He walked straight over to Paige and asked if he could have a word with her.
“Why, certainly, John. What is it?”
He led her into a private corner. “I was a fool to let my parents tell me to break our engagement, Paige. I’ve just told them that from now on I will see whom I please, and I’ll choose my own friends.”
“Did you really? That’s wonderful!” She smiled broadly.
“I know you can never forgive me, but I think for the rest of my life I will be kicking myself for being such a fool.”
Paige was touched. “I understand you’re engaged, John. What about that?”
“I plan to break that off immediately,” he said. “She was my parents’ choice for me. She’s not a woman I could ever love.”
“You’ll find a woman who loves you, John. I’m very glad you’ve told your parents that you’re your own man now. I like you better for it.”
He smiled shyly and said, “Maybe we can have a dance?”
“Of course. You’re the best dancer I’ve ever known.”
****
Kevin invited Grace to dance and told her how delighted he was with the party and how happy he was for her.
“It’s your night, Kevin,” Grace said. “I’m proud of you and Lucy. Everyone loves her.”
“Yes, I believe that’s true. But I’m proud of you too. You’ve come so far.”
“Thank you, Kev.”
“It’s good to have a new sister.”
“And it’s good to have a brother.”
Kevin surrendered Grace to a young man who cut in, then went to talk to Francis, who was standing by the refreshment table. Kevin took a glass of punch and said, “She’s beautiful, isn’t she, Francis?”
“She sure is. You’re a lucky man.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean Lucy—although of course she’s beautiful too! I meant Grace. You’re a lucky man too. We owe all of this to you, Francis. You’re the one who found her, and you’re the one who brought out the woman God created her to be.”
Grace approached Francis with arms outstretched. “Dance with me, Francis.”
He put his punch down, and they joined the others on the floor. She was wearing heels and was slightly taller than Francis. It did not bother either of them, however, and he said, “I’m so proud of you tonight, Grace. You’re beautiful.”
“Do you really think so, Francis?”
“Yes. Don’t ever let me pick a dress out again. You did a marvelous job picking that one out by yourself!”
Grace’s face grew serious, and she said, “I’d like to ask for a favor.”
“Anything you want.”
“Wait until I ask,” she warned. “You may not like it.”
“Try me.”
“I want Dad to announce our engagement tonight.” She saw the uncertainty in his expression. He could be stubborn when it came to changing plans. “Please, Francis, it would mean a lot to me.”
“I’d do anything for you, Grace, but I just don’t think it would be wise.”
“Why not? You’ve got a job. You love me, and I love you.”
“It’s not much of a job. Wait until I’m successful as a writer. Then we can announce our engagement.”
Grace remained silent for a time, and finally she said, “I thought Christians were supposed to have faith.”
“Why ... yes, they are.”
“Don’t you have any faith in yourself? Don’t you believe God’s going to bless what you’re doing with your writing?”
“Well, sure, but it may take a while.”
“Francis Key, I’ve wasted too many years. I’m not going to waste another.” She pulled out of his arms and left him standing there as she walked straight to the bandstand. He watched with astonishment as she tugged on the band leader’s sleeve and whispered to him. The man held up his hand and the music trailed off. Everyone else in the room turned to see why the music had stopped, and they all saw Grace standing by the band with a determined look on her face.
“I think I know that look,” Phil whispered to Cara. “That daughter of ours has something on her mind.”
“She looks like you, Phil,” she whispered back. “She’s got that determined look you get sometimes.”
When it was quiet, Grace said, “I want to tell you all how very proud I am to be a member of the Winslow family.”
Kevin began applauding, and it spread across the room. Francis joined in, smiling, for it had been a courageous thing for her to do. She knows everybody in this room is aware of the things she did when she first came here, and she’s facing them down. What a woman!
“I never had a family, and now I have one. I have a father and a mother, a sister and two brothers. I have a niece and two nephews, and I have something I never dreamed about. I have a Savior, Jesus Christ. He has forgiven me all my sins, and I thank Him for it.”
“By George,” Phil said, whistling low. “What a testimony! She’s got boldness.”
“Yes she has,” Cara said, her eyes filled with tears. “I’m so proud of her.”
Grace looked straight across the room at Francis. She smiled at him and said, “I also have an announcement to make. My father should be making this announcement, but I have a problem.”
Francis suddenly felt very conspicuous, for he sensed what was coming. He looked about nervously but knew there was no escape.
“I am very much in love with Mr. Francis Key, that short gentleman right over there.”
Francis wanted to sink into the floor when every eye rested on him. At that moment he would have liked to throttle the beautiful woman who was speaking!
“He loves me very much, but he won’t marry me until he’s successful. But I will tell you this. In my eyes he’s a success right now. I think he’s wonderful, and I’d like to ask all of you to talk to him tonight and persuade him to marry me as soon as possible. Thank you.”
The room exploded in laughter and applause, and Francis was immediately surrounded by Grace’s siblings. Paige grabbed his elbow and said, “You’ve got to marry her. You’ve just got to.”
Kevin said, “Look, you either marry my sister or I’ll break your neck. You hear me?”
Brian grabbed Francis’s free arm and held it tightly. “Who do you think you are, refusing to marry my sister?”
And then Cara and Phil were there. Phil looked down at Francis, who appeared miserable and confused, but he smiled and said, “Son, I’ve got a shotgun, and I know how to use it.”
Cara, however, put her arms around Francis and said seriously, “You’ve got to marry her, son. She loves you so much.”
Grace stood to one side smiling, and finally she came forward and stood directly before Francis. “It’s now or never, Francis. It’s the Ring of Death for you. Will you have me or not?”
And then Francis Key knew he had no choice. He laughed and reached for her. “You crazy woman! I’ll have to marry you to keep you under control.”
He kissed her, and applause filled the room. She whispered in his ear, “I’ll be good from now on.”
Francis held her tightly. “I’ll believe that when I see it.” Then he realized everyone was waiting, and he nodded to Phil. “I think, sir, it’s time for you to make an announcement concerning your daughter’s engagement.”
“Good! I won’t have to use that shotgun after all.” Phil lifted his voice and said, “I wish to announce the engagement of our daughter Grace to Mr. Francis Key. The wedding will take place as soon as possible.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
“My Francis”
The wedding of Kevin Winslow and Lucy Delaney was one week away. The two of them were as happy as human beings could be. Francis, who was working again at the Rader Detective Agency, had started on another book, but he spent every available moment of his time with Grace.
The two of them were walking out beside the fish pond, and she exclaimed, “Those are the ugliest ducks I’ve ever seen!”
“Those are mergansers,” he said.
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“So? They’re still ugly.”
“I’m sure they’re not to another merganser,” he said. “Besides, their eggs are very good to eat, and I think they mate for life like swans and Canadian geese.”
“Do they really?”
“So I’ve read.”
“I think you make up most of that stuff you tell me. How would I know if they mate for life or not? How would anybody know?” She grabbed his arm and laughed. “I can just see a scientist following a pair of mergansers around for ten years, following them everywhere they go just to see if they cheat on each other.”
“They look faithful to me,” Francis said with a smile.
She smiled back. “You know, I have more fun with you than I do with anyone. Let’s always have fun, Francis.”
“That’s my plan. After we—” He broke off when he heard his name being called. “Looks like your mother wants me.”
The two started back toward the house, and Cara was standing on the patio. She said excitedly, “Francis, your agent, Mr. McCartney, is on the phone.”
He blinked with surprise but didn’t move.
Grace nudged him. “Come on, let’s go find out why he’s calling.”
“I don’t want to.”
Grace and Cara gave him questioning looks, and he laughed shortly. “I’m afraid it’ll be bad news.”
“It won’t be. The Bible says a righteous man has no fear of evil tidings,” Cara said. “Now, you go right in there and talk to him.”
Francis made his way inside, and Cara turned to her daughter. “I do hope it’s good news, Grace!”
“So do I, Mom. He’s been so nervous waiting for this call.”
The two women waited on the patio until Francis finally came bursting out. There was no need to ask if the news was good, for joy flowed out of him. “It’s sold!” he shouted. “Random House bought it!” He ran forward and embraced the two women, and they all three tried to talk at the same time. Finally Cara broke away. “I’ve got to get Phil and Paige.”
As soon as she left, Grace kissed Francis. “I’m so proud of you!”
“I’m a little dazed. It’s really happened.”
“And that means you can support a wife!”
Francis laughed and put his arms around her. “So I can. Say, why don’t we get married on the motorcycle?”
“Mom and Dad would hate that. No, I want a big wedding.” She rested in his arms, and then a shadow passed over her face. “Francis, I don’t know the first thing about being a wife.”
He kissed her and then put his lips close to her ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you instructions. The first lesson is—give your husband everything he wants.”
She laughed and they clung to each other. Suddenly a flash of green appeared, and Miriam flew right at them, separating them in their surprise. “She’s gotten out of her cage!” Francis said.
The parrot fluttered around the pair, screaming, “My Francis! My Francis!”
But Grace came back to the arms of her man and laughed. “No, Miriam—this is my Francis!”
GILBERT MORRIS spent ten years as a pastor before becoming Professor of English at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and earning a Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. A prolific writer, he has had over 25 scholarly articles and 200 poems published in various periodicals, and over the past years has had more than 180 novels published. His family includes three grown children, and he and his wife live in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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