A Path Toward Love (43 page)

Once they docked the rowboat, Andrew helped her out and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Don't worry. Everything will be fine.” Her legs threatened to buckle now that they were back home and about to face the consequences of their decision.

“I do hope so,” she murmured. She'd hate to lose her family over this. Her stomach flipped from the enormity of her decision. And Andrew's . . . Would her father fire him on the spot?

They slowly walked across the lawn and up to the veranda of the chalet where they found Aunt Letty knitting, and Mama and Mrs. Clarke doing needlework projects.

When Mama spotted her and Andrew together, she let out a gasp and her hand slammed against her mouth. “What are you doing here, Andrew? You're supposed to be on the train to California.”

He kept his voice calm. “I've come back with Katherine. She has something to say to you before I explain.”

Mama put up a hand. “Before you utter another word, we need William and Randy to join us.” She sent a maid to fetch them.

Mama and Mrs. Clarke stared at Katherine, their mouths gaping. Clearly, they realized there'd be only one reason for Katherine and Andrew to be here, together. For the first time in Katherine's memory, her mother was speechless. Aunt Letty cast her eyes down and bit her lip, no doubt to keep from squealing with delight. Birdsong softened the awkward silence and crickets hummed in the background. The time seemed to stand still, but finally Randy and Papa pushed through the back door.

Papa looked at them askance. “I imagine you two have something we all ought to hear.”

“Yes, we do.” Katherine could scarcely breathe, let alone speak coherently. “Randy, perhaps I should speak with you privately.”

He shook his head. His stare slid from her to Andrew. From the look in his eyes changing from surprise to defeat, he knew exactly what they were about to admit. Sighing, he tugged on his mustache. “You're going to end our courtship, aren't you, Katherine?”

She nodded and swallowed hard. “I'm so sorry, Randy.”

He half smiled and then shrugged. “Actually, I'm not as shocked as everyone else seems to be.” And he didn't look as distressed either. Then he glanced at his mother with one raised eyebrow. “What now, Mother?”

“Don't worry, you needn't worry about your father,” Mrs. Clarke soothed.

“Whatever do you mean?” Katherine asked, her gaze sliding from mother to son.

Mama, Georgia Clarke, and Randy exchanged quick glances and turned geranium red.

“It's unimportant, dear,” Mama murmured, taking too many seconds to regain her composure.

Something was up, and Katherine was going to get to the bottom of it if she had to question them all day long. “Randy, out with it.”

He shifted from one leg to another and tugged at his mustache.

“Randy, please,” his mother screeched in her booming voice. “Not another word.”

“What are you keeping from me?” Katherine strode closer to the veranda where Randy dropped down on a rocker, his legs sprawled in front of him, his shoulders slumped, and his chest caved in.

He straightened a bit. “I may as well tell her, Mother. She'll get it out of me eventually.” He drew out a sigh as all eyes focused on him. “My parents said I had to go to work for my father in his dreadful bank unless I married you.”

“What?”
Papa sputtered, his face growing red. He cast an accusing eye toward Isabelle.

“We've always been such good friends, Katherine,” Randy went on. “So I thought marriage was a good idea, although I would've preferred to wait a few more years. But nothing would stop our mothers from making plans for our future. I went along because I thought we were destined for each other.”

Katherine grabbed on to Andrew's arm for support. “I knew you weren't truly in love with me, Randy.”

His crestfallen face caused her a momentary twinge of sympathy for the boy slated to begin an unwanted career in his father's business. But a lot of gentlemen would jump at the opportunity. He'd be all right.

“Can you ever forgive me, Katherine?” Randy asked. “I'd hate to lose your friendship after all these years. I do apologize for my less than honorable motives. But you must know I really care for you.”

“But as a friend, not as a wife.”

He nodded and refused to meet his mother's glare.

Katherine shook her head. “Mama, I'm so disappointed you'd deceive me with such a horrid scheme. And you too, Mrs. Clarke.”

Katherine braced herself for a confrontation with her mother, who'd no doubt lash her with cutting words. But she remained mute.

Aunt Letty clapped her hands in glee. “Don't look so glum, people. This is a grand day. An ill-advised marriage has been prevented and that's something to celebrate.”

Aunt Letty glanced toward Katherine's father, who stood silently by the door. “What about you, William?”

“I love you, Isabelle,” he said in a low rumble, “but you've made a terrible mistake. It's one thing to encourage two young people to consider each other, another to bully them into it. To conspire with Georgia to make marrying our Katherine the only way out from under some threat . . .” He looked over to Randy and shook his head. “If I'd known . . .” His voice cracked and he looked to Katherine, lifting his hands in surrender. “Forgive me, princess. I went along with it too long and turned a blind eye when, clearly, I should've been paying closer attention. You are free to make your own choices, with no repercussions from us.”

Mama rallied. “I am dreadfully disappointed. But there are so many other suitable gentlemen! I'm sure you'll find one, Katherine. When we return to New York in September, we'll—”

Aunt Letty interrupted in an exasperated tone. “Really, Isabelle. Let the girl choose her own husband. You should understand by now that's exactly what she'll do. All your bullying won't make a wit of difference. Katherine is just as opinionated and determined as you are. And I suspect she's already made her choice anyway.”

“Oh?” Papa asked, raising a brow in their direction. His eyes flicked over to Andrew.

Aunt Letty winked at her grandniece. “Am I right, dear?”

Katherine breathed deeply. “Yes, you are.” Her gaze slid from Mama to Papa. “Andrew and I are going to marry and move to Florida. We're going to run the citrus groves together.”

Her mother gasped. “Oh no, dear, you don't mean that. Andrew is a nice, hardworking fellow, but . . .” Her voice drifted off. “Well, you must think this over carefully. You're making another impulsive decision you'll come to regret.”

“No, Mama. This feels like the least impulsive decision I've ever made,” she said, smiling up at Andrew. “I'm sure we'll be happy.”

“I suppose it's really up to you,” Mama sputtered.

“Yes, it is, Isabelle,” Papa agreed. “I had an inkling this might come about, given the opportunity. And I can't say I'm upset, although I'm sorry to lose you as an employee, Andrew.” Then a wide grin spread across Papa's face as he looked toward Katherine and Andrew. “You'll make a grand couple. I imagine you'll both be quite satisfied working your groves. And your mother and I will make it a point to visit you each winter. It'll be a relief to escape the cold weather. I do hope you two will return to Camp Birchwood during the summer, given that it's a slow season and all.”

Katherine's eyes widened in surprise, hope filling her heart. Could it be? Could he have just made certain that the road between them would never be blocked again?

Before she could rush to her father and wrap her arms around his ample waist, he strode over to her. He shook Andrew's hand and then hugged Katherine, nearly smothering her with his affection. When he stepped back, he said, “Don't worry. We'll all come around. Just give everyone a short time to adjust to the idea and I promise we'll all be thrilled. Isn't that right, Isabelle?”

Mama joined them on the lawn. “I'm a bit stunned, but maybe your father's right. Time will tell. Katherine dear, I don't want to lose you again.”

This was probably the closest Mama would come to an actual apology, but Katherine was more than satisfied. “You won't lose me, Mama. I promise.”

“Ah, Andrew,” Randy said, “I wish you and Katherine much joy. I hope that we all can be friends, as time goes on.”

Andrew smiled and shook his offered hand. “Forgive me for swiping your girl?”

“She never was, not really,” Randy said. “I think she's always been yours.” He sounded a little disappointed, but mostly relieved.

Andrew patted him on the shoulder. “Do you think your father will insist you start work?”

Randy shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe not. After all, I fulfilled my part of the bargain.”

Andrew was glad Katherine had moved away to speak to her great-aunt. He'd hate for her to hear Randy's callous talk.

“But even if he doesn't insist, I'm considering going into the bank every once in a while to see if I can adapt to working. It's worked out all right for you.”

Andrew smiled. “I applaud that. It'll be good for you, Randy. Work builds character.”

“So you say,” Randy mumbled as he ambled off toward the recreation hall, walking backward. “Are you ready for a game of billiards?”

Andrew shook his head, astounded at how quickly his cousin had recovered. “No, not today.”

Randy shrugged, smiled, and pivoted on his heel, setting off alone.
He'll be fine,
Andrew thought.
Just fine
.

Katherine returned to Andrew's side and touched his arm lightly, but it felt like a jolt of electricity. “Would you take a walk with me, Andrew? I need to get away for a while.”

Arms linked, they strolled across the wooded yard and down a narrow path toward the beaver pond. On the way they stopped to pick raspberries and blackberries from the brambles close to the trail. They popped the berries in each other's mouths and savored the taste. For a while they spoke of the citrus groves and building a new home on the property, of starting a life away from New York society.

“Do you think I'll ever acclimate to the Florida heat?” he asked, loosening his tie.

“In time,” she said. “It's perfect in the winter. And in the summer we can vacation right here at Birchwood. How does that sound to you?”

“Perfect. When should we have the wedding?” he asked, hoping she'd agreed to an early date.

She tilted her head and looked up at him, smiling. “How about I ask the pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd on St. Hubert's Isle? We could marry right away and have a quiet reception here at Camp Birchwood. What do you think?”

“The sooner the better.” He gently spun her around until they were face-to-face. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

Katherine laughed. “Tell me again.”

“I'll show you.” Then he buried her in a kiss that lasted and lasted.

When they finally moved apart, Katherine couldn't stop smiling at the man she loved so dearly. The Lord had brought them together, and happily, she'd finally listened to His voice. This time she was following Him down the path He'd laid before her.