A Promise to Love (31 page)

With no landmark to mark their progress, Ingrid could not tell, at first, that they were moving. Now, she realized that they were being pulled along by the wake of that huge ship. They had somehow been caught by it and were being gently eased along. The only way she could tell that they were getting closer to shore was that there was a marked difference in the temperature.

She didn't know how long this effortless ride would last, but she was careful to keep their boat's nose pointed toward the rear of the steamship as their little fishing boat accidentally caught a piggyback ride.

At one point their boat got slightly sideways of the wake and nearly capsized. In fighting to keep from being swamped, she lost the pull of the wake. With rising hope, she thought they might be getting close enough to shore to find a place to land—if she knew in which direction it was. The only thing she knew for sure was that her passengers had stopped shivering.

And then the strangest thing happened. She-Wolf, who had remained steadfastly in the bottom of the boat for so many hours, shook the children off, rose to her feet, and stared off into the distance. Her ears pricked forward as though she heard something.

“What is it, girl?” Hazel asked.

She-Wolf whined and did a nervous little dance step, her ears cocked forward, carefully listening for something they could not hear.

“Could we be getting closer to land?” Hazel asked. “Is it possible that we might not have to spend the rest of our lives in this boat?”

“Maybe closer. Maybe not. I have no idea where to row.”

“I believe She-Wolf knows and is trying to tell you.”

As though in answer, She-Wolf gave three short barks and then whined again, and glanced over her shoulder to see if Hazel was paying attention.

Ingrid used the direction that She-Wolf was facing as a compass as she began to row in earnest.

At first, Joshua was annoyed when Buttons balked. He tugged on the cloth bridle, but Buttons did not move. At first he thought the horse merely needed a rest, and he dismounted and led both horses over to the water's edge.

As the Arabian drank, Joshua noticed that Buttons was uninterested in the water. Instead, his head was high and his ears were pricked forward as though he was listening to something.

Joshua could hear nothing over the lapping of the waves.

He was about ready to mount and ride on when he thought he heard a dog's bark. This would not be notable except it sounded as though it was coming from out on the lake—which was impossible.

It couldn't be.

Susan had said that She-Wolf had been in the fishing boat as they were being blown away from shore . . . but it couldn't be. The lake was too big. The coincidence too great. It was obvious that he was so desperate to believe his family was alive that he was beginning to imagine sounds that were not there.

Just to be sure, he stood very still and listened. Once again there was no sound except the waves of the lake.

One foot was in the stirrup and he was ready to mount, when he thought he heard something again. He stopped. Listened. Nothing.

And then he heard it. He knew he heard it. Three short, staccato barks—and they were definitely coming from the darkness of the lake.

“Who's there?” he shouted.

No one answered.

Then suddenly, there came the unmistakable howl of She-Wolf—a dog with a sound like no other dog he had ever known. She began to bark again, and this time she didn't stop. His heart leaped up as he heard the barks coming closer and closer.

“Over here!” he yelled at the top of his lungs, waving the red cloak above his head. “Over here! Row toward my voice! Ingrid, sweetheart, row toward my voice!”

She-Wolf was getting even more agitated as Ingrid rowed in the direction the dog was facing. The dog's body wouldn't quit trembling. She kept looking back over her shoulder at Hazel and Ingrid as though making certain they understood what she was telling them. She kept laying back her ears, giving short, staccato barks, then she would quit, prick her ears forward, and listen. At one point, She-Wolf raised her voice in a primal howl that sent chills down Ingrid's spine. That dog heard something—but none of them had any idea what it was.

She prayed that there was a beach where they were headed, instead of boulders to crash against. It would be a terrible thing to go through this ordeal only to lose their lives battered against sharp rocks.

Then Agnes said, “I think I hear a man's voice.”

Everyone leaned forward, straining to hear over the rhythmic splashing of Ingrid's oars.

She felt as though her arms would fall off, but they could just fall off—she intended to get her family to shore if it killed her.

Then she heard it too. A man's voice, shouting, screaming. She-Wolf was now answering his shouts with almost nonstop barking.

The dog was so eager, Ingrid worried that she might jump overboard. There was a possibility that the boat would capsize if she did.

“Easy, girl,” Hazel said. “We're doing what you want us to do. We'll be there soon.”

Then Ingrid heard something that convinced her that the lack of food and sleep was causing her to hallucinate. She stopped rowing.

“Shhh—everyone.”

Even She-Wolf ceased barking.

She had
not
been hallucinating! There was a man's voice in the darkness, and he was shouting her name.

“Over here,” the voice shouted. “Ingrid! Sweetheart! Keep rowing. You're getting closer. Keep rowing. The beach is sandy here. There are no rocks, just come straight toward my voice!”

This was not possible. It was simply not possible. And yet everyone heard the same thing. The children started calling out to their father. Bertie, upset by the commotion, began to cry. Mary wept with relief that not only were they going to live but that her son was safe.

Hazel did not shout, did not call out. All she did was stroke She-Wolf's coat, saying, “Good girl, good girl!” over and over.

Every muscle in Ingrid's body was screaming in protest. Her mind knew absolutely that she could not do this. It was too far. The water was still too rough. The boat was too heavy. She had not eaten in so long. She was so very, very tired.

And then, as though carried on the very surface of the water, a familiar refrain began to play in her mind—right along with the rhythm of the oars.

Love bears all things.

Dip. Pull.

Love believes all things.

Dip. Strain. Pull.

Hopes all things
.

She gritted her teeth and grunted with the effort of pulling the heavy boat through the swells. She was growing weaker.

Dip. Pull.

Endures all things
.

She could not do this, but she
had
to do this!

Dip. Pull.

Love never fails.

Dip. PULL!

Ingrid finished those final yards on sheer grit alone. The moment the boat touched sand, the instant she knew her family was safe, she dropped the oars and collapsed.

Barely conscious, she felt someone dragging the boat onto shore, and then Joshua was lifting her from the amazing little fishing boat that had saved their lives.

She had never heard a grown man break down before, but Joshua sank to the ground still cradling her in his arms, clutching her to his chest, rocking back and forth, half-laughing, half-sobbing, saying love words to her over and over.

“Pa,” she heard Agnes say, “it's all right. We're all safe. It's all right. You don't have to cry anymore.”

“Hans wants to buy the farm from us.” Joshua was lying beside her, on the softest bed Ingrid had ever laid in, in one of Delia's opulent guest rooms.

Ingrid felt a great well of happiness at the mere mention of her brother's name. The day She-Wolf had led them to shore, the day of miracles, there had been one more—the news that her beloved brother was alive and well and they never had to be separated again.

“Our farm is for the sale?” Ingrid lay facing him, twisting a small curl of Joshua's thick hair around one finger. Her husband needed a haircut. He had been at the lumber camp a full two months this time.

“I wanted to see what you thought before I agreed to anything.”

Selling the farm was not something she had ever considered. She had assumed they would leave Delia's, go back home, and rebuild.

“Where we go if we sell to Hans?”

Nothing prepared her for what came out of his mouth next.

“Bart and his men, the man-catchers who kidnapped your brother, were released from jail recently. They are free men.”

“How can this be?” She sat up, shocked. “They keep my brother locked up like animal! How can they be free?”

“Bart had connections and money,” Joshua said. “He paid off the right people. There are some honest citizens here in Bay City who are trying to change things—but there is still much dishonesty among the powers-that-be.”

She could not believe it. “The man who took my brother is free man? He not pay for his crime?”

“Only the bit of time he spent in jail. From what I understand, even there he got special consideration.”

“This I cannot believe!”

“It's true.” He looked at her, as serious as she had ever seen. “Ingrid, do you trust me?”

“You, I trust with my life!” she said. “Why do you ask such thing?”

“Do you mind if we don't go back? Would you mind if I didn't try to rebuild the farm?”

“Hmmph! I do not care if we live on moon as long as our family is all together!” She gave thought to the implications of his words. “Where will we go?”

“Delia has quite a few connections of her own.” He was looking at her so intently, she knew there was something very important coming. “She is part of the group of people who are trying to turn Bay City into a more law-abiding town.”

Ingrid frowned. “What does this have to do with Hans and farm?”

“Both Delia and my boss, Robert Foster, were favorably impressed with how I managed to help apprehend the kidnappers without any bloodshed.”

“I am impressed too. What does this have to do with Hans and farm?”

“Delia also knows a lot of men in high places who don't ever want her knowledge about them to get out to the general public.”

“She—how do you say this—black mark them?”

“The word is
blackmail
, sweetheart. Delia never used that word, but I believe she did make a couple of prominent men very nervous recently.”

Ingrid was utterly confused. “Why Delia want to make men nervous?”

“Because these men have the ear of the president.”

“The president?” Ingrid let out a huff. “You tell me what you are talking about, Joshua Hunter! Right now!”

“Delia and Robert informed me that based on the recommendations he has recently received, President Grant has appointed me U.S. Marshal for this area. I don't have to take the appointment, but if I do, I'll get to help the citizens of this area turn things around. I think I'd be good at it.”

“You will be afraid? You will be in big danger?”

“No. I'm not afraid, and yes, there would be some danger. Every job has its dangers, including farming, but from what I understand, I'll be allowed to appoint deputies to help me. I have a handful of local men I've gotten to know at the lumber camp, also former soldiers, who I would like to have beside me. I think we could make a real difference.”

“Where we live?”

“There's another option. I got a letter from Zeb last week. Since we are, for the moment, homeless—they have graciously offered to take us in and share the farm with us.”

“What? Why they do this now? After we spend whole winter living with Delia?”

“It could be that my brother has finally grown a spine, or it might be because Barb has had a sudden change of heart, or . . .”

“Or?”

“It has finally occurred to both of them that the farm is still in our mother's name and she could legally have them thrown off the property.”

Ingrid gasped. “Mary would
do
that?”

“She has strongly considered it, but ultimately I think she'll just end up charging Zeb and Barb a hefty rent to stay there.”

“They would pay?”

“If they think they'll lose the roof over their heads if they don't—they'll pay.”

“Zeb and Barb is one place I do
not
want to live!”

“I kind of figured you would feel that way.” He chuckled. “So, here's what I'm considering doing—with the pay I'll get from the camp after we bring the logs in, plus whatever Hans pays us for the farm, along with whatever salary I would get as a marshal, I think we could buy a nice house here in town. The children could go to a real school. Mother says she and Hazel are discussing the possibility of pooling their resources and buying a small place here in town since Hazel's house is gone—there's even a chance we could find something close together.”

“You will not miss farm?” she asked. “After you work so hard?”

“From what I've been hearing, it doesn't appear that White Rock will ever build back up. The people don't seem to have the heart for it. Most are starting new lives in other towns. I guess I'm like the other people of White Rock. I don't have the heart to go back and try to rebuild. I heard that even Susan's parents, along with her and Lyman, recently moved here to Bay City, where her father has found a church. I think most of us feel the need for a fresh start.”

“What about Richard and Virgie's farm?”

“Hans wants to buy that from the children, someday. They are the only heirs. In the meantime, we could give him permission to work both farms if he wanted.”

“Three hundred and twenty acres.” Ingrid smiled. “Hans will be very happy . . . and you help Delia and Robert clean up town?”

“I hope so,” he said. “Frankly, I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I won't take the job unless you want me to. If this upsets you, I'll tell Delia
and
the president that I won't do it.”

Ingrid started laughing. She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn't seem to stop. Every time she tried—one look at him and she would start laughing again.

“What is this?” He seemed utterly mystified by her behavior. “What is so funny?”

“So, you are saying”—Ingrid bit down on her laughter long enough to begin ticking things off on her fingers—“we buy new house, we put children in school, I have many nice neighbors, Susan and family close by, Delia and Lizzy close by, Mary and Hazel close by, plenty nice stores to shop, Hans happy working farm . . . and I not have to carry water to cherry trees no more.” She started to laugh again. “Oh, Ingrid so
very
upset!”

He grinned. “I'm guessing then that you approve of the idea?”

She wondered if it was possible to love a man any more than she already did. “I live on moon with you, Joshua Hunter—but Bay City will make me very happy.”

He kissed her hard and then glanced over at the substantial wooden door. “Did you lock it?”

“Ja.” She laughed. “I lock it plenty good. Children all asleep. Mother and Hazel all asleep. No one bother us until morning unless Polly decides to throw up again.”

He took her chin in his hand and looked deep into her eyes. “You realize that I am going to spend the rest of my life cherishing you, don't you?”

“Ja. I know that good.”

He held out his arms to her as a familiar refrain ran through her mind.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.