Leave a Candle Burning (18 page)

Cathy was asleep in record time that night, but not so Doyle. He lay praying, talking to God about the day and wondering at the marvel of forgiveness. He let the truth of the cross roll over him. He thought about the blood that was shed—not just any blood, but the blood of God, and his heart sobered in an instant.

He then thanked God for Jace Randall. Jace had been studying the cross and Christ’s sacrifice in detail and had been sharing all he’d learned with Doyle. Doyle had not given thought to much of this prior to now, but this knowledge had sustained him lately. He was tempted to discouragement that Cathy was still so undecided. Remembering the blood sacrifice caused him to think better about who God was, as well as His perfect plan.

Cathy chose that moment to shift in the bed, and Doyle began to pray for her.

Lord, she is so reticent to admit she sins. Please help her to see how forgiving You are. Help her know that You would not reject her humble plea. Help her to know the peace that can only come with repentance and confession to You alone.

Doyle was suddenly drained. His mind still full of his wife and his saving God, he drifted off into dreamless sleep.

“I’m headed into the garden,” Scottie informed Iris just after breakfast Monday morning.

Iris turned away from the fireplace to look at her. “Now why would you be doing that?”

Scottie was ready for this. “I don’t think there’s any need to overwhelm this little girl with a houseful of adults. I’ll just occupy myself outside until she’s had a few hours to adjust.”

“What if they don’t come for a few hours?”

Scottie shrugged but was not put off.

“All right,” Iris agreed, not sure what she was expecting or why she felt a little disappointed. These thoughts flew out of her head some 30 minutes later when Dannan, a very small girl at his side, knocked at the front door. Iris hid her feelings, but she had not been expecting someone so small or adorable.

“Come in,” she greeted warmly, her voice softening a bit even as she wondered if she had forgotten how little a three-year-old could be.

“This is Iris,” Dannan said to his little girl. “Can you tell her your name?”

“Porina Joy,”

“And what a pretty name it is,” Iris was swift to compliment. “Is this your doll?”

The little head bobbed.

“I share,” Corina informed her, remembering the conversation she and Dannan had just had over breakfast.

Dannan smiled down at her, wondering how he was going to leave her. He also wanted to talk to Eli but felt he should exit as soon as possible. He said as much to Iris, who understood completely. Forcing himself before he would lose all resolve, he kissed Corina goodbye and left.

For a moment he stood on the front porch and took some huge breaths. He then made a beeline for the bank. He had to speak with Conner.

Eight

The fence around the kitchen garden was a high one, but there was a large gap between two boards that allowed Scottie to look up and see Dannan on the front step. He was alone, so she knew he was leaving. She might have called a greeting, but the way he stopped on the front porch, his eyes closed for a moment, kept her silent. Scottie watched him walk away, knowing she hadn’t been fully honest with Iris.

It was true that she didn’t want Corina to be overwhelmed, but it was also true that her own heart was still aching over what had happened the morning before at the meetinghouse. She knew it would all come back as soon as she saw Corina. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for that.

Scottie stood for a long time and stared at the inside of the fence, not really seeing it. It took some time, but with a new resolve, she eventually went back to work. Taking extra time, she was determined to have a basket of fresh goods for Dannan when he arrived back to take Corina home.

“This is the kitchen,” Iris said as she showed Corina the next room. “I work in here most of the day, and right here,” she directed, “is a little table and chair where you can sit and play.”

Corina looked at the small collection of toys and tiny table and chair and back up at Iris. Iris smiled at her and Corina smiled shyly back. Iris’ smile grew when Corina went toward the table and carefully picked up a small cup from the miniature tea set displayed there. She watched her for a moment, giving an approving nod when Corina looked at her.

A moment later, Corina set her doll down and picked up the teapot, removing the tiny top and peeking inside. Iris then felt confident to turn back to her work. They were going to get along just fine.

“Can I speak with you?”

Dannan found Conner behind the counter and asked the moment he was close enough to keep his voice low.

“Of course. I’ll let Troy know and be right with you.”

Dannan waited outside, and as soon as Conner joined him, they began to walk. They didn’t remain on the green but cut across yards until they were in an open field a few blocks away.

“Are you all right?” Conner asked, his eyes intent on the other man.

“It was hard to leave her,” Dannan admitted. “I can’t have her with me, but it was hard to walk away.”

“Did you have second thoughts about Iris?”

“No, that wasn’t it. I’m torn inside. The changes that have happened in my life in the last weeks have been overwhelming. Part of me needs a break and wants to have some time without Corina. At the same time, I know that I’m the one who understands her and knows what certain looks mean. It feels like I’ve abandoned her.”

“But you haven’t. You’ve provided for her. It would be ideal, Dannan, if she could be with you when she needs you, and at the same time, give you time on your own. But you’d need a perfect world for that, and we don’t have one. These first few days will be hard on both of you, but you are still the best person to raise that little girl. Don’t ever forget that.”

Dannan nodded, working to take comfort in the words. He knew he had a job to do. It was more important than ever to make a living and support Corina, but even as he thanked Conner for his time and headed out on his rounds, he wondered whether keeping his mind on his work was even possible when his heart was so torn.

Scottie did not leave the garden until midmorning. She slipped quietly inside the kitchen door and smiled when she found Corina at the table. Iris grinned at her mistress and kept working on dinner. Scottie watched Corina a moment more, but when the little girl did not look up, Scottie slipped up the stairs—grubby hands and all—to see her husband.

“Have you met her?” Scottie asked the moment she entered the bedroom.

“No, but Finn keeps bringing me reports.”

“Have you met her, Finn?” Scottie asked.

“Not formally. She’s awfully content at that little table, and I think Iris is just letting her be.”

“She’s adorable,” Scottie said. “And she fits in the chair as though it had been made for her.”

“How did the gardening go?” Eli asked, not missing the dirt on her hands, nor minding it.

“I wanted a basket for Dannan and Corina, so I stayed out a bit longer. The weeds are trying to take over the beans, but I think I’ve gotten the best of them. Eli,” she said, changing directions rather swiftly, “does it bother you that Iris hasn’t brought Corina up here?”

“I thought I would meet her today,” he replied, sounding only slightly disappointed. “And the day’s not over yet, but her welfare is more important than my meeting her.”

Scottie nodded, not surprised he felt that way. She knew he would love to see and meet her, but a too-thin, slightly bent, bedridden man whose hair needed cutting just now might be a little scary to Corina’s small heart.