Hope nodded. “Yes. Knowing I was going to have a baby meant I’d never be able to forget what happened.”
“I don’t think I can ever forget what happened to my friends.” Faith shook her head. “Even without a baby to remind me. But . . .” She paused, and her brows knit together as if she were pondering something very difficult. “I don’t know that I want to forget. Maybe if I forget what happened, I’ll forget them too.”
Her words gave Hope pause. Her simple statement touched Hope deeply. “See, I didn’t think like that back then. I guess I was just fooling myself. I believed that if I could just stop thinking about what happened—stop hearing anything about it or having anything to do with anyone who reminded me of the attack—then I’d be all right. But you know why that didn’t work?”
Faith shook her head. “No.”
“Because I still had to live with myself. I was my own constant reminder of all that had happened and all that I’d lost.” Hope sighed. “I couldn’t get away from the memories, because I couldn’t get away from myself. It made me want to die. Then, when I found out I was going to have a baby, I didn’t think I could bear it. I figured we’d both be better off . . . well, it’s not important now—because it wasn’t true. Eletta—your mama told me how much she wanted a baby and couldn’t have one, and I felt bad for her. But when she reminded me that what happened wasn’t your fault just like it wasn’t my fault, I knew she was right. You and I . . . we were in the same position in so many ways. It wasn’t our fault, and therefore, we didn’t . . . we don’t need to carry the guilt.”
“Did you hate me?”
Hope shook her head. “No. I never hated you, Faith.” She smiled and got to her feet. “I could never hate you. God made you—only He has power over life and death. I didn’t understand why things had happened like they did, but I never hated you, and I never will.”
Faith’s expression changed from concerned to happy. “I’m so glad you don’t hate me.”
It was Hope’s turn to grow serious. “You don’t hate me, do you?”
“No,” Faith replied, laughing as she began to dance around. “I love you.”
Adam returned by the end of July. Mercy had never been happier to see anyone in her life. With Adam gone, she hadn’t felt a moment’s peace. Nothing felt right.
“I thought you might never come back.” She hugged him close. “I missed you so much.”
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I missed you too.” He straightened and looked around. “Where is everybody?”
“Getting ready to eat. Alex and Lance arrived just ahead of you. I’m surprised they didn’t realize you were back and wait for you.”
“I didn’t come by way of town, so they wouldn’t have seen me.” He put his arm around her. “I need to put the horse up, but why don’t you walk with me and I’ll tell you everything that happened.”
“I’d like that.” Mercy clung to his arm as if he might disappear if she let go. “I want to know how everything went. What of the Tututni and Mr. Palmer? Is the war finally over?”
“I doubt the war will ever really be over. There’s a lot of bitterness between the Indian and the white man, and I don’t know how it can be healed. Both sides are so wounded and angry.”
They reached the horse pen, and Mercy stood back as Adam unsaddled his horse. He looked tired but healthy. His skin was tanned from hours spent outdoors, and his clothes looked like they’d seen better days. Still, she thought he’d never been more handsome.
Adam turned the horse out and closed the gate to the pen. “I’ll come back and see to him after supper.” He once again put his arm around her waist. “As for the outcome of my meetings with Palmer, it’s all very good. We’re approved to teach and preach at the reservation. Of course, it will take time to win any kind of trust with the people there, but some of our friends are already at Grand Ronde, and others are making their way there. We’ll join them as soon as we can pack up our things and go.”
“You mean right away?” Mercy stepped away and turned to face him. “Tomorrow?”
“If you can pack that fast.” He grinned. “I know you can do most anything you set your mind to.”
Mercy shook her head. “I suppose I just thought it would take more time.”
“It’s already been weeks. Meanwhile, the government shipped several hundred Rogue River Indians north to the reservation. And, Mercy,” he paused, “they aren’t doing very well.”
“What’s happened?”
“Sickness, lack of food, exhaustion from the trip. Many have died, and I fear many more will do the same.” He frowned. “Most of the people who have any say over the matter simply don’t care whether the Indians die or not. In fact, I believe they hope the hardships will decrease their number.”
“That’s terrible. Is there anything we can do?”
“I don’t know. We’ll do what we can and act as advocates to anyone who will listen, but given the general attitude toward the Indians, I fear it will fall on deaf ears.”
Mercy heard the pain in his voice. He cared so much about these people—as did she. “Well, I guess we’d best go break the news to everyone.”
“What about Faith?” He asked the question that was already on her mind.
“I don’t know. Things have gone well here. Faith fits in nicely and enjoys the younger children. Still, Hope and I haven’t had a chance to discuss the matter. I suppose we’ll have to do that now.” She squared her shoulders and threw him a smile. “I know God’s already made provision.”
After a long kiss, they joined the others in the house, and everyone was delighted to welcome Adam back. Faith flew into his arms. Adam gave her a big bear hug while she dotted his face with kisses.
“I missed you, Uncle Adam.”
“I missed you too.” He kissed her nose. “Have you been helpful while I was away?” He put her back on the ground.
She nodded. “I helped with the sheep and the little children. I even helped in the kitchen.”
“That she did,” Grace said, coming from that direction. “Supper’s on the table.”
“Before we go in, Adam and I have something to say.” Mercy looked at her husband and then back to her sisters and their families. “We’ve been approved to teach on the reservation at Grand Ronde.”
“That’s wonderful,” Alex declared. “When will you go?”
Mercy looked again to Adam.
“Right away,” Adam said. “They need us as soon as possible. We intend to pack up tonight and leave in the morning.”
Grace looked startled. “Tomorrow? So soon?”
“They aren’t going to give you a chance to rest?” Lance said, moving to stand by Hope.
“No, they’re sending in more Indians every day. I know a great number of the people from my work along the Rogue River. Some of them are very sick, and the rest are discouraged. I’m hopeful we can make a difference.”
“I’m sure you’ll be an answer to prayer,” Alex threw in. “I don’t have any doubts you’re doing the right thing.”
“But what about me?” Faith interrupted. She looked around the room, her eyes wide. “Where am I going to live?”
Mercy had anticipated the question but felt no more capable of giving an answer than she had weeks earlier. Before she could answer Faith, however, Lance spoke up.
“Where would you like to live?”
Faith looked at Mercy and then at Hope.
Hope stepped forward and smiled down at Faith. “You mean a great deal to us. In fact, we want you to know that we love you, and you are welcome and wanted here in our family.”
Mercy could see there were tears in Hope’s eyes, just as there were in her own. Faith stood biting her lower lip as if trying to reason through it all. Hoping to ease the situation, Mercy stepped forward and knelt beside her.
“Faith, we want you to be happy, so the decision is up to you. We love you too. In fact, everyone here loves you, so you needn’t be afraid. No matter what you deci
de, you’ll always have Adam and me in your life. We’ll come and visit whenever we can. And if you’d rather come with us, then we’ll see to it that you can come here and visit too.” She smiled and stood. “You will always have a home where people love you. You’ll never be without a family.”
Faith’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you, Mercy, but . . .” She turned back to Hope and began to cry in earnest. “I want to stay with my mama.”
Hope opened her arms to Faith, and the child didn’t hesitate. Both were sobbing, as were Grace and Mercy. The moment of healing seemed to wash over the entire gathering.
Adam put his arms around Mercy and pulled her back against him. She felt his warmth and the strength of his embrace. She watched as Hope and Faith held on to each other and prayed that God would bless this mother and daughter. She cried silently, continuing to pray and praise God for all that He had done.
Adam led Mercy outside and held her while she regained her composure. He pressed tiny kisses along her hairline and stroked her cheek.
“I understand now,” he whispered. “I can see you were right all along. She belongs here. She’s always belonged here.”
Mercy nodded and looked into her husband’s eyes. “Just like I’ve always belonged with you.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Nothing in my life felt quite right until I met you.” He reached into his pocket. “I almost forgot, I have something for you. Something I promised you.”
Mercy waited as he fished something out of his pocket. When he held up a small gold band, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s perfect.”
“It’s simple and small, like you.” He took hold of her hand and pulled Eletta’s ring from her finger. “But also like you, it stands for something mightier . . . something powerful and enduring.” He slipped the new band on Mercy’s finger. “It’s truly a token of my love. A circle that never begins or ends.” He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her finger.
“Oh, Adam. How I love you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever fall in love with anyone. None of the boys who came courting appealed to me. There was always something missing, and now I know what it was . . . you.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “After what happened in Boston, I figured God meant me to be alone, and the thought terrified me. But then He brought you into my life. He gave me mercy . . . my most cherished Mercy.”
She sighed and smiled. “I’m happier than I could have ever thought possible. I found my place. I finally know what God wants me to do, and nothing has ever felt so right.”
“And just what is it God wants you to do?” he asked.
“Love you.”
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling HEIRS OF MONTANA and ALASKAN QUEST series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie’s website at www.traciepeterson.com.
Books by Tracie Peterson
www.traciepeterson.com
HEART OF THE FRONTIER
Treasured Grace • Beloved Hope
Cherished Mercy
THE HEART OF ALASKA***
In the Shadow of Denali
SAPPHIRE BRIDES
A Treasure Concealed
A Beauty Refined • A Love Transformed
BRIDES OF SEATTLE
Steadfast Heart
Refining Fire • Love Everlasting
LONE STAR BRIDES
A Sensible Arrangement
A Moment in Time • A Matter of Heart
Lone Star Brides (3 in 1)
LAND OF SHINING WATER
The Icecutter’s Daughter
The Quarryman’s Bride • The Miner’s Lady
LAND OF THE LONE STAR
Chasing the Sun
Touching the Sky • Taming the Wind
BRIDAL VEIL ISLAND*
To Have and To Hold
To Love and Cherish • To Honor and Trust
STRIKING A MATCH
Embers of Love
Hearts Aglow • Hope Rekindled
SONG OF ALASKA
Dawn’s Prelude
Morning’s Refrain • Twilight’s Serenade
ALASKAN QUEST
Summer of the Midnight Sun
Under the Northern Lights
Whispers of Winter
Alaskan Quest (3 in 1)
BRIDES OF GALLATIN COUNTY
A Promise to Believe In
A Love to Last Forever • A Dream to Call My Own
THE BROADMOOR LEGACY*
A Daughter’s Inheritance
An Unexpected Love • A Surrendered Heart
BELLS OF LOWELL*
Daughter of the Loom
A Fragile Design • These Tangled Threads
LIGHTS OF LOWELL*
A Tapestry of Hope
A Love Woven True • The Pattern of Her Heart
DESERT ROSES
Shadows of the Canyon
Across the Years • Beneath a Harvest Sky
HEIRS OF MONTANA
Land of My Heart • The Coming Storm
To Dream Anew • The Hope Within
LADIES OF LIBERTY
A Lady of High Regard
A Lady of Hidden Intent • A Lady of Secret Devotion
RIBBONS OF STEEL**
Distant Dreams • A Hope Beyond
A Promise for Tomorrow
RIBBONS WEST**
Westward the Dream
Separate Roads • Ties That Bind
WESTWARD CHRONICLES
A Shelter of Hope
Hidden in a Whisper • A Veiled Reflection
YUKON QUEST
Treasures of the North
Ashes and Ice • Rivers of Gold
All Things Hidden***
Beyond the Silence***
House of Secrets
A Slender Thread
What She Left for Me
Where My Heart Belongs
*with Judith Miller **with Judith Pella ***with Kimberley Woodhouse
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