Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope) (15 page)

His dad laid a hand on his back. “It’s wonderful to have you here, son.”

Tom nodded. He loved his parents. But being with them reminded him that he’d killed their firstborn son. Maybe he hadn’t plunged the knife into Ike’s heart. But he’d been the cause. Even more than his regrets over Ike’s death, he couldn’t bear to witness what his foolishness had cost his mom. It was too awful to see, and every time he came home, there was no escaping the pain.

“Thanks for coming to visit. I know it’s not easy.” His dad’s voice was gentle.

“It’s good to see you and Mom.” They never made him feel guilty about Ike. But how could they not blame him?

“How long will you be able to stay?”

Tom had always cut his visits short in the past which had always disappointed his parents even though they didn’t say so. At least this time he would please them. “I’m your new assistant.”

His dad’s expression went from guarded to wide-eyed in an instant. “My assistant?”

“For the short term.”

“Assistant?” His dad repeated as though he hadn’t heard Tom right.

“Yes.”

A grin split his dad’s weathered face. “How did this come about? And why didn’t the inspector send me a telegram?”

Tom had made the arrangements last evening with the inspector via several telegrams. The inspector had been glad to fill the position with a qualified man. But of course, Tom couldn’t tell his father the truth about why he was really there. “I agreed to fill in until the inspector could find someone permanent.”

His dad studied his face. Could the wise man sense more to the story than Tom was admitting? “That’s fine. Very fine. I’ll take you as long as you’re available.”

“I didn’t want you to be alone.”

“We’ve managed. Your mother never complains. Even though I’m not the greatest cook in the world.”

“You made a good meal tonight.”

His dad chuckled. “I didn’t burn it.”

Tom couldn’t fault his dad for much, if anything. He’d been a good father and was an excellent husband. He hadn’t deserved so much tragedy.

They fell silent and stared out the window at the fading orange glow on the horizon. The distant crash of the waves reached out to soothe Tom and the guilt over his deception with Victoria that had been nagging him since he’d hugged his mom.

“Victoria is beautiful,” his dad said quietly.

“Yes, she is,” Tom admitted, although it wasn’t hard to do. He thought back to the picture of her asleep on the bed when he’d gone in to let her know dinner was ready. He’d tried to wake her, but she’d rolled away from him, deep in slumber.

“I always knew that when you got married, you’d attract a pretty woman.”

Was Victoria attracted to him? He didn’t think so. She might flirt with him once in a while. But that’s the way she was with men. “Guess I take after you. You always said Mom was the prettiest girl you ever met.”

“That’s true. She still is the prettiest girl I ever laid eyes on.”

Tom nodded. His dad had always spoken of his mom with the highest praise. In fact, Tom couldn’t remember ever hearing his dad speak a negative word about her.

“Victoria seems like a nice girl,” his dad pressed.

“She’s very sweet.” Again the admission was easy. Victoria might be spoiled and self-centered. But she had a good heart.

“I pray that God will bless you with the kind of marriage that your mother and I have.”

Even if his relationship with Victoria had been genuine, he didn’t see how it would be possible to have the kind of marriage his parents had. He’d seen few like theirs. But he said the words he knew his dad expected. “Thanks, Dad. I hope so too.”

He sensed that his dad wanted to say more, but after a moment he moved toward the hatch and the ladder protruding from it. “Speaking of your mother, I need to go check on her and carry her up to bed.”

Tom’s gut twisted at the thought of his dad caring for his mother day after day, especially over the past week without any help or relief from Ruth or Greg. He wished there was more he could do. Perhaps he’d check into hiring a nurse to live with them. For now, while he was there, he’d do all he could.

He took one last look up and down the coast, assured himself that no one was in sight, and followed after his dad. “I’ll help you.”

Against his dad’s protest that he could do it himself, Tom carried his mom up to his parents’ bedroom, which was directly across from Victoria’s. He helped to situate his mom on the edge of the bed and tried not to notice how much thinner and frailer she was compared to the last time he’d seen her. After kissing her goodnight, he offered to watch the lantern so that his dad could have a night off. But his dad insisted that Tom get a good night’s sleep.

Tom crossed the hallway and peeked in on Victoria. Seeing that she was still asleep, he closed the door and backed away. The room he’d given her had belonged to Greg and Ruth. The smaller room at the rear of the house had belonged to their two young children. He could sleep in one of the beds in there. Maybe he could even push the beds together to be able to stretch out more comfortably.

He hesitated.

“Is something wrong?” The question startled him, and he spun to see his mom and dad, both sitting on the edge of their bed, watching him. Dad had his arm around Mom, and she’d leaned her head on his shoulder.

Inwardly, Tom chastised himself for his sloppiness. He should have closed their door on the way out. Even then, he should have made a show of going into Victoria’s room like any eager new husband would. He didn’t want them suspecting anything was wrong this early in the month.

Instead, he smiled. “Nothing’s wrong. I wasn’t sure if I should disturb Victoria. She’s sleeping so soundly.”

“I’m sure she won’t mind a little disturbing from you.” His dad winked.

The implication brought forth a bucket full of images, especially ones from earlier in the day when he’d embraced Victoria on the steamship and all of her soft curves had pressed against him. When he’d nuzzled her ear, he’d caught the fragrance of hydrangeas and tasted the delectable smoothness of her skin. He may have started off acting, but his body’s reaction had put him in a dangerous state of mind. He’d needed to cool off, and so he’d gone above deck for a few minutes.

“Go on in,” his mom said with a knowing smile. “I’m sure she’ll be glad to have you nearby.”

If Victoria awoke and found him sleeping in the same room, she certainly wouldn’t be glad. She’d be livid. But what choice did he have now?

“You’re right.” He smiled again, hoping the smile didn’t look as stiff as it felt. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” his mom replied cheerfully.

“Don’t stay up all night.” His dad winked again. “After all, I’m planning to put you to work tomorrow.”

Tom had never blushed before in his life, but at his father’s brashness, his face was on fire. He couldn’t seem to find the doorknob and enter the room fast enough. When he was inside, he leaned back against the door and exhaled. Then he couldn’t help grinning at the absurdity of his predicament and his parents’ comments.

He’d grown up watching his parents kiss and show unabashed affection for one another and had thought that was the way every married couple acted. But now that he was older and more worldly-wise, he realized they had a rare treasure to still love one another so passionately after more than thirty years of marriage.

He never planned on getting married—at least in the true sense. Marriage was out of the question with the kind of life he led as a bodyguard. Even now, he wondered if he’d made a mistake in having this temporary marriage with Victoria. It was just that yesterday, after the kidnapping attempt, he’d panicked. He’d decided that the only place she’d truly be safe was here, at Race Point.

Situated at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, the lighthouse was completely isolated. Hiking overland from Provincetown was possible. But through the sand and dunes, it wasn’t an easy trek. And if someone came by boat, Tom would be able to see them coming long before they arrived at the doorstep. Besides, no one but Victoria’s father knew exactly where they were. In fact, Tom hadn’t even given the lighthouse inspector Victoria’s name and had only referred to her as Mrs. Cushman.

Henry Cole had been reluctant to the marriage part of the plan. He’d likely had concerns about Tom attempting to make claims on Victoria’s inheritance or going public with the marriage and ruining his daughter’s chances of a future match. But Tom had reassured Mr. Cole that even though the marriage certificate would make their stay at Race Point legal, the document was only a piece of paper and no one else would ever have to know about the arrangement. He’d promised Mr. Cole the same thing he’d promised him when he started the job, that he’d treat Victoria with the utmost professionalism at all times. Then once the assailant was captured, he’d leave for Europe and wouldn’t speak of the temporary marriage ever again. Mr. Cole hadn’t needed to make him sign a legal document relinquishing rights to Victoria’s fortune and outlining the terms of the separation. Tom wouldn’t have ever even dreamed of trying to gain anything from the marriage. But he’d gone along with Mr. Cole’s stipulations anyway.

Tom pushed away from the door and crossed to the window. He closed it halfway against the cool night air and then stared outside at the lighthouse beam rotating over the water.

Yes, yesterday the plan had seemed solid. But now, with his parents sitting in a room six feet away and their faces filled with so much hope, he doubted himself. He hadn’t anticipated their enthusiasm. What would he tell them at the end of the month?

More importantly, how would he endure the month sharing a bedroom with Victoria?

He glanced at her outline on the bed. The cover he’d draped over her earlier had fallen off her legs. In the faint light coming in through the window, he glimpsed her feet poking out from the tangle of her skirt.

Tentatively, he made his way to the bed. He lifted the blanket back over her feet but couldn’t stop from noticing the lovely curve of her ankles. He took in her sleeping form and then rested his attention on her face, the high cheekbones, delicate nose, and dainty chin. Her long lashes fanned against her unblemished skin. And when she gave a soft sigh, his pulse jolted with the memory of her tiny moan of pleasure when he’d breathed into her ear on the steamship. He’d enjoyed that sound way too much and was ashamed to admit he wouldn’t mind hearing it again.

“No,” he whispered, giving himself a mental shake. He’d given his word to Mr. Cole that he’d respect Victoria. Even though they would have to appear to be a happily married couple for the next month, he’d steel himself for what he must do. As Victoria said, they were acting. He’d just have to make sure that he
only
acted and nothing else.

T
he angry grumbling in Victoria’s stomach woke her. She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was a spider crawling across a cracked ceiling.

With a start, she sat up. Where was she?

At the sight of the light blue walls and lacy curtains, the memories from yesterday came rushing back. She was at Race Point Lighthouse in a quaint keeper’s house with Tom’s parents. She smiled at the memory of their hugs and sweet welcome. She hadn’t spent much time with them, but she’d immediately sensed their warmth and kindness.

With a lazy yawn, she stood and stretched. Her corset pinched her ribs, reminding her that she’d slept with it on. She patted her head and realized that she’d also slept with her hair coiled into the same knot her maids had arranged for her wedding. Large swaths had fallen out and now hung in disarray.

She must have been exhausted from the day’s travel to sleep in her clothes all night. But it didn’t matter. She’d start the day with a bath and perhaps have the maid wash her hair. It certainly was dusty after all the traveling.

Scratching her head and extracting a loose pin, she crossed to the window. She pulled back the curtain to see that the sun was already high in the sky. From the way the light shimmered above the ocean, she could tell that the day would be a warm one.

She would have to don one of her light cotton garments.

With a sinking heart, she spun to find her lone bag sitting on a cedar chest in the corner. She’d only packed two additional dresses—one traveling suit and one everyday dress. She’d assumed she’d have access to a seamstress and be able to enhance her wardrobe with pretty new outfits and accessories.

But now… What would she do?

She lowered herself to the sofa. Its braided edge was frayed and the blue faded to almost white. She nibbled her lip and stared at her bag. The tip of her wooden driftwood cross poked out, her cross of hope, reminding her to have hope and to find the best in every situation, which she clearly needed to do now.

Perhaps she could send Tom over to Provincetown to locate a seamstress there. Even better, he could telegram one of the well-known seamstresses in Boston and have her visit the lighthouse and create her wardrobe.

In the meantime, she’d have to get by with the two dresses she’d packed. Certainly she could survive a few days. After all, she wouldn’t have to worry about any of her friends seeing her.