Love Never Fails

by Martha Rogers

  “What’s on your mind? I can see the wheels turning.”

  Molly swallowed hard. Her eyes must have given away her concerns because her uncle never hesitated to ask questions when he saw a need. “I’m thinking about Stefan and Mama and Grandma and my brain is like mush. Mama didn’t say what Stefan’s injuries are, but they must be bad for them to discharge him from the military. If he’s in the hospital at New Orleans, how will I ever get a chance to go and visit him?”

  He patted her hand. “I’m sure there will be time after the funeral. Your mother and Hannah will have to stay so they can take care of the estate with their brothers. I’ll even take you down there myself if it’s that important to you.”

  Hope brightened Molly’s heart. “You would? Oh, Uncle Micah, I love you.” She grabbed him in a hug, and he laughed.

  “I can see the young man means a great deal to you. Care to tell me about it?”

  Heat filled Molly’s cheeks. She’d wanted to share her feelings before, but everyone had seemed too preoccupied with preparations for the trip and dealing with Grandma’s death to listen to her. Her uncle’s sympathetic gaze touched her soul, and gave her the courage to talk with him.

  “I had a liking for Stefan way back when we were children, but he always teased me and played tricks on me, so I thought he didn’t like me at all. Then when he came to Stoney Creek with his parents, the old feelings returned. But he was in the military, and you know how I felt about guns and fighting.”

  At her uncle’s nod, she took a deep breath, expelled it, and continued.

  “Stefan said he cared about me, and I thought I cared about him, but his plans for the future were nothing like mine. First off I couldn’t imagine being married to a soldier, and then he told me that after he retires from the military, he wants to have a ranch and raise horses.”

  She bit her lip and glanced down at her hands in her lap. “As much as I love visiting with you and Aunt Hannah, I didn’t want to live outside of town. I love all the things I’m involved in with school and the church and couldn’t imagine leaving.”

  “I know the encounter at the livery changed your ideas about guns, but what changed your mind about the other?”

  From the gleam in his eye, he already knew the answer, but waited for her explanation. “I thought I was going to die, and suddenly I realized I’d never have the chance to be with Stefan. Right then I decided I wanted to be with him wherever he lived. I’m willing to give up everything I know just to be where he is.”

  Micah chuckled and hugged Molly to his side. “That’s what I figured. You’ve learned a great lesson about love. It’s one I learned with Hannah.”

  “I remember that. I think Aunt Hannah loved you from the beginning, but she was afraid you held only pity for her. I think loving a person means you forget about yourself and know only that you have to be with the one you love no matter what the circumstances.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  The train whistle sent a warning as their destination approached. Micah reached down to stow his book in his satchel. “I think Stefan will make a fine ranch man, and perhaps that’s what he can be now that he won’t be in the military. He knows horses and is good at handling them, so I wish you both a bright future.”

  Molly hugged her uncle again. “Thank you. I’m so glad I talked with you.”

  “And I’m glad you were willing to share.” He stood. “Now let’s get everyone and everything ready to get off this train.”

  Molly scurried back to her seat to help Alice and Juliet with their belongings. With her uncle’s help she would find time to go and visit with Stefan. She couldn’t wait to see him.

  Stefan glanced around the hospital room that had been his home the last several weeks. He’d opted not to be sequestered in a more private room. Instead he’d spent time getting to know the men in the ward. None of them seemed to mind the burns that scarred his face, but then some of them were in a much worse state than he was.

  His father and mother entered with Dr. Sutton and Andrew. Andrew’s smile must mean good news.

  Dr. Sutton held several papers in his hand. “These are your discharge papers. I’m sorry it didn’t work out Friday as I’d hoped, but as soon as you’re ready we’ll wheel you down to the driveway and get you ready for the trip home.”

  His father clasped his shoulder. “We’ve asked Andrew to come home with us and take care of you until you are completely healed, and Dr. Sutton has agreed.”

  Stefan jerked his head toward Andrew. “Is that right? You’re coming with us?”

  “Yes, I am. However, except for making sure your burns continue to heal properly, I won’t have that much to look after. You’re fully mobile, and you have no restrictions on your diet, so you should do well. I’ll help you with exercises for your hands and get that shoulder fully functional again.”

  Andrew had become a good friend, and with his help, maybe he would be able to use his hands again. “I’m ready now. Let’s go home.” He stood then seated himself in the wheelchair provided by an orderly. Once home, he’d be away from the curious stares and looks of pity from visitors.

  His mother walked beside the chair, her hand on Stefan’s arm. “The army sent all of your belongings to us, so you’ll have everything you left behind when you get home.”

  Everything except the pride and dignity of being an officer of the United States Cavalry. That hurt as much, and maybe even more than the wounds he’d suffered.

  Five minutes later, he sat beside Andrew in the carriage that would take them to the docks for the trip to St. Francisville and to an uncertain future. The only consolation lay in the knowledge he’d be able to ride Warrior across the countryside. He might shut himself off from people, but he’d still be able to work with horses and enjoy the feel of the wind on his face as he rode.

  His father cleared his throat. “Hm, there is one thing I need to tell you before we return to Oakwood.”

  A momentary pause aroused Stefan’s curiosity as he peered at his father.

  “I’ve been discussing the sale of Oakwood with Thomas Dyer. He’s been interested in adding our land to that he now owns.”

  Stefan jerked his head, ignoring the pain that shot up his cheek. “Sell Oakwood? What are you talking about?”

  “Your mother and I have been considering it for a while. She wants to be in Baton Rouge closer to her mother, and since my parents are there too, it seems like a good move. Our profits have fallen considerably, so it is a good time to do it. When you were in the military, I knew you had no interest in the place. Now that you’re to be home, I need to know what your desires are.”

  Stefan swallowed hard. His desire to work on a ranch with horses had not changed, but his circumstances had. Although he had no desire to run the plantation as his family had for generations, what else could he do? “I don’t really have any plans at the moment.” He held up his injured hands. “I’m not sure how useful I’d be at anything.”

  “I see.” He glanced out the window. “We’re at the docks. We can discuss this further when we arrive home.”

  His father escorted him up the gangplank onto the steamboat then found them a seat in the enclosed area for first-class pass
engers. “We can enjoy the view and refreshments on our journey.” He glanced around the large room and smiled. “They say the railroads will soon take over all and we won’t need these boats anymore. I must say I think I prefer the relaxing ride on a boat.”

  Stefan nodded his agreement, having no desire for trivial conversation. After refreshments were served, Andrew leaned toward Stefan. “Has anyone told you that Mrs. Dyer passed away? The Whiteman and Gordon families will be arriving today from Texas for Mrs. Dyer’s funeral services on Tuesday.”

  Stefan’s heart jumped and his throat closed. Molly here in Louisiana? He’d learned of Mrs. Dyer’s death from his mother, but the possibility of Molly coming for the services had never occurred to him. Having her so far away in Texas made his resolve never to see her easy to handle, but with her only a few miles away, how could he bear not being with her?

  “I don’t want her to see me like this. She had a hard enough time with the idea of my fighting, and she doesn’t need to see the results of it.”

  Andrew shook his head. “She’s changed so much in the weeks since you were in Stoney Creek and—”

  “I don’t want to hear any more about it. Mother and Father and Clarissa may go to the funeral, but I won’t. You can’t change my mind.”

  Andrew crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at Stefan. “Are you so vain that you believe your good looks and your military rank are the only important things about you? You’re still the same person inside.”

  “You don’t understand. Now leave me alone.” Stefan pressed his lips together and turned to gaze out the window to the river so the injured side of his face would be less visible. Already the stares and head-shaking as people saw his wounds humiliated him. All his dreams and hopes for the future had burned up in that fire. Until he decided what to do next, he planned to do a lot of reading and thinking. Since Molly had rejected him in Stoney Creek, and especially since his injuries, she no longer had a place in his future. That crushed his heart but her decision was best for them both.

  CHAPTER 32

  THE SERVICES ON Tuesday for Grandma Dyer had been beautiful with Reverend Douglas delivering a wonderful eulogy, and the graveside service in Woodville brought back memories of childhood days visiting there and seeing Grandpa Dyer, too. Only one thing marred the entire day, and that was the absence of Stefan. His parents had come, but he remained at home.

  Now, in the late afternoon, restlessness and a desire to see Stefan tore at Molly. She slipped out the back way and found George at the carriage house and asked him to hitch one of the buggies for her to ride over to the Elliot plantation.

  “Missy, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Does your momma or poppa know you’re going?”

  Not one to lie, Molly dipped her head and shook her head. “No, they don’t.” Then she grabbed George’s arm. “Please, George, do this for me. I have to go see Stefan.”

  He scratched his head and glanced at the house. “All right. I can’t stand to see the misery in your eyes. Give me a minute and I’ll have it all ready for you.”

  She smiled widely. “Thank you, thank you.” Then she stepped back and let him go about the business of hitching a black horse to the buggy. In a few minutes, he led the horse out to the drive and helped her up to the seat.

  George handed her the reins. “I don’t know why I’m a doing this, but you be careful, Missy. Be sure you leave Oakwood to get home before dark.”

  She promised she would and headed out to the road leading to Oakwood. All the way there she rehearsed what she wanted to tell Stefan. Andrew had said he hadn’t had the opportunity to tell Stefan about what had happened to her, and he’d also warned her about Stefan not wanting to see her.

  That was nonsense. As soon as Stefan heard about her experience and what she had learned, he’d welcome her with open arms. Andrew had even warned her that Stefan’s injuries were ugly, but then any injury that discharged one from the army must be ugly. She’d deal with that when the time came.

  The oak-tree-lined path to the house brought back memories of playing with Clarissa when Molly and her family came back to visit. With all the family around for the services, she and Clarissa had found no time to visit, but they would soon.

  Molly climbed down from the buggy and dropped the lead weight on the ground. Before she reached the porch, Clarissa opened the door and ran out and wrapped her arms around Molly.

  “Oh, I’m so glad to see you. I have so much to tell you, and I’m sure you have as much to tell me.”

  “Yes, I do, but I came to see Stefan. I have to tell him how much I love him.”

  A shadow crossed Clarissa’s eyes, and she bit her lip. Tears welled in her eyes as she grabbed Molly’s hand. “He won’t see you. He won’t see anybody. He doesn’t even want Mother or Father around. All he wants is to be alone.” Then a sob escaped. “Oh, Molly, his face is burned and looks so bad, and his right hand is crippled.”

  Molly’s heart skipped a beat and a lump rose in her throat, threatening tears in her eyes. She blinked them away. No, Stefan would not see her crying. She loved him no matter what. “Where is he?”

  “He’s in the library. That’s where he spends all his time, except when he goes up to his room at night or out to ride Warrior.”

  Molly squared her shoulders and walked to the double doors. He had to see her. She had so much to tell him.

  Molly’s voice echoed in the entryway and jarred Stefan from his reading. What was she doing here? He’d told everyone he didn’t want to see her. Stubborn as she was, of course Molly wouldn’t listen, and now he’d have to deal with it.

  He laid aside his book and strode to the door. Moments later her knock sounded.

  “Stefan, it’s Molly. May I come in?”

  Her voice squeezed his heart with remorse and his throat tightened. He had to be strong. “No, Molly, go back to your grandmother’s house. You don’t need to see me now or ever again.”

  “Oh, but I do, Stefan. I love you, and I don’t care what you look like or what you do with your life. I just want to be a part of it and do it with you.”

  She loved him. The words hit his chest with a hammer blow that sent him a step backward. No, she couldn’t, she mustn’t. He had nothing to offer her now. Regret for what could have been filled him with overwhelming sadness.

  “Stefan, please let me in.”

  Her sobs from the other side almost broke his resolve, but he steeled himself and hardened his heart. “No, Molly. Not now. Not ever. I’m done talking. Go home.”

  The hardest words he’d ever spoken, but the most necessary. He turned from the door and strode to the window overlooking the driveway where her buggy sat waiting. If he could see her for a moment, he’d be satisfied. Then she’d be out of his life forever.

  Her footsteps clicked across the tile and then the front door slammed. She ran to the buggy and hefted the lead weight onto the floor and climbed up to the seat. She snapped the reins with a fierce jerk that must have startled her horse. He reared back, front hoofs pawing the air, then came down with a thud and raced up the road.

  Molly! She couldn’t control the horse. Without hesitation he raced through the French doors to the outside and to the stables. He grabbed a bridle and
reins from the wall and burst into Warrior’s stall. No time for a saddle, he had to get to Molly now.

  With the bridle and reins in place he hoisted himself up onto Warrior’s back and dug his heels into the horse’s flanks. “Let’s go. We have a rescue to do.”

  Once on the path to the main road, Molly’s buggy came into view, still careening at a high speed. Stefan flipped the reins from side to side to spur Warrior even faster and gained on the buggy. They’d be at the gate in moments, and if the horse didn’t slow down for the turn, they’d be in the fields and rough terrain, and there was no telling what would happen then.

  Warrior gained speed and shortened the distance in a flash. At the same moment Stefan reached the runaway’s side and stretched out his good hand to grab the reins. Pain shot up his arm, but he held tight as the horse snorted and bolted sideways. Molly screamed and the buggy swayed then toppled to the side, throwing Molly headfirst to the ground.

  Stefan pulled Warrior to a halt and scrambled to where Molly lay quiet and still on the side of the road. He gathered her in his arms and held her close. “Oh, please, God, she has to be all right.”

  He rocked back and forth on the ground and looked around to figure how to get her back to the house. A figure on horseback neared, and soon his father pulled to a stop and dismounted. “I saw her buggy at a distance as I was riding home, and I could tell it was going dangerously fast, so I followed.” He touched the side of Molly’s neck. “She has a pulse.” He then ran his hands over her arms and legs and checked her neck. “No broken bones either. Still, we have to get her back to the house and send for her father.”