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Reagan's Reward

By Susan G Mathis

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Chapter 1

June, 1912

Reagan Kennedy scanned the dock for the boat that would take her to Cherry Island and her new
position as governess at the Bernheim family’s summer estate, Casa Blanca. She was ready for this
new adventure, anxious even. Several vessels came into the Alexandria Bay harbor and docked, but
none for her. “Where is he?”

“Who, miss?” A woman twice her size stopped as she passed by the bench where Reagan
sat. She held a parasol aloft and wore a hat with a beautiful peacock feather so large that it kept
bumping up against the parasol.

“Pardon. I didn’t mean to speak aloud.” Reagan blinked, noticing she’d been clutching the
handles of her carpetbag a little too tightly. She willed her hands to relax. “The boatman from Casa
Blanca should have been here hours ago. I fear he might’ve forgotten or I might have mixed up the
meeting time.”

“Not to worry. We Alexandria Bay residents are a neighborly lot, so someone will take you
there if he doesn’t show.” The woman patted Reagan’s shoulder gently with a lacey, gloved hand.

“Thank you for your concern. Patience ceases to be a virtue in my life all too often these
days.” Reagan sighed at her confession.

After leaving the Bournes’ employ on Dark Island to care for her injured father, mother, and
youngest sister last summer, Reagan had found serving them more burdensome than she could ever
have imagined. Mother had fallen into a deep depression, and Father wasn’t right in the head—
speaking nonsense, scolding, belittling more often than not. And her three sisters were unwilling
pupils even though her father demanded she teach and they learn. Yes, her patience had been tried
over and over until the invitation to serve as governess became her ticket out. The question was,
could she be patient with little boys?

“Then I shall pray you learn it well this summer, miss. Good day to you.” The woman
inclined her head as she turned toward town.

“And to you, ma’am. Much obliged.” Reagan relaxed under the kindness of the lady’s words
and determined to sit and wait until nightfall if she had to.

From behind a large sailing ship, a small skiff came into view. A handsome boatman called
out to her. “Miss Reagan Kennedy? Is that you?”

She acknowledged him with a nod, so he smiled as he pulled the skiff up to the dock,
mooring it securely as she hopped up and hurried to him. His curly, ebony hair glistened in the sun
like her mother’s patent-leather shoes. His thick eyebrows and long, narrow sideburns matched his
hair perfectly. His eyes did, too, as if they’ve been dyed that color.

When he straightened, he reached for her carpetbag and plopped it in the vessel. Then he
held out his large hand to help her. She took it, a mixture of strength and warmth flowing through it
as she stepped into the boat. Then she realized he was more than a full head taller than her. His
broad shoulders and solid frame dwarfed her.

“Thank you. I’ve been waiting the entire afternoon.” Oops! That didn’t sound very nice.

The man glanced at her. “Aye. Pleased to meet you, lass. I’m Daniel Lovitz, Casa Blanca’s
boatman and all-around handyman.” He barely gave her a glance. Instead, a muscle in his jaw
twitched.

Goodness! Better to make a friend than a foe. “Thank you, sir, for fetching me, Mr. Lovitz. I didn’t
mean to offend. Merely to explain my nervousness. I feared I might be there all night.”

“Ach. No offense taken, and please, call me Daniel. We’ll be working together on a wee bit
of an island and needn’t worry about such formalities. And do forgive the wait. I had a rotten bit of
luck and was unavoidably delayed.” He untied the boat as he gave her a sideways glance. “Two
mischievous boys await your care, and one frustrated, sickly missus will be keen to see you.” Finally,
he gave her a wide-toothed grin that lit up his entire face.

“And you may call me Reagan.” She settled into the skiff as Daniel eased out into the bay.
“The missus is sick? Dear me. Whatever is the matter?”

Daniel rowed toward the main shipping channel of the St. Lawrence River. “Headaches
besiege her. When they do, a dark room, quiet, and a cold cloth are all that help. Poor woman.” His
concern furrowed his brow.

“And the twins whom I am to care for? What about them?” Maybe she could squeeze some
more information from Daniel before meeting the boys.

“Jacob and Joseph are the nephews of Mr. Bernheim, children of his sister. They are visiting
for the summer.”

“You mentioned they were mischievous?”

“They are boys. I expect that since they spend most of their time in a strict Jewish school in
New York City, they want to sow a few wild oats while on the island. Be forewarned, they can get
into trouble in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” Daniel chuckled and continued to row.

Reagan shook off his caution. How bad could two little boys be? Then she pointed to the
engine on the stern. “Might I ask why you aren’t using the motor?”

Daniel glanced toward the back of the boat. “I deem the outboard motor to be for
emergencies only. I like to row. It keeps me fit, but this Evinrude can get us out of any bind quickly
if need be.”

Neither spoke for several minutes until they were in the main shipping channel of the mighty
St. Lawrence and parallel to a huge cargo ship that overwhelmed Reagan with its size. Daniel
appeared unfazed by the massive freighter. Once the ship passed, she relaxed and fell to musing.
What would this summer hold for her? Miss Marjorie Bourne’s telegram only said that the
Bernheim family needed a governess to care for eight-year-old twin boys for the summer on one of
the Thousand Islands. She’d jumped at the chance since she always wanted to be a teacher and loved
passing on knowledge even more than she had enjoyed her previous work as a lady’s maid to Miss
Marjorie at The Towers castle on Dark Island.

What would this new family, this new position be like?

“Have you worked on the island long?” Reagan scanned the dozens of islands just a few
hundred yards on either side of them.

Daniel’s deep baritone voice held a tint of sadness. “I took over the caretaker position two
summers ago after my father passed.”

Reagan frowned. “I’m sorry for your loss. Is Cherry Island a fair distance from here?”

Daniel nodded. “Thank you. The island’s not far from the bay. In fact, it’s just around the
bend.”

Reagan itched to ask about so much more than she was likely to get from this man. His
demeanor seemed more like a solicitor’s rather than what she might have expected from an
easygoing boatman’s. He was clean-shaven and impeccably dressed in his dark trousers and vest and

starched white shirt. Besides, he had the straightest, most aristocratic nose she’d ever seen. Yet
solicitors usually didn’t have bulging muscles as he did. Her cheeks grew warm until she put her
hands on her face to cool them.

“Aye, over yonder is Cherry Island.” With a dip of his chiseled chin, he pointed her toward
a gleaming, white mansion sitting on the tip of the island. “That is Casa Blanca, home to Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Bernheim, and the missus’s father, Mr. Luis Marx, who is now in Cuba on business.
Mrs. Mary Marx Bernheim, daughter of the famous Luis Marx, is the mistress of this grand retreat.
The Pullmans built the original part of the house before the Marx family bought and expanded it.”

More silence before Daniel pointed in the opposite direction, across the channel, where
another huge cargo ship passed by. “Our neighbors are Florence Pullman and her husband, Frank
Lowden. It was there on Pullman Island that President Ulysses S. Grant came to visit back in 1872.

Thanks to that grand event, we Thousand Islanders have lots of neighbors now.”

Maybe he wasn’t as tightlipped as she had thought. He continued to pull at the oars until he
brought the skiff all the way around the island to a large, two-story, wood-framed boathouse. A
small balcony that appeared to be part of a residence jutted out over the lower level, which held
several boats.

Daniel pointed to the upper portion as he pulled up to the long wooden dock. “I live up
there.” He paused as he moored the skiff. “Welcome to Cherry Island. I hope you will enjoy your
stay here.”

Once he secured the boat, he reached out to help her out of the boat. To her surprise, his
touch was tender. Gentle.

“Thank you, sir.” Reagan curtsied and gifted him with a wide smile.

From the dock, she could see nothing but a hilly island with lots of foliage. “But where am I
to go now?”

Daniel chuckled a rumbling, deep sound that sounded like an ocean wave. “Ach. Forgive
me. I will lead you up to the main house. It’s this way.”

The giant of a man took her carpetbag, and they followed the path through the center of the
island. Beautiful, blossoming hydrangea and snowball viburnum bushes hedged the way, with a
variety of flowering plants here and there. The fragrance filled her senses with delight.

Reagan’s heart sped up with every step, and the lack of information nearly overwhelmed her.
“Who am I to report to?”

“Mrs. Rosenstein is the head housekeeper. I’m not sure who your direct supervisor will be in
such a circumstance as being governess to nephews.” At that moment, he grinned and shrugged,
looking like a little boy.

“No matter. It will all be sorted out presently.” She sucked in a deep breath as they ascended
the stairs to the screened door of a back porch. Daniel gave three quick taps on the wooden frame
and stepped back. After what seemed like an eternity, a plump, matronly woman with black hair
pulled into a tight bun answered.

“Mrs. Rosenstein, this is Miss Reagan Kennedy, the boys’ governess.” Daniel handed Reagan
her bag and gave a quick, stiff bow. “I’ll leave you two ladies to get acquainted.” He gave Reagan a
lopsided grin. “Keen to meet you, miss.”

The housekeeper opened the door wider and stepped aside. “Welcome to Casa Blanca. The
family is having an early supper, so I will take you to meet them. Follow me.”

Reagan left her bag by the back door and followed her through the long, narrow kitchen,
down a seemingly endless hallway, and into a roomy space. The elegant dining room, with its dark,
wood trim and intricate, pressed-tin ceiling and walls, held a beautiful table, sideboard, and lots of
silver and crystal. Though there were enough wicker-backed chairs to seat a dozen, only two were
currently occupied.

Mrs. Rosenstein curtsied and Reagan followed her lead. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs.
Bernheim. This is Miss Kennedy, your new governess.” With that, the housekeeper left Reagan
standing alone, quivering in her boots.

Mr. Bernheim cast a wary gaze on her that caused her heart to thump even faster. He had
perfectly combed, ink-black hair and a tidy mustache. His finely molded features included gray eyes
that seemed to assess everything and thin lips that remained pressed together. He slipped off his
spectacles. “Welcome. Sit, please.” He motioned to her to take a chair across from them, between
two empty chairs. “You will take meals with us, sitting between the twins and helping them as
needed.”

Reagan dipped her head as she took her seat, and the missus smiled kindly. Mrs. Bernheim
appeared to be not much older than Reagan. She was small, beautiful. Glamorous, even. Her dark,
curly hair was cut fashionably short, and she dressed in the latest style even for an early family
dinner. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been so anxious to employ help with the boys.” Then she scanned
the stairs, a spark of alarm lighting her dark-brown eyes. “Where are the boys? The maid should
have brought them down by now.”

Her husband answered, a hint of anger tainting his words. “I haven’t seen them since
breakfast. That maid better be seeing to them and those rascals had better not be causing trouble, or
they will answer to me.”

With a huff, he rang a bell to summon one of the kitchen maids to fetch the boys from
upstairs. Within moments, the girl came down the front stairs just off the dining room and tiptoed
toward the grand table, clasping her hands before her. “Pardon, but neither boy is upstairs
anywhere. Shall I look outside?”

Mr. Bernheim shook his head and cast his eyes on Reagan. “Their governess can find them.
You are dismissed.”

The kitchen maid gave a quick curtsy and fled the room.

Mr. Bernheim clicked his tongue. “There’s no time like the present to meet the boys. Go and
find them, and bring them back as quickly as you can.”

Reagan stood, nodded, and curtsied. “Yes, sir.” She left by way of the kitchen and asked
Mrs. Rosenstein, “Where shall I find the boys, ma’am? I am tasked to do so but don’t know the
island.”

The housekeeper rolled her eyes. “They could be anywhere, knowing them. Look to the
trees, the rocks, wherever young boys might make sport or hide themselves.”

Very helpful. Suppressing her frustration, Reagan exited onto the porch. She quickly scanned
the small island, assessing two small wooden buildings to her left, one labeled Ice House and the other
Laundry House. She checked both to no avail, but as she turned toward the pathway leading back to
the boathouse, she spotted Daniel lurking behind a large bush.

She rushed to his side. “Daniel? Have you seen the boys?”

He put his finger to his lips and pointed toward a big tree about ten feet away and too near
the shore. Laughter drifted from a branch that hung over the river—where two boys sat, swinging
their legs!

Reagan clasped her hands to her chest. “Oh, my gracious!” Her heart raced, and nervous
perspiration wet her brow.

Daniel whispered to her, “I’ll lay odds this is Jacob’s doing. Joseph merely follows his lead.”

Frowning, he stepped out from behind the bush and approached the tree, calling out in a firm tone.
“What are you two scrappy leprechauns doing? Get down here at once! You could fall to your
deaths!”

Reagan followed him, pasting on her sternest face as she stared up at the twins.

The bigger of the two shrugged. “We climb trees all the time in the city. Papa lets us and
mama has no say. Besides, you’re not our boss.”

Daniel stepped closer, his face red and his voice taut with anger. “But I am your elder. Your
governess is here, and your uncle asks you to come at once. They will reckon with you.”

The smaller boy bit his lip a moment, then spoke. “Come, Jacob. Master Daniel is right.” He
started to shimmy across the branch, but Jacob grabbed his arm. Joseph shook off his brother’s
grasp and scooted to the safety of the trunk.

Jacob wrinkled his freckled nose at them and turned to his brother. “We don’t have to obey
him—or her. He’s just a boatman, and she’s a girl. Besides, we are Bernheims, you ’fraidy-cat!!”
Daniel hurried over to the branch where Joseph sat. “Jump, Joseph. I’ll catch you.”

Joseph snapped a look toward his brother, but before Jacob could respond, Joseph jumped
into Daniel’s arms. He set him on the ground and turned to Jacob.

Reagan sighed. One down. One to go.

Jacob held tight to the tree. “You baby! You scaredy-cat! You’ll never be the man I am!”

With that, he turned his back on them and sat like a panther on his perch. If he had a tail, it would
be swishing.

His eyes wide with fear, Joseph whined. “Please, Jacob. You know how Uncle is, and you
might get hurt.”

“Leave me be. I’ll be down when I’m good and ready.” Jacob didn’t look at them as he
spoke. His shoulders sagged as he stubbornly folded his arms in front of him. How he balanced on
that branch was a mystery to Reagan.

Daniel bent down and whispered to Joseph. “You go ahead up to the house and don’t worry
about your brother, laddie. I’ll make sure he’s safe. He’ll be there soon.”

Joseph thanked Daniel before hurrying up to Casa Blanca. Should she accompany Joseph or
wait with Daniel? She decided on the latter.

She and Daniel pretended to stroll to the boathouse but instead hid behind a large lilac bush
and watched Jacob carefully, ready to run to his aid if he needed it. But apparently, he didn’t, for in
only minutes, he scrambled down the tree and hurried back to the house as if he hadn’t a care in the
world.

“That’s one way to meet the boys.” Reagan rolled her eyes, then brushed off her skirt. “I
thank you for your help, for fetching me from the bay, and for being my first Cherry Island friend.”
Daniel grinned. “’Tis no problem, lass.”

She propped a hand on her hip. “Good, because something tells me I might need a little help
now and then.”

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