Page 55 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
In the distance, a flash of turquoise peeked out between tall spruce trees.
“It looks so peaceful. It’s calling for further investigation.”
For several seconds he considered the lake as if measuring the distance and assessing the trail.
“You sure you want to go on?” The concern in his voice made her heart smile.
“I’m sure.”
“I’ll go slow. You hang on.” They moved forward.
She braced her feet against the front board, but her gaze clung to the lake growing closer, the color more vibrant, the air sweeter with scents of spruce and water. Behind the lake rose a mountain striated with evergreen trees—a contrast of smoky blue and forest green. The lake wore a gray necklace of rocks.
They drove into the trees and stopped. “No one will be able to see us from a distance.” He jumped down and reached up to assist Della.
He took her hand and guided her along the narrow trail to the water’s edge. The surface was so still she couldn’t make out where the reflection ended and the real began. Her chest felt too small for the emotions that filled her. Awe at the beauty. Peace in the absence of any sound but those of nature. And an unexpected sense of sharing the moment with someone who needed no words to convey his own wonder and appreciation. He simply stood at her side, holding her hand, and drinking in the scene just as she did.
A soft laugh broke from her mouth, coming from the expanding joy in her heart. “Your mother must have loved this place.”
“Pa brought her here often. Many times without four boys clattering about. When we begged to come, Ma would remind us that she was in need of some peace and quiet.” He chuckled, a sound full of loving memories. “We’d complain that she was calling us noisy.”
“Of course, you were never that.”
His chuckle expanded to a hoot of laughter. “More likely we were never quiet. Come on, I’ll show you where she liked to sit.” Hand in hand they navigated the rocky shore until they came to a spot where the trees grew right to the water. A grassy slope rose at their side, and he dropped her hand to climb it.
She soon understood why. The incline was steep enough that she had to lean forward, almost on all fours.
The ground flattened and he waited to help her upright then turned her around to look across the lake.
“Ma would sit here often reading her Bible. I know she prayed here too.”
They sat side by side on the warm grass. A gentle breeze rattled the branches beside them. Birdschirreedand chirped from the trees.
“Ma taught us to pray and to memorize scripture.” His tone was sad, especially in contrast to the joyfulness of the nearby birds.
“You miss her.” She swallowed back a lump of longing for her own mother. If only things had worked out as they’d planned, Ma would be out here somewhere with a man who cared for her. She’d be enjoying the mountains. Perhaps she’d be taken on outings such as this one to hidden places of joy. “My mother would enjoy this scene.” She heard the regret in her words.
“When you get back, are you going to proceed with finding her a groom?” His soft, caring tone brought a fissure to her heart.
For the first time since she and Ma had started down this road, she wondered if they should choose another route.
“I don’t know what to do. Unless she is in a better situation than her current one, I can’t leave her and go to Europe. I feel like I have to break one promise to Pa in order to keep the other.” What was she going to do?
He caught her hands and squeezed them. “Let’s pray for a resolution.”
“I’d like that.”
They bowed their heads. Andy prayed aloud. Della prayed in her heart.
“Dear loving heavenly Father, You see and understand Della’s problems. We believe You have the answers to them. Please show them to her. May she be ready to see and follow. Thank You for Your love made evident in nature but also in Your Son. In His name, we pray. Amen.”
Calmness and assurance filled her heart.
“You remind me of my pa.” The way he prayed. How he listened so intently to her. The peace filling his eyes.
“That’s very kind of you.” His gaze caught hers and her worry about her mother disappeared. It almost felt like he was offering her—what? Surely not a solution. Because the only way he could help was to offer —
No. She must not build castles in the sky. Dream impossible dreams. Wish for stars. She knew what she must do. She would trust God to provide the answer she needed.
