To Have and To Hold (3 page)

They halted near one of the spreading live oaks not far from the rear of the house just as another gunshot blast erupted. “Sounds like it's around front. You stay here.”

“I will not! You might need me.”

“We'll be more easily spotted if there are two of us. Now, do as I—” Another blast erupted, and Boyd rushed toward the house with Audrey close on his heels. He waved her back, but she ignored the gesture.

His stomach tightened and, in spite of the breeze, perspiration dotted his forehead. There was a time when he'd possessed the physical ability to stave off anyone who might threaten his family, but not now. He didn't know what he'd do if his home and family required more protection than he could offer.

At the side of the house, Boyd stopped and took a deep breath. “Be our protector, almighty God. You know I don't have the strength to do this on my own.” Once he'd uttered the prayer, he took another step forward and peered around the corner. He reared back and slapped his palm against his forehead.

Audrey grasped his arm. “What is it?”

“You're not going to believe your eyes.” He pointed his thumb toward the front porch. “Take a look for yourself.”

Chapter 3

Audrey stepped past her father and peered around the corner of the house. Aunt Thora was sitting in the rocking chair, reloading Grandfather Cunningham's shotgun. Before Audrey could speak, Aunt Thora slammed the gun shut and arched forward to study the surrounding landscape.

Lifting the shotgun from her lap, she rested it on the porch rail. “Come on out of there, you conniving Yankee, or you're gonna meet your Maker afore I stop shooting!”

“Aunt Thora! Put that—”

Another blast sounded and leaves on a nearby tree rustled and quivered as a shower of pellets scattered among the branches. Aunt Thora reared back in her chair from the impact. The old woman looked at Audrey with her mouth agape. “Mercy, child! You about scared the living daylights out of me.”

When Thora waved the gun in Audrey's direction, both she and her father ducked.

“Put that gun down before you kill someone, Thora.” Audrey's father raised his head a few inches. “At least turn it in some other direction, would you?”

Aunt Thora glowered and pointed the gun heavenward. Audrey hoped the old woman wouldn't blow a hole in the upper balcony. They didn't need the cost of additional repairs right now.

“You see here, Boyd Cunningham, don't you be telling me I shouldn't protect this land. There's a Yankee out there, and every time he sticks his head out from behind one of those trees, I try to get 'im.” She dropped the barrel of the gun a few inches and pointed it toward the live oaks that dotted the front of the property. “He keeps moving on me, and I keep missing 'im.”

She squinted and raised her voice. “But I got enough shells here to keep after him.” She turned back to Audrey and Boyd. “My eyes ain't what they used to be. Think I'm gonna have to get me some practice shooting at moving targets.”

“The war is over, Thora, and even if there is a Northerner out there somewhere, you're not supposed to shoot at him.” With a determined look in his eye, Audrey's father rounded the porch, climbed the steps, and reached for the weapon.

“Hold on, Boyd! There he is.” Aunt Thora yanked the gun from his grasp and took aim.

Before she could get off another shot, Audrey's father wrestled the weapon from her hands and took several backward steps. “Now, hear me out, Thora. No more shooting at anyone. Do you understand?”

Aunt Thora jumped to her feet and pointed in the distance. “There he is! Aim that gun or give it to me, Boyd!”

As Audrey neared the porch, she glimpsed a man waving a white handkerchief from behind one of the trees. “Boyd! Audrey! It's me—Victor Morley.” He hesitated a moment. “Is it safe to come out?”

Audrey clapped a hand to her forehead. “You've been shooting at Mr. Morley, Aunt Thora. He's a dear friend and my former employer.”

“He said he was a Northerner—that was all I needed to know. I put him on the run in no time.” Thora pushed the sole of her shoe against the wooden slats of the porch floor and set her rocker into motion. Even after hearing Mr. Morley was a friend, the old woman exhibited no remorse. Instead, she appeared downright pleased with herself. “I told him to find his way off Bridal Veil the same way he got here. When he didn't leave, I had no choice but to get the shotgun.”

“You always have a choice, Thora, and as a general rule it shouldn't involve a shotgun.” With his lips stretched as tight as a clothesline on washday, her father shook his head before he stepped off the porch and waved to Mr. Morley, peeking from behind the tree. “It's safe to come out now.”

Mr. Morley took a cautious step from behind the giant oak. His face brightened when he noticed the weapon had been wrested from Aunt Thora's hands. He appeared relieved and thankful all rolled into one. “Good to see you—both of you.” Though his words were directed at father and daughter, his focus remained fixed on the old woman.

Audrey's father extended his hand as he walked toward Mr. Morley. “This is quite a surprise.” He glanced over his shoulder at Audrey, who continued to follow after him. “Unless Audrey has been keeping secrets. Did you know Mr. Morley was going to pay us a visit?”

“No, but it's truly wonderful. I hope your wife and the children are with you.”

“Not this time, but perhaps they can come with me on a future visit.” He grinned. “Once I'm sure they won't be greeted with a shotgun.”

The three of them approached the wraparound front porch, where Aunt Thora continued to rock her chair at a frantic pace. Audrey hurried to the woman's side. “This is Thora Lund. She was my grandmother's companion and housekeeper for many years. She elected to remain here on Bridal Veil after Grandmother's death.”

Mr. Morley tipped his hat and nodded. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma'am.”

Thora pursed her lips tightly and gave a throated growl of disagreement. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to look fierce. “I'll be watchin' your every move while you're on this island.” She wagged her index finger between father and daughter. “These two may trust Yankees, but I know better.”

Mr. Morley ascended the final step onto the porch. “I assure you I mean nothing but good, Mrs. Lund. I am quite fond of both Boyd and Audrey, and I hope my visit will prove that I am your friend, as well.”

“Humph! If you think you can spout a few sweet words in my direction and I'm gonna trust you, then you don't know Thora Lund.” Aunt Thora straightened her shoulders and shot a haughty look at Mr. Morley.

“Why don't we all go inside to the parlor? I'm sure you could use some refreshment after your journey, Mr. Morley.” Audrey ushered him toward the front door. “I can't wait to hear how the children have been progressing. And how is your wife? And Mattie? I haven't had a letter from Mattie in a while.” The men followed, but Aunt Thora remained in her rocking chair.

Audrey missed the Morley family, but she missed Mattie more than anyone else she'd left behind in Pittsburgh. Even though Mattie had been the head housekeeper and Audrey's supervisor at the Morley home, the two of them had become fast friends. Audrey cherished letters from Mattie. They were always filled with news and funny stories about the latest happenings.

“My wife sends her regards, and you'll be pleased to know Mattie sent a letter. She was excited when she learned I'd be visiting you and your father.” Mr. Morley followed Audrey into the parlor and withdrew an envelope from his jacket pocket.

Her heart swelled at the sight of the familiar handwriting. Never had she had a friend as dear as Mattie. Someone she could confide in and trust, someone who'd stood by her and wiped her tears when the problems with her father's drinking had been at their worst. Mattie hadn't judged or tried to solve Audrey's problems, but she'd listened to Audrey's heartache and offered unyielding friendship. When Audrey's father persuaded her to leave Pittsburgh, it had been Mattie who had offered encouragement and wisdom.

Audrey clasped the envelope to her bodice before she slipped it into her skirt pocket. “I'll save it for later so that I can savor each word.” The men smiled and nodded, but she doubted they understood. “I'll prepare some refreshments, but please don't exchange any news until I return.”

Her father chuckled. “You don't want us to sit here in complete silence, do you? Perhaps you could ask Thora to prepare the refreshments. It would keep her busy.”

Audrey wasn't certain Aunt Thora would be pleased to prepare food and drink for a Northerner, but her father was correct. It would keep her busy. Audrey opened the parlor door leading to the porch. Aunt Thora glanced up when she drew near.

“That Yankee still in there?”

“Of course he is. You would have seen him if he'd departed.”

“Humph! Never know about them Yankees. The way they sneak around, he could be anywhere by now.”

There was no way she was going to win this conversation with Aunt Thora. “I'm going to serve some refreshments. Would you like to help prepare them?”

“You gonna serve that Yankee?”

“I am going to serve Mr. Morley, a friend and our guest, and I would appreciate your help.”

The woman rested her weathered hands on the chair arms and pushed to a stand. “I suppose I can fix the refreshments, but I won't serve him. I'm dead set against that idea.”

Audrey patted Aunt Thora's shoulder. “Thank you for your willingness to help me.”

Thora pointed toward the south end of the porch. “I'm going around and let myself in through the solarium. You go on back and visit with your Yankee friend. I'll ring a bell when the tray's ready.”

Audrey didn't argue, but she hoped Aunt Thora wouldn't think of some way to poison Mr. Morley. The thought sent Audrey scurrying after her. “What do you plan to serve, Aunt Thora?”

Her skirt wrapped around her legs as Thora came to an abrupt halt and made a quick turn. “Uninvited visitors can't be picky, Audrey. You can be sure I won't be serving him syllabub or ambrosia—those are for special guests. There's some leftover caramel cake, and I'll set a pot of coffee on to boil. Don't think he'll be wantin' tea—Northern folks don't take to tea like we do down here in the South.”

Audrey clipped back a smile. Telling Aunt Thora that she knew many folks in Pittsburgh who enjoyed a cup of tea—and some Southerners, her own father included, who preferred coffee as much as a cup of tea—would only begin another long discussion. And Audrey didn't want to lose a minute of visiting with Mr. Morley. Her curiosity had continued to mount since she'd first set eyes on him. Why he would suddenly appear on Bridal Veil Island was beyond her imagination.

“The cake will be fine.” Audrey headed back toward the parlor while Aunt Thora mumbled that uninvited Yankees should be more than satisfied with leftovers.

“I hope I haven't missed anything of importance,” she said, settling on a chair across from her father.

Mr. Morley met her gaze. “Nothing of significance. You appear to be faring well since the move, Audrey. Are you content in your new home?”

Audrey glanced at her father. “Yes. I am comfortable, and Father is quite happy. For his sake, I hope we'll be able to remain here. I can't tell you how surprised I am to see you appear. I didn't know you had interests in the South.”

“Well, I hadn't until recently. And that's exactly why I'm here. I suppose you two are aware of the transformation taking place on Jekyl Island, the large resort and hunting club being constructed.”

Audrey nodded. They would have to be completely isolated not to have heard of the plans. The island to the south of them had been sold to a group of New York investors, who had formed some sort of club and wanted to build a retreat where they could hunt, fish, boat, and escape the cold winters up north. “Jekyl is quite the talk among folks in Biscayne and in the local newspapers, as well, but I don't believe they've actually begun construction. Then again, I could be wrong.” Suddenly it had all become clear to her. No wonder Mr. Morley had come for a visit. He wanted to see the island before he became a member. “So that's why you've come for a visit. You and your wife intend to join the Jekyl Island Club.”

The idea sent Audrey's spirits soaring. If the Morleys belonged to the club, they would be making visits to the nearby island. And that would mean she would have an opportunity to see Mattie and the Morleys' children, June and Thomas. Before Mr. Morley could answer, Audrey was jarred from her thoughts by the unrelenting ringing of the bell.

Had the jangling been less insistent, she would have waited for Mr. Morley's response. Instead, she jumped to her feet. “Please excuse me. I'll fetch our refreshments, and then we can continue our conversation.” She stopped in the doorway. “I do want to hear about your plans to join the Island Club.” With a slight wave, she scurried to the kitchen.

Aunt Thora pointed to the trays. “You'll have to make two trips. Couldn't fit everything on one tray.”

“Would you please bring the second tray? That way I can begin to serve without allowing the coffee to get cold.” Audrey didn't want to beg, but she truly hoped the older woman would relent.

Thora curled her lip. “I s'pose, but I'm not serving your visitor.”

Audrey sighed with relief. “Just carry the tray into the parlor and set it on the table, and then you can go and take your afternoon nap.” She pecked the woman on her cheek. “Thank you.”

“
Humph.
So long as you remember that I'm doin' this for you and not for that Yankee.”

With a grin, Audrey picked up the larger tray. The thought that Aunt Thora would do anything for a Yankee would never cross Audrey's mind, but she let the comment go unanswered. Any deeper discussion of the war or relations between the North and South would only delay Audrey's return to the parlor.

“Here we are. I hope you like caramel cake, Mr. Morley.” Audrey placed the tray on a table to one side of the sitting area.