by Lori Wick
McKay nodded. One time he had confided in Adair that his job sometimes took him into saloons and dance halls.
“Every man is tempted, McKay,” the large Scot went on, “but it’s easier at times to come home to a wife, hopefully one you can confide in and know she’s praying for you while you’re out.”
“I’ve met someone.” McKay said these words before he actually realized how much he wanted to talk to this man. “She’s very special, but our circumstances are not normal.”
Adair smiled. “That can mean a merry chase or a grand headache. Which is it with you?”
“Neither one right now, but her conversion was different. I believe it’s genuine, but I’ve just realized that our relationship should go slowly—or rather I should—since I’m not sure if she’s moved as fast as I have.”
“I think proceeding with caution is wise. What do you think she’ll say?”
“That’s part of the problem. She doesn’t live here, so I don’t get to see much of her.”
Adair studied him with shrewd eyes. “You’re in love with the lass.”
McKay nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“But you’re not sure if she truly believes.”
“I do feel sure, but without time with her—time when we can talk and I can watch what she does with her new faith—I don’t think I can really know what God has for us.”
“Have you asked God to give you time together?”
“No,” McKay admitted, “I’m busy at work right now, and she has responsibilities of her own. That never occurred to me.”
“Ask, McKay. God may say no, but you’ll not know unless you bend your knee.”
The pastor’s words came back to McKay as he sat alone in his room, and before he wrote one more word to Callie, he asked God for wisdom and patience. However, he stopped short.
“I really didn’t hear anything Adair said,” McKay admitted quietly to the Lord. “I’ve already been asking for wisdom and patience, and I thinkYou’ve given me that. Now I need to do as he advised and ask You to bring Pup and me together. I know You brought her into my world for a reason. I think that reason is a life together, but I can’t know for sure unless I can be with her. Please put us together again, Lord, and when You do, remind me of how much I need to wait on You. Remind me that I can’t rush, and that Your timing has to be my goal.
“Thank you for Pup, Lord. Thank You for the special, beautiful person she is. Thank You for saving her. Help her to keep reading and learning about You. A marriage built in You would be the sweetest of all, Father. Show us the way. Make the path clear so that I’ll know where to walk. And wherever Pup is this night, bless her, keep her, and remind her of Your love.
McKay could not have known that Pup was just coming from a bath in Lake Anne. Night sounds and the smell of pine were all around her. She felt clean and refreshed and ready for one more sleep in her own bed, her heart wondering when she would be back to bathe in the lake again.
34
The train ride to Denver was the fastest Pup remembered. Dressed in a plain, dark dress, wig in place, she drew no attention whatsoever. With her nose buried in her new Bible the whole way, she wouldn’t have noticed if she had. At times she looked up, but only to stare sightlessly out the window, her mind thinking and working to understand and remember all she’d read.
The Denver train station was the same, but Pup realized the difference in herself. How many others around her believed as she did? This question hung in her mind until she hired a hack to take her to Nick and Camille’s. It was at that moment she realized how little praying she’d done for her friends. Nick and Camille probably didn’t believe as she did. She didn’t know everything the Scriptures had to say about this subject, but it seemed to her that the verses she had read made it clear that the only way to God was through His Son, Christ Jesus. Pup felt concern for the Wallaces. She knew better than to barge in and start lecturing, but she loved them dearly and now prayed that something she would do or say would make a difference in their hearts, much the way Travis had wanted her to pray for Rebecca.
Before she knew it, she was paying the driver, her keen mind having taken a moment to figure out the fare before he charged her. Since he’d been honest with her, she tipped him generously and went up the front walk to the Wallaces’ double front door. Miranda answered the door and then hugged her when it was closed against the street.
“The Missus said you were coming.”
“Here I am,” Pup said with a smile.
“How have you been?”
“I’m doing well. Yourself ?”
“Can’t complain.”
“You never do, Miranda,” Pup told her with kind eyes. The two exchanged a smile before Pup put her bag down and ran Camille to earth in the pantry.
“Callie! I didn’t even hear you.” The younger woman felt herself being hugged again. “Nick has plans,” she told her dramatically as she led the way through the kitchen, her hand on Pup’s arm. “You should hear the man.”
“The blonde wig and maid’s uniform?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“We talked about it before I left last time.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, come on. He wants to see you outfitted when he comes home.” Camille stopped suddenly. “How long is your hair these days?” She stared at the wig as though she could see beneath it.
“It wouldn’t matter,” Pup dashed her hopes. “I’m too recognizable without the blonde wig.”
“I suppose,” Camille gave in. “Well, come on. Let’s get this over with.” She sounded completely chagrined at the idea, but the two were having fits of giggles just 20 minutes later.
“It completely changes you,” Camille said with a gasp. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
Pup did a silly pirouette, her eyes crossed, her movements awkward. Camille was off again into gales of laughter.
“How does the wig fit?” she finally managed.
“It’s all right—a little loose maybe. My hair must have been longer when I used it before, but I think it will stay in place.”
“Are you going to pad yourself ?” Camille wanted to know. Her eyes took in the front of the dress. It needed something.
“I don’t think I’d better. The last thing I want to do is draw attention. A straight figure is handy when you don’t want someone pawing at you.”
“Has that happened?” Camille was all concern, the bodice of the dress forgotten.
“Only a few times. I was never in a position of complete vulnerability, but I would just as soon not have it happen again.”
The older woman nodded. How long can you keep this up, Callie? How long can you go on in this type of work? Camille couldn’t keep the thought from her mind. She knew that Nick wanted Pup to go on spying for him forever, but suddenly the wise Mrs. Wallace knew that would never be the case.
And why should you go on? she asked Callie mentally as if she could hear. If you have a chance to settle into a life of fulfillment and happiness, why shouldn’t you take it? The rest of us are doing what we want. Oh, Nick, her heart cried, why can’t you understand that? Why can’t you let this girl go?
“Camille, are you all right?” Pup’s voice broke into her turbulent, one-sided conversation.
“I think so.” Her voice was soft when she admitted, “I was just worrying about you.”
Pup sat down next to her on the bed. “What about?”
Camille looked into her eyes. “How long can you do this? I know you enjoy it, and I can’t imagine Nick being as successful without you, but it has to be disruptive, Callie.”
“Yes, it is,” the younger woman quietly acknowledged. “In fact, I determined when I got Nick’s cable that I would only take this job if it involved Duncan Phipps. I want to see this case through for Nick; but you’re right, the summons didn’t come at a very good time.”
“You and McKay?” Camille’s thoughts were instantly romantic.
“No. I wish he had been in Boulder, but that’s not it. I’ve gotten involved with the church there, and it’s really helping me.”
“Callie.” The older woman’s face was concerned all over again. “Who are these people? You can’t be too careful. I’ve heard of churches that took people’s money and time—all in the name of God—and they got nothing in return. It scares me a little.”
“It’s not like that,” Pup reassured her. “Money hasn’t even been mentioned. They love me and invite me into their homes like they’ve known me for years.”
Camille nodded with relief. It wasn’t hard to see the truth in the younger woman’s eyes.
“I’m happy for you, Callie—I can’t tell you how much.”
“Thank you, Camille. The pastor gave me a Bible. I read it all the way over on the train. I can’t believe how much I didn’t know.”
Camille studied her eyes again. Pup was a master at covering all emotions, but right now her eyes were alight with joy. She saw something else there as well. Was it yearning?
“I wish I understood why it mattered, Callie. I mean, what was wrong with your life before?”
Pup sighed. This was a hard one. “I don’t know quite how to say it, Camille, except that I knew something was missing. I know I’m good at my job and that it’s a very exciting one, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there must be something more. McKay Harrington understood, and he has that something more. He works hard at his job with the treasury, just like I do, but because of his faith in Christ, his job means more. I want the same meaning for my life.”
Pup was afraid she had sounded ridiculous. “Does that answer your question?” she asked.
“Yes, it does,” Camille told her truthfully. “I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but I think I understand what you mean.”
“I’ve never told you this, Camille,” Pup now said sincerely, “but the way you’ve always been here for me, the way you’ve never really wanted anything for me except to be myself, well, it’s meant a lot to me.”
Camille embraced her and thought not for the first time that she’d never met anyone like her. They held each other tenderly for a long moment, breaking apart only when Nick’s voice called from downstairs.
“Are you ready to show him the latest disguise?”
A sparkle lit Pup’s eyes. “When he asks if I’m ready, just stall. I’ll sneak around to the kitchen and come in with the coffee tray. He’s seen this wig before, but it’s been years. Don’t say anything, and we’ll see how long it takes him to notice.”
Camille couldn’t help but give her one more hug. She then chuckled all the way to the door.
“We don’t need any other house help,” Gerard told the tall, blonde woman standing in a maid’s uniform before him, but she just didn’t seem to understand. He didn’t know if she was Swedish, Dutch, or something else, but she wasn’t catching a word he said.
“I sveeep,” she told him with pride. “I do cook, too.”
Gerard tried again, his voice rising as if this would help her understand. “We have all the help we need.”
“I bake cake for you,” she said with great pleasure.
Gerard began to shut the door, but with a hand pushing an old bruise on her hip and her mother’s face in mind, Pup actually managed to bring tears to her eyes, trembling lips and all. Gerard stopped. He should have known better, but he couldn’t take the eyes. They were the most hopeful he’d ever seen—dark like shoe buttons and yearning to please. He sighed and opened the door again.
Pup came in, a genuine smile lighting her face. Once inside she immediately turned to the man as though ready to hang on his every word.
“What’s your name?” he asked a little tiredly.
Pup looked confused.
“Name,” his voice came up again. “Do you have a name?”
Pup nodded like an obedient child.
“Is Inga.”
“Inga?”
“Yah, das me, Inga.”
“Okay, Inga, come this way.”
Checking to make sure she followed, Gerard led her through the back hallway to the kitchen at the rear of the house. Pup was careful to be looking at him every time he glanced her way, wanting him to think she was eager for his every command. There would be time to look around later.
A few minutes later she was introduced to a cook who looked at her with long-suffering. Again she smiled hugely, and after much nodding she gave the appearance of understanding that she was to peel potatoes. She set right to work—ready, willing, and able, at least to start. By the tenth pound of spuds her head was thumping and she was asking herself how she could have possibly agreed to do this job. Nick would surely laugh if he could see her, and she most assuredly would have thrown the whole ten pounds at him.
McKay was not a snoop, but for some reason the paper on Nick’s desk caught his eye. It was a Denver address and the initials at the bottom read PJ. Since the start of the problems with Paine Whitter, who was still completely ignorant of the fact that he was under constant surveillance, Nick had been more careful than ever, but Paine was out of town right now. Finished for the day, McKay had some papers to leave on Nick’s desk. He touched nothing, but his eyes lingered on the small sheet of paper and Nick’s bold writing. He then caught himself. It didn’t matter what he saw. He moved swiftly from the empty office, closing the door securely and telling himself to ignore what he’d just seen.
He worked at doing just that as he left the office building and walked home. However, the initials and Camden Street number lingered in his mind all the way through dinner. He knew he was being fanciful but couldn’t shake the feeling that those initials were Pup’s. The meal ended, but McKay didn’t hurry away as he would have liked.
Again he tried to forget what he’d seen, but it was no use. He told himself that he just needed to stretch his legs, but it wasn’t long before he was on Camden Street, just two doors down from number 32. He stood still for a moment and then got a hold of himself. Don’t be a fool, McKay, you could be blowing someone’s cover by standing here. With this scolding he made up his mind to head back to Mrs. Meyer’s.
With just this purpose in mind, he turned and nearly ran straight into Pup. It took a moment for him to see who it was, but by then she had lifted her chin with a haughty air and started to move around him. He spun, desperate for more of her, his voice coming softly to her ears.
“Can I see you?”
She turned back to him so suddenly that he started, and then amazingly, stood stock still while she slapped him full across the face.
“The park in a half hour,” was uttered so quietly that he barely heard her. However, he was given no time to reply. She turned as if he’d suggested the most offensive insult and marched her way up the street. She disappeared into number 32, the door closing with a resounding thump, and McKay was left alone in the street. He didn’t look around to see if anyone had witnessed the act but stroked his cheek as though irritated. He then moved off in the direction of the park, marching almost as fast as Pup had. He was on top of the grass and amid the flowers in full bloom before he slowed his pace. He walked to the edge of the small lake, his eyes moving over the water, his mind still on Camden Street and a woman who never failed to take him by surprise.
It was fully dark by the time Pup gained the park. She knew it wasn’t the safest thing to do, but nothing was going to stop her from seeing McKay. The lamps lining the cobbled street that circled the park were already lit, but Pup stayed clear of them. When she finally stopped beneath a tree, McKay was in front of her, his face to the water. Pup was debating what to do next when he turned.
There must have been just enough light coming from behind her to give him an idea who she was because he approached immediately. Stopping just two feet in front of her, he stared.
“That’s better,” he said cryptically.
“What is?”
“Your hair. I don’t like you as a blonde.”
Pup wanted to smile, but she
was too concerned. “How’s your cheek?”
She heard him laugh. “You certainly know how to surprise a man.”
“I’m sorry.” She surprised him again by reaching up and laying her hand along the cheek she’d struck. McKay covered it with his own, and Pup’s heart melted at the gesture. A moment later he captured her hand within his own and pulled her along to walk beside him. He started around the perimeter of the lake, only their hands touching.
“I got your letter.” McKay was the first to speak. “It sounds as though you’re doing well.”
“I think I am doing well, but it feels like I wrote that a long time ago.”
“Evidently a lot has been going on.”
“It has. I stayed with Travis and Rebecca again last weekend so I could go to church.”
“When did you get here?”
“Just yesterday.”
He nodded in the dark, but Pup couldn’t see him. “How are the Buchanans?”
“They’re doing well. Rebecca had her baby—a girl. The boys were ecstatic. I didn’t leave there until yesterday morning, and that’s when I got word from Nick.”
“And your job this time actually calls for a blonde wig and a maid’s uniform?”
“Yes.” He could hear the laughter in her voice.
“Let me see,” he tried to guess. “One of the hotels in town?”
“No.” She still sounded as if she was laughing.
“Then it must be someone’s mansion.”
“Well, now,” she said with admiration, “you’re good.”
“I’m surprised,” McKay admitted.
“Why?”
“Because I thought you’d still be on the Phipps case.”
“I am.”
McKay came to a halt so swiftly that Pup nearly stumbled.
“Don’t tell me he has you inside Phipps’ mansion.”
“Someone has to penetrate there, McKay.” Her voice was calm; as always she had a job to do.
McKay felt as if he’d been hit. It was so dangerous. She’d already come face-to-face with the man as Bryan Daniels, and now this. McKay’s next move came spontaneously. They were in a public park after dark, but he couldn’t help himself—and in truth he didn’t want to try. He let go of Pup’s hand and gently drew her into his embrace, his arms going full around her. Only a few inches taller than she was, he let his jaw come to rest against her cheek. Pup let herself be held, her heart burgeoning with pent-up emotions.