Waiting on Love
Page 26
“Your father was the captain? One of the men lost?”
“Yes.” Elise let him examine her hands.
“Let me see your feet.”
She unfastened the leg bands of the bloomers, then unrolled her stockings.
“Mr. Clark said everyone warmed their hands and feet gradually after rescue. That was wise. You’ll have some pain for a while, but I don’t think you’ll lose any toes. You’re fortunate.”
“What about the crew?”
“A man or two might yet lose toes. It’s hard to say. I’ve instructed them on what to do and to see a doctor as soon as they reach the city. You’re all very lucky.”
Elise didn’t feel lucky. “We are blessed, but we also lost four men.”
“The first mate told me. Word will go out in case the bodies should be recovered, but you know yourself the odds are . . .”
“Yes. I understand.” She clutched her hands together. No one had to tell her about the unlikeliness of finding her father.
The doctor looked at her for a moment as if he intended to say something more, then stood and left the room. Perhaps he was just as much at a loss for words as Elise.
She sighed. It just didn’t seem real. She kept expecting to wake up and find it was all nothing more than a bad dream. Why couldn’t it be that and that alone?
She pulled on her stockings and then covered her feet in the thick wool socks that one of the women of the town had given her. She pulled on her boots and was tying them up when Nick entered the area that had been quartered off for her.
“We’re just about ready to go. How are you?”
“The doctor thinks I’ll be just fine.” She looked up at him after securing her laces. “After all, you can’t do much for a broken heart.”
She fastened the leg bands on her bloomers. The same woman who’d given her the socks had also brought her a wool skirt, but Elise couldn’t remember what she’d done with it.
“I can’t find my skirt. Where’s my skirt?” She patted the bed sheets, thinking it might have gotten tangled within. She looked nearby and still found nothing. “Where is it?” Tears came to her eyes. She hadn’t yet wept for her father. Why was she crying over a skirt?
Nick pulled her to her feet and held her close. He didn’t try to speak away her pain, he just held her. Elise clung to him and sobbed.
Nearly a week later, Elise was still contemplating what was to become of her and her sister. Should they go to Oswego and live with their uncle as he had suggested was best? At least there, they wouldn’t have to worry about food or shelter. They had the little house here in Duluth, but it had also suffered damage during what Dr. Thomas Foster, editor of the Minnesotian, called “The Storm King: The Most Terrible Storm Ever Known on Lake Superior.”
The storm had flooded Minnesota Point and other low-lying areas, and the wind had wreaked havoc as well. Nick had been making repairs to the house with the help of Mina’s husband, Carter, but Elise had no idea how they would pay for it. And, should more repairs be necessary, that would require more money. She supposed she could ask her uncle for help.
Caroline had been surprisingly strong. She comforted Elise with her constant presence and genuine concern. She was there whenever Elise wanted to talk and silent when Elise wanted to be left to contemplate all that had happened. Nick was a constant in their life as well. He stayed with Mina and Carter in order to keep everything appropriate. Elise hated to see him go at night and had even suggested that marrying right away would take care of all proprieties. But he wisely wanted to give her time.
The storm damage to Duluth and the harbor was extensive, and word was trickling in of other ships that had been lost. Elise hadn’t felt like attending the services being offered on behalf of the lost, but knowing that her father was one of them, she felt she had no choice. So she found herself among the congregants that Sunday, singing a song of God’s mercy.
The church was packed with men, women, and children who knew all too well the dangers of life on the lakes. They had gathered many times for their families and friends, for neighbors and strangers. When loss like this came, they were all one family.
The song concluded, and they all took their seats. Elise was comforted by the fact that Nick was on her right and Caroline on her left.
Pastor Johnson took the pulpit, Bible in hand. “We have gathered here today in loving memory of those who have perished at the hand of the most recent storm. These men and women will never be forgotten. Their duties put them in danger, often for our benefit, but this life was the one they chose and loved. They were vibrant and loving people who feared not what might come upon the morrow.”
Elise knew that was true of her father and mother. They had loved sailing and had loved each other. They had given Caroline and Elise the best life possible, despite the doubts of her aunt and uncle.
“As children of God, we need not fear the hour of death, for while that hour represents loss to our loved ones, it is indeed a glorious moment for those who are called home. In the Bible, we are given so many examples of the hour of death. I believe our Lord did this in order to acquaint us better with a situation that must come to all men but has absolutely no power over the child of God. That power was defeated at the cross, and because of it, death for the true believer is but a door that we pass through—out of this world and into the presence of God.”
Several people murmured their amens, while the sobbing of others grew a little louder. Elise thought of the many times she had sat in similar crowds with her mother and father. They were true believers, and all of her life they had taught Elise not to fear death or even mourn it, and all for the very reason Pastor Johnson just stated.
“Death holds no power over you, Elise,” her father had assured her.
“These earthly bodies will die, but never our spirit,” Elise could hear her mother say.
“Jesus died on the cross, setting us free from the laws of sin and death,” Pastor Johnson continued. “He was victorious over the grave, and so too are those who belong to him. Yet here we are in our sorrow, and it is the natural state of those who have lost someone dear. I do not condemn your grief, but merely encourage you to dwell on the love. To know that everyone here shares somehow in that sorrow and will happily help you bear it. You are not alone. Just as our loved ones were not alone in this storm. Not even for a moment.”
Elise had been more upset over the idea of her father dying alone or with Booker Duran than anything else. She had wanted to speak final words of love, but there had been no chance. But they’d had a lifetime of love. Her father had no doubt of her feelings. She had been willing to give up her life for him. There was no need for spoken words. And her father hadn’t been alone. Jesus had never left him alone for even a moment.
After the services concluded, the people greeted one another with hearts of genuine compassion and love. Elise felt completely enveloped in their concern and kindness. Several of the women promised that meals would be brought to the house, while the men sought Nick to hear the story of the Mary Elise’s final hours.
When they were able to slip away to catch the ferry, Elise let go a heavy sigh.
“You sound so tired,” Caroline said, taking her arm. “When we get home, I’ll make you some hot cocoa and then tuck you in bed.”
“I’m afraid this kind of weariness won’t be helped by sleep. I’ve spent a week trying that, and it hasn’t helped at all.”
Nick took Elise’s other arm. “It will take time to endure this sorrow, but I’d like to share something with you, if I may.”
Elise looked up at him as they waited for the ferry to take them back to Minnesota Point. “Of course.”
“Your father didn’t want to tell you yet, but he had plans to quit the Mary Elise after we were married. He figured this winter he and I would work on fixing her up, and then come spring thaw, you and I would sail her, and he’d remain here to oversee matters in Duluth and look out for Caroline’s needs.”
“Father
intended to quit sailing?” Elise shook her head. “He mentioned it once, but I thought it was just his grief talking. I didn’t think he truly meant it.”
“He said it wasn’t the same for him since losing your mother. He also felt that with Caroline returning home, it would allow him to spend some time with her. He loved you both so much and just wanted to make sure you both knew that. Before we left, your uncle suggested needing a representative here in Duluth for the shipping company, and your father had decided to take that on.”
Caroline dropped her hold on Elise’s arm and reached for her handkerchief. “I wish I’d sailed with you. I could have spent that much more time with Papa.”
“No,” Elise said, shaking her head. “It was horrible, and I kept thinking at the time how glad I was that you had taken the train. I know Papa was glad too. He was so worried about me. I could see it in his eyes.”
“And for a good reason,” Nick said, “but God delivered us.”
“I wish He would have delivered Papa.” Elise dabbed her tears with gloved fingers.
“But as Pastor Johnson said, he was delivered, just not in the way we hoped. We’re going to miss him for a long time. He was a good man, and he taught me a lot about faith and trusting God. I will never forget him. And I’ll have you by my side as we continue his tradition.”
Elise looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
“We’ll continue sailing in the spring. I think he’d want us to, don’t you?”
“But we have no ship,” Elise said. “The insurance on the Mary Elise will go to my uncle to compensate for the loss. I have no idea if he’ll want to purchase another ship or not.”
“I’m sure he will, since he was planning for a bigger operation. And even if he doesn’t, I intend to keep sailing. I would have taken on the Mary Elise, but now that she’s gone, I will buy a new ship that is even now being built. That is . . . if you’ll join me on it. Be my cook and companion. Spoil our crew as you always have.”
“Do you really think the others will come back to join us? They’ve scattered to their own homes and families.”
“I’ve asked each one to meet us here in the spring . . . or sooner. They all agreed they would sail with me.”
Elise considered this as the ferry approached. She said nothing for a long while, even after they’d boarded for the short ride to Minnesota Point.
“I was born on the water,” she finally said. “I sometimes feel such a love for the lakes, and other times I want to curse them. Still, I cannot bring myself to leave.” She looked up at Nick and smiled. “I’ll join you, no matter where you lead. As your wife, it will be my duty and my joy.” She turned to Caroline. “But what about you?”
“You don’t worry about me,” Caroline stated with a confident air. “I know how to fend for myself. I will deal with Nelson and this annulment, and then I will seek God’s counsel rather than my own. And, if you’ll allow me, I’ll keep our little house well while you are gone. After all, Mina and Carter will be there if I should have need.”
Elise met Caroline’s gaze and smiled. “You are truly stronger than me in so many ways, and here all these years I was certain I was the strong one.”
“You have infinite strength, Elise, but there is no reason we can’t both be strong.”
The next May, standing on the deck of their new schooner, My Refuge, Elise fought back tears of joy as Tom handed Nick her wedding ring. Nick slipped it on her finger and held her fingers to his lips.
“With this ring, I thee wed,” he whispered, then kissed the ring as if to seal it on her hand.
Caroline handed Elise a handkerchief to wipe her tears as the ship slowly rocked in the water. Elise dried her eyes and tucked the cloth up her sleeve as Nick turned her to face their small audience. The men who had formerly crewed the Mary Elise stood watching with smiles alongside their Duluth friends. Elise could imagine her father standing there with them.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Pastor Johnson looked at Nick. “You may kiss your bride.”
Nick raised Elise’s veil and gave her a wink. He took hold of her face and pressed his lips against hers in a tender kiss of promise while their friends broke into loud cheers.
Elise cherished the moment. She had been waiting on love all her life, believing that perhaps it would never come because of the promises she’d made others. But it had been there all along. First in the love of her parents and now in the arms of her husband. And wrapped around all of it was the love of God that never failed nor deserted.
“Are you ready for our new adventure, wife?” Nick whispered against her ear as he stepped back, grinning.
She met his gaze and smiled. “I am.”
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. She is often referred to as the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” and her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling HEIRS OF MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie considers her writing a ministry for God to share the Gospel and biblical application. She and her family make their home in Montana. Visit her website at www.traciepeterson.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorTraciePeterson.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Books by Tracie Peterson
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
About the Author
Back Ads
Flaps
Back Cover