A Path Toward Love

by Cara Lynn James

  Andrew hesitated for a split second. “Uh. Yes, sir. I think I have all I need.”

  “Andrew? What is it?” Mr. Wainwright peered at him over the rims of his spectacles. It was then that Andrew realized he’d remained awkwardly frozen in place.

  “Nothing, sir.” But this was the worst possible timing with Katherine on the verge of making such crucial decisions. “Thank you again for the opportunity,” he managed to say.

  Mr. Wainwright nodded vigorously. “I’m sure you’ll make the most of it.”

  He hoped he wouldn’t be leaving for California before Harriet got in touch. Surely the woman would arrive soon and contact Katherine with her demands. At least he could assist Katherine through that . . .

  Andrew shuffled the papers in his stack, but had difficulty concentrating. As much as he wanted to leave for California and prove his worth to Mr. Wainwright, he might have to ask for a delay if Harriet didn’t come forward soon or if she resisted a quick settlement. He’d have to talk it over with Katherine.

  Mr. Wainwright pushed his reading spectacles back to the bridge of his nose and then returned to his mail. Before long he handed Andrew a sheet of paper. “This letter arrived in the morning mail. Stuart Osborne wrote it days before the fire.” Mr. Wainwright laced his fingers and rested them on the green blotter while he waited for Andrew to read the letter.

  Andrew’s shoulders tensed as he scanned the text.

  Dear Mr. Wainwright,

  I’m writing to you, instead of Katherine, confident in the knowledge that you’ll always act in her best interest. I’m quite sure you’ll be as interested as Katherine to hear about our progress this summer. Everything is going well. I’ve located workers for the coming harvest, made arrangements for shipments, and seen to the construction of several temporary sorting sheds that will greatly enhance our processes come October.

  As you probably know, I’ve made several offers to Katherine over the last few months, but she’s turned all of them down. I can assure you I’ve offered to pay more than the groves are worth at the present time. I’m afraid my brother Charles was negligent and ignored his business to an alarming degree. Katherine toiled valiantly but was unable to produce enough fruit to make the company truly profitable. Fortunately, I have the means to invest in the groves and see them successful again.

  Sir, I hope you’ll attempt to convince Katherine to sell the groves to me as soon as possible. As per our agreement, I shall manage the operation until the end of the summer, but no longer. I strongly suggest she accept my generous offer before harvest begins.

  Please convey my offer to Katherine once again, along with my deepest regards.

  Sincerely,

  Stuart Osborne

  Andrew looked at the amount. “It’s a handsome offer.”

  Stuart’s offer was reasonable, and Katherine ought to accept. Between the specter of Charles’s old loan, the loan from her father for cash, and now the cost to rebuild, she really didn’t have another option. He pitied her for the mess she’d inherited.

  Mr. Wainwright’s shaggy gray brows drew together. “Osborne is likely motivated by legacy. He wants his father’s old company. But he’s not a sentimental fool. He wants them because he can clearly see profit on the horizon.” He glanced toward the window and then back to Andrew. “Do you believe she should sell?”

  Mr. Wainwright expected him to fall in line, but Andrew couldn’t hold back his honest opinion. “Katherine’s only options are to return to her groves and harvest the crop, or sell. I’m afraid I don’t know which she’ll choose. Practicality demands she accept his offer, even if he reduces it after the fire. But,” he said, clearing his throat, “I do believe in following one’s heart, sir. If she could persevere, find the way to make it through the next five years, she might enjoy some of that profitability that Osborne sees on the horizon.” His mouth went as dry and gritty as sand. “As much as Osborne would like you to press Katherine to a decision, I don’t think she’d react favorably to it. She already feels an exorbitant amount of pressure.”

  His boss nodded slowly, clearly agitated by his answer. “My daughter trusts you, Andrew. Could you not persuade her it’s in her best interest to sell? I’d be beholden to you. In fact,” he said, fiddling with his pen a moment, “I’d even be willing to consider you heading our legal department when Mr. Heisler retires at the end of the year.”

  Andrew stared hard at him, wondering if he’d heard correctly. Heading up the department? “I’m overwhelmed, sir, and very grateful.” This would be a big promotion, one he was ready for. But to influence Katherine . . . he wasn’t sure he could or should even try when running the groves meant so much to her. And yet, such a promotion, with the accompanying salary . . . Andrew’s heart leaped. He’d become a man of respectable means. He might even be able to court Katherine himself! “I’ll speak to her, if you wish.”

  Mr. Wainwright nodded. He knew he held him in his grip. “Excellent.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Andrew returned the letter to his boss, his hand far from steady. He’d coveted a promotion for as long as he could remember. William Wainwright was a generous employer and a fair man, but in this case, it was clear he was employing all means available to him for his daughter’s sake.

  Andrew glanced at Mr. Wainwright’s features, crinkled with age and weariness, as if the world’s pain had finally wounded him and his family. Andrew knew for certain his own future depended upon his success with Katherine over this matter. His stomach tumbled with nausea.

  Mr. Wainwright shook off his melancholy and snorted loudly. “She’s a mulish girl, isn’t she? Katherine makes reckless decisions and probably lives to regret the worst of them. But she has courage.”

  Andrew suppressed a dry smile. Mr. Wainwright understood his daughter far better than most fathers. “I admire her determination. I even respect her for trying her hand at running the company. I’m not one bit surprised it was more than she could handle, but by golly, she deserves credit for trying. It’s astonishing for a girl to take on a large business.”

  A look of pride mingled with frustration played for dominance in Mr. Wainwright’s jowly face. No doubt he saw Katherine as a chip off the old block. “I’m going out on my boat.” He hefted himself up and walked toward the door, pausing there a moment. “You know, Andrew, it’s harder to manage a family than a railroad.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Outside on the veranda, Andrew waited for Katherine to finish reading Stuart’s letter. From the stony look in her eyes, he knew exactly what she thought of her brother-in-law’s latest offer.

  She stood and leaned against the porch railing. “Why won’t Stuart give up?”

  “It’s a decent offer, Katherine. Especially with all you face, wouldn’t it be wise to reconsider?”

  Her eyes flashed an icy blue. “Not you too, Andrew! Stuart’s gone to Papa because he knows my father will pressure me to sell. But I’m not interested.” She pushed a long tendril of hair, loosened by the breeze, behind her ear.

  Andrew nodded. “I understand your feelings. But consider how much easier your life would be if you didn’t suffer any further financial strain. You could be free, Katherine.” Free to accept any suitor you wished.

  She grimaced. “You’re right, but you’ve forgotten how much I enjoy the business. Even now, I long to be back among the citrus trees, watching as the oranges grow fat upon the limbs . . .” She closed her eyes, as if going there in her mind.

  He remained silent while a group of guests passed by, wandering down toward the lake.

  Katherine folded the letter and shoved it into her skirt pocket, sighed, and then leveled a stare in his direction. “Papa put you up to this, didn’t he?”

  “He asked me to speak to you, and I agreed.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Tell me your honest opinion, Andrew. If you were in my position, what would you do?”

  He hesitated a moment. “I’d do what seemed right,” he said. “Whatever made me happiest. Only
you know the answer.”

  “Thank you for not pushing me.” Her eyes narrowed as she appraised him. “What did Papa offer you, to attempt influence?”

  Shame rose inside him and he suffered from deep regret. “A promotion, I’m afraid. Forgive me, Katherine.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “It’s all right, Andrew. Don’t look so embarrassed. I don’t blame you for trying. No one crosses either one of my parents and gets away with it for long.”

  “Yet you’re trying.”

  She snorted softly. “It helps that I’m their daughter, not an employee.” She looked out to the water again. “My parents want a very different life for me than the one I envision for myself. I’m drawn to both. Yet I can only have one or the other.”

  He swallowed his reticence before he asked, “And what about Randy? How does he fit into your plans now?” Could he possibly manage to obtain the promotion and the girl? Convince her that he loved her far more than Randy ever might? He chastised himself for his wild imaginings.

  Katherine took her time answering. “Most people settle for what’s practical. But I still have romantic notions about what a marriage might look like, were I to ever venture into such territory again.” She glanced at him guiltily and blushed. “But I’m afraid my parents are forcing me to give up my idealism. Oh, Andrew, I so hate to tell you this, but I can’t keep it from you any longer.” She breathed deeply. “Papa offered to reconstruct all the destroyed buildings if I agreed to a serious courtship with Randy.”

  His eyes widened. “No, Katherine. Please tell me you’re joking.”

  “I had no choice. But it’s not a formal engagement. We’re only courting, getting to know each other better.”

  Andrew shook his head. “You already know everything there is to know about Randy. Your parents will expect to announce an engagement by fall. Katherine, I can’t tell you how disappointed and sorry I am to hear this. But I understand the awkward position you’re in.” At the same time he fought the impulse to take her in his arms and protect her from the machinations of her family.

  “I haven’t told Randy yet and I won’t until I get used to the idea.”

  “Katherine, please don’t jump into marriage unless you’re sure it’s right. You must really be in love.”

  “I believe the same as you do,” she returned steadily. “Marriage must be based on genuine love. And both people ought to be ready. I still have to completely recover from Charles’s . . .infidelity . . . before I can go forward. I’m still learning to forgive and forget.”

  He nodded, hopeful she’d hold firm and not rush.

  She stared at him, and several long seconds ticked by. “We’re a lot alike.”

  Was it his imagination again, or had some hidden, inner door within her heart just swung open?

  On Sunday morning, Katherine, Andrew, and several of the Camp Birchwood guests took the steam yacht to the Church of the Good Shepherd on St. Hubert’s Isle. The small stick-style chapel had been built over twenty years ago for the summer people.

  Katherine sidestepped into a pew between Andrew and Aunt Letty, even though Mama scowled at her from beneath the wide brim of her feathery hat. The rest of the family and some of her parents’ friends filed in beside them. Katherine felt relief that the Clarkes hadn’t come along. She flinched every time Randy greeted her with a quizzical glance. He’d no doubt heard she’d reconsidered his idea of courting and would be accepting soon. He must wonder why she was waiting.

  But Katherine understood she couldn’t delay much longer without fraying everyone’s patience. Yet her heart didn’t belong to Randy, and so far, nothing had convinced her that it should. Still, she kept seeking God’s will for her life, her heart, her vocation, praying day and night. But the only thing she could sense was the desire to not make any decision at all. Could God be asking her to wait?

  The warm morning and cozy little chapel seemed to ease away thoughts of the groves, of Randy, of her parents, and even of Harriet. But as the pastor droned on in his sermon, Katherine’s mind drifted like a twig on a river. It wasn’t until the pastor intoned Matthew’s words that she paid attention again, startled. “I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Love your enemies. Her chest prickled with guilt at the convicting words. How could she possibly love the woman who stole her husband and ruined her happiness? She didn’t despise Harriet Roles any longer, but she was nowhere near loving her. Anger still burned inside, even though she yearned to be free of it. The Lord had much work to do in her heart to make forgiveness and love possible.

  Andrew glanced sideways and Katherine feared he’d detect all her changes in emotion. His constant scrutiny unnerved her, yet gratitude rose from deep within. He steadied her with his common sense and wise counsel, his constant care. Thank You, Lord, for sending me Andrew. I couldn’t do without him.

  She closed her eyes. What was she thinking? After she committed to Randy, Andrew would have to fade from her life as Randy gradually assumed his role of confidant and best friend.

  Only she couldn’t picture Randy caring enough to fill Andrew’s position.

  So why did You bring Andrew back into my life, Lord?

  The answer came immediately. Of course. The Lord sent him as a temporary helper for this very time. Then their lives would diverge, and they’d each go their separate ways.

  But then, why did her heart flutter whenever they spoke alone? Why did his opinion matter so much? She loved to be around him, sharing her thoughts and listening to his. If only Andrew wasn’t so attractive and helpful . . . it’d help her keep her mind and heart firmly on friendship, rather than darting to something more.

  Everyone stood for the last hymn. Opening the thick hymnbook she shared with Aunt Letty, Katherine stole a glance at him. He sang with enthusiasm and looked so engrossed in the written words, she knew he believed them with all his being. And so did she. They had more in common than any other couple she knew.

  Pity they couldn’t draw any closer without endangering their hearts and throwing their futures into chaos.

  Early the next morning Katherine and Aunt Letty arrived at the boathouse and found a dozen or more of the Birchwood guests already boarding canoes, rowboats, and Adirondack guide boats.

  “I’m looking forward to catching some trout and walleye.” Aunt Letty rubbed her palms in anticipation. “Thank you for taking me, Katherine. Cook always appreciates fresh fish for luncheon.”

  “My pleasure.” Katherine shivered in the morning chill despite a shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

  “It might’ve been better to fish for walleye at night, but maybe we’ll be lucky,” Aunt Letty said.

  As the rest of the group shoved off, she picked up a box of bait and headed for the remaining boat with her great-aunt.

  “Let’s take a guide boat,” Katherine suggested as she gathered fishing equipment from the boathouse.

  They boarded the canoe-like boat that was light enough for hunters and fishermen to easily carry over land. Katherine rowed out into the calm gray-blue water.

  In another hour or so the sun would rise high above the mountains and shower light and warmth over the lake and forest. But now the water reflected the mountains in a greenish distortion that reminded her of a Monet painting. Not one breath of air rippled the water’s glassy surface or stirred the tree branches dipping over the shoreline. Everything was hushed except for the occasional twitter of robins and the sound of oars and paddles dipping into the water. Gradually each boat headed off in its own direction in pursuit of a leisurely sightseeing journey or a fishing expedition.

  Katherine rowed in the opposite direction to a cove where she hoped the fish were biting. Aunt Letty baited the hooks with live minnows, and then they dropped their lines into the water and waited.

  “The water’s a little too clear for us to catch walleye, but maybe a trout will swim by,” Katherine said as she rel
axed.

  Aunt Letty didn’t relax at all. She cast her line, reeled it in slowly, and then cast it again. Katherine had to smile at her aunt’s determination. As she maneuvered her rod back and forth, she looked at Katherine.

  “Have you reached a decision about your citrus groves, my dear?” Her great-aunt’s voice was as quiet as the morning stillness.

  Katherine shook her head. “I’m going to return to Florida, but I’m afraid the combined debts might just put me under, Auntie.”

  “Oh dear. I don’t suppose you’d want to ask your father.”

  Katherine shook her head. “My goodness, no. He’s already helped me a great deal. But what remains . . . I don’t even want him or Mama to know about it. It’s too humiliating.”

  “Oh dear, this is quite a problem.”

  “I’m afraid so. There is the hope that I could catch up after the harvest on all the various debts. If the crop is good, I can at least catch up on the delinquent payments.”

  “Oh my dear, that sounds like such a tremendous burden!”

  Katherine explained about the bank loan Charles had taken out for the business and had squandered on his own pleasures. “I’m feeling overwhelmed,” she admitted. “In the end, I may have to sell, although I refuse to give up the fight yet. I keep hoping something miraculous will happen.”

  “I’m so sorry, my dear. I do wish I could help.” Aunt Letty’s frown added several years to her age.

  Katherine forced a small smile. “Andrew wishes he could too. But there’s really nothing to be done. If I sell, I can pay off the bank. But I won’t have much money left to live on my own, at least not for long.” She looked out to the water. “I’d end up returning to Mama and Papa. And they’d pressure me to marry Randy as soon as possible.”

  “No matter how much your parents badger you, the decision to marry is most important, dear one. Doubly so, after your terrible experience with Charles.” Aunt Letty inhaled deeply, let her bait settle for a moment, and then leaned back in the cane chair. “You’ve said before you didn’t have any desire to marry again. But I wonder if you’re more opposed to Randy than to marriage itself.” She raised her palm. “Not that you don’t like him as a dear friend. You simply can’t envision him as a husband. Am I right?”