Page 84 of Calling on the Matchmaker
“But you saved me when you could have saved one of them.”
He shook his head. “It all happened so fast. Everyone was in the river before I could jump off. The others were already too far away, and you happened to be the closest one. I didn’t think I’d be able to reachyouin time, didn’t think I’d be able to grab ahold of you. But by the grace of God, I got to you.”
It had been so many years, Riley’s memories of the event had faded. Was it possible he’d remembered things all wrong?
“I came so close to losing you too, Riley. And I remember pulling you onto the shore and falling to my knees and thanking God that He’d allowed me to keep you.” Dad’s voice cracked with emotion. “Every day I look at you and thank God all over again that I at least have you.”
The ache burned at Riley’s throat, and he swallowed it. “I’m thankful God gave me you too, Dad.”
“I hope you weren’t running for mayor to prove something.” He released Riley’s hand, then wiped at his cheeks.
Riley started to shake his head, then paused. Had that been one more effort to show he’d been worthy of being rescued from the river? “I don’t know. I don’t think so. I genuinely want to do more to help the people of St. Louis, especially those in the Kerry Patch.”
“And you think dropping out of the mayoral election will help them?” His dad’s voice was gentle, but his eyes probed Riley for the truth.
The truth was, he didn’t need to win the election to help the immigrants. The past month of serving with Finola and then his recent organizational efforts at trying to slow the spread of cholera had shown him that.
He didn’t have to be in an official position to be a leader and make a difference for the immigrants. With his influence, maybe he’d even eventually teach them about the evils of slavery so that if he ran for elected office, he’d be able to do so with integrity.
“There are several reasons why I dropped out. And I admit, one of them is because of Finola. I didn’t want her marrying me just so I could win the election.”
“So you do want to marry her still?”
When Riley had arrived earlier, he told his dad about calling off his match as well as dropping out of the election. But they’d been surrounded by too many people for him to explain all the details of why. Maybe he hadn’t been ready to talk about it. But now, after the conversation they’d just had, he needed to share, needed to know what to do next.
He pressed one hand to his throbbing head and one to his aching heart, not sure which hurt more. “It was agony living today without her. The thought of going tomorrow without her again makes me daft.”
“Then don’t go without her.”
“It’s not that simple. She wants to become a nun.”
Brows lifting, his dad sat up a little straighter. “A worthwhile pursuit.”
“And that’s the trouble. Who can fault her for wanting to give her life over to God and the church?” Riley certainly couldn’t, and he’d done the right thing in encouraging her father to allow it. Hadn’t he?
“Sounds to me like you’re faulting her.”
Riley flattened his hand harder against his chest, but nothing could lessen the emptiness. “I’ve never loved a woman the way I love her.”
His dad’s shoulders relaxed, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That’s your answer, son.”
“It is?”
“If you love her enough that you can’t live without her, then you need to go and show her that love. Show her every day, even if it takes you the rest of your life.”
Bellamy had once told him he was the one who could break through Finola’s defenses and win her heart, that he had enough determination and daring to it.
Had he given up on Finola too easily?
“You’re a scrapper,” his dad said as if reading his thoughts. “Fight for her.”
“But I don’t want to push her into something she doesn’t want.”
“Then go slow. Be patient. Ask her to put off going into the convent to give you more time.”
Riley nodded at the wise advice and relaxed against the pillow, the throbbing in his head turning more relentless. He wanted to close his eyes and go back to sleep.
“So, we’re in agreement. No more idiotic stunts?”
