by Barbara Goss
Peggy suddenly got an idea. She loved Gavin like she’d never loved anyone in her life. How could she not marry him? What was she thinking? All that tension at the picnic must’ve gotten to her. She looked over at Gavin sitting there with such a defeated expression on his face. He’d had such high hopes she’d agree to marry him, and now he looked beaten, defeated, and this time it was she that had done this to him.
She knew what she had to do.
She went down on one knee in front of him. “Gavin McKenzie, will you forgive me for turning down your proposal?” After he smiled and nodded, she continued. “Will you give up your camp to marry me without any regrets later?”
“I will,” he said, with a bright smile.
“Then, my answer is yes. Positively yes, and the sooner the better.”
Gavin stood and helped her up. He reached into his pocket and brought out a ring. “I hope it fits. The jeweler said if it doesn’t he can adjust it.”
Peggy looked at the ring. It was neither large nor gaudy, but a simple and dainty ring, with two diamonds surrounded by several small, red stones.
“It’s gorgeous, Gavin. Thank you.” He then slipped it onto her finger.
“Does it fit?”
“Perfectly. How did you know the size?”
“The jeweler’s daughter was almost exactly your size and she helped me by trying it on.”
Peggy threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, Gavin. Thank you for talking me out of not marrying you. I never wanted to refuse—I just thought about how much the camp meant to you, and I loved you too much to take that away from you.”
“There’s only one more thing we need to discuss, and then we can make some plans, all right?” Gavin asked.
Peggy nodded, still gazing at her new ring.
“We have Timmy and your mother to think about. Would you be willing to move to Salina? I have a nice home there, and my job is there. My home is large enough for your mother, if she chooses to come with you.”
“You have no idea how much I’d love to stay here, just to irritate Violet, she—”
“Peggy! No!” Gavin said. “We are not out for revenge. I did wrong. Think for a minute how you’d feel if I or some other man tried to force you into—well, I wouldn’t have—truthfully, I never planned to do anything other than get my own way and get her to marry me.”
“I refused your proposal and you didn’t try to force me into anything,” she said. “Does that mean you loved Violet more than you love me?”
Gavin tightened his hold on her. “I never loved Violet. I chose her to marry because I thought she was perfect for what I’d envisioned for my life. She also reminded me strongly of my first wife. Here, look.” Gavin reached into his pocket, and took out a small locket, and opened it. “This was my first wife.” He held the picture out for her to see.
“She does look a bit like Violet!”
“I didn’t attack you when you refused because I love you. I could never hurt you. What I feel for you isn’t an obsession, and I’m truly a new person in Christ, for real this time.” He sighed. “Still, Violet went through trauma because of me, and according to Billy, she’s had nightmares for a long time. So the way I see it, I deserve to be punished for my actions, and I accept that, but I won’t allow you to be punished as well.”
“I’ll talk to my mother tonight,” Peggy said. She believed Gavin, and she trusted him. She felt such love for him, and now she was so glad he hadn’t walked away when she’d refused his proposal.
“Are you going to kiss me to seal the proposal, or are you waiting for some butter?” Peggy asked.
Gavin laughed, a baritone laugh that was so infectious, they both wound up laughing together.
Chapter 8
Miles was in shock at what Violet had done. Billy had shrugged and left them alone. Violet stood with her arms crossed, but she wasn’t smiling.
“Why did you do that?” Miles asked. “I thought we talked about this and you were going to let Gavin off the hook.”
“I never said I’d let him off the hook. I agreed to hear him out. I forgave him, but you don’t seriously think I can have him for dinner after what he did?” she said.
“When you asked me for forgiveness I didn’t give you stipulations, Violet. I forgave you, took you back, and married you.”
“That’s different. I didn’t almost rape you.”
“It never came that close to rape, Violet.”
“So now you’re sticking up for him?” Violet’s voice grew loud.
“Let’s not fight over this, especially not here at the church picnic,” Miles whispered, sternly. “But think about what your decision will do to our family outings. Quinn and Rose will not be happy. Now let’s leave this subject for when we get home tonight.”
For the first time ever, Miles walked away from Violet in anger. He looked for Billy and spotted him talking to a group of elderly ladies. He stood nearby and waited for him to finish.
Billy finally edged his way to Miles. “I certainly didn’t expect that,” Billy said.
“I’m extremely upset with my wife for the very first time ever. I don’t agree with the way she handled Gavin and Peggy,” Miles said.
“I love Violet,” Billy said, “but I was a bit disappointed in her as well." He sighed. "Nevertheless, we do have to accept it. If she can’t face Gavin…”
“All I can do is talk to her, Billy.”
“I don’t want the two of you to fight over this. Unfortunately, there's no way I’ll have the time to run the camp without Gavin. I suppose I could try to find someone else, but honestly, it won’t be easy. Chin up brother. We can pray about it.”
“Oh, no!” Miles said in almost a whisper.
“What?” Billy asked.
“Quinn is coming toward us.”
Billy and Miles greeted Quinn as cheerfully as they could manage.
“Miles, why’d Peggy and Gavin leave? They were talking to you and Violet, and then practically ran out of here. Was there a problem?”
Miles and Billy exchanged looks of discomfort. Finally, Miles sighed and said, “Yes, a big problem.”
“What’s going on?” Quinn asked, puzzlement evident in his expression.
Miles and Billy pulled Quinn aside and told him the whole story.
“Why’d Violet do that? Peggy has never done anything to her.”
“I’m sure it’s aimed at punishing Gavin and not Peggy,” Miles said.
“But it isn’t. Peggy loves Gavin. She’s finally found the right man. I like Gavin, and so does my mother. This is beyond ridiculous, Miles.”
“Peggy will still have Gavin because he chose her, and he’s letting the camp go,” Billy said.
“Really? I’m glad. Gavin’s score with me just went up several more notches.”
“Quinn, please try not to start a family squabble over this,” Miles said. “I’m going to try and get Violet to reconsider. Let’s just try to stay calm until I can talk some sense into her. I didn’t want to do it here.”
Gavin picked Peggy up around noon on Monday and they drove to Salina. It was time for Peggy to meet Timothy.
Gavin pulled up in front of a large, well-kept, two-story house. Gavin escorted her inside and she was surprised to see the house spotless and well-furnished.
“Have a seat, and I’ll go next door and get Timmy. He’s with Trina, my neighbor.”
While he was gone, Peggy’s curiosity got the best of her, and she explored the kitchen and dining room and found all of the rooms were spotless, and she wondered if he had a housekeeper. She sat back down and awaited Gavin's return.
Peggy thought she could happily live in this house. It was lovely. Just then Gavin walked in with a boy who looked to be about eight or nine years old.
“Timmy, I’d like you to meet the woman I plan to marry. This is Peggy. Peggy, meet my son, Timmy.” Gavin stood proudly next to the boy, his hand on Timmy’s shoulder.
Timmy shied away from her at first, but then be
came more curious, sat down on the armchair, and stared at her.
“Hello, Timmy. I think I remember seeing you at camp.” Peggy put her finger on her chin. “I think it was when Miles was taking you fishing. You were the one who caught the biggest fish.”
Timmy smiled. “Yes! But I didn’t catch the biggest one this year. Alfie did.”
“Do you think you could teach me how to fish?” Peggy asked him. “I’ve never been fishing, but I think I might like it.”
“Sure, I’ll show you. Wanna go now?” he asked.
“No,” Gavin said with a chuckle, “not today. Today, I’m going to fix us a special supper and—”
“Papa, no! Your cooking’s awful,” Timmy said. “Can’t I go to Trina’s for supper? She’s making catfish.”
“No. We want to spend the day together as a family, Timmy. When we get married, Peggy will move in with us, and she’ll be your stepmother,” Gavin said.
Timmy looked at Peggy carefully, while Peggy continued to smile at him. “I guess she can be.”
“What do you mean my cooking’s awful?” Gavin asked. “You loved the pancakes this morning.”
“You make good breakfasts. Why can’t we go to Scotty’s for dinner?”
“We could go to Scotty’s, if you’d like. We should probably ask Peggy if she’d like to do that,” Gavin said.
“Would you?” Timmy asked.
“I think that I would,” Peggy said.
“It’s settled then. Maybe when we're done, we'll have time to go fishing,” Gavin said.
They ate at Scotty’s, a restaurant like Dora’s, and then they all went fishing so Timmy could show Peggy how to fish. Timmy was a very active boy, but he didn’t seem to have a behavioral problem, at least not one she was able to detect.
When they returned from fishing, Peggy watched Gavin put Timmy to bed. He hugged and kissed him, which Timmy seemed to like, and returned the affection.
“Can Peggy kiss me goodnight, too?” he asked.
Peggy showed her delight that he'd asked with a wide smile, went closer to his bed, and sat down on the edge of it. “I would love to,” she said. She hugged him and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be sleeping at the hotel in town, but I’ll be here for breakfast in the morning.”
“Try to get here before all the pancakes are gone,” Timmy said.
“I will. Goodnight, Timmy. I’m so glad to have met you.”
“Me, too!”
As soon as they closed Timmy’s door, Gavin put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. “You were wonderful with him. I knew you would be.”
“He doesn’t seem to have a behavioral problem,” she said.
“It’s mostly at school that he gets into trouble. He’s active, and hates to sit at a desk for too long. He also has a bit of a temper if the kids aggravate him, but he’s been so much better since I’ve been more attentive to him.
“You see,” he led her to the sofa. “I grew up in an orphanage and was never shown affection, so giving him affection was difficult for me, but I’ve worked hard on it, and it’s made a big difference in our relationship.”
They stood in front of the sofa, and Gavin kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss, putting all her love for him into it. Somehow they ended up lying on the sofa, side by side.
“This can’t be appropriate,” Gavin said. “Maybe we should sit up.”
“Hmm, I rather like it though, Gavin. If it doesn’t tempt you too much, could we stay like this for just a few more minutes?”
“We can, as long as you behave and don’t press too close. I’m still human and I love you to bits, so I don’t fully trust myself.”
“I won’t. I just like being in your arms.”
“Did Timmy pass the test?”
“Hmm…yes,” she said sleepily.
“Are you tired?”
She nodded.
“I’ll call Trina to come and stay with Timmy while I take you to the hotel.”
“All right,” she said.
“I’ll be right back.” He disengaged himself from her arms and ran next door.
Peggy yawned. She didn’t fancy going to a strange hotel room, but she couldn’t very well stay there.
Gavin returned, leading a little lady of about fifty into the sitting room. “Trina, this is my future wife, Peggy. Peggy, this is my neighbor, Trina.”
Trina and Peggy exchanged greetings. Peggy noted that Trina’s eyes were not focused on her, and then she remembered that she was blind.
“Why does she need a hotel, Gavin? She is more than welcome to sleep in Timmy’s room at my house,” Trina offered.
“I’d love that,” Peggy said. “I don’t care much for hotels.”
Gavin walked them both back to Trina’s.
After Gavin had left, Trina showed her to the room Timmy always slept in.
“It’s not fancy, but it’s better than a hotel, and closer to your new home,” Trina said.
“Thank you, Trina.”
“Can I get you tea or anything?” Trina asked.
“No, I’m tired.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then. Goodnight, Peggy.”
“Goodnight and thank you, Trina.”
In the morning, she awoke to kitchen sounds. She dressed, made the bed, fixed her hair, and joined Trina in the kitchen.
“I doubt Gavin and Timmy are up yet; it’s early. I’ve made coffee, would you like a cup?” Trina asked.
“I’d love a cup,” Peggy said. She watched Trina feel for the right cupboard, pull out two cups, and then find the brim of the cup with her finger, and pour hot coffee to just about where her finger was, and then stop.”
“It’s amazing how you manage everything, Trina.”
“Oh, I’ve had my whole life to learn,” she said. “I was born like this. But I have to say, without Gavin McKenzie, I’d never have survived.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. Gavin takes good care of me. He looks in on me constantly. He shops for me, shovels snow, cuts my grass, and even washes my windows, bless him. He’s a fine man. You’re very lucky to have him, Peggy.”
Peggy had no idea just how lucky she was. If only Violet knew how good a man he was and forgive him for a mistake that never really did any damage. She felt angry thinking about Violet, so she quickly changed her thinking.
“Did you know his first wife?” Peggy asked.
“No. He bought his house after she died. Timmy was still a toddler, then.”
“Is Timmy a well-behaved little boy?” she asked.
“He’s always good with me. I’ve never had trouble. Mostly the school has problems. They set strict rules, and he has a problem with that, I suppose. He’s always trying to take care of me, like he sees his father doing. I love them both. I’d do anything for them,” she said. “They’re like my family, I guess.”
Peggy was glad she was moving to Salina, rather than Gavin moving to Abilene, for Trina would miss him.
As if she could read Peggy’s mind, she said, “But if he moved away, I could get along. I would hire someone to do what Gavin does. He won’t let me hire someone now. He tells me to save my money.”
“I think we’ll be living here, but I have an elderly mother that I care for, so we aren’t sure how to handle that situation,” Peggy said, sipping her coffee.
Chapter 9
“We need to talk,” Miles said the minute they walked into the house after the church picnic.
“I’m going to check on Andrew,” Violet said.
Miles gently grabbed her arm before she was able to make it to the stairs. “Mrs. Smith’s with him, he’s fine.”
“Please, let me see my son first,” Violet said and pulled from his grasp.
She ran up the stairs.
Miles shook his head. They had to settle this or it would become a family problem that could last for years. They’d never had a problem or a serious argument before. Miles wasn’t sure how to handle this situation, or how much trouble he’d get int
o for trying to smooth things out.
Violet came down the stairs with Mrs. Smith. “Can you take Mrs. Smith home now, Miles?” she asked.
“Certainly.” He hesitated in the doorway and said, “Put some coffee on, because we have some important things to discuss when I return.”
When Miles returned he felt relieved when he smelled coffee. He’d worried that she might just go to bed, or if she’d stay upstairs with Andrew, but she’d made the coffee like he’d asked.
He found her in the kitchen, taking two cups from the cupboard. She poured coffee into the cups and set them down on the table.
“I assume you want to talk here,” she said.
“It’s fine.”
She sat and he took the chair beside her.
“Before you start in on me,” she said, “I have something to say.”
“Go ahead,” Miles said patiently.
“Do you really think I can attend a family picnic or dinner with him there? Do you think I can let Andrew play with whatever children they might have? Every time I see him I see his scary face over me—forcing me…” she broke off and tears ran down her face.
Miles steeled himself. Her tears had always moved him to cuddle her and protect her, but not this time, because it was time to get to the root of the problem.
“I need to ask you something, Violet.”
She nodded, wiping her tears with her handkerchief.
“Just how far did the attack with Gavin go? You never said, and when I came on the scene both times, you were completely dressed.”
“He had me pinned to the ground!” she cried.
“Okay. Did he touch you below the waist?”
“Not with his hands—”
“So all he really did was fondle your bosom and kiss you all over, but he never touched you below the waist. I don’t understand how you can be afraid to face him. I’ve done worse than that with girls when Michael and I had haystack parties. The girls had no trouble facing us afterwards, and I even see some of them in church, now.” He sighed. “Just help me to understand how you feel. It wasn’t like he even came close to raping you, not really.”
