He was nothing less than thrilled that she had regained her teaching position, but they had been growing so close, and this was one more thing to take her mind from her husband.
Lord, he prayed silently, I really believe she loves me, but the time hasn’t been right for her to say the words. Please help her. Please help her to see that I would never reject her.
This continued to be Alex’s prayer that day and in the days to follow. As before, he did not know the Lord’s timing, but as Alex continued to surrender his will and trust in Him, he found God to be sufficient.
The end of the second week of school was upon her, and Marcail waved the children off before straightening up her room for the weekend. Class was going very well, and Marcail couldn’t have been more pleased. The students, all but Sydney, were still staring at her hair and clothing, but she knew they would eventually grow accustomed to the different dresses and hairstyle.
Each morning Alex drove the buggy as far as the school, and then left it at the side of the building until he returned for Marcail. For some reason, he was late this day. Marcail didn’t mind since it gave her some time to sit and pray.
She poured her heart out to the Lord over her spouse. She now knew she was in love with Alex, but she didn’t have the faintest notion as to how to tell him. She knew he would welcome the words, but they simply would not leave her mouth.
She also knew that when she told him, Alex would make her his wife in every way. There was no fear within her at the thought, just a little breathless anticipation. Marcail was finally in a position to heed her sister’s words of long ago: “Marc, when the man you marry takes you in his arms, you won’t feel fear. You’ll desire him as much as he desires you. That’s the way God meant it to be.”
Marcail now understood those words, but she also knew she was the person who would have to initiate something, and here she drew a blank. She prayed until Alex came for her, but was no closer to a decision than before.
Alex saw that she was very quiet when he picked her up, and assumed she was tired. She was as sweet as ever through the evening, and he even found her watching him on several occasions. When he questioned her, she only shook her head. Alex wished she would share what was in her heart.
Once in bed for the night, Marcail found herself with the same wish. She knew she’d had several opportunities to tell him, but she had stayed silent. Now she wondered how she would feel if he was called away and something happened and he never came back? She would never have had the joy of telling him of her love.
Her tortuous thoughts did not lead to a good night’s rest. Within two hours of falling asleep, Marcail awakened in the midst of a vivid nightmare. For the first time in their marriage, Alex woke to find her moving about the house in the middle of the night.
“Marcail?” he called softly to her as he came to the bedroom door. He found her standing before the window, hugging her arms around herself.
“Marcail, are you all right?”
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
She sounded breathless, and Alex realized she was crying. He came forward and put his arms around her. She let her back fall against his chest.
“Bad dream?”
“Yes.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.
“Want to talk about it?”
Marcail turned in his arms, “I wouldn’t have let you fall,” she told him, the light from the full moon catching the tears on her face.
“In your dream I was falling?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice catching. “You were falling from a cliff, and I was at the top. You kept begging me to catch you. You said if I loved you I would catch you, but I couldn’t reach you. I wouldn’t have let you fall, Alex—I wouldn’t have!”
“Shhh.” Alex pulled her against his chest. “It was only a dream. Of course you wouldn’t let me fall.”
“You don’t understand.” Marcail pulled away from him, feeling desperate to make him understand. “What if you really did die, and I never told you I loved you. I couldn’t stand it, Alex; I just couldn’t stand it! I do love you, Alex, more than I can say. I wanted to tell you all evening, but I couldn’t find the words.”
Alex continued to hold her and spoke softly. “I’m sorry you had the dream, but I’m not sorry about what you told me.”
“You don’t seem very surprised,” Marcail whispered to him and hiccuped.
“I’ve known for some time that you were in love with me.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” This question accompanied yet another hiccup.
Alex chuckled and admitted. “There are some things a man likes to hear voluntarily.”
The word “voluntarily” hung between them. Alex’s greatest desire was to lift Marcail in his arms and carry her to the bedroom. But just as he had waited for her admission of love, he also needed to give her time to desire their physical union. In his own mind, the two went hand in hand, but he realized that Marcail probably did not feel that way. He knew he’d done the right thing when Marcail stepped from his arms.
“Better now?” he asked softly.
“Yes, Alex. Thanks.”
They moved of one accord then, back to their own beds. Marcail settled in quickly on the sofa, but sleep was miles away.
What did I do wrong? Did he not understand? Marcail didn’t know when she’d experienced such confusion. I think he’s taking his cue from me as usual, but I don’t know how to do this.
An image rose in Marcail’s mind of Alex taking her in his arms, and she knew real fear that swiftly turned to anger. After turning over uncomfortably on the sofa, she scolded herself.
You’re such a coward, Marcail. Afraid of everything including your own husband. When are you going to grow up? Marcail carried on in this vein for the better part of an hour without a single thought of sleep. She remembered much later than she should have that she needed to pray. She had barely said ten words to the Lord, when she realized she had to talk with Alex about the way she was feeling.
You know he’ll listen, she told herself as she rose from the bed. However, he might wish you had waited until morning. Marcail sat up on the edge of the sofa in a moment of indecision. When she finally moved soundlessly through the living room, she had decided on a plan.
The house was very dark, but Marcail moved with purpose toward the bedroom. The door was open, and she stopped on the threshold. Very softly, Marcail called Alex’s name, knowing that if he was already asleep her voice wouldn’t disturb him.
To Marcail’s surprise he stirred instantly. She peered through the darkness as he rustled around and lit the lamp on the bedstand. When the room was illumined in soft light, Marcail saw that Alex had come up to rest on one elbow to watch her in her simple, sleeveless nightgown with its deep V-neck and buttons down the front. Her own eyes went to Alex’s bare chest above the sheet and then back to his eyes. After taking a deep breath, she spoke.
“Katie told me a long time ago that when a man and woman are in love, there is nothing to fear. I seem to be struggling with believing her right now. I know I must seem like a child to you, but really I am afraid.”
Alex’s look was more tender than Marcail had ever seen. She watched him draw the covers back from one side of the bed in invitation. Of their own volition, Marcail’s feet propelled her forward. She crawled onto the bed and knelt just a few inches from her husband.
“Katie is right.” Alex’s soft voice was deep, and Marcail felt a chill down her spine. “There is nothing to fear because we do love each other. I’ve never thought of you as a child. If you were a child, you wouldn’t be ready to be my wife—and you’ve proved that you are by joining me tonight.”
Marcail took great comfort in his words and found that all cowardice had melted away. She leaned forward until her lips found Alex’s. She kissed him tenderly and when that wasn’t enough, she reached to hold his face in her small hands and kiss him some more, hardly aware of the way Alex’s strong arms had come up to hold her.
&
nbsp; Alex’s own heart threatened to thunder from his chest at her touch as well as the softly spoken words of love she whispered again and again. He knew this was a beginning for them, even as he knew she would spend this night and every night in his arms. Again Alex found himself asking if she had been worth the wait, and without a doubt, he knew that she had.
sixty
Willits, California
April 21, 1882
Alex arrived at the schoolhouse a little early, so he stood and watched his wife play with the children in the schoolyard. It was a beautiful spring day, and the entire class had joined hands and was moving in a circle. A sweet song rose in the air, and Alex was content to stand and listen.
Alex watched his tiny wife from 15 yards away. Her skirt was dark, but her blouse was snow white, accentuating the dark color of her hair and eyes. He heard her laughter drift through the air and smiled. She was such a delight.
They had been married over a year, and Alex could say in all honesty that it had been the most joy-filled year of his life. The start had not been altogether easy, but now they were as close as a husband and wife could be, and Alex believed that with God as the head of their home, the future would hold many more years of love and joy.
The group broke up some minutes later, and the children greeted Alex as they filed past him up the steps to retrieve books and sweaters. Marcail did not follow them inside, but stood opposite Alex at the bottom of the schoolhouse steps. One little boy, on his way up the stairs, stopped to speak with Alex before going inside. When the child was gone and Alex finally looked up, it was to find Marcail’s eyes on him.
“What are you thinking?” he questioned her softly.
“That I love you.” Her voice was equally soft.
Very aware that the children would be reappearing at any moment, Alex pointed a finger at her. “That’s not fair, Mrs. Montgomery. You’re not allowed to say that when I can’t kiss you.”
Marcail’s smile was impish, and Alex’s look told her he’d collect that kiss another time. The children did appear just seconds later, and both Marcail and Alex talked with each one as they saw them off for the weekend.
“Mr. Flynn came to see me today,” Marcail told him as soon as they were alone.
“About?”
Marcail hesitated. “He wanted me to sign another two-year contract.”
Alex’s brow rose. “I take it you didn’t tell him about the baby.”
Marcail frowned, and Alex laughed incredulously.
“Marcail,” he said, laughter still filling his voice. “I’m your husband and a doctor. When are you going to believe me?”
“But I don’t feel pregnant,” she protested.
“I assure you, darling, all the signs are there. If it would make you feel better,” his voice became very dry, “write Katie and describe your symptoms to her. Having four children makes her the expert.”
Now it was Marcail’s turn to laugh. She moved close and put her arms around his waist. “I do believe, Dr. Montgomery, that your feelings are hurt.”
“No, but when you start to rival Kelsey for size, I’ll just say I told you so.” Alex hugged her back, and dropped a kiss on her head. “It’s certainly a compliment that the board wants you for two more years, but now you have a decision to make.”
Marcail leaned back in her husband’s embrace, allowing her to see his face.
“Do you really think I’m expecting?”
“Absolutely.”
Marcail smiled at the surety in his voice.
“Well, then,” she spoke as a smile of pure contentment came over her face, “I believe the decision is already made.”
epilogue
Visalia, California
May 18, 1884
Pastor Sean Donovan stood at the front of the church and watched as his father came in from the side door, Rigg just behind him. He smiled down into those eyes that were so like his own until he let his gaze travel out over the congregation. He reflected for a moment on how much he liked having a wedding immediately following the sermon on Sunday. It had been Sadie’s idea, and an excellent one at that.
Minutes passed and the organ played, allowing Sean to look out at his family and friends. Kaitlin stood with her four—Gretchen, already so tall, Donovan, a sturdy four-year-old and next to him, Molly, still a picture of her Aunt Marcail. Katie held 18-month-old Zachary in her arms.
Charlotte also stood with their own four rascals. Ricky was showing signs of being tall, and Callie was as ladylike as they came. Little Sadie, now three, was such a combination of both of them that Sean smiled at the sight of her. His youngest, Micah, in his mother’s arms, was working on his thumb as if he no longer had need of it.
Alex and Marcail stood together, and resting contentedly on Alex’s arm was their Megan. She was an adorable dark-haired toddler, and a sign to the family that their beloved Marcail and Alex had found a love to carry them through the years.
Precious friend, Lora Duncan, was in a front pew, alone for the moment. A change in the music drew Sean’s attention back down the aisle. Lucas Duncan had entered the back of the church. On Lucas’ left arm was Charlotte’s aunt, Sadie Cox.
Sadie was dressed in cream-colored linen. Standing poised and serene, she looked straight into the eyes of the man she loved. Sean felt an unexpected rush of emotion when Sadie came to the front, and he saw the look of profound love that covered his father’s face for the woman who stood beside him.
They’d both been alone for so very long, and now God had seen fit to bring them together. Sean watched as Duncan kissed the bride’s cheek and took his seat next to Lora. Patrick and Sadie joined hands and turned to face him.
“We are gathered today . . .” Sean began the service, his voice confident, yet tender with emotion. Rigg was on hand to provide the rings and sign as official witness. The room cheered at the end of the service when Patrick kissed his wife. Family and friends alike filed out behind the bride and groom for a reception to be held at Duncan and Lora’s.
As Sean came down the aisle, he plucked his niece Megan from Alex’s arms and carried her outside. Alex and Marcail were the last to leave the building. Once alone, Marcail looked up at her husband, her eyes shining with happiness.
“That was beautiful, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was,” Alex agreed. “But then I’ve noticed that beauty tends to run in your family.”
Marcail grinned at the compliment, and Alex bent to give her a long, loving kiss.
“Hey, you two,” Rigg’s voice broke in, teasing them from the door. “Break it up. The wagon won’t wait all day.”
Marcail laughingly jumped out of her husband’s arms, pulling her most innocent face to the fore. Alex grinned at his brother-in-law, but pulled Marcail back into his embrace.
“It was a hard wait before I had this woman in my arms, Rigg. You go ahead with the wagon, it’ll be worth having to walk.”
Rigg stayed on the scene only long enough to see that Alex was kissing Marcail once again. Yes, I imagine you would say it was worth having to walk, Rigg thought as he climbed into the wagon next to Kaitlin. He leaned to kiss her and then slapped the reins, putting the vehicle in motion.
“What was that for?” asked a pleasantly surprised Katie.
Rigg smiled, but didn’t answer. Yes indeed, he repeated to himself. Worth the walk, and a whole lot more.
Books by Lori Wick
A Place Called Home Series
A Place Called Home
A Song for Silas
The Long Road Home
A Gathering of Memories
The Californians
Whatever Tomorrow Brings
As Time Goes By
Sean Donovan
Donovan’s Daughter
Kensington Chronicles
The Hawk and the Jewel
Wings of the Morning
Who Brings Forth the Wind
The Knight and the Dove
Rocky Mountain Memories
Wh
ere the Wild Rose Blooms
Whispers of Moonlight
To Know Her by Name
Promise Me Tomorrow
The Yellow Rose Trilogy
Every Little Thing About You
A Texas Sky
City Girl
English Garden Series
The Proposal
The Rescue
The Visitor
The Pursuit
The Tucker Mills Trilogy
Moonlight on the Millpond
Just Above a Whisper
Leave a Candle Burning
Other Fiction
Sophie’s Heart
Pretense
The Princess
Bamboo & Lace
Every Storm
White Chocolate Moments
Lori Wick, Donovan's Daughter
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