Place Of Her Own (13 page)

“They shot the bear. Everyone is safe.”

“Am I?” Her voice trembled.

“Your secret is safe with me, Katherine. And we don’t need to talk about it again … unless you want to. I will keep praying for you and for God’s healing to continue. Just remember, you are free and clean from all that has happened to you because of God’s grace and the sacrifice His Son made for you and me on the cross.”

“I know. It’s just hard to accept sometimes.” “Yes, it is.”
Someday I’ll tell you about my life journey. And hopefully you’ll forgive me the way God has.

Katherine read Shelton’s note for the fifth time. It said he’d purchased the land he’d mentioned to her two days before.

He also wrote that he had gone back to Hazel Greene to talk with his parents, with all indications that he would be telling them about his new relationship with Katherine.

She felt betrayed. She’d opened her heart to him about her past and he had run off. Each day he was gone she tried to convince herself that he hadn’t run away, that he was doing as he always said he would do—preparing a place for his parents. But old fears continued to plague her.

He’d been gone ten days before she received another letter from him.

Katherine read the letter three times before running to Urias and asking him to take her to Shelton’s new house. She and Urias’s family did a thorough inspection of the place. Urias found some structural issues that required immediate attention.

The farmhouse was in such disrepair Katherine wondered if Shelton had ever seen it in the daylight. For the next three days, the MacKenneths, the O’Learys, and other neighbors cleaned, painted, and fixed the interior of the house. Urias said they’d have to wait to paint the exterior until spring. Katherine made curtains for the master bedroom, living room, dining area, and kitchen. Prudence washed the kitchen, scrubbing through layers of soot until she could see the yellowed wood of the knotty pine cabinets and the cast iron of the stove gleamed black. Pamela scrubbed the walls and floors. The men repaired trim, doors, windows, and a serious problem with the center beam of the foundation. Then they cleared the drive from the road to the house.

Katherine wondered why Shelton had purchased this place. Until she saw the view from the second-story master bedroom window. Spread out before her was a clear view of the Cumberland River at one of its widest points. It was so expansive she could have mistaken it for a lake.

She peeled off the bedroom’s wallpaper and applied a fresh coat of paint. If the bed were positioned against the wall opposite the window, one could look out over the river. She’d love to wake up to that view every morning. But Shelton had said this room was for his parents. He was giving them the best view in the house. Katherine remembered Shelton’s determination to honor them. He certainly was doing it now. If she and Shelton were to marry, she would have to honor them as well. She wondered if she could do it.

From her own savings, Katherine had purchased fabric for the curtains and accent pillows for the bed. There was enough to reupholster the chair and ottoman … if Mrs. Greene would like.

At the end of the first week, the house seemed habitable. Everyone went back to their daily responsibilities … except Katherine. She wanted to make the house as fit for Shelton and his parents as she could.

In her heart she knew that, even if the Greens could never see her as anything other than a bondservant, she should love them in the same way Shelton did. From everything he’d said, that would at times be a choice, not a feeling.

She tried not to think about what it would be like to have the Greens living so close. There were plenty of other issues to deal with. Perhaps the fact that the house was in such disrepair was a good thing. It made her concentrate on work rather than on foolish meandering through the past.

She had no idea what items of furniture his parents would be able to bring along. Would Shelton restrict them to a single wagon load?

Katherine stood on a stool to hang the last of the curtains in the front sitting room. She spotted Shelton with a wagon full of furniture coming toward the house. He was alone.

She jumped off the stool, raced out of the house, and ran across the field to greet him. “Shelton!” she called, waving as she ran.

He pulled up a few yards from the house and stared at her. “Katherine, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” He nodded at the house. “Please don’t tell me you’re still working on the place.”

“You don’t know the half of it.”

“I’m afraid I do.” He hopped to the ground and dusted off his trousers.

“Where are your parents?”

“I dropped them off at Prudence’s house so I could unload some of their furniture first. Mac told me how bad the house was. I’m sorry. If I’d known it was that bad, I wouldn’t have asked you to help fix it up.”

“Nonsense. I saw the view from the master bedroom. I would have wanted the house, too.”

Shelton’s blue eyes danced with merriment. He brushed away a curl that dangled over her right eye. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

She reached for his hand. “Come, let me show you what we’ve done.”

He held her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

Shelton couldn’t believe the transformation of the house. He held Katherine’s hand and caressed the top of it with his thumb as they looked over the river from the master bedroom. The sun sparkled on the little ripples of water. It was a splendid sight, even more enchanting than when he viewed it a few weeks ago.

“Katherine, this room is marvelous. I can’t believe you did all this. Mother will be thrilled.”

“I saved some fabric to cover her chair and ottoman. Were you able to bring them?”

“I did. We have two wagons full of furniture and other belongings. Father drove one wagon, and I drove the other.”
And hidden deep in my wagon is the family heirloom I hope to give you one day.
He prayed the precious family heirloom, a china vase, hadn’t broken during the trip.

“Was it difficult for them to leave their home?”

“It was horrible. Apparently news traveled fast about Father’s financial situation, and the reason for it. Mother said none of her friends would even speak with her.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Father has lost his will to go on. I don’t know how to reach him. I’m praying this new house will be just what he needs to get back on his feet.”

“I hope so.”

“I managed to sell the house rather than have the bank acquire it. That produced some much-needed funds. And we earned a profit from the coal mines. I sold that land but retained the mineral rights, so we’ll receive a percentage of the profit—if the mine makes a profit. It will give my parents a small income each year.”

“You’re a wise businessman, Shelton. I’m so proud of you.”

He beamed at her praise. “So, what do you think of the place?”

“I haven’t looked over the land, but the house will be wonderful once it’s done. Urias said we have to wait until spring to paint the exterior.”

“I hope my parents come visit the place in the dark first. Then they’ll see the exterior after they’ve seen what everyone has done on the inside. Still, it won’t be like their old home. I hope they can adjust to it.”

She nodded.

“Do you think you can adjust to them?”

Her smooth forehead crinkled. “I’ve tried to honor your parents the way you do, simply for being your parents. But it’s hard.”

“I’m just pleased that you’ve tried. You’re an incredible woman, Katherine. I can’t believe you did all this for them. Urias and Prudence told me you did all the work in the master suite. I wish this room was ours.”

A slight smile creased her lips. “I do, too. But they deserve a room like this for their sanctuary.”

“And you’ve made it into one. Thank you.”

“Come.” She took him by the hand. “Let me show you your room.”

“My room?”

“Well, the room I thought you might enjoy as yours.”

“Lead on.” He marveled at the softness of her hand. Soft but sturdy, hard-working hands, unlike his own. Then again, he reflected, his hands were not the same as when he left home months ago.

She gripped his fingers a bit more tightly as she led him inside the room.

She had decorated it in masculine earth tones. A painting of a horse hung on the wall. She had placed a rustic bouquet of dried autumn flowers on the nightstand. A dark green spread draped over the bed.

“Where did you get this?”

“I splurged and purchased the fabric. It’s only a cover. I didn’t have time to make an actual quilt, but I thought this would do.”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Katherine, it’s too much. Let me pay you for your time.” She stiffened and released his hand.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that I know you’ve been saving for—”

She placed a finger to his lips. In spite of his firm resolve, he gave in to the powerful desire and gave her finger a light kiss.

Her breathing became ragged. “Shelton, I … I …” She pulled away.

“I’m sorry. I promise not to kiss you again until you ask me to.”

“You don’t understand. I want to so much, I ache. But I don’t think … I mean …”

“You’re worried you’ll cross the line from a chaste kiss to the kind of passionate kiss reserved for marriage?”

“Yes.”

“I understand, and I respect that. I’ll wait until you’re ready. Until we’re both ready.”

“I feel horrible about this. I know what God designed. It’s just that …”

“Shh.” He placed his finger to her lips. “It’s all right. I know.

And God will give us the strength to deal with the wait.”

“I don’t deserve you.” Katherine turned away from him and held her sides.

“No, Katherine, you deserve better than me. But I’m confident of God’s desire for us to become one someday. We will get past this.”

He glanced around the room one more time. “Let’s unpack before my parents arrive.”

“Too late,” Hiram Greene announced from the hallway. “Which room is ours?”

Shelton walked out to the hallway. “That one.” He pointed to the doorway on the opposite end of the hall.

Hiram nodded and bent to pick up a heavy-looking wood crate. Shelton helped him carry it into the master suite.

“Oh, my,” Elizabeth Greene crooned as she entered the room. “Shelton, this is beautiful.”

“You can thank Katherine for that.”

“You mean Kate?”

“She prefers to be called Katherine, Mother.” “I didn’t know that. I’ll try to remember. Where is she?” “I’m right here, ma’am.” She hovered in the doorway, her face pale.

“You did an exquisite job on the master bedroom. But won’t you and Shelton want this room for yourselves?” Katherine glanced at Shelton.

He shrugged. “I told them we hoped to get married in the future.”

“Oh.” Katherine cleared her throat. “Shelton and I felt this room would be a good place for the two of you. There’s a great view of the river.”

“Are you sure, son?” Hiram asked.

“Yes, sir. This is your room. Katherine did everything you see here.”

“Thank you,” he mumbled.

Shelton’s stomach tightened as his father looked at the floor.

“There are fresh linens and pillows in the closet,” Katherine said. “When the men get your bed put together, I’ll be happy to make it up for you.”

Elizabeth Greene smiled. “Nonsense, you’ve done enough.”

Katherine didn’t know what to think. These people were a faded image of who they once were. Her heart went out to them in a way she’d never dreamed possible. She took Shelton’s hand. “Come and help me.”

He followed her down the stairs and out the door.

“Shelton, what’s happened to them?”

“This transition has been very hard on them.”

“They’re definitely not the same people.”

“No, they’re not. But I’m worried. Father doesn’t seem to have much of a will to live. I know he disapproves of our union, but he doesn’t have the strength to fight me on it. If he starts feeling better soon, I imagine we’ll exchange a few words on the subject.”

Katherine let out a pent-up gasp of air. “I’ll be praying for him.” A part of her liked that Mr. Greene was not acting boisterous and arguing. But another part understood that something was wrong.