Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope)

by Jody Hedlund

  Every time Victoria thought about her friend, she wanted to weep for not only the loss of a friendship but also for what would become of Theresa once her crimes were made public. Her striving to improve herself had brought about her downfall instead of the elevation she’d sought.

  The sad situation was all the more reason Victoria wanted to break free of the constraints of the world she’d grown up in. If the desire to climb higher led people in her social circles to consider kidnapping and murder, then clearly that world had too much control over them.

  Victoria had tried to speak to her friend earlier in the morning when the sheriff had accompanied Theresa from the jail to the waiting steamer.

  “I’m sorry for not being a better friend,” she’d said as she walked with Theresa up the gangplank. “If I hadn’t been so focused on myself, I would have seen that you cared for Nathaniel.”

  Arch had tried to tell her that Nathaniel wouldn’t have cared for Theresa in return. Not even if Victoria had given him up much sooner. But Victoria still couldn’t absolve herself of the guilt. If she’d been more sensitive and less selfish, she might have seen Theresa’s hurt earlier and prevented all of the problems.

  Arch’s heavy steps approached her and his gaze told her that it was time to go. “Ready for this?” He held out the item she’d decided to bring along.

  Victoria let her fingers linger over the grainy wood. As she’d prepared to see Nathaniel off, she’d asked Arch for a suggestion of something to give Nathaniel to ease his pain, to let him know that even if she couldn’t marry him, she still cared about him.

  Arch had nodded at her driftwood cross on the bedstead in her hotel room. Several years ago, she’d told Arch the story behind the cross, the same story her mother had written in a letter when she’d been separated from her father, not knowing what the future would bring, especially in relation to her blindness. During that time, her mother had learned not to place her hope in her circumstances or a man, both of which would change. But she’d learned instead to hope in the one Beacon that would always be there, no matter what darkness came her way.

  It was finally time to pass the mementoes along to someone else who needed hope more than she did.

  She traced the pattern of the cross one last time. Then she held out the treasure to Nathaniel. “I want you to have this.”

  “Your cross of hope?” The surprise in his expression told her that he knew how much it meant to her.

  “Read the letter that goes with it.”

  “But the cross is your mother’s.”

  “I know she’d approve of me giving it to you.”

  Nathaniel studied the wood, which had cracked and lightened with age. The cross certainly wasn’t anything spectacular. Most men in Nathaniel’s position of wealth would have thought it a mere trifle.

  When he looked at her again, his eyes were resigned but gentle. “I’ll take good care of it.”

  “I know you will.”

  It was his turn to reverently finger the wood that had weathered many wrecks. Victoria prayed it would help him through this new wreck she’d made for him. “I’m sorry, Nathaniel,” she said again, as she already had numerous times since he’d caught her kissing Tom yesterday. She wasn’t sorry for kissing Tom, but she was sad she’d hurt Nathaniel.

  He lifted a gloved hand to her cheek. “You’re not entirely to blame, darling.” He tenderly stroked her skin. “I think I always knew that you weren’t mine, even though I tried hard to hold on to you and not let you get away.”

  A light drizzle had begun to fall. The breathy whistle of the steamboat rising amidst a cloud of white vapor alerted them that the captain was ready for departure. Around them, the shore was nearly deserted. Any passengers leaving on the Blue Belle had already boarded.

  Nathaniel drew his finger down her cheek one last time before dropping his hand. “Good-bye, Victoria.”

  She rose on her toes and quickly kissed his cheek. Then she strode away before she made a fool of herself and began to cry. She wasn’t sure why she had the sudden surge of emotion at his departure. Perhaps because his leaving signified that she was cutting herself off from her old life. He had been her final link, and by turning him away, she was choosing a new course. That was more than a little scary, and she wished Tom were with her to assure her that she’d made the right decision.

  Arch followed her silently to the waiting carriage. He squeezed her hand when he helped her inside. As the wheels rolled and took her away from the steamer, she prayed she hadn’t made a mistake.

  Yes, she loved Tom and wanted to be with him. But was she truly ready for this new life?

  They’d only talked briefly yesterday after the wound in Tom’s head had been stitched closed. He’d reassured her that they’d figure out a way to be together, a way that would work for both of them. She’d told him that she wanted to stay at Race Point, but from the reluctance of his response, she wasn’t sure he was ready yet to face the demons of his past.

  In the middle of their discussion, they’d received a telegram from her father in response to the one Arch had sent earlier in the day. Her father and mother were leaving Newport right away and coming to see her.

  After getting the news, Tom had flinched. Although his reaction had been faint, it had still been there. No doubt he’d believed he’d let her father down, not only by failing to protect her from Theresa’s schemes, but also by falling in love with one of his clients. Victoria had reassured him that her father would understand. But Tom had only shaken his head.

  Once his wounds were tended, he’d gone back to Race Point for the night. He’d told her that they needed to sleep in entirely different places until their real wedding took place. With heat lingering in every touch they shared, she’d agreed to his decision. He’d also planned to tell James and Zelma the truth about why he’d brought her to Race Point. She wanted to go with him, to stand by his side when he delivered the news. She didn’t want him to face his parents’ disappointment alone.

  But Tom had claimed that the telling was his responsibility. He’d made the mess. Now it was his job to clean it up. She prayed James and Zelma had been quick to forgive him.

  When she reached the hotel where Tom wanted her to stay until the wedding, she paced the length of her room. Restlessness plagued her and a swarm of doubts seemed to follow behind her, no matter how hard she tried to break free.

  Finally, she heard strong, firm footsteps coming down the hallway. She paused and held her breath until a knock sounded on the door. When she opened it, there stood Tom. He was breathing hard, as though he’d been running. His coat and hat were damp. Dark half moons under his eyes attested to a lack of sleep.

  Even so, he’d never looked more appealing than he did at that moment, especially as his murky blue eyes took her in. He’d dressed in his best and was clean shaven, accentuating his chiseled features. With his broad shoulders and thick muscles stretching the seams of his coat, he reminded her of how he’d looked the first day he’d started the job as her bodyguard, so handsome and yet so professional.

  “Hi,” she said with a tentative smile. Had he meant everything he’d said yesterday about loving her and wanting to be with her? Or had she only dreamed it all?

  “Arch said you saw Nathaniel off.” His brows slanted above anxious eyes.

  Had Tom been worried that she’d change her mind and return with Nathaniel after all? “I only wanted to say good-bye.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “Better now that you’re here,” she admitted.

  He started to reach for her but stopped and took off his hat instead, revealing his dark hair, which was longer and fuller than the close cropped cut he’d had when she’d first met him.

  She longed to brush a strand back from his forehead, but she didn’t want to appear too desperate for him. “How did your parents take the news?”

  “Mom said she’d already figured it out.”

  Victoria nodded. Zelma was sharp. She suspected that�
��s where Tom had gained his ability to assess situations so accurately.

  “When you mentioned that you knew Arch, she suspected that I was your bodyguard.”

  “I’m sorry.” She doubted that was the only thing she’d let slip over the weeks. She’d probably left a long trail for Zelma to piece together quite easily. “And your dad?”

  “He wanted to take me out back and give me a whipping.”

  Her heart sank. “Then he hates me?”

  “No,” Tom replied quickly. “He loves you. He just thinks I took advantage of you.”

  “You didn’t. You were completely honorable.”

  “He feels guilty and angry because of how much he pushed us together.” He glanced at her mouth and then dropped his gaze to the wooden hallway floor, but not before Victoria caught sight of the desire in his eyes.

  She couldn’t stop from remembering the way James had goaded Tom into kissing her that time at the dining room table. Tom probably wouldn’t have crossed the boundary he’d set for himself if not for all of James’s pressure. “I’ll have to let him know later how grateful I am for all of his pushing.” Her voice came out softer and more seductive than she intended.

  Tom’s gaze snapped back to hers, and the anxious slant of his brows lifted. “Are you sure you don’t feel coerced into this?”

  “Not in the least. You should know by now I’m not easily persuaded.” Her words were meant to comfort him, but somehow they made the worried crease return to his forehead. “Was your dad reassured when you told him of our plans to have a real wedding?”

  “He said he’ll believe it when he sees it.”

  “He’ll see it all right,” she said, trying to infuse confidence into her voice. “Let’s have the ceremony as soon as my parents arrive.”

  He studied her face for a moment as if he were attempting to see deeper beneath the surface. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Chapter 23

  Victoria loved the feel of Tom’s fingers intertwined with hers as they strolled down the street, their shoulder’s brushing, their footsteps slow. She breathed a contented breath.

  Ahead, Arch exited the hotel and walked toward them. At the sight of his grim expression, Victoria’s footsteps faltered.

  “They’re here,” Arch said. When he exchanged a warning glance with Tom, anxiety wound through Victoria’s stomach.

  Tom’s smile fell away. He let go of her arm and tugged on his lapels.

  She tried to peer past Arch and through the glass doors to the lobby. She hadn’t expected her parents so soon. Maybe this evening after supper. Maybe tomorrow. But certainly not midday. She’d only had a short time with Tom since he’d ridden out from Race Point, only time for lunch at a restaurant down the street.

  “They’re here much sooner than I’d anticipated,” she said, brushing at her skirt, another of the fashionable creations that her mother had sent with Theresa.

  Tom’s face was pale and solemn. He squared his shoulders and opened the door.

  Victoria had the urge to stop him, but she held herself in check. When Tom waved her to enter before him, she forced her feet forward.

  Her father was standing in the middle of the lobby. His familiar face, tender eyes, and warm presence brought a lump to her throat. His expression was fatigued, almost beaten-down, but at the sight of her, his eyes lit and he rushed over to her. “Oh, Victoria.” He drew her into his arms.

  Within moments, her mother’s arms were around her too, all three of them wrapped into one embrace. Victoria found her tears mingling with those of her mother.

  “We were so worried about you.” Her mother was wearing a new navy and cream striped traveling suit, and her dark hair was formed into a coiffure covered by an elegant bonnet with a veil of lace. She finally released Victoria and pulled back as though to study her.

  Victoria knew her mother pretended to see so that onlookers wouldn’t notice her blindness and pity her. Victoria smiled at her mother, also pretending that her mother could see it. She wanted to respect her mother’s wishes for normalcy, but she couldn’t help comparing her mother’s way of handling her impairment to Zelma’s. Zelma’s acceptance of herself seemed freeing somehow.

  “The Lady Caroline brought us here without any stops,” her father explained, with his arm still about Victoria’s waist. “Even though Arch’s telegram said you were fine, I couldn’t rest until I saw you for myself.”

  “As you can see, he was right. I am fine.” She kissed her father’s cheek, and he placed a kiss against her forehead in return. Over her father’s head she caught Tom’s gaze. She smiled at him, hoping to relieve him of his worry.

  Seeing the direction of her attention, her father released her and turned to face Tom squarely. “Mr. Cushman,” he started, his voice tight. “You saved my daughter’s life. I’m in debt to you for your deed, and I shall reward you handsomely for it.”

  “No need, sir.”

  Her father took a step closer to Tom. “But before I give you that reward, I need to give you something else first.” His voice was strained and his expression turned dark. Before Victoria could utter a word of protest, her father swung his fist and slammed it into Tom’s jaw with such force that the smack echoed in the lobby, drawing the attention of a couple who was standing at the front desk speaking with the proprietor.

  “Father!” Victoria cried, but her father’s fist was swinging again and landed against Tom’s stomach. Her father wasn’t a particularly large man, but he was still strong enough to cause damage.

  Tom gave a grunt at the impact but didn’t move. He’d apparently decided to let her father beat him up without a word of protest. From the determined set of his lips, Victoria knew he thought he deserved the punishment.

  Arch moved to Tom’s side and reached out to block her father, but Tom only pushed the big man aside.

  If he wouldn’t let Arch come to his defense, then she would have to. “Father, stop!” She grabbed her father’s arm before he could raise it for another blow. Her father didn’t fight against her hold, but he glared at Tom as if he’d like to wrap his fingers around Tom’s neck and strangle him.

  When she’d told her parents in the telegram that she was marrying Tom instead of Nathaniel, she’d assumed her father would accept her decision because he’d always given her what her heart desired. Of course, she’d prepared herself for some resistance, at least initially. But she hadn’t expected him to attack Tom.

  Her father didn’t move. Neither did Tom. He stared back, his open-legged stance giving the message that her father could continue to hit him as long and as hard as he wanted.

  “Let me explain everything,” Victoria started, but her father shook his head and signaled her to silence.

  “I’d prefer to hear from Mr. Cushman why he broke his promise to me.”

  “I have no excuse, sir,” Tom replied.

  “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t have you arrested and hauled off to jail.” Father took a menacing step closer to Tom and held up the document Tom had signed saying that he would walk away from their marriage at the end of the month.

  Mother’s touch on his arm halted him. “Henry,” she softly chided.

  Victoria was grateful for her mother’s presence and levelheadedness. Although Victoria had always been closer to Father, who’d doted on her whims, she could count on her mother for influencing her father when needed.

  “I’m partly to blame too,” Arch said standing next to Tom, his large face chagrined. “I cajoled Tom into taking the position even when I knew his policy—”

  “No. It’s not your fault, Arch,” Tom said. “I made my own decisions. Now I deserve any punishment Mr. Cole gives me. And I’ll willingly accept it. But it won’t change the fact that I love Victoria.” Only then did he look at her, his steady gaze beckoning her.

  Her heart quavered at what he was asking. He wanted her to break free of her parents and come to him. He wanted her to be willing to give up everything to
be with him if that’s what was necessary—all of her past, her wealth, even her connection to her family. He was asking her to show him that she was strong enough to make the sacrifice.

  But was she?

  She’d known Tom wouldn’t pamper her or try to make life easy, that he’d challenge her to do hard things, as he already had. But could she do this?

  As if hearing her question, he nodded at her, a faint light in his dark blue eyes encouraging her to be brave. She swallowed the words of uncertainty and left her father’s side. She slipped her hand into the crook of Tom’s arm and smiled up at him, even if it felt faint.

  “Tom didn’t break his promise to you, Father,” she said. “He kept a boundary between us until I asked him to stop being my bodyguard. I knew he wouldn’t consider me as a wife otherwise.”

  Her father cradled his knuckles, red from the impact of hitting Tom. “It wasn’t your decision to terminate his employment.”

  “I fell in love with Tom even before we came here. I think I’ve loved him all along.”

  “Perhaps you’re simply infatuated,” her mother interjected. “After all, you’ve claimed to love others.”

  “Tom is different.”

  “That’s what you said about Nathaniel,” her mother said gently.

  “This time it’s true.” She was passionate about Tom in a way she hadn’t been about anyone else. She could feel her cheeks heating. Could her parents sense her meaning?

  Apparently her father could, because he turned a fierce scowl upon Tom. “You better not have taken advantage of my daughter.”