Unexpected Love

by Andrea Boeshaar

  They rode out of Milwaukee, bracing themselves whenever the conveyance hit a rut in the road, until they reached a quaint country church. A white picket fence bordered its parameter.

  “This is the church the Navises attend.” Brian disembarked, then extended his hand to Renna. “It’s located near their farm, and Sarah brought the children out here all summer long.” He helped Mum alight then. “I’m ashamed to say it’s the only church my children have ever known.”

  As if to prove Brian’s point, his brood took off, laughing and scampering across the churchyard.

  After adjusting her bonnet, Renna accepted Brian’s proffered arm. They walked to the structure while other buggies and carriages parked on the gravel lot. Inside the sanctuary Sarah, Richard, and his parents greeted them with smiles and hugs.

  They took their places. After hearing the pastor’s uplifting sermon, Renna sang the closing hymn, but she couldn’t quite capture the joy that usually accompanied song. Last night’s near-deadly calamity crowded her thoughts.

  The congregation was dismissed. Renna left the church and climbed back into the carriage. The children had insisted upon riding in the Navises’ wagon, so just she and Brian and her parents rode to the farm, where they’d enjoy Sunday dinner.

  “I have to admit this is only my second visit to the Navises’ home.” Brian sat directly across from Renna. Da sat beside him. “Although Richard has invited me on numerous occasions.”

  Renna watched Brian straighten his wine-colored wool coat. Beneath it he wore a white shirt, black waistcoat, and black pantaloons. He stretched his long legs out far enough that his boots met the tips of Renna’s shiny black, ankle-high, laced shoes.

  “I’ve listened over the years with envy as Richard described holidays, birthdays, and other family celebrations. I longed to capture that same sense of joyful family unity—but I had no idea how to do it, and certainly Louisa showed no interest. I’m afraid that hired governesses were left with the bulk of the parenting, parties and holidays included.”

  “That’s regrettable, Brian, but it’s not too late to change things.” Renna smiled at him, and he removed his dark glasses, massaging the bridge of his nose.

  “I know.” He closed his eyes. “It’s just painful to recall.” He looked across the coach at her. “Didn’t you notice how my children preferred the rough ride of a wagon with the Navises to a comfortable carriage ride with me?”

  “Having been a lad myself,” Da chuckled, “the back of a wagon seems the more adventurous choice.”

  Brian’s frown lifted.

  “You’ve only been back home a week, Captain,” Mum reminded him. “It’s going to take time.”

  “Patience.” Renna arched a brow.

  Brian regarded her with intent. “Ah, yes, patience. How soon I forget.” He moved one foot forward, giving Renna a subtle nudge for her facetiousness.

  Smiling, she lowered her gaze.

  “We’re here to help you, Brian,” Da assured him.

  “Thank you.” The carriage slowed, and Brian donned his spectacles once more. “But I can’t really begin to start anew, can I? Not until I’m able to stop living under this pretense of blindness.”

  “Soon, Brian.” Da slid his focus to the carriage’s window. “This can’t go on forever.”

  “I should say not!” Mum’s hand clasped Renna’s. “After last night . . . ”

  Renna’s heart skipped a beat. Fear reared its ugly head. Oh, God . . . please keep us all safe.

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  Renna yawned and stretched, allowing herself some minutes of luxury in the soft bed. Sunshine beckoned behind the thick draperies, but Renna ignored the call and chose, instead, to stay beneath the soft bedcovers.

  She thought back on the pleasant outing yesterday. Dinner at the Navises’ farm included the tastiest and tenderest fried chicken Renna ever ate. The children romped, the men talked business, and Brian and Marty Navis shared war stories. In the kitchen, Renna had enjoyed getting to know Beatrice Navis and Sarah as they washed, dried, and put away dishes.

  A blush crept across Renna’s cheeks as she recalled how she’d entered the dining room, catching Sarah and her husband in a private moment. Mr. Navis had cornered her and tickled and kissed her. Sarah giggled all the while. It wasn’t the first time Renna witnessed happy couples. Her sister Elizabeth and her brother-in-law often enjoyed such exchanges.

  Renna recalled Brian’s kiss yesterday. He certainly knew how to melt a woman’s resolve. The pirate. And then his testimony in front of the guests, the way his eyes sought her out, the way he’d shown remorse and concern for her welfare, like a husband would.

  But would he live to be her husband? She shivered at the thought. She’d almost given him up out of her own pride and insecurity, then she’d almost lost him to a crazy man’s bullet. How could she bear it if she were parted from him now?

  She shook the gloomy thoughts away, then threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. After washing up, she dressed for the day, selecting an emerald plaid gown with an off-white collar and cuffs.

  A knock sounded at her bedroom door. Renna had just finished buttoning the front of her bodice. “Yes?” She smoothed her skirt over her crinoline.

  The door squeaked open, and a pair of hazel eyes peeked around the corner.

  “Gabriel.” Renna smiled. “What can I do for you?”

  The door opened wider, and Gabriel slipped in, shutting it behind him. He held something behind his back and then slowly brought it around and into Renna’s view.

  “What’s in the newspaper that you’re hiding it?”

  “It’s the society page.” Gabe grinned mischievously.

  “You rascal.”

  He gave a shrug. “I know I’m not supposed to be reading it, but I do anyhow.” Gabe’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I’ve been reading it since I was nine. That’s how I kept up on what my parents were doing.”

  “Gabriel!”

  “Never did read anything good about them, though.”

  Renna shook her head at the boy’s misdeed while marveling at his inquisitiveness.

  “It isn’t right, is it? My reading the society page when my mother told me not to a long, long time ago?”

  “No, it isn’t right.”

  He appeared contrite. “I won’t do it again. I promise. But, here, take a look at what it says today. It says my dad’s a hero!”

  “It does?” Renna took the newspaper from him. Sure enough. Lillian LaMonde had described last night’s events and described Brian’s attempt to apprehend the shooter. “Despite his disability,” Renna read, “Captain Brian Sinclair managed to save my life when he pushed Nurse Lorenna Fields and me out of the line of fire.”

  Renna glanced up and grinned. “Hmm . . . ”

  “Read what it says about you.”

  Gabriel stepped in beside her, but she glimpsed his expression, shining with boyish pride. “Miss Renna Fields is an angel of mercy,” he read from the newspaper. “She willingly tended to all the wounded at the Carpenters’ ill-fated ball.” He stumbled over a few words but pressed on. “In addition, Miss Fields has so obviously won the heart of Captain Sinclair and, by her love and devotion, has rendered him a new man!”

  Renna rolled her eyes and shook her head. “It’s God who rendered your father a new man, not me.”

  “I know, but don’t you see, Miss Fields? This is the best thing I ever read or even heard about my dad. Lillian LaMonde usually writes about what Miss Sarah calls ‘sandals.’ You know, the stuff children shouldn’t hear about.”

  Renna was hard pressed to conceal her grin. “I think the word is scandals, Gabriel.”

  “Yeah, that’s it. My father’s name usually appears in one of those articles, along with whatever lady he escorted.” Gabe studied the tips of his scuffed boots. “Most times I knew what the newspaper said wasn’t true, but it hurt me anyway. I hated my father for it.” Gabriel suddenly smiled broadly, looking up at Renna. “But that was befo
re his accident and before he knew Jesus. And before you.”

  Renna gave him a hug. Gabe returned the gesture in a less than enthusiastic manner, typical of a twelve-year-old boy.

  He pulled back. “You could be a mom to us, Miss Fields—a mom who doesn’t get written up in the newspaper. And you could help our dad stay out of the society page from now on.”

  “I’m flattered that you hold me in such high regard.” Renna meant it.

  “So will you marry my dad?”

  She found it difficult to keep from smiling. “I think the proposal should come from him, Gabe.” Striding to the door, Rena opened it.

  Gabe followed her. “I guess I’d better go now.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  He paused in the doorway. “You can keep the newspaper. I promise never to read the society page again . . . unless my dad says I can.”

  “I’ll hold you to it.”

  He smiled and sauntered off down the hallway.

  Renna closed the door and stared at the newspaper in her hand. Feeling almost guilty, she finished reading the column. Her heart stopped when she came to the last paragraph.

  Police won’t say who the evildoer is in Saturday’s foiled murder attempt, but sources close to the captain have murmured the name Benchley. A middle-class working man from Chicago, Benchley is the nephew of the late Elise Kingsley, who was engaged to marry Captain Sinclair before her tragic death in a boating accident in September. He is disputing the sale of his aunt’s shipping company, Great Lakes Shipping, to Captain Sinclair.

  Renna worked her lower lip between her teeth. Yes, it was quite the compliment to be featured so favorably in Mrs. LaMonde’s column, and yet she wondered if the publicity would provoke Matt Benchley to strike again.

  Had Lillian LaMonde just put all their lives in greater danger?

  With the newspaper still in hand, Renna set out to find Brian. She descended the stairs and crossed the foyer. Her heels clicked against the dark brown tiled floor. In the dining room, she found her mother sitting at the table, sipping tea.

  “Good morning, Mum. Do you know where Brian is?”

  “He and your father left on some business.”

  Renna sat down across from her mother.

  “Would you like some breakfast? Isabelle is still in the kitchen with Hester underfoot.”

  “And the children?”

  Mum smiled. “They’re playing outside in the backyard. The captain gave them strict orders not to play in the front. Every so often I’ve glanced out the window. They seem fine out there. It’s warmer today.”

  “A lovely fall day.” But Renna’s mind didn’t linger on the weather. She pushed the newspaper toward her. “Have you seen the society page?”

  Mum picked up the newspaper, and Renna watched as her eyes widened while she read the column.

  “Oh, my. How shocking!”

  “Do you think Brian has seen this morning’s paper?”

  “I’m sure he has. He and your father were here in the dining room sharing pages over their coffee.”

  Prickles of unease trickled down Renna’s spine. “And you say they’re out on business now?”

  Clouds of worry filled Mum’s light-gray eyes. “Oh, dear, you don’t suppose they’re—they’re up to any heroics.”

  “Perish the thought, Mum.” But it’s the exact thought that flitted through Renna’s mind too.

  Isabelle entered the room. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving. I’ve given Hester instructions for lunch and dinner tonight.” She wiped her plump hands on her white apron. “The captain said I could go home early. I’ve got a husband with a nasty cold, I’m afraid.”

  Renna twisted around in her chair. “Did Brian say when he’d return?”

  “I’m afraid not, ma’am. But you just go on and continue making yourself right at home.” She flicked a courteous glance at Mum. “Both of you.”

  “Thank you, Isabelle.”

  Renna nodded. “Yes, thank you.” After the cook left, she let out a long sigh intended to quell her nerves. She decided on changing the subject so Mum wouldn’t begin to fret. “So what will we do today?”

  “Well . . . ” Mum’s gaze brightened. “There’s a tearoom downtown that’s said to be quite prestigious.”

  “Sounds lovely.”

  “I’d love to tell my friends that I’ve been there.”

  “Then we’ll have to go.”

  Suddenly Hester cried out in the kitchen. The sound of a pan clanging to the floor followed.

  “Sorry, Granny Hester.”

  Renna heard Gabriel’s voice before she saw him burst into the dining room.

  “Miss Fields, it’s him! I just saw him—by the stables!”

  “Slow down, Gabe.” Renna stood to her feet. She intuitively knew whom the boy had just spotted.

  Gabe’s chest rose and fell in rapid successions. “It’s that man, Benchley. The one Mike and me knocked down in the solarium. This time I know he’s up to something bad.”

  “Well, we’d best take care just in case.” Renna willed herself to stay calm. “Go and get your brother and sisters.”

  “I did already. They went upstairs. Mike locked the back door.”

  “Perfect.” Renna hadn’t heard the other children come in, but that wasn’t so surprising in this large home. “Do you know how to summon the authorities?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m a fast runner too.”

  “All right, then. Use the front door. Go.”

  Gabe dashed off.

  “Renna . . . ” Mum rose from her chair and wrung her hands.

  “Take Hester and go upstairs with the rest of the children.” She swallowed and thought of where the safest, most remote place in the house might be. “Take them into Brian’s room. Keep everyone on the floor. Stay away from the windows.”

  Gabe suddenly returned, startling Renna. Before she could ask, he produced a gun, holding it by the barrel, just as one should.

  “Take it. It’s my dad’s. He doesn’t know that I found it in his desk drawer last summer.”

  Renna blinked.

  “It’s loaded too.”

  “Gabriel!”

  “But the hammer’s on an empty chamber.”

  “But still . . . ”

  “I watched my dad load it. But he always hides his guns from us—except once I saw where he put this one, and, well, I thought I might need it sometime.” Turning on a heel, he ran from the room. “I’ll be back soon!”

  Wide-eyed, Renna marveled at the boy’s nonchalance around a loaded weapon.

  Her gaze fell to the heavy revolver in her hand. She had to do this. It was up to her!

  Mum walked around the table while Renna carefully checked the Colt’s chambers. She’d handled this particular gun before while stationed in various Union military hospitals. Just as Gabriel said, the revolver had been loaded. Clicking the hammer into a half-cock position for safety, she looked up and glimpsed her mother’s look of horror.

  “You’re not really going to use that thing.”

  “Not unless I have to.”

  “Renna!”

  “This is no time for femininities. Go upstairs, Mum. Hurry. Take Hester with you.”

  Mum didn’t waste another moment.

  Tucking the gun into the folds of her skirt, Renna strode to the windows and peered out into the now-empty yard. No movement. Nothing. She ran to the foyer and glanced around, wondering if she ought to hide upstairs in the main hallway or remain down here. She could hear treading footfalls above her and prayed her mother, Hester, and the kids would all be quick about taking cover.

  She nibbled her lower lip, deliberating. Would Benchley try to get into the house? If so, through which door would he enter?

  Glass suddenly shattered. Renna jumped full circle, guessing it came from the solarium. She quickly pressed her back up against the wall facing the stairs. If Benchley tried to get by her—

  Renna couldn’t finish her thought. Lord, I don’t want to us
e this gun! She held her breath. She couldn’t soften now.

  Carefully, she cocked the hammer all the way back, praying she didn’t shoot her foot off with this fool thing! It locked. With both hands, she held the Colt, barrel up against her shoulder.

  Ready.

  She strained to hear the intruder’s moves. A tearing, ripping sound suddenly filled the space and cut the silence. Next a heavy thud. It came from somewhere behind her in the main reception parlor. A vase or some sort of porcelain item crashed to the floor next.

  Renna waited.

  Then all at once he turned the corner, and there he stood just several feet from her. It happened so fast, Renna gasped.

  Hearing her, he spun around. A long blade glinted in his hand.

  Renna took aim. “Drop the knife.”

  He looked about as startled as she’d just felt. And in spite of his dark hood and clothing, she recognized him.

  Matthew Benchley.

  He paused and seemed to gauge the situation. “Renna.” He smiled and relaxed his stance.

  “Drop it.”

  “Of course. I really meant no harm. The captain has some of my aunt’s jewelry.”

  “Liar.” She didn’t believe his ramblings, and she wasn’t about to let down her guard.

  “Really. I only meant to take back what’s rightfully mine.”

  “Drop it!”

  “All right.” He wielded the blade, but it didn’t leave his hand. Then he narrowed his gaze, and Renna forced herself not to shudder. Evil. Pure evil lurked in the depths of his eyes. “You wouldn’t shoot me.”

  “Don’t tempt me, Mr. Benchley.” Renna thought she’d do anything to save her mother, the children, Hester—and herself—from this despicable creature!

  Seconds ticked by. Determination held her steady.

  “What if I told you I’d rather die than be apprehended?”

  “I’d say you may get your wish.” She swallowed hard. She didn’t want to kill him. Her life had been devoted to saving lives, not taking them.