The Widow's Choice

by Gilbert, Morris

  “How much is it, Dr. Roberts?”

  “It’s a free sample.”

  “Now, Doctor, I don’t believe that.”

  He smiled. “I don’t care whether you believe it or not. You give the boys what I tell you and don’t argue.”

  Alona shook her head but she couldn’t help but grin as she accepted the medicine he held out. “I’m going to get a spoon and give them the first dose right now.” She went into the kitchen and quickly came back with a spoon.

  “Say, I’ve just recruited a sinner for the choir,” he told her as she gave each boy some cough syrup. “Oscar’s been telling me that Jason’s got the best voice he’s ever heard. Clear as a bell and powerful he says. I told Jason I’d come visit your boys if he’d agree to sing in the choir. He’s scared to death of his brother, so he agreed. Don’t know what the pastor and the music director will think, though.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Jason’s not a Christian. He made a profession of faith when he was very young, about fourteen, I think, and did well for a time. But he got away from the Lord somehow or other. Have you heard about that trouble he had in the navy?”

  “Oscar told me he crashed his plane.”

  “Yes, he did. It’s a miracle he got out of it. But it did something to him. You should have known him before that. Full of life, ready to try anything. Now he drinks too much, although I guess any drinking at all is too much for a Baptist. The way I figure it, he’s better off in church even if he’s not living a Christian life. He’ll get to hear some good preaching and be around good people. It may be just what he needs to help him get back into a relationship with the Lord.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Dr. Roberts.”

  “There’s a good man inside Jason somewhere. It just got lost somewhere along the line.” He snapped his bag shut and went over to the couch to pat each of the boys on the shoulder. “These boys will be all right.”

  “Thank you so much for coming. That was so kind of you.”

  “Don’t you give it another thought.”

  The two went into the kitchen to get Jason and found him sitting on a chair, stroking Buddy’s head, with Buddy’s paws propped up on his lap. “Just push him away, Jason,” Alona told him.

  “I think this dog is love starved.” Jason grinned at her. He leaned over and let the dog lick him on the face. “You see? He’ll even kiss a stranger. You’ve been ignoring this animal.”

  Alona laughed. “Ignoring that dog! Not likely. He’s spoiled to death.”

  “Are you ready to go, Jason?” Dr. Roberts asked.

  “You go on ahead, Doctor. I know you have other house calls to make. I’m going to walk back to the foundry.”

  “Are you sure I can’t give you a lift?”

  “Nah. I like to walk. Thanks anyway.”

  Alona showed the doctor to the door, thanking him again for coming. She went back into the kitchen to find Jason talking to Buddy.

  “He’s a beautiful animal. I’ve always liked collies.” He held Buddy’s head between his hands and moved it gently back and forth. “They’re smart, nervy, and loyal to a fault. I had one when I was growing up. When he died, I thought I was going to die too.”

  Alona offered her sympathy and sat down at the table with him, talking about dogs.

  “I’d better get going now,” he said after a few minutes.

  “I really appreciate your bringing the doctor. I . . . I was starting to worry about the boys.”

  “It’s pretty hard to take charity, isn’t it?” Jason grinned wryly. “I’ve taken a lot of it the last few years. Haven’t ever learned to like it, though.”

  “Do you enjoy your work at the foundry?”

  “I hate every second of it, but Oscar’s been good to me. Anybody else would have kicked me out on my ear a long time ago.”

  “I understand he raised you from the age of ten.”

  “Yes, that’s true.” Jason shrugged. “I never had a mother, you know. She died when I was born. And when our father died when I was ten, Oscar just took over. I’ll always be grateful to him for that. No telling where I’d be today if it weren’t for him.”

  “Dr. Roberts tells me you’re going to be singing in the choir.”

  Jason sobered. “That’s his fool idea. I’ll do it, though, because I promised.”

  “It’s a wonderful choir. I enjoy it so much.”

  “I guess you need one sinner there to balance all the saints.”

  “You shouldn’t talk like that! You’re a Christian, aren’t you?”

  “I think I’ve lost my birth certificate. I guess I used to be saved, but I haven’t acted like it for the last few years.”

  “What happened?” She was hoping she could get him to talk about it.

  “I’m like that sheep. The one out of a hundred that wandered away.”

  “That happens sometimes. But you’ll be in church now, so if you let Him, the Lord will bring you back.”

  She saw that he was disturbed by the remark, and his face was stiff. Even as she watched him struggle for a reply, she thought what a handsome man he was. Oscar had told her he was twenty-eight, which made him just a couple of years younger than she was. “It will be good. You’ll see,” she said.

  “Maybe so. Can’t hurt, I guess.” He got up and left the house without saying another word.

  Alona was surprised by his abrupt departure, but she started making preparations for the noon meal. She had just taken the pans out of the drain pan in the sink when she heard a loud smack coming from the back yard. She looked out the window and saw Jason lift the ax and strike a blow at one of the round sections of log. It fell apart easily. He picked one of the split logs up and struck it again. He was strong and had evidently split a lot of wood before, for every strike split the wood as cleanly as if it was cloven rock.

  “I shouldn’t let him do that, but he’s got a stubborn streak. I expect he’d do it no matter what I said.” Jason was still splitting wood by the time lunch was ready. She went to the back step and called, “Jason, come in and have some lunch.”

  “That sounds good.” He swung the ax into the chopping block and then came inside, his face flushed from the exercise.

  “You can wash up in the bathroom.” She showed him where it was and went into the living room to call the boys to lunch.

  When Jason came back, Zac said, “You don’t look like your brother.”

  “No, I sure don’t. Which one of us do you think’s the most handsome?”

  “You are,” Carl said at once.

  “Well, that’s nice of you to say so, but he’s a far more reliable man than I am.”

  “He gave us lots of presents for Christmas,” Carl said.

  “Yes, I heard about that. He loves kids. He raised me for much of my life. He’s been more like a dad to me than a brother.”

  They all sat down at the table to eat their soup and sandwiches, with Zac firing questions at their visitor. When he found out that Jason had been a pilot in the navy, he grew very excited. “Tell us about it,” he said. “What’s it like to fly?”

  Jason told them a little about the exhilaration of flying and explained how the planes landed on aircraft carriers. But then he dropped his head for a moment. “At one time it was the biggest part of my life, but I don’t fly anymore.”

  “Why not?” Carl demanded. “If I could fly an airplane, I’d want to fly all the time.”

  Alona saw something change in the tall man’s face. She wasn’t sure, but part of it may have been sadness. He said quietly, “I had a pretty bad accident, so I don’t fly anymore.”

  “That’s enough questions. You boys are through eating. Why don’t you go back and get all warm and cozy on the couch and listen to the radio.”

  When they were gone, she said, “You’ll have to excuse the boys. They’re full of questions. My oldest son, Tim—he’s at school—is fairly quiet, but those two younger ones never stop.”

  “It’s all
right.” He turned the coffee cup around in his hands, and she noticed how strong they looked, with long fingers. “That’s sad about your accident . . . with the plane, I mean.”

  “It was pretty well the end of the world for me.”

  Alona did not pursue the subject. “You never married?” she asked. Then she laughed. “I’m as bad as the boys. We’re a bunch of busybodies around here.”

  “That’s all right. No, I never married. Wouldn’t saddle a woman with a fellow like me. I’d be the world’s worst husband.”

  Alona didn’t know how to respond.

  “What about your son Tim?” Jason went on. “What’s he like?”

  “Like I said, he’s very different from my other two boys. Very artistic.”

  “Is that right! In what way?”

  “He likes to draw and paint. He says he’d like to be an artist.”

  “Well, he and I will have something in common, then.”

  “Oh? Are you a painter?”

  “I thought I might be at one time. I still fiddle with it and I enjoy it, but I’m not too talented.”

  When he looked up, she noticed again how bright his blue eyes were. They were very penetrating, and there was a strength in his face that she rarely saw in a man. He’s so handsome, she thought. It’s a wonder some woman hasn’t married him, no matter what he says.

  “I’ve got an idea. I’ve got a lot of painting supplies. I don’t use them much anymore. I wonder if Tim would like some of them.”

  “He would love them, but what he needs even more is somebody to talk to. A man, that is.”

  “I’m a good talker. And I suppose a fair listener too. I’m just not much of a doer, as my brother will tell you.”

  “Your brother has been very kind to us.”

  “He’s grown fond of your boys and of you too.” He took a sip of his coffee. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him show any interest in a woman. At first I thought he just liked being around the boys, but now that I’ve seen you and gotten to know you a little bit, I don’t think it’s only that.”

  “Oh, there’s nothing to that!” Alona said, her face burning with embarrassment. “He just likes the boys.”

  “So you say. But about Tim. I’ll drop by later and bring him some paints and easels and things.”

  “That would be wonderful. He got a few supplies from Oscar for Christmas, but I’m sure he would make good use of anything that you don’t think you’ll be using.”

  “That’s settled, then. Thanks for the lunch. I’ll fill your woodboxes, and then I’ll be going.”

  He left the house, and Alona sat at the table thinking about how different the brothers were. Jason made one trip in to fill the woodbox in the living room and another trip for the kitchen.

  “That’ll do you for a while. I’ll see you later.”

  “Thanks so much. I really appreciate all you’ve done—especially bringing the doctor.”

  “You’ll have to thank Oscar for that. It was his idea. But I did enjoy chopping the wood. At least I’m good at that. When Tim gets home from school, tell him I’ll come by later with the paints and stuff.”

  She watched him go, walking away with a quick stride. “Tim will like it so much,” she whispered aloud.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  A New Voice in Choir

  “Oscar, I wanted to thank you for what you did for my boys—sending Dr. Roberts over.”

  Oscar Moran had been about to enter the Sunday school room for his class. He smiled at Alona. “I hated to think about them being sick and not getting any medicine.”

  “I’m afraid I wasn’t very nice to Jason at first. I practically ran him off. That’s my foolish pride, of course.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t take it that way, Alona. I’ve got plenty of money. You know that, and I spend more on all kinds of foolishness than a doctor’s visit costs.”

  She laughed. “I can’t imagine you doing anything foolish.”

  “Well, I spend way too much money on cigars, for one thing, which the doctor doesn’t even want me to smoke. I sneak around at times, though, and have one.”

  Alona laughed and put her hand on Oscar’s arm. “I can’t imagine you sneaking around to do anything. You’re the most straightforward man I’ve ever known in my life.”

  He grinned. “I guess I’ve been called worse things than straightforward.”

  “I’ve got to get to the nursery now.”

  “Jason told me about how he had to promise Dr. Roberts he’d join the choir in exchange for his making the visit.”

  “I think that was a good idea the doctor had.”

  “I suppose so. He hasn’t been in church since he left the navy. I’ve tried to persuade him to join me, but he can be a pretty stubborn fellow at times. And, of course, you can’t make a person go to church.”

  “He does have a fine voice, the doctor says.”

  “Oh yes, he’s always been a great singer! He took after his mother in that respect. She had a beautiful voice. As a matter of fact, he’s a great deal like her in appearance, as well as in personality. I’m more like our father.”

  “Well, we can always use some good, strong male voices in the choir. I have to go now. I think we might have a full nursery this morning. Thank you again, Oscar. It was very generous of you.”

  “It was nothing at all,” he said and waved.

  Alona turned and went directly to the nursery, where she found the pastor’s wife manning the fort. Since Hazel always came to church early with her husband, she was always there when the first babies arrived. Alona and Hazel would leave the nursery to another pair of ladies when they went to sing in the choir during the worship service.

  Alona went over and looked in one of the cribs, where a baby girl with a ribbon clipped into her hair stared owlishly up at her. “Hello, you sweet little thing.” Alona leaned over the crib and let the baby grasp her finger. “I wish I had three just like you.”

  “What in the world would you wish that for, Alona?” Hazel asked.

  “That’s what my husband always said. He wanted three girls to go with the three boys. He always said we needed a matched set.”

  Hazel knew how much Alona still missed her husband. “How are the boys?” she asked.

  “They’re absolutely fine now. They’re completely over that bug. Did you hear what Oscar did?”

  “No. What was that?”

  Alona told her how Oscar had sent Jason to take her boys to the doctor, and how she had refused and then Jason had simply brought the doctor to her. “I think he’s got some of Oscar’s stubbornness in him. He simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

  “I’m glad Jason’s going to sing in the choir. Paul told me that he’ll be coming. We’ll have to pray for him.”

  Alona picked up a chubby baby boy who was fussing and sat down and began rocking him. “Oscar’s been so helpful to me, but I guess he is to everyone.”

  “No, not really.”

  Alona looked up with surprise. “Why would you say that?”

  “I’m sure he’s generous with his donations to the church, but he’s rather tight with his workers. I suppose with this depression he has to be. Everyone says that he saved his business when others went down by being tight and hard.”

  “I never see that in him, but of course I don’t work at the foundry.” She rocked the baby for a few moments. “I wonder why he never married again.”

  “Plenty of women have wanted to marry him but none of them have succeeded. Do you know about his heart trouble?”

  “No, what’s the problem?”

  “He had a heart attack about a year ago. He seems to have gotten over it, though. Dr. Roberts pulled him through. Put him on a strict diet, made him quit smoking, and tried to get him to exercise.”

  “I didn’t know that. He looks healthy enough.”

  “He still weighs too much. Dr. Roberts keeps trying to get him to lose more weight.” Hazel looked at Alona with one eyebrow raised. “Everyon
e’s talking about how much Oscar seems to care for you. I’ve heard rumors of wedding bells.”

  “Really! That’s foolishness! It’s nothing like that.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I am. He’s just interested in my kids.”

  “Has he ever asked you out?”

  “No. Not in the way you mean.” To change the subject, she said, “Jason is very different, isn’t he?”

  “Yes, he is. You’d never know he and Oscar are related. After Jason’s plane crash, he started drinking. He nearly drank himself to death. Oscar went searching and finally found him living in a run-down shack some forty miles away. Practically pulled him out of the gutter and convinced him to come here. Gave him a roof over his head and put him to work at the foundry.”

  “From what I understand, he led a good Christian life until the crash,” Alone said. “I guess that took all the strength out of him.”

  “I don’t think a thing like a crash would have fazed Oscar.”

  “No, it wouldn’t. Oscar would have stood up and gotten into another plane that same day. Some people are strong and some aren’t. I guess Jason just doesn’t have that kind of strength.”

  ****

  “Alona, I’d like to take the boys to my hunting camp for a few days. I’m getting a group of guys together.”

  Alona invited Oscar in and led him into the living room. “Your hunting camp?” she asked. “What’s that?”

  “I own some land out north of town. I built a pretty nice cabin on it. I used to go to it more than I do now, but it’s not much fun going alone.”

  “And you want to take the boys?”

  “Yes. And I’ve also invited the pastor and his boys, Mike and Roger. James Glover is going to be there with his son Leon. They’re all about the same age as your boys.”

  “It sounds wonderful! What would they do?”

  “We’ll try to get a deer or two and do some fishing.”