Donovan's Daughter (The Californians, Book 4) (15 page)

Marcail's emotions were in tatters by the end of the
week. She'd had only six children to teach and was
beginning to regret everything she'd said to Mr. Flynn.

For the first time in her life she was honestly thinking
of quitting. In fact, this idea pressed upon her so strongly
she walked to the train station to check the schedule for
southbound trains.

It was late Saturday afternoon, and even though she
was low on flour, sugar, and coffee, she had not come
into town for any other reason that day. She felt curious
eyes on her as she walked, and nearly turned back home
before reaching her destination.

The train station was very quiet at that time of the day.
Feeling like a coward, Marcail walked toward the far side
of the train office, knowing it would be even more deserted. She slipped around to the front of the office just
long enough to read the departure times, and then
quickly back to the far side of the building-and into the
arms of Rowie Kilmer.

Marcail gasped in surprise and would have taken a
step backward, but Rowie had a hold of her arm and
drew her up close to the side of the small structure.

"It was all a lie, wasn't it?"

"What was?" Marcail's voice was breathless with fear
and a little bit of pain.

'All your talk about teaching. All your denials about
wanting to get married. They were all

lies.'As
"No, Jethro, they weren't. I'd have frozen if Dr. Montgomery hadn't taken me in."

usual,
Rowie
wasn't
listening.
"Wasn't
I
good
enough for you? Didn't you think I could take care of you
like he could?" His hand tightened on Marcail's arm, and
she flinched. "You didn't do nothing but lie, telling me
no and then giving favors to the doc in front of the whole
town."

If Marcail could have moved she would have slapped
him. She began to struggle, but he was so much stronger
it did no good. A feeling of panic began to overtake her.
She would have cried out, but again he tightened his
hold and her cry turned into another gasp.

Marcail watched Rowie looking around as if he planned
to drag her somewhere. With his attention momentarily
diverted, she threw back her head to yell, but a voice
stopped her.

"I might be mistaken, Rowie, but I believe you're
hurting Miss Donovan."

Marcail and Rowie's heads turned sharply with surprise, and Marcail could have wept at the sight of Alex
Montgomery. This time when Marcail pulled her arm,
Rowie freed her. She walked on trembling legs toward
the doctor.

"So that's the way it is between you two?" Rowie said
with a shake of his head. "Well, you haven't let anyone
know, so you can't blame a guy for thinking she's up for
grabs."

Alex saw no point in arguing with him, even though
he was sickened by Rowie's words about Marcail. It was
hard to stay silent, but it helped to have Rowie leave as soon as he'd had his say. Alex looked at Marcail as the
other man backed out of sight. She looked devastated.
He felt her trembling as he took her arm and led her from
the train station.

Marcail didn't speak as Alex led her to the livery. He
claimed Kelsey and began the walk toward Marcail's
house, leading the horse. When Marcail still hadn't spoken at the edge of town, Alex began to question her.

'Are you all right?"

"Yes." Marcail wasn't, but she didn't know how to
begin telling him how much she hurt inside. And besides, he was a doctor of the body, not the heart.

Alex knew she was far from "all right," but he had no
idea how to question her. She didn't thank him or even
look at him as he opened her door and waited for her to
go inside. He stepped in behind her.

"Will you be okay now?"

"Yes, thank-you" was the wooden reply.

Alex felt concerned over her lack of response. He
reached out and touched her shoulder.

"Marcail, I'm going to come by in the morning. We
need to talk."

"In the morning?"

"Yes, but right now -I think you should get some rest."

She was finally looking at him.

"Did you hear me?"

Marcail nodded slightly.

"I'll be by in the morning before church."

Again she nodded, and Alex felt there was nothing
more he could do. With a heavy heart he turned toward
the door, praying that Marcail would get a good night's
sleep.

Alex was at Marcail's front door nearly three hours
before church was scheduled to begin. She was up and
dressed, her hair in place, but looking so pale Alex
feared she might be ill. She greeted him soberly, and
Alex thought she might be working hard at fighting the
fear over why he was there.

"Would you like some coffee?" Marcail offered while
Alex removed his coat.

He accepted the offer, taking a place at the kitchen
table. He thought to kill some time before he asked
Marcail something that was sure to upset her. But while
he still had coffee in his mouth, Marcail spoke.

"I'm not really sure why you've come by this morning,
Dr. Montgomery."

So we're back to Dr. Montgomery, Alex thought before he
answered her question.

"I think we need to talk about what's happened in the
last week," he told her quietly. "In fact, I have a question
to ask you, maybe two." He paused until he was sure he
had Marcail's full attention.

"Marcail, are you going to leave the teaching position
here in Willits?"

Marcail did not understand immediately. She sat for
long moments in quiet thought. When she did speak,
her voice was soft and sure.

"No, I'm not. I've thought about nothing else all week,
and I just can't leave these children. I might be sorry, and
I might change my mind later, but right now I'm going to
stay here and teach."

"Then I'll ask my second question." Alex cleared his
throat. "Will you marry me?"

Marcail stared at him, completely nonplussed. Alex
could see that he'd shocked her speechless, but he'd
given this idea much thought and prayer in the last
week, and he honestly believed it was the best course of
action. He began to explain his position before Marcail
could voice her thoughts.

"I'm not going to tell you that your decision to stay
here is wrong, but I can tell you that it's not safe for you to
remain single. I think Rowie proved that yesterday. And
if you do stay single, you'll not have any children to
teach."

Marcail looked crushed. "I thought that if I could only
tough it out, that they would all send-"

Marcail stopped speaking as Alex slowly shook his
head.

"Marcail," Alex implored her. "Try to understand
Cordelia Duckworth. She has an impossibly strict code
of morality; it's like a sickness with her. In her eyes
you've sinned, and our marriage would make an honest
woman of you."

"You can't really be telling me that my class is going to
come back if I marry you?" Marcail's head was beginning
to clear, and a myriad of questions buzzed through her
mind.

"That is exactly what I'm telling you. I've lived in this
town for seven years, and I know the way these people think. By little choice of their own, most of their lives
revolve around Cordelia Duckworth. If she disapproves
of you, you're finished."

Marcail came to her feet. Alex watched as she paced
the small area in front of her stove.

"I've prayed so fervently that I would be a light to this
town, and now my testimony here is ruined. In fact, by
marrying you, I'm really saying that I do have something
to be ashamed of."

"I'm sure some will see it that way, but they'll have the
same opinion if you leave."

Marcail wished she could wake up from this nightmare. "I just want to teach school," she finally said, her
hands spread wide in what might have been supplication.

"I realize that," Alex's voice was compassionate. 'And
you could do that in another town. But unless you're
willing to be married, you're not going to teach in Willits."

Marcail began to pace again and then stepped to the
window and looked out. It would be so easy to run away, she
told herself. I could pack my bag and go to Santa Rosa or
Visalia; everyone in the family would understand. But I've
always done that. I've always run to them for help, and this time
I want to stand on my own. I want to show them that I've really
grown up.

He makes it sound so simple. Just marry him and I can teach
school. Marry him! 1 didn't think I'd be married for years. And
he's a doctor! I'd be married to a doctor!

Such were Marcail's thoughts for a good ten minutes
as she stood before the window. Knowing how upsetting
his offer had been, Alex remained silent.

Alex, on the other hand, found the idea of being
married to Marcail nothing short of splendid. He knew
that it wouldn't be easy at first, but Alex recognized that she wasn't a quitter, and neither was he. He truly believed they could make a go of it.

He was beginning to wonder how long he would have
to wait for an answer when she suddenly turned and
asked him when he'd come to know the Lord. He didn't
really need to answer, because Marcail could tell by his
very life that he was set apart. Many people in town
attended church, but only a few, Alex included, were
obviously sold out for God.

He answered her briefly, and since she shared her
own testimony as soon as he was finished, she must
have been satisfied. Marcail fell silent and again Alex
waited, knowing that she was going to say yes, but
obviously still struggling to accept it all.

"When were you thinking we would do this?" Marcail
asked softly, as the immensity of the situation began to
weigh upon her.

"This afternoon." Alex could see he had shocked her
once again.

"This afternoon?"

"Yes. I thought we should go to church together and
talk to Pastor Zimler right after the sermon. Word will be
out by this evening, and your classroom will be full in the
morning."

Your classroom will be full in the morning had been Alex's
exact words. Marcail couldn't help but wonder if he
didn't feel a little used. She was standing in Dean and
Kay Austin's bedroom collecting herself to become Mrs.
Alexander Montgomery.

The morning had fairly flown by. She and Alex had
attended church together, drawing speculative glances
from every corner of the building. After the service they immediately approached Pastor Zimler about marrying
them. He had seemed quite honored by the request and
agreed immediately.

Marcail knew her father, before agreeing to anything,
would have questioned them at length, as he did all
couples seeking to be wed, but Pastor Zimler didn't seem
to have a single reservation. Marcail wondered if he
wasn't a little oblivious to all that was happening in his
own town.

Dean and Kay Austin must have sensed something
was afoot; they stayed at the rear of the church until Alex
and Marcail were through with the minister. When Alex
saw them and explained their decision, the Austins
offered their home for the nuptials.

It's not too late, Marcail, she told herself. If you want, you
can walk out there and tell Alex that it won't work. But as soon
as the thought of never seeing Alex again formulated,
Marcail felt something akin to grief.

He's giving you a chance to repair the damage that's been
done. And you know he must care for you to some degree or he
would never have offered. You could leave, but it's time to grow
up and face this problem! Marcail's thoughts continued to
run in all directions until someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," she called, and watched as Alex slipped
into the room and shut the door. He came and stood
directly in front of her.

"Change your mind?" he asked softly.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "The situation is terribly overwhelming, Alex, but I'm terribly
afraid that I could be making the biggest mistake of my
life."

Alex reached with a gentle hand and smoothed the
hair over Marcail's ear. His eyes were loving, as was his
voice, when he spoke.