“Someone to see you, Corina,” Finn announced, and Corina threw herself at Dannan.
Dannan scooped her up and held her close for a long time. He stood in the Peterson kitchen, the morning sun streaming through the window, and just let himself enjoy the feel of those little arms around his neck.
“Danna?” Corina pushed away enough to see his face. “Read boos.”
“You want to read books?”
The wispy bits of hair around her ears bounced as she nodded.
“We’ll do that when we get home tonight. I have to work right now, but I wanted to see how you were, and to remind you to eat what Iris gives you and be thankful.”
“San you,” Corina said.
“That’s right. When I see you later today, you can tell me what a good job you did.”
Again the nod, and Dannan kissed her cheek. She wanted to show him something with the tea set, but as soon as this was accomplished, Dannan went on his way, first giving Iris a word of thanks. It was never easy to leave Corina, but seeing how happy she was and knowing that Iris’ care of her was excellent, gave his heart a good deal of peace.
“I think I found a mistake.” Scottie sat at her desk in the parlor at midmorning, speaking out loud to the empty room. She double-checked the books she was working over and then checked them again. As soon as she was sure, she headed up to see Eli.
He was reading a book when she arrived but set it aside as soon as she came into view.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I think we’ve made a mistake,” Scottie sat so that he could look at the account book with her. It was the book where they recorded all the transactions with their rental houses and two fields. It was the way Eli’s mother had made a living, and she had handed these properties down to her son. Eli had waited only a month after marrying Scottie to teach her every aspect of the system.
“Look at this rent payment at the Cole house.” She pointed with the tip of her pencil. “They don’t pay as much as Bentzens do, but that’s the number entered. We’re off by at least two dollars.”
“Not we,” Eli said, studying the line. “That’s my handwriting.”
Scottie took time to look. Their penmanship was very similar, and she honestly hadn’t noticed.
“Well, anyway,” she said, dismissing it as unimportant, “did we make a change that I’ve forgotten about?”
“No, I must have entered it wrong. Where else are we off?”
Scottie walked him through the places she’d found, and in less than 30 minutes, all numbers were back on track.
“What would I do without you?” Eli asked when she closed the account book.
“Have mistakes in the book, I expect.”
Eli only laughed and went back to his reading, and Scottie went downstairs to check on Iris and dinner.
“Sorry I’m late,” Dannan apologized to Reese when Troy showed him in from the front door.
“Not at all,” Reese replied. “You’ve been busy lately, and we’ve missed you.”
“Thank you.” Dannan took a seat and filled his plate from the dishes passed his way. “How did you fare at the picnic, Reese? I noticed you stayed in the shade.”
“I did fine. It was warm, but I felt pretty good.”
“She probably stayed under the tree to humor me,” Troy put in.
“And me,” Conner added.
Dannan had to smile. For a moment he wondered what it would be like for Reese to have two people fussing over her, and then he realized she was one of the most relaxed, calmest hostesses he’d ever encountered. She was an excellent cook, and her baked goods were delicious. She never rushed about but sat down and ate with her guests, taking their compliments in stride.
“What month are you due, Reese?” Dannan asked when he realized he didn’t know.
“October,” Reese told him, thinking nothing of this. Conner, however, kept his eyes on their guest. When Dannan didn’t do anything but nod, Conner wanted him to know he could say more.
“Do you have concerns, Dannan?” the big man asked.
“No.” Dannan was truthful. “She’s large, but I think it’s easy to assume that’s because the baby is.”
“Do you enjoy delivering babies?” Troy asked.
“Always,” Dannan said with a smile.
For several minutes, Conner battled with worry. It was so easy to expect God to fall in line with the will of man and not be as concerned about the will of God.
“I don’t get fearful,” Reese suddenly shared, “but I think I’ve accepted the fact that it’s not going to be a fun time.”
“It’s going to be what it’s going to be,” Troy put in, at times fighting his own battle of worry. “We’ll make sure Dannan is close by and leave the rest in God’s hands.”
No one commented further on the subject as they continued the meal. What Troy said was true, and he had put it so nicely.
“I asked Scottie to join us today,” Eli explained as soon as Douglas arrived in his room and found both husband and wife.
“Oh, I’m glad,” Douglas said sincerely. “How are you, Scottie?”
“I’m doing well, thank you. How about yourself?”
“I’m well. A little sore after that fifth horseshoe game at the picnic.”
“You kept winning,” Scottie reminded him.
“Yes, and I don’t know why, since I don’t play very often.”
“Which explains why you’re sore,” Eli added dryly.
“Exactly,” Douglas agreed, just as dryly.
Eli laughed at him before getting to the point.
“When Scottie came home on Sunday,” he explained, “she had a question for me. I didn’t have a great answer and hoped you could help us.”
Douglas turned to Scottie.
“Ask away,” he encouraged.
“It’s about hospitality. I’m not sure I’m doing a good job.”
“Before you answer,” Eli cut back in, “I have something I need to say to you, Scottie. I wanted to do it in front of Douglas so he could hold me accountable.”
Scottie only stared at her spouse.
“I’ve been extremely selfish, just expecting you to be at my beck and call. I could have suggested that you have someone over, but I always wanted to be a part of things. I always expected to have you to myself.”
Scottie had all she could do to keep her mouth shut. This was the last thing she’d expected from Eli.
“I’m not saying that I actually thought of you having someone over and kept the idea to myself, but the fact that it never occurred to me tells me how self-centered I’ve been.”
“Eli,” Scottie began, but he put a hand out to her. Scottie took it and remained quiet.
“You’re going to try and defend me, and I don’t want you to do that,” Eli said with kindness, but his voice was also firm. “I’m glad you brought this up. I need to change in this area.”
Scottie looked uncertain, but Eli squeezed her hand and looked back to Douglas. “Can you help us?”
“I think so,” Douglas started. “First of all, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to be obedient in this. Biblical hospitality is vital to a church family, and I think there might be some ways you can do it. I have some suggestions for you if you’d like to hear them.”
“Please,” Eli said, more than ready to do the right thing.
“Scottie, your main job is Eli, and that will limit you some, but what if once a month you had some other women in for afternoon prayer or even to visit or sew? And Eli, I can think of several couples who would do very well joining the both of you for a meal here in your room. You don’t object to that, do you?”
“Depending on how well I know them, it might be a little odd, but I could get over that.”
Scottie suddenly sighed, and Eli turned to smile at her.
“She was worried,” Eli explained to Douglas.
“I was,” Scottie admitted. “I just didn’t think along those lines. It’s real
ly quite simple.”
“And never forget, Scottie, that God knows your heart. You don’t have to do this every day or even every week. I think it should be as often as you can. We’re without excuses if we aren’t diligent in this area, yet your situation is unusual.
“My suggestion is that you ask God to help you think creatively. Ask Him for ways you can have someone here, someone who fits in with your life as well as Eli’s. It would be a blessing to all involved.”
The Petersons thanked Douglas before they opened their Bibles to 1 Timothy and 1 Peter to spend some time looking at important verses about hospitality. The three then prayed together that God would open doors they had never seen. By the time the pastor left, Scottie and Eli were very excited.
“Thank you.” Scottie’s relief was palpable as she sat in her usual place on the bedside, smiling hugely at him.
“Thank you,” Eli said right back. “God laid it on your heart, you listened, and I get to reap the benefit.”
It was a warm, special moment. The two smiled, acknowledging their shared affection, before Eli said he was weary. Scottie left him to rest but found she wasn’t the least bit tired. Energized by the thought of opening their home, Scottie got more done that afternoon than she had in a long time.
It had all been so normal. The day had been winding down for Scottie. Tea was over and Finn was readying Eli for the night. And then without warning, Finn was running from the bedroom, saying he had to find Dannan. Eli’s breathing was labored, and nothing he attempted would ease it.
Scottie sat with Eli until the men arrived, but now, for nearly 30 minutes, she had sat in the parlor, eyes on the stairs. Even knowing that Finn and Dannan were at Eli’s side, Scottie begged God to take care of her husband.
“Dannan.” Eli whispered the doctor’s name as soon as he had breath, the color of his face still bluish.
“Give yourself time,” Dannan cautioned. “Just take it easy.”
Eli’s head moved restlessly, and he struggled on.
“There is no time,” he gasped. “One of these days I’m not going to make it.”
Dannan nearly interrupted him, but the older man’s eyes found his, and the gaze was so intense that Dannan couldn’t speak.
“I waited a long time for you to come. She won’t understand.”
Dannan now frowned in confusion, but Eli went on.
“I’ve watched you fight it and knew you were the one. You must understand, Dannan, that she won’t understand.”
“Mr. Peterson,” Dannan had to break in. “What are you talking about?”
“Scottie. When you start to show interest, she’ll only be confused, but you must persevere. You’re perfect for her.”
Dannan could not believe his ears. He looked to Finn, thinking that man could explain this irrational behavior, but Finn only smiled at him in kindness and understanding. Dannan looked back down at his patient, his mouth slightly agape.
“Don’t try to figure it out. We might still have time to speak again, but I had to be sure you knew.”
“Mr. Peterson,” Dannan began, well and truly humiliated. “I’m sorry about what I’ve felt. When I first saw Scottie, I had no idea she was married.”
Dannan stopped when Eli gripped his arm. It was not a harsh grip; indeed, the man was quite weak, but it still stopped Dannan’s words.
“You must be holy before God with your thoughts and actions, but never mistake the facts: Scottie will be a widow someday, and when that happens, you must act. You must make it known that you will love and cherish her.”
Dannan had all he could do not to shake his head in amazement. Eli held his eyes a bit longer and then relaxed back, his arm dropping. Dannan’s heart pounded heavily, thinking he’d lost him, but Eli was just spent. Dannan could relate. He could have used a chair himself.
Keeping still, trying to hold him so he could breathe, Dannan took some time to let Eli’s body rest back against the bed, watching his breathing all the while. When it seemed that he was comfortable, Dannan pulled the chair up and sat close. He checked Eli’s pulse and then looked to Finn.
“Can you tell me what that was about?”
“Just as he said.” Finn’s voice held no censure. “He knows he’ll be gone and that you would be perfect for our Scottie.”
“You knew about this?” Dannan pressed him.
“Yes.”
“Did you try to talk him out of it?”
“Out of talking to you? No. Out of dying? Yes. But that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. He always just hears me out because we both know he won’t have control over that.”
“Could it be the breathing?” Dannan couldn’t let it drop. “Is his mind cloudy right now?”
Finn actually smiled. “He’s not been at all cloudy when he speaks to me about it.”
Dannan found this made it no easier. These two lived together. They could both be off the deep end.
“I need to get Scottie,” Finn announced, adjusting the covers a bit before exiting.
Dannan let him go without another word, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t have plenty to say. At the moment, however, he just had no idea with whom he could share.
“How was your night?” Scottie asked, having gone to Eli’s room as soon as he was awake in the morning. He had not awakened the night before, but her own sleep had been intermittent at best.
“I think well.” His voice was gravelly, and while he tried to clear his throat, it didn’t help. “I feel worn out.”
“Yesterday was a big day,” Scottie reminded him, smoothing his hair a little.
Eli looked at her. Her hair was down, strawberry blonde curls falling around her face, and she was still in her robe, quite clearly worried about him.
“I’m getting sick,” he told her, feeling the heaviness in his chest.
Scottie picked up his hand.
“We both hate it when you get sick.”
“Me most of all,” he teased a little, and even though Scottie smiled, she could hear what Eli was feeling. His voice seemed to come from his chest, deep and strained.
“I’m going to get dressed and start your breakfast.”
“What will Iris say?”
“She’ll scold me, and things will feel normal.”
Eli smiled at her candid reply as he studied the concern in her eyes and wished that he could comfort her. His being sick took a toll on each of them, but at the moment there was little he could do about it.
“May I come and see you after work tonight?” Dannan asked of Conner as soon as the bank opened on Tuesday morning.
“Of course,” Conner agreed. “Come for tea.”
Dannan glanced at Corina, who stood just a few feet away.
“It’s rather private.”
Conner nodded. “Come for tea anyhow, and we’ll disappear into my study as soon as the meal’s done.”
“Thank you,” Dannan said and moved on his way. He wanted to get Corina dropped off and check on Eli, but he’d made the stop at the bank because he knew he had to speak to someone.
Dannan went through the motions of routine. He left Corina with Iris, telling her he would be back to say goodbye, and then he took to the stairs, his mind still reeling with the events of the evening before. All of this, however, fell away the moment he saw Eli. His breathing was labored, and his eyes were closed as he lay back against the pillows. Finn had propped him up some, but he was not in his usual position.
“Mr. Peterson?” Dannan softly spoke his name. Eli answered but did not open his eyes.
“Hello, Dannan. I fear I’m getting ill.”
“I can see that,” Dannan acknowledged as he rummaged in his bag for his stethoscope and put the instrument against the older man’s chest. The sounds coming to Dannan’s ear were not encouraging.
He listened in silence for a few moments, glancing up when Scottie came to the door.
“Oh, Dannan, I didn’t realize you were here.”
“I just ar
rived,” the doctor answered without taking his concentration from Eli.
The door had been left open, and this time Scottie did not give them privacy. She stood in the doorway, out of the way but watching carefully. Her heart was not bolstered by Eli’s stillness or the severe look on Dannan’s face, but when her eyes met Finn’s, that man gave her a small smile.
It reminded Scottie to trust. Finn had watched Eli in this state dozens of times through the years. If he could muster a smile for her, she could keep trusting in her God.
Thirteen
“Go up,” Scottie commanded quietly to her cook. “I’ll stay with Corina.”
Iris hesitated, but Scottie could see how much she wanted to see Eli. The older woman was worried sick. Scottie wasn’t feeling at all good about Eli’s condition and didn’t want to leave his side, but she also wanted Iris to have some time upstairs. It was good to have Iris leave the kitchen without another word.
Corina was thankfully oblivious to their conversation and was quite content to move from her little table to the shelf in the buttery Iris had cleared for her and back again, talking to her doll the whole time. The little girl had been outside with Iris earlier, and Scottie knew from the droop of her small shoulders that getting her to sleep after dinner would not be an issue. Scottie thought about offering to read her a book but then realized that when Iris came down, it might delay her return to her husband’s room. Seeing how content Corina was at the moment, Scottie wasn’t willing to take the chance.
Dannan was not prepared for how swiftly Eli went downhill. He had made him as comfortable as he could manage with plans to check back at noon. In those short hours, Eli’s breathing worsened until it could be heard all over the room.
Scottie was very close, moving only when Dannan needed the position, and Finn was in his usual place. Dannan didn’t try to communicate with his patient, but he was not pleased.