Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon

by Miralee Ferrell

  Andrew leaned forward. “You said you left the note? Why, then, didn’t he find it?”

  She plucked at a fir needle resting on her sleeve and flicked it away. “Nathaniel came to see me recently and brought something with him that I’ve not seen in four years. The note that he’d left for me, with my answer.”

  “He took it and left town without you? The cad!” Andrew clenched his right fist and slapped it into the open palm of his left hand.

  Margaret stared, not realizing he’d think that. She shook her head, making her long braid swish back and forth. “No. Oh, no, Andrew, he never found it the night that I left it.”

  “Then what? Why?”

  “A week ago he decided to do some work in our old yard. The Company assigned him our house, you know.”

  “I didn’t, but I’ve not paid much attention to Mr. Cooper’s personal business.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave a short nod. “Go on.”

  “He dug up a dead rosebush, and his spade hit something. Another spadeful of dirt and the item came up—it was the box we’d once used for leaving notes.”

  Andrew raised his brows, and his head gave a slight backward start. “Ah-huh.”

  “My father thought me too young to marry and wasn’t happy about my relationship with Nathaniel.” She felt a warm blush rise from her neck to her cheeks and raised her hand to touch her skin. “I was wrong, I know that now, to continue seeing him when Papa didn’t approve. But I was young and believed I was in love, and Nathaniel wanted to marry me.”

  “Did he know how your father felt?”

  The blush intensified, and she dropped her head. “Yes.”

  Andrew muttered something she couldn’t discern, then fell silent.

  Margaret raised her head and met his eyes. “I believe he loved me. I turned seventeen a month after he left town. Papa married Mama when she was that age. He had no right to interfere.”

  “He had every right, Margaret. He was your father.” The words were spoken softly, without malice or censure. “He loved you and felt he knew what was best. I imagine he thought he was saving you from making a mistake.”

  She shook her head, frustration and doubt warring inside. “I’d prayed about it for weeks, and I believe God told me it was all right.”

  Andrew stared into her eyes for a long moment. “God wouldn’t tell you to sneak off against your father’s wishes. He tells us to honor our parents. You were still living under his roof—under his protection. God doesn’t go against His Word.”

  She closed her eyes, wanting to be done with this conversation. Andrew didn’t understand. He couldn’t. He’d not lived through the hurt and pain of finding Nathaniel gone. “It doesn’t matter now. I thought God told me He was taking care of it, and it would all be all right, but He didn’t, and it wasn’t. I’ve shied away from trying to hear His voice because I don’t trust that I’ll hear correctly. But that isn’t why I wanted to talk to you. I need you to know…” She paused and gripped her hands in her lap. “That Nathaniel has asked for another chance, and I feel I must give him one.”

  Andrew jerked back as though he’d been struck, and his eyes grew wide. “Another chance? What does that mean, exactly?”

  She worried the edge of her bottom lip with her teeth. “To see if there’s still anything between us. To court, I suppose. I haven’t really asked him what he meant, but that was my understanding.”

  He stood and pushed his chair back, bumping it against the wall. “You’re sure that’s what you want to do? Even though the man left when he didn’t find your note?”

  “His train was leaving a short time later. He didn’t have time to wait and talk to me again, and he assumed I’d changed my mind.”

  “I’d have stayed another week and lost the job, rather than assuming something and leaving you behind.” Andrew ground out the words between clenched teeth. His head swung away from her. “I hear voices on the trail.” He stepped off the porch, then turned back to face her. “I’ll step aside, Margaret. I don’t cotton to a man who’d go against your father’s wishes, but you’ve made it clear that it’s not my business. I care for you, and I’d hoped to court you proper. But more than anything, I want your happiness. If you can find it with Cooper, then I’ll wish you the best and step out of your life.” A sad smile touched the corner of his mouth.

  A man with a long stride entered the clearing in front of the cabin and raised his hand. “Margaret.” Then, seeing the cabin roof, he broke into a run. “Oh, my dear, are you all right?”

  Nathaniel Cooper had arrived.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  The sheriff arrived on Nathaniel’s heels, along with Hiram, Grant Cowling, Julius, and three other men who’d been friends of Margaret’s father. Andrew eyed them as they entered the clearing, trying his best to keep his turbulent emotions from warring on his face. Margaret had almost married Nathaniel Cooper, and now she planned on letting him court her again? Andrew gave a loud snort, and Julius clapped him on the back.

  “My sentiments, exactly. Looks like that there tree did quite a number on Miss Margaret’s roof, don’t it?”

  Andrew plastered on a smile and looked in the direction Julius pointed. “Yes. I climbed up to take a look. The damage isn’t bad, but it needs to get fixed before dark, if possible.”

  Nathaniel stepped to Margaret’s side and grasped her hand, whispering something Andrew was unable to hear. He turned away, his stomach roiling. “Sheriff, we need to organize a search party for those children, but a couple of men should stay and see to Miss Garvey’s roof.”

  Nathaniel stepped forward. “I’ll stay. Margaret says those two have run away before. It’s more important that we take care of the house and ensure she has a warm, safe place to stay.” He stepped back and gestured toward the tree lodged on top of the cabin. “If a couple of men can bring some crosscut saws, wedges, and whatever other tools you think you’ll need, we’ll start on the removal and repairs.”

  Andrew grunted and clapped his hat on his head. “Suits me. I’ll take Julius, and we’ll start searching for Sammie and Joel. He’s met them, and they’re more apt to trust someone they know. Sure wish Gibbs was back.”

  Hiram moved forward, scratching his morning stubble that he hadn’t taken time to shave. “Got word he’s comin’ back t’day.”

  “Good. That dog of his can find them, sure as the world.” Andrew turned to the sheriff, his eyebrows raised. “Sheriff, you going to help us hunt, or work on the roof?”

  “I think I’m better suited to helping you hunt, but I’m guessing the young lady might get skittish if she sees me.” He looked around the small clearing at the faces of the men. “How about you, Hiram, Grant, and Julius split up in pairs and head different directions? Any others that show up, I’ll send them along to cover a different area. I’ll stay in case they come back on their own, and be available for any newcomers who stop by to help.”

  Andrew nodded and clapped Julius on the back. “How about you and me team up, old-timer?”

  Julius grinned but shook his head. “Sure would like to, Andrew, but what you said made sense. Them youngsters need to see at least one familiar face, and I don’t reckon they know Hiram, or Grant, neither one. Am I right?” He turned his attention to the two in question and waited.

  Hiram scratched his head and frowned. “Cain’t say I ever laid eyes on ’em, myself. How ’bout you, Cowling?”

  Grant wagged his head. “No, sir, not to speak to, anyway. Guess one of us best go with Julius, and one with Andrew.”

  Julius beckoned to Hiram and headed off down the trail. “We’ll take the area between here and the mill. They’s not a lot of places to hide, but best we look, just the same. When we’re done there, we’ll cover from the mill to the Company store.” He jerked a thumb at Andrew. “You want to start at the west end of town and go on past the waterfall? There’s houses and shacks out there where them two might a’decided to hunker down.”

  Andrew nodded. “Sounds good. Let�
��s meet back here at noon and report in if we’ve not found them. Sheriff, we’ll count on you to give us some type of signal if they’re found.”

  Sheriff Bryant drew his gun from his belt and nodded. “I’ll shoot three times in the air, if anyone brings me word. You find them, hightail it back here in a hurry. Godspeed, all of you.”

  Andrew strode up the path with Grant Cowling’s long stride close behind. They traveled in silence from Margaret’s cabin past the now quiet mill yard, and through the brush and trees to the stream at the base of Bridal Veil Falls. Grant quickened his steps and swung along beside Andrew. “You seem mighty worried, Andrew. You pretty close to those children, are you?”

  “I guess I am.” Andrew slowed his pace. “They’re good youngsters, and I can’t blame them for running. Sammie’s protective toward her brother, and if she figured the sheriff thought him involved in Martin’s death, I can see why she spooked.”

  Grant’s bushy eyebrows rose nearly to his drooping hair. “The sheriff’s interested in her brother? He the type that could a’done somethin’ like that?”

  Andrew shook his head decisively. “No. I don’t believe so, and neither does Margaret—Miss Garvey. They’ve been with her for a while now, and we’ve gotten to know them as well as we could, given the circumstances.”

  “Which are?” Grant drew to a stop and crossed his arms. “Might be good if you’d give me an idea what we’re up against.”

  Andrew wiped his sleeve across his brow. “Sammie is thirteen and sharp as a tack. Joel is fourteen, and he’s a mite slow. She watches out for him—makes sure he takes care of himself, and mothers him. But she doesn’t tolerate anyone talking down to the boy, if you get my gist.”

  Grant nodded and smiled. “Yes, sir, that I do. Keep talkin’, but let’s mosey along and keep our eyes peeled.”

  “Sure.” They jumped the stream at a narrow spot and struck off up the path, staying close to the edge of the placid Columbia River. What a difference from the white-capped waves pounding the shore last night. You’d never know the wind had howled and the storm raged by the look of the sunshine and calm waters today. “Margaret—uh, Miss Garvey and I—”

  Grant grabbed Andrew’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “Cut that, boy. I know how you feel about Missy, and there’s no need for you to hide it. Fact is, I’d like to know why you hightailed it out of there and left that other fella to take care of her?”

  Andrew felt the muscles in his face freeze, and he took a deep breath. “Noticed that, did you?”

  “Ah-huh. Also noticed he’s the same man her pappy wasn’t too keen on some years back. Knew he’d come back to work at the Palmer mill but didn’t realize Missy was still interested.” He released his grip on Andrew’s arm. “You intend to fight for that gal?”

  Andrew shook his head and gazed into the older man’s eyes. “She knows how I feel, but I’ll not interfere.” He’d let her father down, he knew that now, and not helped his own cause, either. Why hadn’t he found a way to protect Margaret from the man her father had disdained? Guilt dragged at his heart and sank its claws into his mind. “Margaret has to find her own way in this.”

  Grant snorted. “Pshaw. Not with someone else leading her, she won’t.”

  “You think Cooper isn’t honorable?”

  “I’m not sayin’ that. He seems like a decent sort. Just doesn’t set right in my craw that Margaret’s papa didn’t approve of their union, that’s all. I know she’s a grown woman, but that don’t mean you have to stand back and do nothin’.”

  Andrew met Grant’s stern gaze and didn’t flinch. “I’ll not compete with a memory. If we’re to have a life together, I want her to be certain. Margaret has to decide what she wants, and I’ll accept her decision.” He turned and headed up the path toward a farm in the distance. “We’d best get going. We been jawing long enough.”

  Grant mumbled something too low for Andrew to hear, then the older man laughed and clapped his hands. “Guess I plumb forgot for a minute that God’s in charge. I’ll just commit to prayin’ about you and Missy.”

  Andrew tossed a grin over his shoulder, his heart suddenly lighter. “Thanks, Grant. And while we’re at it, let’s say a prayer for Sammie and Joel.”

  “Yes, sir. Good idea.”

  They fell into silence as they strode side by side across a field and toward a house sitting several hundred yards back from the river.

  Andrew’s heart turned toward the One who knew all things and heard all prayers. Please God that they found the children, and that God granted Margaret clear vision and wisdom in the days ahead. His future, as well as hers, depended on it.

  Margaret stood on the edge of the clearing, her arm linked with Clara’s, watching the men at work. The two women had spent the first hour inside, hauling items away from the debris and covering her furniture with the large canvas tarpaulin one of the men brought. She’d put some of her things in boxes and stacked them on the porch, hoping to avoid the dust and needles sifting down through the hole. “I wonder if any of the men have found Sammie and Joel. It makes me feel sick, thinking of them alone again.”

  Clara squeezed her arm. “It’s a small community, and someone’s apt to see them. As long as they don’t try to hop a train, they’ll be found.”

  “That’s what worries me. Sammie’s a smart girl, and not afraid of much—other than being sent back to wherever they ran from. They arrived by train, and I wouldn’t put it past her to take that way out.”

  “I’m guessing your influence might keep her from running too far. She seemed to stick pretty close to your side, the couple of times I saw her.”

  Margaret nodded as she continued to watch the men tossing the last of the branches and cut wood down from her roof. “I thought she was starting to trust me—maybe even like me—then this happened. Not that I blame her for running. I’m just praying they’re not hurt.”

  Clara gripped Margaret’s arm and turned her around to face her. “There now, hush. You’ve got to trust God, and quit worrying so.” She angled her head toward the area where Nathaniel was working, his shirtsleeves rolled up above his elbows. “Are you finding yourself interested in Mr. Cooper again?”

  Margaret glanced at the serene face beside her, not sensing or hearing any rebuke. “I’m not sure. I think so, and he’s asked me to give him a chance.” She shrugged.

  “How about Andrew? It seemed to me that he was warming up to you.”

  “I know. I’m still trying to sort out my feelings. It’s confusing, and I’m not entirely certain how I feel.” She heaved a large sigh and walked over to a stump and perched on it. “I care about Andrew, and before Nathaniel came back, I thought I could have more than just friendly feelings for him. Now? Well, I guess I need to know if it’s just old feelings being stirred up after all these years, or if there’s something still there that I need to investigate with Nathaniel. I just know I can’t walk away from him without finding out.” She bit her lip and glanced down at her lap. “I talked to Andrew first thing this morning and explained about Nathaniel.”

  “How’d he take it?” Clara sank down on a patch of green grass not far from Margaret’s resting place.

  One of the men gave a shout and waved his arm.

  Two men appeared just up the path from the girls, hoisting boxes over their shoulders. “Morning, ladies,” one of them said. “We brought the new shakes for your roof. Looks like we may have it finished before nightfall.” He dipped his head in farewell and strode on.

  “Oh, good. I won’t have to trouble your mother for a place to sleep tonight, if they finish before dark.”

  “I insist you at least come to dinner, if nothing else.”

  “I’d love to, thank you, but only if they find the children.” Margaret brushed some dust from her skirt and looked back up at Clara. “You asked about Andrew. He went a bit white when I told him and didn’t say much at first. I know he was hurt, and I hate that. But he told me that he cared about me and wanted my happiness above
all.”

  The memory of Andrew’s words shot a pang of regret through her heart. His words had made her feel loved—something she’d longed for and hadn’t expected to feel again. She almost wanted to take back her words to Andrew, but the pull toward discovering where her heart lay was too strong.

  Clara’s eyes widened. “It takes a big man to say that.” Her brow puckered. “You said you believed your father hid the box with the note in the rose garden. Have you had time to think about that?”

  “You mean, how am I feeling about what Papa did?”

  Clara gave her friend a sweet smile. “Yes. I imagine it came as a shock.”

  Margaret propped her feet on a nearby rock and wrapped her arms around her knees. “I haven’t had time to really think it through. Part of me understands his need to watch out for me, but the other part feels betrayed. He was concerned about how young I was when I was seeing Nathaniel, but I never dreamed he’d interfere.” She swiped at a tear that threatened to spill over onto her cheek. “I found out he asked Andrew to take care of me if anything happened to him. I don’t even know for sure how Andrew feels about me, or what I feel about him, or Nathaniel. I wish it wasn’t such a mess.”

  Clara leaned over and patted Margaret’s hand. “I’m so sorry. But I don’t think your father tried to hurt you. I’m sure he did what he thought was best—and was trying to protect you.”

  “I know. He told me the day he died that he was sorry, but I didn’t know why. How could he dislike Nathaniel so much?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it was just the thought of losing his only child so soon after your mother’s passing, and being left alone. But you need to forgive him.”