Dinner proved a delicious medley of meat and potatoes, and the mealtime conversation started Amanda in on a fit of laughter as Cade and Jenny reminisced about their seafaring escapades.
“Are you going to miss your shipping business and life on the water?”
“Oh, a little bit,” the captain replied. “But eventually I hope to purchase a small pleasure schooner.”
“This time I’ll be the first mate, right, Papa?” Jenny asked.
“We’ll have to see about that,” he replied with an amused grin.
Amanda and Jenny traded baffled frowns.
“Well, now, my dear, it’s your bedtime,” Cade said, giving Jenny a kiss on the forehead as the three of them stood in the nearly vacant parlor. Only a multicolored Oriental rug and a single burgundy-upholstered settee had been placed in the room.
“But, Papa…” Jenny argued.
He bent over and whispered in the child’s ear. Jenny’s eyes grew wide as dessert plates. She glanced at Amanda, then back at her father.
“Now, git,” he commanded, inclining his head toward the stairway.
“Yes, sir,” Jenny replied, smiling broadly.
The girl ran upstairs, and Amanda wondered over the scene. She glanced at Cade, who sat down on the settee just as Mrs. Parsons carried in a large tray complete with a porcelain coffeepot and two matching cups, a sugar bowl, and creamer.
“I’ll have to set this on the dining room table, sir, seeing as the rest of your furniture hasn’t arrived yet.”
“That’s fine. Thank you.”
The portly woman nodded, set down the coffee service, then exited through the dining room.
Amanda glanced at Cade. “Allow me to pour.”
“If you insist.”
She did. Serving up their coffee gave her something to do besides standing there feeling ridiculous. She remembered Cade liked his brew straight-up black, while she preferred two lumps of sugar and a good helping of cream. Cup and saucer in each hand, Amanda returned to the parlor. She handed the captain his coffee.
“When is the rest of your furniture due to arrive?” Amanda asked.
Cade’s mustache twitched, and his eyes twinkled in amusement. “Whenever I purchase it, but don’t breathe a word of that to Mrs. Parsons. She has been fairly browbeating me into buying items for the house, but I can’t seem to make up my mind.” He sipped from his porcelain cup. “This room, for instance…what would you do with it?”
“Me?” Amanda shook her head. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know.”
“Come now. You have an opinion on everything else.”
She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Yes, I suppose I do. All right. For starters, these mustard-yellow walls are the wrong color for this dark woodwork. It’s…depressing in here. It needs some cheer. How about papering the walls with a rose-colored pattern?”
“I knew you had a comment inside you somewhere.” He chuckled.
“And you need a piano in that corner,” she said, pointing across the way.
Cade raised a brow. “A piano? Whatever for?”
“Jenny should have lessons. That’s all part of becoming a lady.”
“Hmm…yes, I suppose you’re right.” With a pensive expression, he took another sip of coffee. Then he peered at her from over the rim. “Amanda, sit down, will you? Relax. I won’t bite. I promise.”
She inhaled sharply at the remark but acquiesced and carefully took the only place in the room—that on the settee beside him.
“Tell me about the Sloans and what we’re up against at this hearing.”
“Where should I begin?”
“For starters, I’d like to know why you think Sloan wants the commission for lighthouse keeper so badly.”
“Personal vendetta.”
Cade raised a skeptical brow.
“It has to be,” Amanda insisted. “It started right after the war. Mr. Sloan and his son, Leonard, began harassing Mother and me then, and it’s lasted for over three years.”
“What sparked the harassment?”
“I–I haven’t a clue,” Amanda replied honestly.
Cade shook his blond head. “No. My hunch is it’s not personal. Sloan wants something only that position carries with it. Access to the lighthouse or to the house itself.” He paused, and a teasing gleam entered his blue eyes. “Benk thought there might be buried treasure on the property.”
Amanda laughed, feeling some of her tension slowly ebb. “Hardly, Captain.”
“I do have a first name, you know.”
Amanda swallowed hard and gazed into her coffee cup. “Yes…” It was all she could think to say at the moment. He wants me to refer to him by his first name!
“All right, in regard to the Sloans…”
Back and forth they went, trying to unearth the mystery of why John Sloan would want the lighthouse position for his son. Amanda voiced her ideas—Len was too inept for his father’s rapidly growing iron mill empire, although he seemed even more inadequate for the lighthouse duties.
“But I can’t imagine why the Sloans are interested in keeping the light in the first place,” Amanda said. “They are both railroad enthusiasts. They have no interest in shipping at all. Why, I heard Martin Moore say the Sloans predicted railroads would overtake the shipping industry in the next two years. They have staked a lot of money on that claim, as well.”
“Who is Martin Moore?”
Amanda felt herself redden. “He owns a tavern in town,” she said in a hushed little voice. “I happened to be in line behind him at the general store and heard him talking.”
“Why are you whispering?” Cade asked, looking thoroughly amused.
Amanda blushed even brighter, realizing how silly she must seem. However, she didn’t want anyone to think she kept company with a barkeep!
Cade laughed. “You are delightful.”
Amanda brought her chin back sharply. “I am?”
“Yes, you are,” he said with another light chuckle.
Oh, dear, he must be interested in me, she thought. Am I interested in him? She nibbled her lower lip in consternation.
“Well, I may have figured out the Sloans’ little scheme,” Cade said. “If they take over the lighthouse, they could find some inane reason to close it down. Without the North Point Light, Milwaukee’s shipping industry would be forced to decrease, while the Sloans could make sure the city’s railroad enterprise increased.”
Amanda shook her head. “That’s too simple an explanation. The Sloans have worked far too hard at trying to oust Mother and me.”
“Ah, but my dear, you have no idea how important your job really is to captains and crews. The North Point Light hails ships coming into Milwaukee and guides them safely into harbor. Without it, ships would be forced to sail south to Racine or farther to Chicago. In either case, the railroad would be strategic in bringing goods in and out of Milwaukee.
“But the Sloans’ plan will never work,” he continued. “Alexander Mitchell runs the Marine Bank, and while he’s a known investor in the iron mill, he has a penchant for the grain trade. Nearly fifteen million bushels of wheat were brought through Milwaukee’s port this year. Because of Mitchell’s financial backing, shipping in this city will never die…unless, of course, Lake Michigan dries up.”
Smiling at the pun, Amanda mulled over his explanation. She couldn’t quite believe it, but in some ways it made perfect sense. In essence, she was an innocent bystander, caught in the war between the railroads and waterways.
Cade rose and poured them each more coffee. Then he reclaimed his place beside her. “Here’s what I want you to do at the hearing, Amanda,” he began. “First of all, no tears. Understand? This is business.”
She nodded.
“Next, I want you to document every incident of persecution you and your mother suffered at the hand of the Sloans.”
Again, she nodded, making mental notes.
By the end of the evening, Amanda felt immensely fortunate to have Cade Danfiel
d on her side.
“How will I ever thank you?” she asked after he saw her safely home.
She watched him grin beneath the moonlight. “Not to worry. I’ll think of something.”
“What is taking so long?”
“Patience, Amanda,” Cade whispered back to her as they sat in the lobby of the Cross Keys Hotel. He gave her gloved hand a reassuring pat. “These things take time.”
After a brief nod in reply, she glanced across the way at John and Leonard Sloan. They seemed quite confident about the outcome of the meeting, and Amanda had a feeling they had a right to be. If only the superintendent would hurry and meet them, they would all hear his verdict. They had been waiting nearly an hour.
Amanda lowered her gaze and stared at the brown tweed traveling suit Cade had insisted upon purchasing for her. She had tried to refuse it but lost the debate when the good captain pulled Mrs. Zenkowski into it. Of course, the seamstress immediately assumed he was the man whom Amanda had set out to impress, and the woman deemed her green velvet creation a success, much to Amanda’s chagrin and Cade’s utter amusement.
“Captain Danfield,” John Sloan said from his chair several feet away, “I must say I was surprised to find you accompanying Miss Lewis to the hearing this morning.”
“Oh? And why’s that?”
Amanda admired Cade’s casual bearing as he replied to Sloan.
“Well, I…I guess I didn’t realize you knew each other.” He gave Amanda a curious glance before looking back at the captain. “I mean, you did just arrive in town a month ago….”
Amanda felt herself begin to seethe, even though she wasn’t exactly sure she’d been insulted. But Sloan’s tone of voice implied something wrong was going on. Why, Cade ought to give the man a piece of his mind.
Much to her surprise, he simply sat beside her calmly and unconcerned. He did not give Sloan a tongue-lashing, nor did he offer an explanation as to why he came with Amanda. Across the way, John Sloan shifted uncomfortably, and she wanted to applaud. So that was the way to deal with louts like him!
She looked over at Cade, who caught her eye and sent back a confidential wink. Amanda decided then and there she liked this man. She liked him a whole lot. In fact, she—
Amanda tore her gaze from his and halted her thoughts, shocked by the direction they’d taken. Had she really fallen in love with Cade Danfield?
The superintendent strode into the lobby just then, and Amanda cast her musings aside. She, Cade, and the Sloans stood.
“Gentlemen, Miss Lewis.” He bowed slightly in greeting. “I have deliberated over all the information, and in spite of the fact Mrs. Lewis and her daughter have done an adequate job over the years, I’ve decided to commission Leonard Sloan as keeper of the North Point Light, effective January 1.” The superintendent stuck out his right hand and grinned. “Congratulations, Mr. Sloan.”
“Thank you,” he replied, his thick lips curved in a dopey smile.
Amanda felt Cade’s hand at her elbow, but he needn’t have been concerned for her emotional well-being. She had known all along this would likely be the outcome. Still, a lump of disappointment swelled in her throat. She swallowed it as the Sloans approached her.
“Miss Lewis, you must be so disconcerted at the moment,” the elder Sloan said mockingly.
“Hardly. I prayed about it and believe this is God’s will.” She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders, holding her hand out to Len. “Congratulations.”
He took it, thanked her, and held onto it longer than Amanda cared for. She fairly pulled her fingers from his fleshy grasp.
“Well, I guess this just proves it’s still a man’s world, eh, Miss Lewis?”
“Yes, you’re quite right, and frankly, you men can have it.”
She heard Cade chuckle then felt his hold on her elbow tighten. “We should be on our way, Amanda.”
“Yes, of course.” She turned to the superintendent, thanking him for his time, then allowed Cade to escort her out of the hotel lobby.
Once outside, the air was brisk, the sky a dismal gray, and Amanda thought the weather suited her mood just right. Cade waved down a hackney and assisted her inside.
“I must return to work,” he stated apologetically.
“I understand. I’m ever so grateful you were able to attend the hearing with me.”
His mustache trembled with a hidden grin, but in his eyes she saw a look of concern. She willed her chin not to quiver. There would be plenty of time to cry her heart out when she arrived back home.
Home. It wasn’t hers anymore.
“You were very brave, Amanda, and I’m proud of you,” Cade said, giving her hand an affectionate squeeze.
She pushed out a little smile. “At least I won’t have to contend with my brother’s wrath.”
“Indeed.” Reaching into the inside pocket of his wool jacket, Cade pulled out a colorfully wrapped, long, narrow box. “I have a present for you.”
“Captain, you shouldn’t have.” Seeing his frown, she corrected herself. “I mean…Cade.”
“That’s better, and I’ll buy you a gift anytime I please.”
His eyes shone with amusement, and Amanda shook her head at him.
“But this one, I would prefer you opened in private. When you get back to the lighthouse.”
“All right.” Puzzled, she took the proffered box. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
With that, Cade closed the door to the carriage and a moment later, she was on her way.
Curious, Amanda decided she couldn’t wait until she got home to open Cade’s gift. She tore at the paper only to discover a gray velvet box beneath. She had a hunch it contained jewelry, and with delight and trepidation she opened it. A sliver bracelet gleamed before her eyes. On it hung a tiny lighthouse charm with a diamond lamp. Amanda sucked in a quick breath. She’d never possessed such a treasure!
Lifting the bracelet, she saw a penned note underneath. Unfolding it, she read:
My Dearest Amanda,
Please accept this gift as a small token of my appreciation for a job well done as keeper of Milwaukee’s light. I write this not only as a ship’s captain, but as your friend and admirer.
Truly,
Cade Danfield
“My admirer?” Amanda fretted over her lower lip. What did he mean? He admired her skills at tending the North Point Light? Well, of course that was it. What else could he possibly admire?
She fingered the lovely bracelet and suddenly hoped their relationship blossomed into something more than a unique friendship. Paradoxically, she didn’t think her heart could stand another disappointment.
Chapter 10
Look what just arrived!” David said, walking into the parlor where Amanda, her sister-in-law, and four nieces were packing. He waved an envelope in the air. “It’s an invitation to an exclusive Christmas party this Saturday evening at the Newhall House.” He frowned slightly. “Amanda, isn’t the Newhall House that elegant hotel on the corner of Michigan Street and Broadway?”
“It’s the very one,” she replied, wrapping some glassware in old linens. She tried to calm the rapid thumping of her heart. “Who is the invitation from?”
“Captain Danfield.”
Amanda had assumed so, and lately she found her insides doing the strangest things at the mere thought of the man.
“It appears we’re all invited. It’s addressed to Miss Amanda Lewis, Mr. David Lewis, and family.” He grinned, looking pleased. “What a splendid surprise. I must have impressed the captain somehow at Mother’s funeral.”
Amanda gaped at her brother but quickly recovered.
“I hear Danfield is extremely successful in the grain trading business,” David added.
“Yes, he is,” Amanda told him, earning a quizzical glance from her sister-in-law.
She didn’t say anything more.
“David dear,” Martha began, “the girls and I are going to need new dresses if we’re to attend such
a dignified party.”
He sighed wearily. “Yes, I suppose you will, and they’ll likely cost me a fortune.” He turned to Amanda. “My guess is you’ll require something suitable to wear as well.”
She suddenly felt like Cinderella. “Well, I—”
“Of course she needs a new gown,” Martha cut in. “We will all have new gowns. Surely there’s a dress shop here in Milwaukee that can accommodate us. After all, Saturday is only four days away.”
“Yes, there is. It’s Lila’s Dress Shoppe on Grand Avenue.” Amanda decided Mrs. Zenkowski was sure to adore her for bringing in all this business of late.
Suddenly Amanda’s nieces couldn’t contain their excitement, and the four began chattering about what color gown they wanted and how they would curl their hair.
It was a conversation that lasted throughout the day and occupied their minds while they packed crates. But despite her own excitement, Amanda said nothing about her relationship with the captain. Simply put, she didn’t know what to say.
The very next morning, a large package arrived for her. Much to Amanda’s embarrassment, she was forced to open it in front of her curious family members. Lifting the box top, she gasped, seeing the tawny silk gown with its collar of French lace. She held it up and watched the golden skirt sail to the floor in ruffled tiers. Martha and the girls swarmed over the fashionable dress.
“I’m sure it cost plenty!” her sister-in-law exclaimed upon closer inspection. “Who’s it from?”
“That’s what I would like to know,” David said, looking stern.
Amanda didn’t have to look at the enclosed card to know who had sent this magnificent gift, but she wasn’t sure how to explain it to her brother. Cade hadn’t come out and stated his intentions, although the light in his blue eyes the last time she’d seen him all but gave his feelings away. However, knowing her brother, if Amanda divulged the truth, he would likely accuse her of making a pest of herself. He would never believe a man like Cade Danfield would be romantically interested in his troublesome little sister— especially since Amanda could scarcely believe it herself.
David grabbed the card from her fingers and then read it aloud. “With love, WCD.” He frowned. “Who is WCD?”
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