Love Everlasting (13 page)

“That must surely be a tiresome job,” her father said. “Good thing for you that Wade doesn't scare easy.”

Eloise put her hand atop Abrianna's. “Don't let them trouble you, my dear. Men always make themselves feel better when they can cast aspersions on someone else's weakness.”

Abrianna looked grateful for Eloise's support. Wade smiled and took hold of Abrianna's free hand. He drew it to his lips and kissed her palm. “Forgive me for teasing you. I couldn't quite help myself.”

“Especially when she gives you such wonderful material to use against her,” Abrianna's father countered. “Oh, but I wish I could have watched you growing up.”

Abrianna shook her head. “It's better that you didn't. I am sure to have worried you into constant headaches, just as I did my poor aunts. I seem to have that effect wherever I go.”
The trio chuckled, but Wade knew the truth of it. Abrianna's fearlessness was a never-ending worry, for sure.

Later that evening Wade bid Abrianna good-night on the porch outside the school. Her father and Eloise had already gone inside because Eloise planned to leave in the morning for Tacoma. It was clear, however, that they were very close to an understanding that would keep her in Seattle permanently.

Abrianna seemed uncharacteristically quiet, and Wade feared that his earlier jesting might have offended her. He reached out and drew her close.

“You do know, don't you, that I'm very proud of you. I even admire your fearlessness, although it gives me cause for worry, as well.” He touched her cheek and marveled at the softness. “I've always been amazed by the way you never let anything scare you away from your duties. I suppose that's why I was so surprised when you were afraid of getting married.”

“I wasn't afraid of marriage. I just didn't want to lose what I already had for the promise of something that might never be,” she said. “It's like the bird in hand phrase. Having one in hand is better than the promise of two in the bush.”

“Whatever would you do with two husbands?”

She looked momentarily confused and then nodded. “You thought I was implying that two birds equaled two husbands, but I assure you, I wasn't. It's merely a metaphor to express the benefit of sticking with what you know.”

“I realize that. I just wanted to make you smile.”

Abrianna looked at him for a moment. “I don't suppose men concern themselves with such things as losing friendships, but we women do. It's important to us to—”

Wade had heard enough. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her for a very long time. If only the moment could just
go on and on. He longed for the day they would be married, and no one could ever separate them again. His hand trailed down her back to pull her closer. She gave him no resistance, but his mind did. This was more than a little dangerous.

He dropped his hold and stepped back rather abruptly. “Good night, sweetheart.”

She looked at him with the same wide-eyed expression that she always had after he kissed her. He smiled, then jumped the porch rail and made his way to the carriage house. It was obvious she enjoyed their intimate moments as much as he did, and that made it all the more important to keep their behavior in check.

“So do you think they will marry?” Flora asked Abrianna after she returned later that night.

“I do.” Abrianna had seen the way her father and Eloise looked at each other. She felt certain that it would just be a matter of time before they announced their engagement.

“Oh, I hope so. I know it will be just perfect.”

“Your aunt mentioned being ready to move here to Seattle. She said there really was nothing left in Tacoma for her. I think it was her way of telling my father that she was ready to make a commitment to him.”

Flora clapped her hands. “How romantic. It's just like a fairy tale.” She plopped down on her bed. “I think this will change everything for Aunt Eloise. She'll be able to let go of the past and all the deaths.”

“Love has a way of healing all wounds, that's to be sure.” Abrianna unfastened the neck of her gown, and Flora jumped back up. “Here, let me help you.” She quickly undid the back buttons. Abrianna slipped from the bodice. “I think I'm start
ing to get used to dressing up. I know Lenore will be glad to hear that.”

“How is she?” Flora made her way back to the bed, but this time she didn't sit. “I know you were quite worried.”

“She's doing better. She'll remain at the hospital until the end of the two weeks. I plan to go see her tomorrow. Maybe you'd like to come with me?”

Flora rolled her eyes and sank to the mattress. “I wish I could. Mrs. Madison said that I must learn to make better bread.”

“Oh dear. I remember how miserably I failed at such endeavors. I think Aunt Miriam came to realize that it would be my fate to buy bread rather than bake it for myself.” Abrianna finished undressing and pulled on a white cotton lawn nightgown. Going to the vanity table, she added, “I shall probably never bake bread, although I can do rather well with cookies, so long as I don't forget them in the oven. Sometimes I find my mind so otherwise occupied that I cannot focus on baking. Baking seems quite trivial when there are matters of the world to resolve.”

“I find it all so tedious. My mother tried to teach me. I remember when I was little. She would put me on a crate and have me knead a tiny lump of dough.” She smiled. “That is a rather pleasant memory. Perhaps if I think of her when I'm taking instruction from Mrs. Madison, it will pass the time faster.”

“That's a wonderful idea.” Abrianna sat down and began to pull the pins from her hair. “I wish I had such memories. Of course, my aunts have been wonderful, and I have pleasant memories of working with them. My favorites are when we would study the events of the world or history. I do love history.” She smiled. “It's quite amazing the things that come to mind from our childhood.”

“You and Wade have known each other since you were children, haven't you?”

“Oh yes. We met through church events. He's nearly six years older than me. When I was very young, I thought he was amazing. He would teach me things like how to throw a knife and how to carve wood.” She hadn't thought of those things for a very long time. “He was always around, just like an older brother.”

“My older brother could be very annoying. He was always ordering me around and doing his best to keep me from having any fun at all.”

Abrianna nodded. “Yes. Wade was guilty of that, too. I suppose he was just endeavoring to keep me safe.”

“Dusty said as much. He said that little girls were full of mischief and Mama and Papa had told him when I was born that it would be his obligation, as well as theirs, to keep me out of harm's way. Seems an awful lot of responsibility for a young boy. When we were older, it was just plain annoying.”

“Yes. I agree. When I was fifteen—goodness that was just six years ago—Wade caught me sneaking out of our building downtown. Apparently Aunt Miriam had grown wise to what she called my escapades. Wade was a grown man of course, so no one was ordering him around like they were me.”

“Where were you going?”

“To take food to one of my old sailors.”

“At fifteen? Were you never accosted?”

Abrianna laughed. “No one would have dared. All of those old men looked out for me. I started slipping food and coin to the poor sailors and homeless when I was just ten. Usually it was at the bake sales we held in the park. Everyone was so busy, they didn't have time to worry too much about me.” She took up her brush and began to work it through her hair. “One
day I saw there were some old men sitting a ways from the sale and went over to strike up a conversation. I asked why they didn't come buy some sweet rolls, and they told me they had no money. I went back to the table and took two of the rolls and delivered them to the men.” She frowned and turned to look at Flora. “They were so hungry they very nearly ate them in one bite. After that, I knew it was my duty to see that such people had food.”

“How wonderful to know your calling at such a young age. I still don't know what God would have me do. Unless it's to help you.”

Abrianna gave up trying to brush her hair. She quickly braided the mass into a single plait and tied it with a ribbon. “I am happy to have your help. Militine was good to assist me, but since she left, I've had no one else who showed even the slightest interest. Most of the young ladies here are quite afraid.”

“Of helping?”

“Of the old men. Of the young ones, too.” Abrianna rose and made her way to her bed. “I don't know why. They are just the same as other people, only poorer and hungrier.” She pulled back the covers. “I suppose, however, fear comes in many forms.”

Flora nodded and crawled under her own quilt. “I suppose so. But just so you know, I'm not afraid. I think your cause may very well be what I need. Life without a purpose can wear hard on a soul, and I've long been without one.” She sat up rather abruptly. “Purpose, that is. My soul will ever be with me, as you well know.”

Abrianna settled into bed and yawned. “Everyone needs to know they have a purpose or a calling. I find it amazing that callings can change, but I have seen how God has remade mine
several times over. Thankfully, it remains that I am to help the poor. If He were to give me another task, such as singing in the choir or—”

“Making bread?”

“Yes. If God gave me a calling to bake bread, I would fail miserably.” She leaned over and blew out the lamp before adding, “But because God knows all things and knows how big a mess I would make of it, He doesn't call me to bake bread. He is, after all, a God of mercy.”

I
'm glad you agreed to go with me.” Abrianna gripped her father's arm as he drove the wagon. The gray skies and chill to the air couldn't keep her from looking at available property. She had taken moderate care to her appearance, not wishing to look too juvenile in her fashion. The real estate broker needed to understand she was a woman of means, a woman who understood what was needed and expected him to pay heed to her wishes.

“I sure couldn't have you going alone. Wade told me about your plans and told me that if I didn't go along, you'd just find a way to tend to business by yourself. You really should consider the worry you give other folks.”

Abrianna grew thoughtful. “I do consider it. That's why I asked you to go with me. I try not to worry people, but at times it seems the only way to ensure that is to sit and do nothing. If you knew me . . . well, I believe you are getting to know me quite well, but for those who have known me for a lifetime, they should understand this by now.”

“Understand what? That you're bound and determined to have your own way at any cost?”

“That is hardly fair. I am not determined to have my own way. Rather, I choose to make choices that will benefit others more than myself.”

She looked ahead at the view afforded her and changed the subject. The city was coming back to life, to be sure. “I am completely astonished at how quickly buildings can be remade. I never expected to see anything in place until the new year.”

“These folks are properly motivated, I'd say. Business being business, they need to make a living or lose their homes and comfort. Rebuilding and doing so quickly is to everyone's benefit.” He pulled the buckboard to one side. “I see this is the address you gave me. Looks respectable enough.”

“I should hope it would be, although Wade says there are a great many schemers.” She climbed down unassisted. “I'll go on ahead. Join me as soon as you can.”

He nodded. “I'll get the wagon parked up ahead and be right in.”

Abrianna made her way up the brick walk. The building stood just outside of the destroyed sections of downtown on the east side of Seattle. She read the words painted on the glass. “Guyland Greene, Real Estate Broker.”

She opened the door and glanced around the small office. A portly, older man with a thick gray mustache looked up. “If you're from the Ladies' Aide Society, I've already given as much as I'm going to give.”

“Excuse me? I'm not with the Ladies' Aide Society, but if I were I would find your demeanor to be somewhat uncalled for. Are you in business here or not?”

He eyed her suspiciously and stood up. “I am. I am quite busy at the moment, so whatever you are about, I am not interested.”

“I am about the task of purchasing property.”

“You're a woman.”

Abrianna cocked her head to one side. “And you, sir, are rude. I hope not to hold that against you and would suggest
you do likewise toward my gender. Now that we've established that, I would like to know about the properties available near the northern docks. Although I'm uncertain now as to whether I want to conduct business with you.”

“That is quite all right,” the man replied. “I do not do business with addlebrained women. Go home and let your husband handle such affairs.”

“I'm not married.”

The man scoffed. “I'm not surprised. I can't imagine any man taking such an unruly wife.”

Abrianna frowned and shifted her reticule to her left wrist. “I'll have you know that I am a woman of means, and I don't need a man to handle the task of picking out a property for the charitable organization I intend to build. However, if I'd known that you would be as abominably offensive as you are, I wouldn't have bothered to come here at all.”

“Then do us both a favor and depart. As I said, I have a great deal of business to take care of, and I do not need this distraction.” He retook his seat and picked up his papers.

Abrianna stared at his bent bald head and fumed. She'd never been treated so unfairly in all of her life. Just then the door opened. The man looked up and smiled. “Good day, sir. How might I assist you?”

Abrianna replied before her father could speak. “You won't be able to assist him. This is my father, and I'm hoping that perhaps he can help you to get your thoughts straightened out.”

“Is there a problem?” her father asked.

“There most certainly is.” Abrianna pointed her gloved finger at the heavyset man. “This very rude man has refused to work with me because I am a woman and therefore of no consequence in his mind.”

Jay Cunningham narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man behind the desk. “That true?”

“It is, and if you were any kind of man you would have known better than to allow your daughter to make such a foolish trip. Women have no place in business.” He looked at Abrianna with a sneer. “If you are insistent upon purchasing property, you should have the decency to allow your father to handle the matter for you.”

“I am quite confident my daughter is capable of handling the matter for herself,” her father replied. “I do believe, however, that you may need a lesson in common decency.”

The portly man stood. “Whom do I have the displeasure of addressing?”

“Name's James Cunningham. This is my daughter Abrianna—Miss Cunningham, to you.”

Abrianna hoped that they might be making some headway. She no longer planned to utilize this man's services, but she wanted him to come to the place where he offered to do so, just so she could refuse.

“Well, Mr. Cunningham, Miss Cunningham, I will give you to the count of ten to remove yourselves from my office. If you aren't gone by then, I will feel the need to call for the police. They are always nearby, and I doubt we will have any trouble rectifying this situation.”

Abrianna's father tensed. She could see he was assessing the man in a most determined manner. “Daughter, go to the wagon.”

She thought to protest, but the tone of her father's voice made it clear to her that it would be best to leave. Without a word, she turned and left the office, hoping with all her heart that the situation wouldn't get out of hand. She saw the wagon parked just a little way from where her father had let her off and made her way there.

For several long moments she wondered if she'd done the right thing in leaving. Her father had admitted many times to having a temper. She frowned and climbed up to take her seat. If she went back, she would only prove to the property broker that she was disrespectful of her father's instruction. Yet . . . She glanced back over her shoulder and sighed in relief at the sight of her father leaving the office.

He joined her in the wagon and, without a word, let go the brake and urged the horses forward. Abrianna said nothing, but her gaze fell on his scuffed knuckle. They were nearly home before she had the courage to ask.

“Did you . . . did the two of you come to blows?”

“I came to blows. He simply received.” Her father was very matter-of-fact in his comment.

“I'm sorry. I never meant to put you in such a position.”

“It's of no importance. The man was rude and out of line to treat you the way he did. Some of the things coming out of his mouth were uncalled for, and I decided to educate him.”

Abrianna frowned, uncertain if she should say anything more. On one hand, she understood her father's actions and even felt a bit of pride that he would defend her. On the other, she was worried that the consequences would be dire.

Was it wrong to hit the slimy real estate broker? Jay shook his head. No. The man deserved it for his derogatory comments in regard to Abrianna. It couldn't go unchecked. While Jay would never repeat what the man said, and even though the man had promised legal action, Jay knew he would have done it all over again if need be.

A man can hardly
stand by and allow his daughter to be defamed. I
might have missed out on being there for Abrianna
all
those years, but now that I'm here, I won
't let the likes of that pompous windbag call her
names.

There might still be legal repercussions, though. Folks
around here are operating on a shortage of patience for
lawbreakers
. After years spent in prison, Jay had no desire to return. He stood contemplating the whole scenario and rubbing down the horse when Wade sauntered into the stable.

“I heard you had a little trouble today.”

Jay nodded. “Not near as much as the other fella.” He finished with the horse and led him to the stall. “I suppose Abrianna told you all about it.”

“She did. She's all fired up and wants to go back and give the man a piece of her mind, but I've convinced her it would be best for us all to lie low. Maybe the man will just let it be.”

“I doubt that.” Jay secured the stall gate. “That Greene fella wasn't very congenial. I have no doubt he'll talk to the authorities just like he threatened.”

“Even so, maybe the law will overlook it given the situation.”

He shook his head. “The law hasn't overlooked anything where I'm concerned. I don't expect they'll offer any favors this time around.”

“Well,” Wade looked quite concerned, “perhaps Abrianna can relate what happened.”

“She wasn't there. Not when I hit him. I made her go to the wagon. I knew I planned to give the man a piece of my mind.” He shook his head again. “I didn't intend to hit him at that point, but the man was vile. I've never heard such language come out of the mouth of a man who calls himself a gentleman. The things he called Abrianna . . . well . . . I won't repeat them.”

Wade's expression changed to anger. “All because she wanted to know about a piece of property? I know Abrianna can be forceful, but that's no call to be lewd.”

“Exactly.” Jay dusted off his trousers. “I figure I need to go speak with Eloise. I know she's going to be upset, and I want her to hear it from me in case the authorities do have a mind to cause me grief.”

“I can understand that. I have a meeting at the church with the elders.” Wade kicked at the straw on the floor. “But I should be back by eight. Maybe we can figure something out. Could be Kolbein might have some idea of how to handle this.”

Jay felt a bit of his tension ease. “Maybe he would at that. I'll be here when you get back. Just find me, and we can figure out what to do next.”

“I will.” Wade went to the door that led upstairs to the carriage apartment. “I've got to clean up a bit before I take off. I told Abrianna to save me some supper, but she was madder than a wet cat. You might remind her.”

Jay chuckled. “I will. It's probably best that I sent her to the wagon. No telling what kind of fight that girl has in her.”

“It's just good that she didn't have a fireplace poker handy.” His eyes seemed to twinkle in delight.

Jay watched him go.
That man's
going to make a wonderful husband for my daughter.