Destined for You Read online

  “That’s not fair! I didn’t carve on those other desks.”

  “You keep sassin’ me, and I’ll have to spank you as well. Now, go to your room and get ready for bed.”

  JT’s face reddened, but he didn’t say another word. He stormed off to the back of the house and slammed his bedroom door.

  “I’ve never seen him like that.” Gloriana looked at her father. “What’s gotten into him?”

  “Hard to tell. Boys can be like that.” He shook his head. “You can’t hold it against him, Glory. He’s let his anger get the best of him. I’ll go talk to him about it later. He’s not gonna be able to sleep for some time. He knows what he did was wrong—at school and here at home. It’ll get to eatin’ at his heart, and he’ll be filled with remorse. It might take time for him to admit it, but eventually he’ll be sorry for what he’s said and done.”

  That evening, just before Papa went to bed, Gloriana heard him talking to her brother once again. She stood outside the door, hoping and praying that all would be resolved. She certainly didn’t want Papa leaving without JT apologizing.

  But the boy stood firm in his anger. He reiterated that he hated his papa. It was something Gloriana had never heard come out of his mouth. She knew the last few years had been hard on him. Losing their mother had taken joy from all of them. In fact, Gloriana found little joy left in her heart. She hurt at the thought of their loss and couldn’t imagine how it must be for a little boy to be without his mother and siblings. He had adored Aaron, who at sixteen surprisingly always found time to play with JT. Tabitha treated JT like her own baby. She had been five when JT came into the world, and she was always at his side. Was all of JT’s anger due to that loss?

  Gloriana heard her father tell JT good night and reassure him that he was loved despite his wrongdoing. JT said nothing, and Gloriana wanted to go to his bedside and demand he make up with Papa. She was a firm believer in not letting the sun go down on one’s anger.

  She eased away from the room as her father came out. She gave him a sympathetic shrug, having no idea what else she could do. Papa followed her out to the front room.

  “Give him time,” he said. “He’ll come around.”

  “I just want to shake him. I’m so troubled by his attitude.”

  Papa smiled. “You can’t let it get you all caught up. Children say things without thinkin’, and once he thinks it through, he’s going to feel powerfully bad about it. We’ll show him forgiveness, though.”

  “And what about the punishment?”

  “That stands. A person must bear the consequences of their actions, or they learn nothin’.”

  “But there’s always the possibility of grace.”

  Papa gave her a hard look. “Do you think the punishment was too severe?”

  “I’m sure I wouldn’t know.” Gloriana gave a sigh. “I trust your judgment, Papa. I didn’t mean to sound like I didn’t.”

  He smiled. “Don’t fret. I’ll lend a hand in due time and see that those desks get fixed up, but first JT has to accept his punishment and show a willingness to obey.”

  Gloriana nodded and stretched up on tiptoe to kiss her father’s cheek. “I love you, Papa.”

  “And I love you, Glory. You look more like your mama every day, with your pretty blond curls just like hers and those bright blue eyes. It was her eyes that caught my attention the first time I saw her. Never saw eyes that color of blue.”

  His expression took on a distant look, and Gloriana clearly saw regret in his eyes. It was regret that matched her soul. Regret over a loss that could never be changed.

  Chapter 2

  At four the next morning, Gloriana fed her father a hearty breakfast of pickled herring, poached eggs, toast, and her homemade berry jam, with plenty of hot coffee.

  “Much obliged, daughter. That will keep me content for a few hours at least.”

  Gloriana smiled and placed a large sack on the end of the table. “This will help you past that.”

  “When we get enough whitefish, I’ll be back. With it getting close to their time to spawn, we’re going to be gradually busier, and I have to get my pound nets in, so we have more than a few things to see to.”

  She kissed the top of his billed cap. “I know you’ll be home when you can, and I’ll have something warm for you to eat.”

  He got up from the table and patted his belly. “You cook ever’ bit as good as your mama. She’d be so proud of you, Glory. She’d be happy you put aside your own desires to take care of me and JT, but as soon as that boy’s old enough to do for himself, I want you to reconsider marriage.”

  “Papa, we’ve already talked about this, and now really isn’t the time to start up a conversation. If God has a man for me, He’ll send him our way and make it clear. He’d have to be someone willing to take on all three of us, or he couldn’t possibly be the right man.” She smiled. “Now, you’re going to be late if you don’t get a move on.”

  Papa glanced toward the hall that led to the bedrooms. There was no sign of JT. Not that Gloriana had really expected him. It was a struggle each day just to get him awake in time to go to school.

  “I hope he won’t give you too hard of a time today.”

  Gloriana shook her head. “JT will be fine, just like you said. He needs time to rethink things. Now, get on with you, and don’t forget your food.”

  He grabbed up the bag. “I love you, Glory.”

  “I love you too, Papa. Oh, and don’t forget.” She beamed him a big smile. “If you face trouble, remember that I’m right about Jesus.”

  This was something her mother had always said before letting her husband head out onto the lake.

  He chuckled. “The good Lord can have me anytime He wants to come get me.” He opened the door. “Smells like there might be a rain in our future.”

  Gloriana followed him outside. It was chilly, and she wished she’d brought her shawl. Instead, she hugged her arms to her body to ward off the nip in the air.

  Sally and Scott came out of the little house that Gloriana had once lived in as a girl, back when it was just her and Mama and Papa. “Morning,” she said with a wave.

  Scott and Sally made their way closer. “Good morning to you,” Scott replied. He smiled. He was always smiling. He seemed happier than anyone Gloriana had ever met.

  Sally pushed a tin into Scott’s hands. “These are for later. Did you get your lunch as well?”

  “I did.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  Gloriana and Sally watched the men leave. Within view down the rocky path was the object of their attention, the Ana Eileen, a fishing boat named for Gloriana’s mother. Neither said good-bye, as that was considered bad luck, and even if Gloriana didn’t believe in luck and superstitions, she knew her father did.

  She took Sally’s hand. “Let’s pray for them.” She didn’t wait for Sally’s answer. This was their custom every day the men went fishing.

  “Father, we ask Your blessing on the Ana Eileen and the men who serve her. Let the catch be plentiful and the weather fair. Bless all those who sail today, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

  “Amen,” Sally whispered.

  Gloriana opened her eyes to gaze after her father and Scott. “Did you get your cookies made?”

  “Yes.” Sally’s voice was barely audible. She refused to look away from her husband. “I hate it when he goes away.”

  “I know.” Gloriana put her arm around Sally and said nothing as the sun rose on the horizon in streaks of red and pink. Red sails in the morning, sailors take warning was a well-known saying. It was even in the Bible—the sixteenth chapter of Matthew—although the words were a little different.

  “I have laundry to do,” Gloriana said with a sigh, “and an angry little boy to send off to school.”

  “Why is he angry?” Sally asked, rubbing her belly.

  “He carved on his school desk and was reprimanded by the schoolmaster and his father. I think disappointing
Papa was the worst of it.” Gloriana gave a sigh. “Last night he was so bitter and angry. I’ll wake him up and see how it fares with him this morning.”

  Sally nodded and began walking toward her little house. “I hope it goes well.”

  Gloriana cast one more glance toward the Ana Eileen. “I do too,” she whispered.

  Lucas Carson listened as Jay Cooke instructed him on his new job. The financier, who was well known for having raised enormous amounts of capital for the North during the War Between the States, was now heavily invested in railroads and wanted to see his projects pushed ahead without delay.

  Having worked for years as an attorney for Jay Cooke’s railroad interests, Luke wasn’t surprised that today’s conversation was centered on the railroad’s progress.

  “As you know, we are close to breaking ground in Minnesota on the Northern Pacific Railway, and the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad is well underway,” Mr. Cooke began. “I have a good team of men in St. Paul, as well as a few in Duluth, but I want you there as well. As I understand from your supervisor, you have a brother in Duluth.”

  Luke nodded. “I do.”

  Mr. Cooke fixed him with a stern look. “That will help. You will have someone with whom you can stay, and perhaps the solitude won’t seem quite so overwhelming. I’ve had letters from some of my men that speak to their dismay with the isolation of Duluth.”

  “I’m sure I can adapt, sir. I’ve never minded wild spaces and isolation.”

  For a moment Mr. Cooke studied him as if to unearth deceit, but Luke spoke the truth. He’d always enjoyed the unsettled regions of the country whenever he’d had a chance to see them—which, granted, hadn’t been often. His father despised such locales. They were a long way from Philadelphia.

  “Good. I hope to send you there tomorrow. I know that hardly leaves you much time to put your affairs in order, but while I apologize and sympathize, I cannot alter the date.”

  “I assure you my affairs are in order, and I will have no trouble leaving tomorrow,” Luke assured him.

  “Then I will have my secretary give you what you’ll need to get up to date on what is happening in Minnesota. There is a great deal to accomplish in order to get the Lake Superior and Mississippi in place by next August. One thing, however, that I must remind you of is the conflict between the cities of Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin.”

  Luke nodded. He knew very well about the rivalry of the two towns. They were located across from each other on St. Louis and Superior Bays. Separated by the Minnesota and Wisconsin Points, the two cities had long fought for the right to be the primary city on the west end of Lake Superior. Superior, Wisconsin, had better shipping access and thus had grown considerably, but Duluth was no quitter, and with the help of men like Mr. Cooke, who had invested heavily in the success of the little town, prosperity came closer every day.

  “I considered sending you by ship, but instead I’m sending you to St. Paul first, and that is best accomplished by rail. A group of men there will be making their way north on the track that’s been laid, and then from the current terminus, they will venture forth on foot, horse, and wagon. I want you with them, and I want your honest opinion of the route they’ve chosen. I’ve heard the area is nothing but swampland and lakes, but we must make do.”

  “Very well.” Luke was still unclear as to what his job would be.

  “There is a great deal of trouble brewing between the two cities of Duluth and Superior, and I need to know I have a man there who is loyal not to the city nor the railroad but to me. I also want a man of godly resolve. I know you to be a strong Christian man and believe you will pray and keep God’s Word ever present in your heart. This is the kind of man I need in Duluth—the kind of man who will seek God first. Will you be that man for me, Carson?”

  Luke had always admired the fact that Jay Cooke was a strong man of God himself. He often opened their meetings in prayer. “Of course, sir. I am happy to go and serve you in this capacity. However, I would like to know exactly what you would have me do while I’m there.”

  “Your working title will be general manager. The various work gangs each have a boss. In turn, these bosses report to the project managers, and they will report to you. Each team is to document the progress made on the line, as well as detail lists of what new supplies are needed. You will go over all of the requests and note whether they are reasonable or whether something different should be done. You will be my eyes and ears. You will double-check that plans are going ahead as configured by our people and see that no one who is against us interferes. Can you do this?”

  “Yes, to the best of my ability. However, if there is a problem between the cities, that concerns me.”

  “There are reasons for concern. Superior has gone against us every step of the way. They want to force our hand and make their city the railroad terminus. I have bought a considerable amount of property in Duluth, which is why I want the railroad there. That was my risk, but Superior’s investors were hardly offering up the kind of money I was. It has created bad blood that will only be perpetuated when the Northern Pacific lays tracks in the spring. You have always seemed like a levelheaded young man. I’ve heard of you negotiating difficult deals where the other party seemed unwilling to yield even an inch. I feel you are the man for this job.”

  “I appreciate your confidence,” Luke told the older man. “I will do my best for you.”

  “Good. I will pay you your regular salary.” Mr. Cooke paused and ran his hand down his very long beard. “I will also give you a monthly bonus for your trouble and the isolation.”

  Luke nodded. Whatever was going on in Duluth, it was to his advantage, and he would get to see Scott again. Poor Scott. He had fallen in love with the kitchen maid and married her shortly after the death of the girl’s mother the previous December. They had hoped to keep the marriage from his father, who had no problem with his son having a dalliance with the help but would never accept one as a family member. When it was learned there would be a baby, Scott had found it necessary to confess his actions. Father had not only been upset by the news, he’d become furious and had irreversibly disinherited Scott. They had left Philadelphia in shame and settled in Duluth with financial help from Luke.

  “I will expect regular letters from you each week, if possible,” Mr. Cooke continued. “I realize the winter months will make this more difficult, so a monthly report during that time will be acceptable.”

  “I understand and will do what I can to see that you have what information is available.”

  Mr. Cooke got to his feet, and Luke rose as well. They shook hands, and the financier handed Luke an envelope. “Travel expenses.”

  Luke placed the envelope in his inside coat pocket. “Thank you. I will be in touch with your report.”

  Martin Carson looked across the table in disbelief. “You have to be joking. You can’t leave Philadelphia for that godforsaken country.”

  “I’m afraid I must. Mr. Cooke requires it of me, and you’ve always instructed me to do whatever he commanded.” Luke took slices of rare roast beef from the platter offered to him by the footman. He waited as the next servant poured au jus atop the thick pieces. He was starved, and the meat was testing his patience as he waited for all the dishes to be served and his father to begin eating.

  “Would you care for me to say grace?” Luke asked, knowing the answer.

  “No. I would like you to explain more about this unreasonable demand.”

  “It wasn’t really a demand, and it was certainly not unreasonable. I might have refused, but the job was offered because of the great confidence Mr. Cooke has in me. I thought that might please you. Instead I find you surly and discontented.” Luke prayed over his meal silently, then followed his father’s lead and sampled the roast. It was nearly tender enough to cut with the fork.

  “I am glad to hear that a powerful ally found my son’s work of value, but Duluth is too far away. I need you here in Philadelphia.”

/>   “Are you suggesting I give up my position with Mr. Cooke?”

  “Of course not!” His father pounded his left fist on the table but never gave a sign of losing his fork out of the other.

  They ate in silence for several minutes, and then his father began to pose additional questions. “What, exactly, will you be doing?”

  “I’ve been given the title general manager. Mr. Cooke, as you know, has two railroad projects going on at the same time. Each has a manager, but Mr. Cooke wants someone who will oversee everything. After speaking with his secretary, I learned that involves more than just the two railroad projects. Mr. Cooke has his hand in a lot of other projects as well, including the idea to dig a canal from Lake Superior directly into Duluth’s harbor. Right now ships must come by way of the Superior, Wisconsin, entrance, and there has been a lot of disagreement between those two towns. Mr. Cooke has also started building a large hotel, a grand affair for important clientele. There are a dozen other projects, but I won’t bore you with them. Suffice it to say, I will oversee these things.”

  “I suppose you’ll see him.”

  “Him who?” Luke raised a brow and waited for his father’s answer.

  “Your brother.” Martin Carson’s voice was full of contempt. “And her.”

  “Sally. Yes, I shall see both of them.” Luke continued to eat. The food was sumptuous, and there was no sense in letting his father ruin the day, much less the meal. “Mr. Cooke suggested I could stay with them.”

  “I can’t imagine they have proper accommodations, unless you’ve bought it for them.”

  “I assure you I have not purchased them a house.” Luke refrained from admitting he had sent money so they could rent one when they first arrived. Since then, Scott had found a good job fishing, and the rent was part of his pay.

  “They probably live in a hovel.”

  “Perhaps, but I’m looking forward to seeing them again, especially with the baby being due almost any day. Your first grandchild, I might add.”

  “You might also bite your tongue. That baby is nothing to me. He or she will no doubt be raised in squalor and poverty.”