A Gathering of Memories (32 page)

After this plan was agreed upon, Grandma Em walked Silas and Amy to the wagon. Mandy was about to follow when Ross called her name and took her arm.

“I’ll do what I can for you, Amanda.”

“I know you will, Ross, and I appreciate it.”

“You didn’t say much today. What do you think is significant about butterfly rock?”

“There are a lot of little holes and even some caves in that area. I think Pa hid something and hoped that I would understand where to look.”

Ross nodded, having come to the same conclusion. He stared down at the woman before him and felt cheated that he’d seen so little of her lately. He’d prayed much about his relationship with her and had come to some very startling, humbling decisions which he wanted desperately to share with her when the time was right.

“Maybe when this is cleared up a bit, we can talk.”

“I’d like that.” As always when she looked at him, her heart beat faster. He permeated her thoughts, and although she begged God to change her feelings, she was still head-over-heels in love with Ross Beckett.

Out at the wagon Silas looked as if he might walk back in search of Mandy.

“Give them a few minutes, Si.”

The tall man looked at his grandmother.

“I remember sitting across the table from a certain grandson a few years ago, when he’d just come back from Neillsville
without
the woman he loved.” Grandma Em smiled at Amy before she continued.

“Ross and Mandy have the same miserable expressions you wore when you didn’t know if the person you loved would ever be yours. We’re told that in Christ we can be made whole and that in Him we need nothing else. But when we find the one we think we can’t live without, it’s pretty hard finding joy with that person out of reach. I’m not saying you can’t do it; it just doesn’t come easily.”

“And you think Ross and Mandy should be together?” Amy wanted to know.

“You might think I’m a meddling old woman, and I speak only for myself, not what the Lord wants—but yes, I think they should be together.”

“This is one of the things I appreciate about you, Ross,” Rufus spoke with sincerity, “you work with the law. I know what I’ve said frustrates you, but you will not set foot on that land! Everything you’ve showed me looks bad, and you’re right, the worst thing we could do right now is to alert Marks to our suspicions. All the more reason for you to let me handle it.

“Go ahead and get in touch with this Brooks in Reedsburg and see what he has to say. I’ll do a bit of scouting around. Marks wouldn’t dare throw me off his place.”

“I hear he’s actually living out there.”

“Yeah, one of the nicest homes in Baxter and Marks chooses to live in a shack at the edge of town. It makes you wonder.

“Now, you’ve got to warn Silas and the family that this is not going to fall into place overnight. Let me know when Brooks gets back to you. Meanwhile I’ll be keeping my eyes open for anything suspicious.”

Ross had hoped for a more encouraging report to take to Mandy that night, but it was not to be. She was grateful nonetheless, and Ross prayed for patience over having things constantly crop up to keep him and Amanda apart.

Things seemed to come to a standstill after the day Ross met with Rufus. Nothing suspicious turned up and no reply came from Reedsburg. Ross even inquired a second time and continued to wait.

October came and by the middle of the month temperatures plummeted. No one was mentally prepared for the snow flurries that came one afternoon. Grandma Em wished the only storm in her world was outside.

“Well, Preston, what brings you out on such a cold day?”

Emily Cameron opened the door wide for just an instant to allow him in. She took his coat and asked him if he cared for coffee.

“Is everything alright, Emily?” he asked when she set his cup in front of him.

“I’m a little tired today. I’m sorry about the black coffee, I’m out of sugar.” She said the words hoping she sounded casual, but Preston’s eyes were watchful and Grandma Em wondered if maybe the Lord had sent him just so she could talk with someone.

The truth was Preston knew exactly why she was upset, but Emily was a woman of dignity and and he didn’t want to do anything to destroy that quality. Telling her of his nephew’s visit this morning to inform him of yesterday’s talk with Grandma Em might ruin the trust she had in the bank.

“Preston, have you ever worried that when you grew very old you would be a burden to your family?”

“It’s crossed my mind some.” He watched her stare distractedly out the window while she fiddled with the handle on her still-full coffee cup.

“Pride is a terrible thing, isn’t it? I’ve made a mistake, and the thought of my grandchildren finding out and thinking I’m failing, well, let’s just say that wounds my pride.”

“Do you want to tell me about the mistake?”

She looked at him for a long time before sliding a ledger across the table to him. Preston turned the pages slowly and was glad Pete had warned him. Emily Cameron’s savings were near depletion.

“I can’t think how I did it. To go along for years thinking I’ve got sufficient savings to live out my life, and then to find out it’s nowhere near enough…Peter showed me several errors, do you see them? They wouldn’t have been so bad by themselves but Joseph’s original entry, in error by several hundred dollars, is the one that really hurts.

“Preston, I know that the Lord will take care of me and I know that the children would step in without question, but I just hate the thought of telling them. My pride, I guess, or not wanting to be a burden, I don’t know which.”

“My timing is probably terrible but maybe now is the time to ask that question I’ve been hoping you’ll say yes to.” Preston’s voice was soft and deep, his eyes intent on her face.

“And have you think I’m saying yes because I’m running out of money?” Obviously the idea appalled her.

“I know better, Emily. And I also believe God will take care of you. But did you ever stop to think
I
might be God’s answer to your needs?”

She hated the tears that flooded her eyes on that question, but they would not be stopped. Preston’s arms were around her as they stood by the table and Emily Cameron couldn’t remember anything ever feeling so wonderful. She’d forgotten
how marvelous it was to be held and feel protected within the arms of a man who loves you.

“Everything is going to be fine, Emily. I’ll see to that.” The words were said as Preston held her tight, and all her doubts evaporated.

“I can’t believe that the pond is actually frozen.”

“That’s what everyone is saying, Ross.”

Ross shook his head in amazement. The weather was cold, very cold, and had been for what seemed like weeks, but it being only the first of November, it just didn’t feel like winter.

“There’s talk of an ice-skating party. Pastor Chad and one of the elders are planning to see if it’s safe on the ice, not that the big pond is very deep.”

“When would this be?”

“Saturday afternoon.”

Ross nodded in contemplation. He and Pete were headed out to Silas’ tonight and an idea was forming in his head; he would ask Amanda to the skating party. If it turned out they didn’t go, he would ask her to supper at the hotel.

“You know, for a lawyer, you don’t work very hard at keeping your thoughts off your face. You’re grinning like a fool.”

“I’m not trying to hide my thoughts.”

“Let me guess, you’re thinking of Mandy?”

“How did you know?” Ross was truly surprised. “I don’t even see her, except for Sundays.”

“Ah, but Ross, it’s the evidence I see on Sundays that gives you away,” Pete said with a cheeky grin.

“What evidence?” Ross demanded.

But Pete only laughed and reminded Ross they were going to be late for supper if they didn’t get ready to go.

Ross was glad for the respite but didn’t begin cleaning up the minute his door was closed. He needed a few minutes alone to think about all that had happened.

He had not had one moment alone with Mandy since the short conversation in Grandma Em’s living room over a month ago. In all of the Sunday dinners and birthdays, he hadn’t the slightest chance to speak privately with her. And why he never asked for such an opportunity, like suggesting dinner or a drive, was beyond him at the moment.

Well, starting tonight all that would change. He really hoped that this land matter with Aaron Marks would be settled, so that Mandy would not feel that a part of her life was hanging in the balance. But at the moment that was not happening and Ross, who believed he had clear leading from the Lord, was not going to wait any longer.

“What has come over Peter?” Mandy whispered to Ross in confusion as soon as they were in the kitchen alone.

Ross shrugged his shoulders, thinking as he did that he was going to murder his housemate and leave his body to freeze in the snow.

If Pete had made one reference tonight about Ross and Mandy being a nice couple, he’d made 50. Comments such as “Ross, I think Mandy needs the potatoes,” when they were sitting at
Silas’
elbow were nonstop. Neither Silas or Amy seemed upset by his words or actions, but Ross, who had tossed him more than one quelling look, wanted to get his hands around Pete’s neck.

Now supper was over and Ross was helping clear the table. He watched Mandy sail back out to the dining room for more dishes and followed on her heels.