The Valiant Hearts Romance Collection
Page 65
“I used that money for my sister, Glen, to bring her to California. She’s finally able to come after months of arrangements. You left me with meager savings, and no earning potential whatsoever. How could you do that to me? To my family?” She stamped her foot, embarrassed by her childish behavior, but too upset to care.
“I was trying to earn enough money to buy one of the houses, Jo. I took my carpentry test, and I’m in the union now, thanks to Winthrop, and making eight dollars a day! I cut the lumber here all day for the project downtown.”
“Well, that’s just fine for you. In the meantime, I’m stealing food from Davy’s mouth in that cramped flat! Not to mention Claire is—”
“So we could be married,” Glen continued.
Josephine stammered, “Wh–what did you say?” She looked up in hopeful anticipation.
“I said I wanted to buy the house so we could be married, Josephine. I love you. Maybe I’ve done an awful job of showing it, but I want you as my wife. My sister told me you hadn’t left for Michigan, that you’d sent for Claire. I took that as a sign you cared for me, too. Was I wrong?”
“No, Glen. I love you, too, but what about Winthrop? What about his threats?”
Glen looked to the floorboards and pulled her into the shed deeper. He whispered, “I’m afraid Winthrop isn’t going to be with us long enough to make many more threats. Pray for his soul, Jo. That’s what we must do, and we must try not to upset him. He plans to tell his parents this very night. I tried to leave so many times, but God kept holding me back, forcing me to stay. He needs me right now, Jo. I know it’s hard to see with his obnoxious behavior, but he’s hurting. He aches with physical pain but even more with spiritual darkness.”
Glen’s eyes filled with tears as he spoke, and Jo had never seen a more beautiful sight. How could she have ever doubted him? “I’ll marry you, Glen. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll marry you.”
“It won’t be long now, my love. Give Winthrop no pity, only your prayers.”
“I will; you can count on it. I’m going to the station to pick up Claire tonight.”
“I’ll be home to you soon. Claire and you will have a quaint little house within the next couple months, and hopefully Winthrop will have a room prepared for him by our Lord.”
She embraced Glen with all her strength, overwhelmed by the fact that her family would soon be intact. The new family which God had fashioned of His own hand.
Jo arrived at the station, anxious and thrilled for her sister’s arrival. She babbled incessantly while Glen just watched her happily. Running alongside the train, Jo searched the windows for a sign of her sister, but slowed her pace eventually when the appearance didn’t come. When the last traveler disembarked, a shudder of fear overcame her. She ran to the conductor and was directed to the office.
“My sister was supposed to be on that train. Is there another train due?” Jo’s voice shook. Glen smoothed his hand along her back trying to comfort her, but it was of little use.
“You Josephine Mayer?” The office man’s chin jutted toward her.
“Yes, yes, I am.” Jo nodded.
“Letter for you, over there in that trunk.”
Jo turned to see her mother’s beloved wedding chest, hand-carved and filled with memories, lying isolated in a forgotten corner of the station. “Glen, that’s my mother’s trunk! The one Agnes stole from us.” Josephine shook her head. “But how did Claire get it, and where is my sister?”
“Let’s go find out.” Glen held her shaking hand. Jo was overwhelmed with tears at the sight of the old chest.
“This chest meant so much to my mother and my Grandma Faith.” Jo reached and opened the chest. A letter lay on top of the treasures within, treasures which included the seed pearl gown worn by generations of brides before her. Jo ripped open the letter with abandon.
Dear Jo,
I’m sure you’re wondering where I am by now, and the answer is, in case you haven’t guessed, I’m not coming. Grandma Faith found out what I was up to and asked Agnes for the chest back, saying she was in need of memories of Grandpa. Even Agnes couldn’t refuse her. I’ve decided to live with Grandma for now. She could use the company, and I could certainly stand to get away from here. She was very angry with both of us for not telling her our situation. Anyway, I used the money you sent me to pack the chest and ship it to California. Marian tells me there’s a husband in your future, and I knew you had to have the dress. I only wish Marian had had it as well. Wear it and think of me, dear sister. I love you.
Claire
Jo wiped the tears from her eyes and fingered the delicate fabric of the elaborate wedding gown. “It’s all too much!” She stood and Glen took her in his arms.
“No, Josephine, it’s all from God, and He never holds back in good gifts.”
“Like our little house on State Street?”
Glen smiled. “Yes, just like that. Now that the stock market has crashed, work will be even harder to come by.”
“Poor Mr. Linton.” Jo looked to the fancy chest below her, thankful her own treasures would last.
“Mr. Linton is just lucky Winthrop invested outside the stock market. Winthrop finally got what he wanted—his father’s respect.”
“And God finally got what He wanted—Winthrop’s heart.”
Jo snuggled into Glen’s firm chest, knowing whatever lay ahead, she’d weather it all with Glen at the helm under God’s direction.
Epilogue
Josephine wrapped her wedding gown in cotton and placed it carefully back into the box. As she did so, she added a letter as each of her predecessors had done:
To My Future Generations,
Times are very hard as I write this letter. Most of America struggles to put food on the table, and we are, gratefully, unscathed by the Great Depression. I don’t know if times will warrant anyone wearing this elegant gown again, but know whoever reads this letter as my descendent, I have prayed for you and the generations that come after you. This gown meant everything to me at a time when marriage itself was a financial stretch. It was a piece of my beloved mother given back to me. While the gown may go by the wayside, I pray that your faith in our Lord and a godly husband will not. May God richly bless you, my daughters, wherever He leads you.
Josephine Mayer Bechtel
Married August 14, 1929
Enclosed in this chest, I’ve added a piece of colored glass that is so popular in our day. It is not expensive, nor will it probably ever be, but it meant a great deal to me when Glen brought it home. The pattern is called cabbage rose, and the pitcher held a place of great honor in our home.
KRISTIN BILLERBECK is a bestselling, Christy-nominated author of over 45 novels. Her work has been featured in The New York Times and on “The Today Show.” Kristin is a fourth-generation Californian and a proud mother of four. She lives in the Silicon Valley and enjoys good handbags, hiking, and reading.