Hope Rekindled (22 page)

“A letter for Stuart arrived just this morning. It’s on the front table. You might want to take it with you. It’s from his father, and perhaps that will put him in a better state of mind upon seeing you again.”

Jael doubted that anything would cause Stuart to approve of her, but it was worth a try. “I’ll get it before we leave.”

Rob strode up to the pastor’s door and rapped on it. He gave Mara a lazy grin when she opened the door. “You get prettier every time I lay eyes on you.”

“You’ve just been in the heat of the sun too long, Mr. Vandermark.” She looked past him to the wagon. “I see you’ve brought some of the wedding food. Why don’t you drive the wagon around back so we can unload it easier?”

“I reckon I can do that,” he said. “I hear tell you’re makin’ the weddin’ cake.”

She nodded. “I am. I’ll bake it today, and tomorrow I’ll decorate it before the service. I have a garden full of budding roses, and I plan to use them on the cake.”

He frowned. “Can’t eat roses.”

“Well, actually you can,” she chided, “but these will simply be for show. I plan to sugar them so they’ll sparkle.”

“You gals sure dream up a lot of work for yourselves. Sparkly roses aren’t exactly what I call worth the effort.”

She giggled. “Then I suppose you won’t be wanting them on our wedding cake?”

“I don’t even care if we have a cake, to tell you the truth. And I’m mighty fond of cake.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “But I’m even fonder of you. Perhaps you could share a kiss with me before I get to work.”

She let him give her a brief kiss before stepping back. “You, Mr. Vandermark, are becoming quite talented in the art of persuasion. They must be training you well in the seminary.”

He laughed. “I was always good at talkin’ folks into things. It’s just now, I’m using it for the Lord.”

Mara looked past Rob and frowned. “What does
he
want?”

Rob turned and found Stuart Albright approaching the house. Rob positioned himself between Albright and Mara. From the stories he’d heard of late, this man’s appearance could only spell trouble.

“Mr. Vandermark,” Stuart said as he came up the steps. “Miss Shattuck. I’m here to see the pastor.”

“He’s not at home, but I expect him back soon,” Mara replied. “He went to see a family across the tracks. I’m sure you could locate him there.”

Albright glanced over his shoulder and then back to the couple. Rob didn’t care for the look in the man’s eyes. With the pastor out, Rob felt quite protective of the woman he loved.

“I would just as soon leave a message. Tell your father that I am closing the church, effective immediately.”

“What?” Mara exclaimed, coming out from behind Rob. “You can’t do that. We’re having a wedding tomorrow.”

“So my wife tells me. She insists she attend the wedding, but I have no intention of setting foot at such an affair.” Stuart pretended to dust something off of his tan linen coat. “But the fact of the matter is, I can close the church. It’s my property. There will be no wedding held there on Saturday or any other day. Nor will there be Sunday services. In fact, you can tell your father that I want the two of you to vacate this property by Monday.”

“How very generous,” Mara said. “You only gave Dr. Kelleher a day.”

Stuart shrugged. “I have a soft spot for beautiful ladies.”

Rob restrained his urge to punch Albright in his smug face. “You sure you wouldn’t like to reconsider?” he asked, taking a step toward the smaller man.

Albright backed up but didn’t retreat in full. “If you think to threaten me—”

“I haven’t threatened anything, Albright. I just asked if you wouldn’t like to rethink this. What’s it gonna hurt you to allow for the weddin’ to take place as planned?”

“Hurt?” He shook his head. “I don’t imagine it would hurt anyone if I allowed the wedding to go on, and that’s the problem. I
intend
to hurt you and your family. I intend to make you all as miserable as you have made me. After all, this ordeal started with a wedding.” He turned to leave and called over his shoulder, “Good day, Miss Shattuck, and thank you for relaying my message to your father.”

Rob started to go after the man, but Mara took hold of his fisted hand. “Don’t. It will serve no purpose. He’s hoping to make people miserable—it feeds his evil nature. Let’s not allow him any foothold in our happiness.”

“What do you propose we do about the weddin’?”

She smiled. “You Vandermarks have the most beautiful grounds around. Why not hold the wedding there? Father and I will come out and help you set up. When Father returns, I’ll explain the situation. We’ll pack our things and”—she shrugged—“who knows? Maybe we’ll move to Houston.”

Rob glanced around for a moment, then pulled her into his arms. “I’ve probably just ruined your reputation, but you, Miss Shattuck, are a very smart young woman and you deserve to be kissed properly.”

He kissed her with as much restraint as possible, then put her an arm’s length away. “Maybe we should plan a double weddin’.”

“That would not hurt my feelings in the least, Mr. Vandermark,” Mara said, grinning. “Not even the tiniest bit; however, your sister has worked hard to bring this day about. I say we let her have her moment to shine.”

“I suppose if you reckon that’s for the best.” Rob shook his head. “I don’t know, though. Seems to me it would only make sense to take care of two birds with one weddin’.”

“That phrase is ‘to kill two birds with one stone,’ Mr. Vandermark, and frankly, I’d just as soon not have my marriage to you associated with such a thing.”

He laughed and jumped from the porch, not even bothering with the steps. “Mara Shattuck, I am crazy about you. I hope you know that.”

She laughed. “I do, Mr. Vandermark, and I’m just as crazy about you.”

O
h good, it looks like Rob is back from town,” Mother said, heading to the door. “I’ll get him to take the smoked pork and corn bread along with the dishes on his next trip.”

Deborah wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. She had insisted on helping prepare the food for their wedding feast, deciding it would be better to keep herself occupied. Christopher requested she stay home these last two days while he rode off to make his rounds. Today he would visit the Vandermark logging camp, and he didn’t want her to have any last-minute upsets with Jake Wyeth. Deborah had supposed it really was for the best. While Jake hadn’t tried to see her or send her any other letters, Christopher had told her that a man like that would hold out hope to the bitter end when it came to loving someone.

“Ma, we’ve got problems,” Rob said as he bounded into the summer kitchen. “Whew, it’s hotter in here than out there.”

“That tends to happen when you light a stove,” Mother replied. “Now, what’s this about problems?”

Rob turned to Deborah. “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the weddin’ can’t take place at the church.”

Deborah looked at him in disbelief. “But why?”

“Albright.” Rob let the word linger on the air a moment before explaining. “He’s closed down the church and said it wasn’t to be used anymore. He’s also demanded that Mara and her pa get out of their house by Monday.”

“The very idea,” Mother said, shaking her head. “That man is heartless. What could it possibly hurt to at least allow them to remain in their home?”

Lizzie stepped forward. “Stuart is about causing pain, not preventing it.”

“Funny, he said very nearly the same thing,” Rob said. “So I brought the food back here. Mara suggested something, and I think it’s a good solution. She said we ought to hold the weddin’ here in our yard. What with the flowers and newly painted fence and porch, it ought to be a right perfect place for a weddin’.”

“You’re the bride,” Mother said to Deborah. “What do you say?”

“Well, it’s not exactly like Mr. Albright gave us a choice.” Deborah shook her head and looked at Lizzie. “I’m so glad you didn’t marry him. I feel so sorry for Jael.”

“Speakin’ of which, she’s back in town. Albright made a comment about that and how she’s insisted on bein’ at the weddin’, but that he doesn’t want any part of it. I saw her pa on the porch of Albrights’ house as I headed home. Maybe he’ll bring her.”

“Well, if we don’t get this matter resolved, there won’t be any wedding to attend,” Mother said. “Deborah, we can make a lovely wedding for you here. Will that be all right?”

She was angry that Stuart Albright should have any chance to disrupt her wedding. Angry, too, that he should force Mara and her father out of their home. When would this madness stop? She looked to Lizzie and could see that she was close to tears. Forcing a smile, Deborah turned to her mother.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I wish I’d thought of it first. A wedding here will be all the more special. We’ll need to get word out to folks.”

Mother looked to Sissy. “Later today, you and I will go to town and spread the news about the change of location. For now, let’s get the food inside.”

Deborah let her mother and the others head to the wagon. She was surprised that Rob waited behind.

“I’m really sorry, Deborah,” he told her. “I tried to reason with him, but Albright wouldn’t listen.”

“I don’t doubt it. Thank you for trying to help.”

“I never said this about anyone before, but I’m inclined to believe the man is just pure evil. He seems to be full of demons.”

Deborah leaned back against the wall and sighed. “Rob, he’s not going to stop until he destroys everything and everyone I love.”

“Now, Sis, you know God is stronger than the devil. He won’t let Albright win—at least not for long.”

“I wish I could believe that, but as Lizzie has said over and over, the world is evil and bad things happen all the time. I know one day God will put everything in order, but for now we must endure the misery caused by Satan.”

Rob nodded. “I know it seems that way, but you know the Bible says we aren’t to fear those who can only kill the body. Albright can take all we have, and it won’t matter. Not truly. Pa started with little of nothin’ and if need be, we can, too.”

“I just can’t believe one man can be so completely controlled by the devil.”

“You know, I saw a puppet show in Houston. It was very entertaining, but the one thing that I thought about most was how those puppets couldn’t do anything without the puppeteer controllin’ them.” Rob mimed having a puppet on each hand. “Folks who do evil are just like that. They wouldn’t do a thing on their own, but when the devil gets to controllin’ them—pullin’ the strings—they come to life, doin’ his work for him.

“Albright’s no different. He’s allowed the devil to harden his heart and pull the puppet strings that control his thinkin’ and feelin’s. There will always be folks who give the enemy power over them, and yet we don’t need to be afraid of those folks. God will see to us. His love is more powerful.”

Deborah reached out and embraced her brother. “You certainly have gotten a whole lot smarter since you went to Houston.”

He hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “It’s amazin’ what happens when a man is willin’ to listen to God.”

Deborah considered his words and nodded. Stepping away, she drew a deep breath. “We’d best help the others, and maybe while we’re at it, I’ll work at listening to God at the same time.”

After supper, Euphanel shooed Deborah and Christopher from the dining room. G.W. and Rob took Jimmy and Tommy to play horseshoes while it was still light.

“All right, whose night is it to clear the table?”

Emma and Jonah held up their hands. Euphanel smiled. “Then let’s get to it.”

Jonah jumped up and started picking up silverware while Emma reached for the plates.

“Don’t forget to save the scrapes for the dogs,” Euphanel instructed. She leaned forward to retrieve an empty platter.

“What do you want me to do?” Darcy questioned.

“Darcy, if you wouldn’t mind watching the twins,” Lizzie said, “I’ll help Sissy wash.”

“Oh yes! I’d
much
rather play with the babies,” Darcy said, jumping up. She went to where Rutger and Annie were straining to be set free from their chairs. “Come on, you two. Let’s go wash up and play.”

Annie clapped her hands and Rutger fought a little harder to get loose. Euphanel had to laugh. How she loved her little family.

“Mrs. Vandermark, if you wouldn’t mind,” Arjan said, coming to Euphanel’s side, “I’d like a word in private.”

Euphanel nodded eagerly, hoping he’d brought some good news.

They moved through the house to their bedroom, and Euphanel quickly closed the door behind them. “So, what did he say?”

Arjan laughed. “I’m amazed you could sit through dinner without asking.”

“Don’t tease me. What did he say?”

“He was surprised to begin with.”

Euphanel pulled him to where two chairs flanked the fireplace. “Come sit and tell me everything.”

She settled into the seat on the right and waited for Arjan to speak. Her stomach felt as if it were doing flips.

“Well, Christopher seemed open to the idea. ’Course, he said it was ultimately up to the children. He planned to talk to the boys later tonight—well, at least Jimmy and Tommy. He wants to see how they feel about it first. Then he suggested we could talk to the others together.”

“So he said yes?” she asked, clasping her hands to her chin.

Arjan held up his hand. “In a manner of speakin’. But he said that while he felt we could offer the children a more beneficial home, he would leave it up to them. He didn’t want them—’specially the younger ones—to feel yet another sense of loss.”

“But surely you told him that he and Deborah could stay on here for as long as they liked. That way, no one need feel a loss of any sort.”

“Of course, but Christopher also knows that various issues of parenting and discipline will come up. He don’t want there to be any confusion on that.”

“But if we explain to the children, they will understand,” Euphanel replied. “They are very smart.”

“Yes, but they’re still children, Nell. We don’t want to hurt them no more. We’ve shown them love and kindness, but we ain’t their blood kin.”

Euphanel smiled. “There are ways to be family that have nothing to do with blood.” She felt so very hopeful. “Love knows no boundary of blood or location. This will work. I know it will.”

“So the wedding will be here tomorrow instead of the church,” Christopher said. “Are you sure you won’t regret that?”

“The building doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that my family and friends will be with us, and God will join us together. What more could any bride want?”

Christopher looked at Deborah and thought she’d never been more beautiful. He loved the way her dark eyes seemed to dance. She was both little girl and woman grown, but most of all, she was his.

“Tomorrow you will become my wife.”

She sobered and fixed him with a gaze. “You aren’t having second thoughts, are you?”

“Good grief, no, woman. I’m beside myself with anxiety that you will change your mind.”

Deborah looked surprised at his comment, then gave a brief laugh. “You needn’t worry, my dear doctor. I am most assuredly yours.” She leaned forward and rose up on tiptoe to touch his lips with her own. Christopher didn’t move. He didn’t so much as twitch.

“I will always be yours.”

Christopher felt her breath against his lips. He wanted nothing more than to lose himself in her gaze, her touch. His heart quickened, and he knew that if he wasn’t careful, he’d soon find Deborah back in his arms. He took hold of her shoulders.

“Wait, there’s something I wanted to say.”

She looked at him with her dark passionate eyes. “Is something wrong?”

He wanted to explain Deborah’s mother’s and Arjan’s plans to take on his siblings. He wanted to tell her about his desire to give them a better life—a family. He hoped that she would agree and approve.

“Christopher! Come quick!” It was Darcy, and she sounded frantic. “Jonah cut his hand!”

Christopher and Deborah both turned at the same time and hurried for the house. Christopher beat her to the kitchen by only a step.