Love Everlasting

by Tracie Peterson

  “It’s not a problem, I assure you. My Flora can be just the same.” The woman glanced around the yard, then fixed her gaze back on Abrianna. “You’re Mr. Cunningham’s daughter, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Abrianna Cunningham.” She frowned. “We met this morning when you and Flora were introduced to the students. Perhaps your journey here caused you fatigue. Then again, I can’t say that I’m the most memorable person. Especially when you came here with thoughts of seeing your niece enrolled. Still, my red hair usually causes folks to recall me without effort.”

  Mrs. Snyder looked at her with an odd smile. “I am rather poor at keeping track of names and faces. I do recall your beautiful hair, however.”

  Abrianna smiled at the reference to beauty. “It has been a troublesome burden to me all of my life. Redheaded women are most complicated, in case you didn’t know. My aunt Miriam says that we are given to fits of temper and exploits too numerous to list. She said it is as if God made our hair red as a warning to others that mischief was afoot.”

  Mrs. Snyder smiled. “I can’t imagine that is true of you.”

  “Oh, but you do not know the half of it.” Abrianna shrugged. “I am quite strong-willed. I see a matter that needs attending, and rather than seek the advice of others, I simply step in and take care of the need. It’s both a curse and a blessing, but I know that it has been a great burden to my aunts. Many has been the time I have overheard them praying for wisdom in how to deal with me, as well as asking the Almighty to keep me from causing harm to myself or others.”

  “And is your father of that same vein? Does he plunge in to attend a matter regardless of advice?”

  Abrianna grew thoughtful. How could she explain to this woman that she was just now getting to know her father? She supposed the truth was best, but of late it seemed the truth only served to stir things up into a frenzy. She couldn’t lie, however. That wouldn’t be right, what with her new goal to be open and honest, even when it proved difficult.

  “In truth, I cannot say that I know whether he is that kind of man or not. You see, he has just come back into my life after being absent for all my growing years.”

  “Truly? What caused such an absence?”

  Abrianna sighed. If she wasn’t careful she might very well find herself in tears once again. “He was wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit.” She frowned. “I suppose if you are wrongly accused it goes without saying that you didn’t commit the crime, so forgive my unnecessary words. He was imprisoned until the rightful criminal was found and confessed. Unfortunately, that cost my father twenty years of his life and robbed me of his presence in mine.”

  “My word! What a terrible tragedy.” Mrs. Snyder had her hand to her throat and looked very shocked.

  “I hope I haven’t caused you undue worry. He is a good man and quite kind.”

  “He strikes me as a very considerate man. Do you know he offered to drive me around Seattle? I’m afraid it didn’t work out this afternoon, but we have a plan to do just that tomorrow morning.”

  Abrianna got the distinct feeling that this woman was interested in her father for more than a tour around the city. There was a glimmer in her eyes that Abrianna had once seen when Lenore first met Kolbein. Goodness, but could Mrs. Snyder be taken with Father?

  “At last I’ve found you,” Wade declared, coming from behind them.

  Abrianna turned so quick that her skirts caught in the roses, and she started to fall. Wade, ever her hero, caught her in his arms and righted her.

  “You must forgive her,” he said to Mrs. Snyder. “Abrianna is always throwing herself at me.”

  The older woman chuckled. “You must be her fiancé. I am Mrs. Snyder. My niece Flora has just arrived to attend the school.”

  “Wade Ackerman.” He didn’t let go his hold on Abrianna.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Mrs. Snyder said, “I will leave you two a moment for yourselves.” She left before Abrianna could say a word, for Wade was already turning her in his arms.

  “I’ve thought of nothing but this moment all day long.” He kissed her gently and pulled back with a smile. “I think I’m really starting to get the hang of this.”

  “Oh, Wade.” Abrianna nudged him, but he held her fast. “You completely embarrassed me in front of Mrs. Snyder. She’ll think I’m positively wanton.”

  “You’re the one who pretended to fall.”

  “I did not pretend.” Abrianna pushed harder this time. “You are insufferable.”

  Wade laughed and lifted her at the waist. “You may call me anything you like, so long as you tell me that you’ll love me forever.”

  She smiled down at him, feeling much of her worry and fears melt away. “I certainly cannot lie about that matter, for my heart is yours now, as it always has been.” She shook her head as he lowered her. Once her feet were firmly on the ground, Abrianna motioned to the pump. “You smell like sweat and ash. I will not bear another of your embraces until you clean up.”

  Wade made as if he would pull her into his arms again, and Abrianna let out a little squeal and jumped back. “I mean it. You smell something frightful.” She took two more steps back.

  He walked slowly toward her. Abrianna continued to back up. “Wade Ackerman, I have spoken my piece.”

  “So you have. You seem to speak quite a few pieces, but I have learned the trick to closing that mouth of yours.” His eyes seemed to sparkle in mischievous delight, and his lips were curled in a wicked grin.

  Abrianna found his playfulness rather seductive, and for the life of her couldn’t remember why she was backing away. She stopped, fully expecting him to take her in his arms and kiss her with the same passion he had on the Fourth of July and more recently. Instead, after crossing the distance between them, he stopped and merely looked down at her. Abrianna lifted her face to make it all the more easy for him to kiss her lips and closed her eyes. She heard him chuckle, and instead of kissing her, he tweaked her nose. Her eyes flashed open as he turned away.

  “Perhaps I should wash up, after all. I wouldn’t want to offend the other ladies at supper.”

  She watched him go as a sense of disappointment washed over her. He really didn’t smell that bad.

  “Oh, by the way,” Wade said, turning around in midstep. “The elders have asked me to take over the pulpit until they can find a pastor for the church. What do you think of that?”

  “I think it’s wonderful.” She hesitated before continuing. “Pride goeth before a fall, but I must say I am proud of you. I suppose, however, that pride in someone serving God isn’t the same as pride in one’s own accomplishments. Therefore, I rest on my previous declaration. I’m proud of you. I believe you’ll make a wonderful pastor.”

  His lips twitched in just a hint of a smile. “Did you ever think you’d be married to a preacher?”

  Abrianna shrugged. “I never thought I’d be married, so all of this is pretty new to me.”

  His smile widened. “Well, you’d better get your mind around it. I intend to talk to your pa as soon as I can find him.”

  5

  Priam Welby paid a boy to watch until all the men of the Madison Bridal School left the grounds. As instructed, the boy hurried back with the news that all three had departed first thing that morning. Priam knew Thane Scott and Wade Ackerman would make their way downtown to work, and as luck would have it Jay Cunningham drove the carriage out, complete with a female passenger. He paid the boy and sent him on his way before climbing into his carriage.

  “Take me to the Madison Bridal School,” he instructed the driver.

  It was a short distance to the estate, but during the ride Priam used the time to plot and plan how he would handle things if the old ladies got in his way. His charms would be lost on them, and threats would be equally useless. He had visions of the old women picking up brooms and umbrellas to beat him back off their porch. He supposed he would just have to do what he could when the time came.

  When they arrived at
the school, Priam instructed the driver to wait for him as long as it took. The man gave a curt nod and then fixed his gaze forward. He knew better than to counter any request Priam made.

  Walking up the porch steps, Priam glanced around to see if any of the women were about. There wasn’t a sign of anyone. He hoped the old ladies were busy with their bridal classes and the Chinese maid would give him quick entry to see Abrianna. He knocked and picked lint from his suit coat lapel as he waited.

  To his pleasant surprise and relief it was Abrianna herself who came to the door. She stepped back and lost the smile on her face. “Mr. Welby. We weren’t expecting you.”

  He tipped his hat. “Good morning, Miss Cunningham. I do apologize for such an early visit, but I wondered if I might speak to you. We could sit out here on the porch if you like.”

  Abrianna glanced over her shoulder then nodded. Priam opened the screen door to allow her exit. “You look quite lovely today,” he said. The blue and white outfit she wore, along with the way she’d tied her hair back, made her look rather juvenile, but he thought only to put her mind at ease with compliments.

  “Thank you. I must say, I really don’t know why you’re here. I know that Kolbein . . . ah, Mr. Booth was to have settled our business arrangement.”

  He smiled at her bluntness. “Well, in truth, despite Mr. Booth’s delivery of your canceled contract, I find you are all that I can think about.”

  She frowned. “I am sorry for that, Mr. Welby.”

  “You’re the first person I think of when I awaken and the last one who comes to mind before I sleep. I dream about you. I ponder ways to win your heart.” He smiled. “All in all, you are never far from my thoughts.”

  “That is, I’m sure, most annoying.” She looked down as if to study the toe of her shoe. “It would seem that perhaps you could reflect on Scriptures instead. Or perhaps you should read Mr. William Salter’s Ethical Religion. I am led to understand it has great qualities of interest to the learned reader. Although, I must admit I haven’t read this myself and therefore should probably not seek to suggest it, so perhaps you could just forget my mention.”

  He chuckled and took hold of her arm. “Come sit with me.” He pulled her to where there were several chairs positioned close together for easy conversation.

  She seemed reluctant, but when he let go of her arm, she squared her shoulders. “For just a few minutes.”

  Abrianna took her seat. Welby did likewise and drew off his hat. He noted that she seemed most uncomfortable and thought perhaps there was something he could gain by this. Keeping her off balance seemed the most efficient way of handling Abrianna Cunningham.

  “I don’t suppose you realize that you’ve broken my heart.” She looked at him in disbelief but said nothing. “I know that most people think me heartless and all business, but the truth is, I have fallen quite in love with you.”

  “Oh dear,” she said in a whisper that sounded quite contrite.

  “Indeed. I can scarcely think of business or other affairs without you coming to mind. When you sent Mr. Booth to break our contract, I can tell you quite honestly . . . well, I took to my house and hid myself away, neither eating nor drinking for two days.” The lie sounded natural enough and given her willingness to believe everyone truthful, Priam felt confident she would buy into his story.

  She bit her lower lip. He might have laughed at her anxious expression had he been less determined to get her to reconsider the contract. “You see,” he continued, “when you gave me hope that we might have a future together, I was the happiest man alive.”

  “But I did not give you hope,” she protested. “I told you I was certain I would not fall in love with you. Now I know quite well why I was so confident of the matter. My heart belongs to another, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.”

  He sighed. “Then there is no hope for me?”

  “There is always hope for each of God’s children, but not by courting me,” she declared. “You truly must seek another avenue, Mr. Welby, for I am not the means to happiness for you.”

  He tried to appear thoughtful. “And I can do nothing to convince you otherwise? You did give me your word that you would give me time to woo you.”

  “I am sorry, Mr. Welby, but to do so would be dishonest. Our contract allowed for either of us to dissolve it should anything arise to cause conflict with the contents. I came to realize that my love for Wade Ackerman was one that would lead us to matrimony. I cannot entertain another gentleman who has thoughts of wooing me when I am all but engaged to another.”

  “So you aren’t formally engaged?” he asked.

  She sighed. “It’s just a matter of making all the announcements. As far as Wade and I are concerned, we are engaged and preparing for marriage.”

  He put his hand to his heart. “You have no idea how this grieves me. It pierces my heart as if you’d plunged in a knife.”

  “Mr. Welby, you have made this matter much more than it ever was or will be,” Abrianna began. “I was honest with you from the start, and anything I said or did to otherwise convince you of the possibility that I would fall in love with you is simply a misunderstanding on your part.”

  Welby worked hard to keep his ire in check. The fact that she told the truth didn’t bother him. The fact that she was unwilling to yield to his will was infuriating.

  “Perhaps you should speak to Mr. Ackerman about this.” Welby fixed her with a most intent but pleading gaze. “Would he truly wish for you to go into the sanctity of marriage having had no other man to consider? What if you are the one mistaken in your feelings? Did that not ever occur? What if what you both are experiencing is just a fleeting summer emotion brought on by the devastation of the city and the urgency of time? You’ve long been friends. That much is true. But friendship and love are two entirely different matters.”

  Her brows came together, giving her a rather worried appearance. Welby felt confident he’d gained a tiny bit of ground and pushed on.

  “And if that is the case, then not only are you doing your friendship a disservice, but you are denying yourself a chance at happiness with me, as well.”

  “My friendship with Wade has always been very important to me,” she murmured almost as if he wasn’t there. “Everyone has told me that friendship is an important foundation for marriage. So even though your counsel is otherwise, I believe that I am better acquainted with the honesty of my friends and family.”

  “But of course they will tell you that,” he said, shaking his head and giving a little tsking sound. “They are telling you what they believe is best for you. And perhaps they are concerned that . . . well, given your closeness to Mr. Ackerman, other men might believe you have compromised your virtue. Perhaps they are pushing you to marry Mr. Ackerman because they are worried that no other man might have you. However, for me, none of that is important. I love you, Abrianna. If you’ve made mistakes in the past, I will not hold them against you. I simply plead for you to give me a chance to court you.”

  “Mr. Welby!”

  He’d gone too far. He could see it in her eyes. That tiny spark of fire suggested anger. He stood and put on his hat. “Please know that if I’ve overstepped my bounds in what I said, I apologize. I didn’t mean to allow the conversation to take an indiscreet turn. I will, instead, take my leave.” He paused a moment and gave her his saddest look of longing. At least he hoped that’s how it played out.

  “I shall always regret you. I don’t even know how to find the will to go on if you are unwilling to change your mind. I will, however, wait to do anything rash for one week. If after that time you are still of a mind to forget me, then I shall seek the necessary means to put you from my mind.”

  Abrianna shot up at this. “Grief, Mr. Welby, you are worse at making me feel guilty than Aunt Miriam, and she’s quite accomplished. You mustn’t allow yourself to think such dire thoughts. I would advise you to get spiritual counsel. I realize our little church is currently without a pastor, but t
here are the elders and of course other churches with strong men of God.”

  “Oh, there you are, Abrianna,” Flora Ledbetter called out but came up short as she spied Mr. Welby. “Excuse me. I didn’t know you had company.”

  “It’s quite all right.” Abrianna looked at him and then to Flora. “Miss Ledbetter, this is Mr. Priam Welby.” She turned back to Welby. “This is Miss Ledbetter. She is a new student to the school. Perhaps you might get to know her better when you attend the monthly receptions. Although my aunts will have her behind the refreshment tables for some months to come, you might actually be able to strike up a conversation across the punch bowl.”

  “Miss Ledbetter, I’m charmed to meet you.” Priam gave a little bow. “However, I don’t believe I will be attending any more receptions.” He tried his best to sound utterly hopeless and defeated. “I bid you both . . . good-bye.” He paused for measure and added, “I mean good day.”

  Abrianna wasn’t at all sure if Mr. Welby was serious in his thoughts of ending it all, at least that was the implication she’d assumed. He didn’t come right out and say he would kill himself over her, but he did speak of delaying rash action.

  “Is he a friend of yours?” Flora asked.

  “Goodness, no. He was to have courted me, but that was prior to my realizing that I was in love with Wade.” She watched Welby’s carriage leave the grounds and go slowly down the street. Turning away, she shook her head. “What a perfectly complicated man.”

  “He has rather large ears,” Flora said.

  Abrianna looked at her as if finally finding a kindred soul. “Exactly my observation. I’ve said that on many occasions, and while I would not refuse a gentleman merely because of the size of his ears, they are a terrible distraction. That along with his dark eyes. They seem to be set apart rather far.”