A Gathering of Memories (18 page)

Mandy looked down with satisfaction at the way her small bust finally filled out the front of her dress. With her added weight she and Amy were very near the same size.

Carrie was built much the same as Mandy, petite of height but just a shade slimmer. She looked adorable this evening in her lavender dress with short puffed sleeves and rounded neckline. Amy had helped pull her hair up and the effect was darling with her slim neck and nearly bare arms.

Mandy’s dress was light pink and set off the darkness of her hair and eyes. The waistline was nipped in and the bodice fitted. Mandy was thrilled that she no longer looked so straight up-and-down. Her own neckline was modestly rounded with a ruffle around the edge and sleeves longer than Carrie’s, but the lightweight cotton fabric made her outfit very cool and comfortable.

“Mandy, I’ve been wanting to talk with you and I haven’t had a chance. Can we talk now?”

“Of course,” Mandy answered, even though she knew that Carrie was going to tell her about her new religion. What Mandy didn’t know was that the words Carrie had chosen were
going to affect her tremendously. They sat on the edge of the bed facing each other.

“We’re family, Mandy,” Carrie began without warning, speaking quickly lest she lose courage. “And nothing can ever change that. I think we’re closer than most sisters, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. But I realized after we moved in with Silas and Amy that there was another family I wanted to be part of and that’s God’s family.

“I don’t think there’s ever been anything that we haven’t shared in, but this—” She stopped for a moment, afraid that Mandy would be angry with her. “This is something we can’t share in, Mandy—because you don’t think people sin. And I’m telling you, Mandy—you’re wrong. I want you to know that I’m praying that you’ll understand how wrong you are and come to Jesus.”

There were tears in Mandy’s eyes, and it was almost too much for Carrie. She knew Mandy was hurt, but her soul was more important than a few earthly tears. “Mandy, I love you,” she continued softly. “That won’t ever change. Today is my birthday, but I wasn’t really born until last Sunday when I told God I needed a Savior.”

Mandy was speechless. Carrie’s face shone with contentment and peace. This wasn’t some religion, some Sunday morning ritual. This was a changed life.

“Will you think about what I’ve said, Mandy? Think about how much Jesus Christ loves you and what He did on the cross to prove that love.”

The older girl nodded almost with relief. They hugged, each with their thoughts in a whirl—Mandy, trying to absorb all that Carrie had said, and Carrie, praying fervently that she’d used the right words, and nearly begging God to save her big sister.

“You mean the entire family is coming?” Carrie asked the question in incredulous surprise when she saw the tables Amy had set for supper.

“That’s right. You don’t turn 15 every day, and that makes it something to celebrate.”

“Well now,” Silas spoke as he came into the kitchen. “If you aren’t a sight for tired eyes.” Silas smiled at his adopted family, who sparkled visibly under his words of praise. Rebecca stood quietly in a peach-colored dress and matching pinafore. She didn’t notice Silas looking at her because her eyes were fastened on the cake sitting on the sideboard in the kitchen.

The boys were freshly scrubbed, and their plaid shirts and navy blue pants were spotless. Levi already had his shirttail tugged out, but he was still in good shape for the party.

The older girls smiled back at Silas, feeling special under his approving gaze, and then watched as he approached his wife. Amy was in light blue and if the look in Silas’ eye was any indication, breathtaking. She stood still under his scrutiny and raised her face for his kiss when he stopped in front of her.

The children were long since used to such displays of affection, and it was obvious to each of them that this couple was in love. Levi and Clovis found the entire episode sickening, whereas Carrie and Mandy thought it was the most wonderful thing on earth. At 15 and 18 they couldn’t help but dream of someday having someone like Silas Cameron in love with them. They could even visualize who they wanted that
someone
to be, but there were last minute details to be handled for supper and no more time for daydreams.

“If everyone has had enough, let’s go into the living room for presents. We’ll have the cake later. Oh, and leave the dishes.”

The family did as Amy bade, and Carrie suddenly found herself the center of attention. Seated in the middle of the sofa with a very pregnant Christine on one side and April on the other, she looked at the low table in front of her, covered with presents. She had never seen so many. And they were all for her!

Biting her lip, Carrie looked up, uncertain of what to do next. The eyes she met were Silas’, and he said gently, “Go ahead, honey, start anywhere you want.”

She looked at Mandy before reaching for a package and received an encouraging smile.

“Start with this one, Carrie. It’s from Pastor Chad and me.” Aunt April rescued her by giving her a starting place, and Carrie smiled at her gratefully before tugging the paper from a low, flat package. There was no immediate reaction to the book she unwrapped, until she turned the binding up to see the words—
Holy Bible
.

“Oh, Aunt April!” Carrie cried as she threw her arms around the woman next to her. “Is it really my very own Bible—one I can keep?”

“It’s all yours,” April spoke through the stranglehold on her neck. Every adult in the room was having trouble swallowing, as they watched Carrie slowly open the Bible. Touching the pages as though they would tear under her lightest touch, Carrie raised her head. Her smile was blinding. She searched out Pastor Chad among the sea of faces.

“Thank you,” Carrie said softly, and he nodded from across the room.

The next present was the comb-and-brush set from Ross. Again Carrie beamed at the provider of the gift, touching and
looking at it as though there had never been anything more wonderful. She went on to receive a pair of cuticle scissors and two cotton handkerchiefs from Grandma Em and a small leather coin purse, a box of hair pins, and a string of beads from her sisters and brothers.

Silas and Amy bought her a lovely pair of high-top shoes in jet black leather. They looked like they would be a perfect fit, and again Carrie was thrilled.

The last gift was from the Luke Cameron family, the Mark Cameron family, and the MacDonalds. They had gone in together and bought a tiny gold cross, brightly polished and delicately engraved. It hung on a gold chain.

Amanda, who had been sitting on the floor next to Ross, leaned forward as her sister pulled the chain from the box. Carrie caught her movement, and the girls exchanged astonished looks.

“I can’t accept this,” Carrie said the words after a moment. “It must have cost a fortune, and I might lose it or something.”

“We want you to have it, Carrie. Remember, all three of our families went in together, and none of us think you’re likely to lose it.” Luke spoke for the group, and Carrie glanced at him before her eyes locked with Mandy’s.

There had never been jewelry in the Jackson family. Their mother hadn’t even owned a wedding ring. Ross, silently watching the entire exchange, suddenly had the impulse to shower Amanda with jewels. It wasn’t financially possible of course, but he desperately wanted to give her something as lovely as the cross—anything to see the look of longing disappear when she received something of her own.

In the silence following Luke’s words, Mark moved toward Carrie and gently took the necklace from her hands. Mark worked the clasp, and then Carrie looked down in silent awe as the cherished gift fell to a perfect length for the neckline of her dress.

“Thank you,” she said, and met the eyes of each of them. “I’ll treasure it always.”

Much laughter and talk followed, and Mandy stayed where she was, hoping Carrie would join her. She got her wish and the girls communicated wordlessly as Carrie knelt down in front of her and let Mandy look her fill. Mandy’s hand reached out and lifted the tiny cross, her thumb moving carefully over the slight furrows in the gold. She let the cross go and it dropped softly back against Carrie’s chest. The girls’ eyes met again and they both giggled in delight and threw their arms around each other. The words came then, in a torrent.

“It’s so pretty.”

“I just love it.”

“You mustn’t lose it.”

“I’ll only wear it on Sundays.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“You can wear it, Mandy.”

“No, it’s yours.”

“I know, but you can.”

“Oh, Carrie.”

They laughed together then because they felt so good and the evening had been so wonderful. Carrie moved off to see someone else, leaving Ross and Amanda alone.

“She got nice things, didn’t she?” Mandy said with genuine pleasure.

“Yes, she did. She certainly looked pleased.” Ross was once again taken by her selflessness. She didn’t seem the least bit jealous of all the gifts and attention her sister was receiving.

“It was thoughtful of you to bring her something, Ross.”

“It was my pleasure. Pete said to tell her happy birthday. I forgot to tell her when she was just here.”

“Are you two all settled in your house?”

“I think so. We have more furniture than I imagined we would, thanks to Pete’s Uncle Preston.”

“Preston Culver?”

“Right. Do you know him?”

“I know of him, but then everyone in Baxter can say that. It seems like he owns everything in town.”

“I don’t think everything, but he’s a very successful businessman. He’s also a very nice guy. You would probably like him.”

“You might be right, but it’s doubtful I’ll ever meet him.”

“He goes to the church, Amanda.”

“Oh, I guess I didn’t see him.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll be at the ceremonies on Wednesday, so I’ll have to introduce you.”

“I can’t believe it’s nearly the Fourth of July.”

“This will be my first one away from Hayward.”

“Do you miss your family?”

“Not as much as I thought I would, but yes, I do miss them.”

“And your girlfriend. You must miss her.”

Ross looked at her in surprise. Her voice had sounded so resigned, and she was looking at him in a way Ross was not ready to deal with.

“Time to sing and have cake,” Silas called from the doorway. Not until Ross had his cake and he and Mandy were separated by many people, did he realize he hadn’t told her that he no longer had a girl.