Beside Still Waters

by AnnaLee Conti

  “Since we first met, I’ve been fighting my attraction to you.” Violet searched for words. “When John died, I decided I’d never marry again. All my life, it seemed that everyone I loved died—my parents, my uncle and aunt who raised me, my baby, and then John. Losing my husband was so traumatic I never wanted to risk that kind of pain again.” Tears sprang into her eyes. One trickled down her cheek.

  Norman pulled out his folded white handkerchief, lifted her chin, and slowly but gently wiped the droplet away. “And do you still feel that way?”

  “No.” She giggled with embarrassment. “Cally guessed how we felt about each other. She encouraged me to find happiness in love again. At first, I scoffed at the idea. During the storm, though, I worried so much about you that I realized she was right. How colorless my life would be without you! In spite of the risk, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  Norman laughed. “Thank you, Cally!”

  Violet lowered her head. “At first, I felt guilty, like I was betraying John . . . until I reread his last letter to me, recovered from an inside pocket when his body was found. He told me not to waste my life grieving for him. The last words he wrote were, ‘Have a happy life, my darling.’” She lifted her head and smiled at Norman.

  “How fortunate you are to have that letter. I’d have given anything for a last word from Kristina.”

  Violet nodded. “I can imagine.”

  The moment of sadness passed, and Norman asked, “So, what did you decide?”

  “To take his advice.”

  “Good!” Norman clasped her to his chest in a big hug. When he set her down, he lowered his lips to hers. She trembled as he sealed their blossoming love with a sweet, lingering kiss.

  Holding hands, they walked on. Oh, the wonder of it all! Who knew that a second love could feel so right? John and Kristina would forever be a part of them, yet she and Norman felt their blessing to forge a new life together.

  Soon, they came to a secluded area between the stately houses of Juneau’s most-distinguished citizens along Chicken Ridge. Norman knelt in the gravel road on one knee. “Violet, since we love each other, will you marry me?”

  Gazing into his eyes, Violet saw love and hope mingled in their blue depths. He was different from John in many ways, but she knew she could trust him with the rest of her life. “Yes, Norman, I’ll marry you.”

  He rose and sealed their betrothal with another kiss. “I haven’t had a chance to buy you a ring yet, but I will do it tomorrow.”

  “Norman, I don’t have to have a ring. I have your love.”

  “No wife of mine will go without a diamond. I want the world to know you are mine.” Hand in hand, they continued their walk through the residential streets of Juneau, reveling in their new-found love.

  They talked of the future. “I’d planned to remain in Douglas when the fishing season is over this year. Tennes and I built a two-family house several years ago. I live in one side, and they live in the other. We could get married in the fall. Would you be uncomfortable living in a house that was Kristina’s?”

  “Oh no, but will it bother you if I make changes?”

  “Of course not! I don’t think of you as a replacement for Kristina. You are unique. I love you for who you are. I’d expect you to add your special touches to make it your own.”

  Violet’s joy suddenly dimmed as the thought crossed her mind that Norman might want more children.

  Norman seemed to sense her distress. He stopped walking and turned her toward him. “Dearest, what’s wrong?” he asked, an anxious frown on his face.

  Her lips trembled. “What if I can’t give you more children?”

  “Then we can adopt a child who needs a good home. Why do you ask?”

  “I was just remembering how long I waited to have a baby before my Elizabeth was born. And then she died. John and I were devastated. I’m older now. What if I can’t have another baby? I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

  He drew her into his arms and rubbed circles on her back as he crooned, “My dear Violet, let’s trust that unknown to God. Let’s not allow ‘what ifs’ to spoil our happiness.”

  When the mosquitoes drove them back to the house, they stood quietly in the archway to the living room where the Penningtons and Cally conversed with the Kobbeviks. All of the children had been sent to bed. Cally looked up first and grinned broadly.

  Then Alma noticed them. “What have you two been up to?”

  Violet and Norman looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  “They’re in love.” Cally nodded knowingly.

  All at once, everyone jumped up and ran to them, talking and asking questions.

  Alma hugged her brother. “It’s about time you realized it, you big lug.”

  Tennes clapped him on the back. Norman grinned and hugged him in return.

  Mary threw her arms around Violet. “I’m so happy for you.” She swiped at the tears glistening in her eyes. “Don’t mind me. I cry when I’m happy.”

  “When’s the wedding?” Daniel asked as he shook Norman’s hand. “I hope you’ll allow me to perform the ceremony.”

  Norman dipped his head toward Violet. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, would we, Violet?”

  “After the fishing season.” She glanced up at Norman. “We’re thinking about a late fall wedding.”

  “I’ll be ready. Just let me know when.”

  Before they knew it, the sun that had been streaming in through the window dimmed as it slid behind the mountains peaks to the west. “I hate to break up this celebration,” Tennes said, “but we still need to motorboat across the channel before twilight fades.”

  “Right,” Norman exclaimed. “And we’ve got a big job ahead of us tomorrow.”

  Everyone said their farewells.

  As Norman kissed Violet good night, he whispered, “I’ll see you again tomorrow evening.”

  After Violet climbed the stairs to her room, she crossed to her window and hugged herself. She’d never imagined that she could be so happy ever again. Would she wake up and find it was all a dream? As she rehearsed the events of the evening, her breath caught at the glowing reds and oranges streaking the sky in a spectacular burst of color as though even the heavens rejoiced at her happiness.

  Chapter 35

  THE NEXT DAY, VIOLET HUMMED and smiled as she and Mary washed clothes in the wringer machine and hung them out to dry. Later, she played joyfully with the children as they enjoyed another sunny day outside. Tonight! Norman would come tonight!

  When his knock sounded at the front door, the family was just finishing dinner. Violet excused herself from the table. “I’ll go. It’s probably for me.”

  No sooner did she open the door than Norman tugged her outside. Like an excited schoolboy, he led her by the hand to a secluded spot behind a towering tree at the edge of the property where they would be hidden from view of prying eyes of any curious children peering out the windows.

  “I have something for you.” Norman slipped his hand into his front pants pocket and pulled out something small. Taking her left hand, he slid a ring on her finger. “There. Now everyone will know you’re spoken for.”

  As Violet lifted her hand to look at the ring, the solitaire diamond caught the rays of the sun and scattered a kaleidoscope of sparkles. “Oh, Norman, it’s beautiful! Thank you.”

  He glanced around to be certain they were still alone and took her into his arms for a lingering kiss that awakened feelings she hadn’t known in a long time. When his lips released hers, she drew in a long, shaky breath as he continued to hold her close. “I wish I didn’t have to leave tomorrow. I’d marry you right away. But if I’m going to support a wife, I need to catch fish until the season is over. Then we can spend all winter together.”

  “You know I’m still under contract to teach this school year.”

  “They’ll let you teach after you’re married?”

  “So few teachers are available here in a town full of men that they allow
us to be married.” Violet frowned. “Will that pose a problem?”

  “I don’t see how. You can catch the ferry to Juneau in the morning and ride back in the evening just like all the others who live in Douglas and work in Juneau, or I can ferry you across with the outboard motorboat.” He chuckled. “If I can bear to let you go, that is.”

  “Daniel hopes they’ll begin building the bridge soon. When it’s done, I won’t be tied to the ferry schedule.”

  “We’ll work it out.” He kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Mister Norman!” a child’s cry came from the porch. Soon little Angie’s legs were carrying her as fast as they could across the yard, heading straight for the tree.

  “We’ve been discovered,” Norman whispered. He swung around to catch Angie up in his arms and hugged her tight. “Hi, little one. What are you up to?”

  She laid her head on his shoulder and tried to reach around his chest to hug him. “I wuf you.”

  “And I love you too, sweetheart.”

  The active child didn’t stay put long. She squirmed out of his arms and ran to the swing. “Push me.”

  Norman lifted her onto the seat and gave her a gentle push.

  “Higher!” she squealed with delight.

  Norman glanced at Violet, who shook her head to caution him. He pushed Angie a bit higher and whispered to Violet. “How about we adopt this one?”

  “I wish,” Violet said, “but she has a father.” Norman gave Angie another gentle push and Violet added, “He’s working at a cannery on one of the islands. He’ll come for her when the season is over.”

  Norman continued to push Angie as they whispered. “I hope he’s good to her.”

  “Oh, he is. His wife died of influenza last winter. She was part Tlingit. They are much more susceptible to flu. He attends our church during the winter months.”

  When the younger children had cleared the table, they too spilled out into the yard to play. Violet and Norman slipped away for a short walk. Norman grasped her hand. “What will everyone do when you move out?”

  “Big changes are coming. Recently, Cally bought a house on the edge of town for her retirement. She’s seventy now. The work is becoming too much for her.”

  Surprise lit Norman’s face. “Where did she get the money to buy a house? She can’t make enough working here.”

  “She’s never taken a salary. Apparently, her husband was a wealthy businessman in New York, and she inherited everything. She wanted to do something useful with it.”

  “I never would have guessed, but that explains why she’s such a classy woman.”

  “She’s that, for sure.”

  They walked along in companionable silence enjoying the bright summer evening, until Norman asked, “So, losing both of you at once, what will the Penningtons do?”

  “They’re converting the rooms above the church into living quarters. When that’s completed, they’ll move there and close this home.”

  “That will give Daniel more time for the church, but what will happen to the children?”

  “Two families at church are opening other homes. One is a large house on the beach just outside of town. Our children will probably be moved there.”

  “What about Angie?”

  “I think her father will look for a family to care for her during the summers. If you want to, we could do that.”

  “I’d be out fishing again.” Norman stopped and faced Violet. “I hoped you might go out on the boat with me next summer.”

  “What about Tennes? Would Alma want to go along too?”

  “My sister is not especially fond of boats. She gets seasick. And Tennes only tolerates fishing for my sake. He lost his father and brother in a storm at sea in Norway. Since then, he’d rather keep his two feet planted on land. They’ve been talking about moving to Petersburg where a lot of Norwegians live. Friends from Norway who own a shrimp cannery there want Alma and Tennes to join them.”

  Violet pressed her hand to her forehead. “My head is spinning. Sounds like many changes on the horizon. As John used to say, ‘a sea change is coming.’”

  “Ya! I guess so.” Norman stopped and studied her with an expression of concern. “Does that upset you?”

  “No, not really. I’ve been feeling it coming for a while now.” Violet put on a brave face. “I’ve heard it said that the best time to make changes is in the midst of change. The Lord has led me through many upheavals already. I’m sure He won’t let me down now.” She hugged his arm. “And He sent you to walk alongside me now.”

  “Like I read in Ecclesiastes just the other day, ‘two are better than one, for if one falls, the other will lift him up’—or something like that.” Norman shrugged sheepishly. “I’m not much good at memorization anymore.”

  “I get the gist,” Violet said. “The passage also says that ‘a threefold cord is not easily broken.’ With you and me and the Lord—the three of us together—we’ll make it.”

  “That’s good! Maybe we should ask Daniel to read those verses in our wedding ceremony.”

  “Sounds like a great idea to me. I’ll look up the reference and give it to him.”

  “Have you thought of a date for the wedding?” Norman asked.

  “Once school starts, I’ll be pretty busy, but I have a four-day weekend over Thanksgiving. How about that Wednesday evening at the conclusion of the service?”

  “Perfect.” Norman’s eyes twinkled. “Unlike last year, I have much to be thankful for this year. Just when I thought I had nothing to live for, God has brought you into my life.”

  As they strolled along for a few more minutes, sunlight slanted through the tall evergreens. Norman pointed to a bald eagle circling overhead. “I’ve been trying to be more like the eagle when storms come.” Violet nodded her agreement.

  From a nearby tree, a raven’s raucous caw, its voice harsh as though it had a sore throat, interrupted their conversation. A haughty blue jay swooped down to a birdfeeder in a nearby yard and chased away smaller birds feasting there.

  Violet laughed. “I sure don’t want to be like those birds. They’re selfish and rob the peace.”

  Just then, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention. Violet exclaimed, “Look! A chicken.” A mottled brown ptarmigan scurried into the brush.

  A puzzled frown crossed Norman’s features.

  “That’s what the miners called them. That’s how Chicken Ridge got its name—for the abundance of ptarmigan in this area.”

  “You got me on that. I couldn’t believe a schoolteacher didn’t know the difference. Don’t you love how they turn as white as snow in the winter? Why do we doubt that God will take care of us when He has provided such effective camouflage for His more defenseless creatures?” Norman squeezed Violet’s hand. “I think we’d better head back. I hate to leave you, but we pull out at dawn tomorrow. Not much time to sleep. We’ll be back to unload in about ten days—hopefully in time to spend that Sunday with you.”

  “I’ll look forward to that.”

  “And I’ll take you down to the boat harbor to show you around the Kristina too.”

  “I’d like that.”

  As they strolled up the path to the house, they found the yard empty. The children would be preparing for bed. Daniel, dressed in his suit for visitation, opened the door.

  “I’m glad we caught you,” Violet said. “We’ve set a date—if it works for you. We’d like to have the wedding the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.”

  “That sounds good! I’ll put it on my calendar. Wish I could stay and visit a while, but Mrs. Larsen has been admitted to the hospital. Her husband telephoned. Wants me to go and pray for her.”

  “I can’t stay anyway,” Norman said. “We’re leaving at dawn. See you in ten days.”

  When Daniel had gone, Norman drew Violet into his arms for a goodbye kiss. “I don’t want to let go of you. I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too. I’ll be praying that you have a safe
and successful trip.” Violet blinked at the sting of tears in her eyes as she stood on the steps and watched her tall beau stride down the path. At the street, he turned, doffed his fedora and waved it. Then he clamped it back on his dark, wavy hair, and continued on. She stayed there until he disappeared behind the spruce trees farther down the street.

  “Oh, Lord, thank you for bringing Norman into my life. I miss him already. Please keep him safe. Help me not to worry.” Violet studied her ring for a moment before entering the house.

  The kitchen was empty. Violet found Mary and Cally in the living room darning socks. The children wore holes in their heels faster than the three of them could mend them. Violet held out her left hand. Her friends squealed and jumped up to hug her.

  “Did you set the date?” Mary asked.

  When Violet told them, Cally said, “We’d better get started planning. Only a month until you’ll be busy with school again.”

  “No need to fuss,” Violet said. “We don’t need a fancy wedding. When I married John, I had one afternoon to prepare. I wore my only formal dress—it was blue, and a straw hat adorned with a bow.”

  “All the more reason to wear a wedding dress this time,” Cally said.

  “I’ll think about it.” Violet smiled at Cally’s enthusiasm. Who’d have thought the elderly woman was such a romantic? “I need to write to John’s parents and let them know about the wedding.” She headed toward the stairs. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, dear,” Mary and Cally chorused.

  In her room, Violet sat at her tiny desk and pulled out a sheet of writing paper and her fountain pen. “Dear Mother and Dad Barston,” she began. How to tell them?

  Years ago, I promised to tell you if I ever fell in love again. I never thought I would want to remarry. But wonder of wonders, I have fallen in love with a widower I met a year ago. He too lost his wife to the sea. Shortly thereafter, his three-year-old daughter was kidnapped by the couple he had hired to care for her while he finished out the fishing season. He has not been able to locate her. In consoling each other, we have found love again.

  Of course, I will never forget John, my first love. And I will always consider you as my dear family. That’s why I’m hoping you will be able to come to Juneau for my wedding the evening before Thanksgiving and a family celebration and dinner the next day.