“Good, huh?” Archie asked.
“It is. It’s marvelous. I would never have expected to get something this masterful out here.”
“Jessie, that’s the gal who waited on us, her mama is quite the cook. She married a Frenchman who was a chef at a fancy restaurant in Montreal. He died, but not before teaching her a thing or two about cooking. Wait until you taste her blueberry pie.”
“Don’t you mean the ‘world-famous’ blueberry pie?”
Archie chuckled. “I see Jessie set you straight, but it truly is world-famous. One of those German princes was over here hunting and demanded the recipe one year. The next year, we had a couple of gentlemen from Switzerland who had eaten it while visiting the prince, and when they asked for the recipe, he told them he wasn’t at liberty to give it and they would have to request it from the cook herself and told them about Rush City. So you see, it truly has caused a sensation all the way to Europe.”
“Well, the moniker seems truly earned. I look forward to sampling this delectable pie.”
They finished the stew and let Jessie refill their coffee as they continued to discuss the future of the railroad.
“What takes the longest,” Archie began, “are the trees and the water. They’re everywhere, and it’s a job to work around them. We’re getting there, though, and both are necessary for the line, so I can’t bring myself to curse them. Building a higher foundation for the track has been the trick. In places where the water saturates the ground, we lay a bed of gravel and build up from there. It’s working to make a solid foundation. We’ve got a lot of good wood from the trees. Some is great for ties, but a lot of that fine oak would probably make a fella some good money if sold to the furniture makers back east.”
Luke had never considered such a thing. “Seems it would be easy enough to ship the wood by train. I’ll let Mr. Cooke know about it and see what he thinks.”
Jessie returned and placed a plate of pie in front of each man. The pieces were huge, and blueberry filling oozed out from some of the flakiest crust Luke had ever seen.
“I didn’t bring you extra cream because it looked like you still had plenty,” Jessie declared. “Besides, some folks don’t like cream on their pie.” She shrugged and walked away, as if the thought was too much to discuss.
Luke chuckled and picked up his fork. “Well, here goes. I’ll try it without cream first and then with.”
Archie waited for him to try the pie before sampling his own. Luke didn’t even attempt to hide the smile that formed on his face.
“It’s good, huh?” Archie said, pouring cream over his pie.
Luke shook his head. “Good doesn’t begin to describe it. This really should be world-famous.”
Archie handed him the pitcher of cream. “She bakes ’em every day, and there’s never a piece left over.”
“I can see why. Say, Archie, I have an idea. Why don’t we terminus the railroad right here in Rush City? Once Mr. Cooke tastes this pie, I think he’d understand and approve.”
Archie roared with laughter, causing most of the other customers to glance their way. Luke just shrugged and returned his attention to the pie. There was no sense delaying his enjoyment by having to explain.
Chapter 6
The next afternoon the storm had moved out, leaving behind gusty winds that were far more manageable. Gloriana felt her hope renewed as some of the ships returned to Duluth. They looked worse for the wear, clearly having endured damage, but they were otherwise whole, and that gave her a sense of relief.
“See there, I’m sure Scott and Papa will be here before we know it,” she told Sally.
“I’m going to head home and make sure everything is ready for Scott.” Sally heaved a sigh. “I’m so happy to see the storm has finally passed.” She kissed Gloriana’s cheek and hurried as best she could for the door. “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course. We’re family.”
Gloriana closed the door behind Sally. The Carsons really had become like family. The men were often doing various house projects together, and Sally and Gloriana constantly shared recipes and sewing tips. Truth be told, Gloriana was looking forward to the baby’s birth as much as Sally. She was anxious to play auntie to the little one, since she doubted she’d ever have children of her own.
Gloriana went to tidy up her father’s room, where Sally had been staying. She replaced the sheets and took the blanket outside to hang on the line for a while. Papa would find everything fresh and clean when he returned home.
With most of her chores done already, thanks to Sally’s help, Gloriana went ahead and washed out the sheet and pillowcase and got them on the line as well. She could iron them later that night when Papa had gone to bed. He always went to bed early after enduring a storm, and she couldn’t blame him. He’d no doubt been constantly at full attention for the last forty-eight hours. He’d be exhausted.
She glanced at the clock. It was nearly two. It wouldn’t be long before JT was home, and there was no telling about Papa. She pulled out a drawer in the pantry and placed six potatoes in her apron. Thinking about Scott and Sally, she added two more. The men would also be hungrier than usual. No one got to eat much during stormy seas.
After depositing the potatoes on the table, Gloriana went for her paring knife and a bowl. She had already decided to make fish stew. It would be hearty and filling, and she had made fresh bread earlier that morning. She’d figure out something for Papa’s sweet tooth as she worked on the stew.
A knock on the door startled her. She wiped off her hands and undid her apron strings. Her mother had taught her never to answer the door wearing an apron.
Gloriana pulled open the door with a smile. “Yes?”
It was Orrin Johnson, one of her father’s dearest friends. He looked stern, almost upset. “Gloriana.” He tipped his cap. “Could I come in for a minute?”
She nodded. “Of course.” She stepped back. “Papa isn’t back just yet.”
He nodded and took off his cap. “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
It dawned on her the reason for the look on his face. His discomfort. She reached for a chair to steady herself. “What happened?”
“Sit down, and I’ll tell you all I know.”
She felt her knees weaken and did as he asked. If Captain Johnson himself had come, the news couldn’t be good.
“Is Papa . . . is he . . .” She couldn’t bring herself to ask the only question that mattered.
“I’m sorry, Gloriana.”
“You’re sorry. Is he . . .”
“He went down with the ship.” The words were matter-of-fact and to the point.
She heard her own sharp intake of breath but felt as if it lacked all oxygen. “No!”
“I’m sorry, Gloriana. I did what I could. The storm came on so quickly that we didn’t have time to get to land or the safety of a cove. We had headed out to deliver fish to the North Shore, and the storm was too much. We fought for hours, but everything went wrong. I was barely keeping my own ship afloat when I saw your father’s break in two and go down. I saw him right to the point that the water swallowed him and the others. Against my better judgment, I tried to search for survivors, but there were none. The waves were twenty to thirty feet high. No one could have survived. The Ana Eileen is on the bottom of the lake with her crew.”
Gloriana stared at him, not knowing what to say. She had always known the possibility of something like this. Her mother had talked to her about it from the time she was a child. She’d attended dozens of services for those lost on the water. It was the way of life in a lake town like Duluth.
“I’m sure sorry, Gloriana. I don’t know what else to say.”
“I’ll have to tell the families,” she murmured. “Sally was so fearful of this very thing.”
“I’ll tell the families. You take care of Mrs. Carson, and I’ll see to the others. It’s the least I can do. They’ll want to talk to someone who saw them last.”
Gloriana was sti
ll too shocked to think clearly. “Thank you. I’ll tell Sally.” But what in the world could she say to the poor woman?
Captain Johnson covered her hand with his own. “I’m here for you, should you need a friend. You know all of us captains are. Our families too. We take care of our own.”
Gloriana felt his hand on hers. It was icy cold. Like her father’s now was, no doubt.
She jerked away, then apologized. “I’m sorry. I’m just . . . I’m not myself. I can’t think clearly.”
He nodded. “You don’t have to apologize, Gloriana. You’ve been dealt a blow. I can stay for a time, if you need me to. Or I can send Mrs. Johnson.”
“No.” She got to her feet. “The others need to know. Sally needs to know, and then when school lets out, I’ll have to break the news to JT.” At this, tears came to her eyes. He would be devastated.
The captain rose. “I understand. Just know we’re all here for you. You won’t ever be alone.”
She forced herself to meet his kindly gaze. “Thank you.”
He nodded and secured his hat, then walked out the door with his head hung low. Gloriana prayed Sally wouldn’t see him. The last thing either the captain or the young mother-to-be needed was that encounter. Sally would need the privacy of her house to receive the news. She would need Gloriana to deliver it, not some rough seaman.
Gloriana knew she didn’t have time to process her own grief. There were too many others who needed her to be strong. She glanced heavenward.
“I don’t know why You allowed this, but somehow I must find a way to go on.”
A cold shiver went through her as her words seemed to bounce back to slap her in the face. Maybe God no longer cared. Maybe there were too many others asking why and He didn’t have time for her thoughts. Whatever it was, Gloriana had never felt so distant from God.
She drew a deep breath and went to the kitchen to rinse her face. There was no time to worry about God. She patted her cheeks and eyes dry, then put on her shawl. There was no sense in delaying.
The walk to the smaller cottage seemed twice as long as usual. A gust of wind whipped up and nearly knocked her to the ground. Not that it would take much. Gloriana steadied herself, still trying to think of how to break the news. No matter what she did to soften the blow, Sally’s heart would shatter into a million pieces. She supposed getting to the heart of the matter quickly was the best way, just as Captain Johnson had done.
Gloriana knocked on the cottage door and waited. She’d already decided to invite Sally to live with them. The girl had no other relatives. No one to care whether she lived or died.
Sally opened the door. “Are they back?” she asked with great hope. She strained to look beyond Gloriana, then frowned. “Where are they?”
Gloriana motioned her friend inside and followed after. “We need to talk. Captain Johnson just left my house.”
Sally didn’t comprehend the situation and nodded. “What’s going on?”
Gloriana pulled her to the small rocker and pressed her to sit down. “I’m afraid there’s bad news.” She pulled up a straight-back chair from the kitchen table, then sat and tried to gather her thoughts. “Captain Johnson told me, and now I must tell you. You must be strong and brave.”
Sally’s face went ashen, and she sank back into the rocker. “Tell me.”
“He saw the Ana Eileen go down. She broke apart in the storm. Papa and the crew weren’t able to get to safety, as the storm came upon them too quickly. Captain Johnson saw the men in the water, but the waves were twenty to thirty feet high.” She paused to make sure Sally was comprehending the news. Her eyes were wide with fear. “Captain Johnson tried to rescue the men at great risk to his own ship and crew, but . . . but . . .” She couldn’t seem to force out the words. “They’re gone. They’re all gone.”
Sally shook her head. “No. It’s not true. They just went into the water. They’ll swim to safety. They’ll come home.”
Gloriana wished it might be so but knew better. “I’m sorry, Sally. It doesn’t work that way in a storm on Lake Superior. Even the strongest swimmer would drown.”
The silence that fell over the room was deafening. Gloriana watched as Sally continued to shake her head. Finally the young woman opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a moan that quickly became a wail.
Gloriana didn’t know what to do. She remembered times when her mother held the wives and sisters, daughters and mothers of men who had died. She wanted to embrace Sally, but it was impossible with her friend in the rocker, and in Sally’s delicate state, Gloriana wasn’t about to force her to her feet. So she sat and waited to see what Sally would do next.
The wail quickly became a screaming cry. Gloriana reached out and took Sally’s hand. “Remember your baby. You mustn’t fret so.”
Sally didn’t even seem to realize Gloriana was there. She continued to scream, leaving Gloriana to wonder how many other wives were screaming across the town.
Gloriana sat with Sally for as long as she could. Seeing it would soon be time for JT to come home, she did the only thing she could think of.
“Why don’t you come home with me?”
Sally shook her head. “I have . . . I have to be here. Scott might . . . he might have . . . he could have . . .” She began to cry again.
The sound tore at Gloriana’s already wounded heart. “Look, I have to go home. JT will be there soon, and I have to tell him.”
Her words caught in her throat. She felt like wailing alongside Sally but knew she didn’t have that luxury. Why was she always the one who had to be strong?
“Why don’t you join us for supper?” Gloriana knew none of them were going to feel like eating, but it seemed the reasonable thing to say. She got to her feet and placed her hand on Sally’s shaking shoulder. “I’m so sorry. We never know when something like this will happen, and it leaves us so torn apart. I wish I could make this easier on you, but I know nothing can.”
Sally glanced up but said nothing. She buried her face in her hands and continued to cry. There was nothing Gloriana could do. It was best to let Sally have time to mourn.
Taking up her shawl, Gloriana didn’t even bother to wrap it around her body. Instead she made her way home through the cold wind and wondered how it would go with JT.
She didn’t have long to wait. JT came through the door in his usual energetic way. He’d already learned that some ships had gone down, but apparently it hadn’t dawned on him that his father’s boat might be one of them.
“Did you hear about the Pride of Bisbee? It ran aground off Bark Point. They said it was something to behold. Can we maybe go see it?”
Gloriana saw his hopeful expression and wished she could keep him from the coming sorrow.
“JT, I need you to come sit down with me. I have to give you some news.”
“Am I in trouble again?” he asked, his countenance falling.
“No, of course not.” She took him by the hand and led him to the sofa. When they were both seated, she continued. “You know, the storm was very bad. I’m sure other ships ran aground, and I know some . . . well, some sank.”
JT’s expression fell. “Did Papa’s ship run aground?”
“No, but something bad happened.” She waited a moment to let the reality sink in.
“Really bad?” he barely whispered.
“Yes. I’m afraid Papa and the others weren’t able to keep the ship together, and it broke apart.”
“Did they die?”
She bit her lower lip and nodded. JT sat stoically, although there was unmistakable dampness in his eyes.
“It’s all my fault. I was mean to Papa. It’s all my fault.”
She put her arm around his shoulders. “No, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was a bad storm, and these things just happen. It wasn’t your fault.”
“But I was mean to him. I didn’t talk to him.” JT’s voice was starting to take on a hysterical edge. Gone was the fixed look, and panic was setting in. “If I had been
nice to him—if I had told him that I loved him when he came to say good-bye, it wouldn’t have happened. It’s my fault.”
“That’s not true. Please listen to me. Life doesn’t work that way. God isn’t that way. You were angry at Papa, but he understood. He told me so. He didn’t hold it against you.”
“But maybe God did. Maybe God is punishing me.”
Gloriana had wondered at God’s part in it herself. Why had He allowed this to happen?
“No.” She forced the word out. Even if she knew it to be true, she was angry at God herself. It wasn’t fair that Papa was gone—that they were orphaned. That Sally had no husband—no father for her baby.
JT broke into tears. “Maybe he’s not really dead, Glory. Maybe he washed up on shore. Maybe he doesn’t know who he is anymore, and he’s lost. We should go look for him.” The voice grew hopeful.
“Captain Johnson saw him go down into the water, JT. Captain Johnson wouldn’t lie about something like that. Papa is gone.”
“It’s not fair.” He pushed her away and ran from the room. “It’s not fair!” His door slammed.
Gloriana drew a deep breath. “No, it isn’t at all fair.”
She walked to the kitchen and saw the potatoes she’d left on the table. She put them back in the pantry. No one was going to want chowder tonight. She thought about the laundry on the lines outside and, hearing the wind pick up again, decided it would be best to bring it in. She made her way outside, trying to think of what she should do next. How was she supposed to manage things? There wasn’t that much money in their savings. The property was paid for, but there would be taxes due eventually. Food to buy. What was she supposed to do now?
She looked out across the water. The cursed water. Her father’s burial ground. With his blanket in hand, she walked toward the edge of the ridge and looked down on the rocks below. The wind whipped up and unfurled the blanket like a flag. Gloriana let it ripple in the wind and then released it. The gust snatched it up, taking it out over the water. Then, without warning, the blanket dropped to the waves and floated on top for several moments.
Destined for You Page 6