by Janice Hanna
“I see.”
Sadie’s eyes popped open, and she gazed at Rena. “Surely you can see my dilemma. I can’t possibly be in love with someone who lives on the other side of the country from where I’m attending school. That’s why I can’t go back.”
“Excuse me?”
“I can’t go back, Aunt Rena. I simply can’t. I’ve not been terribly happy at college anyway, but now…” A lingering sigh escaped and she leaned back against the sofa.
“But, Sadie, you can’t be serious. You’re the most studious girl I know. You would give up your education for a young man you scarcely know?”
“Oh, Aunt Rena, you know what it feels like to be in love. I saw those letters from Gene. Would you have me suffer in New York when my heart is here, in Daisy?”
“But…” She couldn’t seem to come up with appropriate words.
“It’s not just Charlie. Oh, I love him! I do. But it’s the children too.” Tears ran in rivers down Sadie’s cheeks at this proclamation. “I love them so, and I can’t bear the thought of leaving them. Or you.”
A lump rose in Rena’s throat, one she could not speak over. Not that she would’ve known what to say anyway. She joined Sadie on the sofa but remained silent.
Sadie gave her hand a squeeze. “I need you, Aunt Rena. I need you so desperately.”
“Need me?” she managed. “What do you mean?”
A look of dread came over Sadie. “I need you to call Father and tell him for me. I—I can’t do it.”
“Surely you jest!” Rena felt ill at the very idea. “I would sooner face a den of hungry lions than tell your father you’re not going back to college. He will be so upset. Your education means the world to him.”
“But it doesn’t to me. Don’t you see?” Sadie erupted into tears, her sobs breaking Rena’s heart. From up above she heard a stirring and realized that the children had awakened. Sure enough, Callie, Lilly, and Josephine appeared in the living room moments later, rubbing their eyes.
“What happened, Miss Sadie?” Callie raced to her side. “Did someone hurt you?”
“N–no.” Sadie swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and sniffled. “I’m—I’m sorry I woke you girls up. I didn’t mean to.”
“Are you all right?” Lilly climbed into her lap and leaned her head on Sadie’s shoulder.
“Y–yes.” Another little sob escaped. “I just love you! All of you. And I don’t want to leave.”
“We don’t want you to leave either, Miss Sadie!” Josephine began to cry, and before long the other two girls joined her.
Rena looked on with a sigh. She managed to get the girls calmed down, and before long Sadie rose and took the children by the hand. “I’ll get them tucked in,” she said, sniffling again.
“You should go on to bed yourself,” Rena said. “I’ll be up in a minute.”
She waited until Sadie and the girls were long gone to think about a plan of action. How could she possibly call Reuben and give him this news? Why, he and Virginia would be on the next train to Daisy, no doubt about it.
Then again, maybe that would be for the best. She would even encourage his visit. He would arrive and set things aright with his daughter. And while he was here, he could see the children’s home, as well. Yes, her brother could surely fix all of this.
Chapter Twenty-Two
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNRULY YOUNG’UNS—When a father speaks, he must command the full attention of his children. He should never have to repeat himself. He must love his children, naturally, but never allow them to lose respect for him as the authority figure in the home. Too often I have seen fathers give in to the whims of their children and pay a heavy price when they’re grown. As the father of a bright, levelheaded young woman, I can attest to the fact that fatherly authority has made all the difference. Even now, my daughter would never think to go against my wishes.
—Reverend Reuben Jewel, Director of the Hope Pointe Missions Society
Rena’s telephone conversation with her brother went exactly as she expected. He did not respond well to the news that Sadie planned to stay in Daisy. In fact, he fussed and fumed and insisted upon a trip to see her at once. He and Virginia would arrive on Tuesday, the fourteenth of January, to talk some sense into their daughter and, hopefully, put her on a train to New York.
On that dreaded Tuesday, Rena asked Gene to drive her to the depot to pick up her brother and sister-in-law. Her nerves were so badly affected that she could barely speak a word to the man as he drove. He looked a little nervous too. No wonder. He still hadn’t confessed to writing those letters. Perhaps his shyness would go on presenting problems. Maybe he would never speak his mind.
Well, this wasn’t the day for that, anyway. Today she had other issues to contend with. First, pick up Reuben and Virginia. Take them to the children’s home for a tour and private conversation before the children arrived home from school, and then have a heart-to-heart chat with Sadie, who was probably hiding out at the jail, locked in a cell so that her father couldn’t get to her.
They arrived at the depot just as the train pulled in. Gene looked Rena’s way and released a slow breath. “Think you’re up for this?”
She shook her head.
He came around to her side of the car and opened the door for her. Then he took her hand to help her out. It wasn’t until a couple of minutes passed that she realized he was still holding her hand.
Well, so be it. She needed someone to hold her hand today. Facing Reuben would be tough. Gene’s presence would steady her.
A couple of passengers exited the train, but Reuben and Virginia were nowhere to be seen. Then, just when she’d given up on them, they appeared. Virginia looked none-the-worse for wear, but Reuben…well, Rena had never seen her brother look so upset.
She hiked up her skirts and took off running in their direction, leaving Gene behind. Rena hugged Virginia first, whispered a soft, “I’m so glad you’re here,” then turned her attentions to her brother. His hug didn’t carry the same tenderness, but she tried not to read too much into it.
“Reuben.” She stepped back and took his hand. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”
“Had no choice.” He fingered the nose of his spectacles, pushing them into place. “One of us has to talk some sense into that girl.”
Rena did her best to swallow her fears. “Yes, well, let’s go and find her, shall we?”
“Find her?” Reuben paled. “You’re not insinuating that she’s run off with that fellow, are you?”
“No, no. Put your mind at ease.” Rena patted his arm.
The porter appeared with their luggage and Gene drew near. Rena made quick introductions and silently praised the Lord that her brother treated Gene civilly. Then again, as head of the missions society, he had his reputation to uphold, didn’t he? Yes, surely he would be kind to everyone. Well, everyone but Sadie and Charlie.
A shiver ran down Rena’s spine as she thought of Reuben’s upcoming encounter with the young deputy. Likely it would not go well for either one.
All the more reason to pray and trust the Lord. If He had orchestrated all this, surely He could handle an angry father and a lovesick daughter.
Gene made light conversation all the way back to the children’s home. When they arrived, Reuben’s expression shifted slightly. He stared at the outside of the house for a moment without saying anything. When he finally spoke, his words were laced with concern. “Rena, I thought the home had been through renovations.”
“Mostly internal,” she said. “Though Gene has painted the exterior.”
“Well, yes, but look at those rotting boards. And the stairs are a shambles.”
“Oh, they were much worse. Henry has replaced several of the boards already.”
“Dreadful,” Reuben said.
As they exited the car, Rena did her best to keep the mood as cheerful as possible. Thank goodness Gene played along. He joined in with heartfelt bantering, even carrying in Reuben and Virginia’s lug
gage. Together they showed off the children’s home, taking their guests on a tour—first of the parlor, then the kitchen and dining room. Lastly, Rena ushered them upstairs, where she offered them her room for the duration of their stay.
“We can’t take your room, Rena,” Virginia argued. “Where will you sleep?”
“There are extra beds in the girls’ room. Sadie and I will stay in there during your visit.”
She’d no sooner spoken the name Sadie than Reuben’s face contorted. “Where is that daughter of mine, anyway? I wish to speak to her.”
“I…well, we thought it would be best to give you some time to settle in before talking with her.” Rena took Reuben’s hand. “Could you give me a few minutes, brother? I want to speak with you on her behalf.”
“On her behalf?” He did not look pleased.
Virginia slipped out of her coat and laid it across the end of the bed. “Likely she’s too scared to talk to you, Reuben. Remember what we discussed. You won’t overreact. Calm, cool heads. That’s what’s needed in situations such as these.”
“Yes, I agree completely.” Rena gestured to the stairs. “Now, please come back down to the parlor. I’ve got coffee and pie waiting. I’m sure you’re hungry.”
She led the way downstairs. Before long, her brother and sister-in-law were seated in the parlor and she was in the kitchen, with Gene at her side, slicing the pie Sadie had baked only this morning, while a pot of coffee brewed nearby. Though the two worked in silence, the conversation inside Rena’s head was more than sufficient to keep her preoccupied.
Before carrying the refreshments out, Gene looked Rena’s way. “Guess this would be a good time for me to head back to the jail to fetch the victims. Want me to send both of them or just Sadie?”
She sighed. “We’d probably better start with just Sadie. But tell Charlie not to fret. I’m sure this will all work out.”
“Hmm.” He offered a little smile, one that brought her hope. “Well, I’ll be praying. I know you will too.” He paused and gazed into her eyes. “You know, I once read that true love always wins out.”
“O–oh?” She couldn’t help the smile that followed. “Well, I do believe that’s a biblical promise, so I will cling to it now as I face my brother. And thanks for those prayers. We’re all going to need them.”
Minutes later she found herself seated in the parlor with a slice of pie in hand. Reuben and Virginia sat on the sofa, picking at their slices of pie but not really eating them.
Rena decided to break the silence. “Reuben, I feel I must start by apologizing.”
He looked her way. “For what has happened with Sadie, you mean?”
“Honey, we don’t hold you responsible for that.” Virginia placed her plate on the end table. “Honestly, we don’t. She’s young and these things happen.”
Reuben did not look convinced. Rena could almost hear the thoughts going on in his head: “If you hadn’t chosen to come to Daisy, none of this would have happened.” Those words were true, of course, but she didn’t regret coming. Not one iota.
Rena’s pie plate began to tremble in her hand. She set it aside on the small table to her right. “My apology is twofold. Yes, I feel I’ve somehow let you down because of what has happened with Sadie. But I also want to apologize—specifically to you, Reuben—because I never really took the time to understand your work at the missions society before.”
He looked stunned at this news. “What do you mean?”
“I didn’t really invest myself in the people of Gulfport. In the projects, yes. I could knit. I could sew. But I hadn’t truly given my heart to the people we were ministering to. In fact…” She paused. “I must confess, I simply didn’t take the time to get to know them. Not really. I just handed them a scarf or a cap and went on my way.”
“Ah.” His brow wrinkled and he took a sip of coffee.
“And now?” Virginia gave her a curious look.
“Now I understand. I’m invested. I couldn’t leave these children if my life depended on it.”
“I see. So I suppose talking you into returning to Gulfport is out of the question.” Her brother pursed his lips and shifted the coffee cup to the other hand.
“It is. I love these children and they love me.”
Virginia smiled. “‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’” She paused and then added, “Or a child.”
“Or many, many children.” Rena grinned, her heart now feeling lighter. “Though I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve laid down my life for them.”
“Oh, but you have.” Virginia dove into a lengthy speech about caring for those in need, and it greatly encouraged Rena. She had to wonder about Reuben’s silence, though. Likely his thoughts were elsewhere—on Sadie.
The nervous young woman arrived moments later, entering the house alone. Rena silently thanked the Lord for that. Charlie would have his moment with Sadie’s father, but not yet.
Virginia stood and rushed to her daughter’s side. “You beautiful girl. We’ve missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too, Mama.” Tears covered Sadie’s lashes.
Rena looked on as Reuben rose and took a few steps in his daughter’s direction. “Father!” The color drained from Sadie’s face as she looked his way. “You’ve come all the way to Daisy to talk with me.”
“I have.” He gave her a stern look. “But to clarify, I’ve come all this way to talk some sense into you.”
“I see.” She began to twist the handkerchief in her hands. “Would you like a cup of coffee? A nap? A slice of pie? I baked it myself. Or maybe some hot cocoa? I’ll just have to run to town to fetch some chocolate from the general store. Won’t take long.”
“I’ve already had a cup of coffee, and Rena offered me a slice of pie, though I had no idea you’d baked it. Since when do you bake?”
“Since I moved to Daisy.” She drew near and slipped her arm through his. “It’s this town, Father. There’s just something about it that makes me want to be better at everything I do.”
“Interesting you should say that. I’ve come to talk with you about bettering yourself.”
“Oh, I’m better already.” Sadie grinned. “Feeling better about life every day, in fact.” She beamed then plopped down on the sofa.
“You’re missing the point.” Her father took the spot next to her, and Rena sat back down in the wingback chair, a quiet observer.
“Father…” Sadie took his hand. “I need you to hear what I have to say. I’ve enjoyed my semester at Vassar, but…” She paused and a little shrug followed. “I’ve not felt at home. In fact, I’ve not felt much of anything except frustration. It’s not what I’d hoped, to say the very least.”
“But we’ve planned for your college education since you were a little girl.” Her mother took the spot on the other side of her. “Do you know how many girls would move heaven and earth for the opportunity to attend a school like Vassar?”
“I do. And I don’t want you to think I’m ungrateful. I think what you and Daddy did was the second-kindest thing a parent could do for a child.”
“Second-kindest?” her mother asked. “What’s the kindest?”
A lovely smile lit Sadie’s face. “Trusting that she’s grown up enough to know her own heart.”
The silence from Reuben was deafening.
“What are you saying, Sadie?” Virginia asked after a moment.
“I’m saying that I’m in love with Charlie Lawson. And I’m saying”—her face lit up in a smile and she began to bounce up and down on the sofa—“I’m saying that we’re married!”
Gene took long strides across the jailhouse with his heart in his throat. From his spot behind the desk, Charlie grinned. “C’mon now, Gene. You had to know this was coming.”
“I didn’t.”
“But I love Sadie and she loves me.” Charlie rose and took a few steps in his direction. “This is what people do when they’re in love. They get married.�
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“So…so, that’s where you were when you disappeared on us that day?”
“Yep. Drove to Tushka to introduce Sadie to my mother, then on to Atoka, where we got married at the courthouse. All legal and proper.”
Gene thoughts began to tumble. “And then?”
“And then…is none of your business.” A gleam in Charlie’s eyes clued him in that this particular conversation was over.
“Ah.” Gene couldn’t think of anything else to add, so he shut his mouth and leaned against the desk. Charlie. Sadie. Married. Rena was going to have a fit. And Reuben! What would he do? Likely kill Charlie Lawson, first thing.
Charlie didn’t look worried. He slapped Gene on the back. “Aw, c’mon, now. This is really all your fault, anyhow.”
“My fault? How could this be my fault?”
“Sadie never would’ve had the courage to follow her heart if she hadn’t read those letters you wrote. They were something else, my friend.”
“Letters I wrote?” That certainly got his attention. He rose and looked Charlie square in the face. “What letters?”
“The ones to Rena, of course. Sadie said they were the most heartfelt words she’d ever read.” Charlie gave him a playful wink. “Didn’t think you had it in you, to be honest. I mean, you’ve always been such a down-to-earth fella. Never would’ve figured you for a romantic.”
“Romantic?” Gene shook his head. “Wait a minute. Would you mind telling me what you’re talking about? What letters?”
“Your love letters to Rena, of course. Don’t tell me they’ve slipped your mind.” Charlie’s brow wrinkled.
“Slipped my mind?” Gene raked his hand through his hair. “No. Nothing has slipped my mind. If anyone’s losing his mind around here, it’s you. Running off and getting married without telling anyone? But I can absolutely assure you, I never wrote any love letters to Rena Jewel.”
“You—you didn’t?” At this news, Charlie eased his way down into the chair again. “You’re sure? I mean, maybe you wrote them in a fit of passion and don’t remember.”