A Time to Love

by Al Lacy

  “Well, sir, just recently—a couple of weeks ago—I stumbled onto an old girlfriend of Janet in Boston, and she told me that Janet had gone to Stockton, California, a couple of years ago, to see her sister. I thought maybe you would know her whereabouts. I arrived here by stagecoach from Sacramento this morning, and someone in town was nice enough to tell me where you live.”

  “Janet was here two years ago, Mr. Carter,” Blake said, “and stayed with us for a while. But one day she left quite suddenly without notice, and we haven’t seen her since. We have no idea where she went. That’s all I can tell you.”

  As he spoke, Blake gently pulled Linda back, and started to close the door.

  Lewis raised his palms and said, “Please, Mr. Barrett.

  Blake checked the swing of the door.

  “I don’t blame you for feeling hostile toward me, sir,” Lewis said. “You know what I did to Linda. And it was a vile and wicked thing to do. Linda wouldn’t have married you unless you were a Christian. May I ask you, as a Christian, sir, to allow me a few minutes to make my apology to her?”

  Blake looked at Linda and said, “Whatever you say, honey.”

  When Linda turned back to Lewis, his eyes were filled with tears.

  “All right, Lewis,” she said. “Say what you want to say.”

  Lewis Carter’s lips quivered and his hands shook. “Linda, first let me explain that I was a hypocrite when I courted you. I claimed to be a Christian, but I wasn’t. I’m now a genuine child of God by the new birth through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  This got their attention, and they listened as Lewis told of how his guilt over what he’d done to Linda had driven him to seek help from a pastor in Manhattan. The pastor had led him to Jesus. When Lewis went home and told Janet he wanted to found their home on the Word of God, she had flown into a rage and left him.

  Lewis poured out his heart to Linda, admitting that what he’d done was horribly wrong, and with tears he asked her forgiveness.

  Both Barretts were touched by Lewis’s sincerity.

  After a long moment, Linda said, “Lewis, I believe you’re truly saved. You’ve asked for my forgiveness … and you have it.”

  Overwhelmed, Lewis wiped tears from his face and said, “Thank you, Linda. I only deserve your wrath and scorn. Thank you.”

  “Lewis, I only deserve God’s wrath and scorn,” she said. “He forgave me, so I can forgive you.”

  “Would you like to come inside, Lewis?” Blake asked.

  Lewis’s eyes widened. “Why, yes, sir. I would be honored.”

  When they were seated in the parlor, Linda said, “Lewis, I’m happy to know you’re now a genuine Christian. When you ran off with my sister, I told myself no real Christian would have done such a thing.”

  “And you were right.”

  “So Janet left you because you got saved and wanted to live for the Lord?” Blake asked.

  “That’s right. She said she liked the life she was living, and she wasn’t going to change. It was then she got mad and left me.”

  Blake and Linda exchanged glances, recalling how Janet had told them of Lewis’s beating her and abusing her mentally. His sincerity had convinced them it was Lewis who was telling the truth.

  Lewis looked at Blake and said, “I appreciate you allowing me to make my apology to Linda, sir. Thank you.”

  Blake nodded. “I’m glad you were willing to apologize to her.”

  “And Linda … now that you’ve forgiven me, my big concern is for Janet. I really did come to love her, and I’ve got to try to find her. I want to lead her to the Lord, if possible.”

  Suddenly, a tiny voice came from upstairs. “Mommy! Mommy!”

  Linda’s blood ran cold. She looked at Blake and said, “Sounds like our son’s nap is over. I’ll go see about him.”

  “Oh, Linda,” Lewis exclaimed, “you have a son! How old is he?”

  “He had his second birthday a week ago,” Blake said.

  “And what’s his name?”

  “William Nolan Barrett … after Linda’s dad.”

  “Oh, yes, of course. I’m sure that made your father very happy, Linda.”

  “Yes,” she said, feeling like her nerves were strung so tight they would snap.

  “I’d love to see your son before I go.”

  Linda glanced at Blake. His smile told her she should go ahead … what else could they do? Without another word, she left the room.

  It was quiet for a moment in the parlor, then Lewis said, “Mr. Barrett, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what a wonderful person Linda is.”

  Blake nodded.

  Lewis rubbed at his temple. “I never deserved her, anyhow. I’m glad the Lord gave her such a fine husband. The person who told me how to find your house explained that you own the Stockton Bank and Trust Company.”

  “Yes. And speaking of Linda, I’m the one who’s blessed, Lewis. Linda is the most wonderful woman in the whole world.”

  Billy was standing up in his crib when Linda entered his room. “Mommy!” he cried.

  Linda picked him up. “Hello, punkin! You didn’t sleep very long.”

  Billy stroked her face.

  “Mommy loves her big boy,” Linda said, kissing his warm little cheek. “Does Billy love Mommy?”

  Billy smiled and said, “Wove oo.”

  Linda held him close, cuddling him in her arms. She wondered if Lewis would see the slight resemblance between himself and Billy. “Lord,” she prayed, “please don’t let anything happen that would take this baby boy from us.”

  When Linda walked into the parlor with Billy in her arms, he spotted his father and reached for him, crying, “Daddy! Daddy!”

  As Blake left his chair to take the boy in his arms, Lewis smiled and said, “Look at that handsome boy!” He stood up and came closer, saying, “Do you call him Nolan, like your father, Linda?”

  “No, we call him Billy.”

  “Hi, Billy!” Lewis said, tickling him under the chin. “What a big boy you are!”

  Safe in his fathers arms, Billy giggled and gave Lewis a winsome smile.

  Linda held her breath, hoping Lewis wouldn’t notice Billy’s mouth and smile, which were very much like his own. The shape of his head was like Lewis’s, too. At least his coloring was different.

  “That’s a mighty fine boy, folks,” Lewis said. “Well, I’d better be going.”

  Just as Linda began to relax, Lewis said, “Oh, before I go … since you’re a banker, Mr. Barrett, would you happen to know of any jobs available in town? I do manual labor.”

  “Well, I can’t say right off,” Blake replied. “But I don’t understand. You’re wanting a job here in Stockton?”

  “Yes. You see, I’m fresh out of funds. I’m going to continue to look for Janet, but I can’t go any further until I have some money in my pockets. Even when I find a job, it’ll take a while to save up enough to continue my search.”

  Blake felt Linda tense up.

  “Look, Lewis,” Blake said, “tell you what. Linda and I would really like for you to find Janet and do what you can to lead her to the Lord. How about if we give you a few hundred dollars … say, seven or eight hundred. That would take you a long way in your search, wouldn’t it?”

  Oh, bless him, Lord, Linda thought.

  Lewis was shaking his head. “Oh, no, Mr. Barrett. I couldn’t take your money. I just couldn’t do that. I’ll find a job and earn it. I sure thank you for the very kind offer, though.”

  “Really, it’s no problem. We have plenty, and we’re glad to share it.”

  “Thank you very much, sir, but I can’t accept charity. I took a room at a boardinghouse over on Clayton Street. Twelve thirty-one is the address. If you should hear of a job opening, would you let me know? I’ll start looking for work tomorrow.”

  Realizing that Lewis’s mind was made up, Blake said, “Sure. If I hear of anything, I’ll let you know.”

  Lewis told Billy good-bye, thanked Linda and Blak
e for their graciousness, and left.

  When Blake closed the door and turned around with Billy in his arms, Linda was sheet white.

  “Blake,” she said with a quiver in her voice, “if he stays in Stockton very long and comes back to this house many more times, he’s going to see that Billy has some of his features.”

  “Maybe not,” Blake said. “And even it he does, that won’t prove anything. No matter what, we must not let him know Billy is his son.”

  “Then no matter what,” she said, “we won’t.”

  “Here, Mommy, I’ll give you your little boy now. I’ve got to get back to my grease job on the buggies.”

  As Linda took Billy from him, she said, “Blake—“

  “Hmm?”

  “Will you feel threatened by Lewis being here in town, since he’s the man I once planned to marry?”

  “Threatened? Of course not.” He put his arms around her, squeezing Billy between them, and looked deep into her eyes. “I feel no threat, darlin’, because I know you love me.”

  She raised up on tiptoe and kissed his lips. “Sweetheart, you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”

  Blake kissed the tip of her nose and said, “And I’m not going to try.”

  23

  LEWIS CARTER LANDED A JOB at the local lumberyard. He also began attending the same church where the Barretts had their membership. Blake and Linda introduced him as a friend of theirs, and Lewis was treated well by the pastor and the people.

  Soon, Lewis began dropping by the Barrett house about once a week to be sociable, and he always came on Saturdays or on the evenings when he knew Blake would be home. Each time, he eyed little Billy with admiration and spent time playing with him while Blake and Linda looked on with trepidation.

  On his fourth visit, Lewis was at the door with a package under his arm. It was a Saturday morning. Blake smiled and said, “Come in, Lewis. A present for me?”

  Lewis laughed. “Sorry, Blake. This is for my little pal, Billy.”

  Both men could hear Linda laughing in the parlor, and Billy giggling and squealing happily. When they walked in, Linda was running from Billy as he chased her around the room. She glanced at them, then swept up the giggling child in her arms. “Mommy’s big boy sure can run fast!” she said as she kissed his little cheeks. “Look, Billy, Uncle Lewis is here! Can you say hello?”

  Billy smiled and said, “Hi, Unca Woois!”

  “Hi, little buddy.” Lewis held out the package. “Uncle Lewis brought his little pal a present!”

  Billy clapped his hands and giggled.

  When Linda put Billy down, she flicked a glance at Blake and saw him hunch his shoulders.

  Lewis dropped to his knees and set the package in front of Billy. “Okay, lets see if you can open it. Uncle Lewis will take off the string. Let’s see if Billy can get the paper off.”

  While Billy began ripping the paper loose with Lewis’s help, Linda moved next to Blake, wringing her hands. He put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a tight squeeze as if to say, “I’m afraid, too.”

  The gift was a miniature hay wagon, complete with a team of perfectly carved wooden horses. Billy clapped his hands excitedly, and Lewis showed him how to play with his new toy.

  On the following Saturday, Lewis arrived in midafternoon when the Barretts were sitting on the front porch. Billy was playing in the yard with some neighbor children about his age.

  “Come sit down, Lewis,” Blake called as Lewis watched Billy.

  Lewis flicked a glance at Blake and said, “After I get my hug!”

  Billy turned from his friends long enough to run, arms outstretched, to Lewis, who held the boy for a moment, then put him down so he could return to his friends.

  Linda leaned close to Blake and whispered, “Should we ask how long he thinks it will be till he takes up his search for Janet?”

  “I’ll do it, honey,” Blake said.

  “That’s some boy you’ve got there,” Lewis said as he climbed the porch steps and took a seat beside the Barretts.

  “I sure would agree with that,” Blake said. “He’ll grow up to be a fine man someday.”

  Lewis nodded. “That he will.” Noting that Linda had not spoken, he smiled at her and said, “How’s Billy’s mommy today?”

  “I’m fine, Lewis,” Linda responded, pressing a smile on her lips.

  Lewis set his eyes on the children and quietly watched their happy activity.

  Blake waited a few minutes, then said, “Lewis, when you take up your search for Janet, where are you going to start?”

  “I have a hunch she’s still in California. And the first place I’m going to look is San Francisco.”

  “Why San Francisco?”

  “Because it’s known for its saloons and night spots. I’ve got a hunch those famous places on the Barbary Coast drew her like a magnet.”

  “So … ah … when do you think you’ll have enough money to head for San Francisco?”

  Lewis’s eyes remained on Billy. “What say Blake?”

  “I was wondering when you figure you’ll have enough money saved up to head for San Francisco.”

  “Oh. Well, I’m looking at about another month. Then I should have enough to take up the search again.”

  Linda’s heart sank. “Lord,” she said, silently moving her lips, “I need Your help. I can’t take another month of this torture.”

  That night, as Lewis sat in his room at the boardinghouse, he relived the events of the day. He kept thinking of Billy as he played in the yard with his little friends. There was something about the boy’s smile and the way he laughed.

  In the middle of the night, Lewis jerked awake and sat up in bed. He had been dreaming about Billy and why his smile seemed so familiar.

  It was Thursday evening when Lewis found himself in the Barrett home once more. He had studied Billy on Sunday while at church, and again during the midweek service on Wednesday. He had to see him again to be sure.

  The Barretts and their guest were in the parlor, and Billy was on the floor, playing with his toy hay wagon. The adults were talking when suddenly Billy gave a shrill cry.

  One of the wheels had come off the toy wagon, and Billy was in tears. Blake left his overstuffed chair and dropped to his knees beside the boy. Patting Billy’s head, he said, “Don’t cry, son. Let’s look at the damage. Maybe Daddy can fix it.”

  A quick examination told Blake it could be easily repaired. All he needed was a screwdriver. He picked Billy up and said, “Daddy will fix it, son.”

  “Need my help?” Lewis asked.

  Blake shook his head no. “Thanks, but it’s quite simple. Billy and I will go out to the kitchen and fix it. We’ll be right back.” Blake picked up the toy and left the parlor with Billy still sniffling.

  Lewis looked at Linda and said, “Billy’s such a fine boy. I hope he grows up to be a real asset to society—a preacher, a banker like Blake, or a doctor, lawyer, or merchant.”

  Linda pressed a smile on her lips. “I’m sure Billy will make his mark in the world.”

  Lewis nodded, waited a few seconds, then said, “Linda, there’s something about Billy I need to ask you …”

  Linda’s heart froze. She’d observed Lewis studying Billy more and more on his visits. She had hoped against hope that this moment would never come, yet the resemblance between Billy and his real father was visible enough that Lewis was bound to see it. Oh, Lord, came her silent plea, give me strength and wisdom.

  “What’s the question, Lewis?” she asked as butterflies flitted in her stomach.

  He held her gaze with steady eyes. “Was Janet pregnant when she showed up here two years ago?”

  Linda’s throat went dry.

  Before she could come up with a reply, Lewis said, “Is Billy my son?”

  The fear inside her took control, and she cried, “No, Lewis. Janet wasn’t pregnant when she came here. Billy is our son!”

  At that instant Linda became aware of Blake’s presence as h
e carried Billy and the toy wagon into the room.

  Blake had heard her words. He flicked a glance at her, then placed the boy on the floor with his wagon and said, “There you go, Billy. All fixed.”

  Lewis continued to stare at Linda as Blake went to her and took her hand.

  She looked up with tears brimming in her eyes and said, “I … I’m sorry, Blake. I just couldn’t—”

  “Tell me the truth?” cut in Lewis.

  Keeping a firm grip on Linda’s hand, Blake looked at Lewis and said, “Billy is indeed your son. Janet gave birth to him three months after she arrived here. She told us you didn’t know she was pregnant.”

  Linda began to breathe in gulps as she tried to keep from breaking down completely.

  “Linda,” Lewis said, “I’m sorry to upset you. But I had to know. I’ve been seeing little things about Billy that look like me. He even laughs like me. Please understand … I had to know.”

  Linda was so choked up she couldn’t respond.

  “We both understand,” Blake said. “We knew you might see the resemblance. But please try to understand our situation. Janet was anything but a mother to Billy. Except for feeding him, she totally ignored him. It was Linda who took over the role as his mother.”

  Lewis looked pained.

  “On top of that,” Blake said, “Janet stole several hundred dollars from us and disappeared. She left Billy behind without a word. Linda has now become attached to Billy as if she were his natural mother. You can understand that, can’t you?”

  Lewis nodded solemnly. “Yes. I certainly can.”

  “And it’s the same with me. I’ve become attached to this precious little boy as if I were his natural father. Linda and I love Billy with all our hearts, and we’ve given him a good home. As you can see, we clothe him well and we see to it that he eats well. Whatever he needs, we take care of it.”

  Lewis was biting his lower lip.

  “And I think you can see that Billy adores us. And as far as he knows, we’re his parents.”

  Without a word, Lewis left his chair and knelt down beside Billy as he played with his wagon. Extending his hands to him, he said, “Would Billy let Uncle Lewis hold him?”