Love Never Fails

by Martha Rogers

  When they approached her parents, Mrs. Elliot’s scowl remained, but she joined her husband with the doctor and his wife to head out to the carriages. Molly had finally made an appearance, but without the smile and greeting she usually gave everyone. Stefan stepped toward her, and they engaged in a conversation inaudible to others.

  Andrew led Clarissa to the carriage they were to use for the trip to the station and helped load her baggage. When it was secured to the colonel’s satisfaction, Andrew assisted Clarissa up onto the front seat then climbed up beside her.

  “I don’t know why your father is allowing me to drive you to the station, but I’m thankful for it. Every moment I have with you until the train leaves is precious.” He placed his right hand on the seat between them and Clarissa grabbed it.

  She squeezed his fingers. “So am I, and the minutes are precious to me, too.” She leaned forward. “Here come Molly and Stefan, and neither one of them looks very happy. I feel so bad about what is happening between them.”

  Andrew understood all too well how much Stefan loved Molly and hated to leave. From his conversations with Stefan, love and courtship for him and Molly would not be possible until Molly accepted his career in the military. Andrew regarded the misery in Molly’s face and made a commitment to take up the challenge of convincing her of the necessity of what Stefan was doing. That’s the least he could do.

  Doubt and uncertainty tore Molly’s heart in half. Everything she firmly believed had been tested these past two weeks, and she was no closer to the truth now than she was then. Stefan had created turmoil like none she’d ever experienced.

  Her body ached not only from lack of sleep, but from the pain of separation. If only she and Stefan had more time to hash out their differences, perhaps a compromise or understanding could be reached. Her stubborn will had prevailed in the past, but now it did nothing but obstruct her future.

  Stefan grasped her arm to assist her onto the carriage seat, and fire raced through her arm straight to her heart. When he released her to climb up beside her, she blinked her eyes to ward off any tears. This was not the time for weeping, although every bit of her wanted to cry out for him to stay with her in Stoney Creek.

  He leaned toward her. “Molly, will you allow me to write to you in the coming weeks? I want you to know what I’m doing.”

  For a moment she couldn’t respond. Did she really want to know what he was doing at the fort? Of course she did. She wanted to know everything about him. She nodded her head. “I . . . I would like that.”

  The grin that spread across his face tore at her soul. His letters would only emphasize the agony of not being with him. Forgetting him and getting on with her life would be the much better choice, but she couldn’t do it.

  In front of her, Andrew and Clarissa spoke in quiet tones, the love they shared so evident in their eyes and gestures. In one way she envied them because they could express their love, and if the code Clarissa made up worked out, the two of them would continue in their love.

  Stefan leaned forward and grasped Andrew’s shoulder. “Before we get to the station, I want you to know that I understand now how you feel, and I’ll do everything I can to help your relationship along.” He glanced toward Clarissa. “I promise you that I will try to convince Mother and Father of what a good man Andrew is and how you’d be the perfect wife for him.”

  A tiny squeal burst from her lips and she reached back to take Stefan’s hand in a tight squeeze. “Thank you, Stefan. You’re the best brother a girl could ever have.”

  A lump rose in Molly’s throat at the change in Stefan’s attitude. He was a man of honor and integrity, so he’d keep his word to both Andrew and Clarissa.

  An image of Stefan on the battlefield emerged to block out the scene before her, and a chill coursed through her veins. What if something happened to him? She couldn’t bear the thought of him fighting and killing, but that was his life. He didn’t love her enough to give up the military, and she didn’t love him enough to support him in it. They had sure made a mess of things these past two weeks. Nothing could ever come of their relationship without a miracle, and she didn’t see one of those in her immediate future.

  The train’s whistle split the morning air with its shrill blast. Dread like he’d never experienced filled every part of Stefan’s body and soul. At least she had given him permission to write to her in the coming weeks.

  Andrew drew the horses to a stop at the hitching post. When he stepped down to the ground, he waited for Stefan to do the same then leaned in to whisper, “Thank you for being willing to help Clarissa and me. In return I’ll speak with Molly and try to make her see the necessity of what you’re doing.”

  “Thank you. I need all the help I can get.” One good turn had resulted in another. His hopes soared. Maybe the future would be brighter after all.

  With his hand at the small of her back, Stefan led Molly over to the platform where the train hissed and squealed as iron grated against steel and the engine came to a stop. Mother and Father stood with Dr. and Mrs. Whiteman saying their final farewells, so Stefan pulled Molly aside for one last good-bye.

  He grasped her hand and pulled her behind the depot. “I will look forward to hearing from you. The return address will be on the letter, so you’ll know how to reach me.” He held her hands close to his chest. “These past two weeks have been the best in my life, and I pray they’ve meant something to you as well.”

  She said nothing, but the expression in her eyes was all the answer he needed. The urge for one last kiss overwhelmed him. He reached out to pull her head toward his. She didn’t resist and when their lips met, warmth and love mingled to seal the emotions stirred in the last few days. Molly leaned against his chest, and he wished the moment would never end.

  Another ear-splitting blast from the train and the conductor’s “All aboard” intervened before Molly pulled away.

  Her lips quivered and her eyes glistened with moisture. “Good-bye, Stefan. I’m sorry.” With that she turned and raced back to the carriage.

  Sorry for what? For loving him? His loving her? Somehow, in His own time, God would work out their differences. Stefan had to believe that or be the most miserable man on earth. With a heavy heart and a heavy step, he boarded the train to begin the journey back to the future set out before him.

  With her heart broken, Molly climbed into the carriage to wait for Andrew. She sat in the back once again to avoid any conversation. He may be a good friend, but she had no desire to share her private thoughts or feelings with him.

  The train began its departure, chugging away with Clarissa and Stefan, taking them back to their lives in a different world than the one in which she and Andrew lived. She spotted him coming toward the carriage followed by Clara.

  Clara climbed up beside Molly. “I couldn’t let you go back to the house all alone looking as sad as you do.”

  Perhaps being alone wasn’t the best thing after all. “Thank you. I welcome your company.”

  Clara grasped Molly’s hand. “I know you love him. I can see it so plainly in the way you look at him. And he loves you, too.” Then she smiled. “I saw you slip behind the building with him. He kissed you good-bye, didn’t he?”

  Molly didn’t answer, but heat filled her cheeks.r />
  “Oh, he did. That’s so romantic.” Her eyes sparkled with glee then dimmed. “It’ll be hard to be separated, but if he writes to you, it’ll bring him closer.”

  “I don’t think so, but thank you for caring.” Molly blinked back tears. Reading his letters would only make her sad, but not nearly as miserable as not hearing from him at all.

  “Life gets complicated in matters of the heart. I hope you and Teddy have much smoother sailing with your relationship.”

  Pink tinged Clara’s cheeks. “He asked Papa if he could call on me, and Papa said yes. I like Teddy a lot, and maybe we’ll fall in love and be married someday. He has to finish school first, but then he’ll return and become a partner with Mr. Hightower in his law firm. With Mr. Murphy taking over the position of county prosecutor, Mr. Hightower told Teddy he’d have a spot when he graduated. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “Yes, it is. It looks like his future is secure and you might be a part of it.” She was happy for her sister, and Molly vowed to do nothing to take away from Clara’s joy. Her sister continued to chatter, but Molly tuned her out. It had helped for a few minutes to fill the void left by Stefan, but now the emptiness returned.

  She breathed in relief as Andrew stopped the carriage at her house. If not for the need to help Mama with the noon meal, she’d prefer to run up to her room and be alone, but that would have to wait.

  Clara reached over and hugged Molly. “Things will get better, and you’ll be getting letters, so please don’t be so sad.” Then she hopped down and raced up the steps to the house.

  Andrew helped her down from the carriage and held her hand a moment longer than necessary. “I understand your feelings, Molly, but we do need to talk about Stefan, Clarissa, and all that’s happened these past two weeks.”

  She peered up at him. “Exactly what is it we need to discuss?” They both knew how the other felt, so why talk about it.

  “I know you too well, Molly Whiteman, and your beliefs about guns and war are tearing you apart from Stefan.”

  Molly blinked her eyes, but said nothing. She’d let him have his say then go on her way.

  “I’m sure Stefan told you about the necessity of having protection for our country. Nations need to have a powerful military to defend themselves. Stefan is playing an important role in building that military and defending our country.”

  “But why does it have to be with guns and wars? Why can’t they just talk things out and make peace?” That seemed the logical thing to do. Papa had always made her talk things out when she and her brothers and sisters disagreed and got into arguments.

  “Because some men don’t want to talk. Some men want whatever someone else has and think the only way to get it is by force. If someone came in and threatened your family and tried to steal things from you and your home, wouldn’t you want your father to defend you with every means available?”

  “Well, yes, but . . . ” She hesitated. But what? How would Papa defend them? He’d shot at men before. Would he do it again? A shudder coursed through her. She shook her head. “I don’t want to think about this now.”

  “You need to, Molly, and think long and hard.” He stepped away from her. “I’m going to open the infirmary now, but maybe we can find some time to talk more later.”

  He tipped his hat and headed to the office he shared with Papa. Molly lifted her shoulders and breathed deeply. She’d get through this day and tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come. She had to, or she’d live the summer in misery over what might have been. Her future lay right here in Stoney Creek, not off at some fort in Arizona Territory. With that resolve, she trudged to the house and the duties that called.

  CHAPTER 18

  MOLLY EXCUSED HERSELF from the dinner table and scrambled upstairs to her room. She closed the door behind her and sprawled across the bed, not caring whether her dress was rumpled or not. Stefan and his family would be almost across Texas to the Louisiana border by now and in St. Francisville by tomorrow evening.

  The room she’d shared with Clarissa for two weeks lay silent without the giggles of two friends comparing notes and getting ready for parties and fun. She’d done the right thing in spurning Stefan’s love, but she didn’t have to feel good about it.

  A soft knock was followed by her mother’s voice. “Molly, may I come in? We need to talk.”

  Molly sighed. Seemed everyone wanted to talk with her. First Clara this morning, then Andrew, and now Mama. She had avoided talking at length with the other two, but there would be no denying Mama, and perhaps that was best.

  “Yes, Mama, come in.” She sat up and straightened her clothes.

  Mama joined her on the bed. She reached out her arms and Molly fell into the embrace. “Oh, my dear child, this has been so hard for you.” She ran her hands over Molly’s back, using only her fingertips in the soothing gesture she’d used so many times on Molly to give comfort.

  “I saw the looks that passed between the two of you this morning, and know you care deeply for each other. When Stefan told us you didn’t want him to return to his regiment, my heart broke.”

  She pushed Molly back from her and held Molly’s shoulders. “Sweet child, you mustn’t let what happened to your father and me keep you from loving Stefan. The months we were apart were almost more than I could bear, but the years since have been worth every minute of waiting.”

  Molly blinked back tears. “It’s not so much being apart as it is that he’s in the military and trained to fight and kill. I can’t accept that. People shouldn’t be killing other people.”

  “I understand your feelings. It sickened me when I shot that poor boy so many years ago, but I’d do it again if it meant protecting my family. I may be more careful now and make sure there is a threat, but if there is, I’d do it.”

  “How can you say that? That’s so cruel.” How could Mama talk like that after killing a man?

  “Molly, it’s time to face reality. I’m sure Stefan told you the same thing. There are evil men and even women who want what isn’t theirs, whether it’s money, land, or possessions. They use guns to get what they want, and decent, law-abiding citizens must defend themselves against such cruelty, especially if the law isn’t around to give help.”

  The words held truth, but Molly couldn’t wrap her mind around shooting and killing a person on purpose. “Stefan and I discussed it. He is not willing to leave the military, and I am not willing to support him in it.” As far as she was concerned, the military could get along just fine without Stefan.

  Mama hugged Molly again. “War is terrible, but sometimes it’s necessary. I don’t understand it very well myself, but I know we need men like Stefan to defend and protect our country.”

  Mama stood, but her hands remained on Molly’s shoulders. “I’ll pray for you, and I want you to pray for God to help you understand. You may not like or approve of what Stefan is doing, but we need him and others like him to keep our nation safe.”

  A lump rose in Molly’s throat and threads of fear wove themselves through her heart. Mama’s and Andrew’s words made sense, but even if she did believe the military was necessary, she couldn’t bear the idea of the danger facing Stefan every time he left the fort. She could only nod in reply to her mother.<
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  Mama patted Molly’s shoulder then left the room. Molly flopped back on the bed, her gaze riveted on the ceiling. She wanted understanding and acceptance, but the words for prayer wouldn’t come. God knew her heart and He’d show her the way without her having to utter a single word.

  An ache began in her toes and flowed upward to fill every fiber of her being with a longing she didn’t quite comprehend, but if it was love, it hurt too much to let it continue. She balled her hands into fists and pressed them against her eyes. Letting go of that love may end up hurting even more.

  “Lord, I need You now more than I ever have before. Help me, please.” Her whispered words floated in the stillness of the room, but the answers she sought eluded her.

  After a light meal on the train, Stefan sat staring at the countryside flowing past his window. As they neared the Louisiana border and the Sabine River the pine forest grew thicker with the tall, slim trees crowding each other for space. Each mile drew him closer to home and then the return to Fort Apache and the 1st Cavalry. Unless a major uprising occurred with the Apaches in the area, the only duty Stefan would likely see would be escort and scouting details. Not much danger in those unless he ran into a band of outlaws.

  If only he could make Molly see he was safe at the fort, and she would be too. The past week had not been enough time to do that, but would more weeks have made that much difference?

  Clarissa nudged his arm. “Are you thinking about Molly like I’m thinking about Andrew?”

  “Yes, I have to admit I am. How is it that both of us fell in love with a man and a woman with lives so different than those we have?”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. Andrew and I like the same things, we both love God, and we both like to take care of others. It’s the distance in miles between us that has Mother and Father worried. I don’t think they object so much to Andrew as a person.”