Love's Enduring Promise (Love Comes Softly Series #2) (14 page)

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Marty was sure that she had lost.

Clark finished his coffee in silence and rose to go.

"Tell ya what," he said, stopping to put on his coat; "iffen

ya be so set on seem' Wanda, I'll drive ya on over." "But yer work," said Marty.

"It'll keep."

"But it's not at all that necessary. I'd be jest fine on my own. Honest, Clark, there be no need--"

"It's my drivin' or not at all--take yer pick," Clark said with finality.

Marty swallowed a big lump of anger. He was so stubborn. Most as bad as Jedd Larson.

"Okay," she said finally, her anger still showing. "Okay, I'd be much obliged iffen ya'd drive me over."

"I'll be ready in fifteen minutes," Clark said and went for the team.

Marty turned to the table and vented some of her anger on the dirty dishes.

"Ya gonna make another apple 'sert, Ma?" asked Clare. Marty felt like swatting him.

"An' you, boy," she said, "you go out an' haul in some firewood. Fill up the woodbox--right to the top--an' be quick 'bout it, too."

Clare went. Marty knew that she had been unfair. Clare was used to hauling wood, and goodness knew it wouldn't hurt him any, but she hadn't needed to be so mean about it.

The ride to the Marshalls was a fairly silent one. Marty still felt peevish and Clark did not try to draw her out. When they arrived, Clark went on to the barn where he saw Cam working on harnesses, and Marty went in to see Wanda. Young Rett lay on the floor on a blanket. Wanda's eyes shone as she spoke of him.

"He can sit up real good now," she told Marty and went about demonstrating.

"But Wanda," Marty wanted to protest, "the boy be a year and a half old. He should be walkin'--no, runnin'. He should be runnin' after his pa and sayin' words. And here you be, gloryin' in the fact that he can finally sit."

But Marty did not say it. She merely smiled her approval

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at Rett's great achievement. Wanda talked on enthusiastically, and soon the men joined them.

They were seated at the crowded little table when Marty felt the first pain. It caught her by surprise and she stiffened somewhat. She was soon able to relax again and hoped that no one had noticed. When the next one came a few minutes later, she felt eyes upon her and looked up to see Clark watching her. She knew without comment that he was aware.

Clark refused a second cup of coffee and said that they really must be hurrying home.

Cam, still bragging about his boy, pushed back from the table and went with Clark for his team.

Marty smiled bravely as she bid Wanda farewell, and prayed that Clark would please hurry.

In short order the team was at the door, and Clark jumped down to help Marty into the wagon.

They travelled home at a much brisker pace than they had travelled to the Marshalls'.

"Are ya gonna make it?" Clark asked at one point and Marty nodded.

"I sent Cam for the Doc."

Marty felt thankfulness flow through her.

Baby Elvira arrived safely, in Doc's presence and in her mother's bed, at precisely 5:20 that afternoon.

Missie, Clare and Arnie were all impressed with the tiny bundle. Even Clae and Nandry showed excitement at welcoming the new little girl.

"Can we call her Elvira, Ma?" Missie asked.

"Iffen ya like," said Marty.

"Good. I read a story about an Elvira in a book of Mr. Whittle's. I think thet it's a nice name."

This was the first time that Marty had not had Ma present at the arrival of an offspring and in the days immediately following. Nandry took over the running of the house, and a first- rate job she did. Marty couldn't believe the young girl's efficiency.

"Nandry," she said with sincerity, "I jest don't know how we ever managed without ya."

Nandry allowed herself a brief, small smile.

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Chapter 23

The New Preacher

Mr. Whittle was taking his job as committee member very seriously. He had drawn up careful descriptions of each likely candidate, including their background, disposition and education and presented it to Clark and Ben.

From the eight names presented, the committee chose three they felt might be possibilities. Mr. Whittle, as contact man, was then commissioned to write the necessary letters. He did so with great flourish, describing in detail the community, the great pioneer fervor of its settlers, and their depth of religious convictions. The letters were sent off in due course and the answers awaited with a great deal of expectancy and some trepidation.

The letter finally arrived from candidate A. He was much enamored by the prospects, but after much prayer, he did not feel the Lord leading in that direction. Ben took this to mean that the promised salary was not enough.

Then they heard from candidate C. He, too, found it difficult to resist such a splendid opportunity, but he was getting married in a month's time, and as his wife-to-be was a very delicate little thing, he felt that he could not possibly ask her to move so far away from the comforts of the city. "Kinda likes his soft chair and slippers," mused Ben. Candidate B was finally heard from. He had considered the proposal with great

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care, had taken much time to think about it, and perhaps in the future he would be able to consider it, but for the present he was still unable to give a final answer. "So he's hopin' fer somethin' bigger," said Ben and struck candidate B from his list as well.

Again the remaining five were considered. To Clark and Ben they didn't look like the kind of men that would fit their need, but the schoolteacher was so sure of their capabilities.

"Take the Reverend Watson here," he said with enthusiasm. "He has just graduated from seven years of study for the ministry. He would be a splendid minister."

Clark and Ben couldn't help but wonder what had taken him so long, but finally consented to allow Mr. Whittle to contact the man as well as a Rev. Thomas whose name appeared on the list.

After some length of time the Rev. Watson declared that he was most eager to take the gospel to the people of sin- darkened western territory.

With the prospect of a minister who was willing to come, a meeting of the community was called to make final plans and preparations.

It was decided that he, too, would board at the Watleys'. Mr. Whittle's room was a large one and could accommodate another single bed and an extra desk. Mr. Whittle was delighted with this. It would be so good to renew acquaintance with the good Reverend, and it would be such a boost to his morale to have a stimulating conversation mate. Really, there was a great lack of intellectuals in this community. Then, too, his calling on the young Tessie had been accepted with favor, and he was most anxious to have someone to whom he could boast, just a little bit.

All in all, it was a most pleasant arrangement, and Mr. Whittle looked forward, in a personal way, to the coming of the new minister.

The Sunday meetings would be held in the schoolhouse. It would be cramped but they could squeeze in, so long as there was no need to move about.

Everyone bubbled with excitement at the prospect of their

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very own minister. It would be so good to have someone there permanently. In times of birth, death, or marriage, that's when a minister was needed--not just once or twice a year as he passed through the area.

Secretly, the good teacher hoped that it would not be too long before he personally would be putting to work the marrying talents of the new man.

True, he had a few things to work out yet--like where to live with a new bride. He could hardly move her in with him at the Watleys', though the thought had occurred to him. However, he was confident that these things would work themselves out.

The arrangements were made to bring the new parson out, and the people eagerly looked forward to the first meeting. The date was set for March 15, and the winter months promised to pass quickly.

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Chapter 24

Tommie

Shortly after Ellie arrived, Marty had a call from Ma. It was so good, not just to show off the new baby girl, but also to have a chance for a nice long chat. Ma's visit was full of news. Her face was flushed with it.

"I declare, Marty," she beamed as they settled to a cup of coffee, "I'm gonna have me another son-in-law."

Marty looked up in surprise.

"Really?" She caught some of the excitement from Ma. "Nellie?"

"Yeah, Nellie."

"I didn't know."

"Not many did. Don't know much about it myself. Nellie doesn't say much, an' the young man--well, I'm still marvellin' thet he finally got it said, him being as tight-lipped as he is."

"Who--?"

"Shem Vickers."

"No!"

Ma nodded with a grin.

" 'Magine thet. Never even really got to know the boy 'til the last few weeks. He's right nice--even if he don't have much to say."

Marty giggled. "Don't s'pose the poor fellow ever had a

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chance to develop his talking skills much. He sure oughta have first-rate ears though--iffen they're not already weared out."

Ma grinned silently.

"Yeah, Mrs. Vickers can talk 'nough fer a crowd." "When's the weddin' to be?"

"Most as soon as thet new parson gits here. Prob'ly April." Marty smiled.

"Well, thet's really nice. I'm so happy fer 'em both." Ma agreed.

"Nellie been a right fine girl. I'm gonna miss her, but she's

all excited-like with the plans fer a place of her own." "She'll make Shem a fine little wife, I'm sure o' thet." Marty passed Ma the cookies and then asked. "Ma, have

Ben and you talked over 'bout Tommie yet?"

Ma nodded, the happiness fading some from her face. "Yeah, we talked 'bout it. Then we talked to Tom, too. Ben, he doesn't seem too upset 'bout it. Oh, he was at first, but then he sorta jest seemed to think--what'll be, will be. But it ain't right, Marty. It will only mean hurt. I don't want Tommie hurt--nor the girl either, fer thet matter. Oh, I wisht it were all a bad dream."

Ma stopped and sat shaking her head, her eyes downcast.

"I'm sure thet it will work out," said Marty, trying to sound confident. "Tommie's a smart boy. Wen it's not gonna work, he'll know it."

"Tommie is too 'gone' to see enything," Ma replied. "Never saw a young man so dew-struck. Tommie wants to bring her to the house to meet Ben and me."

"Why shouldn't he?"

"I don't know, Marty. Seems iffen we say he can, we sorta open the door fer the other, too. An' the kids--how ya think they'd all feel--seein' Tommie with an Indian. An' sure thing they wouldn't be able to keep it quiet-like either--babble it round the school an' all. The whole area round would know 'bout it. It's jest not good--not good at all."

Marty ached for Ma, but she also hurt for Tommie. There just didn't seem to be any way out without someone hurting.

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"Ma, I think I'd like to have a chat with Tom agin. Could ya send him on over when he's got a minute?" "Sure--guess chattin' won't hurt nothin'."

"Tell ya what," said Marty. "I'll send along a note with ya. Fer Tom. Thet be okay?"

Ma looked surprised, but agreed.

"It'll jest take a minute," said Marty and poured Ma another cup of coffee as she spoke.

"Ya jest enjoy yer coffee an' I'll be right back."

She went to the bedroom and found a sheet of paper and a pencil.

"Dear Tom," she wrote. "I think it would be good iffen ya could bring Owahteeka to see me. Come next Wednesday, if ya can. Yer friend, Marty."

Carefully she folded the sheet and returned to the kitchen. Ma tucked the note into a pocket and made no comment. Marty knew that the short letter would be handed over to Tom.

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Chapter 25

School News

The afternoon sun seemed weak and anemic as it shone listlessly on the winter snow. A cold wind had arisen and Marty fretted over the children having to tramp home from school in the cold.

She watched nervously at the window for the two figures to appear, fearing with a mother's heart that the cold might somehow detain them, or, at best, return them with frostbite.

When they finally came into view, they looked cheerful, chattering as they came, not even seeming in a hurry to get in out of the weather.

Marty met them at the door.

"Aren't ya near froze?" she asked.

Missie looked at her with surprise, then answered casually, "Sure is cold out."

"I know. I was worried."

" 'Bout what?"

" 'Bout you--an' Clae--comin' home in the wind." "We're all right."

She shrugged out of her coat and had to be reminded to hang it on its peg.

"Here," Marty said, "I've heated some milk. Best warm yerself up a bit."

The girls accepted the warm milk and the slice of cake that went with it.