Love Never Fails

by Martha Rogers

  “To think they almost got away with Grace’s precious new horse.” Molly grabbed Andrew’s arm, then her face crumpled and she fell against him. “I was so scared.” She blinked back tears and raised her eyes to his. “I . . . I actually wanted a gun to shoot them. How could I have wanted that?”

  Andrew gathered her to his chest. Now was not the time to remind her of their talk about the necessity of using force in self-defense. She needed time to process what had happened. Maybe this was the breakthrough she needed to help her understand and support Stefan’s role in safeguarding his country.

  CHAPTER 21

  MOLLY LAY TREMBLING in her bed. Papa had checked her over, and she had assured him that everything was okay. The truth of the matter was the total opposite. Never had she been as afraid as she’d been today. Even now her heart raced at the memory of the evil in the eyes of those men.

  With nothing to defend herself, she’d been at their mercy. When they rode through that back door and found Micah and Sheriff Bolton waiting, she wanted to shout to her uncle to shoot the man holding her. Even now the thought brought cold chills to her body.

  Images rose then spun away like water in a whirlpool leaving nothing but confusion in the swirls. How could something she believed so wrong be justified? None of what Mama and Andrew had said truly registered until today. Killing was so wrong, but she’d wanted that man dead. The idea went against everything she believed and preached. God, forgive me for even thinking I wanted him dead, but I was so scared. Thank You for sending Micah, Sheriff Bolton, and Levi to rescue me.

  The voices of her mother and aunt drifted up the stairway from the kitchen. No words were discernible, but they must still be preparing everything for the picnic. The family get-together had always been the highlight of the festival, but now it was ruined. How could she go to the pavilion and eat and have fun with so much turmoil in her head?

  “Molly, may I come in?” Aunt Hannah spoke from the hallway.

  “Yes, come on. I’m not asleep.” Who could sleep after what she had experienced?

  Hannah entered and then sat on the bed beside Molly. “That was quite the scare you had this morning. Micah said you were very brave.”

  Molly snorted. “Scared to pieces is more like it, and mad.” She sat up and peered at her aunt. “Have you ever been in a situation like that?”

  “No, I can’t say that I have, but do you remember the bank robbery when I first came here? Micah’s father had a heart seizure and died, and Camilla Swenson was shot in the shoulder, so I’ve seen what can happen. You were very fortunate to have good men so near.”

  Molly nodded, and Aunt Hannah slipped her arm around Molly’s shoulders.

  “The best way to forget all of this is to come with us to the picnic grounds. The band will be playing patriotic music you love and we’ll sing and have lots of fun. Your cousins think you’re the bravest person they know right now, and you’re Grace’s hero because you saved her horse from being stolen. So you may as well bask in their adoration while it’s here. May even help when school rolls around again.”

  The grin on her aunt’s face did cheer Molly. Maybe she was right and the picnic would help her forget the morning’s ordeal as well as all the doubts playing tag in her head. Besides, Mrs. Gordon’s chocolate cake was too good to miss, and if she stayed in her room, most likely she’d never get a piece.

  Molly swiped her cheeks then pressed her hands against her hair. “I think you’re right. I love the music and the food, and it’d be much better than sitting up here thinking about what happened. After all I’m not hurt, only shaken.” Even if her head did still ache where she’d bumped it.

  Hannah laughed. “Now that sounds like my Molly. Come on, let’s get down to the park before everyone eats all the food.” She grabbed Molly’s hand and pulled her toward the door.

  Molly shook off the remaining strands of fear from earlier and followed her aunt down the stairs. She’d think about all the confusion it caused later.

  Nothing was going to mar the rest of this day for her. Right now Mama’s fried chicken and biscuits called her, and she’d have the biggest slice of that chocolate cake she’d ever had.

  Stefan lay on his cot, his belly full from the feast prepared by the army wives. After a few weeks of camp rations by the army cook, home-cooked food always tasted like a bit of heaven. Later this evening a dance would be held with the wives and older daughters of the officers serving as dance partners. Most of the men enjoyed the events, but since he’d met Molly, everything paled in comparison to the time they had had together.

  Still, he would attend as a good officer should as a courtesy to the commanding officer’s wife and family. First he’d get some rest. Although healed, his leg gave him problems after he’d been on it too long. The drills yesterday had been rough, and dancing tonight wouldn’t help it any if he didn’t give it some time elevated.

  For the next hour he dozed and listened to the murmur of his fellow single officers who played cards or simply conversed with the topic of conversation most likely about girls back home. The fort had been quiet for the past few years since the Indians had relocated on the reservation and quit their raiding. The fort had even enlisted a number of them to be scouts. Arizona was still wild territory as far as terrain, but the Indians were quiet.

  His cot mate, Tom Slater, sat down and picked up a neckerchief. “Can’t decide whether to wear this tonight or not.”

  Stefan shook his head. “Don’t think you’ll need it. We’re to be in full dress tonight, and that doesn’t include the neck scarf.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” He bent over with his elbows on his thighs. “What do you think about the rumors of those Mexican bandits coming up here, rustling cattle, and robbing folks on the stage?”

  “I think they’re more than rumors. We’re not in much danger since we’re pretty well protected by the mountains. Of course we may be called on to go down toward the border and defend the territory there. If you ask me, we have more danger from the outlaws right here in Arizona. It hasn’t been that long since the Earp brothers and the Clanton clan had their shootout. Outlaw cowboys are still said to roam the territory.”

  Tom laughed. “I don’t think they’re any match for the US Cavalry, but I wouldn’t want to have a run-in with them.” He reached for his jacket. “Time to get dressed up for this dance tonight.”

  When they entered the main headquarters later, the room had been cleared of all furniture but a few tables covered with checked cloths and laden with food. Several men sat at one end tuning instruments they would use to play dance music later. Decorated with red, white, and blue, the room had become festive and invited celebration.

  After the first several numbers, he danced with the colonel’s wife, a middle-aged woman with several grown children. She peered up at him with that motherly look he’d seen so many times in his own mother’s eyes. When the music stopped she still held his hand. “Come talk with me a spell.”

  He lifted his brow, but followed her to the refreshment table heaped with platters of cookies, pastries, and a large bowl of fruit punch. Whatever she had to say must be important for her to detain him like this, and he really wouldn’t mind having a cup of the punch. After securing cups for both of them, Mrs. Sanford retre
ated to a corner where he joined her.

  “What is it you wish to discuss, ma’am?”

  “I’ve noticed a difference in you since your return from medical leave. Have you changed your mind about the military?”

  Stefan gulped. He didn’t know what he’d expected to hear, but it hadn’t been this. “No, ma’am, I was more than ready to return.” And he had been, except for not wanting to leave Molly.

  “I see. Then you must have met someone while on leave. Someone you didn’t want to leave behind.”

  Heat rose in Stefan’s face. How did she know something like that?

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I’ve seen it far too often. Love changes a person, and you have that look about you now. Remember, I have four grown children, and I’ve seen them all through various stages of love and courtship.”

  The kindness in her dark eyes and the gentle smile on her lips touched his heart. He wanted, no needed, to talk with someone, and Mrs. Sanford would be the perfect one to trust. “Her mother and mine are childhood friends, and our family visited in Stoney Creek, Texas, where Mother’s friend now lives. I’ve known their daughter since we were children, but this was the first time I’d seen her in ten years or so.”

  “And so you fell in love with her, but I sense there’s more to the story than that or else your eyes would be shining bright with love.”

  She was like his mother, who recognized every mood of Stefan’s and sensed any uneasiness or unhappiness in his soul. “Yes, I fell in love with her, but she hates the military and anything that involves shooting or killing. Her mother and father had some bad experiences in the war, and Molly wants no part of it.”

  “Oh, dear, that does present a problem.” Sympathy filled her face, and she frowned. “I suppose you’ve discussed this with her.”

  “Yes, I have, and a friend did the same, but she is adamantly against the military. Besides that, she loves living in town around people and teaching the children at the school there.”

  “That makes for a difficult situation.” Then she smiled and patted his arm. “I’ll pray for you both to find what God’s plan for you is. Now tell me about your father. I understand he fought bravely under General Lee.”

  Stefan’s head jerked back. How did she know that? “Yes, ma’am, he did. He served as an officer under General Lee not long after the war began, but he returned to the 4th Louisiana regiment and served with them until he was taken prisoner at Port Hudson. I have a big pair of boots to fill.” And he’d fill them the best he could to make his father proud, even if it was an obstacle in his winning Molly’s heart.

  The music once again stopped, and Mrs. Sanford set her punch cup on a nearby table. “I see my husband coming for me.” She grasped his arm. “Lieutenant, remember, if it’s the Lord’s will for you to be together, He will work things out for you. Be patient and trust Him.”

  “Thank you again, Mrs. Sanford. I will do that.” He saluted his commanding officer then stepped back for the couple to proceed to the dance floor.

  Mrs. Sanford’s words rang in his heart. God would provide and take care of the situation with Molly, but He wished God would be a little more direct and clear as to how that would happen.

  CHAPTER 22

  ON FRIDAY AFTER almost two days of wrestling with her doubts and confusion, Molly had no clear answer as to what she should do or believe. After breakfast she helped her mother with household tasks downstairs while Clara and the younger girls worked in the bedrooms upstairs.

  After Mama laid down her dust rag and removed the scarf from her head, she headed for the kitchen. “I believe it’s time for a break and some of my herb tea.”

  Molly followed her and bit her lip. Mama hadn’t said a word more about what had happened day before yesterday. Now Molly wanted her advice. This was something she couldn’t handle on her own. Even after praying about it yesterday and this morning, she’d found no peace.

  Once they were seated at the table in the kitchen, mint tea filled the room with its sweet aroma. Molly inhaled deeply of the fragrance then sipped from the china cup her mother loved to use for tea time. She held the cup with both hands, admiring the rose pattern painted on it. Mama had such pretty things she’d brought with her from Louisiana.

  This room had been her haven for more years than she could rightly remember. The pale yellow walls, maple table with eight chairs, black iron stove, and shelves holding Mama’s dishes all gave her great comfort. The kitchen was her favorite room in the house, and it always had wonderful smells filling the air.

  Someday Molly wanted hand-painted china cups and a teapot like Mama’s. She set her cup back on its saucer and breathed deeply. After exhaling, she leaned toward her mother. “Mama, we must talk about what happened to me. I have so many questions flooding my mind and heart. My feelings are all confused.”

  “I sensed the whole ordeal still troubled you, but I wanted to wait until you were ready to talk before saying anything.”

  How blessed to have a mother who stayed in tune with her children. Never had she loved her mother more than at this moment. “I’ve been praying about my feelings and how I wanted to kill that man with anything I could get hold of, even my bare hands.”

  “Those feelings are perfectly normal when your life is threatened.”

  Molly ran her fingertip around the rim of her cup and chewed the corner of her lip. “Is that the way you felt when you shot that young soldier?”

  Her mother’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes flickered for a moment as though remembering a deep pain. “Yes, it was. He was the enemy, and he was in our kitchen. I didn’t know why and all I could think about was protecting my mother and Hannah.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “It is something I will never forget.”

  Molly waited for her mother to compose herself before speaking again. When Mama finally opened her eyes, Molly leaned forward. “Would you do it again?”

  Mama’s eyes opened wide and her mouth gaped. Finally she shook herself and stared straight at Molly. “If it meant defending my family against a threat to their life, yes, I think I would.”

  Molly slumped in her chair. That was the answer she expected, but it still didn’t satisfy her own doubt. Mama reached across the table and covered Molly’s hands with her own.

  “My dear child, feeling as you do about guns, I imagine you are shocked at my answer.”

  Tears filled Molly’s eyes. “Yes, I am. The Bible tells us not to kill.”

  “I believe in that instance it meant murder. Obviously God allowed for war, because the Old Testament is full of battles. God gave David the strength to kill Goliath when the giant threatened to destroy the Israel soldiers. He also sent leaders into battle to conquer the lands He promised them. Yes God said not to commit murder, but the evil deeds of others caused God’s people to defend themselves and even sometimes to attack and wage war in order to eliminate evil. I know it’s difficult to understand, and it’s difficult for me to explain, but sometimes we have to commit violent acts in order to guard our lives.”

  The words sounded right, but they brought no comfort. “So what I wanted to do at the livery and what Stefan does now and what Papa and Colonel Elliot and even you did wasn’t a sin?” That had become her so
le worry, and it ate at her heart, tearing it to pieces.

  Mama didn’t answer but sat holding Molly’s hands. Concern washed across her face. Finally she said, “I don’t have all the answers you need. I only know that when circumstances demand drastic actions, God understands because He loves us and forgives us. It took me a long time to accept the fact that God forgave me for shooting those two young men, but when I finally did, my heart was at peace.”

  Molly longed for that peace. Maybe she’d been praying for the wrong thing. She needed to talk with God about this some more.

  “Do you love Stefan?”

  Molly jerked her head back. “Yes, but it hasn’t been enough to keep me from hating what he does and worrying about what will happen to him.”

  “We all worry about those we love, but worrying doesn’t change a thing. What you feel now may be no more than concern for him and where he is. When your love is strong, deep, and true, you’ll want to be with him no matter what he does or where he is, and you’ll do everything you can to make sure you are, just like I left my parents and home to come to Texas with your father.”

  Maybe that was the problem. Maybe she didn’t really love Stefan, but if she didn’t, why did her heart ache so for him? She withdrew her hands from Mama’s and pushed back from the table. “I think God and I have some serious things to talk about, and I have a lot more thinking to do.”

  She pushed through the kitchen door and greeted her sisters, who were headed into the kitchen to find Mama. Then she trudged up the stairs to her room. God, I really need some answers. I’m going to trust You to speak to me and show me what I need to do.