He shot her a side glance. “Maggie, you’re acting crazy. What’s going on?”
“I can’t say!” she hissed. But the hurt in his eyes made her regret her tone. “I’m sorry, but this is urgent. I have to find Nate.”
She turned and bumped into a man. “I’m sorry.”
He shifted and looked her way.
She pulled in a sharp breath. “Rob?”
Ruddy color shot through Lilly’s beau’s face. He touched his cap and dipped his chin. “Maggie.” Then he straightened his shoulders and looked toward the town hall. “Important matters are being decided today. I wanted to hear the results myself.”
“Yes, of course.”
He shot another glance her way. “Tell Lilly I’ll see her tomorrow.”
Maggie was about to explain that she was no longer staying at Morningside and wouldn’t see Lilly, but the front door of the town hall opened and six men strode out. They were dressed similarly to the men waiting in the square, and Maggie assumed they were the leaders of the workers. Maggie spotted John Palmer, the man who’d challenged Nate the day the men from Clifton surrounded his motorcar.
The murmuring crowd turned toward them and settled.
“What did they say?” a man near the front shouted. “Did they agree to our demands?” His question stirred the crowd, and others called out for answers.
Palmer lifted his hands. “Quiet down and listen.” His brooding gaze traveled across the village green. “We told you this would not be an easy fight.”
A groan rose from some of the men.
“Tell us what happened!” another man shouted.
Palmer clenched his hands. “The board agreed to do more safety inspections, but they refused all our other demands.”
Shouts and curses filled the air.
Maggie gasped. How could the board refuse to negotiate the other demands? Didn’t they realize that would anger the men and force them to walk out?
“Maggie!” Joseph’s voice was low and urgent. “We should leave now.”
She shook her head. “Not yet!”
“So what do you say, men?” Palmer continued. “Shall we slink back to our jobs like whipped pups and keep slaving away for wages that leave us and our wives and children hungry?”
“No!” several men shouted back.
“Should we just keep our heads down and accept their decision, or will we stand up for ourselves and show them we mean what we say?”
Shouts and cheers rose from the crowd. From the far side of the village green someone shouted, “Strike! Strike! Strike!”
The cry rose and swelled as men all around Maggie raised their fists and took up the wild chant. Soon the whole crowd was stomping their feet and shouting, “Strike! Strike! Strike!”
“We have to get out of here, Maggie!” Joseph grabbed her arm and tried to pull her away from the surging mob.
“Strike! Strike! Strike!”
Shouts rose from the men outside in the village green and vibrated the floor of the old town hall.
Nate turned away from Geoffrey Rowlett and strode across the meeting room toward the window. His chest tightened as he took in the scene below. Men filled the square, yelling, stomping, and waving their fists in the air.
Defeat pounded through him with every shout.
He had failed, and now they would all have to pay the price.
Samuelson joined him at the window and looked out at the swarming crowd. His brow creased. “I’m sorry, Nate. I thought I could convince them to continue the negotiations.”
“It’s not your fault. Both sides have to be willing, and most of the board is not ready to concede the fight.” Nate glanced at the men gathered on the far side of the room and shook his head. Why couldn’t the board see times were changing? Workers could no longer be treated like second-class citizens who were expected to work long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay. Making changes would decrease profits, but they were necessary changes. What did they think they would gain by their refusal to negotiate the other demands?
Samuelson turned to Nate. “I should go. I have to finish preparing my sermon for tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t advise leaving yet.”
Samuelson glanced toward the window again. “I don’t think the men would harm me.”
Nate wasn’t so sure. “There’s no telling what might happen when they’re agitated like this.”
Samuelson gazed out the window, his face lined with concern. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll wait until things settle down.”
Nate scanned the teeming crowd again while the shouting continued. He could almost see the anger and frustration rising from the village green like a foul cloud of smoke.
A flash of coral near the back of the crowd caught his eye. He shifted to the right for a better view. His heart plunged, and he gripped the windowsill. Maggie wove through the edge of the shouting throng. A tall blond man reached for her arm and pulled her to a stop.
Alarm shot through Nate. He spun away from the window and dashed across the room.
“Nate! What is it?” Samuelson’s call echoed after him.
But Nate didn’t slow down. There was no time to explain. He ran down the stairs and burst out the front door. Pushing past the men on the top step, he jumped to the ground. “Step aside!” He plunged into the crowd and tried to force his way through, but it felt like swimming against a raging current. He pressed on past sneering faces, with shouts and curses ringing in his ears. Finally, he spotted her coral dress. “Maggie!”
She turned, her face pale and her eyes wide. “Nate!”
“That’s Harcourt!” A man grabbed his jacket and yanked him back.
Nate jerked away, but someone else grabbed him from the other side.
“We’ll teach you a lesson!” A fiery-eyed man jerked Nate around, lifted his fist, and swung at him.
Nate tried to dodge the blow, but it landed in his stomach. He gasped and doubled over, blinding white pain radiating through him.
“No!” Maggie screamed and lunged toward Nate.
Nate lifted his head. Something flew through the air toward him. He ducked to the left as a glass bottle whizzed past, then hit the side of Maggie’s head and shattered.
Nate’s heart lurched. Maggie crumpled. Nate lunged toward her, but several men pulled him back. A tall blond man caught Maggie and scooped her up before she hit the ground.
“Stand back!” Nate pulled free. Panting, he strode forward. In a flash he realized the man holding Maggie was Joseph Neatherton. “I’ll take her.”
Joseph shot him a flaming glare. “No! You’ve done enough!” He pulled Maggie closer to his chest and strode away through the crowd.
Nate stared at them for a split second, then charged after Joseph. “Where are you taking her?”
“To the hospital.” Joseph hustled down the street, and Nate matched him stride for stride.
Nate glanced at Maggie, nestled against Joseph’s chest, her eyes closed and her face pale. A red rivulet snaked through her hair and dripped down the side of her face. Nate’s gut twisted. “Hurry, she’s bleeding!”
Joseph’s eyes flashed, and he quickened his pace. “None of this would’ve happened if you and those greedy managers at Clifton had given the men a fair deal.”
Nate steeled himself against the accusation, but it was true. Maggie had been hurt today because the board refused to compromise, and though he was a dissenting member of the board, he was still responsible. A powerful ache radiated through his stomach from the blow and the weight of his failure.
They reached the hospital in less than two minutes. Nate pushed open the door, and Joseph carried Maggie inside. A startled nurse met them in the entrance hall. She ushered them into an examination room, then ran out to fetch the doctor.
Joseph gently lowered Maggie to the examination table, then looked up at Nate. “If she is seriously hurt, I promise you I’ll—”
Dr. Hadley strode into the room, and Nate pulled in a deep breath to s
teady himself. Surely the doctor would be able to help Maggie. But as Nate stared at Maggie’s still form and the blood oozing from the side of her head, a cold wave of dread washed over him.
Maggie heard voices above her, but the words were not clear. Her head throbbed and a sharp pain pricked the side of her head. She slowly opened her eyes, then blinked at the bright lights. “Nate?”
Joseph’s face came into focus, hovering over her.
Her throat was so dry she had to swallow before she could speak. “Where’s Nate? Is he all right?”
Someone gripped her hand. “I’m right here, Maggie.” Nate moved into view beside her, holding tight to her hand. His soothing voice sent a wave of relief through her. If Nate was here, everything would be all right.
She started to turn her head toward him, but someone stopped her. “Hold still, Maggie, I’m almost done stitching.” That was Dr. Hadley’s voice.
She felt another prick on the side of her head, and she bit her lip. Nate tightened his hold on her hand, compassion flowing from his brown eyes.
“Just two more stitches.” The doctor leaned closer, and Maggie closed her eyes. She focused on the warmth and strength of Nate’s hand holding hers and swallowed against the next prick of the doctor’s needle.
“What happened?” She forced out the words.
“You received a blow to the head, and I’m stitching up the cut.”
“Someone threw a glass bottle at Harcourt, but it missed him and hit you.” Joseph’s tone was curt and accusing.
Maggie opened her eyes. “It’s not Nate’s fault.”
Joseph crossed his arms and looked away, obviously disagreeing with her.
“That’s the last stitch.” Dr. Hadley snipped the thread, then smiled at Maggie. “You’re a fortunate young lady. You only needed six stitches, and the scar will be hidden in your hair.” He set his needle aside. “Now let’s take it nice and slow, and I’ll help you sit up.”
Maggie’s head throbbed a bit more as she sat up. She lifted her hand and touched the skin by the cut. It was sore, but the pain wasn’t too bad.
“You’ll need to rest for a day or two,” the doctor continued. “You may have a headache, but let me know if you have any dizziness or nausea. Keep the cut clean and dry, and come back and see me in a week. We’ll check the stitches then and see if they’re ready to come out.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned to Nate and Joseph. “You’ll see that she gets home?”
Both men said “Yes!” at the same time.
The doctor grinned. “I’ll let you sort that out.” He looked from Maggie to Joseph and Nate. “Good day.” The doctor walked out of the room.
Nate turned to Maggie. “I have my motorcar parked behind the church. I’ll bring it around and give you a ride.”
Joseph sent Maggie a questioning glance. “Is that what you want?” She could read his deeper question, and she knew she owed him an explanation.
“Yes, it is.” She shifted her gaze to Nate and smiled. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
He nodded, looking pleased, then walked out of the room.
“I’ll head back to the shop, then.” Defeat lined Joseph’s face as he turned away.
Maggie’s heart clenched. “Joseph, wait.”
He slowly turned and met her gaze.
“You’ve been my good friend for a long time.”
“A good friend?”
“Yes, the best. Thank you.”
He nodded, but her words didn’t erase the disappointment in his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Joseph. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
He lifted his hand. “It’s all right. I can tell by the way you look at him that he’s your choice.”
“I do care for Nate. I won’t deny it, but I don’t know if anything will come of it.”
“He’s a fool if he doesn’t snatch you up and marry you before the week is out.”
A smile tugged at Maggie’s lips. “I’m not sure he’s quite ready for that.”
“Well, he should be. You’re a beauty, Maggie, inside and out. Any man would be lucky to win your heart.” He shook his head. “I’m just sorry it’s not me.”
She pressed her lips together, touched by his words.
He leaned down and softly kissed her cheek. “Take care, Maggie, and don’t forget about your old friend.”
“I won’t.” A lump lodged in her throat as Joseph walked out of the room, but she was glad she’d been honest with him. Joseph was a good man, and he would make some woman a fine husband. He just wasn’t the right man for her.
Nate ushered Maggie toward the motorcar and opened the passenger door. She climbed in, settled on the seat, and sent him a grateful smile.
His chest swelled with hopeful expectation. She’d chosen to go with him today rather than Joseph. She was giving him another chance, and this time he would work through the issues with her.
He cranked the motorcar, then hustled around and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Maggie turned toward him. “Before we go I have something to tell you.”
Nate shifted in the seat to face her. “If it’s all right, I’d like to speak first.”
She nodded. “Of course.”
He looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry for the way I responded yesterday when you suggested my father could be responsible for the deaths of your parents and sister. I didn’t want to believe it could be true. But I’ve had time to think about it, and I realize now what’s most important is that I keep my promise to you. I’ll go to the police with you as soon as the strike is settled. We can tell them what we know and let them continue the investigation.”
A smile bloomed on Maggie’s lips. “Thank you, Nate. That’s good of you.”
“I want you to always feel you can count on me to keep my word.”
Her eyes glowed. “I know that’s true now.”
The trusting look in her eyes and the sweetness of her smile stole his breath away. He reached for her hand and wrapped his fingers around hers, so grateful the wall between them was finally coming down.
“And now I’ll tell you my news.” Her face lit up with an eager expression. “Mr. Billington came by to see you this morning.”
“Mr. Billington from Lynemouth?”
“Yes. He remembered something else about the day of the accident, and he thought it was important enough to make a trip to Morningside.”
“What did he say?”
“There was another man who went out in the boat with your father that day.”
He stared at her for a moment. “Who was it?”
“Roland Dixon, the same man who’s blackmailing your stepmother.”
Nate’s thoughts spun as he absorbed this new information. “So he might be the one responsible rather than my father?”
Maggie nodded. “Helen could’ve told Dixon my father had discovered their secret and planned to go to Mr. Harcourt. Then Dixon decided to stop my father by damaging the boat so it would go down when he was out on the lake.”
“So you think Helen and Dixon planned the accident to keep my father from learning the truth?”
Maggie nodded. “Yes. They had a motive, and now we know Dixon had the opportunity.”
Nate rubbed his chin. There were still pieces of the story that didn’t quite make sense, but at least they had another suspect the police could question and his father’s reputation might be preserved. But if their assumptions were correct, Helen could be considered an accomplice and might face serious consequences. And that would be almost as damaging to the family’s name.
“I think we’re closer to the truth now than we’ve ever been.”
Maggie’s words brought him back to the moment, and he focused on her again. “Are you still willing to wait until the strike is settled before we go to the police?”
She paused for a moment, and her gaze met his. “If you think that’s best.”
“I do. I want to be sure I’m
home when the police come to Morningside. That’s the best way I can protect Clara—and Helen, if she’ll allow it.”
“All right. The facts aren’t going to change, and I don’t think Helen or Dixon are going anywhere.”
Nate nodded, pleased that she trusted his judgment and was willing to wait. He glanced down the street, considering his next question. “I know the doctor said you should rest, and I can take you to Mrs. Birdwell’s if you’d like, but I’d feel more at ease if you’d spend the afternoon with me.”
A smile stole across her lips again. “I suppose that would be all right.”
“I have a meeting with Mr. Hornshaw at three. You could rest at the house, and we could have tea after the meeting. Then I could drive you back to the village later.”
She nodded, her eyes glowing with a happy light. “I’d be very happy to spend the afternoon with you.”
He grinned, then revved the engine and drove off down the street.
They made a quick stop at Mrs. Birdwell’s to let Maggie’s grandmother know she was with Nate and would return before dinner, then they drove on toward Morningside.
Though the strike loomed in the days ahead and Nate was unsure what would happen after they went to the police, he couldn’t help but feel optimistic. With Maggie by his side and her confidence in him restored, he believed he could overcome any obstacle that rose in his path.
He drove across the bridge over the ravine, passed through Morningside’s main gate, and followed the winding drive up the hill toward the house. A young groom met them as Nate parked on the far side of the stable. He stepped forward and opened Maggie’s door. Nate hustled around to meet her. She climbed out slowly, still looking a bit pale.
He pulled in a deep breath and offered her his arm. “I should’ve let you out by the front door rather than asking you to walk from the stable.”
“I’ll be all right.” But she took his arm and leaned on him as they strolled toward the house.
He slowed his pace to match hers and tried to shake off his worry. The doctor said she would be fine as long as she got some rest. He would encourage her to lie down while he met with Mr. Hornshaw, then he’d see that they had an early tea.
Shine Like the Dawn Page 30
