The Love Comes Softly Collection

by Janette Oke

  Four

  Happenings

  Marty and Arnie eventually found their talking time. Since Marty still had not felt too perky the next day, Ellie convinced her to sit on the porch with some hand sewing while Ellie herself continued with the duties of the kitchen. Arnie found his mother busy with some mending and sat down to talk to her about his Anne.

  Anne came from a family of four and was the daughter of Pastor Norville, who was in charge of the small church congregation in the nearby town. Anne had lost her mother when she was only eleven years old, and, being the only girl in the family, much of the running of the household had fallen upon her at that very young age. Arnie spoke of her with love in his voice, and Marty was more anxious than ever to meet the girl.

  “Do ya s’pose ya could bring her to dinner on Sunday?” Marty asked.

  “Sure thing. I’ll be seein’ her tomorra night. I’ll ask her then.”

  “Has she met most of the family?”

  “All but you an’ Pa.”

  There was a brief pause.

  “Do ya have any plans?” asked Marty quietly.

  Arnie colored slightly. “Sure, I got plans—but I haven’t spoken of ’em yet. I wanted you an’ Pa to meet her first.”

  “I see,” smiled Marty. “Sunday, then.”

  Arnie, whistling, left for the barn, and Marty watched him go with both pride and a little sorrow. Soon they would all be married, her children. How would she ever endure an empty and quiet house?

  Zeke LaHaye stopped by that evening. He wanted to hear all about his son Willie, about Missie and his two grandsons, and about the West they loved so much. Marty and Clark welcomed Zeke warmly, and as Marty put on the coffeepot, Zeke and Clark pulled chairs up to the kitchen table and settled in for a long visit.

  Clark’s enthusiasm was clear in his voice as he spoke of Willie’s ranch and described the spread in detail. He told about the herd, the buildings, the cowboys, the neighbors, the small but growing town, and the prosperity that Willie had worked so hard to achieve. When Marty joined them at the table, the talk turned to the family members. They laughed as they told Zeke about the antics of their shared grandchildren. Zeke joined in the laughter, but as he listened, the hungry look in his eyes deepened.

  “I think I’m just gonna take me a little trip out there,” he announced at length.

  “Thet’s a mighty fine idea,” encouraged Clark. “They’d like nothin’ better. One of the last things Willie said was fer us to send ya on out.”

  Zeke swallowed with difficulty. “Think I’ll head on into town tomorrow an’ book me a ticket,” he said, his head nodding slowly. “I’ve waited too long already.”

  It was hard for Marty to wait for Sunday. First of all, it would mean seeing all her friends in the Sunday morning worship service. Marty thought of Ma and Ben, and Wanda and Cameron. Though Ellie had filled her in on news of the community, it wasn’t like seeing her neighbors in person.

  After the service, the family would be together for Sunday dinner. They had not seen Nandry and Josh and their family since the night they had arrived home, and Marty was most anxious for another visit and a chance to get reacquainted with her grandchildren.

  She was eager to meet Arnie’s Anne, as well. What would she really be like? Marty trusted Arnie’s judgment, but was he seeing the girl through star-filled eyes? Ellie and Luke, too, had spoken well of Anne. Marty dared to hope that Anne was all her family had claimed her to be and that God, in His love and goodness, had brought them together. Marty could hardly wait to give her blessing to the two of them.

  Sunday was another bright, warm day. Ellie had worked long and hard to prepare the family dinner. Marty tried to help, but she found she still tired far too easily. Surely she wasn’t that tired from her trip from the West! Maybe it was just that she needed to adjust to the climate again, though the weather hadn’t seemed to affect Clark one little bit. He was busy every day and managed, with no apparent difficulty even with a crutch, to keep up with his energetic sons.

  Marty often felt Clark’s eyes upon her, but he seldom made comment except to encourage her now and then to sit for a spell or even to take an occasional nap. Marty fussed inwardly, though she dared not protest too vigorously. In fact, she forced herself to admit that she really had no energy even for argument. She was anxious to be back caring for her family again. But now it was Ellie who had to bear most of the load, though she never mentioned the fact and often asked Marty, “Now, what shall we have?” or “What shall we do?” or even “What would ya like?” so Marty might feel she was in charge.

  And now, because of Ellie’s capable hands in the kitchen, they were ready for Sunday and the family dinner that would follow the service. Marty wondered, a little guiltily, if she was more excited about being back in her own church and seeing her friends again than about the worship service itself. She decided that the Lord understood her feelings and didn’t mind that today most of her attention was on her friends. As Marty and Clark entered the churchyard, their friends welcomed them back to the little congregation with happy smiles and warm embraces.

  Wanda ran to meet Marty and clung to her; tears dampened the eyes of both women.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you so much . . . so much,” she whispered to Marty over and over. “Can you come for a nice, long visit soon, so’s you can tell me all about Missie and her family?”

  Marty promised she would.

  Ma Graham, too, held Marty for a long time. A sob caught in her throat as she spoke of their deep sorrow when they had learned of Clark’s accident. She told how, on three occasions during the ordeal, the church members had met for special prayer on his behalf. Marty thanked her sincerely and assured her that God truly had honored their prayers. Ma looked at Clark, busily shaking hands with the neighborhood men, and nodded her head slowly. “Yeah,” she affirmed, “I can see thet He did. I don’t see one ounce a’ bitterness in the face of thet man.”

  The church bell called them to worship, and Marty and Clark took their familiar places with their family. It was strange not to see Pastor Joe leading the service, but the new young man whom the church had appointed did a fine job. Marty looked across at Josh and his family and realized that Nandry was not with them. She felt a moment of concern. Perhaps Nandry was busy elsewhere, she told herself, but after the service when she inquired, Josh informed her that Nandry just wasn’t feeling herself and had decided to stay home. Marty felt a bit anxious, but Josh assured her that Nandry was all right, just not feeling her best. Marty promised herself that she would check on Nandry in a couple of days just to be sure. In the meantime, the family would miss them at the dinner table. Marty had counted so on all of her nearby family being there.

  Anne was all that Arnie had described and more. Marty and Clark both loved her immediately. She was a rather quiet and serious girl, but her spirit was kind and gentle, and when she smiled, her whole face lit up and one could not help but smile in return. She loved Arnie—Marty could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. Just before Arnie left to take Anne back to town, Marty answered the unasked question in Arnie’s eyes with a quick smile and an almost undetectable nod of her head. Arnie caught it and grinned. Marty had a feeling that when Arnie returned, he would have some news for the family. As a matter of fact, he did. He shared it with great gusto, and there was lots of back slapping and congratulatory hugs. He couldn’t announce a wedding date yet, but he grinned and said it would be soon.

  Marty did call on Wanda. They had a long visit and caught up on all of the happenings since they had last been together. Marty could see no change in her son, Rett. Though he lived in the body of a man, he had not really advanced beyond the small-boy stage. He still evidenced his uncanny ability with animals, and his menagerie had grown steadily over the years. Marty wondered how Wanda, who still clung to some of her eastern city-girl ways, managed to put up with the strange assortment of creatures with which she was asked to share her home. Only a mother’s love, she decided wit
h a smile as she watched the two of them.

  Ma Graham came to call. She came alone now. All her children were married and had homes of their own, though Lou and his wife did live in a small house in the Graham yard and shared the farming duties with Ben. Marty caught up on all of the news of the family members and shared with Ma the latest happenings concerning Missie and her household.

  Marty began rather slowly, but eventually she told in detail about the trying days following Clark’s accident. Ma was the only person to whom Marty felt she could really bare her soul. As they talked and the shared tears fell, Marty felt that maybe Ellie was right. Maybe the whole ordeal had been harder on her than she had dared to admit. Maybe now that she had voiced it all, she would get back some of her old energy.

  July came. Still no rain—except for a few scattered showers that didn’t really count for much on the thirsty land. Daily, as a family, they prayed that the rain might come. Ellie kept busy with her watering pail trying to keep the plants from wilting. Even her brothers were not above carrying water for the very dry garden. The fields, as well, began to show the effects of the long dry spell. There was no way to bring water to the fields without the help of the Master of wind and rain.

  A telegram from Missie set the whole household buzzing. It stated: PA LAHAYE ARRIVED—STOP—SO DID MELISSA JOY, 7 POUNDS 10 OUNCES—STOP—THANK GOD FOR BOTH—STOP—ALL FINE—STOP

  The whole family rejoiced at the news, but Clare’s eyes shone the brightest of all.

  “Have ya told ’em?” he asked, giving Kate a nudge and a squeeze.

  She answered with a shake of her head and a cheery, though embarrassed, smile. “Dr. Watkins said yesterday thet we’re gonna be parents, all right.”

  And so there was more reason for rejoicing. Everyone in the family heartily congratulated Clare, who grinned at each comment, and hugged Kate as she flushed prettily. Marty looked at the girl’s shining violet eyes and thought she had never looked prettier.

  Five

  Confessions

  The storm moved in from the west with low-hanging clouds and a strong wind. Marty worried that the wind might drive the clouds right on by before the land had a chance to rejuvenate with the much-needed water. Her fears lessened as she stood at the window and watched the wind abate and the clouds hang low and heavy over the countryside. And then for three days, a continual steady rain emptied itself on the thirsty soil. When the sun returned, the growing things lifted high their drooping heads, all strength renewed. Marty felt like shouting praises. In fact, the whole family gathered together for a special thanksgiving prayer.

  Kate was experiencing morning sickness. Marty felt sorry for her, but the girl only smiled. “It won’t be for long,” she insisted, “an’ it will be worth it.” Clare fussed over her and insisted that she take it easy and care for his “boy.”

  Already the two of them were busy with preparations for the coming baby—even though that “comin’” was more than seven months into the future. Marty, sharing their joy and enthusiasm, would welcome the wee baby, too. She suggested several home remedies to Kate that might help her over those often difficult early months of a pregnancy.

  Marty continued to feel dragged out—not herself at all. She tried not to let it show, but the harder she tried to keep up with Ellie, the more it was obvious she couldn’t. Clark suggested a trip in to see Dr. Watkins, but Marty shook her head. She had a suspicion that her age was showing and it bothered her some. She was an awfully young woman to be going through that, she kept telling herself. She did not express her concerns, but she felt her family’s eyes upon her, watching with loving care.

  “I’ll be fine—just fine,” she kept assuring them all, and she tried to be—tried with all her might to walk a little brisker, lift her feet a little higher, hold her head a little straighter. But most of the time it just didn’t work. She felt tired before the day had hardly begun.

  One morning she felt sick to her stomach. She passed it off as a touch of the flu. Then after an hour or two, she felt fine. But the next morning it recurred. She shrugged it off that time, too, but when it happened again on the third morning, even she was a bit worried, though she would not admit it.

  “I’m as bad as Kate,” she remarked to Ellie with an attempt at a light laugh.

  “Well, I don’t like it,” Ellie said seriously. “Kate has a very good reason.”

  A wild thought suddenly went racing through Marty’s mind, though she did not voice it to Ellie. Ya don’t s’pose . . . ? No, thet’s impossible. Thet’s unthinkable. But it nagged away at her all day.

  Each time it unwillingly returned, Marty tried to drive it away. I’m past my forty-third birthday, she kept telling herself. But inwardly she knew that really did not preclude this extraordinary possibility.

  It’s so silly . . . so foolish, she reminded herself. Here I am—a grandmother many times over. I would be so embarrassed. . . . And Marty’s cheeks burned at the very thought of what might be.

  The feeling of sickness continued to occur. Marty tried to hide the fact from her family. She made even more of an effort to look perky and carry her end of the household tasks. But even as she fought against it, she knew she was really being foolish.

  It must be so, she finally admitted to herself and went to her room to have a rest and a good cry.

  Whatever will Clark think? Here I am, a woman my age . . . and this!

  Her thoughts moved on to the rest of her family. What will Ellie think? And Missie? And Kate? Here Kate is expecting a baby of her own, and her mother-in-law, who should be long past such things, is joining her—stealing her thunder!

  And Arnie? Here he is planning his wedding, and his own mother will show up at it quite obviously with child. It’ll embarrass him nigh to death!

  Marty refused to share her worries with any of her family. It was the first time in her years of marriage to Clark that she kept something from him. Maybe I’m mistaken, she kept saying to herself. Maybe I’m all wrong. Or, if I’m right, maybe I’ll lose it. Women my age often do.

  But deep within, Marty knew she was probably correct and that the day would soon come when she would have to tell Clark. She dreaded it. Dreaded his reaction. Would he laugh? Or would he actually pity her? Marty could not stand that thought. If he should look at me with eyes that say, “You poor thing,” I’ll be so mad. . . . But he just might, Marty decided. He just might. Especially the way I’ve been feeling.

  Marty decided she couldn’t tell Clark—not yet. She’d wait awhile until she was absolutely sure.

  Kate was now feeling a little better daily. Every time Marty saw Kate or Clare, it seemed they were talking about the coming baby. Never had Marty seen a couple anticipate a new arrival with such longing and joy. She envied them in a way. It must be nice to be looking forward so—

  But Marty stopped herself. Hadn’t she also looked forward to the arrival of each of her babies? Each of them, but . . . She didn’t allow herself to finish it. She felt guilty about the way she was feeling toward this child. After all, this baby had not asked to be brought into the world.

  She wondered what Kate and Clare would think if she suddenly were to announce, Isn’t it wonderful? I’m expecting a baby, too, and I think both babies will likely arrive about the same time.

  My, would eyes ever pop then!

  But there was no way Marty would announce it like that.

  Josh and Nandry were joining the family for Sunday dinners again. Marty was so glad to have them back, but she was concerned about Nandry. Something was troubling her. Quiet and withdrawn, she never looked directly at Clark unless he was seated at the table, and then her eyes seemed to slide over him. Was Nandry feeling all right? Was Marty imagining things? Was Clark’s new appearance really troubling her in some way? Marty tried not to borrow trouble. At least Nandry and the family were with them, and for that she was thankful! Perhaps with a little time things would be as before.

  “I’ve made an appointment with Dr. Watkins.”
>
  Clark made the statement matter-of-factly one night as he and Marty prepared for bed. Marty’s head whipped around, concern filling her mind.

  “Have ya been feelin’ okay? Is yer leg—?”

  But Clark interrupted. “Ain’t fer me. It’s fer you.”

  “Fer me?” asked Marty. “Whatever fer?”

  “I’ve been worryin’ ’bout ya, thet’s what fer. Thought it might just take a while fer ya to get back on yer feet like, but ya haven’t, Marty. Ya still have to push yerself an’—”

  Anger colored her voice and face as she cut in. “Wish ya wouldn’t have done thet. Nothin’ wrong with me, an’ there’s no use troublin’ Doc over somethin’ thet—I’m fine, an’ ya really had no call makin’ an appointment without even talkin’—”

  Clark reached for her and pulled her to him. Marty seldom responded in such an angry way, and when she did now, she knew he felt even more convinced that something was wrong.

  He tried to hold her close, but she stubbornly stiffened her body. He did not speak, only stroked her hair.

  She could not resist him for long. She began to relax against him. He went on holding her, gently kissing the top of her head. Suddenly, to his surprise, she crumpled up against him and began to cry.

  Clark’s grip on her tightened, and Marty knew he now was genuinely worried that something was seriously wrong.

  “Please, God, please,” she heard him whisper.

  Marty did not weep for long. As soon as she had quieted, Clark spoke softly into her hair. “Somethin’ is wrong, isn’t it?”