Luke waited until his secretary had departed to question his father. “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”
“I was afraid you wouldn’t approve.”
“And why would I not approve a visit from my father?” Luke motioned to the office. “Please, let’s sit, and I’ll stoke up the fire.”
“Your man already did that.”
Luke nodded and brushed past his father to claim the seat behind his desk. “I take it you arrived this morning on the Athena. I hope your journey was smooth.”
“It was.” His father moved slowly to the chair opposite the desk.
“I wish you had let me know you were coming. It’s going to be hard to find you accommodations. The Clark House is finished, but we already have quite a few visiting dignitaries occupying it at the moment. Duluth is growing at a maddening pace.”
“Why can’t I simply reside with you?”
Luke smiled. “Because I live in a fisherman’s cottage at the moment. I am building a house, but it won’t be complete before summer. But never fear. I shall find you accommodations.”
His father folded his hands. “I suppose you know why I’ve come.”
Luke shook his head. “No, not exactly. My guess is you’ve come to see how I’m doing and perhaps to meet your granddaughter.”
“I’ve come to take my granddaughter back to Philadelphia.” He fixed Luke with one of his no-nonsense expressions. When Luke was a boy, it was this look that always let him know there was no room for negotiation.
“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but my daughter is staying with me . . . and her mother. You see, I’ve adopted Sally and will soon be married to Gloriana—the woman your daughter-in-law asked to raise her baby.”
His father’s eyes narrowed. “You had no right to adopt the baby. Not without consulting me first.”
“I had every right, Father. I was appointed guardianship by the baby’s dying mother. In front of witnesses, I might add. I’m the only father the child has known, and Gloriana has been her only mother. It just so happens that through our ordeal and sorrows, Gloriana and I have fallen in love. We intend to be married very soon.”
“I will disinherit you!” his father growled.
“Do as you will, Father, but remember what happened the last time you acted out of haste and anger. You can’t undo the past. Would you make the same mistake again?”
“I have a right to that baby. She is my flesh and blood.”
“And mine. And her mother chose me to raise her.” Luke leaned back in his chair. “You are an old man, and I am young and will hopefully have other children who can be siblings to Sally. She can grow up with the love of a mother and father, as well as brothers and sisters. Surely even you can see the blessing of that. What life would it be for a child to be raised in a museum-like house with an old man who has nothing to do with her but to show her off on Sundays?”
“She would have everything. You cannot give her the life I can.”
“Nor can you give her the life I can,” Luke countered. “My life is better, because she will have family and love. Your money and possessions cannot fill the emptiness that will be hers should she be ripped away from those who love her.”
“I won’t allow for this. I’ll take you to court.”
“You may do as you feel necessary, but the adoption is complete and quite legal. The witnesses gave testimony, and Sally is thriving and happy. I do not wish to be threatening, but I will guard and protect that baby as if she were my own. Scott would never want her raised by you in Philadelphia.”
His father’s face grew red. “She is my granddaughter. Her father and mother are dead. I have a right to raise her and will not allow you to rob me of that opportunity.”
Luke drew a deep breath. “I have no wish to keep you from knowing Sally. In fact, I will take you to meet her—if I have your word that you’ll do nothing to interfere with her staying here, with us.”
“I will not give you my word on that. I am her grandfather!” He pounded the arms of the chair. “She is mine by right of survivorship.”
“You’ll have to take that up with Judge Prescott. He finalized the adoption, and I believe the matter has satisfied all the laws of this state.” Luke paused and then leaned forward, arms on his desk. “Father, I don’t want to argue with you. I know this news is not what you expected, but it will be what it is. It would be far better for everyone involved if you would admit defeat and accept the role we offer you.”
“Which is what? An occasional visit? I want an active role in my granddaughter’s life. She should have the privilege to which she’s been born.”
“She wasn’t born to privilege. She was born by the lake to a fisherman and a kitchen maid. Did you forget that you cut her father off from privilege?”
“It didn’t have to be that way. I made offers.”
“You told my brother that if he would divorce his wife and steal their child, you would reinstate him in the family. You were heartless and cruel. Scott loved Sally with everything he had, and they were happy, yet you couldn’t allow that. You cared about status and keeping up appearances so much that you denied your own child. What would happen if Sally chose a different life? Would you cast her off as easily as you did Scott?”
“Scott was a grown man acting like a child. He knew the price of his ridiculous choice.”
“And now you do as well.” Luke shook his head. “If you want any role at all in the life of my daughter, you will reexamine your heart and repent of your harsh ways.”
“I will fight you on this. You will not win. I have far more money and lawyers who will know what is to be done.”
Luke got to his feet. “If you attempt to steal my child, you will regret it.” He fought to control his anger. “I do not wish to fight you, but I will not have Sally be caught in the middle of your struggle for power. Now, I think it best that we head over to the hotel and I see about getting you a room.”
Gloriana stood back to survey her handiwork. She had been cleaning since early that morning. Spring cleaning, her mother had always called it. They did a thorough clean of the house each spring and fall as a sort of ritual. Mother likened the springtime to renewal of life and thought the house should have its own refreshing as well.
That morning Gloriana had started with cleaning the fireplace and doing what she could to clear the chimney. Next, she had moved on to dust and sweep the house from top to bottom. After that, she took rags and hot soapy water to wipe down everything from the ceiling to the floors. Sally had watched her from the beautiful walnut baby chair Luke had found in one of the little shops in town. Gloriana had padded the chair with blankets so Sally couldn’t escape. At nearly seven months old, the baby seemed quite content as Gloriana moved her from room to room and kept her entertained with her cleaning.
At noon they had stopped for lunch, followed by Sally taking a long nap while Gloriana battled cleaning out all of the cupboards. She had just gotten everything back into place when JT walked through the door with muddy boots.
“Stop!” Gloriana jumped down from the chair she had been standing on and pointed to his boots. “You should have taken those off outside. Where did you get into all that mud?”
“We were playing, and it’s been raining,” he said. Squatting down, he worked to get them off. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to track it in.”
“It’s all right, but try to remember next time. I’ve been cleaning all day long.”
“And it really smells good in here too. What are we having for supper?”
“Fish and rice, and berry tarts.”
JT grinned. “Can I have one now? I’m really hungry.”
Gloriana shook her head. “No, but you can have two cookies and go get your homework done.”
“Luke said he’d help me with it. It’s grammar.” JT frowned. “I don’t like it.”
“I never did either, but I know it’s very useful.” Gloriana helped him discard his coat and hat. “Clean up you
r boots and then go get started. When Luke gets here, I’ll have him come see you straightaway. Since he trained as a lawyer, he probably knows lots about English.”
But Luke didn’t arrive at the usual time. Where could he be? It was just a half hour until supper. She added wood to the fireplace and waited to make sure it caught. Sally was cooing and playing in her bed as if the world were a perfectly ordered place.
“Well, just look at you,” Gloriana said, checking to see if Sally needed a fresh diaper. She did. Gloriana went to work, talking and smiling as Sally reached for her. “You are such a pretty baby.”
And she really was. Her golden blond hair and chubby cheeks were just part of her charm. Her big blue eyes had the longest lashes, and her nose was a little button.
“Just wait until you can move about on your own. What fun we’ll have then.”
Gloriana finished with the diaper and lifted Sally. “When you’re walking and running and climbing, I’ll probably wish you were back to the sitting and scooting stage, but honestly I find myself eager for your first steps.” She kissed the baby’s cheek. “Oh, my darling girl, how I love you.”
“They want me to mark all of the nouns,” JT said from the doorway. “Where’s Luke?”
“I don’t know.” Gloriana turned with the baby in her arms. “Maybe Sally can help. Sally, what are nouns?” She looked at the baby, who began to babble. Gloriana laughed. “Sally says they are people, places, or things.”
JT came to see her. “She’s gotten so much bigger. When is she going to really talk?”
“Oh, probably not for a long time. Babies just like to make their own words for a while.”
“Do you think other babies know what they’re saying?” JT ran his finger along Sally’s cheek. She reached for him and drew his finger toward her mouth.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Gloriana said, pulling JT’s finger away. “You’ll have a bottle in a moment.” She looked at JT’s forlorn expression. “Why don’t you wait on the homework? I’m sure Luke just had extra work to oversee.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Gloriana smiled. “See there? I’ll bet that’s him. Why don’t you go see?”
JT scurried off, and Gloriana followed with Sally on her hip. She reached the kitchen just as JT was explaining to Luke all his frustrations and reminding him to take off his shoes.
“I’m sure we can figure it out together, so don’t fret,” Luke replied. He glanced past JT to where Gloriana stood with Sally. His expression changed to one of adoration. “There are my two beautiful girls.”
Gloriana smiled. “I was just about to get her bottle ready. She had a nice long nap and now, with her dry diaper, I believe she is more than ready to visit and play.”
“But Luke is going to help me with nouns,” JT protested. “He can’t play with the baby and help me at the same time.”
“No, he’s quite right. Why don’t I wash up and go help JT? You can feed Sally, and then I’ll entertain her while you finish up with supper.” He glanced around. “Is something different? It seems, I don’t know, brighter or something.”
“Gloriana’s been spring cleaning today,” JT informed him. “It always smells extra good when she does that.”
Luke looked at her and shook his head. “You are amazing, you know.”
She laughed. “I’m tired, not amazing. Now, go help JT. Sally and I will be just fine.”
There was something in Luke’s expression that changed. “I do have something to tell you.”
She had known him long enough to know it was serious. Whatever it was, she knew it might not be pleasant. “I’ll be here.”
She warmed Sally’s bottle and tried not to fret. Whatever Luke needed to tell her, they would just face it together and do whatever needed to be done. Perhaps something had gone wrong with the house or with his job. Maybe Jay Cooke wanted him to return to Philadelphia. Oh, what if it were that? What would she say or do? Would he leave Duluth to do his work? He did have a responsibility. How could she fault him for honoring that?
When the bottle was ready, Gloriana sat in the rocker by the fire and fed Sally. The baby took hold of the glass bottle herself and half chewed, half sucked on the leather nipple. They would have to replace it soon. Mrs. Sedgwick had even suggested feeding the baby by using a little mug and teaching her to drink from it. To Gloriana it sounded like a lot of work and cleanup.
Luke came back just as Gloriana was burping Sally. “Here, that’s a job I can do.” He reached down and drew the baby up to his shoulder. “Hello, little one. Aren’t you looking pretty today?”
“You’d better have this towel. You don’t want your suit ruined.” Gloriana handed him up a towel, which he promptly used to cover his shoulder.
He patted Sally firmly on the back until she let out a loud burp. “I think that should suffice,” he said, laughing. “I’ve heard grown men belch more delicately.”
Gloriana grinned. “She’s just very enthusiastic. By the way, how’s JT doing with his nouns?”
“He’s fine now. He was just confused by pronouns. When I left, he was racing through the problems. I’ll check all of his answers after dinner.”
She had no desire to avoid the obvious. “What is it we need to discuss? Has something happened?”
“It has.” Luke sat down and bounced Sally on his knee. “My father has come to town.”
“Your father?” Gloriana felt a chill go up her spine. “Why is he here?”
Luke met her gaze. “To take Sally.”
Chapter 20
“Take Sally?” JT asked from the other side of the room. “You aren’t going to let him, are you?”
“Indeed, I will not. That’s why I was late getting here. I had to stop off to see Judge Prescott. I told him about my father and what he had said and what I feared he might do.”
“Which is what, exactly?” Gloriana asked. She wanted to snatch Sally out of Luke’s arms but held back.
“Father believes he can give Sally a better life in Philadelphia. With his money and social standing, he thinks that Sally will have every advantage life can afford. I pointed out she would be lacking the most important thing: love.”
“Love is the most important,” JT declared, coming to stand beside Gloriana. “Sally has us to love her, and she wouldn’t be happy if we weren’t there.”
“No, I don’t believe she would be,” Luke said, smiling at the baby. “Judge Prescott said we have nothing to fear.” He handed Sally to Gloriana. “And although I wish my father were not in such ill spirits about the matter, I do not intend to let him spoil our happiness.”
“Did the judge offer any other advice?”
Luke nodded. “He did. He suggested you and I be married immediately. He said even if we want to have a bigger wedding later, he believed it would further solidify our case to be married and show a strong family unit. I assured him I would speak to you on the matter.”
“I don’t need a big wedding. Let’s get married right away—even tonight.”
Luke chuckled. “I don’t think we have to run out right now and get the judge to marry us, Gloriana.”
“I just don’t want anything to happen to cause us to lose Sally. I have agreed to be your wife, so why delay any further?”
JT looked at her and then Luke. “I can go get Pastor Sedgwick.”
“Just hold on,” Luke declared, taking a seat on the sofa. “You are both getting way too excited. My father isn’t going to do anything just yet. All of his lawyers and money are back in Philadelphia. My desire is to convince him that he should put aside his plans, but I believe the first order of business is for us to pray. As a family.”
Gloriana had to admit that her first thought was to question God again. Why was He letting this happen? Why couldn’t He just intercede and keep Luke’s father from causing trouble? She drew a deep breath.
I’m sorry, Lord. I’m just so weary of trouble.
“My father can be difficult, but I intend to show him how happy we all a
re together. I want him to see us as a family. That’s why I think we should invite him to come for dinner one night.”
“Here?” Gloriana barely managed to squeak the word out. “You want to entertain your father here? With my cooking?”
“You’re a wonderful cook, and the house is lovely. This is our home.”
“Can I be there when you get married?” JT asked.
Gloriana looked at him with a smile. “Of course. You can give me away.”
“Give you away?” JT frowned. “I don’t want to give you away.”
“You’d just be giving her to me,” Luke said, rubbing JT’s curls.
“Why couldn’t we just take you to be with us instead of me giving Gloriana away? I don’t want to lose anything—I want to gain having you in our family.”
“He makes an excellent point.” Gloriana laughed as the baby did her best to clap her hands. “I believe Sally agrees. We won’t give anything away. Instead we will increase our fold. We will add Luke to the family.”
“I like the sound of that.”
They shared supper, continuing to talk about Luke’s father and when they might entertain him. Luke wanted them to marry the following day, and because of that, he suggested they keep JT home from school.
“We can walk over to see the judge first thing in the morning. Better still, I’ll get my carriage, and we’ll drive. The streets are muddy but passable.”
“I’d rather we get Pastor Sedgwick and his wife,” Gloriana replied. Over the last few years she’d never figured to wed, but prior to that, whenever she thought of marriage, she imagined having the ceremony in the church.
“That’s fine by me. I can go speak to him tonight, if you wish.”
Gloriana nodded. “That would be good.”
“I got a headache,” JT said, rubbing his eyes. “I think I did too much English.”
Gloriana laughed. “Then why don’t you get washed up and ready for bed? It sounds like we’re going to have a very busy day tomorrow.”
JT nodded and came to lay his head against her shoulder. “I love you, Glory. I’m real happy that we’re getting married to Luke.”
Destined for You Page 20
