Page 114 of My Heart Will Find You

“I was glad to see you back to being yourself, but...”

“But what?”

“You didn’t givemeanything to do.”

It hadn’t occurred to her, but he was right. “You’re the leader of everyone. You’ll have to oversee whatever is done. Henry will have to be pushed and Cornelia needs constant praise, and Alice will need you to remind her of what living in a sod house was like.”

He was still looking at her, not satisfied with what she was saying. He began to undress. “I guess if Preacher Tobias had been here, you would have told him he was to do the accounting for everyone.”

“Yes. I’d give him his orders tomorrow, but I think I should keep quiet.”

“I doubt if he’ll be here.” Max turned away to put his shirt on the hook in the wardrobe.

“Has something happened to him?” she asked in alarm.

“Not anything bad. Alice and Cornelia sent the woman Lillian to him. You said they’re a pair.”

When Etta was silent, he looked back at her.

All the blood seemed to have drained from her. Her legs began to wobble, and she collapsed to sit on the side of the bed.

Max sat down and pulled her into his arms. “Tonight wasn’t that bad. I’m sure they’ll all laugh about what you said. Imagine John Kecklin paying to build a church! And Cornelia and Bert are going to move to KC.Youdid that.”

“It’s finished,” Etta whispered. “It’s done.”

He pulled back to look at her. “What is done?”

“My mission. Why I’m here. That was the last one. My parents are together.”

“Your parents are here? Why didn’t you tell me?”

She took his face in her hands. “Max, I love you. With all my heart and soul, I love you. I want to stay with you forever.”

He pulled her to him and held her tight. “It’s all right. Don’t cry. I know you love me.” He stroked her hair. “Did you know that I’ve loved you since our wedding day?”

Her face was buried in his neck, and she shook her head no.

“Any woman who could be calm in the midst of one of Cornelia’s tantrums had my heart. And you were so appreciative of Alice’s gift. I was a goner.”

“But later, you got mad at me,” she whispered.

“I expected you to feel the same way about me, but you didn’t.”

“I hurt your feelings?”

He laughed. “That you did. But you repaired the damage.” He moved back to look at her. “I love you, Henrietta. With everything I have inside me, I love you.” He kissed her tear-damp eyelids.

“I’m afraid I’ll be taken from you.”

He didn’t ask what that meant, but then, he was growing used to the odd things she said. “If you are, then you’ll just have to find me. I’ll wait for you forever.”

She didn’t answer, just held on to him tightly.

He pulled back. “In the meantime, you want to try to make a baby?”

“Oh yes. Yes and yes!” was all Etta could say as she pulled him down onto the bed and on top of her.

22

---