Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) (4 page)

Mother coughed again. “They say if a twin dies, the survivor has trouble connecting with others. As if a piece of themselves were missing. I’ve seen you struggle. I hope that with this revelation, you can open your heart and find a woman to love you, and that you can give all of yourself to her.”

The front door opened and closed. Soon footsteps hurried down the hall.

Father tapped him on the shoulder. “Doctor Andrews is here.”

Drake got up, feeling as if he’d turned to wood. A twin. He had another brother. One that he would have been so close to. A piece of him missing? Isn’t that what Mother had said. Yes, that is how he’d felt many times.

He stumbled into the parlor to sit and wait. Through vision blurred by tears, he saw Edgar and Tess on the settee. Drake looked away from them. They had each other. He had no one. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. There was Constance Penny on
Journeys end,
sailing in October when the seas are troubled.

Chapter 5

Constance sat on the right side of the captain, who proved to be a most entertaining man. He put her at ease and introduced her as his most important guest of the voyage. There were three others who had purchased tickets for the trip. Two of them were on a pleasure cruise and had decided on a sailing vessel before the ships became relics from the past.

The third gentleman kept his reasons vague. By his shifty eyes, she got the impression he was running from the law. Stubby sat at the end of the table and regaled them with sea stories. Long ago, he’d been on a whaler and lost his leg to a tiger shark.

She shuddered at his telling but enjoyed every detail.

The captain shook his head at his first mate. “Stubby, your story grows with each voyage. Soon the shark will have been bigger than the whale.” After a moment of laughter, he turned to her. “Miss Penny, you are very brave to sail with us alone. Most would have taken the train. For your courage, I lift my glass in a toast.”

She blushed as “hear, hears,” rounded the table.

One of the young men sitting next to her touched his glass to hers. “And you Miss Penny, what is your business?”

Silence fell over the table as all eyes looked to her.

She cleared her throat. “Well, I am on this cruise for a new life. Yes, a chance at a new life.”

The captain nodded. “My ship is named
Journeys end
because of a line in one of Shakespeare’s plays; ‘Journeys end in lovers meeting.’ May this voyage be for us all a new chance at life, and may we all feel encouraged when we dock in Apalachicola.”

Her cheeks warmed. Perhaps the ship’s name was another sign. Would she find a lover at her journey’s end? Regardless, never had she felt such a part of a group as she did with those men sitting around the table. Even the supposed outlaw held a place in her heart.

She sipped the wine and licked her lips. So, this is how it felt to share yourself with others. To be a member of a group. To not be alone.

Like lava in a volcano, she could feel the courage rise up inside her. Hot and brave, it braced her very core. She knew when she got off the ship that she would be a new person.

She left the group, went to her cabin, and snuggled into her hammock. For once, she didn’t feel alone. She stared at the moon hanging over the sea. What would she find at her journey’s end? A man to love her? She didn’t know anything about him. The questions swirled in her mind, but soon the rocking ship put her to sleep.

Loud shouts and banging woke her. Hurriedly, she readied for the day and slipped out of her cabin. The ship rolled under her feet. She walked outside and wanted to dance with joy. The sails, dingy or not, billowed in the wind.

She found a place where she wouldn’t be in the way and watched as men scurried about securing ropes and freight. She knew it was dangerous to be on deck, but she could not make herself go below.

Excitement skittered through her. The ship leaned to the right. Starboard the captain had told her. Starboard to the right when facing the front of the ship. The bow. Port to the left. She restrained herself and kept at her perch.

Stubby clumped toward her. “Aye, Lass. You be liking the sea. Can tell it in your eyes as they be the color of waves. I do have to tell you; you’re standing in the captain’s place. You best go below and get your breakfast. At least afore Captain Gordon finds out he’s been replaced.” He laughed and helped her down to the galley.

The ship pitched, sending her to the wall. Then rolled and sent her to the other side. She laughed as she walked like a drunken, well, sailor.

In the galley, she saw a rather green Mr. Briggs. The passenger she’d at first dubbed an outlaw. The cook placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of her. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was but made sure to say grace before digging in.

“Might want to go easy on the food.” Mr. Briggs took a sip of water.

The other two passengers tottered in, took one look at the food, and left.

Briggs pointed at them. “We’re all seasick. You look like it isn’t bothering you. Yet.”

With fork nearly to her mouth, Constance stopped. “I feel fine.”

“Eat light just in case. Hate to see you spend the trip hanging over the side of the boat like those other two are going to do.”

Captain Gordon walked in. “Yo ho ho, mateys. How are you handling the welcoming rolls of the sea?”

Briggs stared at him. “Tell me you’re not making the ship heave like a madman just to make us sick.”

He laughed. “No, the waves coming out of the bay usually give us a toss or two before we hit the Atlantic. Should be smooth sailing. Haven’t heard tell of any storms, but then they can form in an instant. Don’t worry, my sailors are the best.”

Constance relaxed and continued eating. She was determined to make the best of the trip.

The cook came in, looked at her plate, and grinned. “You are the only one eating. I give you the golden star. See how long you can keep it.” He handed her a metal star painted gold. “Pin that to you and the men will give you honor. Once you head to the rails to let my food go, you have to give the star back.”

She laughed and pinned it to her blouse. “I intend to keep it throughout the trip.”

Briggs snorted and then bolted for the door.

As she sipped her coffee, she happened to look out the porthole and noticed dark clouds. As if they unlocked the cage to her fears, she suddenly realized her situation. She was the only woman aboard an outdated sailing vessel.

She glanced at the gold star and wondered if she’d be able to keep it. After another quick glance outside, the clouds appeared closer and more ominous. She trembled. What if she were to just drown and no one would even care or know she was gone?

She slammed a fist on the table. “I will not go down without a fight. E. Ferris is waiting for me. I have someone wanting me.” She held onto her statement and went topside. The ship pitched harder and she had to cling to the railing.

Captain Gordon saw her and motioned for her to come to him.

She obeyed and after a few slips made it to his platform.

He pointed to the clouds. “That storm blew up in a matter of minutes, but we’re going to outrun her.” He yelled instructions to his crew.

Men climbed into the sails.

The ship lurched starboard as the sails slapped, filled with wind, and tightened. The ship leaned and waves sprayed over her side as it picked up speed.

He smiled at her. “You’re one in a million, Lass. The ship likes you. I can tell you this, we may well have storms, but we’ll reach port. Aye, I can feel
Journeys end
and she adores you, miss. You’re a good omen for this trip.”

Constance basked in his words. A welcome contrast from the old seaman who said she was a Jonah. She shoved away the bad feelings. She vowed to believe the captain’s words.

He yelled again.

The ship leaned hard to starboard picking up more speed. Water sprayed over the deck. Constance set her face against the wind, licked the salty mist from her lips, and let her wounded heart revel in the joy of the moment. She didn’t want to think of leaving this ship or this moment. For now, she belonged, was wanted, and considered a prize.

Never had she felt that way. Briefly, she thought of E. Ferris and wondered what he would be like. Would he treasure her? Or was she the answer to a man as lonely as she?

Constance stared into the skies. “Lord, be with me. Let this voyage be good, and the man that I am to meet, let him love me.”

###

Drake sat apart from his brothers. It had always been that way. Edwin and Edgar together, Drake by himself. Perhaps because he’d been born a twin and no one could match what he’d lost. Father paced the hall in front of Mother’s room.

The doctor had been with her for over an hour.

Drake bowed his head and sent a prayer to the God he’d ignored for so many years. Mother had to recover, but the way she’d looked at him, beyond him as if she were seeing what they couldn’t, scared him. He’d heard stories of others who had loved ones die and how they talked to those who had passed before. A shudder ran through him.

The door to her room opened.

Fear shot Drake to his feet. He wasn’t accustomed to the feeling and didn’t like it. His heart hammered in his chest as he looked at Doc’s somber face and rushed into the hall to stand next to his father.

“How is she?” He blurted out the words before anyone.

Father put a hand on his shoulder. “Let Dr. Andrews take a breath.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that despite Father’s words, he was just as anxious for the answer.

Doc pointed into the parlor where Edgar and Edwin still sat. “Let’s all sit down and I’ll explain my findings.”

Relief poured into Drake. She wasn’t dead. There was still hope. Despite the jolt of relief, he followed his father and doctor as if he were going to a funeral.

After they’d all sat down, Dr. Andrews rubbed his face and looked at them with tired eyes. “Martha is hanging on by a thread. Her heart is weak. I believe she’s suffered an attack to the heart muscle. In time, she may heal, but she will need to take it easy. Be waited on.” He pulled a pad from his pocket, scribbled on it, and handed it to Father. “Here’s the name of a good caretaker. She’s skilled in matters of the heart. She can keep Martha comfortable and perform household chores. I strongly suggest you hire her at once.”

Father stood and took the paper from him. “Anything. I’ll do anything for her.” His voice choked on the last words. He walked to the window and faced the outside.

Reality slammed into Drake’s chest. He’d never faced losing anyone before. Never faced the idea that he could care for someone so deeply and yet, they could be taken from him. The thought shook him.

He questioned his heart. Seeing his father, a man that seemed unshakable, be so distraught made Drake doubt himself. Could he care about a woman in the same way?

Sure, he worried about Mother. He couldn’t bear to think of losing her. But she was his mother. Could he care so deeply about another woman? He’d ordered a wife on a whim.

Seeing Father so broken sent an arrow of regret to Drake’s own heart. He’d only thought of himself and being able to get his inheritance to be free from the store. He’d not considered the feelings of Constance Penny.

Indeed, he’d booked her passage on an old sailing vessel. She must have been desperate because she’d not complained or asked for more money to come by train. He stared out the window. Clouds had formed. A storm was coming.

Thinking past himself, he silently prayed the Lord watch out for Constance Penny. God help him, he’d been so callous. In fact, his entire life he’d only been out for himself. He tolerated his brothers. Obeyed his parents when necessary. Treated the girls in Apalachicola as unworthy of his affections.

He gazed at his brothers. Both sat with their heads down, elbows on knees and hands clasped. One might think they were twins. So alike. So different from him. Even in coloration, they looked more like father.

Seeing the Doctor standing by the fireplace, Drake rose and went to him. “Is there anything we can get her? A specialist? Medicine?”

Dr. Andrews looked long and tenderly at him. “Love her. Our Lord said, ‘Love never fails.’ I find it to be the best medicine. Love her, Drake.” He pointed toward Father. “And love him and your brothers, too.”

Though his words could have been taken as a rebuke, Drake knew the doctor was as concerned for him as the others. “I will.”

Doc patted him on the shoulder. “Good. You’ve turned into a fine young man, Drake. Your mother cares deeply about you. She said she told you about your twin. There was no reason I could see for that baby to die. Your mother was heartbroken, but she put her grief aside to care for you. She loves you. Be kind to her.”

“Yes, sir.” Confusion unloosed in his mind. Had he been unkind to her? To his father and brothers? Had he unknowingly been mourning the loss of his twin all these years? Because of his loss, is that why he wouldn’t allow anyone to be close to his heart? Evan Jr., a poor babe that was never spoken about. Where was he?

Doc cleared his throat and motioned to him. “Walk me outside, will you?”

Drake nodded and went to the hall closet, grabbed his coat, and the doctor’s.

Doc went to his Father. “Evan, if it’s agreeable to you, I’ll send Kimberly to watch over Martha. She’s a good woman and a good cook, too.”

Father nodded. “Is it alright if I sit with her?”

Doc patted him on the arm. “By all means, and take that Bible and read it to her. Start in the Psalms. It’s comforting.”

Father grabbed the huge book and went inside Mother’s room.

The doctor took his coat and put it on. “Follow me, Drake.”

Drake obeyed. Outside, he wished he’d brought a warmer jacket. Florida could be warm in the fall, but storms could drop the temperature.

Doc stopped at a house a few blocks from his. “The caretaker lives here. I’ll be just a minute.”

When he came out, an attractive woman followed him. Doc gestured to him. “Drake Ferris, this is Kimberly Agnew. She’s agreed to tend to your mother.”