by Karen Kirst
He shook those thoughts away. The true solution to his problem was a simple one. It was time to tell his parents no. There was no reason not to now that Olan’s health wasn’t nearly as precarious as they’d once feared. Besides, having finally come face-to-face with his parents’ plan for his future, Chris was more certain than ever that he wouldn’t have gone through with marrying Britta no matter how badly he wanted to honor their wishes.
Britta approached with her chin lifted. “Chris, I am ready to go.”
“One minute.” He glanced from Adelaide to Wes and knew there was no getting around it. She needed a trustworthy escort back to the mercantile. “Wes, would you do me a favor by delivering Adelaide’s luggage to my… Uh, where she’s staying? She can show you the way.”
“My pleasure.” Wes grabbed the handle of the pushcart. “After you, Miss Adelaide.”
She glanced from Chris to Britta, then back again. Her voice was for his ears only. “Be strong.”
Britta grabbed her suitcases from the cart as it passed. She grinned up at Chris. “Ready.”
“This way.” Chris took the luggage from her and began walking toward his parents’ house. After all of her earlier chatter, Britta’s thoughtful silence was a bit unnerving. He searched for a safe topic. “How was your trip?”
“Your parents’ letter did not say anything about you being promised to another girl. Do they know?” Chris glanced over to meet her watchful, too insightful stare. He wasn’t entirely sure how to answer her question. Before he could try, she continued, “If they do know, they do not approve. How could they? She is not Norwegian. They want you to marry someone from the home country. Their letters said you were a good Norwegian son—first born, at that. How can you go against their wishes?”
“Because I am a grown man who makes his own decisions.” Or, at the very least, he was trying to be.
Britta frowned but waited until they crossed Main Street into the residential section of town before asking, “Do you mean to tell me that you do not intend to run your father’s business as he wishes?”
“Of course I do.” Even as he said it, the memory of sitting in the Houston Gazette newsroom filled his mind along with Everett’s prediction that he would make a good newspaperman.
“Are you not the strong, responsible, compassionate, smart man they said that they have tried to raise you to be?”
“I hope so.”
She stepped into his path, bringing them both to a stop as she leveled her stormy gray eyes at him. “You have always done exactly what they want you to do. Why do you suddenly want to draw a line in the sand when it comes to marrying me?”
A vision of Adelaide filled his mind. Without a doubt, she’d been the reason originally. However, after she’d broken their engagement, what had stopped him from giving into his parents’ wish that he consider a mail-order bride? Certainly not his need for independence, because as Britta and even Everett had pointed out, he’d never sought the freedom to make his own choice—except when it came to marriage.
Was Adelaide still the answer after all these years? Had some part of him been waiting for her to return? Why else had he restricted his proposals to women he knew only considered him to be a friend? Had he actually been hoping they’d reject him so that he’d have yet another reason to postpone marrying anyone but her?
Britta’s hand touched his arm, pulling his attention back to her. He had no desire to talk to her about his apparently unresolved feelings for Adelaide. He’d have to try something new and be completely honest. “I am sure you are a nice girl, Britta, but I do not want to marry you. I do not even know you.”
Placing a hand on his chest, her sultry gaze never left his as she eased a step closer. Her voice softened. “We could get to know each other, Chris. It would be quite easy, I am sure, once we are married.”
“Britta,” he began, making sure he kept his voice low so that she had to listen closely. “Whatever you’re trying to do here isn’t going to work. Take your hands off me. I am not your husband or your betrothed, so your affection is unseemly. I apologize for the confusion, but you are here as a guest of my family and that is all. You will respect my boundaries. You will respect Adelaide. Is that understood?”
Britta closed her gaping mouth, then took a step back and pressed her lips into a firm line. They remained that way for the remainder of their short journey. Chris set her suitcases on the porch and knocked. Olan opened the door. “Chris, back so soon? I—Oh, hello, Miss…”
Catching his father’s questioning gaze, Chris nodded toward the woman beside her. “Pa, may introduce Miss Britta Solberg? Also, you and I? We need to have a talk.”
CHAPTER TEN
Adelaide had barely begun to unpack her trunk when Chris had shown up at the door of his apartment with an unhappy Britta in tow. The girl’s frown had deepened at the sight of Adelaide. However, once Britta had stepped inside Chris’s apartment, the mail-order bride’s mood had improved considerably. Britta had nearly swooned as she hurried from room to room. She kept repeating the word bedårende, which according to Sophia meant “adorable.”
It was a good thing Britta liked the apartment, because she sure didn’t seem to like anything else about the situation. Adelaide couldn’t really blame her. After all, the girl had traveled thousands of miles only to discover that her intended groom was dead set against marrying her and, by all appearances, quite ready to marry someone else. Keeping that in mind, Adelaide almost felt deserving of the icy glare Britta so often tossed her way. Still, the stony silence seemed a bit excessive, especially now that they’d all had three days to reconcile themselves to their uncomfortable new living arrangement.
Sophia had joined them at the same time as Britta. Her presence was invaluable. Not only did she serve as an interpreter when needed, but her joyful spirit helped lighten the strained atmosphere. Adelaide tried to do the same by remaining positive and friendly. However, she couldn’t deny that it was challenging at times—especially since there seemed to be a disconcerting alliance forming between Rose and Britta. Adelaide had caught them speaking in low tones with their heads together more than once. Even now, her mother was out with Britta and Mrs. Johansen helping the girl to look for employment. Adelaide didn’t begrudge them that. She’d just thought that after the conversation she’d had with Rose before they’d left Houston… Well, she wasn’t entirely sure what she’d thought.
As it was, she was grateful that the sleeping arrangements had been decided so that Rose and Britta each had a room to themselves while she and Sophia shared the room containing a pair of twin beds. Sophia, being more sociable, kept mostly to the common room. She also continued to work downstairs at the store. That gave Adelaide plenty of time and privacy to write. In turn, her writing gave her a legitimate reason to stay out of everyone’s way.
A knock on the bedroom door made Adelaide jump just as Sophia leaned inside. “I’m sorry, Adelaide. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“That’s all right. I was just lost in thought.” She glanced down at the rather barren-looking page she’d been working on, ready for a distraction. “What are you up to?”
“It’s such a nice day that I thought we might have it picnic-style on the lawn in front of the church. Chris said he could join us in about ten minutes when he has his break from the store. Or, if you’d rather keep writing, we can eat here. What do you think?”
Adelaide placed a hand on her stomach which gave a little growl at the mere mention of food. “I think that sounds like a lovely idea. I can’t remember the last time I had a picnic.”
“Well, it’s time to change that. Everything is ready. We just need to grab the basket on the way out.”
“Perfect.” As they walked to the church, Adelaide allowed herself to enjoy the friendship that had begun to deepen between them since they’d started sharing a room. They’d always been friendly to each other in the past. However, Adelaide had also always been Chris’s particular friend, so she and Sophia hadn’t int
eracted quite as much back then. The past two nights they’d stay up talking long after they’d turned out the lights. It was refreshing, but Adelaide wasn’t entirely sure how close she should allow herself to get to Sophia or anyone else in Peppin. Sooner rather than later she would be going back to Houston. She’d have to say goodbye to them all over again.
Adelaide held back a sigh as she helped Sophia spread the blanket on the thick layer of green grass that was the church lawn. Chris met up with them just as they were laying out the food. He took one look into Adelaide’s eyes and asked, “What’s troubling you?”
She smiled at his perceptiveness and Sophia’s surprise before offering a shrug. “It’s hard not knowing what’s going on in Houston with my pa. I know he hasn’t contacted us because he wants to keep our whereabouts unknown. I’m sure he’ll come to tell us everything himself as soon as he can. But not knowing when that’s going to be makes it hard to…”
Sophia reached over to touch her hand. “Makes it hard to what?”
“Not get attached to Peppin again.” She avoided the intense searching in Chris’s gaze by focusing on his sister. “I know it probably sounds bad to say that, but I moved so often as a child that I learned to remain sort of detached. Peppin was different. I had every intention of spending the rest of my life here. Being back in Peppin… Well, part of me wishes my pa would hurry up and get here so that I can leave already. The longer I stay, the more it will hurt when I finally have to go.”
Chris tilted his head with a doubtful frown. “So you want to rush back to your life in Houston? The one where you seemed to have no interest in what was happening around you, no real friends and were completely under your mother’s thumb? You deserve better.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “Land sakes, Chris! Don’t hold back, now. Tell us how you really feel.”
“He’s right. I was pretty miserable. However, it isn’t as though I have much of a choice.”
“Of course you do.” Sophia frowned. “You and Chris can get married. There’s no reason to put it off any longer.”
Awkward silence descended upon their picnic as Sophia glanced back and forth between them while they looked anywhere but at her. Adelaide finally met Sophia’s gaze in time to see realization fill the woman’s blue eyes. That was quickly followed by disappointment and exasperation. “Oh, come on. Really? Again? Why can’t y’all just be a normal couple? Either get together, or break up once and for all.”
“Listen, princess—”
She didn’t. “You know what? I stand by my previous statement. Y’all should get married. It’s obvious that y’all care for each other—always have and probably always will. However, I respect the fact that it’s completely your decision so that’s all I’m going to say on that matter. Strawberries, anyone?”
Adelaide glanced at Chris and they both burst out laughing. Adelaide scooted over to give Sophia a sideways hug, crying out softly, “Oh, no. I’m already attached.”
Sophia grinned and hugged her back. “Good. You should be. Maybe we can find a way for you to stay here, with or without you marrying my brother.”
“I don’t know,” Adelaide said, altogether unsure if it was really a good idea to live in the same town as Chris for the rest of her life. She had promised herself that she would get over her feelings for him. Surely that would be far easier from a distance. Yet, if her goal was to be a spinster author one day, why not try to find a way to do that in a town she loved? Was that feasible?
She made a respectable income from her writing, but she wasn’t sure it was enough to allow her to be totally independent. She certainly couldn’t see her mother supporting that lifestyle, or her stepfather for that matter. He was far too concerned with her safety to be amenable to the idea of her living in another town by herself. She shook her head. “I simply don’t see how it’s possible.”
“Then we should pray about it, and ask God to show us a way.” Sophia tilted her head when Adelaide didn’t immediately respond. “Why do I feel as though I said the wrong thing again?”
“I stopped praying a long time ago.”
Concern furrowed Chris’s brow. “Why?”
“The church we go to in Houston isn’t genuine like the one here. It’s more for show. All the right people go there. I guess it never really appealed to me because I don’t consider myself one of them. I know you aren’t supposed to go to church for the people, but…” She stopped because Chris was already shaking his head. “What?”
“Sweetheart, the people are the church. Sermons can be excellent and helpful and all of that. However, fellowship with other believers is extremely important. That’s why the Bible talks about ‘iron sharpening iron.’ I’m guessing you haven’t had that.”
“I suppose not.”
“Well,” Sophia said. “Now you do. Chris, would you lead us in prayer?”
Chris seemed to hesitate slightly before he nodded and offered one hand to each of them. Adelaide stared at his hand for a moment as something inside her rebelled. Something stronger filled her eyes with tears and then prompted her to slide her hand into his. Sophia completed their circle. Chris’s words were slow and deliberate. “Lord, we thank You for the time You’ve given us with Adelaide. I know that You’re using it to strengthen her faith and mine. I ask that while she’s here You allow us all to be an encouragement to each other. Help us to remember that You have a plan here, Lord, even though we can’t always see it.”
He pulled in a deep breath, then sped up considerably. “Most of all, we ask that You reveal Your love to Adelaide and draw her closer to You. Plant her in a body of believers who will help her faith to grow. If that place should be Peppin, then we ask and believe that You will make a way for that to happen. We ask this all in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Chris released their hands almost before they’d finished echoing his amen. “I’d better get back to the store.”
Sophia frowned. “But, you’ve barely eaten anything.”
“I know, but there’s something I forgot to do.”
Adelaide wrapped one of the sandwiches in a napkin for him. “Here. At least take this with you.”
He accepted it with a quick “Thank you,” then set off toward the mercantile. Adelaide turned to watch him go, certain that his departure had very little to do with the store. Something was definitely bothering him. She just didn’t know if it was something about the prayer…or something about her.
*
This was all wrong. Chris shouldn’t have been the one to pray for Adelaide. As she’d talked he’d realized he was struggling with the same thing except that his problem was worse. Unlike Adelaide, who’d slowly drifted away from God, Chris had purposefully disconnected himself. He’d shut down every line of communication with his Maker because he hadn’t wanted to give God a chance to lead him to do something he didn’t want to do. Well, that was exactly what God had done as soon as Chris had started praying. The simple act of actually thanking God for bringing Adelaide back into his life had been difficult. Admitting that God had a plan in all this, some purpose that Chris himself might not be aware of was downright scary. Yet, as he’d said the words he’d known that they were true and that he meant them.
He’d also realized that the huge act of obedience he’d been wrestling with wasn’t to his parents. It was to God. It had nothing to do with the mail-order bride and everything to do with Adelaide. What God wanted was so simple and obvious that Chris knew the only reason he hadn’t been aware of it before was because he hadn’t wanted to be. God was asking him to forgive Adelaide. To release the anger he’d held against her like a guard around his heart. To recognize the fact that the choices she’d made years ago might have been hurtful but they weren’t unhealable—unless he chose for them to be, as he had for so long.
Before she’d returned to Peppin he’d had a much easier time ignoring the pain he felt. Now that she was here, living in the home he’d prepared for her, he couldn’t ignore it anymore. Chris was beginning to suspect tha
t the only true relief would come by doing exactly what God was asking of him. So right there in the business office of Johansen’s mercantile where he’d retreated for lack of anywhere else to go, Chris bowed his head.
“Father, I’m sorry for ignoring You, avoiding You and disregarding Your direction in my life. I know the things You ask me to do are out of love for me and for a good purpose. I put down the pride that says I know what’s best for my life. I submit myself to You again. Help me to be more sensitive to Your voice and eager to do Your will. Right now, I bring myself back into obedience to You by forgiving Adelaide.” He swallowed hard. Now that he’d started down this path, the words seemed to come more naturally. “I do forgive her, Lord. I forgive her for breaking our engagement all those years ago. I forgive her for rejecting me. Help me to live out that decision.”
He was right about to say amen when a knock sounded on the closed office door. He held his breath hoping that, if he was quiet, whoever it was would walk away. Instead, the person knocked more loudly. Whispering the ending to his prayer, Chris was about to bid the knocker to enter when the door opened on its own. Britta peeked into the room before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “There you are. Why did you not answer?”
“I was busy with something.” He watched her gaze sweep the empty presidential-style desk before it returned to where he stood by the window. Britta had adhered to his No Touching policy so far. However, he’d caught a predatory glint in her eyes a couple of times over the past few days. She was definitely up to something. He just wasn’t sure what. He also wasn’t entirely sure whether it would be safer to stay where he was, which was far away from her but in a corner, or sit behind the desk, which would put an object between them while limiting his mobility. He settled for standing behind the desk and crossing his arms. “How can I help you?”
“You can congratulate me.” She stepped forward before offering a small smile. “I have a job at the café. I am going to be a waitress.”