Katherine's Story Read online

  Thomas Kinkade

  The Girls of Lighthouse Lane

  Katherine’s Story

  A Cape Light Novel

  By Erika Tamar

  Contents

  Map

  One

  Katherine Williams ran across the village green in the center…

  Two

  Kat scrunched under the leaves and wished she could disappear.

  Three

  Kat watched her brothers grab apples for dessert. They were…

  Four

  Kat’s heart pounded. There was no time to get help.

  Five

  Oh, good! Mrs. Carstairs was still here, sitting at the…

  Six

  After the Carstairses left, Kat helped Ma hang the laundry…

  Seven

  Miss Cotter, the teacher, said, “If you’ve finished your work,…

  Eight

  By early November, it was freezing. Kat rushed home from…

  Nine

  The next morning, Kat walked to school with Todd. For…

  Ten

  After school the next day, the girls walked along Lighthouse…

  Eleven

  The gift paper, with its red and blue designs over…

  Twelve

  That afternoon, Kat rushed to the tower and painted snowflakes.

  Thirteen

  Ma passed the chicken stew around the table. Though it…

  Fourteen

  That evening Kat found her father’s duffel bag in the…

  Fifteen

  Kat crawled to the hatch. She couldn’t fool herself any…

  Sixteen

  “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days…

  About the Authors

  Other Books by Thomas Kinkade and Erika Tamar

  Credits

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  Map

  one

  Katherine Williams ran across the village green in the center of Cape Light at breakneck speed. Her auburn braids flew behind her as she pulled her friend Amanda Morgan along.

  “Wait, Kat!” Amanda gasped. “We’re supposed to walk like ladies.”

  “I can’t wait another minute!” Kat said. Her schoolbooks, held together by a leather strap, swung in wide arcs, bumping her leg as she streaked over the grass. “They said it would take two weeks and it’s way past that!”

  Kat had rushed to the general store/post office every single day after school and she didn’t care at all if Mr. Thomas, the postmaster, rolled his eyes when she came in again. It was already Friday, October thirteenth. How much longer could the mail take? “My package just has to be in today!”

  All week long—after the usual God bless Mother, Father, my brothers James and Todd, and all the ships at sea—her prayers had ended with “and please give me patience.”

  But she was all out of patience. Her long skirt whirled around her ankles as she tugged at Amanda.

  “All right, I’m coming.” Amanda laughed, and they ran across the green to the cobblestones of East Street.

  The brilliant fall colors of the oaks and maples surrounding the square passed by in a blur. Kat caught the scent of cinnamon doughnuts as she rushed by the bakery. The slow and steady clop-clop of the iceman’s horse and the squeak of his wagon rang out from over on North Street.

  “Oops.” Kat almost ran into a little boy who stood in her way. He had one arm firmly wrapped around the red-and-white pole in front of the barbershop, to keep his momma from pulling him through the door. Her little brother James would do the very same thing and Ma would get so mad! Kat would have slowed down to see the boy and his momma tussle, but not today—not when the postmaster might have her package right now!

  Two elderly sisters walking arm in arm under a parasol stopped and frowned. “Isn’t that the Williams girl galloping by?” one said. “And with the minister’s daughter!” the other finished.

  Kat and Amanda skidded to a stop in front of the general store’s glass door. The bell rang when they opened the door, but Mr. Thomas barely looked up. He was busy talking to some men gathered in front of the potbellied stove.

  “Well, I say Teddy Roosevelt will go down in history as one of the great presidents. You can’t deny that 1905 has been a year of peace, progress, and prosperity.”

  “No one thought much of Teddy when he was McKinley’s vice president. If it wasn’t for McKinley’s assassination…”

  “Imagine, six children in the White House! And all those animals—dogs, rabbits, badgers, even a small black bear!”

  “It sure keeps things lively down there in Washington, D.C.”

  Kat and Amanda stood at the counter and waited. Kat caught the aromas from the pickle barrel and the wheel of cheddar mixed with the fragrance of coffee beans. The counter was piled high with bolts of fabric. Behind it, there were cubbyholes for mail. Kat got up on her toes and leaned far over the counter. She knew Mr. Thomas kept packages on the floor behind it, but she couldn’t see any.

  Kat tapped her foot.

  “I hear Joe Hardy over at the telegraph office got word of a storm traveling up the coast from Hatteras.”

  Now they were starting a whole new conversation! Kat knew she must not interrupt grown-ups, but she was badly tempted.

  “Might veer off to sea before it ever reaches us here in New England,” Mr. Thomas said over his shoulder as he finally ambled toward Kat and Amanda. “Afternoon, girls. Suppose you’re looking for your package again, Katherine?”

  “Yes, Mr. Thomas,” Kat said. “Did it come? Did it?”

  “Well, something came for Miss Katherine Williams, but it’s not what you’ve been waiting for.” He bent down to rummage under the counter.

  “It’s not?” Kat asked.

  “Didn’t you say you were expecting paint? I guess your father’s repainting the lighthouse daymark.” He put a narrow package wrapped in brown paper on the counter. “Well, there are no cans of paint in this. Too small and flat.”

  “It’s not for my father, Mr. Thomas.” Anyone could see the daymark didn’t need repainting! The bright red and yellow stripes painted on the side made the lighthouse a clearly visible daytime landmark for sailors. “It’s for me.” Kat beamed as she grabbed the package. “Four tubes of watercolor paints.” She had convinced Papa to give her birthday money in advance—well, only three months, not that far ahead—so she could order the paints from an art supply catalog. “Thank you, Mr. Thomas!”

  Kat started to rip open the brown wrapping paper. Then she stopped herself. She couldn’t bear the thought of one of the tubes falling out and getting lost on the way home.

  Kat hugged the package close to her heart as she and Amanda left the store. A few steps along East Street brought them to Lighthouse Lane, the longest road in Cape Light. It ran the entire length of the town all the way to the lighthouse at Durham Point where Kat lived.

  “Burnt sienna, cerulean blue! Don’t they sound luscious?” Kat said. “Alizarin crimson! Cobalt violet!”

  This part of Lighthouse Lane, next to the green, was paved and it had the fanciest houses. Kat’s cousin Lizabeth lived in one of the largest homes. Kat glanced at its porch, picket fence, and rose-covered trellis as they passed.

  “You paint beautifully with the colors you already have,” Amanda said.

  “Well, I’ve been mixing the colors to make new ones, but I can’t always get them right. Now it will be so much easier.”

  Tall trees arched overhead. Kat studied the turning leaves. Definitely sienna and crimson and a touch of gold, she thought. Oh, she couldn’t wait to dip her paintbrush into the new colors! A little voice inside her was singing, “so happy, so happy,” and she couldn’t help skipping.

&n
bsp; “If I keep trying, if I learn more…I want to be a real artist someday!”

  “Miss Cotter always hangs your pictures in the classroom. And you’re the one she picks to help the little kids with drawing,” Amanda said. “Everyone in school knows you’re the best at art. Doesn’t that satisfy you?”

  “No! I’m talking about being a serious artist. In a big city, where things happen. I’d paint and never even think of all my lighthouse chores. I’m so tired of them! I’d go to the great museums and look at the masterpieces close up. I’ve only seen pictures of them in books and that’s not the same at all. And there’d be bright lights and crowds of interesting people doing exciting things and trolley cars—I’d ride a trolley every day!”

  They skipped along Lighthouse Lane until it turned into a dirt road and curved toward the ocean. Kat liked the whalebone decorations on the some of the lawns.

  “You wouldn’t really leave Cape Light, would you?” Amanda asked.

  “I really would. There’s never anything new here. Do you know there are moving stairs that take you from floor to floor at the R.H. White store in Boston? I want to see that!”

  They were almost at Amanda’s cottage nestled among tall trees, overlooking the shore. Kat could hear the waves crashing against the rocks below the parsonage.

  “Less than half a mile left to go,” Kat said. Amanda’s house was about halfway between the village green and Kat’s home.

  “I’m glad that Hannah is playing at Mary Margaret’s house this afternoon.” Amanda smiled. “I feel as free as anything, without a single thing to do until dinner! I’m not even going to drop off my schoolbooks. I can’t wait to get to the lighthouse.”

  I shouldn’t complain about the lighthouse chores, Kat thought. It’s so much harder for Amanda to take care of her little sister, Hannah, and keep house for her father.

  Amanda glanced at the house opposite the parsonage as they passed by. “Kat, there is something new in Cape Light. You know old Mr. Reynolds, across the lane from me?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s moving out to live with his daughter and her family in Cranberry. So a new family will be moving in.”

  “Do you know who they are?”

  “No. But Father says the house is already sold,” Amanda said.

  They came to the steep hill where Lighthouse Lane led down to the shore and the docks. In the winter, it was famous as the best sledding hill in Cape Light.

  Kat ran down the hill, skidding on pebbles, trying to slide part of the way. “Whee!”

  Amanda followed more cautiously.

  Leaves had drifted down and collected in huge piles at the bottom. Suddenly, Kat whirled around and dove into one.

  “Kat!”

  “Come on, Amanda!”

  Amanda hesitated. “We’re not children anymore. We can’t be jumping in leaves. I’m thirteen.”

  Kat grinned up at Amanda. “Well, I’m only twelve and three-quarters, so I guess I’m still allowed to have fun.”

  “Your petticoat is showing! If anyone sees us…”

  “No one’s here but us.” Kat grabbed a handful of leaves and tossed it at Amanda. “And I’ll never tell.”

  Amanda looked all around—then jumped in. Kat laughed—she knew Amanda couldn’t resist! They jumped from pile to pile, laughing and sliding.

  “Got you!” Amanda shouted as she showered Kat with a handful of leaves.

  “Got you back!” One of Kat’s braids unraveled; the loose hair streamed down her back and tangled with twigs. It blended perfectly with the red and russet leaves.

  Kat suddenly stopped. “Oh, no!”

  “What? What’s wrong?” Amanda asked.

  “I forgot! Aunt Sue and Lizabeth are coming over and Ma asked me to tidy up. You know how perfect my cousin is, and Aunt Sue will look me over and criticize. Let’s brush this stuff off and get going!”

  Amanda quickly brushed herself off, but bits of leaves, twigs, and dirt stuck to Kat’s rough wool skirt. Kat worked furiously to pick it all off.

  Amanda turned back toward the hill. “Kat, I think I hear a horse and carriage.”

  “It can’t be them, not yet! Quick, help me braid my hair. What happened to my ribbon?”

  “Too late,” Amanda said. “It’s them! Coming over the top of the hill!”

  “Oh, no! I’ll hide! I’ll hide until they pass!”

  Kat dove into a pile of leaves before she finished her sentence and buried herself. Just in time, she thought. She could hear the horse’s hooves coming closer.

  Crumbled leaves tickled Kat’s face. The carriage wheels squeaked. They sounded louder and louder, closer and closer. The carriage had to be very near now. She couldn’t see a thing. Her nose itched. She was going to sneeze! She couldn’t, she just couldn’t! She pressed her finger against her upper lip—that helped a little. How long could it take for them to pass by? Please, giddyap!

  Suddenly, Kat heard Aunt Sue say “Whoa!” The sound of the horse’s hooves stopped. One last squeal from the wheels—right next to her! Then silence. What was happening?

  “Hi, Amanda.” It was Lizabeth’s voice. “Are you going over to Kat’s? We’ll give you a ride.”

  “Thank you,” said Amanda.

  Oh, good, Kat thought. I’ll catch up with them later.

  “Oh, dear!” Aunt Sue’s voice rang out. “Over there. Is that a leg? Is that a human leg?”

  “Where, mother?” Lizabeth asked.

  “Where? Where?” her four-year-old sister Tracy echoed.

  “Yes, it is! A leg—a human leg—sticking out of that pile of leaves!”

  Kat’s face turned hot. She was caught!

  “A woman’s leg, bare to the knee!” Aunt Sue said. “Oh, dear! We need to get help! We need to get someone!”

  Kat lay still in absolute panic. What should she do now?

  “Don’t look, children.” Aunt Sue’s voice was shaky. “It could be a dead body!”

  And then Kat heard Lizabeth say, “I think…I think I’m going to swoon!”

  two

  Kat scrunched under the leaves and wished she could disappear. She had to do something before Aunt Sue went for help! She didn’t have a whole lot of choices.

  Kat jumped out of the leaves, shedding a trail of debris.

  Aunt Sue’s mouth formed an O, exactly like a surprised cartoon character in the Sunday funnies. If Kat hadn’t been so embarrassed, she might have laughed.

  “Katherine Williams!” Aunt Sue wore a large toque with a satin band on top of her high-piled hair. The hat bobbed as she spoke.

  “Good afternoon, Aunt Sue,” Katherine said weakly. She knew her face was bright red. She smoothed her skirt down to her ankles.

  “What in the world were you doing?” Aunt Sue asked. Lizabeth and Tracy stared.

  Kat swallowed. “Just…playing.”

  “What are you playing?” Tracy piped up. “Can I play?”

  “Not now,” Kat mumbled.

  As usual, Kat thought, Lizabeth’s long, wavy golden hair looked perfect. Today it was held back with a lavender ribbon to match her silky lavender dress. The dress had puffy shoulders and tight long sleeves and ended with a lavender-and-pale-blue-striped ruffle at her ankles. She had worn the exact same dress to school that day and it was still wrinkle-free and spotless. How did she do it? A soft, pale blue shawl was draped perfectly over her shoulders and her ankle-high patent leather boots were polished enough to really shine. Even Tracy, a smaller version of twelve-year-old Lizabeth, was unnaturally neat for a four-year-old.

  Lizabeth’s eyes swept over Kat, from her messy head to her wrinkled skirt down to her dusty shoes.

  “Katherine—” Aunt Sue shook her head. “Never mind. Get into the carriage, girls.”

  Kat tried to brush herself off. Awkwardly, she picked up her schoolbooks and her package. Well, at least her cousin Christopher wasn’t with them today; he was fourteen and a champion at wisecracks.

  Kat glanced at Amanda. She looked as
if she was holding back a giggle. That made Kat’s mouth twitch, too. They squeezed into the back of the carriage next to Tracy.

  Aunt Sue adjusted the reins and the carriage moved forward. Beyond the hill, Lighthouse Lane curved toward the rocky shore and ran alongside the ocean. Kat kept her eyes on the passing scenery. She knew if she looked at Amanda she’d have a fit of giggles.

  There were few houses here and the lane was lined by dense brush, beach plum, and sea grass. They passed by Wharf Way and the busy docks. White sails bobbed in the distance and the smell of fish drifted into the carriage. Then they passed the bait and tackle shed and the rowboat rental sign.

  “Your face is dirty,” Tracy told Kat.

  They passed Alveira & Sons Boatyard. Kat smelled fresh-cut wood and shellac.

  Lizabeth turned toward Kat. “What were you doing? Honestly!”

  “Nothing!” Sometimes her cousin could be so irritating! “Anyway, what was all that about swooning?”

  “I don’t know.” Lizabeth laughed. “I read it in a book. I’ve never swooned in my life.”

  Kat couldn’t help smiling. Just when she was most annoyed with Lizabeth for putting on airs, her cousin could suddenly become real and laugh at herself. By the time they reached the lighthouse and the cottage at Durham Point, Kat, Amanda, and Lizabeth were all laughing together.

  They piled into the cottage. While everyone exchanged greetings, Kat’s big white dog, part husky and part mystery, barked and ran in welcoming circles around her. “Hi, Sunshine!”

  “Jamie! Jamie!” Tracy made a dash for Kat’s little brother James. For some strange reason she adored him, and James was as tolerant of her as an eight-year-old could be. Todd, at ten, kept a careful distance.

  “Tracy, don’t hug!” James pleaded. “I’ll play with you only if you don’t hug.”