Hannah checked on Camilla one more time to make sure she rested comfortably and had no pain. Her father had left a few minutes earlier, and by the look on her face and her tight lips, their conversation must have upset her.
“Are you all right, Camilla?” Hannah reached for Camilla’s wrist to record her pulse, which now raced beneath Hannah’s fingers.
“I will be when those thieves are caught and that money is returned. People are running scared and want to take their money out of their accounts. I wish I could be there with Papa to help him.”
“Well, that won’t happen for a few days, and I’m sure he can convince people to keep their money in the bank. Right now you have to calm down and get your pulse back to normal. It’s much too fast at the moment.”
Camilla sighed and let her shoulders drop. “All right, but it’s hard to be calm when I want to be with Papa.”
“Maybe I can bring a smile to your face.”
Hannah jumped at the voice from the doorway, but Camilla’s face did light up with a smile.
“Mr. Hightower, how good to see you.”
He approached the bed with a handful of daisies. “I saw your father a few minutes ago, and he said you were ready for visitors, so here I am.” He held out the flowers. “I wish they were roses, but there were none to be found in town, so these will have to do.”
Hannah stepped back. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you two to visit, and I’ll bring a vase for the flowers when I return.” Maybe it wasn’t good protocol to leave the two of them alone, but Hannah had no desire to listen to their small talk. The way Camilla gazed at Mr. Hightower certainly proved she’d put Micah completely out of her mind and now concentrated on the new lawyer.
How unfair to Micah. He didn’t need Camilla’s rejection on top of his father’s death and Levi’s animosity. If Hannah could be with Micah now, she’d give him all the support and love he so desperately needed.
She headed for the kitchen to find a container for the flowers and to prepare a cup of tea for herself. Sallie peeled potatoes by the sink, and Hannah picked up the teapot filled with hot water.
“How’s our patient? Does she need anything?”
Hannah reached for the box of tea in the cabinet. “Not that I know of. Alex Hightower is with her now. He came to visit after her father left.”
“And you left them alone?” Sallie stopped peeling and raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, and what difference does it make? She’s in a hospital, so to speak. I don’t think anything will happen to compromise their reputations.” All these silly rules of courting were nothing but a pain. She sat down at the table to pour the hot water over the tea leaves in her cup.
Sallie wiped her hands with her apron. “You don’t appear to be very happy. What’s bothering you?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I keep thinking about the Gordon family and how sad it is that Mr. Gordon died. This is going to be a hard time for them.”
“Yes, it is.” Sallie pulled out a chair and sat across from Hannah. “But I sense there’s more to it than that. Are you thinking more of Micah Gordon and how hard it will be for him?”
Hannah dipped her head. “I suppose I am. He hasn’t shown any interest in me, but he’s been kind and considerate, especially at my party.”
“That must be something he learned while he was away, because it certainly isn’t the way he would have acted back before he left. I like and admire the man he’s become. I understand he has a good mind and was always smart in school, but he always tended to think of himself and his own pleasure first.”
A sign escaped Hannah, and she blinked her eyes to ward off the tears wanting to form there. “I admire him too. And he’s about the most handsome man I’ve seen in a long time. When he held me to dance the other night, something happened like I’d never experienced before, and I didn’t want the time to ever end.”
“Oh, Hannah, please guard your heart. There’s so much we don’t know about the five years he was away. He seems like a better person, but with all the problems he’s facing right now, he might up and run off again.”
Hannah shook her head and then sipped her tea, the warm liquid soothing her spirits. The Micah she’d seen the past few weeks would face whatever came his way. At least that’s what she’d pray he’d do.
CHAPTER 19
RUTH BOARDED THE carriage with a heavy heart. Her Joel would be laid to rest today. Friends from church and neighboring ranches had been in and out of her home all weekend, but today she gathered with her children to pay last respects to the man they loved.
Joel’s younger brother and his family had come and stayed in town, but his sister lived too far away to make the trip. A cup of loneliness joined her sorrow because her own sister and aunt could not be with them today. If only travel didn’t take so long by train from the Northeast.
Margaret climbed into the seat behind Ruth and gripped her shoulder. “Reverend Weatherby will bring a beautiful message. We’ll all be there for you.”
Rose joined her sister, but she had nothing to say. Her red eyes and splotched cheeks told their own story. Rose gripped Margaret’s hands like she planned to never let them go. Ruth smiled at both girls. “I want to see a bit of a smile. Pa wouldn’t like for you to be so sad. We’ll miss him so much, but he’d tell us he’s having a very good time in heaven meeting all his family gone before and all those disciples he read about in the Bible.”
Both girls nodded but said nothing as Ruth turned back to the front. Now she had to convince herself of the same words she’d said to her girls.
Micah hoisted himself up beside her and grabbed the reins. He clicked his tongue and flicked the reins over the horses’ backs. “Time to go. Don’t want to be late.”
Ruth settled back to let her elder son drive them to town. She allowed her thoughts to wander and remembered so many good times of the past twenty-six, almost twenty-seven, years of marriage to the man who had captured her heart the first time she laid eyes on him at a party in honor of his parents’ anniversary. Two years older than she had been, he’d already gone west to Texas to raise horses and cattle.
His rugged good looks, height, and Christian faith attracted her attention, and by the end of the evening, she’d decided she’d fallen in love with Joel Gordon. Ruth bit her lip. He still had those rugged good looks even though he’d aged, and she loved him even more now than she had all those years ago. Micah had come along toward the end of their second year of marriage, so they hadn’t much time to be alone as a young couple. Responsibilities for the ranch and a family took precedence, but Joel had never failed to let her know how much he loved her.
How would she ever be able to get along without his encouragement, his embraces, his kisses? She’d have her children around to fill the loneliness of the house, but nothing could fill the empty spaces in her heart or the empty space in their bed. Tears rose, and she let one slip down her cheek before wiping them away. She’d cry later when she was alone. Now she had to be strong for her family.
Micah must have sensed her pain because he reached over and squeezed her hand. He drove the carriage into the church yard and stopped by the hitching post. He jumped down then turned to lift Ruth to the ground. When her feet touched earth, he bent slightly and hugged her to his chest. His arms brought great comfort, but she needed Levi’s too.
“We’ll make it through this day. You have all of us here to love you and support you.” Micah leaned his cheek against her head.
She tilted her head to look straight in his eyes. Her hand brushed his cheek. “I know we will. I’m so thankful you came home when you did. Pa was so happy to have you back.”
“I’m glad I came back too.” He released her and stepped back to offer his arm to escort her into the church.
Friends from all over the area filled the church as a testimony of their respect and love for Joel Gordon. Reverend Weatherby had the family members remain outside for a few minutes before lining them up to proceed into the church.
With Micah gripping her arm, Ruth climbed the few steps up to the porch of the church. Reverend Weatherby went inside and down the aisle to the pulpit. When he arrived there, he faced the congregation and lifted his hands, asking them to rise.
Mr. Morton, with Micah and Ruth right behind him, led the family down to the front pew. As they were seated, Ruth spotted Levi coming to join them. He sat at the opposite end from her and Micah, but a little of the sadness lifted to see her younger son with his sisters. If only he’d stay around and visit with the family and come out to the ranch, she could talk with him more and convince him he needed to come home for good.
The services began with the pastor’s wife singing “The Lord’s Prayer.” As her clear soprano voice lifted the last words heavenward, “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever,” Ruth’s heart soared with them. God was forever, and His kingdom awaited all those who called on His Son, Jesus, as their Savior and Lord. She would see Joel again, but the waiting for that day would be hard.
The remainder of the service passed with several friends offering up memories of Joel and Reverend Weatherby’s message giving comfort to the grieving family. It had been a blessed day when the Lord had led this young preacher to their town. Ruth prayed he’d be around a long time with his young family and talented wife.
When the service ended, Mr. Morton escorted Ruth to the casket for a final good-bye. She touched Joel’s cheeks and blinked her eyes. “Farewell, my love, until I see you again.”
Micah then led her back up the aisle to the back of the church and the vestibule where she would greet guests as they offered condolences. As the line came to an end, Micah tensed beside her, his hand tightening its grip on her arm. The reason for the tension appeared before her. Camilla Swenson held out her hand, but behind her, Levi scooted past and bolted for the door.
“It was a lovely service, Mrs. Gordon. I’m sorry for your loss. Papa and I are honored to have been friends with Mr. Gordon.”
Ruth listened to Camilla’s words, but her eyes followed Levi. Micah released her arm, but Ruth grabbed him to make him stay.
Camilla’s next words were aimed at Micah. “I’m sorry, Micah. Your pa was a good man.”
Ruth peered up at her son and the firm set of his jaw. He wanted to go after Levi, but now was not the time. He said nothing to Camilla but nodded his head in answer to her words.
Camilla turned and headed down the steps, where she joined Alexander Hightower and linked her arm with his.
Heartache for Micah rose in Ruth, but joy that the relationship had ended shoved the hurt aside. Her son’s heart may be broken now, but he’d find another young woman more worthy of his attentions. Not that Camilla wasn’t worthy, but she simply wasn’t the type Ruth had envisioned for her son, especially after his revelation a few days ago that his feelings for her weren’t as strong as they should be.
At that moment Dr. Whiteman and his wife along with Hannah Dyer appeared to offer words of kindness and condolence. Ruth eyed Hannah. Now there was a girl who’d be perfect for Micah, and from the look in her eyes as she spoke with him, her interest in him had already begun. If Ruth could plant the seed in Micah’s head, it wouldn’t take much to get it growing and blossoming into a fine relationship. Ruth mentally added Hannah’s name to her list of prayers for her family.
Wishing he’d gone after Levi, Micah forced himself to listen to all the praises for his father, Ma’s gentle pressure on his arm preventing his leaving. The respect and admiration of so many touched Micah, and he now wished he had come home sooner. For years he’d believed his father favored Levi because he loved the ranch and always did what Pa wanted done. Micah had missed out on getting to know his father as a man and not a hotheaded boy bent on independence.
When Camilla had come through the vestibule and paused to give her condolences to Ma, mixed feelings of jealousy and relief had pierced his heart. Then he observed the expression on her face as she spoke her condolences. Nothing she said came from the heart. How could he have been blinded by her beauty? That was easy. He had always looked for beauty before anything else in the women he sought for companionship. When she joined the new lawyer out on the church lawn, relief emerged as the winner and replaced any jealousy he might have had earlier. He didn’t need the distraction of Camilla as he worked to keep his family together.
When he turned his attention back to those coming from the church, the doctor and his wife stood before him. Doc Whiteman grasped Micah’s hand. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to save your father. He was a good man, but stubborn. He refused to let his health keep him from doing what he loved.”
“You did your best, and we appreciate it. Thank you for spending so much time with him.”
Mrs. Whiteman tucked her hand under the doc’s arm. “If there’s anything you or your mother need, please let us know. Everyone loved and respected your father.”
“I’m beginning to find that out.”
“Too bad you didn’t come home sooner,” the doctor commented.
Mrs. Whiteman squeezed her husband’s arm and smiled. “Don’t go laying guilt on this fine young man. He and his brother will do the ranch good.” She gazed about. “Speaking of which, where is Levi? I saw him during the service, but not since then.”
Micah wanted to know that himself. “I’m not sure. He was here moments ago, but left the church. We’ve been busy here talking with folks, so I don’t know where he went. I’m sure he’s around somewhere.” At least Micah hoped so, for the sake of his mother and his sisters.
The couple moved on, and Hannah Dyer stepped in front of him. “Micah, I truly am sorry for your loss. I know it leaves a void in your life that no one else can fill. I wish we could have done more for him.”
One look into her clear blue eyes sent her sincere words of condolence straight to his heart. No guile, only honesty shone from her smile as she spoke. The emotion he’d suppressed when he’d been near her before again rose to the surface. She wasn’t one of the young ladies he’d be able to woo and then leave and forget.
“Thank you, Miss Dyer. You and the doctor helped Pa all you could.” Funny, as he gazed at her, all his misgivings about her disability faded away. She hadn’t been at all clumsy when he’d danced with her. He realized there was so much more to her than either her beauty or her disability. She had a depth of love and caring that spread to all those around her, including him. When things looked clearer, he would make the effort to get to know more about this girl from Mississippi.
“Take care, Micah, and if you or your sisters need anything, let us know.” Then she joined her sister and the doctor on the steps and left the church.
His gaze followed her to the edge of the lawn and would have tracked her longer, but Ma nudged him. “Micah, I was just telling Mrs. Weatherby how much her singing meant to us. Didn’t you think it was beautiful?”
Micah turned his attention to the preacher’s wife. “Yes, yes, I did. You have a wonderful voice, and we appreciate your sharing it with us. It was exactly what Pa would have wanted.” Indeed, the clear, sweet notes of the song had set the tone for the entire service.
Reverend Weatherby and his wife were the last ones, so Micah assisted Ma down the steps and out to their carriage. His aunt and uncle and cousins were all standing in a small group waiting for him and Ma. Rose was deep in conversation with two of their cousins.
Mr. Morton and six of Pa’s ranching friends carried the casket down the steps and over to the cemetery next to the church. A smaller crowd gathered around the freshly dug grave, and Reverend Weatherby spoke.
“Friends and family gather here to say good-bye to a man God has called home. In John chapter fourteen, Jesus tells us, ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’
Now Jesus has drawn Joel Gordon unto that prepared place. Because He has prepared a place for us, we too can know that one day we will join Joel to live in one of those mansions. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and through Him we have life everlasting.”
Micah listened, but the words had no meaning for him. God had played a cruel joke on them all by taking Pa too soon. Ma may think of God as a loving Father, but that would never be the case for Micah. From now on he’d be in charge, and he didn’t need God’s help. He needed Levi to help and be a part of the business, but his brother had disappeared once again.
Anger and resentment clawed their way into Micah’s heart. Another cruel trick of God to take away the one person who knew more about the ranch and Pa’s dreams for it than anyone else. If he could get his hands on that little brother now, he might strangle him—or at least try to knock some sense into his head.
Levi stood out of sight at the corner of the church, hidden by an old oak tree. The reverend’s words floated over to his spot. He blinked back tears, hot from the resentment flowing through his veins. Why did you have to leave before giving me a chance? I should be the one running the outfit, not Micah. Why couldn’t you have trusted me to take over and relieve some of the burden?
Pa had never confided the fact that the ranch was in financial trouble. In fact, he’d never shared much of anything about the money end of the ranch. Levi could rope, brand, and herd with the best of them, but that hadn’t been good enough. Micah had been back only a few weeks, and in that time he had learned more about the finances than Levi could ever hope to be told. If that’s the way Pa wanted it, then that’s the way it’d be, and Levi wouldn’t be a part of it. Pride reared its ugly head now. He’d never go home and ask Micah to take him back. He’d return as his own man or not at all.
Levi waited until his sisters and mother had all laid a flower on top of the casket before turning away. He didn’t care to see the dirt shoveled in to bury the casket. Tomorrow the will would be read, and after that Levi would ride out of their lives and start planning for his own future. He’d have to stand firm and not let his mother or his sisters persuade him to change his course.
Love Finds Faith Page 15