by Tricia Goyer
She closed her eyes and swallowed. She wished she had more to say. Opening them, she looked into his face. He was a kind man, handsome even. She grabbed his hand. “Betsie does care…. I saw it in her eyes.”
Mr. Chapman’s jaw dropped in shock. “How did you know?”
She smiled. “I could read it in your letters. It was very clear you were becoming friendly with your cook. She seems to be a wonderful woman.”
He nodded and took a step back. “Your aunt, she’s with Elizabeth. I can help you both until you’re on your feet.”
“There’s no need.” C.J. Walpole stepped closer. “I appreciate your kindness, sir, but you can be sure this young woman and her aunt will be well cared for. She—” His voice caught in his throat. “Because of her care, I was given a great gift—the return of my son.”
Earl nodded, and a smile lit his face. “I’ll go to the memorial and find your aunt. Then I’ll return.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded and strode away with shoulders squared. She wanted to tell him more. She wanted to tell him that it was because of his kindness that she was here at all.
“To think it was only nine days ago when we were in Southampton at the docks.” Quentin’s voice spoke to her from behind. “I didn’t know you existed. I just wanted some bread and maybe a free passage. Now you’re … you …” He sighed happily. “I can’t imagine life without you. I can’t imagine not knowing I have my father’s love, and my brother”—he shook his head—“he cared enough to save me when he was certain I’d be lost.”
She returned to the chair and sat again. “I can’t believe it.” She placed her fingers over trembling lips.
“You saved me, too, you know,” he said. “You opened my eyes and made me look back on what I’d been running from.”
“No more running now. You promise? Because if you do …”
He put a hand on her jaw, silencing her words with the softest touch of his thumb.
“No more running. I promise,” Quentin whispered. “And what about you? Are you willing to risk your heart with a man who doesn’t even own the clothes on his back?”
She looked over her shoulder and noticed C.J.’s smile. She had a feeling that with him around they’d never want. Then again, even if he never offered a penny, God would be with them, watching them. If God could save them, He could guide them, too.
“It’s not what I put my faith in, it’s who I put my faith in,” she said.
Tenderly, Quentin looked into her eyes. “’Sure and steadfast by Thy side.’ That’s from a hymn my mother often sang. It was her favorite line.” He smiled tenderly. “It was my brother’s favorite line, too.…” Quentin’s voice choked up. “I’d like to think he’s singing that now with the angels as we speak.”
“I have a feeling he is.” Amelia offered a sad smile. “I have a feeling he is.”
Tears filled her eyes as she thought of Damien. He’d been so stubborn … so, so stubborn. He’d worked so hard to do everything right … and in the end he’d done exactly that.
The End
BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON
The original lyrics of the song “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” are now in the public domain due to expired copyright. They were first published in 1909, and the lyrics are as follows:
Verse 1
Place: Park
Scene: Dark
Silv’ry Moon is shining through the trees,
Cast: Two,
Me, you,
Sound of kisses floating on the breeze;
Act one: begun,
Dialogue “Where would ya like to spoon?”
My cue: with you,
Underneath the silv’ry moon.
Chorus
By the light, of the silvery moon,
I want to spoon,
To my honey I’ll croon love’s tune.
Honey moon, keep a-shinin’ in June.
Your silv’ry beams will bring love’s dreams,
We’ll be cuddlin’ soon,
By the silvery moon.
Verse 2
Act two.
Scene: new.
Roses blooming all around the place.
Cast: three
You, me,
Preacher with a solemn looking face.
Choir sings, bell rings,
Preacher: “You are wed forever more”
Act two, all through.
Ev’ry night the same encore.
(Repeat chorus)
Tricia Goyer has published numerous articles, novels, and nonfiction titles. A former teen mom, Tricia founded Hope Pregnancy Center in Kalispell, Montana. She now lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, with her husband and four children, including a newly adopted daughter.
