Hearts and Harvest

by Amber Stockton

  A few minutes later, the ferry docked and the passengers disembarked. William waited for Annabelle’s family and then his to step off before him. For some reason, he felt like remaining at the back of the assemblage. It often ended up being his position anyway. Why change things?

  They all walked along the main paved road that looped around the park, opposite the typical flow of carriages. About one hundred feet into their stroll, Annabelle glanced over her shoulder and gave him a questioning look. He mustered a smile for her. It must have worked. She returned the smile and a moment later resumed her original position.

  When she wasn’t preaching at him, Annabelle actually had many appealing qualities. He’d never forget the squeal when Jacob held that hornworm up to her face. The interest she had shown in baseball at the game and her thoughtful gesture in getting those tickets still impressed him. Her infectious enthusiasm was contagious. Just a few minutes in her presence and William found himself relaxing or even once in a while forgetting about his problems.

  That spelled danger. Her sparkling blue eyes, beautiful smile, melodic laughter, and unassuming behavior made him want to do nothing more than remain in her presence as long as possible. Every time she appeared, though, it became harder and harder to maintain his seeming disinterest.

  “Mother, do you think we might picnic near Muskoday Lake today?” Annabelle tucked her hand around her mother’s arm and leaned close. “We always go to Tacoma Lake, but Muskoday was just formed last year. I’d love to enjoy the island from a different perspective.”

  “I don’t mind if your father doesn’t,” Mrs. Lawson replied. “Brandt, dear? Shall we alter our standing plans and try something new this afternoon?”

  Mr. Lawson shrugged. “As long as the Berringers are all right with that, I have no objections.”

  “We are fine with wherever you would like to settle,” William’s father answered on behalf of his family.

  With their new destination decided, they stopped and changed direction toward the east instead of the west. They’d be farther away from the lone wooden bridge and casino, but they’d have a much closer view of the lighthouse.

  Annabelle fairly bounced at her request being accepted. The ruffles of her skirt swayed to the left and right as she walked and drew William’s attention. She seemed so carefree and full of life. And why not? She didn’t have to work a farm plot or share living space with eight other families. That brought him back to the folly of thinking about her as anything but a friend.

  After all, what did he have to offer her?

  William scuffed his shoe on the gravel beneath his feet and kicked a few tiny rocks out in front of him. He couldn’t take her on carriage rides or invite her for an afternoon stroll through the park. Today was the closest he and Annabelle would come to what life might have been like had his family not lost everything—and they were surrounded by both of their families.

  He knew she was interested, but his present station made him hesitate. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to pursue something with her. On the contrary, he didn’t feel comfortable just yet. Being a lady, she’d never initiate anything with him. So he was right back where he’d started—wondering and chastising himself for even thinking of her in that way.

  “Well, here we are!” Mrs. Lawson announced.

  William had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even noticed they were close to the new lake. Three large blankets were unfolded and spread out on the ground. A minute or two later, the two large picnic baskets Mr. Lawson and William’s father had been carrying were set down and opened.

  Jacob stood at the edge of one of the blankets. “I want to go see the horses and the stables and take a pony ride.”

  How had his brother heard about the riding stables? They’d only been constructed earlier that year.

  “Victoria told me about them when we were on the ferry,” Jacob added as if he’d heard William’s unspoken question.

  “After you eat some lunch, dear,” his mother stated.

  “But I’m not hungry.”

  “Jacob.” His father’s tone brooked no argument, and Jacob knew it. The frown he made and the way he crossed his arms said he didn’t like it, but he’d obey.

  William almost laughed. There were times he forgot just how much of a boy his brother was. He worked hard on their piece of farmland and seemed so grown-up at times. Today, though, he was all boy.

  As the two families shared the delicious meal of roasted chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, and almond-glazed sponge cake the Lawson’s cook had prepared, conversation flowed on a number of different topics. William knew he should try to keep up with them and offer some input, but between the sermon that morning and being here with Annabelle and her family, he couldn’t. There was so much circling in his head—he needed to make sense of it all. The sooner he finished, the sooner he could excuse himself and take a walk. Maybe that would help clear his thoughts.

  After tossing the final bone on his plate, he wiped his mouth and hands and stood. Everyone looked up at him, and his parents shared a joint curious expression. He’d better make this quick so they could all return to their socializing.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, you must extend my compliments to your cook. The meal was quite tasty. But if you’ll excuse me”—he allowed his gaze to roam over each person in turn—“I believe I’ll take a walk and enjoy this fresh air.”

  Jacob immediately jumped up, almost upsetting his plate, and looked at his parents. “Does that mean we can go see the horses now?”

  “And maybe the verandas on the outside of the casino, too?” Victoria looked to her own parents, a hopeful yet pleading look on her face.

  Great. If the other adults agreed, he’d likely end up being asked to escort them. So much for his solitary walk. He really needed some time alone to sort out a few things.

  “I’d be happy to go with them,” Matthew offered. “That is, if Mr. and Mrs. Berringer approve.”

  That was something William didn’t expect. He might be free of the others after all. And that meant he could still take his walk.

  Both sets of parents did agree. In what seemed like seconds, plates were abandoned and the threesome headed toward the road. Maybe he should ask Annabelle if she’d like to join him. Then again, that would defeat the intention of being alone.

  “I believe I’ll join them all as well.”

  So much for that idea.

  Annabelle wiped her mouth and gracefully stood. After stepping around behind her parents, she caught his eye.

  He tried to read her expression, but he could only decipher a confusing mixture of disappointment and acceptance. As she walked by him to join Jacob and her brother and sister, William had second thoughts. Should he have invited her anyway? What about their parents all watching and listening? That would have started them talking for sure.

  Avoiding the temptation to see if anyone still paid him any mind, he took off toward the outer loop. The rest of them had chosen Central Avenue as a more direct path to where they were headed, but he preferred to circle Lake Okonoka and walk by the pier on the south side of the island.

  William had no idea how much time had passed when all of a sudden he found himself at the eastern edge of Tacoma Lake. The casino Victoria had mentioned earlier wasn’t too much farther. If William kept walking, he might run into the four of them.

  Instead, he found a shady spot under a big oak and settled on the grass, staring through the trees to where he could just make out the roof of the casino. Even though he hadn’t been there in two years, he could still see it in his mind’s eye.

  The two-story Queen Anne-style building with its corner towers and covered exterior walkways was a popular meeting place for many on the island. Its gabled wood structure had even been where William’s cousin had gotten married two years ago. The residents of Detroit had begged the city to turn Belle Isle into a public park emulating the tree-lined boulevards of Paris. Following in the pattern established by Frederick Olmsted, this meetin
ghouse for social events added just the right touch.

  “Would you mind some company?”

  William startled at Annabelle’s hesitant voice behind his left shoulder. She sounded and appeared rather nervous. He hastened to his feet and faced her.

  She held her hands clasped together with fingers hooked. “Forgive me if I interrupted your solitude. I was just walking around the perimeter of Tacoma Lake when I saw you. But I can continue on my way if you’d rather be alone.”

  “No, please.” He almost spoke without thinking and said that was exactly what he wanted—for her to leave him in peace. One look at her face, though, and all thoughts of dismissing her flew from his mind. He extended his arm toward the space he’d unofficially claimed. “Sit.”

  After gathering her skirts in her hand, she settled on the ground and assumed a most ladylike perch, legs tucked underneath and to the left. He wished he had a jacket he could have laid down for her so she wouldn’t have to soil her pretty blue dress. It set off her eyes perfectly. He joined her on the ground and couldn’t take his eyes off her. If anyone happened by, they’d just assume the two of them were courting. For the first time since they met, William wished they were.

  Silence fell between them. He wanted to say something, but his tongue was tied in knots and his brain refused to register any coherent thought beyond how pretty she looked.

  “Amazing to think that a man who also designed Central Park in New York came up with the plans for Belle Isle as well. Don’t you agree? Did you know this island actually belonged to Chippewa and Ottawa tribes and they named it Wahnabezee, or Swan Island, to start?”

  William released a sigh. At least she managed to come up with something to start the conversation again.

  “It was owned by the French and then British before American settlers finally claimed it. Then the city of Detroit bought it just fifteen years ago and named it Belle Isle.”

  Her voice trembled a bit. Could she be as nervous as he was right now? If so, maybe things weren’t as hopeless as he’d thought. There was only one way to find out.

  He cleared his throat. “Yes, and I much prefer Belle Isle to Hog Island, like the French had named it.”

  Annabelle covered her mouth and giggled. Turning her head to look at him, she lowered her hand and smiled, a twinkle making her blue eyes shine. “I would have to agree with you there. Naming a beautiful island such as this after a pig doesn’t exactly seem like the proper choice.”

  The tension seemed to be broken. Laughter almost always had a way of helping.

  Extending his long legs out in front of him, William leaned on his hands. “You mentioned the designer when you first approached. Frederick Olmsted. Did you also know he resigned before any of his designs for this island were actually begun?”

  Her eyes widened. “No, I didn’t. What happened?”

  “The city had already approved everything, so they went ahead with his plans anyway.”

  Annabelle looked out over the lake. He followed her gaze as she shifted it to the north where the tree-lined path offered shelter to numerous couples out enjoying the day.

  “I’m glad they did,” she said a moment later. “I can’t imagine this island as anything other than what it is. My family has been coming here for years.”

  “It reminds me a lot of Mackinac Island,” he said without thinking.

  Her head swung toward him once more, and surprise spread across her face. “You’ve been to Mackinac?”

  Oh no. He hadn’t intended to let something like that slip. Then again, why not? She knew his family hadn’t always been living the way they were now. What harm could come of sharing a little from life prior to the current state of affairs?

  Shifting to lean back on his elbows, William crossed his legs at his ankles and stared straight ahead. “Yes. In fact, we used to go at least once every year near the end of the summer. Just two years ago, we were at the hotel to witness a demonstration by an agent of Edison Phonograph of their new invention.”

  “On the front porch? I’ve been there to see that, too!”

  He glanced over to see her close her eyes and draw her hands up to her chin.

  A sigh slipped from her lips. “It’s the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever seen. The tulips, daffodils, and geraniums all create such vivid color.”

  For a fleeting moment, William wondered if they might have been on the island at the same time. Perhaps they even stayed at the hotel during the same week. No, that wasn’t possible. He would have remembered someone like Annabelle.

  “My parents were actually married in a gazebo on the island before the hotel was built.” She opened her eyes and tilted her head toward him with a soft grin on her lips. “And it was on that island where they both realized neither of them had been honest about who they really were.”

  William drew his eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”

  She placed her hands in her lap. The grin turned into a full-fledged smile. “Oh, it’s one of my favorite stories to tell.” Shifting so she faced him, she continued. “When they met, they both were pretending to be someone they weren’t. Mother took a job at a candle factory to achieve some independence and assist a woman who was part of her charity work. Father assumed the position of a simple refinery worker to appease his own father before achieving a management position there.”

  That seemed logical enough. “So how does Mackinac Island factor into everything?”

  “Well,” she began, flattening her hands on her lap, “at the end of the summer the year they met, their families both traveled to the island. And unbeknownst to them, their parents had already met behind their backs to plan their meeting. Their entire pretense came to a halt the first night they were both there.”

  William could imagine what type of meeting it must have been. If they had been lying to each other all that time only to learn they both belonged to elite families, it must have been a miracle they ended up together. Something didn’t quite make sense, though.

  “If they found out they were both from upstanding families, then wouldn’t they be happy?”

  “Well, that’s just it,” Annabelle replied. “Mother thought Father was nothing more than a refinery worker, and her parents had already cautioned her against pursuing a relationship with him. And Father had a similar edict issued from his father regarding Mother. My uncle Charles had already caused a bit of a scandal with a young woman not of his class. Grandfather Lawson didn’t want to see a repeat of that.”

  William nodded, starting to understand. “Ah, so despite their attraction, neither one of them thought they could do anything about it.”

  “Exactly. And when they came face-to-face on the island, dressed in formal attire, well, you can probably imagine the result.”

  He could imagine it, all right. Only he wasn’t thinking about her parents’ meeting. All he heard was the clash that resulted between two families when they believed their status in society didn’t match. If even a hint of that remained with Annabelle’s parents, he didn’t stand a chance.

  “I never have agreed with all the conflict, though,” she said, interrupting the negative turn his thoughts had started to take. “I mean, if two people care about each other, where they live or who their families are shouldn’t matter.” She pinned him with a direct gaze. “What do you think?”

  Her question caught him off guard. “I. . .uh. . .uh. . .”

  For the life of him, he couldn’t come up with a logical response. What could he say to that? Trying to break the hold her gaze had on him so he could compose himself, he found it impossible. Her eyes seemed to be saying something he didn’t dare hope to assume. Could this be her way of saying she considered him more than a friend? Or was he simply imagining it?

  William didn’t want to read more into the situation than actually existed, yet he had to fight not to reach across and take one of her hands in his. He could throw caution to the wind and tell her he agreed. Or he could take the safer route.

  “I think
it should be up to the two people involved.” Yes, the safe path was best. . .for now. “They should be honest with each other first and take it from there.”

  “Oh,” she replied, her voice containing a hint of disappointment.

  Had she wanted him to say more? To get more personal, perhaps? He wanted to, but would she accept what he had to say? William opened his mouth to test the waters, but another familiar voice interrupted before he could begin.

  “There they are! Come on, Jacob. Hurry, Matthew.”

  Victoria. William sighed. He looked toward the northern side of the lake to see his brother running behind Annabelle’s sister with Matthew bringing up the rear. Annabelle also shifted her attention to the trio approaching.

  No sense trying to continue their conversation now. Hopping to his feet, he stood and turned to extend a hand down to Annabelle. She looked up at him and hesitated. A second later, she placed her soft hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet. The change in position brought her just inches away from him.

  As she lifted her chin, her mouth parted, drawing his eyes to the charming pink of her lips. Shoving that idea to the back of his mind, William again found her eyes and searched them for a sign—any sign at all. She didn’t waver in her gaze, and that was when he saw the spark.

  “Oh, Annabelle,” Victoria called, interrupting the moment. “You missed seeing the geese and the swans. They were so beautiful.”

  The spell was broken, and Annabelle turned to face her sister, pulling her hand free from him. William took a step back and tried to get involved in the ensuing conversation. His mind refused to cooperate, though. Annabelle felt something for him. That much he knew. He just didn’t know what or how much.

  Still, even a little made a difference. And that helped him sort out his feelings somewhat. Maybe God had a greater plan in all this after all. Maybe his circumstances weren’t as bleak as he thought. Only time would tell.

  TWELVE

  Annabelle couldn’t help the smile that formed on her lips. “Have you heard the news?”