Kansas Courtship (23 page)

Whoops and hollers filled the air. When Alex broke from the crowd and hugged Nora with all his might, Zeb’s heart turned into pudding. On a dark day in June, in the middle of a tornado, he’d faced death and discovered a yearning for life. He’d risked love and found the greatest of blessings…a wife, a son and a legacy that would last for generations.

A week from today, he and Nora would take their vows in the High Plains Christian Church. Surrounded by friends and family, they’d be joined as man and wife for the rest of their days. When Nora smiled, Zeb smiled back. Joy hung between
them, along with an awareness of the promises they’d soon make. Bold as always, his red-haired wife-to-be winked at him. Grinning, Zeb winked back. This time they meant it.

“A
re you two sure?” Reverend Preston asked. “That’s quite a gift.”

“We’re positive.” Nora squeezed her husband’s hand. They’d been married for exactly twenty minutes, but they’d decided yesterday to mark their wedding day with a gift to High Plains.

Zeb stood at her side. Dressed in a black suit, a brocade vest, white shirt and shiny boots, he looked as polished as silver. She particularly liked the vest. He’d picked one with swirls of dark green and copper. The green matched the fancy dress she’d thought she’d never wear again. Zeb thought the copper matched her hair.

He’d retired his crutches, but Nora had insisted he use a cane. Even the walking stick couldn’t detract from his presence. Looking strong, he tapped the cane on the floor of the town hall. “We’d like to make the announcement now.”

“Of course.” The reverend indicated the room overflowing with friends. “It’s your wedding.”

Zeb smiled at Nora, then kissed her on the cheek. Together they faced the crowd. Two months ago, Nora had arrived on a
freight wagon. She’d been alone and challenged at every turn. Today she knew every person in the room and a few who’d stayed home or moved on. The Johnsons hadn’t come to the celebration to avoid being shunned, and both Percy and Abigail had left High Plains, at least for now.

Nora couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. She belonged in this town. Even more important, she belonged with Zeb.

Reverend Preston raised his voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to present Mr. and Dr. Zebulun Garrison.”

Nora’s mouth gaped. She hadn’t expected to be called “Dr. Garrison” at her wedding. Later, yes, but not today. The title was a gift from Zeb, and she accepted it by kissing his cheek.

Reverend Preston waited for the applause to stop, then indicated Zeb and Nora should step forward. Hands entwined, they took in the smiling faces. Zeb looked around until he spotted the Logan family, all of them. Nora saw Emmeline looking lovely in a lilac gown. Bess stood next to her. Instead of the lost child Nora had met in Dr. Dempsey’s office—her office now, a wedding gift from Zeb—she saw a young woman chattering with a friend. Emmeline’s mother, Joanna, and her new husband, Hank, were keeping an eye on the brood of children. Johnny, Glory, Mikey and Missy all had on clean shirts or dresses, but Nora knew that would change as soon as Rebecca and Mrs. Jennings served the cake.

Zeb motioned to the Logan clan. “Will, come up here.”

Will shared a look with his wife, then came to stand at Zeb’s side.

Zeb scanned the crowd again, then motioned at the blacksmith. “Pete, you, too.”

Nora wouldn’t have guessed Pete to be debonair, but he looked like a European prince in a dark suit. Rebecca had stuck a flower in his lapel and he’d slicked back his hair.
Nora smiled at the first friend she’d made in High Plains. Dressed in pale blue calico, the blonde looked both happy and proud. Her brother Edward stood at her side. He hadn’t spoken for Winnie Morrow yet, but Nora thought that day would come soon.

As Pete made his way to the front, Nora searched the crowd for Alex. During the wedding ceremony, she and Zeb had broken tradition. They’d taken their vows, then asked the boy to come forward. The three of them had held hands and promised to be a family forever.

It had been a special moment, but afterward Alex had been glad to race out of the church. She spotted him poking at Jonah while Mrs. Jennings kept an eye on them.

Next to the boys, Nora saw Clint with Cassandra. Zeb had promised his sister a wedding to rival the biggest event in Boston, including a white gown made by Mrs. Morrow. They’d set a date for October and had plans to move into Nora’s little house, another gift from Zeb. Instead of holding down two jobs, Clint has decided to work full-time at the mill so Cassandra could teach through the winter.

Knowing what Zeb intended, Nora slipped into the front row as Pete took his place next to Will. This moment belonged to the men of High Plains.

Zeb looked at her with a proud smile, surveyed the people in the town hall, then raised his voice. “Almost two years ago on Christmas Day, Will and I founded this town. When we saw the land, we knew we’d come home. On that day, Will thanked the Lord for bringing us to this place. He prayed that God would keep us mindful of His plan and guide our paths.” Zeb looked at his friend. “It seems fitting to recall that prayer.”

“Yes, it does,” Will acknowledged. “It took faith to build this town the first time, and more faith to rebuild after the storm. This
is a day of celebration, but I think Zeb and Nora would agree. It’s also a day to remember loved ones, both present and gone.”

Silence settled and Nora bowed her head. Emmeline had lost her father in the tornado. The twins had come close to death, and others like Alex’s brother had been lost to eternity. Nora had a bit of loneliness of her own. She missed her mother and father terribly, but Carolina had helped her dress. Someday her parents would visit. She felt blessed indeed.

Will looked at his wife. “It takes faith to survive in this world. It takes faith to work and raise children. It’s hardest to believe when things are the darkest, but that’s what we do in High Plains. This very building—a town hall that will stand for years to come—is evidence of who we are and what we do. No matter the cost, we support each other. No matter the risk, we
believe.
”

The crowd broke into applause.

At Zeb’s urging Pete stepped forward. “There’s a verse in the Bible we live every day. It’s this—‘Perfect love casteth out fear.’ It’s no secret, friends, that I had a fearful time even before the tornado. After the storm, we all did. But I learned something in a dark cellar on that fateful day. Love is stronger than fear. When I look at my lovely wife—” he stared straight at Rebecca “—I thank God for bringing us together. I thank God for the love in this entire town.”

Nora saw tears of happiness in Rebecca’s eyes. When Pete grinned, the room exploded with whistles and clapping.

The applause faded and Zeb cleared his throat. “This town was built on three principles. Faith, love and fortitude. Faith got us started. Love gives us a purpose. Fortitude is what keeps us going. When a tornado destroyed this town, we rebuilt it. We accepted the challenge—every one of us. I’m proud to be a part of that effort, and even prouder to count you all as friends.”

People clapped their approval, but Zeb asked for quiet. “Re
building High Plains was a community effort. To commemorate the sacrifices we all made, my wife and I—” He gave a lopsided grin. “I like the sound of that.”

The crowd laughed with him.

“My wife and I would like to make a gift to the town. I’ve already written to a master craftsman in New York. By this time next year, High Plains Christian Church will have the prettiest stained-glass windows in all of Kansas.”

A hush settled over the room. Not only had the Lord restored the fortunes of High Plains, He’d done more than anyone could have asked or imagined.

Reverend Preston spoke from the sidelines. “Let us pray.”

And so they bowed their heads, everyone from young to old, and the reverend offered a prayer of thanks. As Nora closed her eyes, she imagined the church with two rows of tall windows, a glorious mix of blue, red, yellow and even purple. The windows would be a tribute to this moment for generations to come. Blessed and full of joy, she thanked God for His wondrous gifts.

Dear Reader,

Research, romance and real life touched in a big way in this story. Shortly after learning I’d be writing the third book in “After the Storm,” I fussed to my husband that I didn’t know a thing about sawmills. He frequently hears me ramble and he sometimes offers ideas, but being married to a writer can be a strange experience. What can he say about imaginary people with imaginary problems?

But this time was different. We’d just left church when I heaved a big sigh and said, “I
really
need to find a mill.”

The next thing I knew, we were doing a U-turn. This wasn’t your garden-variety U-turn. We burned rubber. I was in mild shock. “Where in the world—”

“A mill. We’re going to a mill.” He sounded like James Bond.

“Where?”

“Up the road.”

You can imagine my excitement when we arrived at the Colvin Run Historic Mill in Great Falls, Virginia. For the next two hours, my husband waited patiently while I looked at every detail and asked the miller a hundred questions. We saw a demonstration of wheat being turned into flour, all powered by a waterwheel. I’ll never forget the sound of water spilling as the wheel turned and the millworks went into motion.

Colvin Mill was constructed in northern Virginia in the 1830s as a gristmill. In my book, the town needed a sawmill. More research provided the answer. In the nineteenth century, sawmills were frequently converted to gristmills as the number
of trees diminished. This change was common in eastern Kansas where this story is set.

I had a great day at Colvin Mill, but the best part was my husband’s thoughtfulness. I am blessed, indeed!

All the best,

1. As a female physician, Dr. Nora Mitchell encounters prejudice because of her gender. Do you think prejudice against women doctors is still a problem? Do you think a female pediatrician is more easily accepted than a female neurosurgeon?
   
2. Zeb Garrison feels deceived when “Dr. N. Mitchell” turns out to be Dr. Nora Mitchell. Is his anger justified? Was Nora deceptive when she used only her initial? How did she justify her action to Zeb?
   
3. Bess Carter is suffering from hysterical muteness as a result of the tornado. What kind of treatment does Dr. Nora recommend? How does treating Bess as if everything is normal encourage her recovery? Do you see a connection to living a life of faith?
   
4. The town hall is very important to the people of High Plains. What does it represent?
   
5. Cassandra is torn between Boston and Kansas. What are the best things about living in a big city like Boston? What are the best things about a town like High Plains? Which would you pick?
   
6. Nora has a strong faith and believes in taking calculated risks. What risks have you taken in your life? Have you moved far from home? Or maybe taken on a new career? Which challenges were the hardest?
   
7. Being jilted by a former fiancée has left Zeb bitter. What steps lead to his eventual ability to forgive and love again? How does Nora react to his initial judgment of her?
   
8. Clint Fuller and Percival Walker are both vying for Cassandra Garrison’s attention. What does Cassandra see in Percy? What does she see in Clint? What tips the scale in Clint’s favor?
   
9. What happens to finally make Zeb accept Nora as a physician? Do you see a connection between being in need and crying out to God?
   
10. If you knew a tornado was headed your way, and you had ten minutes to gather your most precious possessions, what would you take?
    
11. What does the waterfall represent to Nora? What does it mean to Zeb? Have you ever looked down the road of your life and seen a big change? How did you cope with it?
    
12. When the jubilee committee meets, Abigail insults Nora. Does Nora turn the other cheek or fight back? Would you describe her reaction as prideful or wise in the ways of the world?
    
13. Zeb and Nora share similar traits. How are they alike? How are they different? If you could write another epilogue, what would you imagine for them in ten years?
    
14. The women in High Plains all have worthwhile occupations. Emmeline is a rancher’s wife and is raising a family.
    Rebecca is a cook and has plans to open her own inn. Cassandra teaches school, and Nora is a physician. If you lived in High Plains in 1860, which career would you pick? One of the above or something different?
    
15. All of High Plains comes together at the jubilee. For those readers who have read all three books, which heroine would you most like to meet? How do they each show faith, love and fortitude?