Lily (Song of the River) (45 page)

“Worried?” She lifted her chin and wished she had done a better job of hiding her sorrow. “Everything is going well. We found the perfect school for Camellia, we’re making money faster than I dreamed possible, and you’re with us. My family is reunited. What more could I want?”

Her ruse didn’t work. “Water Lily, I know I haven’t been around like I should have been for you and your sisters, but I’m not blind. Maybe God intended for me to be here now so I can help.”

“I don’t need your help, Pa–Papa.” Trying to pass her stutter off as a reaction to the cold air, she shivered. “It’s cold out here today, isn’t it?”

He shook his head. “You can’t fool me, honey. You and Blake spent a lot of time together in New Orleans. I tried to talk to him when he showed up here early one morning last week, but talking to that boy is like trying to swim upstream. When I saw how the two of you avoided each other yesterday and again this morning, I started to understand the problem.” He cleared his throat. “He didn’t try to take advantage of you, did he?”

Lily’s cheeks felt as if they were glowing like twin flames. “No—”

“Good.” The word cut off her explanation. “I would hate to have to toss that boy overboard.”

Lily would have laughed, but his gaze told her he was not making a joke. “I care about him very much, Papa. But we have no future together other than as co-owners of the
Hattie Belle.
”

“Is this because of his past?”

A sigh filled her chest. “Not exactly.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“He’s turned away from God.”

A frown wrinkled her father’s weathered brow. “Has he told you this? That he doesn’t believe in God?”

She nodded, her heart breaking again as she remembered Blake’s refusal to release the pain of his past and turn to God.

“That surprises me.” Papa adjusted the ship’s wheel to avoid a snag ahead. “He and I have spent some time together, you know. He’s been as full of questions about God and Christ as anyone I’ve ever met. When someone is determined to avoid contact with God, he usually doesn’t want to stay around Christians or give in to his curiosity.”

His words buoyed her, offered her hope. But what if he was wrong? “He probably wants ammunition to use against Christians.”

“I don’t know, Water Lily. I only know that God doesn’t want to bring either of you pain.”

With great effort, she summoned a smile. “I know, Papa.”

“Good.” He focused on the horizon then returned his attention to her. “We need to ask God to reveal the truth to Blake, and not just for your sake. This is more important than whether the two of you love each other—it’s about where he’ll spend eternity.”

Papa’s words were stark, frightening. A shudder shook her. Lily looked at her father. “Can we pray right now?”

He held out his arms to her. “Of course we can. I can’t think of a better time to do so.”

Blake watched Lily cross the gangplank and enter her grandmother’s carriage. A piece of his heart traveled with her. He had to win her esteem. But was he ready to surrender control of his life? And if so, who was he surrendering to? The cold, uncaring God of his childhood or the warm, loving Savior that Captain Henrick and Lily worshipped?

He’d spent years chiseling out a life for himself, learning how to rely on his own strengths. Was he supposed to give all that up?

A hand clapped him on the back. Blake turned and met Captain Henrick’s gaze. “You look like someone is tearing out your heart.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The accuracy of Captain Henrick’s analogy stunned him. When had he grown so transparent? And what did his inability to hide his thoughts say about being able to return to the gambling tables? His future didn’t look very hopeful. What was a washed-up gambler supposed to do? He couldn’t stay here. Being around Lily without being able to claim her was harder than he’d thought it would be.

Captain Henrick shrugged. “If you say so.” His glance went to the carriage that was pulling away.

Time to change the subject. “Why aren’t you going to Les Fleurs with them?”

“I’ve spent a great deal of time on my knees since I turned to God, and I’ve learned a lot from that position.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the way God uses weakness to His benefit.”

He had Blake’s full attention. “What kind of God wants weak followers?”

The smile on Captain Henrick’s face widened. “The kind of God I serve.” He closed his eyes as though thinking hard about his answer. “‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’”

Frustration boiled in Blake’s chest. “That makes absolutely no sense.”

The captain opened his eyes. “Think about it like this, son. God is eternal. He doesn’t think like we do. If you took the strongest person in the world and multiplied his strength a hundredfold, it would be as nothing to the God I serve. When Paul asked for the strength to overcome his weakness, God gave him the answer I just quoted to you.”

“Then what’s the point of striving for anything? Why not rely on God for everything we need?”

“Exactly right.” Captain Henrick clapped his shoulder. “I knew you were close to understanding.”

Blake had not expected the man to agree with him. He didn’t understand why Lily’s father was grinning, but then the truth hit him. He didn’t have to control anything. All he had to do was turn to God. The God who was stronger than his doubts, his questions, his weaknesses, and even his strengths. Hope sprang up inside him, choking out the doubt and anger that had controlled his life for so many years. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“That’s all I need to hear.”

Blake wished Captain Henrick’s eldest daughter felt the same way. But perhaps if he continued searching for the truth, perhaps God would show him the way to Lily’s heart, too.

Jean Luc’s father pulled his pocket watch from his waistcoat. “You’re late … again.” He snapped the silver cover closed and replaced the timepiece.

One of the other clerks snickered.

Jean Luc wanted to turn on his heel and walk out. Why did he have to be so humiliated? Most fathers would appreciate his exemplary behavior. Jean Luc had taken such pains to please the man since the disastrous night when he’d lost his interest in the
Hattie Belle.
Yet all his father did was embarrass him in front of his employees. Tamping down his irritation, Jean Luc removed his gloves and hat. “I’m here now.”

His father blew out a harsh breath. “None of my other employees arrive as late as you.”

“Any time you want me to stop working, I will be most happy to oblige.” Jean Luc sauntered to the small desk tucked into a corner of the office. He sat and pulled forward a sheet of paper, pretending to study it while his father continued to fume. A list of goods was handwritten in the margin of the bill of lading he held, but he had no idea whether someone had delivered the goods to Natchez or if they were being ordered from some other port. Nor did he care.

“I don’t know why I put up with your impudence.” His father stormed out, slamming the door.

Jean Luc sat back in his chair and crossed his ankles. A large window on the front of the office building showed passing carriages, carts, and horses. How he wished he were outside instead of stuck in this office. But as long as he needed funds, he would have to pretend to work for his father.

He hoped his pretense wouldn’t be necessary much longer. His mother had told him they’d been invited to a party at Lily Anderson’s home tomorrow evening. He needed to meet with Steenberg and arrange for another unfortunate incident. Perhaps something a little more damaging. He would offer to comfort Lily and see if he could convince her to give up her dangerous lifestyle. If he could present himself in the proper way, he should be able to convince her to turn over the management of her boat to him. It would only take a matter of weeks for him to cement his control. Then he could take his proper place in local society.

“Aren’t you going to begin listing those goods in your ledger?” Another clerk, Randolph something-or-other, pointed to the pile of papers someone had stacked on his desk.

Jean Luc shook his head and leaned his chair back until only the back two legs touched the floor. “My eyes are crossed from trying to make sense of that top one. Why don’t you be a good friend and take care of these for me?”

Randolph swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. “I have a stack of my own.”

Letting his chair fall forward, Jean Luc picked up the neat stack and held them out to the fellow. “I’m sure you’ll do a much better job than I.”

A slight lift to Randolph’s shoulder indicated acceptance.

Jean Luc dusted his hands and reached for his gloves. “I believe I’ll go check on the ships that are supposed to be arriving today.”

He left the office and whiled away the morning being fitted for a new pair of boots. After a leisurely lunch, he purchased a newspaper and took it to the park for perusal. After he finished his reading, Jean Luc strolled across the park, renewing acquaintance with several of the ladies he’d met over the past months. He managed to escape without too much trouble and decided he should visit his tailor to see if the new suit he had ordered would be ready for tomorrow evening’s party.

When he finally made his way back to Champney Shipping, the office was closed. A pity. But what was he supposed to do? A gentleman had to keep his priorities straight.

As the sun was setting, Jean Luc made his way down to the docks, pleased to note that the
Hattie Belle
’s berth was at the far end of the waterfront. It shouldn’t be difficult for his men to board her without being spotted.

He found Steenberg standing in an alley next to a waterfront warehouse, the brim of his hat pulled low over his face. “Do you have the money?”

Jean Luc ignored the ill-mannered question. “The party is set for tomorrow night. The whole family will be in attendance. Blake Matthews, too. Are you ready to get back on board?”

“All I need is the cash.”

“I want you to make sure they cannot leave the next day.” Jean Luc wished he could hire someone else. But at least the man in front of him knew how to keep his mouth shut. No one suspected that either of them was involved in the earlier robbery. “And make sure no one gets hurt.”

“That guy sprung up out of nowhere.” Steenberg put out his hand for the money. “But I managed to knock him out before he could see who I was.”

“This time wear masks.” Jean Luc counted out three bills.

“That’s not enough money.”

“Be glad I’m giving you anything, given your incompetence. You’ve failed me twice. Next time, I won’t be as forgiving.”

“But you need me.” Steenberg stepped closer. “You don’t want to get your hands dirty.”

Jean Luc refused to be intimidated. “You’ll get the rest when I am satisfied with the results.”

Steenberg looked like he was going to argue but then shrugged and accepted the cash, tucking it into the pocket of his trousers. “Tell me exactly what you want done. I can wreck the boat so she won’t move for a month or more.”

Jean Luc considered the options. “Stay away from the paddle wheel. Those things take too long to repair. I’ll leave it up to you. Just make sure the damage is not irreparable. I need Lily Anderson to turn to me for help. Then I’ll be able to convince her to relinquish her interest in my boat.”