Hidden in a Whisper (43 page)

Braeden took one last glance at Reg, who seemed completely enthralled with the fire. Turning back around to face Casa Grande, Braeden could see that the entire front section of the hotel had flames fanning out from every window. He looked quickly to the stables, which were now also engulfed in the blaze.

“The pool house and sheds are on fire!” someone shouted. “Looks like the wind might carry it to the entire town.”

This caused shrieks of alarm and sent a rush of people toward the bridge. Braeden backed up as the townspeople hurried back to their own homes to save what they could and be prepared to fight the fire as it spread through the town.

“The powerhouse is on fire!” the station manager yelled, running up from the path.

This announcement sent a rippling shock through Braeden. If Rachel was there, she was now in serious peril. He left Reg tied to the bridge and pushed his way through the onslaught of townsfolk.

He opened the door to the station, grateful that the electricity still illuminated the small building. Not seeing any visible signs of fire, Braeden took no chance on the manager having been given over to a case of nerves. He moved quickly to the back of the room, searching through the mechanisms of belts, pulleys, gears, and machinery.

“It has to be here!” he said aloud.

Growing more and more frantic as the smell of smoke seemed to permeate everything around him, Braeden ripped at any object in his way and thrust it aside. Finally he spied the trapdoor and threw it open. He started down the ladder, then felt the tickle of something against his face. Reaching up to swat aside what he presumed to be a cobweb, Braeden's hand fell on the light cord. He pulled at it, silently thanking God when light flooded the room.

He jumped the final few rungs just as Rachel's cries reached his ears.

“Help me! Please get me out of here!”

“I'm here, Rachel!” he called, searching through the maze of goods and stored materials to find her tied to a small cot. Seeing her there, so pale and frightened, Braeden lost no time in working the ropes.

“I knew you would come for me,” she said softly, her face taking on an expression of relief. “I knew you hadn't gone away as Reg told me.”

“No,” Braeden answered, freeing her feet. “I would never leave you.”

“I know that now,” she said.

He looked deep into her eyes. “You finally trust me, don't you?”

She nodded. “I will always trust you.”

He pulled her up off the bed and turned her around to untie her hands. “Look, Casa Grande is burning to the ground, and this powerhouse is on fire. We have to hurry or we might not make it.”

She gripped him tightly. “I love you, Braeden. I've never stopped.”

He smiled and pressed a quick kiss upon her lips. “I know that. Why do you think I came here in the first place? Once I knew you were here, my only thought was of winning you back. But right now we have to get out of this building.”

He pushed her ahead of him and maneuvered them back to the ladder. He worried that Rachel might not have the strength after her ordeal to climb the rungs, but she surprised him by hiking her skirts and scurrying up them in no time at all. He followed behind, anxious to be out in the open and away from what was no doubt about to become another inferno.

He had no sooner emerged through the trapdoor when he noticed that Rachel had come to a dead stop. He found himself following her gaze to where the entire west wall seemed to instantly burst into flames.

“Come on!” he yelled, dragging her with him to the front door.

They burst out into the cool, damp air and raced up the path away from the station house. Panting for breath and fearful of what could have happened, Rachel collapsed into Braeden's arms, weeping softly and clinging to him as though she might well perish if she let go.

“Shh, it's all right now,” he told her. “You're safe.”

“I was so afraid. I kept thinking that Reg was actually going to get away with taking me to England. He said we would be married and that I …”

Braeden pulled her away and shook his head. “You don't have to talk about it. It's not important. He can't hurt you anymore.”

“Where is he?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder and seeing Casa Grande for the first time. “Did he get out of the fire?”

“Yes,” Braeden assured her. “I have him tied to the Morita Falls bridge.”

“You do? But why?”

“It's a long, long story, one that I will tell you some long winter's night when we are curled up in front of a fireplace instead of a burning hotel. Suffice it to say, the man will be going to jail for more than kidnapping you.”

Rachel shook her head and watched the resort scene in fascination. “All of that money—all that potential. And now it's gone, just that quick.” She turned back to Braeden. “I don't understand. What happened? I thought I heard thunder. Did lightning strike the hotel?”

“No,” Braeden replied, pulling her close and walking her farther away from the power station, which by now was completely ablaze. “Ivy Brooks set the fire, although Reg had plans to do the same. It's part of that long story, and it has to do with fire insurance money and some swindle that Worthington managed to get in the middle of.”

“He told me you were already married to Ivy. He said that Mrs. Needlemeier was dead and that Ivy needed you and you complied.”

Braeden rubbed her shoulder, letting his touch trail down her arms until he took hold of her hands. “But you didn't believe him.”

“No,” Rachel replied.

“Not even after what you witnessed at the Needlemeier mansion?”

Rachel gave him the briefest smile. “I knew it was all Ivy. I knew it even when I ran from the house. Still, I couldn't bear what had happened. Then after I calmed down, I realized that you needed my support, my trust. I knew you were not to blame, and I vowed not to let the circumstances destroy our love.”

“But you never came back. I suppose Worthington caught up with you.”

“No, actually, I found some men working to put stolen goods under the bandstand. I confronted them,” she said, smiling sheepishly. “I realize now that was incredibly foolish.”

He chuckled. “To say the least.”

“Anyway, they gagged and carried me down here to the power station. They tied me up and, I figured, left me to die. Next thing I know, Reg appears. I hoped he was there to rescue me, but he quickly made it clear that he had other plans. He … he …” she shuddered and lowered her gaze to the ground.

Braeden lifted her chin gently. “It doesn't matter anymore what he did to you. No matter what he did. Do you understand?”

Rachel's expression instantly changed, but before she could speak, cries rose up from the crowd.

“The Needlemeier mansion is on fire!”

“So's the school!”

“We should go see what we can do to help,” Braeden said, pulling Rachel with him. “I doubt there's anything anyone can do, but it's worth a try.”

“What about Jeffery and Simone? What about my girls? Are they safe?” she asked, holding tightly to his arm as they joined the mass of resort guests.

“They're all safe, as far as I know,” Braeden replied. “I pulled Gwen from the fire myself. She may have a broken leg and some burns, but I think she'll be fine.” He paused, then answered flatly, “Ivy didn't make it.”

“Oh,” Rachel said and nodded. Her sense of purpose seemed to be resurfacing. “You do what you must. I should see to my girls and make sure they are safe.”

Braeden refused to let her go. “I'll help you. We'll move them down the road, and if Jeffery and Simone's place is safe from the fire, maybe they can stay there until we see what else there is to do.”

“Dr. Krier probably needs help,” Rachel said, letting Braeden lead the way. “My girls and I could help with those needs.”

“I think most everyone got out safely,” Braeden told her, “but I'm sure the good doctor could always use a spare set of hands.”

They came to the pallet where Gwen lay. She was conscious now and the pain that filled her eyes caused Braeden and Rachel to exchange a glance of worry.

“Gwen, I'm so glad you're safe,” Rachel said, kneeling down beside the younger woman.

“Mr. Parker saved my life. I was trapped by the fire. He tried to save Ivy, but she wouldn't come with us.”

“He saved my life too,” Rachel told her. “Has the doctor taken care of you?”

Gwen nodded. “He says that my leg doesn't look to be broken, just badly sprained. I have to stay off of it, but otherwise I'll be fine.”

“No burns?” Rachel asked softly.

“No,” Gwen answered. “Mr. Parker got to me in time. He couldn't save Ivy,” she repeated as if it was necessary to make certain Rachel understood. “She wouldn't listen to him. She wouldn't come with us. It's not Mr. Parker's fault.”

Rachel nodded. “I know. Look, we're going to get the girls rounded up and moved down to the O'Donnell house. That is, if the fire isn't headed that direction.” She straightened and looked at Braeden. “Can we get a carriage to transport the injured?”

“I'll see to it,” Braeden replied, proud of Rachel's ability to forget her own ordeal in order to help her girls. “You stay here and I'll talk to the doctor.”

Rachel watched Braeden disappear into the crowd before kneeling back down beside Gwen. “I'm going to see to the others, but I'll be right back. We'll not leave you here, so don't be afraid that we'll forget you.” Gwen smiled weakly and nodded.

Rachel spied a couple of the girls standing not five feet away. Calling to them, she instructed them to find the other Harvey Girls and bring them to her. The girls seemed relieved for something to do and quickly set out to fulfill Rachel's request. Within a few moments twenty-three girls stood in front of Rachel. Some were dressed in their uniforms, others were wrapped in their robes. All of them wore expressions of fear and confusion.

“We're going to help Dr. Krier with any wounded, and if he doesn't need our help, then we'll set up in the depot and try to offer whatever assistance we can to the townspeople.” One by one the girls nodded. This information seemed to give them new purpose. “Gwen has been injured and cannot walk. Mr. Parker has gone for a carriage and to speak with the doctor. I'm sure we'll have our hands full, and I'll require each of you to do your duty as if you were serving Mr. Harvey himself.”

“That won't be necessary,” a voice sounded from behind Rachel.

She turned and smiled to find Fred Harvey standing there, dressed impeccably as usual. “Hello, Mr. Harvey. I was just rounding my girls up to offer community assistance.”

“An admirable idea and one I wholeheartedly support. There are supplies at the depot and more due in with the morning freight. If the fire doesn't destroy it, we should be in good order.”

Rachel nodded and looked past him toward town. “Do you suppose the fire will spread that far?”

“I have no way of knowing. With the direction of the wind, we may find it contained to the southern part of town. And if the storm would move out or die down altogether, then the wind might ease as well. Only time will tell.”

She nodded and caught sight of Casa Grande. “Such a waste.”

“Yes, indeed,” Harvey replied. “But it could have been much worse. The loss of life appears minimal and instead of hundreds being burned, we have only a handful of injuries. It seems Mr. Parker and the marshal were able to spread the alarm quickly and efficiently.”

“It's so sad to see the dream die,” Rachel said, meeting his compassionate gaze.

“The dreams never die so long as the dreamer still lives,” Harvey said, smiling. “We will dream another dream and rebuild, or we'll go elsewhere. It's not the end of anything, just a postponement.”

She admired his positive spirit and decided then and there that if Mr. Harvey, who had so much time and energy devoted to Casa Grande, could face the disaster with a hopeful attitude, she could certainly do no less.

Turning from the man, she rallied her girls. “You've all heard what Mr. Harvey just said. We have a job to do, and a Harvey Girl must always be prepared to serve the public with a smile and an encouraging word. Let us be to our tasks.”

  
TWENTY-NINE