Lorna Seilstad - [Lake Manawa Summers 03]

by The Ride of Her Life

  He grinned. Would that girl be considered a help? From the little he’d seen, he wondered.

  He pushed back from the table. “Well, fellows, guess it’s time to get back to work.”

  The others grumbled but followed suit. A tug on his tan work pants made him look down. “Hello, Levi. Where have you been hiding?”

  “I was eating my lunch in the kitchen.”

  “With your mama?”

  He shook his head. “She gave hers to the new girl.”

  Nick glanced over the lunch counter into the kitchen and caught a glimpse of Mrs. Hart sitting on a stool, nursing a cup of coffee. The new girl, Eugenia, had a sandwich in hand. Concern made his gut twinge. Had he seen Levi’s mother eat anything in the last week?

  “Mr. Nick, can I still go see the stuff you’re building?”

  “If your mother says yes, I’ll be glad to take you. Why don’t you go ask her while I wait?”

  Levi rushed into the kitchen, and Nick remained even though the other workmen filed out. They knew what to do without him. He laughed when Levi dragged his mother around to the front of the lunch counter.

  She’d removed her apron, revealing a pleated rose-colored dress with lace placed in the most attractive places. Not the usual costume of a lady doing kitchen work. Must be one from her days in the rich in-laws’ house. He bristled. How could they turn their backs on the widow of their son? And why hadn’t her husband provided for her?

  “Tell her you said I could go, Mr. Nick.”

  Nick laughed and tapped Levi’s nose. “I said if your mother said yes, you could go.”

  “Do you, Mama? Do you?”

  “Levi, Mr. Perrin is a busy man.” She pushed a chestnut curl away from her temple.

  “I do have some time to spare this afternoon, and it would be my pleasure to show Mr. Levi the progress we’re making on the roller coaster. That is, if you can spare his assistance here.”

  “Please, Mama?”

  “Levi, you could pester a magpie to death.” Mrs. Hart rolled her eyes. “If Mr. Perrin is sure it isn’t too much of a bother. Just be back by supper time.”

  “Will do.” Nick tipped his hat and placed a hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Good day, Mrs. Hart.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Perrin.”

  She smiled. Pure sunshine, once again, and it warmed him more than he expected.

  6

  Why hadn’t Nick Perrin returned with her son?

  Lilly quickly gathered the last of the workmen’s dinner plates and carried them to the kitchen, dropping them so hard into the washbasin the suds splashed onto her apron.

  “Would you like me to wash those while you go fetch your boy?” Eugenia brought in the coffee cups.

  Lilly started to decline but reconsidered. Washing dishes had nothing to do with cooking, so surely Eugenia could master the task. After untying her apron strings, Lilly slung the piece of clothing on a peg by the kitchen door. “Thank you. If you’ll wash them and let them air-dry, I’ll put them away in their places when I get back.”

  “You don’t need to do that. I’ll put them away too. Don’t worry about a thing.”

  But no one could take care of the worries growing inside Lilly. What if Levi was lost or injured? Her stomach rolled and churned more than Lake Manawa on a windy day, but Sean McGready had said Nick told him to let her know they’d be along shortly. Why had Mr. Perrin not returned with Levi for supper?

  She quickened her step on the dirt path leading to the roller coaster site. When she found Nick Perrin, she was going to educate him on the definition of shortly.

  Taking a deep breath, she inhaled all the scents of spring but didn’t have time to savor it. The late afternoon sun would soon sink behind the bluffs. The tall foundation posts came into view like a forest of matchsticks as she approached. My, they’d gotten a lot built in the last week, and it looked like the coaster would be as long as ten or eleven streetcars lined up end to end.

  Moving along the length of what would soon be a roller coaster, she searched the area for Levi, but not even one of the work crew was in sight. She shouldn’t be surprised. Their day was over. Hers, however, was not.

  “Levi!” she called.

  From around the side of a stack of lumber, his head poked out. “Here, Mama.” Like a turtle, he pulled his head back in.

  She hurried to the pile and marched around it. “Where on earth …”

  When she rounded the stack, she stopped. Levi sat perched on top of a large, homemade worktable holding a much-too-heavy hammer in his right hand. Mr. Perrin bent over her kneeling son, his hand covering the boy’s.

  “Remember.” Mr. Perrin held a nail in place. “First you have to set the nail with a little tap. Then you can drive it in.” He demonstrated the motion and pulled his hand away. The nail remained standing upright.

  With his tongue stuck between his lips, Levi tapped the nail. “I wanna try it by myself.”

  “Okay, but don’t hit your thumb.” Mr. Perrin stepped back and placed his hands on his hips, making his already broad shoulders widen further.

  Lilly couldn’t take her eyes off the two of them. Intent on his project, Levi focused on the nail and Nick Perrin focused on her son. Levi drove the nail, albeit crookedly, through the wood.

  Levi swung his legs over the side of the table and grinned at her. “We’re building a snake cage.”

  Chicken wire had been tacked to four sides of a frame. She guessed Levi was working on the lid.

  Nick tousled Levi’s hair. “And you’ve done a fine job. It’ll need a hinge and a latch, but I can pick those up in town when I go for supplies.”

  “Did you boys even notice the others had all departed for supper?” Lilly’s words came out with more bite than she intended.

  “I apologize, ma’am. I guess we got a bit carried away with our project.”

  “Mama, we’re working men.” Levi hooked his thumbs in the suspenders of his knee pants. “We can’t quit till the job is done.”

  “Well, working men need to eat too.” She ran her hand along the cage, and her irritation evaporated. Even though Nick Perrin should have kept his word and brought Levi back, how could she be angry with someone who’d been so kind to her son? “I was worried, is all.”

  “Of course you were.” Mr. Perrin took the hammer and set it in his wooden toolbox. “Again, I apologize. I should have been more mindful, but as long as you’re here, why don’t you let Levi and I show you around?”

  She took a step backward. “I really should be getting back to the dishes.”

  “But, Mama, it’ll only take a minute.”

  She released a long breath. Her nerves were spent, and she had no desire to face Eugenia too soon. “All right, my little pestering magpie. Perhaps I can spare a few minutes.”

  “Excellent.” Mr. Perrin lifted Levi off the table. “Levi, why don’t you lead the way?”

  Lilly followed her son, who led her around the structure as if he’d built it all himself.

  “These here posts will hold the track.” Levi laid his hand on the rough wood. “The cars will race on it faster than a horse can run on the streets.”

  “Really?”

  “Up to thirty miles per hour.” Mr. Perrin walked several yards away. “This is where the depot will stand. There will be a forty-foot climb at the beginning, which will give the cars the momentum they need to make it around the rest of the track. There will be a few more rises in the middle to keep things interesting.”

  “How long will it be?”

  “A little under two thousand feet.”

  “It’s going to be shaped like a number eight.” Levi drew the number in the air with his index finger. “Right, Mr. Nick?”

  “That’s right. And the whole thing will be painted white.”

  “And it’ll have bright flags waving off the top of the … the coup.”

  Mr. Perrin chuckled. “Cupola.”

  Lilly tilted her head. “Cupola?”

  “Ours will be
a little pointed structure built on top of the highest point of the coaster. It will make it look even taller.”

  “Very impressive, Mr. Perrin.”

  “Please, call me Nick. Mr. Perrin was my father, and it makes me feel like I’m a hundred years old.”

  “And is your father a hundred years old?”

  Nick opened his mouth to speak, and nothing came out.

  Poor Mr. Perrin didn’t know how sassy she could be. Except for Marguerite’s husband, Trip, and Emily’s husband, Carter, she’d not called another man by his given name since her husband passed. And if she called him Nick, would he expect to address her by Lilly?

  He found his voice. “Even the boys call me Nick. I’d consider it a personal favor if you’d do the same.”

  “Mama.” Levi rubbed his belly in a big circle. “All this work has made me powerful hungry.”

  Lilly and Nick shared a look and a smile. Where had he heard that? “Well, perhaps I could find something back in the kitchen for you and Mr. Per—uh, Nick.”

  Nick nodded, and they started down the path together. Levi bounded ahead with Lilly and Nick following. Nick again apologized for not bringing her son back on time and said she needn’t worry about feeding him.

  “Nonsense,” Lilly said. “If I have to make something for Levi, I might as well fix two plates.”

  “Three.” Nick stopped on the path.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Levi and I want you to eat with us too. Don’t we, Levi? I’m sure with all the fuss, you didn’t eat. Surely Mr. Thorton includes meals with your salary.”

  “I’m allowed three meals a day.”

  “And Levi said you gave the new girl your lunch, so I know you have to be powerful hungry, as your son would say.” He grinned, bringing a twinkle to his cobalt eyes. “So?”

  “You’re as bad as Levi in the pestering department.”

  “And?” He lifted his eyebrows.

  “And I’ll join you both this once.”

  7

  “Pork chops have never tasted so good, Mrs. Hart.”

  Lilly attempted to hide her smile by dabbing her lips with her napkin. She lowered it to her lap. “They aren’t difficult to make.”

  “But they taste better with company.” Nick tickled Levi’s stomach. “What do you say we help your mama do up these dishes?”

  “No, that’s not necessary. I can do them.” Lilly stood and collected the empty plates.

  “Of course you can, but you shouldn’t have to.” He hurried to his feet and gathered the glasses. “Actually, why don’t you rest and let us men handle cleanup? After all, it’s our fault you had to cook an extra supper.”

  “Nick, I can’t let you wash dishes.”

  “Don’t you have other work to tend to before morning?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Nick tucked the glasses in the crook of his arm and gathered the silverware in his fist. “Then you see to that while we boys do these up. I used to help my mother with dishes all the time.”

  “Where?”

  Nick grinned. “In the kitchen.”

  Lilly gave him a mock scowl and placed her load of dishes in the washbasin. “Where did you live?”

  “Near Pittsburgh.” Nick removed his coat, rolled up his shirtsleeves, and tied a towel around his waist.

  “Pennsylvania?”

  “Is there a Pittsburgh, Iowa?”

  She smiled. “No, I don’t think so.”

  After pouring a kettle of hot water into the washbasin, Lilly added a small amount of Gold Dust Washing Powder, making a mental note to put another box of soap on her grocery list. How much had Eugenia used tonight?

  She pumped a little cold water into the hot and swished the water until suds formed. “Are you the youngest child?”

  “No, I’m near the top.” Nick nudged her aside. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

  “You’re going to show me how to wash dishes?” She stepped to her right and he grinned at her. After rolling up his sleeves, he sunk his arms in the suds up to the elbows and set to work on the glasses first. Maybe he did know what he was doing.

  “How many of you were there?” She measured the flour for tomorrow morning’s biscuits into her favorite stoneware mixing bowl.

  “Ten altogether. Two older brothers and seven younger brothers and sisters. A whole peck of Perrins.” He laughed, low and warm. “Hey, where’s my half-pint helper?”

  “I’ll check.” Lilly went into the dining room and found Levi’s head resting on his crossed arms. His steady breathing told her he was sound asleep. Poor guy. He’d had quite a day. A visit with Grammy, new crayons, dumping ants on his grandparents’ floor, building a snake cage—all the excitement must have taken its toll.

  She returned to the kitchen and picked up a towel. “I’m afraid you’ve lost your assistant to dreamland. I guess you’ll have to settle for me.”

  For several minutes, they worked in silence. Not once did Lilly have to return a dish back to the water because Nick had missed something. She prayed Eugenia had done as well with the dishes she’d washed and put away.

  “What about you, Mrs. Hart? Only child?”

  “How did you know?”

  “Guessed.”

  “Did my bossiness give me away?” Only half teasing, Lilly slipped the dried plate onto the stack.

  “No, your independence.” Nick wiped his hands on a towel and leaned against the sink. “With ten of us, independence was an unusual trait—except in my youngest brother. He was determined to do things his way.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Gone.” Nick’s voice caught, and he swallowed before going on. “He died when he was Levi’s age.”

  “I’m sorry.” So that was why Nick had taken such an interest in Levi. He must have reminded Nick of his brother.

  “If you’re ready to go, I’ll carry Levi back to your cottage.” Nick wiped his hands on a tea towel and walked into the other room.

  “You needn’t trouble yourself. I can wake him.”

  “Mrs. Hart, I realize you probably can out-stubborn me any day, but I can assure you, I will not let any lady and her son walk unescorted home in the dark—especially you.” He passed her cape to her from its hook on the wall.

  She sucked in her breath, her stomach churning. This was wrong. All wrong. But it felt so right. How had she allowed Nick Perrin to spend the evening with her and Levi? And worse, she’d enjoyed it. How could she do that to Ben’s memory?

  Goose bumps prickled her flesh. She wrapped her cape about her shoulders while Nick hefted Levi onto his shoulder with ease. Levi’s head lulled against Nick’s broad shoulder. A memory of Ben, doing much the same after Levi fell asleep in the parlor, flitted through her mind. Only three, Levi had been much smaller, but she’d never forget the way Ben had brushed the hair from Levi’s head and planted a kiss on his forehead.

  Ben had left on his business trip the next morning, and Levi never saw his daddy again.

  When had such a pleasant evening gone south? Nick shook his head, and Levi nestled further into his neck. Mrs. Hart had not spoken a word since they’d locked up the lunch counter. She walked beside him, her bearing stiff, her mouth clamped shut.

  He shifted Levi in his arms. He hadn’t expected a forty-five-pound boy to grow so heavy in a half-mile walk. He kept his two charges on the graveled service road surrounding the lake, as it was much easier to navigate at night. Plus, as chilly as it was tonight, the grass would soon be frost covered. Mrs. Hart may not like how it happened, but he was glad she’d been forced into a position to take her friend’s offer. Staying in a warm cabin was better than some chilly tent.

  The path wound around the lake’s southeast tip before reaching the rows of neat cottages. In the distance, the lake lapped the shores.

  Levi’s breath tickled Nick’s cheek. The boy was a great deal like Nick’s brother Toby. Toby would have liked the lake and would have loved the roller coaster. What had his mother said boys were
made of? Snips and snails and puppy dog tails? Well, that sure described both Toby and Levi.

  Nick patted Levi’s back when he stirred. “Which one is your place?”

  “None of them.”

  Her voice sounded far away. What had she been thinking? “Mrs. Hart, in which cabin are you staying?”

  “The fourth one.” She reached for Levi. “I can take him from here.”

  He turned to the side to prevent her from removing Levi from his arms. “I’ve got him. Lead the way.”

  She huffed but continued down the path. In a few more yards, they reached the Graham cottage. Only a couple of small lights flickered inside, but the wails of an infant filled the air.

  Levi lifted his head and rubbed his eyes. “Baby Kate, shhh. You cry too much.”

  His head dropped back onto Nick’s shoulder, and Nick laughed. “He’s not fond of the baby, I take it.”

  “Emily’s Katie has colic.” Mrs. Hart opened the screen door and held out her arms for Levi.

  “I can carry him in if you like.” After all, if Lilly’s friend was there, no rules of propriety would be breeched.

  “No, really, I’ll carry him inside.”

  Nick eased the six-year-old into his mother’s arms. “Good night, Mrs. Hart, and thank you for a pleasant evening. Perhaps next time you’ll allow me to treat you and Levi to an evening in town.”

  She didn’t lift her eyes to meet his gaze. “There can’t be a next time, Mr. Perrin. I’m sorry.” Without a glance back, she slipped through the door of the cottage.

  Nick stared at the door for a few seconds before stepping off the stoop and onto the path back to the service road. What had he said? He’d only suggested another family outing.

  Realization hit him. Mrs. Hart and Levi were not his family.

  Levi looked so sweet when he slept. Lilly brushed the sandy hair off his forehead and glanced around the small room she shared with him in the Graham family cottage. Emily had left a lamp burning there for her, and its light bathed the little room in a warm glow. It was still early enough that she should probably go spend some time with Emily or spell her with Kate.