Page 45 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Could he forgive her for that?
His hands hung idle over his knees as he bowed his head. Honesty and truthfulness and trust were so important to him. He’d trusted the people who’d taken him in. They’d broken faith when they took him to the orphanage. Many times, people in the institution had made promises.There’d be more food tomorrow. There seldom was.Some day he’d thank them for their harsh discipline.He never had. Life on his own had been full of dishonesty as well. Promises of employment thatdidn’t materialize. Wages withheld for no reason. Scoundrels who stole his possessions.
But—he smiled—his journey had led to the Shannons. And if that was the only path available to bring him to them, he was grateful.
If the road Maddie took to bring her here must include her dishonesty, then he would be equally grateful.
He would forgive her. And find a way to prove it to her. In the process, he would pray she would forgive herself.
Dawn peaked around the edge of the curtains and with the light of a new day, peace broke through the dark clouds into his heart.
He touched Ivy’s brow. Her fever had not returned, and she slept. He’d put Jonathan to sleep at the foot of Ivy’s bed. The boy snuffled but didn’t waken.
Wally’s heart expanded. He loved these children. They brought with them something he’d longed for all his life—family. His gaze went to the doorway and past to the closed door behind which Maddie slept. She was the second half of his dream, and he loved her. Out of choice. Out of heart-hunger. And out of seeing her, watching her with the children, hearing her sing as she worked…everything.
He turned back to tending Otis. The boy’s skin should be icy but heat still warmed the cloths within seconds. He would keep working at lowering the feveras long as necessary. He would keep praying for the boy to recover. Just as he would hope and pray and love Maddie until she responded with an unfettered heart.
A quiet knock sounded on the outer door. Wally tiptoed from the room to answer.
Andy stood before him holding a roaster, the contents covered by a lid. “Della sent over biscuits, bacon, and eggs for breakfast.”
Wally took the pan, his mouth watering at the aroma wafting up to him.
“How is everyone?”
Food was forgotten, replaced by the rope of worry that knotted around his thoughts. “Otis is very ill. His fever hasn’t broken. I fear…” He couldn’t go on.
Andy squeezed his shoulder. “We’re all praying for them to recover. How is Maddie? Della said she’s been up day and night tending the children.”
“She’s asleep now.”
“If you need anything…”
“I’ll let you know.”
Andy headed across the yard. To the right, horses grazed. Smoke rose from the chimney of Andy’s house. The sun was bright. The sky was blue. Everything was so normal outside. And so uncertain inside.
“Unca Wally? Mama?”
“I’m here.” Wally went to the kitchen whereJonathan stood, rubbing his eyes. He put the boy on a chair and set food before him.
Maddie stepped from her room, her hair in disarray, her clothes wrinkled. Her expression guarded.
They studied each other across the room.
Her gaze darted toward the other bedroom.
“He’s the same.” Wally could not keep fatigue and worry out of his voice. Seeing a flicker of something in her eyes, he added, “I trust God to do what is best.”
“I envy you your trust.” Her lips twitched as if she tried to smile but couldn’t manage.
“I remember how Mr. Shannon would ask how can we look at life as if we know the big picture. It’s like when Luke was five years old and wanted to ride the stallion. He was angry because his father refused to let him. All he saw was what he couldn’t have. He didn’t see that his father was protecting him.”
Her longing eyes held his. “I understand what you’re trying to tell me. But—” She shrugged and went to check on Otis.
She returned to get more cold water. “No change.” The words were flat. As full of discouragement and acceptance as any two words could be.
“You finish up.” He left Jonathan eating and followed Maddie. “Madeline, my wife.”
