“I’m glad you did, for I have a question. That minister who preaches at the church your mother and I once attended told me I had but to believe in Jesus as Lord and I would be saved. That seems much too simple, since the Bible says that even demons believe and tremble.”
“Romans ten, verse nine tells us, ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ The demons may well believe in His existence, but they do not confess him as Lord. They have no honor for Him whatsoever. They mock and despise our Savior.”
“As I once did,” his father said in a tone that revealed his sorrow.
“But you no longer feel that way, do you?”
His father met his gaze. “No. I want to be saved by the Lord. I won’t lie. Dying is a fearful and lonely process. I dread this journey without God.”
“As well we should.” Nick smiled. “But confess Him with your mouth and believe that He has overcome death, and through Him you will also overcome eternal death.”
“I profess that here and now. He is Lord and my Savior.” Nick’s father sat up a little straighter against the pillows. He looked at Nick in confidence. “I seek His forgiveness . . . and yours.” He eased back, eyes closed, and for several seconds neither spoke. Finally, his father nodded. “I am at peace. The fear has left me.”
Tears came to Nick’s eyes. “There is no fear in His perfect love.”
“It seems I remember a verse about no condemnation.”
Nick nodded and opened his Bible to Romans, chapter eight. “‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’”
“No condemnation,” his father repeated.
“No condemnation,” Nick said again, and then it struck him. The Polaris. The men he’d lost. There was no condemnation. Tears came to his eyes as he looked at his father. Father was watching him, as if waiting for him to understand. He gave a nod. “No condemnation.”
Frederick Clark passed away peacefully later that night. When Nick was told the next morning of his father’s death, he wept for his own loss and rejoiced for God’s gain. He also thanked God for the mercy of reconciliation that had set his own heart free from the terrible burden he had borne for over ten years. Not to mention the guilt associated with the Polaris. For the first time, he felt he could finally lay those souls to rest.
Mrs. Schmitt found him on his knees beside his father’s bed, offering praise and thanksgiving for the things God had done. She joined him on knees that were much too old to kneel, but she did so in love for her Savior.
They took turns praying aloud, and when they finally finished, one of the maids gave a soft knock on the door.
“Sir, your sisters and their husbands have come.”
Chapter 20
The day after the funeral, Nick sat down with his father’s lawyer, who’d invited Nick and his sisters to a brief meeting that their father had set up prior to his death. Nick sat across from his sisters, each with her husband at her side. He had little interest in the reading of his father’s will. It delighted him merely to know that they had been reconciled. If the lawyer would only hurry, Nick could catch a train to Oswego that afternoon and hopefully meet up with the Mary Elise back from Toronto.
“The will is fairly simple,” the lawyer began. “There are provisions left for each of Mr. Frederick Clark’s children, with the bulk of his estate going to his son, Nicodemus Clark. Each of you were provided with details of what your inheritance is to be. Are there any questions?” He looked to each one of them.
Nick cleared his throat. “I don’t have questions, but I do have directions. You and I talked in some length about this directly after the funeral. I want my sisters each to receive one of my father’s textile mills. Their husbands are already managing these, and it seems only fitting that they become the owners.” He had already told his sisters, so there was no surprise here, just a desire to make it legal.
“I’ve taken care of the transfer of deed, and you have but to sign these papers,” the lawyer said, holding up two stacks of documents.
“We’ve also discussed the house and wish it to be sold, with the revenues being split three ways.”
The lawyer nodded. “I will see to it.”
“You’re more than generous with us, Nick,” Deborah declared. “Thank you for being so kind.”
“It’s only right. I think our father knew your husbands were successful enough to keep you in good order, but I see nothing wrong with settling this on you. You remained faithful to our father when I did not. I want no bad blood ever to rise between us.”
“Of course not.” Deborah looked to her husband, and he nodded with a smile.
Miriam, only two years Nick’s junior, took her husband’s hand. “We are grateful for your gift, and you are always welcome in our home.”
“I appreciate that. You two have always been precious to me.” Nick smiled at each of his sisters. “I’m sorry for having failed you so miserably. I think I’m only now realizing how selfish I was.”
“All is forgiven,” Miriam said, glancing at her sister. “We’re just glad to have you back.”
“But I’m not remaining,” Nick told them. He hadn’t yet had a chance to explain his plans. “I’m heading back to Oswego this afternoon. I intend to continue working on the Mary Elise.”
“But why? You have enough money to buy your own ship now or do nothing at all.” Miriam’s voice sounded almost alarmed. “I thought you might stay.”
“I will visit from time to time, but this is no longer my home. There is a young woman who holds my heart, as you well know.” He smiled. “Now, let us finish this and be done with it once and for all.” He reached for a pen and signed all of the papers the lawyer presented.
That accomplished, he turned to the older man. “Is there anything else I have to oversee?”
“Just this,” he said, handing Nick a deed.
Nick smiled. “I will deliver this myself.” He got to his feet. “I must be about my business, or I’ll never make my train.” He kissed Deborah first, since she sat nearest him, then went to Miriam.
“Try not to worry, sister. I know you fear what I’m doing, but should I die, it will be while doing what I love. Put me in God’s hands, I pray, and leave me there.” He kissed her cheek and offered her a big smile. “And I will expect letters regarding your growing families and how things are with your various interests. Write to me in care of Captain William Wright on Minnesota Point in Duluth, for I expect he will always know of my whereabouts, since I intend to marry his daughter.”
He shook hands with his brothers-in-law, then tucked the deed in his inside coat pocket and headed out.
Nick snugged his hat down tight, as the day had grown windy. Winter would soon be upon them, and he had many memories of icy-cold Boston days. He smiled and signaled for a cab. Now Boston no longer held regrets. One day he’d bring Elise here and show her where he’d grown up and where he’d fallen in love with sailing.
It was a long ride to the new neighborhood where Nick had installed Mrs. Schmitt. She had told him where her cousin and elder sister lived, and he had purchased her a house nearby. Although she didn’t yet know that the house was hers.
They arrived at the address, and the driver opened the carriage door to assist Nick.
“Please wait here. I’ll need you to take me back to the city,” Nick said.
The driver nodded.
Nick admired the small two-story house. It had been newly painted white, and the windows were trimmed in blue shutters. There was a brand-new picket fence surrounding the property because Nick recalled Mrs. Schmitt mentioning that she had always longed for a home with a white picket fence. The cobblestone walkway that only two days ago had been in a rather bad condition was now smoothed out and refashioned to be less dangerous. It had taken a hefty amount of money to get everything done in just a few days,
but Nick wanted Mrs. Schmitt to be settled before he left.
The older woman opened the front door to bid him welcome before Nick could even knock. She looked so happy that it blessed Nick deep in his soul.
“So, is there anything else we need to change before I head back to Oswego?” he asked as she ushered him into the house.
“Goodness, no. It’s quite perfect. Just look at it.”
He did, noticing how homey it was with its small fireplace blazing and the mantel set with her own framed tintypes.
“I think you’ve done quite nicely with the place.”
“Well, it didn’t hurt that you sent over some of the household people to help me set it to rights.”
Nick chuckled. “I’m glad I could help.” He reached in his pocket. “I have one last thing to give you.” He handed her the deed.
She looked at it for a moment and shook her head. “I don’t understand. What is this?”
“The deed to your home. You’ll see it’s free and clear and in your name. It’s my gift to you for all that you’ve done for me and our family over the years.”
Tears came to her eyes as she slipped into the nearest chair. “Oh my. Oh my.” Her hands trembled as she looked it over. “My father would be so proud. We’ve never been property owners. He always dreamed of it but could never get enough money put aside and was forced to rent.”
“Well, I’m glad I could help a little of his dream come true. His daughter is a property owner. I know he’d be proud of you, Mrs. Schmitt.”
She nodded. “The entire family will be. We will have to have a party.”
“You do that. Meanwhile, I’m heading back to Oswego and Elise.”
Mrs. Schmitt rose and came to him. “Oh, I so hope she will marry you soon. You need a good wife to care for you.”
“I hope so too.” He leaned down and kissed her weathered cheek. “Write and tell me all of the news, and should you need anything at all, you will let me know.”
“I won’t have any needs. You already set me up with a bank account and more money than I’ll ever know what to do with.”
He smiled, thinking of the modest account. “I hope you’ll treat yourself to something lovely from time to time.”
He made his way outside and to the carriage. He glanced back and found the woman who had been like a mother to him waving good-bye. Tears streamed down her weathered cheeks, but she was smiling.
He gave a wave, then climbed into the carriage with a great sense of satisfaction. Now he could go back to Elise with a clear conscience and a much lighter spirit.
“Take me to the train station.”
Nick settled back to think of how his fortunes had changed. He was a fairly rich man. Of course, he might have been extremely rich had he held on to the textile mills, but they were of no interest to him. It wasn’t as if they were long in the family. His father had bought them when a friend decided them no longer as profitable as he’d hoped. Father had been very young, and the deal had been quite good. He had done everything possible to bring them to their current success.
Nick wondered how Elise would take the news of his newfound wealth. He doubted she would care. Her world was the Mary Elise and sailing the lakes. Just as his was. They were in complete agreement on that, and he couldn’t help but wonder at their future. He had been so driven to prove to his father that he was worthy of respect, and now that Nick had it, what was yet to be accomplished?
He hadn’t thought much past settling his father’s estate and making certain that Mrs. Schmitt was cared for. He had given the other servants good letters of reference based on Mrs. Schmitt’s suggestion, as well as two weeks’ pay. They would stay at the estate and ready it for sale. They didn’t need to leave before the house was sold, giving them even more time to secure their living arrangements. He felt good about handling things in a generous manner. It made him feel that he was pleasing God.
They arrived at the busy station amidst chaos and what seemed to be hundreds of people either coming or going. They waited their turn so the driver could drop Nick closer to the entrance. Nick was grateful to have only one bag that he could easily manage for himself. Other travelers were in disarray as they scrambled for the limited number of available baggagemen.
Finally, the carriage stopped outside the main entrance, and the driver opened his door. Nick stepped into the bustling, noisy atmosphere and wished even more that he could be at sea. He tipped the driver generously, then headed inside.
He’d not gone far when he spied a line of wanted posters on the wall near the ticket counter. The drawing of the first man closely resembled Booker Duran.
Wanted—Robert Wayfair, he read, for murder in Buffalo, New York.
Wayfair. The name was wrong, but the image was very similar. There were things that didn’t quite fit, but it was close enough that it made Nick wonder. Then again, maybe Duran had a brother who used another name.
Nick frowned as he continued to stare at the poster. Or maybe Duran used another name.
Elise congratulated herself in having kept well away from Booker Duran during the short trip to Toronto. She made sure they were never alone together. Even so, in Nick’s absence, Duran felt he had the right to do as he pleased and more than once had managed to touch her as he passed by her in the galley. He had even gone so far as to feign a hand injury. Wounds and injuries were generally treated by Elise, but when Duran suggested he might have broken one of his fingers, it was the captain who took charge and declared it nothing more than a sprain. It was easy to see Duran wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but there was nothing he could say without bringing more attention to himself.
Elise had prayed continuously for safety and for some way to see Duran taken into custody if he truly was the murderer. One thing was certain: he wasn’t a good seaman. Her father had taken him to task for being lax in his duties, but Duran always had some excuse. Papa wasn’t taken in by his explanations. He knew the man was untrustworthy. At their last confrontation, Papa had even told Duran that he would be put off in Oswego upon their return if things didn’t improve. Since then, Duran had been a model crewman.
She couldn’t help but wonder why. Why not just escape them rather than go on threatening Elise and Caroline? If he was going to betray Caroline’s secret, he’d have more opportunity by leaving the crew in Oswego. She just couldn’t figure out his game.
Their return trip from Toronto was without problems until they were nearly to Oswego. That was when they started having trouble with the rudder. Ollie Johnson was a good mechanic and rigged the rudder to endure a little longer, but he made it clear they’d need to lay over for more extensive repairs once in port.
Now that they’d arrived, Elise was more concerned with her sister’s welfare and what Duran might do. If her husband realized Caroline was on the Mary Elise, he would no doubt find a way to legally force her to come home.
“Your uncle is waiting for us on the dock. I hope there isn’t more trouble,” Elise’s father said as he joined her at the rail. He waved, and Elise did too when she spotted Uncle James.
“I fear for Caroline,” Elise said, turning to him. “She can’t leave the ship without revealing herself. And since we’ll be here for a week for repair work, it would be horrendous for her to have to wait hidden in the cabin. We’d have to stay here with her.”
“I’ve already thought of that, which is why we now have a large trunk that must be taken with us to your uncle’s house.”
Elise’s eyes widened. “Caroline?”
He grinned. “None other. It was her suggestion when I mentioned the situation.”
A giggle escaped her lips. “Won’t the staff be surprised when they open the trunk expecting clothing and find my sister instead? I’d like to be there to see that.”
“I have already planned that you will be.”
She swept her gaze back and forth along the docks as she’d done since drawing close enough to see them. Nick was nowhere to be found. “I wonder where he
is.”
Her father didn’t pretend not to know who she was talking about. “We have no way of knowing when he might return to us. If his father is as bad as he feared, it could be a quick death or a lingering one. There’s no way of telling.”
She sighed. “I know. I was just hoping he’d be here. You said yourself that this might be our last trip to Duluth, given all the extra problems and the changing weather.”
“The weather’s been pretty good for November. Thankfully, we’ve not had any major storms.”
“Yet. But we both know they’re coming, and so too the ice.”
“Relax,” he said, patting her arm. “I’ve already arranged with Nick to join us in Duluth if he returns and learns that the ports are closed. He’ll take a train to Duluth and winter there, helping me make further repairs to the Mary Elise.”
Elise felt her fears ease. “That was a very smart thing, Papa. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Can’t have my future son-in-law lost, now, can I?”
“Why do you call him that?” Instead of joyous thoughts, Elise remembered Duran’s threats.
“Because I believe if he has his way, he’ll be just that. Oh, look. The men are bringing your sister.” He nudged Elise’s arm and quickly moved aside for Ollie and Sam, who were carrying a very large clothing trunk. “You go ahead to the house with her and see that she gets unpacked first thing.” He chuckled and pulled Elise with him down the gangplank.
Uncle James looked surprised by the huge trunk. “Are you planning a lengthy stay?” he asked.
Elise’s father leaned close. “Your niece is in that trunk, lest her husband have spies watching for her to disembark.”
Uncle James’s eyes widened. “Well, I’ll be. Very smart of you, because Nelson has been nothing but a problem. He brought the authorities to my house, and I had no choice but to allow them to search it from top to bottom. When they didn’t find Caroline and I assured them she wasn’t there, Nelson was livid. Apparently, his father will not allow him his grandfather’s inheritance until Nelson can prove he’s still married. Rumors abound, since they’ve seen nothing of their daughter-in-law.”
Waiting on Love Page 20