“No, but hang on,” he told her. She watched him return to the trellised grapes but she put her head between her knees once again. Looking up, he was standing there holding a healthy bunch of white grapes.
Roger pulled a half dozen free from the bunch. “Try these,” he said. “Then, we are going to get you back to my house.”
Kate popped one after another into her mouth. The grapes were warm and sweet. “That’s better. Why didn’t I think of that,” she said looking at Roger as he stood before her, hands on his hips.
“Okay then... Come on,” he said pulling her up. “It’s all downhill but if you think you need a bit of a rest, it's okay. We’ll stop.”
Lulu met them at the front door, tut-tutting.
“I’m fine. I think I am only dehydrated,” Kate explained. Lulu ushered her down into the big lounge. The giant overhead fan was going and the sunken room with its tiled floor was cool. Roger had left them at the front door but Lulu returned with a pitcher of iced water, fruit, cheese and flatbread. Kate reclined on a couch, eating from the tray as told Lulu what had happened.
Lulu listened and then said, “Well, Tommie said you had disappeared into thin air. One minute you were following him but then at the top of the hill - poof! He came back home thinking you had returned but then when the boss came in from town, no one had seen you.”
“Oh? I’m so sorry. I hope Tommie isn’t in trouble. It wasn’t his fault as you can see... I feel horrible that everyone was looking for me,” Kate said putting her thumbnail to her mouth. “You know Lulu, maybe I should have gone with my sister, Merry. I wouldn’t have been much help these last few days on the sloop but I can see I caused a lot of trouble for you people.” Kate was secretly glad she wasn’t on the boat... I probably would have fallen overboard with the silly dizzy spells I had been experiencing.
“Yes, you have been a lot of trouble. It’s okay. The boss likes you and it's good for him to see what trouble you are,” Lulu said guilelessly.
Kate didn’t take offense to Lulu’s statement because she agreed with the housekeeper. Kate nodded. “Tell me Lulu, Tommie said that he was an orphan and all the teens that are working here are orphans... What does it mean?”
Lulu tut-tutted. She pushed a straying strand of grey hair behind her ear. “It’s true. The boss has been training young men for 10 years or maybe more... They stay here. Mr. Cowels has housing for them and they learn much about farming, grapes and sheep. More recently, he has been teaching them to live correctly as Christian men... He calls it discipleship,” Lulu told her proudly.
It was late and Lulu needed to get supper started. Kate was appalled at how long she had “sat” in the vineyard. As Roger had said, she was missing for hours. The nap on the hillside and the cool water in the lounge refreshed Kate. She wondered if Tommie was around. She got up and went out through the glass doors, thinking to find him and to apologize.
Taking the side path along the house, Kate came out at the front drive. She crossed over to the barn where she had met Roger’s dogs weeks before. There were three young goats in the pen to the right of the barn. Kate forgot about Tommie and went over to the pen to investigate the small speckled kids. The animals came over to the fence unafraid of Kate. She wished she had some tidbit to offer them but she didn’t.
Beyond the pen Kate saw a long house that reminded her of a dairy farm's milk house in the States. It was a low building with lots of windows. Oh yes, Tommie. Remembering her errand, Kate followed the worn trail around the barn and pen. It was just then that the “milk house” door opened and some of the young workers came out. Tommie was with them.
As she drew closer, Kate called Tommie by name. He had seen her but she thought he was embarrassed that she singled him out. Still, he came over while the others, including Lutsu and the driver of the get-away sedan, Friedrich were going past. They nodded at Kate.
“Tommie, I got woozy and I suppose I fell asleep in the shade. I’m really sorry if I caused you any trouble... I’m sure I did,” Kate gushed, trying to get her words out.
He nodded sheepishly at her. “I’m sorry too. I misunderstood the situation. I’m glad you are not hurt. The boss was really worried. He yelled at all of us... not just me,” Tommie said to reassure her but his meaning was lost on her.
Roger was last to come out of the “milk house” and Coco the Boerboel pup followed at his heels. Seeing Kate with Tommie, he made his way over. Tommie went on up the path towards the goat pen as Roger approached. Kate stooped and gave Coco a scratch behind her ears.
“You look chipper,” he said to Kate as she stood.
“Yes. I feel loads better. I was just apologizing to Tommie. It really wasn’t his fault but you know that, already!” Kate said. He turned her with his hand on her elbow. They began up the path the same way Kate had come around the pen.
Roger didn’t respond but said, “I am tired already of ignoring you... It seems to have made you quite weak. I think tonight I should take you into town to have dinner at Val’s Place. That ocean view you were looking for this morning according to Tommie and Lulu and Tommie again, should be just the remedy at sunset.”
Roger’s dinner plans made Kate realize she hadn’t been doing much of anything. Recuperating suddenly seemed extremely boring.
Kate smiled approvingly. She mentioned Lulu’s supper preparation but Roger reassured Kate that Lulu needed to make the meal for everyone else.
“Besides, I mentioned to Lulu that we might be going into town for dinner - if you were up to it. Of course, that was this morning before you decided to spend the day examining the vineyard,” Roger said with a squeeze to her elbow.
Kate replied, “Yes and you will be glad to know your grapes passed the inspection. It took all morning but they passed.”
As they came out onto the drive, Kate pulled away from Roger’s gentle grip. “So, what time are we to go? I need a shower,” she asked, watching the dogs running crazily about the drive as they anticipated their meal.
An hour later, Kate’s head still damp, they were pressing towards Jamestown in Roger’s car. The sun was still high when they arrived at Val’s. Roger ran in, leaving Kate sitting in the idling vehicle.
“I told Val we would be back within the hour. We’ll go down to the water’s edge and come back to a tasty meal,” Roger explained when he climbed into the driver’s seat once again.
The wave break was huge. Kate wondered out loud how the Serendipity was faring and how far they had gone since leaving on Monday.
Roger replied as he hopped down from the craggy beach barrier. “Umph! I’m sure they are abreast of the Ascension Isle by now. Here let me help you down.” He held out his arms to catch Kate, in case she misstepped and came down onto the sand too quickly. She placed her feet carefully not wanting to fall into Roger’s awaiting arms.
“I’m taking my shoes off,” she announced after landing in the sand with a grunt next to him. Leaning back against a boulder, Kate slipped off her sandals and then dangling them by the straps, she stood ready for a short stroll. The day had cooled considerably and a slight ocean breeze was pushing across the island. Roger kept his shoes on but took Kate by the forearm and they headed for the wet firm sand at the water’s edge.
There were several fishermen standing in and out of the water about a quarter of a mile from them. With the lowering sun, the thunderous wave break and the men silhouetted before them, Kate thought the scene looked like a postcard.
Roger had been quiet and walking slowly. He decided he had learned his lesson, realizing Kate genuinely needing to take life easy for a few weeks. But Kate said, “You know Mr. Cowels, you have a beautiful island here. I can see why you decided to make it your home. Was there ever a time you regretted not returning to the UK?”
Roger shifted his face to look due north. “Yeah, in the early days. I just wanted to go ‘home.’” He returned his look toward the fishermen before them and said, “When Uncle Roger died and my other uncle - Thomas, his older broth
er, went back to England, I felt trapped. I spent a lot of time and energy making myself a success here... and abroad because I thought my family would then accept me. Also, I could afford to do whatever I wanted.” Roger paused to pick up a large seashell. When he turned it over, Kate gasped. The rough and worn outer shell camouflaged the mother-of-pearl which was stunning inside the shell. When Roger handed it to her, Kate received as if it was an expensive piece of pottery.
“Kate, you’re smiling,” Roger pointed out. “One shell washed in from a storm and you smile like you won the lottery.”
Shaking her head as she hadn’t ever played the lottery, she said, “No.” Kate closed her lips over her teeth but the smile remained as she examined the palm size shell.
“Let’s turn back. Val will have that meal ready very soon,” Roger said. Kate took a last look at the Saints fishing and then pivoted, following Roger.
“So you made a bit of a name for yourself and went back victorious to your family... right?” concluded Kate.
“That’s right. It was simply an extended visit but nothing was the same as when I had left it fifteen years before and my family... Don’t get me wrong. I love them dearly but I had become an outsider and as an outsider, I had a fairly objective view of family politics and all the nonsense,” Roger confided. He sighed at the memory. “I returned to Helena at the top physically but at the bottom, spiritually. I had reached my goals only to find that they were worthless,” he paused and stopping, Roger picked up a handful of the pristine sand. He let it sift through his fingers and it blew behind them in the wind, as it fell. “You know the warning Jesus gives about building your house on the sand? Yeah, that was me and my sand castle was dashed by the incoming tide of reality. I suppose if I hadn’t reached that low point in my life, I wouldn’t have been open to the gospel. In the few years that I’ve been a Christian, I see that people often hit bottom before they start looking up... for answers.”
Their shadows in the sand were long and the sun would be setting by the time they returned to Val’s. Roger said, “Kate, you grew up in a Christian family... but still as John 3:16 says ‘you must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God.’ Did you hit bottom?”
Laughing, Kate pulled her hair up against the wind. She said, “I did but I was already a Christian when that happened. As a teen I was sitting in just another church service when I felt the Spirit of God move across my lifeless human spirit. It was like I had been caught by grandma stealing cookies from her cookie jar.” She laughed again. “I knew that I knew that the conviction I was sensing was the Holy Spirit revealing my need to surrender to Him by faith in Jesus and a prayer of repentance.”
Roger asked, “What kind of sinner could a teeny-bopper missionary’s kid be? ...I’m just curious.”
Once again at the boulder, Kate sat down in the cool sand to put her shoes on. Concentrating on her task, she said, “I’m not much of a Bible scholar but Hebrews 6 mentions repentance from dead works and faith toward God as being our foundation in Christ... Unlike my older brother, Dale, I was a good missionary’s child but even so, my foundation in Jesus was laid as I repented from my faith in “good works” to trust in God’s plan... Jesus’ death and resurrection.” She looked up at him and extended her hand. Roger thinking about her words pulled her to her feet without comment.
At Val’s, a table on the sidewalk with a burning brazier next to it awaited them. They were seated when the sun made its daily bow leaving behind a glorious cloud-filled horizon of orange, purple and pink.
Val came out and made much ado over them but especially toward Kate as he too had heard the rumors about Roger. Although Kate was oblivious, Roger was amused by Val’s mincing about the table and careful preparations, winking at Roger several times. When he sent Val back inside to finish the meal, Roger turned the conversation back to where they had left off at the beach.
“It is strange that you mention repentance from dead works. I began to understand that my discontentment was due to being so self-centered. I tried a couple of different philanthropic duties and I must admit, it worked! Well, for awhile I felt better but there was still that gnawing something,” Roger said.
Kate asked, “Is that when you started bringing the orphans to your plantation?” She thought he might be surprised at the question but he wasn’t. Roger assumed everyone knew about the orphans as the island was small and island news didn’t take long to circulate.
He nodded. “Let me bless this food so we can start in on the appetizer Val left with us,” he suggested. When she agreed and bowed her head, Roger took her hand. Praying he said, “I bless this food and I thank you for your abundant provision. Also, I am very appreciative for my new friends, Kate and her sister, Merry. Amen.” He let go of her hand, and took a piece of the Panini bread to dip in the sauce at the center of the table.
Kate looked at her hand. She had wanted to hear about the orphans but now she was distracted by Roger taking her hand for the prayer. For Christians, the scene was natural but his warm hand felt like a human glove to hers. She processed his simple gesture as unique; it was as if the atmosphere had shifted pushing Kate across a new spiritual threshold.
Roger held a piece of the bread out to her. Frowning, Kate took it.
“Thank you. You know Roger, I’m feeling lots better. I’m thinking about meeting the Serendipity at Cape Verde,” Kate said, although she wondered why she had switched the conversation so abruptly.
Eyeing her, Roger chewed his mouthful of bread before saying, “I recall you took an involuntary nap in my vineyard today, less than six hours ago. But I am glad you are feeling better. I must say you look great and you didn’t feel tired on that beach walk did you?”
“I was dehydrated today. Ask Dr. Smith about that. I’m sure he would agree with me,” Kate replied. “The walk on the beach was amazing... that shell! I will keep it forever or at least until the Rapture.”
Val’s only waiter came out with their meal. Once he had arranged the plates and departed, Roger said, “Kate, you said you hit bottom after you became a Christian. I’m trying to glean from other Christians because those young fellows working for me are a handful. I want to teach them as much as I can about Christ but more importantly, lead them to salvation before they leave my care... my influence. I could sure use some help. So, I’m interested in hearing what happened to you. Why did you hit bottom and also, what happened afterward?”
Another entry-
... Anyway, as I was writing before I got detoured, so Roger asked me about “hitting bottom.” I really didn’t want to explain the entire episode but I did say, I came to South Africa to begin looking up again.
Roger remembered me telling him and the others about how God had orchestrated my trip. It was the night we had dinner at his restaurant, the Tungi Pub... The first night we met. Roger apparently was really paying attention that night because he reminded me of a statement I made. “God had the Serendipity break down so I could meet up with Merry. God will go to great lengths to get our attention and have us recognize His plan for our lives!” And I remembered that conversation well, as I was still in awe of being rescued from my South Africa dilemma.
We talked until Val chased us off. What did we talk about? Everything! Orphans to UFOs.... BTW, Roger says there has been dozens of UFO sightings in the last few years around the island. Strange?!? I wonder why St Helena would attract these so-called aliens (i.e., demons)? IDK? Anyway, it was almost midnight when we got back to Roger’s. Lulu was waiting for us!
Lulu clucked away at us but made some herbal tea and brought out a plate full of Roger’s favorite cookies from the Jamestown bakery.
When Lulu went off to bed, I told Roger about the nightmare I had and Lulu gave me a gift of a cookie. I laughed because I said it was the second dream I had lately “and I’m not a dreamer.”
“That is what you said about fainting too!” he reminded me with a wink. Roger has a point...
Anyway, he asked if I understood the cookie dream
and I told him I hadn’t at first but I thought I did now.
We had discussed so much. The talk and walk and dinner had made for a super evening. So when Roger said, “I sense that dream was from God and if you know the meaning - great! If not, pray and God will reveal it to you. Now it’s time for sleep. You look great but you are tired... One more cookie and off to bed, missy!” - I must admit, I was reluctant to go bed but I did.
As I climbed between the sheets, I found Roger’s locket! It was under my pillow! What a thrill to have it back. Roger must have retrieved it from… from Myla. I’ll ask him tomorrow.
Anyway, I did pray and that is why I’m writing. God reminded me of both dreams...
The cookie dream is about God allowing hardship - even disaster to produce a fruitful crop from the harvest. In that dream, when I called out to
God the answer was in the cookie...
I’m sure the cookie represents Roger.
The gate and the key: The gate is my future; although beautiful, it’s more narrow now. Jesus said to strive to enter in at the narrow or strait gate. Love is the key.
I hear a night bird outside but the other noisy sounds are insects.
Roger’s house is very peaceful.
God continue to bless this house!
Chapter 20 A Good Boy
Zeff had been moping about the sloop since leaving Kate behind on St Helena. He knew that he was both the cause for her abduction and the reason for her rescue. More than once Zeff replayed the scene on the St Helena quay where he had bragged about Kate... her beauty and her virginity, to the rogues that plied him with whiskey. Later, his jealousy and curiosity had gotten the better of him when he found the gift box and he opened the locket, thereby triggering the GPS.
Catching Kate (Scenic Route to Paradise) Page 17
