“Yes. It’s gone, along with several others and the crews that manned them. I’m afraid you’ve joined us at a grievous time.”

“I heard voices. What’s going on?” a female voice intruded.

Theodore saw his mother look out from her room down the hall. “Mother!”

“Teddy?” She tied her robe as she hurried to join them. “It is you!” She wrapped her arms around him. There was no love so forgiving as a mother’s.

“I’ve come home.”

She hugged him close, then pulled back and looked at her husband. She was still taking her cues from him, and Theodore hated her for it.

“I have asked Father for forgiveness and now am asking you as well. I have come to an understanding of my wicked past and have made myself right with God,” he said.

“Oh, Teddy, that is good news,” she said, not waiting for her husband’s reply.

“I wondered if I might stay in my old room for a time. I’ve just arrived and will be working with Lucas Carson, Mr. Jay Cooke’s representative. I will, of course, look for other furnishings on the morrow, but for now . . .”

“Of course you may stay with us.” She looked at his father.

“Yes. Yes, you may stay with us, Theodore.”

Theodore could see that his father wanted to add something to his agreement, but instead he remained silent. No doubt a list of rules and regulations would follow at another date, but for now Theodore had what he wanted. The pretense of peace with his parents and a place to live. The rest would be arranged in time.

It seemed all of Duluth turned out for the memorial service for those who’d died in the storm. Gloriana donned her best clothes and made sure to have two handkerchiefs in her reticule. She had arranged with Pastor Sedgwick to offer a small private burial for Sally just after the larger service, and she knew there would be tears aplenty.

JT had been terse all morning, not wishing to attend. He was still convinced that his bitterness was the cause of his father’s death, and he begged Gloriana to let him stay home.

She went to his room and found him lying on his bed. Without a word she slipped off her shoes, slid onto the narrow mattress, and pulled him close, as she’d often done after their mother died.

“JT, you know in your heart that only God gives or takes a life. We have no power over such things. Your anger at being punished did not cause the storm. We do not believe in such superstition, and Papa would be disappointed in you if you started such nonsense now.”

“But I was so bad.”

“It doesn’t matter. You’re forgiven. Papa forgave you before you even acted that way.”

“How could he?”