Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) (27 page)

The lantern light flickered over the bedroom walls as
Sean's hand trembled. He had come in and called Charlie's name as he lit a lamp, and then after a quick peek
into the living room, walked with dread toward the
silent bedroom.

Even in the dim light he could make out her puffy eyes
and the signs of tears. He set the lantern on the nightstand, turned it high, and eased down beside her. Sean
didn't try to remove the Bible from her grasp. He just put
his arms around her and kissed her softly on the cheek.

It took a few moments for her to come fully awake and
then she only blinked at him, as though she believed
herself to be dreaming. One moment she was staring at
him, and the next the Bible had fallen to the side and her
arms had his neck in a stranglehold. She was sobbing
uncontrollably.

"My darling Charlie," Sean crooned softly.

"Are you all right... are you really all right?" Charlie
gasped through her tears, touching his arms and chest as
though checking for injuries.

"I'm fine. We didn't even see Hartley. I just need a
bath, since I smell like sweat and horses."

"Sadie won't mind," Charlie hiccuped, thinking they
would do anything he wanted, just as long as he was
home, safe and sound. "We can go right now."

Sean laughed to himself at her enthusiasm. She had
never been easily offended by unpleasant odors before,
and he wondered at her nearly frantic state. She grew
very quiet on the walk to Sadie's, and Sean told himself
he was going to hurry so they could get back home and
talk.

Charlie, still agitated, was trying to scrub the skin off
Sean's back when she broke her silence.

"I wanted to wait until we were back home, Sean, but
I've got to talk to you."

'All right," he agreed with some relief.

Scooting around the side of the tub, Charlie stayed on
her knees and leaned so close to Sean that she soaked the
front of her dress. He watched in confusion as fresh tears
puddled in her eyes and she began.

"They killed him, Sean-they killed Jesus Christ. He
had healed them and fed them and proven to them over
and over that He was the Son of God, and they still
crucified Him. Why, Sean? If He's really God's Son, He
could have saved Himself. Why didn't He?"

Sean's wet hands came up and tenderly cradled her
face. His heart was beating so fast he was breathless.

"Because we needed a Savior. Our sin debt to God had
to be paid. He loved us enough to be that Savior. Man's
sin placed a ravine between God and man, but God in
His infinite love bridged that ravine with His own dear
Son."

"Oh, Sean." Charlie's tears began in earnest.

Sean's water was quite cold by the time Charlie was
done crying and talking about all she had read. She
apologized to him several times, but the night was hot
and he only smiled. Did she really think a little cold water was important in light of her meeting Jesus Christ?
But that wasn't the only question on Sean's mind, and
he waited only until they were home in bed before he
broached it.

"Charlie, in all your reading, did you understand that
you, Charlotte Donovan, must make a decision?"

"You mean the faith and believing you were talking
about before?"

"Yes. I don't want to push you; I just want to make
sure you understand."

"I do understand, Sean, but I don't think you do. I
haven't been a good person and Jesus, well, He's God's
Son. I don't think He really wanted me-"

"Charlie," Sean called her name softly. "I want you to
listen to John 3:16 and 17 again."

"I've read those verses through several times."

"I'm sure you have, but I want you to hear them one
more time: 'For God so loved Charlie, that he gave his
only begotten Son and if Charlie believes in him, Charlie
will not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent
not his Son to condemn Charlie, but that through him,
Charlie might be saved."'

Sean watched her face closely. He saw her struggle,
her desire to be loved and accepted, but he stayed quiet
and prayed.

"I didn't even believe He existed fora long time."

"That sin and all others were covered on the cross
where He was crucified." Again Sean waited and prayed.

"Do you really think He loves me?"

"Absolutely."

Charlie gave a small nod, as though confirming in her
mind what she must do. Sean helped her with the words,
and in a soft, confident voice she prayed, telling God of
her sins and confessing her belief in His Son.

Charlie finally knew peace as she fell yet again into
exhausted slumber, this time in her husband's arms.
Sean, very mindful of starting Charlie's tears again, held
his own until she was asleep.

"I would have waited years, Lord," Sean cried in the
dark. "But You've given me another of Your miracles. For
this, I thank You."

Sean followed his wife into slumber a few minutes
later, but not before he pictured himself and Charlie in
the Hawaiian Islands, living and working with the island
people he loved so well.

Charlie's face was puffy in the morning, but the smile
she gave her husband when he kissed her awake was
beautiful. They were up a little earlier than usual, and
Sean answered many questions about the Bible as they
readied for work.

Over breakfast the questions continued, and then
Sean knew he had to mention Hartley. He prayed that
with her newfound faith, Charlie would turn to God
with her fears.

"Charlie, I need to tell you some things."

The seriousness in his tone immediately arrested her
attention, and even though alarmed, Charlie listened.

"It's true that we didn't see Hartley yesterday, but we
did set up another meeting time at a different place."

"How could you have done that?"

"I left him a note."

"When do you meet?"

"Tomorrow night."

"Is Duncan going with you?"

"Not this time; for the plan to be successful both he
and Witt are needed here in town."

"You're going out alone?" Charlie's voice was strained.

"Yes. It has to be that way." Sean reached across the
table and claimed Charlie's hand. "Would you like me to
explain what's going on?"

Sean could see that it took an effort on her part, but
she nodded. He explained the situation calmly, and
Charlie's mouth dropped open in surprise.

"Whose idea was this?"

"Mine. After working with Hartley, I have a pretty fair
idea of the way he thinks." Sean shrugged and then
became serious. "Now, long before dark tomorrow night,
I'm going to deliver you to Lora's or Sadie's: The choice is
yours. But after I take you there-you-must not leave."

"Oh, Sean." Charlie looked as helpless as she felt, but
Sean was relentless.

"There will be no discussion on this, Charlie. You
can't go with me, and you can't follow me." His look was
very stern, and Charlie knew he was right. She would
probably get in the way and get them both killed.

"Now, where do you want to go?"

"Lora's," Charlie said with resignation. "She knows
more of what's going on, and I know she'll pray with me
if I ask her."

Sean's smile was a picture of tenderness. "Speaking of
prayer, why don't we ask God right now to protect both
of us in the next few days?"

Charlie nodded, and Sean thought his heart would
burst as he heard her sweet voice in prayer. She talked to
God as she talked to anyone else, only now there was an
element of confidence in knowing that she was very
loved.

Even though they were now running a little late, husband and wife followed their prayer time with a long
embrace before heading out the door for work.

If Lora hugged Charlie once she hugged her ten times
when she shared the news of how she came to know
Jesus Christ. The older woman cried, and just as Charlie
expected, Lora was more than happy to pray with her.

Their conversation was animated during the hours
they had together. The fact that their husbands might be
in danger hung in their minds, but Charlie was full of
questions that Lora was happy to answer. They both felt
God's presence and His blessing in the time they shared.

Sean Donovan was nowhere near as calm as he appeared to be. He had ridden out to the meeting place just
as the sun was setting and leaned against a tree as though
he had all the time in the world. He was in fact praying
until he thought his heart might burst.

"I can hardly believe I'm in this position, Lord. It
could have been me. It could have been me they're
trapping right now. So many of the choices I've made
have been for myself and not You. Thank You, God, for
sparing me and giving me another chance.

"Please protect Duncan, Witt, and the others as they
put their lives on the line tonight. Please protect them.
And Hartley. Oh, God," Sean groaned, "if only I could
talk to him about You. I don't know if he would listen,
but I'd just like the chance. Help the men to bring him in
without harm."

Sean would have prayed on and on if his thoughts had
not been interrupted by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Thinking the entire plan had backfired, he came
away from the tree with the rifle cocked and ready. He
sagged with relief when he heard Duncan call his name.
The older man reined in his horse and sat looking down
at Sean in the moonlight.