223
Christine stood still a few moments after the door closed behind Luke, smiling at her surroundings.
With the lamp in one hand and a small suitcase in the other, Christine headed toward the hallway that led off the dining area.
Luke's room, and now hers, was halfway down the hall and at the back of the house. It was a huge room with a massive four-poster bed, a matched set of wardrobes, and the largest bureau that Christine had ever seen. In one corner, having been stoked that afternoon, burned a wood stove, making the room comfortably warm.
Julia had shown Christine through the bedrooms the week before. She ran her hand over the beautiful quilt on the bed. Luke's mother had made it-a mother-in-law that Christine would not know personally, but only through Luke's words and her handiwork here and there in the house.
Christine opened the wardrobe door. Seeing her things hanging beside Luke's gave her a feeling of contentment. She heard a door close and knew that Luke was back.
Luke followed the light from Christine's lamp and found her in his bedroom, their bedroom. Upon entering, Luke closed the door and leaned against it.
Christine was still in her wedding dress, her hair coming loose around her face. Luke was in his dark suit and crisp white shirt, so tall and handsome. Husband and wife stood in silence regarding each other. Luke spoke from his place at the door.
"Christine, it's been a long day. I know you're tired, and if you'd rather..." Luke halted as Christine moved toward him, her heart swelling with love at how thoughtful he was of her well-being.
When she stood directly in front of him, all she could think to say was, "I love you, Luke."
Luke understood and drew Christine to him, hardly able to believe that a man could be so happy and blessed.
224224
Theirs was a love sprung deep from within, willing and able to stand the test of time, come what may, with Christ at the head of their home.
225
Never would Luke or Silas have believed they could be so spoiled so quickly: baked goods in abundance, hot meals served, coffee always waiting on the stove, the house spotless, and clothes always clean-all brought on by Christine's presence.
Christine was a morning person, and Luke's only complaint was that the warm person beside him all night was not there most mornings when he awoke. But the warm kitchen and hot coffee could not be faulted.
For nearly two weeks Christine laughed at the sight of her new brother-in-law first thing in the morning. Silas would try to act as grumpy as he looked, but Christine only laughed harder and he gave up.
Every Thursday Christine spent the day at Grandma Em's. Christine insisted upon coming back once a week to help out. There had been a battle, but Christine won.
"You'd think I was 100 years old the way you're acting."
"I do not think you are 100 years old. I know very well you'll be 71 next month, but that's beside the point."
"But, Christine, you have your own house to take care of now!" Grandma Em said as she tried a new approach.
"My house is not going to suffer the one day I come to see you. Now, what day shall we make it?" Grandma Em was stubbornly silent.
"All right! I'll pick a day myself. Thursday. I'll be here Thursday morning at 8:00."
"Less than a month you've been married, and she sounds just like you," Grandma Em said accusingly to Luke, who was sitting quietly on the couch, watching his wife in battle.
Luke opened his mouth to defend himself, but Christine broke in. "Luke has nothing to do with this. It was my idea, and I will not change my mind."
226
Grandma Em could see she was not going to win this battle, but she was not about to give in gracefully. "Is your salary to be the same as before?" Grandma Em asked innocently.
Christine was out of her chair in a flash and standing, arms akimbo before her husband. "Talk to her! Tell your grandmother I will be here on Thursdays to give her a hand and if she gives me one cent, I'll burn it!" This said, Christine stomped into the kitchen. Luke and Grandma Em listened a minute as she banged and slammed around preparing some coffee.
"How do you really feel about Christine coming?"
"I'm delighted to have her."
"That's what I thought," Luke said, his eyes twinkling. "You really shouldn't have teased her. You got me in trouble."
"That was the best part!" Grandma Em replied as she headed to the kitchen to make her peace with Christine.
227
Using the back of her hand, Mrs. Hall brushed a fallen strand of hair from her face. Her eyes fell on a small slip of paper sticking out of a stack she was reading through. 284539. She contemplated the odd set of numbers for a time before setting the paper aside.
Sunday was no time to be going through the study at the Bennett residence, but she was drawing close to the end and was anxious to be done. Her fingers went to her temples and she rubbed gently. 284539. What an odd combination of numbers. Combination! The safe! Mrs. Hall reached quickly for the paper. She had nearly forgotten the safe.
Mrs. Hall went to a small wood cabinet that sat inconspicuously behind the desk below the two windows. The door opened easily to reveal the black safe within.
Mrs. Hall looked again at the numbers in her hand and then knelt on the floor. The first two tries with the dial were unsuccessful, but on the third attempt she heard a click. Reaching carefully for the handle, she turned it and pulled.
Her heart was pounding as she swung the door open. She rose quickly and moved the desk lamp close. A musty smell hit her nose when she resumed her place on the floor.
For a moment she touched nothing, but she held the lamp high and peered within the small cavern of the safe. A large, yellowish bundle of papers caught her eye and she reached for it.
Mrs. Hall recognized Joshua Bennett's own handwriting on the first page. It took the weary housekeeper some minutes to realize she was reading a will-Joshua Bennett's last will and testament written in his own hand.
With sudden clarity Mrs. Hall was transported back through time: "... she will receive the house and stables along with the rest of my holdings. In the event of her
228
death, the inheritance will go to my partner, Vince Jeffers." Carl Maxwell had read those words in a quiet, almost apologetic voice.
What a blind fool she had been! To be sure of her theory, she quickly scanned the pages in her hand. There was not a word about Vince Jeffers. Nearly everything was left unconditionally to Christine.
Mrs. Hall struggled up from her cramped position on the floor. Donning her coat and hat, she quickly grabbed up the incriminating papers and rushed for the front door.
"I think we should eat at 7:00. How is that for your families?"
"Sounds fine," Julia answered.
"No problem that I can think of," Susanne said, then added, "Pending as always Mark's work. We'll just bring Grandma Em with us."
"Julia, are you going to do the pies?" Christine asked.
"I'd planned on it. I put up jars and jars of peaches, and that's her favorite."
"Okay, Sue's doing a chocolate cake and I'm covering supper, so I think we're all set." Christine would have said more, but the moment Grandma entered the kitchen, the three women stopped talking.
When the silence lengthened through Grandma Em washing a spot on her dress, she became suspicious. "Why do I get the distinct feeling I was being discussed?" Grandma Em asked while approaching the table.
The women knew she had to be told, but they hated to spoil her Sunday. In their hesitation, she figured it out for herself.
"Oh, you girls! You're planning something for Friday, aren't you? I told you last year there would be no more parties, but you didn't listen. You need to be spanked and I'm going to go get your husbands."
229
Christine looked a bit thunderstruck, but Julia and Susanne had heard all this before.
Within minutes Mac, Luke, and Mark entered the kitchen. Julia stood and gave Mac her c
hair. As she expected, she was pulled down into his lap as soon as he was settled. Mark stood behind Susanne, his hands resting on her shoulders. Luke took the chair next to Christine after moving it close beside hers.
"Where are the children?" Sue asked. "Emily is out for the count on the sofa and the boys went out to play with Silas," her husband answered.
"And Gram?"
"She headed upstairs after telling us you three were in plot against her."
"You must have been discussing Friday," Luke guessed, since he and Christine had already talked it over.
"Is it true she says no more parties every year?" Christine wanted to know.
"Just about, but she loves them and always has more fun than anyone else."
"By March, when the cold weather feels like it's never going to end, everyone is in need of a party."
The six adults talked around the table for awhile. When Christine heard one of the boys run by outside and Silas call to him, she commented absently and to no one in particular, "I wish Silas were in here with his wife."
It was a subject that had crossed everyone's mind at one time or another.
"Has Si said anything to you, Christine? About wanting a wife, I mean?"
"No, not directly, or even indirectly, for that matter. It's just that at times he looks a bit lost and lonely. I didn't mean to make you cry, Julia." Christine felt bad.
Julia shook her head in mute apology over the display of tears and Mac said, "It's not your fault, Christine. Some people are born with an overabundance of tears. Julia has
230
enough for six people." Everyone laughed at this, and the spell was broken.
They continued to talk and make plans until Elizabeth began to complain about an empty stomach from the cradle in the parlor.
Soon everyone broke up to return to their own homes, the prospect of a party on Friday buoying everyone's mood.
"I need to see Mr. Jeffers." The sheriff in Spooner spoke as soon as the housekeeper allowed him into the entryway.
"I'm terribly sorry, but he's not home. Perhaps you'd like to leave a message."
"When will he be back? It's urgent."
The housekeeper hesitated.
"I repeat, it is urgent that I speak with him."
"He's not here and I don't know where he is. When I arrived this morning, there was only a note saying he would be away and to keep the house in order." The servant looked frightened.
"Let me see the note." The sheriff's voice was abrupt in his agitated state over Vince Jeffers getting away. The housekeeper scurried to comply with the order.
Upon reading it and taking a quick look around, the sheriff's hopes plummeted. From all appearances, Vince Jeffers had disappeared without a trace.
231
(/Luke rolled and stretched, his body protesting the idea of getting out of bed. When something tickled his nose, Luke reached up and pulled away a stray hair. He smiled as it just kept coming. He wound the strand from Christine's head around his finger.
It was time, he knew-time to come clean and confess to Christine what he had been holding back. He had been feeling the pain of disobedience in his heart long enough. It was time to talk with his wife and to trust God.
"Oh, Luke, I thought you would be up! I really need to make that bed. I have so much to get done before the party." Christine spoke as she bustled around the room.
The party for Grandma Em. Luke had forgotten all about it. "Tomorrow, Lord," Luke promised; "tomorrow I'll tell her."
"Luke Cameron, are you going to get out of that bed today?" Christine stood at the foot, her brows raised in question.
"You could come over and help me up." Luke's voice was gravelly with sleep.
"Do I have your word that you will come out and I won't get pulled in?" At Luke's silence, Christine laughed. "I thought not." With a flick of her wrist Christine threw back the covers, causing Luke to shiver and leap for the stove.
"You're a cruel woman," he grumbled as he dressed quickly. But Christine had the bed half made and just ignored him.
When the men came back in from the horses, Christine asked about the road. "I really need to get to town. The storm this week has put me behind schedule. I didn't even get to Grandma Em's this week."
Silas answered her. "I've got to go in this afternoon. You can go with me."
"That's fine, Si, thanks. I can have supper almost ready before we go."
232
It crossed Luke's mind to tell Christine he would rather she stay inside today. Knowing she would ask why and that he had no reason, he held his tongue.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I'll go straight over as soon as I'm done here and ride with them. You go back and I'll see you tonight."
"Okay, but you be careful."
"I'll be fine. Thanks for the ride, Silas."
Christine turned away, but Silas still hesitated at the door of the general store. His business in town had been brief, and he had heard from some buyers and wanted to get home to tell Luke. Christine was to go to Mark and Sue's for a ride home. Silas went ahead out to the sleigh. Christine was a big girl and she would make the two blocks safely.
"Is it almost time?" Emily danced around her mother's legs.
"Almost. I've got to wrap up this cake and bundle up your sister. Don't forget, we have to pick up Grandma Em too."
"Won't Aunt Christine be surprised that we're coming early to help?"
"I'm sure she will. Now don't forget to say Happy Birthday to Grandma Em when we see her, and don't tell her what's in the box we wrapped."
"I won't. Is it time to tell Daddy we're ready?"
"Yes, you go ahead and tell him about 15 minutes."
Emily, always happy to be of help, skipped off toward her father's office.
"Red or blue," Christine said under her breath. She
233
needed calico for the border of her new quilt and could go with either color.
"Ma'am." A voice broke through her thoughts.
Christine looked down at the small child standing beside her. She did not remember seeing this child before. Wordlessly, Christine was handed a note and the child ran from the store. She stared after him in some surprise before reading the paper in her hand.
"Christine," it read, "come immediately to the house. Grandma Em has been hurt."
The note was unsigned, but Christine was sure it was from Mark. The snow was deep and it hindered Christine's progress as she rushed with a fearful heart. Of all things! Grandma Em injured on her 71st birthday!
Christine quickly climbed the front porch steps and rushed in the front door.
"Gram!" Christine called as she quickly unbuttoned her coat and moved into the parlor.
"By all means, Christine, take off your coat. You're going to be here awhile."
Christine's movements stilled and she felt her blood run cold. Until that moment she believed she would never hear the voice of Vince Jeffers again.
He was seated on the sofa. Resting beside him on the seat and close on his right was a long, wicked-looking knife.
"Take off your coat, Christine." This time it was an order, and Christine obeyed. She laid the coat over the nearest chair and looked up to see Vince's eyes moving over her. A leering smile played across his lips and Christine felt dirty beneath his perusal.
"Please, God," Christine thought, asking for she knew not what, just needing to cry out to her Savior.
"What are you doing here, Vince?" Christine was amazed at how calm her voice sounded.
"I'm surprised you have to ask that, Christine. You didn't actually think I was going to let you get away with all that money, did you?"
234
"What money?" Christine asked in genuine confusion.
Vince's scornful laugh grated on Christine's nerves. "You're as big a fool as your grandfather was," he snarled at her as he stood up.
Christine was still completely baffled, and Vince could see this. She watched, horrified, as
the snarl on his face became almost a pleasant smile. This man was mad.
"The railroad stocks," he informed her, as if he were announcing the time of day.
"The railroad stocks? The ones you advised Grandfather to sell because they were worthless?"
"Yes, one and the same. He was a fool. He never even checked on my story-just handed me the papers so I could take care of it."
"But the stocks are worth something after all?" Christine asked, trying desperately to get some understanding of the situation while praying constantly for help, helpless as it was. No one knew that Vince Jeffers was here or that she was at Grandma Em's.
"Worth something?" Again that scornful laugh. "They're worth a small fortune, but I can't touch it. By the time I realized I needed your grandfather's signature, he was already dead."
"No, I didn't kill him," Vince assured her upon seeing the look on her face. "But it was very nice of him to die when he did. I really am in deep financial trouble, you know." He stated this so calmly that Christine felt her stomach lurch.
"Do I nauseate you, Christine?" Vince had not missed the look of revulsion on her face, and he approached slowly as he spoke. "That's really a shame, you know." He was almost next to her. "Because we're going to get to know one another very well." Christine had backed up flush against the wall and Vince stopped within inches of her. His hand came up to her face and Christine tried to turn into the wall. Vince fed on her fear, and his laugh was a low hiss as sour breath fell on her face. She felt his fingers at the side of her neck. "Yes, Christine, very well indeed."
- $? -
235
"It's Mark," Silas said from his place at the window.
Luke felt relief wash over him. He had been anxious all day about Christine and couldn't wait to see her.
Grandma Em was the first one in the house. Silas and Luke both hugged her before she could get her coat off, wishing her birthday greetings. Not until Susanne and Emily were inside, and Mark, with the baby in his arms, began to shut the door did Luke ask.
"Where's Christine?" The room became completely still at his question.
"Isn't she here, Luke?" Mark asked.
Silas broke in. "She was supposed to come to your house after she was done in town and ride back here with you."