Love's Story (33 page)

Chase exited, shutting the door quietly behind him. Gretchen Steele stared at the back of the closed door, punching her hands to her hips in frustration. “I never get anywhere with that man. When is he going to wake up and see he needs a wife?”

“Pardon me, ma'am?” The maid appeared from the kitchen.

“Oh, nothing. I was only talking to myself. See to the dishes, will you?” she barked.

Rachel rubbed her puffy eyes and started her letter.

Rachel had tried her best to keep the letter lighthearted, but what she really wanted to tell her mother was that life without her seemed empty. And that the thought of Georgie growing up without his big sister around made her stomach feel ill. It was almost too much to bear, but Rachel knew her mother was living the life that Peg Phillips deserved, in a beautiful home with a man who loved her. Rachel smiled serenely at the thought of her mother being comfortable and turned out her lamp to go to bed.

R
achel had spent her last week before school preparing her classroom and readying supplies for the upcoming school year. Sunday morning came quickly, and Rachel dressed for the church service. She flounced the apricot-colored gown that Marshall had specially created for her. Rachel wanted to leave her hair down under her floral bonnet, it contrasted so well against the light fabric, but she knew that would be inappropriate for a schoolteacher.

Mrs. Hopper's familiar voice announced that Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop were outside, waiting to walk to the sanctuary. Rachel hurried to finish pinning up her long, chestnut curls and rushed breathlessly down the stairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop's friendly faces were a welcome sight and, just as Rachel remembered, warm and open. Little Seth had a big, toothy grin and was waving his hands and saying “Bye-bye” over and over.

“Seth hasn't quite mastered ‘Good morning,' so I'm afraid ‘Bye-bye' is his only greeting,” Mr. Lathrop said while patting his son's head.

“Well, with a face like that, I think I can forgive him.” Rachel smiled good-naturedly, squeezing Seth's cheeks.

“Miss Phillips, I certainly hope you can join us for Sunday supper after church. Seth might never forgive us if you say no.” Mrs. Lathrop's beautiful accent made the invitation impossible to decline. Rachel was excited to spend more time with Maria and learn of her exotic background on the
rancho
Mrs. Hopper had told her about.

“I would love to. Thank you for the invitation, Maria.” Rachel was truly moved by the offer. Maria's anxious expression melted into a happy smile.

“Mrs. Hopper, what about you? Could you be talked into a hearty, home-cooked meal without the work?” Mr. Lathrop asked.

“Thank you, Robert… but I'm afraid I have other plans.” Mrs. Hopper's voice seemed to search for a better excuse, but none came. Rachel looked to Maria to see if she had noticed the slight, and it was apparent she had, but she was gracious in her response. Rachel ached for her new friend. “Well, perhaps another time, Mrs. Hopper,” Maria said sincerely. The church bell clanged and Mr. Lathrop led the group toward the chapel. Rachel was pleasantly surprised at how many people remembered her and welcomed her to church this morning. She had met so many people over the week, it was impossible to know everyone's name, but Maria casually whispered well-wishers' names as they passed.

Pastor Swayles was his usual animated self. He delivered a powerful message about trusting in the Lord, asking the congregation to reflect on whom they trusted in: themselves or the Lord. He finished his sermon quoting a passage from Psalm 91: “‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.'”

Rachel left unmoved, thinking it was a nice message, but taking pride in the fact that it didn't necessarily apply to her. After all, she had trusted in the Lord since she was a child.

“Miss Phillips, what did you think of Reverend Swayles's message?” a deep voice asked of Rachel. She turned to see Chase Dylan following behind her, obviously trying to begin a conversation.

“I liked it just fine, thank you,” Rachel stated, while twisting her body back around in an exaggerated movement to let him know their discussion was over.

“Miss Phillips, I'd like to—”

Chase was cut off in mid-sentence as Rachel turned abruptly and announced, “Look, Mr. Dylan, I don't know what your fascination with taunting me is, but I can assure you I have had enough.” Chase looked astonished by the remonstration, and for a moment, Rachel thought he might even have appeared hurt. But it was done now, and Rachel felt quite satisfied with her firmness.

Rachel hurried to reach the Lathrops, who had left right at the close of the service. When she finally caught up with them, her face was flushed.

Mr. Lathrop turned around, a wide grin coming over his face. Rachel noticed he looked beyond her, toward the mill owner. “Chase, we wondered what happened to you, but we knew you'd find the way. You always do.” Rachel exhaled deeply. Her desperate attempt to flee Chase Dylan obviously was futile; he, too, apparently had been invited to the Lathrops for supper.

“Chase joins us every Sunday, if he's able.” Mrs. Lathrop's warm tone told Rachel she, too, thought highly of the pesky mill owner. Rachel remained dumbfounded over what people saw in this man, apart from his obvious external attributes.

“I'm not one to turn down a free meal, especially if it's made by Maria Lathrop.” Chase winked at Robert Lathrop and freed Seth from his mother's hold, sweeping him onto his wide shoulders for the remainder of the walk. Seth squealed in delight and kicked his legs in jubilation. As the assembly reached the front door of the small adobe home, the smell of roasted chicken issued from inside.

Dinner was a fairly quiet affair. Seth had already gone down for a nap. After the plates were filled with sumptuous food, the blessing was followed by complete silence, the Lathrops' guests had nothing to say to one another. Rachel knew her hosts were desperate to warm the chilly atmosphere, which perplexed them, but she still felt too angry to speak.

“So, Robert, what did you think of the message this morning? Did it hold any special meaning for you?” Maria appealed, while her eyes begged her husband for a rambling answer.

“Maria, I'm so glad you asked.” Robert smiled knowingly. “Pastor Swayles's sermon on trusting in the Lord spoke directly to me. I thought about the time when we were courting and I didn't know if we would ever be allowed to marry.” Mr. Lathrop's answer roused Rachel's interest, and she inquired about how the two had met.

Maria was delighted to tell the story, and continued for her husband. “As you know, my father owned a large rancho in the valley, and Robert came to work as a
vaquero
.” Robert gave his wife a sideways glance, and Maria corrected herself with the English version: “Robert came to break a horse that belonged to my father. My papa was an excellent horseman, but news of Robert's talent with the horses had passed from rancher to rancher and Papa wanted only the best. When Roberto, Robert, came to
Rancho de Estrella,
I loved him from the first moment I saw him.” Maria paused and gazed lovingly at her husband. Rachel found herself feeling slightly embarrassed for intruding upon the moment.

“What I didn't know was if he was a Christian, and that was very important to Papa and me. One evening, after a long day, Papa invited him for dinner, and Robert offered to say the prayer. It was so heartfelt and beautiful, I rejoiced in the knowledge that this man knew the Lord. And I prayed that very night that God would allow me to marry him. And He did, so how could I ask for more?” The couple exchanged looks, and Rachel momentarily felt a twinge of envy. She caught herself glancing Chase's way, and he smiled warmly. Rachel felt herself blush and quickly looked toward Robert for safety.

Robert finished his wife's story. “It wasn't quite as easy as all that; you make it sound like a fairy tale, my dear. I was a traveling horseman and I made a right good living doing it, but when I saw Maria I knew I was in the market for different work; blacksmithing just seemed the natural choice. I went away for two years, apprenticing under one of the best blacksmiths in the territory, until I learned the job completely. Only then did I return and ask Maria to be my wife. We did a lot of praying in those two years.”

The whole table enjoyed the romantic tale, but when it was over, the quiet resumed. Robert looked at Maria's pleading eyes and continued. “If that blacksmith could see how much time I spend with horses, he'd laugh heartily.”

“What do you mean?” Rachel questioned.

“I'm afraid there's not that much work for horses here in logging country. I spend most of my time shoeing oxen, an animal as large as it is dumb. We have to hoist 'em up in a special harness because they're not bright enough to bend their legs for the shoe.”

Robert shook his head in apparent disgust. “I'm not complaining though. I'd shoe oxen for the rest of my life to be with Maria.” He glanced at his wife, who turned pink at the compliment.

Rachel found herself fearful she would again search for Chase's face, so she rose quickly to help with the dishes.

“Rachel, please sit down. You are our guest,” Maria said sweetly, and Rachel sat down nervously.

“Perhaps, Rachel,” Maria began uncertainly, “you might help me with the dessert.”

“Of course, Maria, I'd be delighted.” Rachel jumped at the chance to leave the room and followed Maria quickly into the kitchen.

“I'm very sorry I didn't tell you Chase would be here for supper. He's here just about every Sunday, unless he's out of town, so I never thought to mention it. He appears to make you uncomfortable. Do you mind if I ask why? Chase usually gets along so well with people… especially women.” Maria added the last casually.

“Let's just say we got off to a bad start.” Rachel decided to keep her comments brief; there was no sense in rehashing the whole ugly scene in Redwood.

“Well, I hope you'll come to an understanding soon and forget about the past, that's what God would have us do.” Even though offered kindly, Maria's words stung Rachel.
I have been acting so childish.
She had allowed her feelings of hostility to fester to the boiling point, and she had never given her emotions up to God. Certainly Mr. Dylan had been arrogant, but for the first time Rachel realized
she
had, too.

The sermon! It was for me,
Rachel whispered to herself in realization.
Oh, I have indeed been proud, completely relying upon myself.

“Rachel?” Maria questioned Rachel's quiet self-recrimination.

“Oh Maria, would you mind if I skipped dessert and walked to the redwoods this afternoon? I need some time alone, and I've been dying to see the giants up close.” Rachel turned and walked in a daze toward the door.