Worthy of Riches (18 page)

Jean looked at Luke. “Ray wants to make amends. He feels responsible and obligated to us. I think we ought to let him help. It might make it easier for him to put this awful situation behind him.” Jean couldn't believe what she was saying.

“Why should we care how
he
feels?”

“Because Jesus would. And because your father
asked
him to look out for us.” Jean headed for Ray.

Luke walked beside her. “What are you doing? We don't need him. And I can't believe Dad would ask anything of that man.”

“Well, he did.” Jean stopped and looked intently at Luke. “I know you're hurting. So am I. And so is Ray Townsend. We have to forgive. There's no other way.” She hesitated. “Luke, you've got to let it go.”

“You're saying you've forgiven him? Just like that?”

Jean didn't know the answer. She wanted to say yes. Finally she said, “No. I can't say that, but I see now that I must begin to forgive and that God will help me. However, he can't help if I'm not willing to take the first step.” She looked at Ray, now seeing his torment clearly. “I have to begin by reaching out to Mr. Townsend. He's suffering too.”

Luke's harsh gaze settled on the homesteader. “Him? I don't think he has a conscience. How could he be suffering?”

“I understand how you feel. I felt the same way until just this morning. But I'm beginning to see, and I'm taking him up on his offer.”

“I'm not having any part of it.” Luke folded his arms over his chest. “I can't forgive him.”

Her voice gentle, Jean said, “That's your choice. But I have to do what God's asking of me.” With that, she walked toward Ray, still uncertain just what was happening but knowing that God was leading.

Celeste said, “Hello.”

Jean put on her warmest smile. “It's nice to see you outside of work. Seems that's the only time we see each other these days. Maybe you and Robert can come for supper some time.” She looked at Robert. “We've missed you.”

“The feeling's mutual. But you know how it is this time of year. Work, work, work.” He leveled serious eyes on Jean. “How are you?”

“I'm all right. You? I've been wondering how you've been faring.” It had been only six months since Robert and Laurel split, and although she'd heard Robert and Celeste were seeing each other, she'd wondered if he'd fully recovered from Laurel's rejection.

“I'm fine. And my family's well. As you know, it's still a challenge trying to find buyers for produce, but sales are picking up.” He linked arms with Celeste and looked at Ray Townsend. “Sir, I was wondering if you and Celeste would come out to our place for lunch? My mother's a good cook. She said there's plenty, and she'd like the company.”

“Thanks for the invite, but I don't think today would work. I've got a horse that needs shoeing and a fence that's down. Maybe another time.”

“Can I go?” Celeste asked.

“Sure,” Ray said. “Go and have a good time.”

“Thanks.” Celeste gave her father a kiss. “It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Hasper.”

Robert nodded, and with Celeste on his arm, the two walked down the road.

Ray and Jean stood alone. “It's a nice day,” Ray finally said, scanning the blue sky.

“Yes, very nice. Even seems the mosquitoes have gone in search of shade.” She smiled. “We'd best keep to the sunny places.” Clearing her throat, she continued, “I was thinking about your offer. We could use the help. With me working and it being the middle of summer and all…”

“I'd be pleased to,” Ray cut in. “Anything I can do I will. I'll be there first thing in the morning.”

“That's not necessary. Just come by whenever it suits you. I don't want to cut into your time. I know you've got plenty of work around your place.”

“Thank you,” Ray said, shaking her hand.

Jean winced inwardly at his gratitude. “It's me who should thank you.”

“No, ma'am. That's not right.” Ray looked at the ground.

He reminded Jean of a guilt-ridden child.

“I owe you.” Ray removed his hat. “Well, I'll see you tomorrow,” he said and walked away.

Jean watched him go, thinking that his step looked a little lighter and realizing she wasn't angry with Ray Townsend.
Thank you, Father,
she prayed, knowing the healing had begun.

“Mama, you stay put,” Laurel said, clearing away dishes and setting them in the sink.

“You've been bursting to tell me something all afternoon. What's going on?” Jean asked.

Laurel grabbed plates out of the cupboard, then cut into a rhubarb pie she'd baked. “Nothing.” She slid a piece onto a plate. “I hope you like this. It's my first try all on my own.”

“Looks delicious.” Jean pricked the crust with her fork. “Perfect crust.”

“Looks good,” Brian said, leaning back on his chair and lifting the front legs off the floor.

“Brian, stop that,” Jean said.

He let the chair drop and reached for pie when Laurel carried two plates to the table. Laurel moved them out of his reach. “You wait. These are for Mama and Adam.” She returned to the counter for two more plates. One she set in front of Brian and the other she handed to Luke. Grabbing the last two pieces, she put one in front of Susie and kept the last one for herself.

Jean looked around the table at her family. “This has been a nice afternoon.” Her eyes settled on Laurel. “Thank you for doing the cooking. What a treat.”

Laurel set her fork on her plate. “I love being here. Sometimes I miss this house. Daddy used to …” Laurel stopped. “I'm sorry. I don't want to upset you.”

“No. We should talk about him. I mean, I think about him all the time. We had a wonderful life.”

The room was silent. No one knew what to say. Finally Laurel said, “I think we should lighten the mood. Adam and I have some news.” She glanced at her young husband and smiled.

“News?” Jean asked.

“Yep.” Laurel waited a moment, then blurted, “We're going to have a baby.”

For a moment no one said anything, then Brian exclaimed, “A baby! Will it be a boy? If it is, I can take him fishing like Luke takes me fishing?”

“We won't know if it's a boy or a girl until it's born,” Laurel said with a laugh. Her eyes settled on her mother. “Mama? You haven't said anything.”

Jean's emotions were all mixed up. A grandchild. It was wonderful news. But Will would never get to see it. She forced a smile. “I'm so happy for you.”

“I still can't believe it! A baby!” Laurel rested her hand on her abdomen. “I'm not showing yet, but soon.”

Brian looked at Laurel's stomach. “Is it inside you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Where?”

“In my stomach.”

“How did it get in there? I can't see it.”

“It's a miracle from God,” Jean said. “And you can't see it because it's very tiny right now. But it's going to grow and grow until it's time to be born. By then Laurel's stomach will be very big. You remember before Susie was born, don't you?”

“Kind of.”

Jean leaned on the table. “When is it due?”

“Around Christmas.”

“What a wonderful time to be born.” Jean walked around the table and embraced her daughter. “I'm thrilled. I can hardly wait to be a grandmother.”

A knock sounded at the door.

“I'll get it,” Luke said, walking to the door and opening it.

Ray Townsend stood on the porch holding a salmon in one hand.

Luke didn't say anything at first, then asked, “What do you want?”

Jean hurried to the door. “Hello, Mr. Townsend. I thought you weren't going to be here until tomorrow?”

Hefting the salmon, he said, “Well, I caught two big ones and thought you might like one.”

“I catch plenty of salmon,” Luke said, his voice hard.

Jean shouldered past her son and took the fish. “Thank you for thinking of us. Would you like to come in?”

Shock moved across Luke's face, then he stormed out of the room.

“I'd better not. I brought you some wood. Where would you like it unloaded?”

Jean peered past the big man to his pickup piled with split fir. “You didn't have to do that. We've got enough for now.”

“Well, I had it around and figured a person can't have too much firewood. Winter will be here before you know it.”

“Well, I guess by the woodshed would be best.”

“All right then.” Ray stepped off the porch and headed for his truck.

“Thank you,” Jean said, not sure how she felt about this man and wondering if she'd done the right thing when she'd asked for his help. Seeing him again reminded her of how Will had died and how Ray Townsend had insulted and mistreated the colonists. She closed the door and turned back to her family.

“What's that's all about?” Laurel asked.

“Oh, nothing really. Mr. Townsend offered to help with the chores, and I think it's a good idea. We could use the help.” She looked at Adam. “That way, Adam can spend more time on his writing.”

“I thought you blamed him.”

“I did, but …” Jean took a breath. “The time for that is over. He blames himself and needs to help us.”

Laurel poked her fork into her pie. “In a way it was his fault.”

“We can't change what's happened,” Jean said firmly, walking back to the table. “We can only do what's right.”

“I don't hate him anymore. I think he looks sad,” Brian said.

Jean put an arm around her son. “He is, Brian. He's very sad.”

A HORN BLASTED FROM OUTSIDE. “THEY'RE HERE!” BRIAN SHOUTED AND dashed out the door. Susie followed.

Jean didn't want to go to the community picnic, but her family was counting on it. Wishing there was some way to avoid taking part, she gathered a waiting picnic basket and blanket.

Adam stepped into the kitchen. “You ready? Looks like we've got good weather.”

“To tell you the truth, Adam, I don't feel much like going.”

“You don't have to.”

“Yes, I do. Brian and Susie are counting on it. And they deserve a happy day. They haven't had many lately.”

Adam draped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “You deserve one too.” He took the basket and headed for the door. “The only time you get out is when you're working at the store. It's time you had a little fun.”

“I don't know about fun, but I'll try.”

“Didn't see Luke. Is he coming?”

“Yes, but he'll be late. He and Alex went fishing.”

The festival was being held at the fairgrounds. When Adam pulled up, people were already crowding around booths, hawkers called to passers-by, and the air smelled of frankfurters, popcorn, and cotton candy. It felt like a fair.

Brian ran ahead. “I heard they're having fireworks!” he called over his shoulder. “I love fireworks!”

Her eyes alight, Susie tugged on her mother's hand and tried to
hurry her. When she spotted a clown juggling balls, she ran to join the children gathered around him and watched in fascination.

Jean couldn't help but smile. “Childhood is a precious time, full of wonder and discovery.”

“I never thought much about what it means to be a child,” Laurel said, resting her hand on her stomach. “Not until now, that is. It's hard to believe I'm going to have a baby.” She smoothed her cotton dress over her slightly rounded abdomen. “I'm already showing.”

Jean eyed her stomach. “You sure are.”

“How long before I feel it move?”

“Oh, it'll be a while yet. I don't think I felt any of you until I was at least four months along. The first time you feel the flutter of life is like nothing you've ever experienced. It's an incredible joy when you feel your child move. Your father …” She stopped abruptly, her eyes tearing. “Your father was more excited than I was when we learned you were on the way. You and Adam have so much ahead of you.”

Laurel caught her mother's hand and held it. “I hope we're as good of parents as you and Daddy.”

Adam picked up a ball from the ground and tossed it in the air. “I don't know anything about being a father.”

“It'll come to you,” Jean said. “We all begin with love and learn as we go.”

“The waiting is hard,” Laurel said. “It seems like an eternity until the baby gets here.”

Adam tossed the ball to a nearby youngster. “For both of us.”

“The time will pass more quickly than you think.” A breeze caught at Jean's hair, blowing it across her eyes. She brushed it aside. “You're looking good, Laurel. How are you feeling?”

“Fine—still a little queasy in the mornings, but it's not so bad.” She leaned against Adam. “Adam's so good to me. If I'm having a bad morning, he lets me stay in bed and brings me tea and toast.” She watched Susie, who was still mesmerized by the clown's antics. “I'm a little nervous— about having the baby. I know how to take care of it, seeing that I was the oldest of five, but the actual birth—well, I'm not sure what to expect.”

“Every mother's nervous. It's not easy, but you'll do fine. You're strong. I'll stay with you, and Dr. Donovan knows what he's doing. He'll
see to you.” She smiled. “When it's all over, you and Adam will have a beautiful baby.”

Susie ran up to her mother. “Can I have some?” She pointed at a vendor selling cotton candy.

“After lunch, sweetie. I don't want you to ruin your appetite.”

“Why don't we get a place over by the corrals?” Laurel suggested. “The rodeo's going to be there. That way we can eat and watch the contest at the same time.”

“Sounds good to me,” Adam said.

“Those trees will be a perfect spot.” Laurel set off toward the small grove of birch.

“I'll get Brian.” Adam headed for a game booth where the boy stood, gazing at a man tossing darts.

“Thanks.” Jean retrieved Susie and followed Laurel.

“This is just right,” Laurel said spreading out two blankets beneath the trees. “We can see all the activities from here.”

Jean set the picnic basket down and sat while Susie headed for the corrals. “Susie, you stay here with us.”

The blonde youngster wandered back reluctantly and sat beside her mother. Soon, having forgotten about the animals, she picked wildflowers growing in the grass alongside the blanket.

With Adam close behind, Brian ran for the corrals. He pressed his face between the fence boards and stared inside the corral. The rodeo was about to begin. Onlookers crowded around the small arena, horses were rounded up and saddled, and steers were moved into a small enclosure.