Love Finds a Home (Anthologies) (22 page)

For the last week, Ernie had been held up a few miles outside of Mauch Chunk, waiting for a break in the canal to be repaired. Normally he would have been upset about the time lost, but the days of waiting had given him time to think and pray—something he should have done before asking Judith to marry him.

When the boats were finally given the go-ahead and they rounded the bend near Parryville, Ernie’s heart skipped a beat. Judith sat on the grassy bank, her face lifted to the sky. She looked like an angel.

Ernie maneuvered the boat toward land. “Halt the mules!” he shouted to Andy.

Judith must have heard him, for she stood and rushed toward the boat.

“Stay put. I’ll be right back,” Ernie said to Grace, who stood next to the rails, hollering and waving at her teacher.

Ernie leaped over the side and waded to shore, not caring that his trousers and boots were getting wet. Before Judith could open her mouth, he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the note he had written. He handed it to her and took a step back.

“What’s this?” she asked, tipping her head, a curious expression on her face.

“I have trouble speakin’ what’s on my heart, so I thought I could say things better this way.”

With trembling fingers, Judith unfolded the piece of paper and read Ernie’s note.

Dear Judith:

I’m sorry for the dumb things I said the day I asked ya to marry me. I got all tongue-tied and couldn’t say everything on my mind. I want us to get married but not just ’cause my kids need a mom. You’re the sweetest, purtiest woman I know, and I love ya
.

I ain’t much to look at, and I don’t have much education, but I’d sure be pleased if you was to become my wife
.

Love,
Ernie

Judith stared at the letter, tears clouding her vision. Ernie loved her and thought she was pretty. It was more than she could fathom. She blinked the tears away and squinted.
I recognize this handwriting. I’ve seen it before
. Then a light dawned, and realization set in. “Ernie, have you written to me on other occasions?”

He nodded.

“Did you put some notes in the letter box at school?”

He shook his head.

“No?” Maybe she was wrong. Maybe the handwriting wasn’t the same as the anonymous letters she’d received last winter from a secret admirer.

“Papa wrote the letters, but it was me who put ’em in the letter box,” Andy spoke up.

Judith stared at the boy, too stunned to say a word.

Ernie stepped forward and took her hand. “I’m sorry for deceivin’ ya, but I didn’t have the nerve to say those things to your face. Thought ya might think I was dumber’n dirt and that I was bein’ too forward.”

Judith smiled. “Oh Ernie, do you know how I have longed to hear such words?” She waved the letter in front of his face. “You’re not dumb, and I would be honored to be your wife.”

He looked surprised. “Really?”

She nodded. “I’ve come to love you as well.”

“Yippee!” Grace hollered as she scampered over the side of the boat and plodded through the water.

When the child reached Judith’s side, Judith gave her a hug. “I love you and your brother, too.”

Andy grinned from ear to ear, but then his expression sobered. “If ya marry Papa, will ya still be our teacher?”

Judith slowly shook her head. If she married Ernie, it would mean giving up her teaching position, but she felt this was what God wanted her to do.

Ernie snapped his fingers. “Say, I’ve got an idea.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“As we’re goin’ up and down the canal, whenever we stop for the night, maybe you could give Grace and Andy some lessons—and any other kids whose folks work the canals. That way they won’t get behind in their schoolin’.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she said with a smile.

Ernie cleared his throat. “Uh, Andy, why don’t ya unhitch the mules and tie ’em to a tree? Then ya can take Grace back to the boat, so’s your teacher and me can make some plans.”

Andy grinned up at his father. “Okay.”

Once the children were on the boat, Ernie led Judith to a clump of trees a short distance away. There, under a canopy of leafy maple branches, he drew her into his arms and kissed her so tenderly that she thought she might swoon.

Judith closed her eyes and leaned against Ernie’s muscular chest. “I thank the Lord for bringing you and your children into my life. Through His Word, God showed me that I need to trust Him in all things.”

“I love ya, dear Teacher,” Ernie murmured.

“And I love you.”

TWICE
LOVED

DEDICATION

In memory of my uncle, Dean Thompson, who survived the bombing at Pearl Harbor. To Dr. Bob and Delva Lantrip, who make all their patients feel “Twice Loved.” And to my sister, Joy Stenson, who, like Amy in this story, loved to play with dolls and stuffed animals when she was a little girl.

INTRODUCTION

J
apan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies on September 2, 1945, ended World War II. America and her allies rejoiced. The idea of peace had never seemed more precious than to those who had given faithful service on the home front, as well as those who had served on the battlefield.

Yet much needed to be done before peace could be achieved. Those who had lost loved ones grieved. Families of those who were classified as prisoners of war or missing in action hoped and prayed for the day when their loved ones might return home. Factories that had been engaged in the production of war materials returned to their former pursuits. Thousands of “Rosie the Riveters,” women who had replaced men who had been called to defend their country, were no longer needed. Returning military personnel further flooded the job market.

There was rejoicing and mourning, newly created problems, and the adjustment from war to peace, but the spark of hope that had kept people through the dark days of war, rationing, and personal sacrifice burned high. A weary world looked forward to a season of peace on earth, good will to men.

Prologue

Easton, Pennsylvania
September 1943

D
an Fisher went down on his knees in front of the sofa where his wife lay. Darcy had been diagnosed with leukemia several months earlier, and short of a miracle, he knew she wouldn’t have long to live.

“I’m almost finished with this quilt,” Darcy murmured, lifting one corner of the colorful patchwork covering she had been working on since she’d first gotten sick. It was made from various shapes of cotton and velveteen material, in shades of blue, scarlet, gold, and green, and had been hand tied. She’d been able to do much of the stitching while lying in bed or on the sofa, where she spent most of her waking hours.

Dan nodded. “It’s beautiful, honey—just like you.”

“I want you to have it as a remembrance of me.” Tears gathered in the corners of Darcy’s dark-brown eyes, and she blinked them away. “It will bring you solace after I’m gone and help you remember to comfort others in need.”

Unable to voice his thoughts, Dan reached for Darcy’s hand. When she squeezed his fingers, he was amazed at the strength of her touch.

“There are things we must discuss,” she whispered.

Dan nodded, wishing they could talk about anything other than his wife’s imminent death.

“Please promise you’ll keep Twice Loved open.”

Dan knew how important Darcy’s used-toy store was to her and to all the children she had ministered to by providing inexpensive or free toys. Little ones whose fathers were away at war and those who’d been left with only one parent had received a measure of happiness, thanks to Darcy and her special store.

“I’ll keep the place going,” he promised. “Whenever I look at this quilt, I’ll remember the labor of love that went into making it, and I’ll do my best to help others in need.”

CHAPTER 1

September 1945

B
ev Winters shut her desk drawer with such force that the cherished picture of her late husband toppled to the floor. Her hands shook as she bent to retrieve it, but she breathed a sigh of relief to see that the glass was intact and Fred’s handsome face smiled back at her.

Joy Lundy poked her head around the partition that separated her and Bev’s workspaces in the accounting department at Bethlehem Steel. “What happened, Bev? I heard a crash.”

Bev clutched the picture to her chest and sank into the office chair. She reached for the crumpled slip of paper on her desk and handed it to her coworker. “What a nice thing to give someone at the end of the day. I’ve got two weeks to tie up loose ends and clear out my desk.”

Joy scanned the memo, her forehead creasing as she frowned. “I heard there would be some cutbacks, now that the war is over and many of our returning men will need their old jobs back. I just didn’t realize it would be so soon—or that you’d be one of those they let go.”

Bev pulled the bottom drawer open and scooped up her pocketbook. “It’s probably for the best,” she mumbled. “I was thinking I might have to look for another job anyway.”

“You were? How come?”

Bev hung her head, feeling the humiliation of what had transpired yesterday afternoon.

Joy touched Bev’s trembling shoulder. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I—I—It’s nothing, really.” Bev was afraid to admit that their boss had tried to take advantage of her. What if Joy told someone and the news spread around the building? Bev’s reputation could be tarnished, and so would her Christian testimony. Here at Bethlehem Steel she’d tried to tell others about Christ through her actions and by inviting them to attend church. No, it would be best if she kept quiet about what had happened with Frank Martin. She’d be leaving in two weeks anyway.

Joy tapped Bev gently on the shoulder, driving her disconcerting thoughts to the back of her mind. “I’m here if you want to talk.”

Bev nodded, as tears clouded her vision. “I–I’d better get going. I don’t want to be late picking Amy up at the sitter’s.”

Joy returned to her own desk, and Bev left the office. Bev had only taken a few steps when she bumped into a tall man with sandy-blond hair. She didn’t recognize him and figured he must not work here or could be a returning veteran—perhaps the one who would be taking her bookkeeping position.

When the man looked down, Bev noticed that the latch on his briefcase had popped open, and several black-and-white photographs were strewed on the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized.

“It’s my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He squatted down and began to collect the pictures. “I’m here to do a photo shoot for management and can’t find the conference room. Do you know where it is?”

“Two doors down. Here, let me help you with those.” Bev knelt on the floor, unmindful of her hose that already had a small tear in them. As she helped gather the remaining photos, she almost collided with the man’s head.

For a few seconds, he stared at Bev with a look of sympathy. Could he tell she’d been crying? Did he think she was clumsy for bumping into him, causing his briefcase to open?

She handed the man his photos and stood, smoothing her dark-green, knee-length skirt. “Sorry about the pictures. I hope none of them are ruined.”

He put the photos back into his briefcase, snapped it closed, and rose. “No harm done. Thanks for your help.”

“You’re welcome.”

The man hesitated a moment, like he wanted to say something more, but then he strode down the hallway toward the conference room.

Bev headed in the opposite direction, anxious to get her daughter and head for home.