Uncle Arne, think,” Shane beseeched the old man. “Where would you have put those receipts? What about in a safe deposit box at the bank?”
“Nein, nein,” Arne despaired. Sitting at one of the long tables, he put his graying head in his hands.
Shane sighed and paced the dining common. He had to get out of Hickory Corners. If he didn’t leave soon, he might never get away. There was something strange about this tiny community, and it was drawing him in with its powerful clutches.
This morning, for instance, Doc had come over, and he, Arne, and Shane had chattered on like long-lost friends. Next, he’d met Oskar Bedloe, the wiry-framed tinsmith. Bedloe’s place was located between the mercantile and Doc’s barbershop. Shane got along well with all three men, as they discussed politics and America’s new president, Martin Van Buren. And for the first time ever, Shane felt like he belonged. Doc and Bedloe didn’t know about the Gerhards’ fortune, so they weren’t befriending him thinking they had something to gain. Furthermore, they hadn’t an inkling about his past, so they weren’t looking down pious noses at him. They accepted him at face value.
Then there was Arne, who behaved like the proud uncle. He introduced Shane to everyone who passed by on the street.
Of course, Elsa didn’t help matters. Since noontime yesterday, she had regarded him as if he walked on water. Him! A rake among rakes. Rogue among rogues. Worse, Shane couldn’t seem to keep his distance. When she looked up at him and smiled, he felt twelve feet tall. As for marrying Elsa so he could claim his inheritance … well, he wouldn’t mind that a bit. Only problem was, he didn’t think he could marry her, then leave her behind. He’d want to take her with him, but what kind of life could he possibly provide for a decent woman? And he sure wasn’t about to stay here. What sort of vocation could he pursue?
The only viable option was to find those receipts and sail out of this town as quickly as he could!
“All right, all right, Uncle Arne, let’s put our heads together. Is there an attic in this place?”
“Ja, but I have searched it.”
“Let’s search it again.”
The old man nodded. “First thing tomorrow vhen da light is better.”
Shane expelled an impatient breath and glanced at the windows. Beyond them, he could see the evening dusk rapidly descending.
“Papa, I’m leaving.”
Shane swung around, hearing Elsa’s voice. She’d removed her apron and had donned a pretty lace collar over her brown linen dress.
She smiled at Shane.
In spite of himself, he smiled back.
“Vhere are you going?” Arne asked.
“To bake cookies with Mrs. Tidewell and a few other ladies. Remember, I told you, Papa?”
“Ja, ja, I remember now.”
“Tomorrow is the Spring Fling.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Shane drawled, snapping his fingers. “I plumb forgot. Why, I imagine this is the biggest event of the whole year.”
Elsa gave him one of her quelling looks, and he laughed.
She turned to her father. “Henry will be here in a few minutes. He said he had to work late tonight. Papa, are you still going to talk to him for me?”
“Nein, Elsa. Talk to him yourself. I am a tired old man.”
“But, Papa—”
“Do not argue,” he warned her, rising from the bench. “It is best Henry hears your feelings from you, not me.”
With that, Arne shuffled over to his daughter and kissed her cheek. “Aufwiedersehen, bis Morgen,” he said, patting her shoulder affectionately.
“Yes, see you in the morning, Papa.”
“Young Shane … Gute Nacht.”
“G’night, Uncle Arne.”
He watched the aging man head for his bedroom, via the kitchen. Returning his gaze to Elsa, he encountered her perturbed expression.
“May I be so bold as to inquire over what it is you wanted your father to say to Mr. Quinsy?”
Elsa puffed out an exasperated breath but shook her head.
“Aw, c’mon. You can tell me,” Shane cajoled. He strode slowly toward her. “Maybe I can help.”
“You can’t.” Elsa folded her arms in front of her and dropped her gaze to the tips of her leather ankle boots.
“Let me guess. You changed your mind about marrying Henry. Someone else came along and … and swept you off the service counter.”
Elsa let her arms fall to her sides. “You are the most vain man I have ever met.”
Shane laughed. “I reckon you’re right about that.” He took another step forward. “Elsa,” he said in all seriousness, “don’t fall in love with me. I’ll only break your heart.”
She sort of rolled her eyes and looked away, so Shane took hold of her chin, urging her gaze to his own.
“Look at me, Elsa.”
She did, and Shane’s heart splintered seeing fat tears fill her eyes.
“Honey, I’m a no-account gambler. Why do you think my father didn’t leave me his company or the family estate? He knew I’d probably lose everything in some high-stakes card game. I’ve been known for drinking and carousing until dawn. I haven’t held a job for more than a few months at a time. That’s the kind of man I really am, Elsa. I’m not husband material for a fine, Christian woman like yourself.”
“I know what kind of man you are,” Elsa said staring back at him with misty eyes that held such tenderness it took Shane’s breath away.
He caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers, fighting the urge to kiss her. He had a hunch she wanted to be kissed, too.
At that precise moment, however, Henry burst through the front door. “Elsa?” he called in his habitual, whiny voice. “Elsa?”
“Over here, Henry.”
Shane lowered his hand and stepped backward. “Well, good evening Mr. Qu—I mean, Peabody.”
His near blunder earned Shane a rap in the arm. He grinned.
“Come in, Henry,” Elsa invited. “Papa has already retired for the night, and I’m on my way to the Tidewells’ house, but I’m certain Mr. Gerhard will keep you in plenty of company. He likes to play cards.” She made for the door and grabbed her shawl and bonnet. “Good night.”
“Whoa, Elsa, just a minute here,” Shane called.
But the door slammed shut, signaling her hasty departure.
“Little imp,” Shane muttered. He strode to the windows and saw her walking up the street in the company of the blond gal from the mercantile.
Behind him, Shane heard Henry clear his throat. “Imp? Is that what you called Elsa?”
“Ah, yes, it is.” Shane pivoted, considering the small man standing several feet away. “You know, if you’re not careful, Mr. Peabody, some blackguard is liable to steal your woman.”
With the cookies baked, frosted, and decorated, Elsa and Samantha bid farewell to Mrs. Tidewell and headed for home.
“Won’t Betsy be pleased with the cookie we made for her?” Samantha said.
“Yes, it’s perfect,” Elsa replied, wondering who would choose their friend’s treat tomorrow. Betsy’s pa deemed it unsafe for her to drive the wagon into town from her family’s farm after dark. Besides, she had her siblings to care for and tuck into bed.
“I wonder who’ll get my cookie,” Samantha mused. “I hope it’s Martin Crabtree. He just got home from law school today. He’ll be in town through Easter Sunday, so he’ll attend the Spring Fling tomorrow.”
“Make sure you give him a hint about your cookie before one of the Bunk brothers gobbles it up.”
The girls shared a little laugh as they turned onto Main Street.
“What about you? Will you give Henry a hint?”
Elsa shook her head, glad it was too dark for Samantha to see her. “I know I’m betrothed to Henry, but … well …”
“It’s that Mr. Gerhard, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Elsa whispered. The admission seemed to float on the breeze and carry through the budding treetops.
“I thought maybe you had developed feelings for him.”
“It’s worse than that, Samantha. I’m in love with him.”
“Oh, dear …”
Elsa could faintly see her friend’s face peeping out from beneath her bonnet as they paused in front of the boardinghouse.
“Don’t worry about me,” Elsa said as they prepared to part for the night. “God knows my heart, and He is in control. He knows the situation, and He has already planned for it in His throne room. This turn of events is no surprise to God.”
“Very true.”
“How’s your mother?” Elsa asked, changing the subject.
“She’s not faring well. I overheard Doc telling my father that … that it’s likely she’ll … die. We should be prepared.”
Samantha sniffed audibly, and Elsa pulled her friend into an embrace. “There, there, don’t cry.” She wished she could say something profound to ease Samantha’s sorrow.
“Oh, I’ll be all right,” she said, giving Elsa a bit of a squeeze before pulling away. “I know God is in charge of my situation, too. But trusting Him is easier said than done. Mama and I are very close.”
“Yes, I know.…”
A solemn moment hung between them.
“I should get home,” Samantha said.
Elsa nodded. “Good night, my dear friend.”
“Good night.”
With sadness filling her being, Elsa walked the rest of the way to the boardinghouse—and nearly tripped over Shane’s form perched on the stoop by the front door.
“’Bout time you got home.”
“And who might you be, my guardian?” Elsa asked tartly.
“Guardian angel, maybe.”
In spite of herself, she laughed.
“What did I hear about your friend’s mother?”
Elsa sobered. “She’s sick … possibly dying.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Yes, it is. Mrs. Thomasohn is a fine woman, caring in every way. When my mama was ill, Mrs. Thomasohn checked in on Heidi, Herrick, and me, and she made sure things were running smoothly. After Mama died, Mrs. Thomasohn proved such a comfort to us.” Elsa paused thoughtfully. “I just wish there was something I could do in return, but it seems Samantha is managing.”
“How long since your mother passed away?”
“Almost five years.”
“Guess everyone has to go sometime, hm?”
“True. Tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us.” She tipped her head, straining to see Shane’s features in the darkness. Only a small light flickered behind him from inside the boardinghouse. “Do you miss your parents?”
“Some. But if the Bible is true, they’re walking the streets of gold in heaven right now. Their enthusiasm for God may have dwindled, but I know they were true believers.”
“How did you know about that … about the streets of gold in heaven?”
Shane chuckled. “Seems I’m remembering some old Sunday school lessons. I’ve had a lot of time to think since coming to Hickory Corners. Not much else to do around here after sundown.”
Elsa sat beside him. “Did you and Henry get along all right tonight?”
“Did we get along …? I ought to take you over my knee for pulling that prank.”
Elsa grinned.
“Oh, I suppose Henry and I had a friendly conversation,” Shane finally admitted. “I did my best to make him see that he sorely neglects you, but ol’ Henry just wanted to complain about his throat. By the way, he feels better today. I thought you’d want to know.”
“Yes, thank you. That is good news.”
“I told him he should go back to Boston where he wants to have that operation—a tonsillectomy. I believe Henry is seriously considering the idea.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh.” There was a smile in his voice when he added, “I hope you’ll enjoy living in Boston.”
“I’m sure I’ll never know. I don’t plan to leave my papa and Hickory Corners. Henry knows that. Besides, I’ve changed my mind about marrying him.”
“Is that what you wanted your papa to talk to Henry about?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses, although I hope it’s not on account of me.”
“Of course it is. You spared me from a loveless marriage. I’m forever grateful.”
“Grateful? To me?” He chuckled lightly. “All right, just so long as you’re not in love with me.”
Elsa chose not to directly reply to the latter. “I have decided something else, too,” she announced.
“What’s that?”
“I’ve decided that if Papa cannot find those receipts, I will marry you so you can collect your money, even though I know you’ll divorce me soon afterward.”
Elsa was fully aware that God’s Word warned Christians against marrying unbelievers; however, she rather thought her predicament was similar to Queen Esther’s. Surely God would honor Elsa’s arranged marriage the way He blessed Esther’s marriage to a heathen king. Besides, it wasn’t like hers and Shane’s would be a “real” marriage.
“You’re willing to marry me?” Shane asked incredulously. “You know full well I’m not the husband type.”
“I know that, yes,” Elsa began. “But in these past two weeks, you have cared more about me than Henry has in all the months we courted. Of course, I understand you didn’t mean to show me any special affection,” she put in quickly. “You were simply being the brave champion you always are.”
“Brave champion?” He chuckled once more.
“You’re my hero, Shane,” Elsa whispered, leaning closer to him. “You’re a regular knight in shining armor in my eyes.”
At that, Shane hung his head back and hooted. “Elsa, you’ve got things all inside out and backward. Didn’t you hear anything I told you earlier? I’m no champion, no hero—”
“You are to me.” She placed her hand on his arm. “But, I don’t expect anything from you. If we’re forced to marry, you’re free to return to your life in St. Louis while I live mine in Hickory Corners, knowing I spared my father’s honor just the way Queen Esther spared the lives of the Jewish people.”
“Queen Esther?”
“In the Bible.” She suspected her rationale was weak, yet she longed to believe it.
“Ah, yes …”
The cool, springtime air caused Elsa to shiver. Standing, she smoothed down the skirt of her brown dress, then pulled her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders. “I guess I’ll go in for the night. I think I’ve caught a chill. See you in the morning.”
“G’night, Elsa.”
With a parting smile, she walked into the boardinghouse. She had peace about her decisions, but she had to wonder how God would use it all together for His good.