Loving Bella (20 page)

She would have never suspected William to be so easily manipulated. Again, she wondered if she’d ever known the man.

Just when she thought the viscount would give up his pride and admit his true feelings, William surprised her. After muttering a rather nasty oath at Shane, he marched to Bella. With a final grumble under his breath, he snatched up her hand. “Bella, darling, will you marry me?” He spoke through gritted teeth.

Before answering, she drew her hand out of William’s grip. Free of the contact, she actually felt her heart settle. “No.”

“No?”

“I don’t want marriage.”

The look of relief on his face should have been humiliating, but his next words left her too cold for any emotion at all. “But you will consider—”

“Absolutely not.” She and Shane said at the same time.

William looked at her then Shane scowled. “What’s Bella to you, anyway?”

Shane stared at her for a long, agonizing moment.
The intensity in his gaze took her breath away. “I love her. She is everything to me, second only to God.”

The man had to work on his timing, but Bella could forgive the minor transgression. Shane had declared his love in front of William, who happened to be sputtering with indignation.

Bella sighed. The sooner she ushered the viscount out of the room, the better. He didn’t belong in her world now, and she didn’t belong in his. He’d know that if he’d give up a portion of his pride. “William, I appreciate that you traveled this far to find me. But I choose to stay here, with Shane.”

William cocked his head, a frown marring his brow. “You’re staying here? With
him?
You’re not even returning to the stage?”

“God has called me to a different life, one with a higher purpose.”

He looked at her as though she’d grown two heads. “As what, a nurse? You’d give up the stage to care for
sick
people?”

And then she knew the truth. William had never loved her. He had merely loved the idea of her. But he hadn’t known her, and he certainly wouldn’t recognize the woman she’d become. A woman of faith, who would spend her life praising God with her voice and honoring Him with her hands.

She didn’t have to defend her decisions, not to this man. She doubted he would understand if she tried.
Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?

“I’m happy here, William. This is where I belong.”

She glanced at Shane. He smiled at her with encouragement. She wanted to rush into his arms, but he’d been right all along. She had to finish what she’d started back in London.

Head high, she focused once more on William. “Go home to your sons, Lord Crawley. Find a wife for yourself, one who will be a good mother, as well. I pray she’s a woman who will make you forget you ever wanted a mistress.”

He looked at her as though he was a man who couldn’t run fast enough in the opposite direction. “So, this is it, then? The end?”

“Goodbye, William.”

She held very still as William muttered a foul word, spun on his heel and left the room without so much as a farewell thrown her way. She felt a little empty as she stared at his retreating back, as though her parting with him had been anticlimactic, nothing but a boring ending to a mediocre play.

“Shane, I have a confession to make,” she said as she continued staring at the space William had recently occupied.

“Yes?”

She turned to face him, let her love shine boldly in her eyes. “I wasn’t completely forthright when I said I didn’t want marriage.”

His gaze turned inscrutable. “No?”

“Oh, I want marriage. As a matter of fact, I
deserve
marriage.”

“Yes.” He smiled. “Yes, you do.”

She took his hand, pressed a kiss in his palm. “But I won’t settle for just any man who comes along.”

“That would be a disaster.”

“Precisely. I have decided I want to share my life with a man willing to sacrifice his own happiness in place of mine, a man who thinks I’m kind, compassionate, smart and all the other things you said in my defense.”

“I love you, Bella.”

“I love you, Shane.”

She lowered to her knees. “I have four little words for you,” she said with a smile. “Will you marry me?”

Frowning, he knelt beside her. “Despite my unusual upbringing, I’m a traditional man, my dear. I’m supposed to ask the question.”

“Then ask it, my love.”

He cupped her face between his hands and kissed her on the lips. “Will you marry me, Bella O’Toole?” He kissed her again. “Will you be my wife?” He kissed her a third time. “And my partner in serving God?”

“I have just one word to say in response.”

A muscle shifted in his jaw. “Is that one word
yes?
”

She gave him a firm nod.
“Yes.”

June 15, 1887, New York City, the Bowery,
lower Manhattan

T
he day dawned clear and hot, magnifying the foul stench of unwashed bodies, rotting fish and stale whiskey. Bella wrinkled her nose as she walked alongside her husband. It wasn’t what she would call the perfect fragrance to accompany a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but nothing could dampen her spirits now that this monumental day had arrived.

In a few moments, Shane would officially open the doors of the Bowery Medical Clinic to the general public. The small hospital was an exact replica of the one they’d launched six months ago in Denver, all the way down to the scrolled verse above the front door:
for we walk by faith, not by sight.

God had provided far more than any of them could
have accomplished on their own. And it seemed the more they gave, the more they received back in joy.

They were truly blessed.

Waddling alongside Shane, Bella felt like an over-dressed, overstuffed cow. According to Hannah, seven months of pregnancy tended to do that to a woman. At least the morning sickness was gone. And yet, as Bella looked around her husband’s childhood streets, bile rose in her throat.

The dark side of life was presented without any attempt to tone down the disreputable image. No decent man or woman would walk these streets at night. Even at this early hour, many of the concert halls and Dime Museums flourished with customers. Vulgar songs accompanied by wretched music spilled into the streets. The lodgings interspersed between the shady businesses were filthy beyond compare. Shane called the falling-down tenements “resorts for thieves.” He would know.

The elder of Shane’s two sisters, Drusilla, a pretty, blonde, round-faced sixteen-year-old spoke Bella’s thoughts aloud. “Oh, Shane, how did you ever survive this place?”

Affection glittered in his eyes as Shane looped an arm over the girl’s shoulder. “Simple. God protected me, my dear.”

Drusilla grinned at him, sisterly adoration apparent in her eyes. “Well, I’m glad for that.”

Not to be outdone, Elizabeth, the gregarious twelve-year-old and miniature version of her older
brother, snatched at his other arm. “And now you’ve returned a hero.”

He lifted a single eyebrow. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“I would.” She looked around her with keen interest, and a little sauciness kicked in her voice. “I think it’s amazing you grew up here, no rules, no restrictions, no—”

“Food, at times,” Shane reminded her.

“Of course.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew serious and she lowered her head. “I forgot that part.”

Shane pulled her close and hugged her against him. “It’s ancient history. And if I can help some of the children who live here now, well, maybe it was for the best. How would I know how to alleviate their suffering, if I hadn’t experienced it myself?”

Blinking rapidly, she lifted her eyes to his. “I’m going to be a doctor just like you.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Bella announced before Shane could offer his opinion on the matter.

Elizabeth turned her head. “You do?”

“I think you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Elizabeth beamed. Emotion squeezed at Bella’s heart. She loved this child dearly, just as she loved Drusilla. But most of all, she loved watching Shane interact with his sisters. Her handsome, serious-minded husband was more relaxed and definitely more affectionate because of his time spent with the girls. Yet another blessing to come from the ashes of Peter Ford’s untimely death.

As soon as the legalities had been settled, Shane had sent for the girls. Thankfully, Drusilla and Elizabeth
had grown to adore Shane in a very short amount of time. And Bella had won them over, as well. In truth, the girls had been desperate for real parents and now the four of them made a happy, albeit unusual, family.

Slowing her pace, Bella looked at Shane over the girls’ heads. He winked at her. His code for
I love you.

She blew him a kiss as they rounded the final corner of their destination. She froze midstep and gasped at the sight before her. Hundreds of people stood in line along the three blocks leading to 35 Bowery. “Oh, Shane, there’s so many of them.”

He blew out a long breath and studied the queue that snaked past brothels, beer gardens and flophouses.

“We’ll do what we can,” he said, looking more than a little stunned himself. “God will provide the rest.”

“But it’ll take a miracle,” Drusilla cried in a shaky voice.

“God’s specialty is miracles,” Shane said with far more conviction this time. “Remember the story of the two fish and five loaves? If the Lord can feed the multitudes, He can certainly help us with this.”

Drusilla slowly nodded. “I…suppose.”

Taking a fortifying breath of air, Shane gripped Bella’s hand and started forward. “By the grace of God we go.”

Nodding, Bella took Drusilla’s hand and Drusilla took Elizabeth’s. As a unified family of four, they pushed their way through the throng.

Mr. Wilson and the young doctor Shane had recently hired stood behind a wide red ribbon that had been roped between two large columns in front of the clinic.

“I think it’s wonderful you’re using Father’s money to open this hospital,” Elizabeth said as they continued marching forward.

Bella couldn’t agree more. Peter Ford’s money was now funding medical care for the impoverished, including women much like the one he’d helped destroy. Had there been decent facilities sixteen years ago, perhaps Amanda Bartlett might still be alive.

It was a sad thought.

But this was not a day for sorrow. This was a day for joy. And celebration.

Much like he’d done in Denver, Shane escorted their group up the front steps of the clinic. Smiling, he lifted the thick ribbon high enough for them to pass under it.

After giving a short speech, he handed Bella a pair of scissors, then wrapped his hands around hers. Together, they cut the ribbon.

A loud cheer lifted from the crowd.

Turning slightly, Shane returned the scissors to Mr. Wilson. “My wife, Dr. Marsalis and I will begin seeing patients in a few moments. In the meantime, will you take my sisters home?”

The solicitor nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

Both girls jammed their fists on their hips and placed stubborn, immovable expressions on their faces.

“I want to stay,” Drusilla announced.

“Me, too,” Elizabeth added.

Shane shook his head at them. “Perhaps tomorrow. Today will be too chaotic.”

“Bella gets to stay,” Elizabeth argued.

“
Bella
has done this before.” Shane’s lips flattened. “I won’t continue arguing with you. My decision is final.” His tone brooked no argument.

Knowing when to accept defeat, the girls relented.

Among hugs and grumblings and more hugs, Bella and Shane finally sent them on their way.

Before entering the building, Shane pulled Bella aside. “Thank you, my dear, thank you for being the best wife a man could hope to have.” His ocean-blue eyes shone with emotion. “You are the love of my life.”

A fresh spurt of joy tickled her throat. “Shane, I’m so proud of you. I love you so much.”

Pulling her close, he ran his gaze down the long line of patients. “I thought I’d escaped this neighborhood. But God had a bigger plan in mind.”

“You’ve come full circle, my love.”

He kissed her on the nose and then set her far enough away to glance at her belly. Concern marred his features. “Are you sure you’re up to this today?”

“Nothing could keep me away.”

A smile lifted the corner of his lips. “I’m glad. I need you by my side, Bella. As my helper, my wife and my greatest love on earth.”

She lifted to her toes and touched her lips to his. “Good thing I’m not going anywhere.”

“A very good thing.”

They laughed together.

“Hey,” shouted a man from at least a half block away. “You gonna open them doors or not?”

Shane’s gaze traveled down to the man speaking, then cut back to Bella. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”

His words were the same ones he’d used when Ethan Scott had hurt his leg that first day she’d arrived in Denver. This time, however, Shane was asking Bella to assist him the rest of their lives.

Lord, thank You for giving me the courage to love this man, and to do the work You’ve planned for us.

She boldly held her husband’s gaze and allowed a driving sense of purpose to shine in her eyes. “I’m at your disposal, Dr. Shane.”

He kissed her on the lips. “A man never tires of hearing that from his wife.”

This time, she kissed him. “Indeed.”

Arm in arm, they stepped to the front of the line and ushered the first patient inside.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for spending time with me at Charity House. I consider it a great privilege to share Shane and Bella’s story with you.

If this is your first book with me, welcome! If you’ve come along for the ride before then you’ve probably discovered something about me as a writer. I have a heart for imperfect, flawed characters who struggle with all sorts of misconceptions about themselves. I figure I love these types of characters because I’m as human as they come, with my own share of failings. In fact, I’ll let you in on a little secret about writers. Most of us don’t write what we know, we write who we are. Sometimes this shows up in small ways, like a silly quirk or a favorite food or a unique talent. Other times the similarities are glaring. This particular story would be one of those “other times” in my case.

If I had to pick one of my heroines that most reflects who I am at the core it would be Bella. Not in relation to her singing talent (I can’t carry a tune in a bucket), but in regards to how she allows a past mistake to define her future. I suspect Bella and I are not alone in this particular misconception. We are, after all, women. Thankfully, we also have a loving God who offers His grace on a daily basis, often minute by minute.

Have you discovered this reality in your own life? Whether this is the first time you’ve thought about God’s grace or the thousandth, I would love to hear
your story. You can contact me at www.reneeryan.com or catch me on one of those popular social networking sites found on the World Wide Web.

In the meantime, happy living, happy reading, happy days ahead!

Blessings,

Renee Ryan