Brides of Texas (26 page)

He let that sink in for a moment and then quietly asked, “Would you like to ask Him for forgiveness and a fresh start?”

“What do I give Him back?”

“Your thankful and obedient heart.”

Wrapping her arms around herself, she sighed. “It can’t work that way. It’s too simple.”

“Carmen cares for you like a sister. Even when she didna know you, she opened her arms and heart and home to you. If she could do that, think how much more God can and will do.”

“I don’t know if I can get up if I kneel down.”

Duncan glanced at her middle and silently agreed. “It won’t matter. God is delighted to have you just as you are.”

“Like that church song last Sunday?”

“Aye. ‘Just as I Am.’ ”

“At church, folks have to get down on their knees.”

She wasn’t being quarrelsome. Duncan saw the sincerity in her eyes. She wanted to do this correctly. It mattered to her. “Since we’ll be praying together, why don’t you sit there, and I’ll kneel.”

Carmen heard the low hum of conversation and limped around the clothesline. The breath froze in her lungs. Jenny sat on the garden bench, and Duncan knelt at her side.

I knew it. I knew he had tender feelings for her. Rob married Mercy and
—

“Carmen!” Joy brightened Jenny’s voice.

Duncan rose. “Carmen, we have the most wonderful news.”

“Do you?” Her voice sounded strained.

Jenny beckoned her over. “Duncan just asked me if—” her voice broke.

“Jenny’s decided to ask Christ into her heart.”

“Jenny!” Carmen hurried over. Every step made her repent for the jealousy she’d felt.

“You can help me pray, too. I want to do it right.”

“Nothing would make me happier than to share this moment with you.”

Duncan motioned to her. “Why don’t you sit next to Jenny?”

Carmen sat down and embraced Jenny.

“I don’t know what to do,” Jenny confessed. “Am I supposed to fold my hands, or are we supposed to hold hands together?”

“Either way is fine,” Duncan said. “What would you like?”

Jenny thought about it for a minute. “I think I’ll fold my hands. I’m afraid if I hold your hands, I might crush them.”

Duncan knelt again. He reached out and held on to the wrought iron arms of the bench, and the action gave a special sense of intimacy to the moment.

Jenny bowed her head and whispered, “What do I say?”

“Prayer is talking to God.” Carmen exchanged a look with Duncan, then asked, “Would you like to have one of us say a prayer, and you repeat the words?”

“That’s a good idea. I’m afraid I’ll forget something important.”

“All right, then.” Duncan bowed his head. “Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for my sins.”

“Lord Jesus,” Jenny repeated, “I’m sorry for all my terrible sins. I’ve done a lot of bad things.”

Duncan patiently waited. “You died on the cross so I could be forgiven.”

Jenny echoed the sentence.

“So I’m asking You to forgive me and come live in my heart. Amen.”

“God, I’m asking You to please forgive me. Since You’re washing all the bad out of my heart, there’s a lot of room in my heart for You to come live there now. Amen.” Jenny looked up. “I feel so…right. Deep down inside, I feel…good.”

Carmen squeezed her tightly. “I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m happy for us all.” The corners of Duncan’s eyes crinkled. “You know, Jenny, now you’re our sister in Christ.”

Jenny smiled, but just as quickly, her smile faltered. “At least till I leave after I have the baby.”

“Nae, lass. E’en if we’re parted here on earth, we’ll all be together in heaven.”

“Absolutely! And after you go, we’ll write to one another.” Carmen emphasized her assertion with a passionate nod. “I’m going to insist on it. How will I ever come to visit you if I don’t know where you are?”

Jenny’s eyes grew huge. “You’d come visit me?”

“Yes. I’m inviting myself. I know it’s rude, but you’re my sister, so you’ll ignore my bad manners.”

As he stood, Duncan chuckled. “Carmen’s a strong-willed woman, Jenny. Once she determines something, there’s no dissuading her. She’ll be sure to visit you. Why don’t the two of you go see Mercy? Jenny can give her the grand news.”

Mercy cried for joy.

Though Duncan hadn’t accompanied them to the house, he entered a short time later. Carmen’s breath caught as she recognized the item in his left hand. She’d looked at it a few times over at Leonard’s mercantile. “Jenny, lass, this is for you.” He handed her the beautiful cherry wood presentation box.

“For me?” Jenny opened the box. “A Bible! My very own Bible?”

“Aye. Read and reflect on the truths. ’Tis how we walk close to God.”

He hadn’t dashed out and snapped up the cheapest Bible in the store; he’d parted with money at a time when the nation’s finances were strained. The gesture bespoke a deep affection. Until now, the biblical command not to be unequally yoked kept him from courting Jenny. Now that she’d accepted Christ, there wasn’t anything that would preclude him from making her his wife.
He’s not wasting any time at all. I suspected he was sweet on her. This proves it
.

Duncan turned and lowered a hatbox onto the table in front of Carmen. “And this is for you, Carmen.”

“Ohhh.” She looked at him. “Why?”

He stared back at her. “Because.”

Tracing her finger over the velvet ribbon, she whispered, “It’s gorgeous. Elegant.”

“Open it up.”

“There’s something inside?”

He chuckled at her surprise. “Aye, there is.”

Slowly, she opened the lid and looked inside. The sight before her left her speechless.

“What is it?” Mercy stood on tiptoe and peered inside.

“A purse made from an armadillo—just like Mercy’s grandmother had.” Pride rang in Duncan’s tone.

“Hers is the only other one I’ve ever seen,” Carmen said faintly. It was all she could concoct. The thing was hideous.

“You didna say exactly how your grandma’s was fashioned, so I did the best I could.”

Carmen gingerly lifted the leather strap. “Oh, look at this strap. Have you ever seen such intricate tooling?”

Duncan’s chest puffed out. “I’m glad you like it.”

Mercy reached over and tentatively touched the odd, half-curled hide. “Carmen, something this rare should be used for very special occasions.”

Grateful for the way Mercy just gave her an excuse for not having to carry the monstrosity with her all the time, Carmen nodded.

“Grandma only used hers when she paid calls on sick friends. She kept healing herbs and powders in it.”

“You go see sick folks all the time.” Jenny reached over and fiddled with the creature’s funny ear.

Carmen found the urge to shiver. “I’ve always loved traditions. Perhaps this is a way for me to keep the tradition.”

“I’ve noticed how you treasure your traditions.” Duncan folded his arms across his chest. “No matter where we go or what we become, ’tis always important to remember and honor the past.”

“Like when you wear your kilt,” Carmen said. From the way he beamed, Carmen knew she’d managed to say the right thing and diverted his attention from the revolting purse.
But one of these days, he’ll ask me where it is
.

“Where is she?” Duncan took the seat next to Carmen as some of the parishioners met at the parsonage to discuss church projects.

Carmen froze for a moment. He hadn’t asked about the armadillo purse yet, but he was looking at her hem—possibly to see if she’d carried it with her here. She looked at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“Did Jenny come along with you?”

Of course he’d ask about her. Just look at the twinkle in his bachelor button–blue eyes. Well, he won’t be a bachelor much longer
. Carmen shoved aside her musings and answered. “No, she’s spending the afternoon with Mercy.”

Mrs. Kunstler sat on Carmen’s other side. “Mercy—she is a good wife for the doctor. Ismelda told me Mercy helped the doctor when he saw her.”

Carmen stared at Mrs. Kunstler and strove not to let her shock and hurt show. “Ismelda?”

“I told her to tell you. Well, now you know.” Mrs. Kunstler twitched an embarrassed smile. “She’s trying to spare your feelings since you’re older and—”

“You’ll be a wonderful aunt,” Duncan said. “Children flock to you. Ismelda probably wanted to get you alone to share her good news. She’s got a kind heart and wouldn’t want to flaunt her joy in front of Jenny, knowing the lass is going to give up her babe.”

Carmen summoned a smile and nodded.

“Maybe so.” Mrs. Kunstler shrugged. “But Jenny—she got herself into this fix.”

Carmen set aside her own hurt and rushed to defend Jenny. “She’s confessed her sins, and God’s forgiven her.”

“Aye, and we’ve all fallen short of the mark in some way or another.” Duncan bobbed his head. “Forgiveness is ours for the asking—and I admire Jenny for knowing her babe would be better off with a stable married couple. She’s suffering from the consequences of her past, and yet she’s giving someone else a gift beyond words.”

“I’ve told the doctor it’s only right that my cousin’s cousin should get the baby.” Mrs. Kunstler rubbed her hands together. “Since Carmen is housing the girl and Ismelda is my daughter-in-law, we’ve kept this within the family.”

“No.” Carmen shook her head.
How could she condemn Jenny and then still claim the baby
?

Duncan patted her hand. “You’re in the right of it, Carmen. The adoptions are secret. Only the doctor knows who gives or receives which babe.”

“Well, he should give this one to Chester,” Mrs. Kunstler grumbled. “Especially after he kept Mercy’s baby for himself.”

“My brother,” Duncan said in a low, slow tone that dared anyone to challenge him, “cherishes Mercy. We all do, just as we adore Elspeth. You canna be suggesting he acted out of anything but love when he wed her.”

“No one would ever say such a thing,” the pastor said.

Carmen shot the pastor a startled look. She’d been so intent, she’d forgotten where they were.

“Let’s begin,” the pastor said as he motioned to a handful of people to come take seats. They all complied, and he opened the meeting with a prayer. After that, he smiled. “It’s good to see so many of you here. God must be pleased to see so many of His children eager to serve Him with their talents. I’ve started a list of the needs within our congregation and community. Let’s pour out God’s love upon our church family and neighbors.”

The first needs the parson brought up seemed so urgent, Carmen quickly volunteered.

When the parson said the church ought to be painted, Duncan signed up for that task.

Knowing she couldn’t do that kind of work, Carmen thought ahead. In a few weeks, Jenny would have the baby. In less than two months, she would recover and leave. With loneliness looming, Carmen determined to stay busy. She even mentioned a few families who needed help.

At one point, Duncan scowled at her.

She frowned right back. He was a strong, healthy man. He didn’t have a wife and children or a widowed mother to support. Surely he could commit to more than just helping paint the church.

Unless he wants the church to look fresh in time for him to marry Jenny. When Mrs. Kunstler spoke badly of her, he rushed to her defense. A man with a new wife and a baby wouldn’t have much time for projects. Is that why he doesn’t jump in to do more
?