To Have and To Hold

by Tracie Peterson

  “Do you love Audrey?”

  “I . . . I . . . I care for her, but I can’t say for certain that I love her. Not yet. There never seems enough time for us to be alone. And when there is, she’s with Dr. Wahler or Frank Baker.”

  Mr. Morley chuckled. “The jealousy I hear in your voice sure makes you sound like a man in love, but I won’t argue with you. I will tell you that it’s best to follow your heart when it comes to love.”

  Marshall arched his brows. If Audrey decided to remain on Bridal Veil, that would mean giving up the Colorado project. Surely Mr. Morley didn’t think he could so easily push aside such an opportunity.

  Before there was time to question Mr. Morley further, the front door opened and Audrey stepped outside. “Mr. Morley! I didn’t know you’d arrived. Father’s been asking when you might come for a visit.”

  “I was just going to come inside. I want to change clothes before going to take a look at the construction site.” He glanced at Marshall. “I’ll take a minute to say hello to Boyd, and then we can be on our way.”

  “I’ll wait out here. Care to join me, Audrey? It’s a beautiful day.”

  She hesitated a moment. “It is a beautiful day, but I need to go help with the laundry while Father is resting.”

  “I don’t think Irene would mind if you took a few minutes for yourself.”

  Audrey shook her head. “Irene’s already had to take over too many of my duties. I can’t sit idle while she’s working. It wouldn’t be fair.”

  Marshall shrugged a shoulder. “Seems you’re willing to take time to visit with Dr. Wahler when he comes calling.”

  She whirled around, her lips pressed in a tight thin line and the golden fleck in her eyes dancing with fire. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “N-n-nothing. Forget I mentioned it. You have a right to spend your time however you please.”

  “You’re absolutely correct on that account!”

  Audrey yanked open the door and let it slam behind her. The sound of heavy footsteps clapping down the hallway emphasized what he already knew: He’d spoken without thinking. He dropped back into a chair and rubbed his forehead. Would he ever understand how to talk to a woman?

  Chapter 15

  When Mr. Morley returned to the front porch a short time later, Marshall was still confused about Audrey as well as his future. He jumped to his feet, glad to get away from the house and have something other than Audrey to fill his thoughts. “I think you’re going to be surprised to see how much has been accomplished since your last visit. The bricklayers and stonemasons you hired in Pittsburgh have been a real help. They’ve even been training some of the other men.”

  Mr. Morley clapped him on the shoulder. “Glad to hear that. I imagine those fellows will want to return to Pittsburgh to visit their families from time to time, and we’ll want the work to continue at a regular pace.”

  As they neared the clearing and the construction site came into view, Marshall cupped his hand above his eyes. Leaving Mr. Morley to keep up with him, Marshall picked up his pace. “What’s going on?” he shouted, now at a full run.

  Except for the workers who had arrived from Pittsburgh and a few of the other workers, most of the men were lounging beneath trees that bordered one side of the clubhouse. Frank Baker sat among them, his laughter ringing out louder than the rest. Although Frank glanced in his direction, he didn’t answer, and he didn’t get up. None of the workers appeared worried that he’d discovered them lounging about instead of working.

  Marshall bent from the waist and panted for air. When he’d finally regained his ability to breathe at a somewhat normal rate, he pointed at the men. “Why aren’t you working? We’ve finally gotten back on schedule, and now I find you lounging around as if the building is already completed.” He turned an angry glare at Frank. “And why have you allowed this to happen?” Before Frank could answer, Marshall waved at the men. “All of you! Get back to work, right now!”

  His shouted command echoed in the crisp autumn air, but the men didn’t move an inch. He clenched his jaw, his frustration mounting as Mr. Morley approached the group. The older man frowned at the men. “I’ve been told you’re making good progress on the construction.” He studied the completed foundation for a moment. “And I can see that’s true, but I don’t understand why none of you men are working.” He looked directly at Frank. “Care to explain?”

  Moving ever so slowly, Frank pushed to his feet and extended his hand to Mr. Morley. “Truth of the matter is, these men aren’t feeling real comfortable working here right now. Not after what one of them discovered earlier this morning.”

  Marshall moved closer. “And exactly what was that?”

  Ignoring Marshall’s question, Frank stepped closer to Mr. Morley. “Don’t know if you realize it, but lots of Southerners can be mighty superstitious, and I’m afraid we got the superstitious type working here at the clubhouse. I think it’s gonna take a whole lot of convincing to get ’em back to work.”

  Mr. Morley motioned Frank and Marshall away from the group of men. “Why don’t you tell us exactly what caused this sudden behavior, Frank.”

  Turning his back to Marshall, Frank motioned toward the clubhouse. “One of the men went inside this morning and discovered some bones.”

  Mr. Morley stiffened. “Human bones?”

  “Can’t say for sure, but they look like they could be. Soon as Joe—that’s the fella that found the bones—soon as he came upon those bones, a bird flew overhead and then landed beside the bones.”

  Marshall sighed. Such nonsense. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

  “A sure sign of death if they continue working. They’re not about to go back until something’s done.”

  “Like what?” Marshall hadn’t meant to shout, but he was having trouble controlling his anger. He didn’t know what annoyed him more—the men sitting around or Frank ignoring him.

  Frank shrugged as he finally turned to look at Marshall. “Guess that would be your problem to solve. You’re the project manager.” He smirked and folded his arms across his chest. Marshall didn’t miss the evil gleam in his eyes.

  Mr. Morley strode across the dirt and rubble and tipped his hat at the workers. “Good morning, men. I hear there’s some concern about returning to your duties. Care to tell me how we can solve this problem?”

  After murmuring among themselves, one of the men stood. “We’re thinkin’ you’re gonna have to find someone to break the spell ’fore any of us is gonna commence to working agin.”

  Marshall didn’t know if he should be thankful for the older man’s help or resent the fact that he hadn’t given him the opportunity to solve the dilemma on his own. If the men looked to someone else to solve their problems, Marshall would never gain their respect. He’d already had enough difficulty trying to convince them he was in charge rather than Frank.

  He drew closer to the men. “Why don’t all of you gather around and we’ll pray. I’ll ask for God’s protection over all of you while you continue working here on the island.” He hoped his enthusiastic offer would result in their agreement.

  One of the workers leaning against a tree trunk shook his head. “You go ahead and pray if you want, but it’s gonna take more than a prayer to get us back to work.” He nudged one of the other men. “Right, fellas?”

  They looked like chickens pecking the ground as they bobbed their heads in unison. Marshall couldn’t decide whether to laugh or to bellow at the men. He doubted either would be effective. He strode toward them and came to a halt beside Joe. “I can’t help if you don’t tell me what needs to be done.” He waved his arm in a wide circle that encompassed all of the men. “I’m pretty certain all of you need to earn money, especially those of you with families. I’d say it’s best for all of us to get this taken care of as soon as possible.”

  He hoped mention of pay would prove persuasive with some of the men. Finally, one of the laborers stood and ambled toward him. “You gotta find someone
with the power to remove the curse.”

  Marshall waited for further explanation, but none was forthcoming. He sighed. “Exactly where would I find such a person?”

  “Only one I know of is Ole Blue Lightnin’. ’Course I don’t know how you’d go ’bout finding him.”

  Marshall didn’t know if Ole Blue Lightnin’ was man or beast, but if that’s what it was going to take to get the men back to work, he knew he’d better find out—and fast. “You must have some idea. Otherwise, how do you know this Blue Lightning even exists?”

  A chorus of gasps erupted, and Marshall took a backward step as the men jumped to their feet and shouted at him.

  Frank tipped his hat to the back of his head and grinned. “Now you really got ’em riled up with your disbelieving ways.”

  Marshall ignored Frank. “Settle down and let’s try to reason together. I need you back at work, and you need your pay. Right?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “So for all of us to get what we need, I’m giving you the rest of the day off to try to find Ole Blue and bring him back here to take care of this curse. Are we agreed?”

  The men looked at each other and nodded as Joe stepped forward. “We’ll see what we can do, but ain’t no guarantees.”

  “There’s no guarantee on your pay, either, so keep that in mind while you’re looking. And if you decide prayer might work better than Ole Blue, just let me know. I think the power of God will do more for you than Ole Blue.”

  The men walked off, obviously unaffected by his final comment. Mr. Morley’s visit wasn’t going as he’d planned. Not by a long shot.

  With a smirk as wide as the Argosy River spread across his face, Frank leaned against one of the trees. “Looks like you’re gonna fall behind schedule again, Marshall.” He shoved a piece of dry marsh grass between his teeth. “Too bad.”

  Marshall glowered at him. “Instead of standing around doing nothing, I think you better get over to the clubhouse and lend a hand. After all, you’ve got plenty of experience. Or did that curse include you, too?”

  “Come, Marshall,” Morley said. “Show me what’s been completed and then you’d better see what you can do about locating this Ole Blue fellow.” Mr. Morley strode past Frank and called over his shoulder. “If that curse included you, Frank, you can pack your bags and head back home. Otherwise, I suggest you do as your project manager ordered.”

  From the scowl on Frank’s face, Marshall thought maybe he would decide to leave. Would the assistant manager’s departure halt the problems that gave rise at every turn? Marshall pushed the thought aside, and though he did his best to point out all of the progress and give a positive report to Mr. Morley, the idea of locating Ole Blue Lightning wasn’t far from his mind. “The foundation is in good shape and I had hoped we would begin work on the first floor tomorrow.”

  “It is looking quite—”

  Shouts of alarm came from the rear of the building site, and several men raced toward them, shouting for the doctor. Marshall grabbed one of the men by the arm. “What’s happened?”

  Fear shone in the man’s eyes. “One of the men fell off the foundation wall into the basement. He’s hurt bad. Landed hard and hit his head on one of the stone walls. He needs a doctor.”

  Marshall raced to a far oak tree where an emergency bell had been tied to one of the upper branches. He grabbed the heavy rope and yanked with all his might. Waving to the worker who had delivered the news, he motioned toward the path. “You watch for the doctor. If you don’t see him coming in a couple minutes, ring that bell again. I’m going back to see how . . .” He hesitated. “What’s the man’s name who’s been injured?”

  “Jonas. Jonas Fuller.”

  “I’m going back to see if I can lend a hand with Jonas. Keep your eye peeled for the doctor. You hear me?” Terror strained his voice as he attempted to remain calm. Panic wouldn’t help.

  Dr. Wahler declared the injured worker would eventually heal. He’d suffered a blow to the head and a broken leg that would mend over time, but the doctor ordered that Jonas be transported to a hospital in Savannah for further treatment of the injuries. He also suggested someone accompany the young man to the hospital.

  Since work had all but come to a standstill, Mr. Morley announced that he would accompany the young man as far as Savannah and then return home to tend to his investment business. “Get out there and locate that Blue Lightning fellow. I’ll expect to hear as soon as work has commenced at full force,” he’d told Marshall before he boarded the launch.

  Marshall hadn’t needed the instruction. The accident had reinforced the workers’ opinion that the curse was real. Wages or not, they wouldn’t return to work until the curse had been lifted. Marshall had no choice: He had to locate Ole Blue Lightning.

  Chapter 16

  Audrey’s life now consisted of watching and waiting. She watched her father’s health decline, and she waited for Marshall to find Ole Blue Lightning. She felt powerless to help either of them. In spite of reports that several men were spending each day searching for the man who could remove the dreaded curse, no one could report any success, and Marshall said he doubted the men were truly looking.

  Audrey’s father continued to assure her that he was prepared to die. Yet she wasn’t so sure. He seemed to be holding on for some reason beyond her understanding. Though Dr. Wahler expressed surprise that her father continued to cling to life, Audrey was thankful for each extra hour with him.

  The late afternoon sun glistened on the windowsill as Audrey drew a chair close to her father’s bedside and grasped his hand. In spite of the warm, glowing embers in the fireplace, a cool clamminess pervaded his body. Bones left bare of muscle and fat protruded from beneath the pale skin that once stretched across broad shoulders. Shoulders that had balanced her high in the air as a little girl. Shoulders that had supported the weight of lumber and brick at construction sites. Shoulders that had sagged low with grief when her mother died.

  Placing his hand beneath the covers, she brushed strands of hair from his forehead. His eyelids flickered, but instead of revealing his familiar sparkling gray eyes, she was met with a rheumy, glazed stare.

  Her heart heaved with sorrow at the sight of him—a once strong and virile man brought to this low state. Why, Lord? Why must he suffer so? In spite of her best efforts to remain brave, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Don’t cry for me, Audrey. I’m going to be just fine.”

  She startled at the sound of his voice, surprised at his unexpected burst of strength. Did he truly believe he was going to be fine? Perhaps he was having one of those delusional episodes Dr. Wahler had mentioned several days ago. The ones that sometimes occurred shortly before death.

  Audrey wasn’t certain how to respond. She didn’t want to destroy her father’s will to live, but she was opposed to giving him false hope. Dr. Wahler had been honest with her: There was no cure for her father.

  “I’m pleased to know that you’re going to get well, Father, but . . .”

  Wisps of hair fanned across her father’s forehead as he moved his head back and forth. “I understand I’m not going to get well, Audrey. I was trying to tell you that I’m ready for death to come—ready to see your mother again, ready for heaven.” He wheezed as he inhaled a lungful of air.

  “Don’t try to talk, Father. It’s too difficult.”

  “I must talk. There are a few things I want to tell you before I die, so listen carefully.” His eyes fluttered at half-mast before he managed to once again hold them open.

  “If it’s easier, you can whisper.” She scooted to the edge of her chair and leaned close.

  “I want you to marry and enjoy life. I don’t want to die thinking you’re going to turn into a withered old prune that lives the rest of her life alone, dressed in black, because she won’t turn loose her heart.”

  “I must say that you haven’t lost your way with words. If that statement doesn’t convince me to seek a husband, I don’t know what will.” Audrey grinned
at him and shook her head.

  “I’m serious about this, Audrey. I want you to promise me that you’ll open your heart to the love of a good man.” With a trembling hand, he clasped her arm.

  She placed her hand atop his and looked into his eyes. “If a good man can be found, then you have my word that I will open my heart to love.”

  Her father shifted beneath the covers, grimacing against the pain. “Don’t be foolish, Audrey. You’ve been surrounded by good men. Open your eyes, along with your heart, and you’ll see the love that waits for you.” He panted and gave soft moaning sounds as he exhaled. “Don’t live . . . without love.”

  Her father’s eyes drifted closed, and he slipped into a restless sleep. She touched his cheek then leaned back against the chair and closed her eyes.

  “God, I hate to see him suffer. . . . Please ease his pain.”

  Audrey didn’t know how long she’d been sleeping when Dr. Wahler tapped her on the shoulder. “You should go and get some rest. I’ve examined him, and it appears he’s slipped into what may be a permanent state of unconsciousness. Although he may awaken. I’ve seen it before, and he’s already lived much longer than I’d expected.” He helped her to her feet. “I’ll stay with your father for a while.”

  Her gaze settled on her father, his complexion almost as white as the sheet that covered him. “No. I want to—”

  “I’m the doctor, Audrey. You need your rest, or you’ll be no good to yourself or to your father. Please go and rest. I promise to come and get you if there’s any change in his condition.”

  She hesitated for only a moment. “If you promise.”

  Dr. Wahler’s reassurance was all she needed. After kissing her father on the cheek, Audrey took halting steps toward the stairway. She’d gone only a short distance when she turned around. “You promise to send for me if there’s any change?”

  He waved her onward. “I’ve already given you my promise. Please. Get some rest.”