What Once Was Lost (47 page)

Levi suddenly turned and strode to the back of the wagon. Christina tipped her head in his direction, unwilling to lose sight of him. He reached into its bed, the fabric of his suit jacket going taut across his back, and he lifted something out—something rectangular, wooden, and richly stained. Then he turned toward her, cradling in his wide hands a beautifully crafted box with carved feet resembling an eagle’s claws.

New murmurs broke out behind her, reminding her of the presence of the parishioners, but she kept her gaze riveted on Levi. He walked slowly toward her, dust rising with each step. She wanted to move forward, to meet him partway, but her quivering legs seemed incapable of carrying her. So she stood still on the boardwalk, her breath releasing in tiny puffs and her chest rising and falling with such quickening she feared she might swoon.

He stepped onto the boardwalk and stopped directly in front of her. His eyes glittered, the gold and green flecks prominent in his irises of blue. Not a word left his lips, but his eyes spoke volumes. Christina became lost in the sweet message flowing from his fervent gaze. His arms lifted slowly, holding
the box toward her, and his chin gave a subtle bob, as if inviting her to see what he held.

She accepted the silent invitation. Carving decorated the top of the box—delicate swirls and intricate roses. And in the center, carefully formed letters proclaimed a scripture from the Song of Solomon.

R
ISE UP, MY LOVE, MY FAIR ONE,
AND COME AWAY
.
FOR, LO, THE WINTER IS PAST
.

Her hand flew upward, her fingertips covering her trembling lips. Her gaze bounced from the beautiful carving to Levi’s handsome face. In a voice so tender it raised a rush of tears in her eyes, he said, “Christina, I love you. I’ve moved beyond the bitter cold and am ready for a new beginning. Will you partner with me in a fresh start? Will you become my wife?”

Christina drew in a deep breath, basking in the wonder of the moment—of this man declaring his love to her. She opened her mouth, words of acceptance on her tongue, when Tommy suddenly sat up in the wagon bed and grabbed the tall side.

“Hurry up an’ answer, Miss Willems, ’cause I got somethin’ to show you, too!”

Laughter exploded behind Christina—loud and intrusive. And she couldn’t resist joining in. Levi’s grin spread across his face, and then he tucked the box under one arm and swept her into a hug with the other, lifting her onto her toes. Her arms around his neck, she exclaimed in his ear, “Yes! Yes, Levi! Yes!”

And finally his lips found hers, the kiss firm and warm and possessive. Christina never wanted it to end, but fortunately Levi exhibited greater restraint. He lowered her feet to the boardwalk, his arm remaining loosely around her waist, and brushed a kiss across her forehead. Nose to nose, he whispered, “You’d better go see what Tommy has, and then we need to head inside before Reverend Huntley thinks the entire town has deserted him.”

September 1890

Christina leaned her temple against Levi’s shoulder. The porch-swing chains creaked softly, adding harmony to the gentle whisper of wind through the thick bushes growing alongside the porch. The remnants of their celebration—strips of colorful crepe paper, flower petals, and food scraps—decorated the still-green yard. She supposed they should clean it all up before night fell, but reluctance to leave her cozy spot at her husband’s side kept her curled on the swing.

Levi’s chest rose, and his breath whisked out on a sigh. She shifted her head slightly to peer into his face. Pure contentment showed in the slight upturning of his lips and lazy droop of his eyelids. She raised up and placed a kiss on the underside of his jaw just because she could. Her
husband …
Was there any sweeter word?

He tightened his arm around her shoulders as the breeze picked up. “Reverend Huntley did a fine job today.”

She nodded although she couldn’t recall a thing the man had said except,
“I now declare you husband and wife.”

“Mary Ann and Louisa outdid themselves with that feast.” He slapped his belly. “I’ve never seen so much food.”

Had there been food? She’d been so busy feasting her eyes on the man to whom she’d pledged her life all hunger had fled.

“And that little one of Cora’s … Cutest baby ever, I’d wager.”

Two-month-old Mary Christina was beautiful, she concurred as she nestled her cheek into the curve of Levi’s neck. But she expected their own baby, should the Lord bless them someday, would outshine any other.

“It sure was good of the Dunnigans to come.” Levi stroked Christina’s upper arm through her lace sleeve. The warmth of his broad palm raised tremors of awareness from her scalp to her toes. “But don’t you think Rose did an awful lot of crying for someone who was supposed to be happy for us?”

Christina gave a start. “Did Rose cry?”

His eyebrows shot skyward. “She cried through the whole ceremony.”

“She did?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” Christina brought up her legs and tucked her slipper-covered heels against the edge of the seat. “I suppose I didn’t notice.”

Levi chuckled, his belly vibrating against her side. “She probably didn’t cry as much as you will tomorrow, though, when it’s time to tell Tommy good-bye.”

“I won’t be the only one crying,” she predicted.

“You’re probably right,” Levi said.

As difficult as it would be for both of them to send Tommy to Kansas City tomorrow with the Dunnigans, they knew they’d made the right choice. Tommy was far too bright to be denied the best education available, and he’d receive it at the Kansas City School for the Blind. Christina marveled anew at Mr. Dunnigan’s benevolence.

She wriggled more securely into Levi’s embrace as a night owl called from a distant tree and shadows lengthened across the ground. They fell into a peaceful silence, enjoying the quiet after the boisterous afternoon. Christina appreciated the support of the town, coming out to the poor farm—the Dunnigan Orphans’ Asylum, she corrected herself—to celebrate Levi’s and her nuptials. Within weeks the rooms would begin to fill with children in need of care. Private, quiet moments like this would become a thing of the past.

She allowed her eyes to close. She breathed in, enjoying the scents of her wedding day. Musky earth, crisp breeze, a hint of wood smoke from the bonfire where they’d danced to Tommy’s harmonica. And, best of all, the woodsy, rich smell that clung to Levi’s skin. Even though he’d sold his mill, he continued to carry the scents of pine and cedar and oak. His woodworking tools waited in the barn, along with a supply of cut lumber, which he would use to craft one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture, just as Far had done before him.

At first she’d resisted his decision to let the mill go, but then, in prayer,
God had reminded her of the significance of his choice. No more would he hold himself away from others, living in solitude, but he would willingly share his life with fatherless children. Such a change God had wrought in Levi’s heart …

“Christina?”

She sighed. How she loved the sound of her name uttered in his deep, tender tone. “Yes?”

His arms slipped around her middle, his chin against her cheek. “Are you ready to turn in?”

So many bits and pieces of her day had already slipped away, but Christina knew she’d never forget the coming minutes—when she and Levi would join in the most intimate of ways. The words Levi had carved into the handcrafted cedar box whispered through her heart.

She stood and held her hands to him. She quoted, her voice husky, “ ‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.’ ”

He took her hands, a tender smile blooming across his face. He rose, his shadow stretching across the porch floor to encompass hers. And then, hand in hand, they entered the house together.

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

Mom and Daddy
, when you took out a loan to fund the printing of my first book in 2002, did you have any idea I’d one day celebrate the release of my thirtieth novel? You probably did, because you’ve always believed in me more than I believed in myself. Thank you for your confidence. I love you both muchly.

Don
, bless your heart, you take on so much responsibility to allow me the time to write. Thanks for cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, and giving your military-brand encouragement: “Get in there and write!”

Jay and Mary Creeger
, your names fit perfectly in this story of new beginnings. God bless you both as you continue to journey with Him.

FSBC choir members
, your prayers and support are so important. Thank you for willingly offering both just when I need it.

CritGroup14
, what would I do without you ladies? I would flounder. Thanks for always being there.

Tamela
, I appreciate you as an agent, but more than that I appreciate you as an advocate of Christian fiction. Thank you for being such an integral part of my writing ministry.

Shannon
and the wonderful team at WaterBrook, it’s been a delight to become acquainted with my new publishing family. Thank you for making me feel so at home.

Finally, and most important, abundant gratitude to
God
for Your gentle guidance, Your ever-presence, and for carving new pathways when my road seems to reach a dead end. You complete me. May any praise or glory be reflected directly back to You.

D
ISCUSSION
Q
UESTIONS

1. For years Christina found her sense of worth and purpose in taking care of the residents of the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor. When the house burned and her people were scattered, she lost not only her home and companions but her own feelings of value. Has your sense of worth ever been shattered? How did you rebuild it?

2. Levi turned his back on faith when people who claimed to be Christians hurt him. Do we have higher expectations for those who proclaim Christ as Lord? Is it fair for us to judge Christians and non-Christians differently? If so, why? If not, why not?

3. Levi chose to handle his hurt by separating himself from others rather than risking being hurt again. When someone you trust hurts you, how can you resolve the situation without suffering a rift in the relationship?

4. Cora was raised by someone who was emotionally distant; therefore, when she was offered affection, she found the attention so gratifying she allowed it to go beyond what was appropriate. By what yardstick can we measure friendship so that the people we choose as companions build us up rather than break us down? If you are a parent, what are you doing to make sure your children are loved and accepted so they won’t feel the need to search for affection from others who might not have their best interests at heart?

5. Christina experienced frustration, confusion, and anger when Tommy preferred Levi’s caretaking to her own. How did Tommy grow and change when Levi expected him to take on responsibility for himself? Was Levi kind or unkind to put such high expectations on a boy who couldn’t see? How can we determine what are fair expectations for the people with disabilities in our lives?

6. Christina was accused of a crime because of circumstantial situations. She was reluctant to accuse Hamilton Dresden, despite her suppositions, because she knew how it felt to be wrongfully accused. Have you ever been falsely accused? Did you seek to exonerate yourself or allow time to expose the truth? Which path is more biblical, if either?

7. Christina, Levi, Cora, and Tommy were all impacted by people in their pasts. The things they heard from those they loved continued to influence their present lives. Some of those influences were positive, and others were negative. Who are the people in your life that have influenced you? Has their impact been more positive or negative? How do we overcome the negative voices that live in our heads? How do we apply the positive ones?

8. Maxwell Dunnigan honored his adopted father’s kindness by “paying it forward.” What kindnesses have you received that you could share with others?

A Selection from

Echoes of Mercy

Sinclair, Kansas

1906

C
AROLINE

If he didn’t choose her, she might stamp her foot and wail. The over-night train trip from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Sinclair, Kansas—without even an opportunity to splash her face with cold water prior to her frantic dash to Dinsmore’s World-Famous Chocolates Factory—had left her wilted, exhausted, and more than a little grouchy. Weariness momentarily sagged her shoulders, but Caroline resolutely straightened her spine and held her chin high while the hiring agent walked slowly along the line of six hopeful women, scraping each of them from head to toe with an unsmiling gaze.

His boot heels thudded against the polished wood floor of the stuffy office, overriding the muffled clanks and wheezes seeping into the small room from the factory below. Each resounding
thump
was a nail being pounded into the lid of a coffin. He would bury the hopes of five of the six who’d answered the advertisement for a new toter.