“Good idea, Phillip,” Jonathan chimed in. “I’m hoping I can find an agreeable young lady I can escort to all the Christmas parties I’ve been hearing about.”
“Only one? I would think you’d want to find several. That way you’d have a bit of variety,” Phillip said with a chuckle.
“Is that what you prefer—variety?” Teddi inquired.
There was an edge to her voice that took Phillip by surprise.
“Well, I wouldn’t put it quite that way. I’m looking for a woman who has the same beliefs and values. Someone who loves the Lord. . .”
“And the army,” George chimed in, laughing at his own remark.
“That too,” Phillip agreed.
“Sounds like you’ve just described our Teddi,” Jonathan remarked while giving his sister an exaggerated wink.
Jonathan’s statement caught Phillip off guard and was obviously embarrassing to Teddi. The chilly December weather had caused Teddi’s cheeks to turn pink, but her brother’s casual remark had now intensified the color to flaming red.
“Of course, a woman of beauty is always agreeable,” George observed.
“Not necessarily,” Phillip countered. “Sometimes beautiful women rely solely on their physical attributes to get them through life. I’ve met some lovely women who were shallow.”
“Well, I would love to continue this discussion, but I feel it’s my duty to escort one of these young ladies onto the ice,” Jonathan bantered. “That is, if you’re ever going to make those promised introductions, dear sister.”
Teddi poked him in the side and began to lead him toward a young woman not far from the group, with Phillip and George following along behind.
“No, that one,” Jonathan instructed, pointing toward a girl with unruly golden locks peeking out from beneath a cream-colored, woolen scarf.
Teddi smiled. “You don’t agree with Phillip, I take it. You want beauty rather than—”
“Some women have both,” Jonathan asserted.
“I really think you’d find Ruth Ann much more to your liking,” Teddi argued.
“No, I want to meet her,” Jonathan insisted while pulling Teddi in the young woman’s direction.
“Fine, but I don’t think. . .”
“Just introduce me,” Jonathan insisted. “You can introduce George to Ruth Ann, can’t she, George?”
George merely nodded his head as Phillip watched the scene in amusement. It was obvious that things weren’t going as Teddi had planned, and he was finding her mounting frustration with Jonathan entertaining.
“Good afternoon, Margaret. I would like to introduce you to my brother, Jonathan Yorke. Jonathan is visiting us at Fort Riley for the holidays. Jonathan, this is Margaret Willoughby,” Teddi said in her most formal voice.
The girl looked back and forth between Teddi and Jon-athan and appeared somewhat confused, but finally gave Jonathan a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you. Would you mind helping me with my skates?” Margaret asked, dangling the pair of skates from her gloved hand.
“I’d be delighted. Why don’t you sit on that stump over there, and I’ll get them clamped,” Jonathan suggested as the twosome walked away.
“Are you interested in meeting Ruth Ann?” Teddi asked, turning to stare at George.
George compliantly nodded his head in agreement, while Phillip laughed aloud. “What are you laughing at?” Teddi asked, obviously irritated with both of the men.
“I think George knows better than to say he doesn’t want to meet Ruth Ann. If he values his life, that is,” Phillip replied, still laughing.
“All three of you are beginning to wear on my patience,” Teddi responded as she marched off toward where Ruth Ann was standing.
Phillip walked alongside George, both of them following closely behind Teddi as she approached the dark-haired, young woman and quickly made introductions. George and Ruth Ann were soon making their way toward the ice when Teddi turned toward Phillip.
“And which of the young women do you wish to meet?” Teddi asked.
“I’ve already met her. Would you skate with me?” he asked, extending his hand.
“Well, yes, I’d love to,” Teddi replied, obviously pleased by the invitation.
They joined several other couples on the ice, gliding down the creek’s frozen path and then back toward the widest part where most of the skating crowd was congregated. The skaters were moving gracefully on the ice, a canopy of frozen branches extending overhead as a light snow continued to fall. Suddenly, waving arms and a woman’s voice calling from the creek’s edge broke the beautiful winter scene.
“Phillip! Over here!” A woman’s shrill voice screamed from the distance, her arms raised high above her head and a red scarf swinging from her hand as she waved her arms back and forth.
“Is that. . .?”
“Helen? Absolutely,” Teddi replied.
“Perhaps we should go over. If she keeps screaming like that, she’s liable to cause a crack in the ice,” Phillip joked.
“I don’t think she’s quite that loud, but she probably won’t stop until you go over there,” Teddi agreed.
He really didn’t want to leave the ice. He and Teddi were having a wonderful conversation, discussing everything from operating procedures to Scripture interpretation, and Phillip had been thoroughly enjoying himself. Teddi seemed to have an opinion about everything, yet she was willing to listen to his viewpoint and even change her beliefs if given valid reasons for doing so. She was indeed refreshing—a woman with spirit and substance, he decided, just as they approached the lovely Helen Hanson.
nine
Teddi stood by the bonfire, forcing herself to concentrate on the conversation taking place around her. She couldn’t do it. Her gaze continued to follow the handsome-appearing couple skating arm in arm, now gliding down the creek and slowly leaving her field of vision. Moving around the edge of the fire, she repositioned herself and hoped to gain a better view, but they were now out of sight.
“Helen certainly has her cap set for the new doctor, doesn’t she?” Mattie Fielding stated while shaking her head.
“He’s a preacher, too, not just a doctor,” Teddi countered.
“Doctor, preacher, lawyer, store clerk—makes no difference. There’s no stopping that girl once she sets her sights on someone.”
“Did she tell you that she’s interested in Captain Hamilton?”
“Yes, but she wouldn’t have to tell me. Just watching her is evidence enough,” Mattie replied with a giggle.
“But what did she say?”
“That he was the best-looking single man to be stationed at Fort Riley in ages and that she planned to make him her very own. She did mention that she thought your brother Jonathan might interest her even more, but he’d soon be leaving. So she decided not to waste valuable time with Jonathan. I think she was fearful that someone else might snag Captain Hamilton if she decided to spend time with your brother.”
“I see,” was all Teddi could manage, suddenly thankful to see George and Ruth Ann approaching.
“We’ve decided to leave. Ruth Ann needs to be home soon, and I’ve agreed to escort her,” George informed his sister.
“How?” Teddi inquired. “You don’t have a sleigh.”
“She came with several other couples. The men said they would take me back to the post once we’ve escorted the girls home,” he replied, obviously anxious to be on his way.
Teddi stared after her brother, wishing that he and Ruth Ann had remained to keep her company. But at least they seemed to enjoy being with each other, and that was satisfying, she decided as she watched the sleigh move off toward town.
The silence after their departure was soon broken by Mattie’s shrill voice cutting through the crisp air. “He is rather handsome, don’t you agree?” she asked, looking out across the ice just as Helen and Phillip made their reappearance.
“What? Oh, yes, extremely handsome. She’d be a fool to let my brother slip away,” Teddi respond
ed.
“Not your brother, Captain Hamilton,” Mattie corrected, giving Teddi an exasperated look. “I told Helen there was nobody who could turn the captain’s head if she took an interest in him. There’s no one who can hold a candle to Helen, except Margaret Willoughby. And who’s going to be interested in Margaret? Except your brother,” she added, noting Jonathan coming toward them with Margaret in tow.
“So you think it’s only beauty that matters to men?” Teddi asked.
“Well, of course, silly. They all make those perfunctory statements about wanting a woman who’s a good cook, can keep a spotless house, is devout in her Christian beliefs, and is intelligent, but when it comes down to actually choosing a wife, they pick the most comely one that will have them. You, of all people, should know that!” Mattie added.
The words stung like salt in an open wound, causing Teddi to flinch. Yes, she knew what people thought. After all, she believed the same thing. When given the choice of a beautiful, young woman, Herbert Albright had succumbed, leaving plain, thick-waisted, intelligent Teddi at the altar. Well, not really at the altar, she told herself. She and Herbert had set their wedding date for May 23, but he had betrayed her many months before the arranged day. Besides, she reasoned, it was better to suffer the humiliation now as his former fiancОe than as his wife. But Mattie’s comments served as a reminder that gossip was not soon forgotten, nor people soon forgiven. Why, even Margaret Willoughby’s name had come up in Mattie’s comments, and how long had it been since that consequential day?
The thought caught her by surprise. She was just as guilty as Mattie. Perhaps she hadn’t put words to her thoughts, but she had certainly discouraged her brother from meeting Margaret. Hadn’t Margaret come before the body of believers confessing her sin, repenting, and seeking forgiveness a long time ago?
The congregation had listened; the preacher had told Margaret that she had been correct in coming forward to confess her sin. He had gone a step further and assured her that not only had God forgiven her, but the body of believers had done the same. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been altogether true. Oh, people had spoken to her when it was absolutely necessary, and she was usually included in activities for which a general invitation was extended. But nobody had befriended her; nobody had truly accepted her; nobody had ever extended a special invitation to Margaret Willoughby. Not after hearing that Sunday morning confession a year ago.
Teddi’s shoulders slumped, and her head dropped as she acknowledged her own participation in such disappointing behavior. Certainly her actions didn’t exemplify Christ’s teachings. Who was she to treat another human being with such contempt? Especially one who had been so brave, one who had followed the Bible’s teachings, one who had done what was required of God to assure forgiveness. The shame of Teddi’s behavior welled up inside her until she thought it would cut off her breath and choke her.
“You seem deep in thought,” Jonathan remarked as he moved alongside Teddi.
She startled at his voice, glanced around, and was eye to eye with Margaret. “I told Jonathan not to disturb you. I thought you appeared to be praying,” Margaret said, her voice barely a whisper.
It was obvious Margaret was unsure how she would be received. There was a tentativeness about her, a wounded look that Teddi had never before noticed.
“You’re right, Margaret. I was praying. Asking for God’s forgiveness. And now I need to ask for yours,” Teddi replied. “I’ve treated you unkindly, not shown you the friendship you deserve. I’ve shunned you when what you did was courageous and true to God’s Word. I’m afraid I’ve been guilty of not truly forgiving you of your past mistakes and, worse yet, being judgmental. I don’t know what I would have done in your situation, but I do want you to know that I’m very sorry and ask that you accept my apology. If you could find it in your heart, I’d be honored if you would accept my offer of friendship.”
“Of course I accept your apology, Teddi. I knew that when I went in front of the church to announce I’d had a baby out of wedlock, it would probably end any hope I might have of forming friendships, and that it would certainly limit my opportunities for marriage to a good man. But I did it out of submission to God, and I knew He would be faithful to honor my obedience. Perhaps not in the way I would choose, but in ways that would even go beyond my expectations.”
“And has He done that?” Teddi asked.
Margaret smiled a beautiful, broad smile that turned her already pretty face into a glorious work of beauty. “He just did,” she said. “I almost stayed at home today, not wanting to sit on the sidelines watching while others enjoyed the pleasures of a winter afternoon skating. But something nudged me to quit feeling sorry for myself. And look what has happened! I’ve made a new friend and also enjoyed a good portion of the afternoon skating with the most handsome young man in attendance.”
“Thank you for your generous forgiveness,” Teddi said, leaning forward and giving Margaret a hug. “One thing, however—my brother is not the most handsome man in attendance.”
“I heard that,” Jonathan retorted.
“You’d have to be deaf not to have heard it, brother. It was intended for your ears, also,” Teddi replied. “It appears as though you’ve managed to convince Margaret, but I don’t want you getting yourself all puffed up and proud, thinking that everybody agrees with her on that point.”
The three of them were enjoying a good laugh when Phillip and Helen returned from skating and joined them, with Helen clinging to Phillip’s arm and appearing surprised to see Margaret in their company.
“You three seem to be having a good time. I needed to warm up,” he said, nearing the fire. “After I’ve gotten my circulation going again, would you care to join me on the ice, Teddi?” he asked.
“But I thought we were going to skate once you had warmed your hands,” Helen complained to Phillip while giving Teddi a loathsome glare.
“I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced,” Phillip said, turning to Margaret.
Helen’s irritation that she was being ignored was evident to all of them, yet she refused to loosen her hold on Phillip.
“I’m sorry. Phillip, this is Margaret Willoughby. Margaret, may I introduce you to Captain Phillip Hamilton, who is our new chaplain at Fort Riley,” Teddi graciously replied.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Margaret,” Phillip said, extending his right arm to shake Margaret’s hand.
Unfortunately, Phillip’s act of courtesy proved disastrous for Helen, who was still resolutely clinging to his arm and refused to let go when he extended his hand. The motion caused Helen to lose her balance, her arms and legs flying about pell-mell until she finally landed in a heap on the snow-covered ground in front of them.
“Look what you’ve done!” she screeched while looking directly at Margaret. “This is all your fault. Who invited you anyway?”
Phillip and Teddi gazed down at Helen, their faces etched with disbelief, while Jonathan rushed to Margaret’s side.
“Phillip, help me up!” Helen commanded as she continued to glare at Margaret, who was now talking quietly to Jonathan.
“I’ll help you to your feet, Helen, but that’s all I intend to do,” Phillip replied as he leaned down to help her up. “I’m shocked by your contemptuous attitude toward Margaret.”
“You don’t know anything about that woman. She’s a harlot. In fact, she’s even had a baby out of wedlock. You think that such a woman deserves to have her honor protected?” Helen spat.
“I don’t know anything about her past, but I do know rude behavior when I see it. Good-bye, Helen,” Phillip replied as he aided her and then turned away.
“Why don’t we go skate for a while,” Phillip said to the others. “Unless you’d rather leave?”
“We could skate a bit longer and then go back to our house for hot chocolate,” Teddi suggested.
“That sounds like an excellent plan. What do you think, Margaret?”
“Me? Oh, I couldn’t go to your home,
” she said in a throaty whisper.
“Why can’t you? Are you expected home early?” Jonathan inquired.
“No, but perhaps you should discuss it with your parents, and then if they agree that it’s all right, I’ll come another time,” she ventured.
“No need for that. Our friends are always welcome in our home,” Teddi answered. “It will be fine, Margaret. You’ll see. Please say you’ll come with us,” she encouraged.
Margaret nodded her agreement, and the four of them made their way onto the ice, the two couples skating off in opposite directions.
“I have a feeling there’s more to this story than I’ve heard,” Phillip remarked as he and Teddi glided toward the narrow portion of the creek where they had skated earlier in the afternoon.
“You’re right, Phillip. And much of what I’m going to tell you may cause you to think that I’m not very different from Helen Hanson,” she sadly related.
They moved up and down the ice, Teddi quietly telling Phillip of Margaret’s confession and the brutal treatment she’d received since that time. At one point, Teddi noticed him wince at the words she was speaking, obviously pained by the shunning that Margaret had received from fellow Christians.
“I’m sure you find my behavior abhorrent,” Teddi said as she concluded the ugly tale.
Phillip nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, I’m afraid I do. I’m sad that such a thing can happen, but I’m afraid that all too often, that’s how we Christians treat one another. However, the difference between you and Helen is that you now realize the error of your ways and have asked God’s forgiveness—and Margaret’s,” he added. “Perhaps your actions will begin to get things started down the right path with others. You’ve done a good thing today, Teddi,” he said while squeezing her hand.
“Today I set things right, but when I think of all that Margaret has endured when I could have helped put an end to her suffering, I don’t deserve her forgiveness,” Teddi replied remorsefully.
“That may be true, but there’s nothing you can do to change the past. Instead of using valuable time worrying about the past, let’s concentrate on what we can do to help Margaret in the future,” Phillip suggested.
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