Beloved Counterfeit (11 page)

“As did yours,” Viola said softly, her expression unchanged.

Chapter 13

How to tell a lady of quality that ducking a man’s fists started well before Ruby was of age to have a man of her own?

“No need to answer, Ruby. I’ve found that the past fits much better where it belongs—behind us.” Viola moved from the window and slipped past to open the door. “No sense in dredging it up and wearing it for all the world to see. That’s what I say, anyway.”

“Vivi, is that you?” A dark-haired man eased around the corner, wearing a sleepy expression and a wrinkled shirt half tucked into trousers in a similar state. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.” Dark eyes locked with Ruby’s as one corner of his mouth turned up in a crooked grin. “Remy,” he said as he lifted a dark brow and moved toward her. “Remy Dumont. And you are. . . ?”

Viola stepped between them. “Ruby O’Shea, meet my brother.”

Her smile was as much for Viola as for the man who stood behind her. “Pleased to meet you.”

“He’s only just arrived.” Viola turned to give Remy a look then a swift peck on the cheek. “So forgive his unkempt appearance. I’m sure he was just off to repair himself.”

Remy pushed his hair from his face then smoothed the front of his wrinkled shirt. “Indeed,” he said as he winked at Viola, “I was off to do just that.” His gaze swung to Ruby. “If you’ll excuse me. I’m certain we’ll meet again before Vivi and I return to New Orleans.”

“You’re leaving?” Ruby turned her attention to the midwife. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I,” Viola said with some measure of what appeared to be exasperation. “And for the record, my brother has not consulted me on this decision of his. Shall we?”

Ruby followed Viola outside, unsure whether she’d just made a friend or lost one. She paused when Viola did, watching while the midwife snapped the head off a perfectly beautiful flower of some sort.

“Micah Tate,” she said as she studied the flower. “Where does he fit in all this?”

“I don’t know,” Ruby said. “I thought maybe the Lord would tell me, but it seems He’s left me to figure it out.”

Viola gestured toward the docks. “Better think fast, because here he comes.” With that, she threw open the latch and opened the gate for Ruby. “Know this,” she said as she paused to close the gate once Ruby had passed through. “Micah Tate has never shown me to be anything but a good man. I understand Rev. Carter’s decided he’ll pastor the church someday.”

From the corner of her eye, Ruby watched the wrecker approach. “Yes, I’ve heard as much.”

“I know him to be a man of his word, Ruby,” Viola said. “So if he’s made you any promise, you can stand on the fact he’ll see it through until he shows you otherwise.”

Ruby groaned as she waved to Viola and walked away. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

By picking up her pace, Ruby reached the parsonage before Micah could catch her. There she found Tess playing tag with a tolerant William Carter. The younger son of the Reverend and Mary Carter had allowed Tess to charm him into tying a handkerchief around his eyes, rendering him nearly helpless as she danced just out of his reach.

“Mind the child, William,” Mary Carter called from somewhere inside the parsonage. “I’ll not have you stomping her with those feet of yours.”

Tess screeched with glee when she spied Ruby. At the sound, William removed his blindfold and caught the child before she escaped. “Wait for your mama,” he told her patiently. “It’s not safe to chase about in the street.”

Tess seemed to consider arguing but instead climbed aboard the boy’s shoulders and allowed him to piggyback her across the road to where Ruby waited. “Look, I’m riding a horse,” she called. “A big horse named William.”

“You’re quite the tolerant young man,” Ruby told him when William made a circle around her.

“I don’t mind,” William said. “Between Tess and Joey I’m never bored.”

“Joey had to take a nap on account of he’s a baby,” Tess said. “And William is his uncle.”

“Yes, I know,” Ruby said. “Joey belongs to Miss Isabelle and Mr. Josiah. That’s William’s big brother.”

The girl peered down at Ruby with blue eyes the color of the afternoon sky. “Someday when my sisters have babies, I’m going to be an uncle, too.”

No point in correcting her, Ruby decided, though she did wink at William. “Indeed, you may,” the young man said as he lifted her easily over shoulders nearly as broad as his brother’s.

Tess skittered to the ground and headed for Ruby, grasping handfuls of her skirts as she launched herself forward. Ruby caught her—barely—then knelt to offer a hug. Impish Tess rarely tolerated such hugs lately, for she spent much of her waking hours in motion, unavailable for this sort of loving.

“Where have you been?” Tess demanded.

“Well, let’s see.” Ruby pretended to consider the question carefully as she refused to allow anything but a smile. “I cleaned up after lunch, and then I went and helped Miss Viola. I got to hold the new Vincent babies while their mama got her checkup.”

“Not fair,” Tess said. “I didn’t get to hold a baby today, and you did. I tried to hold Joey, but he’s too big.”

“Yes, I suppose he is,” she said.

“I want a baby at our house,” Tess demanded.

“Honey, I hardly think this is a discussion we should be having. You’re my baby, and that’s enough for me.”

Tess wriggled out of Ruby’s grip. “I want a baby at our house,” she repeated.

“That’s quite enough, Tess,” Ruby said. “I’ve told you it’s not as simple as all that. You can’t just decide you’d like a baby and then have one arrive.”

“Why not?”

When Tess looked to William for the answer, his cheeks went pink. “I think I hear my mother calling,” he muttered as he hastily made his way back to the parsonage.

“Why?” Tess demanded, her fists still full of Ruby’s skirts. “Tell me why we can’t have a baby at our house like Miss Isabelle has at hers.”

Ruby sighed. Her patience, what was left of it, had worn thin. Worse, Micah Tate had not only caught up to her, but now stood close enough to hear the entire conversation. “Dear,” she said carefully, “I’d love to discuss this with you. I just can’t talk about it right now.”

“No.” Tess’s favorite word in years past was resurrected and spoken at great volume and with much gusto. “Tell. Me. Why.”

Ruby grasped the child by her wrist and headed toward the boardinghouse without giving the wrecker a glance. At first Tess complied; then she decided to dig in her heels and protest. That was when Ruby stopped and prepared to pick her up.

Instead, Micah scooped the child into his arms. “Do you mind some help?” he asked.

Any help would be welcome, Ruby decided, except his. Yet the way Tess climbed onto Micah’s shoulders as she had with William did make the walk home faster and quieter. Though she chattered away with Micah, at least she was talking and not screaming in protest.

They arrived at the picket fence, and Micah settled the girl back on the ground. “Mind your mother and go inside,” he said. “She’s worked hard today and is likely going to need your help with dinner.”

With Tess trotting happily toward the door, Ruby relaxed a notch. “Thank you,” she said to Micah then slipped inside and closed the gate. “She adores you,” Ruby added when the man remained where he stood.

“And I her.” Micah lingered a moment longer then turned away with a wave of his hand.

Just as Ruby had begun to relax, Tess fairly flew past to reach the gate. Rather than escape through it, she climbed atop the lowest rung and leaned over to address Micah. “Mr. Micah,” Tess called. “Come back.”

Micah stopped but thankfully did not make a move to return.

“I want a baby at my house and Mama won’t tell me how to get one. Can you bring me a baby tomorrow when you come to eat lunch here?”

The wrecker had the decency to turn several shades of red before shaking his head. “I can’t do that, Tess,” he said, though his attention was squarely on Ruby. “Not tomorrow, anyway.”

“When, then?”

“Ask your mother,” he said as he turned to head back toward town.

Of all the nerve.
Ruby offered the wrecker her back and stormed to the front porch. “Not funny, Micah Tate.”

“It wasn’t intended to be, Ruby O’Shea,” he called just before she hustled Tess inside and slammed the door.

Chapter 14

The first thing Micah did after the door slammed was to go home and fetch the last of the jerky he kept on hand for emergencies. The second thing was to find Caleb Spencer.

“So you’ve come to your senses and accepted my offer so soon?” Caleb met him halfway across his office to shake hands.

Micah suppressed a smile. “What makes you think that’s why I’m here?”

The judge shrugged. “I had no doubt you would. I only thought it might take a day or two.”

Micah took a step back to look out the window at the docks and the broad expanse of ocean beyond. “What you’re asking is a tall order, Judge.”

“It is. Which is why you’re the man for it, Tate.” Caleb strolled back to his desk and motioned for Micah to follow. “I was so confident you’d take the job that I’ve already had the papers drawn up.” He glanced up at Micah. “There’s a salary to go along with the position.”

Micah read the paper without comment, though his eyebrows shot up when he saw the amount he’d be paid. “I can’t take all of that, Caleb,” he said. “It’s too much.”

“It’s enough to support a man and his family.” He paused. “Figured I’d allow for any future plans you might have.”

“But this is—”

“Enough for a widow to live on should something happen to the militia captain?” Caleb supplied.

“And then some.”

“Wrecking’s been good to this island,” he said. “You know from working in the warehouse while you were recuperating that there’s a wealth of goods going through the auction house each month. Suffice it to say our coffers are quite full even after the building of the new school.”

Again Micah made to protest, but Caleb silenced him. “Understand, I’m buying not only your services but your loyalty. You receive a salary and a seaworthy vessel along with the ability to raise up a militia and train them. For that, I am willing to pay full value.” Another pause. “Do not sell your abilities short nor assume your loyalty should come cheap.”

With nothing left to say, Micah went back to reading until he’d scanned every line of the document twice. When he looked up, he found Caleb watching him carefully.

“The nature of this job is that it exists only as it is needed and will cease to exist when the need for it has passed. That’s the only drawback. Any questions?”

“Makes sense.” Micah shrugged. “I’m sure I’ll have plenty of questions along the way, but right now, no.”

“All right, then.” Caleb settled behind the desk and reached for his pen, then dipped it in ink and handed it to Micah. “Sign the papers,” he said, “but not for the salary. Do it only if you feel you can conduct the duties the citizens of Fairweather Key require of you. I warn you they are hefty, yet I have no doubt of your ability to surpass any expectations.”

Micah scratched his name across the bottom of the page and committed his life to defending the safety of the key. Considering how poorly he’d done the last time, the promise struck more than a little fear in him.

Yet he’d do it, and he’d do it well.

Caleb continued to make much fuss over Micah’s taking on the job, but Micah shook it off. The way he saw it, the Lord had given him the opportunity to make up for the last time he’d been part of a militia. This time he’d carry out his duties without any thought of leaving his post, no matter what.

If only the Lord would provide a remedy for his other regret. Micah had thought the feisty boardinghouse cook was sent to give him that opportunity, but so far, Ruby O’Shea was having none of it. No matter. With all the resources of the Fairweather Key Militia at his disposal, he’d keep her safe whether she appreciated the effort or not.

The way he figured it, since he’d missed lunch, he’d show up for dinner and see if she shooed him off. This he decided as he walked down the steps of the courthouse and turned toward the docks.

It was Monday, and the mail boat stood at anchor when he passed. Beyond it was the vessel he’d been given, and a beauty she was. He’d yet to decide what to call her, though a few ideas had already come to mind.

After spending a good while examining every inch of the boat, Micah set sail and found her to be every bit as agile a vessel as he’d hoped. It felt good to be back at the helm, so good that he circled the island twice before turning her for home.

Josiah Carter met him on the docks with a grin. “Caleb told me the news.”

Micah returned the smile. “I’ll not disappoint him.”
Nor Ruby.

“I know you won’t,” Josiah said. “Though I wonder about how quickly you made your decision.”

All he could offer in response was a shrug.

“So tell me.” Josiah grinned. “How was your first sail on her?”

“Everything you’d think and more.” He gestured Josiah aboard. “Let me show you.”

A tour of the boat followed. Josiah convinced Micah to take her for another sail, and by the time they returned, the sun hung low on the horizon and the wind had begun to kick up.

“Isabelle will be wondering where I’ve gone off to,” Josiah said.

“I suppose so,” was all he could offer in response. As he watched his friend hurry home to his wife and son, Micah felt yet another stab of jealousy.

It didn’t take him long to wash the day’s work off and put on his Sunday clothes. With the lamps now lit up at the boardinghouse on the hill, Micah followed them to the gate, intent on seeing just what Ruby O’Shea might think of his uninvited return.

Then he spied her through the front window, and all he could do was stand and watch as she went about the business of setting the table for dinner. A few boarders had already seated themselves, and at least two more stood within view.

He opened the gate then closed it carefully so as not to alert anyone to his arrival. Still, the door opened before he managed to knock.

“Hello, Tess,” Micah said, fully prepared to discuss babies, yet not prepared at all.