“No. What you said was wonderful.”
He looked straight, confusion on his brow. “I wish I could remember what it was, then.”
She laughed again, but then turned serious. “You said you saw how much John loved me—I wish it was so.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “I think I understand. Maybe these tears are because you don’t think he loves you?”
She nodded and wiped at her nose once again.
“Then I think these tears are for naught.”
She looked down at her hands and fiddled with the cotton handkerchief. “I wish I could agree with you—but he’s engaged to another woman.”
There was a long pause and then he said softly, “Are you so sure?”
She glanced at Mr. Turner with a question on her face.
But Mr. Turner was looking over her shoulder toward the door.
Marjorie turned her head.
John had just entered the depot, frantically searching the interior until his gaze landed on Marjorie.
“Merry Christmas,” Mr. Turner said, sliding back to his end of the bench.
John strode across the wooden floor, his long coat flapping as he walked.
Marjorie stood on shaking legs. What was he doing here?
His gaze roamed all over her, as if he was looking for an injury. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. How’s Charlie?”
He smiled and Marjorie clutched Mr. Turner’s handkerchief to her chest.
“He’s doing well,” John said. “His fever broke and I expect him to make a full recovery.”
The news was too good to be true. Marjorie sank to the bench, the tears starting all over again. The past few days had been the longest days of her life and she had never known fear as she’d known it while Charlie was sick.
John sat close beside her, his voice low. “I thought you had already gone.”
“I couldn’t get on the train.”
“Why not?”
“I was afraid.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Marjorie I’ve come to know.”
“Then maybe you haven’t known the real me.”
He took her gloved hand in his and she bit her bottom lip. It felt so wonderful to be held by him.
“I know the real Marjorie Maren,” he said. “She’s the young lady who walked into my home two months ago and turned everything upside down. She broke my rules, defied my orders and tried to marry me off to half the women in this town. Not once did I see fear in her eyes.”
“Maybe you weren’t looking hard enough.”
“Or maybe...” He leaned close to her and tried to get her to look at him. “I couldn’t see the fear past the love in her eyes for my children.”
She sniffled. “I do love your children.”
“And they love you.”
She finally looked up at him and was startled by the look in his brown eyes.
“I love you, too, Marjorie.”
“You do?” she whispered.
“More than I ever thought possible.”
She couldn’t hold in the truth any longer. “I love you.”
He put her hand to his lips. “I hoped you would say that.”
“But I’m scared, John. Scared of so many things.”
“Then that makes two of us.”
“What are you scared of?”
“I’m scared I’ll lose you.” His hand came up to her cheek and he wiped away a stray tear. “I have something for you.” He reached inside his coat and pulled Petey’s airplane out of the inner pocket.
“Why do you have Petey’s airplane?”
“I stopped there to tell the children about Charlie before coming here and Petey asked me to give this to you.” He extended the metal airplane.
Marjorie took it in her hands, holding it like it was the most precious item in the world, and at the moment, it was. “Why?”
“He asked me to give it to you, so you would have to return it to him.” He studied her face. “He doesn’t want you to go, and neither do I. None of us want you to leave.”
Marjorie examined the airplane, thinking of the quiet little boy who loved it. Had he finally accepted her? She wanted nothing more than to take him up in her arms at this very moment.
“I want you to be my wife,” John whispered beside her. “Not because I need a mother for my children, but because I want you by my side for the rest of my days.”
“What about Camilla?”
He shook his head.
“You’re not marrying her?”
“It never even entered my mind.”
A great burden lifted from Marjorie’s heart at the news.
“You once told me you are afraid that you could never complete anything,” John said. “So I’m asking you to finish something right now.”
“What is that?”
“You said you couldn’t leave until you found me a wife—so become the wife I need, and finish the job you set out to accomplish.” He reached inside his coat once again, and this time he pulled out a small velvet box. “This isn’t from Petey. This is a gift from me.”
He opened the box and a beautiful diamond ring sparkled in the sunshine pouring into the depot. “It’s my mother’s ring. Unlike Petey’s gift, I don’t want this back. I want you to keep it and wear it forever.”
Father’s words ran through Marjorie’s head once again. You’re a quitter, Marjorie, and you’ll never change.
This time, she wouldn’t quit. She would spend the rest of her days loving John and his children—their children. Marjorie couldn’t contain the grin. “Yes.”
John offered her a stunning smile. “Yes?”
She nodded and allowed him to slip the ring on her finger.
It fit perfectly.
He let the box fall to his lap and then he kissed her, right there in front of Mr. Turner, the ticket agent and a whole host of strangers.
His kiss was soft and loving, yet it held promise for passion, adventure and a dose of whimsy.
* * *
John lifted his lips from Marjorie’s and offered her another smile as he shook his head.
“What?” she asked quietly, a smile playing about her mouth, her dimples glowing.
“The day you walked into my home, I never imagined I’d be asking you to stay forever.”
“Neither did I.”
“But now I can’t think of anything better than this.”
She put her arms around him and pulled him down to kiss him once again.
A train whistle filled the depot and they both looked toward the bank of windows. A hulking locomotive pulled into the station.
“Westbound train,” the ticket agent called out.
Marjorie looked away from the train and toward John. “Can we go home now?”
John grinned. “The children will be excited to hear our news.” He glanced down at her bag. “Is this one yours?”
“Yes.”
He lifted her bag and offered his arm, but then he stopped and stared out the window. A familiar figure strode away from the train and toward the depot, wearing a dark wool coat and matching fedora. “It looks like we have another guest.”
Marjorie followed his gaze. “Who is he?”
John grinned. “That’s Dora’s fiancé, Jeremiah Watkins.”
Her brow rose high. “Did Dora know he was coming?”
“I don’t know. Do you mind if we give him a ride?”
“Of course not. I’m eager to meet him.”
They waited near the door for Jeremiah to enter the depot.
“Hello,” John said, snagging the young man’s attention. “Merry Christmas.”
Jeremiah’s blue eyes registered his surprise. �
�John! Merry Christmas. What are you doing here?” His questioning gaze lingered on Marjorie.
“I came here to pick up my fiancée, Miss Maren.” John couldn’t hide the pride in his voice. “Marjorie, this is a good friend of mine, Dr. Jeremiah Watkins.”
Jeremiah grinned at Marjorie, and John could tell his friend approved. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Maren.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Marjorie smiled back at Jeremiah and then took John’s hand in hers.
“It’s a pleasant coincidence running into you,” John said to Jeremiah. “Would you like a ride?”
“Yes.” Jeremiah’s face showed his appreciation. “It would save me the trouble of hiring a cab.” He clutched a single satchel in one hand. With the other, he clapped John’s back. “Do you think Dora will be happy to see me?”
“A little surprised, but very happy.”
The three walked out to John’s sleigh and were soon swishing through town, toward East Broadway and the Scotts’ home. On the way, John told Jeremiah all about Charlie’s illness.
“How long will you be in town?” Marjorie asked Jeremiah.
“Just as long as it takes to make Dora my bride.”
“I plan to get the preacher to my house in the morning,” John said, giving Marjorie a wink. “You’re more than welcome to join us.”
“I might, at that, if she’ll finally say yes!” Jeremiah laughed, and the sound matched the ringing of the jingle bells on the harness.
John stopped the sleigh in front of the Scotts’ home and helped Marjorie out.
“I’m nervous,” she said to John quietly as Jeremiah climbed out of the back.
“Why?”
“It sounds silly, but I feel as if I’m meeting your children for the first time.” She touched her hair. “Do I look all right?”
John could finally allow the truth to shine from his eyes. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Miss Maren!” Lilly’s voice carried over the snowy lawn as she jumped up and down on the front porch, waving with all her might. Petey appeared at her side, a grin on his face. “Hurry. We’ve made more gingerbread men!”
Marjorie grinned and started toward the house, her skirts gathered up in her hands as she climbed over snowbanks to get to the children.
John chuckled. It did his heart good to see their excitement for one another.
Dora appeared at the door, a dish towel in hand, and her eyes grew wide at the sight of Jeremiah. She rubbed self-consciously at the flour on her nose.
Jeremiah followed in Marjorie’s footprints and met Dora at the door, just as John came up behind them.
“Merry Christmas,” Jeremiah said to Dora.
“Merry Christmas—what are you doing—?”
John walked around them and into the foyer, just as Jeremiah kissed Dora.
John closed the front door to give them privacy.
“Papa!” Lilly said as she tugged on his arm. “You brought Miss Maren home.”
“And she brought my airplane,” Petey said from Marjorie’s arms. He flew his airplane over Marjorie’s head and Marjorie used the opportunity to kiss his cheek. Instead of pulling away, Petey wrapped his arms around Marjorie’s neck and squeezed her tight.
Marjorie turned to John, a smile on her face, even as tears filled her eyes.
Mother Scott entered the foyer holding Laura in her arms. Her gaze swept over Marjorie and disdain filled her face. “I see we aren’t done with her.”
It was time to share their news. Mother Scott needed to realize that Marjorie would stay, whether she liked it or not.
“Mother Scott. Children.” John put his arm around Marjorie’s waist. “I’ve asked Marjorie to marry me.”
“You’re going to be our mama?” Petey asked.
“Not our mama,” Lilly corrected. “Our stepmother.”
Petey’s little brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”
“It means she’s going to take your mother’s place,” Mother Scott said with a gravelly voice. “It will be as if Anna never existed.”
“That’s the last thing I want to do.” Marjorie looked toward John, dismay on her face. She set Petey on his feet. “I will do everything I can to keep Anna’s memory alive. I wouldn’t dream of taking her place.” She turned her green eyes toward Mother Scott. “I love John and the children, and I know my love for them would not be possible if Anna’s love had not come first. I will never replace her. I will simply carry on the legacy she began, and hope I can do her proud.”
Mother Scott harrumphed and then handed Laura over to Marjorie. “I suppose I don’t have a say, so what does my opinion matter?”
“Mother Scott.” John took a step toward his mother-in-law and put his arm around her shoulder. She stood stiff and unyielding. “A great deal has changed in the past few months, and I know how difficult it has been for you. You’re the children’s grandmother and you’ll always have a special place in their lives. But...” He looked at her closely, his voice serious. “Marjorie will become my wife, and if you cannot treat her with love and respect, you will not be welcome in our home.”
Mother Scott looked from John to Marjorie and back again. “I would never dream of being disrespectful.”
John wanted to roll his eyes, but instead he offered her a hug. “Please join us for supper tonight.”
She nodded, wiping at her eyes. “I’ll be there.” She looked around John, her tears already forgotten. “Who’s that on my front porch? Is that—” She put her hand to her chest. “Is that Dora kissing a man right out my front door?”
“That’s Dr. Jeremiah Watkins.” John laughed. “And I do believe he is kissing your daughter. Pretty soundly, by the looks of it.”
“Why, I never! Right there, for everyone to see?” Mother Scott moved toward the door and peeked through the window. “Is he the young man who has been writing to Dora?”
“I believe so.”
Mother Scott grabbed the doorknob before John could stop her, and she opened the door. “Dora, what is the meaning of this?”
Dora turned to her mother, her cheeks pink, but she didn’t leave Jeremiah’s arms. “Mother, this is Jeremiah, and I’m going to marry him.”
Jeremiah grinned at Dora, but Mother Scott’s mouth sagged. “You’re going to what?”
“I’m going to marry him. Tomorrow.” Dora laughed, and the sound made everyone but Mother Scott smile.
Instead, Mother Scott’s mouth hung open as she stared at Dora. “And when were you going to tell me?”
“I’ve been trying to get up the courage for weeks now.”
“Why were you afraid?”
“Because I’ll be moving to Minneapolis after we’re married.”
Mother Scott didn’t say anything for a long time, and the children seemed to sense the magnitude of the moment, not saying a word. Finally Mother Scott nodded once and then climbed the stairs without looking back.
Dora glanced at Jeremiah, her smile gone.
“It will take her some time,” John said.
Dora bit the inside of her bottom lip and nodded, though John could see a glimmer of moisture in her eyes.
“Can we go home now?” Lilly asked, tugging on John’s arm again.
“Later.” John took Laura from Marjorie’s arms and lifted the baby in the air. He was rewarded with a giggle and a stream of drool from her little mouth. “For now, I must check on Charlie and let him rest. Marjorie and I will come back for you in a few hours when supper is ready.”
“I hate to leave the children so soon.” Marjorie put her arm around Lilly’s shoulder. “We’ve only just been reunited.”
“I’ll take good care of them.” Dora took Laura from John’s arms. “The children will be ready when you come for them.”
John looked at Jeremiah and then back at Dora. “Are you sure?”
Both Dora and Jeremiah nodded, so John offered Marjorie his arm and they kissed the children on their cheeks before walking out the front door.
They went back to the sleigh and John drove it around to the carriage house. Together, he and Marjorie rubbed down the horse and wiped the sleigh, sharing smiles as they worked. When the tasks were complete, he kissed her soundly, and then they walked toward the house, hand in hand.
John pushed open the back door and they stepped into the warm hall. “Will you be ready for the preacher in the morning?”
She offered him a dazzling smile. “I’d be ready by suppertime, if I needed to be.”
“Tomorrow morning, then?”
She nodded. “I can’t wait.”
They took off their coats and hats and walked up the stairs to Marjorie’s old room.
Mother and Paul were sitting in the room with Charlie, who was awake. Mother was spoon-feeding him steaming broth and Paul was reading the Little Falls Daily Transcript in the chair. All three looked up when John and Marjorie entered the room.
“Merry Christmas,” Marjorie said to them all.
“Miss Maren!” Charlie’s dull eyes lit up and a smile played about his tired mouth. “You came home.”
Marjorie sat on the edge of Charlie’s bed and put her hand on the side of his face.
Charlie lifted one hand to touch hers and he looked happier than John had ever seen him.
“I’m back, Charlie, and I’m not ever going to leave again. You must promise to get well and stay well.”
“I will.”
John put his hand on Marjorie’s shoulder. “Marjorie is going to marry me.”
“Congratulations, John,” Mother said, rising with the bowl of broth in her hands. “I’m so happy.”
Paul also rose and extended his hand to John. “Congratulations.”
Mother set down the broth and gave Marjorie a hug and a kiss. “Welcome to the family, my dear.” She held up Marjorie’s left hand and admired her ring. “It never looked lovelier.”
“Thank you.”
Charlie watched the whole scene unfold with a quiet smile on his face. “God has given us a gift, hasn’t He, Papa?”
A Mother in the Making Page 23
