“I wish we had a carriage so I could drive you back to theMorning Star.” She forced her voice to remain calm and clasped her hands to keep from reaching out to touch him.
He turned and smiled. “I wouldn’t allow you to do so even if you did. It’s far too dangerous out there. Always some hoodlum or ruffian out to prove himself. No one is going to bother a rough old river captain.”
“You’re hardly old,” she murmured, and he laughed.
Faith reached for the door handle at the same time as Andrew. His hand closed over hers, and for a moment all she could do was gaze into his eyes. He was so handsome, and she fell completely under his spell. Did he know how much her heart ached with love for him?
When he pressed his lips against hers, it seemed the most natural thing in the world. It seemed even more natural when Faith stepped closer and felt his arms go around her. She knewnothing could come of this, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to stop. At least she’d have this moment. This kiss.
Andrew pulled back. His eyes seemed to have darkened, but whether from passion or anger, Faith couldn’t be sure. He frowned and pushed her away in a gentle but firm manner.
“I have to go.”
And then, without another word, he bounded out the door and down the porch steps.
Faith stood watching him, wishing she had some reason to call him back. The cold permeated her wool skirt and stockings and caused her to shiver, yet even then she couldn’t seem to stop watching as Andrew’s figure moved farther and farther away.
Words left unspoken stuck in her throat. She wanted to shout after him that she loved him—that she knew she shouldn’t and that she didn’t expect him to return her feelings, but that it was nevertheless true.
She bit her lip and leaned against the doorjamb. “I love you,” she whispered, knowing that no one but God would hear her confession.
CHAPTER19
Faith prayed as she accompanied her father to their appointment with President Parrish. There was no telling what might or might not be said, but she begged God to intercede on her behalf. Thankfully, her father wasn’t given to losing his temper. The last thing she wanted was for the men to come to blows.
Faith had dressed in a new outfit her mother had made for her. It was supposed to be her graduation outfit, but now it would help her persuade the college just to allow her to graduate. Faith thought she looked very smart and fashionable. The burgundy suit was fashioned with the narrow skirt of the day and a small back bustle. The accompanying jacket was long and overlaid with copper and gold designs that had been cut and sewn along the edges. Mother had even arranged for the milliner to fashion a matching hat.
Faith had immediately loved the outfit and loved that her mother had taken time to make it for her. Especially given Oregon City and the Armistead farm itself had suffered just as much damage from the storm as Portland had. Faith hadn’twanted to wear the outfit to the appointment, but her mother felt confident that she should.
“Look your best. Be pleasant and show your strength. Don’t give them any thought of being able to defeat you,” Hope Kenner had told Faith before they’d parted company.
Father gave her gloved hand a squeeze. “Don’t be so nervous. I’m sure that once we make our position clear, the president will rethink the matter. He won’t want to see the college caught up in litigation.”
“Oh, Father, I just don’t know if this is the right way to handle it. I mean, I don’t want anything to cause problems for the other medical students. I’m sure this is all Mr. Lakewood’s fault and that President Parrish was just following his instruction.”
Lance Kenner frowned. “A better man would not be put into such a position. President Parrish knows the importance of this program. His own wife attended and graduated. As I hear it, she is now actively practicing medicine in Portland.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I worry that anything we do will cause problems for my friends. They are supposed to graduate this year, just as I was. If they should be expelled because of me, I would never be able to bear it.”
“Don’t worry. Let’s just go see him. It might have all blown over by now, and we’ll find that he’s willing to work something out.”
“I doubt that.” Faith bit her lip and fell silent. She had to trust that God and her father would know how to handle the matter. She might have her own ideas of what she’d like to happen to Lakewood, but as a Christian, she needed to calm her spirit and let God lead. After all, Lakewood had already done what he could to hurt her. There was really nothing left that he could do.
They waited nearly half an hour before the secretary showed them into President Parrish’s office. Faith was glad that her father took charge almost immediately. Lance Kenner had served in the army before going into law full-time. Men all over Oregon came to him for help, especially with government problems, and Faith greatly admired his ability to command almost any situation.
“Mr. Parrish, I want to thank you for seeing us today.”
“You left me little choice, Mr. Kenner.”
Faith’s father smiled. “You hardly needed to admit that. I would have allowed you your pride in front of my daughter.”
Parrish looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry that this situation has caused your family grief, but I’m afraid the college is quite firm about its students not participating in political demonstrations.”
“Yes, about that. I’ve reviewed all of the charters, organizational papers, and records from each and every official meeting, and nowhere have I found evidence that a student—especially a student who is at the top of her class—can or should be dismissed for participating in off-campus events that are not related to the university.”
The door behind Faith opened. She thought perhaps it was President Parrish’s secretary, but instead, Samuel Lakewood walked past her to take a chair beside the president’s desk. He smiled and gave Faith a nod.
“Mr. Lakewood insisted on joining us today, as he is one of our larger donors and the person who made the original complaint,” President Parrish said.
