“Nobody else has arrived yet. Mother, of course, is reading to Daddy. Would you care for some tea?” She turned to him expectantly, waiting for his answer.
Blake swallowed. Father, please don’t think I’m as doubtful as Gideon, but if this is really a sign from You, let her offer me some dessert that’s supposed to be for later. “Thanks. Sounds great.”
“I hope you don’t mind the kitchen. I was just cutting the pie we’ll be serving after rehearsal. If you’re very, very good, I’ll let you sneak a piece while we wait.”
His heartbeat thudded against his ribs as he tagged after her again. “Believe me, I will be good.” Of its own volition, a speculative smile spread across his face. He only hoped he could convince her of his scheme. If he could get the words out without muddling them up and sounding like an idiot.
“Here you are,” she said, bringing two steaming cups to the work table after gesturing for him to take a chair. “I wasn’t going to sit down, as there’s so much I still have to do. But everyone needs to rest for a few moments once in awhile, no matter what’s waiting.” She then got slices of apple pie for each of them and sat opposite him.
“I was surprised to see you here already,” she repeated after grace. “But the others will arrive shortly, I’m sure.”
He sampled a forkful of the pastry. “Actually, I was hoping to catch you alone. I’ve something to discuss with you.”
“Oh?” She sipped her tea, then set down her cup and started on her pie.
He nodded. “Heard anything about a position yet?”
“No, I’m afraid not. But I’m still hoping. Something could turn up anytime.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
She tipped her head back and forth in thought. “I guess I’ll suddenly find it imperative to visit Nan for a few weeks. She lives in town. If something opens up, I’d be right there to snatch it.”
“Is that what you want? Not knowing what lies ahead? Having to settle for the first thing that comes along?” he asked quietly.
Leah stopped chewing. “No. But sometimes we let a few too many choices get by us. Then we have to take what we can. Nothing’s forever.”
“Some things are.” He sliced another chunk of pie and ate it.
Staring at him with a perplexed frown, she did not respond.
“So I’ve come to lay another possibility at your feet. One that wouldn’t be temporary. I only ask that you let me spell it out, without interrupting.”
“As you wish,” she said, her demeanor questioning.
“I’d like you to come back to Wisconsin with me. As my wife.”
Her mouth fell open on a tiny cough. “I beg your pardon?”
“Hey, no interrupting, remember?”
“But—”
He held up a hand. “I’ve been thinking about this for some time, Leah. And praying night and day, asking God to provide you exactly what you need, according to His will. And it came to me. I’m it.”
She blinked once. Slowly. Incredulously.
“What I mean is, we need each other. I didn’t come back to Pennsylvania looking for a wife. It was the farthest thing from my mind… until I met you. Now I can’t imagine going back home without you by my side. Would you please think about it?”
Again, no response.
“Leah?”
“Am I permitted to speak at last?”
He nodded. But he felt far from the calm exterior he hoped he was portraying.
“I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting anything like this. But I’ve always believed people who marry should be in love. Should be convinced they can’t live apart from each other.”
“Are you saying you dislike me?” he asked, uncertainty beginning to creep in.
“No. Never. I think you’re a wonderful person. An incredible man.”
“Do I detect a ‘but’ there?”
She cut him a look rife with doubt. “What did you expect, Blake? You come here out of the blue, a man I’ve known only a little more than a month—if that—and now you’re proposing marriage. I can’t even think.” Rising, she brushed a hand over her face and took a few steps away, then turned. “Marriage. I mean, that really is forever.” She looked straight at him. “Do you… love me?”
Blake could not keep from going to her. He sensed it was not the proper time to take her in his arms, so he did the next best thing and took her hands in both of his as he searched those lovely eyes of hers. “I don’t know. I’ve never felt like this before. I know I’m very attracted to you, that I think about you constantly. I love everything about you. I believe I’m growing to love you. And I expect those feelings will continue to deepen as we get to know each other. And we’re already good friends. That’s better than a lot of married folks can say when they start out.”
She regarded him steadily, her shock still quite visible. “This is just so sudden. I need time to think, to pray.”
“Well, I can’t give you a lot of that. There’s only a week until the wedding. After that, I have to go. Will you at least consider my proposal? And I mean seriously. This is no spur of the moment thing for me. I’ve already been mulling it over and seeking the Lord’s counsel.”
She nibbled her bottom lip.
At least she hadn’t said no. He pressed on. “I don’t exactly have a lot to offer someone like you right off. As I said, I wasn’t planning to marry for some time. But I promise I’ll be a good and loving husband. And I’ll do my utmost to make a decent life for you. I’ll always take care of you.”
“I’ll… think about it.”
“Good. I won’t pressure you. I won’t even bring it up again, unless you do.”
“Thank you. I—”
The front door slammed just then, and Willis and Martha came into the kitchen, with Marty’s pigtailed sister Priscilla in tow. Will looked from his sister to Blake and back again. “Are we interrupting something here, Sis? You look all flushed.”
“You know, he’s right,” Blake admitted.
“I… I was cutting the warm pie. For afterward,” she stammered. Then she grabbed Marty’s hand. “Come on upstairs. We need to talk.”
Chapter 6
What is it?” Marty’s voice penetrated the haze of Leah’s thoughts as she closed the master bedroom door after them.
“I need some advice,” said Leah, turning toward her friend.
“What kind of advice? You’re white as the snow angels we used to make.”
“I hardly know how to start.” Leah waved one hand in a helpless gesture. “Oh, never mind. I shouldn’t bother you with this. I should just pray about it and make my own decision.”
But the willowy blond crossed her arms and planted her feet where she stood, pursed lips indicating her determination. “Perhaps you could get rid of some people like that, but you happen to be talking to your best friend. Of course you can bother me with whatever’s troubling you.”
Leah released a pent-up breath and sank to the nearest chair, while Martha crossed to the bed and sat on one edge, a leg curled under her.
It took several moments before Leah could speak, and when she did, the words were almost inaudible. “Oh, Marty, I’m really mixed up. I don’t know what to do.”
“About what? Has a position opened up in town? Or more than one and you can’t decide? What?”
Shaking her head, Leah kneaded her throbbing temples. “No, nothing’s turned up as far as working goes. It’s something else. A different offer.”
“Well, spit it out, for pity’s sake!” The fair-haired girl came to kneel beside her. “Surely it can’t be so horrid you can’t even mention it.”
Leah met her friend’s concerned gaze, seeing the worry creases in her otherwise smooth forehead. “It’s… Blake. He’s asked me—” How could she even say the words? In a rush, she spilled out her news, “To marry him and go back to Wisconsin with him.”
Martha’s jaw fell open. “You can’t be serious! Why, that’s wonderful!” But the initial enthusiasm fade
d under Leah’s steady stare. “Well, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know,” Leah moaned. “It’s all so sudden I don’t know what to think. I wasn’t expecting something like this.” Then she blushed. “Well, all right, I sort of daydreamed about it when it all seemed next to impossible. I couldn’t see much harm in that. But for him to actually propose…”
“Well, I think it’s perfect.” With that declaration, Marty rose. “Blake Malone is a wonderful man, a committed Christian who certainly shows responsibility and enterprise, as well as loyalty to family. He treats you with the utmost respect—and only a blind person could miss his blatant attraction to you. I think he’ll make you a marvelous husband.”
“But he doesn’t know if he loves me,” Leah said flatly.
“Do you love him?”
“I don’t know.” Releasing a heartfelt sigh, she searched her friend’s face. “I was positive I loved Lance Brainerd once, remember? And when he chose Sheila Patterson instead, I wanted to die. I told myself I never wanted to feel that way again. So I’ve shied away from putting myself in that position a second time. I’ve refused every man who ever made overtures, turned them away so often they finally gave up.”
“And where has it gotten you?” Marty asked softly.
“Well, at least Laurelwood’s been a safe place, one where I didn’t have to fear getting hurt. I’ve been happy here.”
“But you have so much to give, Leah. Why be content with a life of solitude when the Lord’s brought someone across your path who has far nobler qualities than Lance could ever hope to have?”
“Do you truly think God brought Blake here?”
“Yes,” she said with conviction. “I told you early on that he was perfect for you, didn’t I?”
Leah’s eyes clouded with fear. “But what if he’s just been putting his best foot forward and doesn’t really love me? What if all we feel for each other is surface attraction, and someday…”
Marty placed a comforting hand on Leah’s forearm. “There’s nobody in this world who can be sure about the future, Leah. Love or no love. All we can do is follow the Lord’s leading and be the best we can be while He takes care of the rest.”
“But still. Marriage. It’s a huge step. I barely know Blake Malone.”
“But what you do know about him is all good, isn’t it?”
A tentative smile tugged at the corners of Leah’s lips. She nodded.
“Well, I would suggest you thank the Lord for His blessings and accept Blake’s proposal.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Suddenly Martha’s expression glowed like a bright burst of fireworks. “Leah! We could have a double wedding!”
“What?”
“See? It couldn’t be more perfect. Everyone we know will already be coming here next weekend for a wedding, right? Well, how fortuitous is that, I ask? You have a lovely new dress, your mother can take over the piano end of things…”
With a jumble of thoughts making her head spin, Leah clasped her hands together, nibbling on her steepled index fingers. “What would she and Daddy say?”
Marty shrugged. “If it’s of the Lord, I can’t see them objecting. They both like Blake a lot and admire not only his background, but his purpose for the future. And they haven’t exactly been pushing you toward any of the other single men they know.”
With a small huff, Leah smiled wryly. “Actually they seemed more than a little relieved that I never chose any of them.”
“Because they hoped the Lord had someone better in mind for their oldest daughter.”
Leah’s smile widened into a grin. “You have an answer for everything. That’s something I’ve always admired about you.”
“Mostly, I just love my dearest friend,” Marty replied, “and want to see her happy.”
Considering everything the girl had said, Leah felt most of her doubts vanishing like the dew of morning. Nevertheless, she still wanted to pray about it, to seek her own answer from the Lord. A decision like she was about to make was not one to be taken lightly. It would affect the rest of her life.
“Do you, Willis Arthur Somerville, take this woman, Martha Elaine Sands, to be your wedded wife?”
“I do,” he said, raising his chin confidently.
“And do you, Martha, take Willis to be your wedded husband?”
“I do.”
Pastor Burgess turned slightly. “And do you, Blake Nicholas Malone, take this woman, Leah Abigail Somerville, to be your wedded wife?”
“I do.” He gave her a tender smile.
“Do you, Leah, take Blake to be your wedded husband?”
Her gaze still fixed on this man to whom she was committing her entire future, she gave him an answering smile. “I do.”
“Then, by the power vested in me by God and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husbands and wives. Whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. You may kiss your brides.”
Leah was hardly conscious of the murmured sighs and comments made by the onlookers as Blake took her shoulders and gently drew her to him. The tempered strength in his touch quelled her trembling as her husband’s head lowered, his lips descending to claim hers. And as long as she lived, she would not forget the reverence and love in his kiss. When at last he drew away, the warm glow of a dozen candles flickered in his eyes as they smiled into hers. She thought he had looked dashing before, but the obvious extra effort he’d put into looking his resplendent best for the ceremony made her heart swell with pride and a joy beyond words.
“Congratulations!” the minister said, breaking the lovely spell, and the gathering of relatives and friends surged forward to envelop the two couples in hugs and good wishes.
Out of them all, Leah remembered only her father’s misty-eyed smile, his halting “God… bless.” She knew he had much more to say but could not put the words together. She felt them all in the slight squeeze he gave her hand.
Stooping to hug the frail shoulders, she blinked back the moisture gathering on her lashes and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered, unable to trust her voice. Then she straightened and turned to her mother’s loving arms, reveling in the soft crush of rose satin and crinolines as the two women hugged.
“It’s been quite a day,” the older woman managed, dabbing at her eyes with a lace-edged handkerchief. “Gaining one daughter, while losing another. But I pray you’ll all be happy.”
“I’ll do my best, Mother Somerville,” Blake promised when she embraced him, “to be a good husband to your daughter.”
Mother smiled, her azure eyes awash in tears. “If I had the slightest doubt of that, I wouldn’t have allowed this wedding to take place. Now, go catch up with the others. There’s some delicious smoked ham and wedding cake waiting for you at the church. We’ll save the good-byes for later.”
That evening, her belongings stowed in the back of Blake’s buggy, along with the newly painted portrait of Laurelwood she’d wrapped in heavy paper for protection, Leah somehow managed to contain most of her tears. Parting embraces and whispered endearments were over, and a prayer of blessing had been uttered to usher them on their way. She turned for one last wave to the family she’d be leaving behind while she went off to begin a whole new life. There was no way of knowing if she’d ever see her father again on this earth, but she squelched that sad thought as best she could. Then Blake’s calloused hand squeezed hers empathetically, and the buggy pulled away.
As her home slipped from sight, the floodgates let loose. Helpless against them, Leah could only bow her head and let the tears fall.
Beside her, Blake said nothing, but he put his arm around her and let her lean against his strong form as he headed toward the road to the lake, where they would spend this first night of married life before departing for Wisconsin on the morrow.
As the sobs gradually subsided, Leah drew a cleansing breath to help assuage her nervousness. She ventured a glance through her damp lashes up at her husband, and he s
miled a lingering smile, holding her gaze. Then his eyes closed, and he brushed her lips with his.
There hadn’t been time for a conventional courtship, and likely they had much to learn about each other… so different would this life be from the safe, predictable world she had envisioned for herself. But as the peach and mauve glow from the setting sun filtered through the lacy crowns of the winter-bare trees and glistened over irregular patches of melting snow, a wondrous peace flowed through Leah. She felt God’s joy. The future was in His hands. Surely everything would work out right.
Chapter 7
Wisconsin is so much like Pennsylvania,” Leah exclaimed. “I’m amazed.”
Loving the sound of his wife’s voice, Blake drew her nearer on the wagon seat beside him. “I left a lot of browns and grays and drab whites behind when I went to dispose of Gramps’s estate. I’m glad spring has made its appearance.”
He surveyed the familiar rolling, tree-covered hills and peaceful valleys as they passed through, gratified that the meadows were lush with water and that the landscape sported an abundance of multi-colored spring flowers. The hills looked as if a traveling painter had taken a great brush and lightly coated them in soft greens, and he hoped Leah, as an artist, would view them that way. He wanted her to be happy here.
As his faithful work horse, Butch, drew the supply wagon over the hilly, winding road between La Crosse and his lumber camp a little north of Eau Claire, Blake inhaled the scents of the warming trees on the wind, the pines, resins, and balsams softening on the southern slopes. The lumber camps along the way were bustling, and he could hardly wait to get back to his own enterprise. He’d wired Matthew of his expected date of arrival, but never told him he’d gotten married, preferring to keep it a surprise. But now a niggle of apprehension crept up Blake’s spine. He hadn’t actually prepared Leah, either.
He watched as she made yet another attempt to brush some of the travel smudges from her russet traveling ensemble. But she flashed him a stalwart smile, and his heart crimped. He breathed a prayer of thanks to the Lord for bringing her into his life. With each passing day as they shared their love and grew to know the various facets of each other’s past, he pledged inwardly that he would never cause her to rue the day they’d wed. “This trip must seem endless to you.”
Where the Heart Is Romance Collection Page 5