Unexpected Love Read online

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Renna murmured politely.

  Benchley continued on. “Wendell, didn’t I tell you? The company is worth a fortune.”

  “You don’t say?” Da’s gaze met Renna’s, and she saw that the news pleased him.

  A sinking feeling pulled her insides. Had Da allowed his zealousness as a matchmaker to overtake his common sense? Did Mr. Benchley’s wealth matter more to Da than his character?

  She dismissed the thought. Of course her father wanted only the best for her, and that included security of income with whomever she might marry.

  Still, an intuitive nudge told her Benchley lied—or hid something.

  “Yes, I went to fighting in the cavalry to fighting in the courtroom.” Benchley grinned rather wickedly. “But Great Lakes Shipping will be mine soon enough. It’s just that the devil is in the details.”

  “Yes, he usually is.” Da took a sip from his water goblet.

  “The trouble is my stepmother.” Benchley sat back in his chair. “She recently sold the business against my wishes, then had the very bad fortune to die herself. I’m trying to prove that by the terms of my uncle’s will, she had no right to sell the business in the first place.”

  Benchley parked on the subject of his inherited wealth for a good thirty minutes. Renna yawned quietly into her napkin, ignoring her mother’s look of reproof.

  Da managed to work a few words in edgewise and suggested they move to the parlor.

  “I’ll fix dessert. I made a lovely lemon cake with icing.”

  Renna pushed her chair back.

  “No need to help me, dear.” Mum set a hand on her shoulder. “I’d rather have you help your father keep our guest company.”

  Disappointment assailed her. Nevertheless she followed Da and Mr. Benchley from one room to the next.

  “Like I said, I’m a wealthy man but for a tragic lapse of judgment on my stepmother’s part.” Taking a seat in an armchair, Benchley stared off in the distance.

  Renna noticed the weighty scowl on his brow once more.

  Da cleared his throat. “I gather you were not fond of your aunt.”

  He shook his head. “Never had a chance to be.”

  Another half hour passed, and Renna couldn’t believe a man could chatter away so much about himself. He was obviously his own favorite topic of conversation!

  With Mum seated comfortably, Renna decided to make her escape. Pushing to her feet, she collected coffee cups and dessert plates and set them on a tray. “If you’ll excuse me, I must retire for the night. We were busy at the hospital today, and I’m expected back there early in the morning.”

  “On a Sunday?” Benchley brought his chin back in surprise. His golden-brown eyebrows drew inward.

  “All of us nurses have to take our turns working weekends. It’s unfortunate but a reality.”

  “I think it’s quite the sacrilege.” He peered at Da.

  “You wouldn’t, Matt, if you were a sick patient.” Da stood. “Go on, my little wren. Sleep well.”

  Mum took the tray from her. “I’ll take care of the dishes.”

  “Thank you.”

  Da stepped forward and kissed her cheek. Then Renna bid Mr. Benchley a good night. Benchley replied with a small bow and a casual grin.

  “I’m certain we’ll see each other again soon,” he added.

  Renna pushed out a polite smile. Turing on her heel, she couldn’t leave the parlor fast enough.

  Upstairs in her bedroom, Renna undressed and pulled on her cotton nightgown. How glad she felt that Matthew Benchley had become so absorbed in himself that he forgot all about her. And tomorrow . . .

  Tomorrow Renna would walk with her pirate and tell him all about Mr. Benchley and his shipping company. Mr. Blackeyes seemed to enjoy their conversations. And indeed, the more they talked, the more details he remembered of his own life.

  But when his memory returned, he’d walk out of her life forever. She mustn’t forget that; otherwise she’d nurse a lifetime of heartache.

  Renna crawled into bed and pulled the colorful patchwork quilt that Elizabeth had sewn up to her chin. And if his vision came back, he wouldn’t enjoy their talks nearly as much.

  She closed her eyes, and it took every ounce of will to pray for Mr. Blackeyes’s recovery.

  TEN

  How did the dinner go last night, Renna?”

  “Not as badly as I anticipated.” She sent her pirate a smile as she finished writing in a patient’s chart. Dr. Hamilton would be making his Sunday evening rounds, and he’d expect the documentation to be in order. “Although I must admit, Matthew Benchley is not someone with whom I enjoyed conversing. I sense he’s a bit narcissistic.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, he talked solely about himself the entire time.”

  “And? What did you learn about the man?”

  “Well, he’s from Michigan and served in the cavalry during the war.”

  “Hmm . . . ”

  “He’s embroiled in some legal battle involving an inheritance. I had to force myself to pay attention, but I must admit my mind wandered far and away at times.”

  Mr. Blackeyes chuckled.

  Renna glanced his way. He sat in the wooden chair near his bedside. Despite his bandaged head and secondhand clothing, he looked rakishly handsome as the evening sun cast long shadows down the middle of the sick ward. Locks of his ebony hair hung over his forehead, and Renna could almost believe the man was truly a pirate.

  “Aurora maintained that all men are narcissists,” he said.

  “Aurora?” Renna’s heart did a dive. Another woman?

  “My mother. I just remembered. Her name is Aurora.”

  “How wonderful!” Thank God it’s only his mother! “See, you’re remembering!

  “I guess I am.” He sounded both awed and pleased.

  “Can you recall her last name?”

  He gave the matter a few seconds of thought. “No. But I’ll pray about it. Seems God answered and gave me my mother’s first name.”

  Renna smiled and looked back at her charting. Her parents had taken Mr. Blackeyes to church this morning, where he met Pastor Moody, and then home, where he enjoyed one of Mum’s delicious meals. Later Da returned him to the hospital and sat with him for a bit. The two men had an intensive discussion about prayer. Mr. Blackeyes wondered how God would speak to him. Da replied that God spoke through His Holy Spirit and His written Word. He might also use another believer to bear the truth.

  “Tell me more about Benchley.”

  “There’s not much more to say.”

  “Is he a religious man?”

  “Apparently. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a true believer in Christ. It could be that going to church only makes Mr. Benchley feel that much better about himself.” Renna felt a sting of conscience. “But I shouldn’t judge him. God knows I should try harder to get out of work to attend Sunday services.”

  “Maybe so, but I sensed your faith immediately. Do you sense Benchley’s in that same way?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  He gave an impatient sigh. “I’m trying to discreetly ask if you’re attracted to him in any way, Renna.”

  “Heavens no!”

  “I thought so, but I wanted to hear it from your lips.” A slow grin stretched across his handsome face. “I’m glad.”

  Renna sent him a curious grin. “You are?” She held her breath, unsure if she wanted to know why, and yet she didn’t think she could bear not to know.

  But soon she realized Mr. Blackeyes, that savvy pirate, wasn’t about to get sentimental here in the sick ward. “Why, Renna, whatever would I do if you set your sights on Benchley and ceased being so attentive to me? I’d be at the mercy of Nurses Ruthless and Hatchet.”

  She clicked her tongue. “Oh, stop it.” Looking past the doorway, she hoped the women hadn’t overhead the comment. “Mind your manners, or I might be ordered to scrub the floors before my shift ends.”

/>   “In that case”—he chuckled—“I’ll behave myself.”

  However, he didn’t elaborate. He didn’t even try to explain himself, although Renna found herself wishing he would . . . sort of.

  On one hand, she dreamed of hearing romantic words from this man’s mouth, but on the other she realized that he didn’t even know who he was, let alone understand any feelings from his heart. Besides, there was still part of Renna that held her own heart in check. Her lifelong insecurity haunted her—and with good reason. As soon as Mr. Blackeyes regained his memory and sight, he would, of course, want to go back to the life to which he was accustomed. He’d forget all about the lowly nurse with the purple birthmark on her cheek.

  And it’s best he did too, she decided. She certainly wouldn’t want to share his pirate’s lifestyle.

  Renna let go a weary sigh. Such a myriad of emotions inside of her. They, coupled with her exhaustion from another twelve-hour day, seemed overwhelming.

  “I’ve offended you, haven’t I?” Mr. Blackeyes crossed his legs.

  “Not at all.”

  “You’re so quiet.”

  “Oh, I was just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  “Why, Mr. Blackeyes”—she tried to inflect a teasing note in her reply—“do you really think I’d bare my soul to a pirate?”

  “Aye, Captain.” He grinned sardonically. “I feel like I’m back in the military.” His expression suddenly changed to one of seriousness. “Captain,” he repeated. “Captain . . . I believe that was my title. Captain.”

  Renna smiled. “Captain Pirate Blackeyes, huh?”

  He didn’t reply, so lost was he in his sudden reverie.

  •••

  The wind whipped off the dark Mississippi River with the onset of a storm. He looked across the water for some of his men who had gone ahead in rafts to cut away the trees obstructing their ship’s path. The gunner was headed toward Vicksburg to aid Grant in his mission to take the Confederate citadel on the Mississippi. He would see that they got there too, right after this new canal was completed. The shortcut would open into a system of bayous that would take his ship to a secret landing just below the Vicksburg batteries.

  “Captain, do you think they’ll get back before the storm?”

  He turned and regarded the young officer standing beside him. “I’m sure they will.”

  “I heard there’s snakes hanging from the branches of them trees they’re cutting down—poisonous snakes, sir.”

  He smiled at the young man, thinking that snakes were the least of their worries. They were days away from facing Confederate gunfire. But if they could take Vicksburg, the Mississippi River would be completely open to Federal military. It was a battle they had to win.

  •••

  “And we won,” he murmured.

  “What was that, Mr. Blackeyes?”

  The past blended into the present at the sound of Renna’s sweet voice. “We won the battle at Vicksburg. I was remembering . . . ”

  “Wonderful!”

  He heard the genuine delight in her voice. It both comforted him and gave him courage.

  “Little by little your past is coming back to you.”

  “I captained a Federal gunboat.”

  “On the Mississippi. Isn’t that what you once told me?”

  “Yes. But I wish I could remember my last name. It’s right there, on the edge of my memory . . . ”

  “It’ll come, Mr. Blackeyes—or should I say Captain Blackeyes?”

  He grinned at the smile in Renna’s voice. Then her hand gently touched his shoulder, generating warmth that spread through his whole body. He had always sensed her care, but lately he noticed that other male patients didn’t get quite the same attention he did. For that, he was grateful. Even more than grateful. If he believed in falling in love with a woman, he felt certain he’d fallen in love with Renna—sight unseen. He didn’t have to see her to know what a beautiful person she was. But, of course, he didn’t believe in that sort of love, that fairy-tale love.

  “Doctor Hamilton has arrived.” Renna whispered the news close to his ear. He felt her breath on his cheek as she helped him sit up on the edge of the hospital bed. He resisted the urge to put his arm around her waist and pull her close. She was right there, innocently pressing against his arm as she worked to remove the protective bandages from his eyes.

  He sighed.

  “I’m almost done.” She’d obviously misinterpreted his sigh of frustration for one of impatience. “There. Now I’ll clean the salve from your eyes.”

  He nodded, trying to ignore the desire in his heart. Before his accident and his conversion to Christ, he wouldn’t have hesitated to take advantage of a woman who stirred him the way Renna did. On the other hand, he couldn’t ever recall meeting a woman like Renna Fields.

  “Thank you,” he said simply, unable to express the feelings he had for her . . . whatever they were, whatever their names.

  “You’re entirely welcome, Captain Blackeyes.” Her tart reply made him smile again.

  Moments later Dr. Hamilton joined them. “All right, man, look around. Tell me if you can see anything.”

  He blinked. Once. Twice. There was light. Everything was a blur, but he saw light. He turned his head and barely made out shapes and outlines, though not very clearly.

  And then he glimpsed the shape of the woman who had to be Renna. He could make out her white cap, her dress, but the details of her face wouldn’t come into focus.

  “I can see.” He aimed his vision at Renna, trying to force his eyes to focus. “But I can’t make out details, I’m afraid.” He turned to Dr. Hamilton and smiled. “You’ve got bushy whiskers and gray hair . . . but I can’t see your face beyond them.”

  He heard Renna’s tiny gasp. It sounded like one of dismay or skepticism. Confused, he turned her way, studying her and trying again to blink her into focus.

  Dr. Hamilton chuckled merrily. “I had my doubts, but now I’m certain your sight will be returning soon. Good job, Nurse Fields. I might be inclined to believe in miracles after all.”

  “I’m happy to hear that, Doctor.” However, something in Renna’s voice didn’t sound happy at all.

  “Well, carry on, Nurse Fields. As for you, Mr. Blackeyes, I’m told you’ll be leaving the hospital soon.”

  “I will?”

  “Yes. Another stroke of luck for you—or a miracle, whichever way you choose to look at it. The Fields family has offered to take you in until you’ve completely recovered—or until you’ve at least recovered your memory. And what better family than one belonging to such a devoted nurse? You’ll be in excellent care. Wendell Fields assured me of that, and knowing Nurse Fields, I’m convinced of it.”

  “I am indeed a fortunate man.” He gazed in Renna’s direction.

  But she was gone.

  ELEVEN

  The next morning Renna approached her supervisor. She hoped to be alleviated of caring for Captain Blackeyes today. “Nurse Rutledge, may I speak with you?”

  The nun turned her small eyes toward Renna. Her brows appeared like two dark, mad slashes across her face. “What is it, Nurse Fields?”

  “Well . . . ” Renna couldn’t help fidgeting under the older woman’s intense scrutiny. “I thought it might be best if I cared for Ward Nine on the third floor today while you assigned another nurse to my usual ward. It’s bath day for the women upstairs, and I have a strong back.”

  “Hmm, I guess that can be arranged. Good of you to offer.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Renna lowered her gaze, praying the supervising nurse wouldn’t glimpse the truth in her eyes. Was she a fool to think she could avoid the man today, come home late, leave early, and never see him again?

  “Everyone in your ward is stable.”

  Renna looked up. “Yes, quite stable.”

  “Very good, then, you’re assigned to Ward Nine today.”

  With a sigh of relief, Renna made her way upstairs. She’d known this day
would come when her pirate’s sight returned. He’d soon see her for what she was—a marred woman, unfit for his favor. It had happened before, so Renna reminded herself that she wasn’t being overly insecure or indulging in self-pity.

  Her mind took her back a few years ago when she lived and worked in Virginia. A special ball honoring medical personnel was to be held at General Lilley’s stately home. Since Renna didn’t have a beau to escort her, her roommate Gertrude set her up with a friend of her fiancé, a Lieutenant Frederick Dinsmore. But at tea the afternoon prior to the day of the party, Lieutenant Dinsmore took one look at Renna and promptly made his excuses, all the while staring at her purple birthmark. Disappointed, Renna returned to the army hospital and volunteered to work the night of the ball. The next morning a giddy young woman thanked her for her service, seeing it meant that she’d get the night off. She added, “I didn’t think I’d be able to attend the ball, but then Lieutenant Dinsmore offered to take me.”

  Renna’s heart shattered, even though the party meant more to her than Fred Dinsmore. Still, his shallowness hurt. And while Captain Blackeyes didn’t seem anywhere near as inconsiderate and vain as that army lieutenant, he’d still been accustomed to beautiful women in his past. Renna knew she hardly qualified. Best to distance herself from her pirate. Soon he’d remember his identity, and, with his sight returned, there would be nothing keeping him in Chicago.

  Yes, that plan was the best.

  •••

  With his room now prepared at the Fieldses’ house, the captain rode to their home on Wednesday with Wendell at the reins of the carriage. Upon finding out about his commanding position in the war, Renna’s father had begun to refer to him as “Captain,” as did Renna. The captain much preferred the title to the name Blackeyes.

  “Beautiful day,” Wendell remarked.

  Looking through the dark spectacles he’d been given by Dr. Hamilton as a measure of protection, the captain nodded. “I can imagine how bright the sunshine is as I see glimmers of it and feel its rays on my face. But everything is still such a blur.”