“I think you might have curls too, Corina,” Scottie told her, reaching up to adjust the ribbon. Scottie had found a new one, this time in green.
“I’ve got a dress for you to try on today,” Scottie remembered and told her future daughter. “Remind me after dinner.”
“You do know,” Dannan said, keeping his voice quiet, “that she’s going to ask you about that a dozen times between now and then.”
“Do you mean she might nag me,” Scottie teased, “like a certain man concerning my hair?”
Dannan could not hold his smile, but he still teased right back. “It won’t be long before I’ll be living here, Scottie Peterson, and you might find that you can’t locate a single hairpin in all the house.”
Scottie was ready with a comeback of her own, but Corina was watching them, her young eyes not appearing to miss a thing.
“We’ll finish this later,” Scottie warned, and well-pleased with himself, Dannan only smiled, kissed his daughter, and sent her to the kitchen.
He was at the door, saying he had to get to work, when he remembered to ask, “Is Finn here?”
“I haven’t seen him today,” Scottie answered. “In fact, I didn’t see him yesterday at the meetinghouse either. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, I just have a question. I’ll find him later.”
“All right.”
Dannan came back long enough to kiss Scottie goodbye, both remembering that it wouldn’t be long now.
“I’m glad you told me, Finn,” Scottie said sincerely, even as her heart ached. “Have I done something to make you doubt?”
“No, it’s nothing like that. I think Douglas Muldoon is a fine man, and I respect him, but I can’t swallow what I’m hearing about the Bible. There is some good in man. I’ve seen it all my life.”
Scottie thought fast, wanting to give Finn something to think about without pushing him in this matter.
“Do you believe any part of the Bible, Finn?”
“I don’t know. No one is perfect, not even God. He has power to a degree, but it’s not limitless, or this world would be a better place.”
“Have you had a chance to discuss any of this with Douglas?” Scottie tried.
“No, but I told him on Sunday that I wouldn’t be back. He said I could stop in and see him anytime.”
Scottie nodded and prayed. She could do nothing outside of that. The decision had to be Finn’s, and true to his word when Eli died, he had attended services at the meetinghouse.
“You know what I believe, Finn,” Scottie said, her voice as kind as ever. “Just as you knew what Eli believed. I do believe God is perfect and limitless, but if you don’t see the Bible as God’s Word to man about who He is, then you are at an impasse. I know I can believe anything written in His Word and be sure of it.
“I want you in my life—I need you in my life, Finn—so never think I would shun you over this decision, but know that I’ll pray for you because I still believe you need a Savior.”
Finn’s face actually looked open. Scottie was expecting some sort of anger, but his face looked as it always did.
“I would never want you to deny your beliefs, Scottie.”
“Thank you, Finn.”
The conversation ended there. Confident that it was not her place, Scottie had never pushed this man and knew God didn’t need her to do so. However, she did pray in belief. Just as she had said: Finn needed a Savior, and Jesus Christ was perfect for the job.
Scottie turned 24 at the end of that week. She knew Iris was baking a cake and that Dannan was coming for tea, but she did not expect the others who showed up to wish her well.
A simple evening tea turned into a party when Jace, Maddie, Conner, Reese, Douglas, and Alison all arrived within a few minutes of each other, wishing her well and laughing at the surprised look on her face.
“Where is the baby?” Scottie asked as she hugged Reese.
“Home with Troy,” Reese answered with a huge smile.
“That Troy is a keeper.”
“Yes, he is,” Reese was happy to agree.
“And what about you, Maddie?” Scottie asked. “Where is Val?”
“I left her with Doyle and Cathy, much to their delight.”
Iris, Finn, and Dannan had been planning it all week. Food that Scottie had not seen Iris preparing was brought out, and they feasted. The cake was delicious, and with only Corina in their midst, it turned into a lovely “grown-up” birthday party that Scottie knew she would remember for a very long time.
“Do you want to know something completely odd?” Scottie confided in Douglas after services that Sunday. They had talked about Finn for a time, but then Douglas had asked her how she was feeling about the wedding.
“Tell me,” Douglas encouraged.
“I wish Eli could see Dannan and me be married.” Scottie shook her head a little. “Eli and Mrs. Peterson taught me everything I know about taking care of a home and a husband, and it seems only right that Eli know how it’s turned out.”
“I can certainly see why you feel that way. In many ways, Eli was more like a father to you, or an older brother.”
“I’m starting to see that, but it’s taken some time,” Scottie agreed. “At first, I was so hurt he’d spoken to Dannan that I didn’t know if I could move past it, but now I realize how pleased he’d be to know that Dannan will be in my life, taking care of me the way he always did.”
“I think he would be pleased. I even think he would be pleased that you didn’t grieve for years.”
“I still miss him,” Scottie admitted. “I suspect that having Dannan and Corina in the house will change some of that, but it’s always been Eli’s house, and I still miss walking to his room and talking to him.”
“He was a wonderful friend.”
“He certainly was,” Scottie agreed.
The two shared a smile, and then Douglas noticed Dannan moving in their direction.
“I believe someone might be looking for you.”
Scottie glanced long enough to see Dannan, but she still turned back to Douglas.
“He’s a wonderful friend too.”
“Yes,” Douglas agreed wholeheartedly, “the very best type to marry.”
The wedding was on a Friday afternoon, November 20, and was held at the big house. Reese had asked to do this for the new couple and was very excited when they agreed. Corina would spend the next few nights with Iris, giving the doctor and his new wife a few days alone.
The church family and a few folks Scottie knew from town were invited to this celebration, but for the most part, it was a quiet affair. Feeling just a bit scared and very excited, Dannan and Scottie stood before Douglas to repeat their vows.
Cake and small sandwiches were served afterward, and Dannan and Scottie were able to visit and hear the well-wishes of everyone who came. When it was time to say their goodbyes, they loaded into Dannan’s buggy, Iris and Corina in tow, with plans to drop off the two of them.
Corina, who loved to sleep at Iris’ house, barely noticed when they left her, and for himself, Dannan was in no mood to linger. Urging the horse along, he landed Scottie at the front door and made quick work of stabling the animal. By the time he got to the house, Scottie had lit a lantern and put her coat away.
“Do you want help lighting the fire?” Scottie asked when he stepped into the near-dark room. The moon was full, and the lantern seemed dim after the large parlor and dining room at the big house.
“First things first,” Dannan said, joining her in the middle of the room.
Scottie stood still while his hands went toward her hair, his eyes lighting with pleasure as her hair fell in soft, light red curls around her shoulders.
“That’s better,” he whispered as he bent to kiss her and take her in his arms. “I think marriage agrees with you,” he continued, holding her close.
“What makes you say that?”
“Only that you look more beautiful than ever.”
Scottie laughed with
pure contentment and put her arms around his neck. Dr. Dannan MacKay was finally hers to have and to hold, and there was no better time to start than now.
Once darkness had settled all around them, the slow rocking of the train put Corina to sleep. Dannan had settled her on the seat across from them and returned to put an arm around his wife. It had taken some months of planning and waiting for winter to pass, but at last they were making the trip to see Dannan’s family.
Scottie was on her first train ride. A little nervous and very excited, she had exchanged letters with Dannan’s family but had also been asking about them for weeks.
“Do they know I have red hair?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. Does that matter?”
“It might. Not everyone likes red hair.”
Because they sat close, Scottie could feel Dannan laugh, but he controlled his voice before answering. “My family will like red hair.”
“You’re laughing at me.”
“Some of your questions are funny.”
His voice was much too logical, and Scottie hadn’t been very serious. She suddenly felt him lean toward her.
“We could be kissing, you know,” he whispered in her ear.
“On the train?” she whispered right back with just enough scandal in her voice.
“It’s very fun,” Dannan coaxed.
“You speak from experience?” Scottie teased.
“I will as soon as you kiss me.”
Scottie put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing, and Dannan felt her body shake against him.
“Let me cover that for you,” was his last whisper before he moved her hand and covered her lips with his own.
Epilogue
A little bit more to their stories...
“Maddie,” Jace stood at the bottom of the stairway and called to his wife.
“We’re coming,” she called down, and Jace waited for his family. They were headed to the train station to pick up Jace’s sister, Eden, who was coming to visit for the weekend. As soon as they had Eden, they were all going to Doyle and Cathy’s for dinner.
Valerie was first down the stairs. Fifteen years old now, she had her mother’s hair and her father’s eyes, including his long lashes.
“What’s taking so long?” Jace asked.
“Walt has outgrown his good pants again,” Valerie said simply. “Mama’s trying to button them around him.”
Slipping past their father, 12-year-old Jenny and 11-year-old Eden made their way downstairs. They followed their sister, even as 8-year-old Walt came into view. Jace had to smile when he noticed how short his pants were.
Taking the stairs in last place was Maddie. Their 2-year-old daughter, Paige, was in her arms and reached for her father the moment she was close.
“All set?” Jace asked, Paige settled on his arm.
“I think so,” Maddie answered. “I’ve taken those pants out so many times the seams are weak. If he bends, folks in town will be scandalized.”
While Jace was laughing, Maddie had another idea.
“Jace, next time I’ll hitch the team and you can stuff Walt into his pants.”
Jace laughed again and put an arm around her, moving them to join their children in the yard.
Conner and Reese listened to footsteps on the stairs, knowing Levi was headed their way. No one else had feet so big or so loud as that boy, and it always made his parents laugh.
“Levi,” Reese called to him from the dining room. “We’re in here.”
Levi went that way and found his parents already seated. He joined them at the table and prayed for their tea when he was asked, his voice almost as soft as his father’s.
Reese watched him when they started to eat, never tiring of thanking God for this child. He was their only one. Not in all of Levi’s 14 years had Reese conceived again. Still a marvelous caregiver, and having assumed their large home would be filled with children, Reese did at times wonder that it had not been God’s plan.
It was true that Troy’s health had not been the best. More than two years had passed since he moved back to Linden Heights to be near his daughters, but prior to his going, Reese had taken care of him like the beloved father he’d become.
And it wasn’t as if Reese ever lacked for something to do or company to look after. She was as busy as ever with many opportunities to do good works for the church family and in the community. Conner could not have been prouder of her work and was good at telling her how he felt.
“What are you thinking about?” Conner asked, and Reese realized she hadn’t touched her food.
“Just wool gathering,” Reese told him, her look saying more.
Conner didn’t press her, but just as soon as Levi wandered off, Conner cornered his wife in the kitchen.
“Are you upset about something?”
“Not upset. Just wondering and wrestling a bit about God’s plans. Levi would have made a wonderful big brother.”
“Yes, he would have,” Conner agreed, “and you mustn’t forget, it might still happen.”
Reese looked up into Conner’s face, thinking that she would have never seen things as she did without his solid confidence in their saving God. He never failed to remind her of God’s goodness and that in Him there was always faith and Someone to trust.
“Thank you, Conner,” Reese said, slipping her arms around him.
“For what?”
“For being you.”
Reese went up on tiptoes to kiss him. Conner, who loved her even more now than the day they were married, kissed her right back.
“Scottie?” Eli, four years old and the youngest MacKay, found his mother in the kitchen.
Scottie was used to it by now but still liked to laugh a little over the fact that all six of her children called her by her first name. They had grown up listening to Corina and simply followed suit.
“What do you need, Eli?”
“Where’s Rina?” he asked, using his nickname for his oldest sister.
“Corina is helping Mrs. Muldoon today.”
“Where’s Annie?”
“Also helping Mrs. Muldoon.”
“Where’s Matthew?” came next, and Scottie knew Eli was going to ask about all of his siblings. Distracted as she was by more than one subject, she stopped what she was working on and sat down to hear him.
“Matthew is sweeping at Doyle’s store today.”
“Where’s Grant?”
“He’s at Uncle Finn’s.”
“Where is Jonas?”
“He’s with Grant and Uncle Finn.”
Eli sighed when he realized there was no one to play with. Scottie was about to suggest he look at books when Dannan came in the kitchen door.
“Someone’s missing you,” she wasted no time telling her husband.
Dannan didn’t need much time to catch on but still teased, “Eli or you?”
“Both, but if you can spare a little time to play with Eli, we would both be very grateful.”
Dannan came over to kiss her. She could see by his eyes that he wanted to tease her some more, either that or keep kissing, but he took pity on all of them and invited Eli to accompany him back to his office.
Scottie saw them on their way and went back to work on the casserole she was making for the next day. Iris had been gone for almost four years, dying unexpectedly in her sleep. Scottie still missed her but enjoyed working in the kitchen, preparing meals and gathering her family around her. And indeed, the family would gather tomorrow. Scottie had to force herself to calm down when she thought of what it was going to be like. It was going to be a wonderful day.
Sunday brought a very special service. Douglas and Alison were celebrating 35 years of marriage and 25 years with the Tucker Mills church family. Joshua Muldoon, who worked with his father, took the service, and memories were shared at every turn.
Tears, some of grief and some of joy, filled eyes in all corners of the room as folks stood and shared what this church family had meant to them. By th
e time Douglas went to the platform in front, taking Alison with him, his eyes were red and a bit swollen.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “There isn’t much I can add to all the wonderful praise you’ve given today. We do have a God of salvation, mercy, and forgiveness. I have needed those so greatly over the years, and He has never failed me.
“I won’t start a sermon, but you must allow me to tell you that I could not have accomplished a thing without this woman standing next to me.”
Alison’s fingers came to her lips, but she could not stem the tears.
“I praise God for her and for my children, my in-law children, and my grandchildren. And before I step down so we can eat and fellowship more, will you please allow me to share some news with you?
“It’s no secret that our son Martin has been seen in the company of a certain young woman. It is official.” Douglas’ smile nearly stretched off his face. “Martin has asked, and Miss Corina MacKay has accepted.”
Cheers and clapping threatened to raise the roof, even as the young couple seated in the front row holding hands laughed in delight. When it grew quiet, Douglas simply thanked everyone yet again before Joshua came forward, thanked God for the food, and dismissed everyone to eat.
With their meetinghouse filled just seating each family, they had no choice but to use the green for their celebration. The next few hours were spent in good eating and fine fellowship. All who attended said it was a day of remembrance, not a day to remember only the past, but a day to serve as a memory stone to God’s goodness to them and His work on their behalf in the future.
The weary MacKay family, short of Corina, who had gone with the Muldoons for the evening, finally found their way home. There were dishes to wash and food to put away, and even some children who were told to ready for an early bedtime.
Dannan and Scottie had not been relaxing in the parlor for an hour when someone came looking for the doctor’s services. Scottie walked him through the kitchen to see him off.