Until June

by Barbara M. Britton

  Conversation stopped.

  “Where would you like this Victrola, Cap’n?” a crew member asked.

  “I didn’t order a record player.” Geoff seemed amused. “My dancing days are over.”

  “It’s a house warming present.” Mr. Chambers settled an arm across his son’s shoulders. “I thought we might like some music with dinner. This island could use a little light opera.” Mr. Chambers indicated the vacant corner in the dining room where Geoff did his push-ups. “You’ve space right over there.”

  “What a lovely gift.” Josephine gave Geoff a stern look not to contradict her. She admired the mahogany Victrola. The carved legs and pull-handle doors were similar to the one she had seen at the Chamberses’ mansion. Advertisements in the Companion priced the record players at four hundred dollars.

  Bradley opened a leather satchel. “We brought records, too.” The excitement in his voice rivaled a gift exchange on Christmas morning.

  “Perhaps you could start us off with a favorite song,” she encouraged Bradley so he would have fun in a room full of adults.

  Julia supervised Bradley’s choice. “Geraldine Ferrar would be splendid.”

  The crackling drag of the needle soon brought to life the soprano’s soothing song.

  Geoff and his father inspected the wines while she tended to dinner. Marty offered to carve the roast, and since Geoff was busy in the dining room, she accepted his offer. Ann arranged the roast, potatoes, and green beans on the plates. Gravy and rolls would be passed. Ann was quite the assistant. Would she have been as helpful if Marty had not been in close proximity?

  Geoff gave a tink, tink, tink to his glass, calling everyone to the table. She took the open seat next to Geoff, across from her mother. Ann sat across from Marty Hill. Julia sat across from Mr. Chambers. Tubby and Bradley shared the end of the table.

  After Geoff gave the blessing, Mr. Chambers raised his glass.

  “A toast.” He looked toward his oldest son. “To our veterans, to peace, and to President Wilson.”

  Glasses clinked. Voices chorused their approval.

  Josephine touched the wine glass to her lips and inhaled the heavy grape aroma. She did not taste one drop.

  “Have you seen any ghosts?” Bradley’s question halted the clanging of silverware.

  Tubby gave a hearty sailor’s laugh and clapped Bradley on the shoulder.

  “Can’t say I’ve seen a flicker of Old Man Gilbertsen.”

  “Perhaps once.” Josephine chimed in the conversation before Mr. Chambers could reprimand Bradley for poor table manners. “Shortly after we moved in, your brother called out, thinking he had seen a white wisp in his room.”

  “It was tiny,” Geoff interrupted. “Probably just a flash of light. If it was a ghost, it was the runt of the litter.” He grinned at Josephine. “Now, our dog scares away any intruders.”

  She tilted her head. “Our dog?”

  “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our pet, Riley?” He tipped his goblet toward her before taking a sip. “Named after the Vice President. Thomas Riley Marshall.”

  “Oh yes, Riley.” She tipped her glass back toward Geoff. “He guards our huckleberry bushes.”

  Tubby’s gaze darted between her and Geoff. He wiped his whiskers with a napkin.

  “Franklin Gilbertsen didn’t die here, son.” Tubby leaned back in his chair as if to tell a seaman’s yarn. He pointed to the staircase. “Tumbled right down those stairs. Snapped his leg bone like a twig. His—”

  “Pneumonia’s what took him, Captain.” Her mother raised a goblet, saving the table from gruesome details. “Josephine helped comfort Mr. Gilbertsen during his last days. The only reason Mr. Gilbertsen would show up here is to say thank you.”

  “It’s a good thing Widow Gilbertsen sold the lodge.” Ann turned to Josephine. “She hardly leaves the house anymore. Last time I dropped by she inquired when you would be back in town.”

  “Well, not for a while.” Josephine flashed a glorious smile. “I’m here on the island until June. Remember?”

  Ann stared at Geoff. Was she trying to gage his reaction? Geoff poured gravy on his roast and acted as if the conversation didn’t concern him. No drips. No eye contact. Nothing. She passed the rolls to Mr. Hill.

  “What do you do here for fun?” Bradley asked, addressing his brother from the other end of the table.

  All eyes focused on Geoff.

  Geoff cleared his throat. “We read magazines, write letters, do work. I’ve taught Josephine how to—”

  Her eyes widened in horror. Don’t say gin or rummy or cards.

  Geoff must have noticed her face. “Uh,” he stammered. “We tally ledgers.”

  “Yes, I’ll need spectacles by summer.” She squinted and crinkled her nose, inspecting the tablecloth.

  Everyone laughed.

  Lively conversation filled the table—labor strikes, the Versailles Treaty, salmon marinade. After the last piece of Alaskan blueberry pie was served, Josephine sat down, tea in hand.

  “May I take your picture after pie, Miss Josephine?” Bradley asked.

  How could she resist the boy’s excited smile? “Sure, as long as my teeth aren’t purple.”

  Bradley jumped from his seat and excused himself to prepare his camera.

  Marty Hill stabbed at a piece of pie crust with his fork. Josephine hated to see a guest bored.

  She leaned toward Marty. “There’s a path that leads to a waterfall. It’s probably a trickling icicle now, but I’d love for Ann to see it. It would be treacherous for mother to attempt the walk.”

  “Say no more,” Marty said. “It would be my privilege to accompany Ann.”

  Ann accepted the offer with a sultry wink.

  After dessert, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, Geoff, and Bradley headed out front for family pictures. Tubby and her mother settled on the porch. The musky, sweet scent of the captain’s tobacco wafted through the front door as Josephine cleared the dishes.

  After piling the last of the plates into the sink, she whipped around and almost plowed into Marty Hill.

  “Mr. Hill, forgive me. I didn’t expect anyone to be in the kitchen.”

  “Please, call me Marty. Mr. Hill is my father. Makes me feel old.” She expected the man to step backward and give her some room, but he stood his ground, pinning her against the sink. “I came to compliment you on dinner. Best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

  “Thank you.” Her gaze shifted between her clasped hands and Marty’s face. When he exhaled, she felt a breeze of air on her forehead.

  “You’ve worked a miracle with Geoff Chambers. I haven’t seen him in such fine spirits. What did you give him? A special tonic?”

  She smiled weakly at his flattery and averted her gaze. Geoff wasn’t fond of Marty, but it wasn’t her place to meddle in mine business.

  “Good food and rest is what the doctor ordered.” Her eyes danced from Marty to the doorway, hoping her sister would sweep Marty away so she could get back to the dishes and ultimately her guests.

  “This lodge is not far from Kat Wil. You could come back to the mine for another tour. On your day off perhaps?”

  The inflection in Marty’s voice suggested he had more to offer than a tour. Did he believe the crude insults his miners cast? Her mouth gaped. He was engaged. Engaged to her sister.

  Shifting down the counter, she sputtered a refusal.

  “Hill.” Geoff’s voice rang out from the doorway. His tone reminded her of his morphine-demanding rants.

  Marty spun around.

  She slumped against the counter.

  “Josephine is needed for pictures. Ann is waiting by the path. And…” Geoff fixed a glare on his manager that had her own heart trembling in fear, “my nurse accompanies me to my mine. Remember that.”

  Marty took a step backward—onto her toes.

  She clenched her teeth and vice-gripped the counter.

  “Of course,” Marty said as if they had been discussing improvements at Kat Wil.
With a nod in her direction, he fled from the kitchen without an apology for stomping on her foot.

  “Bradley’s waiting.” Geoff’s piercing glare rattled her composure more than Marty’s pass.

  Smoothing a few strands of hair behind her ear, she glanced at the sink. All she had been doing was the dishes. Did Geoff think she had been flirting with his manager?

  She stepped toward Geoff. “Would you like my shoulder?”

  He turned and balanced on his walking stick. “I’ve got this down.”

  In silence, she followed him through the living room and out the front door.

  Bradley waited near the dock with his camera.

  “I hope my teeth aren’t blue?” Her face brightened into a toothy smile.

  “I can’t see.” Bradley waved them closer. “Stand next to my brother so I can get a picture of you and the lodge. I’ve taken everyone else.”

  She inched closer to Geoff. Side by side they stood, staring at the lens of the camera.

  “Wait,” she shouted. She ran toward a pile of crates stacked on the dock and chose the sturdiest. She placed it on the ground next to Geoff.

  “Cheater,” Geoff whispered.

  “The picture will look lopsided now that you’re taller.” She grinned and stretched closer to his height. “Besides, aren’t you cheating a bit?”

  “On three.” Bradley adjusted the lens. “One, two...”

  Geoff’s fingers slipped under her vest and tickled her waist.

  Her gaze darted upward, meeting his.

  “Three.”

  The shutter clicked.

  “Can we take another one, Bradley?” She poked Geoff’s chest. “No shenanigans this time.”

  Geoff grinned wider than the inlet. “Whatever do you mean? I’m helping you smile for the photograph. This is a party, isn’t it?”

  Had she ever seen him this lighthearted before? Maybe when he won at cards?

  She readied for another picture.

  “Say Riley,” Bradley yelled.

  “Guess we have an inside dog,” she mused.

  ~*~

  By afternoon, she had conversed more than she had since arriving at the lodge. Julia wanted her opinion on hats and dress lengths. Her mother spoke of neighbors and new medicines. Tubby spoke of evading the influenza on his travels. Geoff, Mr. Chambers, and Marty talked about the mine. Bradley threw a stick for Riley, the newly named beast, to retrieve.

  “Here, boy. Here, Riley.” The dog dropped the branch at Bradley’s feet.

  Yep, the name Riley is here to stay. From beast to pet.

  Shortly after tea, Ann pulled her into Geoff’s bedroom.

  “When were you going to tell me?” Ann threw her hands up in the air. “I wrote you about my Marty.”

  Josephine’s stomach swirled like an eddy. Did Geoff tell Ann about Marty’s invitation to the mine? Did Marty confess? Not likely. She sighed not wanting the party to end on an off-key note.

  “I didn’t think it was my place to say anything.” Josephine’s muscles tensed in anticipation of one of Ann’s tirades.

  “When is Geoff going to make the announcement? We’re all waiting for the big news.” Ann crossed her arms and cinched them against her waist.

  “Announcement?” Josephine crinkled her nose in confusion. “What announcement? This is a family gathering.”

  Ann playfully swatted her arm. “The announcement about your engagement, silly.”

  24

  “Engagement?” Josephine repeated in a raspy whisper. Was this a joke? “How on earth did—?”

  “I knew a man and a woman alone in the woods could never come to any good.” Ann giggled. “Mistakenly, I assumed Geoff’s injuries were more severe.”

  “Oh. No.” Josephine tried to correct her sister.

  “It was only a matter of time, really. Marty told me his hands were all over you when you visited the mine. Who can blame the man?” Ann reached out and cupped Josephine’s breasts. “You’ve got curves.”

  “Stop it.” Josephine removed her sister’s hands. “Geoff and I have not been—” She didn’t know how to phrase it. “We’re not—”

  “So, you’re going to wait?” Ann’s face grew serious. “Is it because?” Her sister mimicked a saw going across her thighs.

  “No.” Josephine gasped. “Geoff and I are not getting married. I don’t know why you thought we were.”

  “You’re serious?” Ann cocked her head. “There’s not going to be a wedding?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know where you got the idea.”

  “Oh, come now.” Ann flicked her hand so abruptly Josephine had to step back to miss getting scratched. “Both families are summoned to the lodge.” Ann pointed her finger at the wall to the living room. “Julia Chambers is here. Royalty makes more appearances than that woman. And the Victrola?” Ann’s voice actually squawked. “If that’s not an engagement gift, what is?”

  “It’s a housewarming gift.” Josephine’s heart jumped into her throat. Did others think the same thing as her sister?

  “Precisely. This is not your house. It’s his. And isn’t he leaving come June?”

  Josephine’s pulse throbbed in her temples. She was sure her face was flushed crimson. “I’m sorry if you misunderstood.” Big breath. “I am Geoff’s caregiver. Nothing more.” Hearing her own business-like description of her role nagged at her heart. “I was feeling down and a little homesick. I had entered a writing contest in the Companion and lost. Geoff was trying to cheer me up by throwing this party.”

  “You wrote a story for a magazine?” Ann snorted. “Why, that’s more preposterous than bedding a cripple. Although with his money, one could try and turn a blind eye.” Ann shook her head. “Silly Josephine, skilled writers can’t get published in the Companion. And you barely finished grade eight.”

  Josephine’s shoulders dipped as if Geoff had just taken hold.

  “Mother doesn’t believe I’m getting married, does she?”

  “She hasn’t mentioned it to me. But then I’ve been discreet. I don’t share Marty’s whisperings with her.”

  Ann stepped forward almost pinning her to the wall. The repeated poke of her sister’s finger was like a surging needle.

  “Your job is to keep Geoff Chambers healthy. Story writing and pouting about it will only get you fired.” Ann straightened her dress. Flipping her hair, she gave Josephine a stern once over. “I will not take on another job to support this family. I must be available when Marty needs me. No more writing. Do you hear?”

  She nodded, fearing her sister would not move until she did.

  “Good. Now, you have guests to attend to. And I, as one, need another glass of Chardonnay.”

  Ann swung open the bedroom door and vanished into the living room.

  Blood pulsed into Josephine’s cheeks. Pressure built behind her eyes. She would not release the tears. She had met Geoff’s needs and written a serial without any help from her sister. Ann had no right to tell her how to do her job.

  Perfecting her posture, she released a calming breath and smiled wide like the perfect hostess should. An up-tempo tuba and brass selection from the Victrola greeted her as she stepped into the living room.

  Bradley grinned at his parents. The boy held up a miniature walking stick not quite a third the size of Geoff’s. He moved the tapered branch up and down like a baton. Ann, Marty, and her mother sat at the dining table, a bottle of wine centered between them. Tubby’s cherry-scented pipe smoke hung in the room.

  “It’s about time we get aboard.” The captain’s hand waved everyone toward the door. “Been a full day.”

  Full of surprises.

  “Captain,” Josephine began, “next time you must bring your wife. I would like to meet her.”

  Tubby held her gaze longer than he ever had. “I’d never get her out of here if she saw you.” With a wink, he turned and rallied the party goers to make their way to his ship.

  What did Tubby mean about his wife? She didn’t have
time to follow up. She had to see her guests to the dock. Geoff walked on his own with his balancing stick. Bradley matched him hole for hole with his newly discovered branch.

  “No writing for three months,” Ann warned, giving her a stiff-armed hug before practically pushing Marty on board the boat.

  Mr. Chambers embraced his son and then engulfed her in a wrestler’s hug.

  “Thank you,” the patriarch whispered, “Geoff looks better than I imagined he ever could. I didn’t think I would see my son again.”

  She hoped Mr. Chambers was remarking on Geoff’s improving health—mental and physical—and not on her abilities as a caregiver.

  “Geoff has come a long way,” she said. “I can’t take all the praise. He is very determined.”

  “Like his father.” Julia motioned for Bradley and Geoff to join them. “Perhaps you’d enjoy a trip down the coast,” she said to Geoff. “The influenza seems to have run its course. The warmth will do us all some good.”

  Josephine caught the meaning of “all.” It meant the Chambers family. A family she didn’t belong to even though she had spent more time with Geoff than his stepmother had since his return from the front. Julia had been her best customer and benefactor. Still, her stomach hollowed at the thought that all her hard work had been an expense on the monetary books.

  “I’m not much on traveling,” Geoff said.

  Bradley tugged on his pant leg. “We’re doing this again soon. Right?” Bradley asked as he threw a piece of driftwood to Riley.

  “Anytime.” Josephine glanced at the lodge. It was a nice home. But as Ann reminded her, it was not her home. It remained Geoff’s temporary home.

  Her mother was the last one aboard.

  “You’re a young woman, Josephine. I hate that you’re growing up without me or your sister.” Her mother stroked the length of Josephine’s hair. The caress of her scalp reminded her of the injury Ivan had given here, but no pain radiated down her skull. “You do like it here, don’t you?”

  Tears sizzled behind Josephine’s eyes. “Yes, it’s a big house. I should make it a few more months.” Her voice thinned to a wisp. “I do miss you.”

  Her mother cradled Josephine’s face in her hands. “You make me proud. So very proud.”