Moonlight on Water (12 page)

Pulling back the covers, she motioned for Kitty Cat to get out of the bed. The mantel clock chimed seven times. “It's so late! Why didn't you wake me earlier? You're going to be late, and Mrs. Hanson will be distressed.”

“You usually wake me,” the little girl said with a hint of impatience at having to remind Rachel of that fact. “Why were you such a sleepyhead this morning?”

“I was having a nice dream.”

“What about?”

“Oh, all kinds of things.” She gave the child a push toward the door. “Go and get dressed.”

“If I hurry, can we sing before we leave?” Kitty Cat ran her fingers along the strings of the guitar. “We haven't sung in a very, very, very long time, Rachel.”

She laughed. “We sang together last week.”

“That's a very, very, very long time ago.”

“Go and get dressed, or there won't be time even for talking this morning.”

As Kitty Cat scampered out, Rachel sighed and stood. She went to the window that gave her a view of the river. Turning on her heel, she walked to where her work dress waited. Wyatt may have invaded her dreams, but she must not let him become more a part of her waking life. If she gambled her heart on a man who lived on a steamboat that never stayed anywhere for long, she was sure to be left unhappy … again.

Other than the fact that it was on the second floor instead of on the fifth and had hanging by the window a painting of some section of the river, Mr. Foley's office could have been Rachel's. He had the same simple desk and chairs, another example of the equality in the Community.

“Miss Browning!” he exclaimed in answer to her call of his name through his open door. “This is a very, very pleasant surprise. I hadn't guessed that Mr. Browning had already spoken to you.”

“About what?”

His smile faltered, but it came back as he said, “Something he wanted to tell you himself. But if you didn't come here to discuss that, what's your reason for calling today?”

Merrill must have spoken to Mr. Foley about his plans to marry Miss Page and received approval from the Assembly of Elders. She wanted to cheer. While he was concerned about his new wife, Merrill would not be chiding her for trying to make Kitty Cat happy.

The very thought broadened her smile as she said, “Mr. Foley, I came to ask you a favor.”

“Then come in and do so.” When she started to sit on one of the chairs, he laughed. “The air's fresh and filled with the aroma of the flowers, so let's sit on the windowsill.”

“All right.” She was astonished by his suggestion, but it was a good one. Sitting on the wide sill, she looked out to see several children racing across the common area. Their laughter floated toward her.

Was she wrong to ask for Kitty Cat to be allowed to participate in the Haven celebrations? Allowing the little girl to retain her friendships in Haven was prolonging her adjustment to the River's Haven Community. She shook the thought from her head. That was Merrill speaking, not herself.

When Mr. Foley sat beside her after flipping out the back of his gray frock coat, he asked, “What's this favor you need, Miss Browning?”

“Mr. Foley, would you ask the Elders to consider allowing Katherine to be a part of the holiday decorating in Haven for the Fourth of July?”

“You know that the matter has already been discussed.” He scowled.

“If she has this chance, she might be more willing to bid that part of her life farewell.”

With a sigh, he shook his head. “Even if I take your request to the other Elders, I don't want to get your hopes high about what answer you may receive.”

“I understand that, but will you ask them?”

He folded her hands between his. “Why do you want to put yourself and the child through this again? It'll only bring you both heartache.”

“It's important to her, so it's important to me.”

“And, so therefore, it will be important to
me
.”

Rachel leaned back from him. Although he was not moving closer, the intensity in his voice made it seem as if he were. She looked away from his fervent gaze. The door to the hallway was closed! That was a violation of the rules in River's Haven. Or was it? She was certain she had been told that when an unmarried woman was in a room with a man who was not her husband or blood relative, all doors must be left open.

She heard the children shouting in the midst of their game and told herself that she was being silly. Mr. Foley had closed the door to give her privacy to make her request, and he had asked her to sit here in view of anyone who might pass by.

Knowing that she must answer him, she said, “Thank you for caring so much about Katherine.”

“She matters deeply to you.”

“Yes.”

He sighed. “I fear you're letting yourself in for a disappointment, but I'll ask the other Elders to consider your request.”

“I truly appreciate that, Mr. Foley.”

He smiled as he squeezed her fingers. “I'd be less than a gentleman not to help you ease that child's sad heart.”

Rachel started to return his smile, then paused when he stroked her hand. Slowly she eased her fingers out of his. As he reached for them again, she stood, hoping her motion looked less like she was trying to escape and more like she had finished the business she had come to discuss with him. Thanking him again and bidding him a good morning, she opened the door and went out into the hallway.

She did not slow as she walked toward the stairs that led to the section of the building where her office was. Putting her hand on the banister, she paused when an idea burst into her head. Was she mad even to consider going to get an ally in Haven? Reverend Faulkner's offer to help make sure that Kitty Cat was happy and settled in her new life might not extend to helping Rachel persuade the Assembly of Elders to allow this excursion.

But she would never know unless she asked.

The once-familiar ache of homesickness became a cramp as Rachel looked about the simple, comfortable room. Like in the parlor across the foyer where she had sat only a week ago, tatted doilies topped the marble-topped tables that were covered with books and photographs. A horsehair sofa was set next to the larger window, and she imagined sitting there on a wintry afternoon while she read one of the books.

When she had been in Reverend Faulkner's house last time, her ankle had hurt so much that she had not paid much attention to her surroundings. She crossed the worn carpet and winced. Her ankle was protesting the long walk from River's Haven.

A door opened at the far end of the room, and Reverend Faulkner looked in. His eyes widened. Straightening his black frock coat, he entered, saying, “Miss Browning, when Mrs. Faulkner told me you were calling, I almost accused her of being in error.”

“I realize you didn't expect to see me calling again so soon.”

“How's your ankle?”

“Much better. It should be all well soon.” She smiled so he would not guess that she was being overly optimistic. “I do have two reasons for calling.”

“Please sit.”

She selected the tufted green chair that could not be seen from outside the window, and the minister drew up a wooden chair so they faced each other across a table. When he glanced past her, she wondered if he suspected how she did not want to chance having anyone see her here.

“I wish to thank you for arranging for Kitty Cat—Katherine—”

Reverend Faulkner laughed. “You might as well call her Kitty Cat. Sean always does when he speaks of her.”

“It isn't the way in River's Haven to use nicknames.”

“I see.” He became serious again.

“But I do wish to thank you for arranging for us to get back to River's Haven last week.”

“My pleasure.”

She wondered how the words could sound so innocuous when the minister spoke them, but the same words from Wyatt undid her resolve to keep away from his too eager gaze. Drat! Thoughts of him intruded at the most inopportune times. Even though she had tried to halt herself, she had looked about in hopes of seeing him as she walked through Haven.

Focusing on the problem that had brought her here, Rachel quickly explained her dilemma. She chose her words carefully, for nothing she said must, in any way, sound derogatory toward the Assembly of Elders. She would be in enough trouble just for coming here. Compounding it by insulting the Assembly of Elders could see her and Kitty Cat banished from River's Haven.

“I hadn't expected you to come to me for help, Miss Browning,” the minister said when she finished. “The River's Haven Community sticks pretty much to themselves and deals with such matters privately.”

“But I'm not sure they can help me.”

“Cannot or will not?”

Instead of answering his question, she said, “If you were to speak to the Assembly of Elders about the importance of having all the children in the county, not just the ones in the village, participate in the Centennial celebration, your words might be heeded far better than mine.”

“It
is
of great importance, Miss Browning. None of us, save a babe in arms, shall live to see the celebration of the country's two hundredth anniversary.”

“Will you share that fact with the Assembly of Elders? I know Mr. Carpenter has previously heeded your suggestions on issues that concern both the Haven and the River's Haven Community.”

Reverend Faulkner sighed. “Those issues weren't as potentially volatile as this.”

She wanted to disagree, but the minister was right. The Assembly of Elders was protective of the Community's children. Too protective of Kitty Cat, she believed, for the other children had been given more freedom than the little girl.

“But I'll contact Mr. Carpenter,” he continued. “I trust you'd prefer that I don't mention your call here.”

“I don't want you to lie.” The very idea of a minister being false bothered her.

His somber expression lightened. “There are ways of telling most of the truth that don't require lying.”

Thanking him, Rachel bid him a good day. Her steps, even on her aching ankle, were much lighter as she walked out of the parsonage and across the green toward the river road. When Sean and several younger children ran up to her, she listened to their merry chatter about all the tidings they wanted her to share with Kitty Cat. The children off the orphan train remained connected tightly together with the bonds forged through their horrible struggle to survive in New York City and being placed out with strangers.

Songs from birds and the shrill insect sounds were her only companions once Rachel left the village. Beneath the increasingly hot sunshine, the road wandered between white farmhouses and red barns and fences that were weathered gray-brown. Pulling up a piece of tufted grass, she ran her finger along it and watched the seeds scatter onto the road. She smiled as she thought of picking buttercups when she took a walk with Kitty Cat on a warm summer afternoon. Holding the blossoms up under her own chin, she would show Kitty Cat how they reflected the sun to show how much she liked butter. It was a silly game, but the little girl had never had a chance to enjoy them in the city slums.

The common area was deserted, and Rachel guessed everyone was looking for a cool place to spend what was certain to be an oppressive afternoon. She quickly changed into the clothes she wore in the Community. Glad to be rid of the heavy petticoats that had clung to her more with each step, she opened all the windows in the cottage to let in any hint of a breeze.

She was crossing the common area on her way to her office when she saw Wyatt strolling toward the common house. He must have sensed her gaze, for he looked over his shoulder. He smiled as he walked toward her. She watched every motion he made, for each was as graceful as if he moved to a melody she could not hear. Today he had dispensed with his fancy clothes. As he came closer, she saw the oil on his clothes was matched by a shiny splotch across his forehead where he must have wiped away sweat. He was carrying a small burlap bag.

“Good afternoon, Rachel,” he said.

Her heart did a somersault as his voice caressed her name the way she wished he would caress her. Clasping her hands behind her back before she could throw her arms around him and kiss him, she smiled.

“Horace must have gotten all the broken parts out of the boiler.” She continued walking in the direction of the common house. The metal shop was around the back of it on the side opposite the stables.

“Most of them.” He put his hand under the bag and jiggled it. “I swear almost every moving part connected to that boiler is in this bag. Captain Hancock should have blown his own head of steam before the boiler blew.”

“Who is Captain Hancock?”

“The man who was in charge of
The Ohio Star
when she went up on the sandbar.”

“I thought you or Horace had piloted the boat.”

He shook his head. “If one of us had been in the pilothouse,
The Ohio Star
wouldn't be needing all these repairs now. From what I've seen, I'd guess that Horace can pilot a whale through a keyhole.”

“That might be a bit of an exaggeration.” She laughed.

“A riverman's prerogative.”

“How many fish tales have you told me, Wyatt?”

He reached out to take her arm, but halted as he glanced over his shoulder at the common house. “That blasted monolith just sits there, lurking like a channel change in the river to catch anyone who doesn't watch out.”

“I have often thought that might be why it is as big as it is.”

His brow furrowed. “You don't like it either, do you?”

“How can one like or not like a
building
?” She pointed to her left. “The metal shop is that way. I need to get back to my work.”

“Back? Where have you been?”

“About my business, if you must know the truth.” She gave him a cool smile. “Everything within the borders of River's Haven is my business, just as everything on
The Ohio Star
is yours.”