Love on Assignment (42 page)
Minutes ticked by. Maids and footmen carried in leftover food and dishes and the kitchen help scrubbed pots and pans. Mrs. Finnegan waddled into the kitchen, huffing from treading up and down stairs too frequently.
“Ah, you're a sight for me old eyes. What brings you back to Summerhill?” She led Charlotte into the staff dining room and soon returned with glasses of lemonade and iced
petit fours
. “We all miss you. Ruthie and Tim are cranky and running wild without your guiding hand. And the poor professor, bless his soul. He mopes around like he's lost his last friend.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Perhaps he has.”
Nothing slipped past Mrs. Finnegan. Charlotte stared at her hands twisting the gloves on her lap. “I miss him as well. And all of you.”
Even in her absence she'd brought pain to the professor. It took time to overcome disappointment. After a while she'd fade from the forefront of his mind to a dusty back corner.
“I'm here to ask Professor Wilmont for a favor.”
The housekeeper's mouth formed a downward crescent. “I hoped you'd come back to work. With Mrs. Wilmont now Mrs. McClintock, the children need a governess more than ever. And the professor, well, he needs a good woman. A wife.”
A loud crash sounded in the kitchen, and Chef Jacques began to yell at someone in French. Mrs. Finnegan cocked a brow and heaved herself up. “Well, dearie, I've best go see what that's about.” Mrs. Finnegan heaved to her feet with a groan. “It's the little scamps I worry about. They're missing you. My heart breaks to see them so down in the mouth.”
“I miss them too.” Charlotte's voice cracked.
She'd give Daniel a few more minutes before she left. But nearly a quarter hour passed before she finally decided to depart. Obviously she'd come at an inconvenient time. She scribbled a note to Daniel asking him to set a time for a meeting, if he didn't mind, and left it for him on his office desk.
Heading for the driveway, she rounded the side of Summerhill and noticed almost all the carriages had gone, including her own. Anxious to leave, she'd forgotten Daniel had promised his own buggy and driver. Then she spotted him and the newly wedded couple standing on the veranda. Mrs. McClintock clung to her husband, happiness lighting her worn face. She looked regal in her pearl gray walking suit and imposing hat, its plumes rising far above her husband's silk top hat. Charlotte stepped behind a cedar bush, not wishing to attract Mrs. McClintock's attention.
Then a gasp from the bride grabbed Charlotte's attention. Daniel's mother thrust her hand over her heart and collapsed onto the nearest wicker chair, bending over. Her breathing came in labored gasps.
Charlotte raced around the corner of the house and up the veranda steps. “May I help?”
Daniel loosened the buttons on his mother's tight collar. “Help me get her to her bedroom.” He looked toward Mr. McClintock, who stood perfectly still, as if in shock. “I think the doctor is lingering in the driveway, speaking to a couple of gentlemen. And fetch Simone too.”
Daniel helped his mother rise and, step by step, led her slowly into the cottage. Her body rose and fell as she struggled to take a deep breath. Together Charlotte and Daniel helped her to her bed and covered her legs with a quilt.
“It's my heart,” she said in a barely audible voice. “I fear I'm dying.”
“No, Mrs. McClintock, you'll be fine. You have a long life ahead and a husband waiting for you to recover. We'll pray for you.” Charlotte plumped the pillows beneath her back and head and helped to settle her on the bedspread. “Can I get you anything to ease the pain?”
“Yes, my nitroglycerin.”
Daniel gave her the medication and slowly her breathing returned to normal. She dropped her hand from the bodice of her silk frock. “The pain is lessening, thank the Lord.” Her voice barely rose above a whisper, but the agitation had disappeared. She closed her eyes for several seconds. When she opened them, she gazed steadily at Charlotte.
“Perhaps I should leave,” Charlotte murmured. “I hope you'll be well soon, Mrs. McClintock.” She stepped toward the door.
“No, please stay. I have something to say to you.”
Charlotte turned around and faced her adversary who now looked so small and vulnerable lying on the large bed. “Yes, ma'am.” She wondered if even in such a pitiable state the woman would criticize her for being back at Summerhill.
Mrs. McClintock motioned Daniel to leave the room. He hesitated, then quickly slipped through the doorway.
“Thank you for helping me just now. I truly thought I would die. Of course, I still might. I don't know if medicine will cure me. I'm afraid, Charlotte. But if it's my time to go to the Lord, nobody can keep me alive.” A weak smile flickered at the corners of her mouth. “I don't want to meet my Maker with things left unsaid down here on earth.”
Charlotte nodded, wondering where Mrs. McClintock's ramblings were leading. Charlotte drew closer to the bed.
“IâI'm sorry for being discourteous to you while you worked here. You were taking my place, and I could clearly see I wasn't needed anymore. Oh, I know you were only doing your job, but you did it all too well. I didn't want you to take over for me.”
“No, you're the professor's mother. I could never take your place.”
She managed a wan smile. “But he was so taken with you right from the start. I was afraid he'd want me to leave, since I'm more of a liability than an asset these days.”
Charlotte took the woman's hand. “Daniel would never feel that way about you.”
Mrs. McClintock nodded. “I should have known. Then when my new husband proposed, I began to understand the real meaning of love.” Her eyes filled with remorse. “Charlotte, I apologize for not treating you with kindness. I know my son needs a wife by his side, but I thought only a young socialite would do. But I can see how much Daniel loves you and how lost he's been without you. Charlotte, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Charlotte's throat went dry and she could barely speak. Mrs. McClintock was actually apologizing. “Yes, of course, I forgive you. The Lord has forgiven me and I must do the same.” Oddly enough, she really meant it. The anger she'd harbored seemed to melt away. She was amazed she could forgive Daniel's mother without hesitation and without lingering resentment. But God had changed her heartâboth hers and Mrs. McClintock's.
“Thank you,” Mrs. McClintock whispered and then closed her eyes.
Charlotte heard footsteps behind her. The doctor and Mr. McClintock followed Daniel over to the sleeping woman. Daniel watched her for a few moments and then quietly left the room with Charlotte close behind.
“She apologized to me,” Charlotte said as they stepped into the hallway.
Daniel's face glowed with warmth and love as he took both her hands in his. A bolt of electricity shot through her from just his gentle touch, and she felt her legs grow unsteady, barely strong enough to hold her up.
“The Lord prompted her to forgive you,” he said.
She gave a dry smile. “I believe that because I can't imagine your mother apologizing on her own.”
Daniel moved even closer and she could smell the tang of his aftershave. “And did you forgive her? She certainly was unkind to you.”
Charlotte shook her head. “Yes, I forgave her immediately. It's so very strange. I didn't even have to think about it. I just knew it was the right thing to do and I had to do it. Does that sound strange to you?”
Daniel chuckled. “No, not at all. That's how the Lord works sometimes. He helps you to become a better person than you ever thought you could be.” He paused as she gazed down into her eyes. “Do you understand what forgiveness is all about now?”
“Yes, I do.” She smiled at him, joy skipping across her heart.
“Do you see that because I love you, I can forgive you?” His voice was soft but urgent.
Charlotte nodded. “God forgives us and also helps us forgive others.”
But she didn't have time to ponder his words because he leaned down and pressed his lips in a sweet, intense kiss that stole her breath. He embraced her with a hug, and she let herself dissolve into the heat of his arms. She'd never before felt so cherished and protected.
“I love you, Charlotte. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she whispered without hesitation. “I love you too.”
He pressed her even tighter until the door opened and Doctor Lowe appeared. Charlotte gently pulled away, but Daniel kept her close.
The physician smiled. “Professor, I just wanted to report your mother is resting comfortably. She had a mild angina attack, but with enough rest, she should be fine.”
“I'm relieved to hear that. Should she postpone her honeymoon to Boston?”
He nodded. “Yes, until she's feeling her usual self. And I'd like to examine her before she leaves. She needs to take good care of her health and avoid stress whenever possible.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
They showed him to the front door and then lingered on the veranda as he departed in his buggy.
“Shall we tell the children our good news?” Daniel asked.
“We're right here, Papa.” Ruthie, then Tim appeared from behind the potted palms in the far corner of the porch. When she saw Charlotte holding hands with her father, Ruthie's eyes widened. “Papa, Miss Hale, I guess the Lord has spoken, and you've both decided to finally listen. I'm so happy.” She flung her arms around her father and Charlotte and let tears stream down her face.
Charlotte hugged her new family and let the happiness she'd been unwilling to grasp pour through her.
Daniel slipped his arm around her waist. “You never told me why you came to Summerhill today.”
She loved the warmth of being so close. “With all the excitement, I never got the chance. I couldn't find a job, so I decided to apply for anything available at the
Newport Gazette
. I've always wanted to become a journalist, and I'm perfectly willing to start at the bottom. I thought I should ask you if you minded.”
“That's fine with me, but you won't need to work, you know.”
Charlotte nodded. “But I'd very much like to. I'm used to supporting my aunt and sister. Even after we marry, I'll be responsible for them, along with Ruthie and Tim.”
“In that case I shall write you a glowing recommendation,” he said. “And of course, helping them will be part of my responsibility as well.”
“I appreciate that, especially after all that's happened.”
Ruthie clasped her hands to her chest and looked up at Daniel with pleading eyes. “Maybe Miss Hale's family can live at Summerhill with us. We have plenty of room, especially with Grandmother leaving. Oh please, Papa!”
Daniel grinned. “That's a wonderful idea. Charlotte, do you think they'd consider moving to Summerhill?”
She squeezed his hand. “You are so kind. I shall ask them, though I don't know what their answer will be.”
Ruthie threw her arms around her father and Charlotte. “I knew the Lord would answer my prayers.” Then she stepped away, grinning, as she and Tim headed inside the cottage to check on their grandmother.
“God's timing is perfect,” Charlotte murmured. She rested her head on Daniel's broad shoulder, then after a few moments accepted the gift of his kiss and deep love, so much more than she'd ever expected. Arm in arm they strolled toward the sea. The fresh breeze wrapped them with its soft breath while sunshine beamed down from the heavens.
L
ove on Assignment
was the first novel I ever completed. Over the course of six years I wrote five different versions, two contemporary and three historical. Many giving and gifted people helped me along the way.
I'd like to thank Christy Barritt, Mary Connealy, Janet Jones Bann, Ginny Vail and Fran McNabb, all wonderful writers and fantastic friends. My Seeker sisters offered continual support and assistance to my writing journey and every day they bring love and laughter to our loop and to Seekerville. I'm especially thankful to my husband for everything he does to enable me to write. Without all his help I wouldn't find the time to type even one page. My son, Justin, and daughter, Alicia, encouraged me throughout the years to persevere and I'm so very grateful for their support.
And last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thanks to the Thomas Nelson teamâeditors, sales, marketing, etc. I'm especially grateful to Allen Arnold, Ami McConnell, Natalie Hanemann, Lisa Bergren, Becky Monds, and Katie Bond. Natalie and Lisa, you are both amazing editors.
And I'm most grateful to the Lord for giving me His story to tell.