Love Everlasting (8 page)

“I was glad for the opportunity. I'm also glad that you can see the good things here at the school. I think the old ladies will surprise you.”

She nodded. “I think so, too. When I told Mrs. Madison that I would be leaving on the day after tomorrow, she encouraged me to return in several weeks to see for myself how things were going.”

“And will you return soon?”

“I would like to.”

He smiled. “I'd like that, too. You're good company.”

“I fear I've done nothing but rattle on and on about myself.” She smiled and met his gaze. “But you have a way of putting me at ease. I feel I can speak to you about most anything. I haven't known that freedom since losing my husband.”

“For all the talking you've done, you haven't said much about him.”

She looked away and seemed to consider that a moment. “Darius was a good Christian man. As a husband he was considerate and generous. As a physician he was compassionate and driven. I always blamed the latter for his having caught
tuberculosis. He so longed to find a cure. I fear it caused him to spend more and more time at the sanitarium.” She paused and her countenance took on a sad expression.

“I suppose after losing our sons, Darius found home to be a painful place. I know I did. It was almost unbearable at times.”

“I am so sorry. I know something of losing those you love.”

“Yes, I know.” She paused in their walk to face him. “Your daughter told me about your false imprisonment. I find it abominable that such an error should rob a man of so many years. I am amazed that you aren't bitter and angry.”

“Neither would change what happened. Besides, I'm quite content to be here now. I figure the past is dead and gone. Don't do much good to dwell on it.”

“Yes,” she nodded. “I, too, look at it that way. I was married for ten mostly good years, but I can't live in the grave. Flora helped me to see that. She's a remarkable young woman. So very much like your daughter.”

“I've noticed that. Both lean a little to the unmanageable side, but both are smart as whips.”

“Yes. I fear Flora has always been much more adventurous than I ever was. I suppose growing up in the wilds of Montana on a ranch did much to encourage that.”

“Some folks are just spirited.” Jay wondered how he might turn the conversation back to her return without sounding obvious in his desire to see her again. “But I'm thinking that you'll see a good change in her. These old ladies have a way about them. They are good teachers. I'm sure if you were to return in just a couple of weeks you'd find Flora a different girl.”

“Do you think just a few weeks would be time enough? I've tried for four years to tame that child.”

He chuckled. “I think Mrs. Madison can accomplish a great
deal in a very short time. Why not make a plan to return and see for yourself?” He stopped walking. “I'm sure it would be worth your trouble.”

She smiled at him, and it took years off her worried face. “I suppose it bears consideration.”

Jay finally decided to just be honest with the woman. If she spurned him he would count the loss and move on. But if he said nothing and her feelings matched his own, then he would miss a most valuable opportunity.

“I'd like it very much if you would consider something else.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I think you know that I enjoy our conversations. The time I've had getting to know you has given me reason to think we might work well together. I know that sounds rather bold, but I'd like for you to think on that.”

She shook her head and for a moment he thought she would refuse him. “I don't need to think on it, Mr. Cunningham. I've very much enjoyed our time together. I think you may be right. Perhaps we might work well together.”

He let out the breath he'd been holding and smiled. “Well, I'm glad that's behind us.” He linked his arm with hers and turned back toward the school. “I've never been all that good with words. Guess I haven't had much practice.”

“I thought your words were just fine, Mr. Cunningham.”

“Please don't call me that. Just call me Jay or even James.”

“I will do so only if you will call me Eloise,” she replied.

“I'd be delighted, Eloise.”

She smiled up at him. “Thank you, Jay. You've given me a reason to look forward rather than behind.”

A
brianna hugged Militine close. “I feel positively desolate at your departure.” She pulled back. “Not that I want you to feel guilty. I know you aren't truly abandoning me, although I shall suffer the loss greatly.”

“I will, as well,” Militine replied. “But, it'll give me better peace of mind to be farther from my old life. Thane was the one to suggest it, and what a blessing it is to know he understands.”

Abrianna nodded. “It is. I know this is best for you, dear friend, but I will miss you so deeply. I was reading
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen just yesterday and came across something one of the characters said and thought of you leaving. She said, ‘There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.' That is how I feel. I cannot love by halves, and so knowing this is best for you, I can say good-bye. I can let you leave me with a glad spirit, realizing this is something of a gift that I can give back to you. I do pray, however, you will write to me.”

“You know I'm not very good at such things. My education
was very limited, and my speech only improved because of Mrs. Madison's efforts, as well as the others.”

“I know, but I also know that Thane will help you, should you need. Even the fewest of words will let me know you are doing well and haven't forgotten me.”

Militine laughed. “Abrianna, after all we've been through, it would be impossible to forget you. Some of my fondest and most terrifying moments were spent in your company.” She sobered. “I do wish we could be here for your wedding. That is my biggest regret in leaving.”

“Well, maybe they can make a wedding trip to San Francisco to see us.” Thane put his arm around Militine's shoulders.

Wade came alongside Abrianna and looked down at her. “That might be a fun adventure. I'll see what I can do to put aside some money, but we have a great many other expenses just now.”

“Well, there is my . . .” Abrianna fell silent at the disapproving look that crossed Wade's face. He was determined her money not be used for their needs. It frustrated Abrianna to no end, but she held her tongue—something that did not come easily.

“I hope you will try.” Militine seemed to notice the tension. She smiled at Abrianna and took hold of her hands once again. “Please tell your aunts that I said thank-you for taking a chance on me. I know they broke all of their rules when they allowed me to come without references or any letter of introduction. It was all God's doing. I see that now. Thanks to you.”

“I didn't do anything.”

“You never gave up on helping me to see that God truly loved me. No one else showed such concern. You dogged me about it every step of the way, and in looking back I can see
that I needed that persistence. So while I know we had some difficult times over such matters, I thank you for being willing to remain strong in your faith and to love me enough to offer steady witness.”

Abrianna wiped away tears with the back of her hand. “Oh, Militine, I do love you so very much. I pray you will have a wonderful life.” She looked to Thane. “You, as well. You have been such a good friend both to Wade and to me. Farewells are never easy, and losing the two of you to such a great distance will definitely leave a void in our lives.”

“Yes, but we will all see each other again,” Wade said. “I feel certain of that.”

“I do, too,” Thane replied. “Now, we must go aboard our ship, or we will certainly be left behind.”

The two women exchanged kisses on the cheek. Abrianna turned to Thane and gave him a brief embrace. “Take care of her and yourself.”

Thane nodded as she stepped back. “I will.” He turned to Wade. “You going to be all right taking care of our Abrianna on your own?”

Wade laughed and gave his friend a slap on the back. “You know it will be a challenge, but I have great hope that God will aid me in the matter.”

“Oh, stuff and nonsense.” Abrianna rolled her eyes heavenward. “Must I forever bear up under such harsh judgment?”

The two men embraced, laughing. Thane shook his head and whispered something to Wade. It was no doubt further comments on dealing with her difficult nature. Abrianna might have said something had it not been the occasion of Militine and Thane's departure. After all, she didn't want to mar their good-byes with a reprimand.

Thane picked up the small valise at Militine's feet. “Are you ready, my love?”

She smiled. “I am.”

Abrianna watched them walk up the gangplank and bit her lower lip to keep from crying. It was a good thing for Militine to leave Seattle. She knew the fear that her friend had suffered in worries as to whether her most abusive father might one day find her again. That, coupled by the dread that even if he didn't, some of his cronies might, caused Militine no end of discomfort.

“They'll be fine, you know.” Wade put his arm around her shoulder.

Abrianna was surprised at this public display but was grateful. She leaned against him, feeling so safe and comforted. He was truly the dearest friend of all. “What did Thane say to you just now?”

Wade chuckled. “He told me that he and Militine had left us a wedding present in their old room. A wooden mantel clock.”

“How kind. I do wish they could have been here for the wedding.”

“I do, too. However, since they are doing what's best for them, I think we should do likewise. While we're down here, I want to show you something.”

She looked at Wade, most curious as to what he had in mind. “I would like that very much. Anything to take my mind off this sorrowful moment. I've always found the best way to deal with sadness is to focus one's thoughts elsewhere.”

He looped his arm with hers and drew her back away from the dock and the bustle of the men who were working to load last minute supplies on the ship. Abrianna looked out across the bay. The sky had a few wispy clouds, but otherwise remained
a brilliant blue. Even so, there was a definite hint of change in the weather. The temperatures were lower now, and the rains were finally starting to come with some regularity. Before long, it would be autumn.

The noise and bustle of the area soon drew her attention away from thoughts of anything but the rebuilding of the city. The workers had made great strides in clearing away the rubble and resetting foundations. Basements were being dug for businesses where possible, and already the foundations had been set in place for others. Even so, there was still relatively little in the way of actual buildings.

“It's all so strange, so different.”

“As you can see, most of the businesses down here are still operating out of tents.” Wade shook his head. “So many of the folks, myself included, didn't have any kind of fire insurance, and rebuilding is difficult and riddled with expenses.”

“I've read much about it in the paper. I have wanted to speak to you about it several times, but there always seemed to be someone around.”

He led her to a small tent in the same area where his shop used to be. He untied the flaps and threw them back to allow the sunlight to filter in. “I have a small supply of wood and wagon materials here. I usually take my tools back and forth, so as to not encourage theft. Most won't bother with the rest of the stuff.”

“They probably have no idea what to do with it. Not everyone is as brilliant as you are. I've always admired that about you. Still, this is a very small space, and you deserve more. Your old shop was so well organized and supplied.” Abrianna felt a sense of sorrow at the minimal workspace. Wade had always prided himself on his previous shop. He and his father had worked
it together, and she knew there were a great many memories for Wade here.

“Part of the reason I wanted to bring you here was to say that I'm thinking perhaps this isn't the place for me to rebuild. I had an offer on the land, and I think it might be wise to take it. It'll give me a nice sum of money to use in getting us a little home, where I might also be able to work.”

“Wade,” she took hold of his arm, “can you not see yourself giving in to use at least a little of the money I inherited? I know you are a prideful man, and Lenore explained all about how men like to be in charge of providing for their families, although I will say that utilizing perfectly good money that is available to them seems like a sensible thing to do. Even so, I am trying my best to understand. God knows I have tried to bear up under your pride for years, but remember what the Bible says about pride going before a fall.”

He chuckled. “I had no idea you were working so hard to bear up.”

“I know you think it quite amusing, but it's true. You have been most vexing at times. You really should pray about this matter.”

He turned and touched her face. “I have. I've prayed about our marriage and about our finances. I've prayed about whether to sell, and if so, where to relocate. I'm not given to making rash decisions. You know me better than that.”

“I do. But I thought I knew you well enough to believe you wouldn't let money come between us. Money has never been an issue before now, but I suppose, given my inheritance, we shall begin fighting about it all the time, and that plagues me.”

“And that's what you think I'm doing? Letting money come between us?”

“Well, it seems that way to me. I have money sitting in the bank or at least in investments, and you are in need. We are in need.”

“Our needs are not so great, Abrianna. Like I said, if I sell this lot, then I will have a good amount of money to put elsewhere. I might have lost my tools when the horse and wagon disappeared in the fire, but I managed to keep my savings, and that, along with the money from selling the land, will give us a good start.”

She opened her mouth to comment, but Wade put his finger to her lips and smiled. “Don't make me kiss you.”

The thought didn't seem like much of a threat, and she pushed his hand aside. “I understand that you desire to be the kind of man who is solely responsible for his wife, but Wade, I wish you wouldn't be such a ninny about it all.”

“A ninny? Now I'm being a ninny? The other day you called me pigheaded.” He took hold of her face and leaned forward as if to kiss her. “You didn't used to call me names.”

“Oh, I did. Just not to your face.”

He laughed. “You are quite the prize, Abrianna.” He gave her a rather brief and chaste kiss.

“You were the one who made me pledge honesty.”

“I thought that was God. Wasn't He the one who commanded us to be truthful?”

“Indeed.” Abrianna cocked her head to one side. “But His forgiveness always seemed easier to come by than yours.”

“Oh, Abrianna. I've never withheld forgiveness from you. You are most dear to me and always have been. Don't you see? I just want to take care of you and love you.”

“But you don't want me to love and care for you in return.”

He frowned. “Why would you ever think such a thing? Of course I want you to love and care for me.”

“But not if it involves my money. Money that I'm quite willing to call ‘ours.'”

He dropped his hold. “We aren't going to argue about it, Abrianna. I refuse. Your aunts gave you an inheritance and meant for you to use it for your benefit.”

She put her hands on her hips. “And you are too blind to see that it would benefit me to benefit you. Honestly, I don't see how marrying you will ever work out if you refuse to let me help in whatever way I can. You know that my cooking skills are minimal. Oh, I can most definitely make soup and cookies, as I did for the homeless, but I'm not good at creating full meals. And my sewing is atrocious, and I can't play the piano very well. It would seem that my money is one thing I can actually bring to benefit our marriage, and I shan't go into a marriage where I feel useless.”

Abrianna turned to walk away, but Wade grabbed hold of her and swung her back into his arms. “You will never be useless to me. I want you to share my life and work alongside me. All I am asking is that you allow me to be the man of the house. I realize you haven't ever had that in your life. You've grown up with three spirited and self-sufficient women. I know that you see yourself taking on that role, but I want to take care of you. I want to make a good life for you. Can't you see? That's part of showing you how much I love you.”

She hadn't considered it that way. She supposed, given the silliest notions men were given over to, perhaps she would do better to just agree and work on helping him to see her way another time. Abrianna sighed. Why did men have to be so difficult?

“I suppose I have no other choice,” she said, not trying to disguise the disappointment in her voice. “I love you and suppose that love will always come with its sacrifices.”

He shook his head. “Is it such a sacrifice to yield this one thing to me? Will we always argue about such matters?”