A Path Toward Love

by Cara Lynn James

  “Yes. I used to take care of the Hall children in Brooksville. I accepted the position when I lived in New York City with my aunt and uncle. After Mr. Hall bought citrus groves in central Florida, we all moved south.”

  “And that’s where you met my husband?” Katherine asked, her throat so constricted she sounded hoarse.

  Harriet lifted her chin. “Yes, only he wasn’t your husband then.”

  Blushing, Katherine continued, “Yes, I understand. When I married Charles I didn’t know he’d had a previous relationship—and a child.” She’d never have married him if she’d learned he and his mistress had an affair, let alone one that produced a son. She wasn’t at all surprised Charles hadn’t bothered to tell her. “Miss Roles, I think I’d like to speak to you about Zeke’s support now.”

  Harriet nodded, the muscles in her face tightening.

  “I have no obligation to turn over any funds, as you know. Charles never made any provision for the boy’s welfare. So the decision falls to me.”

  Harriet tensed and waited, wringing her hands. Katherine noted the desperation in her eyes and felt an unexpected surge of grudging sympathy for the woman. Taking a deep breath, Katherine cleared the emotion from her voice. “You may not know this, but Charles left me almost no money. He squandered everything we had on gambling and what I can only assume was support for you. So to help, I’d need to give you something from my own savings, which I assure you, at this point is extremely limited.”

  Harriet’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Oh, I didn’t know that. But what about your family? Surely they could help.”

  Katherine gave a dry laugh. “Miss Roles, if my father thought you suggested he contribute even a penny, he’d use his considerable influence against you. He’d be unhappy to know I’m here speaking with you.” Furious, in fact.

  Harriet’s shoulders slumped and she seemed to wilt. “I see. I didn’t mean to imply he ought to help me. But I’m down to my last few dollars, and as I said, I have no job prospects. Maybe you don’t think I deserve anything, but surely you’d like Charles’s son to have a roof over his head.” She sighed softly. “I have no idea how much money it will take to raise Zeke, but I’m sure two thousand dollars should be enough to see us through his childhood.”

  Katherine gaped at the woman, dumbstruck. That wasn’t a fortune for most of her contemporaries at Camp Birchwood, but for her it was totally impossible. Especially on top of meeting the bank’s demand at month’s end. But if she refused? “That’s a large sum. But I’ll consult with my attorney and get back with you as quickly as I can. I’m sure you must be eager to return to New York as soon as possible. Please excuse me, Miss Roles. I must be on my way.”

  Katherine rose on shaky legs and hurried to her rowboat, anxious to leave Harriet far behind. The woman had a terrible nerve asking for an enormous sum of money when she’d ruined Katherine’s life. It would serve Harriet right if she didn’t give her a cent. Katherine stumbled as she scrambled into her boat, her only thought that she had to talk to Andrew as soon as possible.

  After half an hour passed, Andrew gave up his struggle to focus on his upcoming trip. What was the point of reading the same words over and over without comprehending them? He had plenty of time to go through these papers again. As far as he knew, he could still leave any day.

  Finding the backyard deserted except for Aunt Letty resting in a Muskoka chair, he strolled in her direction. “May I join you, Aunt Letty?”

  “Yes, yes, my dear.”

  He sat down beside her, pleased with the view of the wooded lawn, pier, and lake before them. They’d see Katherine as soon as she arrived.

  The elderly lady chuckled. “I must have dozed off. I’m so glad you happened by. I’ve been meaning to speak to you.”

  “About Katherine? I was shocked she turned down the loan. It appears she’s decided she’d rather marry Randy than return to her business.”

  Letty tilted her head and glanced at Andrew with questioning eyes. “She feels she must work her own way out of her mess. And I’m afraid we weren’t very convincing.” She shook her head dolefully and then looked out to the lake. “Tell me, Andrew. Does she confide in you?”

  He nodded. For good or for ill, she told him much of what lay on her heart. More than she should, though certainly not everything. “Yes. I try to help her sort things out, but as you mentioned, for the most part, she wants to make her own decisions.” He shrugged. “Maybe it’s from running the citrus groves on her own these last years. She’s accustomed to keeping her own counsel.”

  “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”

  “Which part?”

  Aunt Letty stared deep into his eyes, and he feared even deeper into his heart. “Don’t you think she ought to confide in her fiancé? It’s Randy’s place to help her now, not yours, my dear friend.” Aunt Letty spoke softly and gently, but her words stung because Andrew knew she was right.

  It was time for him to abdicate his role as advisor. It would hurt like crazy to back away when she sought him out, but he would. And he’d try to do it with a measure of grace.

  “Yes, I see she should confide in Randy, not me.”

  “But she doesn’t wish to, does she?” Aunt Letty asked, lifting an eyebrow.

  Andrew shook his head. “Apparently not.”

  Letty gripped his hand. “Don’t you see? She’s so in love with you, it never occurs to her to talk to Randy about her troubles. Katherine instinctively runs to you. Or perhaps she just won’t admit to herself that you’re the one who listens to her and cares for her. Admitting she relies on you would throw her life into total chaos, and she doesn’t want any more turmoil after all she’s endured.”

  Andrew didn’t trust his voice. “Do you really believe she loves me?” he whispered. Just as he expected, he sounded lovelorn and pathetic. He couldn’t conceal his feelings on this matter, no matter how hard he tried.

  “I do, indeed. And I think you should pursue Katherine and convince her to marry you. Oh, I know you’re afraid she’ll turn you down. Don’t look so skeptical. I can tell you’re about to list all the reasons why marriage to Katherine can’t work out. But I’m here to tell you, it can if you both want it enough.”

  Speechless at her encouragement, he sat still, mouth agape. She was the first and only one in the Wainwright family to offer any support.

  Thoughts of Isabelle Wainwright and his aunt filled his head. He’d hate to cross swords with either of those formidable matrons, let alone Mr. Wainwright. He knew he was right on the verge of losing his position, given that he continued to see Katherine every time he could. A cold chill ran through his veins. He’d never been a fool, and he wasn’t about to start being one now—at least not without a word of encouragement from Katherine herself.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Katherine rowed until her arms ached. Blisters rubbed between her fingers, but she kept pulling back on the oars with all the strength she had. Slowly the stress from facing Harriet eased.

  Certainly Andrew would advise her about how to handle Harriet. At least he understood her predicament, when no one else did. Papa would take care of the problem in a flash and she’d never have to give Harriet another thought, but she feared he’d somehow damage her and her son in the process. None of this was Zeke’s fault, and he shouldn’t have to pay the price for his parents’ sins. The turmoil inside her didn’t reflect her charitable impulse, but she’d ignore her roiling feelings in favor of a clear conscience. She had to remember she was doing the right thing and not waver.

  She found Andrew awaiting her on the pier. The knots in her heart tightened. What does this mean, Lord? Are You trying to tell me something? Should I rely on him? He’s always here when I need him. Her head hurt from too much thinking, and her heart was crushed from colliding emotions. Yet she had to deal with this situation with Harriet, the last troubled remnant from her marriage. And then she’d be free from her past.

  Andrew paced the pier as she rowed toward sh
ore and waved. When she beached the rowboat on the rocky soil beside the dock, he rushed to help her. He pulled the craft to shore. His face looked grim, his blond hair askew. During the last few weeks he’d lost his calm, quiet demeanor and that interesting hint of sardonic amusement only somewhat concealed behind his self-assured mask. He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up even more.

  Helping her up to the pier, he asked, “Tell me, what did Harriet say? Does she still want money? Did you agree on an amount?”

  Katherine gave a short, dry laugh. “She wants two thousand dollars. Of course I didn’t agree to that. I said I had to speak to my attorney.”

  “Good. Let’s take a walk, so we won’t be disturbed.” Glancing sideways, his smile looked crooked.

  They settled onto a path that led through a thick stand of trees, affording some privacy. The light scent of Andrew’s aftershave distracted her for a moment.

  “Katherine, tell me—where did you envision finding any funds at all to give Miss Roles?”

  Desperate, wild thoughts immediately brought her to her courtship. Randy had enough in his own right for the two of them to live comfortably. When they married, both sets of joyous and relieved parents would contribute generously to the coffers. Was God telling her to cease her resistance and find solace in financial relief, if not love?

  “It will leave me with precious little, but I could give her five hundred dollars now. After the harvest, I could contribute more.”

  “It sounds like your harvest is getting parsed into more and more coffers,” he said, giving her a rueful smile. “But five hundred would definitely keep the wolves at bay for a time. And I wouldn’t offer her more than one thousand from the harvest. It’s more than enough to bring up the child. Not in grand style, for certain. But not in poverty either.”

  She considered that. “I appreciate your advice, Andrew. But I don’t want to cheat on my charity,” she said. “Let’s offer her five hundred now, one thousand come harvest, and another five hundred when he graduates high school. It will be meeting her wishes, in a way, but will encourage the boy to make something of himself.”

  He nodded, his eyes full of admiration. “That’s very generous of you. I’ll draw up an agreement—and stipulate that she must not request any more money from you in the future. She must leave you be, or she will not see the final payment upon Zeke’s graduation.”

  She gave a grim smile. “I’m looking forward to it being done.”

  He nodded as if he understood perfectly.

  “Andrew, please promise me you won’t tell my father about these arrangements. I’ve decided what to do and I don’t want my parents to consider it their obligation to counsel me. You know how distressed they get when I don’t take their advice. This is a private matter, so there’s no need for them to be involved.”

  “I wasn’t planning on telling them anything. That’s up to you, not me. When will you meet with Harriet again?” he asked.

  “Tomorrow morning. I’ll dash into town to make a withdrawal from the bank.”

  “Good. I’ll draw up the agreement later this afternoon.” He looked over his shoulder.

  “Maybe we ought to go back. The mothers are probably looking for you.”

  “Yes, indeed. They like to keep me in their sights. Perhaps I should go alone, so no one will see us together. There’s no point in asking for trouble. Thank you for everything, Andrew.”

  He gave a surprisingly curt nod. He looked as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words. She waited for a moment.

  “Katherine, there’s something important I want to ask you.” He sounded hesitant. “I should’ve spoken to you before, but I’ve hesitated because I don’t want to disrupt your life.”

  “Yes?” She smiled, alternately wanting to hear the words she knew he’d wanted to say for a long time, but then knowing those words should be left unsaid. At the muffled sound of footsteps on the path, she glanced over her shoulder. “Oh no, Mama’s coming and she looks out of sorts. Can our talk wait until later?”

  “Of course. But look for me as soon as you can escape.” He turned and strode down the trail in the opposite direction of her mother.

  She closed her eyes to block out the confrontation ahead, if only for a moment.

  When Mama caught up to her, she peered at her through squinted eyes. “Did I see you here with Andrew?”

  “For a moment,” Katherine said. “But believe me, we’re both very clear about your feelings about us being together. So it was only for a moment.”

  “Hmph. No need to be haughty with me, young lady. Do keep in mind that we have his best interests at heart too. Leading him on shall only hurt him, in time, as well as your courtship with Randy. Please return with me. Papa and I have something to say to you.” Wincing, Katherine dutifully followed her mother. She lagged a few paces behind her as they silently made their way through the woods to the lodge, and then the library.

  They found Papa pacing in front of the screened windows. The plaid curtains fluttered in the mild breeze and lifted the fronds of the palms set on a nearby table. Mama crossed her arms over her chest.

  Katherine braced herself. “What is it, Papa?”

  His brows puckered in a frown and he glanced toward Mama. He kept his voice low.

  “Now, don’t get angry, princess. Randy told us about Charles’s son and how the mistress wants money.”

  The roar in Katherine’s ear nearly blocked her father’s words.

  “Don’t blame Randy. He was reluctant to tell us,” Mama said. “But he correctly decided he had a duty to explain. He’s convinced you should not give money to—that woman, even for the boy’s sake. He is her responsibility, certainly not yours. You were the victim in that shameful marriage.”

  They were right about Charles, but Mama didn’t have cause to rub salt in that old, deep wound.

  Mama persisted, “You must heed our judgment, Katherine. It should be clear to you that you’re prone to making dreadful choices. We know what’s best, so please be wise and follow our advice.”

  Katherine sniffed back tears of fury and betrayal and clenched her jaw. She blamed herself for the entire mess, but right now she needed support, not condemnation. “Giving the woman something for Charles’s son is the Christian way. I’d be committing a sin if I refused her when she’s in such need, no matter how it chafes.”

  Mama’s mouth tightened in a grimace. “Where do you pick up such odd notions? Aunt Letty? I understand she’s given nearly all her money away to foreign missions. She’s sweet, but rather silly. I’m afraid she’s a bad influence.”

  “No, I haven’t spoken to her about this. But if I do, I’m sure she’ll agree with me.”

  Mama groaned. “My point exactly. You are both so susceptible to those who prey on a kind heart.” Then she stared at Katherine. “You are not to give that woman one cent. Do you understand?”

  “I hear you. May I leave now, Papa?”

  “In a moment. I want you to know we understand you’re just trying to be generous and sympathetic. That’s a wonderful trait, princess. But you mustn’t give in to the woman or she’ll keep demanding more.”

  Katherine stayed silent and looked down at the patterns of the Turkish carpet. If she explained how Andrew had solved that problem, they’d both get angry with him for interfering with family concerns.

  With a weary sigh, Papa dismissed her. Before Mama could continue, Katherine rushed out of the room. There was one person she wanted to see. Randy.

  She found him alone on the side porch strumming his mandolin and singing softly. “Katherine, what a pleasure to see you.” He rose, but she waved him to his seat.

  “I have a bone to pick with you.”

  A frown furrowed his brow. “What have I done to upset you?”

  “You told my parents about Charles’s mistress and their son. I asked you not to. I trusted you, Randy.”

  “Oh, that. I apologize for embarrassing you. But I thought they ought
to know. I believe I did the right thing. Paying anything to that woman is ridiculous.”

  “You betrayed me, Randy. You had no right to tell my parents what I told you in confidence.”

  “If I’m to be your husband, I have every right to protect your interests.”

  She stared back at him, thinking how much she loathed those words. If I’m to be your husband . . . Then she turned on her heel and fled before she said something she just might regret.

  Andrew returned to his bedroom and drew up an agreement between Katherine and Harriet. Katherine might object to him tagging along, but this time he’d try to convince her. He was afraid the woman might object to the more-than-generous terms. The trick was going with her, without being seen.

  All during dinner he tried to catch her attention, but she never glanced his way. Finally after the ladies and gentlemen joined together in the recreation hall, he signaled her with one raised eyebrow. She sidestepped toward him and he passed by her to retrieve a Ping-Pong paddle, thankful for the invitation to a game by Mr. Lessman.

  Under his breath he murmured, “If you can get away, meet me in the library in thirty minutes.”

  She gave a barely perceptible nod as she strolled off to join a group of women sitting by the fireplace gossiping. He had no trouble escaping the crowd, but he suspected Katherine might. Once in the library, with the agreement hidden in his satchel, he waited for her, anxiety mounting with every second she didn’t appear. When the clock struck the half hour, fifteen minutes after he asked to meet with her, he wondered if she’d be able to come. But eventually she slipped through the door of the dimly lit room and rushed to his side, breathing heavily.

  Her hand pushed against the bodice of her blue-gray silk gown. “Please pardon me for arriving so late. It couldn’t be helped. Mrs. Porter kept chattering and wouldn’t let me go. And Mama follows me around with those sharp eyes of hers. I only have a moment.”

  He handed her the agreement. “First of all, take this, read it over, and then put it in your cabin.”