“Yay!” The two little girls clapped and danced around in their nightgowns and robes.
Isaac couldn’t help loving them. They were so sweet and innocent. They epitomized everything that was good and precious. They made him long to have his own children.
“When can we go?” Mina asked, finally settling down.
“Well, like I said, I’ll have to speak to your folks. I can’t take you on Saturdays because I have students to oversee. But maybe during the week or even Sunday after church. The fair doesn’t even open until one o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday.”
“I’m so excited to go,” Lena said. “Nanny said it was magical.”
Isaac laughed. “Well, I don’t know if that’s what I’d call it, but it sure is full of people and sights to behold.”
“Nanny said there are rides too. A Ferris wheel that goes way up in the air.” Lena raised her arms high.
“There is that.” Isaac began eating his supper while the girls chattered on about what they wanted to see at the fair.
“I heard a ruckus and knew the girls must be involved,” Elizabeth said, coming into the kitchen. “Why are you girls out of the nursery?”
“We wanted to see Uncle Isaac.” Mina hugged her mother’s skirts. “He has something to ask you.”
“Well, first I’d better see the two of you march up those stairs and back to your beds.” Elizabeth pointed to the back staircase. The girls frowned but nodded and did as they were told. They were good children.
“Good night, Uncle Isaac. Don’t forget to ask,” Mina said at the base of the steps. When her mother pointed her index finger at her, Mina quickly headed for the nursery.
Once they were gone, Elizabeth sat down at the kitchen table opposite her brother. “What is it you want to ask me?”
Isaac laughed. “The girls want me to ask if I may take them to the exposition. I know you and Stuart are enormously busy, so I would be happy to escort them there.”
“Goodness, I don’t know. I’m worried with the confusion that might be stirred up in such crowds. The girls have never been a part of anything like that. What if they stray?”
“You know I’m fully capable of keeping track of the girls. I’ll just threaten to take them back home, and I’m sure they’ll be good as gold.”
“I’m sure. For you they do almost anything.” She smiled. “It’s been good for them to have you here.”
“Good for me as well. Having family around has been good for the soul.” Isaac started to get up.
“What do you need? I’ll get it.”
“A glass of milk to wash this down.”
Elizabeth went to the cupboard for a glass. “I know you still hope to find Addie, but if that doesn’t work out, I know some lovely ladies who might suit you.”
Isaac tried to keep his cheery disposition. “Now, Lizzy, you know my heart isn’t able to just cast aside the love of my life. I’m completely pledged to her.”
Elizabeth opened the icebox and grabbed a bottle of milk. She brought it to the table with the glass. She poured Isaac’s milk without saying another word, then took the bottle back to the icebox and closed the door. For a moment, Isaac thought maybe she would leave the subject well enough alone, but that wasn’t to be.
“What if she’s ... married to someone else? Or dead?”
“I’ve loved Addie with my whole heart all these years. Ibelieve God put us together, and I will find her again. I’m going to hire another Pinkerton man. I should have done it already.”
“I hate to see you disappointed.” Elizabeth looked genuinely worried.
Isaac shook his head. “Lizzy, I long ago agreed to give my life to God. Whatever happens, I will find contentment in Him. I trust that He has my future, and that if Addie and I are meant to be together, as I’ve always believed, God will bring it about.”
“Your faith has always bolstered my own,” Elizabeth admitted. “I wish I could believe as completely as you do.”
“You can. It’s not about anything I’ve done. Not really.” Isaac shrugged. “I prayed for faith to trust Him. Then I prayed for more. It’s all His doing.”
“Well, it serves you well.”
