Love's Story (43 page)

A soupy fog enveloped Redwood, but the building and loading on the docks proceeded as usual. Chase had spent his morning in prayer before packing his leather satchel to return home to Portola after a month away. He planned to stop at Robert's place on the way home to inquire after Rachel. The thought made his heart ache to see her.

Mrs. Williams prepared a lunch for him to eat on the way and now stood before him in the renovated hotel lobby with tears in her eyes.

“When I think of all you've done for us, Chase… I am forever thankful the Lord brought you into our lives. Joseph couldn't have done this work in twice the time without you. You're like a son to us, Chase. You know that, don't you, dear?”

Chase placed his large hands over the older woman's. “I know. And I also knew you'd be there if I needed
you.
Wipe your eyes, I'm going to see you in a few days. I'll send word when I have a proper place for you to stay. Then we'll begin our plan.”

Joseph walked in and looked at them both warily. “I don't know what you two are up to, but I don't like the sound of it.”

“The sound of what?” A familiar voice jarred Chase and he turned to see Gretchen and Henry Steele in the unfinished lobby. Her full-skirted dress of shiny fabric contrasted sharply with the still-crude skeleton of the hotel.

After the initial shock of Gretchen's appearance, Chase immediately focused on Henry. “There's my boy! Did you see the train yet?” he asked as he playfully tousled the boy's hair.

“Not yet, but I heard it from our room at Mrs. Littlejohn's, and I saw the tracks and the station and I even met a conductor.”

“A real conductor?” Chase inquired.

“In a uniform and everything.”

“Gretchen, this is quite a surprise. Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Williams?” Chase asked graciously, while his mind searched for a reason she might be in Redwood. He hoped it was not him.

“Of course, I'd never forget a friend of yours, Mr. Dylan.” Gretchen smiled coyly and extended her hand to the older couple. “You're not on your way out, are you?” she asked Chase. Noticing her evident disappointment, Chase knew he was indeed the reason she had come to Redwood.

“I'm afraid so. I'm going back to Portola to restart the mill.”

“Would you mind if I borrowed Mr. Dylan from you for a moment?” Gretchen said to the Williamses. “Before he leaves, I must discuss some pressing business matters with him. Henry, stay here in the lobby and keep out of trouble.”

“Yes, Mama.”

Gretchen lead Chase to a small, sheet-covered sofa in a far corner of the lobby. She sat down first and motioned for him to follow. “I want to talk with you about Miss Phillips and my impression of her. I know you may think this out of place, but hear me out. I've noticed you developing a sort of attachment to our schoolteacher, and as your longtime friend… After all, you were best man at Harold's and my wedding. Due to our long and intimate history together, I feel I must warn you about this young woman's questionable character. Harold would want me to watch out for you, just as he asked you to care for Henry and me, should anything happen to him.”

Chase wanted to be livid. But, upon hearing her words, he knew how alone Gretchen would feel if he married, and suddenly his heart softened toward her. There was a time when, playing the chaperone for Gretchen and Harold, the three were inseparable, taking Sunday picnics and afternoon strolls along the bay in Redwood. Looking into her dark eyes, he recalled the sparkling young girl that once held the attention of nearly every man on the peninsula. He remembered with sadness the adoration and worship she had shown to her husband, and the terrible grief when he was gone.

“Gretchen, I don't think…”

“I'm not asking you to make any promises, I just want you to think about what I've said.” Gretchen's pleading eyes were convincing.

“Very well, Gretchen. Of course I will.” Chase decided immediately that, out of respect for Gretchen's feelings, he would not go by Robert's on the way home. Rather, he would bide his time and wait for the right moment to ease the blow to his best friend's widow. She was right that they had too much history for him just to put aside her objections. He would continue to pray about the matter.

R
achel, are you certain you want to attend this wedding?” Maria asked with marked concern. “You know we weren't officially invited, and if you aren't comfortable…”

“Maria, the entire church body was invited. Pastor Swayles said so at service last week; you told me so yourself. Besides, Veronica invited me personally, and
I
am the reason they're getting married in the first place.”

“Rachel, I think you may be going to this wedding with the wrong intentions.”

“I have not been invited to even
one
social event since my first week here in Searsville, and that was a horrible sewing circle. I want to meet people, the parents of my students; I want to explore Searsville.” Rachel's arms danced as she spoke. “This is the perfect opportunity, and I promise I'll be on my best behavior.” Rachel smiled mischievously and walked toward her room to dress.

Undaunted, Maria followed her. “I appreciate your wanting to mix socially with our neighbors, but I am concerned about your heart. I know what you did with Mrs. Steele's dress order.”

Rachel's eyes popped open wide with surprise. “But, how—”

“I walked in when you did it. I left before you saw me, and didn't tell anyone because I was afraid of what might happen if you were caught. But I've never been comfortable with my decision. Rachel, I can't continue to cover for you; my conscience won't allow me to do it any longer. Pastor Swayles often asks why you haven't been in church, and Seth is beginning to ask as well. I know you don't want to let him down. Please, Rachel, I'm begging you; pray about your feelings.”

“Maria, please don't upset yourself and the baby. I'll work on it, I promise.”

Maria nodded through her tears and left the room. Rachel opened her closet and began to dress for Searsville's big event.

After fastening the last button, Rachel studied her reflection in the small mirror above her dresser. She approved of what she saw. The rosepetal pink, long-sleeved gown that Marshall had purchased for her was magnificent. Coordinating fabric buttons lined the fitted bodice, and an elegant white lace collar framed Rachel's fresh complexion.

She pinned the forward portions of her hair up with a small silver pin, but left the back cascading in luxurious, auburn curls. Her ivory skin was set aglow by the soft color of the dress, and she gently bit her full lips for the ruby-colored mouth she shared with her paternal grandmother.

“Pi-tee.” Seth's tiny head bobbed up and down in approval.

“Thank you, my love. Would you like to escort me to the wedding?” Again Seth's head nodded vigorously. “Well, let's be off then.” Little Seth was dressed in black pants and matching suspenders. Underneath he wore a white, starched shirt that his mother had sewn just for the occasion. Rachel knelt down near the doorframe of the bedroom, fixing his collar. “Oh my, but you are very handsome. I shall be the belle of the ball with you on my arm.” Rachel kissed his plump cheek and was rewarded by a gleeful hug.

Rachel hoisted Seth up on her hip, reached for his small hand, and danced cheerfully into the sunlit kitchen. Robert and Maria stopped in their tracks and stood, mouths open wide, when they saw Rachel emerge from the darkened hallway. “Oh… it's breathtaking!” Maria finally said.

“True, it is that. But do you think it might be a… well, uh… a little too fancy?” Robert stuttered.

“Rachel, you look lovely,” Maria whispered, silencing her husband.

“I will hate to see the bride's face when I escort the two most beautiful women in Searsville to her wedding!” Robert said as he kissed his wife on the forehead. Maria wore a traditional Spanish gown of dark lace with a hint of crimson, which had been let out in order to accommodate the growing baby. “Maria, you are a vision, just like the day I married you.”

The church was filled to capacity. Recent rains had slowed the work for a few days, bringing sawyers in from each of the surrounding mills. Workmen of all ages had gathered in their best clothes, and they fidgeted in the pine pews of the sanctuary. Pastor Swayles stood at the altar, welcoming the uneasy faces. Mrs. Steele entered on the arm of her young son, dressed in a modest navy skirt with coordinating jacket.

They seated themselves near the front.

A murmur arose from the crowd, and Rachel felt all eyes turn toward her as she entered the sanctuary, her quiet steps watched by all. Rachel's gown of satin rustled as she moved, and her cheeks flushed the same soft pink as her dress. A jealous rage flamed within her as she spotted Gretchen Steele, yet Rachel also felt the envy in the widow's glare. Things had not worked out well for her in Redwood, and Rachel took pleasure in seeing Gretchen and Henry alone in the pew.

Mrs. Thorne, seated in the front row of the church for her daughter's wedding, gave Gretchen a knowing look that Rachel could not help but notice.

“Ahem!” After Rachel was seated, Pastor Swayles signaled his flock with an obvious cough, and slowly, one by one, the eyes returned to the altar.

It was several more minutes before the wedding began. Guests continued to fill the sanctuary as the pastor welcomed them. Soon the groom appeared at the end of the aisle; Jeremiah nervously tapped his toe while playing with the chain from his pocket watch. The gathering stood in unison upon the pastor's signal, and the bride appeared in the foyer on her father's arm.

Rachel thought her dress was charming. Its white taffeta skirt, topped by an elegant laced neckline, was the latest style; but sadly, it was nothing compared to the exquisite gown Marshall had purchased for Rachel. Her own gown had obviously been made by a fine dressmaker, not purchased from a mail-order catalogue. Unaware of the earlier commotion, Jeremiah had eyes for only one woman. To her relief, Rachel Phillips went unnoticed by both the bride and the groom.

Veronica and Jeremiah looked lovingly into one another's eyes and completed their vows with conviction. After the nuptials, the couple was introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Smith while they beamed at their friends and family seated before them. A reception outside of the church began immediately following the ceremony. Tables overflowed with breads, pies, and special creations the townswomen had been busy preparing all week.

Feeling uneasy at the attention she'd received entering the church, Rachel patiently waited until everyone had left the building to rise from her seat.
Perhaps Maria was right; I shouldn't have come.
She had noticed the looks she got from both Mrs. Steele and the town's men, all of them looking as though they'd like to eat her for lunch. The men had eyed her lustfully, and Gretchen's eyes had fixed upon her with a deep rage. This certainly wasn't the reaction she had intended.

Seth had followed his parents out earlier, and Rachel was agonizing over how to leave the sanctuary without being the object of attention once again. Her gown was simply too much for a small town like Searsville, and as the town's teacher, she should have known better.

Just as the last person exited, Rachel rose, and her pulse raced at the sight of Chase Dylan ducking through the doorway. He was handsomely dressed in a gray pin-striped suit with a black tie, and his dark, thick hair was combed neatly to the side. Rachel's heart thundered at the sight of him, and her hand went quickly to her chest as though to keep her feelings to herself. Momentarily, she was glad for her gown choice, hoping he would take notice and feel differently.

Chase strode confidently toward Rachel and she was caught breathless as he smiled, but to her dismay, he continued walking past her row toward Pastor Swayles at the altar. Rachel's shoulders dropped with disappointment, and she remained transfixed on his back until a small voice startled her: “Bye.”

“Seth, did you come to find me?” The toddler's eyes widened and he nodded. “Well, bless your heart. You certainly know how to escort a lady properly.” Rachel lovingly reached for his outstretched arms to lift his little body to her hip.