Lone Star Romance Collection

by Cathy Marie Hake

  She blinked in surprise.

  “I’ll drape it here and wait for you out in the parlor.”

  “I need to stay and see to supper. Peter can go with you.”

  Rob didn’t argue with her. He left her room, pulled the door shut, and walked over toward the kitchen where Mr. Stein and Peter stood.

  “My granddaughter—”

  “Is fine.” He grinned at Peter. “When your sister grew faint, I’m sure she accidentally put Stubby in the cradle. Best you take him back out to the barn ere she sees him in there.”

  Peter snickered and dashed to freedom with the puppy.

  Rob cast a glance at the bedroom door. “Mercy’s needing some fresh air. I aim to have her accompany me to the Stu—“ Rob halted when Mr. Stein shook his head.

  “This is not done.” Mr. Stein’s voice came out in the barest of whispers. “You do not know our ways. For a young man and woman to spend time together, alone—”

  “I’ve been in Texas a little over half a year.” Rob stared into the old man’s eyes. In that moment, everything felt so right. “I’m fully aware of the implications. I came here today to declare my intent.”

  Mr. Stein shook his head. “I made a mistake once before. Without praying about it, I told Otto he could have my granddaughter as his wife.”

  “I’ve not spoken rashly.” Robert tapped his chest. “In my heart and soul, I ken Mercy’s the one for me.”

  “Robert Gregor, you’re as fine a man as God’s made, but that doesn’t change my stance. I’ll not lean on my own understanding and let her suffer heartbreak as the result again. Until I’m certain that it is God’s will for her to be yours, you are not to court her. This isn’t about what men think or want. It’s about waiting on the Lord and seeking His wisdom.”

  “Fair enough,” Rob said. “Until I spoke with the Almighty o’er this, I kept silent. God doesna change. He’ll be givin’ you the same assurance He gave me.”

  Sadness radiated from Mr. Stein’s craggy features. “Only a great work of God will give my Mercy any peace.”

  Hearing Mercy’s soft footfall, Rob pointed at the pie and raised his voice ever so slightly. “Give her two pieces. I’m supposing she was so busy baking, she forgot to eat at midday.”

  Her door opened and she emerged.

  “Mercy, when you brought lunch out to the field, you did not eat.” Her grandfather shook his finger at her. “You must eat for two.”

  “If I eat any more, I’ll grow bigger than Evalina!”

  “You’re hardly in danger of being even half the size of your milk cow.” Rob rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “If you give me your word that you’ll not skip meals and will have either a glass of Evalina’s fine milk or a slice of cheese between those meals, we’ll not fuss at you about what you eat.”

  “You need not fuss. When I’m working in the kitchen, I take tastes.”

  “Mercy Stein!” Rob managed to sound scandalized. “You baked today. Are you telling us you licked the bowls?”

  A fetching blush tinted her cheeks. “And what do you know about licking bowls, Dr. Gregor?”

  “Not nearly enough. ’Tis the drawback of having big brothers.” He gave her a woebegone look. “From now on, I’m going to have to plan a house call on the days you bake. Aye, I am.”

  “Is he gone?” Carmen peeked around the door.

  “Who?” Mercy pretended not to know what she meant.

  “The doctor.” Carmen came in and clomped toward the table. “Duncan mentioned his little brother was coming by here today.”

  “It is hard to think of the doctor as being anyone’s little brother.” Mercy finished icing the cake. She fought the urge to look at the bowl over on the counter. The doctor had swiped his finger all along the inside of the bowl and licked the batter off his finger as the cake baked in the oven. Once or twice a week he came by. Though he never stayed long, his visits invariably left Mercy feeling … better.

  Carmen leaned against the counter, but she didn’t take off her shawl. “All three of those Gregor men could masquerade as giants.”

  “Ja, this is true.” Mercy looked at her friend. “But something is bothering you. Why don’t we have some coffee and cake and talk about it?”

  Carmen’s features twisted. “You might not want me to stay.”

  “Nonsense.” Mercy put down the butter knife and poured two cups of coffee.

  “I don’t know what to say or do.” Carmen flopped onto a chair. Her dark eyes filled with tears. “I love my sister. You know I do.”

  “Of course.” Mercy sat beside her.

  Carmen snatched her hand and held it tight. “Her good news is our bad news. Mercy, Otto asked her to marry him.”

  The news left Mercy feeling strangely old and empty. “You must tell Ismelda I wish her to be happy.”

  “But doesn’t it break your heart for Otto—“ Carmen pressed her fingers to her mouth. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”

  “You didn’t mean to hurt my feelings, and you have not.” Mercy stared through the open doorway to her room and spied the cradle. “Things have changed. Otto is a different man, and I am a different woman. The dreams of my girlhood are long gone.”

  Carmen’s hold on her hand tightened. “It’s a good match, but I’m jealous. Isn’t that awful of me? Mercy, no man has ever expressed any interest in me. I’m the older sister. By custom, I’m supposed to marry first—but I’m going to be a crippled old spinster, and Ismelda will have a husband and children.”

  Mercy twisted and pulled Carmen’s head down onto her shoulder. Holding her, she whispered, “It is hard when dreams die.”

  “What do I do now?”

  Mercy finally straightened up and rubbed her back. “All around us, we see girls marry and have babies. We both assumed that would be God’s plan for us, too. Now, instead of telling God what we think, we have to ask Him what He wants.”

  “I’m in trouble then.” Carmen sniffled and tried to smile. “I’m far better at talking than at listening.”

  “Me, too. I’ve started to sing hymns and recite Bible verses. I read one a few days ago. It was where David is talking to Solomon. ‘For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee.’ So see? God knew our dreams. But it is our job to seek Him instead of what we imagined for ourselves.”

  Carmen looked at her for a long while. “You’re right, Mercy. You have changed. Months ago you were a girl with stars in your eyes. Now you are a woman.”

  “Life changes us all. I’m trying to change in the ways God wants me to. I have to—not just for myself, but for my baby.”

  Carmen didn’t end up staying long. After she left, Mercy added seasonings to the split peas and a ham bone in the simmering soup pot. Finished with other chores, she sat in the rocking chair in the parlor and darned Peter’s socks. Once those were repaired, she stared into her sewing bag. A small ball of yarn and several crochet hooks rested there. Slowly, she took out the yarn and selected a hook.

  The first thing her mother taught her to crochet had been a cap for her doll. As Mercy started the hook into motion, she began to sing the hymn her mother had sung that day. “Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen … Do you know how many stars …”

  “Dr. Gregor!”

  Rob kneed his mount toward the fence. “Mr. Stein.”

  “I have something to ask.”

  Rob kicked out of the stirrups and dismounted. “Aye?”

  “This baby my granddaughter carries—what do you think?”

  “I think he’s going to be healthy enough to bellow down your house.” Rob grinned. “Which is why he should grow up in mine.”

  The old man’s weathered face broke into a smile. “So you would allow Mercy to keep this child?”

  “ ’Tis borne of the woman I love. That alone will cause me to love him.” Rob tipped back his hat. “If Mercy wishes to keep the babe, ’twill be ours.”

  “If sh
e wishes to keep it?” The old man looked scandalized.

  “Aye.” Robert didn’t back down. “You and I love Mercy and will love her child. But Mercy—she was forced. In the end, she must decide whether she can love the babe entirely or if it would be best to give him to a childless couple. It is a choice only she can make.”

  “Have you said something to her?”

  “Not yet.” Rob squinted toward the house. “I know of a couple, but that doesn’t mean they are meant to have this baby. I’ve held my silence and waited for Mercy and God to show me what’s right.”

  “But a woman who could give away her own flesh and blood—”

  “Is a woman who is honest with herself and willing to give that baby a better life than she herself could give the child, holding the feelings she may have. I love Mercy. That love willna change regardless of whate’er decision she might make.”

  Mr. Stein let out a long sigh. “I was so busy praying about whether you were right for her, I never thought to pray about if I was giving her the right guidance myself.”

  “Grossvater!” Peter shouted from the porch. “Supper!”

  Mr. Stein slapped Rob on the back. “Come. Stay for supper.”

  They stopped at the pump and washed up before entering the house. “I hope you don’t mind—“ Rob began.

  Mercy turned from the stove. “I’ve said you are always welcome. Peter saw you, so we have a place waiting—see?”

  “What have you done?” Mr. Stein’s voice was rich with emotion.

  Rob had been so intent on Mercy, he’d not noticed anything else. He looked over his shoulder at Mr. Stein.

  Mercy breezed past them and into the parlor. “I’ve been busy.” A shy smile flirted at the corners of her mouth as she started to tuck little bits into her sewing box. “It’s probably well past time that I started making my baby some clothes.”

  Never before had he heard her say, “My baby.” It was always, “The baby.” It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it, too. Rob knew then and there that God was going to bless him with a wife and child at the same time.

  Chapter 15

  So I learned an important lesson,” Ismelda said as she clipped a thread. She gave Mercy a wry look. “It doesn’t matter how long he’s lived in Texas, a German farmer still doesn’t know what he’s asking for when he says spicy food is okay.”

  “I’ve tasted your chili. I know better.” Mercy finished hemming the baby gown.

  “We made mild tamales for lunch. You don’t need to worry.” Carmen patted her hand.

  “I do love your tamales.” Mercy smiled. “That, and your sweet corn casserole. For Thanksgiving, you might want to make that.”

  “Otto won’t need to wash away the taste with a whole pitcher of milk,” Carmen teased. “Ismelda, stop snitching my scissors!”

  They continued to chatter and sew. As lunchtime neared, Mrs. Kunstler arrived, and she brought along a gentleman. “Isn’t it lucky you are in town today, Mercy? I’ve been wanting to introduce you to Chester Heim. He’s my cousin’s cousin.”

  Mercy stammered what she hoped would pass for a polite greeting as she tried to subtly cover her large tummy with a length of cloth. A woman with a mere month to go before having a child only associated with family and very close friends. It was embarrassing enough for Otto’s mother to have introduced her to this stranger—surely she wasn’t trying to play matchmaker!

  Carmen gave Mercy a confused look.

  “Ismelda, why don’t I help you set the table?” Mrs. Kunstler bustled away.

  Mr. Heim mopped his brow. “Miss Stein, I’ve been eager to meet you. Please understand how much this means to me.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t—”

  He sat beside her on the settee and grabbed her hand. “Time is short.”

  Mercy snatched her hand away. “Mr. Heim, excuse me.”

  “The baby, I want it,” he blurted out.

  Carmen bolted out of her chair. “Mr. Heim, you need to leave.”

  “My wife and I—we’ll take it!” Mr. Heim clamped his hand around Mercy’s arm. “It’s for the best. I know you’ll agree.”

  Mercy stared at him in horror. In a matter of seconds, Mrs. Kunstler was standing beside him, testifying to his character. At the same time, he was pleading on behalf of his wife. Carmen had fled, and Ismelda stood in mute horror.

  “You can rid yourself of your shame this way,” Mrs. Kunstler declared.

  “You won’t be encumbered,” Mr. Heim asserted. “Someday, maybe another man will come along. You wouldn’t have to confess—”

  “That’s enough!” The doctor’s bellow silenced the room. He strode right up to Mercy. “Mr. Heim, you are to leave now.”

  “No.” Mr. Heim puffed out his chest. “You knew about this, but you didn’t help us. I’m taking matters into my own hands.” He turned back to Mercy. “Don’t you see? This way you won’t be completely ruined.”

  “Mercy was never ruined.” The doctor’s voice came out in a rumble that would make thunder sound like a mere whimper. He knelt beside her. “I’ll let no man slur her.”

  “I didn’t mean it to sound badly,” Heim stammered. “You’re alone, Miss Stein. My wife and I—we want children.”

  “Miss Stein is not alone. She has family who love her.” The doctor slid his hand over hers. “Aye, and there’s a man who loves her, too.”

  Mercy tore her gaze from Mr. Heim and gawked at the doctor.

  “ ’Tisna like I’d planned, but I dinna regret making my declaration.” He squeezed her hand.

  “He’s the one, Doctor.” Carmen limped back through the front door, her features strained. “He needs to leave.”

  “Everyone needs to calm down,” Mrs. Kunstler said.

  Mr. Heim tugged on Mercy’s sleeve. “Listen to me. My wife and I would give your baby a good home. If the doctor will take you, the two of you could have your own children.”

  “If I’ll take her?” Rob’s voice resonated with outrage. “I’d be blessed if she’d take me!” He stared into Mercy’s eyes. “Your value is far above rubies, Mercy. Whate’er decisions you make, they need to be based on what you know and feel deep down in your soul. Dinna allow anyone to discount how special you are, for you are a daughter of the King of Kings.” He rose and helped her to her feet.

  The minute she stood, self-consciousness flooded her. Mercy knew just how huge she looked.

  The doctor tilted her face up to his. “You’re every bit as beautiful as you are innocent.”

  He had her halfway across the street before Mercy could speak. “Are you taking me home?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” He took her into the beautiful home that they’d built and seated her on the veranda. “Wait here for a moment.” He left and reappeared in a matter of seconds. Kneeling beside her once again, he pulled a thin gold band from his pocket. “My Da’s last gift to me was Ma’s ring and a piece of advice. He knew caring for bodies makes a doctor close off his heart so he doesn’t have to feel the pain. He warned me not to do so but instead to take a chance at love.”

  Mercy stared at the ring. So he’s willing to take a chance and marry me out of pity.

  “Clear down to my soul, I love ye, lass. ’Tis been hard, waiting to tell you. I pledged to your grandda I’d not court you without his leave. It’s felt like an eternity, but I finally gained his permission yester noon. I’m askin’ you to be my wife—and for no other reason than the love God gave me for you cannot be denied.”

  Slowly, he tucked the ring in her palm and curled her fingers around it. “You hold my heart in your hand. ’Tis a matter all on its own. I canna expect that you dinna have questions or concerns, so I’ll not mince words.

  “The child you carry—I’ll honor your decision whate’er you choose to do. Just as I love you, I’ll cherish this wee one and rear him as my verra own. But if you sense you canna love him without reservation, I’ll understand if you wish to allow others to take him into their hearts and home.
”

  She swallowed. “So you’re not trying to salvage my honor so the baby is not a—“ She couldn’t bring herself to say the vile word.

  “Blessing. Each child is a blessing.” He looked at her steadily. “You’ve two separate decisions to make, Mercy. On one, I’ve told you I’ll support whate’er you decide. On the other, though …” He lifted her closed hand and kissed it. “I’m going to do everything in my power to sway you into consenting to be my bride. I’ll love you with every breath I ever take, Mercy. Marry me.”

  Her hand stayed in his, but she turned it over. “A woman in my condition does not think of finding a man who can love her. I once said I wanted a man who would love me regardless of what life brought and who would stand beside me in the bad times.”

  “I’m that man.” The truth sparkled in his eyes.

  “But there is another part. That man—I should love him with all that is within me.” She opened her fingers, and the ring fell into his palm. “I care for you—and today, I find I care for you in a way I did not realize. It does not seem possible.”

  “With God, all things are possible. This love is from Him, Mercy.”

  The last reservation she held crumbled. “I do love you, Robert.”

  “Duncan! Go fetch Mr. Stein. Chris, grab the parson. We’re getting married!”

  Mercy yanked on his sleeve. “Robert! I cannot get married. Not like this.”

  He cupped her face in his hands. “The day I showed you the plans for the house, I told you I couldn’t care less about how it looked on the outside. ’Twas the inside that counted. Well, I meant that then, and at the same time, I’m taking those words back this verra minute. You’re beautiful, and you’re wearing the delft frock I fancy. You couldna be more perfect than you are at this moment. I’m not goin’ to give you a chance to change your mind. Nae, I’m not.”

  “There’s no need to rush.”

  “Ooch, lass, I’ve been longing to profess my love for you. Now that I have, I dinna want to cross that threshold unless I’m carrying you across it. I’m a reasonable man. I’ll give ye a whole hour.”