Threads of Love (16 page)

“You look absolutely radiant,” he replied and smiled as a deep blush colored her cheeks. “I’ll take you to your father now,” he said, breaking the silence that followed his compliment.

“Does my father know I’ve arrived?” she asked, following him down the hallway.

“He does, but try not to look surprised by his appearance when you see him. He’s lost weight, and his general health is very poor,” he responded.

Opening the door for her, he stood back as she brushed by him to enter the room, a distinct scent of lilac filling his nostrils.

“Papa,” she almost cried as she made her way to the emaciated figure that lay on the bed, his thin arms outstretched to embrace her.

“Ah, Delphinia, you’ve let your hair down the way I like it. Come give your papa a hug,” he responded in a weakened voice she almost did not recognize. Dr. Finley momentarily watched the unfolding reunion and then quietly backed out the doorway, pulling the door closed behind him.

Her heart ached as she held him, but she forced a bright smile and then said, “I’m not a child anymore, Pa.”

“You’ll always be my child,” he said, reaching up to lay his hand alongside her face. “I know I’ve done wrong by you, and before I die I need your forgiveness for sending you off the way I did. I know now it was selfish and wrong. Say you’ll forgive me, Delphinia,” he requested in a pleading voice.

“I forgave you long ago, Pa. I was angry when you sent me away and then when I found out you’d gone so far as to advertise in a newspaper to find someplace to send me, I was horrified—”

“I just wasn’t—” he interrupted.

“No, Pa. Let me finish. I was shocked and devastated you would do that. Later, though, after some time had passed and I had prayed steadfastly for understanding, I no longer resented your actions. It caused me a lot of pain, but that’s behind me now. I’ve missed you, but my life with the Wilshires has been good. You must now concentrate on making yourself well and quit worrying about my forgiveness,” she finished.

Tears brimmed his sunken eyes as her father gave a feeble smile. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness or love, but I am thankful for both. As for concentrating on getting well, I’m afraid that’s not possible. This illness seldom allows its victims to regain their health. Besides, your forgiveness is all I want. Now I don’t care when I die,” he said, caressing her hand.

“Papa, my forgiveness is not most important,” she said. “It’s God’s forgiveness we must always seek. It is important to ask those we offend to forgive us, but most importantly we must repent and ask God’s forgiveness for our sins. I know you used to go to church, but did you accept Jesus as your Savior and invite Him into your heart? Did you repent and ask God’s forgiveness of your sins? Have you tried to live a life that would be pleasing to God? If not, Papa, you’re not ready to die, and I won’t get to see you in heaven. I want us to be together again one day. Just think, you and Mama and me, together in heaven,” she said, not sure how he would react to her intonation.

“You’re a lot like your mama, young lady,” he said. “Maybe you’re right, and I have been looking in the wrong direction for my forgiveness. You continue to pray for me, and I’ll ask for some forgiveness. It probably wouldn’t hurt for me to have a talk with the preacher,” he said and then broke into a spasm of racking coughs.

Hearing the sound, Dr. Finley entered the room just as Delphinia rose from her chair to fetch him.

“Don’t worry. This is common with his illness. Why don’t you let him rest awhile? Sometimes talking causes these bouts to come on, but it will cease shortly,” he reassured her. “Why don’t you take a few minutes and relax outside? We’ll be having dinner soon.”

Sitting on one of the two rockers that faced each other on the front porch, Delphinia uttered a prayer of thankfulness for her father’s receptive attitude to their conversation about God. As she finished her prayer, Dr. Finley walked out the door and sat down in the chair opposite her.

“He’s doing fine,” he said in answer to the questioning look she gave him.

“Is there anything I can do to assist? I’m a decent cook and would be happy to help,” she offered.

“Well, I thank you kindly, but I’m afraid my neighbor, Mrs. O’Mallie, might take offense. She’s been cooking for me ever since my wife passed away. She likes making the extra money, and I like having a warm meal. She looks after your pa when I have to be gone on calls, and she even does my laundry. Her husband passed away a week after my wife, Lydia, so we’ve been a help to each other,” he responded.

“I’m sorry about your wife,” she said, not sure how to react to his casual declaration of her death.

“Don’t be. She suffered from severe mental depression after the death of our baby and never got over it. Several months after the baby died, she contracted typhoid and was actually happy about it. She wanted to die. It’s been eight years now, and I’ve made my peace with the situation,” he responded, giving her a slight smile.

“And you never remarried?” Delphinia asked, realizing too late that her question was intrusive and wishing she could take it back.

Dr. Finley burst into laughter as he watched how uncomfortable the young woman had become once she issued her question.

“No,” he replied. “I’ve never met the right woman, although I believe that may have changed several hours ago. Your father told me what a beautiful, high-spirited daughter he had, but I thought it was the usual boasting of a proud parent. I find he spoke the truth, and I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Disconcerted by the doctor’s remarks, Delphinia began pressing down the pleats in her skirt with the palm of her hand in a slow, methodical motion. “I’m sure my pa told you of my temper and feisty behavior also,” she replied, trying to make light of the compliments.

“I believe he did, at that,” he answered and gave a chuckle. “Looks like Mrs. O’Mallie is on her way to the back door with dinner. I’d better go meet her,” he said as he bounded out of the chair and into the house.

Later, lying in bed, Delphinia reflected upon the events of the day. Exhausted, she had unpacked only what was necessary for the night and then had fallen into bed, sure she would be asleep before finishing her prayers. But instead of sleep, her mind kept wandering back to the conversation on the front porch with Dr. Finley. During dinner, he had insisted that she call him Sam, and he had certainly made her feel at home. Yet she was not sure how to take some of the remarks he made, nor how much her pa had told him about why she lived in Kansas.

The next week passed quickly. Sam was always there, willing to help in any way she asked. He arranged for the preacher to visit with her father, posted her letters, insisted on showing her around town, and still maintained a thriving medical practice. Most of the time she spent with her father, and when she would mention returning to Kansas, he would beg her to remain until his death.

Toward the beginning of the second week, she confided in Sam that she planned to leave within the next few days.

“I’d rethink that decision. If you leave, I’m sure it will break your father’s heart,” he said, knowing he was arguing as much for himself as he was for her father.

“But you’ve told me he may live for a month or longer. I couldn’t possibly wait that long,” she argued, feeling selfish. “Besides, I told the Wilshires I would be gone for only a few weeks at the most,” she continued, trying to defend her position, his statements adding to her guilt.

She was torn by uncertainty, feeling that she would fail someone, no matter what. Her prayers had been fervent about where she belonged, but no answer had been forthcoming, at least none that she could discern. She hadn’t even unpacked all her clothing, fearing she would begin to feel settled.

As the days passed and her indecision continued, Sam and her father felt assured that she would remain in Denver City. She accompanied Sam to several socials at the church, and he proved to be an enjoyable companion, making her realize that city life held a certain appeal. But she found herself missing Jonathan and the children. The letters she received from them were cheerful and told of missing her, but not to worry about them. They did not ask when she would return, and she did not mention it in her letters to them.

Delphinia’s father watched out the window by his bed as she and Sam came up the sidewalk returning from an evening stroll, her arm laced through his. Her father gave a slight smile as they stepped out of his sight and onto the porch.

“Let’s sit here on the porch and visit awhile, if you’re not too tired,” Sam invited.

“How could I be tired?” she bantered. “I do nothing but sit all day.”

“You’re growing restless, aren’t you? I could sense it all day,” he responded.

“Sam, I’m used to hard work and keeping busy. I’ve been caring for five children and a homestead out on the Kansas prairie. I miss the children, and I guess I miss the work, too,” she admitted.

“You’re far too beautiful to work on a farm. There’s no need for you to return to that kind of life. You should be living in a city, married, and having children of your own. Don’t you want to have your own children?” he asked.

“Of course, I want to have my own children, but that doesn’t cause me to love or miss the Wilshires any the less. You say there’s no need to return to that kind of life. My father doesn’t have much longer to live by your calculations, and once he’s gone, I’ll have no one but my substitute family in Kansas. I think that is where I belong,” she stated.

Reaching toward her, he took hold of her hand and lifted it to his lips, gently placing a kiss in the center of her palm. “No, Delphinia, you belong here with me. I care for you more than you can imagine. I have from the first day you arrived.”

“Oh, Jonathan…I…I mean, Samuel,” she stammered. “I think I had better retire,” she said, rising from the chair and moving toward the front door.

“So, I do have competition. It’s not just the children you miss. Are you in love with this Kansas farmer?” he asked, blocking her entry to the house.

“I…well, I think so,” she finally answered.

The last word had barely passed her lips when he drew her into his arms and kissed her with an impatient fervor that almost frightened her.

“Please, don’t. I must check on my father,” she said, entering the house and leaving him on the front porch.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d still be awake, Pa,” Delphinia said, approaching his bedside.

“You two have a nice walk?”

“Why, uh, I guess so. Yes, it’s a pleasant evening. I wish you could be outdoors awhile and enjoy it with me,” she answered, trying to hide her emotions over the recent incident with Sam.

“I get a nice breeze through the window. Sometimes I even hear people talkin’ on the porch,” he said with a grin.

She did not respond but began to tidy the room and straighten his sheets.

“He’s a good man, Delphinia. You couldn’t ask for a better catch to marry up with. I know he’s thinkin’ hard on the prospect of asking you ‘cause he asked if I’d have any objection,” her father continued.

Her head jerked to attention at his remark. “What did you tell him?” she asked, her voice sounding harsh to her ears.

“I didn’t mean to upset you. I thought you’d be happy to know he was interested in you. I told him I didn’t know anyone I’d be more pleased to have marry my daughter, but he’d have to take it up with you,” he answered, seeing that she was disturbed by the conversation.

“Pa, I’m not looking for a prize catch. I’m not even looking for a husband. The only reason I came to Denver City was to see you, and then I’ll be returning to Kansas. In fact, I should have returned a week ago,” she responded.

“Now I’ve gone and made you unhappy, and you’re gonna run off and leave me here to die alone, aren’t ya?” he asked, hoping her tender heart would not allow her to rush off in anger.

“You’ve not made me unhappy, Pa. I know you’re thinking about my future, but I’ve been on my own for some time now, and I don’t need anyone making marriage plans for me. Besides, Jonathan Wilshire has pledged his love and intent to marry me once I return to Kansas,” she told him as she rearranged the small bottles on a nearby table for the third time.