by Darrell Case
Epilogue
"Should I get the door?" James asked, aware that Victoria liked to answer the door in her own home.
"No, I'll get it. Thank you James."
"Very good, Mrs. Wakefield," he said smiling. She could have insisted he call her 'Victoria' but she loved the sound of her married name. It thrilled her heart each time she heard it. She belonged to Adam and he belonged to her.
She was not sure what to expect each time she answered the door. A member of the congregation seeking guidance or someone from the new settlement house asking for assistance. Maybe a hobo looking for a hot meal. Now that it was summer, many were traveling through the city. Sometimes it seemed that they all stopped at Market Street but no one was ever turned away.
Upon opening the door, Victoria's heart leapt in her throat. She forced a smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hayman. Billy. It's wonderful to see you again," she said, hoping the Lord would forgive her for telling a white lie.
Owen Hayman held his hat in his hands, his knuckles turning white. His face was scarlet under his beard. Billy looked as if he were seconds away from bawling.
"Please come in," she said quietly.
When they were seated in the parlor, she asked, "Will you be in Chicago long?"
"No," Owen said. "I don't hold much with big cities. We've jest come up to see you."
"How nice," Victoria said, her smile becoming more strained.
"Ain't nothing like that," he said as if he could read her thoughts. "We . . ." He looked to his wife for help.
"We was wrong," Jenny Hayman said. "You didn't hurt our Billy."
Finally, Billy could stand it no more. He leapt to his feet, ran to Victoria, and threw his arms around her neck.
"I didn't want to say them things," he sobbed, his body shaking. "Whitey said he'd hurt my ma if I didn't do what he said. I love you. You're the best teacher I ever had."
Hugging the little boy to her, Victoria ran her hands over the back of his head.
"It's all right, Billy. I understand. I love you, too," she said softly. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she held the boy tightly and comforted him.
Victoria felt a sense of relief and compassion wash over her soul.
"We'un's found out who it was put Whitey up to it. They're a'paying for it
now."
"Was it Mr. Anderson?"
"Yup. Him and that scoundrel Maples."
"It was jest as you figured," Jenny Hayman said.
"How did you find out?" Victoria asked, drying Billy's tears with a lace handkerchief.
"That's the good part. Tell her, pa," Billy said grinning.
"Hurly caught 'em," Owen said smiling
"Hurley the teller?"
"No ma'am, Hurley the Pinkerton man. He was put there by the one that owned the bank. They're gonna be in prison for a long time."
"I got somethin' fur ya," Jenny replied, reaching into her handbag. She held her hand out. "I know you was a'lookin' fur it."
Victoria's hand flew to her mouth. "How did you...? Where did you...?"
Nestled in Jenny's hand was the broach that had belonged to Victoria's mother.
"That conniving Maples had it in his desk drawer."
"Thank you," Victoria said as she hugging the couple, tears flowing down her cheeks. "Thank you all."
Adam came home two hours after the Haymans had gone. His eyes sparkling, he said, "Five more souls for the kingdom at the settlement house today."
"Oh darling, that's wonderful," Victoria said.
Laying his cane against the wall, he enfolded her in his arms. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Doctor Samuels said he would never walk without the cane but they had faith to believe he would. After all, Doctor Samuels was just a babe in Christ. He had finally listened to Tom Hopkins and turned his life over to The Lord.
Later as they relaxed over glasses of tea, Adam said, "When I was in the river of fire, I didn't want to come back. I wanted to stay in heaven," he said.
Standing up, he took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "But then I heard your voice calling me. I just had to come back. I am so glad I did."
"So am I," she murmured against his chest. "So am I."
The Beginning
Dear Reader:
I trust that you liked River of Fire. As I said, I wrote it several years ago. I put it away as I considered it too short. It would still be there if not for my wife. She felt it too good a story to be hidden. Well, it's out. I hope you enjoyed meeting Adam and Victoria. I've thought of writing a sequel, but will hold off until I see how this one does. May God richly bless you.
Darrell
