by Jody Hedlund
A timid knock on the door drew their attention to Mr. Ping standing in the hallway. “Sorry to interrupt, Pastor Abe, sir. But someone is here and insists to speak to you.”
“Would you please tell them I’m detained at present?”
Mr. Ping hesitated. “She said to tell Pastor Abe, sir, that she is your fiancée.”
thirty-six
His fiancée? Abe’s stomach dropped. Did that mean Lizzy was at the door? Wanting to speak with him?
Next to him, Zoe stiffened and started to pull away.
“Wait, Zoe.” He drew her near. “Let’s go together.”
She studied his face warily before nodding.
They followed Mr. Ping down the stairs. As they waited for him to open the door to the front entryway, Zoe stepped back as though to put distance between them. But Abe reached for her hand. “Please, Zoe,” he whispered, intertwining his fingers with hers and tugging her closer. “Please. I need you.”
Her green eyes met his, as though testing the sincerity of his words. The truth was, he did need her. He always had and just hadn’t known it. Thankfully, the Lord knew his needs better than he did.
Zoe returned to his side.
He wanted to say more, but Mr. Ping swung the door wide to reveal Bishop Hills as well as his friend John Roberts. He took in their serious expressions in only a glance before his attention shifted to the woman—to Lizzy.
She wasn’t looking at him but was instead examining Zoe and noticing their clasped hands.
“Lizzy, welcome.” Abe knew he had to do the right thing by welcoming her as well as explaining all that had happened, even though he’d much rather close the door and pretend she wasn’t there.
“Hello, Abraham.” Her attention shifted to him, giving him full view of her face, of the features that hadn’t changed a bit in the years they’d been apart. She didn’t have Zoe’s stunning beauty, but she was still pretty in her own way, with a gentle expression, kind eyes, and a gracefulness in how she held herself.
“The boy at your cabin said we could find you here.” Bishop Hills pulled himself up as if to make his presence known.
“Bishop Hills.” Abe nodded at his superior and then also at his friend. “John.”
“Abraham. Good to see you.” John’s cheeks reddened, and he didn’t look Abe in the eyes.
Why had both John and the bishop come with Lizzy?
“Bishop Hills and Lizzy—Miss Northrup—stayed with me in Hope last night,” John offered quickly as though sensing Abe’s question. “I decided to accompany them today since I haven’t visited you in a while.”
“I couldn’t allow Miss Northrup to travel here by herself,” the bishop added. “Since I needed to return and check on the progress of the church construction, I offered to act as her chaperone.”
“That’s very kind of you both,” Abe replied, although he was tempted to tell them that neither of them should have made the trip, that bringing Lizzy here was pointless. What did they hope to accomplish by it?
“May we step inside to talk?” the bishop asked.
Abe glanced behind him, to Mr. Ping and then to Miss Bea, the heavyset older housekeeper, who was attempting to hold Lyle. The child was wiggling and trying to get loose. With an exasperated sigh, Miss Bea set the boy down.
In an instant he toddled as fast as his little legs would carry him to Zoe. “O-ee! O-ee!”
Zoe let go of Abe’s hand, knelt, and held out her arms to the boy. With a big smile, she scooped him up and hugged him tight. “How are you, Lil’ Man?”
Abe’s chest tightened at the beauty of the sight of the two together. Zoe had such a gift with children, whether she realized it yet or not. And he knew with certainty he’d made the right decision in telling Wanda they’d adopt Lyle.
“And who is the child?” Lizzy watched the interaction between Zoe and Lyle with interest.
Abe started to answer, but Bishop Hills cut in. “He’s the child of the woman who lives here, a woman of ill repute.”
Lizzy took an immediate step back, her eyes widening with mortification.
Zoe stood up with Lyle, and the boy laid his head on her shoulder as if that’s where he belonged. Abe brushed his hand over the boy’s head, hoping to show Lizzy she had nothing to fear, that the child was perfectly adorable.
“Mrs. Washington is very ill,” Abe explained. “She’s asked Zoe and me to take care of Lyle after her passing, and we’ve just told her we would adopt him.”
“Adopt?” Bishop Hills crossed his arms behind his back, his expression severe. “You plan to adopt the child of a harlot?”
At the obscene word, Lizzy blushed and averted her eyes.
Suddenly Abe understood more than ever that this wild colony was his home and the place where God had called him to love the sinners and outcasts the same way the Savior had during His walk on earth.
He met the bishop’s gaze directly. “Your Grace, not only do I intend to adopt Lyle, but I’m also planning to adopt Violet.”
At his declaration, Zoe reached for his hand again, laced her fingers through his, and leaned her head against his arm. At her quiet show of support, overwhelming love for her welled up so that he wanted to draw her into his embrace and tell her how much she meant to him.
“We’ve already discussed this, Mr. Merivale.” The terseness of the bishop’s voice prevented Abe from making the open display of affection for his wife. “If you disregard my instructions regarding the native child and now with this—this boy, then you’ll have no chance at all of becoming a bishop.”
“I realize that. And I’m prepared to give up those aspirations.”
“Are you also willing to give up your position as a minister of the Church of England?”
The red had drained from John’s face. “Your Grace, you cannot take away Abraham’s position. The people here love him—”
“I did not ask for your opinion on the matter, Mr. Roberts. Please kindly refrain from interrupting my conversation.”
John’s expression had grown distraught. He opened his mouth to speak again, but Abe cut him off. “I’ll be fine, John. Whether I’m connected with the Church of England or not, God gives me my ministry and no man can take that away from me.”
Zoe’s hand squeezed his, giving him a burst of confidence to press on. “I’m sorry, Your Grace. But I must do the work God gives me whether you approve of it or not.”
“Very well, Mr. Merivale.” The bishop’s nostrils flared with his barely restrained anger. “You leave me with no choice but to send you back to England in disgrace—”
“I’m staying here and continuing my work—”
“Not in one of my churches as one of my ministers.”
The air filled with tense silence.
Lizzy took another step back and stood next to John. She kept her focus on her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
“Very well, Bishop Hills.” Abe weighed his words, hoping he could remain loving and kind even though his worst fears were coming true. He hadn’t wanted to leave his church, hadn’t wanted to cut himself off from the bishop. But he could no longer deny the need to make changes right where he was. He didn’t have to wait until he was a bishop someday. He had to start here and now.
“While I had hoped you could see the validity of what I’m trying to do here in Yale, I also understand if you cannot. I am most certainly falling away from tradition in many areas. It has been my hope that by meeting the people on their level, I might be able to present the gospel to them in a way they can understand.”
The bishop only shook his head in disapproval. “We do not change our practices based on the whims of people. We adhere to the truth and traditions that have held our church in high regard and in good stead for hundreds of years. If you cannot abide the way of things, then it is most certainly time for you to be cut loose.”
Abe silently acquiesced.
“Your Grace.” John spoke again, his voice urgent. “Surely we should take some time to thin
k and pray on this before making a decision.”
“No, Mr. Roberts.” The bishop rocked on the balls of his feet. “I’ve made my decision and will begin the process of finding a replacement for Mr. Merivale just as soon as I return to Victoria.”
“Abe’s a true man of God,” Zoe interjected, as bold as always. “It’s just too bad you can’t see it.”
The bishop’s expression soured. “What’s too bad, Mrs. Merivale, is that I no longer wish to persuade Mr. Merivale to set you aside and declare an annulment so that he might resume his relationship with Miss Northrup. I’m only sorry I gave Miss Northrup false hope about such a possibility and inconvenienced her by bringing her all this way.”
“I’m sorry you came all this way too.” This time Abe looked directly at Lizzy. Thankfully, she met his gaze, albeit somewhat reservedly after all she’d just witnessed. If she’d hoped to reinstitute a relationship with him, she likely was having second thoughts now that he’d all but ruined his career with the Church of England.
“When I wrote and invited you to come and marry me,” he continued, “I was still very much committed to you. But after I received your letter regarding your impending marriage to someone else, I admit I was shocked and hurt. I couldn’t believe you’d cast me aside so easily.”
“I’m sorry, Abraham.” Lizzy’s shoulders drooped. “I was foolish and rushed into the new relationship. I have regretted my decision these many months.”
“I regret I confused matters and now have caused you more pain. Nevertheless, I could never annul my marriage. I took marriage vows and plan to honor them. Even if the bishop could still recommend me to you, I cannot recommend myself, not when I’m deeply in love with someone else.”
At his declaration, Zoe lifted her head away from his arm, and he could feel her studying him.
He hadn’t planned to tell her of his love this way, in front of everyone. But now that he’d started, he couldn’t stop. He twisted so he was facing her. “Zoe, I love you more than I ever knew was possible to love a woman. I thank the Lord for bringing us together and pray for many opportunities in the days and years to come to show you just how much I love and cherish you.”
Zoe’s beautiful features lit, and her lips curved into a smile that revealed her dimples. “I love you too.”
His heart welled with more joy than it could contain and overflowed into a wide grin. Even though he’d just lost everything he’d been holding on to for so long, he’d gained the love of his bride. And that was all he needed.
Zoe’s chest ached with sweet pressure. With the bishop already having stormed away, leaving John and Lizzy behind, Abe took his time reassuring John that he’d find a way to continue his ministry in Yale and that John needn’t worry about him.
Finally, Abe said good-bye to both John and Lizzy and now stood in the door with Zoe, watching them walk away. Zoe felt only pity for the elegant young woman, pity that Lizzy had come all this way to win Abe back and had failed.
“Do you think perhaps there’s a future for John and Lizzy?” Abe’s sights trained on John’s hand at the small of Lizzy’s back as they strolled along the plank sidewalk.
“I noticed the way he was admiring her,” Zoe replied. “Perhaps he can persuade her.”
“I’d like for John to have a wife. And if Lizzy came all this way, maybe she would stay with him.”
“You should give John some tips on how to win a woman.”
At the low teasing in her voice, Abe’s attention immediately jumped to her. “What kinds of tips do you suggest?”
As usual, Abe’s seriousness in response to her lightheartedness made her want to laugh. Instead, she continued to tease him. “Maybe you can suggest that John take Lizzy to the hot spring while they’re here. Undressing in front of each other always works wonders.”
One of Abe’s brows quirked. “Are you saying you like watching me undress?”
She pretended to be occupied with smoothing down Lyle’s tangled hair.
“It certainly wasn’t me,” Abe continued. “I never peeked at you.”
“’Course not.” She smiled at him coyly. “Maybe you can tell John to go shopping with Lizzy and pick out her undergarments.”
Abe grinned, finally catching on to her teasing. “I didn’t pick out your unmentionables.”
“Take that up with Mr. Allard. He saw the silky drawers and corset the same as I did.”
Abe chuckled and started to pull her near, but she was still holding Lyle. Even so, his eyes darkened, and his attention dropped to her mouth. His smile fell away and was replaced by a hunger that sent pleasure dancing along her nerve endings.
Suddenly all she wanted to do was be with him, in his arms, and kissing him. He was a fabulous kisser. Even though that qualification for a husband had always been just a silly fantasy, she couldn’t deny her desire for it or her delight that Abe was quite a natural.
As he studied her, he drew in a breath, and she knew he’d seen her desire, that it was evident all over her face. And she didn’t care.
He loved her and wanted to stay with her forever. He’d said it in front of everyone, including Lizzy and the bishop.
He leaned in, his sights trained on her mouth.
Her body rose up to meet him, her entire being keening for his touch.
“Pastor Abe, sir?” came Mr. Ping’s voice in the hallway behind them.
Abe hastily straightened and cleared his throat. “Yes, Mr. Ping?”
“The missee and Mr. Langston need you to sign papers.”
As she and Abe walked back up the spiraling staircase, her body was suddenly attuned to every move he made behind her—the brush of his fingers against her back, the thud of his footsteps, the soft exhalation he made when they ascended to the top.
When they reached the room, Miss Bea stood outside, her eyes red rimmed from crying. Zoe guessed the older woman had gone to Wanda and said her good-byes. Although Lyle didn’t want to leave Zoe to go into Bea’s care, the housekeeper finally managed to peel the boy away with the promise of a cookie.
With Lyle taken care of, Zoe followed Abe into the room and approached Wanda’s bed. Her lawyer had spread out several papers on the bedside table.
“Sign each of these, if you will, please.” Langston held an inkpot and handed Abe a pen.
“Very well.” Abe bent to look at the first sheet. With the pen poised above it, he stood abruptly and looked first at the lawyer and then at Wanda. “What is this?”
Wanda gave him the ghost of a smile. “What does it look like?”
“The deed to your house.”
“It is.”
Abe thrust the pen back at the lawyer. “I cannot sign for it.”
“Then let Zoe.”
“We’re not taking your house, Wanda.” Abe’s expression radiated distress.
“You’re not taking it. I’m giving it to you.” Wanda paused, took a deep breath, and then pressed on as though every word cost her. “I want you to have everything—the house, everything in it, and my fortune.”
“No, absolutely not—”
“Yes!” Wanda’s voice grew stronger. “You’ll take it and use it not only for Lyle, but for all the other children who will ever need a home and family.”
Her impassioned declaration silenced Abe and left Zoe in a state of shock. Abe met Zoe’s gaze, and they could only stare at each other. Abe had just sacrificed his job, his future, and even his financial security to stay true to God’s calling. Was this then God’s next step for them? His provision? So soon?
As Abe’s eyes filled with wonder, Zoe’s heart swelled with the same. When he smiled at her, she smiled back and nodded her encouragement.
Quickly Abe signed the papers, and then before the ink was dry, he turned, captured Zoe, and drew her against him. In the same motion, he dropped his lips upon hers and sealed their future with a kiss . . . a kiss that sent light and heat through her body in more brilliant colors than the northern lights.
thirty-seven
/>
THREE MONTHS LATER
Zoe stood in front of the gilded mirror and smoothed a hand over the blue silk brocade. She’d never imagined she’d ever own a gown so lovely. Or that they’d reach a milestone like today.
At a tapping against the bedroom door, she spun to see Abe’s handsome face peeking in.
“Are you ready?” he asked with an excited smile.
“Not yet.” She pretended to fiddle with her gown. “I can’t get my bodice to fit quite right.”
He glanced behind him, stepped inside, and then closed the door soundlessly, clearly not wanting to alert anyone to their presence together alone.
Someone in the massive house was usually in need of either her or Abe’s attention. Even with Mr. Ping, Miss Bea, and the native women Zoe had hired from Shantytown, she and Abe were always busy. Zoe had her hands full with Lyle and Violet. And Abe had been enjoying the small school he’d started in the sitting room with Will as his first pupil along with several other orphan boys in the community.
“I might be able to help you.” Abe tiptoed toward her. In his best suit coat, matching waistcoat and trousers, and shiny black boots, he made a dashing picture, especially with his failed attempt to smooth down his hair.
She intended to help him with his hair every bit as much as he intended to help her with her gown. Ducking her head, she stifled a smile. She loved all the sneaking around they did, the stolen moments, the secret kisses, the touching, and the playfulness.
“Where do you need help?” He came up behind her and circled his arms around her, then leaned into the bare spot at her neck and pressed a breathy kiss there before dropping another kiss onto her exposed collarbone.
She relaxed back into him, relishing the hardness of his body.
“Do you need help here?” His hands skimmed her hips.
“No.” She angled so she could kiss his jaw.
“What about here?” His hands began to roam.
His touch, as always, brought her to life. And if they weren’t careful, they’d grow distracted—and disheveled—and end up walking out late, causing everyone to whisper about them again.