“I’m going over tomorrow to find out. I have an interview.”
“Tomorrow?” Her voice squeaked like one of the mice she’d chased out that morning. He was leaving her?
“Yes, and I have permission from Sister Mary Lou to take Amy with me.”
Startled at this statement, her hands rocked her mug almost spilling the contents. “Amelia will go, too?”
“Yes, she has two brothers and a sister at the orphanage on Mackinac Island.” He took another long draught of his coffee.
“What?” Her voice came out between a shriek of outrage and astonishment. “They sent that child over here by herself when she has family still there?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “My feelings exactly, and I intend to follow up on that.”
Exhaling loudly, Rebecca went to her work chair and sat, motioning for Garrett to join her. “I’m shocked. I had no idea.” Which showed how little she knew about the sweet child. And the same feelings expressed her reaction to Garrett going away.
“She talks to Jo, so don’t be thinkin’ it’s anything special I did.” He raised his eyebrows apologetically as he slid into the seat across from her. He leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees as he clasped his cup. He looked so longingly at her that she had to avert her gaze.
“Ah, when she gets her cupcakes and cookies I bet.” She stared down at her coffee mug, clutched in her lap.
“Yup.”
Each evening, after dinner, any baked goods threatening to go stale were sent to the orphanage. Amelia had been the child sent to get them, walking back from the inn with Garrett.
“Anyway, I’m bringing her and…” He bent his head and she met his dark eyes. “I want to find a home where all those kids can stay together.”
“Really?” Her heart warmed. “I’ve been praying that Amelia could be placed in a good home.” Like with her. But now…three siblings…that was too much for a single woman to manage.
“Would you agree to pray with me that my trip will be successful tomorrow?”
Flabbergasted, all she could manage was to nod. Although he seemed like a believer, and attended church, Garrett didn’t discuss his faith much—rather, he lived it.
“You know…” Two red spots formed on his cheeks. He had such a handsome face, how could he not have married by now? “One of the last times I petitioned God as hard as I’ve been praying about this, He used me to save the prettiest girl in the county from drowning.”
“What?” Suddenly light-headed, she set her coffee mug down and Garrett did the same.
He took her hands in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles and sending a chill through her. “Long ago, I prayed all one week that you’d pay some attention to me when I went into town to your store. Peevey had been gone so long, I’d hoped you’d forgotten him and how he trailed after you like a lost pup. I came to the store and asked your pa if you could attend the dance with me. They had a Lumberjacks’ Ball out near our camp. Your pa laughed at me. Laughed. And he said to ask you.”
She stiffened. “Why didn’t you?”
He raised both eyebrows. “I did and you ignored me.”
“No, you didn’t!”
“I did. And I can even tell you when.”
“What?” She shook her head. “Garrett Christy, don’t start telling tales now.”
“It’s true for certain.” He motioned to the ladder leaning against the wall, so Rebecca and her future shop help could reach the top shelves. “You were at the top shelf of your pa’s store, dusting with some feather thing.”
She nodded. “Yes, I did use a feather duster, but you never asked me to any dance.”
“Yes ma’am, I did, even though I couldn’t dance a lick.” His voice took on the gravelly tones as it did when he was younger.
“What did you ask me?”
“I said, ‘Will you go with me to the Lumberjacks’ Ball?’ And you looked at me like I’d lost my mind.”
She frowned, trying to recollect.
“Then you pointed to the door, as though I should leave.”
“I do remember once, that horrible week, you coming in and asking for…baseballs.”
“Baseballs?”
“Oh my goodness! Your Kentucky accent was so much thicker back then. It sounded like you were asking for balls for the lumberjacks! Not a Lumberjacks’ Ball. My father told me there was a new baseball team and he’d stocked up—the new baseballs were by the door.”
He chuckled. “And here all this time I’d thought you’d given me the boot out the door.” His face began to transform, and the yearning in his eyes matched that in her heart.
9
Sunlight sparkled off deep blue waves as the boat carrying Garrett and Amy crossed halfway through the straits to Mackinac Island, positioned between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. They’d been blessed with warmth this day, as temperatures hovered near fifty degrees. He was blessed for the first time in years. Yet, he had no reason if he looked at “facts.” Fact was he was a single lumberjack who no longer wanted to be part of the lumbering business, but he couldn’t allow his younger brother to take on management of a new camp. Also, fact was he wanted to court Rebecca, if he could only get past her prickly defenses. But he’d find a way.
Garrett. That same voice spoke to him and he looked down, but it wasn’t Amy, who was gazing out over the bow. Two days earlier, he’d been sure he’d heard someone wake him in the night and tell him to take the child to the island with him. Of course, he’d not shared that little bit with Sister Mary Lou, lest she refer him to a mental asylum. After removing his wool cap, he shoved a hand back through his hair and then stuffed the hat into his pocket.
The little girl looked up with wide blue eyes. “Do you think they’ll remember me?”
Despite the seriousness of her expression, he had to chuckle. “Hasn’t been quite a year, has it?
She frowned and her lower lip wobbled. “Jimmy was only a baby, and now he’ll be almost two.”
“Two?” Something jabbed his chest like a sharp pang. Was the sensation compassion—something he’d almost thought he’d lost in the camps? Not necessarily from the people but from always spending his energy watching over his sister, to protect her.
The girl’s ringlets bobbed up and down as she nodded. “I’m going to squeeze the stuffing out of him.”
“Better not!” He laughed. “We’ll stop at Doud’s Market and pick him up a treat—a toy or something.”
“He’d like that.” Her dimple disappeared. “But I don’t really know, since I haven’t seen him in so long.”
“You’ve really missed him, haven’t you?”
“Uh huh.”
“I miss my old friend, Sven.”
“Will you see him again?”
“Yep. He’ll be marrying Ruth and bringin’ her three little sisters up to the new lumber camp.” And Garrett missed the days he’d spent card playing with friends and the antics of the passel of kids who’d always made him smile. He might not be as educated as his future brother-in-law nor have little ones follow him like Pied Piper, but children often took a liking to Garrett for some reason.
Pa always said it was because he was generous with them—bringing them little treats from the mercantile if their mothers were sick. Or accompanying his own ma on occasion to tote pies, cakes, and the like around when there was a birthday to celebrate. And he’d always have some small, wood-carved object for the celebrated child. What would it be like to have a family of his own?
As they rounded the back curve of the island and made the turn, he pointed ahead. “See that big building up there on the cliff?”
Amy narrowed her eyes and raised a hand to shield them from the sun and wind. “The Grand Hotel? I watched it being built. My parents owned a shop right near there.”
When she rested her hand on the railing, he covered her gloved hand with his. Warmth stirred within him. He could have a ready-made family of four, if only Rebecca had understood him and accepted h
is invitation to the Woodsmen’s Ball a decade earlier. If he’d not, instead, ended up fishing that night. If she’d gone, would Peevey have tried to kill her another night? Likely so.
You were where you needed to be.
Amy’s lips didn’t move, but a voice had spoken to his heart and chills coursed through him as the boat sliced through the water toward the island. A horn blast announced their approach, and Amy almost jumped out of the new shoes Rebecca had given her. He pressed a hand to the child’s shoulder to steady her.
All these years he’d been disappointed, becoming distant with God, because of how things had turned out. After the trial, Mr. Daggenhart had refused to allow Garrett to speak with Rebecca. He had another opportunity now, but this orphan—what did she have?
God, why did you allow this to happen?
Seemed strange to be talking to God so familiarly after so much time. Yes, he’d attended services when the stump preacher came out to the camp, but half the time he’d been stewing over Peevey’s light prison sentence. A niggling began in the back of his mind. Would Tom and Jo really keep an eye on Rebecca today while he was gone? He’d have to trust they would. Them and God.
He smiled. The Easter service had been special to him. Since then, it felt like an old friend had come back into his life—much like finding Rebecca again after all these years.
As they docked, Garrett kept ahold of the little girl’s hand as she bobbed up and down on her tiptoes. It was a habit he, too, had when he got agitated over something. Someday, his own children might display the same behavior.
Soon they’d disembarked and made their way down the wharf to the island’s main street. From the fort above, cannon fire marked the hour. Almost ten. They’d need to get their business done quickly, because the ferry was operating on a short day with the off-season. Many islanders lived in St. Ignace during the winter months. It looked as if quite a few people were returning early and waited at the dock for their baggage.
Unencumbered, Garrett and Amy were able to set off for the church and the orphanage. He eyed the bike rental stands.
“Do you know how to ride a bicycle, Amy?”
“Yessir.” She gave him a look like Jo did when she thought he’d asked something daft. “Can you ride?” She glanced at the double-seaters, longing written on her tiny face.
“Afraid not, sunshine.” He resisted the sudden urge to push the child’s hair from her eyes. Ma always called Jo “sunshine” and so had Pa when she was little. He missed his Ma something fierce, and if he was honest with himself, he had a strong hankering to spend time with Pa.
“What you looking at?”
“Oh, just over to Mackinaw City, where my Pa is.” And the camp and his old friends.
“If my pa was still alive, I’d hop on the next boat over and go see him!” With that, the child turned on her boot heel, pulled free from his grasp, and strode up the boardwalk toward Doud’s Market. Apparently being on the island brought out the imp in Amy.
When she turned to glance back at him, her flushed face was tear-streaked. He shoved his hands in his pockets and wove through the shoppers on the sidewalk. Luckily there were few people between him and Amy and he spied her as she ducked into the mercantile.
A Chippewa woman, who reminded him of Misty Fawn’s mother, sat in the sheltered alcove outside a dried goods store. She displayed a beaded turtle and named a price he couldn’t resist. He gave her the coins and resumed his chase after Amy. Her toddler brother, Jimmy, couldn’t have this toy, but Amy might enjoy the reminder after she returned to St. Ignace. The island was named after Gitchee Manitou, the Great Turtle, and was the spiritual home of the Ojibway. The Native people could call the Lord what they wanted, as far as he was concerned, for there was only one God amongst all.
Once inside Doud’s Market, he scanned the aisles. The wood planked floors bore witness to the recent damp weather, with wet footprints marring them. Amy popped out from a cubby and pressed a soft cotton elephant into his hands and a slingshot. “For Jimmy and Russell.”
He held the latter item aloft. “Do you really think they’ll let your brother have this?”
She chewed her lower lip and then snatched it from his hands. Soon she returned with a cloth bag full of marbles and a wooden Indian maiden doll, attired in a brown fringed gown. “Russ likes these and I got something for Regina, too.”
“Good choices.” He took the item then playfully mussed her hair.
“I think my little sister is old enough for a doll like this now. She can dress her up if she wants. And I bet Miss Hart would let me have some scraps from the ends of bolts to make some doll clothes with.”
“Sure.”
She looked up with bright eyes. “Are you going to marry Miss Hart?”
“I…” His mouth dropped open, but he closed it and swallowed hard. “Lord willing.”
“Lord willing…I don’t think I’ve heard that saying before.”
He laughed. “Where I grew up they’d say, Lord willing and if the creek don’t rise.” But the creek between them may have risen too high to ever have a true courtship, much less a wedding.
“Doesn’t rise.” She arched an eyebrow at him like a miniature adult.
“It’s an expression, Amy.” He drew in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. “Means you’re hoping and praying for something, but it’s all up to God.”
“Like me and my brothers and sister getting a new family?”
“Right.”
A clerk walked up the aisle to them. “May I be of assistance?”
“Think we’ve got what we need.”
“Fine, the register is right there around the corner.”
“I think he wants you to pay right now,” Amy whispered.
Garrett cupped his hand around his mouth and whispered into her ear, “I think you’re right.”
She giggled as they approached the dour-faced man at the register and paid.
Outside the store, a cab pulled up to the curb. “Need a ride, mister?” the driver called out.
Amy shook her head emphatically. “Not from you, Mr. Stan, you drive too fast!”
The young man lifted his navy cap brim. “That you, Miss Amelia?”
“Yes, it is.”
He whistled. “Look at how grown up you’re getting.”
She bobbed a curtsey and drew out her skirt, displaying an excess of fabric that Garrett rarely had seen. Jo and Ma said all that extra was for rich folks and unnecessary.
“My new ma had this made for me.” Pink flushed the child’s cheeks.
“Sure is good to see you. That your new pa?”
She grabbed Garrett’s hand. “Sure is.”
“Well, if that ain’t something.” The driver tugged at his hat and slapped the reins, moving his carriage on.
Garrett bowed his head and gave her what he hoped was a stern look. He was no parent and he had no experience in correcting children, but a lie was a lie.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Christy, but something rose up inside me and I had to say that because…because…” Through her tears, she looked up at him with an intense longing that he recognized—a yearning for something that might never be. She wanted Rebecca and him to marry and then take in her and her siblings.
In an instant, she turned, crossed the alleyway, and ran up the boardwalk past the park. No one ever said this would be easy. Lord, I came here for the job at the Grand Hotel, not to find myself a family.
An hour later, after meeting with the priest and the Sister who served as administrators of the orphanage, Garrett said his goodbyes to Amelia and her siblings and departed for his interview at the Grand Hotel.
The craftsmen’s supervisor, Mr. Belongia, met him in the lobby and then escorted Garrett throughout the beautiful hotel. “We need the rooms to be as well-appointed on the inside as our exterior suggests it should be—and it isn’t right now.”
“I understand.” Garrett proceeded to point out several easy embellishments that would give the men’s smokin
g room a feeling of grandeur combined with privacy.
They continued on, with Mr. Belongia stopping in almost every room, which required a great deal of time. Garrett tried not to check his pocket watch and thankfully there were clocks in several of the public rooms. The supervisor posed a half dozen scenarios to him, as to how Garrett would approach complicated cabinetry making tasks. They stopped in a work room, and he explained a complicated joinery procedure.
“Follow me out to the street and I show you where the workers lodge.”
They walked down the long corridor, careful to avoid the maids and their carts as they cleaned rooms. A fresh breeze met them as the exited the building through a side door. He pointed to a cedar-sided four story boxy building.
Garrett stiffened. “The dormitory there?”
Mr. Belongia laughed. “No, that’s for our service workers. I was pointing to that row of cottages beyond—that’s for our master craftsmen. Single men are allowed a two bedroom bungalow and may have family guests. Married men have the three bedroom ones.”
His own little house where he and Rebecca could live. If she’d marry him and come to the island. That’s a tall order, God, but I’m counting on you.
“Thank you, sir, for showing me.”
The supervisor turned and pointed back to the service entrance. They walked back in, Mr. Belongia explaining his plans for the next five years’ projects.
Dodging the cleaning carts again, they wove their way up the hall and into a small office with several wing chairs and took a seat.
“Well, I believe we can offer you a competitive wage, Mr. Christy.” Belongia named the amount and Garrett swallowed.
He couldn’t manage to speak. That was triple his lumberjack wages even in the best season.
“Of course, because of your knowledge, we’d also give you an advance.”
“That’s generous.”
Belongia laughed. “We can keep a fellow like you busy for years if you’re willing.”
After they spoke for a few more minutes about the initial projects, Garrett exited the huge hotel, grinning. I’m blessed, Lord, and the offer staggers me, but Rebecca lives in St. Ignace.
The Lumberjacks' Ball (The Christy Lumber Camp Series Book 2) Page 7
