After a while, he bought a place and invited Theo to live with him. Those had been good years, until Lucas Carson figured out their arrangement at the bank. Clarington was caught, since he was the one who had fixed the books. He never mentioned Theo to the police or at his trial, and he was found guilty and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in prison.
Everything Clarington owned was sold to recoup the embezzled money. Theo had been dressing for work when men showed up to make an inventory of everything in their home. He had tried to explain that not everything in the house belonged to Clarington, that some of it was his. The men were unimpressed with his pleas. They didn’t even ask his name. Instead, they told him he could take whatever he could carry out in the next five minutes. Everything else would be sold.
Thankfully, Theo had thought to stash some money in his room. It hadn’t lasted long, however, and he’d had to find another place to live. He despised working at the bank without Clarington, and he struggled to find a new job too. Thinking back on his desperation at that time made Theo all the more driven to make Lucas pay.
Two years after his friend and mentor went to prison, Rafael Clarington had died. No one ever said how, but Theo figured someone had it in for him. Theo had been truly heartbroken. Rafael had been more of a father to him than his own. Now, twelve years after their thievery had been discovered by then eighteen-year-old Lucas Carson, Theo still blamed him for the death of his friend. Theo wanted Carson to pay, and pay big.
For years he had wondered how to get the upper hand. He wanted to kill Carson, but not until he made him suffer in shame just as Theo had suffered when he was forced to leave his home with nothing but what he could carry. The way Rafael had suffered when he’d been sent to prison. He wanted Carson to know the pain of loss. If Theo could get the position as his personal secretary, that would put him in close enough proximity to make a plan and see Carson dead.
It was infuriating to imagine a boy, barely a man, having the ability to figure out what Clarington had done. His father had brought Carson in to work a summer position, hoping Carson would one day take over running the bank. Because Carson did nothing by halves, he dove into the work with gusto, and it wasn’t long before he was making changes to improve efficiency. When he started staying late to give the books a thorough audit, Rafael hadn’t even batted an eye. He’d assured Theo there were too many safeguards built into his scheme. No one, much less an eighteen-year-old child, would be able to figure it out. But Lucas Carson had done it, and worse yet, he’d done it in less than forty-eight hours.
Rafael had been stunned. He had no warning, but when the Carson men showed up with guards, he had known his scheme was uncovered. He tried to deny it, but in the end, in order to reduce his sentence, he admitted to what he’d done. He also made it clear he had acted alone.
Theodore stroked his chin and smiled. His father had always told him to be patient in life’s trials and God would present a solution. Carson was going to Duluth—a place Theo knew quite well, having grown up there. And his folks were still there, which would provide him with free living arrangements. Now, if his luck held, Theo would get the job. Most likely Carson wouldn’t remember his name as one of dozens of bank employees so many years ago, but if he did, Theo would simply use it to his advantage, reminding Carson that he had worked for his father and had been highly praised as one of the best employees.
Theo glanced around the hovel that he called home. “Things are finally looking up, Rafael. Soon we’ll have our revenge, and Lucas Carson will know what it feels like to truly suffer.”
Chapter 4
“Aren’t you tired yet of not speaking to Papa?” Gloriana asked her little brother.
“I’m mad at him. He punished me extra hard,” JT replied.
The entire ordeal had left a feeling of heaviness over the house, and Gloriana was determined to put an end to it.
“JT, it’s Papa’s job to correct you when you do wrong. You know it was wrong to carve on that school desk.”
“But I didn’t carve on all of them, so it’s not fair that he’s making me work on all of the desks. He’s just being mean.” JT finished his milk. “I’m ready to go to school now.”
Gloriana knelt beside him. “Do you remember how Mama always said we shouldn’t let our anger go on and on? You’ve been angry at Papa for three days now, and it needs to end. The Bible says we need to forgive one another. Papa loves you and has only given you this punishment to teach you not to do it again.”
“I didn’t need him to punish me. Mr. Nelson whupped me, and that made me figure not to carve on the desk again.”
Gloriana brushed back his blond curls. “You’re a good boy when you want to be, and you have such a kind heart. I want you to think about making up with Papa when he gets home tonight. Ask God to help you do the right thing. It’s really hurting Papa.”
“Good, ’cause he really hurt me.”
She frowned. “Jeremiah Thomas, I’ve never heard you talk like this. You’re being plain mean-spirited. I think you’d better spend some time praying about your heart.” She got to her feet. “I love you, but I certainly don’t like the way you’re acting.”
JT looked upset at this. He jumped off the chair and wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t stop likin’ me, Glory. You’re all I got.”
“No, you have Papa too. You’re the one who is pushing him away.” She hugged him close. “You need to make things right. Do it tonight.”
But the opportunity didn’t come that day. Instead a strong gale blew up and a thunderstorm moved in, bringing a chilly rain that came in sheets the wind sent sideways. Gloriana had barely managed to get the wash inside before the storm hit. She watched the lake heave huge waves upon the shore and worried about Papa and the others out fishing. Had they gotten to safety in time?
At four o’clock, JT came through the door drenched. He was shivering so much that his teeth chattered. Gloriana stripped him of his wet clothes, wrapped him in a blanket, and put him in the rocking chair by the fireplace. As she dried his hair, he told her about his day.
“I did really good at math. You would have been proud. I know my times tables up to ten.”
“You always have been good with numbers. How about your reading?”
He frowned. “I don’t like words as much as numbers. There’s only ten numbers, and then you just reuse them, but they always mean the same count unless you put them in a different column. There’s twenty-six letters, and they don’t always sound the same way, so it makes it seem like there are a whole lot more letters than just twenty-six. Then, when you mix them up in words, they make all sorts of different sounds.”
“I’d never thought of it that way.” Gloriana stepped back. “There, your hair’s much drier. Why don’t you just sit here and warm up while I get you something hot to drink?”
“Hot cider?” he asked.
She smiled. “Sure. Why not?”
She went to the kitchen and warmed some cider on the stove. Pastor Sedgwick had just brought her several gallons of apple cider in trade for fish her father had given the Sedgwicks. People often made trades in order to have what they needed. Ever since the jugs had arrived, JT wanted to drink it all. He seemed to have a hollow leg when it came to apple cider. Of course, he’d have a bellyache to end them all if he drank as much as he wanted.
When it was sufficiently warm, Gloriana poured JT a cup and took it to him. “Here you go, but no more until after supper.”
He reached out from the blanket to take the cup. He immediately put it to his lips and took a drink. “How come we don’t make cider, Glory?”
“We would need apple trees. Besides, I really don’t need the extra work. We smoke fish and pickle it, we pick berries, and I make all sorts of jam. I think that’s plenty of work, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Maybe we could stop doing that other stuff and grow apple trees. I like apples—especially your apple pie.”
“Well, once you get warmed up, you shou
ld get dressed, and maybe I’ll make some apple tarts for supper.” She rubbed his head affectionately, then returned to the kitchen. Peering out the window, she could see the waves crashing on the shore. There was no sign that the storm was letting up.
By evening, with no sign of her father or any of the other fishermen, Gloriana started to worry. She knew Sally must be beside herself.
Gloriana pulled the apple tarts from the oven and set them aside. “JT, please come here for a minute.”
He wandered into the room with a wooden sword at his side and an eye patch over one eye. Papa had given him these toys and told him stories about pirates, and JT loved to reenact the battles he’d been told about.
“What do you need, Glory? I was just about to kill Blackbeard.”
She smiled. “Can he wait just a few minutes? I need to run next door and invite Sally to join us. I don’t want her to be alone this evening, especially with the baby so close to being born.”
JT straightened and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Blackbeard can wait.”
“Good. I should be back in just a couple of minutes.” She pulled a woolen shawl over her head and wrapped it tight.
The wind seemed to calm a bit as she made her way to the small cottage next door. She remembered from the days when this had been her home that the cottage always seemed cozy and strong against the storms. Her father had built it with the help of a friend, and that alone had made Gloriana feel safe.
She knocked once and was almost immediately greeted by Sally. The petite woman’s face was ashen. “I thought maybe you were Scott.” She ushered Gloriana inside and closed out the weather. “Do you suppose they’re in trouble?”
“I don’t know. I think they’re probably seeking shelter. They have no way to let us know. Last year we had a whole week of storms that made it impossible for them to get home. Why don’t you get your things together and come spend the evening with me? If the men don’t come back, you can just stay the night as well.”
Sally didn’t have to be persuaded. She grabbed a basket and went to her bedroom. Within minutes she was back with her things.
Gloriana grabbed a shawl from the peg by the door. “The wind has died down a little, but it’s still raining.” She wrapped the shawl around Sally’s narrow shoulders, then took her basket. “I’ll carry this, and you hold on to me. The ground is pretty slippery from all the water.”
The two women made their way back to the Womack house and breathed a heavy sigh once they were safely inside.
“That wind is picking up again.” Gloriana pulled the basket out from under her shawl and set it by the stove.
“Mr. Griggs stopped by and said there’s a prayer meeting starting at seven,” JT announced. Mr. Griggs was their neighbor to the north. Usually, when the pastor called for prayer like this, he would notify a dozen of the church men, and they would spread the word.
Gloriana took off her wet shawl and hung it by the door. “I thought they might call for one.” She looked at Sally. “When the weather is bad and a lot of the men are still out on the lake, we usually gather to pray for their safe return. You can stay here if you like, since the walk will be difficult in the wind.”
“No,” Sally replied, shaking her head. “I want to come too.”
“Well, then, let’s eat supper quickly, and then we can go to the church.”
“I don’t think I could eat a bite.”
“You’re far too thin as it is,” Gloriana said, then looked at her brother. “I know you’re hungry. You’re always hungry.”
JT nodded. “And you made apple tarts. I saw them cooling.”
Gloriana smiled. “Go get washed up, and we’ll eat. I have hot pea soup with big chunks of ham. Oh, and fresh bread.” It was one of JT’s favorite meals. Their father’s too.
The three of them sat down to the meal, and Gloriana said grace. She added a prayer for their loved ones and all the other men who were on the water. When she concluded and looked up, she saw Sally wipe her eyes.
“We have to keep up our strength. This storm could last for days. Our men are smart. My father has been working Lake Superior most of his life. He knows when to take cover.” Gloriana didn’t bring up the fact that storms sometimes snuck up to betray even the most seasoned fishermen. “Now, eat up.” She ladled soup into each bowl, then passed the plate of bread.
After supper, they donned their warm clothes and made their way to church. It was nearly a half-mile walk, which under normal circumstances wasn’t at all difficult, but with Sally and the storm, it seemed to take much longer. Gloriana kept a firm hold on one of Sally’s arms while JT held the other. They paced themselves to what Sally was able to do, and by the time they reached the church, everyone was wet and completely worn out.
“I’m so glad you came,” Mrs. Sedgwick said, embracing Gloriana. “We weren’t sure if you would make it.”
“Of course. It’s important to come together and pray when storms are upon us.”
JT saw one of his friends and pulled on Gloriana’s shawl. “Can I go sit with Jimmy and his mother?”
She nodded. “We’ll all go sit with Jimmy and his mother.” She smiled at the pastor’s wife. “It won’t prevent JT’s thoughts of playing instead of praying, but hopefully it will give us all a little comfort, knowing we’re in this together.”
Mrs. Sedgwick smiled. “I’m sure it will.”
More people were arriving, so Gloriana moved Sally toward the pew where JT had already made his presence known. Most people’s heads were already bowed in prayer. The pastor had lit candles all over the church, and it gave a welcoming glow, plus added warmth.
Gloriana sat down beside her brother in hopes of keeping him in hand, and Sally sat on her other side. It was hard to see her so upset and fretful. Gloriana had gone through a lot of these worrisome times, but this was new to Sally. She’d experienced the men being away for several days because of their jobs, but this felt different.
Pastor Sedgwick took the pulpit. “I want to welcome you to God’s house. Jesus made it clear to us in the Bible that His Father’s house was to be a house of prayer, and so we gather here this evening to pray for our loved ones who are on the lake.”
Gloriana could remember so many prayer meetings like this. Some ended with joyous returns and others with loss and great sorrow. Just a few years back, they’d had a terrible November storm that destroyed ships and made many a widow. It was an awful thing to face, but it was the way life was on the lake. They lived and died by it.
Pastor Womack urged them to open their Bibles if they’d brought them. “We’ll stand and read Psalm 107, starting with verse twenty-one.” He waited for the congregation to rise and began.
“‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
“‘And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
“‘They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
“‘These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
“‘For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
“‘They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
“‘They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.
“‘Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
“‘He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
“‘Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
“‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!’”
Pastor Sedgwick stepped away from the pulpit and raised his hands. “Let us spend this time in prayer for our loved ones who are on the lake—who battle the stormy seas.”
Gloriana b
owed her head. She couldn’t count the number of times she’d heard that psalm read. Some considered it in part or whole to be the “Sailor’s Psalm.” It definitely spoke to the perils of the sea.
Lord, You are good to us.
She always liked to begin her prayers in praise. It was something her mother had done, and it seemed only right to continue the tradition.
We put our trust in You because You are faithful and worthy of our trust. Even when bad times come like these, we know Your love is perfect and casts out fear.
JT giggled, and Gloriana nudged him, knowing he and Jimmy were probably not praying.
Father, I know You hold our lives in Your hands. You are with each and every man out there on the water and You know what they need. I pray for safety for each one—safety for them and their ships—safety for us on land.
Gloriana licked her dry lips. A shiver ran down her spine. Each time she faced these moments with her mother, Gloriana had taken strength from her. Now Mama was gone, and poor Sally sat in her place. Sally had faith in God, but she was a new Christian, and that faith had not been tested very much. Sally was terrified, and Gloriana could feel her trembling. Gloriana wished she could offer the younger woman the same strength Mama had given her, but she wasn’t sure she had any to spare.
An older man got up to offer his prayer aloud. “O great God of the universe, we humbly bow before You—seeking You. Draw near to us, we pray. Put a guard over our loved ones. Calm the lake and the storms that rage around her. Bring our loved ones home without injury or loss. We commit this to You, great Father—thankful that You hear our prayers.” He sat back down and folded his hands in silent prayer.
Gloriana added an “amen” and continued with her own prayers.
The service went on for an hour, with people speaking up from time to time to offer their prayer aloud. It calmed Gloriana’s spirit. Unfortunately, it seemed only to bring on tears for Sally. Slipping her arm around the younger woman’s shoulders, Gloriana held Sally close.
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