Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) (32 page)

"I can see that I've surprised you, and I don't expect
you've ever given it any thought, so why don't I come by
tomorrow and you can tell me if you're at all interested?"
The Donovans agreed and thanked Witt for his trouble
before he went on his way.

"We definitely need to talk about this," Sean quietly
told his now-pale wife, "but not until after you've slept."

This time Charlie did not argue, and after Sean put out
the sign saying he would be back in 15 minutes, he
escorted his wife to the house. He stayed with her until
she was asleep, which took less than five minutes, but it
was far more than five minutes before Sean was done
praying and able to concentrate on his work.

Sean had been desperate for a bath that night, so
husband and wife decided that when they returned from
Sadie's they would go to bed early to talk about Witt's
news. Neither one had taken the time to open the mail,
so when they were finally snuggled in bed, Charlie
started with the letter from Aunt Maureen, and Sean
read a letter from Katie. Kate's letter ended with news
about Father.

"Don't be concerned if you don't hear from Father for
some time. He wrote that he was so busy with the work
there, he didn't know which way was up. He said that
God is moving in mighty ways throughout the villages.
He also asked us to pray with him that God would
burden other families to come and join the work there,
and of course for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ."

When it was time to trade, Sean hesitated. Charlie
looked at him with some surprise.

"Bad news?"

"No, but Katie reports something Father said, and I
really want us to talk before you read it."

Charlie looked at Sean for the space of a few heartbeats, her brows raised in surprise. Sean suddenly
realized he was selling her short and handed her the
letter. His desire not to pressure her about moving wasn't even valid. She could just as easily have been the first to
read Kate's letter and know what Father had said.

Sean also realized it was unfair of him to believe that
God would pressure them at all. He was, most likely,
giving them some direction. A few minutes later the
letters were put aside and Charlie used that very word.

"This is what I've prayed for, Sean," Charlie began.
"This is exactly what I've prayed for."

"What is that exactly?"

"Direction. I've prayed that God would show us what
direction He wanted us to go and in a way that we could
never doubt. I think we know that now."

Sean was speechless and for some reason, fearful.
"Charlie, when we were first married, I could tell that
you wanted desperately to please me. And now I'm just a
little afraid that you're doing it again and-"

"I'm not," Charlie said with a smile. "I mean, pleasing
you is important to me, and you don't fear moving because you've been where we're probably headed, but
none of what I've said stems from any desire other than
to follow God's will."

Sean's heart overflowed with praise to God. He realized then that his wildest dreams were coming true.
Charlie saw the emotion in his face and moved close to
hold him.

"Oh, Charlie," Sean's voice was breathless, "I thought
my life was over, and then you came forward and rescued me. Then I thought I would have to live forever
with an unsaved wife, but God brought you to Himself,
and now this. My darling Charlie, I can't tell you how
I've dreamed of our going to see my family, and then
going to Hawaii to work with Father."

"I know," Charlie whispered softly. "Did you think
we could live together as husband and wife without me
learning to read your thoughts?"

This caused Sean to laugh deeply, and he wrapped his
arms fiercely around her. They prayed together, surrounded by each other's embrace. It was a prayer of
surrender for the future, near and far. They both fell
quickly asleep, their hearts filled with prayers that God
would be glorified in their lives.

The next morning they made their way to the bank. In
the space of a few minutes, their hearts at peace, they
told Witt they were willing to talk about the sale of the
livery.

You're really leaving, aren't you?"

Charlie nodded and bravely fought the tears that
threatened. She knew Sadie had wanted to tell her she
couldn't go anywhere, but the fact was, they were leaving in two days and the time for facing reality was at
hand.

"What about the baby, Charlie? Should you be traveling when you're so far along?"

"The doctor says I'm in great shape, and we're taking
the train for most of the journey."

"You've changed, Charlie." Sadie sounded almost
despondent. "I'm not saying it's a bad change; it's just
that I don't understand it."

Charlie couldn't bear the dejected look on Sadie's face.
Gently grasping her aunt's arm, she led her to the sofa in
Sadie's small parlor.

In the minutes that followed, Charlie learned a great
deal about her aunt's knowledge of the Bible. She hadn't
realized that her late Uncle Harry had read the Bible
regularly.

"Your Uncle Harry was a good man, Charlie. He
deserved God's love."

"And you don't think you do?" Charlie asked softly.

Sadie let out a small sigh. "I'm nearing 60, honey."

"You're only 56," Charlie replied, wondering why
Sadie believed her age mattered.

"Yes, but I've lived those 56 years for myself, and I
don't really think God would be interested in me now."

"I don't believe that, Sadie." Charlie spoke with quiet
conviction.

"I know you don't. You believe that everyone is redeemable-but I just don't know."

The conversation continued on in this vein for nearly
two hours, and even though Sadie listened intently to all
Charlie shared, Charlie could see that she was not convinced.

When it came time for Charlie to leave, however, she
did not go under a cloud of depression. She believed that
God really would save her aunt in His time.

When Sadie saw how much Charlie loved Sean, and
how badly she wanted to go and do this "missionary
thing," as she called it, Sadie was able to send her with
her blessing.

Charlie told her aunt, without offending, that she
would be praying for a change in her heart. Knowing
that this would be their only private goodbye, their
embrace was long and tearful.

The church family gave Sean and Charlie a loving
send-off. There was a potluck supper, served at the
church, the night before they were scheduled to leave.
Pastor Miller asked Sean to share his testimony with all
present, and Sean praised God for the opportunity to
give Him the glory for all that had transpired in the last
months.

Most of what he shared regarding his years in Hawaii,
his mother and father's departure, and the way his heart turned from God was a surprise to those who attended.
The sincerity they saw as he told how God had changed
him gained him numerous hugs when he finished and
came down into the crowd.

Pastor Miller quieted everyone so he could pray for
their journey, and then presented them with a generous
gif t of money to help them on their way.

The potluck followed and went quite late into the
evening. Though it made it hard to rise in the morning,
excitement rode them and they rose with hearts of anticipation for the day's travel. Once at the train station, they
found Duncan, Lora, and Sadie on hand to see them off.
Lora gave them a basket of food for the trip.

Few words were said, but all promised to write, and
after a round of hugs was shared and tears were shed,
the Donovans were on their way. Charlie didn't cry as
Sean had expected. She was very quiet for the first five
miles, and Sean didn't press her into conversation.
Sometime after the fifth mile, she fell into a sound sleep
on Sean's shoulder.

At the end of their first day, they were both sticky with
perspiration and felt cramped from sitting so long. But
on they rode, taking trains and two stages, whatever was
needed to speed them on their journey. Charlie was
beginning to think they would never stop moving when
the stage they were on pulled into Santa Rosa late one
evening. It was after 8:00, so the shipping office and all
other businesses were closed for the night. The streets
were quiet.

Sean thought Charlie looked about ready to collapse,
but she told him it felt so good to stretch her legs that she
could ignore the fatigue. They didn't rush their walk,
and since they had left their big trunk at the stage office,
they had only one small traveling bag each. Once they
stood in front of the Riggs' home, Sean paused.

"This is the place."

"It's big, isn't it?"

"I guess it is pretty spacious," Sean agreed, but he
didn't speak again or move toward the house.

The last days, as well as the walk from the stage office,
were beginning to wear on Charlie, but she sensed Sean
needed time, so she stayed quiet. When he finally stepped
toward the house, she moved after him, praying that her
legs would hold.

Charlie stood behind Sean and watched as a man
opened the door, shouted Sean's name, pulled him
inside, and grabbed him in a bear hug. Smiling at the
sight of the reunion, Charlie was making a move forward when the door was shut, almost in her face.

Strangely enough, Charlie did not feel hurt or rejected. In fact she chuckled just a little. Originally they
had planned on Sean coming alone for a visit, returning
to Visalia before the baby was born and then heading to
Hawaii from there. Charlie knew that none of Sean's
family was expecting her.

Charlie mentally counted the seconds before the door
was wrenched open. Eight seconds passed before she
was once again seeing Sean's face, which registered
shock over what had happened.

"I'm sorry," he spoke softly, his expression telling
Charlie he was slightly aghast over her being so totally
ignored.

"It's all right, Sean," she smiled to reassure him. "But
could I please sit down somewhere?"

Sean ushered Charlie into the living room in time to
hear Kaitlin scolding Rigg.

"I can't believe you left her standing on the front
porch!"

Rigg was fighting laughter. "Honestly, Kate," he tried
to placate her, "I didn't see her."

Kate frowned at the sparkle she saw in his eyes before
enveloping her new sister-in-law with her embrace.

"Oh, Charlotte, you must be exhausted! Come right
over here to the sofa."

Kate then proceeded to issue orders to Rigg and Marcail like a drill sergeant, and within the space of a few
seconds Charlie was alone with Sean. Sean smiled at the
wide-eyed look on her face.

"She's not always so bossy."

"I think she's wonderful," Charlie whispered as tears
filled her eyes. As always, the sight of Charlie's tears
melted his heart. He sat beside her and pulled her against
him. She didn't cry, but her breathing was uneven and
her whole frame shuddered with suppressed sobs.