by Janine McCaw
“Frank,” Wolanski said. “You’ve had enough, turn around and go home.”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Frank said. “I was talking to that slimy, money-pinching boss of mine.”
McMichael stared blankly at Frank.
“I said go home Frank,” the sergeant said.
“That slimy, money-pinching, wife-stealing boss of mine,” Frank continued, staggering towards the two men. “I saw you. I saw you with your arms around my wife.”
Wolanski looked at McMichael.
“Are you out of your ever-loving mind Frank?” McMichael asked.
“I saw you. And you weren’t even slinking around. You were embracing my wife in the middle of the street where the whole world could see. I knew you’ve been after her for some time. I just couldn’t catch you.”
He started to come towards McMichael, the hatred burning in his eyes. Wolanski put his hand on his gun.
McMichael realised that Frank must have seen him hug Olivia in the excitement of the rescue.
“It wasn’t what you think Frank. I was excited that the men were alive. Akiko was hugging Jimmy. I hugged your wife. I would have hugged Sarah if she was beside me, but it just happened to be your wife.”
“Just happened? I’ve seen you looking at her. You look at her like Les looked at your daughter. You’re about to get what’s been coming to you for a long time.”
“Okay Frank,” Wolanski said. “That’s it. You’re under arrest.”
“No,” McMichael said. “Don’t arrest him. He saw what he saw. But it was innocent. Think what you want about me Frank, but have some faith in your wife.”
“That’s right, she’s MY wife. You keep your hands off my wife. Olivia’s mine. Do you hear me? She’s MINE!”
“Frank, because I respect your wife’s family and I don’t want to have to explain to them that you’ve been arrested for being an idiot on the day of your brother-in-law’s wedding, I’ve asked Rudy to let you go. He doesn’t have to do that, but I’m hoping he shows some compassion and let’s you off the hook. But now you’re officially fired. Your days at my mine are over.”
Frank took a swing at McMichael, but he was far too drunk for it to land with any accuracy.
“Frank,” Wolanski said. “I’m officially escorting you home to sleep it off.”
“You are drunk Frank,” McMichael said, “and I have a vehement distaste for that. I suggest you do what the sergeant says before I change my mind and charge you with attempted assault.”
The crowd in the street remained hushed.
“All right people,” McMichael said. “The show is over.”
A thunderclap exploded, breaking the tension. Wolanski pushed Frank towards his home, escorting him up the hill.
“He’s been chasing after her for months,” Frank said.
“You just keep your mouth shut Frank,” Rudy said, “before I re-acquaint you with your room at the jail. It’s pretty much as you left it.”
Olivia had gone home to change before the wedding later that afternoon. She had purchased a green velvet dress for the occasion and its empire waistline hid the slightest sign of her pregnancy. She rubbed her stomach. Emily had decided that Olivia was having a baby girl and told, not asked, her to name it after her. Olivia had not given any thought to a name for the baby. She started to explore the possibilities in her mind when she was awoken from her daydream by the sound of pounding on the door.
Rudy, not waiting for her to answer, opened the door and threw Frank inside. Her husband fell to the floor.
“What is going on?” Olivia asked.
“He’s drunk and he accused McMichael of making a pass at you.”
“He did WHAT?”
“And he’s lost any hope of ever working at the mine again. I think that’s enough for one day. He’s all yours.”
“Oh Rudy,” Olivia sighed. “Why today of all days? Help me get him into bed will you?”
Rudy looked at Olivia as she stood helpless. She couldn’t lift Frank’s deadweight if she tried.
“There isn’t anything to it, is there? You and McMichael?” Rudy asked.
“Rudy! I’m surprised at you. Of course there isn’t.”
“One never knows,” Rudy said. “I see a lot of things in my line of work.”
“Mr. McMichael has never been anything but civil to me. Well, as civil as Mr. McMichael can be. He has never in his life made a pass at me. Everyone knows Mr. McMichael loves...”
She was about to say “Lucy”, but caught herself in time.
“...only himself.”
“Just so you know, Frank saw him hug you.”
“Oh,” Olivia said. “So that’s what this is all about. Trust Frank to be around to misinterpret the only time McMichael showed an ounce of human compassion in public. He hugged me when he heard the men were safe. It was just a reflex action.”
“That’s what he said,” Rudy agreed.
“What on earth am I going to do with this man?” Olivia asked, looking at Rudy. “That’s a rhetorical question, I don’t expect an answer. But Rudy, what on earth am I going to tell my father when Frank doesn’t show up at the wedding? What is it about my husband and family weddings? What is it about my husband?”
That one she needed help with.
Chapter Forty-One
By mid afternoon, on-again off-again rainstorm was on again. Sarah’s eyes started to mist up.
“Do not worry Sarah,” Akiko said. “The rain is a sign of good luck. It rained on my wedding day and look how long Harry and I have been married. And so happily too.”
“Is that true Akiko?” Sarah asked.
“Yes!” she said, giving Sarah hope. But Akiko had crossed her fingers behind her back while saying it, and had given Lucy a disheartened look.
“Come on Sarah,” Lucy said glancing out the window. “The carriage is outside to take you down to the church. Mr. McMichael hired it special to take you, and look how wonderfully it’s decorated with white bows. I’ll go tell your parents it’s here. Hurry outside, will you? We can’t have you late for your own wedding.”
Akiko took a long slender box from where she had placed it in the corner of Sarah’s room earlier in the day.
“Here,” Akiko said, “I have something special for my special friend. It will take your tears away.”
Sarah opened the box to find a beautiful white, handcrafted umbrella.
“Oh Akiko,” Sarah smiled, “you truly think of everything. You’re a wonderful friend. I can’t thank you enough.”
“You are welcome. But we must hurry. We can keep your future husband waiting because he is a patient man. But if we keep Miss Lucy-boss waiting we will be in trouble.”
Sarah giggled.
True to Lucy’s word there was a handsome black horse-drawn carriage, decorated with satin bows waiting to take the bride and her family to the church. Sarah smiled and waved like a queen as she passed by well wishers themselves enroute to the wedding.
Lightning flashed illuminating Sarah’s beaming face.
“Maybe you’d better put the umbrella down,” her mother said. “You won’t get wet in the carriage. We don’t want anyone struck by lightning.”
The thunder that followed the flash almost covered the light knock on Olivia’s door, but she recognized the distinctive rapping from her childhood. Knockety-knock-knock. She went to answer it.
“Billy!” Olivia said. “Where have you been hiding on me?”
“I was helping down in the mine,” Billy said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you at breakfast earlier, but I needed to clean up.”
“You look handsome,” Olivia smiled. “It’s good to see you.”
“Handsome I may be,” he said, “but sadly I don’t have a date to the wedding. I understand you may be in need of an escort.”
“News travels fast.”
“Get your things,” he said, giving her a hug. “We’ve got a wedding to go to.” He took her by the arm.
“It’s q
uite a storm out here,” he said, taking off his long formal coat and opening it wide. “Here. Let’s put this big coat over and heads and run.”
With Father Fernier away attending the Cardinal’s funeral, the diocese had sent up a young priest to perform the nuptials, Father O’Donnell. It was his first wedding and to say he was nervous would be an understatement. He did however, have the exuberance that youth can have, and Olivia found the wedding service quite moving. Prayers were said at the beginning for the blessing of the mine rescue.
“Do you, Jason Bower, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded…”
The next word seemed to have slipped from the young priests mind. He looked like he was about to faint.
“Wife,” Sarah assured him. “I have been going over this in my head for days.”
Sarah was beside herself with happiness, and Jason was lovingly supporting her through her special day. It was only when Olivia reached for Frank and saw her brother Billy beside her, that she was reminded of the frailness of her own marriage. Olivia wiped tears from her eyes. She wished nothing but the best for Sarah and Jason, but she couldn’t help but remember how full of hope she had been on her own wedding day.
McMichael sat at the back of the church. Although he had been invited by both sides of the wedding party to sit in the front pews, he had decided to allow the families their own space. He had known Sarah since she was a teenager and was pleased that she had finally found her man to love. He remembered fondly the many times he had been forced to console her when she was lovesick, even though he complained bitterly at the time. So far he hadn’t had to console his own daughters, but he would be experienced when and if the time came. He could see Olivia sitting with her brother. He hadn’t expected to see Frank, but he knew it must have been hard for Olivia to come with her brother, nonetheless.
Hearn snuck in the back of the church and tapped McMichael on the shoulder. McMichael turned around.
“I thought you should know,” Hearn said, “they’ve issued flood warnings all along the coast from Vancouver to Prince Rupert. Squamish, Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam are sandbagging.”
“What’s happening at the dams?” McMichael asked, keeping his voice down.
There were three dams about eight miles away that provided water power to the area.
“I understand they’ve put extra watchmen on,” Hearn said.
“Good,” McMichael said. “Keep me posted.”
Hearn turned and left the building as the priest was pronouncing Jason and Sarah husband and wife. The engineer was scheduled to leave Britannia and return to Aaron’s employ in Seattle after the wedding. He would miss him, McMichael thought, he was a good worker. Maybe he’d make him an offer to stay at Britannia.
Sarah beamed at him as she and her husband made their way down the aisle, out of the church. The rain was still pouring down, but the lightning had stopped. Akiko passed Sarah her umbrella as everyone made their way to the community hall for the reception.
“We seem to be without an emcee,” William said to McMichael. “Frank was supposed to do it, but...”
McMichael looked at him unapologetically.
“Would you care to step in?” William asked.
“No,” McMichael stated emphatically. “I don’t think stepping in for Frank would be a wise thing at the moment. Besides, I have a bit of a history emceeing weddings and I’d rather not tempt fate. Let’s just say the last time I did it, at my niece’s wedding, things got out of my control.”
“I knew there was a reason we had Billy. He’ll do it.” William laughed, heading off to find him.
“Mr. McMichael,” Sarah said upon her entrance, “I just want to thank you again for everything you’ve done to make this day special.”
“My pleasure Sarah,” McMichael said. “And if you don’t mind Jason, I’m going to kiss the bride.” He kissed her on the cheek.
“Now that you’re married, don’t you go running off on me.”
“Oh I won’t Mr. McMichael, don’t worry. Jason and I are going to stay here in Britannia. But I may need a raise in a year or so.”
“Lucky for the rain,” McMichael laughed, “I don’t see a blue moon tonight.”
“Thank goodness the thunder has stopped,” Sarah said. “I was worried the band wouldn’t be able to play in the electrical storm.”
“We’ve been fortunate with a few things today. You and Sarah have a wonderful life,” he said to Jason, shaking his hand. “Treat her well, because I’ll know, by God I’ll know, if you don’t.”
McMichael caught sight of Olivia and walked over to her.
“Apparently I owe you an apology,” he said to her.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Olivia said. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Frank’s just had a jealous streak in him where you’re concerned.”
“Still, I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. For that I’m sorry.”
Perhaps her mother was right. John McMichael was polite.
“Would you like to come sit with us? Lucy and Rudy are at the table.”
“I think I’ll keep my distance Olivia, no offence. I’d like to have a quiet word with your father and your uncle. I’ll catch up with you some other time.”
“Of course. I understand.” Olivia said.
Perhaps John McMichael was nice, like her mother had said.
McMichael wandered off to a corner table at the back where William and Aaron were sitting.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “may I join you?”
They motioned for McMichael to sit down.
“Thank you for your help this week,” he said. “I’m sure you didn’t expect all this excitement to go along with the wedding. Aaron, that new drill is something. I’ll put in an order on Monday.”
“Good to hear it John,” Aaron said. “Because you’ve definitely bought that one.”
“John,” William said. “About the railroad. Aaron and I are sorry that your government didn’t see fit to push through the northern line at this time. It certainly wasn’t through the lack of your efforts.”
Aaron nodded.
“What are your plans John?” William asked.
“My plans?”
“Beyond Britannia.”
McMichael wished he had a stiff drink in front of him, but he didn’t.
“You’re not thinking of staying here all your life are you?” William asked. “You’re too good to be stuck here.”
“That depends on your definition of stuck,” McMichael said. “I happen to have a good life for my family and myself.”
“Still,” Aaron said, “your girls will be grown soon and leaving for the big city. What will Britannia have to offer you then?”
McMichael knew there was truth in what the men were saying, but he wasn’t ready to face that day, not quite yet. He glanced around and saw Christina dancing with the young doctor Alex Thompson, and Lara and Jimmy in the corner, sneaking sips of beer.
“They grow up so fast,” he said.
“When the time is right,” William said, “we’d like you to consider coming to work for us in some capacity.”
McMichael smiled. “Gentlemen, I am flattered. But what would you want with an arrogant, demanding mine boss?”
“We’d like an arrogant, demanding boss to work with us and handle our employees. You’ve got a knack for that.”
“What did you have in mind?” McMichael asked.
“We’re not sure yet,” Aaron said. “But we like your style. You don’t crack under pressure. You’re a real leader. We’re exploring a few ventures. There’s a family in Toronto that’s getting into the liquor business. We may open a few breweries with them, we don’t know. If not, there’s always our railroad operations. We know you’d like that.”
“And automobiles,” William chimed in. “We’re buying stock in car factories. We’ve got big plans for starting a Canadian factory down the road. We’re looking at the Toronto area, on Lake Ontario. Maybe even a little east of there. Land is cheap. A
aron thinks the area is a golden horseshoe in the making.”
“Well then,” McMichael said. “Why don’t I go get us some champagne so that we can toast our endeavours, past, present and future?”
Across the Hall, Olivia sat at the table dumbfounded.
“No,” Lucy was saying, “I heard he took a swipe at him.”
Rudy nodded.
“He tried to hit McMichael?” Olivia asked.
“Mary Alice, who happened to be in the street at the time,” Lucy continued, “told me he called him a slimy, money-pinching, wife stealing...”
Rudy kicked her under the table.
“Ow!”
“And he did it in the middle of the street?” Olivia said. “I will kill him.”
“Okay,” Rudy said, “this is the part where I ask you to dance Lucy, so you don’t tell Olivia anything else you heard.” He quickly pulled her onto the dance floor.
“She has to know,” Lucy said.
“But she doesn’t have to know right now,” Rudy replied.
McMichael saw Olivia sitting at the table by herself and approached her.
“I was just going to get some champagne Olivia. Why don’t you come join your father and I?”
“No thank you, my stomach is a bit upset.”
“Of course.” McMichael said. “In that case, I’ll take the champagne back to the table. Perhaps I was hasty earlier. Would you care to dance? One dance, in front of all these people who will witness nothing untoward?” He looked at her hopefully.
Olivia smiled.
“I appreciate the offer John, you were probably right the first time. I’m sorry. It’s not you.”
“Well, another day perhaps,” John said.
I’ll wait, he thought to himself.
Chapter Forty-Two
Mother Nature loves playing hide and seek. Between her majestic mountains and wondrous rainforests of the Pacific Northwest lay many hidden lakes and streams. Way behind the peaks of Britannia, the watchmen who manned the power facilities were unaware that one particularly large lake was about to carve her own path through the mountains to the ocean. The natural driftwood dam that held her waters in place was no match for the heavy rains that had been occurring.
