23

“Both our families?” The beast cocked his head at her squeak of a question.

“Yes, your family and mine. My father, Bradley… I doubt Julia will come.”

She didn’t answer. A surge of energy had her mind racing with a list of tasks that needed to be done.

“Well, say something. I can’t read that darn poker face of yours.”

“You really mean it?” She grasped the back of her chair to steady herself.

“Yes. You give me absolutely no hint of what you’re thinking.” He tossed the handkerchief up in the air and watched it float to the floor.

“No.” She chuckled. “I mean the party. We’ll host it here?”

“Why not? We need some fun. Bradley’s been eager to come for a visit. Since you didn’t go home at Christmas, you can catch up with your family.”

She would see her mother. Hear the town gossip. She jumped over the dog and flung her arms around Geoff’s neck. His hands steadied her weight.

“Thank you.” Her words came out muffled against his shoulder. He smelled of soap and damp dog fur. She pulled from his embrace. “I know you don’t like company, but my mother will be able to see where we live.”

Geoff still gripped her body. Her heart pumped a fast beat. His firm touch made her want to hug him one more time.

She didn’t.

Instead, she reclined in her chair with her feet tucked underneath her skirt. The beast nuzzled her arm looking for affection.

“My mother will be able to picture where I am when she reads my letters.”

“I thought you’d like this idea. I’ll notify Tubby to put us on the schedule.”

“If we’re going to host our families, we’ll need to decorate the lodge.” She scanned the living room making mental notes of improvements.

“What’s wrong with the lodge?” He lounged on the couch as if the beast had tired him out. “Looks fine to me.”

She tilted her head. “There are no colorful pillows to accent this room or your bed. The sheers are tattered on the bottom…”

“Jo, it’s a party. No one will care about pillows.”

“The window treatments are front and center for everyone to see. That’ll be my first project.”

“Project? Sounds like work. I want us to have fun.” He combed his fingers through his hair. Did he regret mentioning the party?

“Oh, we will have fun. But first, I need to order material and pick out colors. We’ll need a new tablecloth, too.”

“Colors?” He repeated as if he’d never heard the word.

“Don’t worry. I’ll use blues and greens—manly hues. Right, boy?” She smoothed the beast’s ruff. “Oh, um.” Her mouth became as dry as talcum powder. The money she had at the lodge wouldn’t cover but a few yards of fabric. “Can I order material? With your money?”

He rubbed his chin looking as if he was deep in thought.

It was a simple question. What did he have to ponder?

His eyebrows arched and a grin as wide as her enthusiasm flashed across his face. “Order whatever you need.”

~*~

On Saturday, March 22, she dashed to Geoff’s bedroom and arranged clothes, legs, and decorative pillows.

“Slow down.” Geoff ate a bite of egg. “I haven’t seen you this crazy. You’re going to be exhausted before the ship docks.”

She poked her head into the dining room. “We haven’t hosted a party before. I want everything to be spit-polish perfect.”

“Look outside. It’s a glorious forty-nine degrees and no snow or rain. We’re hosting our families and a captain who, even if you served burned wieners and beans, would say he never tasted better. Besides, the ginger snaps you baked yesterday are the best you’ve ever made.”

“You ate one?”

“Two, but there are plenty left. I would have snitched a piece of pie, but I didn’t want to incur your wrath. Remember, this is supposed to be fun.”

A weary smile crossed her face. “You’re right.”

“Most of the time,” he added.

Shaking her head, she said, “Please go get dressed.” She wished he were more mobile and more able to assist her. “I don’t want to be strapping on legs at the last minute.”

“I’ve mastered those wooden legs.” He slid into his wheelchair. “You’re only needed if there’s an alignment problem.”

She raced up the stairs the moment his bedroom door closed. She adorned her taupe dress with a navy voile vest—a pattern from last month’s Companion. Braiding her hair, she fastened it in a bun, leaving ringlets to frame her face. Deep breaths, she told herself, while fanning her face with her fingers.

A tapping noise sounded from the bottom of the stairs.

She peeked from her bedroom door and descended the steps.

Geoff stood on the lower landing, looking tall, handsome and regal.

“New dress?” he asked.

“New vest.” She gripped the handrail to steady her wobbly ankles. “The color’s not too bold, is it?”

“Turn around.” He gestured with his hand.

She obliged, turning slowly on the bottom step.

“Works for me. It has a nice hand rest in the back.”

“That’s an embellishment, not a handrail. You’ve been walking fine the last couple of weeks.”

He grinned as if her praise was a freshly baked ginger snap.

Time dragged. She paced from the front bay window to the kitchen. Why couldn’t the guest list include only her mother and Ann?

When Geoff announced the ship’s arrival in the inlet, she dried her palms on a dish rag. She practiced a hostess smile and hoped guests didn’t notice the quiver in her lips.

Together, she and Geoff stood on the porch and watched Tubby dock the Maiden.

“Who’s that man with my father?” Geoff asked. His head bobbed as he tried to get a better view of the visitor.

She squinted, straining to make out the gentleman’s face. “It’s Marty Hill. Your manager.”

Geoff swore. His jaw tightened. “Bet he wishes my body disintegrated on the banks of the Marne.”

“Surely not.” Her sister thought Marty was marriage material. Marty was hospitable enough at the mine.

“Who invited him?” Geoff emphasized the last word as if Marty came with a case of diphtheria.

This was not the time to mention her sister’s engagement. Ann might have invited Marty. She hoped it had been Mr. Chambers or Tubby. She shrugged and said, “I don’t know.”

Geoff’s walking stick berated the porch. Thamp. Thamp. Thamp.

“Guess we should move out.” His hand rested on her shoulder as he shadowed her body to the dock.

The first one off the Maiden was Bradley. The boy jumped ship before it was secured. Bradley bounded up the length of the dock, making a beeline for his brother.

Her vest tightened mid-back.

“Don’t let me go down,” Geoff whispered.

Immediately, she flung open her arms as if expecting an embrace. “Bradley,” she called as if they had been lifelong friends. A leather case bounced off the boy’s hip. “What did you bring us?”

Bradley stopped short of bowling over his brother. He opened the case and displayed a camera.

“Mother bought me a Kodak autographic in San Francisco.” His fingers unlatched and expanded the camera like an expert. “I’m going to take pictures of everyone at the lodge.”

One disaster averted.

Geoff let go of her vest and lauded Bradley’s gift.

“Wonderful,” she said.

“Bradley, put that camera away ’til later,” Mr. Chambers called from the gangplank. The elder Chambers carefully escorted his wife down each step. Julia Chambers’s gloved hand bobbed elegantly in the air as she balanced on her husband’s arm.

Josephine studied the plum-colored satin dress emerging from the hem of Mrs. Chambers’s coat. Deep purple cloth was expensive, and Josephine had never created a dress in such a rare color. Mrs. Chambers must have found another seamstress.

Josephine shook the sadness from her heart. Mrs. Chambers had no reason to wait for summer to purchase a new gown.

Geoff planted his stick in the ground a few feet from the dock.

Bradley grabbed hold of the stick, imitating his big brother. Josephine wished she had her own camera to capture the two brothers, side by side.

“I can’t believe she came,” Geoff breathed into her ear.

“We have a few surprise guests.” She looked up and met Geoff’s gaze. “Should be an interesting afternoon.”

“What have you done to my son?” Mr. Chambers said. He inspected Geoff from the black shoes to the hat-brimmed head. “I didn’t expect you to be walking. Tall and…” Mr. Chambers’s lips pressed together. His eyes glistened as he ruffled Bradley’s hair.

“Handsome.” Julia finished her husband’s sentence. She leaned forward to kiss Geoff’s cheek, catching more air than skin. The scent of blooming lilies filled the air. “And Josephine,” she added, turning her attention from Geoff, “You’ve outdone yourself. That vest is exquisite. You must design me one when you’re back in town.”

“I’d ask for one, but she insists I wear pinstripes,” Geoff joked. The laughter calmed Josephine’s nerves.

Marty and Ann sauntered toward the gathering. Geoff released his hold on Josephine’s back and shook his father’s hand.

Mr. Chambers cleared his throat. “Miss Josephine, you’ve met Mr. Hill, our manager.”

“She’s actually driven with him and survived,” Ann remarked. Laughter erupted again.

“Don’t tell stories, dear.” Marty gave Ann’s arm a quick caress.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Geoff look her direction. She did not acknowledge him. Ann had sworn her to secrecy. Geoff would have to figure Ann and Marty’s relationship out on his own. By the end of the afternoon, Marty would have to fess up. Ann would have to fess up. Or she would slip her mother some of Geoff’s “medicinal party wine,” and her mother would fess up.

Her mother waddled up the dock, clinging to Tubby’s sturdy arm.

“Excuse me.” Josephine hurried to help Tubby with her mother. A swell of emotion made every breath a struggle.

Her mother tried to hasten her gait. Her upper-half was willing, but her arthritic toes rebelled.

“Where is my baby,” her mother gasped. “Josephine Primrose, you are a salve for my heart.”

Josephine embraced her mother. “I’m happy you’re here. I have missed our talks.”

Her mother’s eyes brightened. “The lodge is bigger than I imagined, and Master Chambers does seem healthy.”

“Geoff Chambers gets around very well when he puts his mind to it.” Josephine sneaked another hug.

By the time she, Tubby, and her mother reached the porch, Geoff and the other guests were milling around the living room. She rushed inside to take coats and hats and arrange another place setting at the table. Two crewmen carrying a large vertical crate bumped open the door.

Conversation stopped.

“Where would you like this Victrola, Cap’n?” a crew member asked.

“I didn’t order a record player.” Geoff seemed amused. “My dancing days are over.”

“It’s a house warming present.” Mr. Chambers settled an arm across his son’s shoulders. “I thought we might like some music with dinner. This island could use a little light opera.” Mr. Chambers indicated the vacant corner in the dining room where Geoff did his push-ups. “You’ve space right over there.”

“What a lovely gift.” Josephine gave Geoff a stern look not to contradict her. She admired the mahogany Victrola. The carved legs and pull-handle doors were similar to the one she had seen at the Chamberses’ mansion. Advertisements in the Companion priced the record players at four hundred dollars.

Bradley opened a leather satchel. “We brought records, too.” The excitement in his voice rivaled a gift exchange on Christmas morning.

“Perhaps you could start us off with a favorite song,” she encouraged Bradley so he would have fun in a room full of adults.

Julia supervised Bradley’s choice. “Geraldine Ferrar would be splendid.”

The crackling drag of the needle soon brought to life the soprano’s soothing song.

Geoff and his father inspected the wines while she tended to dinner. Marty offered to carve the roast, and since Geoff was busy in the dining room, she accepted his offer. Ann arranged the roast, potatoes, and green beans on the plates. Gravy and rolls would be passed. Ann was quite the assistant. Would she have been as helpful if Marty had not been in close proximity?

Geoff gave a tink, tink, tink to his glass, calling everyone to the table. She took the open seat next to Geoff, across from her mother. Ann sat across from Marty Hill. Julia sat across from Mr. Chambers. Tubby and Bradley shared the end of the table.

After Geoff gave the blessing, Mr. Chambers raised his glass.

“A toast.” He looked toward his oldest son. “To our veterans, to peace, and to President Wilson.”

Glasses clinked. Voices chorused their approval.

Josephine touched the wine glass to her lips and inhaled the heavy grape aroma. She did not taste one drop.

“Have you seen any ghosts?” Bradley’s question halted the clanging of silverware.

Tubby gave a hearty sailor’s laugh and clapped Bradley on the shoulder.

“Can’t say I’ve seen a flicker of Old Man Gilbertsen.”

“Perhaps once.” Josephine chimed in the conversation before Mr. Chambers could reprimand Bradley for poor table manners. “Shortly after we moved in, your brother called out, thinking he had seen a white wisp in his room.”

“It was tiny,” Geoff interrupted. “Probably just a flash of light. If it was a ghost, it was the runt of the litter.” He grinned at Josephine. “Now, our dog scares away any intruders.”

She tilted her head. “Our dog?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our pet, Riley?” He tipped his goblet toward her before taking a sip. “Named after the Vice President. Thomas Riley Marshall.”

“Oh yes, Riley.” She tipped her glass back toward Geoff. “He guards our huckleberry bushes.”

Tubby’s gaze darted between her and Geoff. He wiped his whiskers with a napkin.

“Franklin Gilbertsen didn’t die here, son.” Tubby leaned back in his chair as if to tell a seaman’s yarn. He pointed to the staircase. “Tumbled right down those stairs. Snapped his leg bone like a twig. His—”

“Pneumonia’s what took him, Captain.” Her mother raised a goblet, saving the table from gruesome details. “Josephine helped comfort Mr. Gilbertsen during his last days. The only reason Mr. Gilbertsen would show up here is to say thank you.”

“It’s a good thing Widow Gilbertsen sold the lodge.” Ann turned to Josephine. “She hardly leaves the house anymore. Last time I dropped by she inquired when you would be back in town.”

“Well, not for a while.” Josephine flashed a glorious smile. “I’m here on the island until June. Remember?”

Ann stared at Geoff. Was she trying to gage his reaction? Geoff poured gravy on his roast and acted as if the conversation didn’t concern him. No drips. No eye contact. Nothing. She passed the rolls to Mr. Hill.

“What do you do here for fun?” Bradley asked, addressing his brother from the other end of the table.

All eyes focused on Geoff.

Geoff cleared his throat. “We read magazines, write letters, do work. I’ve taught Josephine how to—”

Her eyes widened in horror. Don’t say gin or rummy or cards.

Geoff must have noticed her face. “Uh,” he stammered. “We tally ledgers.”

“Yes, I’ll need spectacles by summer.” She squinted and crinkled her nose, inspecting the tablecloth.

Everyone laughed.

Lively conversation filled the table—labor strikes, the Versailles Treaty, salmon marinade. After the last piece of Alaskan blueberry pie was served, Josephine sat down, tea in hand.

“May I take your picture after pie, Miss Josephine?” Bradley asked.

How could she resist the boy’s excited smile? “Sure, as long as my teeth aren’t purple.”

Bradley jumped from his seat and excused himself to prepare his camera.

Marty Hill stabbed at a piece of pie crust with his fork. Josephine hated to see a guest bored.

She leaned toward Marty. “There’s a path that leads to a waterfall. It’s probably a trickling icicle now, but I’d love for Ann to see it. It would be treacherous for mother to attempt the walk.”

“Say no more,” Marty said. “It would be my privilege to accompany Ann.”

Ann accepted the offer with a sultry wink.

After dessert, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers, Geoff, and Bradley headed out front for family pictures. Tubby and her mother settled on the porch. The musky, sweet scent of the captain’s tobacco wafted through the front door as Josephine cleared the dishes.

After piling the last of the plates into the sink, she whipped around and almost plowed into Marty Hill.

“Mr. Hill, forgive me. I didn’t expect anyone to be in the kitchen.”

“Please, call me Marty. Mr. Hill is my father. Makes me feel old.” She expected the man to step backward and give her some room, but he stood his ground, pinning her against the sink. “I came to compliment you on dinner. Best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze shifted between her clasped hands and Marty’s face. When he exhaled, she felt a breeze of air on her forehead.

“You’ve worked a miracle with Geoff Chambers. I haven’t seen him in such fine spirits. What did you give him? A special tonic?”

She smiled weakly at his flattery and averted her gaze. Geoff wasn’t fond of Marty, but it wasn’t her place to meddle in mine business.

“Good food and rest is what the doctor ordered.” Her eyes danced from Marty to the doorway, hoping her sister would sweep Marty away so she could get back to the dishes and ultimately her guests.

“This lodge is not far from Kat Wil. You could come back to the mine for another tour. On your day off perhaps?”

The inflection in Marty’s voice suggested he had more to offer than a tour. Did he believe the crude insults his miners cast? Her mouth gaped. He was engaged. Engaged to her sister.

Shifting down the counter, she sputtered a refusal.

“Hill.” Geoff’s voice rang out from the doorway. His tone reminded her of his morphine-demanding rants.

Marty spun around.

She slumped against the counter.

“Josephine is needed for pictures. Ann is waiting by the path. And…” Geoff fixed a glare on his manager that had her own heart trembling in fear, “my nurse accompanies me to my mine. Remember that.”

Marty took a step backward—onto her toes.

She clenched her teeth and vice-gripped the counter.

“Of course,” Marty said as if they had been discussing improvements at Kat Wil. With a nod in her direction, he fled from the kitchen without an apology for stomping on her foot.

“Bradley’s waiting.” Geoff’s piercing glare rattled her composure more than Marty’s pass.

Smoothing a few strands of hair behind her ear, she glanced at the sink. All she had been doing was the dishes. Did Geoff think she had been flirting with his manager?

She stepped toward Geoff. “Would you like my shoulder?”

He turned and balanced on his walking stick. “I’ve got this down.”

In silence, she followed him through the living room and out the front door.

Bradley waited near the dock with his camera.

“I hope my teeth aren’t blue?” Her face brightened into a toothy smile.

“I can’t see.” Bradley waved them closer. “Stand next to my brother so I can get a picture of you and the lodge. I’ve taken everyone else.”

She inched closer to Geoff. Side by side they stood, staring at the lens of the camera.

“Wait,” she shouted. She ran toward a pile of crates stacked on the dock and chose the sturdiest. She placed it on the ground next to Geoff.

“Cheater,” Geoff whispered.

“The picture will look lopsided now that you’re taller.” She grinned and stretched closer to his height. “Besides, aren’t you cheating a bit?”

“On three.” Bradley adjusted the lens. “One, two...”

Geoff’s fingers slipped under her vest and tickled her waist.

Her gaze darted upward, meeting his.

“Three.”

The shutter clicked.

“Can we take another one, Bradley?” She poked Geoff’s chest. “No shenanigans this time.”

Geoff grinned wider than the inlet. “Whatever do you mean? I’m helping you smile for the photograph. This is a party, isn’t it?”

Had she ever seen him this lighthearted before? Maybe when he won at cards?

She readied for another picture.

“Say Riley,” Bradley yelled.

“Guess we have an inside dog,” she mused.

~*~

By afternoon, she had conversed more than she had since arriving at the lodge. Julia wanted her opinion on hats and dress lengths. Her mother spoke of neighbors and new medicines. Tubby spoke of evading the influenza on his travels. Geoff, Mr. Chambers, and Marty talked about the mine. Bradley threw a stick for Riley, the newly named beast, to retrieve.

“Here, boy. Here, Riley.” The dog dropped the branch at Bradley’s feet.

Yep, the name Riley is here to stay. From beast to pet.

Shortly after tea, Ann pulled her into Geoff’s bedroom.

“When were you going to tell me?” Ann threw her hands up in the air. “I wrote you about my Marty.”

Josephine’s stomach swirled like an eddy. Did Geoff tell Ann about Marty’s invitation to the mine? Did Marty confess? Not likely. She sighed not wanting the party to end on an off-key note.

“I didn’t think it was my place to say anything.” Josephine’s muscles tensed in anticipation of one of Ann’s tirades.

“When is Geoff going to make the announcement? We’re all waiting for the big news.” Ann crossed her arms and cinched them against her waist.

“Announcement?” Josephine crinkled her nose in confusion. “What announcement? This is a family gathering.”

Ann playfully swatted her arm. “The announcement about your engagement, silly.”