The Pursuit (38 page)

“How are you?” Edward asked Niki the next morning while on a walk. The boys had run ahead toward the creek, and because they were still in view, Edward and Niki took their time.

“I’m doing very well.”

Edward turned to look at her.

“I believe you are,” he agreed with a smile.

“I never dreamed that something good could come of yesterday, Edward, but it has.”

Edward stopped, not wanting to miss a word.

“Chris was so frightened that he wanted to talk about salvation. He prayed with Rich and me last night.”

Edward’s eyes closed as emotion filled him. He’d prayed for that little boy every day, and now, with only a few weeks gone by, Christopher Bettencourt believed. Christopher Bettencourt knew the Savior.

“I so wish I could take you in my arms,” Edward said, remembering that they had to keep up with the boys.

“You can take Chris in your arms.” Niki’s voice sounded pleased. “But then he’ll want to know why.”

“Then I won’t. I’ll wait for him to tell me when he’s ready.”

Niki abruptly stopped walking, so Edward stopped with her. She looked into the eyes of the man she wanted to father her children. His tenderness and caring never ceased to amaze her. The boys felt it too.

“He’ll want to tell you,” she said confidently.

“How do you know?” Edward asked, but Niki didn’t answer. She began to walk again, and Edward happily followed. She didn’t have a lot more to say, but the smile on her face made Edward’s heart turn over in his chest.

I think she’s the one, Lord. Please help me to lead with my head, especially when my heart wants to gallop away with me.

Newcomb Park

“It’s big!” Richard said with wonder, his eyes on the large, dead insect Henry Steele presented in his study.

“It’s from Africa,” Henry told the boys. “Edward sent it to me, but then when I visited, I brought something home for myself.”

This said, Henry brought out a snake skin—very long, wide, and colorful—that made the boys’ eyes huge and their mouths gape. Edward, also in the group and quietly watching their faces, started to laugh, thinking this was fun.

The idea had originated with Henry. Niki had not been to Collingbourne to shop or have tea since she arrived. Much as Edward would have liked to go with her, he thought she might agree to the outing if he took the boys for the day.

Lizzy, Cassandra, and Marianne picked up Niki, the boys, and Mary Walker midmorning. In great spirits, they dropped the boys at Newcomb Park and headed toward Collingbourne. If the smiles and laughter coming from both groups were any indication, the day was sure to be a success.

Blackburn Manor

“Mrs Bettencourt,” Denley said to Niki when he interrupted the family at the breakfast table on Monday morning. “There’s someone here who would like to see you.”

Niki rose without question, telling the boys to stay put when they made to follow her, and exited the room. She followed Denley all the way to the foyer and found Gar and Juliana waiting. Their reunion was joyful and tearful all at the same time.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Juliana said, holding onto Niki as though she would never let go.

Gar was next, but his hug was much swifter because he had a question.

“Niki, where are those boys?”

“Come this way,” Niki invited, knowing she would be forgiven for the interruption.

And an interruption it was. The boys would not stop touching or talking to Gar, and Niki could barely make the introductions.

“Please join us for breakfast,” Mary inserted when there was a slight lull, and when at last the guests joined the table, Walker asked Gar if they had moved successfully.

“As a matter of fact, we have not. We’ve been traveling around since we wrote to Niki.”

“What of Kendal-in-the-Forest?” Niki asked.

“We hadn’t the heart to give it up,” Juliana said. “We left a small staff to look after things, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to sell it.”

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” Niki said, a hand to her face. “My heart was broken when you said you had to leave.”

“We’re just gypsies right now,” Juliana told her, clearly enjoying the fact.

“Well, I have a good bit of news to tell you,” Niki said. “You won’t have to be gypsies much longer. Unless, of course, you want to.”

“I’ve rather enjoyed it,” Gar stated, not surprising Niki in the least.

The men fell into conversation then, conversation that lasted the rest of the meal. Mary took the boys off to play for a time, and the women sneaked away to Niki’s room so they could talk.

“She was here,” Niki told Juliana when that woman began to question her. “Patrice was here.”

“What happened?”

“I confronted her and sent her away.”

Juliana’s mouth opened. “How did you have the courage to do this?”

Niki wanted to tell her about her belief in Christ but wasn’t sure how to go about it. Edward came to mind instead.

“There’s something I never wrote to you about,” Niki confessed to her friend.

“What is it?”

“Edward Steele lives here in Collingbourne.”

“Edward Steele? The Edward Steele from the ship? The one who made you smile?”

Niki had to laugh. “Yes, the same.”

Niki laughed again when Juliana threw her arms around her and tried to hug the life from her.

“I knew he was the one! You must tell me everything. Do you see him often? Does he notice you? How about the boys? Does he love the boys? He must love the boys!”

Niki could only laugh at her.

“Come along,” Juliana demanded. “Tell me all.”

“Well, yes, I would say he’s noticed me,” Niki said quietly, her eyes a bit dreamy, “and, yes, he does love the boys.”

Juliana stared at her.

“You’re in love with him.”

“I believe I am.”

“And does he love you?”

“It would certainly seem that way.”

Juliana sighed, her romantic heart touched.

“Anyway,” Niki went on. “Edward was with me when she came, as were Aunt Mary and Walker. Patrice was as angry and awful as I expected her to be, but Edward and I stood up to her. If she comes back, she’ll have to answer to the law.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Not like I was.”

“I’m so glad, Niki. What a horrible time it’s been for you and the boys.”

“Not much fun for you either.”

Juliana put a hand on Niki’s arm.

“Never worry after Gar and me, my dear. We love you and the boys. We would do it all over again in an instant.”

Niki put her arms around her friend, so thankful she was there. Juliana hugged her back, completely unaware of the way Niki asked God to give her wisdom and courage to talk about Him.

“Thank you, Walker and Mrs Walker,” Edward said at the end of the evening. “I had a wonderful time.”

“Tell Henry what he missed,” Walker teased a little.

“I will,” Edward smiled, turning next to the Lawtons. “It was very fine meeting you,” he said, bowing to them both.

“We’ll probably see you again,” Gar said kindly, and Juliana smiled at him.

Niki slipped away to walk him to the door, smiling when their eyes met.

“I can see why you like them,” Edward said at the door.

“They’re wonderful. I’m so glad they came.”

Edward took her hand.

“I’m going to keep my distance for a few days,” he told her. “I think the boys need time with Gar and Juliana. It’s not fair of me to be around and make them feel as though they have to choose.”

“That’s sweet of you.”

“I don’t think I’ve been called sweet before.”

Niki only smiled, blushing a little.

“I’ll miss you,” he said quietly, bending to kiss her cheek before slipping out the door.

Niki stood in the same spot for a long time, her heart echoing his words.
I’ll miss you too.

“What do we know about this man?” Gar demanded of his wife as soon as they were behind closed doors.

“Edward Steele?”

“Yes, Edward Steele! She clearly loves that man, and I would say he loves her in return.”

“Well, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing, as long as we know he’s worthy of her and the boys. Does he know the situation? Will he protect them?”

“Gar,” his wife said patiently. “He’s the one she met on ship. He’s the one who knew she was a woman dressed as a man.”

Gar looked affronted.

“No one ever tells me anything,” he said gruffly, ruthlessly pulling at the buttons on his shirt.

“I’m sorry.” Juliana was very contrite, even though she wanted to laugh. She expected Gar to turn and smile at her in complete forgiveness, but that didn’t happen. His agitated movements told her he was still upset.

“Gar.” Juliana called his name and waited.

Gar didn’t immediately turn to her. When he did, his face was not open and kind as it usually was. Juliana could not keep the concern from her voice.

“Edgar, what is it? What’s really troubling you?”

Gar looked her in the eye, betrayal covering every feature.

“If she marries this man, she won’t come back to us. I’ll not have the boys anymore.”

Juliana went and put her arms around him. She hugged him close and was hugged in return. After a moment, she stepped back to look at his face.