by Lori Wick
Later, as they washed, Mac looked out at the three at play. “Christine looks enough like you to be a sister.”
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“Considering her face and figure, I’ll take that as a compliment, but today I don’t believe Luke was thinking of her as a sister.”
J Mac became instantly alert, his hands going still on the cup he was drying. “Julia, are you matchmaking?”
“No.” His wife turned to him with wide, innocent eyes. But Mac looked skeptical. “Honest, I haven’t said a word.” Mac only shook his head in resignation and went on drying.
Julia watched out the window a moment. “I must admit, I did think of what a good-looking couple they would make, but 1 wasn’t going to say anything.”
“Just remember, the Holy Spirit doesn’t need your help.” Mac felt the need to remind his well-meaning wife.
Julia watched again as Christine pushed first Charles and the Calvin. All three were laughing. The boys shouted at the air as they swung up higher and higher.
Julia sighed. “They would have made such a cute couple. It seems so romantic.”
Quietly, so quietly that Julia almost missed it, Mac said, “I think so too.”
Julia looked over to see her husband taking special pains with the dish he was drying. Julia moved until she was standing directly in front of him, her height allowing her to look directly up into his face. Mac finished with the dish and reached for another, but Julia’s hand stayed him. “Did you picture Luke and Christine together as a couple?”
“It did cross my mind,” he reluctantly admitted.
Julia stood there until their eyes met and they both began to laugh. Throwing her arms around his neck, Julia said, “I love you, John MacDonald.”
“And I love you, Julia MacDonald.”
Once again Christine came upon the embracing couple. This time without the boys, she withdrew quietly to give them privacy.
Moving through the house, Christine went into the parlor and took a comfortable chair. Seeing this happy Christian family caused Christine to feel discontented.
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Unbidden, Luke on horseback, handsome and masculine, flashed through her mind. She shoved the picture aside as she also saw Caroline, lovely and dainty in her blue riding habit, on the horse beside him.
Christine was still praying for she knew not what when Julia joined her. “I really should be getting back to Grandma Em’s.”
It was tempting for Julia to simply agree to this and take Christine back, but she knew it was best to get it out right now.
“I wanted to talk to you before you go.” Christine, remembering Julia’s tears in the barn, waited quietly. “I did something wrong this morning, Christine, and I need to tell you and ask your forgiveness.”
Christine’s eyes widened but she kept her peace. “Earlier I told you when I rode further than the ranch I needed to go with someone. I was not completely honest. My agreement with Mac is that I ride with either him or one of my brothers.” Julia stopped, her eyes on the clenched hands in her lap, too ashamed to even look at Christine.
“You’re my new sister in Christ. And instead of being an example and a help to you, I lied to make myself look important and to impress you. I would ask you, Christine, from the bottom of my heart, for your forgiveness.”
“It’s all right, Julia…”
“No.” Julia cut her off. “Christine, it’s not all right and I don’t want you to say that it is. Saying it’s okay would be condoning what I did. Saying you forgive me would tell me you understood I’ve done wrong, but you accept my apology and we can forget it and go on. Can you forgive me, Christine?”
Christine saw the truth and importance in Julia’s words and was thankful for them. She took Julia’s hands in her own. “I forgive you, Julia. I love you and thank you for coming to me. You have been a wonderful example to me today. More than you’ll ever know.”
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“Thank you, Christine. I couldn’t have asked God for a more special friend.”
All four MacDonalds took Christine home that afternoon and stayed to share a light supper with her and Grandma Em. Mac, Julia, Charles, and Calvin hugged Christine as they left, thinking that their lives were a bit sweeter with the presence of Christine Bennett.
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Since it was too soon for Sue and the baby to be out, Sunday dinner was at their home. Sue stayed up in bed, allowing one visitor at a time, but Elizabeth was brought downstairs and she made the rounds.
The table space at Mark and Sue’s did not allow all the adults to eat in the dining room. Christine cheerfully agreed to eat in the kitchen with the children. Luke scowled in Christine’s direction as she headed for the kitchen. He was unaware that her reason for going to the kitchen was because she genuinely loved spending time with the children and not because of Caroline’s remark the week before. He thought about going after her, but decided against it.
Christine saw the frown and wondered at it. It stayed with her even as she enjoyed a wonderful time with the kids. The three children tried to outdo one another on memory verses. Christine was amazed at all they knew.
Finally she asked, “Why do you memorize Bible verses?”
Calvin answered, “It helps you not to sin. There’s even a verse about it.” The children all thought for awhile, but could not remember it.
Luke, standing unobserved at the doorway, came in and whispered in Emily’s ear. She beamed at them and said, “I will hide God’s Word in my heart.” She hesitated, and Luke again bent to her ear. Emily nodded and started over. “I will hide God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Luke kissed her cheek before pulling up a chair at the table.
Suddenly Christine lost her appetite, so conscious was she of Luke’s presence right across the table. She listened to him and the children but only sipped her milk and pushed her food around for something to do with her hands.
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“Aren’t you going to eat? You can’t have dessert unless your plate is clean. Don’t you like chicken?” Emily’s innocent questions set Christine’s cheeks ablaze. She looked over at the little girl next to her and then back at her plate, knowing that the table was quiet, awaiting her answer.
Christine wished with all her heart at this second that the floor would open up so she could fall through.
“Have you always embarrassed so easily?”
Christine’s head snapped up at this casual question to find Luke regarding her thoughtfully, his elbow on the table and his chin propped up in his hand. Christine’s blush only deepened as he studied her face.
“Uncle Luke, you shouldn’t tease Christine.” Calvin, who knew his uncle well enough to have caught the teasing tone in his voice, admonished him in a grownup way.
“You’re right, Cal,” Luke answered, all teasing gone and without taking his eyes from Christine’s face, “but Christine is beautiful when she blushes. It’s nearly impossible to resist.” Luke smiled at her then. Perfect white teeth stood out against his tan features.
He continued to smile and regard her with such warm amusement that Christine couldn’t stay at the table. Luke, who half expected her to give as good as she got, felt badly when, too flustered to speak, Christine fled the table and began to prepare water for the dishes.
Luke sat a bit longer with the children. He noted how Christine was careful to keep her back to the room. Her every movement spoke of tenseness, and he knew that saying anything, even in kindness, would only make matters worse. So, taking pity on her, he left the kitchen.
“How long have you been a nurse, Maggie?” “Ah! Now that would be telling. You might even be able to guess my age.” As usual, Maggie was businesslike.
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Christine laughed and said, “It must have been wonderful to see Elizabeth come into the world.”
“You’re right about that. In all my years of nursing it’s a sight I never grow tired of.”
“Are you the only person in your family in medicine?”
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br /> “No, no, my father was a doctor and my oldest brother has a practice. His daughter, my niece, is in nurse’s training right now. So you can see that my decision to become a nurse was an easy one.”
“Well, for purely selfish reasons I’m glad you are,” Christine told her.
Maggie laughed, “Let’s get this coffee to the front room.”
Christine carried a tray full of cups and saucers. Maggie’s tray held the coffee, cream, and sugar. Christine’s idea to help Maggie serve went out the window when, after she set her tray down, she noticed the occupants of the couch.
Luke sat comfortably holding his baby niece, her downy blonde head moving, her eyes open and searching as Luke talked to her. Next to him, leaning over his arm to see the baby, was Caroline. The entire pose was so tender and familylike that Christine felt tears beginning to form.
Mumbling an excuse to no one in particular about checking on the children, Christine turned for the back door. Once outside, Christine drew in great gulps of cold air, somehow hoping to freeze the ache in her chest. She could hear the children at the side of the house and took a quick peek to see if they had their sweaters on. Christine thought absently of the coat that Mrs. Hall had ordered. She would be needing it soon.
Christine strolled around the backyard, noticing that the remnants of Sue’s vegetable garden looked lonely and cold. Lonely and cold-the way Christine had begun to think of Spooner. The thought of leaving Baxter made her want to cry. “Not Baxter,” Christine told herself, “but the people.” How could she leave these people? The thought hurt. But if she were honest, it would be easier to go than stay and see Luke and Caroline get married. Christine was
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shocked at the anguish it caused her to think of this prospect.
“You’ve done it now, Christine Bennett.” Christine’s voice broke quietly through the cold air to her ears alone. “You’ve fallen in love with a man who is interested in another woman. You’re going to be hurt and it’s no one’s fault but your own.”
Wanting nothing more than to sit down, feel sorry for herself, and have a good cry, Christine knew she had to get her mind off Luke and Caroline.
Grandma Em had once said that God is bigger than any hurt we might have. Christine prayed as she went around the house to play with the kids, “Please, Lord, be bigger than this hurt that threatens to overwhelm me. Help me to trust You for my future and accept Your will for my life.”
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Luke stood on the platform until the train was completely out of sight. The sound no longer echoed in his ears, and the vibration beneath his feet was now still.
The send-off had been easier than he had hoped. Caroline had been reserved but not sullen. Frank had praised him for his stables and the fine work he and Silas did. He had promised to try and get up next spring if the Mrs. could come.
Luke knew he had some things to get done at the ranch, but if he hurried to the post office he would be able to squeeze in a trip to see his grandmother, not once admitting, even to himself, who he really hoped to meet.
His horse tied out front, Luke opened the door for a woman carrying a box so big it nearly obscured her. A muffled thank you came from somewhere beneath the box as the woman moved out the door and a few steps past. Luke suddenly realized who it was.
Large hands on Christine’s shoulders brought her to a surprised halt. Before she could turn, those same hands reached around and lifted her box up and over the top of her head.
Even as Christine turned, some sense told her it was going to be Luke.
“Good morning, Christine.”
“Good morning,” Christine answered and reached for her box. Luke let it go.
“How are you today?” Luke again took the box from her grasp.
“I’m fine. What brings you to town?” The box was once more in Christine’s hold.
“I was seeing the Chamberses off.” The way he had casually stated seeing his girlfriend off, as if he didn’t care,
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made Christine angry, and when Luke reached to take the box again she stated firmly, “I can carry it myself. It’s not heavy.” Had Luke known her better, he would have realized that her temper was coming to the fore. She had realized he had been flirting with her at the table yesterday, only to go in and sit cozily with Caroline on the couch. That night in bed Christine had made a decision to stay away from Luke Cameron as much as possible until it was time for her to go home. Now, running into him the next morning was almost more than she could take.
Luke, thinking to keep things light, said exactly the wrong thing. “I don’t know about where you come from, but around here a gentleman helps a lady with her packages.”
Christine, believing he was playing false with Caroline in the pretense of being a gentleman, let her temper boil over. “I do not need you, of all people, to remind me of the social amenities, Mr. Cameron,” Christine gritted out icily between clenched teeth.
Luke was stunned. What in the world had he done to anger her?
Christine, taking advantage of his silence, said, “Good day, Mr. Cameron,” and turned on her heel.
Christine seethed all the way home. Her long stride eating up the blocks, she walked and saw nothing. People waved at her but she missed them. The box grew heavy but she gave it little notice. “What nerve!” she fumed. “Put his girl on the train one minute and forget she exists the next. What a flirt!”
Christine stomped up the porch steps. Letting the box slide down until it landed at her feet, she reached for the handle, but the door opened before her hand could make contact.
To her utter surprise, Luke reached out and took her box under one arm. With his free hand he pulled her inside.
The door shut firmly and he spoke. “I will know, Christine, before I leave here, why you are angry.”
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The two faced each other in Grandma Em’s parlor. Christine’s surprise at seeing him did not diminish her anger. Her voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Did you have a nice visit with Caroline, Luke? It must have been hard to put her on the train and say goodbye. I imagine you’ll miss her very much.” Christine’s eyes spoke her disappointment and hurt.
Luke finally understood. Her anger was a cover for the hurt she felt.
“Christine, there is no commitment between Caroline and me.”
Christine looked confused before she asked, “Does Caroline know that?” thinking back to the adoration she saw in her eyes.
“She didn’t when she first arrived, but she does now.”
Christine couldn’t look at Luke. How many times was she going to make a fool of herself in front of this man? Her eyes took in the carpet with great interest as she spoke. “I’m sorry I was angry at you. I have a nasty temper.”
“You have a temper? I didn’t know that!” There it was again. That supremely innocent voice and expression that told Christine he was having one on her. To her amazement, she didn’t blush.
“I really am sorry,” she repeated, now able to look him in the eyes.
He was sensitive to her serious tone. “I’m sorry too, Christine. There was no way you could have known there is nothing between Caroline and me.” Or that my interest is right here in this room, he added silently to himself.
“Thank you for explaining to me. Considering it’s really none of my business, that was kind of you.”
“Aren’t you a little curious about what’s in the box?” Luke was ready to change the subject.
“Oh, it’s a coat.” At Luke’s questioning look, she explained, “Mrs. Hall, a friend of mine at home, wrote that she ordered it for me.”
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“Aren’t you going to at least look at it?” Luke asked, wondering, and then thinking better of it, if he should tell her he knew she was from Spooner and who Mrs. Hall was.
When the box gave her trouble, Luke slipped a small knife free from his front pocket and with a few cuts had the box open.
Christine’s hands moved the wrapping aside until
she spotted a bit of white. Without thinking, she pulled, and out came a lace-trimmed cotton camisole that she held at arm’s length.
“I wonder if there’s been a mistake.” Christine looked over at Luke, who was standing beside her. His eyes took a short glide over the very feminine garment before saying to Christine, “If that’s the heaviest thing you’re going to wear this winter, you’re going to be cold.”
With a gasp Christine realized what she had been standing there holding for his inspection. Quickly she shoved it back into the box. She should have known Mrs. Hall would order more than just a coat, especially since it was such a big box.
Christine couldn’t keep the stammer from her voice as she attempted to right the box to carry it upstairs. “It would really make a mess-I mean the box. I should open the rest later-well, that is, in my room.” When she realized how she sounded, she stopped and said, “I have to go now.” With that she grabbed the box and ran quickly up the stairs.
Grandma Em came in some minutes later to find Luke in the exact spot that Christine had left him, simply staring at the place where Christine had been standing.
“Luke, is everything all right?”
He turned absently to his grandmother. “Did you say something, Gram?”
“I said, is everything all right?”
A beaming smile broke across Luke’s face. “Everything is just wonderful, Gram.” Grandma Em watched him walk to
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the door, whistling a little tune. He gave her a small wave
before exiting.
Emily shook her head as she went to find Christine. “I wonder if there has ever been a case history of spring fever this close to November.”
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November began much like October, but by halfway through the month the temperatures had dropped. Luke rose one morning to find that the fire had gone out in the kitchen stove. Blowing into his hands, Luke stomped around for warmth before attempting to light the fire.
When the fire was stoked and the coffee on, Silas came out, barefoot and shivering. He and Luke huddled near the stove, waiting for the coffee to become drinkable.
“Why don’t you get married so we’ve got someone here to take care of us?”