The moment they reached the Christina, Jordan headed up the stairs to the top deck. With slumped shoulders and bowed head, he leaned back against the wall of the texas. He looked as discouraged as Libby had ever seen him.
When Peter joined them, Caleb used the slate to explain all that had happened. “Jordan used your secret sign to help us find him!”
“He did?” Peter was delighted. Then he saw Jordan’s face. Reaching out, Peter put his hand on his shoulder and asked, “Why are you afraid?”
Jordan tipped back his head and opened his eyes. Without turning his head, he glanced sideways at Peter with a look that asked, “What did you say?”
Peter repeated his question. “Why are you afraid?”
For a few minutes Jordan sat there, still without speaking. Then he slapped his knee and laughed.
“I forgot!” Again Jordan laughed as though the biggest joke was on him.
Peter looked puzzled, but Caleb kept writing.
“When I was a slave,” Jordan said, “I dreamed about being free. I dreamed about bringing my family to freedom. Now that I’m free, I have to do what Mr. Thompson said.”
Jordan clapped the ten-year-old on the back. “Thanks, Peter. You just reminded me that I have to live freedom!”
A few minutes later Libby found Pa in his cabin. He was eager to talk about the land he found. As Pa hoped, it was on a bluff, had a good view of the river, trees, and acres for farming. He had already signed the papers to buy it.
“Have you told Annika yet?” Libby asked.
Pa shook his head. “I’ve been watching for her. I can hardly wait to tell her.”
Seeing her father’s excitement, Libby suddenly felt confused. During recent months she had longed for a special woman in her life. Someone she could talk with, not just now and then, but forever. Someone who would be a wife for Pa, a mother to her. But now Libby wondered, What will happen to me if Annika and Pa do get married?
Libby tried to push her worried thoughts aside. Of course Pa will still love me.
But Libby’s uneasiness wouldn’t go away. Still feeling concerned, she went out on the hurricane deck. While she, too, watched for Annika, Libby noticed an artist set up his easel at the edge of the river. When Libby went down to watch, Caleb found her there.
“Let’s go visit the Democratic and Republican conventions.”
“Will they let us in?”
Caleb shrugged. “We’ll find out.”
Already the artist had sketched the outline of the Christina. The tall white steamboat with its many decks and railings shone in the sunlight. Behind the boat, the high bluffs on the other side of the river ended in a bright blue sky.
As Libby and Caleb started past, the artist turned. For a moment he studied their faces. “Do you live on the Christina? Would you like to be part of the painting?”
“Would I!” Libby exclaimed. She wanted any chance she could to see an artist work.
Caleb started to slip away, but the artist called him back. “You too. How about it?”
It wasn’t hard to guess how Caleb felt, but Libby was already in place. The artist moved them around until they stood with the Christina in the background. As the artist painted, a crowd gathered around him. The artist kept on, looking up only enough to study Libby and Caleb again.
At first Libby stood without moving. She found it fun to be part of the painting. Before long she felt the heat of the afternoon sun. Then she started to itch. The minute she tried to scratch her nose, the artist called out, “Don’t move!”
Just then Libby looked beyond the artist. Annika was walking across the levee with Oliver White. Feeling sick, Libby nudged Caleb. Trying not to move her lips, she whispered, “There’s Annika!”
Tall and handsome, Oliver White looked down at Annika, his blue eyes smiling into hers. Annika looked up, talking and laughing as if with a good friend.
“Uh-huh,” Caleb said, not moving his lips at all.
Libby’s stomach tightened. What if Annika loves Oliver White? What if he upsets all of Pa’s hopes and dreams?
“Hold it!” the artist called out. “Don’t change your expression. I’m almost done.”
Using all her willpower, Libby forced herself to be still.
“Thank you, thank you,” the artist said as he finished up. “I’m traveling up the St. Croix River to Taylors Falls. When I go into Wisconsin, this painting will help me get work.”
Against the white background of the Christina, Caleb’s blond hair stood out. The artist had caught the best of Caleb—the way he held his head when he was sure of where he was going. More than once Libby had seen that look when Caleb took on a dangerous role in the Underground Railroad.
Libby felt even more surprised by the way the artist painted her. In the warmth of the day, soft wisps of hair curled around her face. Something in her face caught Libby up short. From her own training as an artist, Libby knew what it was.
The unhappy look she once had around her eyes was gone. I care about people now. I care about being part of a never-give-up family.
As Annika and Mr. White reached the Christina, Peter came down the gangplank with Wellington trailing behind him. Taking one look at Mr. White, the dog planted his spindly legs and barked.
When the man tried to pass him, Wellington danced around, blocking the way.
Trying to ignore the terrier, Mr. White started once more for the gangplank. Wellington growled. Mr. White stepped back and glared at Peter. “Get that dog away from me!”
Peter didn’t need to hear the man’s words. Reaching down, Peter scooped up Wellington in his arms. “I’m sorry, sir,” Peter said politely, but Libby knew him well.
Peter feels the way I do. He doesn’t want Annika and Mr. White together.
Afraid for Pa and all that could happen, Libby hurried past Annika and Mr. White. When she reached the hurricane deck, she knelt down at the railing that overlooked the main deck. It wasn’t long before Libby saw Annika. In each hand she carried a carpetbag.
Uh-oh! Libby thought. She’s ready to move out.
Libby stood up, ready to run after the teacher. Then Libby noticed Pa. For a moment he talked with Annika. Taking her carpetbags, Pa led her toward the stairs.
By the time they walked up two flights to the hurricane deck, Libby was kneeling out of sight. Closer to the wall of the texas, she could hear every word they said.
When Pa and Annika sat down in two chairs, Libby risked a look around the corner. From her place on the floor of the deck, Libby saw their backs and the sides of their faces. Unless they turned around, they wouldn’t see her.
Pleased with her front row seat, Libby settled in to watch and listen.
CHAPTER 13
Libby’s Big Fumble
Annika’s face glowed with excitement. “I was just coming to thank you for everything. Harriet found me exactly the job I need!”
But Pa looked upset. “I wanted to talk with you again about teaching on the Christina.”
Annika barely seemed to hear him. “Remember that day when you asked Libby and the boys what they wanted most in life? That was when I felt certain that God wanted me in St. Paul this winter.”
Oh no! Libby thought. Pa can’t stay here. Locked in the frozen North, he would miss at least five months of shipping. Downstream, in warmer waters, he could work much longer.
And with Pa away … Libby didn’t want to think about all the men in St. Paul who would like to marry a woman such as Annika. By the time we see her again, she could be an old married woman.
Libby corrected herself. Not old. But married. Still beautiful and fun.
Libby tried to name it. Still full of heart. Annika cares about people.
Now Pa asked, “I helped you decide to stay in St. Paul?”
“Remember what you said about people who want to help others shape their lives into something good? I can help the people who are already here and the immigrants who come. I can help fugitives like Jordan who want to learn to read an
d write. I’m a good teacher, Nathaniel. A very good teacher.”
“I have no doubt that you are,” Pa said softly. “But I can’t stay here with you. I have no choice but to get these furs down the river and off to Europe. I need to finish my work downstream and come back up with supplies for winter.” Pa sighed. “Once the river closes with ice, St. Paul is shut off from the rest of the world. The mail that goes in or out is carried by sleigh. We might not hear from each other for months at a time!”
“I know,” Annika said. “Everyone has warned me about the winters.” Her eyes were soft, as if she, too, longed to board the Christina, to be part of the family that traveled up and down the river together. “I’d like to be with you, Nathaniel. I’d like to teach Libby, Caleb, Jordan, and Peter. But the Lord wants me here this winter.”
“I won’t even know if you’re all right!”
“You’ll know,” Annika said gently. “The Lord will tell you if I’m not all right. He’ll speak to me the same way about you.”
For a time Pa was silent. Finally he asked, “There’s nothing I can say to make you change your mind?”
Annika thought for a moment. “It would have to be God who changes my mind.”
“Has He told you why you are to stay here?”
“If I came on board now, it would be too soon.”
Pa ran his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t mean to get married now. I meant to give us time to get to know each other. To allow me, if I may, to court you, to show you how much you mean to me.”
Annika smiled. “I would like to be courted by you. To feel as though I’m the most special woman on earth. But it’s too soon.”
“For me? For you?”
“For Libby. If I came to stay on the Christina now, she would think she got her way. She wants a mother. Snap her fingers. Poof! Like magic, she has one.”
“I see,” said Pa.
“It’s a serious thing to take on a new member of a family. Libby isn’t ready for a mother yet. She’s still getting used to having Peter for a brother.”
“How I can help her?”
“I don’t know. But when the time comes, you’ll know.”
A look of pain crossed Pa’s face. “Right now the river is my life and my work. But a time will come when railroads will replace steamboats. I have another dream for when that happens. I wanted to take you there, to show you my dream. A home on top of a bluff, land around it for farming, and timber too. But—”
Pa stopped. Annika was part of the dream, and now, perhaps not a part. For a long moment Pa gazed into her eyes. Reaching out, he took her hand. “Annika, is there someone else you love? Someone here in St. Paul?”
Annika looked down, her long lashes dark against the soft color of her cheeks. When she looked up again, her eyes held the mischief that Libby recognized. “You mean Mr. Oliver White? It’s true we have a lot in common. We both like music.” Then Annika met Pa’s gaze, and her voice changed. “The man of my dreams won’t be here in St. Paul.”
Pa shrank back. “Who is he? Where will he be?”
“He’ll be on the Christina, somewhere on the Mississippi River, far south of here.”
Pa smiled. “I’ll be very glad if it stays that way.” Once more he looked deep into her eyes. When he bent his head, his lips brushed Annika’s cheek.
“There’s something I want you to remember,” he said when he lifted his head. His voice was strong, but Libby heard the tears at the edge of it. “Wherever I am, I’ll be thinking of you.”
“And I will be praying for you,” Annika promised.
Pa stood up slowly but then walked quickly away, not looking back.
When Annika also left, Libby slipped out from her hiding place. One part of her felt angry. Oh, Annika! How can you be so stubborn? How can you be so sure that God wants you here this winter?
For the first time, Libby almost hated Annika’s beliefs because of the way they kept her from being with Pa. Just when things were really going well! Just when she and Pa seem to like each other!
Then something else weighed on Libby. Why does she think I’m not ready for a mother? That I’m still getting used to a brother? Who does Annika think I am—a spoiled child? I’m not that way anymore!
Taking the long way around the texas, Libby walked to her room. She found Annika looking for her. “I wanted to say goodbye,” the teacher said.
Libby swallowed around the lump in her throat. She wanted to ask Annika a hundred questions, but she knew she couldn’t. Annika would know she had listened in.
“I’ll miss you,” Libby said instead, her voice small and quiet.
“I’ll miss you too.” For a moment Annika stood there, waiting until Libby looked into her eyes. “Whatever happens to you in life, you are a very special child of God.”
After a quick hug, Annika was gone, and Libby felt empty deep inside. When Samson flopped onto the deck, Libby sat down next to him. As she scratched behind the dog’s ears, Libby wished she could forget Annika’s last words. It sounds as if she’s saying goodbye forever.
For a long time Libby brushed Samson’s coat. “I’m glad I have you,” Libby whispered at last. “Life is simpler with you.”
The sun had set, and darkness covered the waterfront as the Christina prepared to leave St. Paul. All of the freight and most of the passengers were on board. Libby stood high on the hurricane deck, looking toward Jackson Street.
I’m going to miss you, St. Paul, she thought. In the few short days she had been there, Libby had started to love the city. It’s like Pa said. There are good people here. Kind people.
Then as she peered into the night, all of her warmhearted feelings changed.
Coming along Jackson Street was a short man wearing a business suit and hat. He carried a gold-headed cane and headed straight toward the Christina.
Dread tightened Libby’s stomach. Is that really Riggs? Since seeing the man in St. Anthony, she had been afraid of this. In a few minutes she felt sure. It was Jordan’s owner, all right.
Libby raced for the stairs. By the time she found Jordan in the engine room, she was badly frightened and out of breath.
“You’ve got to hide,” she told him. “Riggs is coming on board! I think the pawnshop owner tipped him off. Riggs must know you’re here.”
Jordan sighed. “I reckon he does. I’ll make sure I stay out of sight.”
As the Christina left St. Paul, Libby told Pa about Riggs. “That’s fine.” Pa wasn’t at all upset. “As long as we know where he is, we can keep an eye on him.”
That night when Libby woke up, she ached inside. Like a nightmare, her first thought stayed with her. Annika isn’t with us. She stayed behind.
Libby tried to push the thought away, but another crowded in. She said I’m not ready for a mother. It’s all my fault!
In the morning Pa called them together for school. So Jordan could be with them, they met in the cargo area, in a hidden room made with tall piles of freight. A lantern close beside them, Caleb wrote for Peter. When they asked about Annika, Libby suspected that all of them missed her as much as she did.
“The speculators want land for the money it will bring them,” Libby said when Pa asked what they learned in St. Paul. “For immigrants, land is something more. They want land to make a home—to begin a new way of life.”
Caleb and Jordan had managed to learn about the conventions held by the men working to create a new state. Jordan reported on that. “The new Republican party wants to give men like my daddy the right to vote!”
“Does everyone in Minnesota want that?” Pa asked.
Jordan grinned. “No, sir. Can’t say that they do. Some of those people are putting up a mighty big fight.”
For the first time since leaving Annika, Pa laughed. “When we get to Galena, what are you going to tell your parents, Jordan?”
“That wherever we live, there are goin’ to be things to make us afraid. But if we live where God wants us, we can ask for His protection. We can fig
ht to be free. I is going to fight—” Jordan stopped and corrected himself. “I am goin’ to fight by gettin’ educated. Mr. Thompson says I need to let myself be free.”
Let myself be free? Libby thought. Again she wondered, What does that mean?
When class was over, Pa asked Libby to stay for a minute. With the lantern set on the floor between them, Pa asked, “How are you doing, Libby?”
Libby decided to be honest. “It bothers me that you left Annika behind.”
“I didn’t have any choice,” Pa said. “If I really love Annika, I need to believe she is able to hear God—to make the choices He wants her to make. If I don’t respect her beliefs, we can’t build our love on a strong foundation.”
“But doesn’t it scare you?” Libby asked. “Aren’t you afraid she’ll fall in love with Oliver White?”
“Yes, Libby, I am. But Annika has to follow God’s leading in her life. I need to do the same thing. Right now God seems to be leading us in two different directions. Annika believes she is to stay. I need to leave.”
“But everything is left unfinished!” Libby wailed. “We didn’t find the stolen violin. We haven’t figured out the fiddler’s secret. You don’t know what will happen with Annika.” Inside, Libby felt angry. “Is it like God to leave things unfinished?”
Pa smiled. “No, Libby, it isn’t. Right now it doesn’t make sense. But we have to give God time.”
When she met Pa’s eyes, there was something Libby knew. He feels the loss of Annika for my sake as well as his.
For a moment Libby felt better. Then she remembered the promise Pa gave them the day Annika came to class. All things work together for good for those who love You, for those who are called according to Your purpose. If that’s true, what’s Your purpose for me?
As she thought about it, Libby remembered her desire to be strong, even in the hard times. Lord, do You want me to be strong in You?
Pa broke into Libby’s thoughts. “There’s something else I’ve been wanting to talk with you about. How would you feel about making Peter an official part of our family?”
“You mean adopt him?”
The Fiddler's Secret Page 10
