Her head snapped back as if he’d slapped her. “Are you saying you wish I hadn’t come?”
He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but there was no denying his words had caused pain. “I am very pleased to see you, Melinda. You know I love you, but—”
“But what? Do you wish I would have remained in Cleveland?”
Confusion and anger replaced the pain he’d observed only moments earlier. This wasn’t turning out at all as he’d hoped. “No, that’s not what I said. I’m worried about you being here in these horrible conditions. There’s so much work that must be completed before the season opens, and I’ll have little time for visiting with you.”
“Visiting?” Her mouth gaped open and she stared at him as though he’d grown another head.
What had he done? The offense in her tone was enough to alert him he hadn’t said what she’d wanted to hear, but truth was truth. He didn’t have time for company right now.
“I’m not here to visit, Evan. I’m here to spend the rest of my life. I quit my job with the Mifflins. I’m here, my possessions are here, and I have nowhere else to go.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she covered her face with her hands.
He pulled his chair closer. “Please, Melinda. Don’t cry. We can work this out.” He forced a smile. “There’s no problem so big that we can’t find a solution. If you don’t want to return north, I’m certain there are positions for ladies’ maids in Savannah and maybe even Biscayne—that would be even better. If you located a position in Biscayne, we could see each other more often.”
She lifted her tear-streaked face. “Evan Tarlow, what is wrong with you? Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?”
He bobbed his head to affirm that he had, in fact, heard every word she’d said. Why was she getting upset again? Hadn’t he said they’d find a solution? Hadn’t he offered some viable options for her? He leaned back in the chair and raked his fingers through his thick brown hair.
“It seems everything I say is wrong. Maybe you’d better begin at the beginning, and I’ll remain silent until you finish.”
Melinda leaned forward. “Perhaps that is the best idea. But you need to listen carefully so you’ll understand that those solutions you’ve suggested aren’t helpful.”
He wished she hadn’t said that—now he was going to be thinking about why his ideas wouldn’t work once she began her explanation. His thoughts were already drifting in that direction when she tapped him on the hand and brought him back to the present. He folded his hands together and focused on the somewhat involved tale of Melinda’s departure, her lack of a reference letter, the trials of the long train ride, the wait in Savannah, the voyage on the freighter, and the difficulties with her brother and his horse.
His words must be chosen with care. Melinda needed his reassurance that everything would be fine. His fingers tingled as he unclasped his hands. He’d clenched them with such intensity that the blood supply to his fingers had been diminished. “I spoke with Mr. Nordegren over at the clubhouse earlier today and asked if you could use one of the rooms in the maids’ quarters. I didn’t realize Emma had agreed you could stay here,” he quickly added.
She nodded her head. Feeling somewhat encouraged, he continued. “I didn’t know you were planning to remain on the island indefinitely, but Mr. Nordegren said there would soon be positions open for help preparing the rooms for the season.”
“Go on.” Her shoulders stiffened, a sure sign something he said hadn’t settled well with her.
“I know the work is far beneath your abilities, but he said Emma will be in charge, and I know you enjoy her company. The job would at least provide a small income, lodging, and meals.” He leaned forward. “Does that sound like something you’d be willing to do until we have time to come up with a more suitable position?” Her brow furrowed, and he knew he’d not said what she wanted to hear.
“I’m going to come right out with this, Evan. The position I was hoping you’d offer is that of your wife.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I know that’s very forward of me and not at all proper etiquette, but you professed your love this summer, and I was clear when I departed that I had hoped you would ask me to stay. Now that I’m here, it seems you still don’t think marriage is a suitable solution to this dilemma.”
Had he been in an upright position and tapped with a feather, Evan would have fallen to the ground. “Marriage?” He’d felt this same woozy feeling when he’d been sick several years ago. He rubbed his hand across his forehead and forced himself to remain calm. He loved Melinda, but he wasn’t prepared for marriage—not now.
He grasped her hands, once again surprised by the silky feel of them between his callused fingers. “I want you to listen to me very carefully—with the same clarity you asked of me while you explained your journey.”
“I will.” He heard the expectation in her voice.
“Marriage is something I desire with all of my heart, but not now.” He flinched when she withdrew her hands and folded them in her lap. “Before you become angry or hurt, let me tell you why.”
Her shoulders remained stiff and unyielding while he told her of the commitment he’d made years ago: He would never marry until he could support a wife and children in a suitable manner. Though he didn’t like discussing his past, he knew Melinda deserved a deeper explanation. “I watched my own parents on our farm, Melinda. My mother worked herself to an early grave, and still there wasn’t enough money to go around. My father was determined to keep the farm so that my brother, James, would receive a proper inheritance. He didn’t seem to care that he was killing his wife in the process. But even at a young age, I could see what was happening, how my mother was losing trust and hope, how the hard work and lack of rest stole her life. I vowed that would never happen to a wife of mine.” He looked into her eyes. “And I meant it.”
He glanced toward the window. The smell of frying potatoes and roasted meat drifted from inside the cottage, and his stomach rumbled. “My job as Harland’s assistant couldn’t possibly support us.”
The look of utter disbelief returned to her eyes as she continued to press the fabric of her tan-and-brown-checked skirt with one palm. “I understand about your mother and father, but that isn’t us. And if I worked at the clubhouse, wouldn’t that be enough?”
“No, but even if it were, that isn’t what I want for us. I know you may not understand, Melinda, but I’m not willing to have your wages help support us.” He fastened his gaze on the horizon. “I made a commitment that I can’t break. If I do, I’ll consider myself a failure, and that isn’t what you want for a husband.”
“But what about your commitment to me? You said you love me. Does that not include marriage?” Another tear trickled down her cheek and plopped onto her skirt.
“Of course it includes marriage.” He went on to explain Harland’s decision to resign from his position. “Harland has recommended me to succeed him, but he doesn’t have the final say.”
“Who does and when will they decide?” Her face brightened and she scooted to the edge of her chair.
“First Mr. Nordegren has to speak to Mr. Zimmerman. Then Mr. Zimmerman has to speak to Mr. Morley, and if he approves of the suggestion, he’ll go to the primary investors for a vote.”
Her smile faded. “That could take a long time.”
He nodded. “Mr. Nordegren said it might be the middle or the end of the season before they reach a decision. My best guess is the end of the season.”
“But why? Why couldn’t they simply take care of it before the season begins?”
Evan couldn’t speak with authority about why things happened the way they did, but she expected some sort of answer—he could tell from the impatient tone of her voice. “Since there’s been a hurricane, and we have all this damage to take care of, they’ll want the most experienced people on hand to make certain the season opens on time, and the guests’ expectations are met without interruption. Harland is far more experienced than I am, and they’ll look to him f
or answers should any unforeseen problems arise.” Evan shrugged his shoulders. “That’s the only answer I can give you, Melinda. I really don’t know how the investors make their decisions any more than you do.”
Her lip quivered and she pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. “I’m sorry to be such a crybaby, but this isn’t how I pictured our reunion. I had such dreams—such high hopes.”
Using his index finger, he tipped her chin upward and looked into her eyes. “You needn’t forget either one. I love you, Melinda, and one day we will be married. I promise. I’m only asking that you wait until I can be the husband I need to be and the husband you deserve.” He squeezed her hand. “One day I want a houseful of children, and I don’t ever want you to worry about how you’ll feed them or if there will be enough money to buy a new dress.” He hoped his words would encourage her.
“Those things aren’t what make a good marriage, Evan. It’s love that makes a strong union between a husband and wife.”
“I agree. Both love and trust are very important, but worries over money can cause lots of bickering and destroy both love and trust. I saw that with my parents, and I don’t want that to happen to us. It’s better to be prepared before we say our vows. You need to trust me in this.”
Emma clanged a metal spoon against one of her iron skillets and called from inside. “You two best be getting yarselves in here, or Harland and Garrison are gonna eat yar share of the food.”
Evan pushed up from the chair. “We can talk more later. Better not keep Emma waiting.” He hesitated a minute, hoping for a response, but Melinda simply nodded.
Melinda wasn’t sure what she should think. Evan had declared his love several times during their conversation, but the outcome hadn’t been what she’d hoped for—what she’d planned for. And what about Lawrence? Though she’d mentioned he’d come with her, she hadn’t actually inquired about a job for him. Would Garrison or Harland be willing to hire him? Given her brother’s dislike of physical labor, she wondered if she should even suggest such a thing.
Yet Lawrence and his horse would likely be here tomorrow or the next day. She poked the prongs of her fork into the potatoes and pushed them around the plate. “I was wondering if there might be some work for my brother when he arrives. He’s excellent with horses—in fact, he’s bringing his own horse with him.” She forced a bright smile as she glanced back and forth between Harland and Garrison. She hoped her concern wasn’t evident. “He’d truly be a big help with the horses, especially once the guests arrive and bring some of their animals.”
Mr. O’Sullivan shoved a bite of stewed tomatoes into his mouth as he looked at her. “Well, the guests won’t be here until January, but with all this damage, I’m thinkin’ we could put him to work. All the sheds and barns need repair, and I’m thinkin’ Emma wouldn’t mind if he’d take over some of the milkin’. He any good with a saw and hammer?”
Melinda swallowed hard. She didn’t have any idea if her brother had ever pounded a nail or sawed a board in his life, but he must have performed some of those tasks while he’d been sailing around the world these past four years. Didn’t sailors have to make repairs that required the use of tools? Surely Lawrence had done some of that kind of work.
She met Mr. O’Sullivan’s steady gaze. “I think he could prove a good help to you.” She hoped her comment was strong enough to gain Lawrence a job, yet not so boastful that Mr. O’Sullivan would be angry with her if he proved inept. Perhaps she should add a little more. “He had been sailing for the past few years and then worked as a jockey and horse trainer for a gentleman in Cleveland before deciding to accompany me.”
Mr. O’Sullivan’s bushy eyebrows lifted on his forehead. “A jockey, ya say? I s’pose we can give him a try, but if he can’t earn his keep, then it’s back to the racetrack with ’im.”
“That’s only fair.” Melinda forced a smile. She’d need to have a long talk with Lawrence once he arrived.
She looked across the table and was met by Evan’s worried expression. Since leaving Cleveland, nothing had gone as she’d expected. She prayed nothing else would go wrong!
CHAPTER 16
Melinda and Emma had barely settled at the table, both of them eager to join the men for the noonday meal, when a barge horn blasted a signal for help. The five of them jumped up from their chairs in unison. Garrison frowned as he yanked his hat from a peg by the door, Harland only a few steps behind him.
“Come along, Evan. No tellin’ what trouble there may be down at the dock. Must be someone in trouble, for sure.”
“We’ll come along with ya,” Emma said, gathering a basket from the other room. “I’ll take along my medicine and bandages in case someone needs some mendin’.”
Melinda gasped. “You think there’s been some sort of accident?”
“Can’t never tell,” Emma said. “Grab your bonnet and come along.” The men were already out of sight by the time Emma and Melinda hurried down the front porch steps. They hadn’t gone far when the older woman’s chest began to heave as she puffed for air. “We’re gonna have to slow a bit or it’s me that will be needin’ the medical care.” She panted out the words and gestured to Melinda to slow down.
Melinda glanced in the direction of the dock. What if someone was in need of immediate help? “I could take the basket and go ahead, if you’d like.”
Emma shook her head. “Garrison will send Evan on the run if they need something before we get there. I’m thinking Dr. Faraday should have heard the signal, but there’s no way to be sure.”
They weren’t far from the dock when the barge sounded another blast. Moments later Garrison, Evan, and Harland appeared in the distance with Lawrence, his horse following behind.
Emma came to an abrupt halt, and Melinda nearly toppled into her. “So was all that horn blowin’ just to announce a visitor?”
Melinda skirted around Emma and hurried forward. “Lawrence! Those blasts from the barge horn nearly frightened us to death.” She hoped her brother’s actions hadn’t gotten things off to a bad start. Her brother had said he’d follow her to the island, but she had expected him yesterday. Either he’d decided he was enjoying Biscayne, or he hadn’t been able to secure passage on a barge before now. Emma certainly appeared disgruntled by the interruption, but she wasn’t sure about the men.
“Don’t blame me, Melinda. It wasn’t my idea. When I told the captain I didn’t know which direction I should go to locate you, he blasted the horn.” He shot her a mischievous grin and gestured toward the men. “And look—it worked. In fact, it appears that half the island’s inhabitants have come to greet me.”
Emma frowned at him. “We’re far from half of what lives here, but we’re the ones you managed to yank away from the dinner table.” All the hurrying had caused her cheeks to turn the shade of fresh-picked cherries. She pulled a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and swiped it across her face. “I’m guessin’ you’d be Melinda’s brother.”
He grinned at Emma. “Only on the days when I don’t embarrass her.” He nudged Melinda’s arm. “And those are few and far between, aren’t they?”
“You can behave properly when you’ve a mind to, and I suggest that this is as good a time as any to begin.”
Garrison had stepped near the horse and was stroking the animal’s body. “You say you won this animal in a game of cards, do ya?”
Lawrence turned toward the older man. “That’s right. A beauty, isn’t he?”
“Aye, that he is—and not a beauty that I’d think a man would be willin’ to gamble away.” His bushy eyebrows settled low on his heavy brow.
“I’m sure you’re not accusing me of stealing the animal, sir.”
Melinda flinched at her brother’s remark, but Lawrence didn’t appear to notice. He turned and met the older man’s hard stare. Her brother hadn’t been on the island more than ten minutes and already she sensed trouble brewing.
Emma shifted the basket to her left arm. “Come along, Garrison. It’s not li
ke the lad or his horse are stepping off into the river. You can talk to him and look at the animal back at the house. Dinner is getting cold.”
The men fell into line without a word. In some matters, Garrison might be in charge, but there was no denying that when it came to preparing and serving the meals, Emma was in command. Once they’d returned, the men sat around the table and properly introduced themselves while Emma and Melinda reheated the food.
Garrison pointed his thumb toward the front of the house, where Lawrence had tied his horse. “So tell me again ’bout how you won that horse, ’cause I’m thinkin’ I may need to take up playin’ cards if a man can become the owner of a beauty like that one.”
Evan chuckled. “Well, I think you’d have to spend a lot of time honing your gaming skills before you’d want to make such a large wager.” He settled in his chair while Lawrence explained.
“The game started early in the day and went well into the night,” Lawrence began. “There were a full half dozen men who started, but one by one the game grew too rich for their blood. By the time the clock struck midnight, it was down to just two of us. Unfortunately for the owner, he’d had too much to drink and possessed too little skill at cards.” Lawrence crossed his arms over his chest. “I gave him an opportunity to change his mind, but he was determined.”
“Aye, liquor can mess with a man’s thinkin’, and that’s a fact.” Garrison narrowed his eyes a bit. “So you gave him a chance to back out, ya say?”
Lawrence nodded. “I told him he’d be sorry come morning, but he believed he had a winning hand. Didn’t think he could lose.”
“I’m surprised he signed the bill of sale once he’d lost, especially if he’d been drinkin’. Many’s the time a drinkin’ man will fight rather than pay up, especially when there are no witnesses.”
To Love and Cherish Page 15
