Undaunted Hope (26 page)

She willed Mr. Benney to jump into Mr. Cole's path. But her heart shriveled in her chest when he and the other miners stood silently by, unmoving as Percival and Mr. Cole passed them.

Only after Percival had gone several feet beyond the miners did he turn and address them. “Bring Mr. Cole and his daughter's trunks and bags up to the company house once they're unloaded.”

“Yes, sir,” Mr. Benney said with a slanted gaze that radiated hatred. Thankfully, Percival had already resumed his conversation with the mine owner and hadn't noticed.

Tessa's blood went cold with all the possibilities of what else Percival would do to punish Mr. Benney should he discover the man's true feelings. She shouldn't have asked Mr. Benney to go to Percival. The other miners were right. Mr. Benney would only bring more danger and disaster into his life.

She stared after Mr. Cole and his pretty daughter walking the path toward town. Resolution rose within her. She knew what she must do. Perhaps this was the reason God had brought her to Eagle Harbor all along. She must go before Mr. Cole and plead not only for Alex's life but on behalf of the entire community. She was the only one left who could do it. Any man who was connected to Cole Mine, like Mr. Benney, would only endanger himself if he did.

Of course, she might bring more danger upon herself as well. But she couldn't leave before attempting to expose Percival for the tyrant that he was.

From her hiding spot behind the privy, Tessa watched as Percival exited the company house and strode back toward the center of town. She dug her fingers into Bear's thick coat, grateful for his companionship during the past couple of hours of waiting. Percival had finally taken his leave of the Coles. Just in time too, for the evening was growing darker.

The Coles were staying at Percival's home, although she supposed that technically the house belonged to Mr. Cole. As the biggest and finest house in Eagle Harbor, she wasn't surprised the Coles were lodging there. It just made her plan to see Mr. Cole alone more difficult.

The moment Percival turned the corner she stepped out from behind the privy and ran across the yard. She had no time to
waste. She didn't know how long she had before Percival returned and she had to make the most of every second he was away.

At the front door she knocked urgently and prayed Mr. Cole would answer and not the housekeeper. When footsteps sounded in the hallway from within the house and then the door rattled, she motioned for Bear to lie down.

The door swung open to reveal the girl that had come ashore with Mr. Cole. From an interior room, a male voice said, “Victoria, don't open the door.”

The girl, however, opened the door wider. Curiosity lit her delicate features and danced in her honey-brown eyes. She glanced first at Tessa and then down at Bear. When Bear lifted his head to stare back, Victoria jumped back with an “Oh my!” before breaking into a grin.

“I'm Tessa Taylor, Eagle Harbor's schoolteacher,” Tessa said, unable to resist a glance in the direction Percival had just disappeared. “I'd like to see Mr. Cole right away.”

If Victoria had heard her, she gave no indication. Instead she kneeled and held out a hand to the dog. Bear sniffed the outstretched fingers before putting his head back down on his paws. Victoria leaned in and scratched Bear's head. “Is this a tamed wolf?”

“No, he's a Norwegian Elkhound.”

“He's beautiful.” Victoria ran her hand along his body.

Bear thumped his tail, pleased to receive the attention.

“He says thank you for the compliment,” Tessa said with a smile.

Victoria lifted her face and returned the smile. This time she studied Tessa. “Where did you get that bruise?”

Tessa touched the tender spot on her cheekbone beneath her eye. She'd washed away the blood and reassured Ingrid and
Gunnar that she was fine. But she couldn't hide the blackish-purple bruise from where Percival had hit her.

“As a matter of fact,” Tessa began, “Mr. Updegraff himself gave me this precious gift just this afternoon. That's what I'd like to talk to your father about. I would appreciate it if you'd take me to him.”

“Victoria!” the voice coming from a room down the hall sounded exasperated. “I told you not to open the door.”

“It's just the schoolteacher, Father,” Victoria called back. “I told you, you're only being paranoid.” The young girl sighed and scratched Bear's neck before whispering to Tessa, “We got a threatening letter a few weeks ago from someone saying my life was in danger, and now my father won't let me out of his sight.”

“I can imagine that would be rather scary,” Tessa replied. Up close, the girl was even prettier. Without her hat, her sandy hair hung freely in ringlets, loose and wispy. Going by the girl's maturing figure, Tessa guessed that perhaps Victoria was sixteen or seventeen, a year or two older than Josie.

“What's his name?” Victoria asked, her eyes back on the dog.

“Bear. And he's about to become a father any day now.” Tessa had made Wolfie stay at home, though her big black eyes had pleaded to come along.

Victoria's face lit up. “You mean you're having puppies?”

Tessa nodded, but her attention was diverted to Mr. Cole entering the hall and striding toward them, a frown furrowing his forehead.

“Victoria Elizabeth,” he said, “what would your mother say if she knew you were talking to strangers?” The man's shiny black shoes tapped ominously against the floorboards. The gold chain
of his pocket watch attached to his vest gleamed in the light of the hallway lantern, as did his gold shirt studs and cuff links.

He stopped behind Victoria. The angular lines in his aristocratic face were hardened with frustration. For a few seconds he watched Victoria pet the dog and he seemed to be reining in his temper.

Tessa waited for him to acknowledge her. She had to say her piece before Percival returned and tried to contradict her. But she also didn't want to start off by making a bad impression on the man, a man who could determine Alex's fate.

“Bear is about to become a father,” Victoria said, smiling up at Mr. Cole.

The smile was all it took to soften the man's expression. The lines melted away and love oozed from his eyes.

“Could we get one of the puppies?” Victoria asked.

“I don't know about that—”

“Pleeeease?” She batted her exquisitely long eyelashes. Surprisingly there wasn't a hint of manipulation in Victoria's sweet demeanor. Her smile was genuine, her eyes guileless. Nevertheless, the girl seemed to know how to wrap her father around her pinkie.

Tessa almost laughed. What man could resist such a plea?

Not Mr. Cole. From the tilt of his head, Tessa could tell he was seriously considering Victoria's request. He finally looked at Tessa, and she was surprised by the kindness in his eyes. “When will the puppies be ready to leave their mother?” he asked.

“They're not born quite yet.”

His lips quirked with the hint of a smile. “Not born quite yet?”

She had the feeling she'd like Mr. Cole if he'd been anyone other than the owner of Cole Mine. “The mother is due any day, but she hasn't had the pups yet.” Part of her hoped that Wolfie was waiting to have the babies until after Alex came home.

“Then I don't think that's going to work for us, Victoria,” Mr. Cole said gently to his daughter. “We're only staying for a few days, and the puppies won't be ready to leave their mother until they're at least seven or eight weeks old.”

Victoria rubbed Bear's head again and was rewarded by a lick. She laughed. “I'm sure we can figure out something, Father.”

“Maybe once we're back in New York, I can have my manager track down a puppy for you there.”

Yes indeed. Victoria Cole had her father wrapped around her pinkie. Tessa smothered a chuckle and then cleared her throat. “Mr. Cole, I need to talk to you about your mine clerk, Mr. Updegraff.”

Mr. Cole had shifted his attention back on his daughter. “I'd rather not talk any more business tonight, Miss . . .”

“Miss Taylor. I'm the schoolteacher here.”

“My clerk told me we no longer have a teacher in Eagle Harbor, that he had to fire the current teacher due to . . . indiscretions.”

“That's right. He fired me.” Tessa gulped down the rising consternation. If Percival had already spoken ill of her to Mr. Cole, then was she doomed before she even had the chance to begin?

“And you disagree with his decision?” Mr. Cole asked, weariness crossing his brow.

She ought to leave him and his daughter to rest. She had no doubt he was a busy man and that his travels had left him tired. Yet her heart pressed for her to speak the truth about Percival, so that Mr. Cole would know once and for all the character of the man he'd hired, who treated the people of Eagle Harbor with cruelty and intimidation.

“Mr. Updegraff took away my job because . . .” She stopped
and glanced at Victoria, deciding to hold back the ugly truth that he'd wanted her for a mistress and instead tamed her words. “Because I refused his advances.”

Victoria raised her head and again took in Tessa as if weighing whether or not she was genuine. “I already told Father that there's something about that man that makes my skin crawl.”

“Exactly,” Tessa said, relief flooding her at Victoria's declaration that added support to her cause. She wanted to explain to Mr. Cole that Percival had abused many of the women in the community, but again she didn't want to go into specific details in front of a young girl like Victoria. “Mr. Cole, you need only ask the students and parents of this community about my conduct. All of them will testify that no matter my past mistakes, I've been a hardworking teacher and have lived a godly life.”

“Very well, Miss Taylor,” he replied. “Why don't you call tomorrow and you may present your side of the story to me then.”

“I'm sorry, sir.” She had to stay strong. She couldn't back down now. “The matter is urgent. I really must speak with you now while Mr. Updegraff is absent.”

“I'm sorry too,” he said. “Unfortunately, everywhere I go, matters are always pressing—”

“Father,” Victoria interrupted, “I'm sure you can take a few minutes to listen to what Miss Taylor has to say.” She gazed up at her father with trusting eyes. “Mr. Updegraff hit her. You're always saying that men should never hit a woman, not for any reason. Ever.”

Bless you
, Tessa wanted to say to Victoria.
Bless you for understanding
and for taking my side
. But Tessa forced herself to remain silent as Mr. Cole considered his daughter's words.

At last he reached over and rested a hand on her head. “You're compassionate just like your mother.”

Victoria grasped his hand and squeezed it. “Don't worry. I know you miss her terribly, but we'll be with her again soon.”

Mr. Cole rubbed a hand across his eyes and then nodded at Tessa. “I'll give you five minutes, Miss Taylor.”

Hope leapt in her chest. “Thank you, sir. That's all the time I need.”

“And I can't promise anything except that I'll listen and try to understand.”

“That's all I ask.”

He waved for her to precede him down the hallway. As she passed Victoria, she silently mouthed
Thank you
.

The girl smiled. “I'll watch Bear while you talk with Father.”

After Mr. Cole ushered her into Percival's office, Tessa launched into a brief summary of all that had happened over the past year, starting with Hannah, as well as what had happened to Mr. Benney and Henry as a result of rebuffing Percival. She ended with the warehouse fire and how Percival had locked up Alex and Michael and then fired her.

“He hit me this morning when I refused his offer to become his mistress in exchange for releasing the lightkeepers.”

From behind Percival's tidy desk, Mr. Cole studied her, his elbows resting on the desktop, fingers steepled under his chin. The only sound for a long moment was the ticking of the large brass clock resting on the mantel above a cold hearth.

“I would like to believe you, Miss Taylor,” he finally said with a deep, weary sigh. “But Mr. Updegraff has been working at this mine much longer than I've owned it. He knows a great deal more about it than I do.” He motioned toward the shelves of ledgers that had been meticulously labeled and organized. “From what I can tell, Mr. Updegraff is efficient, hardworking, and honest.”

“Honest?” Tessa choked over the word.

“Believe me, I've had clerks who attempted to line their own pockets at the expense of Cole Enterprises, and Mr. Updegraff has so far proven that he is no such man. He operates my mine with an integrity I only wish I could find in all my clerks.”

Tessa sank further into her chair. The hope she'd carried through the conversation quickly deflated.