Love's unending legacy (Love Comes Softly #5)

by Janette Oke

"What 'bout 'im? He was a businessman in the town. Well established. He was an undertaker."

  "Were you afraid of him?"

  "Afraid? No. He had never been anythin' but kind to me." "Did he have a family?"

  224

  "No. He had never married before, either."

  "But you didn't think you wanted to live with him--or with your aunt--after she married him?"

  "It wasn't like thet. I hated to leave. I cried all the way to the train station, iffen ya must know. It was just thet I loved Aunt Maggie. She had been so kind to me, an' I wanted her to be happy in her new marriage."

  Ellie thought she heard the stranger mutter something about busybody tongues, but she wasn't sure.

  "Did you keep in touch?" he went on.

  "Till she died, I did. My last letter was returned to me marked `Deceased.`"

  "I see," said the man, adjusting his odd glasses.

  "I'm sorry, sir, but I really don't understand what this is all 'bout," said Lane. "Now, I got nothin' in my past I want to hide, but it does seem a bit unusual thet a total stranger would walk into my house and put so many private questions to me."

  "I understand how you must feel," said the man, removing his glasses just a moment before they surely would have fallen. "But one cannot be too careful, and I do need to be entirely sure that you are the Lane Howard I am looking for."

  "Lookin' fer?" puzzled Lane, and Ellie moved a step closer and put her hand on the back of his neck.

  "You didn't mention the name of the man your aunt married," said the persistent man at the table, placing his glasses back on his nose once more.

  "It was Myers. Conwyn Myers."

  "Did you keep in touch with Mr. Myers at all?"

  "Not really. My aunt often wrote of him, and I sent my greetings through my letters to her."

  "I see," said the man. Then, "One more thing, Mr. Howard. What is your full name?"

  "It's William. William Lane Howard. William from my pa. They called me by Lane so thet it wouldn't be confusin'."

  225

  "Well," said the man, shuffling through his papers, "everything seems to match."

  "Match to what?" asked Lane. "I do wish, sir, thet you'd be so kind as to explain yer presence an' questions."

  "Yes," said the man, "I do believe that I am free to do so." Ellie and Lane exchanged glances.

  "I am Stavely Peters," said the man, emphasizing each of his words carefully. "Stavely Peters, attorney-at-law. I am here representing the estate of the late Conwyn Myers. Mr. Myers was a well-respected and good businessman. He left everything in very good order ... and ... he left everything to you."

  Lane slowly rose to his feet, shaking his head in bewilderment.

  "He left it all to you, Mr. Howard. You were the closest of kin that he had, and he also knew just how special you were to his wife, Margery."

  "But I ... I ..." Lane stood there with Ellie clinging to his arm. "I'm much obliged ... to be sure," Lane stumbled over the words, "but ... but beggin' yer pardon, what would I do with a funeral parlor?"

  "He sold the funeral parlor. Sold the house, too. Said that by the sound of your letters, you loved the West and would never want to leave it."

  "Oh, he's right. I don't," Lane assured the man.

  "Everything that he leaves you is in cash. I have the note right here. All that needs to be done is for you to sign a few papers and then for us to visit your bank together."

  "My bank," laughed Lane. "I've never had me the need fer a bank in all my life."

  "Well, I'd advise you to become established with one now." said the lawyer. "It's a bit too much money to tuck in the toe of your boot." This was the closest to humor that the man had come.

  "Yes, sir," promised Lane. "I certainly will, sir. Right away in the mornin'."

  "I stopped by the bank on my way here and made arrangements

  226

  to have it taken care of tonight. They are most anxious to have your account, I might add, Mr. Howard, and will be more than accommodating, I am sure. I am anxious to have the matter settled and to be on my way back to the city. I will confess that it has taken me much longer than I had hoped to locate you and get the estate finalized."

  "I'll git my horse right away," Lane said, looking like he didn't know what had hit him.

  He turned to Ellie. "Will ya be okay till I git back?" he asked her.

  She clung to him for a moment. "I will iffen I don't burst," she whispered. "Oh, Lane, can ya believe it?"

  Lane put her from him gently and gave her a big grin. He reached for his coat.

  "I'll hurry," he promised. "I'll hurry as fast as I can. Then we'll talk all 'bout it when I git home."

  He kissed her and hurried after the city lawyer.

  Ellie turned back to the stove to cover the pots. Who could tell when--or if--they ever would get around to eating their meal?

  227

  TWENTY-EIGHT Plans

  "What are we ever goin' to do with it all?" Ellie asked when Lane returned and showed her the figure on the bank paper in his hand.

  To Ellie it had seemed to take forever for Lane to return to the farm, but, in truth, the transaction had taken place very quickly. The lawyer had been right. The town banker was most anxious to be of every assistance in order to be assured of handling Lane's account. Both banker and lawyer were in a hurry to get the matter finalized.

  Lane could not believe his eyes when he was shown the amount of the bank note. There it was. The large sum of money was placed securely in the bank under his name.

  "I been thinkin' an' thinkin' all the way home," Lane answered Ellie's question. "There's just no end to what we can do."

  "I'll git my own sewin' machine," Ellie began enthusiastically.

  "Ya can have two of 'em iffen ya want to," promised Lane, and Ellie laughed.

  "An' I'm gonna git those new shoes I saw in Harder's window."

  "New shoes? Thet's nothin'. Won't even make a dent in the money."

  "Oh, Lane. I can't believe it. I just can't believe it!"

  "Nor can I. It all seems like some strange dream."

  Lane pulled Ellie down on his lap and pressed his face against her fragrant hair. "The best part of the dream," he said, "is thet

  228

  now I can give ya the things I wanted to ... the things ya deserve. I was so scared thet I'd never--"

  "Did I ask fer things?" Ellie scolded gently, running her fingers through his hair. "All I really wanted was you, an' ya know it."

  Lane pulled her close and kissed her firmly. "I know it," he whispered. "I know it, an' thet's what makes our love so special."

  "Oh, Lane, there's so much we could plan, so much to talk about--but we'd better eat this food, don't ya think?" Ellie reminded him, pulling herself free. "Even iffen we don't feel like it, we'd better eat. Thet is, if it's still fit to eat."

  They began to eat their overcooked meal, but neither of them really tasted it. There was too much to think about ... to dream of. It seemed the possibilities were endless. They talked and laughed as they ate and as Ellie cleared the table. They talked as they washed and dried the dishes together and on into the evening until bedtime. There was just so much to discuss with this unexpected turn of events.

  "Ya know one thing thet I'd like to do?" asked Ellie as they lay snuggled together under the warm quilts of their bed.

  "What?"

  "I'd like to git an organ fer the church. Just a little organ--but a nice organ. Do ya think we could?"

  "Why not? I think it's a great idea. I've been thinkin 'bout what we could do special like fer the church--both this church an' our little church out west. Hadn't thought me of an organ, but thet sounds like a first-rate idea."

  "Let's, then!" exclaimed Ellie.

  Lane kissed her on the ear.

  "Ya know what I was thinkin'?" he asked her.

  "What?"

  "We have the money to buy the farm."

  "What farm?"

  "This farm."
<
br />   "Us? Why?"

  229

  "Why? Then ya won't need to leave. You'll be here, near yer ma, just like ya wanted an'--"

  "But, Lane," Ellie protested, "ya don't want to farm. Ya want to ranch."

  "I know, but I wouldn't mind. I'll--"

  "No, ya won't. I'd never let ya. Never, Lane."

  "But--"

  "Listen! Mama is all prepared to let me go. It'll be hard fer her, sure, but she'll make it. She wouldn't want us to change our plans just fer her. She would be unhappy iffen she thought I was unhappy, an' I could never be happy iffen I wasn't sure thet you were happy--don't ya see?"

  "But I could be happy, as long as I was makin' you happy."

  "I wouldn't let ya do it. You've always wanted to ranch. Now ya can have a ranch of yer own. Not just a little spread to git by on, but a real ranch--one ya can be proud of. An' someday ... someday maybe you'll even be as blessed as Willie an' have some sons to take it over after ya."

  Ellie felt Lane pull her closer and kiss her hair. Then she could feel the tears on his cheeks in the darkness.

  Everyone rejoiced with Lane and Ellie over their good fortune. Ellie began in earnest to prepare for their move. She was more anxious than ever now. She couldn't wait to see Lane's West, to share in purchasing a ranch and establishing a home--their home. She couldn't wait to see Missie and to once again be near to her older sister. Though they were born to different mothers, their Ma Marty had been truly a mother to them both, and they felt very close in heart, though the miles now separated them. Daily Ellie prayed that the farm might hurry and sell so they could be on their way. April passed and May came. With the warmer winds, the snow had disappeared, even in the shadowed places. Ellie fancied

  230

  that soon she would be smelling spring flowers, and then the farm would sell, she was sure.

  Lane continued to work in town. He still needed the activity he said. And he and Ellie secretly slipped the extra money into the Sunday collection plate for the use of the young preacher. He needed it worse than they did, they were sure. The organ had been ordered, and there was great anticipation over its arrival. Lane and Ellie had also laid aside, in the preacher's care and keeping, a sizable amount to be spent in the years ahead as the church saw the need.

  Ellie was restless each day as she waited for Lane to come home. Signs had been posted in the town that if anyone was interested in the LaHaye farm, they were to go to the local livery and talk to Lane Howard. There had been a few inquiries but none of a serious nature.

  Then one day Lane came home long before his usual time. "Yer early," said Ellie, a question in her statement as he poked his head in the door.

  "Aren't ya glad to see me?" he teased.

  "'Course, but supper isn't ready."

  He pulled her to him and kissed her. "Fergit supper," he said. "I have some news."

  "Good news?" she inquired.

  "I think so."

  "Then share it."

  "I quit my job."

  Ellie looked puzzled. "Ya quit yer job! Thet's fine. I'm not complainin' none ... but ... why is it such good news?"

  "'Cause ... I quit my job so I'd have time to git ready to go on home."

  "Home?"

  "We're free to go now. A man bought the LaHaye farm today." Ellie threw herself into his arms. "Oh, Lane!" she squealed. "Lane, thet's wonderful!"

  He picked her up and swung her around the room. "Thet's

  231

  what I think!" he shouted back at her. "Finally--we are really on our way."

  Marty and Clark both knew how eager Lane and Ellie were to be off to start their own home. So they rejoiced with the couple and welcomed the news of the farm's sale. It was a happy time and a sad time, and the Davis tribe gathered together to celebrate the occasion and to prepare for another good-bye. There was much excited talk around the table. Lane had already made arrangements for their train tickets. There wasn't much packing left to be done. Ellie had already carefully boxed everything she could spare, and Lane had crated it for shipment. In just a few short days they would be on their way.

  Ellie was disappointed that she wouldn't be able to see Clae and Luke before she left.

  "Who knows how long it will be 'fore I see 'em again?" she mourned, and tears filled her eyes that just moments before had been full of anticipation.

  "Maybe Luke can pay us a visit when he finishes his trainin'," Lane said in a comforting tone.

  Ellie agreed wholeheartedly, but Marty inwardly stated, Not on your life. Don't want Luke staying out there, too.

  Marty remembered back to another girl, just as eager to set out for the West. She'd had to let that daughter--her Missie--go, too.

  Belinda cried. Ten people stood to go to her, but Marty waved them all back to their chairs.

  "I'll go," she said. "She might be wantin' to eat."

  Belinda was not hungry. Only bored. Bored and in need of a dry diaper. She hated to be wet and would not bear it for long.

  Marty changed her, glad for the excuse to leave the family gathering for a few minutes. She held the wee baby close and laid her cheek against the soft little head. "I'm so glad thet God was wise enough to send ya to me," she whispered. "Only He knew

  232

  how much I would be needin' ya."

  The baby grasped a tendril of her mother's hair and tried to pull it to her mouth.

  "Quit it, ya hear?" reproached Marty softly. "You'll have yer fingers all tangled with it. There are better things to be eatin', I'm thinkin'."

  The baby gurgled and changed her grip to the collar of Marty's dress. Marty kissed her. It seemed like only yesterday she had held the tiny Ellie in her arms, and here Ellie was on the verge of leaving.

  Again Marty studied Belinda. "Well, I still have you," she whispered. "An' no matter how quickly time seems to fly, it will be some time 'fore you will be goin'. An' 'fore we know it, Luke will be home, too. Oh, not home to stay. Don't s'pose he'll ever be home to stay again. Not really. But at least he'll be close enough to drop in now an' then, I'm prayin'. Close enough thet I can see fer myself just how he's doin'."

  She kissed the baby again and settled her on a hip for the walk downstairs. She was ready to rejoin the others now.

  On the day of Ellie and Lane's departure, they gathered at the stage station as they had done in the past.

  Marty managed her emotions that day very well, she thought. In fact, she managed to hide her tears and even celebrate the occasion with Ellie.

  "It's a long, long ride," she warned Ellie. "I thought me at times it would never end. Ya do eventually git there, but by then you'll have had yer fill of train travel fer a while." Ellie only smiled.

  "Have ya got the package fer Missie?" Marty asked for the fifth time.

  "Right here, Mama. Right here with the other things. I will see thet she gits it just as soon as we arrive."

  "Ya sure ya got everythin' ya need?" This was Clark.

  233

  "Oh, Pa," laughed Ellie, "they have shops out there, too."

  It was not long until their baggage was being loaded. The crated Rex complained some at his close quarters, but Lane rubbed his ear and assured him that he would be taken for a walk at every chance they got.

  Ellie, who was holding Belinda until the last possible moment, bent her head to kiss the wee girl. "Know what I'm gonna miss the most?" she whispered. "Watchin' ya grow up." Then the tears were falling freely, and Marty reached out to draw Ellie and Belinda close.

  The driver was soon climbing aboard and lifting the reins of the teams. The livery man held the horses' heads and tried to quiet them, but they had been trained to run and were eager to be off.

  There were hurried last-minute hugs and kisses, and then Ellie and Lane were climbing into the stage. It wheeled off in a swirl of dust. Marty pulled out her handkerchief to wave the dust from her face and dry her eyes.

  They all turned back to their teams; no need to linger longer. Ellie was gone now. She was on her wa
y to her dreams, and the rest of them were left behind to carry on dreams of their own.

  On the way home from town, Marty raised her head and took a careful look at the world about her.

  "I like it here, don't you?" she asked Clark.

  "Sure do," he answered comfortably and seemed to feel that his simple words said it all.

  "I don't really think I'm hankerin' fer the West, do you?" "Nope."

  They rode on in silence for a while.

  "We still have Nandry an' Clare an' Arnie here. An' Luke will be back, too. An' maybe someday even Clae an' Joe will be back." "Yeah," said Clark, "maybe so."

  234

  "Thet's more'n half of 'em," continued Marty. "Thet's pretty good, huh?"

  "Thet's real good--an' ya even fergot one."

  Marty looked puzzled for a moment and then remembered the bundle of joy in her arms.

  "Well, I did at thet. No offense, Belinda," she said, lifting the small baby and kissing her cheek.

  "I guess Belinda will fergive ya--this once," teased Clark. Marty fell silent again. She breathed deeply of the warming air.

  She loved the spring. There was always something so promising about it.

  "Just think, Clark. 'Fore we know it, we'll have two new grandchildren, too."

  Clark grinned.

  "Best part of it is," went on Marty, "they'll be right here where we can enjoy 'em."

  Clark agreed.

  Marty looked about her. There was a nice green haze on the pastures. Leaves were beginning to open on the trees near the road. The blue sky looked as though it was willing strength to the green things to hurry and break free and come forth.

  "Almost gardenin' time," mused Marty.

  "Yup," said Clark, taking a deep breath.

  "Ya gonna help me this year?" It was said with teasing, and they both knew she was referring back many years when he had helped a very young Marty with her first attempt at a garden.

  "Will ya let me?" he teased back.