To Know Her by Name (40 page)

“I would like to keep coming to the church,” she was able to add, “but I'm needed in Denver. I don't know how long I'll be gone.” She swallowed and made herself continue. “I've really enjoyed the last two Sundays. I wanted you to know that.”

“I'm so glad, Callie,” the pastor put in. “We've enjoyed having you. Whenever you come back, you'll be welcome.”

Pup nodded with relief that was visibly evident to the couple watching her.

“Travis and Rebecca let me know that I'd be welcome back at the ranch, but I'm sure I won't see them to tell them I must go.”

“We'll tell them you've been called away, Callie. They'll understand.”

Again she nodded with relief and this time spoke very hesitantly.

“I don't want to presume, Pastor Henley—I mean, you've already done so much, but could you pray for me?”

“I pray for you every day,” he told her quietly, and Pup knew her mouth had dropped open. “And so to answer your question,” he finished, “I will pray for you,
continue
to pray for you that is, every day.”

They were silent for a time, letting their guest take this in. Her faith was so new and tender and her knowledge still limited, but her enthusiasm was such a reminder of all God had done for a dying, sinful world. They would genuinely miss Callie Jennings' presence in the weeks to come.

A few moments passed, and then Beryl asked gently, “Will you stay and have coffee with us, Callie?”

They weren't going to question her. They weren't going to put her on the spot. Pup sagged with relief. Instead, she said, “I'd like to, Mrs. Henley, but I've got to get home if I'm going to get back down for the train tomorrow.”

“Another time then.”

“Yes.” Pup's smile was serene. “Another time.”

“Do you have a Bible?” Pastor Henley suddenly asked.

“Just one that I read at home.”

“So you won't be taking it with you?”

“No, it's borrowed, and I need to be careful with it.”

“I have one I'd be happy to give you. Are you interested?”

“Yes.”The word was said quietly, but there was a wealth of emotions behind the dark eyes that watched him. Pastor Henley went to the other room and returned with a black, leather-bound Bible. Not aware of the loving way in which Beryl looked at her, Pup sat in utter silence.

“Someone left this at the church some years ago now,” Pastor Henley explained as he handed it to her. “Beryl and I both have one, and we'd like you to take this.”

For a moment Pup couldn't speak. Looking down at it, she wanted to open it on the spot and read, but turning it in her hands, kept herself in check.

“Thank you,” she managed at last, her mind still reeling.

“We won't hold you up, Callie,” the pastor suggested, seeing that she needed to be alone. “But if you can spare a minute, let's pray now before you go.”

As she bowed her head, Pup's heart was so full that all she could do was marvel at this man.
He's been praying for me, Lord. I didn't know. I didn't have any idea. And a Bible, Lord, I have my own Bible!
The prayer was brief, over before she could begin listening, but it meant so much. She was shown to the door by both of them, and Pup knew that everything they had said was true. It was as if the Bible itself gave testimony to that fact: She would be welcome here again anytime—not just at the church but their home as well.

I don't really want to go back to work right now, Lord, but I can't let Nick down,
she prayed as she left.
I'll take the job if it's tied into Duncan Phipps; I need to do that much for Nick. Knowing that Pastor and Mrs. Henley are here praying for me makes it easier to go. Help me to come home soon, Lord, and if at all possible, let me see McKay again.

Denver

McKay barely tasted his food. Mrs. Meyer's evening meal was as palatable as ever, but McKay was preoccupied to the point of distraction. For as long as he had lived there, Mrs. Meyer handled the mail in the same way. She always placed that day's arrivals next to their napkins. Tonight there was a letter by his plate. The postmark was Boulder, and without having ever seen her handwriting, McKay somehow knew it was from Pup. He managed to answer a question that was directed at him and even remembered to thank Mrs. Meyer for the good meal, but he left the table as soon as propriety would allow and escaped to the privacy of his room.

His hand shook like that of a schoolboy with his first love note, tearing the envelope just a little. Finally the pages were in his hand. It was dated at the top and began simply,

McKay:

You'll never believe what happened today. Percy came to see me. I'm still amazed over it. Mud wasn't with him; Percy said he'd gone to town. A few weeks back, I borrowed a Bible from them, one that had belonged to their mother. At first Percy didn't want me to take it, but he came today to tell me I could use it for as long as I'd like. He also told me he was sorry over the death of my brother. Even as I write this, I still feel amazed.

I've been reading the Bible every day. It's a remarkable book. I'll read a verse and think it's the most wonderful and then read another and change my mind. I've been reading in Romans. There's so much I didn't realize. I thought Jonah was a legend, and then I found him right in the Bible. I have some questions I want to ask you about that book. Actually, I have some questions on just about all the books. It's helped to talk with Pastor Henley. Have you ever met him? I've gone to the church twice now, and one time I was able to speak with him at length.

“I'm back now,” the letter went on, “I boiled the coffee over on the stove and had to clean it up. I managed to salvage one cup for myself.”

For a moment McKay had to stop. He'd sat on his bed when he had come in and now lay back, a smile on his face, his shoulders moving with silent laughter. It was so like her to burn something in the middle of writing a letter and then to tell about it as a matter of course. McKay's eyes closed.

He couldn't believe how much he missed her. She was a ray of sunshine in his day. He had known women who were more bubbly, but they all paled in comparison to Pup. She was like the moon, he decided. Not so bright as the blazing sunlight but constant in his mind, especially when things seemed dark. How he wanted to see her. He lifted the letter again.

Are you working hard? Do I know about your latest case? I wish I had time to go back to see your parents. I'm not sure they really understood how much I appreciated their welcome of me. I realize that's my fault for leaving so abruptly.

When I arrived home I saw Travis Buchanan. He's the reason I'm going to the church. He offered to let me stay at the Double Star on Saturday nights and even join his family for supper. His wife, Rebecca, is expecting soon. I've met his boys, too. They're sweet. Not identical twins, but similar in many ways. One is dark and the other is light, but you could pick their faces out of a crowd. Travis is doing a good job of teaching them about the Bible. They enjoy church and the special storytime for children that Mrs. Henley teaches before the service. The adults fellowship at that time, and I must admit to you that I wished I could have gone with the children. A Bible story with pictures sounded like a good time.

I've yet to hear from Nick, and I must admit that this suits me fine. I think I need some time to sort things out. My head feels clearer in the mountains. I do know one thing—I think about you and wonder if you are well.

Pup continued to write about the Bible, the weather, and even her garden. She didn't get personal again, but McKay was coming to know her well enough to understand what wasn't put down in writing. He finished the letter—she signed off with just her name—and immediately went to his desk to start one to her.

He began to write, knowing some very good things had come from their being separated, things he had not been able to see while standing at the Longmont train station. For days now, he'd been wrapped up in the Phipps' case and the mine scandal, but there had been plenty of time to think about his relationship with Pup. His mind had actually moved to marriage before he'd started to think clearly. Not that he thought marriage to Pup was wrong, but it was definitely too soon.

He thought about the way she'd remembered that moment when, as a child, she'd come to Christ on the streets of Boulder. He believed with all of his heart that her conversion was genuine, but the fact that she was a believer didn't mean they needed to rush into marriage. If, in fact, marriage was also on her mind, they both needed to be reminded that this was not something that could be entered into quickly. His emotions told him to run and find her and never let her go, but his heart, led by the Holy Spirit of God, was counseling him to go slowly.

McKay traveled so much that at times regular church attendance was difficult. Yesterday had been different. He'd been in town and able to attend the Denver church that he had been a part of for several years.

The pastor had been there for only a year, but McKay liked him immensely. He was a man who often made jokes from the pulpit, loving it when the congregation howled with laughter. There was no mistaking his sincerity, though, when as a group they turned to study the Scriptures. Newly married, Pastor Adair MacKinnon was three years younger than McKay. For a young man he had deep wisdom and a heart to know God more. He also had a heart for the unsaved in the city. The church had grown tremendously in the last several months.

After the service, several people were crowded close to question the pastor, but McKay waited his turn and had a chance to talk with him as well. The treasury agent was amazed to learn that he'd been on Pastor MacKinnon's mind.

“I've been praying for you, McKay,” he told him in his soft Scottish burr.

“You have?” McKay's raised brow was genuine.

“Indeed. I know your job takes you hither and yon, and I've often wondered if that doesn't lead to temptation for a young man.”

McKay nodded. One time he had confided in Adair that his job sometimes took him into saloons and dance halls.

“Every man is tempted, McKay,” the large Scot went on, “but it's easier at times to come home to a wife, hopefully one you can confide in and know she's praying for you while you're out.”

“I've met someone.” McKay said these words before he actually realized how much he wanted to talk to this man. “She's very special, but our circumstances are not normal.”

Adair smiled. “That can mean a merry chase or a grand headache. Which is it with you?”

“Neither one right now, but her conversion was different. I believe it's genuine, but I've just realized that our relationship should go slowly—or rather
I
should—since I'm not sure if she's moved as fast as I have.”

“I think proceeding with caution is wise. What do you think she'll say?”

“That's part of the problem. She doesn't live here, so I don't get to see much of her.”

Adair studied him with shrewd eyes. “You're in love with the lass.”

McKay nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“But you're not sure if she truly believes.”

“I do feel sure, but without time with her—time when we can talk and I can watch what she does with her new faith—I don't think I can really know what God has for us.”

“Have you asked God to give you time together?”

“No,” McKay admitted, “I'm busy at work right now, and she has responsibilities of her own. That never occurred to me.”

“Ask, McKay. God may say no, but you'll not know unless you bend your knee.”

The pastor's words came back to McKay as he sat alone in his room, and before he wrote one more word to Callie, he asked God for wisdom and patience. However, he stopped short.

“I really didn't hear anything Adair said,”
McKay admitted quietly to the Lord.
“I've already been asking for wisdom and patience, and I thinkYou've given me that. Now I need to do as he advised and ask You to bring Pup and me together. I know You brought her into my world for a reason. I think that reason is a life together, but I can't know for sure unless I can be with her. Please put us together again, Lord, and when You do, remind me of how much I need to wait on You. Remind me that I can't rush, and that Your timing has to be my goal.