“I just told Thomas I had begun to worry that you’d forgotten his lesson.” Archie drew near and grasped the handlebars of her bicycle. “Let me put that over here for you.”
She immediately stepped aside. “Thank you, Mr. Penniman.”
“Call me Archie. I dislike formalities and insist that all my students address me by my first name.” He ruffled Thomas’s hair. “Right, Thomas?”
Thomas smiled at Mr. Penniman as though the sun rose and set on the man’s approval. “Yes, Archie.”
“I’m afraid his parents’ wishes must overrule your request, Mr. Penniman.” She turned and looked at Thomas. “You may address Mr. Penniman as Mr. Archie or Mr. Penniman, but you may not call him Archie. Even though he has given you permission, your parents would not approve.” She smiled at him before returning her attention to the instructor. “I believe Thomas is ready to begin.”
“Have you been practicing at all, Thomas? I don’t think I’ve seen you or your teacher since your last lesson.”
“We haven’t been back here, but I’ve practiced my serve in the backyard by hitting against the storage building out back.” The boy giggled. “I think you’ll see that my serve has improved some.” Thomas headed toward the court, his tennis racket in one hand and a ball in the other.
Callie lagged behind, hoping to avoid her lesson, but instead of hurrying to the courts, Mr. Penniman remained near her side.
Archie gestured to a lanky young fellow carrying a racket and approaching the courts from the opposite side. The young man loped toward them. “Thomas, come and meet your partner, Hank.”
Hank’s broad smile revealed a row of uneven teeth. “Mornin’, Archie. I’m ready whenever—”
“This is Hank McGruder. He works here—helps out with lessons and takes care of keeping the courts in good condition. He’s going to work with Thomas while I’m teaching you the basics, isn’t that right, Hank?”
Hank nodded and tipped his cap. “Right you are. Do you want me to begin with him now, Archie?”
Before the boy could rush off, Callie grasped his arm. “Perhaps it would be better if Hank instructed me and you helped Thomas. Since his parents want him to excel in the sport, I think he should have the benefit of your training.” She forced a slight smile. “You are, after all, the professional instructor.”
“I am, indeed, but young Thomas needs work on his serve and return. Hank is proficient with both. I think you’ll discover he is quite accomplished. In fact, some of the guests request Hank as a partner. And he connects with the younger boys very well and is patient with them.”
The young man beamed as Archie lauded his talents. “I think Thomas and I will get on very well, miss.” He dug the toe of his shoe in the dirt. “And I’ve never instructed a woman. I don’t think I’d be very good at it.”
A feeling of defeat washed over Callie as she released Hank’s arm. It appeared Archie had taken great pains to arrange the lessons in a manner that pleased him. She inhaled a deep breath and silently prayed this would go well.
Thomas and Hank had already begun to lob balls back and forth when Callie and Archie stepped to the court next to them. Archie remained at her side. “First let me see how you hold the racket. I need to check your form.” He let his gaze sweep over her. She grasped the racket in her hand, but before she could swing, Archie stepped behind her and, while holding one arm around her waist, placed his hand over hers. “You’ll get no power in your swing if you hold the racket that way.”
Callie wrenched away from him and pinned him with a glare. “I do not wish to have you take hold of me in that manner, Mr. Penniman. I’m sure you can find some other method of showing me the proper way to hold a racket.”
Archie chuckled. “I’m just trying to make sure my students get their money’s worth. Seems you’re one of those gals that’s got her laces fastened tighter than a turkey that’s been trussed for Thanksgiving dinner. You need to relax and enjoy life a bit, Callie. And I’m just the one who can provide that enjoyment.”
Not wanting to alarm Thomas, Callie withheld her desire to immediately return home. Every hair on the back of her neck bristled as she stared at him. “Please listen carefully, Mr. Penniman. If you do not cease the unwanted and impolite advances you are directing at me, I will report you to Mr. Bridgeport. I have every confidence that he will not only speak to your supervisor, he will demand that you be terminated from your position as tennis instructor.” Speaking to Mr. Bridgeport would be her last resort, but she hoped the threat would be enough to frighten Archie.
“So you want to play hard to get.” His lips curled in a wolfish grin. “I know how you girls like to play cat and mouse. You want men to chase after you in order to prove we truly desire your company.” He tipped his head forward and lowered his voice. “But unlike a mouse, I know you really want to be caught. Just this once, why don’t we set aside the games? I’ll agree that you’re an enticing little morsel, and you can agree that I am both interesting and appealing. With that out of the way, we can begin to truly enjoy our time together.” He winked. “I’m sure you understand my meaning.”
Unable to restrain herself, Callie clenched her racket and swung. Archie let out a bellowing yelp.
Both Thomas and Hank raced toward them. “Is anyone hurt? What happened?” Hank shouted.
“I was attempting to improve my swing. Unfortunately, Mr. Penniman misunderstood my intent and stepped too close.” Callie directed a furtive smile at Archie and quietly said, “I think the only thing bruised is your ego, isn’t that right, Mr. Penniman?”
He gave her a hard look but forced a smile when he turned toward Hank. “I’m fine. Just a whack on the arm. Callie hasn’t learned how to control her racket, but I’m going to teach her.”
Callie clenched her jaw. “Not today, Mr. Penniman. I think you should take care of that injury to your arm.” She placed her hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “I’m going to come and watch you while Mr. Archie locates some ice for his wounded ego.”
“Huh?” Thomas frowned. “I thought you hit his arm.”
“Right. He’ll want to find some ice for his arm.” She brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
“Callie, wait!” Archie strode toward her. “I apologize. Please don’t report me. I need this job to support my mother.”
“You apologized the last time we met, Mr. Penniman, and yet you were even more ill-mannered today. How can I believe you?”
“I can only give you my word and ask that you give me another chance.”
“I will give the matter further thought, Mr. Penniman, but it is your behavior that has created this situation.”
From his frown, she was certain he’d expected her to immediately capitulate and forgive him. He was a man accustomed to winning his way with a few sweet words. She was a woman who’d heard far too many charming excuses. She would wait and see if Archie’s actions matched his words—and then she would make her decision.
Maude had the girls ready and waiting when Thomas and Callie arrived at Fair Haven a short time later.
“Maude fixed my hair, Miss Callie. Do you like it?” Daisy twirled around in front of Callie.
Callie stooped down in front of the child. “It is very nice. You’ll be the envy of every little girl at the puppet show this afternoon.”
Lottie frowned at her sister. “I think my hair looks better than hers.”
“You both look lovely, and I’m very pleased you’re ready to go. We must hurry or we’ll miss the beginning of the show.” She glanced toward the side of the house. “Come along, Thomas. You can leave the bicycles there and put them away when we return.”
Thomas remained beside the bicycles. “Do I have to go? Puppet shows are for babies.”
“Are not!” Lottie shouted.
“Now, now, we’re not going to raise our voices, Lottie.” Callie strode to the far side of the porch and leaned over the railing. “I would be grateful if you’d come along. I planned to have you gather ideas about
stage construction so you could build a small replica for the girls. I thought it would be fun for them to make up some stories and produce their own shows while we’re here.” She straightened her shoulders and glanced toward the girls. “What do you say, Thomas? Will you come along and sketch out some ideas?”
He grinned. “Sure. I didn’t know you needed my help.”
Callie withheld a grin. She could always count on Thomas to agree if he thought she was in need of his help. “I’ll go upstairs and get my sketchbook, and then we can leave.”
“I’ll go and get it. Lottie and Daisy have short legs. I’ll catch up to you in no time.” He circled around the porch and was in the house before they’d made it down the front steps.
“Have a good time. I’ll want to hear all about it when you return.” Maude stood on the porch and waved as they departed.
As Callie walked with the girls, she pushed aside thoughts of her displeasure with Archie. Some girls probably found him handsome, but not Callie. His rude behavior made him as unattractive as the overzealous businessmen in the dining hall.
They’d gone only a short distance when Thomas jogged alongside Callie, holding the sketchbook and a pencil. “I told you I’d catch up in no time.”
“I think we’re going to have great fun this afternoon. I’m not certain if this will be a puppet show or a marionette show, but I think you’ll like either one.”
Lottie tugged on her hand. “What’s the difference?”
“To make a puppet move, you put your hand inside and work your fingers around like this.” Callie spread her fingers and pretended that she had slipped a puppet over her hand. “But marionettes have strings that control them, and you must move the proper string to move the character around the stage.”
Daisy wiggled her fingers in several directions. “Puppets would be easier, wouldn’t they?”
“Yes, and I’m hoping that after you watch the show, the two of you might want to try a puppet show of your own. We can make up some stories, and we’ll try to make some puppets out of old socks and such.”
Thomas tapped the sketchbook. “And after I have a look at the stage that’s being used this afternoon, I’m going to see about building one for you.”
The girls’ excitement mounted as they entered the clubhouse. For the next hour, the children delighted in the puppet show presented by a small traveling troupe that the recreational director had enlisted. The parents and tutors who had escorted the children gathered at tea tables that had been arranged nearby. Without Mrs. Bridgeport along, Callie was pleased for an opportunity to sit with the group of tutors.
They were exchanging pleasantries when Mrs. Albright, one of the mothers sitting at an adjacent table, gasped and clasped a hand over the fancy brooch pinned to her gown. “I hadn’t heard anything about a robbery. Are you certain, Rose? What was stolen?”
“I heard about the robbery, as well,” another woman Callie didn’t recognize added. “My husband told me jewelry had been taken from one of the cottages.”
Grace Wilson waved a server away from their table and poured a cup of tea for Mrs. Albright. “Oh, dear me. That is terrible news. We’ve never had such problems in the past.” She placed the teapot on the table and passed the cream to Mrs. Albright. “I’m thankful we’re staying here in the clubhouse, where there’s less likelihood of anyone entering our rooms.”
Rose Barclay, the initial bearer of the news, elaborated about the items that had gone missing the night of the ball. “This kind of happening puts everyone on edge.”
Mrs. Albright glanced toward the puppet stage. “I do wonder if bringing all these outsiders onto the island is a good idea. I know the recreational director wants to provide different entertainment each season, but having strangers skulking about isn’t a good thing.”
Mrs. Wainwright leaned forward and helped herself to a pastry. “I wouldn’t say they’re skulking about, Lydia. They’re performing a puppet show. I doubt any of the performers who have been here would have enough time or opportunity to locate and enter the cottages.” Using the silver tongs, she placed the delicacy on her plate. “And I don’t think this is the forum to discuss such a distasteful matter. I am certain the incidents are being investigated and will be resolved in no time.” Mrs. Wainwright’s admonition brought an end to any further mention of the robbery.
When the puppet show ended, the children were permitted to examine and play with the puppets while Thomas inspected the stage and sketched several pages of drawings.
He handed the sketchbook to Callie. “What do you think?”
“Your drawings are wonderful, Thomas, but now we need to start toward home so we can all freshen up before dinner.”
Thomas tucked the sketchbook under his arm. “We could take the trail through the woods. It’s faster than going around by the road.”
“You’re always coming up with good ideas.” Her praise caused Thomas to blush and look away. “Why don’t you take the lead? You’re more familiar with this path than I am.”
The sun glistened through the limbs of the live oaks, and the fallen pods that blanketed the trail crunched beneath their feet as they continued onward. A branch cracked behind them and Callie whirled about. Her mouth turned dry, and she clenched her hands as a streak of white disappeared into the brush. The tree branches swayed in the breeze, and a bird flickered overhead. How silly of her. The streak of white had likely been nothing more than a bird roosting in the brush.
She’d nearly calmed her nerves when another noise sounded to the left. Her breathing turned shallow as she strained to listen. Was someone hiding in the woods and following them? Since reading of a child being kidnapped and held for ransom two years ago, she’d worried the same might happen to the Bridgeport children. In the past, her main concern had been when they’d traveled from place to place in the city—on Bridal Veil she’d believed they were more protected and safe from the outside world. Yet harm could come to the children anywhere.
Her heart pounded a rapid beat, and perspiration dotted her forehead. For the sake of the children, she must remain calm, but if someone was out there, she wanted to know. She developed a rhythm of looking to the right and to the left and then glancing over her shoulder.
Fear took hold and prickled the hair on the nape of her neck. As she twisted to look over her shoulder, her foot lodged beneath a tree root. Pain shot through her ankle, and she dropped to the ground, her arms and legs flailing helter-skelter.
Thomas rushed to her side and grasped her arm as she attempted to stand. “Are you injured, Miss Callie?”
“I think I twisted my ankle.” Even as she spoke, she could feel the swelling in her shoe, but she had to get the children safely home. “Let me see if I can walk.” She allowed Thomas to help her to her feet, but when she attempted to take a step, she grimaced in pain. “I don’t think I can do it, Thomas.”
He straightened his shoulders. “I can run for help. Shall I take the girls with me?”
The girls would slow him down. If someone was after them, he’d be more vulnerable with them along. Yet how much protection could she offer if someone attempted to take the girls from her? She’d fight to the death for them—that much she knew. She couldn’t linger over her decision.
“Run for help, Thomas. I’ll keep the girls with me. And if anyone attempts to stop you, keep running. Don’t stop for anyone, do you understand?”
He appeared confused but nodded his head. “I’ll be fine, Miss Callie, and I’ll be back in no time.”
The boy took off like a runner sprinting for the finish line. She motioned to the girls to sit down beside her. “We can use this time to start our story for the puppet show.”
While the girls talked in soft voices about a wicked witch who would be mean to a fairy princess, Callie listened to every swishing bush, every rustling leaf, and every crackling branch.
With every sound, she twisted in one direction and then another until Daisy stood and placed her tiny hands on Callie’s c
heeks. “Are you listening to our story, Miss Callie?”
“Yes, I’m listening, but I’m also watching for Thomas to return.” Her heart was beating so loud within her chest that she marveled the child didn’t hear it.
Soon she heard pounding footsteps, and Thomas appeared with the golf instructor. “Look who I found. I told Mr. Wes what happened, and he said he would come and help.”
Wes tipped his hat and stooped down in front of her. “Is your ankle sprained or broken?”
“I’m sure it’s a sprain.”
“Maybe I should take a look, just in case.”
“No.” Heat infused her face. “That’s not necessary.”
“Well, Thomas tells me you’re unable to walk, so I think there’s nothing left to do but this.” In one swift motion, he encircled her body and lifted her into his arms.
“Mr. Wes!” She wrapped her arms around his neck instinctively. “I do appreciate your willingness to help, but I think if you would simply lend support, maybe I could walk.”
He shook his head. “Nonsense. You’re light as a feather, and it’s my pleasure to help a damsel in distress.”
There was something about this man that created a sense of peace within her, and she longed to simply place her head on his shoulder and enjoy these moments. The fear she’d felt for the last half hour vanished in Wes’s presence. He was the kind of man who made you believe you’d always be honored and cherished.
This was the kind of man she thought she’d found in Matthew. She stiffened at the remembrance and reminded herself that trusting a man would only lead to pain and disappointment.
“Here we are.” With a broad smile, Wes gently lowered her into a chair on the front porch while Thomas and the girls rushed inside to find their mother.
“Thank you so much for your help. I don’t know what we would have done if Thomas hadn’t come upon you. I don’t think Maude or Mrs. Bridgeport could have carried me.”
Wes chuckled. “It was my pleasure, and I hope you’ll soon be up and about. If you’ll excuse me, I need to return to the links to give a golf lesson.” He started toward the front steps. “Be sure to put some ice on your ankle.”
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