Page 78 of A Love Discovered

“Do you honestly care what people say, Edward? We know that isn’t the case. Besides, no one needs to know anything about it. For all anyone else would know, we bought the place. We don’t need to lie about it, but neither do we need to shout it from the rooftops.”

She reached across the table and took hold of Edward’s hand. “Fred loved you, Edward. You loved him. He was an important mentor in your life and the dearest friend you had.”

“Except for you.” Edward looked up and stared into her eyes. “I meant it when I told you I hate the time I’ve wasted and the way I’ve treated you. Life is so brief, and we should do what we can to help each other and be a blessing. I was willing to share my sorrows with you and to share yours in return, but somewhere along the way I set aside sharing the joy and ... love. I didn’t think I deserved it after Janey.”

“I know.” Marybeth squeezed his fingers. “I’ve been praying you would see that God put us together for reasons other than keeping Carrie safe. We cared for each other as friends, and we shared a common grief. I was more than blessed that you were willing to take Carrie and me as your own—even in name only.”

“But that was never fair to you. I see that now.”

“It wasn’t fair to you either, but you had to work through your sorrow over Janey and your anger at God. I was worried that you’d be angry again with Fred’s passing, but you don’t seem that way.”

“No, I’m not. Fred and I had many a conversation about life and death, and it made me really think. He wasn’t afraid to die. During the war, he told us men that we would all die one day. Could be tomorrow, could be decades from now, but death wasn’t something we had to fear. He helped us to see that we needed to spend our days living—not dying. So even on a battlefield with no guarantee that we would even see the next hour, Fred taught us to live to the fullest.” He rubbed his thumb across Marybeth’s knuckles. “I want to do right by you, Marybeth. I love you, and I know you love me.”

He rose and pulled her up to join him. Marybeth knew he would kiss her. His embrace was tender, and his kiss so very gentle. When he pulled away, Marybeth drew a deep breath. She felt her heart skip a beat.

“I love you with all my heart, Edward. I always will.”

He took her hand in his, then blew out the lamp.

“I’m glad to finally meet you,” Eve’s father, Jasper Hollister, said, shaking Edward’s hand. “Eve tells me that you and your wife have been there for her every step of the way. I appreciate that more than I can say.”

“Fred was a good friend and mentor,” Edward replied. “In some ways, he was an older brother.”

Hollister nodded and motioned Edward to join him in the front room. “Eve’s taking a nap, and your wife has taken the children for a walk. I thought it would give us some time to speak without interruption.”

Edward took a seat on the sofa and waited for Hollister to sit. The tall man looked to be around sixty or so with graying hair and bushy eyebrows. He wore a thick mustache and was dressed impeccably in a dark suit.

“I’ll get right to the point. My daughter has told me that she wishes to gift this house to you. She feels certain Fred would want this, as he had great admiration, respect, and love for you.”

“I told her I couldn’t just take her house. We would like to buy it. However, we don’t know how much we have from the sale of Marybeth’s house in Indiana. I could speak to the bank about a loan. We do own a city lot. I’m told it’s worth quite a bit now. Or if you want to arrange something between us, I am open to that as well.”

The man frowned and shook his head. “No, son. I will not loan you money to buy this house. I believe you should allow Eve to give it to you. As she has told you, she is not in need of the money and, frankly, never will be. This means a lot toher to be able to do this, and I am determined to convince you to let her.”

“But I feel certain that I should pay. Some might think that I was taking advantage of her otherwise.”

“Then, if necessary, we will make it known that it was a part of Fred’s last wishes. Eve tells me that he wanted nothing more than to help you thrive out here. She feels confident that if he had written up a will, you would have been included.”

Edward didn’t know what to say. It was one thing that Eve, in the midst of her heartbreak, should suggest such a thing, but now her father was insisting as well.

“Son, I know you’re a God-fearing man. Eve told me that you are strong in your Christian faith. I am, as well. I believe that there are times when God gives us an opportunity to be blessed by others, as well as be a blessing. Please, I’m asking you as the father of a grieving child, let Eve bless you this way. It will help her healing. It will make her feel as if Fred’s life mattered to someone beyond her and the boys ... that he won’t be forgotten.”

“He’ll never be forgotten by me. House or no house,” Edward assured. “However, your words do convict me. I remember my mother saying something similar. She said sometimes we had to set pride aside and allow others to help us. Not because it would accomplish something great for us, but rather because they were answering God’s direction in their lives and doing what He had appointed them to do. She said it wasn’t right to interfere with God’s work.”

“Exactly. I couldn’t agree more.” His expression softened. “So will you let my daughter bless you and your wife?”

Edward felt a wave of peace and nodded. “I will, and I will always remember the real price of this house. Fred will never be forgotten. I’ll tell my children about him.”

Marybeth, Edward, and Carrie waved good-bye to Eve and the boys as they boarded the eastbound passenger train. Eve’s father had taken care of all the house business with a local lawyer, and now the Henderson house was legally the Vogel place.

It was hard to fathom the changes in her life. Marybeth had a real home and a real husband, all within a matter of days.

“Boys go bye-bye,” Carrie said, continuing to wave.

“Yes,” Marybeth said, giving Carrie a kiss on the cheek. “They are going far away.” She knew Carrie didn’t understand and in the days to come would be lost without them. “I’m going to have to find you some new playmates.”

“Seems like there are children living in the house across the street,” Edward offered. “What with winter having kept everyone indoors, maybe it’s time to get out and meet our neighbors.”

The train jerked forward and began its slow start to the east. Carrie called out good-byes again and again and waved with furious vigor. Marybeth could hardly hold the rambunctious two-year old, so Edward took her and mimicked her wave. This seemed to delight Carrie all the more. To her, this was a grand celebration.

And maybe it was. Marybeth couldn’t help but consider the situation as good, even if bad men and their actions had brought them to this place. Fred could never be replaced in their hearts, and losing Eve as a friend wouldn’t be easy.

The train was finally picking up speed and would soon disappear from sight. Marybeth knew that in the future Eve would write to her and let her know about the baby and how the boys were doing. She would be all right, because herfamily would surround her with love and see her through this sorrowful time. Marybeth couldn’t help but smile as she watched Edward and Carrie. They were her family, and she finally had a home again. She no longer felt the fear that had once nagged at her. They would have a good future. She was certain of it.

Edward caught her gaze and grinned. “You ready to go home?”

He had once asked her that after her father’s funeral, and she had felt as though there were no home to go to. Now things had changed, and she knew what awaited her.

Marybeth laughed and took hold of his arm. “I am.”