Threads of Love (17 page)

“Those bottles look fine; you’ve straightened them enough. Now come and sit down here,” he said, indicating the chair beside him. “Delphinia, I’ll not try and push you into any marriage. Folks need to marry those they love. I know that. I loved your ma like I could never love anyone else. But there’s a lot to be said for finding the person you’re suited to. It makes things run smoother.”

“I know that. But I think Jonathan and I are suited,” she answered.

“Maybe so. I thought your ma and I were, too. I tried to make her happy, but she longed for city life, and even though I helped her as much as I could, it was a hard life. She always wanted the kind of life she’d had as a child, but she gave in to my dreams and left it behind. I’m not sure she ever got over leaving her family,” he continued.

“She wasn’t unhappy, and you know it, Pa. We both know she would have preferred living in the East, close to her family, but she understood.”

“I was married to her, child. You saw what she wanted you to see. But many’s the night I listened to her cry about life out in the middle of nowhere and longin’ to see her family and lead a city life. I’m real sorry I did that to her,” he said, a distant look in his eyes.

“You did the best you could,” Delphinia answered, not knowing what to say that would relieve some of his pain.

“That’s true. I did. The only thing I could have done different would have been to stay in the city. You got that chance to stay now. It’s what your ma would have wanted for you, and here you are with this wonderful opportunity. Denver’s not like those big eastern cities, but it’s an up-and-coming kind of town. One day it’s gonna be grand, for sure,” he boasted.

“That was Ma who wanted the big city. I’ve never said that.”

“Perhaps, but you could have a good life here. You’re too young to be tied down to somebody else’s children. Doc Finley’s a fine man, and he could take care of you. You’d never want for anything, and you could eventually have children of your own. You’d be able to give them what they needed without worrying about money,” he said, beginning to cough from the exertion of talking so much.

“That’s enough for tonight, Pa. You’re getting excited, and you’re going to make yourself worse. I’m going to get your medicine ready, and then I want you to get some rest,” she said as she moved toward the bottles and poured out a spoonful of the yellow liquid.

“I’ll take the medicine and go to sleep if you promise to think on what we’ve talked about,” he responded and then clenched his mouth together like a small child.

Looking at his face, she was unable to hold back her laughter. “It’s a deal. Now, open up,” she said as she cradled his head and lifted him to take the spoon.

She leaned down and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Good night, Papa. I love you.”

Smiling, he bid her good night with the admonition she think hard on his words. She smiled and nodded her assent as she left the room and pulled the door closed behind her.

“How is he?” Sam asked.

Delphinia jumped at the sound of his voice. “You startled me. I thought you’d gone to bed,” she said, turning to find him sitting on the stairway outside her father’s bedroom. “He’s doing pretty well. He got a bit excited and talked too much, which caused his cough to start up. I just gave him his medicine, and hopefully, he’ll get a good night’s rest,” she answered.

“I want to apologize for my behavior this evening. I didn’t mean to offend you. I care for you very much, and it’s been difficult for me not to kiss you before now,” he stated.

“Perhaps this is something we should talk about another time. I’m really very tired,” she answered and moved toward her bedroom.

“Whenever you’re ready, my love,” he said, going up the stairway.

Quickly, she made her way down the hallway to her bedroom but could not deny the small flutter she felt when he used the term of endearment.

She lay in bed thinking of the things both her pa and Sam had said.
I do want children of my own, and I wonder if I’ll grow weary of raising my Kansas family and never really have time for my own
, she thought.

Tossing restlessly, she questioned the excitement she felt when Dr. Finley had called her by a term of endearment.

“Can I be in love with Jonathan and still feel something for another man?” she whispered to herself.

That night her prayers were fervent for God’s direction.

D
elphinia awakened to a day that had dawned bright and sunny with a crispness to the air, giving notice that summer was over. Just as she finished making her bed, she heard the back door slam and Mrs. O’Mallie enter the kitchen.

“I’ll be right there to help you, Mrs. O’Mallie,” she called out.

“Take your time. I’m in no hurry,” the older woman answered.

“Here, let me take that tray,” she offered, reaching toward the huge silver platter and placing it on the kitchen table.

“It’s a beauty of a day out there, and I’ve been thankin’ the Lord for that. Don’t want anything to spoil our meeting tonight,” she said.

“You have special plans for today?” Delphinia inquired hospitably.

“Why, sure. It’s the autumn revival. Thought maybe Doc Finley might have mentioned it. All the churches get together and have one big revival each fall. It’s going to be wonderful. There’s a service every night this week, so if your pa is doing all right, I hope you’ll come,” she invited.

“I’d love to, but I’ll have to see how he’s feeling later this afternoon. Thank you for telling me about it,” Delphinia answered.

“Well, guess I better be getting back home. You give thought to coming tonight,” Mrs. O’Mallie said, leaving by the back door.

“Looks like Mrs. O’Mallie’s already been here and gone,” Sam said as he entered the kitchen.

“She just left. I’ll take Pa’s tray to him. You go ahead and eat,” she responded.

“I’ll wait for you,” he answered as she left the room.

“There’s no need to do that,” she answered, walking out of the kitchen before he could respond.

“Good morning, Pa. How are you feeling today?” she inquired, thinking he looked thinner each day.

“Not too bad, but I’m not hungry. You go eat. I’ll try to eat later,” he responded. But seeing the look of determination on his daughter’s face, he shook his head and said, “I’m not going to eat now, so you needn’t argue with me. Go!”

“All right, all right,” she answered with a smile. “I’m going.”

“He’s not hungry,” she announced, walking into the kitchen and sitting down opposite Sam at the wooden table.

“Don’t look so downcast. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything bad. We all have times when we’re not hungry. Looks to me like you’d better quit worrying about your pa’s eating and take a nap this afternoon. Those dark circles under your eyes tell me you didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“You’re right; I didn’t. I’ll think about the nap if you’ll tell me about the revival,” she said.

“Revival? How’d you hear about that?” he questioned.

“Mrs. O’Mallie told me. I’d love to go if Pa is all right. Do you think that would be possible?” she asked.

He smiled as he watched her face become animated and bright, like a child seeing a jar of peppermint sticks.

“There’s really nothing to tell. Several years ago the churches here in Denver City decided to have one big revival each autumn. They all get together and select a preacher to come, and they hold services outdoors every night. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, they go over to the Methodist Church since it’s the biggest. I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t go, but not unescorted since it’s held during the evening,” he responded.

“Perhaps I could go with Mrs. O’Mallie,” she suggested.

“If your pa’s doing all right, I’ll escort you,” he said, “at least this one evening, but you must promise to rest this afternoon.”

“I will,” she answered delightedly. “Our breakfast is probably cold. Do you want to give thanks?” she asked.

“You go ahead and do it for us,” he answered.

“Mrs. O’Mallie certainly knows how to start off the day with a hearty breakfast,” he said, having devoured all that was on his plate and wiping his hands with the large cloth napkin. “I’d better get busy on my house calls. Don’t forget your pa’s medicine this morning, and I expect you to be taking a nap when I return,” he admonished.

“Oh, I will be,” she answered, excited by the prospect of the evening.

“Guess what, Papa,” she exclaimed, almost skipping into his room.

“I don’t know what to guess except that something has made you happy,” he ventured.

“There’s a revival beginning tonight, and Sam said that if you’re doing all right this evening and if I take a nap this afternoon, he’ll escort me. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Well, it certainly is wonderful, and I’ll be doing just fine. You just be sure and get that nap and find yourself something to wear,” he said, pleased to see her so happy about going out with Sam.

“Something to wear. Oh yes. I’d not even thought of that. I’ll need to look in my trunk and see if I can find something extra special. Oh, and then I’ll need to get it pressed. I’d better get that done, or I’ll not have my nap taken before Sam returns,” she said.

“You get a move on then. I’m feeling fine, and I’ll ring the bell if I need anything,” he said.

He waved her out of the room as she blew him a kiss and headed toward the doorway.
Perhaps she’s decided that Sam would be the right man for her after all
, he thought, pleased by the prospect.

Delphinia lifted the lid on the partially empty trunk. She still hadn’t completely unpacked the contents.
I hope I packed something warmer in the bottom of this trunk
, she thought, methodically removing each item. Lifting a dark gold dress, her eyes flew open at the sight of fabric tucked within the folds of the dress. It was Sarah’s quilt top! And there, underneath the dress was a neatly folded piece of paper. She sat down on the edge of the bed and slowly opened the page.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she read the letter a second time. The words tugged at her heart and made her even lonelier for Kansas and the family she had left behind.
I’ve got to make a decision
, she thought, folding the letter and placing it with the quilt top in her trunk.
Surely God will give me an answer soon
.

She carried her dress into the kitchen, searching until she found a pressing board and then heated the iron. Carefully, she pressed the gown, watchful not to burn the silk fabric. Certain all the wrinkles had been removed, she draped it over a chair in her bedroom and took the promised nap.

Later, she could hardly wait for dinner to be over in order to clear off the dishes and get ready. Sam had declared her father was doing fine, and they would leave in an hour. She took her time getting ready, pinning her hair up on top of her head and securing it with a thin black-and-gold ribbon. A white lace collar surrounded the neckline of her dress, and she placed a gold earring in each lobe. Looking at her reflection in the mirror above the walnut bureau, she remembered that the last time she had worn the earrings had been when Pastor Martin escorted her to the dance. She smiled thinking about that night when Jonathan had become their uninvited guest. It seemed so long ago, almost a different world, she mused.

“You about ready? Your pa wants to see you before we leave. I’ll wait in his room,” Sam said, knocking on the door.

“Be right there,” she answered. Taking one last look in the mirror, she pinned a wisp of hair and then went to her father’s room.

Her entry brought raves from her father, who insisted that she twirl around several times so he could see her from all angles. Sam was silent, although she could feel his eyes on her from the moment she entered the room.

“We’d better leave, or we’ll be late,” he said, rising from the chair.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay, Pa?”

“I’m sure. Now you two go on and have a nice time,” he instructed.

Sam had drawn his carriage to the front of the house and carefully assisted her into the buggy, his two black horses appearing sleek in the semidarkness.

“You look quite beautiful. I didn’t want to tell you in front of your father for fear of causing you embarrassment. Besides, it would have been difficult to get a word in,” he said, smiling down at her.

“Fathers tend to think their daughters are beautiful, no matter what,” she responded.

“Perhaps. But in your case it’s true,” he answered as he pulled himself into the buggy and flicked the reins.

“How far is it to the meeting place?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.

“Not far, just south of town. There’s a large grove, and they set up benches and chairs, whatever they can move from the churches. There’s been ample seating when I’ve been there,” he commented.