Love's unending legacy (Love Comes Softly #5) (12 page)

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"Arnie an' Anne will be there," went on Marty, "but I don't s'pose you'll be knowin' many of the others."

"Don't s'pose," said Lane.

"Thought maybe ya wouldn't mind takin' Ellie on over. She could show ya the way an' introduce ya to the rest of the young people."

Lane moved a king directly into the path of one of Clark's men and said calmly, "Be obliged."

The game went on. Lane lost soundly. From that move on, his mind was not on the game. He didn't dare look at Ellie. He had heard a little gasp and her shocked whisper, "Mama." He was surprised she hadn't outright refused her mother's suggestion. Would she back out gracefully later? Did she already have a date for the night? Lane feared it might be so. Clark moved to put away the checkerboard, and Marty kept her knitting needles
click-clicking
in a steady rhythm. Lane rose to excuse himself, and after a mild protest on Marty's part, which Lane countered with thanks for the evening but he had to go, Marty suggested that Ellie show him to the door.

Ellie rose obediently and laid her sewing aside.

They walked silently through the room and into the kitchen, and Lane took his heavy jacket from the hook and slipped his arms into it. He pulled his mitts out of his pocket and reached for his hat. Still Ellie had not spoken.

"That wasn't yer idea, was it?" Lane asked softly.

"No," answered Ellie, not meeting his eyes.

"Iffen it's a problem, I understand."

Ellie looked at him then. "Is it a problem fer you?" she asked sincerely.

Lane looked at her steadily. "It's an honor fer me," he stated. "Then it's no problem fer me," said Ellie simply. Lane left with his hat in his hand and his heart singing.

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On the night of the social, Lane was in early from the woods, for Arnie, too, wished to be home in plenty of time to properly get ready before going to pick up Anne. Clare gave them both some good-natured teasing, but Arnie quickly reminded Clare of how he had acted when he was courting Kate.

Lane did not stop for supper, having already informed Marty not to expect him. He hurried on home, thinking of a warm bath and a quick shave. He wasn't too sure that what he had to wear was appropriate, but he would do the best he could with what he had. He couldn't believe his good fortune--that he would actually be escorting Ellie! He still wasn't sure just how it had all come about or why Ellie hadn't turned him down.

Ellie rushed through the supper dishes and hastened to her room.

Marty went up to see what was taking her so long and returned to Clark, shaking her head. "Never seen Ellie fuss so," she said. "She's had herself a bath, and she's put on and taken off more'n one gown."

"Every girl fusses when she's goin' out with a young man," Clark responded.

"Lane?" Marty's head swung around to stare at Clark. "Why, he's just like one of the family."

"And so he is," agreed Clark.

Lane was plenty early, and when he looked at the radiant Ellie, his pulse beat more rapidly. She wasn't just pretty--she was lovely.

They walked out to the sleigh, and he helped her to be seated and tucked her in carefully against the cold of the winter night.

They talked of this and that on the way to the church. When they passed a neighbor's farm, Ellie would tell Lane something of the family who lived there.

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When they arrived at their destination, Lane helped Ellie down and went to tie his horses among the milling, stomping teams of the neighborhood youth. He spotted the team of bays that Arnie drove and gave one a pat on his broad rump as he walked by.

Ellie was standing just inside the door when he entered the church. She showed him where to put his hat and coat and then began the introductions.

The young people were friendly and the games lively. The evening went quickly, and Lane, who was not used to such gatherings, was surprised at the fun they had. After a snack served by the girls, it was time to go home.

Lane felt several pairs of eyes on him as he helped Ellie into her coat. He knew there were a number of neighborhood boys who greatly envied him. He could feel it in their looks and their curt manners. It made him even more conscious of the fact that he was escorting the prettiest girl in the room.

Lane did not push the horses on the way home. If Ellie realized it, she did not say so. Instead, she talked about the party, the people he had met, and his thoughts concerning the evening. He reached to tuck the blanket securely around her, wishing with all his heart that he could leave his arm around her, too. Reluctantly, he withdrew it.

"What do ya think of our country?" asked Ellie, making a real turn in the conversation.

"It's different," he answered her, "but I like it fine."

"Ya miss the West?"

"Not as much as I thought I would," he said honestly. "But you'll be glad to git back?"

Lane thought of the wide-open spaces, the mountains in the distance, the night-crying of the coyotes, and the wind in his face and answered her, "Reckon I will."

"Guess Missie has learned to love it, too," Ellie said, gazing up at the wide, star-studded sky as she spoke.

"I think thet she does," answered Lane.

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"Seems so long since I've seen Missie."

"She speaks of ya often." Lane said and went on to think about the young sister Missie had referred to and wondered what Missie would think if she could see Ellie now.

"I still miss her. She was a wonderful big sister."

"Why don't ya come on out an' see her?"
With me,
he wanted to add but thought better of it.

Ellie laughed softly. "Sometimes I get the feelin' Mama isn't too anxious fer me to go visitin' out west. I think she's afraid I might not come back."

"Do you think ya could like the West?"

Ellie sighed. "I think I could like anywhere iffen ..." But she did not finish.

"Iffen--?" Lane prompted.

"Well," she said matter-of-factly, "no use thinkin' on it now anyway. Mama needs me at home with the new baby comin' an' all. Maybe Missie will be able to come on home fer a visit 'fore too long. I'd love to see her--an' her babies."

Lane's heart sank a little. Was there a hidden message here? Was she warning him that he had no part in her future? Mama needed her. Lane loved her for her consideration, and she was right. Marty did need her now, but surely she wasn't planning to spend the rest of her life caring for her mama's kitchen and never giving consideration to having one of her own. He wanted to ask her--to tell her--but she pointed out a falling star and began to talk of other things. He clucked to the team. The night suddenly seemed much colder.

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FOURTEEN
Christmas

Marty, filled with excitement about the nearness of the Christmas season, was also anticipating Arnie's upcoming wedding. But she was absolutely overjoyed by the fact that Luke would soon be home.

Oh, how she had missed him! His letters, which seemed all too infrequent, reminded her of how lonesome she was for their youngest son.

She baked his favorite cakes, fussed over cleaning his room, insisted that his favorite foods be on hand. And even when all this had been accomplished, she still bustled about trying to think of something more to do to make sure of his welcome.

"Why don't ya just sit ya down and relax?" Clark asked her. "Yer gonna be wearin' yerself out. It's
you
the boy is comin' to see, not the house or the pantry."

Marty knew Clark was right, and she tried to hold herself in check. But it was awfully hard.

On the day of Luke's arrival, Marty suffered a disappointment. She had planned all along to travel into town to meet his stage, but the day was bitterly cold with a strong wind blowing. And Clark firmly announced she would best stay home by the fire and let them bring her son to her.

She knew there was no use arguing, but how she chafed and stewed! She finally consented, insisting that Clark and Arnie--the two making the trip to town--promise to hurry home just as fast

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as the team would bring them. Clark agreed and left in time to do any shopping beforehand so they could leave for home as soon as they could load Luke and his luggage.

The day went awfully slowly for Marty. Ellie shook her head at her mother's pacing back and forth to the window. "Yer gonna wear out the floor," she teased, but her tone said she understood.

At last the team was welcomed by the dogs, and Marty ran to open the door for Luke.

At first appearance, Marty felt Luke had not changed much in the few months he had been away. He had really not grown taller, and he was about the same weight. His grin was as broad and his hug still as hearty. It wasn't until they had been together for some time that Marty began to recognize little changes. Luke was no longer her "little boy." He was well on his way to being a responsible man. The knowledge both saddened her and made her proud. She felt that he was seeing her in a different way, too. Luke had always been her compassionate and caring son. Now he looked at her, as well, with the concern and practiced eye of a doctor. Oh, true, Luke had a long way to go before he would be qualified, but he was already seeing the world through a physician's eyes.

The trips to the woods were put off during the busy time of Christmas celebration and Arnie's wedding. Lane hated to think of not having an excuse to visit the Davises for a whole week, but Marty seemed to feel he was a part of the family and always found some reason for him to come over.

Lane helped Ellie set up and decorate the tree in the big family living room. The boys were busy with other things, Marty said, and it was a big job for the girl to do all alone. Lane was happy to assist and enjoyed the evening immensely. Ellie was in a carefree mood, and her light chatter and silvery laugh rather went to Lane's head.
What would it be like to share this task with this girl for the many years ahead?
he asked himself and readily admitted that he liked the idea.

Christmas Day found the house crowded with family. Children

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ran in and out, laughing and shrieking and exclaiming over Christmas surprises. The menfolk gathered in front of the open fire and roasted fall nuts and told jokes on one another, with much hearty laughing and good-natured backslapping. Women bustled about the kitchen, stirring and tasting and seasoning the huge pots that spilled savory odors throughout the whole house. Lane, who could not remember ever having been a part of such a Christmas before, joyfully absorbed every minute of it. Gifts from the tree were lovingly distributed, and Lane had been thoughtfully included. Marty's warm knit stocking cap would keep his head protected on cold winter days in the woods.

Eventually they were all gathered around the extended table. Chattering children were silenced for a season, joking men became serious, and the busy women laid aside their aprons and sat with hands folded reverently in their laps. Clark lifted down the family Bible and read aloud the Christmas story, as he had done on each of the preceding family Christmases, and then led his household in prayer. He remembered each of the absent ones by name--Willie and Missie and their children, and Clae and Joe and their little ones. He thanked the Lord for bringing Luke back to them for a visit. He prayed for the new family members who were yet unknown and asked that God would bless the mothers who carried them and make the new babies a blessing to many in the years to come. He asked God's blessing on Arnie and Anne as they shared the family table and would soon be establishing a home of their own. He prayed for Josh and Nandry and each one of their children. He thanked the Lord for Lane and his presence in their home and his friendship that meant so much to the family. He remembered the Graham family and this first difficult Christmas without the husband and father of the home. Last, he remembered Marty, his helpmate over the years. He thanked the Lord for her return to good health and asked God to give them both wisdom and direction as they guided the new little life with which He had seen fit to bless them.

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It was a lengthy prayer, spoken sincerely. Even the children sat quietly, for Grandpa was talking to God.

In direct contrast, the meal itself was a noisy affair. Over the steady hum of chatter and loud laughter, one could scarcely hear oneself think. Lane stole a glance at Ellie. Cheeks flushed, golden hair wisping around her face, eyes sparkling with happiness, she answered some teasing coming from Clare. Lane was unable to hear her words, but from the look on Clare's face, he could guess Ellie was able to give as good as she received. After Clare's initial look of surprise at her quick response, he began to laugh and exclaimed loudly, "Well, ya got me there, little sister."

The children were excused to go back to their toys, and the adults settled down with another cup of coffee. The talk was not as boisterous now.

Clark leaned back and looked at his youngest son. "Yer lookin' good, boy. They must be takin' good care of ya."

"The Whistlers? They do all right, that's for sure. Aunt Mindy fusses even more than Ma." Luke looked at his mother with a grin. "An' yer likin' the studies?" Clark went on.

"I love it. Learning something new every day."

"Like?"

"Ya wouldn't believe what they are able to do now--in surgery, for treatment. I'm just getting a glimpse into it, but it's a whole new world out there. In a few years' time, with what they are learning, they'll almost be able to make a man over again if something goes wrong with him."

"Guess I was born a few years too soon," Clark moaned in mock despair and brought laughter around the table.

"No fooling, Pa," said Luke. "You ought to see the artificial limbs they've got on the drawing boards now."

"Ain't no help on a drawin' board," replied Clark, and his sons laughed again.

But it looked like the doctor in Luke was not to be put off with joking. He began to explain the advancements in artificial