“But how can I trust Him when I don’t know who I’m going to lose next? Or what He will take from me?” She sniffed.
“How can you not?” Mrs. Brunswick’s voice was gentle, yet pressing. “What is the alternative? A life lived in fear of the next loss? A life of empty sorrows and holes in your heart each time someone goes away. Death is never easy to face, Ellie.”
She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
“Ellie, you are precious to God. It doesn’t matter that you don’t understand fully why things happen the way they do. But putting your trust in Him is so much better than anything else you can do. I assure you, Jesus is the only one who can make it right—who can help you understand and find joy in life.”
Before Ellie knew it, Carter’s mother had a comfortingarm around her shoulder. With a small cry, Ellie wrapped her arms around the woman and held her tight.
It was almost as if Mama had come back to comfort her for just a moment.
Whatwas going on here?
Ellie was in his mother’s arms, sobbing her heart out. He had come back from touring with the men and hoped to have a little time with Ellie while his father and Stewart were looking at the garden.
But now ...
He backed away. He would not intrude on this moment. He whispered a prayer for Ellie. She was in wonderful hands. His mother would know what to do and how to help her. It was just ...
He wanted to be the one to offer Ellie comfort.
He made his way to the back door. His heart ached for Ellie in a way he couldn’t understand. There had been times when his little sisters broke down and their mother had held them close as she was holding Ellie. When Carter had been very little, she had done the same for him. But Ellie was strong and stubborn. She wouldn’t have easily been moved to tears.
He climbed the steps to the rear porch and sat down on the railing for a moment to think. Stewart Briggs had just told them that he’d bought the Hennessy house. Maybe that was upsetting Ellie. Maybe she didn’t want to remain in Kalispell.
A terrible thought crossed his mind ...
Maybe her father was ill and that was the reason he hadchosen to settle down. Maybe Ellie knew he was sick and was afraid of the outcome.
Stop it! Stop overthinking it.
“Whatever it is, Lord, please help her. Help her to draw close to You ... to put her trust in You. Let her see the truth.” He paused in his whispered prayer, then let himself say what he really wanted.
“And if there’s anything I can do to help her know You, show me what to do.”
14
THURSDAY, JUNE23, 1904
Steam hissed as the giant steel wheels of the train squealed on the tracks. The sound bounced off the brick building, echoing through the platform. Seconds later, people poured from the train. Carts clacked across the wooden planks, ready to be stacked with luggage and other goods the train held for the town.
The lovely two-story depot held a dear place, and Marvella had never acknowledged it. Now, the thought of losing this heart of her town ... She shook her head against the thought. Scanning the scene, she refused to allow any melancholy to waylay her love for Kalispell. The depot’s tall windows were plentiful, giving it a welcoming effect to anyone around.
Couples embraced. A young boy and girl tugged on the suit coat of a man kissing his wife on the cheek, clearly happy their father was home. A railroad worker raced down the platform to the head of the train, a brown slip of paper flapping in his hands.
Marvella watched the scene, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth. It was a blessing to watch people reunite with those they loved. To see the relief of many travelers, knowing they were home. How empty the town would be without the bustle of life the railroad brought to it.
“Mrs. Ashbury?”
Marvella turned from the bustling platform and spied Gus approaching, a small brown box tied with twine in his hands. “Gus, you are a treasure.” She smiled. “You found it.”
The ginger-haired man blushed to his roots. “It was buried under a stack of papers in my office. I’m not sure how it got there.”
Sir Theophilus squirmed in her arms, whining. “No, sir. You will be a good boy and stay right here. There is a treat at home for good behavior.” She glanced at Gus. “No harm, Gus. I know things happen. If you’ll just slip it right under my arm here and—No!”
The box fell to the ground as Sir Theophilus wriggled free and bounded to the ground. He danced in a circle around his mistress as she tried to catch him. The train hissed steam again, and the white dog jumped, barking at the train. The whistle blew, and Sir Theophilus took off across the wooden planks, yipping all the way.
“After him, Gus!”
