Leave a Candle Burning (28 page)

“I prayed to believe,” Cathy said to Doyle at bedtime Sunday. She was sitting on her side of the bed, her back to her husband, not even turning when she heard him move to face her. “I asked God to help me believe like you and Maddie do. I told Him I’m a sinner only He can save, and He helped me.”

“When was this?” Doyle asked, staying still and waiting for her to turn.

“A week ago.”

Doyle was stunned. Cathy had been working hard at understanding Scripture for months now, but he didn’t think she’d come to this point.

“Did you feel like you couldn’t tell me?”

“I wanted you to notice.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t, Cathy,” Doyle wasted no time in saying. “That was wrong of me.”

Cathy finally turned. “Maybe you didn’t notice because there’s been no change.”

“Is that what you hoped I’d see?”

Cathy nodded.

Doyle went and sat beside her. He put an arm around her shoulders, and Cathy leaned into him.

“Do you suppose it was real, Doyle? Did I really believe?”

“Right now we’re going to operate under the belief that you did, but I can tell you some things you can watch for.”

“All right.”

“A repentant heart and a hunger for the truth of God’s Word.”

“Is that all?”

“Those are huge, Cathy,” Doyle said.

“I just thought there would be such a long list.”

Doyle thought about that for a moment.

“I can tell you one other thing, something Jace shared with me on Sunday,” Doyle continued. “He said too many folks think they can make Christ their Savior but not their God. They think that a one-time prayer experience and regular church attendance are enough, but the Bible says that we’re like slaves to a master, the most wonderful Master in the universe, but still a master. The giving up of our will, of expecting to have our way, and of being in control are some of the things God expects from us.”

Cathy looked thoughtful over this but not rebellious. She was not a person who liked being told what to do. She was capable and strong, and in the past quite certain her sin was not serious enough to condemn her.

“And that’s how I’ll know,” Cathy spoke, almost to herself. “My heart will be changed.”

“Exactly.”

Cathy suddenly smiled, but Doyle didn’t see it. It was true that he hadn’t noticed, but Cathy had noticed all week. The changes were small, but they were very real.

Putting both arms tightly around her husband, Cathy wished that she had told him a week ago.

Dannan headed to the Peterson house alone on Monday morning. He had been called out at four o’clock in the morning, and by the time he’d returned, Iris had already left for work, naturally taking Corina with her.

Dannan knew he could go about his day, but not seeing Corina at all in the morning felt wrong to him. She was a wonderful little person to start the day with, and Dannan missed her. On top of that, Corina had been struggling lately with a few things, and Dannan wanted to make sure she remembered the precautions they’d been talking about.

“Well, Dannan,” Finn greeted that man. “Come on in. Your little miss is helping with the baking this morning.”

“That’s fine timing on my part. Maybe she’ll share.”

Dannan made the kitchen in time to see the first pan of cookies go into the oven. Corina watched from a distance and clapped her small hands when Iris turned to her with excited eyes.

“Someone to see you, Corina,” Finn announced, and Corina threw herself at Dannan.

Dannan scooped her up and held her close for a long time. He stood in the Peterson kitchen, the morning sun streaming through the window, and just let himself enjoy the feel of those little arms around his neck.

“Danna?” Corina pushed away enough to see his face. “Read boos.”

“You want to read books?”

The wispy bits of hair around her ears bounced as she nodded.

“We’ll do that when we get home tonight. I have to work right now, but I wanted to see how you were, and to remind you to eat what Iris gives you and be thankful.”

“San you,” Corina said.

“That’s right. When I see you later today, you can tell me what a good job you did.”

Again the nod, and Dannan kissed her cheek. She wanted to show him something with the tea set, but as soon as this was accomplished, Dannan went on his way, first giving Iris a word of thanks. It was never easy to leave Corina, but seeing how happy she was and knowing that Iris’ care of her was excellent, gave his heart a good deal of peace.

“I think I found a mistake.” Scottie sat at her desk in the parlor at midmorning, speaking out loud to the empty room. She double-checked the books she was working over and then checked them again. As soon as she was sure, she headed up to see Eli.

He was reading a book when she arrived but set it aside as soon as she came into view.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“I think we’ve made a mistake,” Scottie sat so that he could look at the account book with her. It was the book where they recorded all the transactions with their rental houses and two fields. It was the way Eli’s mother had made a living, and she had handed these properties down to her son. Eli had waited only a month after marrying Scottie to teach her every aspect of the system.

“Look at this rent payment at the Cole house.” She pointed with the tip of her pencil. “They don’t pay as much as Bentzens do, but that’s the number entered. We’re off by at least two dollars.”

“Not we,” Eli said, studying the line. “That’s my handwriting.”

Scottie took time to look. Their penmanship was very similar, and she honestly hadn’t noticed.

“Well, anyway,” she said, dismissing it as unimportant, “did we make a change that I’ve forgotten about?”

“No, I must have entered it wrong. Where else are we off?”

Scottie walked him through the places she’d found, and in less than 30 minutes, all numbers were back on track.

“What would I do without you?” Eli asked when she closed the account book.

“Have mistakes in the book, I expect.”

Eli only laughed and went back to his reading, and Scottie went downstairs to check on Iris and dinner.

“Sorry I’m late,” Dannan apologized to Reese when Troy showed him in from the front door.

“Not at all,” Reese replied. “You’ve been busy lately, and we’ve missed you.”

“Thank you.” Dannan took a seat and filled his plate from the dishes passed his way. “How did you fare at the picnic, Reese? I noticed you stayed in the shade.”

“I did fine. It was warm, but I felt pretty good.”

“She probably stayed under the tree to humor me,” Troy put in.

“And me,” Conner added.

Dannan had to smile. For a moment he wondered what it would be like for Reese to have two people fussing over her, and then he realized she was one of the most relaxed, calmest hostesses he’d ever encountered. She was an excellent cook, and her baked goods were delicious. She never rushed about but sat down and ate with her guests, taking their compliments in stride.

“What month are you due, Reese?” Dannan asked when he realized he didn’t know.

“October,” Reese told him, thinking nothing of this. Conner, however, kept his eyes on their guest. When Dannan didn’t do anything but nod, Conner wanted him to know he could say more.

“Do you have concerns, Dannan?” the big man asked.

“No.” Dannan was truthful. “She’s large, but I think it’s easy to assume that’s because the baby is.”

“Do you enjoy delivering babies?” Troy asked.

“Always,” Dannan said with a smile.

For several minutes, Conner battled with worry. It was so easy to expect God to fall in line with the will of man and not be as concerned about the will of God.

“I don’t get fearful,” Reese suddenly shared, “but I think I’ve accepted the fact that it’s not going to be a fun time.”

“It’s going to be what it’s going to be,” Troy put in, at times fighting his own battle of worry. “We’ll make sure Dannan is close by and leave the rest in God’s hands.”

No one commented further on the subject as they continued the meal. What Troy said was true, and he had put it so nicely.

“I asked Scottie to join us today,” Eli explained as soon as Douglas arrived in his room and found both husband and wife.

“Oh, I’m glad,” Douglas said sincerely. “How are you, Scottie?”

“I’m doing well, thank you. How about yourself?”

“I’m well. A little sore after that fifth horseshoe game at the picnic.”

“You kept winning,” Scottie reminded him.

“Yes, and I don’t know why, since I don’t play very often.”

“Which explains why you’re sore,” Eli added dryly.

“Exactly,” Douglas agreed, just as dryly.

Eli laughed at him before getting to the point.

“When Scottie came home on Sunday,” he explained, “she had a question for me. I didn’t have a great answer and hoped you could help us.”

Douglas turned to Scottie.

“Ask away,” he encouraged.

“It’s about hospitality. I’m not sure I’m doing a good job.”

“Before you answer,” Eli cut back in, “I have something I need to say to you, Scottie. I wanted to do it in front of Douglas so he could hold me accountable.”