Somewhat reluctantly, Sarah nodded. “It’s a good thing we held off on selling the house and the captain’s store and newly acquired shipping company. And you, Richard, are the one who has been marvelous at keeping up the books and running his businesses. I hope the captain finally appreciates you.”
“He always has in his own way.” In spite of the circumstances, Richard couldn’t help but grin. “I wonder what the captain will have to say about my marrying his children’s governess.”
Sarah smiled at his teasing. “And don’t forget you allowed his housekeeper, Mrs. Schlyterhaus, to go with my brothers Luke and Jake to the Arizona Territory.”
He felt a twinge of insecurity. “Envious?”
“Not a whit.” Sarah smiled. “But you’re in trouble. Marrying me and letting Mrs. Schlyterhaus go.”
“Hmm, but perhaps the captain won’t remember that he had a governess and a housekeeper.” He arched a brow. “The letter states he’s suffered from amnesia and that only some of his memory has now returned.”
“Amnesia . . . yes, I suppose that does explain why it’s taken a month to hear from him.” Sarah wore a concerned frown. “The poor man. He never did have a good memory.”
“No, he never did.” Richard sobered and reread the rest of the letter. “It also states that Captain Sinclair is blind. Another consequence of the head injury he suffered. It’s unknown if the damage is permanent at this point.”
“Oh, mercy! What are we going to do?” A frown furrowed her brow. Then she massaged her temples. “It’s all so overwhelming. The captain . . . alive but physically and mentally impaired. What does that mean for our future?”
“I don’t know.” Richard couldn’t help placing a kiss on her sweet lips. “But I plan to find out.”
FIFTEEN
The mid-October Saturday arrived as a perfect fall day, blue skies, a light wind, and the treetops aflame with color. Renna enjoyed a reprieve from her nursing duties. She spent the morning at the market, purchasing fresh vegetables for their Sunday dinner, then helped her mother tidy the house. The men stayed occupied, and Renna was glad to see that her father and Captain Sinclair were getting along so well. In the last two weeks the captain had settled into a routine and become quite independent. Nevertheless, she still felt that he needed her too. He seemed to need this family, for he was making great strides in his recovery—except for his blindness. Renna had thought the temporary setback would have corrected itself by now. Even Dr. Hamilton was stumped by it.
Around midafternoon a hard knock sounded at the front door, and Renna answered it. A young man, blond and blue-eyed, stood before her.
“Is this the Fieldses’ residence?” He politely removed his hat.
“Yes.” Renna’s first thought was that the hospital had sent a messenger to fetch her for duty. She tried to suppress the rising dread of going in today.
“I’m Richard Navis. I’m here to see Captain Sinclair.”
Renna inhaled sharply. “Yes. Of course. The captain’s mentioned you quite frequently.”
“All in a good light, I hope.”
“Of course.” She beckoned him inside and took his overcoat. “You must have received the letter.”
He nodded as his gaze quickly took in his surroundings. “A charming home.”
“Thank you.” She faced him. “I’m Renna Fields, and I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He gave her a friendly smile.
“Allow me to show you into the parlor.” She led him a ways down the hallway. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll fetch Brian, um, I mean the captain, for you.” She felt her face flush from the informality. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Mr. Navis smiled again and took a seat.
Renna hurried out to the backyard and into the stables, where she found her father and Brian working on one of the horse’s harnesses and having a lively political debate. However, they stopped when they saw her coming.
“What is it, Renna?” Da straightened. His light blue shirt was stained with perspiration.
“There’s a visitor here for the captain.” She stepped in beside Brian. “Mr. Richard Navis is here to see you. I’ll guide you inside.”
“Richard? That’s wonderful!” Instead of taking her arm, he reached for Renna’s hand and tucked it around his elbow. “I guess I need an escort. Blind men need escorts, don’t they?”
Da snickered, but Renna didn’t know why. “What’s so funny? I’d planned to assist you into the house.”
“Well, then, lead on.”
As the walked to the house, Renna was sure he could feel her heart banging inside her rib cage. Would it soon be time to say good-bye to her pirate?
Inside, Mr. Navis’s face split into a broad grin when he saw him. “Captain Sinclair! It’s so good to see you! We thought you were dead!” Mr. Navis shook his hand heartily, but then embraced him in all his exuberance.
“It’s good to see you too—” The captain paused. “Well, you know what I mean. I’m blind. It’s good to hear your voice.”
Pulling back, the younger man frowned slightly. “Sir, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your sight.”
Brian cleared his throat. “No need for sorrow, Richard. I’ve had excellent care.”
Renna felt his hand go to the small of her back. Embarrassed, she glanced at the carpet. “I only did my job.” That wasn’t exactly true. It had been her pleasure to care for her pirate.
“Well, it was a fine job, Renna, and I’m indebted to you and your family.”
Is this good-bye?
She glanced up in time to see Brian’s warm smile. Then he turned his attention to Mr. Navis. “I hope you brought me some clothes, Richard.”
“I did indeed. I brought you an outfit to wear home.”
“Home. The word has a wonderful ring to it.”
Renna’s heart suddenly plummeted. Had Brian changed his mind? Would he leave with Mr. Navis and return to Milwaukee in a matter of hours? Minutes?
Suddenly it felt as though her whole world had come undone. “I’ll leave you both to some privacy.” With that she whirled around, tears blurring her vision, and hastened from the parlor.
•••
“We thought you were dead, sir.”
Brian bobbed his head a few times. “I’m sure my letters came as quite the surprise.”
“Yes, particularly the second. I found it in the stack of mail on your desk just minutes after I found the first letter.”
Brian removed his dark glasses. “Thank you for keeping my secret from Renna.”
Richard rolled one broad shoulder. “You’ve always been able to trust me, sir. You still can.”
“I know—and I’m grateful.” Beneath one arched brow, Brian peered at his steward, who hadn’t changed a bit in the last month. With straw-colored hair, intelligent blue eyes, and a strong young body, Richard had been only sixteen years old when Brian hired him. A few years later Brian had paid Richard’s way through business school. And then last August, before the accident, he’d shamefully coerced Richard to sign a contract binding him into an indefinite service, something he knew now that he needed to rectify. It hadn’t been fair. He’d all but threatened Richard—with Sarah.
Brian settled into a chair, gesturing to Richard to do likewise. “How are my children?”
“Adjusting, but they are all well.” Richard crossed his legs. “We’ve kept them in the same school as opposed to moving them to the farm, and the children have continued to live in the home they’ve always known. We decided that the less change for them, the better.”
“We?” Brian regarded him askance. “You and Sarah?”
“Yes. She never returned to Missouri and has been loving and nurturing to the children. But I must say, I think she’s disappointed.”
“That I’m alive?” Remorse surged through him. He hadn’t exactly endeared himself to many individuals, Sarah in particular. He’d trifled with her emotions solely because he could.
&nb
sp; “She’s disappointed because suddenly she was a mother and now suddenly she’s not.”
“Understandable.” Brian gave the situation a moment’s thought. “I imagine she’s been a very good mother too. She’s always loved my brood. That’s why I wanted her to sign on as a permanent governess.”
Richard rubbed his jaw. “Sir, Sarah and I married a couple of weeks ago. You see, your attorney had you declared dead. We read your will, and—”
“No need to explain.” Brian grinned wryly. He’d known all along that Richard and Sarah were perfect for each other, thus the reason he’d changed his will in August and named them both guardians.
Standing, he reached for Richard’s right hand and gave it a firm shake. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, sir.” Richard appeared rather chagrined. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve been living in your home—for the children’s sake.”
“I don’t mind—and you can stop calling me ‘sir.’” Brian narrowed his gaze. “You’re about the best friend I’ve ever known.”
Richard blinked as if covering his emotion. “I’ve thought of you as my friend too, and I can tell you that I’ve been . . . mourning. I had a rough couple of weeks after the accident. I wasn’t myself.”
“I appreciate your sentiments, Richard.” Brian folded his arms and leaned back against Wendell’s oak desk. “Tell me, did anyone show up for my funeral?”
“We actually didn’t give you a funeral, sir. I mean, Captain.”
Brian tossed a glance upward and grinned.
“Gabriel and Michael refused to believe that you perished in Lake Michigan, mostly, we thought, because your body never washed ashore like the others.”
Brian winced and thought of his mother, her friend, and Elise Kingsley.
“We held a beautiful service for Aurora, though, and it was well attended. However, Gabe threw a fit when we suggested even holding a memorial service for you. All this time your sons have maintained you were alive.”
Pride and pleasure stole over Brian’s being. “I’m speechless.” He turned his head toward the bookcase.
“Gabe and Michael keep saying you just forgot to let us know your whereabouts.” Richard chuckled. “It seems they’re right.”
“My amnesia.” With a nod, Brian admired a few volumes on Wendell’s tall bookcase before gazing back at Richard. “And what do they say now that they’ve been proved correct?”
“We haven’t told them yet. I was skeptical about the letters. I guess I wanted to see you in the living flesh before I made the announcement.”
“Very wise.” Brian approved of the decision. It would have been senseless to upset the children all over again if the letters had been a hoax.
But they weren’t. This wasn’t a hoax. Brian was very much alive. What’s more, he wanted his children with him.
“I’m sure it’ll be a shock when I walk back into their lives.”
“I’m afraid it will be, especially for the girls. They’ve become very attached to Sarah—and she to them. Nevertheless, I’m prepared to take you home today, if you’d like.”
Brian pursed his lips, thinking. “I don’t want my homecoming to be a traumatic event for my children. They’ve been through so much, what with Louisa dying just before last Christmas, all the governesses who’ve come and gone, and the death of their grandmother, not to mention my disappearance.”
“I must admit, Captain, you’re right. The children have been through their share of upheaval. Of particular concern is how unemotional and detached both Gabe and Michael have behaved since your boating accident.”
“Unemotional? Detached?”
“Like they don’t care, sir.”
Maybe they don’t.
Brian’s heart twisted. He hadn’t been a father. He realized then that he had much to prove to his sons. “I’m a different man, Richard, and I want my children to know it.” He didn’t care for the look of disbelief that briefly wafted across the younger man’s face.
Brian figured he had a lot to prove to Richard also.
“I’m taking Renna’s advice. I’ve decided to proceed slowly where my children are concerned and remain in Chicago for a time.”
Richard gave a single nod. “As you wish.”
“Now, let’s discuss my business.” Brian rubbed his palms together. “I’d like to begin by telling you about a man named Matthew Benchley and the reason everyone must continue to believe that I’ve lost my sight.”
A mischievous glimmer shone in Richard’s blue eyes. “I’d rather hear about you and Miss Fields. She seems like a lovely person. ”
“A truly lovely person.”
“Not your usual choice of women, if I may say so.”
“You won’t be the first, I’m sure.”
“Do you see in her a mother for your children? Because if that’s all you’re after, then Sarah and I would like to—”
“Richard, I don’t intend to use Renna like I’ve used people in the past. I really am a different man.”
Richard said nothing.
Brian understood why. “Let me start at the beginning, from the morning of the day of the accident . . . ”
•••
“I’ve set aside some food,” Mum said, “even though our guests said to go ahead and begin our dinner.”
“Good idea.” Renna peered at the ivory face of her locket watch. “They’ve been talking for more than two and a half hours.”
“They’ll come out when they’re ready.” Da folded his hands and bowed his head. “Let’s pray.”
After he asked the blessing on their meal, Mum talked about the picnic basket auction coming up at church.
Renna hoped she was scheduled to work that day. She lifted her fork and pushed the buttered squash around on her plate. Normally she loved the vegetable, but tonight she couldn’t seem to even choke down a single bite—not with her pirate soon to be walking out of her life forever.
Da buttered a warm, flaky biscuit. “Stop your fretting, my little wren. Brian will finish his meeting soon enough.”
“I just can’t figure out why the men are discussing matters here. There would be plenty of time for discussion on the train ride back to Milwaukee.” Renna dared to hope Brian hadn’t changed his plans.
“I’m sure much of the discussion surrounds his children,” Mum said.
Of that, Renna had no doubt.
“Yes,” Da agreed, “he’s concerned about their welfare—like any good father.”
Renna had to smile, recalling the time that her pirate admitted he wasn’t a good father at all. But with God’s help he could turn the matter around.
Da spoke her thoughts. “I often remind Brian that he’s been given the chance to start all over. He can, as the apostle Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, put off the old man and put on the new.”
Renna wondered, Would he?
Minutes later, Brian and Mr. Navis entered the dining room.
Mum stood. “Can you stay for dinner? We just began.”
“Yes, thank you.” A grateful grin split Brian’s face. “Wendell, Mrs. Fields, I’d like to introduce my steward and good friend, Richard Navis.”
“A pleasure.” Mum lifted a hand, indicating a chair. “Please be our guest at the table.”
“Yes, have a seat. It’s good to finally meet you.” Da wore a smile. “Brian has told us many good things about you.”
“Thank you.” Richard inclined his head politely to Mum and then walked the short distance to grip Da’s hand in a friendly shake.
Renna pushed to her feet and helped Brian to the table. Next she hurried into the kitchen to help Mum serve up two more plates. She carried them back into the dining room.
Mr. Navis bowed his head in a quick prayer and then forked some veal and gravy into his mouth. “Mmm, delicious. My compliments, Mrs. Fields.”
“Thank you, Mr. Navis, but Renna made dinner tonight.”
He glanced her way and grinned. “Do you enjoy cooking?”
“Yes, actually.”
Mr. Navis bobbed out a reply that seemed approving.
Renna smiled, although the question burned on her tongue. Would Brian walk out of her life tonight? Tomorrow?
Small talk ensued, but Renna paid little attention. After dinner they moved to the parlor, where a fire blazed in the hearth, lighting the room with glowing warmth. While the weather today had been mild, temperatures dropped as the sun set.
Mum and Renna put off serving dessert and coffee just yet at Brian’s request. Once everyone was seated, he stood to his feet and adjusted his dark spectacles. “I’m sure you’re all wondering over my intentions. First of all, I’d like to thank you all for your generous hospitality.”
Renna steeled her heart for what was sure to come next.
“Words cannot express my gratitude, and neither can monetary means. However, I would like you to have this—”
He nodded at Mr. Navis, who pulled out an envelope, thick with national bank notes. He handed it to Wendell.
“Oh, no, I can’t accept your money, Brian.”
“You must, or I will be deeply offended.”
“But . . . ” Da counted the bills. “Brian, this is an outrageous sum!”
“Take it, Wendell. I always pay my debts, and I feel I owe this family a large one.”
“Nonsense.”
Mum suddenly stood and walked over to where Da sat. Taking the envelope from him, she tucked it into the folds of her full green and blue plaid skirt. “Thank you, Captain. This money will be put to good use.” She glanced at Da. “There’s a family at church, the Reeds, with eight needy children. We’ll consider it a privilege to help them out.”
“Oh . . . the Reeds . . . ” Da gave a nod. He obviously hadn’t thought of sharing the funds. “Yes, and I guess we have a few needs here too.” He smiled, looking chagrined. “Forgive me, Johanna, for being so prideful.”
Bending over, she kissed the little bald spot on top of his head. “All is forgiven, dear.”
Renna smiled at her parents, then lowered her gaze to her hands, folded in her lap.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled.” Brian grinned and squared his shoulders. “And I’ve decided to take Renna’s advice and stay on a while. Due to the circumstances surrounding my boating accident and because of the situation with my children, I think it’s best. Richard agrees. In addition, my life may still be in danger. Richard alerted authorities after hearing from me last week and will speak with them in depth when he returns home.”
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