8. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Collin Nicholson’s eyelids had grown heavy after hardly sleeping the past two nights.
His head ached, and each time he thought of his father’s ill trickery, he became lightheaded from anger.
When would the abominable nightmare end?
Mr. Baldwin had pulled him aside after their meeting and discussed the issues and affairs of the family’s loan office.
Mr. Agnes took over during Father’s illness, but he didn’t have the right management skills when it came to running a business versus an estate.
Employment and clientele noticeably declined over the past two months, and if Collin didn’t take control, the business faced a serious risk of failing again. The situation was ironic. Collin had left the business as it sank, and now that it was sinking again, he was there to the rescue.
Everything that happened the past week, Father’s assuring change, was all manipulation—all to get Collin back where he was a decade ago. Beyond the grave, Father was controlling the ones Collin loved most.
Poor Margaret. Collin knew exactly how she felt.
She was weighted under duty and responsibility, and she was too young for such feelings.
Collin would have prevented it all if it wasn’t for his mother.
Collin and Anna had planned to leave as soon as possible, but Mother beat him to Margaret’s side, guilting her with whines and complaints.
She may have grieved Father, but her heart was never in the right place.
She always took control of people’s emotions and manipulated them with her acting.
Margaret wouldn't go through with the plan—not if Collin could stop her.
Nevertheless, it was Margaret’s decision.
She was a smart girl, and Collin knew in his heart she’d make the right choice.
That is, if he could keep his scheming mother away.
Perhaps Margaret could come to her senses then.
Even if she didn’t, Collin would never give his daughter to a man he couldn’t trust. However, now that his daughters were at marrying age, he didn’t think he could trust any man.
He was protective over them, especially them being so young and inexperienced in the world.
The wealthy society had its dream-like atmosphere and its romantic appeal, but it was distasteful.
Collin didn’t want his daughters to be consumed with vanity like the women he had known throughout his upbringing—all except Anna.
Collin spent five minutes trying to button his cuff.
With his frustration and exhaustion, he could hardly focus, and having one arm didn’t help.
Staring into the mirror, he beheld a stranger.
Time had etched its marks, rendering him considerably older since his last stay in Maplebrook.
His once-brown hair had dulled, his eyes exhibited signs of sagging, and wrinkles graced his forehead. The empty coat sleeve hung freely.
Some days he swore he felt his fingers, but they were only a distant memory.
Collin had worn a prosthetic for some time, but he had grown accustomed to not wearing it.
Seeing himself as he was reminded him how much time had changed.
He was no longer the young Nicholson heir of Maplebrook Manor.
He was a man. A veteran. A father. A husband.
Those things changed him, and he wanted to be a better man, a man better than his father.
Anna’s reflection appeared in the mirror, and she planted a kiss on his cheek. “You look very handsome.”
Collin chuckled. “I’m old, Anna. You see this old coot you married. You should be the one husband hunting, not our daughter.”
Anna pushed him playfully. “Oh, stop it.”
She adjusted his tie and then pulled him close to her chest. “With each passing day, my love for you grows deeper. That will never change, no matter how old we get.” She rubbed her nose against his and planted a quick peck on his lips.
When Anna looked down, she noticed the unbuttoned cuff.
She shook her head and picked up his arm.
“You know, even though you’re a big businessman again, you don’t have to be shy and avoid asking for help. ”
Colin rolled his eyes with a sigh. “A one-armed businessman has to ask his wife for assistance. How quaint.”
Anna giggled after she fixed the last button. “All finished.”
Collin looked into the mirror and readjusted his collar. “This takes me back to those days, Anna.”
“Which part are you referring to? You and I have faced many seasons together.”
Collin looked into Anna’s hazel eyes. “The bad days. I feel as if I’m reliving them. Despite Father’s death, I’m under his thumb again, and my daughter is being pawned off to the wealthiest man my mother can find.”
After each word, Collin grew more frustrated. His muscles tightened as he fought back the unkind words he wanted to scream, but they spewed out like the first sip of lukewarm coffee.
“He played us, Anna! I forgave him! How could he do this to us again? Margaret is innocent! She doesn’t deserve this!”
Anna wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his forehead against hers. She wove her hands through his hair. “I know you’re hurting, Collin. I can’t imagine how you are feeling, but we mustn’t give up hope. God will work this out. I know He will.”
Collin sighed, burying his face in Anna’s neck. “I just want it all to stop. Why does this keep happening?”
“It will all be fine, Collin. Have faith.” Anna cupped his face in her soft hands, bringing him to look into her eyes. “Those days in the past were hard, and we got through them, right?”
Collin exhaled. “I guess.”
Anna smiled, dusting the lint off his coat. “Well, before you start your big day, the girls would like to see you. They’re at the breakfast table. Your mother isn’t there if it brings you comfort. She’s taking a long walk.”
“Wonderful.” Mother’s absence gave peace to his soul after stressful hours. Collin offered Anna his arm. “Shall we?"
Anna linked her arm through his. “Of course.”
When they arrived at the dining room, Collin’s daughters greeted him with bright smiles as they sat at the table, eating breakfast and sipping tea.
“Good morning, Daddy.” Evie smiled. She rose from the table and hugged him. “We were wondering when you were coming to join us.”
“Yes!” Marjorie exclaimed. She reached to the far end of the table and grabbed a plate with a cookie on top. She came to Collin’s side and handed it to him. The cookie was decorated with icing that read, Good Luck, Daddy. The scene brought a smile to Collin’s solemn face.
“We asked the cook to make it,” Margaret said, standing from her chair. “We figured you needed a little luck.”
Collin lifted the cookie. “It’s beautiful, girls. I like it so much that I don’t want to eat it.”
“But you must,” Marjorie insisted. She leaned in closer. “That Mrs. Danton is a real witch. You don’t want to be on her bad side, trust me.”
Collin chuckled. Marjorie had always been the one without a filter. He always worried for her in public settings, but she knew how to make one laugh. “Now, Marjorie. Be on your best behavior. Then you won’t have to worry about her turning you into a frog.”
Anna huffed and placed her hands on her hips. “What are you two talking about?”
Marjorie bit her lip and backed away. “Nothing, Mama.”
Collin took a bite of the cookie, tasting a combination of cinnamon and vanilla.
“Are you leaving soon?” Margaret asked.
Collin swallowed and nodded. “As soon as Mr. Agnes brings out my vehicle.”
“May I come with you?”
Collin tried to take another bite of his cookie but was interrupted by words he thought he’d never hear out of his eldest daughter’s mouth.
His jaw dropped for a brief moment, rendering him speechless.
With each word he tried to say, he stumbled.
“I—uh, are you sure about that, Blossom?” Collin looked over at Anna who appeared just as surprised.
Margaret nodded slowly. “Yes, I believe some fresh air and seeing the city would be a nice change.”
“What a wonderful idea,” Anna said.
Collin was delighted by his daughter’s newfound interest in leaving the house to explore the city by automobile, yet something deep inside him urged her to stay behind. He wanted to protect her from harm. His father’s business was the devil to him, and shielding Margaret away would save her.
“Are you certain you’re not needed here?”
“I want to go,” Margaret insisted, her chin high. “Just for a few hours. I won’t be a bother, I promise.”
“She’s persistent,” Anna remarked. “You know how us women are in this family.”
Collin sighed and shook his head. He looked down at Margaret. She was the spitting image of her mother, and at this moment, he was taken aback by her spunk. Anna was written all over her.
“Fine. I won’t argue with the Martin side of the family. Their genetics are quite overpowering.”
“So, I can come?” Margaret’s eyes beamed as she awaited Collin’s answer.
“I suppose.”
A smile stretched across Margaret’s face. “Let me grab my coat, and I’ll be down in a minute. I won’t make you late, Daddy. I promise.”
Collin turned to Anna. “Well, I guess this is a good sign.”
“Be patient with her,” Anna instructed. She planted a kiss on his forehead. “Let’s not discourage her.”
Margaret had kept her face down the entire automobile ride.
Sometimes she wished she could watch the earth’s beauty wave past, but she couldn’t stomach it.
Margaret was surprised when she asked if she could join her father.
Perhaps it was the talk about responsibility the day before.
Even if it wasn’t God’s will for her to marry and be the heiress, she wanted to find purpose.
If her father could face his fears and become a businessman again, so could she.
Finding purpose and facing her fears couldn’t happen while hiding away.