The Engineered Engagement

by Erica Vetsch

  “Josephine Zahn, I thought you had more sense. People think an old woman doesn’t notice things, but that’s not true. I see more than people give me credit for. Clarice was no more his first choice than he was hers. And I saw how Eli acted around Clarice, and I’ve seen how he acts around you. Believe me, he knows the difference. As for your father, I suspect his forgetfulness regarding you girls is put on. He pretends with you. It’s a game. Mark my words, young lady, Eli Kennebrae is in love with you. Even he might not know how much.”

  Josie hardly dared hope Grandma spoke the truth. Did he love her? Reality dragged her shoulders down. “But even if he does love me, I can’t marry him. I’d be disobeying God.”

  Grandma blinked. “Disobeying God?”

  Josie nodded. A strand of hair came loose out of her braid and clung to her damp cheek. “I’ve loved Eli for a long time. Right after Eli and Clarice became engaged, I promised God that instead of hankering after Eli I would be the woman He made me to be. I promised Him I would pursue His calling on my life to be an engineer. Then Clarice eloped and Eli proposed, and in a weak moment I accepted. I turned my back on my promise to God.”

  The way Grandma closed her eyes and moved her lips made Josie think she might be praying for patience. “Girl, you do get things in a snarl, don’t you? How will marrying Eli keep you from being the woman God meant you to be? You think it is an either-or situation? And just because you promised something to God doesn’t mean that was His will for you in the first place.”

  “But what about my abilities? If I marry Eli, I can’t be an engineer. Men don’t want wives who have careers. Geoffrey made that plain to me. That’s why—” She broke off.

  “That’s why what? And what does Geoffrey have to do with anything?”

  Josie twisted the soggy handkerchief, staring at her hands. Hot embarrassment flowed over her. “Eli has been corresponding with an engineer through Geoffrey. Someone who has been helping him with the designs for the Bethany.” Her voice sounded small and faraway in her ears, like Giselle’s when she was caught in some mischief. “I knew I could do the work, but I knew no man would take me seriously because I’m a girl. So I made up an identity, a Professor Josephson, to work with Eli. All communication is run through Geoffrey. Eli thinks the professor is a recluse and a hermit. But”—she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat—“the professor is me.”

  A sigh as deep as Lake Superior came from Grandma’s chest. “So you’ve done exactly what you promised God you wouldn’t do. You’ve hidden your light under a bushel, to pull a verse out of context. You’re not being the woman God made you to be, too scared to stand up and say you are a fine engineer. No wonder you can’t see which way God wants you to go. You’ve been lying, both to Eli and to Him. If you harbor sin in your heart—sin you know and do nothing about—God isn’t likely to answer your prayers.”

  Grandma’s words, though said with love and gentle correction, still hit Josie like knife blades. “What should I do?”

  “I think you know the answer to that, at least the first thing.”

  A giant hand of guilt pressed against Josie’s chest. She nodded, unable to speak. She needed to confess her sin. Then, and only then, could she begin to hope God would show her what to do about Eli.

  “As for what to do after that, I think you know that, too. You need to tell Eli the truth. You’ve sold him short. By lying to him and assuming he would scorn your engineering efforts, you haven’t given him a chance to handle things well. I think you’re underestimating Eli. And God. You’ve been so busy trying to figure everything out, to engineer what you thought was the right solution, you’ve eliminated the need for faith and trust. You haven’t trusted God with your future, and you haven’t trusted Eli with your abilities.”

  Grandma rose from the rocker, crossed the room, and sat beside Josie again, putting her comforting arms around Josie’s shoulders and hugging her close. “You are so like me. Do you know how often I’ve let something that should be my greatest strength become my greatest weakness? God gave you the ability to design, to calculate, to figure. And applied to shipbuilding or architecture or mathematics, it’s a fine gift. But when you start trying to engineer circumstances and people, design and force God’s plan to be revealed to you, or construct your future the way you want it to be instead of the way God has for you, you run into trouble.”

  Josie leaned her head against her grandmother’s soft shoulder, breathing in the smell of lemon verbena toilette water and talcum powder. “Do you think it is too late for Eli and me?”

  “Give the young man a chance. You might be surprised.”

  ❧

  Eli jammed his walking stick into the holder in the hall tree and smacked his hat onto a peg. The carpet on the stairs muffled his forceful footsteps in a totally unsatisfactory way. If he lived to be a thousand he would never understand women. One moment things were going well—laughing, talking, sharing deep secrets—and the next, wham! He was left alone in the garden holding a ring.

  The feel of her in his arms, the rush of exultation when his lips met hers, the way her violet scent wrapped around him—all of it galled him. He’d been a fool to think she would accept his advances. And he blamed his grandfather as much as anyone. Grandfather had pushed him into the first engagement, held out promises to him. Then, when things looked like they were falling apart, he guilted Eli into another engagement with false claims of a bad heart. And Eli had allowed it like some dumb sheep.

  He reached his bedroom and slammed the door. A sheaf of papers slid off a chair onto the floor. “If there was a prize for being a chump, I’d win, hands down.”

  “Is there a prize for being a chump?”

  Eli spun toward the fireplace.

  His brother Noah unfolded his long frame from the wing- back chair.

  “Noah!”

  “Hello, little brother.”

  Eli found himself in a bear hug that shoved the air from his chest. “Little brother, nothing,” he gasped when Noah released him. “We’re twins.”

  Noah cuffed him on the shoulder, his bearded face split in a wide grin. “But I was born first. Those few precious minutes make all the difference. But what’s this about you being a chump?”

  Eli shrugged. “Nothing out of the ordinary these days.” He took Noah’s measure. “Marriage agrees with you. You look. . .content.”

  Noah dropped back into his chair and stretched out his legs, lacing his fingers across his lean middle. “You’re looking at a happy man. I highly recommend marital bliss, Eli. I understand you’ve jumped into the matrimonial pool, too.”

  “Humph. I thought I had, but apparently the pool is dry. The lady has rebuffed my advances, refused my suit, and given me back my ring. Though I’d just as soon you didn’t tell Grandfather yet. I’ll tell him later myself.” He dug in his pocket and produced the offending bit of gold and gemstones. “And you know what she said? She should’ve known it wouldn’t work the moment I put this ring on her finger.” He tossed the ring to his brother.

  Noah caught the ring and studied it, then glanced up at Eli, his eyes twinkling. “Well, that doesn’t sound too promising. What are you going to do about it?”

  “Do? What can I do? You can’t argue with a returned ring. Just when I thought things were going well, she hands me the mitt and runs away. Women are a mystery well beyond my ability to solve.”

  “Now you sound like you’re ready to get married. The moment you figure out that you’ll never figure them out, you’ve got them figured out.” Noah held up the diamonds to sparkle in the sunshine from the window.

  “Make sense, will you? It’s not funny.” He snatched the ring back and stuffed it in his pocket.

  Noah’s grin faded and his eyes narrowed. “Say, you sound really hurt. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for this girl?”

  Eli tried to bear up under Noah’s scrutiny, his mind scrambling for an answer. He didn’t have to search far. He knew his heart. He knew how he felt about Josie, h
ow he’d felt about her from the moment he saw her at the wedding reception. “Well, what if I have? Maybe I’m no different than you and Jonathan. You both fell in love with the women Grandfather chose for you.”

  Noah leaned forward and tapped Eli on the side of the knee. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with it. In fact, it’s wonderful. Like I said, marriage is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

  “You’re forgetting the lady turned me down.”

  “I’ll give you a little hint, Eli. Sometimes women say one thing and mean another.”

  “Why do they do that? It’s like they expect you to read their minds. But if she didn’t mean she wanted to end the engagement, what did she mean?”

  “If you think this girl is worth it, little brother, then you should find out. That is, if you love her.”

  Eli sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “I love her, and it’s driving me crazy.”

  Sixteen

  Eli stalked across the sidewalk and entered the restaurant. Business. That’s what he needed. He needed to focus on business and put matters of the heart aside for now. He crossed the dining room, weaving between tables, catching snippets of conversation as he headed toward the back corner.

  Noon at The Black Horse, and every businessman on Minnesota Point could be found here. More deals were done over steak at The Black Horse than in the boardrooms of Duluth. The sound of cutlery and commerce flowed.

  Geoffrey waved to him. At least his lawyer was on time.

  Eli took his seat and ignored the menu. “Geoff, I want to know who the professor is and no more of your slippery evasions.” If he couldn’t solve one problem, he’d solve another. “Grandfather insists on meeting the man, and I want to issue an invitation for him to accompany us on the race. The designing engineers deserve to be in the pilothouse.” He snapped open his napkin and spread it across his lap.

  “Now, Eli, you know I can’t do that. Why don’t you just trust me when I say he can’t and won’t come?” Geoff’s face disappeared behind his menu.

  “There’s something fishy about this whole situation. Where’d you meet this man anyway? If he never sees anyone, then why will he see you? And how did you just happen to pull an engineer out of your pocket at the precise moment I needed one? It isn’t you, is it? Put that menu down so I can look you in the eye.”

  A waiter hovered, and Eli clenched his fists at the delay.

  They placed their orders, and Geoffrey lifted his water glass. “No”—he took a long swallow—“it isn’t me. I wouldn’t know the first thing about ship design.”

  “Then who is it? One of the college dons? I’ve checked. There is no Josephson on faculty at the college. In fact, there’s no Josephsons that I can find anywhere in town.”

  “You’ve been looking?” Geoff’s eyebrows rose.

  “Of course I have, and so has Grandfather. And you know how thorough his investigations can be. But so far they’ve turned up nothing.” Eli placed his palms flat on the table. “Geoff, why are you lying to me? And don’t deny it. I know you are. There’s something wrong about all of this. Josephson either doesn’t exist or that isn’t his real name.”

  Geoff looked at the ceiling. “If I could tell you, I would, but I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “That’s convenient.” Eli knew he was overreacting, but the sting of Josie’s refusal and the frustration of knowing he’d have to face his grandfather with it goaded him on. “I took your elopement in stride, knowing it was for the best, and I even took your part when Grandfather wanted to fire you. And how do you repay me? By hiding behind your lawyer talk.” He thumped the table, surprised at his own vehemence. “Tell me where to find Professor Josephson.”

  A hand whacked him on the shoulder. “Kennebrae, how are things?”

  He looked up into the badgerish face of Gervase Fox. Every muscle in his jaw tightened. “Just fine.”

  “I couldn’t help but overhear. You’re looking for Professor Josephson?” The look in Fox’s eye made Eli instantly wary.

  “That’s right. Do you know him?” Surely not.

  “Of course I do, my boy. And so do you.” A nasty grin split Fox’s whiskers.

  “Enough, Mr. Fox.” Geoffrey put down his fork. “Stop with your jests. You don’t know anything about this situation, and it is boorish of you to insinuate otherwise.”

  A flush climbed above Fox’s beard. “Young man, I’m not jesting. Not only do I know the identity of Professor Josephson, but I’ve been in contact with said engineer. You should know. You’re the one who introduced us, though I don’t suppose you meant to at the time. I will say bumping into you two down at the canal was fortuitous for me. I was able to put two and two together and do a little investigating, and presto!”

  As much as it galled him, Eli had to know. “Then tell me where to find him. He’s done some collaborative work for me, and I wish to meet him face-to-face.”

  A laugh shook Fox’s belly. “My dear boy, there is no Professor Josephson, at least not the academic you seem to think. Your assistant engineer is none other than your own fiancée, Josephine Zahn.” Billows of raucous laughter nearly choked Gervase. “I can’t believe you didn’t know. Your lawyer knew, that’s for certain. Look at him. He looks like he’s swallowed a wasp.”

  Incredulity stunned Eli speechless. He looked from the beet red, guffawing Fox to Geoffrey’s stricken face and knew Fox spoke the truth. Josie? An engineer?

  When Fox regained his breath, he crossed his arms and leaned on the back of a vacant chair at their table. “I have to say, the ‘professor’s’ designs are quite revolutionary. And they’re good, too. Just to be sure of her ability, I had her teacher tracked down at his new employment in Detroit. Though my investigator couldn’t get much out of the man, his students are known for their engineering abilities, and I’ve found no reason why Josephine should be any different. Her drawings are quite amazing. She’s been quite good to work with.” He wiped his eyes. “And your trying so hard to keep me out of your shipyard so I wouldn’t see them, when I’ve had the information all the while.”

  Eli found his voice. “Josie’s Professor Josephson? She’s been giving you my ship plans all along?” His heart squeezed in a giant vise.

  “Of course. Why do you think I was so quick to entice your grandfather into this match race? I never would’ve taken the chance otherwise, not if you truly had a secret design that might best me.” Fox stood upright and hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets.

  She’d lied to him. Lied to him and betrayed him. Everything he thought about her, everything he thought she stood for, that he thought she might feel for him, that he felt for her, underwent a radical change.

  “Don’t take it too hard, boy. You’ve just had a taste of the cutthroat world of business. You’ll get used to it.” Fox clapped him on the shoulder, but Eli barely felt it.

  “I think you’d better leave.” Geoff stood up and stepped forward. “You’ve said far too much.”

  “And you haven’t said enough. If I found out my lawyer was lying to me the way you lie to the Kennebraes, he’d not only be unemployed, I’d run him right out of town.” Fox dug in his pocket for a cigar. “The only way to win in business is to look out for yourself. You can’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. You’ll both learn, though, some lessons come harder than others.” He struck a match with his thumbnail and disappeared behind a puffing cloud of cigar smoke.

  “Get out.” Eli stood up. “You’ve had your fun, now leave.” His gut muscles clenched so hard his body shook. He wanted to bury his fist in Fox’s smug face, drive that cigar down his throat.

  Fox barked with laughter. “Fine. I’ll go. Give my regards to Josie.” He waved his cigar and strode through the dining room, head back, still laughing.

  Eli eased into his chair. Every eye in the place was on him, and the diners had heard at least part of the exchange with Fox. The only sound was the door closing behind Fox’s retreating form.

  Geoff looked across
at him, his eyes clouded.

  Slowly conversations picked up, forks scraped against china, and men turned their attention away from Eli’s table.

  “It’s true, isn’t it?”

  Geoff nodded.

  “Why?” One flat word, a single question that both asked for an explanation and accused his friend for his duplicity.

  “Eli, it isn’t as bad as you think.” Geoff spread his hands in a placating gesture.

  “I don’t want any of your lawyer talk. I want the straight truth, not that I’ll be able to trust it coming from you.” A thrust of satisfaction charged through Eli when Geoff winced and dropped his gaze. “Why would you do this to me? Why would Josie?”

  “At first we did it to stall. But after, we were both in so deep, and it seemed to be working, so we kept it up.”

  “Stall? Stall what?”

  “Just hear me out.” Geoff straightened his spine. “You were going to marry my girl, and I was desperate to find a way to stall your marriage and get her out of there. I knew you weren’t keen on the situation, and you only wanted to work on the Bethany. I figured if I could keep your attention on your work, I’d have time to find a solution that would free Clarice. I knew you needed an engineer, and Clarice and Josie assured me Josie could do the work. But since she’s a girl, she didn’t think you’d listen to her ideas. So we dreamed up Professor Josephson.” His eyes telegraphed his misery, but he didn’t look away. “This is all my fault. Don’t blame Josie.”

  “Don’t blame her? After she’s been duping me? And not only that, but giving my ideas to Fox? To Fox of all people?” Eli wasn’t sure which hurt the worst, betrayal by his friend, his fiancée, or his foe. No, that wasn’t true. Josie’s betrayal hurt the worst.

  “You can’t believe anything Fox says.” Geoff pushed back his nearly full plate and put his elbows on the table.

  “Unlike you and Josie, who are models of truthfulness?” Sarcasm soaked his tone. “How else would he know her identity? Why else would he be so cocksure he would win the race?”