A Path Toward Love (30 page)

Only she couldn't picture Randy caring enough to fill Andrew's position.

So why did You bring Andrew back into my life, Lord?

The answer came immediately. Of course. The Lord sent him as a temporary helper for this very time. Then their lives would diverge, and they'd each go their separate ways.

But then, why did her heart flutter whenever they spoke alone? Why did his opinion matter so much? She loved to be around him, sharing her thoughts and listening to his. If only Andrew wasn't so attractive and helpful . . . it'd help her keep her mind and heart firmly on friendship, rather than darting to something more.

Everyone stood for the last hymn. Opening the thick hymnbook she shared with Aunt Letty, Katherine stole a glance at him. He sang with enthusiasm and looked so engrossed in the written words, she knew he believed them with all his being. And so did she. They had more in common than any other couple she knew.

Pity they couldn't draw any closer without endangering their hearts and throwing their futures into chaos.

Early the next morning Katherine and Aunt Letty arrived at the boathouse and found a dozen or more of the Birchwood guests already boarding canoes, rowboats, and Adirondack guide boats.

“I'm looking forward to catching some trout and walleye.” Aunt Letty rubbed her palms in anticipation. “Thank you for taking me, Katherine. Cook always appreciates fresh fish for luncheon.”

“My pleasure.” Katherine shivered in the morning chill despite a shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

“It might've been better to fish for walleye at night, but maybe we'll be lucky,” Aunt Letty said.

As the rest of the group shoved off, she picked up a box of bait and headed for the remaining boat with her great-aunt.

“Let's take a guide boat,” Katherine suggested as she gathered fishing equipment from the boathouse.

They boarded the canoe-like boat that was light enough for hunters and fishermen to easily carry over land. Katherine rowed out into the calm gray-blue water.

In another hour or so the sun would rise high above the mountains and shower light and warmth over the lake and forest. But now the water reflected the mountains in a greenish distortion that reminded her of a Monet painting. Not one breath of air rippled the water's glassy surface or stirred the tree branches dipping over the shoreline. Everything was hushed except for the occasional twitter of robins and the sound of oars and paddles dipping into the water. Gradually each boat headed off in its own direction in pursuit of a leisurely sightseeing journey or a fishing expedition.

Katherine rowed in the opposite direction to a cove where she hoped the fish were biting. Aunt Letty baited the hooks with live minnows, and then they dropped their lines into the water and waited.

“The water's a little too clear for us to catch walleye, but maybe a trout will swim by,” Katherine said as she relaxed.

Aunt Letty didn't relax at all. She cast her line, reeled it in slowly, and then cast it again. Katherine had to smile at her aunt's determination. As she maneuvered her rod back and forth, she looked at Katherine.

“Have you reached a decision about your citrus groves, my dear?” Her great-aunt's voice was as quiet as the morning stillness.

Katherine shook her head. “I'm going to return to Florida, but I'm afraid the combined debts might just put me under, Auntie.”

“Oh dear. I don't suppose you'd want to ask your father.”

Katherine shook her head. “My goodness, no. He's already helped me a great deal. But what remains . . . I don't even want him or Mama to know about it. It's too humiliating.”

“Oh dear, this is quite a problem.”

“I'm afraid so. There is the hope that I could catch up after the harvest on all the various debts. If the crop is good, I can at least catch up on the delinquent payments.”

“Oh my dear, that sounds like such a tremendous burden!”

Katherine explained about the bank loan Charles had taken out for the business and had squandered on his own pleasures. “I'm feeling overwhelmed,” she admitted. “In the end, I may have to sell, although I refuse to give up the fight yet. I keep hoping something miraculous will happen.”

“I'm so sorry, my dear. I do wish I could help.” Aunt Letty's frown added several years to her age.

Katherine forced a small smile. “Andrew wishes he could too. But there's really nothing to be done. If I sell, I can pay off the bank. But I won't have much money left to live on my own, at least not for long.” She looked out to the water. “I'd end up returning to Mama and Papa. And they'd pressure me to marry Randy as soon as possible.”

“No matter how much your parents badger you, the decision to marry is most important, dear one. Doubly so, after your terrible experience with Charles.” Aunt Letty inhaled deeply, let her bait settle for a moment, and then leaned back in the cane chair. “You've said before you didn't have any desire to marry again. But I wonder if you're more opposed to
Randy
than to marriage itself.” She raised her palm. “Not that you don't like him as a dear friend. You simply can't envision him as a husband. Am I right?”

Katherine shrugged. “Perhaps it's easiest if one doesn't love with such intensity. Perhaps the best kind of marriage for me would be one of convenience. Keep it simple. My marriage with Charles was so dreadfully complicated.”

“Oh, Katherine, I know you don't believe that. You mustn't think in such a defeatist way! Don't fear the joys and sorrows of living. Believe me, they can't be completely avoided. You must have courage and understand you're not facing your troubles alone. The Lord helps us through the trials.”

Katherine considered her words. “I do trust the Lord, and in His guidance. I only wish He would guide in a more
overt
way.”

Aunt Letty grinned. “Are you certain He isn't?”

Katherine peered at her through narrowed eyes. “What do you mean?”

“Sometimes,” the old woman said, casting her line again, “what seems obscure at the present, in hindsight seems so vivid we can't imagine how we missed it.” Her eyes widened. “Oh my, I do believe I feel a bite.” Aunt Letty sat up straight, and with fierce determination in her eyes, she started reeling in her line. At first the fish pulled hard, swimming away from the boat, but Aunt Letty gripped the rod, held the point high, and then reeled in on the downswing.

“You're quite adept with the rod, Auntie,” Katherine said as she watched, eyes wide.

“Oh yes. My Norman made me learn the correct way. He said there was no use fishing if you were going to give the fish the advantage.”

Aunt Letty pulled at the rod and reeled in once more. “Look. There it is,” Katherine said as the fish swam near the surface. She leaned slightly over the side of the boat with a net to help Aunt Letty land the fish. Together they pulled in an olive and gold walleye.

Aunt Letty reached into the net and held the fish high. “This fish must be ten pounds. Not huge for a walleye, but a good size for this time of the day, don't you think?”

“Oh yes. You're quite the fisherman, Aunt Letty.”

“Norman and I both were. How I miss that dear man. We enjoyed doing so many things together. I do hope you'll have many wonderful experiences with the man you love.”

Katherine flinched. She felt her jaw tighten as she lowered her gaze. Aunt Letty meant well, but all her talk about love and happiness just brought on waves of sadness. She'd never have such a special relationship with Randy. It would be adequate at best, but certainly not bubbling with joy. Yet hardly anyone she knew experienced high peaks of emotion. With a sigh of resignation, Katherine baited her hook again and cast it into the lake next to her aunt's line.

“Aunt Letty, I understand that it's expected I remarry.”

“Your mother is dreadfully pushy, but she understands you'll be far happier when you have a loving husband. Frankly, I believe the same.
With the right man
.”

“And Randy isn't that man,” she whispered. There. She'd finally admitted the truth. He was a good person, but he wasn't her choice for a husband.

Aunt Letty nodded sagely. “I can see that, my dear.”

“But if not Randy, then who should I marry?”

The elderly lady lifted one white eyebrow and then let her smile broaden into a big grin. “Who, indeed?”

Katherine looked to the lake, hoping that in the bright sun, her aunt would not be able to see her furious blush.

Later, Katherine found a letter on her bureau. The return address caught her attention—her bank in Florida. She tore open the envelope and pulled out one sheet of paper.

Scanning the letter, the typewritten words slapped her in the face.

We regret to inform you . . . property has been decreased in value due to the unfortunate fire . . . your loan has been recategorized as high risk, given that your loan exceeds market value . . . immediately make a payment to rectify by 1 September 1905 . . . or seek a loan from an alternate financial institution . . .

Her eyes returned to the amount they demanded by the first of the month. She gasped and closed her eyes. Could this really be happening to her? Her worst fears were coming true. She'd read the terms of the loan a hundred times after Charles died and she knew the bank was within its rights to demand repayment. But she knew the banker and didn't expect he'd ever be so harsh.

Aunt Letty touched her arm. “What's the matter, dear? Not more bad news, I hope.”

“You remember what I told you about my financial woes this morning? Well, the bank is asking for full payment by the beginning of September. I certainly didn't expect that. I don't know where I'll find the funds.”

Aunt Letty led her to the sofa. “Do sit down. I think we should turn to the Lord and pray hard about this. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that difficult situations can never be thought out by man—or woman. They must be placed in His hands.”

Chapter Nineteen

E
arly in the evening Andrew wandered down a dirt road toward the bowling alley Mr. Wainwright had installed a few years earlier. He thought he'd throw a few practice balls and enjoy the quiet of dusk.

“Mr. Townsend!” Letty called. “Andrew!”

He turned around at the sound of his name and spied Letty Benham hustling down the road, huffing and puffing. She clutched a small bag in her hand. He concealed a smile as he waited for the sweet old lady to catch up with him.

“Would you like to join me for a game of bowling?” he asked as they strolled toward the Birchwood alley.

She surveyed the long lane—covered by a steep roof and open at the sides—and looked at him askance. “To be honest, I've never seen a bowling alley before. But I'd be delighted. How do you play this game?”

“It's simple.” Andrew explained while he picked up a ball to demonstrate his technique. He hurled it down the polished alley and watched it smash into the pins. “Nothing to it.” He grinned at her tilted head and pursed lips.

“I'm not sure I can learn. It looks rather difficult.”

As he reset the pins, Mrs. Benham held up the heavy ball with some difficulty, getting ready to step forward, swing her arm back, and then let the ball roll off her fingers. But her hand twisted, and the ball bounced partway down the alley and veered into the gutter. They chuckled together as she buried her head in her hands.