Leave a Candle Burning (17 page)

No one moved very swiftly. Their minds had been working their way through verses on the war with sin, and that had been going well. No one banked on such an emotional ending to the service—certainly not Dannan. He felt completely drained, and if Alison hadn’t suddenly arrived at his side and asked him to dinner, he was quite certain he would have invited himself to the big house.

It was a quiet couple that pulled into the Randall farmyard after leaving the meetinghouse. Jace had said little on the ride home; Maddie was just as quiet. They entered the house in the same way, Jace to see his wife and child inside, and Maddie to stand and stare thoughtfully around the kitchen.

“We have to trust,” Jace emphasized as though they’d already been discussing it.

Maddie looked at him, knowing he’d been struggling with the same thoughts. What if the two of them died and left Valerie? That question had been in their minds since hearing of the death of Dannan’s cousin, but now that they’d seen Corina and heard her cries, it put new meaning on the whole situation. It also placed new meaning on their faith in the character of God. Was He a God who could be trusted with the life of their daughter? Their Bibles said yes, but their hearts were taking a little time to follow.

Jace suddenly put his arms around Maddie and spoke with his lips close to her ear.

“Everyone else is asking themselves the same questions. We’re not alone in this. We’re going to keep trusting and talking to others who are working to trust just as we are.”

Maddie nodded against his chest, almost relieved that Valerie began to fuss. She thanked Jace after he kissed her and turned to take care of her daughter. Jace exited to stable the team and keep praying that he and Maddie would believe what they’d read and heard.

“Are you all right?” Reese asked Conner the moment they stepped inside their front door.

“What made you ask that?” Conner responded.

“You’re quieter than usual.”

Conner didn’t immediately answer. He’d been very affected by Corina’s cries and was still thinking about her but also about Dannan. That man had lost a close friend and a cousin, and yet he had to carry on. And without a wife, no one was there to share his tears and remind him that in God’s care, all was going to be well.

“Conner?” his wife tried again.

“I am all right, but I can’t get Dannan and Corina off my mind.”

“I’m glad he’ll be with Douglas and Alison today.”

Conner agreed, but a part of his heart wished Dannan was with them. He wasn’t sure why, but the desire to take care of Dannan was amazingly strong.

“Tomorrow,” Reese said, and Conner looked at her. “He’ll be here tomorrow for lunch. We’ll have him then.”

Conner wasn’t sure how he felt about her reading his thoughts so clearly, but he still put his arms around her and held her until Troy showed up. He had walked home, his heart just as heavy over Dannan.

“It was the most heartbreaking sound I’ve ever heard,” Scottie whispered to Eli, still working to control her emotions. “She was so frightened of that bee. And then to call for her mother—” Scottie stopped, not sure she could think about it anymore but wanting her husband to know.

Eli took her hand. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“But she’ll be here tomorrow, and I want you to know how precious she is, and what a good job Dannan is doing.”

“But your telling me can wait until you feel better talking about it.”

Scottie stared across the room for a moment. She didn’t cry, but she wanted to. She usually never lingered long after services, but today she’d left without speaking to anyone. She wanted only to get home and talk to Eli, and now she couldn’t find the words.

“I guess there’s really nothing else to say,” Scottie sighed. “Douglas handled it well, but he was shaken too. And Dannan came back in during the closing prayer. Corina was calm by then.”

Eli gave her hand a little squeeze. “Tomorrow starts a great opportunity for us.”

Scottie looked at him.

“Even though Corina is Iris’ responsibility, you and I can both show her kindness and caring, in turn, making this time easier for her small heart.”

Scottie nodded in agreement, suddenly so weary that she felt she was drooping on the side of the bed.

“Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“Do you mind having dinner alone?”

“Not at all. I’ll eat now and when you’re ready, have Finn bring your tray up here.”

“Thank you,” Scottie said.

Eli smiled at her and watched her leave the room. He heard her door shut down the hall a few seconds later and knew she’d be asleep as soon as her head found the pillow.

“Cathy?” Doyle called for his wife when she wasn’t in the kitchen or parlor. He looked up the stairs but didn’t call again. Something told him she was up in their room, and he debated whether or not to disturb her. He vacillated for some minutes before climbing up to make sure.

“Cathy?” Doyle called softly from the doorframe, finding her on the edge of the bed. “Are you all right?”

“Her parents died so fast, Doyle,” she said with her back to him and the doorway. “No warning at all. Just like Maddie’s when she was a baby.”

Doyle joined her on the side of the bed before saying, “And God gave Maddie to us, and Corina has Dannan.”

Cathy looked at him, her face surprised. “It was all God’s doing, wasn’t it?”

“It certainly was,” Doyle agreed. “I wouldn’t have seen it that way six months ago, but it’s clear to me now.”

“But what about the bad part, Doyle?” Cathy’s mind searched to understand. “If we get to thank God for the good—having Maddie as our own—are we not allowed to blame Him for the loss of your brother and his wife?”

“That’s an interesting question,” Doyle pondered. His face was thoughtful, and his brow furrowed. “I need you to do something with me,” Doyle said next.

“What?” Cathy replied, her voice cautious.

“I want you to go see Douglas with me.”

Cathy looked as horrified as she felt, but Doyle’s face was determined. She frowned at him a moment but knew there was no fighting it.

“All right,” she agreed quietly, and when he read how reluctant she was, he put a comforting arm around her. He did not, however, tell her they didn’t have to go.

“How are you doing?” Douglas asked as soon as the children wandered off to play. Alison and Hillary were still in attendance, but Corina played at the far end of the kitchen with 6-year-old Martin Muldoon and 15-month-old Jeffrey.

“I can’t always tell,” Dannan admitted. “I don’t think the reality of all this has actually hit me.”

“You’re so busy right now,” Douglas said. “I don’t know if your mind has had time to take it in.”

Dannan looked thoughtful.

“What will you do with Corina while you’re working?” Alison asked.

“She’ll be with Iris Stafford.”

“Iris does a great job with children,” Hillary put in. “My friend, Mercy, stayed with her after her mother died. They’re still close.”

Dannan nodded. “My uncle said the same thing. He was so confident that he didn’t even have a second suggestion for me if she said no.”

A small
no
was heard from the kitchen, and Dannan excused himself. Douglas followed him.

“Is there a problem, Corina?”

“My doll,” she fussed.

“But you can share it,” Dannan said reasonably. “Even if Marty or Jeff touch it, it’s still yours.”

The little girl looked as though she didn’t understand.

“Can you share?” Dannan pressed her.

“Come here a minute, boys,” Douglas called to his sons. He spoke when they were near the worktable. “At least for today, let’s let Corina keep her doll, okay? Jeff, Marty will remind you if you forget, and you listen to him. Just play with something else.”

Martin nodded, and when Jeffrey saw it, he nodded too. Douglas smiled tenderly into their faces and thanked them. By that time, Dannan had spoken to Corina. The men met together in the doorway of the parlor, and Douglas was shaking his head a little.

“I think I need to apologize. I’ve just told my boys to let her have her doll today, and you just told her to share.”

“It’s all right,” Dannan said with a laugh. “I’m not sure she was taking it in. I think we might need to head home pretty soon and give her a nap.”

“Or she could lie down here,” Douglas suggested.

Liking the idea, Dannan’s brows rose and not many minutes later, Hillary had offered to take Corina to the corner of the kitchen, coaxing her into her lap with a storybook. The older girl read and rocked the three-year-old to sleep. Dannan was able to talk with Douglas and Alison for two more hours, and Alison sent food home for their tea. Dannan walked home slowly, carrying a groggy little girl in his arms and asking God to sustain them each day as He had today.