“We all still carry the scars of battle. Those friends who stood side by side with us will remain in our memories, both the good and the bad,” Charlie offered. “Death is a constant companion in life, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus. He’s overcome death, and we can overcome it as well—through Him.”
Will rubbed his left knee. “I know you’re right.”
“But don’t think either of us is saying you don’t have a right to grieve,” Edward added. “I needed a long time to move beyond losing Janey and the boy. You may need a long time to deal with your family’s passing. We’re here to help, and I know Marybeth and Melody feel the same way. Laura obviously cares a great deal too. You have people who want to walk this path with you. You don’t have to walk it alone. God hasn’t abandoned you, and neither have we.”
Tears formed in Will’s eyes. It was as if all the pain surfaced at once. A sob broke from deep within, and he buried his face in his hands. He hadn’t yet allowed the tears of grief. Not even for his father. Back then, he had tried to be strong for his mother and sister and hadn’t allowed himself to face the sadness of loss.
As he wept, he heard Edward begin to pray. The whispers were barely audible, but Will knew that was what he was doing. When he stopped, Charlie picked it up and continued. They went back and forth like that for some time, and all the while Will wept.
Laura heard her father’s raised voice at the back of the house and went to investigate. He was shaking his fist at Curtis. When he saw her, his expression softened, and he looked embarrassed. He dismissed Curtis and tried to addressher as if nothing had been amiss, but Laura wasn’t about to allow it to pass unnoticed.
“What in the world happened to make you so angry at Curtis?”
“It’s none of your concern.”
“I think it is. I live here too, and I feel that I am constantly coming upon you in one rage or another. Not only that but ...” She stopped, wondering if she dared go on.
I can’t leave things unsaid. They must be resolved, or it will harden my heart against him.
“I overheard you tell your man to drown my kitten.” She stared at him, waiting to see if he would deny it.
“That was a terrible thing, and I am sorry,” her father admitted. “But you must understand ... since you returned ...” He sighed, walked into the kitchen, and took a chair at the empty table where the cook took her meals.
Watching him bury his face in his hands, Laura was surprised by his reaction. For several long moments he said nothing, prompting Laura to take the chair opposite him.
“You have to understand.” He looked up to meet her gaze. “I’ve been so afraid that something might happen to you. Afraid that you wouldn’t make it here, and then when you arrived, well, I was afraid something might hurt you or that you wouldn’t like me. When you announced that you’d brought a wild animal into the house, I’m afraid I didn’t handle it well. I feared diseases and the harm that might come. I didn’t want to see you hurt. I still don’t.”
“But a kitten wasn’t going to harm me.”
Her father shook his head. “It could have. We’ve had cases of rabies around here. People have died. I couldn’t bear the thought that you could be infected.”
Laura hadn’t considered that, and seeing her father’sobvious distress, her anger faded. “It’s just that you’ve been so different from what I expected. You’ve yelled and threatened many people while I’ve been here, and ... well, that’s not the father I remember from when I was little.”
“We’ve both changed, Laura. You must allow for that, but I suppose my anger has been a bit out of control. I just wanted things to be perfect for you. I wanted you to be safe and happy. I feel like such a failure as a father.”
Laura could see there were tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry you feel that way. I don’t think that at all. You’ve been a wonderful father.”
“I deserted you. I left you alone when you needed me most. I failed to do what I promised your mother I would do.”
Laura reached out and took hold of his hand. “You did what you thought was best for us both. You are a good father and a kindhearted man. You didn’t fail me at all. I’ve grown stronger because of all you did. I might have fallen apart or become a weak and desperate woman. Instead, I learned to put my faith in God and hold fast to my beliefs. I remained convinced that we would one day be rejoined, and that our love for each other would see us through the sorrow of losing Mother. And it has.”
“You’re an impressive young woman full of kindness and love. Your ability to forgive is humbling. I pray you forgive me for whatever flaws I have. I want to do right by you, and I’m sorry that I grieved you with the kitten. We didn’t kill it.”
Laura nodded. “I know. I gave him to the Vogel family. I couldn’t allow him to be killed.”
“I’m so sorry. Please understand, what I did was out of my fear of harm coming to you.”
“I do understand, Father, and I don’t hold it against you. I just wish that next time you will talk to me and explain whyyou feel as you do. I want to understand and grow closer to you, but I can’t do that if I feel I cannot trust you.”
He squeezed her hand. “You can trust me, Laura. Everything I do—everything I’ve done—has been for you.”
“Do you need anything before we leave?” Edward asked Will.
“No, not a thing. I’m exhausted and plan to go straight to bed. But thank you both for helping me. I know God sent you to break through my iron heart. I have a long way to go, but at least I don’t feel that terrible separation from God any longer.”
“I’m glad to hear it. By the way, Charlie and I came today for an entirely different reason. We were wondering if you could make us a couple of baby cradles.”
“Cradles?” Will repeated. “That’s easy enough. I’m not sure where I’d work on them. I could talk to Mr. Bradley.”
