A Path Toward Love

by Cara Lynn James

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Andrew searched the lodge and the grounds for Katherine, but no one had seen her since she’d returned from town earlier. He’d begun to worry by the time he ran into Aunt Letty knitting and chatting with Mrs. Lessman in the lounge.

  “Excuse me, ladies. Have either of you seen Katherine lately? My train leaves in half an hour and I’d like to say good-bye. I only have a few minutes before I leave.”

  He’d already said his farewells to the Wainwrights and Clarkes, and with the assistance of a footman, he’d carried his luggage downstairs. Now it was time to face Katherine. Bidding her good-bye and conveying best wishes for a happy life with Randy would be most difficult. The words might snag in his throat, but he couldn’t avoid saying them. And hard as it would be, he had to see her one last time before she became officially engaged to his cousin. He expected their understanding to progress to an announcement before the end of the fall. It was inevitable.

  Aunt Letty placed her knitting on her lap. “I have no idea where she is. But I’d be glad to help you look for her. Where are you going in such a hurry?” She rose and stuffed the half-knitted sweater in her cloth bag.

  Andrew glanced at the mantel clock. Time was quickly ticking away. “Mr. Wainwright is sending me to California earlier than I expected. He only told me a few hours ago.”

  She nodded knowingly. “Let’s take a look in the cabin.” Together they strode outside and down the covered walkway. “She’ll be so disappointed if she doesn’t get a chance to say goodbye. In fact, she’ll be devastated you’re leaving.”

  He glanced sideways to Aunt Letty and lowered his voice. “I proposed to her, you know, and she turned me down. I expected she would, but I had to ask anyway. If I hadn’t, I would always have wondered if she might have said yes.” He tried to keep the sadness from his voice, but he failed. “So maybe she won’t be quite as upset as you think.”

  Aunt Letty touched his arm. “She will, Andrew. I’m certain she’ll be heartbroken.”

  He shrugged, completely unconvinced. Aunt Letty’s romantic inclinations had gotten the best of her, and she didn’t recognize reality when it stared her right in the face. Or maybe she just refused to acknowledge it.

  When they arrived at the cabin they found it empty. He looked across the lake. He knew where she was—with Harriet.

  “At least put your farewell down on paper.” Aunt Letty sighed as she shuffled through her bureau for stationery and a fountain pen. “Here you go, Andrew.”

  He scratched out his news and gave the envelope to the elderly lady. “I’m afraid I must go now or I’ll miss my train. Please tell Katherine how sorry I was to leave without saying good-bye.”

  “I shall, indeed.” Aunt Letty nodded. “Perhaps you can write to her when you get settled. She’d appreciate hearing from you. You might not think it appropriate to correspond, but it would mean so much to her. And I think you agree that’s more important than propriety.”

  He didn’t wish to disappoint dear Aunt Letty. “I’ll give it serious thought.” Of course, it would be better to make a clean break. In the end it might hurt less than dragging out a relationship with no future.

  He kissed Aunt Letty on her cool, wrinkly cheek and took her hands in his own. “I shall miss you very much. I appreciate your advice and your wisdom.”

  She laughed and squeezed his fingers. “You’re a dear boy to listen to a dotty old lady. Not everyone finds us old folks worth listening to.” She sent him a wry smile. “I assume you’ll be back in the City sometime during the fall if all goes well.”

  Andrew nodded. “I suppose so. But it’s possible Mr. Wainwright will want me to stay on in California for a while. I suspect he won’t call me back until after Katherine and Randy get engaged.”

  Pressing her thin lips together, Letty sighed. “You’re undoubtedly right, although I’m praying the Lord will change her mind.”

  “Perhaps,” he said doubtfully.

  “Andrew, when you do return home, call upon me. I’d love to share a cup of tea and hear about your adventures in California.”

  “I will,” he said, smiling down at her.

  Aunt Letty held on to his hands for several seconds and smiled up at him. “Godspeed, Andrew.”

  “Take care of Katherine, all right?”

  “I certainly shall.”

  He stepped out to the deck outside her cabin and glanced toward the pier. He spotted the footman loading his luggage onto Mr. Wainwright’s steam yacht. Striding down to the dock where his boss was waiting, he steeled himself. Leaving was more difficult than he’d anticipated, and he wished he could soldier through it alone without any more farewells. When he arrived at the pier, Mr. Wainwright thumped him on the back. “Good luck in California, Andrew. I’m counting on you. I know you’ll do a splendid job.”

  “Thank you for the opportunity, sir.” He meant it, though the cost of this assignment and his future promotion seemed almost too heavy to shoulder.

  Mr. Wainwright nodded. His jowly face drooped, and his mouth curved downward, as if he felt a twinge of melancholy. “Safe travels, young man,” he said, giving him a firm nod.

  Andrew stepped aboard and found his seat. But as they cast off and steamed down the lake, his eyes were not on his boss or Camp Birchwood, but upon the lake itself, searching for one last glimpse of Katherine.

  Katherine saw her father’s yacht steaming around the bend as she rowed toward camp. She thought she caught a glimpse of Andrew, but couldn’t be sure. Frustration rose in her chest—she had to speak to him! Hopefully it hadn’t been him. Where would he be going? As soon as she beached her rowboat, she returned to her cabin where she found Aunt Letty pacing on the front porch.

  “Oh! Katherine dear, you’re just the person I want to see.”

  Katherine set her satchel and reticule down. “Oh? Why is that, Aunt?”

  Letty came over to her and took her hands. “Because Andrew was looking for you earlier. But I’m afraid he’s gone now. He was so terribly disappointed he missed you. He wanted to say good-bye before he left. Come.” She led her inside the cabin and handed Katherine an envelope.

  Dropping on the bed quilt, Katherine pulled off her gloves and examined her blistered hands ruefully. “I’m eager to speak to him too. Where’s he going?” She assumed her father or Randy had convinced him to head off on some afternoon foray.

  “Andrew is on his way to California. Your papa advanced the date of his departure. He wanted so much to speak to you, but if he waited, he was afraid he’d miss the train.”

  Startled, her eyes widened. “California! Andrew wasn’t supposed to leave until next week. I have so many things I need to tell him.” Jumping off the bed, she paced across the room and back.

  “I know, my dear. Unfortunately your papa decides these things. Andrew didn’t have a choice. Read his letter,” she said, nodding to the envelope in her hands.

  Hesitating, Katherine noted how her aunt’s normally placid gaze flashed with urgency. Slitting open the envelope, Katherine pulled out a sheet of paper and read the scribble she recognized as Andrew’s. He must’ve hurried because she could barely decipher his scrawl.

  Dear Katherine,

  I haven’t much time before I leave for California days earlier than I expected. I searched all over Camp Birchwood for you, but you weren’t anywhere to be found. You probably were delayed by Harriet Roles. I hope your meeting went well and you had her sign the agreement.

  I know you turned down the loan Aunt Letty and I mentioned to you, but please reconsider. I truly believe you’ll be happiest working at your orange groves. The funds would cover your immediate needs and give you a fighting chance at turning a corner in the citrus groves, come fall. If you are interested in returning to Florida and operating your business, please tell Aunt Letty. She’ll turn over the money to you. Don’t let pride stand in the way of happiness. And know that we offer it freely, with no strings attached, because we only want the best for you.

&
nbsp; May the Lord bless you and guide you in your decision.

  Yours truly,

  Andrew

  Katherine’s hand trembled. Had God’s path been this clear all along? Why hadn’t she seen it until now? “He wants me to use the money you two offered me. I don’t know what to say.”

  Aunt Letty tilted her head. “Why don’t you speak to him in person? If you hurry, you might get to the depot before the train leaves.”

  Katherine nodded as she reached for her reticule and grabbed a clean pair of gloves from her chest of drawers. “Do you think I’ll make it in time?”

  “Possibly. You won’t know until you try.” Aunt Letty clapped her hands in delight. “Go on now. Hurry!”

  “I’m on my way. I have so much to tell him! Please pray I’ll arrive on time.”

  “I shall, my dear.”

  Slapping on her straw hat on her way out the door, Katherine glanced back and smiled. They both understood how important it was for her to talk to Andrew before he left—and not merely because of the citrus groves. She rushed toward the pier, soon panting from the exertion.

  As soon as she strode onto the dock she realized she’d have to take the rowboat once again, though she doubted her tired arms had the strength. The fastest way to the railway depot was by boat, and the steam yacht had not yet returned. If only she knew when the train was scheduled to leave the station! What were the chances Andrew would still be there? Probably small, but she had to try.

  She scrambled back into the rowboat and shoved off beneath the umbrella of a cloudless blue sky and hot sun. Tilting her hat brim to shield her from the brightness, the rays still managed to create bubbles of perspiration across her forehead. She rowed as fast as she could, pushing forward and then pulling back the oars with all her strength. Even with gloves on, she rubbed her blisters raw. She bit her lip and continued to row.

  Thanks to calm waters, she soon tied up among several larger boats, close to the depot and railroad tracks. A passenger train pulled in with a piercing whistle and a wheeze. From around the corner of the building, she glimpsed Andrew strolling toward the door of one of the cars behind a uniformed porter.

  “Andrew!” she yelled, ignoring proper etiquette. “Andrew! ”

  But he disappeared in the crowd, apparently unable to hear her over the din.

  Unless she ran, the man most important to her would board soon and vanish.

  Katherine rushed down the dock and through the station, gasping for every painful breath against her restrictive corset.

  She saw him again, nearing a first-class car. “Andrew! Andrew!” She cupped her hands and called in a ragged voice, nearly muffled by the sounds of the belching train and passengers strolling along the short platform, chattering like magpies. “Please, Andrew! Wait!”

  Heads turned in her direction and people stared openmouthed. Just as he stepped on board the train, she caught up to him. “Andrew, wait,” she panted, tugging on his sleeve. She gulped for air and her chest heaved.

  He glanced over his shoulder. When he saw it was she, his eyes opened wide with a welcoming sparkle. “Katherine. What are you doing here?” He turned and joined her on the platform.

  “Before you leave we have to talk—if you don’t mind. This might be our last chance for months.”

  He hesitated, then led her away from the crush of passengers attempting to board, searching for a quiet place to talk.

  Katherine’s fingers splayed across her bodice while her heart steadied its rapid beat. Her voice exploded in breathy gasps. “Andrew, I promise not to keep you long, but I had to thank you and Aunt Letty too, of course, for offering me a loan again. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness. I know you’re not at all rich and this would be a sacrifice for you. Truly, I’m overwhelmed and more appreciative than you can possibly imagine.”

  His brows rose in surprise. “Does this mean you changed your mind about accepting the loan? Is that why you’re here?”

  “I haven’t decided yet. But I had to tell you about my talk with Harriet.”

  He nodded. “Did she sign the agreement?”

  “Oh, yes and without any fuss. But that’s not as important as what she said about her relationship to Charles.” She breathed deeply. “It was painful to listen to, but she made so much sense. She told me he wouldn’t marry her because she was merely a governess and his father objected to the match. He was afraid to cross old Mr. Osborne, so he married me to please his father.”

  “But you already learned that from his letters, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, but she made me see how different things would’ve turned out for her and Charles and little Zeke. And also for me, if he’d followed his heart instead of his father’s preferences. He and I never would have married. He would’ve married the woman he really cared for. His decision to follow his father’s wishes instead of his own heart’s desire caused all three of us so much misery.”

  Andrew nodded sadly. “It certainly did. But Charles was a coward.”

  “Indeed, he was, but no worse than I am.”

  His shoulders tensed and he gripped her hands. “What do you mean?”

  She shivered at his touch. “It would be as wrong for me to marry Randy as it was for Charles to marry me. Neither match was right. I haven’t told Randy yet, but I shall when I return to camp. I refuse to ruin his life as well as my own. He’s only marrying me because his mother is pressuring him, and it’s the same for me. I’m quite sure it isn’t the Lord’s will.”

  Andrew’s eyes sparked. “I’m so relieved to hear you’ve finally come to your senses.”

  She nodded her head. “After a while Randy will definitely be thankful I saved him from making a dreadful mistake, but my parents and your Aunt Georgia won’t be one bit happy or forgiving.”

  “What will you do after you refuse Randy?” His voice sounded husky.

  “I’ll go back to Florida and either try to make it through with the loan from you and Aunt Letty, or sell the business to Stuart Osborne. He’s offered me a fair price. I have no idea what I’ll do after that’s settled, but I suppose with the remaining money, if there is any, I can buy a small house in New York City and design hats for a living. I won’t mind leading a simple life. My parents might disown me, but it’s preferable to marrying the wrong man. I never want to repeat that error.”

  “You’ll be giving up so much, Katherine.”

  She shrugged as she blinked back tears. This monumental decision would change the course of her life. During the last weeks she’d struggled so hard to conform to her parents’ standards and expectations, but she just couldn’t measure up and still stay true to what the Lord had in mind for her. “Yes, I suppose I am sacrificing some things, but it’s all right. It’s better than pretending to be someone I’m not. I think, in the end, I’m simply not cut out to be a society woman.”

  Andrew nodded. He understood, and from his admiring smile, he approved. “I’m proud of you.”

  She blushed at the compliment and averted her gaze.

  The train whistle blew, and she glanced past the empty platform toward the car he was late boarding. If he didn’t hurry, the train would leave him behind. But he didn’t seem to notice or even care. He gazed at her intently and didn’t make a move.

  “But, Katherine,” he said, “my gut tells me you belong in Florida, not the City. I’ve never seen you as happy as when we were there together.”

  She gave him a rueful smile. Was there anything about her that he didn’t understand? “I’d much rather manage the company myself than sell to Stuart, but I have to be honest with myself. I can’t manage the business all alone. I need a partner to help me, and I don’t know of anyone who might be interested. I hate to admit the toll the business took on me, but truly, I was exhausted and at my wit’s end when you and Papa came to Florida. I can’t do it again, much as I’d like to.”

  “What if I came with you, Katherine?” he asked. His eager expression gave her pause.

  “I
don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head in confusion. “You want to help me manage the groves? What about your position at the railroad? Papa will never allow you to take a leave of absence.” She glanced toward the train. “If you don’t board soon, the train will leave without you.”

  “I don’t care,” he said with a laugh. He squeezed her arms. “Listen to me. I like my job, but I love you. Marry me and we’ll go to Florida. And then we’ll turn the Osborne Citrus Groves around. Together we’ll succeed.”

  Her heart fluttered and her legs weakened. “You do love me, don’t you?” It was more a statement than a question. She knew she didn’t really need to ask.

  “Oh, Katherine. By now, you shouldn’t have the slightest doubt.”

  “I don’t.” She smiled. “And I love you too, with all my being. I think I’ve known it for quite a while, but I never admitted it to myself. I was afraid of what our love would mean to both of us.”

  She reached up and stroked his face and then curled her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through the wave just above his collar. But she couldn’t get carried away.

  “Are you still hesitant?” he asked, apprehension reaching into his eyes.

  “No, Andrew. I’m not in the least hesitant. I love you and I want to marry you more than anything in the world. And I want us to go to Florida, but only if you’re sure you want to. Are you positive you won’t regret quitting your job with Papa? I know you’re happy working for him.”

  He shook his head. “It’s a wonderful position, but it’s only a job. You’re going to be my wife.” With tears in his eyes, he pulled her hands up to his mouth and kissed them. “There’s nothing I want more than that.” He gently drew her so close they were nearly one. She didn’t care if passengers stared at them from the train windows. All she cared about was the love in her heart for Andrew and his love for her. She raised her chin, offering him a kiss, and he didn’t hesitate, bending to cover her mouth with his. He pressed her tightly for several seconds before he loosened his hold.

  “Let’s go back to camp,” Katherine said. “The sooner we’re through what is to come, the better.”