“What’s that, Son?” Mother eyed the bundle.
“It’s a gift for Clarissa and Marissa.”
The twins turned toward him, their eyes wide. “For us?” they exclaimed in unison.
Clarissa took the package and untied the string. The brown paper fell away, and she and her sister saw two small Bibles inside.
Clarissa looked up at him, her eyes moist. “Oh, Ollie, thank you! This is the best gift we’ve ever received.”
Marissa smiled, her eyes moist too, and reached for one of the Books. “Yes, thank you so much, Ollie. I shall treasure this always.” She ran her hand softly across the smooth leather.
Ollie continued to gaze into Clarissa’s eyes. He couldn’t look away if he’d wanted to, which, of course, he didn’t.
❧
On the way to church on Sunday, Mrs. Jenson talked about the decision the young women had made earlier in the week. “When the pastor asks if anyone wants to accept Jesus, you can go forward and let the whole church know you’ve asked Him into your lives, if that’s what you want to do.”
Marissa smiled and nodded. “I felt a strong desire to go to the front of the church at the end of both services I’ve attended, but I didn’t know why.”
“That was the Lord calling you.” Mrs. Jenson took Marissa’s hand in hers. “You don’t have to go forward, but the Bible does tell us that if we confess openly that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we’ll be saved.”
Lowell glanced over his shoulder at Marissa. “Pastor Harrelson may ask if you want to join the church. You might like to think about what you’ll tell him.”
Marissa looked at Clari. What should they tell him? Where would they be after the first of October?
Mrs. Jenson broke into Marissa’s thoughts. “You don’t have to join the church, if you don’t want to.”
“Oh, we want to, don’t we, Clari?”
Clarissa nodded, and Mrs. Jenson smiled. “Then it’s settled. You can join the church today.”
“But we don’t know where we’ll be after the trial.” Marissa couldn’t shake this worry from her mind.
“Are you planning on going somewhere else?” Mrs. Jenson asked.
“No, but we probably need to find a job—or something.”
“You’ll stay with us as long as you want to. When the Lord provides something else for you, then you may go.” Mrs. Jenson’s declaration sounded final.
At the beginning of the service, the congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Marissa hadn’t heard the hymn before, but it expressed her feelings exactly. No matter what happened later, she and Clari would have one special Friend who would never leave them.
❧
On Saturday, September 21, Anna Jenson and August Nilsson were married. Lowell and Ollie escorted Marissa and Clarissa to the wedding. While Anna and August repeated their vows, Lowell listened with his ears and his heart. He wanted a home and a family. Had God brought Marissa into his life for that purpose? She and her sister had traveled all over the western United States. No one had helped them find a better way of living until they visited Litchfield. Had God planned for him and his family to rescue them from their stepfather? Did He have other plans for these young women too? Was that why Lowell felt as if his heartstrings were tied to Marissa’s?
He had thought she was sweet and quiet. But during the last few weeks, he had watched her spirit emerge like a butterfly from a cocoon. Her love of the Lord gave her an added peace and radiance—a radiance that was like sunshine to his heart. He didn’t want to think about her ever leaving his home and family.
At the wedding reception, Lowell observed the love Anna and August showed each other. He knew in his heart he felt the same way about Marissa. Could there be a wedding in their future? When he returned home, he spent a long time on his knees seeking God’s will about the relationship that had developed between them.
The next day, as they were preparing for church, Lowell didn’t even hear Ollie when he asked him a question, so lost was he in his thoughts.
After dinner, Lowell and his brother set out for Ollie’s half-finished house. They had agreed they needed to talk and work off some of the tension they were feeling.
“You haven’t been working as diligently on the house lately, but I know you want to complete it.” Lowell glanced at his brother as they rode toward the knoll.
“I’ve wanted to spend as much time as I could around the sisters.”
Lowell smiled. “One in particular?”
Ollie laughed. “As if you didn’t know!”
They dismounted and walked up the steps to the front porch. The outside walls were finished, and the roof protected the interior from the weather. Inside, though the stairs leading to the second floor were in place, many of the walls were still just studs.
“I need your help to finish this house.” Ollie walked through a doorway framed in one wall. “I’m thinking about asking Clarissa to marry me.” He turned to look at Lowell, who was smiling. “You’re not surprised, are you?”
Lowell shoved his hands into his back pockets and rocked up on the balls of his feet. “No. I knew you were thinking about her the same way I’ve been thinking about Marissa. Have you prayed about it?”
Ollie rubbed the back of his neck. “It feels as if that’s all I’ve done for a week now.”
Lowell nodded but said nothing.
“I believe that’s why God brought them to our town. So He could use us to rescue them—and so I could marry her.”
Lowell crossed to a window and gazed out. The view from the parlor would be breathtaking, whatever the season. This would make a wonderful home for Ollie’s family. “At least they would live close together.” He turned to his brother. “They need to be near each other.”
They shared a hearty laugh. It felt good.
“Maybe Gustaf will help us some, and even August, after he and Anna have had some time alone together. We’ve helped both of them when they were building. We could probably finish the inside of the house before Thanksgiving if we try.”
Sixteen
Tuesday, October 1, dawned clear and cool. The bright sunshine couldn’t lift the gloom that had settled over Marissa, though. She dreaded this day. How could she face Pierre while she testified against him? But she knew the only way she and her sister could be free from his hold on their lives was to send him to prison for his crimes.
Marissa pictured the room full of people. The knot in her stomach tightened. She had never liked being the center of attention, and everyone at the trial would be looking at her and listening to what she said. She dropped to her knees beside the bed and poured out her heart to Jesus. A short time later she stood, walked to the washstand, and rinsed her face in the bowl of water; she felt stronger than she had in a long time.
Conversation during breakfast was light. The others must have felt the gravity of the day also. Afterward, Marissa and her sister went to their rooms to dress for court; they chose dark clothing to match their moods. Neither one fixed her hair in an elaborate style, instead pulling it back and securing it in a bun on the nape of her neck. And neither girl spoke.
Lowell and Ollie waited for them at the bottom of the stairs. Mrs. Jenson came from the kitchen to join them when they headed for the surrey. Even the trip into town was silent. The others were lost in their own thoughts, just as Marissa was in hers.
When Mother married Pierre, he had been kind to her and Clari. She thought he would be a good stepfather. She was young enough not to know the dark side of life then. Everything around her had been bright and good. After Mother became sick, Pierre began to show his true nature, but only when Mother wasn’t around. Marissa wanted to remember the good times before her mother was sick, but the recent past kept intruding on those memories.
The teacher had dismissed the students for the day so the trial could take place in the schoolhouse. The townspeople were gathered in small clusters in front of the building, ta
lking. Marissa looked away, then closed her eyes and prayed before Lowell helped her alight from the surrey.
Inside the schoolhouse, Pierre sat at a table near the front, but he was turned toward the door. Marissa tried to look away, but his gaze locked with hers, sending cold chills down her spine. He studied her, as a rattlesnake studies its prey before striking. She could see his hands clenched into tight fists at his side, as they had been in the past before he struck her. Her breath came in short gasps. She felt something almost tangible reaching out from him to pull her back into his grasp. He mouthed some words at her. They looked like, I’ll get you for this.
Marissa looked at Clari. Her face had paled to the color of chalk. Her eyes wide with fear, she grasped her hands so tightly her knuckles had become white. Marissa wanted to flee from that room and never look back. But she couldn’t. She had to testify. She had to tell the truth, despite the conflict raging inside her.
Lowell slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, “ ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ ”
Marissa had never read that passage, but she knew it had to be from the Bible. Jesus would give her strength. She held her head high and walked with Lowell to the seats the sheriff had saved for them.
The judge entered the room, and everyone rose until he was settled behind the table in the front. Marissa studied his face. He appeared solemn, but laugh lines around his eyes and mouth indicated he wasn’t always that way. He looked at her just then and smiled. She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on the judge.
Marissa had always feared anyone connected with the law because she was guilty of doing what Pierre had forced her to. The judge knew what she had done. In fact, Lowell had told her that the judge knew everything about the case before it started. The man smiled at her again, as a loving father might smile upon his daughter. She could do what she needed to.
The judge pounded his gavel on the table, and sudden quiet filled the room. It didn’t take long for Sheriff Bartlett to present his case. Three deputies told about capturing Pierre with the stolen goods. Then came Marissa’s turn to answer questions. Clari would testify last. Before Marissa arose to take the stand, Lowell gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll be praying for you,” he whispered.
Marissa decided not to look at Pierre. Instead she focused on the man asking the questions and answered every question with the truth.
❧
Lowell’s heart pounded in his ears as he watched Marissa approach the witness chair. He hated for her to go up there alone; he knew how difficult it was for her. He could only pray for her strength during the questioning. When she finished, he whispered a prayer of thanks. He wanted to protect her, with his own life if need be. Gud, I love her with my whole heart. Help me know what You want me to do. A sense of peace enveloped him.
Marissa finished her testimony and returned to her chair. Lowell stood, took her arm, and escorted her from the courtroom.
“Don’t I need to stay?” she asked when they were outside the schoolhouse.
“No. You’ve done your part. Let’s go for a walk.”
“What if Clari needs me?”
“She’ll do fine. Besides Ollie will be there for her.”
At first they walked in silence, and Lowell held her hand. He wanted to comfort her and never let her go. He guided her away from the crowd to a small park nestled among tall trees. They found a bench and sat quietly for a time. Lowell sensed a great peace surrounding them. Only the birds chirping overhead broke the stillness.
Marissa turned her face toward him and smiled. It was such a sweet smile that he wanted to take her in his arms.
“Marissa, do you have any idea how I feel about you?”
She lowered her gaze to their hands clasped on the bench between them. “I. . .I’m not sure, Lowell, but I’d like to know.”
“You’re very important to me.” He drew her into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I want to protect you from anything that might hurt you.”
She nestled close against his chest. “I’m sure you could,” she whispered, then looked up into his eyes.
Lowell’s face drifted closer to hers until their lips touched. He felt such a sweet, tender connection between them. Warmth flooded his body. He pulled away and took a deep breath.
“We need to get back and see what the verdict is.”
❧
Ollie felt great relief when the trial ended. The judge and jury had been appalled when they heard what Clarissa and her sister had gone through. Because of the evidence and the girls’ testimonies, the jury was quick to give Pierre a life sentence. Ollie was glad Lowell had taken Marissa out of the courtroom. When Pierre heard the verdict, his outburst was loud and ugly. Ollie wished Clarissa hadn’t heard it, either. The man’s vindictive words must have wounded her deeply. The judge immediately restored order to the court, and the U.S. marshal and his deputies led Pierre away in handcuffs. The twins would never have to see him again.
Ollie glanced at Sheriff Bartlett, who nodded. Ollie slipped his arm under Clarissa’s and quietly escorted her out the back door before the judge dismissed everyone. He wanted to spare her from the crowds. They walked up the street, hunting for Lowell and Marissa. Finally, they gave up when they reached the church.
Clarissa looked at the open door. “Do you think it would be all right to go inside? I mean, it isn’t Sunday, after all.”
Ollie smiled at her. “Sure. We can go in anytime. It’s the Lord’s house, you know.”
They walked up to the front pew and sat down. Clarissa bowed her head.
“Dear Jesus, thank You for helping Mari and me get through the trial. Thank You for giving us strength to help put Pierre in prison where he belongs. And thank You for sending Ollie and Lowell to rescue us from him. Amen.”
Ollie kept his head bowed after she finished. Her prayer echoed his own thoughts. But he also sent one more silent plea toward heaven.
As they made their way to the back of the church, Ollie reached out and drew Clarissa into his arms. She gazed up at him, and the desire to kiss her lips overcame him. He lowered his head, then hesitated. He wanted to give her a chance to turn away. Instead she closed the distance between them. Her mouth tasted like honey to him, and he wanted to hold her in his arms forever.
He pulled back, then settled her closer into his arms. “Oh, Clarissa, what am I going to do about you?”
❧
Back at the farm, the sisters went to their rooms to change clothes. Lowell and Ollie followed their mother into the kitchen.
Lowell crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “Moder, we want to ask you something.”
She turned around and smiled, waiting for him to continue.
Lowell stood up straight and stuck his hands in his back pockets. Why was he nervous? He should be able to say what was on his mind.
“I want to ask Marissa to marry me.” He felt better after the words were out.
Ollie stepped up beside him. “And I want to marry Clarissa.”
Mother smiled. “I’m not surprised.”
Lowell rubbed his hands on his trousers. Why were his palms sweating? “Is that all right with you?”
Mother laughed. “I would love to have them in the family. They seem like daughters to me already. And they need a family to love them.”
Lowell grinned. He felt like shouting. Ollie turned and strode from the room. Lowell could hear the barn door slamming shut, then the faint sound of a joyous whoop.
“What’s wrong with Ollie?” Clarissa had just come into the kitchen.
Lowell laughed. “I don’t know. Why don’t you go see about him?”
“Is anyone going to tell me what’s going on?” Marissa asked.
Lowell and his mother laughed, and Marissa raised her brows. A puzzled look was on her face. Maybe he was crazy. Crazy in love.
❧
Clarissa stepped through the b
arn door. “Oh, there you are, Ollie. Are you all right?”
“Sure. How about if we take a ride after lunch? I’d like to show you something.”
“What is it?”
Ollie smiled, his eyes twinkling. “Oh, you’ll see.” He smiled again.
After lunch, Mrs. Jenson told her and Mari they didn’t need to help with the dishes, but they insisted. When they finished, the surrey and two other horses stood in front of the house. Ollie had suggested Clarissa put on a riding skirt so she dashed upstairs, changed, then hurried back down. Lowell was escorting Mari to the surrey. Ollie had saddled a gentle mare for Clarissa to ride. He boosted her up, then mounted his own horse.
They started across the pasture. Soon they came to a house sitting on a hill. Ollie stopped in front of it and dismounted. He helped her down from her horse, then pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. A shiver coursed through her. She had never felt like this before.
“Are you cold?” he whispered against her hair.
“No.” She looked up into his eyes. The clear green deepened as his gaze intensified.
She was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Whose house is this?”
Ollie cleared his throat and led her by the hand up the steps to the front porch. “It’s mine, but it isn’t finished.”
He opened the door, and Clarissa stepped through into what looked like a dream world to her. She knew the house wasn’t finished, but she could picture beautiful wallpaper with tiny flowers, pictures of lovely scenes on the walls, a fire in the fireplace, and lace curtains at the windows. How she wished she could live in such a house.
Ollie placed his hands lightly on her shoulders and turned her toward him. “And it can be your home, if you’ll marry me.”
Clarissa caught her breath. Had he asked her to marry him? Were her dreams coming true? Tears filled her eyes.
He gently cupped her cheeks in his strong palms. “Please don’t cry. I love you.”
Double Deception Page 14
