Where Trust Lies (9781441265364) (14 page)

Prince Edward Island appeared on the horizon in a long stretch of coastline. Beth, Julie, Penny, and Jannis leaned out over the rail and watched it take shape before them, the recent spat already forgiven and forgotten. As the ship drew nearer, the rugged rust-colored shoreline gradually showed more detail.

“How perfectly copacetic!” Jannis pronounced the view before them. “I heard it was real pretty here, and now I see why. The red cliffs, the bright green grass. And to top it all off, those lovely white houses perched like dainty little birds above it all.”

Beth smiled at the girl's poetic wording and asked, “Have you read
Anne of Green
Gables
?”

“Yeah, I read it. It was real cute, but I didn't enjoy it that much since ‘Anne with an
e
' was an orphan and all. Guess it turned out okay for her in the end, but then again, that's just a story. In real life, losing your parents doesn't end up quite so swell.”

Beth cringed. She had forgotten that Jannis had mentioned an aunt, but not a mother or father. She wondered what had happened to them. “How long have you lived with your aunt?”

“Our who?”

“Your aunt—the one who broke her leg and couldn't come?”

“Oh, Aunt Mary.” Jannis exchanged looks with her sister. “For a couple years, I guess. She's all right. A funny old bird, but she takes care of us well enough.”

“Yup, Aunt Mary,” repeated Penny. “She's a good egg, overall.”

Beth let the topic go.

“I know what let's do,” Julie suggested. “Let's go get ice creams and sit where we can watch the sailors hitching our ship to the docks.”

Beth shook her head. “Oh, we've got a long way to go yet before we're in port.”

“Fine!” Julie laughed. “Then let's just go get ice creams!”

They sauntered away toward the atrium. Then, after an hour of relaxing and waiting, Beth suggested it would be good if she and Julie checked in with their family.

“Aren't they the greatest?” Julie exclaimed as they walked back to their stateroom. “I just love those girls.”

“They're lots of fun, to be sure.” Beth was amazed at how quickly Julie could overlook the recent exchange regarding JW.

“I still wish we could eat meals together. We spend so much time in different parts of the ship, and I doubt their food is nearly as good as ours. Jannis asks me about our dinners sometimes. I try not to make it sound very good.”

“Oh, Julie, those things are all extras—just trimmings around a lovely vacation. You don't need to pity them for not sharing in everything. My goodness, I think you're already paying for most of their treats on board—or rather, Father is.”

“I know, and that helps me feel a little bit better. But Jannis has told me more about their family, and I just feel so sorry for them both.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, they haven't had it easy. Their parents died when they were quite young. So they went to live with an uncle. But he was rather a crotchety old man—didn't treat them very well, so finally they were sent to live with a cousin instead.”

“I thought it was an aunt who couldn't come along on the trip.”

Julie shrugged. “I suppose. I guess I'd forgotten that.”

“But you said a cousin.”

“Yes, something like that. I could have heard her wrong. Maybe they live with both an aunt
and
a cousin. We were playing mahjong when she told me about it,” Julie added absently. “I just missed the details.”

“I'm truly sorry to hear it. That must have been very difficult for them.”

“And Penny told me a little about their mother. She was not at all nice either.”

Beth frowned. “How so?”

“Well, I didn't hear the whole story, only bits and pieces, and then Penny was too embarrassed to finish it, I suppose. But for some strange reason their mother actually named her ‘Penance'—that's her official name on her birth certificate. It had something to do with an old church lady who told her that God was punishing her mother by giving her a baby when she wasn't married. I guess she chose the name to spite the church or something, kind of a way of getting her revenge. But they can both remember their mother saying quite often that Penny was God's punishment for things their mother had done before she was even born.”

“Oh, Julie, I can't imagine! To think of any mother saying such a dreadful thing! How old was Penny when she lost her parents?”

“I'm not sure. I haven't asked. She was certainly old enough to remember her well. But I try not to ask too many questions, since I know it makes them uncomfortable to talk about it.” They had reached the last hallway. Julie sighed deeply. “I tried to tell her that God isn't like that, that children are
never
a punishment. They're always God's blessing and dearly loved by Him. But I don't think I said it very well—at least, it didn't seem like Penny understood. Anyway, I guess that's part of the reason I want to be friends with them both. I'd like to find some way to show them that God really does love them.”

The story pierced Beth's heart. “I'm glad you've befriended them, Julie. I'll pray you find the right words.” Her sister's simple compassion actually stung a little. Beth had chosen to keep the girls at arm's length—distrustful and unsympathetic. She determined then to try harder to include them in her goodwill. Perhaps she would even set aside her questions about the pills. There had been no negative results, after all.

Despite their plans to watch the ship dock, Beth and Julie were far too busy in preparations for debarking once again to catch up with their friends. Father had reserved rooms in a fine hotel for the two days they'd be touring the island province. Beth anticipated sleeping in a bed that didn't rock with the motion of the waves. Still, the change of residence required that bags be packed for their two days and two nights ashore, and Mother insisted they lock away anything valuable in the closet safe.

One by one, their suitcases were loaded onto a wheeled
cart, until Mother released the porter with a nod, placing a generous tip into his gloved hand. He bowed and pushed the cart into the hallway. “Now, if only Edith and Victoria are finished packing as well.”

At last the ladies were tucked away in a corner of the cozy hotel restaurant for a light evening meal while Monsieur Laurent saw to it that their hotel rooms were properly prepared and the bags delivered.

“Travel is exhausting,” Mrs. Montclair remarked over her steaming tea. “I declare, if it weren't for all the folks who said Prince Edward Island was remarkably beautiful, I would have been tempted to stay on board and just relax instead. I suppose the ship is nearly empty now.”

Mother clucked patiently, “You don't mean that, Edith.”

“Now, Priscilla, I do. You wait and see. One of these times I'll just surprise you all and do exactly that. I'll leave the hustle and bustle to the rest of you and have myself a nice quiet rest—all alone.”

“You don't really like to be alone, Mother,” Victoria countered. “You're always saying that.”

Julie grinned. “Well, you wouldn't want to miss New York anyway.”

“Why ever not? I'm not as young as you four girls. So I don't feel the need to endure all the unpleasantness of every one of the cities on our route. If I take a notion at that time, I assure you, I shall even be willing to miss out on New York City too. Besides, I've seen photographs of the skyline. That's the only view I truly wish to see for myself.”

“Mrs. Montclair,” Julie said playfully, “I don't believe you've remembered about the
shopping
.”

For a moment the woman froze, her cup lifted halfway to her lips. Then she set it down again, smiled widely and
joined in Julie's laughter. Pointing her glasses good-naturedly in Julie's direction, she announced, “Ah, my dear, you
do
know me well. I confess,
that alone
would surely induce me ashore.”

“Are your friends staying in a hotel here in Charlottetown?” Margret asked Julie.

“No, they can't afford it. So they'll board the ship again tonight.”

Mother noted, “I believe many of our fellow passengers are doing the same. And with the island trains, it's not so very difficult to see what one wishes and still sleep on board. In fact, with all the fuss of packing and moving, it hardly seems an added convenience.”

“I suppose,” Julie sighed. Beth, however, thought sleeping ashore once again sounded just fine.

M
ONSIEUR
L
AURENT
APPEARED
in the hotel's small bistro where they were waiting and hurried toward their table. “There is an evening carriage tour of the city in one hour. That will give you time to settle into your rooms beforehand if you wish.” Dropping napkins onto the table, they began to rise. “Miss Thatcher,” he said, leaning over to address Beth, “perhaps you would prefer to stay here in the dining room for a moment.” He then slid a thin packet across the table toward her.

Letters!
“Oh, yes. Mother, I believe I'll wait for you right here. There's nothing I need from the room.”

Mother eyed the envelopes and nodded knowingly. “I see. Well, of course, darling. We'll be back before the tour begins.”

Beth waited until they had all filed out before she opened the packet. There were two letters bound together by a string—a welcome surprise. Using the stamp cancellation dates, she arranged the envelopes in the order in which Jarrick had sent them. A waiter stopped at the table to refill her tea, and Beth
drew out the anticipation, choosing to order dessert before slicing the envelopes open with her butter knife.

It was quickly evident that Jarrick had not yet received her letter. But he had mailed another without waiting for her reply. Beth was so grateful he had done so.

My dear Beth,

This morning your journey begins. I'm so excited for you and your mother and sisters. I trust that this will be a time you'll remember always. A time filled with intimate conversations and beautiful memories to treasure for a lifetime. I pray that God will grant you safety and freedom from unforeseen obstacles.

Over the last few days I've given much thought to our telephone conversation and its implications. I want to assure you that I'm praying daily that I would have the wisdom to use these long weeks of waiting as a time of preparation. God willing, I would like to be the best man that I can be before your return. That I would carefully measure my heart and my actions against God's desire for me in order to be aware of the ways in which I fall short. Toward this end, yesterday in church here in Blairmore I approached an older man whom I've long respected. I've made arrangements to meet him for coffee once a week in order to glean from him what I can about what makes a good man and a good husband.

Beth blushed, despite the fact that she was alone. She reached for her handkerchief and squeezed the drying rose petal to bring up a little of its fragrance. The words washed over her with such a thrill of joy that she could hardly continue reading.
Perhaps Mother could be a source of similar
influence for me.
She decided she would look for opportunities to
ask leading questions for personal advice, though she would honestly have found it easier to seek advice from Miss Molly instead.

Lester Carothers is a church elder there . . . wife of forty-some years . . . four sons and a daughter . . . hospitable and generous . . . above reproach . . . Mrs. Carothers was a schoolteacher once . . . seems a happy and contented wife . . . certain the relationship will be of great benefit.

No news yet of the teaching position . . . had a fine meal with Molly and Frank . . . the two have become quite a pair. . . .

Beth sighed contentedly at the thought. She liked to think of Frank and Molly spending time together. She felt that although they were very different from each other—an elderly Italian miner and a hospitable, aging widow—they were so completely compatible.

The mine is producing well again . . . perfect start to summer . . . mountains are so beautiful, dressed in a haze of fresh green leaves here and there among the evergreens . . . engagement announcement . . . Esther Blane and Bardo Mussante, one of the miners . . . a good friend of Philip's . . . perhaps a marriage of convenience, but they seem quite comfortable together.

“I hope he's good to the children,” Beth whispered aloud. She tried to remember Bardo, but found she could not draw up an image. However, it was easy to recall the little face of Anna Kate and her two only slightly older brothers . . . and their shabby clothing. She hoped they would be better provided for soon, with their new papa.

The waiter set a wedge of cheesecake on the table, and Beth returned to her reading.

Not much other news . . . can't wait to hear about your trip . . . finding solace in the fact that we share the same sky overhead and the same moon at night. When I see it hanging above all, I am picturing you not so far away. (But don't tell Philip I said anything so woefully starry-eyed, as he would never let me hear the end of it.)

With fondest affection,
Jarrick

Beth folded the letter again and placed it back inside its envelope. She considered saving the other until the next day, but found it far too difficult to wait. This one was shorter, written on only one side of the paper.

My dear Beth,

It's Wednesday here. One week since we chatted on the telephone. And this time I do have news for which I hope you are sitting comfortably. Good news—the very best, in fact!

Molly and Frank have eloped!

Beth sat bolt upright in shock, staring down at the words. Reading them over again to be certain her eyes weren't deceiving her. Could it be true?

Jarrick continued,

Perhaps due to the announcement of Esther and Bardo's engagement, perhaps even in order to promote the goodwill of the townsfolk to such an idea, they have slipped away to Lethbridge and come back in wedded bliss. I'm quite certain
they have been contemplating such a decision for quite some time. Of course, they didn't want anyone to fuss over them. So they opted to “run away together.”

Beth's hand trembled as she lifted it to her cheek.
How
lovely and romantic!
Yet in the same breath she lamented the fact that she had missed their wedding. It would have been so nice to be there to congratulate the happy couple.
What a joyful thing to imagine!
Beth made up her mind to write a letter as soon as the others had settled in for the night—addressed to Mrs. Molly Russo.

“Oh, Molly! I'm so happy for you,” she whispered.

Frank has moved into Molly's place. Teddy Boy and Marnie will have a father. Or rather, a grandfatherly figure, since Molly is not actually their mother and more like a grandmother to them. But what should that matter? They'll all be the better off for each being part of a family. And I'm grateful to see those children secure and loved.

I believe they've offered Frank's cabin to Heidi Coolidge and her children. That should help her to be out from under the expense of renting from the company. And there's talk now of Abigail Stanton buying the Grants' place to open a small restaurant and teahouse. She's already promised a job to Heidi if she can get the place up and running soon enough.

Oh my,
Beth thought,
what a lot to happen so quickly.

Well, my Beth, I had been determined not to write to you more often than once a week, but the news was simply too important not to tell. And I knew you'd want to hear of it as soon as possible.

I believe you said that your ship was to depart today. So, without further fanfare, I shall bid you adieu and hope to receive a return letter from you any day now.

Affectionately yours,
Jarrick

P.S. I'm ashamed to say I almost forgot my second intention in writing. I spoke to your father again. He tells me that you'll spend the day in Charlottetown on Tuesday of next week. I plan to be in Lethbridge. I'm not certain if it will be possible, but I would like to try to reach you by telephone at that time. I plan to place a call to your hotel desk on Tuesday at noon (your time), assuming I can accurately figure out the time difference. Please don't worry if it won't be possible for you to be there at that time. I just couldn't think of any other way to try to get in touch with you. JT

Beth could hardly contain herself. So much good news all packed into one short letter—and a call from Jarrick to top it off—and Tuesday was tomorrow!
How wise of him to leave so many days
between sending the letter and our telephone appointment.
Beth wasn't certain what the plan was for the morrow, but she immediately decided she would be waiting in the hotel lobby, beginning at eleven o'clock, just in case he was off an hour. “Thank you, heavenly Father,” she whispered. “His letter came just in time.”

Beth heard very little of the discourse from the Charlottetown tour guide. Squeezed between Victoria and Julie on the narrow seat of an open-air coach, Beth could think of little else than Jarrick's upcoming telephone call. She had mentioned
nothing yet to the others, preferring to think through how she would address the issue.

“And here we have Province House.” The young guide gestured at the impressive stone structure. “Most of you will already know that this site is most famous for hosting the Confederation Conference in 1864, where the Maritime Provinces joined with what was then known as the Province of Canada to discuss the formation of a confederation of the remaining British provinces in North America. What you might not have heard is that there was also a
circus
in town that attracted far more attention by the public at large.” He winked. “Some might even say that makes for
two
circuses hosted by our city at the same time.”

His amiable banter continued as Beth thought about how to convey the news of Jarrick's call to her family. She sighed, wishing she were able to be more attentive. She hated to miss out on any of the history or the charming old street sights.

“Annie Bet?” JW tugged at her sleeve and pointed toward the front of the coach. “Horsies! See?”

“Yes, darling.” She smiled at the boy, but he slid back onto Mother's lap before she could chat with him for even a moment.

As they later descended from the coach and entered the broad mezzanine of their hotel, Julie drew near her and muttered, “Where have
you
been, Bethie?”

“I'm sorry?”

“Well, sister dear, you're clearly lost in thought. It's so unlike you not to absorb every bit of historical significance and to ask a thousand questions begging for more. Tonight you've hardly spoken at all.”

Beth smiled feebly. “I guess my mind is preoccupied today.”
Here was a wonderful chance
to be with my family, but I let myself get
caught up in daydreaming.
Beth remembered Margret's
request that she be
present
with them, along with Father's encouragement to use the summer wisely.

“I sensed ‘preoccupation,' as you call it,” Julie said. “But you haven't said what it is that's so much more interesting to you.”

“I'll tell you later,” Beth whispered.

Julie caught hold of Beth's elbow and drew herself closer in mock intimacy. “Oh, goody! That can only mean it's something well worth hearing.”

Beth shook her head. “Don't be so melodramatic, Julie.”

Monsieur Laurent wanted everyone to meet in the hotel dining room following their tour. He was waiting to greet them in the lobby and directed them to the proper table. Mrs. Montclair, who had skipped the tour, was already seated and reading a newspaper.

“How was the carriage ride?” she asked as they joined her.

“Good,” declared Victoria. “The horses were very bright, but not as clever as my pony.” Just mentioning the beloved animal brought a frown. “I miss Clover. I haven't been riding for ever so long.”

“Now, Victoria, don't start with that again. You know that David is exercising her while you're gone. She'll be just fine—and so will you.”

Beth was amazed at the sudden mood swing. The girl had been fine only moments before and now was slumped in the chair beside her mother.

“Eat something,” Mrs. Montclair commanded. “You'll feel better.”

“Let us begin,” Monsieur Laurent inserted into the exchange. “We have several decisions to make regarding tomorrow's agenda. . . .”

Beth held her breath, praying silently that God would work
out the details for her conversation with Jarrick. In the end, it was decided that the morning would be spent shopping in the city, with an afternoon train ride to other parts of the island. Beth had tried not to influence the decision toward her own wishes, but she sighed with relief at the outcome. All she would miss would be the shopping.