Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) (36 page)

As well-prepared as Kaitlin thought she was, she felt
bereft at their announcement. It had been so much fun to
have them, and she knew it would be at least two years
before they would be together again. It therefore came as
a surprise to her that she wasn't more upset when the
time to say goodbye finally arrived. She strongly suspected that it had plenty to do with the peace and joy she
saw glowing from the faces of her brother- and sister-inlaw as they boarded the stage. Confidence that they
were going exactly where God wanted them to go showed
in their every move.

Not only were Sean and Charlie confident, they were
thrilled with the idea of going to Hawaii. Sean had been
coaching Charlie in the Hawaiian language, and she
knew enough to give her a great start once they arrived.
A letter had been sent to Father to inform him of their
approximate sailing date. The young couple knew there
was nothing else they could do except head to San Francisco where they would board a ship that would take
them to an exciting new life-a life that Sean knew well,
but one that Charlie had only dreamed about. A life of
service to their God and prayers that their service would
bring honor and glory to His name.

Aunt Maureen, who was not a grandmother herself,
fell instantly in love with Ricky. Charlie was rarely able to
hold him for the nine days they visited.

Two days before their scheduled departure Sean and
Charlie had a "Hawaiian" day. Neither one spoke English,
and Sean even attempted to teach Charlie how to cook
his favorite Hawaiian dish. They were having a great
time, but in one quiet moment Charlie spoke quite seriously, and in English.

"It's all a little like playing house, isn't it? But it won't
be all fun and games, will it, Sean? Being missionaries is
a lot of hard work."

"That's true, but I think the fact that we're both so
burdened to be there means that God will bless and
provide for us.

'And Charlie," Sean's voice grew urgent. "This doesn't
have to be forever. If we get there and you or Ricky are
miserable, then we don't have to stay. Who knows?
Maybe I'll be the one who can't take it. It might not be
anything like I'm remembering, and if that's the case
God will show us where He wants us to be.

"We haven't discussed the way my father left us, at
least not in detail. Even though I've forgiven him, I would never follow in his footsteps. We're going to stay
together; the three of us are a team. I don't want you to
ever forget that."

Charlie was thankful for her husband's words. With a
kiss and a whispered word, she let him know of her love
for him.

Maureen came to the docks to see them off, but the
wind was cold and she stayed in her coach as they boarded.
Sean had grown very quiet, and Charlie knew that he
was remembering how ill he had been on his one previous trip. They talked about a plan of action if Sean was
completely out of commission on the ship as he'd been
before. Even though Charlie prayed it would be otherwise, she believed she could do what she had to do.

They stayed at the balustrade as the ship pulled away
from the dock. Sean held his tiny son, swathed in blankets, close and spoke into his sleeping face.

"We're leaving now, buddy. We're headed to our new
home, to Hawaii, where we will serve others and share
Christ's love."

Charlie, having heard every word, found her heart
swelling with love for this man God had given her. Never
did she believe in all her life that she would have the
things she had now. Even if God should choose to remove someone or something from her world, she would
never again doubt that He was there and that He loved
her unconditionally.

Sean looked over to see Charlie's face turned skyward,
a look of profound serenity filling her eyes.

"What are you thinking?" he asked softly.

"Only that it's all so wonderful. I never dreamed I
would have all that God has given me."

Sean's smile was huge. "And to think that a little over a
year ago, we were married strangers."

"Oh, Sean!" Charlie's eyes grew wide as she realized
his words were true. Then she grinned and proceeded to
tease Sean about one of his favorite sayings. "I guess
miracles don't take as long as we once believed."

Hawaii 1879

The half-moon cast a faint glow on Charlie as she
waded into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Sean was
already splashing in the light surf, but he stopped to
watch her. She had on a light shift that she was again able
to use for their private nighttime swims.

It had taken longer after her second pregnancy to fit
into that shift, but now that little Callie was three months
old, Charlie was slim as a girl once again.

They swam, as was their Sunday night ritual, for the
better part of an hour before stopping to talk and play in
the waves. Grandpa Patrick was home with the baby and
a now two-year-old Ricky, both of whom were asleep, or
so their parents hoped.

"What did you think of your father's announcement
this morning?"

"I think he did a good job, and I'm certainly glad he
warned the two of us about his plans a few days ago."

"But you weren't surprised, were you-not even
when he shared with us in private?"

"No, I guess I wasn't."

"I can't imagine being here without your father, but
I'm certainly excited about where he's going and the
possible impact he could have on Sadie."

"I can't imagine him gone either, but it's time-I can
see that. He has been praying about it for the better part
of a year. Taking the pulpit for Pastor Miller in Visalia is
perfect for his needs right now. It's not a large body of
believers, and there are several good leaders."

"To hear you, Sean, you'd think he was an old man."

"No, I know he's not an old man, and he assures me
that his health is good, but the work here is so widespread now and he just can't stop himself from putting
too much on his plate. Did he show you Marcail's letter?"

"Yes, I read it and I really admire her decision, Sean.
She's at the end of her schooling, and her home has been
with Rigg and Katie for years. As hard as this will be for
her, I have to agree that her place is with your father."

"I think so too. I would guess that she's doing this out
of love and respect for Father, since she doesn't know
him very well after all these years, but I believe that God
will bless her for her actions. Plus, it's always been Marcail's dream to teach school. Father will help her to that
end."

"Do you really think he will want her to go to work?"

"I think when he sees how badly she wants to teach,
he will. He might be protective of her, but he'll do the
right thing."

They continued to discuss Sean's family, Sadie's last
letter and need for salvation, the mission work, and a
myriad of other subjects during their swim. When it was
time to head home, they found their towels on the beach
and stood wrapped in the cloths and each other's arms,
staring up at the crescent moon.

"I love knowing that no matter what happens, God is
in His heaven and loves unfailingly."

"You sound a little worried about the days ahead,"
Sean whispered.

"Not worried really, just aware that there will be
changes in the future."

"The changes will be necessary, including some that
will cause pain and take adjustment. But as you said,
God is in His heaven, and His sovereign will is always at
work. By the way, have I told you lately that you're
beautiful?"

Charlie turned her head to stare at Sean, who was still
looking at the sky. "Where in the world did that come
from?"

He looked down at her then. "I was thinking about it
when you stepped into the water and realized I don't tell
you often enough."

"Oh, Sean," was all Charlie was able to say before his
lips covered her own.

As they walked hand in hand toward their house,
Charlie wondered if there was anything more beautiful
than being married to the man God has chosen for your
life.

Charlie let her mind dwell on the hand that held hers.
A hand that swung a hammer with strength and surety,
a hand that grasped the Bible with confidence during a
sermon, a hand that held their children with tenderness,
and a hand that would claim her own with loving care
every day of their lives.

Charlie didn't have to speculate for very long as to
whether or not there was anything more beautiful. With
her hand engulfed within Sean Donovan's, she knew she
had her answer.

Lori Wick is one of the most versatile Christian
fiction writers in the market today. From pioneer
fiction to a series set in Victorian England to contemporary writing. Lori's books (over 3.9 million copies
in print) are perennial favorites with readers.

Born and raised in Santa Rosa, California, Lori met
her husband, Bob, while in Bible college. They and
their three children, Timothy, Matthew, and Abigail,
make their home in Wisconsin.