Gloriana wasn’t sure if it was due to the coughing or JT’s words, but there were tears in the older man’s eyes.
“JT, thank you for staying with Mr. Carson.”
“Sure, Glory. I asked him to be my grandfather and he said yes. Isn’t that great?” He came to stand in front of her. “I’ve got a real grandfather now.”
Gloriana smiled. “I think he will be a very good one.” It amazed her that only days earlier she had hated this man. Now she just felt sympathy for him . . . and perhaps a little compassion. “You go get your homework done. I left you milk and cookies on the table. Please keep an eye on Sally for a little while as I need to tend to Mr. Carson.”
“Grandfather Carson.”
Gloriana smiled. “Grandfather Carson.”
JT left and she approached the bed, wondering what Luke’s father truly thought of all this. “The doctor said we will need to rinse your eyes in boric acid. He’s going to stop and let Luke know about your condition, and Luke will bring boric acid home from the apothecary.”
Carson nodded. “Your brother is a good boy.”
“Yes, he is. I hope he didn’t bother you.”
“No. I enjoyed our talk.”
“I need to wipe you down. You’re still feverish. That may well be why you can’t see.” She opened his shirt and helped him out of it. Carson offered her no resistance.
“I’m sure you both miss your father,” he said.
His remark surprised her. He had been quite ugly in his comments about her father prior to this. She held her tongue and asked God for a merciful heart.
“We do,” she finally said. “We miss him very much.”
“I apologize . . . for any of my comments that suggested . . . he was to blame for the death of my son.” He coughed again and seemed a little less raspy.
“Apology accepted.” She said nothing more, not knowing what else to say.
She finished wiping his chest and arms, then helped him sit up straight and wiped his back. This brought on spasms of coughing, so Gloriana gave him some honeyed tea.
“The doctor said your lungs are clearer. This coughing is good for getting the mucus out, but I know it also wears you out. Sitting up will also help. When you feel well enough, I’ll bring in a chair where you can sit and rest while I make your bed.”
A rumble of thunder sounded. The storm was moving in, just as Gloriana had predicted.
“Why are you doing all of this?” Carson asked.
Gloriana hadn’t expected this question. “You’re sick and you need to be tended.”
“But there was money aplenty to have someone else play nursemaid. You could have sent me to the hospital.”
“Hospitals are places where people go to die.” She shook her head and helped him back into his shirt. “I have some willow bark tea that you need to drink. It will also help bring down the fever.”
Carson reached out, fumbling for her. Gloriana frowned and took his hand.
“What is it?”
“I gave you no reason to help me, and yet you do.”
“God laid it on my heart. I can hardly marry Luke and then stand by and let his father die.”
“I don’t deserve . . . your mercy.”
Gloriana frowned again. “I have to admit I didn’t understand why anyone would want to tear a family apart. When I heard you had come, I was afraid. I love Sally and couldn’t bear it if anything happened to her.”
“I can see that now.” He chuckled and started to cough again. When it passed, he shook his head. “Maybe I had to be blind to see.”
“You said you never believed in God, Mr. Carson.”
“Not much, anyway. Why do you ask?”
“God has gotten me through all of this. JT’s sickness, my father’s and Scott’s deaths, Sally’s death and the baby’s birth, and now you being here. When the boat went down and Papa and Scott died, I was so angry at God. I felt He was cruel. Then Sally went into labor and had the baby but could summon no will to live. That convinced me all the more that God didn’t care. But He did. Sometimes His way of doing things seems so foreign to me. It makes no sense, and I have to remind myself that I’m not God. I don’t have to understand. I have only to trust. That’s where you are right now. We neither one understand why you have gotten sick, much less become blind. Nor why it had to involve me. But as I have cared for you in your sickness, my heart has softened. I no longer feel hatred or anger toward you. I’m no longer afraid. I feel God’s presence as I act in mercy. I know that I am doing His will.”
“I’ve never met anyone like you. I’m glad my son has found such a woman to wed.”
“Even though I’m not rich? Or a part of society? I’m just a fisherman’s daughter.”
“No, you’re so much more.”
“So was Sally.” Gloriana hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, but now that she had, there was no taking them back.
“Yes. She was a much better woman than I gave her credit for. I am deeply ashamed of how I acted. Deeply ashamed.”
Gloriana adjusted his pillows, then helped him lie back. “Scott still loved you. He told me once that when you had time to sort through everything, he knew you would take him back. He never cared about the money—just about you.”
Tears came again to his eyes. “My son. My dear son.”
Gloriana squeezed his shoulder. “He always loved you, and he always knew that in your own way, you loved him. The loss is tremendous, but Scott loved Jesus, and Sally did too. You will see them in heaven one day if you love Him as well.”
The routes were off by as much as twenty to thirty yards in places. Luke had finally managed to locate an original map and could now see exactly where the route should have been laid. He wasn’t sure what could be done now except for tearing up the track and rerouting it to the tune of millions of dollars.
Worse still, the evidence kept pointing back to one person. Theodore Sedgwick—his secretary. Luke was sick at heart. How could this be? Why would Sedgwick do such a thing? He was even now returning from St. Paul. He always seemed so helpful—so willing to go the extra mile. Why would he seek to destroy the much-needed and anticipated railroad?
Luke glanced at the clock. Sedgwick should be back by six. He was taking the boat from Fond du Lac, and they were generally on time. Luke wondered if he should be at the dock to meet him or just wait until morning to confront him. A night’s sleep might do them both a lot of good.
He heard the front door open and went to see who had come. The doctor stood just inside, rain dripping from his hat and coat. Luke extended his hand. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Is everything all right?”
The doctor was rather grim-faced. “I’m afraid not. Your fiancée sent for me. Your father is blind.”
“Blind?” Luke was sure he’d heard wrong. “Did you say he’s blind?”
“Yes. Measles often causes blindness. Sometimes it’s permanent, and sometimes it’s temporary.”
“Which is it this time?”
“I don’t know. That’s the trouble. It might last a few days or even weeks, and then the vision returns, or it could be permanent. I’m sorry. I told Miss Womack that I would instruct you to bring home boric acid powder. You can get it at the apothecary. She knows how to mix it and use it.”
“Of course. I’ll go right now.” It definitely answered the question of confronting Theodore tonight. “Is there anything else I should know?”
The doctor nodded. “His lungs are clearer and his temperature is lower. I believe he’s come through the worst of it.”
“I would say being blind is the worst of it.” Luke couldn’t imagine his father bearing blindness with any good grace.
“Well, as I said, it could be just a few days, or it might be permanent. We can only leave it in the hands of God. Soon enough we’ll know the truth.”
Luke sat by his father’s bedside and watched him sleep. Gloriana had told him about JT seeking to form a bond with Luke’s father and of his acceptance of t
he role of grandfather. She had also told him of their discussion and his father’s regret for how he’d acted.
“Who’s there?” his father asked.
“It’s me, Luke. The doctor told me about your eyes, and I came right home. I’m sorry you’re having to go through this, Father.”
His father’s eyes were open, but Luke knew he saw nothing. How awful it must be. How terrible to be confined inside the darkness when he had once known light and sight. Luke felt overwhelmed with grief.
“Sometimes God has to do . . . something drastic . . . to get a man’s attention. Especially a man as stubborn as I am,” his father replied. His voice was much stronger than it had been yesterday.
“And does God have your attention now?”
Father chuckled and began to cough. Once he regained control, he shook his head. “Sorry about that. Gloriana tells me it’s good because . . . I’m clearing my lungs.” He began to cough again, and this time it was less severe. “But to answer your question, yes. God has my attention now. There’s little else for me to do but contemplate Him and my life.”
“The doctor said this isn’t necessarily permanent.”
“I know.” His father shifted his weight in the bed. “But there’s also the possibility that it is. I have to accept that I might never see again. That isn’t easy to grasp.”
“No. I can’t imagine it is, but know that you will be cared for.”
“By you?”
“Me, Gloriana, JT, and one day, Sally.” Luke took his father’s hand. “We won’t give you over to strangers.”
Father smiled at this. “Even though I deserve it?”
Luke couldn’t help but smile in return. “That’s what grace is all about—not getting what we deserve. Gloriana told me when I came home that if you needed to remain with us for the rest of your life, she was all right with that.”
“She’s a remarkable woman. You really should marry her.”
Luke laughed. “You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve tried to do just that.”
His father smiled. “I’ve never known you to be stopped from doing what you set your mind to.”
“No. That’s true enough.”
“You sound tired, wearier than I’ve ever heard you sound. Then again, maybe I just wasn’t listening. Maybe my hearing will improve now that I have no vision.”
Luke saw no reason to worry his father with his concerns about the railroad. “I guess I’m extra tired and worried for you. I want to make sure you know that despite the way things started out between us when you arrived, that is all past us. I hold no grudge against you. You will have the best of care. We will see you through this.”
His father nodded. “I know. JT told me that’s what families do.”
Luke smiled. “He’s a very clever boy.”
“Indeed, he is. I’m going to look forward to being his grandfather.”
Chapter 25
Theodore felt more than a little anxious about reporting for work after his trip to St. Paul. He knew the word had already been telegraphed to Luke that the route was off in more places than they’d originally figured. It was all one section of the route, but Theo had made certain that the variance was significant. Well, to be honest, it was the engineer’s new route that changed things, but no one would ever know that. Everything had been signed in Lucas Carson’s name, even if it had been forged.
He fumbled for his key. He was already celebrating Lucas Carson’s demise. When Jay Cooke learned it was his fault that the rail route was off, surely Luke would be fired and his good name ruined. The idea had excited Theodore so much that he’d hardly been able to sleep.
As he moved to unlock the door, he found it was already unlocked. When he came inside, he could hear voices from Luke’s office. He crept closer.
“Who could have known what this would do? I’d like to think the numbers were changed for the purpose of improving the line, but my gut tells me otherwise.”
Theo wasn’t sure who was talking, but then Luke responded. “It’s actually a miracle. Definitely God’s blessing. The engineer said the new route was far more stable. We might have had only a few runs before the rails broke had we put the track in the original area. Who could have known about that bedrock? It’s made for the best of foundations and will keep the line solid for years to come.”
Theodore frowned. What were they talking about? Surely not the new route his engineer had helped figure out. He continued to listen.
“Well, whoever was responsible has saved Jay Cooke millions,” the other man replied. “You’re sure to be rewarded.”
Theodore went to his desk and sat down without even bothering to remove his hat and coat. He had a sinking feeling. From what he could surmise, the new route had not caused the railroad the harm he’d intended, but rather made the line better. This couldn’t be. He got up again and headed for the door. He needed to speak to the engineer. He needed to understand what was going on.
Luke reread the telegram from Jay Cooke. His employer was more than a little pleased at the changes to the route and all the money it had saved them in the long run. He praised Luke for taking the initiative to get another engineer’s opinion. But Luke couldn’t take the credit and began to pen a personal letter to Cooke.
I cannot take credit for this. In truth, I believe it was meant to harm us, but God took what was meant for evil and used it for good. I have my suspicions as to who was responsible but haven’t yet collected the proof. I assure you that I am seeking the truth and will share this news with you as soon as I have it.
He paused and put the pen aside. If Theodore was to blame as he suspected, Luke was clueless as to why. He had been a good secretary—attentive to every detail. Obviously, now Luke could surmise that that attention was for his own benefit.
“Luke, are you in?”
It was Archie. “Sure, come on back.”
Archie came into Luke’s office with another man on his heels. “This is Homer Sanders. He’s a retired railroad route engineer from back east.”
Luke stood and extended his hand. “Mr. Sanders.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carson. Archie tells me you’ve been looking for me.”
Looking back at Archie, Luke shrugged. “Have I?”
Archie nodded. “You have. This is the man who planned out the second route. He lives around Fond du Lac and knows it and the area to the south quite well. That’s how he knew where the solid bedrock lay and which areas were more prone to flooding.”
“Well, then it is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sanders, but I am curious as to how we came to be in your debt. I know I didn’t hire you.”
“Oh, but you did. The man told me that Lucas Carson was extending me employment to reassess the route. He made sure I knew your name.”
“I think you’d both better sit down and explain everything.” Luke took his seat, and Archie pulled up a chair. Sanders did likewise.
“We met at one of the local taverns. I was several beers ahead of him, but we enjoyed some conversation as the beer put us at ease.” Sanders grinned. “I don’t think the poor man was used to alcohol, because when he began to mention what was needed, he had his words and goals pretty mixed up. At one point he said you wanted a route that would fail. I’m pretty sure he meant wouldn’t fail.”
“And this man, did he have a name?”
“Sedgwick. Said he was your secretary, but that we were to keep this mission a secret. Said it would be a problem if the railroad men found out, because they thought their route was better. But I could see it wasn’t. They didn’t check with folks who’d lived in that area for a long time. I grew up there as a boy. Besides that, I know just by looking at land where you can get some bedrock and stability. It’s a gift I have, and it’s allowed me to lay some of the best railroads around.”
“And Mr. Sedgwick told you that I had ordered this new route?”
“Yes, sir.”
After listening to Sanders for the next twenty minutes, Luke fi
nally had a clearer picture in his mind. Theodore Sedgwick had approached the older man and hired him on Luke’s behalf. He told Sanders that there was grave concern about the line, and Sanders agreed to look over the route. Sedgwick wasn’t as drunk as the man thought, however, because Luke was certain Theodore had meant for the line to fail. Thank God Sanders believed otherwise.
“You’ve saved the railroad millions of dollars, and I will see that you receive an ample reward.” Luke got to his feet. “I’ve also got a job proposition for you, Sanders. I’m overseeing the Northern Pacific start-up. We’re having a devil of a time finding decent ground for this railroad as well. Maybe you could help us out?”
“Well, I am retired. I don’t know that my wife would appreciate me taking on another job. She was happy with the money from the last job, but I don’t know about another.”
“I promise to make it more than worth your while. Name your price.”
“Let me talk to the missus, and I’ll get back to you.” Sanders grinned. “I like the idea of naming my price.”
Luke turned to Archie. “I appreciate you bringing Mr. Sanders to meet with me, Archie. You deserve a bonus as well.”
“Just happy to see that we’ve got a solid line, Boss. I’m delighted not to have to dig up all that track again and start fresh.”
“You and me both.”
Luke heard the front door open. Hopefully that would be Sedgwick and he could confront him with what he’d done. Maybe he hadn’t done it for a bad reason. Maybe he remembered the areas that often flooded from his childhood and had worried the line was in jeopardy.
They made their way into the outer office as Sedgwick was hanging up his coat and hat. When he turned and saw Sanders, however, his face paled, and a look of guilt washed over him. When his gaze met Luke’s, Luke knew for certain that Sedgwick had meant the deed only for harm.
“Mr. Sedgwick, I believe you know Mr. Sanders and, of course, Archie.”
“Ah . . . yes. Good day, gentlemen.”
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