Love Finds Faith

by Martha Rogers

  “Of course; I’ll be in as soon as she arrives.” Mrs. Jarvis was recovering from deep lung congestion, and the doctor wanted to keep a close eye on her because of her age. The elderly woman had recently celebrated her eighty-first birthday, and Manfred wanted to keep her healthy.

  That shouldn’t be a problem for the feisty woman who still took care of her own home and boarded two young men who’d recently come to town. Hannah stowed the last bandage and smiled. She should look so good and be so active when she reached eighty years of age or more.

  With that chore finished, Hannah checked her watch. At least twenty minutes remained before Mrs. Jarvis would be in, but knowing her, ten minutes could be cut from that time. Mrs. Jarvis always arrived at least ten minutes ahead of her appointment time. A cup of tea would definitely hit the spot right now.

  In the kitchen Hannah found the kettle of water always kept hot on the back of the stove. She made her tea, found a cinnamon cookie in the tin, and sat down to enjoy her break. As she sipped her tea, questions and doubts about Micah returned again and again. She pressed her lips together, remembering the kiss last Saturday. Everything had gone so well until the subject of Hannah’s faith came up.

  Micah either didn’t want to believe God could love him, or he didn’t want to admit that God’s love had kept him safe all the years he’d been away. Either way, until Micah made a decision to accept the Lord back into his life, she doubted he would make any effort to see her or further their relationship. Nor, in truth, could she encourage him to do so.

  Sallie came into the kitchen and grabbed her apron from a hook by the door. “Oh, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “I’m taking a break before Mrs. Jarvis gets here. I thought maybe a cup of tea would cheer me up a little.” Although it did soothe, the herbal brew did nothing for her morale.

  “I see.” Sallie pulled out a chair and sat across the table from Hannah. “I take it you’re still thinking about Micah.”

  “You’re right, I am. Things were going so smoothly as we talked, and I really thought he would come around to seeing God’s love for him again. But he hasn’t even tried to see me or communicate with me this past week. It’s been the longest week of my life.”

  “I’m sure it has, but you have to give him as much time as it takes for him to work out what he wants. Now that Levi is home and helping out, he has more time to think about his future and the place of God in his life. Our Lord is patient and understanding, so you must be too.”

  Patience had never been one of Hannah’s virtues, and every time she needed it, it eluded her even more. “I know, but waiting is so hard. What if he never comes back to his faith? Where will that leave us?”

  “I can’t answer that, sweetie. Only the Lord knows what’s in Micah’s heart and in his future. If that future does include you, it will become clear to him, and he will come to you.”

  If that never happened, her heart would break. For the first time in her life a man had said he loved her, and she loved him back. She had dreamed of that day, but now it seemed that nothing would come of it. She’d go on being a nurse until she could no longer carry out her duties.

  “My head knows that, but my heart wants Micah now. Being in love with him is like nothing I ever imagined. My only concern is for his happiness and well-being. It turns September tomorrow, and soon they’ll be leaving with the cattle to take them to auction. If only I could know something before they leave.”

  Molly burst through the door with all the energy of an eleven-year-old. “Papa said to tell you Mrs. Jarvis is here.”

  “Oh, my, the time went too fast.” Hannah drained the last of her tea and hurried to the front where Manfred stood with Mrs. Jarvis.

  “Sorry I’m late. I went back to the kitchen for a cup of tea.”

  Mrs. Jarvis stood no more than an inch over five feet tall, but her stance made her appear inches taller. “That’s quite all right, my dear. I’m a bit early as usual, and a spot of tea in the afternoon always picks up my spirits.”

  Hannah followed Mrs. Jarvis and Manfred into the examining room. All thoughts of Micah must be put on hold for the time being. She had a patient who needed her attention.

  Micah pulled off his bandana and wiped his forehead. The heat bore down, reminding him that it was the last day of August. In a few days they’d be herding these cattle on a drive to market.

  Having Levi back in the fold had eased Micah’s burden, but after two days of checking into prices for bulls and wiring around for the best cattle prices, he found he missed riding with his men. Now here he sat on Smokey in the heat and dust checking on his men and the cattle.

  In order to drive the cattle the six hundred miles or so to Dodge City and get back before winter set in, they planned to leave next week. If they made ten to fifteen miles a day, they’d get to market and be back before Thanksgiving. With the loan being due the first of December, that would be a good timeline.

  Roy Bateman rode to his side. “Levi and I worked out the trail positions for our drive. You and he will be my point men. We’ll rotate the others and set up a lottery for first positions. You think that new kid, Jeremy Dobbs, can handle the remuda?”

  “Yes. Even though it’s not the best job to have and you always give it to the newest boys, with his love of horses, he should do fine.” During his seventeenth year that had been Micah’s job, and it hadn’t been easy.

  “All right. We’ll take care of the rest of it tonight at the bunkhouse.”

  Levi rode up to join them. “The herd looks good.” Then he grinned at Micah. “I thought you were going to stay away from this until time to leave. Why aren’t you back at the house ciphering up numbers?”

  “Strange as it may sound, after the past few months on the job, I found I missed it.”

  “That’s a good one. But I tell you right now, I’m ready to get back to the house and get some of Ma’s cooking in my belly. It’ll be a long while before we have it after we leave.”

  He waved at Bateman. “I’ll see you at the bunkhouse later tonight.” He reined his horse around. “If you’re coming with me, I’ll race you back. Maverick’s still faster than anything you can ride.” With that he slapped Maverick’s rump and took off.

  Micah waved his hat. “Yee-haw, little brother, you’re on!”

  When they arrived back at the ranch house, Levi beat Micah out by only a few feet. As Micah pulled Smokey up at the corral, he noticed a strange horse tied up near the house. “Looks like we have company. Let’s check on Ma.”

  He left his horse at the corral and headed for the house with Levi right behind him. When he entered the parlor, Mr. Murphy sat talking with Ma. She wore a face-splitting grin, and Mr. Murphy appeared a might pleased himself.

  “Oh, Micah, Levi, Mr. Murphy has wonderful news.”

  “Yes, I do. Have a seat and I’ll explain it to you.”

  Micah and Levi exchanged looks and raised eyebrows, but they sat down to hear what the man had to say. “Did you figure a way for us both to have the ranch?” Micah asked.

  “Matter of fact I did, and that’s the second thing I have to tell you. The first is that in going through Mr. Gordon’s papers, I came across an investment he’d made a number of years ago. It was a partnership in a silver mine up in Colorado. Your mother tells me she remembers him doing it to help a friend get a mine started. I did some checking and contacted the owners. They had lost track of your father and are quite anxious to buy your father’s portion.”

  Micah’s mouth dropped open. A silver mine in Colorado? “Is it worth it to sell it?”

  Ma could hardly contain her enthusiasm. “That’s the best part. You won’t believe it.”

  Murphy grinned. “It’s enough to more than pay back the bank loan, take care of the mortgage, and all the other expenses.”

  Micah glanced at Levi. He wore the same incredulous look as Micah felt deep inside. This was the answer to all their problems with the ranch. Now the money from the cattle sale could be
invested back into the ranch. “Then do it. Sell it and take care of the bank.”

  “I hoped you’d say that because I have the papers all ready for you to sign.”

  Levi leaned forward. “That’s all well and good, but what about the other?”

  Again Murphy grinned and extracted another sheet of paper from his carrying case. “As soon as the loans are paid at the bank, Swenson will turn over the deed, and I’ll make arrangements to put it in both your names.”

  Micah shook his head and grinned. “That’s even better news than the silver mine.” Micah stretched out his hand to Levi. “Looks like we’ll be partners, brother.”

  Levi laughed and shook Micah’s hand. “That sounds like the best deal I’ve ever heard.”

  If any more good news came his way, Micah’s heart might burst clean out of his chest. In less than fifteen minutes all their immediate problems had been solved. Pa had left them more than they ever dreamed. God had answered their prayers. Yes, he’d acknowledge God on this one. No one but Him could ever have put together such a miracle for this family.

  With that realization came one more. He had to see Hannah and make things right with her. After he’d neglected her all week, she might not welcome him now, but he had to try. In the midst of the celebrating with his family he sent a plea heavenward. Lord, You’ve done this mighty miracle, but can I please ask for one more? Let Your love flow through me and show Hannah how much I love her and how I now understand what she told me about You.

  When God answered that prayer, his life would be complete.

  CHAPTER 29

  AFTER SPENDING SATURDAY making final preparations for the cattle drive, Micah had dropped into bed exhausted, but he had fallen asleep with the knowledge he’d be at church and would see Hannah today.

  Filled with anticipation, he rose from bed early and dressed in his best black pants, white shirt, and black leather vest. The aroma of bacon and biscuits drifted up the stairs and hastened his last bit of grooming.

  When he entered the kitchen, Ma hummed her favorite hymn. He couldn’t remember the name, but the familiar sound filled Micah with peace and comfort. He bent over and pecked her cheek with a kiss.

  “You sound mighty happy this morning.” He reached around to snag a piece of crisp bacon.

  She slapped at his hand. “I have every reason to be. Both my boys are back home, and from the looks of you, we’re all going to church this morning.”

  “Yes, we are. That is if my lazy, late-rising brother and sisters can get ready in time.”

  Margaret slipped through the back door. “Oh, we’ll be ready. I’ve been up a lot longer than you.” She handed a basket of eggs to Ma. “If I hadn’t, you might have cold grits for breakfast.”

  A few minutes later Ma poured the beaten eggs into the skillet, and the rest of the family joined them in the kitchen. Rose hugged Micah’s waist. “Are you going to church with us today?”

  Micah pulled a braid and laughed. “Yes, I am, little one. We’re going to be a family this morning.” In addition, he’d get to see Hannah. Now if God answered that one last prayer, it’d be an even better day.

  Margaret picked up a stack of plates. “Would your mind also be on Hannah Dyer? She’s a fine catch, you know.” She winked at him and slipped through the door to the dining room.

  Ma simply smiled and stacked biscuits on a platter. Even Rose had a smirk on her face as she poured a glass of milk. His family had ganged up on him this morning, but he didn’t care. He’d shout his love for Hannah from the rooftop if it would make a difference.

  Later, as they rode up to the church as a family once more, Hannah saw them and waved. The expression on her face lit up his heart like those fireworks he’d seen up in Dallas one July Fourth. She made her way through the gathering crowd to the carriage.

  “Oh, my, it’s so good to see all of you here this morning.” She spoke to Ma and Margaret, but her gaze strayed Micah’s way. He touched the brim of his hat in greeting, and her cheeks burned red again as she turned away from him and locked arms with Margaret. When she stumbled going up the steps, Micah frowned. He’d forgotten about her shortened leg. This time, instead of pity, a sense of wanting to protect her and hold her and make sure she never stumbled or fell again swept over him.

  After everyone was seated inside the church, Ma’s beaming face made this trip worth the effort of coming. Once, as a child, he’d believed God was good and loved everyone. He remembered the Bible verse he’d proudly said as a five-year-old. “God is love” from chapter four of First John, the sixteenth verse. Of course it wasn’t the whole verse, but that’s what he remembered.

  Reverend Weatherby set his gaze on the Gordon family. “We are full of joy this morning to see the Gordon family with us. God has answered our prayers and brought these two brothers together.”

  Murmurs and smiles of approval swept the room and surrounded the family, especially Micah, with love. How could he have missed the love in this church? His own selfish pride had blinded him to the truth. He turned his attention to the minister, who began his sermon for the morning.

  When Reverend Weatherby began quoting verses from First John, chapter four, a lump grew in Micah’s throat as the pastor read from the Bible. “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

  Affirmation of what he’d come to believe sent a shiver through Micah. If he ever believed the Bible, then he had to believe the verses read from the pulpit. Then another verse came to his memory. We love him, because he first loved us.

  That scripture took on a whole new meaning for Micah, and he couldn’t wait to talk with Hannah and tell her what had happened. After what seemed an eternity, the message ended and the last song was sung and the last prayer given.

  Micah scooted from the pew and sought Hannah’s red-gold hair in the crowd. He spotted her talking with her niece Molly. He approached them and touched Hannah’s arm. “May I have a few words with you, please?”

  Molly’s eyes crinkled at the corners, and she grinned at Micah. “I’ll be outside with Mama and Papa.” Then she winked at them and hastened up the aisle to the foyer.

  Hannah lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. Molly can be precocious at times.”

  “That’s all right, but can we step outside where it’s less crowded?” What he had to say to her wasn’t meant for the listening ears of parishioners.

  “Of course.” She swished her skirt and headed outside.

  Micah followed, and at the bottom of the steps nodded toward a few trees to the side of the church. Once they were alone, he stared at her. So much to say, but where could he start? “Hannah, I don’t even know where to begin. The reason I left Stoney Creek in the first place was because Pa and I didn’t see eye to eye. I always thought he didn’t love me or approve of me, so I ran. Not only did I run from Pa, but I ran from God because I believed God must not love me either because nothing I did was right. I blamed God for all my failures and the bad condition I was in. Then I decided I didn’t want to live that way, pulled myself together, found a job, made enough money, then came home.”

  Nothing changed in Hannah’s expression. Her clear blue eyes offered no judgment, no condemnation. He went on. “When I returned, everything went from bad to worse, and I blamed God for it all again. He was punishing me, and I didn’t like it.”

  She grasped his arm. “Oh, Micah, God never stopped loving you.”

  “I know that now, and Reverend Weatherby’s message this morning opened my eyes to something else. God’s love is always there. He never takes it away. He’s loved me all through these years of rebellion.” Micah’s heart pounded as he spoke the words aloud, words he never dreamed of saying again. Now, with the woman he loved standing before him, he began to understand the deeper side of God’s love.

  “God protected you all those years. Even in the poor choices you made, He protected your life and kept you safe. Think of the timing for your return. God already
knew your pa would die and when, so He made sure you were home to give support to your mother and sisters. He gave you the ranch so you could learn responsibility. His hands have been all over you.”

  When his mother had said almost the same thing to him, the words had fallen on deaf ears. Now the truth of those words sank deep into his soul. He’d truly come home now, and with God’s help, everything would fall into place.

  A peace like he’d never experienced came over him. Nothing could keep him from being the son his father wanted to see before his death. Only one thing remained unresolved.

  Micah grasped Hannah’s hands in his and pulled them to his chest. “Hannah, do you think you could love a prodigal sinner like me? Is there hope for a life with you?”

  Her eyes opened wide, and her mouth broadened into the brightest smile he’d ever seen. She leaned in toward him. “That is a most definite possibility. In fact, I’d say it’s a sure thing. You’re a good man, Micah Gordon, and I love you.”

  “What do you think they’ll say if I kiss you right here at the church?”

  “Who cares what they think? If you don’t, I’m going to pull your face down to mine and kiss you. Then they will have something to talk about.”

  He leaned down until his lips were only an inch away from hers. “Can’t have that kind of talk about the woman I love.” When their lips met, Micah gently pressed her lips until he wanted to burst. His arms went around her, and she lifted her hands to shoulders. He pressed harder, and she returned the kiss with as much love as he had for her.

  Hannah drank in the love that flowed between the two of them. In all her dreams of love she could never have imagined such intensity of emotion. This could go on forever, but voices laughing and calling out intervened. She pushed back from Micah. “I think we do have an audience.”

  She turned her head, as did Micah, to where Levi with Ellie, and Margaret with James, stood clapping their hands. Levi even whistled. Ellie headed toward them with her arms open wide, and Margaret joined in right behind.