by Lynn Landes
Chapter 24
Shepherd and George talk through dinner and Maggie shoots him dirty looks. Why is he being so nice to them? Molly looks amazing. She’s glowing with the excitement of new life and George clearly is infatuated with her. It makes her feel like the outsider watching the interaction between her family and them. Shame fills her heart.
“Tell me how it works,” Shep asks. “I’ve seen the inside, but I’d like to hear your take on it as the manager.”
George smiles, “Just above the falls, mill workers collect, sort and send the logs to our sawmill to be cut. After being cut into boards, we sell it or ship it further downstream by boat.”
“If we are going to sell it, we store it in the lumberyard to age and dry out,” Conner explains and sits back to enjoy the evening air.
Maggie listens and avoids looking at Mary and Donna as they chat. Jack leans into her and whispers, “Will you help me bring out desert?”
“Yes,” she jumps to her feet and hurries to follow him thankful to be away from the awkwardness. Her anger is simmering and she’s struggling to understand why. George and Mary are obviously in love and excited about having a baby after years without success. Is she jealous of them?
“I made ice cream,” Jack says proudly jerking her from her thoughts.
“Really?” She is grinning as he explains the process and pulls out a bowl of vanilla ice cream from the freezer box. “Jack, you love this don’t you?” she stares at him and recognizes the determined look in his eyes.
“I do. In fact I’m hoping you can talk dad into letting me open my own coffee stand at the docks.” He looks at her with a hopeful expression.
Maggie thinks about it as she accepts the large bowl of raspberries to top the ice cream with. “It’s not a bad idea. Do you have a business plan?”
“I’m been tossing some ideas around,” he grins at her look of shock.
“Wow, you really are serious, Jack. That was the best fish I’ve ever eaten, and I’m not just saying that because you’re my brother. I’m proud of you. If you love it don’t take no for an answer.”
“I don’t plan to. I’m hoping Shep will help me design my sign,” they walk back to the table and group laughing and whispering.
Mary watches and smiles, “It’s good to see her again.” George grips her hand softly.
“Give her time, Magdalaine has a good heart,” Donna says.
“We’ll see,” Mary says.
They dish out the desert and the evening takes on a different feeling. Maggie moves down to sit next to Shep needing his presence to settle her nerves. He leans forward and steals a raspberry from her bowl.
“Hey,” she laughs at his look of innocence.
“What?” Shep asks.
“You owe me now,” she teases.
“Name your price,” he instantly responds as she hoped.
“Jack needs help designing a Coffee shop on the docks. Oh, and a sign?” she leans forward and smiles at him batting her eye lashes at him.
“A what?” Conner asks.
“Maggie!” Jack snaps.
“No time like the present, Jack, ask him,” she demands.
“I’ve got a business idea for a coffee stand on the docks. It would be something small that won’t take up a lot of space, but it will allow me to earn some money and provide excellent food for the workers and visitors.” Jack rushes through his speech and Maggie beams with pride.
Shep nods thoughtfully, “I’d love to help.”
“Thanks, Shep,” Jack says excitedly.
“Wait, I don’t think it’s a good idea to put a building on the decking. It would impede with the flow of the workers,” George says.
“We were asking our father, not you, George,” Maggie snaps irritably.
George huffs and sits back to listen.
“Jack, if you write up the proposal, I will consider it,” Conner says quickly. “Though, I agree with the George on not having a permanent building on the dock.”
“Actually, I have an idea,” Shep leans forward to look at Jack. “The docks in San Francisco have tents that are set up for people who come to provide for the workers. We could do something similar here.”
“A tent?” Jack frowns. “I don’t know,” he looks at Maggie.
“I’ve seen them, Jack. They are amazing. The restaurant’s come to the docks and cook fish, bread, anything you can imagine!”
“What about fire? You’re talking about cooking on a wooden platform,” George says.
“They use charcoal with metal pans beneath. It’s not as if you don’t have access to water, George. It’s on a river for goodness sake,” Maggie glowers at him.
“True, but it doesn’t take much for a fire to start. Some people like to think things through before they act, Maggie,” George snaps back.
“Some things never change. You can’t help but try to crush people’s dreams, can you?” she hisses, and the table falls quiet.
“I think we should go,” Mary says softly. “This was a bad idea.”
“I agree,” Magdalaine stands up, but her father stops her.
“No. Sit down, Magdalaine,” Conner demands. “The three of you need to talk, the rest of us will help clean up and enjoy this delicious ice cream. “Shep tell us about these tents.”
They walk away and Maggie glares at the two of them, waiting to hear what they will say to her.
Mary looks at George and sniffs back tears. “Maggie you must know that we didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“What you meant to do and what you did are not the same things, Mary,” Maggie says.
“It’s been six years, Maggie. What will it take for you to forgive us?” George asks.
“Forgive you? I’m sorry, but you’ve never asked for my forgiveness. You never even said you were sorry! Sorry for breaking my heart and spitting on my dreams. Instead you two left me behind to pick up the pieces and deal with the embarrassment of being left at the alter!”
Mary covers her mouth, as she realizes Maggie is right. George puts an arm around her shoulder.
“And to cap it off you stole my father’s loyalty. I was sixteen years old, George! It had only ever been George and Maggie.” Maggie swipes at her own tears flowing now.
Mary glances at her and accepts the handkerchief from her husband. “We didn’t plan on falling in love, Maggie,” Mary says.
“I can understand that,” Maggie says as she thinks about Shepherd. “As your lifelong friend you should have handled it better.”
“You’re right. Maggie hurting you and pushing you away is the only regret I have in my life,” George leans forward to stare at her. “I’m sorry, we were selfish.”
“Maggie, I’m sorry too. If we could change things, take away the hurt we would do it. I’ve missed you,” Mary weeps for the pain they caused her, and Maggie feels a weight drop from her heart. They sit quietly for a few minutes.
“Stop crying, it’s bad for the baby,” she sniffs and grips Mary’s hands.
“I’m trying,” Mary laughs through tears.
“She laugh-cries all the time,” George teases.
“That’s natural,” Maggie nods and swipes at her cheeks. “I forgive you, both. I’m not saying the anger isn’t still there, but I’m trying to let it go. That’s the best I can do for now.”
“We’ll take that,” George says softly.
“Now take a drink of water and deep breath before you deliver this baby outside,” she teases.
Mary hides her face in George’s neck, and she smiles watching them together and sighs.
“You should know that my leaving wasn’t your fault. I would’ve gone anyway. Nursing was my dream, not you, George.” Maggie can’t help but snipe at him.
“Way to crush a man’s ego, Mag’s,” he snaps and Mary laughs.
“You made it too easy, George,” she laughs softly.
“Were you terribly lonely, Maggie?” Mary asks as she sips her water.
“Sometimes, but beneath it
was the belief that I was in the right place,” she stands up. “It feels good to let the hurt and anger go.” She nods at them. “George, thank you for sticking by my father. You are an important part of his business and he respects and counts on you.”
George’s eyes glisten with unshed tears, “Shep’s right, Maggie, you are a special woman. Thank you.”
Maggie glances at the sunroom and Mary giggles, “He’s been pacing in there for the past ten minutes.”
“I’m tempted to grab your arm just to see what will happen,” George teases shocking them both.
“George!” Mary stands up and rubs her back.
“I don’t think I’d recommend that,” Maggie glances towards the house and laughs softly. “You two should go inside and elevate your feet, Mary.”
“I tell her that all the time,” George guides her inside, and Maggie sits in a chair, alone savoring the peace of the sunset.
She turns to watch, Shep bathed in the golden glow of another day, walking towards her. How many moments will they have left before he goes home. Panic flutters and she realizes how addicted to him she has become.
“Are you okay?” Shep asks.
“I am,” she stands and walks towards him. When he pulls her close, she savors his heat. “It’s getting cold.”
“Can’t have that,” he takes his jacket off and wraps it around her pulling her close to his chest.
Maggie groans, and smells it. “I love the way you smell,” she blushes, “Did I say that out loud?”
“You did,” his eyes heat with desire and he leans down, “say it again,” he demands.
“Shep, I love,” his mouth takes hers in a fiery kiss, stealing her breath and erasing all sadness and pain.
“Don’t make me get my gun!” Conner shouts from the kitchen door. They break apart and laugh.
Shep stares into her eyes. “I wish we were on a train again. We could go…” she covers his mouth and laughs softly.
“Mag’s! Your ice cream is melting,” Jack shouts.
Hand in hand they walk back inside.
Chapter 25
Clint squats beneath the dock. Apparently, he didn’t weaken the blade enough to cause it to snap completely. Only one tooth broke loose. His plan didn’t work, but she was spectacular to watch. He was so close he could almost touch her as she worked above him. It was fascinating to watch the blood-stained water rain down beneath her.
It was tempting to hurt someone else just to see her work again. Tonight when she sleeps… Clint freezes as her Father comes outside. “Family dinner tonight. I want two of you on guard at all times. Rotate shifts, day and night until the threat has passed. My daughter will be protected.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The lumberyard is the perfect place to hide. Clint waits for the workers to leave for the day. “Only two men to guard a mill this size?” Fool he thinks with a grin and works his way out from beneath the docks. The back of the large house has a sculpted garden, and what looks like a cellar. He is hiding behind three large compost bins when an older woman comes out with an arm full of clothes.
“This dress is a lost cause. Poor Maggie, it was her favorite,” Donna murmurs. “I’ll add it to the burn pile.”
“Mom!” a blonde boy calls and she lays it over the side of the compost bin before hurrying back inside.
“I’m coming!” she calls.
Clint grabs the dress and stares at the blood staining it. His mouth waters thinking of what it would feel like to her blood raining down on him. “Soon, Maggie Rose,” he whispers and glances around wondering how he’s going to get his hands on her. His ears start ringing and he grips his head tightly to push back the voices. “No,” he hisses and squeezes until the ringing stops. He slides down behind the bin and sleeps.
Clint jerks awake a few hours later, when someone dumps a bucket into the bin before walking away. The scent of rotten eggs, vomit, and flies makes him gag. Judging from the setting sun he missed the family dinner. His episodes are happening more frequently, sometimes he hears voices telling him to do terrible things. He dare to peek around the large wooden bins and hears the family walking inside the house. Soft laughter calls to him and he steps to the side of the house and sees a large man wrap Maggie in his coat before kissing her.
“Don’t make me get my gun!” her father shouts and Clint spins and works him way back to the lumberyard. Overcome with rage he breaks into a run between the fifteen-foot stacks of cut lumber until stopping. The first punch cracks the skin on his knuckles, and he doesn’t stop until he leaves a bloody mess on the boards.
The pain helps him gather his thoughts. “Maggie Rose will pay for betraying me,” he whimpers and brings the dress to his nose to smell her scent mixed with the metallic scent of dried blood. He pulls out his knife and slices into strips to wrap around his knuckles.
“Too many people coming and going,” patience is required. He will have to wait until they feel save enough to leave her alone. Thankfully, it’s summer. He won’t freeze.
“Whatever it takes, she will be mine.”
Chapter 26
Maggie stops in to check on Farley and finds him sleeping. “How was his night?” Donna asks when she steps into the kitchen. She smiles at Shep and walks over accept a cup of coffee from Donna.
“He’s doing remarkable well. I think he’ll recuperate much quicker at home with his family. Dr. Hall will take over his care. He was lucky it didn’t nick the major artery.”
“True. So many accidents,” Donna sighs. “We love these men and their families.”
“What kinds of accidents do you see Donna,” Shep asks as he pours a cup of fresh coffee. Conner enters and smiles at his family.
“Good Morning,” he accepts coffee from his wife and sits at the small table with Maggie. “What are we talking about?”
“The types of accidents we see,” Donna replies and moves to the oven to pull out a batch of fresh biscuits.
“Ah. That would be lost limbs due to the pulleys, belts and saws. We were lucky that blade didn’t snap completely. One mill lost twelve men from an accident like that.” He shudders and looks at them. “Log jams would be the second most common accidents. They jam up and men have drowned trying to move them. Finally, fire from the off cuts catching.”
“That’s a lot of problems,” Maggie says.
“All of which can be solved if the new design comes through,” Conner smiles at Shep’s interest.
“Tell me,” he drags out a chair and sits down.
“Steam, my boy,” Conner laughs and points at Shep. “Steam-power provides a cheaper form of power than water-power and we can burn our scraps to produce steam energy. Less waste.”
“What’s the catch?” Maggie asks.
“Smart girl,” Conner grins and looks at Donna. “We have to move across town towards the railroad. They are willing to give me the land as long as I build on the railroad.”
“Why?” Maggie asks.
“Money, of course. They want a cut of the orders, but even with their cut I can double our income,” Conner says.
“What about the workers and the mill?” Maggie asks.
“That’s the best part. I have a buyer for the Mill. He’s agreed to hire any who don’t wish to move with us. They plan to convert to a flour-mill. It’s a win for everyone.”
“What’s holding you back, Conner?” Shep asks.
“I see the industry slowing down. I might have at the most, ten more years before we run out of trees.”
Maggie gasps, “Really, Dad? What makes you say that?”
“More and more sawmills are popping up on the river and huge industry is clear cutting. This is an opportunity for me to make enough to retire. Jack has plans of his own and I won’t push my work on him, but I can make sure you are both taken care of.”
“Dad,” Maggie says, “I can take care of myself. You do what’s best for your family.”
“You are my family, Magdalaine,” Conner grumbles.
“That’s not what I meant,” she smiles and squeezes his hand. “I can get a job easily, that’s all I meant.”
Shep stares at her before glancing at Conner, “I would like to look over your design and meet your architect. I’ve finished my current project and I have time to ride out with you to look over the land, if you’d like,” he offers.
“I’d like that. We can go after church on Sunday.”
“Sounds good.” Shep excuses himself and leaves without looking at her.
“Magdalaine, I’m going to give you some advice whether you want it or not. That man has followed you across multiple states to make sure you are safe.”
“I know, Dad,” she whispers.
“Then don’t let fear hold you back, give him a reason to stay,” he demands and slams his coffee cup down before storming from the room.
Donna laughs softly and glances at the shock on Maggie’s face. “I expected him to kill any man that looked at you, not shove you towards them. Shepherd must be special.”
“He is Donna,” she glances at her and stands up to help cook the eggs. “What do I do?”
“Tell him how you feel,” Donna turns to look at her. “Don’t run, stand and fight for what you want. Any woman that can wear blood like last year’s fashion can win that man’s heart!”
Maggie laughs and covers her face. “Oh, Donna, what if he deserves better than me?”
“That’s not possible,” she jerks her hands from her face. “You just have to believe it.”
“I’ll try. Farley must be starved. I’ll take him a breakfast tray and check on his wound.” Maggie fills the tray and hurries to his room, knocking before entering. Farley is sitting in the corner chair pulling on his boot with one hand.
“What are you doing?” Maggie shouts.
Farley jumps and smile sat her. “I’m getting ready to go home,” he grunts as he shoves his foot into his shoe. “Success,” he nods happily and points to the tray.
