The Beaches and Brides ROMANCE COLLECTION: 5 Historical Romances Buoyed by the Sea

by Cathy Marie Hake, Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis

  Lorelei went upstairs to set up the cot, and Russell called to her, “Put it in the little parlor off my bedroom so I can hear him during the night.”

  After she did as Russell requested, Lorelei came downstairs to catch Russell burning his shirt and Arnie’s clothing. Neither of them said a word.

  Mama came in with Arnie bundled in a towel. “Russell, our little boy needs to borrow one of your undershirts. Tomorrow I will sew some handsome clothes for him.”

  “I seem to recall trunks up in the attic with old clothes in them.” Russell stood and gently took Arnie from Mrs. Goetz. “I’ll tuck him in tonight and search for stuff for him first thing in the morning.”

  A short while later, Lorelei and her mother went up to bed. They peeked in on Arnie. Russell sat on the settee by the sleeping child’s cot, looking as if the weight of the world had fallen on his shoulders. Mutt lay curled at his feet.

  “You look so domestic,” Lorelei whispered.

  He raked his fingers through his hair in agitation. “He doesn’t have anyone. Pastor said there isn’t anyone left in his whole family. I promised I’d watch over him, but I can’t do it alone. I can keep him warm and fed, but I don’t have the love and solace he’ll need.”

  Lorelei opened her mouth to refute his words, but Mama silenced her with a touch and said, “We will help you. Arnie needs a whole family, and together, with God’s loving help, we will become what he needs.”

  “I’ll fix up this little room for him. He was afraid to be by himself.”

  “We can do that tomorrow. For now, let’s all get some rest.” Lorelei gently ruffled Arnie’s hair and smoothed his blankets. “No fair going to the attic alone, Russell. I want to see what’s stored up there.”

  He leaned his head back on the settee and said, “There’s something else.”

  Lorelei dreaded what else might have gone wrong. Lord, please don’t let him have lost someone dear to him. He can’t take it.

  “Buttonhole is almost decimated by the epidemic. I got a telegram from my dad. So far, you and I have done well by staying isolated, and I’m thinking about having my mom load up some of my cousins who are the most vulnerable and having them come to stay here.”

  “This is something to pray about,” Mama said sagely.

  “We’ll go back to our cottage. You’ll have plenty of room.” Lorelei smiled at him.

  He bolted upright. “No! I thought you just promised to help me with Arnie. I just wanted to know if you’d mind having more people underfoot.”

  “God blessed you with a mansion, Russell. I think it would be a sin to leave rooms empty when they could harbor children who need a safe place.”

  “I’ll think on it more tonight.”

  “And we’ll pray,” Mama said. She shook her finger at Russell. “I get to look in that attic tomorrow, too. If we are going to fix up more bedrooms, I might find things up there we can use.”

  “Look at these!” Lorelei dusted off a pair of pineapple-topped bedsteads. “They’d be wonderful together in one of the larger bedrooms. It is odd, though, these pineapples.”

  “They’re an old American symbol of welcome,” Russell said absently as he lifted an old ceramic chamber pot.

  Arnie, who clung to Russell’s leg, announced, “I don’t got one of those under my new bed.”

  “Then it must be yours.” Russell chuckled.

  Lorelei knelt and smoothed her hand over another piece of wood. “What is an altar doing up here?”

  “Family lore is, the church burned down the night one of my ancestors proposed. He ran into the church and saved the altar for his bride’s sake. He knew she’d want it for their wedding.”

  “Yes. Yes, I believe this. Part of it is burned.”

  Mama bent over a trunk that was pressed way beneath the eaves. “The top of this has had much rain, but inside it looks good. There are clothes here—old ones that belonged to a woman.” She dug deeper. “Oh, bless the Lord! There are clothes here for a little boy!”

  “Count your many blessings,” Lorelei started to sing.

  “Mommy sings that song to me. When is Mommy going to come get me?”

  Russell sat on the floor of the attic and tugged Arnie around so the boy stood eye to eye with him. “Mommy was very sick. Daddy, too.”

  “And Baby ‘Liz’beth.”

  “They died, Arnie. Do you know what that means?”

  Lorelei knelt on the floor and said, “It means they sleep in heaven now with Jesus.”

  Arnie’s eyes filled up with tears. “But what ’bout me?”

  “You’re going to sleep in your new room here,” Russell said. “You’re going to be my boy now.”

  The little boy’s face puckered. “Am I ‘posed to put lellow stars in the window?”

  Mama came over and opened her hand. Three golden buttons in the shape of stars lay nestled in her palm. “Better than that, sweetheart. You’ll wear the yellow stars.”

  “I’m going.” Lorelei set down her soldering iron so hard, the pieces of glass jumped. The room that had once been an enormous parlor and ballroom rang with her words.

  “Don’t be so stubborn. It’s for your own good.”

  “You are my friend, not my father,” she said hotly. “You cannot make me go to my room like a naughty child.” Even if you want to …

  “See reason.”

  “I am seeing reason. It will be necessary to get essentials.”

  “For crying in a bucket, Lorelei, I’m losing my patience. I have enough china and silver to feed an army.”

  “But you do not have towels enough, nor sheets. You don’t even have mattresses for the beds! I know what to get; you do not. Of course I should go to town.”

  He stared at her. “I’ll tell you what: My dad and mom own a mercantile. You make a list, and I’ll have them fill a freight wagon. I’d rather have them ride here than come by train, anyway.”

  Jaw clenched to the point that the tiny muscles on the side of his cheek twitched, he bent over a little chest of drawers and resumed sanding it with long, heavy strokes. The grating swish against the sudden hush in the room sounded unnaturally loud.

  The patter of little feet echoed on the marble entryway, giving warning that Arnie had awakened from his nap and would be with them in an instant. The little boy burst into the workroom and zoomed toward Russell. “There you are. I thought you were gone.”

  Russell let go of the sandpaper, knelt, and opened his arms wide. Arnie ran straight to him and hung on tight. His eyes and voice were filled with tears. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Leave you?” Russell pulled away and gave the little boy a playful shake as he repeated in a voice full of patently mock outrage, “Leave you? Do you know what I’ve been doing this morning while you slept in?”

  Arnie shook his head.

  Russell thumped his palm on the top of the chest of drawers. “I was fixing this for your bedroom. You’ll need it to hold the clothes Mrs. Goetz found for you.”

  Arnie stood on tiptoe and stared at the compact wooden piece. “What’re you doing to it?”

  “I didn’t want you to get any splinters, so I’m sanding it.”

  “Can I help?”

  Lorelei watched as Russell opened his arms and heart to Arnie. It came as such a surprise. He was normally so standoffish—but there he was, a tall, broad-shouldered, gruff man with a tattered-looking mutt on one side and an orphaned little boy on the other.

  He’ll make a good father.

  The thought sent streaks of warmth through her. Deep inside Russell, there is tenderness and goodness. Surely, there must be hope for him. She pensively brushed flux on the joints she needed to solder. Jesus, You are the lover of our souls. Please shower Your love on this man. Wash away the pain and doubts, and allow his spirit to flourish again.

  “Are you thinking about what to put on the list?” Russell’s words made her look up. “I’ll need to go place the telephone call this afternoon. While I’m there, I’ll deliver the so
up and bread and can pick up a few of the smaller things at the mercantile.”

  “You’ll wear a mask the whole time?”

  He nodded.

  “Me, too.” Arnie bobbed his head, a miniature replica of Russell.

  Lorelei gave Russell a startled look. He wouldn’t let her go to town; he couldn’t possibly allow Arnie to. In those tense seconds, Arnie’s eyes widened, and he grabbed a fistful of Russell’s pant leg.

  “Hey, now, buddy.” Russell shifted and gave Lorelei a bail-me-out-of-this look.

  “Russell doesn’t want me to go to town, either.” She came around the worktable and sighed. “I suppose we’ll have to keep each other company and watch Mutt for him until he gets home tonight. In just a few days, some big, big boys and girls are coming to visit. We can surprise Russell with how much we get done on the bedrooms for them.”

  “It’s about lunchtime.” Russell ruffled Arnie’s hair. “You can help us think of things our guests will need to bring.”

  “I didn’t bring nothing.”

  “You most certainly did!” Lorelei laughed at Arnie. “You brought Russell back home in the dark!”

  “Everybody’s settled in for the night.”

  Russell didn’t turn toward his mother’s voice. Instead, he continued to stare out the bank of windows at the back of the house, out into the darkness where the sky and ocean met. Moon flecks on the water and stars in the sky make it almost impossible to tell them apart.

  Lots of stars. God has lots of boys like me. Arnie’s words kept echoing in his memory. Lookie. A big lellow star. God gave a Son, too.

  “You have a beautiful view of the stars,” Mom said as she stood beside him. She snuggled into his side. The top of her bun tickled his jaw, and she smelled like the peach soap he’d bought especially for her. “Thanks for inviting us to come, honey. I’ve missed you so much. Your father sends his love.”

  He pressed a kiss on her temple. “You’re tired, Mom. Go to bed.”

  “My room is lovely. Did Lorelei help you with it?”

  Lorelei had moved out of that very room and in with her mother. Still, Russell didn’t want his mom playing matchmaker. “Lorelei and her mother did it together, just as they worked on the other bedrooms.”

  He’d managed to turn her around and walk her toward the entryway. She stopped and smiled. “The hall tree looks wonderful here.”

  “It does. Thanks for sending it. I want this mansion to look as much to period as I can make it.”

  “While we’re here, the kids can help. Alan and Philip could help you paint and work outside—especially cut back some of the shrubs and pull out the dried weeds.”

  “I’ll keep ’em busy.”

  “I brought bolts of fabric. I’ll have the girls sew each day, and they can help in the kitchen.”

  “Mrs. Goetz will appreciate it. The town just started using the local dance hall as a makeshift hospital. Late each afternoon, I deliver soup and bread to it instead of going to individual homes as I used to.”

  “But is that safe?”

  “It limits any exposure, and everyone has to help out.” He took her arm and forced a chuckle as he escorted her up the stairs. “I can’t believe you’d fret. I’ve spent my entire life watching you make baskets and deliver them to everyone in Buttonhole who had so much as a bruise, bump, or boil.”

  “Those aren’t catching, Russell.”

  “Nothing’s killed me yet.” Once he said the bitter words, he regretted them—they were truthful, but he’d promised himself he’d shield his mother and cousins from the ugliness inside. They’d just arrived early this evening, and he’d already stepped far over the line.

  Chapter 18

  Lorelei smiled as she watched Mrs. Diamond organize her nieces. She’d sent the dark-haired one to the kitchen to help Mama make bread. “Beatrice, Beatrice,” Lorelei chanted under her breath to remember who was who.

  Three girls, two boys, and Russell’s mama made for quite an addition to the house. They ranged from thirteen to seventeen, and all had the look of children setting out on a holiday adventure instead of ones hiding from a terrible epidemic.

  “Lacey, I know you girls brought your sewing boxes. Go fetch them and bring them to the parlor. Adele, wipe down the dining table so there’s nothing sticky left from breakfast. We’ll use that as a cutting table.”

  Lacey is blond, and Adele is the youngest.

  While the girls all scattered to do as they were bid, Mrs. Diamond walked over to Lorelei’s worktable. “Oh, this window is lovely, just lovely. Where is it going?”

  “In the smaller parlor, just on the other side of that wall.”

  “I’m surprised at how few windows needed to be replaced. After the house sat vacant for so long, I expected it to be a hideous mess.”

  “Russell has done considerable work. He’s put on a new roof, painted the outside, replaced more than fifty panes of glass, rebuilt the veranda …” She made a spiraling gesture. “So many more things, too. It used to look like a magnificent bridal gown that somehow ended up with torn lace, smudges of dirt and mud, and a sagging hem. Now when I look at the house, I see what the mansions in heaven must be like.”

  “Will you be doing any more stained glass for the house?”

  Lorelei nodded. “Russell found an old photograph when he took the drawers out of one of the washstands. It showed that there used to be large, floral windows on either side of the front door. I’m to reproduce them, but first he must decide on the colors. Perhaps you could help him.”

  “Evidently my son hasn’t told you my embarrassing secret.”

  “Russell is discreet. He would not speak badly of anyone.”

  Mrs. Diamond picked up a little scrap of glass and held it up to the light. Her voice lilted with merriment. “I love pretty things, but when it comes to putting them together, I’m hopeless. Why, when my husband courted me, he actually had to point out that my clothing was ragged and faded as a beggar’s.”

  “You cannot mean this!”

  Mrs. Diamond laughed and nodded. “It’s the absolute truth. In fact, I was hoping you’d help me look at the bolts of cloth we brought along so I can start the girls sewing some quilts and pillows or cushions for the rooms. That bedroom I’m in is utterly charming, so I know you have an eye for these things.”

  “The bedroom where Adele and Lacey sleep needs curtains. Perhaps that would be a good project to do first. I have the measurements of the windows, so that will make it easy.”

  Mrs. Diamond set down the piece of glass and nodded. “Wonderful idea. I’m sure they’ll enjoy decorating their room. I want to keep the children busy so they’ll not get into trouble or be too homesick.”

  “Russell once mentioned he has a list of things he wishes to do. Perhaps you could read it to see what might make good projects.”

  “Aunt Rose, do you know where Russell is?”

  They turned toward the door. A younger version of Russell stood there, still at the gangly stage where he was all knees and elbows. His voice cracked midsentence as he added, “I found a bunch of paint in one of the stalls, and I was thinking we could spruce up the stable. Russell has a pair of geldings out there.”

  “Out exploring, Philip?”

  “Yes.” He shrugged. “This is a nifty old place. Russell must be having a great time fixing it up.”

  Lorelei had seen Russell work. He wasn’t having a great time at all—the work was demanding and pressed him to his limits. Nonetheless, he determinedly forged ahead. Sometimes she watched him as he toiled, and she’d arrived at the conclusion that he pressed himself until exhaustion would allow him to sleep. Still, he slept poorly. Every single night, he groaned or shouted out in his dreams. Refusing to reveal any of those facts, Lorelei looked about the room and said, “He’s put much care into this place.”

  Philip wandered across the floor and gawked around. “It was too dark to see much yesterday. My dad said he’d been by a couple years ago, and the place was nothing but a
dirty wreck. He ordered me to test the floors to be sure they hadn’t rotted, but I can see that’s not necessary.”

  “Russell replaced the veranda here and the porch down at the cottage.” Lorelei noted the envious gleam in Philip’s eyes and added, “Russell mentioned some of the rooms in the attic sustained rain damage. If you are as skilled as Russell, you might wish to ask him if he could use your help in repairing them.”

  “Wow. Yeah. I’d like that. I brought some tools along—in case he needed that kind of help.”

  “You said my son has a list of projects?” Mrs. Diamond shot Lorelei a conspiratorial glance.

  “Perhaps we could ask him to show it to us at lunch. Mama always told me a man is easier to deal with when his stomach is full.”

  Philip sniffed and grinned. “Smells like the bread is out of the oven. The kitchen is like a big city bakery—loaves and loaves all laid out and more dough ready to bake.”

  Lorelei laughed. “Mama loves to cook. You should ask her about her cinnamon rolls. She would be happy to make you some.”

  “Really?”

  Lacey, having entered the room with the sewing baskets, chimed in, “Cinnamon rolls?”

  “Now I don’t know….” Russell’s mother shook her head.

  Lorelei laughed. “I’m sure. They’re Mama’s favorite, so it would give her a good excuse.”

  Russell called from the window, “What’s going on in there, and why does someone need an excuse?”

  Lorelei rolled over and blinked at the shaft of sunlight creeping though the chink between the halves of her curtains. Lord, it’s Your day today. Russell isn’t going to let anyone go to town. Will You please grant him some comfort as we worship here with the children?

  She yawned and burrowed beneath the quilt for a few more minutes, mentally going through a list of hymns they might sing. “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers …” No, that wouldn’t do. “Onward, Christian soldiers …” Lorelei grimaced. She’d never noticed how many songs used words like “soldier” or “battle.”

  Heavenly Father, help us to keep this day of worship holy and special. Let it unfold according to Your will, and make me sensitive to what You would have us say, do, sing, and read. Russell is hurting, and he needs Your healing touch. The children all miss their parents. Arnie clings to Russell, to Mama, and to me because he is so afraid of losing any of us. Tender Shepherd, we need Your touch and mercy. Guide and direct us, I pray. Amen.