“France wants our wheat, which means England will start bellowing for it as well,” her grandfather said as he folded the paper. “Should be good for our prices, and we’ll make plenty over the deal.” He put the paper on the bed beside him. “We have a strong investment in wheat.”
Judith smiled. “I’m sure that pleases you.”
“Making money always pleases me. It should please youas well since you’re the one who will ultimately benefit from this.” Judith let his words sink in but said nothing.
“So what did you do with the rest of the day?” he asked, looking at her as if he knew she’d spent part of it with Roman Turner.
“I received an invitation to a charity fundraiser at the Wagners’. It’s to be held July eighth. Mrs. Deeters told me it would be quite formal. I’m not sure I will attend—”
“But you must. The Wagners are quite rich. You should attend the party to be seen, if nothing else. You need to consider taking a husband and doing it soon. It would probably be better if folks didn’t know that you’re my heir. There are those who would take advantage of that, but on the other hand, it will present you with optimal bargaining power. You should be able to marry my wealth to another even greater fortune if you play this right.”
“That’s hardly why I would marry again.” She frowned and took a seat in the chair by his bed. “Honestly, there are better reasons to choose a mate.”
“I suppose you’re one of those who believes in love and romance. All the flowery notions that addlepated females are known for.”
“After losing my husband at Gettysburg, I’ve really had no desire to seek another romance.”
His expression altered to one more stoic. “He served honorably.”
“Yes. He was a wonderful man. You would have never approved of him, but my mother and father adored him. He taught at the local university, and he was brilliant and quite eloquent. He was always being asked by powerful men to run for political office because of his way with words, but Alden had no interest in such things. He loved teaching.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t have approved.”
To her surprise, this amused rather than angered her. She smiled. “I’m getting very good at figuring you out.”
“Hardly. That’s a matter of being sensible. No great guesswork needed.” He stretched a bit, grimacing. As he settled back into the same spot, Judith felt the overwhelming urgency of the situation.
“Do you fear death?”
He stilled at that and looked her in the eye. “Every man fears death to some degree. If they say otherwise, they’re liars. Death is the end of all they’ve worked for. You want to be able to look back and see that you actually accomplished something, but even when you can, there are questions. A man always wonders if he did enough. Did he leave his mark on the world? Will people remember him?”
“And that’s important to you? That people remember you?”
“Of course. That’s our purpose here. To do whatever we can to make ourselves known, so that people will remember you when you’re gone.”
“To what end?”
“It’s the only way to achieve immortality.”
“But that’s not true. You must believe that there is a God. I know you haven’t desired to answer to any man, but you must agree that you will answer for what you’ve done when you stand before the Almighty.”
“I believe there is a God, of course. I just don’t believe He cares about me as an individual.”
Judith leaned forward. “But of course He cares for us as individuals. He’s our Creator. He cares very much what happens to us. Why should you create things and care for them, and believe God incapable of the same? He has provided for us and watched over us. The Bible says He knew us in the womb.”
“Hardly the kind of talk I’d expect from my granddaughter.”
“Well, I believe it’s talk that must be had. You stand on thebrink of death. I must tell you that the only way to have eternal life is to put your trust in Jesus as your Savior.”
“Why are you so convinced I need saving?” For once there was no contempt in his tone.
Judith prayed for guidance and continued. “Because we’re all sinners. Romans three tells us we’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory. Because of that, we have a price to pay—death. Romans chapter six, verse twenty-three tells us, ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Jesus is the only way to reach the Father because Jesus cleanses us of our sins. When He died on the cross, He took our sins on Himself.”
“Then it’s already been taken care of. Why must I do anything? You see, I believe that God gives us life and then waits for us to live it out. He will reward us for what we accomplish as we go along our way. Then we grow old and die.”
“And you believe there is nothing beyond the grave?”
“Why should there be? All things must come to an end.” He put a hand to his chest. “My heart will stop, and that will be the end of me.”
