The Ride of Her Life (12 page)

Lilly sat down across from Marguerite and Mark. “So, Mark, you graduated two weeks ago. Does it feel good to be finished with school?”

“I still have to pass my bar exams, but meanwhile I’ve got a few nibbles on some law offices where I could get some experience.”

“I wish my Ben were alive. He’d be glad to help you prepare.” Lilly paused when Eugenia appeared with two coffee cups and the pot. With more grace than Lilly had seen yet, she filled the cups.

“Thank you.” Mark smiled, the impish little boy still visible.

Eugenia beamed. “My pleasure. Can I get you anything else?”

“Do you have any pie left?”

“No!” Lilly blurted out. “Sorry, Mark, no pie today. Eugenia, why don’t you bring us out a plate of those cookies we made?”

“I hope they’re like the ones your mama made.” Mark glanced at Marguerite. “Remember when Mother caught me with my pockets full of Alice’s gingersnaps?”

“No ginger snaps today, but I’ll see if I can make a batch this week.” Lilly glanced at the watch clipped to her shirtwaist. “I need to go pick up Levi.”

“From?” Marguerite asked.

“He’s at the roller coaster site with Nick Perrin. I promised to fetch him by six.”

“Nick, huh?” Marguerite’s eyebrows formed twin peaks.

“I can tell my sister is conniving again.” Mark frowned playfully at Marguerite. “Sorry about that, Lilly, but would you mind if we walked you over? I’ve been itching to get a good look at the contraption.”

“It’s not much more than a forest of posts right now.” Lilly stood and grabbed her cape from the hook by the door. “But you’re welcome to come along.”

Mark held the door for Lilly and Marguerite to precede him out.

“Wait! Your cookies.” Eugenia rushed from the kitchen. She halted in front of Mark. The cookies on the plate, however, kept going. They flew off the plate and onto Mark’s patterned vest before falling to the floor and crumbling to pieces.

“Oh, Mr. Westing, I’m so sorry.” A blush turned Eugenia’s cheeks crimson. She dropped to the floor and started grabbing chunks of the fallen cookies as though they’d disappear if she couldn’t pick them up fast enough.

Mark brushed the crumbs from his clothes, then helped her stand. “It’s fine. I’ve certainly had my pockets full of crumbs before.”

Eugenia’s eyes glazed as she stared at her hand clasped in his.

Lilly exchanged a knowing look with Marguerite and moaned inwardly. Mark might have no interest in Eugenia, but Eugenia already had the two of them walking down the aisle.

“So, Lilly.” Marguerite pulled her through the door. “Nick has Levi. Tell me how that came to be.”

Surely this was going to be the longest summer in history.

12

“Run, Levi! Keep going!” Nick cupped his hand to his mouth.

Levi ran, his pudgy arms pumping, a kite string fisted in his hand. Nick held aloft the diamond-shaped kite they’d fashioned. When Levi had gone far enough for the string to grow taut, Nick released the kite, praying it would take flight.

“Pull, Levi! Pull!”

Levi stopped and did as he was told while Nick hurried to stand behind the boy, ready to lend a hand. Levi tugged on the string. The wind lifted the kite in the air.

“Higher!” Levi jumped up and down.

“Let out more string.”

Levi followed Nick’s instruction, but the kite continued to dive.

Nick reached over Levi’s head and tugged on the string several times. The kite resumed its place against the clouds.

“When it starts to come down, pull the string several times like this.” Nick demonstrated the pumping motion.

Nick caught Lilly’s approach out of the corner of his eye. He recognized the woman with her as Mrs. Andrews from the diner the other day, but the man with them didn’t look familiar. He smiled and waved to them. “Hey, buddy, looks like we have an audience.”

“Mama! Look at the kite we made!” Levi pointed toward the sky. “It’s flying.”

Lilly beamed. “It certainly is. Well done, Levi.”

“Do I have to stop now?” His bottom lip jutted out.

“No, you keep going. I want to introduce Mr. Perrin to Aunt Marguerite’s brother.” After introductions had been made, Nick offered to show Marguerite and Mark what progress had been made on the coaster’s construction.

“It’s falling!” Levi frantically pumped the string. Still, the kite continued its nosedive.

Nick spun and grabbed the string. He pumped it hard. The string snapped, and the kite dove into an oak tree near the lake.

Tears sprang to Levi’s eyes. “My kite.”

“Sorry, buddy, kites are fickle. Sometimes they seem like they could keep flying high forever, and other times they come down on you without warning.”

“Kind of like a woman,” Mark said under his breath.

Marguerite shot him a glare, but Nick couldn’t keep the corners of his lips from curling. He glanced at Lilly, who seemed to have missed the exchange because she was focused on wiping her son’s tears.

Nick ruffled Levi’s hair. “Why don’t you let me give these folks a quick tour, then we’ll see if I can shake the kite out of the tree? Mrs. Hart, care to join us?”

She nodded. “Levi, you stay close while we look around, okay?”

He sniffed. “Yes, Mama.”

With a sweep of his hand, Nick motioned the group toward one end of the structure. “The coaster will be over a quarter mile in length, one of the longest in the West. We’re naming it the Velvet Roller Coaster, and she’ll be the jewel of Lake Manawa.” Nick walked to the center of the structure. “The car shed will sit here, and the depot over there.”

“I can’t wait to ride on it.” Marguerite scanned the structure, seeming to envision the finished product. “I’ve read that it’s almost like flying.”

Nick nodded. “Mark, ever ridden a coaster?”

He leaned against one of the posts. “Not yet, but I’ll be one of the first in line.”

“And how about you, Mrs. Hart? Can we count on your patronage? Can I give you the ride of your life?” Nick cocked an eyebrow in her direction.

Lilly clasped her hands in front of her. “As a matter of fact, I like my feet on the ground, right where God intended them to be.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Nick teased. “Mind if I try to change your mind?”

“Good luck doing so.” Marguerite gave Lilly a cheeky grin. “So, Mr. Perrin, how many people can ride at a time?”

“Two cars on each run. They can hold up to eight people, but on some days it’s best to run only one car of four.” Nick scratched his eyebrow. “Brakemen aren’t needed on these coasters. The scenic railways have them, but my roller coaster is designed for the cars to be going fast enough for a thrill, yet slow enough to stay on the track.”

“What happens if they aren’t slow enough?” Lilly asked.

Mark chuckled. “I don’t think Mr. Perrin would let that happen.”

“But what if it does?” Lilly fixed her eyes on Nick.

He stiffened. Why did she want to hear this now? He held her gaze. “The cars could leave the track.”

“Meaning they’d fly through the air, possibly killing those in the cars, correct?” She squared her shoulders. “And that’s exactly why my son and I will not be riding your Velvet Roller Coaster.”

We’ll see about that, Mrs. Hart. I can be as stubborn as you.

Nick turned and shielded his eyes with his hand. “Speaking of your son, where has Levi gotten off to?” He searched the area, and his gaze landed on the tree where the kite had lodged. At the base of the trunk lay Levi’s discarded jacket.

He flashed a glance at Lilly, but she’d already hiked her skirts and was racing the short distance to the tree. What did she think she was going to do to get the boy down?

Coming to a halt beside her, Nick scanned the tree for Levi. He spotted him near the top, lying on his stomach, clutching a thin tree branch. In a branch only yards away was the wedged kite. Impressive. He’d almost reached it.

“Levi, come on down. We’ll get the kite later,” Nick called. If the boy had gotten up there, he could certainly get down.

He didn’t move.

“Sweetheart, we need you to come on down.” Lilly’s voice belied her concern.

“I can’t, Mama. I’m stuck.”

Nick’s chest tightened at the sob in the boy’s voice. “He’s too scared to move.”

“Hang on, sweetheart. I’ll be right up.” Lilly removed her spring cape and handed it to Marguerite.

Nick clasped her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get my son.”

“You stay here. I’ll get him.”

“Those tree branches couldn’t possibly bear your weight. Look at the one Levi’s on now. See, it’s bowing like a rainbow.”

He glanced upward. “But what do you know about climbing a tree?”

“A whole lot more than you obviously think I do.”

She shoved past him, and Nick stared wide-eyed after her. What did Lilly think she was doing? Ladies didn’t climb trees—even to get their precocious six-year-olds down from them. Then again, Lilly Hart wasn’t like any lady he’d ever met.

“She can do it.” Marguerite pressed a hand to his arm.

“She’s always been athletic,” Mark added. “She could outswim Marguerite any day. Besides, she’s right. Those branches wouldn’t hold you or me.”

As if she’d been climbing trees all her life, Lilly swung onto the first branch. When she pushed off the lower one with her right foot, it cracked. Her foot slipped.

Nick lunged toward the tree.

Lilly caught the second branch and pulled herself up with great effort. She risked a glance below to see the lower branch now dangling against the trunk. She released the breath she’d been holding. Another way down would be in order upon her return, but she’d address that concern when the time came. Right now she needed to get to her son.

“Sweetheart, are you doing okay?”

“Mama?” He turned his head to see her, and his hold slipped. He clutched the branch again. “Hurry. I’m scared.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Lilly moved faster from one branch to another. “Just hold on. I’m coming.” She reached for a thick branch, and her shoe slid on the bark. She sucked in a breath.
Slow down. Falling would do Levi no good.

“Careful, Lilly.” Nick’s words were laced with concern.

Levi whimpered above her, and guilt pricked her heart. How had Levi climbed to the top of a tree in such a short period of time? She should have been keeping a closer eye on him instead of inspecting Nick’s Velvet Roller Coaster. No mother should become so distracted she lost sight of her child.

“Listen to me now, Levi. I’m below you, but I can’t climb on the limb where you are. You’re gonna have to climb down from that branch.”

“I can’t move, Mama. It’ll break. It’s creaking.” His chubby fists clinched the branch until his knuckles turned white.

“No, it won’t break. Take it real slow.” She leaned forward as if her effort would help him move.

“What’s going on?” Nick barked the question, and Lilly glanced below to see him pacing back and forth.

“I think she’s gone as far as she can,” Marguerite said. “Levi needs to swing his legs down so she can get to him.”

Lilly risked another glance downward.

Nick cupped his hands to his mouth. “Levi, you need to do what your mama asks you to. Remember, she’s a smart lady.”

“My tummy hurts.” Levi hiccuped.

Despite her prodding, Levi refused to budge. Lilly let out a long sigh. What was she going to do?

“Hey, Levi.” Nick’s voice filled with a sense of adventure. “Remember when you told me about that book that had all kinds of animals in it? Porcupines and squirrels and—”

“Chipmunks.”

“That’s right,” Nick said.

Lilly moved closer and stumbled on a knot in the branch. She fought for leverage and slid hard against the tree’s massive trunk. She winced at the jab of pain but ignored the trickle of red on her white cotton shirtwaist. Scratches would wait. Her son would not.

With more care, she eased herself onto the branch below her son and glanced at the ground. They had to be almost twenty feet off the ground.

Nick’s voice rose upward again. “Levi, do you think you can pretend to be a chipmunk and move from branch to branch?”

“I guess.” The bravado in his voice was clearly forced.

“You can do it, Chipmunk.”

“Okay, Levi.” Lilly braced her foot against the tree trunk and reached for her son.

“Not Levi, Chipmunk.” This time a note of true bravery rang clear.

Lilly shook her head.
Chipmunk?
How long would it take to get Levi over that one?

“Scoot back a little at a time until you reach the trunk . . . Chipmunk. Turtle speed. I’m right here.”

Wiggling his body like a giant caterpillar, he inched back. The branch swayed as he moved, and each little crack sent a jolt of fear through Lilly.

She continued to coax him until he had lowered one foot within reach of her. She touched his calf. “There you go. Put your foot right here.” Guiding his boot in place, she resisted the urge to tell him to hurry. “Now the other one.”

He slipped the other foot over the branch and slowly eased it to the branch below.

“That’s it.” Lilly held his waist as he moved beside her.

“Good job, Levi!” Marguerite’s words brought a smile to his face, and Lilly hugged him to her side. She glanced below and spotted Nick, a smile playing across his beard-shadowed face.