Steadfast Heart (28 page)

He led them outside, where Kolbein quickly joined them. “Oh, my darling, I'm so sorry.” Lenore fell into his arms sobbing.

“Come on,” Wade encouraged. “There will be time enough for that.”

They climbed into the offered carriage, and Kolbein took the seat beside Lenore, while Wade and Abrianna sat opposite them. Kolbein drew her close and kept his arm around her, whispering words of comfort in her ear. Abrianna and Wade looked to be in prayer with heads bowed and hands folded. Lenore thought it all a strange sort of act—a tragedy—where each of them had a part to play.

Tears still flowed down her face, but a numbing sort of sensation was gradually sinking over her. She looked to Kolbein for answers, but his grave expression offered little consolation. No
one said a word. Even Abrianna had nothing to say, and perhaps that worried Lenore most of all.

The ride to the hospital seemed to take forever, and all Lenore could imagine was a scene where her father lay dying in her mother's arms. Tomorrow she was to have married, but now she might well be burying her father instead.

When they arrived at the hospital, Lenore allowed Kolbein to help her from the carriage and lead her up the hospital steps. He held her tightly at the elbow and maneuvered them through the building to where her mother stood watching and waiting.

“Is he . . . has he . . .” Lenore sputtered the words and broke into sobs.

Her mother took hold of her. “He isn't dead, Lenore. You need to be strong now. I need you.”

The tone of her mother's voice was one Lenore had never heard. She sounded frightened yet appeared so stoic. How long had she known of Father's illness? Why had they kept it from her?

Lenore forced her tears back and took a handkerchief that Kolbein offered. “Why didn't you tell me he was sick? I would never have let him dance.”

“Which is why we didn't tell you. Your father didn't want people fussing over him. He wanted to live out his life without people fretting about his heart.”

“But dancing with me caused him to have this attack. I may well have killed him.”

“Lenore, you must stop this.” Her mother reached out and took hold of her. Several nurses hurried past them, but Mother kept her gaze fixed on Lenore. “I can't bear to think of him dying. Oh, it's times like this that I wish I . . . well . . . I wish I knew God better. Perhaps then I would know what He has planned and what I should do.”

The reality of the moment hit Lenore hard. Her mother had always been nominal in her spiritual beliefs. “We should pray,” Lenore said, taking hold of her mother's hands. She glanced over her shoulder at Kolbein and her friends. “I'm not so very good at this myself. But maybe one of you might petition the Lord for us?”

“I'm not sure what to say,” Kolbein admitted. “Perhaps Wade might lead us?”

Wade nodded. “Let's join hands.” They did and bowed their heads. “Father, we ask your blessing on Mr. Fulcher. He has suffered this attack, as you know, and we ask that you would heal him and restore him to his family. We know that difficulties like this must plague us in this world because we are fallen from that perfection you once had for us. However, we also know that you are merciful and loving. So no matter the outcome . . .” He paused for a moment. “If you restore Mr. Fulcher here or in heaven, give us the strength to endure the circumstances. Help Mrs. Fulcher and Lenore to be strong and at peace, completely assured that you are with them and will never leave them to face such storms alone. In Jesus' name, amen.”

“Amen,” the others murmured.

Lenore felt a modicum of peace. How she wished her faith were stronger. She looked to Abrianna. “If only I had paid more attention to the sermons as you did and studied my Bible, I might be strong enough to bear this burden.”

“You are stronger than you know, Lenore. And God knows your heart. Just trust Him.”

“Trust is hard,” Mrs. Fulcher interjected. “Like Lenore, I've not given much attention to things of spiritual depth. I suppose now I am paying the price.”

“No,” Kolbein said, putting his arm around his soon-to-be mother-in-law. “Situations like this draw a person closer to God
or send them far away in anger. Even so, dying and living are all a part of our lives. But good friends recently taught me that there is always time while we have breath to make things right with God.”

“I pray you're right,” Mother declared. “Oh, I pray you are right.”

The doctor who'd helped at the ball came from a room across the hall. “He's stable for now.”

Mother dropped her hold on Lenore and turned to the doctor. “Can I see him?”

“Not just yet. The hospital physician gave him some medication to help his heart, and he must rest for the time. You should be able to see him in the morning. However, he will need to remain in the hospital for a time.”

Lenore let out a long breath. She had fully expected the man to announce her father's death. She looked to Kolbein, who offered her a reassuring smile. It was the first moment since her father's collapse that she dared to hope.

“Will he be all right?” she asked.

“As right as a man with his condition can be,” the doctor replied. “I presume you know that your father has a weak heart.”

“We hadn't told her,” Mother interjected, “but she knows now.”

The doctor nodded. “Good. I would suggest you two return home and get some rest. He'll be ready to see you tomorrow.”

“But if anything happens . . .” Mother let the words trail into silence.

The doctor understood and nodded. “We would send someone to let you know.” Mother considered this for a moment and then nodded.

“Come, I'll take you both home,” Kolbein announced.

Mother turned to him and surprised Lenore with a request
of Kolbein. “Would you please stay the night with us? I'd feel better if you were there, should something happen. And, perhaps we might . . . pray again?”

“Of course,” Kolbein replied. “I would be honored to stay, and also to pray with you . . . both.”

Abrianna watched the scene unfold, feeling ever so worried for her friend. Nothing like this had ever happened to Lenore. She wasn't accustomed to loss, and Abrianna worried that should her father die, she might not be able to bear the situation.

Wade led her from the hospital, following Lenore and Kolbein as they assisted Mrs. Fulcher into the carriage. Abrianna watched until the carriage had driven out of sight and then turned to Wade.

“Thank you for praying. It was a lovely prayer.”

“I was happy to help. Now I need to get you back home.”

“I suppose so,” she murmured. “I suppose, too, that we must take the carriage back rather than walk. Although a good long walk is exactly what I need, it would hardly be appropriate in the gown and these shoes. Goodness, but I don't know how anyone wears shoes like this all the time.” She lifted the hem of her skirt just enough to reveal a pair of lovely silver satin heels.

Wade shook his head. “I'm certain I don't know.” He grinned. “They look rather like torture devices.”

Abrianna nodded solemnly. “Indeed they are. I've never felt my little toe so pinched. I told Lenore they were too small, but she insisted they were the only thing for me to wear with this gown. So I was quite fashionable but in pain. Even so, what a positively terrible end to our evening.”

Wade signaled the carriage driver and assisted Abrianna down the hospital steps. “At least Mr. Fulcher is stable, so it's not a complete tragedy.”

“But it will alter everything for poor Lenore. Her wedding will be postponed, and her thoughts will be consumed with guilt. I know her. She will continue to blame herself for this mishap, even though she had no way of knowing that anything was wrong with her father.”

Helping Abrianna into the carriage, Wade offered his thoughts. “Lenore will listen to you. If you tell her . . . better yet, if you show her through the Word that she can take comfort in God, perhaps she will be able to dwell on Him rather than her feelings of guilt.”

Abrianna settled into her seat and waited until Wade took his place opposite her. Now that they were alone, there was no need to crowd together on one side. Even so, she missed his closeness.

“I have to admit, I have guilty feelings of my own.”

Wade looked at her strangely. “But why?”

“I was feeling sorry for myself. I was quite immersed in envy, if the truth is told.” She shook her head. “I found myself wishing that I might have known what it was like to have a father's love, to dance with him and know his pride in me.”

“Abrianna, if your father were alive today, he would no doubt take great pride in you. You are a remarkable young woman, and I'm proud to call you friend.”

She smiled, doing her best to put aside her feelings of sadness. “I'm proud to call you friend, as well, Mr. Ackerman. You have been quite tolerant and patient with me these many, many years. I thank you for enduring such difficulties.”

He chuckled. “It wasn't so much of a chore, Abrianna. It
was worrisome at times, but our friendship was worth the endurance.”

“I quite agree, even though you are often bossy and disparaging of my goals.” She thought to go into more detail, then fell silent. “But those are better discussed another day. For now, I'm just thankful that you are here.”

T
he doctor finally agreed to release Lenore's father from the hospital two weeks later and declared that he should be capable of attending a late August wedding at the earliest. To be certain her father would be well enough to walk her down the aisle, Lenore decided on a September wedding. And eager to keep her parents from worrying about any of the arrangements, she enlisted the help of the bridal school.

Now settled in their new extensive property in the Lower Queen Anne area just north of downtown, the old ladies were more than happy to direct their efforts to such a gay occasion. With the wedding in two days, Lenore was giving the gardens one final inspection.

“Everything looks lovely,” she declared. “I'm blessed by all that you've done.”

Mrs. Madison, accompanied by Abrianna, smiled and nodded. “The Lord has blessed us with an abundance of blossoms from the roses. Not only that, but the hydrangea are continuing to bloom quite late. Your wedding will not want for floral decoration. If you'll come this way, I'll show you where the tents have been arranged should it rain.”

“You'll see that Aunt Miriam has made provision for most every possibility.”

“Well,” her aunt said, “we know that having a contingency for every situation makes for a more orderly event.” She led the way to a massive pavilion of white canvas.

Lenore inspected the secondary site and gave it her approval. Mrs. Madison explained the plan to cut and arrange flowers from the garden and bring them into the tents should the weather turn bad.

“My sister has volunteered to finish decorating them and plans to use some of the silver, gold, and white materials we used last year for our annual ball. There will be bows and streamers of ribbon as well as green boughs and bouquets on every table. So you needn't worry come rain or shine.”

“Well, I for one am praying for a beautiful day,” Abrianna declared. “And you have picked a perfect time for the wedding. Eleven o'clock in the morning is perfect. It's not really morning, but definitely not yet afternoon. The sun can be quite warm but not too hot. At least that's been my experience. I wouldn't want the temperature to cause us discomfort.”

Lenore smiled. “Oh, Abrianna, you do worry about the silliest things.”

Her friend frowned. “But the temperature isn't at all silly. Goodness, we don't need you collapsing from the heat. And what of your father? We must consider his needs, as well.”

Lenore put her finger to Abrianna's lips. “The Lord will take charge of the day. You needn't fret. After all, that's what you used to always tell me. So now I relay the same information. “‘Do not fret, for the Lord is faithful.'”

Abrianna nodded and Lenore lowered her hand. “Of course
you are right to remind me.” She gave a sigh. “Sometimes I fear I will never be as faithful as I should be.”

In a gown of white satin and lace, Lenore walked down the garden path on her father's arm. Overhead, the skies were heavy with the promise of rain, but so far not a drop had fallen. True to her word, Mrs. Madison had created a beautiful, almost ethereal, setting for the garden wedding. Lenore tried to take in everything at once and memorize how each flower looked and how beautifully decorated the white wooden arbor stood.

Father was in fine spirits, teasing her prior to the start of their walk. He had jokingly said that now that she was an heiress and wealthy in her own right, she needn't marry Kolbein unless she truly wished to. He had laughed, knowing her answer, and Lenore felt reassured by his seeming strength. When he kissed her and handed her over to Kolbein, there was no sign of his being sick at all. For this, she praised God.

Kolbein flashed her a smile and held her hand most possessively. He was so handsome in his morning suit of gray, and his gaze made Lenore feel as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world.

Lenore couldn't help but smile behind her veil. Their romance had been a whirlwind, but their future lives would be fixed on a solid foundation of faith and love in God and for each other.

“Dearly beloved,” the minister began, “we have gathered this day to witness the matrimony of Miss Lenore Fulcher and Mr. Kolbein Booth. Would the guests remain standing while we pray.”

Lenore bowed her head and felt Kolbein tighten his hold on her hand. Was he worried that she might slip away before he reopened his eyes? Perhaps he felt as amazed as she and just
wanted to hold on to every moment, every feeling and thought, lest anything be missed.

The minister finished his wedding blessing and bid the attendees to sit before continuing with the wedding service. Lenore lost track of the words and thought only of how much she had come to love this man who would soon be her husband. She had never imagined love could come so quickly to a heart, but God had definitely caused it to grow between the two of them. She prayed it would always continue to grow.

They exchanged their vows, and when Kolbein placed a beautiful ring of diamonds and sapphires on her finger, Lenore couldn't help but admire the piece. For a moment she wondered at the cost but just as quickly put aside her concern. She was marrying a man of means, and he was very generous. And, as her father had suggested, she was now quite well fixed herself. However, she had plans for a good portion of her money and knew that Kolbein wouldn't object. No doubt he would easily yield to her request that they help fund Abrianna's new exploits to see her street folk fed and clothed. Perhaps one day they would help shelter the poor, as well. She grinned, meeting her husband's curious expression. There would be time enough to explain later.

Lifting her veil at the minister's announcement that he could kiss his bride, Kolbein looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

“I marvel to think you belong to me.” He drew her into his arms. “My beloved Lenore.”

After a kiss that didn't last nearly long enough for Lenore, Kolbein stepped back and turned to greet their audience of well-wishers. Abrianna handed Lenore her bouquet of flowers and kissed her cheek.

“I think that went beautifully,” her friend murmured. “No one fainted or coughed during the recitation of your vows. And the rain held off.” They both looked skyward at the growing heaviness of the clouds.

Then before she knew it, Kolbein was whisking her away into the crowd of people. Lenore longed for a quiet moment alone with her husband, but it was not to be. At least not just yet. By the time they shared a wedding brunch and received hundreds of toasts for their future, Lenore was exhausted.

When Kolbein leaned over to whisper in her ear, Lenore straightened in her chair and smiled. Standing, Kolbein helped her to her feet, and cheers sang out from the wedding guests.

“My friends, Lenore and I must leave your company now and prepare for our departure. Our ship sails at four and we must make ready. Thank you for your many blessings and prayers.”

With that, he escorted Lenore rather hastily into the house, where the old ladies had prepared a room for them to change for their wedding trip. Lenore suddenly felt overcome by joy and burst into tears. She was married now. Married to the man of her dreams—dreams that she hadn't even fully known until Kolbein had come into her life.

Surprising her, Kolbein took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. Lenore felt breathless when he pulled away and gazed deeply into her damp eyes.

“I love you so completely, Lenore. I've never known such a thing, and I find that it consumes me. I thank God for bringing me to Seattle to find you.”

“But you weren't looking for me,” Lenore said with a tilt of the head.

“Wasn't I?” he asked and then kissed her again.