Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(44)

Marty laid aside the shirt and went to check on Clark. Missie was already there. In fact, it was not often that Missie was not with her father. She made up games that she played with him, she read to him, she fluffed his pillows and sponged his face and hands, she talked to him about her garden and her children, she discussed his meals and she told of happenings in the district. Yes, Missie was often with her father. It was touching to see so much love between father and daughter. Marty smiled at the two of them.

"Ya know what he's a-sayin'?" said Missie in exasperation. "He's sayin' that he's gonna get up."

Marty smiled again. "I think thet's a great idea," she said. "Great?" Missie, in shock, exclaimed. "He's not ready for that yet! Juan said--"

"Juan said thet he should choose his own pace. Iffen yer father thinks thet he is--"

Clark stopped the two of them. "Hold it, hold it," he said, raising his hands in his customary way. "No use ya all gittin' into it. I will obey my doctor. I will not git up 'til I am ready to git up. Iffen ya don't think thet the time is right, Missie, I will wait."

Missie looked relieved, and Marty looked slightly bewildered.

"I will wait until right after lunch," continued Clark. Missie sputtered, "Big wait--especially since it's now eleven-thirty."

Then they all three began to laugh.



144



After lunch, Clark sat on the edge of the bed for a while. Later, with Marty on one side and Wong on the other, he moved to the porch to sit in a rocking chair. The day was warm, and the sun's rays felt good to the man who had been shut away in the house far too long. He took great breaths of the fresh air and sniffed deeply of the earth and the growing things.

Nathan came to play by him, showing him all the tricks Max could do. Being more a family dog than a showdog, Max had very few of them, so Nathan put him through the same ones over and over while Clark laughed appreciatively as though enjoying each trick.

Scottie just then returned from town and with him was the letter from the family back home.

"Dear Ma and Pa," Marty read aloud.

"We are so glad to hear that Pa is finally feeling better. We can't say how sorry we are for the accident that took Pa's leg, but we are so glad that he was spared. We have all been praying daily, I guess almost hourly, for you both.

"We don't want you to worry none about things here at home. Clare has decided to go ahead with his wedding. They had talked of waiting until you were back home again, but they thought that that might pressure you into traveling before you are really ready. We want to be good and sure that you are strong enough for the trip before you attempt it, Pa. So, for our sake, please don't come home until you are really well.

"Arnie is taking good care of the stock. That's been his job since you left, Pa. Of course he helps Clare in the field, too, but the stock is in his special care. He has not been seeing Hester lately. Her brothers just made it too miserable, and she says that she doesn't want to marry anyone that her brothers can't drink with.

"There's a new girl in town though. She is the new preacher's daughter, and Arnie has gotten pretty friendly with her. You would really like her, Ma. She's a very thoughtful person, and Arnie is beginning to think that she's kind of cute.



145



"Luke's not going to college this fall. He's been seeing Dr. Watkins a lot lately. Dr. Watkins says that he's still lots young and another year of waiting won't hurt him any. Dr. Watkins is giving Luke the use of some of his medical books to read. He is taking Luke with him on his Saturday calls too, so Luke says he is learning more than he ever would in the first year of school. Dr. Watkins really seems to be enjoying Luke. He treats him as though he was his son. Guess Dr. Watkins maybe misses not having a family of his own. Anyway, Luke seems really happy with this arrangement.

"Everything is going well here. The canning is most all done, Ma. The garden has done real good and the apples are coming on well. Ma Graham came over and helped me for one day. She sends her love. Everyone at church is remembering you in prayer.

"Nandry and Clare both say that they will write now that we know a little better what to say. I will admit that we were really scared for awhile. God bless you both. We miss you to be sure, but we are doing fine on our own.

"In love, Ellie and the boys"

The letter both relieved and saddened Marty. She missed them all so much, but it was good to hear that they were all right and managing well without them. She was glad that Clare was going ahead with the wedding, and she was also glad that Arnie had a nice girl for a friend. Marty was relieved to hear that her Luke would not be going off to college without his mother there to see him off. She thanked God for working out these things and for allowing Dr. Watkins to shepherd the boy.

Clark turned from the letter with relief in his face. Marty had been unaware that, in spite of his ordeal, he also was concerned for the family at home.

"Well," he said, "seems as though they be makin' do jest fine without us. I'm proud of the young'uns you've raised, Mrs. Davis."

Marty beamed. "An' so am I. 'Course you didn't have much of a hand in it at all."

,



146



"Maybe we can jest sort of take our time recuperatin' after all," sighed Clark. His grin was a little wobbly. "I think I'll jest go on back to my bed and catch me a nap."