drawings.

  Coffeepot in hand, Thora stepped into the dining room. “You lose your temper again, Mr. Baker?” She lifted a cup from the sideboard, filled it with coffee, and handed it to Mr. Morley.

  “No, ma’am. I was just pointing to a spot on this drawing and my hand slipped.”

  She set the pot on the sideboard and rested a fist on her hip. “You expect me to believe that nonsense? First you show your temper, and now you’re telling me a lie. Don’t think you’re gonna be with us for long if you keep on with your terrible behavior.” She waved toward the coffeepot. “The rest of you can help yourself to coffee if you want it. I got other work to do.”

  Mr. Morley cleared his throat. “Why don’t you give us a report, Marshall?”

  Marshall nodded and, while pointing to the drawing, explained that almost all of the land had been cleared where the main complex would be constructed. “This first drawing shows how the Bridal Veil Clubhouse will appear when completed. As you can see, the first floor will contain the main dining room, kitchen, library, billiards room, two separate parlors, and a smaller tearoom, along with the grand ballroom.”

  Stuart reached around Marshall’s shoulder. “Note that we’re leaving plenty of room to build on to the club, should the investors decide they need additional facilities in the future.”

  “That dining room is much too large.” From Frank’s smug grin, it was obvious he thought he’d located an error in the drawings. “What were you thinking, Stuart—or should I say, were you thinking when you drew up these plans?”

  Still holding his coffee cup, Mr. Morley disagreed. “You’re wrong, Frank. The dimensions are correct. Even if some of the members build their own cottages, we will all take our meals together in the main dining room. We want to establish a feeling of camaraderie among all of the members. What better way than to take our meals together and visit or play cards afterward?”

  Marshall didn’t wait for a reply from Frank. “The main stairway is in the primary foyer. There’s another stairway at the south side as well as a servants’ stairway at the rear of the building. The upper floors will be divided into suites, each with a balcony, a bathing room, a large parlor, one large bedroom, and a fireplace.”

  “What if they have children? Did you think one bedroom would be adequate for all the guests, Stuart?”
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br />   Marshall didn’t miss the fact that Frank had been directing his questions to either Victor Morley or Stuart Griggs—almost as if he could deny Marshall’s existence by refusing to speak to him. “I can answer that, Frank. The rooms will be uniform in size, although they will have doors that can be locked or unlocked to the suite on either side. That way, those with larger families can rent additional rooms. The investors agreed that this was the best method to ensure good use of the rooms as well as a feeling of equality among the members. The four upper stories will all be quite similar.”

  Frank tipped his chair until it rested on the back two legs. “How you gonna make them equal when you get a view of the river only from one side of the structure? You know they’re all gonna want a view of the water.” His smug grin had returned.

  Mr. Morley placed his coffee cup on the sideboard. “We’ve already considered that problem, Frank. It was agreed that the first guests to arrive on the island will have first choice of rooms for the season. However, none of this is of importance right now. The plans have been approved. What we need is to get the work completed.” He waved at Marshall.

  “As Mr. Morley told you earlier, we’re about ready to lay the footings, and I’ll be glad to have your help. Nothing better than having an experienced man like you helping to make sure the measurements are correct and the footings are properly placed.” Marshall hoped the bit of flattery would ease the tension that permeated the room.

  Frank dropped the chair to all four legs and stood. “Right now I think I’ll go upstairs and unpack. I’ll go down to the work site and speak to the other supervisors once I’m settled.” He’d gone only a few steps when he glanced over his shoulder. “By the way, I saw Johnson Radliff in Biscayne. Has he decided to come in on this project, or is he throwing in with the group on Jekyl?”

  Mr. Morley stiffened and paled. “I have no idea why he’s in Biscayne, but he’s not involved in this project, and he’s not involved over at Jekyl, either.”

  “Just thought you’d be interested in knowing he’s in the area,” Frank said. He smirked before he continued up the stairs.

  “If I’m not needed, I’m going to work on the plans for one of the investors’ cottages.” Stuart tapped the drawings. “I’ll leave these with you, Marshall.”

  Marshall nodded. “Right. I’ll talk to you later, Stuart.” Once the architect had departed, Marshall turned to Mr. Morley. “I’m not certain this arrangement is going to work. Frank doesn’t appear to be willing to work for me, and we’re already behind schedule.”

  Mr. Morley leaned back in his chair. “He’ll come around, Marshall. I have every confidence you’ll complete our project on time. I know that job in Colorado means a lot to you.”

  Marshall nodded and wondered if the job in Colorado was going to be waved in front of him every time they were a day or two behind schedule. “I’m going to do my best for you, Mr. Morley, but we’re going to need more laborers before long.” He motioned toward the door. “I should be heading back to work.”

  “I’ll walk along with you. There’s something else I want to discuss.”

  Marshall inhaled a deep breath. He wasn’t prepared for any more upheaval. The confrontation with Frank Baker had been enough conflict for one day. The two men headed down a winding path leading toward the work site. A group of male buntings vying for the attention of the female birds flew across the path. The birds’ bright red bodies and purple heads flashed in the morning sunlight. No doubt each one hoped to be noticed by one of the shy females that remained hidden in the live oaks.

  Marshall bent his head and passed under a low-hanging branch. “What was it you wanted to discuss? Something to do with the construction?”

  Victor shook his head. “No, it’s Boyd. I’m not certain how much you know about his condition, but I don’t think he’ll be with us by the time we’ve completed our building project. Alcohol has ruined his health, and the doctors don’t hold out much hope for him.”

  Marshall didn’t interrupt, but he was surprised Boyd had taken Mr. Morley into his confidence. Although Marshall knew Boyd had worked at the Morley residence, there was obviously a closer friendship between the two men than Marshall had imagined.

  “Boyd is very hopeful that you will remain here on the island after his death,” he said as he sat on a wooden bench and indicated that Marshall should join him. “Audrey is going to need someone strong to rely upon, and he thinks you’re the best choice. He worries about her being alone.”

  “Why me? He barely knows me.”

  “He believes you’ll provide excellent help because you can provide the understanding she’ll need.”

  It took only a moment of reflection before Marshall knew why Boyd wanted him to be present. Although Boyd’s death and the death of Marshall’s father would be completely different, the cause would be the same: excessive drinking. No doubt Audrey would experience some of the same anger that had surfaced when Marshall’s father had died. For years now, Marshall had been fighting to keep bitterness out of his heart, but it had been an uphill battle. And he didn’t know that he had the strength to help anyone else climb that mountain.

  Before he could give voice to his thoughts, Boyd approached. “Hope you fellows don’t mind if I join you.” He drew near Marshall and grasped his shoulder. “Victor told me the two of you would have your talk down here. I hope you don’t think I’m a coward for having him ask you to help me out, but my emotions get the best of me nowadays, and I didn’t want to blubber.”

  Marshall stood and offered the bench to Boyd. He couldn’t fully comprehend how Boyd must feel, but he did understand that Audrey would have difficult times ahead as she faced her father’s death.

  Boyd settled on the wooden bench. “It’s my hope that with the help of you two men, Audrey will adjust to life without me. I worry she’ll grieve too much and blame herself for things over which she’s had no control.” He swiped away a tear that escaped and trickled down his weathered cheek. “I hope you know how much I appreciate both of you. I know I’m asking a lot. It would be different if we had some family. But Thora’s the closest thing we’ve got, and she needs help herself.”

  Marshall couldn’t deny a dying man’s request, but he didn’t think Audrey would accept his help—not that he had much to offer. Still, the woman held him at a distance, and he’d been unable to figure out why.

  “Audrey will need someone to help her overcome losing me, but once she learns to lean on her heavenly Father, she’ll be just fine.” Boyd leaned forward and rested his hands on his cane. “You can show her the way, Marshall. I’m sure of that.”

  “I hope you’re right, Boyd, but I’ve already told you that it’s been only in recent months that I’ve realized my own need to trust God. Having had an unreliable father doesn’t make it easy.”

  “I know. And that’s exactly why I want you around. I’ve still got some time left, and I plan to help you all I can before I leave this earth.”

  Marshall nodded his agreement, but he doubted whether Boyd had enough time to teach him about trusting a father. And unless Audrey soon changed her attitude toward Marshall, he’d never be able to help her at all.

  Chapter 10

  Audrey couldn’t be certain whether Mr. Morley had overheard her bemoan the need for help at Bridal Fair or if her father had privately spoken to him. However, she didn’t care who or what had brought Irene Throckmorton to their front door several days previous. Audrey had simply been pleased to learn that she would have additional help. Of course, Thora hadn’t been quite so thrilled by their new arrival.

  Thora plopped her gardening basket on the front porch. “I say you can’t trust her.”

  “And I say you need to remember that the war is over and a Northern girl can launder sheets and help with meals just as well as a Southern girl.” Audrey had been defending Irene’s competence and loyalty ever since the girl set off for the washhouse a short time ago, and she was growing weary of the battle. “I don’t care if she
’s from Pennsylvania or Georgia. I’m just thankful for her help. Not only that, but she can milk a cow, and since Mr. Morley also sent along two of those for our use, I, for one, am quite grateful.”

  “It’s that kind of attitude that caused us to lose the War of Northern Aggression,” Thora said, her finger pointing at Audrey. “When you’re willing to trust anyone who crosses your path, you’re doomed for destruction.”

  “I don’t think Irene has any intention of putting too much bluing in the wash water or adding poison to our milk. She came here because we needed help and because she needed a job.”

  “And because she’s Mr. Morley’s friend—yet another Northerner. The two of them are probably in cahoots.” Thora traced her fingers through her thin white hair. “We’ll probably all be dead by the end of the week. Then there won’t be anyone to stop Mr. Morley from becoming the owner of Bridal Fair. I imagine that will make him mighty happy. ’Course we won’t be alive to see his great pleasure.”

  Audrey stepped to the edge of the porch and waved to Dr. Wahler and his daughters as they rounded the bend in the road. “I think you must stay awake at night to dream up these farfetched ideas. I do hope you never mention any of this nonsense in front of the children. You’ll frighten them out of their wits.”

  Thora shrugged. “The truth won’t scare them any more than those fairy tales they hear before going to bed every night.”

  Audrey turned on her heel to face the old woman. “But what you’ve imagined is not the truth, Aunt Thora. You shouldn’t spread fear with your outlandish tales, especially with young children.” Before she could further expand upon her concerns, the two girls ran up the path and wrapped their arms around Audrey’s legs. She bent forward to embrace their shoulders.

  “We’re going to help Aunt Thora pull weeds,” Julie said.

  “And I’m going to plant them in our yard,” Josie added.

  Thora shook her head and smiled at the girl. “We don’t plant weeds. We throw them out. It’s flowers and herbs we’re going to plant down by your cabin.”