Love Finds a Home (Anthologies)

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “You seem rather quiet and withdrawn this evening,” David noted with a look of concern. “Is everything all right? You’re not having second thoughts about marrying me, are you?”

  Glenna took a sip of coffee, then glanced at him over the rim of her cup. “It’s not that. I’m just missing Daddy. If he hadn’t jumped to his death, the two of us would have been here in Granger right now. This is where we’d planned to get off the train, you know.”

  David reached across the table and placed a gentle hand on top of hers. “I know you’re still grieving, but remember, you have a new life with me now. We have a church and people waiting for us in Idaho City.”

  Glenna stared into his green eyes, so sympathetic and full of understanding. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and was about to reply when some boisterous voices caught her attention. Her gaze darted to the left. Two men were heading toward their table, arms draped across each other’s shoulders, bodies swaying carelessly.

  One of the men was looking directly at Glenna, and her mouth dropped open. Disbelieving her eyes, she looked down at the table then quickly back again. Daddy?

  CHAPTER 7

  Daddy’s eyes glazed over, and he stared at Glenna as though he’d seen a ghost. “Glenna? Baby, is that you?”

  Trembling, she could only nod. This had to be some kind of a dream. She’d seen Daddy jump from that train. Even if by some miracle he had survived the fall, there was no way he could have made it to Granger on his own steam—not to mention as quickly as the train had brought them there.

  “Mr. Moore, we thought you were dead,” David said, scraping his chair away from the table but still remaining seated.

  “It would take a lot more than bailing off a train and rolling down a prickly embankment to kill someone as ornery as me,” Daddy replied with a hearty laugh.

  “But—but—how did you get here?” Glenna stammered.

  “Some good folks came by in a wagon and picked me up.” Daddy leaned against his friend for support and riveted David with a hard gaze.

  David’s face was a mask of suspicion, and Glenna noticed the muscle in his cheek had begun to twitch. “I hardly think a wagon could have beat the train here, Mr. Moore,” he said evenly.

  “And what about your injuries?” Glenna interjected. “Surely you must have been hurt after that fall.”

  Her father grinned and gave his goatee a few tugs. “I was kind of banged up but not too much worse for the wear.” He took a few steps closer to their table, then leaned his weighty arms on the corner nearest Glenna. “Those folks with the wagon had an extra horse. They were kind enough to let me borrow it. That’s how I made such good time.”

  For the first time, the man beside Daddy spoke up. “That’s right. My old friend Garret galloped into town yesterday afternoon, and we’ve been havin’ ourselves a good old time ever since.” He pounded Glenna’s father on the back, causing them both to wobble unsteadily.

  “Yep,” Daddy agreed. “Alvin and I go way back.”

  Glenna knew Alvin must be the friend Daddy had planned to link up with when they arrived in Granger. From the looks of things, Daddy cared more about his drinking partner than he did her. He hadn’t even asked about her, nor had he seemed that interested in the fact that she was sitting in the hotel dining room having dinner with a man.

  Swaying slightly, Daddy leaned over and stared David right in the eye. “Say, you’re that preacher fellow who was on the train, aren’t ya?”

  David nodded and opened his mouth, but Glenna cut him right off. “David’s my husband now, Daddy. We were married today … by a preacher here in Granger … in a church.” Why Glenna was emphasizing the words preacher and church, she wasn’t sure. Maybe it was to be certain Daddy knew the marriage was legal and binding, and there was nothing he could do about it. If he cared so little about Glenna that he would jump off the train and leave her all alone, then he had no right to interfere in her life now.

  “You’re what?” Daddy bellowed.

  She lifted her chin and held his steady gaze. “I’m a married woman.”

  Daddy’s fist came down hard against the table, jostling the silver and nearly upsetting the vase of daisies. “You can’t be married!”

  David jumped to his feet, quickly skirting the table to stand beside Glenna. He placed one hand on her trembling shoulder. “Glenna’s my wife. We’ll be leaving on the train tomorrow, heading for my new pastorate in Idaho City.”

  Daddy’s face reddened further, and he shook his fist in front of David’s nose. “Glenna is my daughter, and you can’t have her! She’s staying here, not traipsing off to Idaho with some high-and-mighty Bible-thumper!”

  Glenna’s ears burned, and her eyes stung with unwanted tears. Her father and her new husband were arguing over her. She’d been Daddy’s girl for eighteen years. She’d only been Reverend David Green’s wife a few hours. Anxiety gnawed at her insides, but she knew she had a choice to make. Who should she stay with? Her chin quivered as she considered her options. “David is my husband. I’m going with him.”

  David tensed protectively when Garret Moore grabbed Glenna’s arm. “Have you taken leave of your senses? You’re my daughter, and I’ve always met your needs.”

  “The way you did on the train?” David asked between clenched teeth.

  “Glenna wouldn’t have a father right now if I hadn’t jumped,” Garret snarled, though he did release his grip on Glenna’s arm. “Those card sharks were gonna kill me. I had to make a quick escape, and I figured I’d make it to Granger, then meet up with Glenna when the train stopped here. How was I to know she’d go and do something so foolish as gettin’ hitched up with the likes of you?”

  David stepped closer to Garret, nearly knocking him into his buddy, Alvin. “I’m sorry about all your troubles, Mr. Moore, but if you hadn’t been gambling in the first place—”

  “Don’t you go preachin’ at me, sonny!” Garret shouted. “I’ve made a fair-enough living at my trade, and my daughter’s never done without.” He perused Glenna a few moments and frowned. “Are ya comin’ with me or not?”

  David’s spirits slid straight to his boots. What if Glenna had changed her mind? What if he had no wife to take to his new pastorate after all? Relief bubbled up in his chest when she shook her head, but it ripped at David’s heartstrings to see her so shaken and torn. He knew she’d always been “Daddy’s girl,” and deciding to stay with him rather than go with her father could not have been an easy decision.

  Garret shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself, daughter, but if you change your mind, I’ll be at Mrs. O’Leary’s boardinghouse.” With that, he grabbed his pal’s arm and practically pushed him out of the room.

  As Glenna stood staring out their hotel-room window, her thoughts became a tangled web of confusion. She hadn’t been this upset since Daddy jumped off the train three days ago. It was hard to find any joy over her marriage, especially after learning that her father was alive. Knowing that she and David would be leaving tomorrow and she’d probably never see Daddy again didn’t help her mood either. Even if she and David ever returned to Granger for a visit with David’s friend, what were the chances that Daddy would be there? Daddy never stayed anywhere very long. He’d get bored and decide to move on to the next town. Or someone would catch him cheating, and he’d be run out of town with the threat of jail or a bullet in his back.

  Glenna wished Daddy could find forgiveness for his sins and know the sweet sense of peace she’d found by asking Jesus into her heart. She knew there was nothing she could do for Daddy now but pray.

  Forcing all thoughts of her father aside, Glenna concentrated on her new husband. David had seemed a bit distant since they’d left the hotel dining room and come upstairs to their room. Was he sorry he’d married her? Had Daddy’s unexpected appearance marred their future? Maybe David thought she really wanted to go with Daddy and was only staying with him out of obligation. Despite the fact that she hardly knew David Green, Glenna was certain of
one thing—her husband was a good person. He was a man of God, not some drunk who thought nothing of gambling away his money as though it were no more than a jar of glass marbles.

  Goose bumps erupted on Glenna’s arms as David stepped up behind her, wrapping his comforting arms around her waist. She’d thought he was still sitting in the cane-backed chair across the room, reading his Bible.

  “Glenna, I think we should talk.” David’s words came out in a whisper, caressing her ear with the warmth of his breath.

  She leaned into him, relishing the closeness of his body and the way his embrace made her feel so protected. She drew in a deep breath, letting it out in a lingering sigh. She knew it was ridiculous because they barely knew one another, but she had fallen hopelessly in love with this man. The question was, did David return her feelings, or was he merely being kind? Did David see her as a woman he could love or just a needy person he felt obligated to care for?

  “I appreciate your being willing to marry me,” she murmured. “I know it wasn’t in your plans, but I’m very grateful.”

  “I think we need to talk,” David repeated.

  She nodded mutely and allowed him to take her hand. He led her over to the bed, and they both took a seat. “I realize seeing your father today was quite a shock,” he said softly.

  “I never thought he could survive such a fall,” she admitted.

  “Glenna, I—”

  “He abandoned me on that train,” she said, cutting him off. “Now Daddy thinks I should abandon you.”

  “And would you?”

  Unwanted tears rolled down her cheeks. “Daddy doesn’t care about me anymore.” She sniffed deeply. “And I care nothing for him.”

  David’s fingers clasped her own, and warmth spread quickly up her arms as she savored the feel of his gentle touch. She relished the feeling of safety she had with David and was confident she could trust him never to abandon her the way Daddy had.

  “You must forgive your father, Glenna,” David said.

  She shrugged. The motion was all she could manage, given the circumstances. Talking about her father was too painful right now. Besides, she didn’t want to forgive Daddy. She was angry with him. Could it be that she was staying with David only to get even with Daddy?

  David draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. He bent his head slightly, and she was sure he was about to kiss her. To her disappointment, he pulled away suddenly and stood up. “We’d best settle down for the night and get some sleep.” His words trailed off in a yawn. “You can have the bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor.” He dipped his head, refusing to make eye contact with her. “Good night, Glenna.”

  Glenna awoke the following morning feeling as though her head had been stuffed with a wad of cotton. Last night had been her wedding night, and she hadn’t slept well. Visions of Daddy and David had danced through her head like storm clouds. Did either of them love her at all? Did anyone love her? David said God loved her, but God was a spirit. How could He ever meet all her needs?

  She was thankful when they went down to breakfast and found that Daddy was nowhere around. Since David obviously didn’t love her, she’d actually been having some thoughts about staying in Granger with Daddy. If she saw him again, she might weaken. Glenna knew in her heart that a marriage without love would be preferable to her previous life as a gambler’s daughter. She’d made up her mind. As difficult as it would be to board that train, she was going to Idaho City with her husband!

  A short time later, she and David were seated on a wooden bench in front of the train station. Glenna glanced about, tugging nervously on the strings of her handbag. I’m doing the right thing, she kept telling herself. I am a new creature in Christ now. I can never go back to my old way of life, no matter how much I might miss Daddy.

  “You look pale. Are you all right?” David asked, eyeing her with a look of concern.

  She gave a slight nod and kept her voice strong. “I’ll be fine once we board the train.”

  Gazing down at the open Bible in his lap, David offered a half smile. “I hope so.”

  When a familiar voice called out her name, Glenna jerked her head up. Daddy was heading their way. She jumped to her feet, clenching her fists in anticipation for what he might say or do.

  “Glenna, I’m so glad I caught you before the train left,” Daddy panted. “I have something to give you.”

  David was at her side now, and she felt his hand at the small of her back. “We have no need of tainted money, Mr. Moore,” he said evenly.

  Her father laughed, shaking his head and reaching into his jacket pocket. “It’s not money I wish to give. I want my daughter to have her mother’s wedding ring.” He held up a delicate gold band and handed it to Glenna.

  She stood there, mouth hanging open and eyes filled with tears. “This was Mama’s ring?”

  His head bobbed up and down. “I’ve been holding it until you got married. Please take the ring, Glenna. Your mother would have wanted you to have it.”

  Glenna glanced briefly at David. His brows were furrowed, and his lips were set in a fine line. “I had no ring to give you on our wedding day,” he mentioned. “I think it would be a good thing if you wore your mother’s ring, don’t you?”

  She accepted the gift then, letting her father slip it on the ring finger of her left hand. The fact that Daddy had sought her out, offering such a fine present and not making a scene about her being married or going to Idaho City made Glenna feel guilty for her bitter feelings. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Thank you, Daddy. I’ll cherish this ring for the rest of my life.”

  Daddy’s eyes filled with tears. She’d never seen him cry before and was taken by surprise. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but the words never came. With no warning whatsoever, an ear-piercing shot rang out. Daddy dropped like a sack of grain at Glenna’s feet.

  CHAPTER 8

  Glenna screamed, then collapsed to the ground beside her father’s body. Daddy wasn’t breathing. Dark blood oozed from a bullet wound that had obviously penetrated his back and gone clear through to his chest.

  David spun around and raced off toward the gunman. There was chaos everywhere. Some nearby folks screeched in terror, others ran about calling for help, and a few stayed to offer comfort to a very distraught Glenna.

  It was inconceivable, but in the short span of a few days, she’d lost her father twice. First when he’d jumped from the moving train and now from a bullet in the back!

  “How could this have happened?” she sobbed. “How could God be so cruel?” She observed the faces staring down at her with apparent pity. They were all faces of strangers. Where was David? Had he abandoned her, too?

  Glenna sat in her seat, ramrod stiff, barely aware of the irritating sway of the train and not noticing any of her surroundings. She felt cold and empty inside. Even the warm hand placed upon her own did nothing to console her anguished soul. Everything was so final. Daddy was gone, and there had been no chance to make amends or even say a proper good-bye. There hadn’t been any possibility for her to witness about God’s redeeming love either. She’d failed Daddy, and God had failed her. She would probably let David down as well. How could she possibly go to Idaho City and be a pastor’s wife when she felt so dead inside? Why had she ever agreed to this marriage of convenience in the first place? She’d been foolish to get caught up in the silly notion that her life could be better. Her hopes and dreams for the future had been buried, right along with Daddy’s lifeless body. The words Pastor Hunter said at the grave site this morning had done little to comfort Glenna’s aching heart.

  She glanced down at the golden band on her left hand. It was all she had left of her mother, and giving it to her had been the last good thing Daddy had ever done. Maybe it was the only good thing he’d ever done.

  Glenna’s thoughts swept her painfully back to yesterday. She could still see Daddy racing eagerly toward her. In her mind’s eye, she saw his apologetic smile, heard the words
of love, and felt his warm hand as he slipped Mama’s ring onto her finger. Glenna tried to stop what came next, but it was to no avail. She could hear that fatal gunshot echoing in her head as though it were happening again. The image of Daddy’s pale face and blood-soaked shirt would be inscribed in her brain for as long as she lived. She had known he was gone, even before the doctor came along and pronounced him dead.

  There had been no train trip that afternoon. Instead, she and David spent the next several hours in the sheriff’s office, giving him the sketchy details of the unexpected shooting. David had seen the murderer, and he’d even chased after him. The gunman had vanished as quickly as he’d appeared. Quite possibly her father’s killer would never be caught or punished.