Love's Story

by Christner, Dianne; Billerbeck, Kristin;

  Gretchen stood, wringing her hands nervously, and looked at Rachel, unable to speak. Suddenly, Rachel was given an uncommon boldness. “Mrs. Steele, have you ever asked Jesus into your heart?”

  “I think you should go now, Miss Phillips.” Rachel got up slowly, hoping the widow might change her mind. Mrs. Steele stepped purposefully from the room and climbed the stairs, leaving Rachel to wonder what she was thinking. Disappointed and frustrated, Rachel let herself out.

  Gretchen remained on the landing after the schoolteacher left and spoke aloud to herself, “Have I ever asked Jesus into my heart? Maybe not, but it’s certainly no business of yours, Rachel Phillips.”

  It was a pleasant March afternoon following church service, when Rachel, sitting in the front parlor with a book, heard voices on the porch.

  “Perhaps, we should have asked if this afternoon would be a good time.”

  “Perhaps we should have, but we didn’t, so go ahead and knock. You owe those women an apology, and it’s long overdue.”

  Rachel opened the door and was shocked to see Mrs. Williams and Thelma Hopper standing there on the porch with smiles on their faces and two fresh lemon cakes in their hands. “Mrs. Hopper, Mrs. Williams, what a pleasant surprise. Won’t you please come in.” Rachel stepped back and waved the women through to the parlor. She took the cakes from them and called for the rest of the household. “Robert, Seth, we have visitors. I’m sorry, but Mrs. Lathrop is in isolation until the baby comes.” The women nodded knowingly.

  Seth was the first to race to the parlor, followed by his father. When everyone had gathered, the silence became apparent, and Mrs. Williams was the one who broke it.

  “Miss Phillips, I hope we’re not intruding. We baked these lemon cakes yesterday, and thought we might drop them by as a sort of peace offering.”

  “Peace offering?” Rachel inquired.

  Thelma Hopper took over. “Yes, a peace offering for the injustice I’ve done to you and Mrs. Lathrop. Mr. Lathrop, I hope you will convey my deepest apologies to your wife for me. When she is up and around, I will be sure to do so myself.” The older woman looked to her friend for support and went on. “Miss Phillips, you and Mrs. Lathrop have both been the victims of such terrible gossip. I hate to even mention it, for fear of bringing more pain to you. But I need to apologize for my part in the evil—for listening to it in the first place, and, most of all, for acting on it by shunning you both and by asking you to leave my house, Miss Phillips. I’m afraid I did you both a serious grievance.”

  Rachel felt tears coming on, and did her best to stifle them, but there was no stopping the emotion, and soon her tears flowed freely. She had been vindicated. Maybe it was only one member of the community, but it was an answer to prayer nonetheless, and for that she was overjoyed.

  “Mrs. Hopper, thank you,” Rachel said, wiping away tears. “I know this must have been very difficult for you. It isn’t easy to admit when we’ve made a mistake.” Rachel moved forward and embraced the older woman. Thelma stood stiff with surprise at first, but then warmed to the hug, returning it.

  “Enough of all this, let’s have some cake,” Mrs. Williams said, breaking the intensity of the moment; excited chattering began. Seth raced to the kitchen at the promise of cake, and Rachel prepared coffee and the dishes for a pleasant afternoon visit.

  Chapter 19

  Chase Dylan eyed Searsville with pleasure. Over two months had passed since he had seen Rachel. Gretchen had sent Henry to stay with him on Sundays during the winter months, and Jeremiah had handled things in Redwood, so there had really been no reason to visit town. No reason, that is, except Rachel Phillips. And after her blatant refusal of his Christmas gift, he saw no good reason to pursue that alliance in the future. His heart plummeted at the very thought.

  Chase approached Davenport General Store and was about to enter when he noticed Rachel Phillips strolling into the post office with a young man. A tall, sturdy young man. His pulse quickened and his jaw clenched in jealousy as he realized with annoyance that his desire for Rachel had not ended. He stopped abruptly at the store’s entry and resolutely walked to the post office instead, determined to let Rachel Phillips know what a spectacle she was making of herself.

  Once inside the post office, possessiveness surged through him as he eyed Rachel and the other man talking by the counter.

  “Miss Phillips.” Chase’s voice was admonishing.

  “Chase,” Rachel said with pleasure, a captivated smile crossing her face.

  Chase felt himself charmed to the core by her enchanting appearance, and his jealousy fled. She was wearing a simple calico gown of tan, but its plainness highlighted the luxurious red in her hair and the deep green of her eyes. Once again, Chase Dylan knew he was in love.

  “Chase, you know Aubrey Dawson,” Rachel said excitedly. Chase knew she was trying to thank him for getting the older boys to return to school.

  “Certainly, works for me in the summers as a peeler, and a fine one at that,” Chase said confidently, trying to conceal his shame over the jealousy that had just gotten the best of him, and over a mere boy.

  “Aubrey’s planning to be a mill owner just like you. He’s just sent away for information on the latest saws and boilers. He’s learning how much money he will need to earn to set up his own mill,” Rachel said proudly, while Aubrey shyly perused the paperwork and diagrams before him.

  “Aubrey, anytime you have questions about the mill, you can come to me. I’d be happy to tell you what you want to know.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Dylan. I’ll do that.” Aubrey smiled, then went back to the information he was reading.

  Rachel and Chase unconsciously walked away together into a corner of the post office, longing to be alone together. Chase spoke first. “How have you been, Rachel?”

  “Oh Chase, I’ve been wonderful. I’ve given my heart to the Lord again, Mrs. Hopper and I have reconciled, and my job is going very well. I’ve been studying the logging industry in great detail, and the children are learning at a pace I never thought possible. They are actually excited about their sums! Some of them have actually taken to teaching their parents about what they’ve learned; it’s really quite rewarding. Have you spoken with Robert yet? Maria’s almost ready to have her baby, and…” Rachel stopped in midsentence and gazed up at the entranced gentleman before her. “Oh my, it seems I need to come up for air,” Rachel laughed.

  He took delight in seeing her openness once again, and silently rejoiced that Rachel had gained God’s peace since he’d seen her last. Perhaps that was the Lord’s way of letting him know that she was indeed the woman for him. He silently prayed it was so.

  “Oh, I have so much I want to tell you. First, I must thank you for getting the boys to come back to school. They are doing so well and I owe it all to you. They really respect you, you know.” The two became lost in their own world of conversation, oblivious to the many customers that walked in and out of the post office.

  “Rachel, if you would ever like to visit the mill, I’d be happy to show you around. That way, you could explain to your class how a mill is run in detail by witnessing it for yourself.” Chase made the offer with ulterior motives. Of course, he could help her with her teaching, but his true motivation was to see the woman he loved at his mill.

  “That’s a wonderful idea. I could explain to them about each job, and they could tell me what their fathers do. They would love that!”

  “Very well. You name the day.” Chase was overjoyed, for he now knew he would not go another two months without seeing this woman again. He noticed that Aubrey was through studying his paperwork, and Chase said a reluctant good-bye to Rachel before heading back to Davenport General Store, a happy sparkle in his eye.

  “Miss Phillips, would you mind if I had a word with you?” Gretchen Steele appeared outside the post office with a worn black leather Bible in her hands.

  “Certainly. Aubrey, will you please excuse us?” Although confused, Rachel had the presence of
mind to pardon herself and lead Mrs. Steele to a wooden bench on the building’s porch.

  “This was my husband’s Bible. After you left the other day, I opened it to Proverbs, the book you said told you to come and speak with me. I started reading it, and I discovered some pretty awful things about myself. This book talks about there being a right way to do things and a wrong way. I can’t say I’ve done much right in my lifetime. Did you know God despises gossip? It’s one of the seven deadly sins! Can you believe that? Right up there with hands that shed innocent blood! I had no idea.” Gretchen’s face wore a pained expression. “Anyway, I think it’s me who owes you the apology. I have had a lying tongue and a ‘heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.’”

  Listening to Mrs. Steele’s confession, Rachel was filled with the grace of God. She was so appreciative that the Lord had allowed Gretchen Steele to recognize her sin and that He had given her the grace to want to do something about it.

  “Would you like to have God’s forgiveness?” Rachel inquired softly.

  Gretchen’s eyes pleaded before she said, “Yes.”

  “Let’s pray then, shall we?” The two women bowed their heads. “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the opportunity to come before You and ask You for Your forgiveness, made possible by the blood shed by Your Son, Jesus.” Rachel grasped Gretchen’s hand and said gently, “Repeat after me, if you feel led: Dear heavenly Father, I ask for the forgiveness of my sins and that Your Son would come to dwell within me.” Rachel led Gretchen in the prayer of her life, and she followed willingly and joyfully. The two of them sat for the rest of the afternoon on the bench, excitedly discussing their histories and plans for the future.

  Time was running out for Henry and Chase Dylan’s weekly meetings together. Henry would be moving in one month. Chase had decided tonight was the night he would talk to the boy about salvation and God’s plan for his life.

  When he reached the Steele home, he was surprised to find Gretchen at home, quilting by herself over the large, wooden frame in the parlor. “I thought the quilting circle was at Mrs. Davenport’s house tonight.”

  “It is, but I’m not planning to attend any more of those. I don’t find them edifying, and I’m afraid they cause me to be tempted to gossip.”

  Chase was bewildered by the open and honest comment, and sat down to avoid falling over. He stared directly at Gretchen’s face, hoping for a hint as to the change in her. No, it couldn’t be, he thought. But still he had to ask, “Gretchen, is something different about you?”

  “I believe so. I’ve asked Jesus to be my Savior, and I’ve been truly convicted over the behavior of my tongue,” Gretchen admitted openly.

  “Gretchen, I’m so proud that you have the courage to recognize your sin.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s been very difficult for me. I thought asking Jesus into my heart would solve the problem, but I’m tempted constantly; it’s a daily struggle. I hate to entertain this fact, but I just relish a good piece of gossip! So, I’ve had to avoid the situations that enable me to be a part it. That includes meeting at the general store and my beloved quilting parties.”

  “Gretchen, congratulations; that’s a big step. You’re learning that being in the will of God is a constant effort that requires staying in His Word and lots of prayer. Some days are just easier than others, but never fear, the Lord will bring you new interests.” Chase stood and smiled down upon her.

  “Miss Phillips is partly responsible for this, you know,” Gretchen said softly.

  “Rachel?”

  “She’s the one who confronted me about my tongue. Actually, she came to apologize to me, which was convicting in itself. I just recognized something different in her, a peace I wanted a part of. A few days later I asked her about it, and lo and behold, I ended up praying with her.”

  Chase was anxious to hear more of Rachel’s part in Gretchen’s conversion, and the two carried on in a rapid-paced discussion until Henry came into the room.

  “Hi, Mr. Dylan. What are we doing tonight?”

  Chase was now more eager than ever to share God’s Word with Henry. He patted him gently on the back and said, “Tonight, we’re going to learn about the Light of the World.”

  “You mean Jesus?” Henry asked confidently.

  “Yes, Henry, I do. How did you know that Jesus was called the Light of the World?”

  “Miss Phillips told us in school, then she asked if we wanted to ask Jesus into our hearts. I told her I knew all about Jesus from my time with you, and that I did want to ask Him in.”

  Chase rejoiced in the knowledge that his promise had finally been kept, but inwardly he felt a tinge of regret that it had not been him who had prayed with Henry. “My my, Miss Phillips has certainly been busy lately.” Chase smiled broadly at the thought of his beloved Rachel, his beautiful, evangelizing Rachel.

  Chapter 20

  Spring came early to Searsville, and the season warmed in late March. The big rains had never come, and only the disappearing evening chill and afternoon fog marked the end of winter. The freshness of spring was both exhilarating and blissful for Rachel, who relished the year-round sunshine, but took special pleasure in the continuous warmth.

  Rachel had offered a reading club at the schoolhouse on several Saturday afternoons, and she’d been surprised at the consistent attendance by Veronica Smith. The two had become close while discussing various books and their themes. Rachel delighted in the maturity she saw in the young woman, and the two began spending Saturday afternoons together, regardless of the club’s meetings.

  “Maria, I was planning to visit Jeremiah with Veronica out at Dylan Mills this afternoon. Might I take Seth with me? It would give you the chance to rest, and maybe Robert a chance to ride Bess for a bit.” Rachel’s voice was pleading; she had seen how simple chores exhausted her pregnant friend, now a few weeks past her expected delivery time.

  Rachel tried not to sound too anxious, but secretly she was praying she’d be able to take Seth. She hadn’t told Chase Dylan she’d be coming with Veronica Smith, and although she was eager that she might see him, she was also fearful of how forward it might appear. She thought back to when he had invited her to the mill for an educational tour and took solace that she might use the invitation as an excuse, should he see her there.

  Maria had been so tired lately. Rachel tried as often as she could to take Seth out and give Maria a break, but it didn’t seem nearly enough.

  “Dylan Mills? How are you getting there?” Maria asked.

  “Veronica’s borrowing her mother’s buggy. We’ll probably be gone for three hours or so.”

  “That would be wonderful. I could certainly stand to rest my eyes for a few moments at least.” Maria went to the entryway and fetched Seth’s black wool coat. “Now, you’ll be sure Seth keeps his coat on when you get into the trees? And you’ll keep him away from the saws? As if I need to ask…”

  “Absolutely.” Rachel smiled, inwardly relieved Maria had allowed her to do this favor. Maria constantly gave of herself, rarely giving a thought to her own needs. At times, it made Rachel feel quite unnecessary. Although Rachel knew that thought would be just as troubling to Maria’s gentle heart.

  “Seth?” Maria called her son from his bedroom.

  “Yes?” Seth answered, in perfect English.

  “Miss Rachel is going to Portola Valley in the buggy. Would you like to go with her?” Maria awkwardly bent over her stomach to speak to her son.

  “Yes, yes!” Seth jumped up and down and dashed into his mother’s arms for a good-bye kiss.

  “There’s your answer, Rachel,” Maria said, while fitting Seth into his boots.

  “Wonderful, we’ll have a dandy time. Seth, let’s start up the path. Mrs. Smith is going to fetch us soon.” Rachel grasped his hand, leading him outdoors. Once outside, the energetic boy burst into a sprint and stayed twenty feet ahead of his companion, yet never out of her sight.

  Soon the slow, familiar clip-clop, clip-clop could be h
eard, becoming louder until a small black buggy came into view. Veronica pulled slightly on the reins and the graceful chestnut horse came to a stop.

  “Seth is coming with us. I hope you don’t mind.” Rachel lifted the boy into the trap next to the young Mrs. Smith and climbed in after him.

  “No, Jeremiah loves children; he’ll enjoy seeing Seth.” Veronica handed Seth an unattached strap of the reins and told the boy to pull. As he did so, Veronica snapped the bridle, yelling “Yaw,” and the buggy started with a jolt. The sensation was exhilarating, for it had been a long time since Rachel had been in any type of carriage.

  The threesome rode for about an hour before coming to the wooded canyon that was home to Chase Dylan. The mere thought that this was his home sent a chill through Rachel. Secretly, she hoped he would be here today but knew chances were good that he was in Redwood. The threesome hopped from the buggy and tied the horse to a post near the wooden building that housed the mill.

  “There’s Jeremiah. You just wait here and I’ll come back for you in a minute.” Rachel and Seth stood in a hollow, pine needle-strewn valley between two forested hills. To their right was a large, black iron boiler that bubbled and sputtered, its noise deafening as they walked closer. This was the lifeblood of the process. Rachel knew from her study of the industry that without the boiler to run the saws, the milling operation would cease. She watched the machinery inquisitively. The shouts of men could be heard over the ear-piercing shrill of the saw, and Rachel found herself wondering if Chase might be the one speaking.

  To their left in the distance was a large, raised platform with a ladder leading to the huge wooden tub that stored precious water for the area. Rachel looked up at the equipment with healthy respect. The machinery made her feel so small and helpless. Above them, Veronica and Jeremiah disappeared into the mill, motioning that they would return soon. Rachel knew they probably needed their privacy and walked about the valley floor with Seth, pointing out the different birds and wildlife present in the trees.