Judith smiled and nodded. “She’s right. However, I’m excited to see the exhibits. I read that Mr. Sutro brought back stuffed animals from all over the world.”
“He did, and hopefully they’re all fully clothed. Although I thought my knees were rather dashing.”
The others laughed at Caleb’s comment, but Judith felt her cheeks grow hot. How could he not know the effect he had on her? Dashing knees, indeed.
“I want to go read up on Mr. Sutro,” Camri said, pulling Patrick down the hall. “We can all meet up for lunch at the Cliff House.”
“What time?” Caleb called after her.
“Noon.”
Judith watched them disappear into the crowd of other strolling visitors. She glanced at Caleb and found him watching her. The expression on his face was one she couldn’t quite read.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
He smiled and shook his head. “I was just thinking of how much I admire you for your modesty.” He took her arm. “Now, what would you like to see first?”
They toured all over the building, enjoying the arcades and displays. Mr. Sutro had spared no expense, bringing in tropical plants from far away to decorate the walkways and pavilions. The indoor gardens thrived, giving off glorious scents along with their sensational colors.
At the Panorama of the World, Caleb introduced Judith to her first view of exotic animals—leopards, hyenas, and monkeys, to name a few. The time passed quickly, with Caleb explaining certain exhibits in great detail while admitting less knowledge on others. They even stopped to play a game or two. It was at a particularly challenging game of knocking down bottles with a baseball that Caleb won Judith a small stuffed bear. It had a tag around its neck that read, “Sutro Baths.”
“Strange name for a bear.”
Caleb smiled down at her. “You could always rename him. Maybe after a favorite pet.”
“No, I’ll call him Sutro.” She smiled and cradled the bear close.
They met up with Patrick and Camri at the Cliff House for lunch after hours of exploring. Judith gazed over the menu and finally suggested the others pick for her. The luxurious meals were expensive, and she wasn’t at all comfortable choosing. It was only after Caleb had put in an order for fresh seafood and steamed asparagus that Judith remembered the bank account her grandmother had set up for her, as well as the cash in her purse. She could afford to buy her own meal—even furnish meals for the others. Her life had changed in so many ways, and even now she couldn’t quite comprehend it.
Judith found the view from the restaurant exhilarating. Looking out over the Pacific Ocean, she wondered about the lands far beyond. Until last year, she’d never ventured more than twenty miles from home. Now it seemed she’d gone a million or more.
As they ate, they chatted about the day and all that they’d seen. Finally Camri opened the topic of Judith’s new life.
“So how is it, being Judith Whitley?”
Judith gave a shrug. “Sometimes confusing. Sometimes endearing. My grandmother is demanding, as we knew she would be. She wasn’t happy that I chose to spend the day with you instead of her.”
“How did you ever convince her?” Camri asked.
“I had to be firm. I threatened to pack up and leave. I kept remembering things you and Caleb had said about her manipulating me. It wasn’t easy, but I knew she wasn’t taking my desires seriously and that it was time to prove myself capable of action.”
“Good for you! I’m so proud of you,” Camri said, raising her glass to Judith.
“As am I.” Caleb smiled. “It wouldn’t have been nearly as nice a day without you.”
Judith’s heart picked up speed. She wondered if the others could see how Caleb’s nearness and comment affected her.
“I . . . well, I don’t think Grandmother means to be difficult—it’s just been her way all her life. Even so, she’s been very kind and more than generous. She spoils me and indulges me with every possible thing I could ask for.”
“Well, you deserve it,” Camri replied. “What have you learned about your parents?”
“They were an arranged marriage.” Judith thought back to all she’d been told. “However, they fell in love. Grandmother said that my mother—that Lila was unhappy at the prospect of an arrangement of her own. She had fallen for one of the cowboys who worked for her parents. Apparently, my grandparents had a large horse farm, and that’s where my father worked. Grandmother still believes in arranged marriages. She has arranged for my cousin Victoria to be married to a much older man.”
“What does Victoria have to say about it?” Caleb asked.
“Nothing. Grandmother told me she intended the same for me, but I told her I would only marry for love.” Judith made the mistake of looking into Caleb’s eyes. If only he knew that she’d already fallen in love—with him.
“Your grandmother will just have to get used to the idea that not everyone is willing to do things her way.” Camri pushed back her plate. “Today’s women are entitled to pursue careers or marriage based solely on their own desires.”
“Oh, go on with ye now,” Patrick said, shaking his head. “Ye’ll be filling Judith’s head with all sorts of nonsense, and then she’ll be having to fight her way out.”
“Nonsense? We’ll soon have the vote, and then we’ll see how much nonsense it is. When women are making the choices for president and our other representatives, then men will have to accept that our opinions are not to be taken for granted.”
“I doubt anyone would ever be takin’ yer opinion for granted.” Patrick grinned and gave Camri a wink.
“Well, I don’t suppose Ann Whitley is used to anyone, man or woman, standing up to her, much less refusing to do things her way,” Caleb said. “I hope you’ll stand strong, Judith. Don’t let her force you into situations that go against your beliefs.”
“I promise you, I won’t allow for that. Although, my grandmother does revere God. I was glad to learn that much. She attends a large church, and I’ve promised to share in the Easter events with her and the rest of the family.”
“Tell us about the others,” Camri insisted. “What’s your uncle like?”
“I don’t think he much cares for me.” Judith shrugged. “Grandmother tells me that he all but lost his fortune in bad business decisions and squandering. She’s had to give him a stipend to live on while some of his investments mature. However, my cousins know nothing of their father’s folly.”
“That seems unlikely,” Caleb said. “Your uncle’s son is twenty-three or so, isn’t he?”
“Yes. Bill is quite nice.” Judith couldn’t help but smile. “However, he’s also a bit of a pest. He’s always around and seems desperate to impress and charm me. Whereas his sister will have nothing to do with me. Victoria hates me. Probably because I’ve taken her grandmother’s attention, although given Grandmother’s demands, I can’t imagine anyone minding less of her attention.”
“What does Bill do for a living?” Caleb asked.
“He’s been put in charge of the Whitley shipping interests. Grandmother instructs him and demands he spend time training under her financial advisors. He resents it, I can tell, but he does what he must. I’m sure he knows who butters his bread. However, he’s never said a word about his father being in a bind. I honestly don’t think he knows. Grandmother has told him it’s to his benefit to heed her demands. She told me flat out that she promised him that she’ll turn the entire shipping business over to him if he proved himself to be loyal.”
“Given that all of her businesses are worth millions, I would think that a strong incentive,” Caleb said, leaning back.
“I think I’d like to take a walk on the beach,” Camri said, looking at Patrick. “What about it, husband-to-be? Would you care to escort me on a stroll?”
“And would I really be havin’ any say in the matter?” he asked, grinning.
Camri cast her napkin aside. “No. No say whatsoever.”
Patrick laughed and got
to his feet. “What about it, Caleb? Would ye two care to join us?”
“No. I think if Judith is agreed, I’d prefer to stay here and enjoy some coffee and maybe dessert. They have an amazing chocolate torte.”
Judith nodded, eager to sample some of the luscious-looking desserts. “You know how irresistible I find chocolate.”
Caleb frowned. “And here I thought it was my company you enjoyed so much.”
Judith quickly ducked her head, lest he see her surprise. Of course she enjoyed his company—even more than chocolate. Well, at least marginally. She grinned. If only he knew what thoughts went through her head.
“We’ll leave you to enjoy your dessert, then,” Camri said as Patrick helped her from the chair. “We won’t be long.”
They left the restaurant, and Judith found their absence made Caleb’s presence seem all the more intimate. It didn’t matter that the restaurant was filled with chattering patrons. It was as if she and Caleb were alone on an island.
“I’m glad they’ve gone,” he said, surprising her. “Now I have you all to myself.”
Their waiter came to the table. “Would you care for dessert?”
“Absolutely. We want the chocolate torte and coffee.”
“Very good, sir.” He slipped away as quickly as he’d come.
“I’ve had so much rich food these past days that I’m sure to grow fat.” Judith gazed out the window, smiling. “However, I can’t say no to chocolate.”
“You would be beautiful even if your waistline expanded,” Caleb assured. “But I’m more concerned about your happiness. I hope you have that and much more.”
“I suppose I’ve found a way to be content.” She stroked the linen napkin on her lap. “I wonder, however, if you might answer some questions for me.”
“Anything.”
“Well, I’m rather . . . not confused, exactly, but concerned.”
“What’s wrong?” He leaned forward. “You know you can talk to me about anything. Is it about your family?”
She shook her head. “How does one know if they’re really and truly saved from hell?”
Caleb’s expression revealed his surprise. “Whatever has caused you to ask that at a time like this?”
“We can talk about something else, but I have no one else to ask.”
“It’s not a problem,” he said, reaching out to touch her arm. “Forgive me.”
“I suppose it’s because I’ve had so much time on my hands. Not that Grandmother doesn’t keep me occupied, but at night, I lie awake and ponder these things. I’ve had conversations with my grandmother and even my cousin Bill, but neither seem as interested in God as you and Camri are. Bill believes that if God is love, then He surely will not send anyone to hell. In fact, he isn’t even convinced that there is a hell.”
“I’ve known others who thought the same, but to me it’s obvious. After all, God sent Jesus—His only Son—to be crucified for our sins. Why would He do such a painful thing if there was no consequence to sin? There is a depth to God’s love that we cannot understand, but just as any other loving parent, He disciplines His children and gives them choices to make. If we reject His love—that’s our choice, but the results are eternal.”
“I believe that. I told Bill as much. I explained that I made a commitment to accept Jesus as my Savior. I even arranged with Pastor Fisher to be baptized. He just laughed and suggested it was nothing more than ritual that Christians put themselves through as a part of their religious training.”
Caleb smiled. “I’m inclined to think that people turn to those excuses to avoid having to make a choice regarding God. In Romans it says, ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’”
“I have made those confessions, and I do believe.” Judith shrugged. “However, I felt something within me that led me to believe it was absolute truth. Is it possible that some folks never feel the same?”
“The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts and directs. Some people have put up an absolute barrier between them and God. They don’t think it’s necessary to recognize there is a God. I think when they hear or see others who have devoted their lives to God, it’s a reminder of what they are missing. They see us comforted and happy in our relationship with God, and the void in their own life seems all the bigger.”
“That makes sense to me.”
“God’s ways are those of order, even if they seem mysterious. As Christians, we truly have only to seek answers from God, and He will give them.”
The waiter returned with their coffees and tortes. Judith looked at the large piece he placed in front of her. “This looks amazing, but I’m not sure I can eat it all.”
“What you can’t eat, I will,” Caleb promised, already digging into his piece.
Judith poured a liberal amount of cream into her coffee, then swirled the contents with her spoon. Caleb’s words were comforting, but she still wanted to know more.
“So if I pray about the matters on my heart—for instance, my future—God will show me the way?”
Caleb chuckled. “I’ve been wrestling with that very same concern. Since my return from Hawaii, I thought perhaps God wanted me to go into the ministry. I attended many theological classes in college and have studied the Bible in great detail. I’ve led others to God and helped encourage and pray with a great many, and yet I still have no idea exactly what I’m supposed to do.”
“Truly?” She found his confusion almost a comfort. If someone like Caleb Coulter wasn’t completely certain of God’s direction, then perhaps she wasn’t doing everything wrong.
“Truly. I think maybe I’ve been mistaken in the way I’ve been looking at it.”
“In what way?”
He shrugged. “Well, I’ve supposed that the only way to truly serve God is from behind a pulpit, but I know better. God can use us in any job, at any time. Serving Him requires a willingness to yield my way and will for His. It doesn’t require I be a pastor. So I’m trying hard to see where God can use me best.”
Judith nodded. “I think I understand. It’s not always—”
“Judith, whatever are you doing here?”
She looked up to find Bill Whitley standing beside their table. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek before straightening to give Caleb a once-over.
“Grandmother said you were out with friends,” Bill said, “but this looks like more of a date.”
“I’m having lunch with my friends. Camri and Patrick went for a walk, and this is Caleb Coulter.”
Caleb’s gaze was guarded and contemplative. It was clear he didn’t trust Bill. Perhaps he was worried about whether or not her grandmother had sent her cousin to summon her home. At least, that was Judith’s worry.
“Caleb, this is my cousin, William Whitley the Second. We call him Bill.”
“At least, my friends do,” Bill said, putting out his hand. “How do you do, Mr. Coulter?”
“Very well, Mr. Whitley.”
Bill moved behind Judith and put his hands on her shoulders. “Judith has become important to us. Our family has long searched for her, and now that she’s returned, we’re rather concerned about where she goes and whose company she keeps. I do hope you understand.”
Judith stiffened. “Did Grandmother send you here to follow me?”
Bill chuckled. “Of course not.” His grip tightened enough to be uncomfortable. “She has others to do that.”
Judith gasped. “Grandmother is having me watched?”
“Most likely. She keeps track of us all.” Bill released her and stepped to the side. Bending down he kissed her cheek again. “I hope I haven’t spoiled your day. I must return to my friends, but we can speak about all of this later tonight. Maybe just before . . . bed.” He straightened and smiled at Caleb. “I’m glad we had a chance to meet, Mr
. Coulter.”
“As am I,” Caleb replied. His tone was irritated.
Once Bill had gone, Caleb leaned forward. “There’s something about him that I don’t care for. He seems quite . . .” He let the words fade into silence and gazed at his coffee cup.
“Spoiled?” Judith asked, hoping it would remove any doubts of her interest in Bill’s affections.
Caleb looked up and nodded. “For a start.”
CHAPTER
19
Ann Whitley finished her tea, then motioned for the footman to remove her breakfast plate. “Judith, remember, tomorrow we’ll be meeting with my lawyer regarding your inheritance.”
Victoria glared at her cousin. Ann knew the spoiled girl despised Judith for the competition she represented. She’d never cared for Cora either and was always seeking ways to get the other girl in trouble. Ann would have to keep an eye on Victoria to ensure she did nothing to cause Judith harm. Many times Victoria had done things to Cora. During one particularly nasty argument over a dress, Cora had taken a tumble down the stairs, breaking her arm. Victoria swore it was an accident, that she hadn’t pushed Cora, but Ann knew otherwise.
Fixing Victoria with a stern gaze, Ann made her feelings clear. “Victoria, I will not brook your nonsense.” The girl straightened, and her expression went blank. “You are soon to be a married woman, and it would serve you well to at least act like a grown-up.” Ann didn’t miss the flare of temper in the girl’s eyes but chose to ignore it. “We will meet promptly at nine in Mr. Whitley’s office,” she said to Judith. “Sarah will show you where it is.”
“You did remember to invite Caleb to join us, didn’t you?” Judith asked.
Ann nodded. She didn’t like that Judith was still so dependent upon her friends. “I have sent word to him, but I do hope in time you will come to trust my direction. I have only your best interests at heart.”
“Mother, you can hardly expect Judith to put her trust in you after only knowing you for such a short time.” William motioned to the footman. “I’ll take more coffee.” The footman nodded and quickly served him. “I’m sure Mr. Coulter and Judith’s other friends represent the familiar to our Judith.”
In Dreams Forgotten Page 18
