Tansy looked around in surprise to see that Charlie had left the room. She stared uncomprehendingly at Sean and then Sadie.
“I never meant any harm, Sadie; Charlie knows that.”
“No she doesn’t, Tansy.” Sadie’s voice was the angriest Tansy had ever heard. “You’ve spent a lot of years playing games with men, and Charlie’s never done anything but work. Now she has a man and a chance for some happiness of her own, and you’re trying to take that away from her. You oughta be ashamed.”
The younger woman was dispirited. She carefully turned her face away from Sean as she asked Sadie if she could still room with her.
“If you stay away from my niece’s husband,” Sadie answered, her voice softening some when she saw the look of regret on her boarder’s face.
Sadie was still looking out the door that Tansy exited when Sean kissed her cheek. Her head whipped around in surprise to find Sean grinning at her.
“Thanks, Sadie,” he said before going in search of his wife.
“You’re welcome,” Sadie breathed, even though he was already out of earshot. She sat thinking that if Sean Donovan wasn’t married to her niece, Tansy still wouldn’t stand a chance. She’d go after him herself.
Charlie stood up from the back steps the moment Sean came out the door. She led the way home and didn’t speak or even look at her husband. In fact, she would have gone straight to her room if Sean’s voice hadn’t stopped her in the hallway.
“I’m a married man, Charlotte, and where I come from that means commitment.”
Charlie stopped outside her door and stared at Sean, who stood flooded in the moonlight that came through her bedroom window.
“It’s nice if two people are in love, but marriage has to be built on more, or it won’t last through the hard times. Even if I found Tansy attractive, which I don’t, I’m committed to you and to this marriage.”
Sean didn’t wait for his wife to reply or even acknowledge his statement before he went into his own bedroom and shut the door.
Charlie looked at that door for a long time before closing her own to prepare for bed. She tried to relax, but she couldn’t dispel the idea that Sean would never really be hers because he wasn’t there by choice.
twenty-five
Charlie went to the post office first thing Saturday morning. No one ever wrote to her, since she had no family or friends outside of Visalia, but since Sean had been in touch with his family, she checked the mail every few days. Today there was not just a letter, but a box for P. Sean Donovan III. Charlie had to stop herself from running back to the livery.
Sean was intent on his work when Charlie arrived, and not wanting to startle him or cause an accident, Charlie waited for him to notice her. When he finally glanced her way, she raised the box excitedly, telling him he’d received a package.
Charlie turned and walked over to put the box on their lunch table. Sean followed her, and Charlie stood back while he worked over the string. She watched as he unwrapped a book. It took her a moment to realize that it was a Bible.
Any words that Charlie might have uttered deserted her as she watched Sean lift the book to his chest. He held it in his arms like the cherished possession that it was. His eyes were shut, and Charlie watched as a single small tear slid out one corner.
Only a minute or two passed before Sean composed himself and sat down to read the letter he found inside, but Charlie could have sworn it had been an eternity. The sight of her husband hugging his Bible and crying would be imprinted on her mind for the rest of her years.
What was in this Bible that Sean found so dear, or was it just that he had heard from his family? It was a question that hung in Charlie’s mind even as she sat on the crate next to her husband and waited until he was finished reading.
My dearest Sean,
There are no words to describe how we felt about your letter. You can imagine how we’ve prayed and longed to see you. I can’t think straight when I imagine you with a rope around your neck. We would love to meet Charlotte and thank her for your life. (We thank God too.) If I understand you correctly, you didn’t know Charlotte before you were married. Is that right? Please tell me more when you write back.
Marcail is working on a letter to you, and in fact it might arrive before this package. I took the liberty of sending your Bible; I knew you would want it.
You were so young when you left here that it’s hard to envision you married. Is there anyone else who could watch the livery so you could both come to Santa Rosa for a visit? We would love to have you for as long as you could stay.
Gretchen and Molly are doing well—in fact everyone is on their feet except me. I’m still resting from having miscarried a baby. It was hard to lose this baby. We were so excited about him, and even though I was only three months along, this tiny infant was already a part of my heart. I know, however, that God’s will is perfect. There have been tears, but Rigg and I are comforted in the fact that all through Scripture we read that our God is a righteous and fair God. Knowing this, we believe with all our hearts that this unborn baby is with Him.
What is Visalia like? Is your work steady? Have you found a Bible-preaching church? As you can see, I’m full of questions. I wish we could meet face to face and catch up. Bill, May, Jeff, and Bobbie all send their love. They’re also joining us in prayer for Charlotte’s salvation. I won’t mention this again, so you won’t fear Charlotte reading your letters, but know that we are praying.
I love you, Sean, and pray for you always.
Until next time,
Katie
Drained after reading the letter, Sean wondered for a moment why Katie had made no mention of his father. He suddenly became conscious of his wife sitting beside him, and even more conscious of a headache coming on, possibly due to holding his tears in check.
“Were they glad to hear from you?”
“Yes,” Sean answered and turned his head to look at her. “They wish they could meet you. In fact, they invited us for a visit if someone could watch the livery.”
Charlie’s mouth dropped open. “But they don’t even know me.”
“That doesn’t matter. You’re my wife, and they love you.”
Charlie turned away from her husband’s penetrating look. She stared across the livery at nothing and then spoke in a whisper.
“I’m sorry you can’t see your family, but there’s no one who could—”
She broke off when Sean’s hand moved under her chin. He tenderly grasped her jaw and urged her to look at him. Her gaze was one of apology and regret.
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that we should pack up and go to Santa Rosa,” Sean said. “I just thought you’d like to know that my family is eager to meet you. I’ll have to explain to them that due to the conditions that the judge explained, I can’t leave town for five years.”
Charlie nodded, and Sean gently caressed her chin with his thumb before he rose and went back to work.
San Francisco
“Rigg!” Maureen Kent gasped when she saw the man her servant had just announced. “What are you doing here?”
“Have I missed Patrick?” Rigg asked about his father-in-law.
“No, he doesn’t sail until morning. What’s happened?”
“Rigg!”
Before Rigg could answer, Patrick Sean Donovan II had come down from upstairs and joined his sister and son-in-law in the library.
“I’m glad I didn’t miss you, Patrick,” Rigg breathed with relief, seeing that his presence had upset them. “We received news about Sean after you left.”
Patrick sat down hard on the nearest chair, his face draining of color.
“I knew you were going to be here a few weeks before you sailed, and if I’d missed you I’d never have forgiven myself for not sending a telegram—but I wanted to come in person. Then Katie suffered a miscarriage, so I couldn’t leave right away.”
“Oh, Rigg,” Maureen began, but he cut her off gently.
“She’s all right
. The doctor just wants her to rest.”
Rigg stood for a moment, feeling like he needed to catch his breath.
“I have a letter, but I think I should warn you—”
“Is he alive?” the older man cut him off, his voice hoarse.
“Yes.”
“Then nothing else matters.”
Rigg passed the letter to Patrick and waited while he read. As soon as he had read it silently, he read it aloud to his sister, who cried in her handkerchief for some minutes. The room was silent until Maureen contained herself. Then Rigg spoke.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Yes,” Patrick replied. “You can come with me to tell the captain of the Silver Angel that I won’t need passage, and then to the stage office so I can buy a ticket for Visalia.”
twenty-six
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.”
Sean could only read the first two verses from the book of John before his eyes filled with tears. He knew Charlie had supper on the table, but he felt an urgency to spend a few moments in God’s Word. He bowed his head and prayed before he left the room. Sean thanked God for his life, his wife, and his family before his mind swung back to Charlotte and dwelt there.
“I don’t know if this is love, God,” he whispered, “but I care for her so much. Please help Charlotte to understand that she needs to know Your Son personally. Please save her and use us to Your glory.”
The moment these words were out of his mouth, Sean envisioned them leaving for Hawaii. He stood from his kneeling place next to the bed and gazed out the window like a man in a trance.
“Back to Hawaii! Oh, God,” Sean cried softly, “could that thought be from You, because nothing would make me happier than for me to return to Hawaii with Charlotte, so we could work with Father.”
Sean took a moment more to give his future to God and in doing so felt an indescribable peace fall over him. He knew he couldn’t tell Charlie how he felt, but he also knew that if the thought had come from the Lord, then He would work it out.
“Sean,” Charlie called from outside the door. He’d taken more time than he thought. He opened the door to see her waiting in the hall.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Charlotte. I was reading my Bible. Did I keep you long?”
“No, but I did wonder what had happened to you. Sadie expects us for baths tonight, and I’m tired. I’d like to get over there and home before it gets too late.”
Charlie talked as she led the way to the supper table where the young couple sat down and ate. Their conversation was light. Then over dishes, Charlie brought up a subject that nearly made Sean drop the plate he was drying.
“I think we should go to church in the morning.”
Sean didn’t answer for a moment, and Charlie turned from the dishpan to look at him. “What do you think?”
“I’d like that, Charlotte, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. I think we should go to Duncan and Lora’s church.”
“That sounds fine.” Fine was not the way Sean was feeling. Ecstatic, overjoyed, or elated better described his mood, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to explain himself to Charlie if he suddenly began to do handstands in the kitchen.
Ten minutes later they were on their way to Sadie’s, and Charlie asked if Sean’s family was well.
“They’re doing pretty well. I should have read the letter to you over supper.”
“You don’t mind if I know what’s in the letter?” Charlie seemed surprised.
“Not at all. In fact, I’ll read it to you when we get home.”
Charlie didn’t reply, but she was so pleased she wanted to laugh just for the pleasure of it. Sean’s family sounded wonderful, and he didn’t seem at all hesitant to share them with her. She wouldn’t trade Sadie for royalty, but for some reason, Sean’s family was fascinating to her.
And the fascination only grew when they returned home and Sean read the letter. Charlie thought the names Gretchen and Molly were beautiful, and she felt terrible over Kaitlin’s losing her baby.
Sean made no mention of Charlie’s salvation, and so the letter just read that the family was praying for her. Charlie had never had anyone say that to her, and even though she told herself she really didn’t believe in such things, the thought warmed her spirit.
Charlie was still thinking on everything Sean had said when he told her he would feed the animals in the morning. She thanked him rather absently and took herself off to bed. Imaginary visions of how Kaitlin, Marcail, Gretchen, and Molly might look filled her head as sleep overtook her.
twenty-seven
The next morning Charlie spent over 40 minutes with her dress and hair, and for a woman who usually dressed in five minutes, this was quite a task.
Sean’s back was to the hallway when she entered the kitchen. Already regretting her last-minute decision to leave her hat behind, Charlie had just decided to return for it when Sean turned.
Sean had not heard her come into the room. He had been flipping pancakes, and it had taken a moment for him to realize he wasn’t alone. He turned unsuspectingly with a ready smile and a morning greeting for his wife, but the words died in his throat.
Charlie’s hair was swept up on top of her head in a loose bun that allowed wispy little curls to fall around her neck and forehead. Sean’s eyes traveled from her slender white neck to the hem of her flowered dress and then swung back to her face. In those seconds he took in her slim waist, small breasts, and gently rounded hips. She was so utterly feminine that Sean was speechless.
“The pancakes are burning,” Charlie whispered softly, having stood silent for his inspection.
Sean spun back to the stove, relieved to have a diversion. She’s darling, he said to himself, and she’s my darling.
Charlie took a place at the table and waited for Sean to join her. Sean ate his meal without once looking at his plate. Charlie’s face was flushed with embarrassment and something else she couldn’t quite define.
“You look very beautiful,” Sean said at the end of the meal, easily holding her gaze with his own.
“Thank you.” Charlie was so pleased by his words that she felt tears sting her eyes and looked swiftly down at her coffee cup.
When it was time to leave for church, it seemed to Charlie the most natural thing in the world to have Sean hitch up the buggy and help her up to her seat, an act she had never before let him perform. She felt like a lady for the first time in her life as Sean held the reins loosely in his grip and drove the buggy from the livery.
“I haven’t been in church since I was a child. I’m not sure I’m going to like this.”
“What has you worried?” Sean asked her softly, always alert when she spoke of her life before they met.
“Churches are full of hypocrites.”
“Give me an example.”
“Well, you know, when you see a man in church on Sunday and then watch him stagger out of one of the town bars on Tuesday night.”
“You’ve seen that happen?”
“No, I guess I haven’t, but I hear things.”
“Charlotte,” Sean asked as he realized his wife’s fears were causing her judgmental remarks. “Have you ever been to this church?”
“No,” she said softly. She didn’t have anything more to say, but fear was closing her throat and she couldn’t have spoken had she tried.
“Charlotte, try to relax,” Sean bent close and whispered in his wife’s ear.
“I am relaxed.”
Sean smiled at her reply. Her hands were clenched so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were white. The last song had been sung, and the minister was now at the front of the church behind a small pulpit for the sermon.
The Donovans were seated alone in a rear pew, and Sean was thankful for the privacy. He reached for one of her hands and brought it to the bench between them, where it was nearly hidden by the
fullness of Charlie’s dress.
Her hand was swallowed up by his own and ice cold. Something in Sean’s heart turned over. Not that this was an unfamiliar sensation; his heart had been doing funny things for a week. Sean never dreamed a man could feel this way about a woman, and his hand tightened thinking how right hers felt within his own.
His thoughts were cut off when the sermon began. He took a quick peek at his wife and saw that she was attentive, and not as tied up in knots as she had been.
“I’m going to read this morning from John, chapter 3. Feel free to follow along in your own copy of God’s Word. ‘There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” Jesus answered, and said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”’
“I need to stop here and tell you what I know about this man Nicodemus. As it says here in verse one, he was a man of the Pharisees. This was a sect of men who lived by a very strict code of laws. And the biggest problem wasn’t the fact that it was impossible to obey all these laws, but that even if they could have obeyed them to the letter, it would not have saved them.
“Nicodemus must have been one of the few to see the fallacy of the Pharisee’s laws. He’d certainly heard of Jesus Christ and the miracles He was able to perform, and his heart must have been hungry to know Him better.
“I find it interesting to note that Nicodemus went to Jesus by night. It’s speculation on my part, but I wonder whether Nicodemus was afraid to be seen going to Jesus, or whether he felt an urgency to know the truth and couldn’t wait until morning. You see, I don’t believe that he doubted that this was God’s Son. I know that in the Scripture Nicodemus just says God is with Jesus, but Nicodemus is no fool. I believe he understood that he was talking to Jesus the Christ, God’s holy Son.