She met her son’s gaze. “He can if he hurts you.”
Dalton smiled. “He can’t hurt me—not if I don’t let him. I am not a fool.”
“He says he wants to leave us his fortune,” Lydia said.
“We don’t need his money,” Evie said. “We’ll tell him to leave it to Jeannette or Mitchell. After all, they’re likely to be the ones who’ll oversee his funeral expenses. That would be the appropriate way to manage the matter.”
An hour later, they were suggesting just such a thing to Marston. He looked at them and shook his head. “My funeral has already been arranged and paid for. Jeannette’s husband would only drink my money away and waste it on those drunkard sons of his, and Mitchell agrees with me that the money should be given to you three.”
He eased back in his chair. “I realize this makes you uncomfortable, and that was never my intention. My lawyer had suggested I simply leave the money to you in my will, and he could send a letter of explanation. I suppose that might have made it easier, but you know me. I was never one to do what was easy.”
“Yes, we do know you.” Evie’s voice dripped with sarcasm, but Marston took it in stride.
“I know that I don’t deserve your kindness—”
Dalton raised his hand to interrupt. “No one here wishes to remember the pain of the past. However, that doesn’t mean we are inclined to forget and trust you again.”
“Nor would a reasonable man expect you to,” Marston said, nodding. “That would be completely irrational—even foolhardy. No, I don’t come seeking trust or kindness even. I merely wanted to extend the olive branch. To do what I could in the sight of God and man to make restitution.”
Watching his older brother carefully, Dalton tried to figure out what he was really doing in Sitka. Like his mother, Dalton didn’t trust Marston Gray. There was something that just didn’t seem right.
“Tell us about your sickness,” Dalton requested. “What exactly is wrong?”
“The doctor believes it to be cancer of the stomach,” Marston replied without blinking. “It has caused me a great deal of weight loss and much pain.” He glanced at Lydia and Evie. “I’m sure that news must please you.”
“Stop it,” Dalton protested. “No one here wishes you such a fate.”
Marston shrugged. “I don’t hear either of them saying so, but I’ll take you at your word. Anyway, the disease is progressing quickly. Every day I find myself weaker than the day before. Realizing my time is short, I felt it important to seek you out. Whether you believe that or not, it is the truth.”
“Well, now you’ve come and shared this with us,” Evie stated. “You know how we feel about your money, so take it and go back to Kansas City.”
Lydia nodded and got to her feet. Kjell and Dalton did likewise, but Marston remained seated. He looked at her apologetically. “You will forgive me for not rising. I’m afraid my strength is played out from visiting you earlier.”
She turned away without a word. Dalton could see that his mother was deeply troubled by the encounter. He hoped his father would take her home and get her as far from Marston as he could. It was obvious the man still had the power to hurt her.
Evie rose and turned to Marston once more. “You really should return to Kansas City. At least there Mitchell’s family might care for you in your final days.”
Dalton saw his brother’s face contort as if he were wrestling with her comment. “You know, I spoke of this with several people before coming here. I did not make this trip without great reservation. It was not my intention to bring my unwelcomed presence back into your life as much as to show my contrite and spiritually renewed heart. I suppose like Judas in the Bible, however, there shall be no peace for me.”
“Judas never sought peace,” Dalton’s mother snapped back. She glared at Marston, her anger burning bright. “He sought his own way—a way to prosper his coffers even though it cost Jesus His life.” She drew a deep breath, and Dalton knew she was attempting to still her anger.
“I honestly do not wish you harm, Marston. And believe me, it took a great many long years for me to come to this place. Therefore, if you have no peace in your life, then I suggest you reconsider your spiritually renewed heart and seek the Scriptures for what’s missing. I can assure you, for my part, I simply no longer want to be bothered with you.”
She turned and took hold of Kjell’s arm. “Please take me home.”
Dalton exchanged a glance with his father before watching his parents leave the room. His sister followed but paused at the door.
“I agree with Lydia. I would rather be left alone after this. I have no desire to share in your fortune. My memories of you and my life before Sitka are all sad and marred with pain. I prefer not to think on them at all.”
With that she was gone, leaving Marston to look to Dalton. “Well? Will you also leave me now?”
Folding his hands on the table, Dalton narrowed his eyes. “Why are you really here?”
The following day, Britta heard all the details regarding Marston’s surprise visit. She had never seen her mother more irritated when discussing a topic than in watching her react to the arrival of Marston Gray. Twice she’d seen her mother take refuge in her bedroom, pleading a headache. Obviously this man was the cause.
Britta considered the past and all the stories she’d heard about Marston Gray as she rolled out a pie crust. What a strange and violent history in their family background. Watching Laura rolling out her own tiny pieces of dough while Darya slept, Britta couldn’t imagine enduring all her mother had lived through.
“Hello? Britta?”
“I’m here in the kitchen, Kay.”
Kay popped her head around the corner. “What are you doing?”
“Making a pie.” Britta held up the rolling pin.
“I’ll finish that for you. Yuri is waiting outside.”
Britta put the rolling pin aside and dusted flour from her hands. “What are you talking about? Waiting for what?”
“For you, silly.” Kay gave her a grin. “He asked me to watch the girls so that he could take you on a walk. Now, take off your apron and go.”
For just a moment, her stomach did a flip. Yuri wanted to go for a walk? What was he planning? “Laura, you play nice for Kay, and Mama will be back in just a little bit.” Britta put her apron aside and headed for the door. She took up her coat and went outside.
Yuri stood at the bottom of the steps. As she came through the front door, he reached up to take hold of her hand. “It’s much too pretty to stay inside all day. I thought perhaps you would accompany me.”
She hesitated. “There’s a chill in the air.”
“Then it’s good that you brought your coat. Here, let me help you into it.” Yuri took the garment and assisted her.
Britta looked up at him, hesitant. “What . . . did you have in mind?”
He gripped her hand tighter and drew her closer. “I thought we could take a long, leisurely stroll.”
She glanced skyward. “Looks like it could rain.” She offered him a smile. “But then, when doesn’t it?” She picked up the side of her skirt and allowed Yuri to lead the way.
A million questions rushed through Britta’s head, but she didn’t utter a single one aloud. She couldn’t imagine what had come over Yuri to cause this change. She glanced up and found him actually smiling. This caused her to look away quickly. Something was going on, but she didn’t know what.
They walked up the mountain trail she knew so well. Since she was a small child, this had been a place she had played and sought refuge. The spruce and cedar forest seemed to extend its boughs to embrace them—to muffle the sounds of all but their breathing. The heady scents of earth and moss blended with the trees. It was like an aroma of memories—pleasant, welcome memories.
For just a moment, Britta closed her eyes. She loved this man—her hero. She had dreamed all of her life about moments like this.
“You’re going to fall if you don’t open your e
yes,” he teased.
Her lashes fluttered open. “Not if you’re holding on to me. I trust you.”
He stopped and looked at her for a moment. “And what makes your trust in me so absolute?”
She shrugged. “You didn’t have to do anything in particular. You’re a good man, and that’s enough.”
“I wasn’t good to Marsha.”
“Yes you were. I saw the letters.” She met his gaze. “You sent her money all the time. You supported your wife and child. That was honorable.”
“Britta, I appreciate your esteem, but it wasn’t right. If I left now and sent you money every week or two, would that be enough for you?”
“No. I suppose it wouldn’t be enough. But Marsha didn’t love you. She couldn’t have loved you and still treated you the way she did.”
“You’re right. She didn’t love me, and I didn’t love her. If I hadn’t gone, it would have turned ugly, and Laura would have been caught up in the middle of it all.”
“So doesn’t that make you a good man for putting her needs first?”
He shook his head. “No. A good man would have changed his attitude and stayed. A good man would have stopped drinking and found a way to live with his child’s mother. A good man would have done things differently.”
Britta finally recognized the truth of his words. She’d allowed herself to think of Yuri as blameless for so long that it was difficult to accept. “So you made mistakes. We all have.”
He nodded. “I just want you to see it like it really was, Britta. I’m not the hero you make me out to be. I may have helped save you that day so long ago, but that one act wasn’t enough to redeem my entire life.”
“Maybe not, but Jesus’ one act was. You’ve given your life to Him. That changes everything.”
“I agree, it does. And I do want to move forward instead of live in the past.”
Britta cocked her head to one side. Only then did she realize Yuri was rubbing his thumb gently over the back of her hand. It caused her to shiver.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
She shook her head, never looking away. “I’m fine.”
For a moment, neither one said another word, and then Yuri began walking again. He led them to a small clearing where a low rocky wall made a good place to rest. Sitting, he pulled her down beside him.
“I had a long talk with your brother.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Well, he thinks there is.” Yuri smiled. “I guess I do, too.”
“What is it?” Britta couldn’t keep the concern from her voice. “Is Phoebe all right?”
“Everyone is fine. Everyone but you and me.”
Britta realized he was still holding her hand. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe. What was he about to say? Had he given up on the idea of being her husband? She jumped to her feet, and Yuri dropped his hold.
“You aren’t going to suggest we end our marriage, are you? Is that why you brought me here?” Britta began to pace. “Is that what this is all about? You want an annulment?”
“No, that’s not what this is about.”
She stopped and fixed her eyes on his. “Then what?”
“I want to make this work, Britta. I’ve done you a great disservice, and like Dalton pointed out to me, I lied to God.”
“What?”
“I promised before God to love you, to cherish you, and I’ve done none of that. I didn’t even intend to do it when I pledged it. That makes me a liar.”
Britta was consumed with her own guilt and looked away. Hadn’t she worried about the same thing? She had pursued marriage with a man who didn’t feel for her the things she felt for him. Their marriage was a lie.
“I want to change things,” Yuri continued. “I want to court you. I want to let my heart love again. We already share a strong friendship. It seems a good foundation upon which to build a marriage.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She was afraid to even face him. “Do you mean it?”
“I do, if that meets with your approval. I won’t promise that it’ll be easy. Your brother tells me that marriage is the hardest work there is.”
She glanced over her shoulder to find him grinning. “I’m a hard worker.”
“I’ve heard that about you.”
Turning, Britta began to move toward him. “I’m very determined, also.”
“I’ve heard that, as well.”
“And I speak my mind.”
“Do you ever,” he said, laughing.
Britta maneuvered closer, and instead of returning to the rock, she pushed his hands aside and took her seat on his lap. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t rebuke her. Instead, he sat without moving, without speaking.
Reaching up, Britta pushed back an errant strand of hair from his face. “I’m also told that I can be very persuasive.”
His blue-eyed gaze penetrated deep into her soul. Britta didn’t give him a chance to speak but instead kissed his forehead lightly. She trailed kisses along his face until she reached his lips. Giving him a gentle kiss, she pulled back. “Very persuasive.”
“I can see that now,” he murmured.
Britta had never thought of herself as much of a seductress, but as Yuri wrapped his arms around her and caught her in a passionate kiss, she thought, Maybe I’m better at this than I give myself credit for.
As if reading her mind, Yuri gave a low throaty chuckle and wrapped her in his arms. “I think loving you may be the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
Chapter 21
Britta watched her family commence dinner at her parents’ table amidst an awkward silence. No one seemed anxious to disturb the thread of normalcy in their actions. Ever since Marston Gray had come to the island, the family dynamic had been off. Britta knew her parents were upset by the man’s reappearance, but Britta wasn’t entirely sure why Gray continued to hold such sway over her mother’s emotions.
Phoebe passed a ceramic bowl to Britta. “I’m sure glad we were able to get some decent potatoes.”
“Yes.” Britta helped herself to the potatoes and passed them to Yuri.
Her mother continued to look at her plate, downcast in spirit. As far as Britta could see, there was to be no peace for her mother while Marston remained in Sitka. Her mother and brother, as well as Aunt Evie, were wary of the man and wanted nothing to do with him. Britta couldn’t help but wonder what needed to happen in order to see peace restored. She hated seeing her mother like this.
“I’ve talked to him on two occasions,” Dalton said as if someone had asked about Marston. “I believe I may well go along with one of his ideas, simply to see him leave the island.”
“What idea is that?” their father asked.
Dalton put down his fork. “Marston suggested we could give him a letter of transaction for our bank in Seattle. He could go there and arrange deposits in our accounts and be done with it. We’d not have anything else to do with him, and he promises he would not return to Sitka.”
“I do not want his money,” Mother said, slamming her fist to the table. Everyone turned at this. Britta had never seen her mother so angry. “I told him I didn’t want his money, and I meant it. You do as you like, but I do not want anything more to do with that man. The Grays have caused me enough trouble.” She got up and left the table, not even touching her food.
“I didn’t mean to upset her,” Dalton told his father. “I thought maybe this would be an amicable solution. I even wired the bank to ask the manager’s opinion.”
Father got to his feet. “I’ll talk to her, but honestly, Dalton, it might be best if you just let him deposit the money into one account instead of three. Then you can decide at a later date what to do with the money. If this is what we need to do in order to see Marston leave, then I suggest we do it quickly.”
With that he was gone, and Dalton turned to Evie. “Do you have any objection to that? I could have the manager open a single account and give Marston the ability to deposit into that. We can alw
ays donate the money to charity.”
“I suppose that would be acceptable,” Evie said. Her husband, Josh, nodded in agreement. “I can’t see that any harm could be done that way.”
Britta wished fervently that they could speak about something else. To her surprise, Yuri changed the subject.
“I hope Ted and Kay aren’t regretting their trip to Mount Edgecumbe. It looks like snow at the higher elevations.”
Phoebe laughed. “I’m sure my brother will keep Kay warm enough.”
“I thought they had a lovely wedding,” Britta joined in. “I’ve certainly never seen a happier bride.”
“Nor I,” Phoebe admitted. “Mother said Ted has become a completely new man. He needed someone to stand up to him, and Kay seems to have little trouble.”
“How is your mother?” Britta asked. “I heard she was under the weather.”
Phoebe nodded. “It’s just a cold, but she wanted to stay home and nurse it. The children are with her, so if she needs anything, she’ll be well cared for. Rachel made her soup, and Connie already considers herself Mother’s personal nurse.”
Britta smiled, imagining Laura would be the same way. She looked over at her daughter and saw her wolfing down her salmon. My, but the child did love to eat. Darya was already finished with her tiny bits of finger food, but she was playing with the spoon she’d been given, chewing and drooling in contentment. It was hard to believe the baby was already eight months old. She was pulling up to everything and crawling about. How quickly time passed. Mother said it wouldn’t be long before she’d be off and running.
Thoughts of her mother once again gave Britta concern. She put her napkin aside. “I’ll be right back,” she told Yuri, then announced to the others, “If you’ll please excuse me a moment.”
She left the table and immediately headed for her parents’ bedroom. She could hear her mother and father talking in low hushed tones. Knocking lightly, Britta called out, “May I come in?”
Her father opened the door. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, but your food is getting cold. I thought maybe I could talk with Mother for a moment.”
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