Where Courage Calls: A When Calls the Heart Novel (29 page)

Beth sat on the front porch, her head resting against the cool wood of Molly’s rocker, and watched the sunset tint the
clouds in beautiful shades of scarlet and orange. Once more she was mulling over the string of preceding events.

The evening after Davie’s arrest, Jarrick and Nick Costa, who was now in full RCMP uniform, had called a town meeting in the company hall. They had presented much of the information that had been gleaned and about which many rumors had quickly spread. Davie was not the only person to be detained. They had also taken into custody two of his partners, along with poor Helen Grant. Beth’s heart ached to think that the beleaguered woman had been implicated due entirely to her husband’s actions. But she soon was relieved to hear that Helen was expected to be released quickly.

It was explained to all that the miners had nothing to do with the trafficking in prohibited liquor, except of course for the one man who had aided in their sting operation. It came as news to Beth that the company men had been instrumental—and entirely cooperative—in the process of the investigation, assisting in many unspecified ways.

Lastly, the townsfolk were assured that a thorough search had been completed in the Grants’ home and business, as well as around the two stills in the woods, now destroyed—one near the meadow and one in the cave, just as Beth had eventually suspected. They were assured that there was no longer reason to be concerned for the safety of their children.

Beth smiled even now as she recalled the look on Frank’s face when Molly had first mentioned her concern for Helen Grant’s cat, all alone in the upstairs quarters. “But she’ll die if no one helps her,” Molly had prompted. So Frank, head shaking, carried little plates of food from Molly’s kitchen to the Grants’ second-story home and pushed them gingerly through a very small opening of the door, the beastie hissing and clawing its vehement protest all the while.

As Beth sat basking in the lingering glow of the sunset, it seemed as if all the world was at peace at last. School would be over in only a handful of days, and then Beth would be packing up for the trip back home. The thought wrenched out a deep and sorrowful sigh. One year had seemed so awfully short.

Did
I get done what You wanted me to do, Lord
?
she asked. And then words from deep within seemed to be telling her,
I don’t measure in time but
in what happens inside a person. These children have learned
life lessons that will be with them long after their
school days are over. . . .

“Miss Thatcher,” Marnie said, stepping forward shyly, “we got somethin’ for ya.” It was the end of the last day of classes and all the mothers were standing at the back of the room, ready to share in their children’s accomplishments.

Beth’s breath caught in her throat.

“Can ya come see?” Marnie urged her toward a table hidden behind several figures crowding in front of it.

Beth followed Marnie and soon was in the center of the group of children. She reached her arms around as many shoulders as she could, already fighting back tears.

“We wanna thank you fer—for teaching us this year. We learned a lot. And you were our best teacher ever.” This from Addison, his voice strong and steady.

James passed to Marnie a small bouquet of flowers. “We got you these,” the young girl said quietly, putting them into Beth’s hands.

Beth blinked away emotions as she viewed the small bouquet of spring flowers.
How
and where this early in the season did they manage
to find enough to tie up with a pretty pink
ribbon?
Beth accepted the bouquet and smiled around at the group.

“An’ that’s not all.” Miles gestured toward a small box in the center of the table. “We all wrote ya letters—like we did at first. Miss Molly said you’d like that well as anything.”

Beth nodded wordlessly.
A perfect gift.

“So here, Miss Thatcher.” Marnie passed the box to Beth and stepped aside.

For a moment Beth struggled to find her voice, surveying the room around her—the smoky tavern which had served as a schoolroom, filled now with mothers and children. “It’s been my great pleasure teaching in Coal Valley this year. I know I’ve learned much as well—from you and from everyone here. I have to say, I’ve come to feel such fondness for this community—and so much hope for its future.” She again scanned the room. “Your friendship is such a priceless gift to me. When I leave here in just a few days, I will not be the same woman as before I came.”

Applause followed. Beth stepped out of the center of attention, preferring instead to speak individually with the mothers, to somehow express all the emotions pent up inside her.

One of the last to approach was Esther Blane, with whom Beth had managed little interaction previously. She came quietly, awkwardly. “I know I ain’t good at sayin’ what I mean. But I just want to try—so you can understand.” She lowered her head and took a deep breath. “When my husband was . . . was killed I . . . I died too—kinda. I mean he . . . he was gone but I . . . I was still here, in body. My spirit was kinda gone too, I think. I didn’t care, I didn’t
feel
—’cept all that hurt. I was jest goin’ through my daily work and not doin’ it well either. My little ones—they needed me, but I jest wasn’t able to help them. Not really. I . . . guess I gave up tryin’.” She shifted nervously before continuing.

“We all been talkin’ ’bout what ya done for our town. An’ I
’preciate it all—along with the rest a’ the town. Ya brought a lot to us—to our children. But to me ya brought more than what ya done. Ya brought back hope—an’ faith—things I didn’t know I lost. I’d stopped goin’ to church. I’d stopped prayin’—right when I needed it most. An’ then when my kids got excited ’bout those little Bible plays, I decided to go along with ’em.

“That one about David and Goliath. That was me. I was fightin’ somethin’ way bigger than me—me bein’ a widow now. But I . . . I wasn’t goin’ in the name of the Lord. That was my problem. I come back home that night and went to bed cryin’—but I ended up prayin’ too. If David could fight that big ol’ giant Goliath—and God could make him win—then I could start fightin’ again too. The same God who helped him could help me. My life ain’t easy—but it got better. God’s been helpin’ me—every day. I know that. I’m so thankful that ya told us that story. I needed to hear it again.”

Beth reached to hug her close and they cried a little together. There were no words left to say. Esther pulled away and breathed in deeply, then turned to gather little Anna Kate and Levi, directing them toward the door. Beth wiped away the fresh tears. “God, keep them,” she whispered. “God, keep them all.”

Molly came next and hurried Beth away from the last few, pulling her out the door before she could try to pitch in with tidying the room. Now that Helen had returned home, her evening pool-hall business was in operation again.

“Ya done enough,” Molly declared as they stepped out together into the cool afternoon. Beth lifted her face to the tree-covered slopes surrounding them, and to the white peaks reaching to the skies. She stopped for a moment to take it all in.

Suddenly, there beside the path stood a man dressed in civilian clothes. Should she be afraid? He stepped forward with a smile.
It’s
Edward!

I
DIDN
’
T
WANT
TO
INTERRUPT
,” Edward said. “I was in the back of the room, but I didn’t want to be a distraction from what the ladies and the children were saying to you.”

“But what are you
doing
here, Edward?” Beth stared back at him. It had been so long since she had seen him dressed in anything other than his uniform. He still looked every bit as distinguished as Beth remembered. Those dark green eyes showed his new maturity.

Molly was excusing herself. “I’ll meet ya back at home,” she called as she hurried off.

“They said you went back to Athabasca. What brings you so far, Edward? Surely not just the last day of school.”

“I wanted to speak with you. I hoped this would provide a good opportunity and a measure of privacy.”

Casting a glance toward the pool hall, Beth suggested, “Perhaps Miss Molly’s front porch would serve us.”

He motioned her forward with a sweep of his hand, and they silently walked to the boarding house. Once Beth was
comfortably seated on one of Molly’s chairs, Edward pulled the other closer and dropped into it.

Beth could sense he was unsure of himself, an unusual frame of mind for Edward. There was a hesitancy, yet determination, in his voice. “Elizabeth,” he began, “you know I have always regarded you highly. Indeed, I’m certain I have held you in an esteem which you often neither recognized nor could return. And seeing you today—in your moment of triumph—I cannot begin to express how proud I felt to know you. And more than that, to admit I was emphatically wrong about you. I’m so pleased to discover I misjudged you when I criticized your motives—” he paused before completing the thought—“when I called you stubborn and headstrong.”

Beth assured him, “I haven’t been angry at you, Edward. I forgave you long ago. Even before you had asked me—do you remember?”

He nodded. “That’s very kind.” He repositioned himself in his chair. “You know that our mothers—at least my mother—have always assumed that you and I would one day marry. I have thought so too. I know—I realize that you have never given me cause to . . . to expect your agreement, but Mother consistently advised that I must let you grow up first—not press you with a proposal until it was the proper time. Even after your coming-out party, I waited in hopes that your feelings toward me would begin to change.” He floundered to a halt. “Oh dear, I’m afraid I’m making a terrible mess of this, aren’t I?”

With everything in her being Beth wanted to nod in agreement with his statement but held herself in check. Surely Edward did not consider this an appropriate time to present his case.

“The fact is, Elizabeth, I had always intended to ask for
your hand. Had never thought of anyone else. My . . . my admiration has only grown. Seeing you here, watching the respect you have earned in this community. You have indeed revealed yourself to be an astonishing young woman, and I . . .” He hesitated again.

Beth’s heart cried silently,
Please, Edward, you
don’t even know me—not really. Please don’t
assume . . .

He was speaking again. “And since—well, since it’s been widely presumed both by members of my family and yours—I felt it was important that I should speak with you. You see . . .” He put a hand on her arm to bring her eyes to his. She raised her gaze while he struggled for words, his eyes entreating her to hear him out. “You see, Elizabeth, I have met a young woman. Her name is Kate. I feel she is . . . is . . . Well, simply put, I have fallen in love. Quite madly in love. I feel she is exactly what I want—what I need in a wife. And she seems to return that feeling.” He stopped and took a deep breath.

Beth breathed in deeply too—a refreshing breath of relief.

Edward continued, “Before . . . before pursuing any further relationship with Kate, I felt I needed to speak with you. To be sure there is no misunderstanding . . .”

Beth stood from her chair and stepped away toward the railing, only then looking back at the young man. Her brain wrestled to make sense of what had just transpired
. Has Edward
come to ask for permission to court another young woman?
She had not thought she had any claim on him, though certainly she had been aware of their family’s hopes and plans for them. She also remembered Julie’s attempts to bait her about Edward during her visit. Beth’s mind quickly took another turn. Here he was, sincere, almost apologetic, seeking her understanding, and obviously desiring that a friendship could continue. She could not help but admire his honorable conduct. He
was acting as his mother had taught him. A gentleman, in a difficult circumstance.

“You’ve changed, Edward,” she heard herself say.

He stood with a wry smile. “For the better, I hope,” he said as he joined her at the railing.

“You’ve matured into a man of whom your mother has good reason to be proud.”

“And you?”

“I admire you for the gentleman you have become—and wish you every happiness with your Kate.”

“You do understand that—”

“There is nothing I need to understand, Edward,” she said quickly. “God leads—it is up to us to follow.”

He reached out to take hold of her hand. “You are a remarkable woman, Elizabeth. I shall always think of you with fondness.”

Beth turned back to the railing, her eyes sweeping across the town around her.

He cleared his throat. “Elizabeth, there is one other issue,” he admitted, moving a step closer. “I . . . I have noticed that my colleague Jack Thornton seems to think highly of you as well.” She looked at him and saw a flush on his cheeks. He swallowed before hurrying on. “I’m afraid I may have misled him . . . to some extent.”

A frown creased Beth’s brow. She cast another sideways glance at the man beside her. He had stopped to once more clear his throat.

“I’m afraid I gave the impression . . . I mean . . . well, I rather staked my claim to you when I had no right to do so,” he finished in a rush.

“I see” was her only verbal response.
So that is why Jarrick has not
sought to further a relationship
. And this was the true
reason Edward felt the need to speak to her—to disclose the extent of this strange one-sided connection. Her indignation began to rise until she considered that he could have allowed her to leave for the East without confessing what he had done. She would have never known. . . .

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. Very sorry.”

Beth barely heard the softly spoken words. She turned to face him and looked at Edward’s pleading eyes. When she spoke again her voice was low but confident. “Edward, if there is one thing I have learned over the past year, it is that God is in charge of my life—every area of my life. I trust Him. In each relationship.”

She stopped. There was no need to go further. Jarrick, or someone else—or no one at all—as a life’s partner . . . It was in God’s hands. As much as her heart beat faster at the thought of the one man from whom her heart had hoped to receive attention, she would not need to do anything about it.

Again she gazed up at the familiar face before her. She extended her hand. “Thank you, Edward, once again, for your persistent work in retrieving my compass and my violin. You’ll never fully understand what it has meant to me. I have heard that you also helped to apprehend Davie Grant, something for which I shall also be eternally grateful. And thank you for the years of friendship. I expected nothing more—and with our family relationship—nothing less. May God be with you—and Kate—if she accepts you.” Beth stopped, then smiled. “And, Edward, I think she would be a very silly young woman if she does not.”

Even as she said the words she was surprised at how much she truly meant them. In the distant recesses of her mind was a niggling question. Given the way Edward had changed,
given the difference in her attitude toward him, and had he not come with hat in hand, asking her blessing on a new relationship with another woman, could she—would she—have eventually learned to care for him? She shook her head. She would never know.