“My brother Skip is 37, and is actually named after my father, Samuel. He has three children, Amber, Jess, and Cole, and his wife is Judith.”
“Do they live in Fort Bragg?”
“Yes, he shares the medical practice with my father.”
Nodding, Marcail understood for the first time how her sister-in-law, Charlotte Donovan, felt when she was new to the family and trying to place everyone.
“Susan is in the middle at 36. Her husband is Jeremy Grey. They have four kids, Price, Nellie, Madeline, and Stuart. Jeremy’s family owns and operates the bank, so he and Sue live right in town. My folks’ house, which is also my dad’s office, is at the edge of town.”
“Who’s next?” Marcail asked, hoping she could keep it all straight.
“Quinn, who just turned 34. His wife is Hannah, and their kids are Cindy and Derek.”
“What does Quinn do for a living?”
“He’s a logger.”
“You didn’t tell me the names of Dorothy’s children.”
“No, I didn’t. You won’t meet them this trip, and I figured you’d have enough to keep straight.”
“That’s true. What do I call your folks?”
“Well, they’d love to hear Mother and Dad, but something tells me you wouldn’t be comfortable with that. Don’t hesitate to call them Samuel and Helen; Judith always does.”
“Is she the one who blushes?”
“No, that’s my sister Sue.” Alex chuckled at the thought.
“I can tell I’m going to spend the entire weekend lit up like a candle,” Marcail commented without humor. Alex laughed, his eyes lit mischievously as he watched her.
In fact, he was still smiling impishly when Marcail reached into her bag for the lunch she’d packed. He sobered up when she threatened to eat his lunch. Marcail knew without a doubt that the weekend would be anything but boring.
thirty-one
Marcail could smell the ocean even before she disembarked from the train. Her nose lifted as her feet hit the platform, and her eyes closed in bliss as she inhaled the smell of her childhood. A cold wind tugged at her coat and hair, but Marcail took no notice.
Alex came from behind and bumped her with the bags. The feel of the bags hitting the back of her legs and Alex’s quick apology were enough to break the reverie. She turned to ask him the direction of his home, but she saw that his nose was raised, and he was sporting the same look of pleasure she’d just experienced.
Marcail watched him until he opened his eyes and noticed her scrutiny. He smiled without embarrassment, and Marcail grinned back at him.
“Is it good to be home?” she asked softly.
“Immensely! Come on, Marc,” Alex used her nickname for the first time. “I’ll take you home to Mother.”
The Montgomery house was a large structure that appeared to have been added to over the years. The central house was two stories, with wings on three of the four sides.
Alex walked directly in the front door without knocking, and Marcail followed. He moved with purpose through a spacious living room, set their bags by the long sofa, took Marcail’s hand, and led her to a door at the end of the room.
Marcail had envisioned someone rather sickly, but the woman waiting in bed to meet her looked the picture of health with her sparkling blue eyes and warm smile.
No words were spoken as Marcail approached the bed. Helen, immediately noticing the hesitant smile of her new daughter-in-law, reached to hug her. Marcail couldn’t help but respond to the love she saw there and went willingly into her embrace. When Helen released her, she patted the bed and Marcail sat down. Again the room was silent as Helen looked at the exquisite features of Marcail’s face. She then turned to Alex.
“You didn’t tell us that she has the face of an angel.”
Alex’s smile nearly stretched off his face as he saw Marcail blush. He leaned from the far side of the bed to kiss his mother’s cheek.
“Hello, Mother.”
“Hello, dear. Happy birthday, a few days early.”
“Thank you,” Alex replied with a twinkle in his eye. “And now if you’ll permit me, I’ll make the introductions. Mother, this is my wife, Marcail. Marcail, this is my mother, Helen Montgomery.”
“Marcail.” Helen spoke the name softly. “We’ve been mispronouncing it.”
“With a soft c?” Alex wanted to know.
“Yes.”
“I think that’s the norm, especially if a person sees the name before they hear it.”
Alex and his mother went on talking for the next few minutes. Marcail’s attention began to wander around the room, and she found it as well equipped as Alex had described. The bed was spacious, with a lovely headboard and footboard. There was a small dining table with four chairs, and a small sofa, much like the one in Alex’s living room. The room even boasted its own little pot-bellied stove.
Marcail’s gaze moved past the stove and then shot back when she spotted a dog lying next to it. At least she thought it was a dog. It was big enough to be a small horse. Marcail was unaware of the way both Alex and Helen had stopped to watch her. Marcail’s eyes were like dinner plates, and her mouth opened but no words came out.
“Come here, Danny,” Helen finally spoke.
The enormous dog responded immediately, and as he slowly approached, Marcail moved back on the bed until she was against the footboard. Alex’s arms seemed to come out of nowhere, and Marcail relaxed when she felt them.
“He won’t hurt you,” he said softly in her ear, and Marcail let her head fall back against his shoulder. She couldn’t believe how good it felt to have him touch her. It wasn’t that his family frightened her, but everything here was new and strange, and the feel of his arms was as secure as the feel of walking in the front door of her own home.
Danny came forward on Alex’s command, and Marcail reached out to pet him. His entire back end moved in ecstacy over that attention, and Marcail knew in an instant that Danny was as gentle as Alex declared.
After a few moments Helen sent Danny to get Ida, something he’d been trained as a puppy to do. The housekeeper brought a light snack that was enjoyed by all, including Danny. Time seemed to race by, and Marcail was surprised when Alex said it was after 5:00 and he wanted to take her upstairs to get settled before going to meet his father and brother. Following Alex’s lead, Marcail kissed Helen as they left the room. Alex reminded his mother they’d be back soon.
Alex and Marcail didn’t see the smile that passed between Ida and Helen on their exit. Both women were thinking the same thought—their precious Alex had found a jewel.
thirty-two
Alex and Marcail had not reached the stairs before his father and oldest brother, Skip, came from their shared office to meet Marcail. Their smiles were warm and their hugs strong as they welcomed this “petite Montgomery,” as Skip instantly called her.
Some moments went by before the Montgomery men turned their attention to Alex to congratulate him and wish him an early birthday greeting. Suddenly, and without hint of a noisy arrival, the house was converged upon by Montgomerys. In the space of a few seconds Marcail and Alex were separated, and Marcail was left alone to meet the rest of the family—one more brother, two sisters-in-law, one sister, one brother-in-law, and nine nieces and nephews.
Their welcome of her was exuberant, and Marcail was looking very pleased, if not slightly overwhelmed, when Alex finally made his way back to her side for the next 20 minutes.
All the families had brought food to eat, and a meal was in preparation when Alex led Marcail from the room. He headed her up the stairs, their bags once again in hand. In the hallway at the top of the stairs, Marcail finally spoke.
“I need to go down and help with supper.”
Alex continued to usher her along. “They have all the hands they need. You haven’t had a moment to yourself since we arrived. I think you should get settled in our room.”
Marcail was escorted into a large, immaculate bedroom. The invit
ing room was tastefully decorated, but Marcail’s attention was riveted to the wall opposite the door. The wall displayed the headboard of a solitary, full-sized bed. Marcail walked slowly into the room and stood at the footboard. She heard the door shut behind her, but she stood still, certain she could not face Alex just now.
“Look at me, Marc,” Alex commanded softly.
Marcail hesitated before turning to find him in the room’s only chair, the bags at his feet.
“If you’re thinking this is a setup to get you to do something you’re not ready for, you couldn’t be more wrong.”
Marcail swallowed audibly, but didn’t reply.
“There are other beds up here, but I feel our marriage is a private matter. I’d just as soon we stay in the same room.” His voice was very reasonable, and Marcail listened attentively. “We have three nights here. If you feel at all threatened after we sleep in the same bed tonight, and I do mean sleep, I’ll move across the hall.”
Marcail stared at her husband and then at the bed. It’s certainly wide enough, was her first thought. And he’s proven to you repeatedly that he’ll not hurt you. Aside from all that, he is your husband.
“Marcail?”
Alex’s soft calling of her name made her remember she hadn’t answered him.
“All right, Alex,” Marcail agreed, noting that he didn’t seem triumphant or even very pleased, just accepting of her decision.
The family had a bit of a surprise for Alex and Marcail when supper was over. They all gathered in Samuel and Helen’s bedroom so each family could present them with a gift for their home. Marcail was so surprised she wasn’t sure what to say. Samuel and Helen gave them six teacups with hand-painted flowers and matching saucers. A large mixing bowl came from Skip and his family. Jeremy and Susan presented them with embroidered pillow slips. Quinn and Hannah gave them ornate candlesticks and tall, tapered candles.
After the gifts were opened Marcail and Alex thanked everyone with grateful warmth. Marcail did so because the family had made her feel so accepted, and Alex because he’d so wanted his wife to see his family for the warm, generous people they were.
The celebration over, the children were served dessert and then stayed in Grandma’s room for a story. The adults, all but Helen and Samuel, headed toward the large dining room table for pie and coffee.
As the family became acquainted with Marcail, and she with them, the dialogue took many twists and turns. Marcail was on her second cup of coffee when the conversation turned to a family, new to the area, that Quinn and Hannah were counseling. Alex asked how things were going, and Marcail had the distinct impression that the marriage was in trouble.
“How many kids do they have, Quinn?” Sue wanted to know.
“Four. All under the age of six.”
“I spend a lot of time praying for those kids,” Hannah interjected, “since their folks fight whenever the two of them are in the same room.”
“It seems they don’t even like each other,” Quinn’s voice was sad on this note.
Marcail, having just taken a sip of coffee, spoke without thought. “They must like each other a little if they have four kids.”
The table grew abruptly quiet. Marcail, eyes still on her clean pie plate, became very still. She raised her head slowly to find every adult at the table grinning at her.
Marcail felt the blush begin on her chest and work its way upward to her throat and face. The smiles around the table grew wider, and before Marcail could guess what was about to happen, Skip grabbed the lantern and held it close to her face.
“Would you look at that face,” he nearly whispered. “Lit up like a house-afire.”
Marcail’s face was so hot she thought it would flame. Turning her gaze to Alex, she found his look to be compassionate, but it also told her there was nothing he could do.
“Well, if there were any doubts in our minds about why Alex married Marcail, and there weren’t,” Quinn spoke now, “they’re all put to rest. Montgomery men love a girl who blushes.”
There was laughter around the table, and some of the attention was turned from Marcail. She was able to relax to a degree, but Alex had been right; they did tease her from time to time just to see her face flush.
Her deepest blush came when everyone decided it was bedtime, and they all left to go home for the night. What no one knew was that her blush this time had nothing whatsoever to do with her in-laws.
Marcail stood across the bedroom from Alex, not fully believing she’d agreed to share this room and bed. They’d just come in together, and Marcail watched as Alex sat on the bed and pulled off his shoes. His back was to her, but she told herself she’d sleep in her dress before she’d take her clothes off right then.
Marcail’s thoughts were beginning to turn tortuous when Alex stood, went to the commode, and lifted the pitcher from the bowl.
“I’ll go down and get some water for the morning,” he said, as though he was simply mentioning the weather. Whereupon he strolled casually out the door.
Marcail stood frozen to her spot for a few seconds before, in her haste, she nearly tore the buttons from her dress. She didn’t know how long she had, but she planned to be in her nightgown, under the covers, and sound asleep before her spouse returned.
thirty-three
Alex made his way slowly downstairs, and as he expected, found his father in the living room reading a newspaper. The elder Montgomery laid the news aside and smiled as Alex took a chair across from him.
“Is Marcail settled in?”
“I think so. She’s getting ready for bed.”
Something in his son’s voice alerted Samuel. He was very close to all of his children, but Alex was the most like him. There was something on his mind, and Samuel knew if he stayed quiet, Alex would share.
“She’s not like Linette,” Alex commented softly.
“Yes, I’d noticed. Does that bother you?”
“Only for Linette’s sake.”
This remark might have confused someone else, but Samuel knew his son to be extremely loyal. He had loved his first wife and always wished she could have been happier.
“You were both very young when you started out, Al,” his father reminded him. “And Linette never liked surprises, not even as a child.”
“That’s true, but I never should have assumed that she knew we wouldn’t be in Fort Bragg forever. I mean, with you and Skippy already set up here, it just seemed so logical.” Alex gave a helpless shrug. It seemed that all this should have been said years ago, but the truth was, they had never talked about it. He let his mind run, and in an instant all the pain returned.
He and Linette had grown up together. They had been nearly inseparable from the time they could walk, and as they grew older it just seemed a natural turn of events to be married. Within a year of their wedding Alex had gone away to medical school, and to keep things simple, Linette had moved back with her parents.
Alex came home as often as he was able, and at the time his absence didn’t seem to affect their relationship. Near the end of his schooling, however, when Alex came home to say he’d found a nearby town that needed him, Linette changed instantaneously to a person he’d never known.
She raged at him over leaving Fort Bragg for Willits and threatened to stay behind. He told her that if she was so against their move they wouldn’t go, but she began hiding her feelings at that point. They’d been living in Willits for nearly a year before Linette’s true feelings came to the fore again.
Alex could do nothing right in Linette’s eyes. He would be treated to days of silence for sins he couldn’t remember committing. It didn’t take long for Alex to see that Linette depended on him for her every happiness.
The marriage as a whole was not miserable, but Alex found himself starved for the sight of his wife’s smile and a true helpmate to fill his days.
Linette was as much work, if not more, than many of his patients. Nevertheless, he loved her, and as he weathered each new storm he grew in
the Lord. As head of the family, he tried to involve Linette in his study of the Word, but unless it made her happy, she would have nothing to do with it.
Alex had decided that they would have to return to Fort Bragg, but the very day he decided to give his wife her wish, she had the accident.
“I’ve lost you.”
Alex came abruptly back to the present. “I guess you did. I was thinking about the changes in my life. First with Linette, then without her, and now with Marcail.” It was obvious Alex had more to say, but he hesitated.
“It’s all right to admit that Linette was not an easy woman to live with, Al,” his father told him gently. “And it’s also okay to tell me how much you love your new wife.”
“I do love her, Dad, only I can’t tell her.”
Samuel was silent for a full ten seconds. Considering the fact that Alex had only mentioned the new schoolteacher one time in a letter last fall, his words were no surprise. Then a week ago he’d written to say he was bringing his wife home for his birthday.
“Then you’ll just have to show her,” the older man finally said.
Alex nodded slowly and felt relief over his father’s approval. Not that he doubted receiving it, but knowing that his father was in his corner did wonders for Alex’s outlook.
Father and son sat up for the next two hours while Alex shared how he’d met Marcail and why they were married. Again, Alex felt no condemnation from his father. He listened carefully when Samuel told him how important it was that he get to know Marcail’s family as soon as possible. Alex hadn’t thought of it, but agreed wholeheartedly.
They parted company sometime before midnight, and as Alex expected, Marcail never stirred when he slipped beneath the covers beside her.
thirty-four
Marcail woke to an empty bed. Stretching contentedly, she remembered where she was and quickly turned her head to see if someone was on the other pillow. Someone had been there, that much was obvious, but the sheets were cold and Marcail wondered what time it was.