The Pursuit (39 page)

“This is going to happen. They’re very much in love, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he asks her to marry him. But there are ways around this. We don’t have to live all year at Kendal. We can find a place closer to Collingbourne and spend part of our year here.”

The idea had not occurred to Gar. His features relaxed in comprehension, and he pulled his wife back into his arms. Juliana stood quietly and let him hold her for as long as he needed. She had known that he was missing the boys, but she’d not counted on the depth of Gar’s loss. She missed them too, but it was somehow different for Gar.

She didn’t know what the following days and weeks would look like, but knowing how her husband felt meant everything to her. She kissed him gently and told him not to worry anymore. Gar kissed her back and then held onto her almost fiercely. Juliana was certain that in his heart, he was really holding onto those two little boys.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You go to church?” Gar questioned Niki, not sure he’d heard her right.

“Yes, and because we’re going tomorrow morning, I wanted to make sure you knew you could join us.”

Her friends looked at her as she thought they might. She felt her courage draining and asked the Lord to remind her that eternity was at stake.

“You don’t have to come,” Niki felt she must add, “but I’d like it if you would.”

“Do the boys go with you?” Gar asked.

“Yes.”

“Why do you go, Niki?” Juliana spoke for the first time.

“Some time ago I made a decision to include God in my life. I believed in Him to save me, but I had not learned anything since. Then when I came here, my Aunt Mary and I began talking about spiritual issues. She’s helped me to see how much God has for me and how studying the Bible can change me.”

“Are you talking about Christianity?” Gar asked.

“Yes.”

“But I didn’t think that Christians could do the things you do.”

“Like what for instance?”

“Like going about dressed as a man and deceiving people.”

“I don’t have all the answers, Gar,” Niki admitted, hoping she wasn’t in over her head. “I’m not sure how I should have handled my situation. I know it’s my job to take care of my sons, but I don’t always know exactly what that looks like.”

“Gar wasn’t judging you, Niki,” Juliana felt she must put in.

“Of course not,” Gar said, wanting there to be no misunderstanding.

“I didn’t think that, Gar. You may ask me anything you wish.”

Gar looked at her and nodded. “I don’t have any questions right now, Niki. I’m not even sure why I said what I did.”

“Well, if you do, just ask me,” Niki replied, waiting. But her friends didn’t speak. “So will you come to church?” she prompted.

“No,” Gar said kindly but with finality. “It would be hypocrisy if I did. Juliana might wish to, but I’ve never felt a need for God, and I’m not going to pretend I do.”

Niki nodded, not at all surprised to hear this. He’d said, however, that Juliana could go.

“How about it, Juliana?” Niki asked. “Do you wish to join us?”

“I think I will,” the lady responded. “You’re certain you don’t mind, Gar?”

“Not at all,” he said, meaning it.

“All right then,” Juliana offered with a smile. “I’ll go with you in the morning, Niki.”

“We leave after breakfast,” Niki told her, glad that at least one of them was going.

“We’ve made a decision,” Gar suddenly said.

“About what?” Niki queried.

“On Monday we’ll be heading back to Kendal, but in the near future we’ll be looking for a second home in or near Collingbourne.”

Niki couldn’t help herself. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms about Gar, giving him a great hug before turning to Juliana. The women hugged for a long time.

“Well, Gar,” Juliana said, an arm still around Niki, “I think she likes the idea. You worried for nothing.”

Gar’s laughter filled the room. Niki and Juliana laughed with him. Juliana was just happy that they would not have to be separated again, at least not for long. Niki was happy because she never dreamed that God would do this. She had prayed for her friends and believed that God could reach them, but this idea had never come to mind.

With a final laugh, this one at herself, Niki found herself thankful that she wasn’t the one in charge.

Newcomb Park

Edward ate his meal without comment, but it wasn’t easy. Something was on Henry’s mind, but he wasn’t sharing. Edward could feel his gaze on him almost constantly, but when asked about it, Henry only shook his head and didn’t speak.

Edward knew that if he gave Henry enough time, he would spout, but in truth he wanted to get to Blackburn as soon as he could.

“How are you feeling about Niki these days?” Henry suddenly asked.

“How do you think I feel?”

“I think you’re in love with her.”

“You’re right, I am.”

“Then why have you not asked her to marry you?”

“The Lawtons have only just left, Henry. When have I been able to see Niki alone?”

Henry did not look understanding. Clearly he wanted the matter settled, and that was the end of it. Edward wanted to laugh but didn’t. Henry’s face was too serious to risk mirth.

“How will you go about it?” Henry asked.

Edward looked astonished.

“I can’t believe you asked me that.”

“Go ahead,” this new Henry demanded. “Tell me.”

Edward stared at him, not able to keep the smile from his face.

“I think you should go for a walk,” Henry went on. “Niki seems to like the out-of-doors.”

Unable to believe his ears, Edward sat back, his meal forgotten.

“Although if you do that and can’t find a place for Niki to sit, you’ll be far below her when you go down on one knee.”

“You think I should go down on one knee?”

In another uncharacteristic move, Henry rolled his eyes.

“What else would you do?”

“I could just ask her.”

Henry shook his head. “That won’t work at all. Years from now the children, especially your daughters, will want to know how you asked their mother to marry you. It’s got to be something memorable, something special.”

“Henry,” Edward said quietly, “I do believe you
are
a romantic.”

“You doubted?”

Edward’s head went back as he laughed. Henry had used his dry, almost sarcastic tone, and it never failed to be Edward’s undoing. Henry was smiling a little himself, but he was also serious.

“Are you going to Blackburn this morning?”

“Yes.”

“Do it today.”

The two brothers stared at each other.

“Why, Henry? Why today?”

“Don’t you want to?”

“Yes, but I want to know why you want it to be today.”

“Because it’s time. You’ve discussed every issue you can think of; your sisters adore her; you know you have my blessing; and on top of that, she needs you.”

Edward told himself to breathe deeply. Henry’s words had a strange effect on his heart. It was probably true that Niki did need him, but he also needed her—more than he could say.

“All right, Henry. I’ll see if I can talk to her today.”

“And you’ll make it special?”

Edward hid a smile. “If I can.”

Henry nodded in satisfaction and stood. He made his way down to Edward’s end of the table and placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t speak but looked down at his brother for several seconds, patted Edward’s shoulder, and exited the room.

Edward thought he could become very emotional just then but fought off the temptation. He had a special lady to see and a special question to ask. And only a short time to figure out a way in which to do it.

Blackburn Manor

Niki was in the small parlor when Edward arrived. Bertram took him directly there, and he slipped in quietly to find Niki sitting very still.

“Good morning,” he said, sitting on the sofa with her. “How are you?”

“I’m very well. How are you?”

Just happy to be near you,
he thought, but said, “I’m well, thank you. Did the Lawtons get on their way?”

“Yes. It was so good to see them.”

“I certainly enjoyed meeting them. Gar is fascinating.”

“Yes, he is,” Niki said with a smile.

“Did Juliana say anything about the church service?”

“No, but they’ll be back, and maybe I can ask her about it then.”

Not until that moment did Edward see a letter in Niki’s lap.

“Have you had news?” Edward asked, indicating the paper.

Niki’s smile was wry as she said, “Patrice is trying a new tactic.”

“How many letters does this make?”

“Well, let’s see.” Niki cocked her head a little. “The first letter threatened to get a lawyer, the second letter was contrite, so this would be the third.”

“What does she want this time?”

Niki’s eyes went back to the letter. She spoke as she scanned.

“I’m to contact the authorities and say it was all a mistake, that she would be no threat to anyone. She would then be free to move to England to be near the boys.”

“That’s quite a plan.”

“But that’s not the end of it. She would want me to live in London because she couldn’t possibly be made comfortable in a small town like Collingbourne. She’s sure I’ll understand.”

Edward had to laugh. The woman was remarkable. He’d never known such gall.

“What will you do?”

“Nothing right now. I hadn’t even answered her second letter, and now this has come.”

“You don’t want her living close, do you?”

“Positively not. The woman is a threat and can’t be trusted.”

“You’ll probably have to write that very thing to her.”

“She won’t like it,” Niki said ruefully.

“She’s made her choices.”

Niki nodded, her eyes on some distant spot. Edward studied her profile, smiling at what he saw. Niki suddenly felt his eyes on her and turned.

“I love you,” Edward said, not for the first time.

“I love you,” Niki told him, gladly giving her hand when he reached for it.

“Will you go for a walk with me?”

“Certainly.”

“Shall I tell the boys?”

Edward smiled.

“I think this time it might be nice to go on our own.”

Niki smiled, liking the sound of that and letting Denley know as they slipped outside on this warm June morning.

For a time they walked in silence, Blackburn’s flowers making the world smell like a garden. Edward tried to relax and enjoy it, but he felt almost tense, wishing that Henry had not been so vocal this morning. Suddenly Edward wanted to laugh. His brother was such a quiet, reserved man. Having him give instructions on how to propose had been nothing short of preposterous.

“What are you smiling about?” Niki asked.

Edward did not know that she had been watching.

“I’ll have to tell you sometime.”

“Not now?”

Edward stopped, and Niki naturally stopped with him. He had always been completely honest with her and was not going to be anything else now.

“Henry seems to think that I’ve been dragging my feet where you’re concerned.”

Niki looked surprised.

“I told him you had company, but he didn’t seem to think that mattered.”