Love's Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly #4)(54)

Josiah got a full share of the attention on the occasion; he came in from the kitchen bundled up in one of Wong's big white aprons and looking like a huge cocoon. Everyone had a good laugh, and Joey was pleased with the response.

Nathan had insisted that he wanted a crutch "jest like Grandpa's" for his birthday and could not understand the objections to getting him one. He wished to imitate his grandfather in every way, and he felt that the use of a crutch--even though he did plan to keep his leg--would be one more thing that he could share with the man whom he loved so dearly. Missie was horrified at the very thought of such a thing, fearing that Nathan toting about a crutch might be tempting fate. She tried to talk Nathan out of it, promising him all kinds of



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things in its place. Nathan still wanted one. Clark finally had a man-to-man talk with the boy, and Nathan came away from the talk happy to be able to walk on two good legs "like his pa."

Willie was pleased with the profit from the fall cattle sale, and he and Missie left by train for a larger city to do some shopping. Clark and Marty cared for the two boys while the LaHayes were gone.

The shipment of furnishings eventually arrived, and Missie now had a new dining room--splendid in its dark wood furniture, thick rug and rich draperies. Marty complimented Missie many times on her excellent taste, but Missie laughed and replied that anyone had good taste as long as he had good money.

Missie, too, had a birthday. Marty thoroughly enjoyed the chance to make the cake and prepare the birthday dinner after the number of years they had been apart on Missie's birthday. All of the ranch hands were invited for the meal. The large family dining room was almost as crowded as the little soddy had been many Christmases ago. But Missie loved it, and the cowboys all seemed to appreciate it, too.

The winter's first storm moved in without warning. Marty awoke to hear the wind howling around the little soddy. Clark was already up and reading his Bible at the small table while the fire sent out comforting waves of heat, even though the wind tried to tear away its warmth.

Marty snuggled down under the covers again and thought about how fortunate they were. Winter might be here with all of its fury, but they were snug and warm and dry. Marty did not put off getting up for long; Clark had coffee perking, and the smell of it quickly drove away her sleepiness and enticed her from the bed. She crawled forth rather hesitantly but the howling wind had no power in their warm shelter.

"My, thet coffee be smellin' good! I think thet ya purposely made it jest to tempt me from the bed," she said, slipping her arms around Clark's shoulders and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ya hear thet wind?" asked Clark. "Sounds like we're gonna find out all 'bout a western winter."



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"Guess we will at thet," said Marty, "but ya know, it ain't scarin' me none."

Clark merely smiled.

"Whatcha doin'?" asked Marty.

"Well, Henry figures thet when the storms strike on Sundays the folks from any distance won't be able to make it here fer the service. So we talked it over an' decided to make 'em up some lesson materials so thet they might do their own read-in' at home."

"Thet's a good idea!" Marty responded.

"At least this be helpin"em to feel a part of the group even iffen they can't git here. They'll be studyin' the same portion of the Word as the rest of us."

"Thet's nice," Marty said again.

"But I've been at this fer what seems ages already, an' I shore could do with breakfast. I was jest sittin' here a-thinkin' this shore is the kind of a mornin' thet I could use a nice big stack of pancakes."

Marty laughed and went to get dressed so that she could make Clark his pancakes.

The winter weather continued as it had begun. The storms moved in and out of the area. As predicted, the Sunday crowd at the LaHayes' diminished. Henry saw to it that the other members of the little congregation received Clark's Sunday lesson materials.

The church building committee worked hard at drawing plans and arranging for the materials for spring building. All the members of the group were anxious to get into their own little church. Juan's mother sent away to the city and ordered a bell for the spire. She felt that a church of God should have a bell with which to call together the worshipers.

Donations for materials or for labor came in from many of the neighbors. Willie and Henry were sure that when a building was finally in evidence, the Sunday attendance would increase sharply.

Cookie still dropped in to see Clark often. Marty was sure that he waited until he saw her heading for Missie's for a chat



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over a cup of tea, and then he would hobble off to have a cup of coffee with Clark in her absence. Clark did not discuss with her much of their conversation--Marty knew that Clark honored Cookie's desire for confidence; yet Marty realized that the old cowboy was deeply troubled about his past life and its effect on his future. Marty wanted to hasten "the awakening" and say outright to Cookie, "So yer a sinner an' ya realize thet yer bad deeds can keep ya from heaven. I was a sinner, too. But one needn't stay in thet state. Christ Jesus came so thet every person could be forgiven and restored to all that God intended when He created us. All ya need do, Cookie, is to accept the gift of life that He offers to ya. It's jest thet simple. Nothin' to it at all. No need to be a-frettin' an' a-stewin' over whether it be a good idea or a bad idea. Common sense tells ya thet ya can't lose on such a deal. Jest do it an' git it taken care