The Dixie Widow (41 page)

Robert replied quietly, “Thank you, sir, and unaccustomed as I am to public speaking—”

Laughter erupted around the table, cutting off his words. He waited until it died down, and continued. There was a strange look in his eye, for the days with the Winslows had changed him. He had never seen such a loving family, and their commitment to Christ had silenced him. He had, as a matter of fact, been forced to reevaluate his agnostic views. His father’s solid Christian life had long been a testimony to him, making Robert feel that his own vapid moral values were nothing in comparison. Seeing Davis’s firm determination
and the steady Christian values exhibited in the lives of Sky and Rebekah, and their children, had been somewhat of a shock to him.

“I don’t think any of you can know how much it’s meant to me—and to Jewel—being here, being members of your family. I didn’t know such warmth and love existed. All my life I’ve heard my father talk about ‘The House of Winslow,’ but I’m afraid it meant very little to me. Now—it is very meaningful!”

Whitfield Winslow rose to his feet, fierce pride shining in his aged eyes. He said slowly, “I’ve always been proud to be a Winslow—but never so much as tonight! Much of my life has been spent studying the men and women who bore our name—and we’ve had our share of rascals, I tell you! But there’s always been a man or a woman named Winslow who’d stand in the gap. Many of our men have shed their blood for this country, and many of our women have had to send their sons and husbands off to die.”

He paused a moment, then went on. “I guess it’ll always be that way. This country will never be safe for us. Remember how Jefferson put it? ‘The price of liberty is eternal vigilance!’ So this country will have to fight for what we hold true—over and over again!” He raised his head in pride. “But as long as America has men and women like you, the Republic will stand!”

He sat down, a little embarrassed at his own eloquence, but his family nodded approval. Sky spoke again. “As I say, we may never meet around this table—”

“Just a minute, Sky,” Robert interrupted. He stood up, looking apprehensive, and after getting an approving smile from Jewel, he pulled a paper out of his pocket. “I don’t know how you all are going to take this, but it’s something my wife and I have felt we should do. I—I hope you won’t be offended, Sky and Rebekah.”

All eyes were fixed on him, especially the captain’s. He
knew his son well, and had never seen him at a loss for words. He was hesitant and nervous as he peered at the paper.

“I can’t think of anything that would offend us, Robert,” Sky smiled.

Robert took a deep breath and held up the paper. “I’ve been going behind your back, I’m afraid, Sky. Never could stand a man who meddled in the affairs of others—and now I’m as guilty as sin!” He grinned unexpectedly. “I’ll make a clean breast of it. I didn’t like the way Asa Moody proposed to handle your mortgage. Went by to talk to him, but he’s a pretty stubborn fellow. So—I sent off a couple of telegrams to a friend of mine in the banking business. He asked for details, and I wrote him a long letter.” He paused. “Well, you take us in, and I shove myself into your business! But Warfield, my banker friend, didn’t think much of Moody’s ways either. So, he bought your note from the bank here.”

“He did what, Robert?” Sky asked, perplexed.

“He bought your mortgage and issued another from his own bank.” Robert handed the paper to Sky. “This is it.”

Sky took the note. “What are the terms?”

“Same interest—but the payments are spaced out over the next five years. And Warfield likes your ideas about diversification. He’ll finance you until you get it all in place.”

“Robert—and Jewel.” Sky choked. “I . . . I can’t say—”

“Business, Sky!” Robert broke in, raising his hand in protest. “A matter of business, that’s all! No need to make a fuss!”

“No, Robert, it’s more than that,” Sky responded. “You didn’t do this for business reasons.”

“That’s right!” the captain added. “I’m afraid I shall have to tell you what a good son you are, Robert. I’ve never been so proud of you!”

Robert felt a lump in his throat. His father’s approval had always been the desire of his heart, but despite all his achievements he had never been sure of it. Now he looked across at the warm smile on his father’s face and
knew
he had it!

Rebekah went to Robert, and with misty eyes, put her arms
around him, then embraced Jewel. “Thank you, Robert and Jewel,” she said quietly, “for saving our home. God bless you!”

After the meal, Dan sought out Belle. With a troubled look he said, “I—I can’t believe I didn’t have enough sense to see through the White Knights, Belle. I guess I trusted Beau too much.”

Belle hugged him. “Dan, I can give you some good advice—don’t let guilt destroy you. I know what that can do! You were misled, and Beau’s going to have to find out he’s headed in the wrong direction.”

“I’m leaving for Texas pretty soon,” Dan said. “But I’m glad I got that nonsense out of my head before I left.” He smiled, then hugged her until she gasped. “If that preacher gives you any trouble, you just write me, you hear!”

“I’ll take care of her,” Davis said, coming up behind them.

“You’d better!” Dan laughed as he left.

“Let’s take a walk, honey,” Davis suggested, snuggling her arm in his. They strolled slowly down the long walk under the canopy of stars overhead.

“I’m so happy, Davis!” she murmured when they paused. “How can we
ever
thank your parents?”

“I think they’re getting just as much out of this,” Davis commented. “They’ve changed so much while they’ve been here, I can’t believe it.”

As they stood in the warm darkness, thoughts of the past washed over Belle, but she shook them off, as she had learned to do. “Well,” she smiled, “tomorrow you’ll have a wife—but in two weeks, you may have no church.”

He put his arms around her, and his lips touched hers. “I love you so much, my darling!” he whispered, tightening his hold. Time seemed unimportant at the present as they relished the moment.

Finally Davis sighed, “There is only one Belle—but lots of churches!”

“Will you be sad if we have to go?”

“I suppose so,” he replied, his finger tracing the line of her face. “But whatever happens, we’ll be together.”

They remained in warm embrace, letting the April moon pour its golden blessing over them, and then, arms around each other, they turned and walked back toward the house.

GILBERT MORRIS spent ten years as a pastor before becoming Professor of English at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and earning a Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. A prolific writer, he has had over 25 scholarly articles and 200 poems published in various periodicals, and over the past years has had more than 180 novels published. His family includes three grown children. He and his wife live in Gulf Shores, Alabama.