by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis
“Yup. And you see those clouds over there?” Richard pointed straight in front of them.
Bea nodded again.
“Those are new clouds being made.”
“Do you know how clouds are made?” Bea inquired.
“Yup, Uncle Ellis says the sun makes the water hot and it ’vaporates, and when it gets high in the sky, it turns white and becomes a cloud.”
“I see.” For a four year old he really had quite an acute mind. Pleased and impressed that Ellis could talk with Richard in a way he could understand, she decided to acknowledge those things when she confronted him.
Beatrice Smith’s presence this morning annoyed Ellis. She’d known he planned to take Richard fishing. And she obviously made herself available to come with them. Was he jealous of Richard’s affection for her, or fighting his own attraction? He wasn’t certain. Last night, in his stocking feet, he had buffed the floor to a high gloss from his continuous pacing. Successfully, he had resisted the urge to go to her cottage and speak to her, wanting, longing, to come up with any excuse just to see her smiling face.
Richard had thrived from Beatrice Smith’s care. In his opinion, his brother had made a terrible error in judgment. How a man could avoid his own child because the mother died was beyond him. He understood his brother’s deep love for his wife, but wasn’t young Richard a part of her that continued to live?
Maybe he should let Beatrice and Richard return to the farm. But his brother’s wishes were most emphatic that Ellis raise his son if anything should happen to him. And dealing with his own past would be at stake if he returned to New York, having been warned never to step foot again in the state, or Heather’s father would press charges. He knew from Richard’s letters that Heather had married. Perhaps enough time had passed.
“Nanna, Nanna, help!” Richard cried with excitement.
“Hold on tight, Richie.”
Bea stood behind the boy, allowing him to work the fish and bring it in. Ellis smiled. Anxious to help, and yet proud to watch, he stationed himself beside the child.
Instinctively, they both reached for the line to help pull in the fish. Their hands grazed each other’s, and Bea abruptly pulled hers away. Ellis held the line and pulled the fish up on the dock.
“It’s blue and green!” proclaimed Richard.
“It’s a snapper. Good eating, I think you’ll like this fish,” Ellis offered.
Richard jumped up and down around the fish. “Can I eat it for breakfast?”
Ellis placed his foot gently on the fish to keep it from flapping itself back into the water. “I imagine Cook would be happy to prepare it for you.”
“Nanna can do it. Can’t you, Nanna?”
Bea smiled and nodded her head.
“I’m sure she can, but Cook gets fussy about who she lets in her kitchen.”
“Oh.” Richard held Bea’s hand. “Nanna, is it okay if Cook does it?”
“Yes, it’s like Daisy in New York. She prefers to do all the cooking.”
“Yeah, but not the fish. You had to clean the fish.”
“I remember.” Bea smiled. “That’s a mighty fine catch, Richie.”
She even cleans fish. Of course, if she wasn’t too weak to put a worm on a hook, it only stood to reason she was capable of cleaning a fish, too. Even though Beatrice informed him she was the child’s playmate, father, mother, nanny, etc., the other night, he realized he was just getting a glimmer of the real person. Beatrice Smith certainly was a unique woman. Aside from Cook, he had never met such a bold woman. But, Cook was another kind altogether.
“Can you remove the hook or should I?” Ellis asked.
“Nanna does that.”
“Nanna.” Ellis motioned her to take her place in the tradition of Richard’s fishing. “Be aware of the spines on the dorsal fin.”
Bea simply nodded and knelt on her skirt and gracefully removed the hook from the fish. “Looks like you shall have a big breakfast this morning, Richard.”
Richard beamed. His smile ran from one side of his face to the next. Ellis loved the boy. He would be staying with him whether in New York or here, it didn’t matter.
Bea placed the fish in the small bucket Ellis brought. The tropical fish flapped and fluttered, slapping the sides of the bucket with its tail.
“Can we go home now, Uncle Ellis?”
Ellis searched Bea’s eyes for an answer to his silent, “Why?”
“Once Richard catches a fish, his only interest is his tummy.” Bea chuckled.
Ellis smiled. “Sure, Son. I’m quite certain Cook will be happy to see your breakfast.”
“Come on, Nanna. Let’s get a head start on Uncle Ellis,” Richard called out as he started down the pier toward shore.
Bea turned and whispered to Ellis. “Sir, you might want to remember, small boys have small legs and can’t keep the pace of a full-grown man.”
Ellis nodded and went in the opposite direction to pick up his pole and tackle. Bea carried the bucket and Richard’s pole. The boy was determined to beat his uncle Ellis home.
Ellis sidled up beside her, tenderly removing the bucket from her hand. “Thank you for your admonition. However, Richard will need to learn to take care of his pole and catch.”
“Generally he does. I believe he wishes to show you how much of a man he really is.”
“A man, huh? He needs to enjoy being a boy longer. There’s plenty of time for being a man.”
“Perhaps, but he’s had more losses than most my age. He’s had to grow up fast. All of this,” Bea spanned the area around them with her outstretched hand, “is an adventure. Soon he will need to mourn the loss of his father, his home and … me.”
Chapter 11
Cook smothered Richard with praises for his fine catch and breakfast. After a simple fare of fresh poached eggs with toast, freshly squeezed orange juice, and Richard’s catch of the day, Ellis slipped off to work with a single salutation.
If Bea wasn’t careful, she would soon start daydreaming about Ellis. He was such an interesting character, with a kind and gentle side full of passion and warmth, as she’d witnessed in his interchanges with Richard. But there was this other darker side of him that held everyone at bay. His emotions seemed to run hot and cold. She had been too forward the other evening, addressing him on this part of his personality.
“What be on your pretty mind, Miss Bea?” Cook inquired as she helped her out of her corset at the end of another long day.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t know what it is with you young folks, always carrying on and saying nothing is on your mind when it’s obvious there is plenty happenin’ up there.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not used to sharing my personal thoughts.”
“I reckon it should be me apologizing for prying where I shouldn’t be. Some say I have a problem with that. On the other hand, I tend to believe it’s my duty to get beyond the surface and sink right down to the heart of the matter. You wouldn’t be thinking about when you leave Master Richard, would you now?”
“Truth be told, it has been on my mind. But no, that wasn’t what I was pondering. How well do you know Mr. Southard?”
“I suppose I’ve known him longer than most. He wasn’t much of a man when he landed on this here rock. At the time he come, let me think, I believe it was 1850 or ‘51—sometime thereabouts—there weren’t too many folks living here. I heard say there was around a thousand. Personally I never had a mind to count ’em.”
“He’s been here that long?”
“Wet behind the ears and carrying a heap of trouble on his back. He never did say what he was running from, but he’s made his peace with it. At least I think he has.”
Bea’s curiosity rose a notch. Why had he left New York? If she recalled correctly, he was seventeen at the time. In all her talks with Elizabeth she’d never really been curious as to why he left. It simply hadn’t seemed all that important.
“He seems to have a good heart.”
“I see, you’re worried about him being a good man to raise the child.”
Bea nodded.
“There’s few men with as fine a moral character as Mr. Southard. He works hard, cares for those around him, treats people fairly. He’ll do right by the boy.”
Bea’s heart tightened. Soon she would be leaving Richard. And oddly enough, he would go on and hardly remember her, and yet, he had profoundly affected her for the rest of her life. “Cook, do you know if the Justice has come back from Cuba?”
“Come and gone. Why do you ask?” Cook was folding her corset and placing it on the chair beside the chest of drawers.
“I thought perhaps I should seek transport back home.”
“But Mr. Ellis hasn’t hired a nanny yet.”
“I know but …”
“Ahh, I understand, Child. Your heart is breaking.”
Gentle tears rolled out of her eyes. “Yes. It’s so hard, Cook. I love Richard as if he were my own. But I have no rights to him. And Ellis is … well, he is his uncle.” Bea sniffed and immediately she found herself engulfed in Cook’s soft, loving arms.
“There, there, child. Trust the good Lord; He knows what is best.”
“I’m trying, and He’s been trying to teach me Ecclesiastes 3:5, ‘a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.’ ”
“Personally I don’t know what Mr. Ellis’s problem is with having you continue on as the child’s nanny, but I reckon men don’t have an eye for maternal love.”
“Cook, I … well, I am not a normal nanny. I was Richard’s mother’s best friend. I come from high society. I gave it all up just to help my friend. And now I love Richard not because he is Elizabeth’s son, but because he has become so dear to me. He’s as close as the air I breathe.”
“I’m not surprised about your status in society, but what does that matter? You love the child, the child loves you. That should be the end of it.”
“But it’s not, and we both know Mr. Southard is not happy with me.”
“Does he know? Your status, I mean.”
“I can’t imagine he does. I’ve not told him. Besides, I was eight when he left, and it’s as you say, it doesn’t matter.”
“Maybe. If the man knew what you’ve given up for the child, perhaps he might think differently about you,” Cook huffed. “I tell you, the man hasn’t been right since you arrived. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he fancies you.”
“What? You can’t be serious. He can barely stand to be in the same room with me.”
“Precisely my point.”
“Cook, you’ve been out in the sun too long. He can’t possibly …” Bea couldn’t even continue the thought. There was no way on God’s green earth that Ellis Southard was attracted to her. However, if the tables were turned she would have to admit she was mighty attracted to him.
“Think what you will, Child, you might be right. I’m just an old woman who’s lived too long.”
“Nonsense.”
Cook smiled. “I must be leaving your wonderful company, Miss Bea. My family needs me. They just love to tell me how their days went and to hear about mine. I must tell you, you coming from New York has made for some delightful stories these many days.”
“Oh my.” Bea blushed.
Cook hugged her again. “Trust the Lord, Child. He knows the desires of your heart.” Bea felt the heat on her cheeks deepen. God truly did know all her desires, which included the temptation that one Mr. Ellis Southard had caused since her arrival on Key West.
Ellis’s ears still rang from the chastisement Cook gave him for not allowing Beatrice Smith to stay on as Richard’s nanny. She had a point. Several in fact. And he had considered the idea. He just didn’t know if it was the wisest thing for him to do. He couldn’t deny his attraction to her. Yet, he knew better than to act on such impulses. Could he possibly allow her to live in his home and not react to her presence? Ellis paced his office floor.
A dim light still burned in Bea’s cottage. Bea’s cottage? When had he given her possession of the place? Beatrice Smith was like that. Whatever she touched, wherever she went was illuminated by her presence. She was an incredible woman. But he was a man not to be trusted around women.
Key West had been a perfect place to settle. So few women, so few temptations. It was easy to get lost in his work here and avoid the fairer sex. As the years passed and more women moved to the island, he had remained in control. He’d even escorted a few of the ladies to church and social functions from time to time, and had become the perfect gentleman.
Ellis snickered. Heather O’Donald and her father would never believe that.
What if Bea remained in the cottage? He could remodel the place to suit her needs. She probably came from a home about that size before she became Richard’s nanny. Ellis scratched his beard and gently stroked it back in place with long, thoughtful strokes. He peeked out the window. A single lamp glowed. If he was going to ask her to stay on, he’d better do it now before reason won over.
Ellis’s steps were fluid and fast as he made his way out of the house to the captain’s quarters cabin. Taking a deep breath, he lifted his hand and paused. Should he? He held his knuckles suspended in the air. Perhaps he should pray about this, consider all the ramifications of how this woman would bring him to the brink of his self-control.
He turned around and stepped away. Only to be halted by Cook’s words. “What are you afraid of?”
What indeed? Cook didn’t know. No one knew. Well, Heather O’Donald and her father did. But his brother, the only other person who knew, was gone. A gentle voice whispered in his head. “It’s been fifteen years.”
Ellis knocked the doorjamb with his knuckle.
“Who is it?” Bea asked behind the still closed door.
“Miss Smith, it is me, Ellis. May I have a word with you?”
Bea slowly opened the door.
Ellis took in a sharp breath. She was lovely. She looked like a young girl rather than a grown woman with her long brown hair curled in spirals, cascading over her shoulders and framing her lily white neck. He swallowed and cleared his throat to speak. He’d seen her with her hair down before, but now the stark difference in their ages was once again made apparent. “May I come in?”
“Yes.” Bea stepped back and allowed him to enter.
Ellis began to pace.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Southard? Is Richard okay?”
“He’s fine. Sorry. I … well I … I wanted to ask you something.”
“Please sit, you’re making me nervous,” Bea pleaded.
“Sorry.” Richard sat on the sofa. Bea sat a respectable distance away from him.
“I don’t know how to say this other than to state my business straight out. Do you have obligations in New York?”
“No. Not really. Why do you ask?”
“What do you mean ‘not really’?”
She hesitated, took in a deep breath, then looked him straight in his eyes. His heart stopped beating from the deep scrutiny he felt coming from her hazel-eyed gaze.
“My family wishes to have another coming-out party for me upon my return.”
“Coming-out?”
“Mr. Southard, I come from a family such as your own. I took the job as Richard’s nanny because of my deep love for Elizabeth. We all assumed she would get better shortly after she gave birth, but that simply wasn’t the case. As you are well aware.”
“You did all of that for the love of a friend?”
Bea nodded.
“I am in awe of you, Miss Smith. There are few who would sacrifice so much for the love of another.”
“Thank you, but it hasn’t been a sacrifice.”
Ellis looked around the cottage. Such humble furnishings, and she was accustomed to the finer things in life, yet not once did she complain or voice her disapproval. Nor had she informed him who she was and his obligations to arrange proper housing for her stay.
“I am sorry, Miss Smith, if I had known …”
“Nonsense, I didn’t need to tell you. I wanted to be with Richard. He’s … he’s special.”
“He’s more than special to you. You love him as if he were your own.”
Bea looked away and whispered, “Yes.”
“I came to ask you to stay on as his nanny, but I can’t do that now. Knowing who you are, I can’t ask you to give up your life again for Richard.”
“I would love to stay on as Richard’s nanny. Wealth isn’t that important to me. Mind you, I’m not saying I don’t appreciate some of the finer things. But Richard is of far more importance than wealth to me. I would be honored to stay on as his nanny.”
“I can’t allow you. It just wouldn’t be right.”
“Who is to know? If I don’t care, why should you?” Bea reached over and touched his arm. “Ellis, please let me stay.”
Bea was trembling from her contact with Ellis. “I’ve prayed, I’ve asked God for a way for me to continue to be a part of Richard’s life. In six years he will be ten and I will still be young enough to marry.”
“Beatrice … Bea … I–I just wouldn’t feel right. You should be marrying a man and raising your own children.”
“I don’t want that as much as I want to be with Richard. Can’t you understand? I love him that much.” Bea swallowed back the tears that threatened to fall.
Ellis took her hand from his arm and held it tenderly within his own callused palm, massaging the tops of her fingers with the ball of his thumb. He glanced into her eyes and raised her chin with his left forefinger.
Bea’s heart hammered in her chest. She was drawn to this man in a way she couldn’t put into words.
Ellis touched the ringlets of her hair. “You’re an incredibly beautiful woman, Bea.”
Bea blushed. His eyes filled with passion. The realization excited her and frightened her at the same time. She removed her hand from his and rose from the sofa.
Ellis followed and stood behind her. “I’m sorry for being so forward, Beatrice. Please forgive me.”
Bea nodded. She didn’t trust herself to speak.