Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(45)

Marty looked at him quickly and saw that he was rather pale. Maybe Missie had been right; maybe Clark was pushing things too quickly.

But Clark was content to take one day at a time. He attempted only what he thought he could manage. Very gradually, his strength was returning.



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Chapter Twenty




Neighbors



The two families from town whose boys had been involved in the old mine accident came out to the LaHaye farm for a visit. The ladies, still unable to talk of the incident without weeping, thanked Clark over and over for saving their sons. Mrs. Croft, whose Abe had been lost in the mishap, wiped away tears as she shared how difficult the adjustment to life without Abe had been for his brother Casey, but she was so thankful they had been able to see Abe again and that he had not been buried in the depths of the mine. They also were appreciative to Willie for making the proper arrangements concerning the blasting of the mine opening so there would be no further danger to other children.

Though it was difficult for them to truly express what they were feeling, they did try to make Clark understand how sorry they were that he had lost his leg. Clark assured them that in every circumstance of his life--whether good or bad--he believed with all of his heart that God knew his situation and was more than able to help him through it. He told them he was aware that there would be adjustments and some of them



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would be difficult; but, though he was human, God was sovereign. The visitors looked a trifle uneasy at Clark's "strange talk." Marty, watching with understanding eyes, supposed it was as new to them as it had been to her when she had first joined Clark's household so many years before. Clark's face and voice held such confidence that in spite of their doubts, the people in the room could not but be sure he meant every word.

Finally Mrs. Croft dared to speak some of what she was feeling. "It was hard fer me not to have a preacher-man here fer my son's buryin'. Oh, I know I ain't rightly what you'd call a church person, but I believe in the Almighty. Can't say thet I'm on speakin' terms with 'im exactly. . . but. . . well, sometimes . . . 'specially in hard times like we jest been through . . . sometimes I jest wish I knew a little more 'bout 'im . . .

It was Willie who spoke. "We have meetin's here together each Sunday. I know thet it ain't like being in a church, but we do read from the Word together an' sing a hymn or two. We sure would be welcomin' you to join us. Anyone is welcome at any time."

"Where ya meetin'?"

"Right here--in our home."

The woman's eyes took on a new light.

"What time ya meet?"

"Every Sunday at two o'clock."

"I dunno," spoke up the man. "It's a long way from town. By the time we got back home again, it'd be most dark."

The woman, disappointed, looked down at her lap and her clasped hands.

Clark spoke up. "Maybe the service could be moved up a bit earlier and not 'llowed to go fer too long."

The woman looked up again, her eyes hopeful.

"Well," said the man, sensing how much it meant to her, "we might try it fer a Sunday at the two o'clock time an' see how it goes."

The slight smile flickering across the woman's face said it all.

Andy's parents had taken no part in the conversation. Willie



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turned to them. "We'd be most happy to have ya join us, too."

The man was quick to dismiss the idea. He shook his head and shuffled his feet in an embarrassed fashion. What he mumbled was, "Don't think thet we be a-needin' thet. Our boy is jest fine now. Doc set his ankle and it's most as good as new."

Willie held his tongue. He wished to say that one did not go to church only when one had an apparent need, but now did not seem the proper time to say it. Clark said it--in a little different way, perhaps, but the message was there.

"We spend a bit of time in our service thanking the Lord as well. Perhaps you an' yer wife would like an opportunity to thank God thet He 'llowed yer boy to git out safely. Ya would be welcome to join us at any time--fer any reason."

The man nodded but remained silent.

Missie served them coffee and cake, and they went on their way, Mrs. Croft already counting the days until Sunday.

Maria and Juan came often. Juan, like a new man, had been to the city to make arrangements for setting up a proper office for the practice of medicine. He had stocked a supply cupboard with the medicines and equipment he would need. The townsfolk had coaxed him to move into a building that they would provide, but Juan wished to remain on his ranch. He did agree to be at a town office for two days of the week; the rest of the time he would work out of his own home. Glad that he had built a large house, he immediately converted one wing into an office and small examining room. He worried some, realizing that he had none of the conveniences of the city hospitals, but some cases could be sent out by train or stagecoach.

One night as they talked together, Clark noticed that the usually buoyant Juan was quiet. Maria tried to keep the conversation going, but it was easy to sense that something was troubling Juan. After asking about his new practice, the neighborhood, the ranch, the children, and still getting very little response from Juan, the group grew quiet.