81. Viola
Viola
Sarah and I leaned on the rail overlooking the choppy gray expanse of Lake Michigan, where I had leaned into Jacob so many months earlier and willed him to kiss me—and he had resisted. My gloved fingers curled around the rail, and I smiled into the wind. He would talk to Father and I would say yes.
“It’s so like him,” I said, “to help others to safety. He probably set off for home, not realizing we’d hear of the wreck and be worried.”
Sarah said, “He’ll certainly have a tale to tell.”
“Salutations, ladies,” George said as he appeared between us so suddenly we both startled. “So jumpy.” His grin betrayed how much he’d enjoyed his sneaking.
“You’re lucky we don’t have any slugs,” Sarah said, cheeks flushed in the wind.
George waggled his eyebrows. “Always pressing my luck.” He pulled a folded page from his pocket and nudged me with his elbow. “Your Jacob is quite the hero. I have another message from Mr. Muntz.” He unfolded the page with awkward, gloved fingers and read aloud.
Met with an injured woman in the hospital who remembered Jacob saving her family. They were in the first passenger car.
“A whole family…” Sarah said. “He’s like a hero out of stories.” The wind fluttered the paper and threatened to tear it from George’s hand, but he gripped it with both hands and continued.
Remembered his name because one of her boys is also named Jacob. First car had the most fatalities. Still no word on which way he went after.
“Which way?” I said. “He headed for home, as planned. We hardly need Mr. Muntz to tell us that…” But my stomach tightened at the mention of the first passenger car.
We linked arms with George and pressed into him to escape the chill.
I said, “I can hardly believe the holiday banquet will be here in less than a week.” I leaned past George to wink at Sarah, where she was tucked neatly under his other arm. “Glad you came to your senses and invited someone fun.”
“Me, too,” George said. “Fun and scandalous.”
“I’m hardly scandalous.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “What kind of character does he usually bring?”
“Actually,” I said, “he usually comes alone.”
“Yes, yes,” George said. “With our little gang all back together, the banquet will surely be an amazing night.”
Hope wrapped around me as warm as George’s arm. I did my best to ignore the tangled mess of nerves twisting in my belly—nerves that would not loosen until Jacob was once again in my arms. Soon, I told myself. Soon.
Day five and there was still no certainty.
The tangled knot in my belly tightened, creeping up my shoulders to my neck.
A fire crackled and popped in the library where I curled up on the couch, The Count of Monte Cristo heavy on my lap.
My fingertips pressed into the tense muscles at the back of my neck.
For hours, I stared at the same page, unable to make myself care about Edmond Dantes.
Footsteps echoed in the hall. Fear rippled through me. Hope hadn’t surfaced all day. Father opened the door. “This was delivered to the paper today.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket as he crossed the room. I didn’t reach to take it.
“Good news,” he said.
It was addressed: “To Jacob the railroad writer, care of the Chicago Star newspaper.” It had been posted in Kansas. The seal was broken, and Father motioned for me to look inside.
Dear Mr. Jacob,
Mr. Fisher and I said for the umpteenth time today how grateful we are to have met you, and decided we should try to write to you care of your paper.
We did not get a chance to thank you for your kind assistance after the incident on the train, which interrupted our pleasant chat.
We lost track of you in the commotion, but figured you would be in a rush to get back to your sweetheart.
Show this letter to your mother and your sweetie so that they can be rightly proud of you.
We wish you all the best and hope you will call on us if ever your travels bring you to Wichita, Kansas.
With high esteem and warmest regards,
Mrs. John Fisher
Warmth flickered in my chest, loosening my breath as I pictured him chatting with the couple on the train, even telling them he had a sweetheart. That’s me. But why hasn’t he arrived somewhere? He was supposed to be back in Harmony Lake two days ago. Jacob, where are you?