Donovan's Daughter (The Californians, Book 4)

LORI WICK

This book is
dedicated with love to my nieces,
Jessica Wick, Julie Kolstad,
Katharine Arenas, Johanna Wick,
Barbara Wick, and Mary Wick.
I praise God for each of you,
and pray that you will grow
in the grace and knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Other Books by Lori Wick

A Place Called Home Series

A Place Called Home

A Song for Silas

The Long Road Home

A Gathering of Memories

The Californians

Whatever Tomorrow Brings

As Time Goes By

Sean Donovan

Donavan's Daughter

Kensington Chronicles

The Hawk and the Jewel

Wings of the Morning

Who Brings Forth the Wind

The Knight and the Dove

Rocky Mountain Memories

Where the Wild Rose Blooms

Whispers of Moonlight

TO Know Her by Name

Promise Me Tomorrow

The Yellow Rose Trilogy

Every Little Thing About You

A Texas Sky

City Girl

English Garden Series

The Proposal

The Rescue

The Visitor

The Pursuit

The Tucker Mills Trilogy

Moonlight on the Millpond

Just Above a Whisper

Leave a Candle Burning

Other Fiction

Sophie's Heart

Pretense

The Princess

Bamboo & Lace

Every Storm

White Chocolate Moments

Willits Families-1881

Alexander Montgomery (Willits' doctor)

Marcail Donovan (Willits' schoolteacher)

Cordelia Duckworth
Sydney Duckworth (Cordelia's grandson)

Allie Warren

The Austin Family

Husband-Dean

Wife-Kay.

Children-Marla

Daisy

Santa Rosa Families-1881

The Riggs Family.

Husband-Marshall (Rigg)

Wife-Kaitlin (Katie)

Children-Gretchen

Molly

Donovan

March 25, 1881

Santa Rosa, California

Dear Marcail,

Happy Birthday! It's hard to believe that we're not together on your nineteenth birthday; it's the first time 1 can
remember our being apart. You know my love and prayers
are with you and Father. Let me know what the two of you
did that was special. Tell Father 1 hope he baked you a cake!

Rigg sent your birthday box in plenty of time, so when
you read this, you should be able to write and tell me if the
dress fits. I know all-white is impractical, but you look so
pretty in white.

The girls talk about you constantly. I tell them that
you'll come to see them when you can. Donovan isgrowing
like a weed, and I so wish you could see him. The girls were
nowhere near his size at this age. I think he's going to rival
Rigg before he's done. And speaking of Rigg, you can't
believe the joy in his face when he holds his own little son.
God is so good, Marcail.

I just couldn't resist writing to you on your birthday.
Write back soon and catch me up on all the news. I don't
know about you, but it feels to me as if you ye been gone for
three months, not three weeks.

Love, Katie

April 6, 1881

Visalia, California

Dear Katie and Family,

I love the dress. It's beautiful and fits like a dream.
Thank you so much. I've been saving a white ribbon, and
now I have a dress with which to wear it. From whom did
Rigg order the dress?

I wanted to take my time to tell you about Fatber'sgift to
me, but I'm so excited I can't wait. Father told me I could
start taking the special studies class with my teacher, Miss
Wilkins, and get my teaching certificate. It means staying
after school every afternoon, but I should be done by midsummer and be able to apply for teaching positions this fall!

I can hardly believe it's true, Katie-I'm finallygoing to
be a teacher! It's what I've prayed for and dreamed about
foraslong asI can remember. I think it was hardforFather
when I told him I did not want to be married right away,
but after he took some time to get used to the idea, I could
see he was going to wholeheartedly support my decision.

I think his change in attitude might have something to
do with his watching me tutor. He can tell ! love to teach. I'm
not sure if he can understand that it's not the same as
having my own class, but ! am really enjoying it. Mitchell,
the little boy 1 tutor every afternoon, bas a crush on me and
tells me he's going to marry me. Renee, the little girl ! teach,
is just the opposite. She resents my presence, and I have to coax
nearly every word out of her. Please pray for both of us.

Give Rigg and the girls my love, and kiss Donovan for
me. I've found a pair of matching dolls for Gretchen and
Molly, but I'm notgoing to send them. I'd rather bring them
when I can visit, to see their faces when they open them. I
might hold onto them until Christmas.

I wish 1 could tell you I'll see you soon, but with my
studies intensifying, I just won't be able to get away. I hope
this finds you all well.

Love, Marcail

May 28, 1881

Santa Rosa, California