Rumors and Promises (46 page)

“How? Why did you come now?” Sophie stood with her family in a small circle and clung to their arms like a child.

“After the Gloucesters visited Stone Creek, they told us of your circumstances, and we were certain they’d found you.” Mama held fast to Sophie’s hand. “When James found out that your fiancé had called this meeting, he sent a telegram to Paul. Between him and the Gloucesters, we wondered if we should take a chance and see if we could make amends. We weren’t sure if you’d want to see us. And then we received a letter—”

“From your young man, just in time. We’re amazed that a pastor in his situation would risk his reputation like this. And we were relieved you were in such good hands.” Papa drew a long breath.

“We never stopped looking for news of you, or hoping you would return.” Though she smiled, Mama’s tears continued to flow.

“I should have done more to look for you, but Charles tried to convince me that he’d done all he could, that he didn’t need my help. The wretch. I hope you can forgive me.” Paul’s downcast expression revealed his humble sincerity.

Sophie remembered all too easily how Paul had esteemed Charles, admiring his confidence and style, thinking him the epitome of a young gentleman, an example to follow. Her brother had been young and impressionable himself. How could she do anything but pity him? Or forgive him for his foolishness and letting her down? They all could have been wiser, but they’d all been taken advantage of. And yet, her adorable little daughter would not have existed except for this unfortunate circumstance.

“We finally did realize that Charles’ character was greatly wanting. Can you ever forgive us?” Papa’s eyes conveyed his pain and regret. “I wish I could put that scoundrel in his place—”

“But that is no longer necessary. We haven’t heard from the profligate in awhile.” Mama squeezed her hand.

What you intended for evil, God meant for good.
The words that Joseph had spoken to his brothers in the book of Genesis echoed in Sophie’s mind. A mantle of peace settled on her, the kind of peace she’d not felt in a very long time.

Mama looked toward Ian, motioning for him to join them.

“Come here, son,” Papa commanded him.

Ian came forward, extending his right arm. The two men shook hands.

“I believe we’ve met, Reverend.” Mama smiled and took his hand as he came closer.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m only sorry I couldn’t reveal anything sooner.”

“I know. I read your letter. At least my girls have been in the best of care.” Mama placed his hand atop Sophie’s and let them both go.

“I move …” Almost everyone’s attention snapped toward the usually reticent elder, Asa Myles. “I move that we retain the Reverend Ian McCormick as our pastor.”

“I second that.” Elisha Whitworth raised his hand. “All in agreement signify by saying ‘aye.’” Dr. Moore led the many voices that rose in accordance.

“Any opposed signify by the same,” Elisha finished.

The Wringer woman’s eyes darkened as she surveyed the crowd. Many of the congregants trained angry stares toward her.

“Fine,” she managed to croak, “but I’m sure you’ll all regret this someday. Mark my words.” She stood.

“G-gert, that’s quite enough.” Edmund rose next to her, his words came out in a stage whisper as though he could avoid embarrassing her, but at least the squeak was gone. “These people have been through enough. I think it’s time for us to leave now.”

“What? I wasn’t finished speaking!” she shrieked.

Her husband looked toward her with an expression of resolve. “You’ve done enough damage here. You’ve heard the truth, but it’s not enough for you, is it?”

“Well, I never! How can you talk to me like this?” Gertrude stood straight with her fists at her sides and stamped her foot. “How dare you?”

“How dare I? I’ve watched you drag this town through the muck long enough!” Edmund seemed to stand taller as he spoke with more confidence. “There’ll be no more prying into other people’s lives, woman. You’ll be too busy at home, caring for your own laundry from now on. I’m taking you to the buggy.” He
stared, with brows furrowed, at his wife. Escorting her stiffly, but gently by the arm, he demonstrated his determination. She tried to jerk her arm away.

“Let’s go then, Nora, ” Gertrude commanded.

Edmund stopped for a moment and turned to look at his niece. “No, Nora, you stay here with your friends, the good people of this church.”

The girl smiled, speechless. As Edmund pulled Gertrude through the crowd, her eye twitching, it was as though a cold chill followed her through the sanctuary.

A cheer went up. Sophie met Ian’s gaze.

“Thank you, all of you. I am humbled by your kindness and God’s grace.” Ian, choking up, cleared his throat.

They’d stood by one another through this difficult trial. Sophie’s heart had become so deeply intertwined with Ian’s. She hoped the family she was beginning with him would never experience the pain of being torn asunder as hers had.

Sophie turned her attention back to her parents and her brother. “I’m sorry for running away. I was just scared.”

“We know.” Mama nodded.

Papa shook his head. “I should have looked further into Charles’ background. He talked a good game. I knew his father, a good man, and expected the apple not to fall far from the tree, but the blackguard’s reputation eventually came out. Can you ever forgive me, my dear little Sophia?”

Sophie felt like a child again, but this time it was different. Papa had changed. Instead of an overbearing businessman she saw a hurting, broken father. His eyes looked moist, but if he had tears, he blinked them back. Sophie knew Papa had to keep some of his pride.

“Oh, Papa.” She put her arms around her father, hugging him tight. “Of course, I forgive you.” Sophie was amazed by the grace transforming her. The Lord had worked through Ian, Maggie, and
the other people of Stone Creek, wooing her back to Himself with their kindness. She knew that God had truly never been far away but had been busy showing His mercy to His lost sheep, a mercy she was compelled to show to others.

Ian had been right. They should restore family relationships before they marry. Peace moved into her heart like soft currents in a stream. Sophie looked into Papa’s eyes.
Not so fearsome anymore.
One side of her mouth pulled into a grin.

“That’s my girl. I’ve missed your funny little crooked smile.” He chucked her chin, but she didn’t mind being his little girl at that moment.

“Where’s my granddaughter? I’d like to see her now.” Papa stood straight and looked commanding. This was the papa she remembered.

CHAPTER 27

F
ireflies outside Sophie’s window enchanted her as they mimicked the winking stars above. The blue night sky hung like diamond-studded velvet, but for the clouds skidding across. Nearly everything seemed perfect with the momentous church meeting four days behind them. And she had so much to look forward to after she and Ian were married in a little more than two weeks.

A puff of smoke rose above a man leaning against the corner streetlamp. Did he have a pipe in his hand? The unthinkable couldn’t be happening, could it? Yet, as Sophie lowered the curtain, still peeking out, the man moved, staring up at her window before he turned and walked away with an arrogant stride,
his
arrogant stride.

She backed away from the pane of glass as though a stranger had seen her in her underclothes. She wrapped her robe tighter, looking over at her daughter, sleeping on the bed. Could Charles have found her? What did he know about Caira?

Her legs lost their strength, and she grasped the nightstand just in time. A soft knock on the door brought Sophie to her senses. She inhaled deep breaths, trying to cleanse the fear from her heart.

Another knock came. “Sophie, are you all right?” Esther’s voice rose above a whisper.

Sophie smoothed her robe and turned the doorknob, cracking the door open. “Do you need something, Esther?”

Esther handed her an envelope. “Albert Johnson said that someone approached him on the street with a message for you, saying it was most urgent.”

Sophie did her best to keep her hand from shaking. “Thank you.” She didn’t mean to be rude but shut the door quietly behind her friend.

Both hands shook, and she steadied her fingers. She pried the envelope open, then stopped. If this was from Charles, did she really want to read it? Yet she must know what was going on. Letting the envelope fall to the floor, Sophie opened the folded sheet of paper.

Sophie swallowed down the rising bile, determined not to vomit. How could he describe what he’d done to her as passion?

Extortion? Did he think a poor girl like herself had anything to offer? How dare he imply that he would be any kind of father to Caira, yet a fit one! However, Sophie felt she had no choice but that she and Caira needed to run … again, even if it meant returning to her parents’ home for help. She gently pushed the curls from Caira’s brow and bent to kiss her forehead. “I won’t let him hurt you, no matter what.”

Ian came in from the stable, feeling quite pleased with his accomplishment as he brushed sawdust from his trousers. His sister would have a fit if he left a dust trail behind him anywhere else in the house. He found Maggie as she sat darning socks by the soft light of a lamp. He would miss his sister and nephew, but looked forward to gaining a wife and a daughter. His chest puffed out with the pride of having his own family.

“How goes the rocking horse experiment?” Maggie raised an eyebrow at him.

“Experiment? I can assure you that Father’s lessons in woodworking haven’t been easily forgotten though I did pick up a few slivers.” He thought about how smoothly he’d sanded the wood. There wouldn’t be any splinters to bother the little one’s legs. This was his wedding gift to Caira. He’d wanted to give her something special now that she would be his daughter, something he’d made with his own two hands.