Amanda swallowed. With love?
“I want answers this minute.”
“David darling, calm down. Amanda will tell us.” Martha smiled. “Won’t you, dear?”
She nodded, having just created a most convenient reply. “WCD,” she began, “is a friend from church.” It wasn’t a complete falsehood. She, Cade, and Jenny had worshiped together last Sunday. That very afternoon, she’d learned the W at the beginning of Cade’s initials stood for Woodrow, a name he detested. Thus, he preferred to be addressed by his middle name, which was actually his mother’s maiden name…Cade.
“A friend from church, of course,” Martha crooned, except Amanda could tell by her expression that she didn’t entirely accept the explanation.
“Obviously, a wealthy friend,” David said with a frown. “Amanda, I do hope you haven’t made yourself a charity case. That would be most humiliating for me. I am perfectly capable of providing for my family, of which you are a part! Mother, bless her soul, refused my offer of financial support. But you, young lady, do not have that option.”
Amanda smiled impishly. “For your information, brother dear, I have no plans to turn away your money. If you give it to me, I’ll gladly take it.”
After giving her husband a devoted smile, Martha laughed softly.
Saturday evening arrived and the Lewis women were dressed in all their finery. They resembled a veritable rainbow of silks and satins. David said he felt like the luckiest man alive to escort such lovely ladies to a most sophisticated event.
They arrived at prestigious Newhall House, and after they were formally announced, Cade appeared at once to greet them. Amanda thought he looked especially dashing in his deep brown trousers and frock coat, ambercolored vest, and crisp, white shirt, complete with mahogany-brown bow tie.
“Amanda,” he said, lifting her gloved hand and bringing it to his lips, “I’m so pleased you could come.”
She smiled a reply, uncertain if she could trust her voice.
“And Mr. and Mrs. Lewis,” he said with a polite nod. To the girls, he bowed gallantly. “Ladies.”
“Captain.” David cast Amanda a curious look. “Thank you for inviting us.”
“Indeed, it’s my pleasure.” He placed Amanda’s hand around his elbow. “Allow me to show you to our table.”
As she walked alongside Cade and across the marbled floor, Amanda could practically feel her brother’s and sister-in-law’s stares boring into her back. Perhaps she’d erred in keeping her relationship with Cade from them—but what exactly was there to tell? Rapid heartbeats, inklings, and three expensive gifts were hardly the equivalent of a marriage proposal.
Cade seated them, making certain he introduced Jenny. Then he excused himself to greet one other guest who had just been announced, and Amanda thought she heard the name Hosea Benkins.
“Amanda,” her sister-in-law began softly, “is there something you wish to tell David and me?”
They were seated to her left, and Amanda gave them each a guilty look. “I–I’m not sure,” she hedged.
David frowned. “You’re not sure?”
“It seems all so complicated. I think Cade might be interested in me, but—”
“You think?” Martha smiled warmly. “Sweetness, I haven’t been here five minutes, and I know he’s interested. Why, this is most exciting.”
Amanda released a breath of relief. Hearing another person say what she’d hoped and prayed in the past few days somehow made it real.
“Is he the one who sent you the dress?” her sister-in-law asked.
Amanda nodded. “And he gave me this bracelet,” she added, holding out her wrist.
“Look at this, David. How generous of the captain.”
“How long have you been calling Danfield by his first name?” David wanted to know.
“No more than a week.”
Amanda decided her brother seemed perplexed, if not mildly annoyed, and she wondered if his tender ego hadn’t suffered a bit of a blow.
“I’m sure Cade realized I come from good stock after he met you,” Amanda said. More than once, she had noted Martha’s diplomacy and figured she’d try her hand at it.
It worked. David suddenly lifted his chin and beamed. “Good stock… I should say so!”
Martha patted Amanda’s knee approvingly.
Cade returned with Hosea Benkins, and not long afterward dinner was served. A string quartet played Christmas music in the far corner of the room, and then a highly regarded soprano sang several numbers, which caused Mr. Benkins to make the most amusing remarks. It was all their table could do to keep from laughing aloud.
“Must you embarrass me at every social function?” Amanda overheard Cade ask his friend.
“Cap’n, you know I hate these hoity-toity events.”
Cade sighed, then zeroed in on the two youngest girls’ conversation. Jenny and Amanda’s niece Charlotte had suddenly become the best of friends. Rightly so, since they were close in age.
After dinner, guests strolled around the vast ballroom, mingling and admiring the expensive paintings and sculptures. Cade and David soon disappeared, and Martha said she thought the captain was asking for Amanda’s hand in marriage. Amanda felt so nervous, she could barely pray.
The two men reappeared just in time to say good-bye to Benkins, who declared it was high time to take his leave, and it seemed he couldn’t get to the door fast enough.
When the dancing began, Martha insisted the Lewis family needed to go, stating she didn’t think it proper for Christians to carry on in such a manner. David agreed.
Amanda felt a tad disappointed. She relished the idea of lingering in Cade’s embrace as they waltzed around the polished floor, and she feared once she left, a host of other women would find him a most eligible partner. But to her infinite relief, Cade said he and Jenny were leaving also.
Nothing, however, was said about her brother’s and Cade’s mysterious after-dinner conversation, however. And for two days following the party, as they finished packing up the house, Amanda nearly went mad trying to figure out men’s minds.
Finally she mustered the courage to bring up the subject to her brother—after all, they were scheduled to leave for Chicago the next day. David had informed Leonard Sloan that he could take possession of the lighthouse earlier than originally planned since Martha wanted to spend Christmas Day at their home in Illinois. Meanwhile, Amanda hadn’t seen or heard from Cade.
“Do you love him?” her brother asked bluntly.
“I…” Amanda paused, searching her heart for the umpteenth time. She knew it would break into a million pieces if she had to say good-bye to Cade—or worse, if she never saw him again. “Yes, I believe I do.”
“I see.” David’s head bobbed, and he seemed at a loss for words.
“I was under the impression that you and Cade had discussed this subject the night of the Christmas party.”
Her brother hesitated briefly. “Yes, we did.”
Amanda felt hopeful again. “And? What did he say?”
“He asked me not to repeat our conversation, and I gave my word.”
“What does that mean? Did I misunderstand the captain’s attentions?”
“No, I don’t believe you did, but I’m not at liberty to comment further. I’m sorry.”
Fat, sorrowful tears suddenly obscured Amanda’s vision, but she quickly blinked them back. “He thinks I’m too young for him, is that it? Well, he’s wrong.”
“Amanda, I gave my word….”
“Or did you discourage him, David?”
He brought his chin back abruptly at the accusation. “I did no such thing. In fact, I can’t wait to marry you off, you little scamp!”
Amanda glowered at her brother before whirling around and exiting the now-empty parlor. A lot of good their discussion did; she felt more confused than ever!
The next morning, Amanda stood in the lamp room, staring out across the vastness of Lake Michigan. Gray and wispy-white flurries
swirled the sky in the frosty December air. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and she would be living in Chicago. While she had every reason to feel excited about the new life which lay before her, Amanda mourned everything she’d lost. Her mother, her home…the man she loved. Except the latter she couldn’t truly count as a loss; how did one lose something one never had? Besides, Cade might try to contact her in Chicago. Amanda hoped he would, anyway.
Hanky in hand, she dabbed her eyes just as footfalls echoed up the lighthouse staircase. She figured David had come to fetch her. Their train would be leaving soon, and if her older brother saw her misty eyes and tear-streaked face, he would be sorely disappointed.
Taking several deep breaths, Amanda smoothed out the brown tweed traveling suit Cade had bought her. She hadn’t wanted to wear it, since the memories attached to the skirt and matching jacket were not exactly pleasant, but Martha had insisted. Her sister-in-law rarely put her foot down, so Amanda decided the fight wasn’t worth it and complied with the request.
Turning from the floor-to-ceiling windows, Amanda walked to the doorway to meet her brother. Suddenly Cade stepped into view.
He’s come to say good-bye, she thought as her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach.
She took a step back. “Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it,” she warned. The last thing she wanted to do was cry her eyes out in front of Cade.
He raised his brows in surprise. “It’s a pleasure to see you again too, Amanda,” he quipped.
She ignored the sarcasm and returned her gaze to the frothy lake one hundred feet below.
“Would you mind telling me what exactly it is you don’t want to hear?”
She grimaced, sensing she wouldn’t escape a tearful scene no matter how hard she tried. Well, so be it.
“I don’t want you to say good-bye,” she said, her eyes filling. “But, if you must, you may write to me in Chicago. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a train to catch.”
Cade fairly took up the entire doorway, and he didn’t budge an inch.
“Kindly step aside and spare me a shred of dignity.”
“Amanda…”
His soft voice was her undoing. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“Amanda,” he said once more, this time taking her into his arms, “I have no intention of saying good-bye to you. There, there, now, don’t cry.”
With her nose in his shirt, she tried to swallow her sobs.
“Oh, my dearest, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I wanted to surprise you.” He gently pushed her from him and gazed tenderly into her face. “I love you, Amanda.”
She sniffed. “I love you, too.”
Cade grinned so broadly even his mustache couldn’t conceal it. “I’ve longed to hear you speak those words—ever since the night of the Christmas concert.” He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her mouth. His bushy mustache tickled her nose. Then, grabbing hold of her hand, Cade led her from the lamp room and down the steps. “But you’re right. We have to hurry. You do have a train to catch…and so do I.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You shall soon see.”
Amanda’s mind whirred with questions until they entered the house and Cade escorted her on to the sunporch. There she was met by her family members, Jenny, Hosea Benkins, and Reverend and Mrs. Reed. The room, itself, had been decorated with white ribbons and bows. Amanda stared in shock.
“I’ll have you know,” Martha began, “I told the captain, here, along with my good husband, that you would much prefer a formal wedding in a church, with a beautiful gown and friends in attendance.”
“We’ll have a reception as soon as we return from our honeymoon,” Cade promised.
Amanda shook her head, feeling dazed. “Wedding? Just one moment…” She looked at Cade. “Aren’t you supposed to get down on one knee and ask me to marry you?”
Benk snorted with amusement as he helped Cade into his handsomely cut frock coat.
“And give you the chance to turn me down? Never.”
She narrowed her gaze at him, while Cade’s blue eyes twinkled with merriment.
“Better get on with it, Cap’n,” Benk said, loud enough for all to hear. “I think her senses are returning.”
“They’re returning, all right,” Amanda replied with an indignant toss of her head. She looped her arm around Cade’s. “But I’ll repay you for your trickery by forcing you to live the rest of your life with me.”
“A fate worse than death, I’m sure,” David said with a chuckle. “Although, Captain, if you’re expert enough to handle a crew of seamen, I imagine you’ll tame my sassy little sister in no time.”
She tossed her brother an exasperated glare.
The reverend smiled and with a bony finger pushed his spectacles up to the bridge of his nose. “I have known Amanda since she was a tot, and it’s hard to believe she’s grown into such a lovely young woman.” He gazed at her in a proud, fatherly manner.
Amanda felt herself blush.
“And after speaking at great length with Captain Danfield, I feel the two of you will make a good match.” He looked at Cade before his aging eyes rested upon Amanda once more.
“Evelyn would be so pleased,” Mrs. Reed added softly.
Amanda agreed and swallowed a fresh onset of tears. Suddenly she recalled her mother’s dream. It was as if she had known this day would come. How fitting, Amanda decided, that she and Cade would be married in this very room. After today, it would no longer hold sad memories of her mother’s death but joyous ones of marrying the man she loved.
“Shall we begin?” the minister asked.
Cade looked at her, questions in his eyes.
Amanda smiled her consent.
Within no time, it seemed, the vows were spoken. To have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish…
Reverend Reed cleared his throat. “And now, by the authority vested in me by God and the state of Wisconsin, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride, Captain.”
But he and Amanda were a step ahead of the pastor. She was enveloped in Cade’s strong arms, and he was already kissing her soundly.
Finally he released her. Congratulatory cheers broke out around them.
Jenny slipped her small hand into Amanda’s. “I’m glad you’re my new mama.” She glanced at her father. “We’re going to be a happy family, aren’t we?”
“We most certainly are.” Cade gave his daughter an affectionate wink, then gazed adoringly into Amanda’s eyes.
Elation swelled within her, and Amanda couldn’t help but marvel at God’s handiwork.
True, she would sadly relinquish her life here at the lighthouse, but the Lord had given her a new beacon to keep burning brightly…
That of the fire in her husband’s heart.
SAFE HARBOR
by Paige Winship Dooly
Dedication
For Troy…Thanks for being so great about climbing lighthouses, driving through swamps, diverting along forgotten coasts on our trips, and exploring mysterious southern locales with me while in search of the perfect setting for each of my stories. I look forward to many more years of epic adventures with you! You’re the best!
Chapter 1
St. Marks Lighthouse
Forgotten Coast, Florida—1883
I’m gonna find you, Keera, and when I do, it’s off to bed with ya!” Regan tried to sound stern as she called out to her young daughter, but she couldn’t help but laugh at the stubborn child’s bedtime antics. The sea breeze tussled Regan’s hair and blew a few strands into her eyes as she searched the ship’s shadowy deck for signs of Keera’s movement. She pushed the strands back with her forearm. “It’ll be dawn before ya know it, wee one, and a bit of shut-eye before the day begins would be much appreciated by your mother.”
“I’m right here, Mama.” The giggle in four-year-old Keera’s voice carried across the expansive deck like wind chimes, and Regan tried to follow the sound.
She ducke
d down, her slippered feet light as she moved quietly around the boxes and barrels. She used a tall stack of crates to hide her approach.
The skirt of Keera’s pink gown, highlighted by a soft shaft of moonlight, peeked out from between two barrels as Regan rounded a corner. Before she could reach her daughter, she plowed headfirst into a large immovable object.
Firm hands steadied her. “I’m sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to collide with you.”
Stars circled Regan’s head from the impact as she tried to focus on the grandfatherly sailor standing in front of her.
“It’s okay, Joseph. It’s entirely my fault. I’m sure you didn’t expect anyone to be up and about at this hour.” She closed her eyes to ward off the dizziness.
His booming laugh startled her, and her eyes flew open.
“Oh, nothing surprises me when it comes to you two lasses. I guess the little one’s havin’ trouble sleepin’ again?”
Regan held her spinning head as she squinted up to look into the kind face of the friendly giant. “Aye. She still has her days and nights mixed up from the journey across the ocean. And she hates our tiny cabin down below.”
“Maybe I can help.” Joseph reached around Regan and scooped Keera up into his strong arms. “Follow me.”
Regan followed as he led the way to the handrail at the side of the ship.
“Throwing her overboard won’t fix the issue, Joseph,” Regan teased.
Keera squealed and tightened her arms around Joseph’s thick neck.
“Don’t worry little one. I’d never throw a beautiful princess into the sea—only ruffians have to go overboard.” He looked at Regan in the light of the full moon and winked. “I was thinkin’ maybe she’d relax better if she could sleep beneath the stars.”
“It’s worth a try.” Regan stepped over to the rail and yawned as she stared dubiously at the lifeboat that pressed close against the side of the huge vessel. “I can’t blame her for not wanting to sleep below deck. The whole experience is strange to her with all the people jostling around down there. She doesn’t know a one of them, and they get angry if she’s restless and gets loud.” She tugged one of her daughter’s curls. “Which, as you’ve seen, is pretty much always.”
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