that has claimed so many.
I am sorry to tell you that your dear papa died four days ago. He was too weak during his final days to leave his bed, but before that he was tireless in visiting the sick here and doing all he could to relieve their suffering. This fever, whatever it is, has swept through the barracks and much of St. Helier.
I had hoped to be spared. I thought God would surely not take us both. Not leave you orphaned.
I was wrong.
I am so sorry, my darling daughter. I had hoped to watch you grow up. To guide you a little and love you a lot along the way. Apparently that is not to be. My own sister is gravely ill as well, but I trust your father’s sister—your aunt Anne—will fill my shoes and become a second mother to you. I hope you will allow her to love you and care for you as I am sure she will be eager to do.
You have always had a strong will and strong mind, Laura Callaway. And though it saddens me to send you into adulthood alone, I know that you will live a good and God-honoring life that would make me, your father, and your heavenly Father proud.
Life may disappoint you. Friends may desert you. But God is faithful. Stay close to Him, and you won’t stray far from the right path.
I am praying for you even now, my dearest, and I will always love you.
Mamma
Tears overflowed, streaking her cheeks and cleansing the final traces of resentment from her heart.
One of our most familiar little waders, especially on rocky, seaweed-covered shores at all times of the year, is the Turnstone.
But it has never nested here, despite claims to the contrary.
—R. D. PENHALLURICK, BIRDS OF CORNWALL
Chapter 21
The following days passed in quiet, comfortable routine. The women took meals together, and talked while they sewed or read in the evenings. Mrs. Tobin regularly went out to visit ailing elderly people in the town and did what she could for them. Both women were active in charity work, but now that Laura had come, Aunt Susan stayed home with her so she would not be left alone.
They had not seen Alexander in a few days, and Laura began to fear he had left the island without saying good-bye.
That afternoon, Mrs. Tobin came into the parlour, eyes alight. “A gentleman to see you, my dear. Do you feel equal to a visitor?”
Anticipation tingled through Laura’s chest at the thought of seeing Captain Carnell again. “Indeed I do.”
She rose, smoothing back her hair and then her bodice, pausing to press a palm to her pounding heart. Be calm.
But the handsome gentleman who strode into the room, hat in hand, was not the man she’d expected.
“Treeve! What a surprise.”
His lips pursed in an uncertain grin, and he twisted the hat brim. “Not an . . . unhappy surprise, I hope?”
She had rarely seen him look less confident. “No, of course not. I have been wondering how you fared after we parted, what, nearly a week ago?”
“Ten days.”
“Really? I’m afraid I have been ill, so my awareness of time passing has been unclear.”
“Ill?” His golden eyebrows rose, and he looked sincerely concerned.
“Never fear. I am well on my way to a full recovery.”
“I am glad to hear it. Do sit down. Don’t stand on my account.”
“Very well.” She reclaimed her seat and gestured to the one near it.
He sat in the low chair, his knees high, his long legs looking decidedly coltish.
“And I am glad to see you have not been arrested,” Laura said. “What happened with the revenue cutter?”
“They never searched that cove, thankfully. To be safe, however, we hid our tools of the trade in a nearby field, most of which the locals carried off. It will be costly to replace them.”
“Then, perhaps you should not. Perhaps this is a sign to you. A chance to choose a new path.”
He looked down, again twisting his hat brim in restless fingers.
She changed tack. “How did you find me?”
“Was not difficult. I knew you were coming to St. Helier, so I asked around the harbour until I found someone who had seen you or Captain Carnell. A ship owner who’d met the captain directed me here.”
“It was kind of you to seek me out.”
He shrugged. “I wanted to assure myself you had made it to Jersey as you’d intended. I still feel terrible I was unable to deliver you myself.”
Was that the only reason