The Royal Handmaid (34 page)

“Welcome home,” Karl Benson cried out. He gripped Travis’s hand warmly and then went to Rena. “You look well,” he said.

Indeed, Travis and Rena both looked well. They were obviously strong and fit.

Travis said, “It’s good to see all of you. I can’t tell you how we’ve missed you.”

“Why did you wait so long to return?” Professor Dekker asked. “We’ve all been worried sick about you.”

“That’s right,” Dalton added. “We thought maybe the storm on that first day might have gotten you.”

“It almost did, Dalton,” Chip said.

“But the Lord brought us through it,” Rena chimed in. She turned and spoke to Chief Lomu, who was standing off to one side. She spoke in the native’s language, and he came forward at once.

“You’ve learned to speak their language,” Meredith said. “How wonderful!”

“It’s not hard,” Travis said, grinning. “If a dummy like me can learn it, anybody can.”

Chief Lomu spoke, and Travis interpreted. “He says he’s got a surprise for you.”

Chief Lomu spoke at Travis’s nod, and it was Rena who interpreted. “I have come to invite my brothers and sisters to my home. I am now a believer in Jesus. You must come and help us learn the ways of the Father above.”

For a moment the only sound was the wash of the waves and the cry of the gulls overhead. Then the professor went forward and took the chief’s hand. His eyes were glistening. “I am so happy for you, my dear brother.”

Others crowded around the chief, and finally Rena said, “I hope you are all ready to move.”

“Are we really going to the other island?” Maggie said.

“Yes. It’s much larger than this, and we brought two boats so that we can take everything we want to carry back with us.”

“That’s right. We need every hand now. We’re going to build a church.”

“Tell us all about this, Travis,” Karl said. “It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Well, one thing hasn’t changed. No ship has ever come to the chief’s island, but there is plenty of missionary work to be done right there.”

“What about Novak and the other sailors?” Shep asked.

“Novak built a boat of his own and decided to try to get back to civilization. He left more than two months ago. We haven’t heard anything, of course.”

Oscar said, “What about Charlie and Lars?”

“Not very good news there. Charlie got into a fight with a native over a woman. Charlie shot the man and killed him, and the man’s brother cut Charlie’s throat. Lars is still on the island.”

“I think he’s beginning to listen to the Gospel,” Rena added. “There’s still hope for him.”

Rena went over to where Abigail was standing. “Look at that baby!” she said. “Isn’t he beautiful! And he’s getting so big!” She took Michael and hugged him and kissed his fat cheek, and he gurgled with happiness. “You’ll have lots of other babies to play with and grow up with there.”

“That’s wonderful,” Abigail said. “It’ll be so nice to have some other children around. He’ll be needing playmates before we know it.”

“Well, we’ll have plenty of company where we’re going,” Rena said with a smile. “Now it’s time to start packing.”

****

The rhythm of the paddles as they struck the water punctuated the sound of the wind as it pushed at the two catamarans. Pete and Lanie were sitting together, Pete resting from his turn at the oars. Both craft were laden with materials and
animals that they were taking with them. Lanie shook her head. “We had to leave so much behind.”

“We can come back for it,” Pete said. He put his arm around Lanie and asked, “Are you happy?”

Lanie took his hand and held it in both of hers. “Yes, I am.”

“Not as happy as you
will
be.”

Lanie turned to Pete and saw that he was smiling at her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, after you’re married to me, you’ll be happier than you can dream.” A mischievous look came over his face, and he said, “An old fortune teller once told me that the woman I married would be the happiest woman in all the world.”

Lanie laughed aloud. Pete was not a great talker, but she had found out that he had a dry wit that delighted her.

She said, “I know what. Let’s make our announcement right now.”

All the missionaries were in the same boat, as well as the sailors. The natives and Chief Lomu were in the other boat. “You want me to tell everyone?”

“I expect they already know, Pete. I told Rena a long time ago, and I imagine word has gotten around.”

“Well, we’ll make it official.” He stood up in the boat and called out loudly, “Attention, everyone! I have an announcement to make.”

Those who could turned his way, although the paddling did not stop and the rhythm remained the same.

“I wish to announce the engagement of Miss Lanie MacKay to Peter Alford.”

Happy cries went up as the missionaries dropped their oars and began to applaud. It broke the rhythm of the boat, which fell back, but no one seemed to care.

After a round of congratulations, Maggie piped up, “I have an announcement too.” She looked across at Shep, who was staring at her. She stepped over to him and said, “I wish to announce that Miss Margaret Smith is engaged to Mr.
Shepard Riggs. All are invited to the wedding.” Shep’s jaw dropped. “Now you can’t get out of it, Shep.”

Shep suddenly laughed. He stood up and took Maggie in his arms. “Who wants to get out of it?”

Travis looked at Rena, and he saw her happiness. Something passed between them, but neither spoke.

Oscar Blevins left his post to shake Shep’s hand. “You got a fine woman there, Shep. Be good to her.”

“I will, Oscar. You better know it.”

“All right. Let’s get these oars going,” Barkley said loudly. “This ain’t a ship we’re on, it’s a doggone matrimonial bureau! Get cracking, now! Let’s see a little life in you lovers.”

The oars picked up the beat, and Shep whispered to Maggie, “I didn’t even ask you.”

“You never would have, Shep.”

“I wouldn’t have had the nerve.”

“You’re not sorry, are you?”

“Not a bit of it.” He squeezed her hand and said, “I got a lot to learn about bein’ a good husband.”

“We’ll teach each other,” Maggie said, a contented smile flowing from her. She looked out at the water and said, “I’ll be so glad when we get to our new home.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Heaven’s Mysteries

Travis sat beside Rena cross-legged, and she had her feet tucked in under her. He had to lean forward to speak to her to be heard over the babble of voices. “Some wedding, huh?” he said. “I don’t believe there was ever a noisier one.”

“The people are so happy.” Rena leaned closer to him, her shoulder pressed against his. “And the brides are both so beautiful.”

The two were sitting in the midst of a large open space. The ground was covered with mats that were loaded with food of all kinds, some of which Travis and Rena did not recognize.

“These folks really know how to cook up a feast. I think Oscar’s in heaven learning all these new dishes.”

Rena, however, was focused on Maggie and Lanie. They were standing off to one side, surrounded by a group of young native girls who were chattering at them like magpies. “They’re so radiant, aren’t they, Travis?”

“Yes, they are, and the grooms look almost as happy.” He turned his head to take a look at Shep and Pete. Pete towered over Shep, and both were surrounded by the young men of the island.

In the month since the missionaries had all settled in to the island, there had been other trips to bring the rest of the animals, tools, and supplies. The marriage celebration had been a week in preparation.

“You know, you’d think the brides would be nervous, but I believe Shep and Pete have got them beat.”

“Oh, they’re all so happy! Isn’t it wonderful, Travis?”

Rena’s eyes glowed, and a smile turned her lips up at the corners. Her skin was tanned golden by the tropical sun, and Travis could see a faint trace of freckles across the bridge of her nose. “Did you know you have freckles?” he said as he tapped her nose.

“Do I? I know I had them when I was just a little girl. They horrified me. I tried to wash them off. Nearly scrubbed my face raw.”

“Well, don’t do that. They look fine.”

Travis looked up. “I think the wedding is about to begin.”

Captain Barkley was able to walk now with a cane, and he smiled as he limped to the front of the crowd and held up his hand for silence. “I think it’s time to get these young people married up,” he announced. He looked over and said, “Travis, you and Rena come get this ceremony under way.”

Travis rose and helped Rena to her feet. They went to stand beside the captain, and Rena sang two songs, each one twice—once in English and once in the language of the islanders. The natives loved her singing, and after each song there was tremendous applause.

When the applause died down, Travis said quietly, “It’s always a holy moment when a man and a woman come before God to join themselves together.” Travis interpreted for himself, speaking first in English and then putting his words as best he could into the language of the dark-skinned people who listened to him. “Our God has told us that a marriage is something that lasts as long as they both shall live. It is said that the woman should obey the man exactly as a man should obey God, and it is said that a man should love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it.”

Travis paused and smiled at the two brides and two grooms standing before him. “There are very few things that last a lifetime in this world. Most things get old or broken or worn out and cast away, but God has given us this one thing that’s
meant to last a lifetime. As long as you two are faithful, you will be one flesh.”

Rena was absolutely still, drinking in Travis’s words. She felt a tug in her heart as he spoke of marriage and love in such gentle tones. She had never known a man who spoke so reverently about marriage.

Finally Travis said, “Shepard and Lanie, Margaret and Peter, I want you to hold hands as you kneel down and commit yourselves to each other. Before the captain asks you to say your vows, we’re going to pray that God will keep you in a state of holy love for one another.”

The two couples knelt down, and Travis prayed a beautiful prayer. When it was ended, he said, “All right, Captain. Come and tie the knot.”

Captain Barkley had agreed to officiate at the marriage ceremony, although he had warned them he had never married anyone before. But all the women had attended enough weddings that they knew all the words to the ceremony. They had written them out, and Travis had seen to it that the captain had memorized them.

Now Captain Barkley said, “We are gathered together in the sight of God and in the face of this company to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. . . .”

The captain performed magnificently, and he concluded, “I now pronounce you, Shepard and Margaret, husband and wife. And I pronounce you, Peter and Lanie, husband and wife—” He laughed aloud and said, “You may kiss the brides.”

Both men put their arms around their new wives and kissed them thoroughly, to the pleased applause and shouts of the crowd. Then Travis and Rena went toward them, followed by the others, and soon the couples were being hugged and kissed and congratulated in two languages.

“There’s going to be a lot of eating and, I’m afraid, drinking going on now,” Travis whispered to Rena. “Let’s go down to the beach.”

“All right, Travis.”

The two left the celebrants and walked through the underbrush on the narrow beaten path down to the beach. The sea was calm and as still as they had ever seen it, and they began walking slowly along the sand. From time to time crabs would scurry in front of them, and birds hopped along seeking food. Overhead the gulls, as always, uttered their harsh cries and swooped down toward them.

“That was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it, Travis?”

“Yes, it was.”

Rena was strangely silent. Travis stopped and picked up a smooth rock and skipped it into the ocean.

As he picked up another, Rena said, “You believe very strongly in marriage.”

“Why, of course. Don’t you?”

“Oh yes. I just never heard anyone put it so clearly as you did.”

“I guess I’m pretty set in my ways.”

“Did you mean what you said about a man and a woman being joined together as long as they live?”

Travis looked at her with surprise. “Of course.”

“Not everybody agrees with that.”

“But you do, don’t you?”

Rena smiled and shook her hair back in a graceful motion. “Yes, I do,” she said quietly.

Travis was quiet for so long that Rena finally asked, “What are you thinking about, Travis?”

“About marriage. It’s one of those things that no one can know what it’s like until they’re actually in it. At times I’ve thought that it must be like becoming a Christian. You can tell people what it’s like in your own experience, but they won’t really know for themselves until they trust in Christ and begin to walk in the Spirit. Marriage is a walk of faith.”

“I never thought of it like that, but I believe you’re right.”

“It’s easy enough to get married,” Travis said with a grin. “I could become a husband in just a few minutes. But I’m
afraid it would take me a lifetime to learn how to be the husband God would want me to become.”

“That’s true, isn’t it? My father and mother had a beautiful marriage, but Dad told me one time he had to unlearn a lot of habits. He said he was selfish, and finally he learned the way to be happy was to make Mother happy. So that’s what he did.”

“That makes sense.” He turned to her and said, “I guess you know how I feel about you, Rena.”

She stood very still, looking up at him with trembling lips. “How
do
you feel, Travis? A woman needs to hear it said out loud.”

“Why, I love you. I have for a long time.”

“Not at first you didn’t.” She smiled at the memory. “Who could love a spoiled brat like I was?”

“Well, that’s all in the past. The woman I love now is a royal handmaid,” Travis said with a grin. Travis reached out and took her by the shoulders, his face turning serious. “I want you to marry me. I want us to be man and wife, and I promise that I’ll love you as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it. No matter what happens, I’ll love you, even if you get sick. When you get wrinkles in that beautiful face of yours, I’ll love you then. No matter what, I’ll always love you.”