The Timeless Love Romance Collection

by Dianne Christner

  Two days ago, at the end of the season but before everyone left, they’d exchanged their vows. Yesterday afternoon they left the canyon to head to California. For the last few weeks, Franklin had talked with her about his need to go back and mend the rift between him and his family. God had impressed on him the need to share his faith with them, and he had to do it. Lillian agreed.

  The conductor called the name of the station where they would be disembarking. Franklin stood to gather their bags. Lillian straightened her skirt, trying to shake out some of the wrinkles.

  She wished she could do something about smoothing out the hitches in her nerves. She could feel a thousand butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Franklin may love her, but what would his family think? He hadn’t said much about what they were like, only that they lived on a ranch north of San Francisco. She imagined his father must be one of the hands, and maybe his mother was the cook. He’d seemed reluctant to say much, so she hadn’t pushed him.

  “If you want to wait at the station with the bags, I’ll head over to the livery and get a wagon for us.” Franklin set their cases next to a bench. “I won’t be gone long. We’ll have a four-hour drive to get to the ranch.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” She placed her hand on his arm, stopping him. He looked down, his gaze troubled. “I love you, you know. I’ll love your family, too.”

  “I hope so.” He gave her a brief kiss on the cheek.

  “I know I will. God loves them, doesn’t He?” She could see from the way he relaxed that she’d said the right thing.

  “Be right back.” He squeezed her hand before striding out the door.

  “Franklin Knight. It’s good to see you after all this time. Where you been?” Weldon Grimes, the owner of the livery stable, held out his hand to Franklin.

  “Been off earning a living.” Franklin shook the man’s hand.

  “Heard you had a split with your family.” Weldon shook his head. “Imagine having to earn a living with your roots. I’m glad you’re back. Those brothers of yours could use a little of your good example.”

  Franklin stiffened. “I haven’t heard anything where I’ve been. Are they all right?”

  Weldon scratched his head. “Well, with your father running for the senate this fall, they’d better straighten up. They’ve been in some trouble. I’ll let you hear about it from your folks, though, not from me.”

  “I need to rent a wagon.” Franklin glanced over at the rigs for rent.

  “I don’t have any wagons.” Weldon pointed at the buggies available. “You can have one of those. They don’t hold much, but I can have Charlie bring your bags out in the morning.” He looked puzzled. “I always thought you traveled light.”

  “I used to.” Franklin’s heart lightened at the thought of Lillian waiting for him at the station. “Until I got married two days ago.” He couldn’t help grinning at the way Weldon’s mouth dropped open. Franklin didn’t tell Weldon that most of their baggage consisted of gifts and new clothes he’d bought for Lillian.

  “Well, congratulations, boy. Your family know?”

  “Not yet,” Franklin said. “That’s why I’ll take you up on your offer of the buggy. We’ll get there a little faster.”

  Within minutes, Franklin was back at the station loading their overnight bag in the buggy. “Charlie will bring the rest of our things out tomorrow.” He handed Lillian up to the seat. “We should be at the ranch in about two hours this way.”

  The fall air was cool. Gathering clouds promised the possibility of rain. Each mile that passed heightened Franklin’s excitement. He knew this was what God wanted him to do. This was the right way to be going.

  “Lillian, you asked me what we would be doing.” Franklin gazed down into her clear blue eyes and lost his train of thought. He pulled the buggy to a stop on the deserted road, took her in his arms, and kissed her breathless. Her cheeks had reddened by the time he stopped. Her eyes glowed.

  He blew out a breath. “Sorry, got sidetracked.”

  “I’m not complaining.” She gave him an impish grin.

  He laughed and hugged her. “I’ve been doing a lot of praying about what God wants me to do. I know you have, too.”

  She nodded.

  He continued. “I think I need to stay at the ranch for a while and help out. My brothers are having some problems. I’m hoping I can lead them to Jesus. They really need Him.”

  He paused a moment, wondering just how deep in trouble those boys were. “My father will need some help, too. He’s …”

  Lillian placed her hand on his arm. “You don’t have to say more.” Her smile warmed him. “We’ll do whatever you think is right.”

  “There are things I need to tell you about my family.” Franklin stared out at the hills around them. “They’re different from me.”

  “I would expect that to some extent.” She laughed. “After all, if they don’t know Christ, they won’t be like you. Now don’t say any more. I know I’ll love them when I meet them. Are we getting close?”

  “Just around this bend.” Franklin fell silent as they topped the hill overlooking the ranch. He stopped the buggy and watched Lillian’s eyes widen. “This is my family’s home.” He gestured at the sprawling two-story mansion below. “They raise cattle and horses. I’m the eldest son. I gave up any right to an inheritance when I left to go to the canyon.”

  “You mean your family owns this ranch?” Her tone held a note of awe, but that was all. He could see no greed or longing in her gaze.

  “Among other things, yes.” He waited.

  She turned to smile up at him. “Then I can see why you wanted to come back. They do need to hear about Jesus. I’m willing to work here right alongside you. We’ll do our best to be a godly example to them and to their friends. I know now that having money without knowing Christ makes a person as poor as the poorest beggar.”

  Franklin couldn’t speak. He pulled her close to his side. Lowering his mouth to her temple, he kissed her. “Your love makes me the richest I ever want to be.”

  SHELTER FROM THE STORM

  by Darlene Mindrup

  Dedication

  To Devon, Remko, Tim, and all those men and women who are serving (and have died serving) our country during this time of War on Terror. May God be with you all. “We’re proud of you!”

  Prologue

  El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon, 1926

  Dinah Weston thoughtfully studied the girl sitting across from her. It was almost like looking into a mirror twenty years in the past, despite the difference in hair and eye color. Although not much to look at with her mousy brown hair and freckles sprinkled across her nose, Katie Halloran definitely had class. Her clothes and the regal way she held herself indicated a wealthy background. Still, looks could always be deceiving; that was one thing she had learned over the years. Miss Halloran had arrived at El Tovar sporting a multitude of bruises that had finally faded until they were almost indistinguishable. Dinah wondered about the girl’s background.

  “What can I do for you, Miss Halloran?”

  Dinah noted the way Katie Halloran’s fingers were twisting her handkerchief nervously in her lap. If she didn’t cease the movement soon, the beautiful lace-edged hanky would be nothing more than a tattered shred.

  “Um … I heard about the accident.”

  Although Dinah managed to keep her surprise from showing, she wondered how the news had spread so rapidly among the customers. One of her Harvey Girls had taken a serious fall only this morning while taking the trek by mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. How serious was still uncertain, but it would be some time before little Betty would be back to work. The accident left Dinah shorthanded at a critical time, since several of her girls had been sent to New Mexico to the El Navajo for the Indian ceremonials, and two others were home on vacation for several weeks.

  “Yes,” she finally answered. “It was unfortunate. But you needn’t concern yourself, Miss Halloran. I assure you that service will not suff
er.” How she intended to keep that promise was something she would have to work out later. Right now she needed to be the voice of encouragement.

  The dark blue eyes that met Dinah’s were filled with a peculiar luminosity. Something strange in that look touched Dinah’s heart, and she unconsciously frowned.

  “I know this is going to sound heartless,” Katie told her, biting nervously at her lower lip, “but I wondered if I might take Betty’s place.” She rushed on. “I know what the job entails. I’ve been carefully watching for the last three weeks. I know I could do it!”

  A multitude of thoughts ran through Dinah’s mind at this announcement, but the one uppermost was that this woman could very well be an answer to her prayers. It wasn’t unusual for women to approach her asking for a job, but this one was unique. She seemed almost desperate, yet she had been staying here at the El Tovar for nearly four weeks now, which only the wealthy could afford to do.

  She took a moment to study Katie more thoroughly. The Harveys had always been particular about the type of women they wanted as Harvey Girls, and one of the stipulations was that they had to be attractive. If not for the fact that Dinah’s family had been friends with the Harveys, Dinah doubted even she would have been accepted. Although Katie Halloran wasn’t attractive in the traditional sense of the word, there was something different about her.

  “Are you a Christian, Miss Halloran?”

  Surprised, Katie looked up from the twisted hanky in her lap. Dinah didn’t miss the tight swallow before the girl answered.

  “Yes, Miss Weston, I am.”

  What was that look that flashed through her eyes so suddenly? Fear? Embarrassment?

  “Can you tell me why you want this job?” Dinah asked gently.

  The blue eyes met hers once again, and Dinah couldn’t help but notice the honesty that shone through. “I’m almost out of money,” she replied just as quietly.

  More curious than ever, Dinah sat back to contemplate this strange turn of events. She might have dismissed the idea out of hand entirely if not for that niggling little voice at the back of her mind. That voice had never let her down before, and she didn’t expect it to now. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at Katie. “I think something can be arranged.”

  Chapter 1

  The resounding peal of the gong from the train station platform sent Katie Halloran scurrying to her station in the dining room, along with every other Harvey employee in the El Tovar Restaurant.

  She smiled at Cleo, her coworker, and brushed a hand down the immaculate white apron that attested to the fact that she was one of the proud and respected Harvey Girls. It had been four weeks since she had approached Dinah Weston, a long and grueling four weeks, but now she was through with her training and would finally receive her own income. The thought sent her spirits soaring, though her body was once again battling a strange nausea and dizziness.

  “Are you all right, Katie?” Cleo’s concerned face seemed to move in and out of Katie’s suddenly blurred vision. Placing a hand to her churning stomach, Katie forced a smile.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine,” Cleo began, only to be interrupted by the first round of customers from the train. From that moment until the last of the passengers headed out the door to board the train thirty minutes later, no one at the hotel had a second to themselves.

  Katie sighed with relief as the last customer laid a tip on the table and departed. She leaned against the wall for support, her limbs feeling like the jelly she had served only moments earlier.

  “Katie.”

  Katie turned, smiling halfheartedly at Dinah. “Ma’am?”

  “You don’t look well, Katie. I think you should go and lie down for a while.”

  The suggestion was a welcome one, but Katie felt the need to protest. “I haven’t cleaned my station yet.”

  “I’ll do it for you,” Cleo offered.

  Katie hadn’t even heard the girl approach, so swamped was she in her own misery.

  “Enough said,” Dinah told her inflexibly. “Go and lie down. I certainly hope you’re not coming down with something.”

  “I think it’s just the heat,” Katie murmured, but she knew from Dinah’s tone of voice that she was not to be disobeyed. Katie squeezed Cleo’s arm lightly as she passed her.

  “Thank you.”

  Cleo grinned cheerfully. “You can do the same for me sometime.”

  Katie stopped to get a glass of cool water from the kitchen as she passed. Albert, the cook, took one look at her and started tutting.

  “You no look so well.” Reaching over, he plopped some ice in her glass from the tub he was returning to the refrigerator. His Italian accent was not as marked as when Katie had first been introduced to him a month ago. Like most of the Harvey House cooks, Albert was a chef imported from Europe, and he felt his importance. Everyone knew it was the food that brought people back time and time again. That and the cleanliness. Even out here in the wilds of Arizona.

  Sighing with exasperation, Katie shook her head. “I wish everyone would stop saying that. I must look like a hag.”

  Albert tilted his head to one side then slowly shook it. “No,” he told her, “you could no look like a hag ever. Maybe like the cat the dog drug in, hey?”

  Katie couldn’t help but laugh at his saucy grin. She thanked him for the ice and retreated to the dormitory where her room was located. Although she shared the room with Cleo, she was glad now for the time alone as she tried to sort out what was happening to her.

  She lay down, closing her eyes against the spinning room and trying to still the churning in her stomach. It was no good. Jumping from the bed, she ran for the bathroom.

  Ten minutes later she crawled, shivering, beneath the covers on her bed. Even in the extremely warm temperatures of July, she felt chilled.

  Dinah entered the room a few minutes later, balancing a cup and saucer in one hand. She closed the door behind her with her foot and set the cup down on the table next to the bed.

  “I thought you might like a cup of tea.”

  Katie smiled wanly. In the short time she had been here, the people had become like family to her. Dinah reminded her so much of her own mother, so gentle and caring. The thought brought a tightness to her throat. The grief from her parents’ death only six months earlier was still too near the surface.

  Slowly she sat up in bed, relieved to find the nausea subsiding. She eased the cup and saucer toward her. “Thank you,” she told Dinah.

  Dinah settled herself on the mattress next to Katie and placed a cool hand against Katie’s forehead. Her narrow-eyed gaze settled on the younger woman’s white face.

  “You don’t have a fever.”

  Katie shook her head. “I told you, I think it’s only the heat. I think I overdid it yesterday when I went exploring.”

  Dinah looked relieved. “That’s probably true. You were gone a long time.”

  As Katie sipped her tea, she felt her insides returning to a more normal state. She sighed with relief.

  “Your color is returning,” Dinah told her, rising from the bed. “Do you think you’ll be all right to work the evening train?”

  Katie nodded. “I’m fine, really,” she told the other woman.

  The manager stared dubiously at her for several seconds before she finally smiled. “All right. We’ll see you downstairs.”

  Katie stared at the closed door a long time, her thoughts in turmoil. Miss Weston was so good to her, as were all the other Harvey employees, but what would they say if they knew the truth? Would they still think as highly of her if they knew she was a runaway wife?

  Hard on the heels of that thought was the possibility that was disturbing her most. Could she be pregnant? Dear God, please don’t let it be so!

  Her husband had touched her in that way only once during the entire three years they had been married, and the horror of that night was still with her. Theirs had not been a love match but rather one of political and financial rami
fications. She had agreed to the match because her father had asked it of her, and knowing that he wanted only what was best for her, she had acquiesced. But would her father have arranged the match if he had known the kind of man Darius O’Neil was? She just couldn’t believe such a thing of her father, the one man she loved above all others. Besides, even she hadn’t known the kind of man her husband was. He had never sought to touch her, always treating her with polite courtesy and always mindful of her welfare, but treating her more like a sister than a wife.

  It was only after her father’s death that Darius had shown his true colors, although there had been hints of erratic behavior before then that she had ignored, believing them to be something associated with most men. She supposed it was fear of her father that had held Darius in check, but after that barrier had been removed …

  She closed her eyes against the memories, trying to push her thoughts back into the recesses of her mind. Still, one thought kept nudging its way forward. Could she be pregnant from that one awful night?

  Going to the bathroom, she washed her face, patting it dry as she stared at herself in the mirror. She frowned. There was no discernible change that she could see, but could one tell after only two months? Unconsciously her hand went to her abdomen. What on earth was she to do if it turned out that she was pregnant? Blinking against the tears that threatened, she hastened from the room.

  When she returned to the restaurant, she had herself somewhat in control, but disturbing thoughts continued to dodge around in her mind. She would just have to cross bridges as she came to them. Didn’t the Bible say each day had enough trouble of its own? She certainly had to agree with that.

  She found her station spotless, and she smiled with gratitude at Cleo. “Thank you, Cleo. I really appreciate your taking the time to clean everything for me.”